4. ARRANGEMENT OF KING OLAF'S COURT.

King Olaf had 120 courtmen-at-arms, and 60 pursuivants, besides 60

house-servants, who provided what was wanted for the king's house

wherever it might be, or did other work required for the king. When

the bondes asked why he kept a greater retinue than the law allowed, or

former kings kept when they went in guest-quarters or feasts which the

bondes had to provide for them, the king answered, "It does not happen

that I rule the kingdom better, or produce greater respect for me than

ye had for my father, although I have one-half more people than he

had. I do not by any means do it merely to plague you, or to make your

condition harder than formerly."

Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway · 第 762 / 1013 题