Halkel Huk, a son of Jon Smiorbalte, who was lenderman in More, made a
voyage in the West sea, all the way to the South Hebudes. A man came to
him out of Ireland called Gillikrist, and gave himself out for a son of
King Magnus Barefoot. His mother came with him, and said his other name
was Harald. Halkel received the man, brought him to Norway with him, and
went immediately to King Sigurd with Harald and his mother. When they
had told their story to the king, he talked over the matter with his
principal men, and bade them give their opinions upon it. They were of
different opinions, and all left it to the king himself, although there
were several who opposed this; and the king followed his own counsel.
King Sigurd ordered Harald to be called before him, and told him that he
would not deny him the proof, by ordeal, of who his father was; but on
condition that if he should prove his descent according to his claim, he
should not desire the kingdom in the lifetime of King Sigurd, or of King
Magnus: and to this he bound himself by oath. King Sigurd said he must
tread over hot iron to prove his birth; but this ordeal was thought by
many too severe, as he was to undergo it merely to prove his father, and
without getting the kingdom; but Harald agreed to it, and fixed on the
trial by iron: and this ordeal was the greatest ever made in Norway; for
nine glowing plowshares were laid down, and Harald went over them with
bare feet, attended by two bishops.
Three days after the iron trial the ordeal was taken to proof, and the
feet were found unburnt. Thereafter King Sigurd acknowledged Harald's
relationship; but his son Magnus conceived a great hatred of him, and
in this many chiefs followed Magnus. King Sigurd trusted so much to his
favour with the whole people of the country, that he desired all men,
under oath, to promise to accept Magnus after him as their king; and all
the people took this oath.