King Sigurd's son Magnus was proclaimed in Oslo king of all the country
immediately after his father's death, according to the oath which the
whole nation had sworn to King Sigurd; and many went into his service,
and many became his lendermen. Magnus was the handsomest man then in
Norway; of a passionate temper, and cruel, but distinguished in bodily
exercises. The favour of the people he owed most to the respect for his
father. He was a great drinker, greedy of money, hard, and obstinate.
Harald Gille, on the other hand, was very pleasing in intercourse, gay,
and full of mirth; and so generous that he spared in nothing for the
sake of his friends. He willingly listened to good advice, so that he
allowed others to consult with him and give counsel. With all this he
obtained favour and a good repute, and many men attached themselves as
much to him as to King Magnus. Harald was in Tunsberg when he heard of
his brother King Sigurd's death. He called together his friends to a
meeting, and it was resolved to hold the Hauga Thing (1) there in the
town. At this Thing, Harald was chosen king of half the country, and it
was called a forced oath which had been taken from him to renounce his
paternal heritage. Then Harald formed a court, and appointed lendermen;
and very soon he had as many people about him as King Magnus. Then men
went between them, and matters stood in this way for seven days; but
King Magnus, finding he had fewer people, was obliged to give way,
and to divide the kingdom with Harald into two parts. The kingdom
accordingly was so divided (October 3, 1130) that each of them should
have the half part of the kingdom which King Sigurd had possessed; but
that King Magnus alone should inherit the fleet of ships, the table
service, the valuable articles and the movable effects which had
belonged to his father, King Sigurd. He was notwithstanding the
least satisfied with his share. Although they were of such different
dispositions, they ruled the country for some time in peace. King Harald
had a son called Sigurd, by Thora, a daughter of Guthorm Grabarde. King
Harald afterwards married Ingerid, a daughter of Ragnvald, who was a
son of the Swedish King Inge Steinkelson. King Magnus was married to
a daughter of Knut Lavard, and she was a sister of the Danish King
Valdernar; but King Magnus having no affection for her, sent her back to
Denmark; and from that day everything went ill with him, and he brought
upon himself the enmity of her family.
ENDNOTES: (1) Hauga-thing means a Thing held at the tumuli or burial
mounds.--L.