Five years after King Sigurd's death remarkable occurrences took place
in Konungahella (A.D. 1135). Guthorm, a son of Harald Fletter, and
Saemund Husfreyja, were at that time the king's officers there. Saemund
was married to Ingebjorg, a daughter of the priest Andres Brunson. Their
sons were Paul Flip and Gunne Fis. Saemund's natural son was called
Asmund. Andres Brunson was a very remarkable man, who carried on divine
service in the Cross church. His wife (1) was called Solveig. Jon
Loptson, who was then eleven years old, was in their house to be
fostered and educated. The priest Lopt Saemundson, Jon's father, was
also in the town at that time. The priest Andres and Solveig had
a daughter by name Helga, who was Einar's wife. It happened now in
Konungahella, the next Sunday night after Easter week, that there was
a great noise in the streets through the whole town as if the king was
going through with all his court-men. The dogs were so affected that
nobody could hold them, but they slipped loose; and when they came out
they ran mad, biting all that came in their way, people and cattle.
All who were bitten by them till the blood came turned raging mad; and
pregnant women were taken in labour prematurely, and became mad. From
Easter to Ascension-day, these portentous circumstances took place
almost every night. People were dreadfully alarmed at these wonders; and
many made themselves ready to remove, sold their houses, and went out
to the country districts, or to other towns. The most intelligent men
looked upon it as something extremely remarkable; were in dread of it;
and said, as it proved to be, that it was an omen of important events
which had not yet taken place. And the priest Andres, on Whit Sunday,
made a long and excellent speech, and turned the conclusion of it to
the distressing situation of the townspeople; telling them to muster
courage, and not lay waste their excellent town by deserting it, but
rather to take the utmost care in all things, and use the greatest
foresight against all dangers, as of fire or the enemy, and to pray to
God to have mercy on them.
ENDNOTES: (1) The Catholic priests appear to have had wives at that time
in Norway, and celibacy to have been confined to the monks.
--L.