King Inge and Gregorius left the east in spring, and came to Bergen; but
as soon as Hakon and Sigurd heard that Inge had left Viken, they went
there by land. When King Inge and his people came to Bergen, a quarrel
arose between Haldor Brynjolfson and Bjorn Nikolason. Bjorn's house-man
asked Haldor's when they met at the pier, why he looked so pale.
He replied, because he had been bled.
"I could not look so pale if I tried, at merely being bled."
"I again think," retorted the other, "that thou wouldst have borne it
worse, and less manfully." And no other beginning was there for their
quarrel than this. Afterwards one word followed another, till from
brawling they came to fighting. It was told to Haldor Brynjolfson, who
was in the house drinking, that his house-man was wounded down on the
pier and he went there immediately. But Bjorn's house-men had come there
before, and as Haldor thought his house-man had been badly treated, he
went up to them and beat them; and it was told to Bjorn Buk that the
people of Viken were beating his house-men on the pier. Then Bjorn and
his house-men took their weapons, hurried down to the pier, and would
avenge their men; and a bloody strife began. It was told Gregorius that
his relation Haldor required assistance, and that his house-men were
being cut down in the street; on which Gregorius and his men ran to the
place in their armour. Now it was told Erling Skakke that his sister's
son Bjorn was fighting with Gregorius and Haldor down on the piers, and
that he needed help. Then he proceeded thither with a great force, and
exhorted the people to stand by him; saying it would be a great disgrace
never to be wiped out, if the Viken people should trample upon them
in their own native place. There fell thirteen men, of whom nine
were killed on the spot, and four died of their wounds, and many were
wounded. When the word came to King Inge that Gregorius and Erling were
fighting down on the piers, he hastened there, and tried to separate
them; but could do nothing, so mad were they on both sides. Then
Gregorius called to Inge, and told him to go away; for it was in vain to
attempt coming between them, as matters now stood. He said it would be
the greatest misfortune if the king mixed himself up with it; for he
could not be certain that there were not people in the fray who would
commit some great misdeed if they had opportunity. Then King Inge
retired; and when the greatest tumult was over, Gregorius and his men
went to Nikolas church, and Erling behind them, calling to each other.
Then King Inge came a second time, and pacified them; and both agreed
that he should mediate between them.
When King Inge and Gregorius heard that King Hakon was in Viken, they
went east with many ships; but when they came King Hakon fled from them,
and there was no battle. Then King Inge went to Oslo, and Gregorius was
in Konungahella.