When Erling got certain intelligence of the determinations of Hakon and
his counsellors, he sent a message to all the chiefs who he knew had
been steady friends of King Inge, and also to his court-men and his
retinue, who had saved themselves by flight, and also to all Gregorius's
house-men, and called them together to a meeting. When they met, and
conversed with each other, they resolved to keep their men together; and
which resolution they confirmed by oath and hand-shake to each other.
Then they considered whom they should take to be king. Erling Skakke
first spoke, and inquired if it was the opinion of the chiefs and other
men of power that Simon Skalp's son, the son of the daughter of King
Harald Gille, should be chosen king, and Jon Halkelson be taken to
lead the army; but Jon refused it. Then it was inquired if Nikolas
Skialdvarson, a sister's son of King Magnus Barefoot, would place
himself at the head of the army; but he answered thus:--It was his
opinion that some one should be chosen king who was of the royal race;
and, for leader of the troops, some one from whom help and understanding
were to be looked for; and then it would be easier to gather an army.
It was now tried whether Arne would let any of his sons, King Inge's
brothers, be proclaimed king. Arne replies, that Kristin's son, she was
the daughter of King Sigurd the Crusader, was nearest by propinquity
of descent to the crown of Norway. "And here is also a man to be his
adviser, and whose duty it is to take care of him and of the kingdom;
and that man is his father Erling, who is both prudent, brave,
experienced in war, and an able man in governing the kingdom; he wants
no capability of bringing this counsel into effect, if luck be with
him." Many thought well of this advice.
Erling replied to it, "As far as I can see or hear in this meeting, the
most will rather be excused from taking upon themselves such a difficult
business. Now it appears to me altogether uncertain, provided we begin
this work, whether he who puts himself at the head of it will gain any
honour; or whether matters will go as they have done before when any
one undertakes such great things, that he loses all his property and
possibly his life. But if this counsel be adopted, there may be men
who will undertake to carry it through; but he who comes under such an
obligation must seek, in every way, to prevent any opposition or enmity
from those who are now in this council."
All gave assurance that they would enter into this confederacy with
perfect fidelity. Then said Erling, "I can say for myself that it would
almost be my death to serve King Hakon; and however dangerous it may
be, I will rather venture to adopt your advice, and take upon me to lead
this force, if that be the will, counsel, and desire of you all, and if
you will all bind yourselves to this agreement by oath."
To this they all agreed; and in this meeting it was determined to take
Erling's son Magnus to be king. They afterwards held a Thing in the
town; and at this Thing Magnus Erlingson, then five years old, was
elected king of the whole country. All who had been servants of King
Inge went into his service, and each of them retained the office and
dignity he had held under King Inge (A.D. 1161).