Magnus had been king for thirteen years when the Birkebeins first made
their appearance. They got themselves ships in the third summer (A.D.
1176), with which they sailed along the coast gathering goods and
men. They were first in Viken; but when summer advanced they proceeded
northwards, and so rapidly that no news preceded them until they came to
Throndhjem. The Birkebeins' troop consisted principally of hill-men and
Elfgrims, and many were from Thelemark; and all were well armed.
Their king, Eystein, was a handsome man, and with a little but good
countenance; and he was not of great stature, for his men called him
Eystein Meyla. King Magnus and Earl Erling were in Bergen when the
Birkebeins sailed past it to the north; but they did not hear of them.
Earl Erling was a man of great understanding and power, an excellent
leader in war, and an able and prudent ruler of the country; but he
had the character of being cruel and severe. The cause of this was
principally that he never allowed his enemies to remain in the country,
even when they prayed to him for mercy; and therefore many joined the
bands which were collected against him. Erling was a tall strong-made
man, somewhat short-necked and high-shouldered; had a long and sharp
countenance of a light complexion, and his hair became very grey.
He bore his head a little on one side; was free and agreeable in his
manners. He wore the old fashion of clothes,--long body-pieces and long
arms to his coats, foreign cloak, and high shoes. He made the king wear
the same kind of dress in his youth; but when he grew up, and acted for
himself, he dressed very sumptuously.
King Magnus was of a light turn of mind, full of jokes; a great lover of
mirth, and not less of women.