King Harald himself resided most often in the center of the country. Hrœrek and Guthröth were generally about the king in his following and had the income of large estates in Horthaland and Sogn. Eirík was with his father, King Harald, and him he loved most of all his sons and held him in highest estimation. To him he gave Hálogaland, North Mœr, and Raums Dale. North in the Trondheim District he gave the governance to Hálfdan the Black, Hálfdan the White, and Guthröth.
In each of these districts he gave his sons half of the revenue, reserving half for himself. Also, they were to occupy high-seats one step higher than earls, but one step lower than himself. But that seat, each of his sons coveted after his death; but Harald himself intended Eirík to occupy it, whereas the people of Trondheim favored Hálfdan the Black to have it, and the inhabitants of Vík and the Upplands, those [of the king’s sons] who resided among them.
This resulted again in great disagreement between the Brothers. But because each considered his share too small, they went on plundering expeditions as, for example, the one on which Guthorm was slain by Solvi Klofi in the mouth of the [Gaut Elf] River. After his fall, Óláf took over the dominion he had had. Hálfdan the White fell in Esthland, Hálfdan Hálegg, in the Orkneys. To Thorgisl and Fróthi King Harald gave warships, and they went on viking expeditions to the west, harrying in Scotland, Bretland, and Ireland. They were the first of the Norwegians who took possession of Dublin. We are told that Fróthi was killed by a poisonous drink, but Thorgísl was king over Dublin for a long time until he was betrayed by the Irish and was slain.
Chapter 34. Eirík Kills Rognvald and Eighty Sorcerers
Eirík Bloodyaxe had the mind to lord it over all his brothers, and King Harald was agreeable to that. He and Eirík were together for a long time. Rognvald Rettilbeini was in possession of Hathaland. He learned magic and became a sorcerer. King Harald disliked sorcerers. In Horthaland there was a sorcerer called Vitgeir. The king sent word to him to cease practicing sorcery. He answered with this verse:
(57.)
57. No harm that we
use wizardry,
beldames’ bairns
and bonders,1 we,
since Rognvald does,
Rettilbeini,
high-born Haraldsson
in Hathaland.
But when King Harald heard this said, Eirík Bloodyaxe with his consent proceeded to the Uppland District and to Hathaland. He burned his brother Rognvald in his hall, together with eighty wizards, and people praised the deed greatly.
Guthröth Ljómi during the winter went to visit his foster father, Thjóthólf of Hvinir. He had a fully manned skiff with which he intended to journey north to Rogaland. Then there came great storms. Guthröth was eager to start his journey and carried on badly about the delay. Then Thjóthólf spoke this verse:
(58.)
58. Fare not ere the flat-of-
fleets2 again grows smoother!
Crashing combers, Guthröth,
casts the open sea now.
Till abates the worst wind, do
wait here, honored chieftain!
Bide till better weather
be! Rages storm around Jathar.
Guthröth proceeded nevertheless, despite what Thjóthólf said. But when they rounded Jathar their ship sank under them, and all perished.
Chapter 35. Eirík Slays His Brother, Bjorn the Chapman
Bjorn, one of King Harald’s sons, ruled at that time over Westfold, and most often resided in the town of Túnsberg. He engaged little in warfare. Many merchant ships frequented Túnsberg, both such from Vík and such from the northern part of the country, as well as ships from the south, from Denmark and Saxland. King Bjorn also owned merchantmen that sailed to other lands and thus acquired for himself things of value and other wares which he deemed he needed. His brothers called him a chapman or a merchant. Bjorn was a shrewd man of a calm disposition, and was considered to have the makings of a good ruler. He contracted a good and suitable marriage, and had a son called Guthröth.
Eirík Bloodyaxe returned from his expedition in the Baltic with warships and a great force of men. He demanded of his brother Bjorn that he should hand over to him the taxes and dues owing to King Harald from Westfold; whereas it used to be that Bjorn himself delivered to the king whatever was owing to him, or sent men to do so. And he insisted on doing that and refused to yield it up. Eirík on his part needed provisions, tents, and drinks. The brothers quarrelled doggedly about this, but Eirík got nothing for all that and left the town.
Bjorn likewise left the town in the evening and went to Sæheim. Eirík turned back during the night to catch Bjorn, and arrived there whilst the men were at table, drinking. Eirík surrounded the house they were in, but Bjorn came out, and they fought. Bjorn fell with many of his men. Eirík took much booty there and proceeded north with it.
The people of Vík were greatly incensed about this, and Eirík was much hated there. It was reported that King Óláf would avenge Bjorn if chance offered. King Bjorn lies buried in the Chapman’s Howe at Sæheim.1
Chapter 36. King Harald and Hálfdan Come to Terms
During the winter following, King Eirík sailed north to Mœr and was entertained at Solvi which lies on the land side of Agthaness. When Hálfdan the Black learned this, he went there with a force of men and surrounded the houses there. Eirík slept in an outlying house and escaped to the woods with four others; but Hálfdan burned down the farm with all the men inside. Eirík came to King Harald with these tidings. The king was greatly incensed. He collected a force and advanced against the men of Trondheim. When Hálfdan the Black learned this, he gathered an army and a fleet. He succeeded in collecting a large force and sailed out to Stath,1 which lies on the land side of Thórsbjorg. King Harald on his part anchored his fleet outside of Reinsletta.
Then men tried to mediate between them. Guthorm Sindri was the name of a highly respected man. He was at that time with Hálfdan the Black, but before had been a follower of King Harald, and was a close friend of both. He was a great skald and had composed poems about both father and son. They had offered him a reward for that, but he had refused that and had requested instead that [each] should fulfill one wish [which he would make], and they had promised him that. He went to meet King Harald and tried to mediate between them, reminding both of their promises, and begged them to come to terms; and both kings honored him so highly that at his wish they came to an agreement. Many other influential men had supported him in this. They agreed on these terms: that Hálfdan was to retain the dominion he had had before, but was to let his brother Eirík be in peace. About these events the poetess Jórun composed some verses in her poem Sendibit [Biting Message].2
(59.)
59. Harald, heard I, frowned on
your hardy venture, Hálfdan;
dubious seemed the deed of
doughty warrior to Fairhair.
Chapter 37. The Birth of King Hákon the Good
Hákon Grjótgarthsson, earl of Hlathir, had under him the government of all districts of Trondheim whenever King Harald was in other parts of the country; and Hákon was the man in that province, who enjoyed the highest confidence of the king. After Hákon’s fall his son Sigurth took over his dominion, becoming earl over Trondheim. He resided at Hlathir. Two sons of King Harald, Hálfdan the Black and Sigröth, were raised at his court. Before that they had been fostered by Sigurth’s father Hákon. They were all about the same age. Earl Sigurth married Bergljót, the daughter of Earl Thórir the Silent. Her mother was Álof Árbót, a daughter of Harald Fairhair. Earl Sigurth was a man of exceeding wisdom.
Now when King Harald began to grow old, he often resided at the large estates he owned in Horthaland—at Alreksstath or Sæheim or Fitjar—or at those he had in Rogaland—at Útstein and at Ogvaldsness on the Island of Kormt.
When King Harald was almost seventy years old he begot a son with a woman called Thóra Morstrstong whose kin lived on the Island of Morstr. She was of a good family, being in
kin with Hortha-Kári. She was a most beautiful and attractive woman. She was called the king’s handmaid. There were many at that time who did service at the king’s court, even though they were of noble birth, both men and women. It was the custom to choose most carefully the persons who were to sprinkle with water and to give a name to the children of noble birth.
Now when the time came that Thóra expected to give birth to her child, she wanted to travel to be with King Harald. He was at that time in Sæheim while she was on the Island of Morstr. So she sailed on a ship belonging to Earl Sigurth. At night they had anchored near the land; and there, 920 on a slab of rock at the head of the pier, Thóra gave birth to her child. It was a boy. Earl Sigurth sprinkled the boy with water and called him Hákon after his father Hákon, earl of Hlathir. That boy soon grew to be handsome and of great size, and in much like his father. King Harald had the boy go with his mother, and they lived on the royal estates while the boy was small.
Chapter 38. King Æthelstān Offers King Harald a Sword as Symbol of Overlordship
Æthelstān was the name of the king who had at that time succeeded to the throne of England. He was called the Victorious and the True Believer. He sent emissaries to the court of King Harald with a message delivered in this wise. The emissary went up to the king, handing him a sword adorned with gold on hilt and haft and having its scabbard ornamented with gold and silver and set with precious stones. The emissary offered the king the sword hilt and spoke these words, “Here is the sword which King Æthelstān asks you to receive from him.” Then the king took hold of the haft, whereupon the messenger said, “Now you seized the sword in the fashion our king desired you would, and now you shall be his liegeman since you seized hold of his sword.” King Harald then understood that this was done in mockery; but he did not relish to be the subject of anyone. Yet, as was his habit, he bore in mind to control his temper whenever rage or fury would overcome him, and thus to let his anger blow off and look at matters dispassionately. So he did also now. He brought this up before his friends, and they all agreed on what to do; and first of all they decided to let the emissary fare home unharmed.
Chapter 39. King Harald Retaliates by Making King Æthelstān Accept Hákon as Foster Child
In the following summer King Harald dispatched a ship west to England, with Hauk Hábrók as skipper. He was a man of great mettle and a great favorite with the king. He gave him along his son Hákon. Then Hauk sailed west to England and proceeded to the court of King Æthelstān, whom he found in London. A feast was given there just then with great magnificence. When they arrived at the hall, Hauk instructed his men how they were to go about it when entering, that he who went in first was to be the last to go out; and all were to stand in a row in front of the king’s table. They were to have their swords at their left side and so to arrange their outer garments that the swords could not be seen.
Then they went into the hall. They were thirty in number. Hauk went before the king and greeted him. The king bade him be welcome. Then Hauk seized the boy and placed him on Æthelstān’s knee. The king looked at the boy and asked Hauk why he did this. Hauk answered, “King Harald bade you foster for him the son of his maidservant.” The king flew into a rage and seized the sword at his side and drew it as though he would kill the boy. “You have set him upon your knee,”1 said Hauk, “and you may murder him if you so wish, but in doing so you will not do away with all sons of King Harald.” Then Hauk and all his men left the hall and made their way to their ship. They sailed out to sea as soon as they could make ready and returned to Norway and King Harald, and he was well pleased with the outcome, for people say that he is a lesser man who fosters a child for someone. In such dealings between the kings one could see that each one wanted to be superior to the other. But neither lost in dignity because of this, each being the supreme king of his own domains until his dying day.
Chapter 40. King Æthelstān Gives Hákon the Sword Quernbiter
King Æthelstān had Hákon baptized and instructed in the true faith and also taught good manners and all kinds of courtly ways. King Æthelstān loved him greatly, more than any one of his own kin, and so did all those who got to know him. In later times he was called Æthelstān’s foster son. He was accomplished in all manner of skills, and was taller and stronger and handsomer than any other man. Also, he was clever, eloquent, and a good Christian. King Æthelstān gave Hákon a sword whose hilt as well as haft was of gold. Its blade was most excellent and with it Hákon cleft a millstone to its center, whence it was called Quernbiter. That was the best sword that ever was brought to Norway. Hákon wore it till his dying day.
Chapter 41. King Harald Decides on Eirík to Succeed Him
King Harald was now eighty years of age and got to be so infirm 930 that he felt unable to journey about in the country and conduct the business of a king. Then he led his son Eirík to his high-seat and gave him the power over all the land. But when the other sons of King Harald learned of this, Hálfdan the Black occupied the king’s high-seat and took over the government of the whole Province of Trondheim, and all the people agreed to that action. After the fall of Bjorn the Chapman, his brother Óláf assumed the government of Westfold and fostered Bjorn’s son Guthröth. Óláf’s son was called Tryggvi. He and Guthröth were foster brothers of nearly the same age. Both were youths of great promise and most energetic disposition. Tryggvi excelled all others in size and strength.
Now when the inhabitants of Vík learned that the people of Horthaland had made Eirík their overlord, they took Óláf to be the overlord of the Vík District, and he assumed the power there. This incensed Eirík greatly. Two years later Hálfdan the Black died suddenly at a banquet in the Trondheim District, and people said that Gunnhild Kingsmother had suborned a witch to prepare a poisoned drink for him. Thereupon the people of Trondheim chose as their king Sigröth [another son of Harald by Ása].
Chapter 42. King Harald Dies and Is Buried in a Mound
King Harald lived three years after transferring to Eirík the sole 933 government of the land. He resided then on the large estates he possessed in Rogaland or Horthaland. Eirík and Gunnhild had a son whom King Harald sprinkled with water and gave his own name, saying that he was to be king after his father Eirík. King Harald married most of his daughters to earls within his realm, and great families are descended from them. King Harald died of a sickness in Rogaland. He is buried in a mound at Haugar by the Karmt Sound. At Hauga Sound there stands a church, and close by the churchyard, to the northwest, lies the mound of King Harald Fairhair. West of the church there is the gravestone of King Harald—the one which lay over his resting place inside the burial mound, and that stone is thirteen and a half feet long and nearly two ells broad. The grave of King Harald was in the middle of the mound. There, [originally] one stone was placed at his head and another at his feet. The slab was placed above him, and loose stones were piled up around the grave. The gravestones which [originally] were inside the mound and have just been described, now stand there in the churchyard.
Men versed in history say that Harald Fairhair was of exceedingly handsome appearance, very strong and tall, most generous of his substance and extremely well liked by his men. He was a great warrior during the earlier part of his life. As to the great tree which his mother saw before he was born, men interpret that in this wise that it signified him. The lowest portion of the trunk was red as blood, but from there on up the stem was fair and green, and that betokened the flowering of his kingdom. And above that the tree was white, which signified that he would become old and hoary. The branches and twigs of the tree foretold about his offspring who were to spread over all the land; and all kings of Norway ever since his time are descended from him.
Chapter 43. Eirík Overcomes His Brothers Óláf and Sigröth
During the year following the death of King Harald King Eirík collected all the revenues owing to the king in the western districts, Óláf did the same in Vík, and Sigröth, their brother, those in the Trondhe
im District. Eirík was mightily displeased with this, and it was rumored that he would try with force to regain from his brothers the sole dominion over all the land which his father had given him. But when Óláf and Sigröth learned of this, they sent messages to one another and agreed on a day for meeting. In spring Sigröth came east to Vík, and the brothers met in Túnsberg remaining there for a while.
The same spring Eirík summoned a great force and a fleet and 934 steered east to Vík. Eirík had so strong and favorable a wind that he sailed day and night, and that no news went ahead of his coming. And when he arrived at Túnsberg, Óláf and Sigröth with their forces issued forth and drew up their troops in battle array on the hills east of the town. Eirík had a greatly superior force and was victorious. Both Óláf and Sigröth fell there, and the burial mound of both of them is on the hill where they fell.
Thereupon Eirík proceeded about the Vík District, bringing it into his power, and remained there a long time during the summer. Tryggvi and Guthröth fled then to the Upplands.
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