Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  Ástríth was with child by King Tryggvi. She had herself rowed out on a lake, and with few other persons hid herself on a small island. There she bore her child, a boy. And when he was sprinkled with water he was given the name Óláf after his grandfather. There she kept in hiding during the summer, but when the nights became darker and the days grew shorter and the weather cooler, Ástríth started out again, accompanied by Thórólf and only a few others. They went through inhabited places only at night, so that they met with no one. And one day in the evening they arrived at the estate of Oprostathir where dwelled Eirík, Ástríth’s father. They proceeded cautiously. Ástríth sent men to the farm to inform him [about her], and he had them led to a small building and set the table for them with the best food. But after Ástríth’s companions had stayed there a short while, they left her. And she remained behind with two servant women and her son Óláf, Thórólf Lousebeard, and his six year old son Thorgísl. And there they stayed during the winter.

  Chapter 2. Queen Gunnhild and Her Sons Inquire about Ástríth

  After the slaying of King Tryggvi, Harald Graycloak and his brother Guthröth went to the estates Tryggvi had owned; but Ástríth was gone, and they could learn nothing about her. They heard the rumor that she was pregnant with the child of King Tryggvi. In the fall they journeyed north, as was mentioned before; and when they met their mother Gunnhild they told her about all that happened on the expedition. She inquired closely concerning Ástríth, and they told her of the rumors they had heard. But because of the fact that the sons of Gunnhild that same fall and the winter following had clashes with Earl Hákon, as was mentioned above, no search was made that winter for Ástríth and her son.

  Chapter 3. Queen Ástríth Eludes Her Pursuers

  In the spring following, Gunnhild sent spies to the Upplands and throughout Vík to find out what might be the facts about Ástríth. And when they returned they were able to tell her that Ástríth most likely was with her father Eirík and presumably brought up there the child she had with King Tryggvi. Then Gunnhild at once sent men well equipped with horses and arms, thirty in number, with Hákon, a friend of Gunnhild and a man of great power, as leader. She ordered them to journey to Oprostathir, the estate of Eirík, take possession of the son of King Tryggvi, and bring him to her. The men went on their way. But when they had come close to Oprostathir, some friends of Eirík caught sight of them and in the evening informed him about the approach of the men who had been sent. Then right away the same night Eirík got Ástríth ready to depart and with good guides sent her east to Sweden to Hákon the Old, a friend of his and a man of power. They left early in the night, and toward evening of the next day came to the district called Skaun, where they saw a large farm. They went up to it and asked for quarters during the night. They did not say who they were and wore poor clothes. The farmer there, whose name was Bjorn Eitrkveisa, a rich man but of evil nature, drove them away. So the same evening they journeyed to another settlement near by, called Vizkar. The farmer there, Thorstein by name, gave them shelter and entertained them well during the night, so they slept in good beds.

  Chapter 4. Farmer Thorstein Hides Ástríth

  Hákon and the men with him came to Oprostathir early in the morning and inquired about Ástríth and her son. Eirík told them she was not there. Hákon and his men searched the farm, remaining there a long time during the day, and obtained some information about where Ástríth had gone. They rode the same way and late in the evening came to Bjorn Eitrkveisa in Skaun and stayed there overnight. Hákon asked Bjorn if he could tell them anything about Ástríth. He said that some persons had come there that day who had asked for shelter—“but I drove them away and they are likely to have gotten quarters somewhere else in the settlement.”

  One of Thorstein’s workmen in the evening came out of the forest and to Bjorn’s farm, because it was on his way. He observed that guests had come there and learned on what errand they were, and he informed farmer Thorstein. And when two thirds of the night had passed, Thorstein roused his guests and roughly told them to be on their way. And when they had set out and were outside the farm, Thorstein told them that Gunnhild’s men were at Bjorn’s and that they had come to look for them. Ástríth and her companions begged him for help, and he gave them a guide and some provisions. The guide led them into the forest to a pond with a small island in it overgrown with reeds. They had to wade out to the island, and there they hid in the reeds.

  Early the next day Hákon left Bjorn’s farm and rode through the settlement, inquiring after Ástríth wherever he came. And when he arrived at Thorstein’s place he asked if they were there. Thorstein said that there had been persons there, but that at daybreak they had set off again eastward into the forest. Hákon asked Thorstein to go with him since he knew [all] the paths and hiding places. Thorstein went with them, but when they came into the forest he led them in a direction opposite to where Ástríth was. They sought them all day but did not find them. Then they returned and told Gunnhild about the result of their expedition. Ástríth and her companions went on their way and finally came to Hákon the Old in Sweden. There, Ástríth and her son Óláf remained for a long time and were well taken care of.

  Chapter 5. Hákon the Old Refuses to Surrender the Boy Óláf

  Gunnhild Kingsmother learned that Ástríth and her son were in Sweden. Thereupon she again sent Hákon with a goodly company east to Eirík, the king of Sweden, with noble gifts and a message of friendship. The messengers were well received and shown all honor. Then Hákon brought up his message before the king, which was that Gunnhild requested the king to support him in having Óláf Tryggvason return with him to Norway, because “Gunnhild wants to have him as her foster son.” The king supplied him with men, and they rode to the estate of Hákon the Old. Hákon with many friendly words prayed [to have] Óláf go with him. Hákon the Old replied politely, saying that his mother was to determine whether he should go; but Ástríth refused most determinedly to let him.

  The messengers departed and told King Eirík what had passed. Thereupon they made ready to return home, but requested the king again to give them a force to take the boy away, whether or not Hákon the Old consented. And again the king furnished them a company of men. The messengers arrived at the estate of Hákon the Old and demanded that the boy should go with them. But when they received a negative answer they used high words, threatening violence, and flew into a rage. Then a certain thrall, called Bursti, ran forward and wanted to strike Hákon, and they narrowly escaped being beaten by the thralls. Thereupon they journeyed home to Norway and told Gunnhild how they had fared, and also that they had seen Óláf Tryggvason.

  Chapter 6. Vikings Capture Ástríth and Óláf

  Sigurth was the name of Ástríth’s brother, a son of Eirík Bjóthaskalli. He had been abroad a long time, staying in the east with King Valdamar in Gartharíki,1 where Sigurth was held in high esteem. Ástríth was eager to go there to join her brother Sigurth. Hákon the Old gave her a goodly retinue and outfitted her very well. She travelled with some merchants. By then she had been two years with Hákon the Old, and Óláf was three years 971 old. And when they sailed east across the Baltic they were attacked by vikings from Esthonia. They captured both men and goods, killing some and dividing others among them as thralls. There, Óláf was separated from his mother, and Klerkón, an Esthonian, got him as his share, together with Thórólf and Thorgísl. Klerkón thought Thórólf too old to be a thrall, nor able to do slave work, and killed him; but the boys he took with him and sold them to a man called Klerk, in exchange for a good goat. Still a third man bought Óláf, purchasing him for a good cloak or garment. His name was Réás, his wife’s Rékón, and their son’s Rékóni. Óláf was there for a long time and treated well as the farmer loved him greatly. Óláf stayed six years in Esthonia as an exile.

  Chapter 7. Sigurth Ransoms Óláf

  Sigurth Eiríksson came to Esthonia, being sent there by King Valdamar of Hólmgarth to fetch from that land
the tribute due to the king. Sigurth travelled in great state, accompanied by many men and with much money. In the market place he saw a boy of great beauty, and surmised that he probably was a foreigner there, and asked him about his name and kin. He gave his name as Óláf, and said his father was Tryggvi Óláfsson, and his mother, Ástríth, daughter of Eirík Bjóthaskalli. Then Sigurth understood that the boy was his sister’s son. He asked the boy how he had got there, and Óláf told him all that happened to him. Sigurth asked him to come with him to farmer Réás’ place. And when he arrived there he bought both boys, Óláf and Thorgísl, and took them with him to Hólmgarth, without letting it be known of what kin Óláf was, and maintained him well.

  Chapter 8. The Queen of Gartharíki Takes Óláf under Her Protection

  One day Óláf Tryggvason was standing in the market place, where there was a great multitude. He recognized Klerkón there, the man who had killed his foster father, Thórólf Lousebeard. Óláf had a small axe in his hand and struck Klerkón’s head with it so that it sank into his brain, and ran home at once to his quarters and told his kinsman Sigurth about it. Sigurth took Óláf speedily to the residence of the queen and told her what had occurred. Her name was Allógíá. Sigurth asked her to help the boy. Looking at the boy she answered that so handsome a boy must not be killed, and summoned a troop to come to her palace, fully armed.

  There was such excellent protection by law in Hólmgarth that anyone who killed a person who had not forfeited his life, also should lose his. So according to their custom and laws all the populace rushed to find what had become of the boy. Then they were told that he was in the queen’s palace and that a fully armed guard was stationed there. Then the king was informed of what had taken place, and he approached with his guard, unwilling to have it come to a fight. He managed to bring about, first a truce and then a compromise. He adjudged fines which the queen then paid. From that time on Óláf stayed with the queen, and she was very fond of him.

  The law obtained in Gartharíki that persons of royal blood were not allowed to reside there except by permission of the king. Then Sigurth told the queen of what kin Óláf was and for what reasons he was there—that he could not stay in his own country on account of his enemies, and asked her to talk about this with the king. She did so, requesting the king to help this king’s son, considering what hardships he had undergone. And her intercession effected it that the king agreed and took him into his protection and maintained him in a fashion befitting a king’s son.

  Óláf was nine years old when he came to Gartharíki, and stayed 977 there with King Valdamar another nine years. He was strikingly handsome, very tall and strong, and excelled all others in the accomplishments which are told about Norwegians.

  Chapter 9. Earl Hákon Befriends Gold-Harald

  Earl Hákon Sigurtharson was with Harald Gormsson, the Danish king, during the winter after fleeing from the sons of Gunnhild. He was filled with such great concern, that winter, that he took to his bed and often was sleepless. He ate and drank only enough to keep up his strength. It was at that time he sent some of his men secretly north to his friends in Trondheim, instigating them to kill King Erling if opportunity offered, and telling them that he meant to return to his lands at the beginning of summer. That very winter the men of Trondheim killed Erling, as is written above.

  There was close friendship between Hákon and Gold-Harald. The latter revealed his designs to Hákon. Harald told him he planned to reside on the land and no longer on board his warships. He asked Hákon whether he thought King Harald would be willing to share his kingdom with him if he made that demand.

  “I should think,” said Hákon, “that the king of Denmark would not refuse you any of your just claims. But you will find out more certainly about this if you bring it up before the king himself. I do not expect that you will obtain the kingdom unless you lay claim to it.”

  Soon after this conversation Gold-Harald spoke to King Harald in the presence of many men of influence, friends of both. On that occasion Gold-Harald demanded of King Harald that he should let him have the half of the kingdom, as his birth entitled him to in Denmark. When he heard this demand King Harald waxed most furious and said that no one had asked King Gorm, his father, to be half-king of the Danish realm, nor Hortha-Knút [Harde-Canúte], his father’s father, nor Sigurth Serpent-in-the-Eye, nor Ragnar Lothbrók;1 and he flew into such a passionate rage that no one dared speak to him.

  Chapter 10. King Harald of Denmark Asks Earl Hákon for Advice

  Then Gold-Harald was more dissatisfied than ever, having dominion no more than before and, moreover, the wrath of the king. Then he came to his friend Hákon again, telling him of his troubles and asking him for his good advice, if he had any, so that he might obtain dominion, and telling him that he had thought of trying to gain possession of the realm by force. Hákon urged him not to utter such speech lest anyone should get to hear it.

  “Your very life depends on it. Consider with yourself how much you might be able to accomplish. To execute such dangerous undertakings requires that a man be bold and undaunted and not hesitate to use fair means or foul, so that he may accomplish what he has set out to do. But it is risky to embark on a great enterprise and then to abandon it abjectly.”

  Gold-Harald replied, “I mean to urge my claim in such fashion that I shall not hesitate to kill the king with my own hands, if opportunity offers, because he wants to deny me the power which by rights is mine.” With that they concluded their conference.

  Then King Harald approached Hákon about the matter and told the earl of the claims Gold-Harald had made to the kingdom and of the answer he had given him—that he would under no condition yield up a part of his dominion; “but if Gold-Harald intends to persist in his claims I shall have no compunction to have him killed; because I suspect evil intentions on his part if he will not desist.”

  The earl answered, “In my opinion Harald has gone so far in declaring himself that he is not likely to drop the matter. I expect that if he starts hostilities in the land, many will support him, mostly because of the popularity of his father. But it would be most unfortunate for you to kill your kinsman, for all would say he was innocent as matters stand now. Neither would I advise you to make yourself a lesser king than was your father, Gorm, who greatly increased his dominions and in no wise diminished them.”

  Then the king said, “What, then, would be your counsel, Hákon? Shall I neither share the realm nor rid myself of this apprehension?”

  “Let us meet again in a few days,” said Earl Hákon. “I shall in the meantime consider this difficulty and come to some decision.” Thereupon the king left, together with all his men.

  Chapter 11. King Harald Invites Harald Graycloak to Denmark

  Earl Hákon now again brooded a great deal and was concerned about plans, and allowed only a few to be in the house with him. A few days later King Harald came to speak with the earl. The king asked if he had thought about the matter they had touched on.

  “I have,” replied the earl. “I have been wakeful about it both day and night ever since, and I have come to the conclusion that you should retain and govern all the realm which your father had and you inherited from him, and give Harald, your kinsman, power over another kingdom which may confer distinction on him.”

  “What realm is that,” asked the king, “which I may let Harald have a title to if I keep undivided possession of Denmark?”

  The earl replied, “Norway. The kings there mistreat all people of the land. Everyone there, as might be expected, hates them.”

  The king said, “Norway is a large country with a hardy people, and difficult to attack with an army from abroad. That was our experience when [King] Hákon defended the land: we lost many men and won no victory. Besides, Harald Eiríksson is my foster son whom I have adopted.”

  Then the earl replied, “I have known for a long time that you have lent your support to the sons of Gunnhild; but they have repaid you with nothing but ill. We shall be
able to get hold of Norway in a much easier way than by fighting for it with the entire Danish army. Send messengers to your foster son Harald and offer him to have from you that land in fief which they had before in Denmark. Summon him here to meet you. And then Gold-Harald can in a short time win the realm of Norway from King Harald Graycloak.” The king said that it would be called dastardly to betray one’s own Danish foster son. “A preferable alternative would the Danes call it,” said the earl, “to kill a Norwegian viking rather than one’s own nephew.” They debated this a long time until finally they came to an agreement about this.

  Chapter 12. Harald Graycloak Accepts the Invitation to Denmark

  Gold-Harald again came to speak with Hákon. The earl told him that he had labored in his interest to such good purpose that there were great hopes that he might seize hold of the kingdom of Norway with little effort. “And then,” he said, “we shall maintain our friendship. I can be of great help to you in Norway. Get possession of that kingdom first. King Harald is a very old man now, and he has only one son, whom he has little love for and who is illegitimate.1

  The earl urged the matter on Gold-Harald until the latter was well taken with it. And they all often discussed this—the king, the earl, and Gold-Harald. Then the Danish king sent messengers north to Norway to the court of Harald Graycloak. They travelled in great state and were well received by King Harald. They delivered this message that Earl Hákon was in Denmark nigh to death and almost out of his mind; also that King Harald of Denmark invited his foster son Harald Graycloak to visit with him; offering to him the revenues which he and his brothers had had in Denmark before, and [suggesting] that he should meet him in Jutland.