Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  Chapter 69. King Óláf Destroys the Idols

  King Óláf now entered the temple, accompanied by a few men and some of the farmers. And when the king came to where the gods were, he found Thór sitting there as the most honored of all the gods, adorned with gold and silver. King Óláf lifted up the gold-adorned rod he held in his hand and struck Thór, so he fell from his pedestal. Then the king’s men ran up and shoved all the gods from their pedestals. And while the king was inside, Járnskeggi was killed outside in the front of the temple door, and the king’s men did that. And when the king had rejoined his force he offered the farmers two alternatives—either to accept Christianity or to go to battle with him. But after Skeggi’s death there was no leader among the farmers to raise the standard against King Óláf. So they chose the alternative to go to the king and to do what he bade them. Then King Óláf had all the people that were there baptized, and demanded hostages from the farmers to make certain they would hold fast to Christianity. Thereupon King Óláf let his men go about through all the districts of Trondheim, and then no one made opposition to Christianity, so that all the people in the Trondheim District were baptized.

  Chapter 70. King Óláf Founds the Town of Nitharós

  King Óláf returned with his army to Nitharós. Then he had houses built on the bank of the Nith River, decreeing that there was to be a market town there. He gave people lots to build themselves houses on and had the royal residence erected above a small inlet there. In the fall he had all furnishings [and provisions] requisite for a winter residence brought there, and maintained a very considerable force at that place.

  Chapter 71. Guthrún Attempts to Assassinate the King

  King Óláf arranged for a meeting with the kinsmen of Járnskeggi and offered them atonement, and many men of prominence appeared to make a claim. Járnskeggi had a daughter called Guthrún. It was finally agreed upon that King Óláf was to marry her. And when the marriage was celebrated King Óláf and Guthrún mounted the same bed. And in the first night as they lay together, no sooner had the king fallen asleep but she drew a knife and was about to thrust it into him. But the king became aware of it. He wrested the knife from her, got up out of bed, and went to his men and told them what had happened. Guthrún also took her clothes, as did all the men who had come there with her. They left the place, nor did Guthrún ever after lie in the same bed with King Óláf.

  Chapter 72. The Ship Crane Is Built

  That same fall King Óláf had a large warship built on the spit by the Nith River. It was a swift-sailing ship, and he employed many artisans for building it. And toward the beginning of that winter the ship was finished. It had thirty rowers’ benches, was high in stem and stern, but not large otherwise. That ship the king called the Crane. After the slaying of Járnskeggi his body was brought out to Yrjar, and he lies buried in Skeggi’s Howe near Austrátt.

  Chapter 73. Thangbrand Is Sent to Iceland to Convert It

  When King Óláf Tryggvason had been king of Norway for two 997 years, there was at his court a Saxon priest called Thangbrand. He was a man of great overbearing and much inclined to violence, but otherwise a good cleric and a brave fellow. However, because of his turbulent ways the king did not want to have him about him and entrusted him with the mission to journey to Iceland and convert that land to Christianity. He was given a merchantman, and it is told of his journey that he made land in Iceland in the South Álptafjord in the Eastfjord District and stayed with Hall of Sítha during the winter following. Thangbrand preached Christianity in Iceland, and owing to his eloquence Hall let himself be baptized, together with his household and many other chieftains; but there were far more who opposed him. Thorvald Veili and the skald Vetrlithi1 composed scurrilous verses about Thangbrand, and he killed both. Thangbrand stayed two years in Iceland and had slain three persons before leaving.

  Chapter 74. Sigurth and Hauk Refuse Baptism

  There were two men, one called Sigurth and another, Hauk. Both were from Hálogaland and travelled much as merchants. One summer they had sailed west to England; and when they returned to Norway they sailed north along the land; and in North Mœr they encountered the fleet of King Óláf. Now when the king was told that some men from Hálogaland had arrived there who were heathen, he had the skippers called to him and asked them if they would let themselves be baptized, but they said they would not. Then the king approached them in a number of ways, without avail. Then he threatened them with death or torture, but it had no effect on them. So he had them put in irons and had them along with him for some time, in chains. The king often spoke to them, but it was of no use; and one night they disappeared without anyone hearing about them or knowing how they had got away. But in the fall they showed up with Hárek of Thjótta, who received them well and had them stay with him during the winter in high favor.

  Chapter 75. Sigurth and Hauk Abduct Hárek

  One fine day in spring Hárek was at home, and only a few persons had remained behind with him. It seemed very dull to him. Sigurth then asked him if he would like to go rowing a bit for amusement, and Hárek liked the suggestion. So they went down to the shore and pulled out a boat with six oars. Sigurth went to the boatshed and brought out the sail and the tackle belonging to the boat as they often were accustomed to when sailing for amusement. Hárek stepped into the boat to put the rudder in place. Sigurth and his brother were fully armed just as it was their custom to go about on the estate of the franklin. Both were unusually strong men. But before they stepped into the boat they threw into it some casks with butter and a chest full of bread; and between them they carried a large keg of ale into the boat. Then they rowed-away from land, and when they had come a short ways from the island the brothers hoisted the sail while Hárek steered.

  Soon they were at some distance from the island. Then the two brothers went aft to where Hárek sat. Sigurth said to Franklin Hárek, “Now you shall have to choose one of these alternatives: either to let us two brothers decide where we shall go, or have us tie you hand and foot, or else kill you.” Hárek understood how matters stood. He was a match for no more than one of the brothers if both had been equally well armed. So he chose what seemed to him the most acceptable of these alternatives, which was, to let them decide their course. He confirmed that with oaths and gave them surety about it.

  Thereupon Sigurth took the helm and steered south along the land. The brothers took care not to meet anyone, and they had a most favorable breeze. They did not stop before making the Trondheimfjord in the south and finally Nitharós, where they went to King Óláf’s court.

  Then the king summoned Hárek to a conference and bade him accept baptism. Hárek refused to do that. The king and Hárek discussed this many a day, sometimes in the hearing of many, sometimes in private, but could come to no agreement.

  Finally the king said to Hárek, “I want you to journey home now, I shall not harm you for the nonce. The reason for that is, first, that there is much kinship between us, and second, that you might say I got hold of you by trickery. But I want you to know for sure that I intend to sail north your way in summer and pay a visit to you people of Hálogaland. And then you will find out whether I can punish them who refuse Christianity.” Hárek declared himself well pleased that he could get away from there, the sooner the better. King Óláf procured Hárek a good skiff with ten or twelve oarsmen and had that boat provisioned as best could be. The king gave Hárek a crew of thirty men well-equipped and hardy.

  Chapter 76. Eyvind Kinnrifa Is Tortured to Death by King Óláf

  Hárek of Thjótta left the town as soon as he could, but Hauk and Sigurth remained with the king and had themselves baptized. Hárek sailed his way until he arrived home in Thjótta. He sent word to Eyvind Kinnrifa, his friend, to tell him that Hárek of Thjótta had met King Óláf and had not let himself be cowed to accept Christianity. For another thing, his messengers were to tell him that King Óláf intended to come against them with a fleet during the summer. Hárek said they would have to be on
guard for that and asked Eyvind to come to see him as soon as possible. And when this message was delivered to Eyvind he understood there was ample reason to take counsel against being at the mercy of the king. So Eyvind departed as fast as he could on a swift boat with only a few men. And when he arrived at Thjótta, Hárek made him right welcome, and they both straightway left the farm to have a talk together. But when they had talked but a short while, the men of King Óláf who had brought Hárek north, made Eyvind prisoner and led him away to the ship. Then they departed with Eyvind, and continued on their way till they arrived in Trondheim and found the king in Nitharós. Then he was brought to King Óláf. The king bade him to let himself be baptized like others. But Eyvind refused. The king with kind words urged him to accept Christianity, both he and the bishop giving him many reasons for so doing. But Eyvind would not budge. Then the king offered him gifts and great revenues, but Eyvind refused all. Then the king threatened him with torture or death. Still Eyvind would not budge. Thereupon the king had a basin full of live coals brought in and put on Eyvind’s belly, and soon his belly burst.

  Then Eyvind said: “Take the basin away. I want to say a few words before I die.” And that was done.

  Then the king asked, “Will you now believe in Christ, Eyvind?”

  “No,” he said, “I cannot accept any baptism. I am a spirit brought to life in human shape by the sorcery of Finns, my father and my mother could have no child before.” Then Eyvind died. He had been a great sorcerer.

  Chapter 77. Hárek of Thjótta Is Baptized

  In the spring following, King Óláf had his ships and their crews 999 well equipped. He himself took over the Crane. He had then a numerous and picked force. And when he was ready he sailed out of the fjord and proceeded north around Cape Byrtha, continuing north to Hálogaland. And wherever he made land he held an assembly, at which he bade all to be baptized and accept the true faith. No one durst oppose him, and wherever he fared all the land was made Christian. King Óláf was entertained by Hárek in Thjótta. He and all his followers were baptized then. At their parting, Hárek made the king fine presents and swore him allegiance, against receiving grants and the dues accruing to a steward [of the king].

  Chapter 78. Rauth the Strong and Thórir Hart Are Defeated by the King

  Rauth the Strong was the name of a farmer who lived at Gothey in the Sálptifjord. He was a man of great wealth and had many workers. He was a man who had much power. A great number of Finns followed him whenever he needed them. Rauth was much given to making sacrifices and was a great sorcerer. He was a close friend of Thórir Hart, a man who was mentioned before. Both were powerful chieftains. Now when they learned that King Óláf was coming from the south to Hálogaland with an army, they gathered troops, made a levy of ships, and had a great force. Rauth owned a large dragon ship with gilded head. That vessel had thirty rowers’ benches and was large in proportion. Thórir Hart also had a large ship. With this force they headed south against King Óláf, and when they met, they offered battle to him. It was a fierce combat, and many fell, most in the army of the men of Hálogaland. Their ships were cleared, and then terror and fright got the upper hand among them.

  Rauth rowed out to sea with his dragon ship and soon hoisted his sail. He always had a favorable wind, wherever he wished to sail, and that was owing to his witchcraft. To be brief about the matter, he sailed back to his home on Gothey.

  Thórir Hart fled to the land, where he [and his crew] abandoned their ships and were pursued by King Óláf and his men, who also left their ships, following on their heels and killing them. The king, there too, was foremost as always where such exploits were called for. He caught sight of Thórir Hart fleeing. Thórir was an exceedingly swift runner. The king ran after him, accompanied by his hound Vígi. The king called out to him, “Vígi, get the hart!” Vígi ran after Thórir and jumped on him. Thórir stopped. Then the king hurled his spear at Thórir. Thórir gave the dog a great wound with his sword, but at the same moment the king’s spear pierced Thórir under his arm so that it came out on the other side. There Thórir expired; but Vígi was borne wounded to the ship. King Óláf gave quarter to all those who asked for it and consented to be baptized.

  Chapter 79. Sorcery Prevents King Óláf’s Fleet from Entering the Sálptifjord

  King Óláf sailed north with his fleet along the land, baptizing all the people wherever he came. And when he arrived at the Sálptifjord in the north, he intended to enter it to find Rauth, but a furious squall and fierce gale swept out from the fjord, and the king lay there for a week, with the same tempestuous blast coming out of the fjord, whilst on the outside there was a favorable wind to sail north. Then the king sailed all the way north to Omth, where all the people accepted Christianity. Then the king reversed his course and steered south again. But when he approached the Sálptifjord from the north, squalls and spume again issued from it. The king lay there several nights while the same weather continued. Then the king spoke with Bishop Sigurth and inquired whether he knew what course to pursue. The bishop replied that he would try and see if God would lend him his might to overcome this fiendish power.

  Chapter 80. Bishop Sigurth Overcomes Rauth’s Magic

  Bishop Sigurth put on all his vestments and went forward to the prow of the king’s ship, had tapers lit and incense borne. He set up a crucifix on the stem of the ship, read the gospel and many other prayers, and sprinkled holy water all over the ship. Then he told them to take the tent coverings off and to row into the fjord. The king then had the order to go out to all the other ships to row behind his. And when they started rowing the Crane, she entered the fjord, and the rowers felt no wind blowing on them; and in the space left by its wake there was perfect calm, and the spoondrift receded on both sides, so that the mountains were hidden by it. Then one ship followed the other in that calm. Thus they proceeded all day, and then during the night, and shortly before daybreak arrived at Gothey. And when they approached Rauth’s estate they saw his large dragon ship floating on the water near land.

  King Óláf straightway went up to the buildings with his troops. They attacked the loft in which Rauth slept, forced it open, and entered. Then Rauth was seized and bound. The others inside were either killed or taken prisoner. Then the king’s men went to the hall in which slept the housecarls of Rauth, killing some, and capturing or manhandling others.

  The king had Rauth brought before him and bade him take the baptism. “In that case,” said the king, “I shall not deprive you of your property, but rather be your friend if you show yourself worthy of it.” Rauth cried out against him and said he would never believe in Christ, and he uttered much blasphemy. Then the king became enraged and promised him a most terrible death. Then the king had him tied with his back to a beam with a stick as gag between his teeth to keep his mouth open. Then he had a snake put before his mouth but it wriggled away, because Rauth blew against it. Then the king had the hollow stem of an angelica-stalk put into his mouth—though some say the king had his trumpet put into his mouth—and inserted the snake into it, then applied a glowing iron bar without. Then the snake wriggled into Rauth’s mouth and throat and gnawed its way out through his side. From that Rauth died.

  King Óláf took from there a great amount of riches in gold and silver and other valuables, weapons and many kinds of precious things. And all the men who had followed Rauth, the king had baptized, but those who would not, he had killed or tortured. Then King Óláf seized the dragon ship Rauth had owned, and steered it himself, because it was a much larger and finer ship than the Crane. Its stem had a dragon’s head on it, and on its stern, a crook shaped like a tail; and both sides of the neck and all the stern were gilded. That ship the king called the Serpent, because when the sail was hoisted it was to look like the wing of a dragon. That was the finest ship in all Norway.

  The islands where Rauth lived are called Gylling and Hæring, and the name for all of them is the Gothey Islands; and the Gothey Current1 is in the north between them and th
e mainland.

  King Óláf converted all the district about that fjord, then proceeded south along the land, and on that journey much happened which has been set down in accounts—how trolls and evil spirits taunted his men and sometimes even himself. But we would rather write about how King Óláf introduced Christianity in Norway and in the other countries to which he brought the faith. King Óláf that same fall returned to Trondheim, steering to Nitharós, where he prepared to spend the winter. The next matter which I shall have written deals with Icelanders.

  Chapter 81. The Icelanders in Nitharós Vainly Attempt to Avoid the King