Heimskringla
Page 33
Chapter 47. King Óláf Makes Ready for Battle
About this time, King Óláf steered his fleet out of the fjord and there was but a short distance between the two fleets. They became aware of each other on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. King Óláf had the ship which was called Karlhofthi [Man’s Head]. As a figurehead it had a king’s head carved on its prow. He himself had carved it; and such a figurehead was in Norway for a long time afterward fixed on the prows of ships steered by chieftains.
The king has the trumpets blown.
Chapter 48. Óláf Addresses His Men before Battle
On Sunday morning, as soon as dawn broke, King Óláf arose and dressed. Then he went on land and had the trumpets blown for all his army to go on land. Then he spoke to the army and made it known to all that he had learned that only a short distance separated them from Earl Svein.
“Now let us prepare and be ready to meet them, because in a little while we shall encounter them. Let men arm themselves now, and let everyone make ready for the fight both himself and his place in the ship to which he is assigned, so that all are ready when I have the trumpets blown for us to start. Then let us row close together, let no one start before the whole fleet starts, and let no one remain behind when I row out of the harbor; because we cannot know whether we shall find the earl where he is moored now, or whether he is coming to look for us. But if we encounter him and the battle starts, then let our men gather our ships together and be ready to fasten them one to the other. Let us remain on the defensive at first and save our missiles and not waste them by throwing them into the sea to no good. But when the battle is on in earnest and the ships have been tied together, then fight for all you are worth, and let everyone show his manhood.”
Chapter 49. The Battle of Nesjar
King Óláf had on his ship a hundred [120] men, all in coats of mail, with French helmets on their heads. Most of his men had white shields, with the holy cross inlaid on them with gold, but some had it drawn on them with red or blue color. He also had the front of all helmets marked with a cross in chalk. He himself had a white standard with a dragon figured on it.
Thereupon he had mass said for himself. He went on board his ship and told the men to have refreshments of food and drink, then had the trumpets sounded for the fleet to leave harbor. And when they arrived before the harbor where the earl’s fleet had anchored, they found his force armed and about to row out of the harbor. And when they saw the king’s fleet, they began to fasten their ships together, to raise their standards, and to prepare for battle. When King Óláf saw that, he rowed to the attack. The king laid his ship beside the earl’s, and the battle began. As says Skald Sigvat:
(38.)
227. Onset made then Óláf,
anchored as in the harbor
Svein’s fleet lay—the salty
sea grew red with wound-dew.
Urged the keen-eyed king the
combat ’gainst the earl’s men
ruthlessly—with ropes their
readied ships they fastened.
In this verse we are told that King Óláf proceeded to do battle, and that Svein remained in the harbor, waiting for him. Sigvat the Skald was in that battle, and right soon in the summer after it he composed the flokk which is called Nesjavísur. In it we are told fully about these happenings:
(39.)
228. Heard we have, great warrior,
how that you for combat
near to the earl, east of
Agthir, laid Karlhofthi.
The battle was most bitterly fought, and for a long time it seemed uncertain what the outcome would be. Many fell on both sides, and a great many were wounded. As says Sigvat:
(40.)
229. Need there was none to urge to
noise-of-swords the earl’s men,
nor to egg on Óláf,
eager ever for battle;
for either host was apt to
undergo—nor were they
ever—the loss of life or
limb—worse bestead in combat.1
The earl had a greater force, but the king had a picked crew on his ship who had been with him in his expeditions and, as stated above, were so splendidly equipped that every man wore chain mail. They suffered no wounds. As says Sigvat:
(41.)
230. Gladly saw I the glorious
gold-ring-dealer’s men there
busked in cold steel byrnies—
bated not the sword-din;
but my black hair hid I,
benchmate, ’gainst the flight of
arrows—armed thus were we—
under a French helmet.
But when men on board the earl’s ships began to fall and a number were wounded, the ranks of warriors along the sides of the ships grew thin.
Chapter 50. King Óláf Hails Fleeing Bersi
Then King Óláf’s men prepared to board them. His standard was carried up onto the ship next to the earl’s, and the king himself advanced with it. As says Sigvat:
(42.)
231. Strode ’neath golden standard
stalwart men of Óláf
up upon the earl’s ship
after their brave leader.
Not was it as though to thewy
thanes before the battle
mead were borne by modest
maidens on the sea-steeds.
A sharp struggle took place there, and many of Svein’s men fell, and some leapt overboard. As says Sigvat:
(43.)
232. Straightway stormed we on their
steeds-of-Atli1 briskly—
were shields by red blades shattered—
shrilly whined the arrows.
Overboard—on the brine dead
bodies many floated—
wounded warriors leapt and
weltered in the billows.
And still further:
(44.)
233. With blood our bucklers, which were
brought there white, our fighters,
as could be seen, colored
crimson in fierce onset.
O’er gangway our gallant leader—
gore he gave the ravens—
boldly—blades were dulled there—
boarded foeman’s galley.
Then many more men began to fall on the earl’s side. Then the king’s men attacked the earl’s ship and came close to boarding it. But when the earl saw how matters stood, he called on the men in the bow to cut the hawsers [with which his ship was tied to the others] and cast it loose, and they did so. Then the king’s men threw grappling hooks on the beak of the warship and so held them fast. Then the earl commanded his forecastlemen to chop off the beak, which they did. As says Sigvat:
(45.)
234. Bade then Svein lop the blackish
beak upon his warship—
before, full-nigh he was to
fall into our power—
when, to gladden greedy
gulls-of-Óthin2—still the
birds had their fill of bloody
bodies—they lopped the ship’s beak.
Einar Thambarskelfir had laid his ship alongside of the earl’s ship. They heaved an anchor onto the bow of the earl’s ship and thus they all got away on the fjord. Thereupon all of the earl’s fleet fled and rowed out on the fjord.
Bersi, the son of Skáldtorfa,3 was stationed in the middle on Earl Svein’s ship; and when it drifted away from the fleet, King Óláf called out aloud when he recognized Bersi, for he was easily recognizable, being exceptionally handsome and excellently equipped as to weapons and clothes, “Fare you well, Bersi.”
He replied, “All hail to you, king.”
So says Bersi in the flokk which he composed when he fell into the power of King Óláf and sat in chains:
(46.)
235. “Depart in peace,” thou didst,
prince, bid me, the poet;
and I said the same to
seasoned tree-of-combat.4
Unwillingl
y these words in
weapon-thing returned I
as from the Fáfnir’s-treasure’s-
foe5 I had received them.
(47.)
236. Seen have I Svein tested
since we fared together—
sang loud polished swords—in
serious conflicts, ruler.
Never on shipboard shall I,
should whate’er betide me,
in fiercest fray tested
follow a better master.
(48.)
237. Crouch I shall not, King, nor
crawl before thee—rather,
let us ready, liege, a
large ship, this year—and so
turn my back on true and
tried friends and aggrieve them.
Young when I was I held dear
him who was your enemy.
Chapter 51. Earl Svein Decides to Flee the Country
As some of the earl’s men fled up on land, some asked for, and received, quarter. Then Svein and his fleet rowed out of the fjord. The chieftains laid their vessels alongside each other and discussed matters between them, and the earl sought the advice of the landed-men. Erling Skjálgsson counseled that they should sail north, collect troops, and renew the battle with King Óláf. But because they had lost so many troops, most of them urged that the earl should leave the country and repair to the king of Sweden, his brother-in-law, and there gather troops; and Einar gave his support to this counsel, because it seemed to him they did not have a sufficient force to do battle with King Óláf. So they separated, the earl sailing south outside Fold and Einar Thambarskelfir with him. Erling Skjálgsson and many other landed-men who did not want to flee their possessions proceeded north to their homes. During the summer Erling kept a great number of men about him.
Chapter 52. King Óláf Disregards Sigurth Sýr’s Counsel
King Óláf and his men saw that the earl and his followers had laid their ships together. Then King Sigurth Sýr urged him to attack the earl and fight it out with him. King Óláf said he wanted to ascertain first what course the earl would pursue, whether he would try to keep his fleet together or whether they would part company. Sigurth said that Óláf would have his way—“but I very much fear that, with your disposition and your willfulness, you will be long at making sure of the loyalty of these bigwigs, used as they are from of old to go straight counter to their chieftains.”
Neither did it come to an attack. They soon saw that the earl’s fleet scattered. They lay there for several nights and divided the booty. Then the skald Sigvat spoke these verses:
(49.)
238. Many a minister-of-
murderous battle, ween I,
but now who from the north came,
ne’ermore will wend homeward:
sank from the sea-steeds many a
sailor down to the bottom:
Svein forsooth we met at
sea in fierce-fought combat.
(50.)
239. Will not, as yester-year, the
young maidens of Trondheim
twit and taunt us, though our
troops fewer, that we fought not.
Much rather will they mock at
men who fell on their noses—
we sullied the sea with gore of
slain hosts—in that battle.
And still further:
(51.)
240. Grew the stem-nag-steerer’s1
strength—Earl Svein, you found that—
e’er since Uppland chieftains
Óláf chose as liege-lord.
Heard we have that men from
Heithmork District can do
more than—wands-of-wounds we
wielded—drink king’s ale-cups.
King Óláf at parting gave King Sigurth Sýr, his stepfather, presents, as also to the other chieftains who had supported him. To Ketil of Hringuness he gave a swift-sailing ship with fifteen rowers’ benches, which Ketil took up through the Raum Elf River all the way to Mjors Lake.
Chapter 53. King Óláf Establishes His Residence in Trondheim
King Óláf sent out spies to ascertain where the earl had gone; but when he learned that the earl had left the country, he proceeded west along the coast of Vík. Then many joined his host and he was acknowledged as king at the assemblies. Thus he proceeded all the way to Cape Lithandisness. Then he learned that Erling Skjálgsson had collected many troops. So he did not tarry in North Agthir, because a fresh fair wind sprang up. He sailed the fastest he could north to the District of Trondheim, because there he considered was the greatest power of the country, to see if he could lay his hands on it while the earl was out of the country. But when King Óláf arrived in Trondheim, he found no opposition against him, and he was acknowledged as king there. He resided in Nitharós in the fall and prepared to make his winter residence there. He had the royal quarters erected there and laid the foundations of Saint Clement’s Church at the place where it now stands. He marked out sites for homes and gave them to farmers and merchants and others he liked and who wanted to build there. He kept many men about him, for he did not trust the Tronders to be loyal to him if the earl should return. That was specially plain in the case of the inhabitants of the interior regions of the district. Neither did he receive any revenues from there.
Chapter 54. King Óláf of Sweden Aids Earl Svein
Earl Svein first journeyed to King Óláf of Sweden, his brother-in-law, and told him about his encounter with Óláf the Stout and asked the advice of the Swedish king how he should proceed. The king said that he could stay in his land, if he so desired and have at his disposal a dominion befitting his station. “As another alternative,” he said, “I shall let you have sufficient troops to reconquer Norway from Óláf.” The earl chose the latter, because he was urged by all of the many men who had large landed possessions in Norway and who had followed him. And after deliberating about the measures to be taken, they agreed on proceeding by the landway, the following winter, through Helsingjaland and Jamtaland and on to Trondheim; for the earl had great hopes that the people living about the inner reaches of the Trondheimfjord would be loyal to him and best support him with troops if he arrived there. Yet they decided on first going on a raiding expedition to the eastern Baltic that summer to procure booty.
Chapter 55. Earl Svein Dies in Sweden
Earl Svein proceeded with his force east to Gartharíki and harried there. He remained there during the summer, but when fall approached he returned to Sweden with his troops. At that time he contracted the sickness which brought on his death. After the earl’s death the troops that had followed him returned to Sweden, and some went to Helsingjaland and from there to Jamtaland till at last after going west over the Keel they arrived in Trondheim, and spread the tidings which had occurred during their journey; and then the news of Earl Svein’s death was confirmed.
Chapter 56. The King of Sweden Vows to Regain Norway
Einar Thambarskelfir and the troop which had followed him during the winter joined the court of the Swedish king and they were given a cordial welcome. Many other men were there also who had followed the earl. The king of Sweden was much put out with Óláf the Stout for having occupied the country tributary to him and driving out Earl Svein. To repay him, the king promised Óláf the strongest retribution as soon as he was able to. He said that Óláf [the Stout] would not dare to be so bold as to take possession of the dominion the earl had had. And many of the Swedish king’s men agreed with him.
But as soon as the people of Trondheim were certain that Earl Svein was dead and could no longer be expected back in Norway, then all the people turned their allegiance to King Óláf, and many men from the interior of the district came to him to swear allegiance and become his men; and some sent word and tokens of their submission to him. Then in the fall he went into the interior of the province and had the farmers meet him in an assembly. In every shire there he was accepted as king. Thereupon he returned to Nitharós. He ha
d all the royal revenues brought there and prepared to have his winter quarters there.
Chapter 57. King Óláf’s Residence in Nitharós
King Óláf had a royal residence built in Nitharós. In it there was a large hall for his retinue, with doors at both ends. The king’s high-seat was in the middle of the hall. Next to him sat Grímkel, his court bishop, and next to him, his other priests; and on the other side sat his councillors. Opposite to the king, on the other high-seat, sat his marshal Bjorn the Stout, and next to him sat the “guests.”1 Whenever men of importance came to see the king, they were well taken care of. Fires were lit [on the floor] on such occasions when the ale was drunk. He appointed men to serve in various capacities, as was the custom of kings. He had about him sixty retainers and thirty “guests,” and gave them wages and laws. In addition he had thirty housecarls who were to do such work in the [royal] household as was needed, and to provision it. He had also many thralls. In the [royal] estate there was also a large hall for the retainers to sleep in. There was also a large room which the king used for meetings with his retainers.
Chapter 58. King Óláf’s Character and Ways
It was the habit of the king to rise betimes in the morning, to put on his clothes and wash his hands, then to go to church and listen to the matins and morning mass, then to. go to meetings and reconcile people, or else to deal with other matters such as seemed needful to him. He gathered at his court men both of high and of low degree, and all who were of keen understanding. He had often recited in his presence the laws which Hákon, the foster son of Æthelstān, had given to the Trondheim District. He changed laws with the advice of the wisest men, taking away or adding as seemed best to him. The Christian code of laws he gave in accordance with the advice of Bishop Grímkel and other priests, laying great stress on abolishing heathendom and ancient practices such as seemed to him contrary to the spirit of Christianity. In the end the farmers agreed to the laws the king gave. As says Sigvat: