Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  (52.)

  241. Do thou, liege-lord, lay down

  laws for all the land that

  may prevail among all

  men and stand forever!

  King Óláf was well-mannered, of an agreeable disposition, a man of rather few words, open-handed, [yet also] eager to have possessions. At that time there was at the king’s court the skald Sigvat, as was said above, together with several other Icelanders. King Óláf inquired carefully of them how the Christian faith was kept in Iceland; and it appeared to him to be in a bad case, for they told him about their manner of holding to the Christian precepts—that it was permitted in their laws to eat horse meat and expose children, as is done by heathens, and of still other customs that comported ill with Christianity. They also told the king of many of the great chieftains who lived in Iceland. Skapti Thóroddsson was at that time the lawspeaker there. He inquired of men who were best informed concerning the customs of people in countries round about. Most often he asked how the Christian faith was kept both in the Orkneys, in the Shetland and the Faroe Islands; and his inquiries revealed that not everything was as it should be. He often talked about such matters, and also about the laws and ordinances [of these countries].

  Chapter 59. The Emissaries of the Swedish King Attempt to Levy Tribute in Norway

  That same winter there came from Sweden in the east emissaries from King Óláf of Sweden. Two brothers headed them, Thorgaut Skarthi and Ásgaut the Steward, and they had with them twenty-four men. And when they arrived in Vera Dale, after crossing the Keel, they called the farmers to a meeting with them and spoke to them demanding the revenues and taxes due to the king of Sweden. The farmers discussed the matter and agreed between them to pay the taxes as required by the Swedish king provided King Óláf [the Stout] demanded no taxes from them on his account, but they said they would not pay taxes to both. The messengers departed, going down the valley, and in every meeting they had with the farmers they received the same answer but no money. Thereupon they went to Skaun, where they called the farmers together, demanding the taxes there also, and all went as before. Then they proceeded to Stjóra Dale and summoned the farmers, but they declined to come. Then the messengers understood that they would get nowhere with their errand. So Thorgaut wanted to return east. But Ásgaut said, “It seems to me we have not been successful in the king’s business. I wish to go to the court of King Óláf the Stout, considering that the farmers leave everything to his decision.”

  He prevailed, and they proceeded to the town and took lodgings there. Next day they went to the king—he was sitting at table—greeted him, and informed him that they came on an errand from the king of Sweden. The king requested them to come again the day after. Next day, when the king had heard mass he went to his assembly hall and had the men sent by the Swedish king called for and bade them deliver their message.

  Thorgaut spoke up, explaining first on what errand they had been sent, and then relating what answer the people of the inner districts of Trondheim had given them. Finally, he asked the king to deliver his decision what the outcome of their errand to these parts was to be.

  The king answered, “During the times earls governed the land here it was only natural that the people should be subject to them, because they were entitled by birth to power over the people here. Yet it would have been better even if the earls had shown obedience and given service to the kings who were entitled to have dominion in this land, rather than to bow down to foreign kings and rise in rebellion against their rightful kings and dethrone them. But as to the King Óláf of the Swedes who makes claims to Norway, I do not know what just right he has to do so. But this we shall remember, how many men we have lost through him and his kinsmen.”

  Then Ásgaut replied, “It is not to be wondered that you are called Óláf the Big-Mouthed,1 because with great haughtiness you answer the message of such a chieftain. You do not understand how heavy for you to bear will be the wrath of the king, for such it has proved to those who had greater power than you appear to me to have. But if you obstinately insist on holding onto your kingdom, it would be best for you to come to his court and become his vassal; in which case I shall join you in praying him to let you have this kingdom as a fief.”

  Then the king replied in a calm voice, “I shall give you a different counsel, Ásgaut. Return now east to your king and tell him that early in spring I shall get ready to journey east to the boundary which from of old has separated the realm of the king of Norway from that of the king of Sweden. Let him also come there if he desires to arrive at an agreement to let each of us have the dominions he is entitled to by birth.”

  Thereupon the emissaries left and went back to their lodgings and made ready to leave, but the king went to table. Then they returned to the king’s residence, and when the doorkeepers saw that, they told the king. He told them not to let the messengers in—“I will not speak with them,” he said. Thereupon the messengers left. Then Thorgaut said that he and his men would return to Sweden, but Ásgaut said that he meant to execute his errand. Then they separated, and Thorgaut journeyed to Strind; but Ásgaut with eleven other men travelled up through Gaular Dale and then south to Orka Dale, intending to proceed south to Mœr and there carry out the king of Sweden’s business. But when King Óláf became aware of that, he sent his “guests” after them. They found them on the ness by Stein, took them captive, and led them back to Gaular Ridge. There they raised gallows and hanged them there, in plain sight of the common passageway on the fjord. Thorgaut learned of this before leaving the Trondheim District. Thereupon he travelled all the way back till he came to the king of Sweden and told him what had happened to them on their expedition. The king became furious when he heard this account, and used strong language.

  Chapter 60. King Óláf Inculcates the Christian Commandments

  At Easter the following year King Óláf summoned troops in the 1016 Trondheim District, preparing to sail to the eastern part of the land. At the same time a vessel bound for Iceland got ready to sail from Nitharós. Then King Óláf sent word and tokens to Hjalti Skeggjason, requesting him to see him, and by him sent word to Skapti the Lawspeaker and to other men who had most to do with the laws in Iceland, that they were to take out of the laws such parts as seemed to him most at variance with Christianity. Together with this request he sent friendly greetings to all their countrymen.

  The king sailed south along the land, stopping in every district, holding meetings with the farmers. And at every meeting he had the Christian laws read and also the commandments that went with them. He straightway abolished many evil customs and heathen rites among the people; for the earls had kept well the old laws and rights of the land, but concerning the observance of Christianity they had let everyone do as he pleased. The situation then was this that in nearly all settlements along the seashore people were baptized, though most of them were ignorant of the Christian commandments; but in the remote valleys and the mountain settlements people were for the most part altogether heathen; because whenever people were allowed to do as they pleased, the faith which they had learned in childhood became fixed in their minds. But those men who would not be moved by the words of the king concerning the keeping of Christianity he threatened with harsh punishment, whether they were men of influence or humble folk.

  Óláf was accepted as king everywhere, at every general assembly, and no one opposed him. When he was moored in Karmt Sound, messages passed between him and Erling Skjálgsson about coming to an agreement; and the place for their coming to terms was arranged to be on Hvitingsey Island. And when they met they talked man to man about terms. Then it seemed clear to Erling from the words of the king to him that he had been misinformed about King Óláf. Erling claimed all those possessions which Óláf Tryggvason, and then the earls Svein and Hákon had bestowed on him, “and then I shall be your vassal and loyal friend,” he said.

  The king replied, “It would seem to me that it would be no worse for you to accept from me possessions as la
rge as you received from Earl Eirík, the man who had killed so many of your people. But I shall let you be the most outstanding man in the land, even though I mean to deal out the various possessions as I see fit and not make it appear as though you landed-men were entitled by birth to what is my patrimony and as though I had to buy your submission at many times its worth.”

  Erling had no mind to ask the king for the smallest favor, because he saw that he was not easily won over. He also perceived that there were only two alternatives for him to choose, the one, not to come to an understanding with the king and risk the consequences; the other, to leave the matter entirely up to the king. And he chose the latter course, much though it went against his disposition. So he said to the king, “You are likely to be served best if I do so of my own free will.” With that they concluded their discussion.

  Afterwards, Erling’s kinsmen and friends came to him, begging him to yield and proceed with circumspection, and not be overbearing. “You are always likely to be the most important of all landed-men in Norway,” they said, “both on account of your own ability and of your kinsfolk and great wealth.” And Erling considered that this was wholesome advice and given with the best intentions. He followed it, and swore an oath of fealty to the king, under the terms which the king was to impose. After that they parted and were reconciled, at least nominally. Thereupon Óláf continued on his way east along the land.

  Chapter 61. King Óláf Founds and Fortifies the Town of Sarpsborg

  As soon as King Óláf’s arrival in Vík became known, the Danes who had stewardships from the king of Denmark departed and sailed to Denmark, not wishing to bide the coming of King Óláf. And the king proceeded up along the fjord, holding meetings with the farmers. All the people submitted to him. He appropriated all the royal revenues and resided in Vík during the summer. From Túnsberg he sailed east across the fjord and all the way east to Svína Sound. There began the realm of the king of Sweden. He [the king of Sweden] had set stewards over those parts, Eilíf the Gaut over the northern part, and Hroí Skjálgi over the eastern part all the way to the Gaut Elf River. The latter had kinsfolk on both banks of the river and large estates on the island of Hísing. He was a powerful man and immensely wealthy. Eilíf also was a man of high birth. When King Óláf and his fleet arrived in Ranríki, he summoned the inhabitants to an assembly, and those who lived on the island or near the sea attended it. And when they were met, Bjorn the Marshal made a speech in which he asked the farmers to accept Óláf as king, as had been done in other districts of Norway.

  Brynjólf Úlfaldi [the Camel] was the name of an influential yeoman. He arose and spoke as follows: “We farmers know which is the boundary from of old between the kings of Norway, of Sweden, and of Denmark. The Gaut Elf River has formed it from Lake Vænir to the sea; in the north, the Forest District to the Eithaskóg region, and from there the Keel all the way north to Finnmark. We know also that now this, now that, power has made inroads on the other’s land. The Swedes have for a long time had possession of the land all the way to Svína Sound.1 Yet, to say the truth, I know many men are inclined to think it would be better to be subject to the king of Norway, but they don’t have the courage to acknowledge that. The realm of the Swedish king extends both east and south of us; while it is to be expected that the king of Norway will soon depart to the north to where the greatest strength of his land lies, and then we shall not have the power to fight the Gautar. Now it is up to the king to counsel us wisely. We would be ready enough to be his subjects.”

  After the assembly was over, Brynjólf at the invitation of the king stayed with him during the evening and likewise the day after. They discussed many things between them privately. Thereupon the king departed for the eastern part of Vík.

  Now when Eilíf learned that the king was there, he had spies report on his whereabouts. Eilíf had thirty men, who were his followers. He was stationed above in the settlements toward the forest, and here had with him a gathering of farmers. Many farmers joined King Óláf, and some sent messages of friendship. Then men went between King Óláf and Eilíf bearing messages from the farmers to both, beseeching them earnestly to arrange for a meeting and somehow maintain the peace between them. They told Eilíf that if they did not heed the king’s commands they could expect harsh treatment from him and said they would support Eilíf [with troops] at such a meeting. Then the decision was reached that Eilíf and his men should come down [to the coast] and there hold a meeting with the farmers and the king.

  Thereupon the king sent Thórir the Long, the chief of his “guests,” together with eleven others, to Brynjólf. They wore coats of mail under their kirtles and hoods over their helmets. The day after, the farmers in a great body came down to the seashore together with Eilíf. Brynjólf was there in his company and Thórir too was along.

  The king moved his ships to where a certain cliff projected into the sea. He went up on it with his troops and settled on top. Above it was a level place and that was occupied by the army of the farmers, and Eilíf’s men formed a shield castle around him.

  Bjorn, the king’s marshal, made a long and clever speech, representing the king. But when he sat down, Eilíf arose and started to speak. In the same instant Thórir the Long stood up, drew his sword, and struck Eilíf on the neck so that his head flew off. At that all the farmers’ host started up, and the troop of Gautar took to flight. Thórir and his men killed some of them. But when the multitude had calmed down and the noise subsided, the king arose and called out that the farmers should sit down. They did so. Much was spoken on that occasion, but in the end the farmers submitted to the king and swore allegiance to him, and he on his part promised not to desert them and to remain there until he and Óláf, the king of the Swedes, settled their difficulties between them.

  After that, King Óláf subjected the northern districts [of Ranríki] to his sway, and in summer proceeded all the way to the Gaut Elf River, collecting all the revenues due to the king along the coast and around the islands. But as the summer wore on he returned north to Vík and rowed up into the Raum Elf River to where there is a great waterfall, called Sarp.2 North of this fall a peninsula juts out into the river. There King Óláf had a small wall of stones, turf, and wood built across the peninsula, and a moat dug on the outside of it. He built a large stronghold of earth there and within it he laid the foundation of Saint Mary’s Church. He had also sites for other buildings marked off and got other men to build there. In the fall he had the provisions necessary for dwelling there during the winter brought up and resided there that winter with a great host, but also had his men in all districts. He forbade all movements of herring and salt from Vík to Gautland. And these wares the Gautar could ill do without. He arranged a great Yule celebration and asked to it farmers of wealth from all districts.

  Chapter 62. King Óláf Rewards Eyvind Úrarhorn and Brynjólf Úlfaldi

  There was a man called Eyvind Úrarhorn [Uroxhorn] whose kin resided in East Agthir. He was a man of much importance and of noble descent who went on raiding expeditions every summer, sometimes to the west, sometimes to the Baltic, or south to Frísia. He owned a swift-sailing ship with twenty rowers’ benches and a good crew. He had been in the battle of Nesjar, supporting King Óláf. And when they parted, the king promised him his friendship, and Eyvind, his assistance wherever the king needed it. Eyvind attended the Yule banquet King Óláf gave and received goodly gifts from him. Brynjólf Úlfaldi was there also and as a Yule gift received a sword with gold ornaments from the king, together with an estate called Vettaland,1 which is a large manorial possession. Brynjólf composed a verse which ends like this:

  (53.)

  242. A sword gave me

  the sovran, and Vettaland.

  At the same time the king gave him the title of landed-man; and Brynjólf remained the king’s trusted friend all his life.

  Chapter 63. The Tribute from Jamtaland Is Collected by King Óláf of Sweden

  That same winter Thránd the White of Trond
heim went east to Jamtaland to collect the revenues for King Óláf the Stout. But after he had done so, emissaries of the Swedish king came upon him and killed Thránd with his eleven companions, taking the revenues and delivering them to the king of Sweden. King Óláf learned of this and was greatly put out about it.

  Chapter 64. The District of Vík Is Firmly Christianized

  King Óláf had the Christian laws proclaimed in Vík as in the more northern parts of the country, and with good success, because the Christian ways were much better known to the people of Vík than to people in the northern parts, since a great many merchants came there, both summer and winter, Danes as well as Saxons. Also the people of Vík kept up merchant journeys to England, to Saxland, to the land of the Flemings, or to Denmark; and some engaged in freebooting expeditions and had their winter quarters in Christian lands.

  Chapter 65. Hrói Skjálgi Is Slain

  In the spring King Óláf sent word to Eyvind to come to him. They spoke in private for a long time. Then Eyvind straightway made ready to go on a raiding expedition. He sailed south along the coast of Vík and made fast in the Eikrey Islands outside of the Island of Hísing. There he learned that Hrói Skjálgi had gone north to the Island of Orthost and had there collected revenues and war contributions, and that he was expected back south at that time. Thereupon Eyvind rowed into the Hauga Sound, and met Hrói who came rowing from the north, and they met in the sound and fought together. Hrói fell there, with nearly thirty of his men, and Eyvind took all the possessions Hrói had acquired. Thereupon Eyvind sailed into the Baltic and remained on freebooting expeditions all summer long.