Chapter 66. Guthleik Is Robbed of His Cargo by Thorgaut
There was a man called Guthleik Gerzki [of Gartharíki]. His kinfolk lived in Agthir. He was a seafaring man and a great merchant, wealthy, and one who carried on trade with various countries. Frequently he travelled east to Gartharíki, for which reason he was called Guthleik Gerzki. That spring Guthleik readied his ship, intending to journey east to Garthar. King Óláf sent word to him that he wanted to see him. And when Guthleik arrived, the king said he wanted to go into partnership with him, and asked him to buy for him those valuable things which are hard to get in Norway. Guthleik said that this would be done according to his wishes. Thereupon the king caused to be paid out to him as much money as he thought was required.
In the summer Guthleik sailed into the Baltic. They lay to for some time at the Island of Gotland. Then it happened, as often is the case, that not everyone [of the crew] held his tongue and so the people of the land got to know that on that ship was the partner of Óláf the Stout. In summer Guthleik travelled to Hólmgarth1 in the east, and there bought splendid costly stuffs which he intended for the king’s robes of state, and also costly pelts and expensive tablecloth. In the fall, when Guthleik returned from the east, they had headwinds, and they lay anchored a long time at the Island of Eyland. Thorgaut Skarthi had learned by his spies about Guthleik’s journey, and he fell upon them there with a warship and fought with them. They defended themselves for a long time, but as the odds were great against them, Guthleik fell with many of his crew, and many were wounded. Then Thorgaut took possession of all goods and the precious things meant for King Óláf. Thorgaut and his men divided the booty equally among themselves, but the precious objects the Swedish king was to have—“and that is,” said he, “a part of the tribute which is owing to him from Norway.” Thorgaut then sailed east [west] to Sweden.
The news about this spread fast. Somewhat later, Eyvind Úrarhorn arrived in Eyland, and when he learned what had happened, he sailed east [west] in pursuit of Thorgaut. They met in the Swedish skerries and fought a battle. There Thorgaut fell with most of his men who did not leap overboard. Then Eyvind took all they had taken from Guthleik, also the precious things intended for King Óláf. Eyvind returned to Norway in fall, and delivered to King Óláf the precious things belonging to him. The king thanked him much for what he had done and assured him again of his friendship. 1017 At that time King Óláf had been king in Norway for three years.
Chapter 67. King Óláf Allies Himself with Earl Rognvald
That same summer King Óláf raised a general levy, and again sailed east to the [Gaut Elf] River, where he lay anchored during the summer. Messages were sent between King Óláf, Earl Rognvald, and Ingibjorg, the daughter of Tryggvi, who was the earl’s wife. She applied herself with great zeal to assisting King Óláf. She was very determined in following this up, the reason being both her feeling of close kinship with King Óláf and the fact that she never forgot what part the Swedish king had in the fall of Óláf Tryggvason, her brother, and that because of this he considered he had a claim on Norway. Through her the earl was persuaded to become a great friend of King Óláf, and the result of it was that a meeting was arranged between the king and the earl at the [Gaut Elf] River. There they discussed many matters, especially the hostile relations between the king of Norway and the king of Sweden; and both declared, as was true, that for both inhabitants of Vík and the Gauts it was ruinous that there was not the chance of peaceful trading between the two countries; and at the end they concluded a peace between them till the following summer. At parting they interchanged gifts and assured each other of their friendship. Thereupon the king returned north to Vík, receiving the royal taxes all the way to the [Gaut Elf] River. And all the people submitted to him. King Óláf of Sweden was so furious with Óláf Haraldsson that he declared that no one should dare to call him by his right name in his hearing. They called him “that fat man” and vilified him whenever he was mentioned.
Chapter 68. Óláf Commissions Bjorn the Marshal to Go to Sweden
The farmers in Vík between them declared there was only one way out of their difficulty, and that was that the kings should come to an agreement and make peace between them. They said they were ill bestead to have the kings harry on one another. But no one dared to bring this complaint up boldly before the king. So they prayed Bjorn the Marshal to speak for them to the king and ask him to send messengers to meet the Swedish king and to offer to come to some agreement. Bjorn was reluctant and begged to be excused; but many of his friends entreated him to do so. At last he promised to speak about this to the king, but said he suspected the king would resent yielding to the Swedish king even in one point.
That summer, Hjalti Skeggjason arrived in Norway from Iceland in response to the request of King Óláf. He immediately repaired to the court of King Óláf. The king received him cordially and asked him to stay at his court, assigning him a seat at table next to Bjorn the Marshal, so they became comrades at table and soon good friends.
One time when King Óláf was at a meeting between his troops and the farmers to discuss matters of government, Bjorn the Marshal spoke as follows: “What are your intentions, sire, concerning the clashes between you and Óláf, the king of Sweden? Now both parties have lost men through the other, but there is no decision either way, any more than before, who is to have what part of the realm. You have resided one winter and two summers in Vík and turned your back on all the land north of here. Men who have possessions and hereditary property in the north are tired of staying here. Now it is the wish of the landed-men and others of your followers, and also of the farmers, that there be made a decision. And because there is now a truce, and peace terms are agreed on with the earl and the West Gautar, who sit nearest to us, the people consider it wise that you send emissaries to the king of Sweden to offer a reconciliation on your part; and many who are with the Swedish king are likely to support that, because it is to the advantage of the inhabitants of either land.”
Bjorn’s speech received the hearty approval of all. Thereupon the king said, “The counsel which you have just now given, Bjorn, very likely was given with yourself in mind; so you shall go on this mission. If it is a good idea it will redound to your credit; but if your life is endangered by it, then you yourself will bear the blame. For that matter, it is your duty in assemblies to voice what are my intentions.” Thereupon the king arose, went to church, and had a high mass sung for himself, then he sat down at table.
The day after, Hjalti said to Bjorn, “Why do you look so downcast, man? Are you sick or are you incensed at someone?” Thereupon Bjorn reported what he and what the king had said, and declared this was a dangerous mission. Hjalti said, “Kings should be served in such fashion that the men [who do their errands] derive great honor therefrom and are valued more highly than others. But often they are in danger of their lives, and they must be reconciled to either outcome. But the king’s good luck may do wonders. And if everything goes well you may reap great honor from this enterprise.”
Bjorn said, “You take it lightly. I suppose you will wish to go with me, for the king said that I should have my own following with me on that journey.”
Hjalti said, “Assuredly I shall go with you if that is your wish, for I shall have difficulty in finding another bench mate if we two part company.”
Chapter 69. Bjorn Journeys to Gautland
A few days later, when King Óláf was at a meeting, Bjorn appeared before him, together with eleven other men. He told the king that they were ready to go on his mission, and their horses stood outside saddled. “I now desire to know,” said Bjorn, “what message I am to deliver, and what plan you have devised for us.”
The king replied, “You are to deliver to the Swedish king these my words: that I want to establish peace between our lands according to the boundaries which Óláf Tryggvason had before me, and that this be confirmed by fixed agreements so that neither of us shall transgress these boundaries. But as to
the men who were slain, it will be of no use to bring that up if we are to be reconciled, for the king of Sweden could not make up with money for the loss of men we have suffered through the Swedes.”
Then the king arose and left the hall with Bjorn and his men. He took a finely adorned sword and a finger ring and handed them to Bjorn. “This sword I shall give you. It was given me this summer by Earl Rognvald. You are to proceed to him and deliver to him these my words: that he is to help you with his counsel and his support so that you may accomplish your errand. You will have done well if you can hear what the Swedish king will say, whether yea or nay. But this finger ring you are to give Earl Rognvald. He will recognize these tokens.”
Hjalti went up to the king and saluted him—“now we very much require that you give us your luck along on this journey,”1 and he bade the king farewell. The king asked him where he was going. “With Bjorn,” he said.
The king said, “That will be of advantage on this journey that you go along, because your luck has stood the test many a time. Be assured that I shall lay this matter to my heart, if this perchance will help, and confer my luck on you and all of you.”
Bjorn and his companions rode on their way, and arrived at the court of Earl Rognvald. There they were received well. Bjorn was a man of mark, known to many both by his aspect and by his voice, and to all who had seen King Óláf; for Bjorn arose at all meetings to speak for the king. Ingibjorg, the earl’s wife, went up to Hjalti and kissed him. She knew him, for she had been with Óláf Tryggvason, her brother, when Hjalti was at his court. And there was some relationship between the king and Vilborg, Hjalti’s wife [as follows]: Eirík Bjóthaskalli, the father of Ástríth, King Óláf Tryggvason’s mother, and Bothvar, the father of Álof, the mother of Gizur the White, Vilborg’s father, were brothers, and both the sons of Víkinga-Kári, a landed-man of Vors.
Now then the emissaries of King Óláf enjoyed the hospitality of the earl. One day Bjorn and his men had a conference with the earl and Ingibjorg, when Bjorn spoke of his mission and showed the earl his tokens.
The earl asked, “What have you done, Bjorn, that the king desires your death? You stand mighty little chance of being successful with your mission; in fact, I am thinking that there is no one who can deliver such a message to the Swedish king and escape with his life. King Óláf, the Swedish king, is by far too high and mighty for anyone to dare to mention before him matters against which he has set his face.”
Bjorn replied, “Nothing has happened for King Óláf to harbor a grudge against me; but he entertains plans, both for himself and his men which may appear dangerous to those who are apprehensive how things will turn out. But so far all his plans have turned out well, and we expect that will be the case in the future. Now I will tell you for sure that I shall go to see the Swedish king and not turn back before I have had him hear the message which King Óláf enjoined me to bring up before him—unless death prevent me or I am made captive so that I cannot manage to approach him. I shall do so, whether or no you mean to further the message of the king.”
Then Ingibjorg said, “I shall tell you quickly what my mind is about this business; and that is, earl, that you should do all in your power to support this message of King Óláf’s, so that it is brought up before the king of Sweden, whatever his answer. Even if we expose ourselves to the wrath of the Swedish king and endanger all our possessions and dominion, yet I would rather risk that than have it known that you put off the message of King Óláf because you were afraid of the Swedish king. You have the ancestry, the support of kinsmen, and all the energy required to be free to have your say here in Sweden concerning all that is seemly and will appear to all worth hearing, whether many listen or few, great or little, and even if the king himself listen.”
The earl gave this answer: “It is not hard to see what you are driving at. Now let it be that you have your way in this matter and that I promise these emissaries of the king to help them so that they may succeed in bringing up their errand before the Swedish king, whether he likes it or no. But I mean to have my way how to manage this; and I don’t care to be rushed by Bjorn or any other man when such difficult matters are at stake. I desire that they remain here with me until such time when it will seem to me most likely to attend successfully to this business.” But when the earl had given them to understand that he would aid them and lend them his support, Bjorn thanked him cordially and said he would follow his advice. Bjorn and his company tarried there at the earl’s for a very long while.
Chapter 70. The Skald Hjalti Proceeds to Sweden
Ingibjorg was exceedingly kind to them. Bjorn spoke to her about his errand, and considered it bad that the journey should be postponed so long. Both they and Hjalti often spoke about this. Then Hjalti said, “I shall proceed to the king, if you so wish. I am not a Norwegian, so the Swedes will not have anything against me. I have heard that some Icelanders are at the court of the Swedish king and are treated well. They are acquaintances of mine, Gizur the Black, the king’s skald, and Óttar the Black. I can then make inquiries and find out from the temper of the Swedish king whether this business is as hopeless as is made out now or whether there exist any other means to deal with it. Then I could act as occasion arises.”
This seemed to Ingibjorg and Bjorn a mighty wise plan, and they came to a fast agreement about it. Then Ingibjorg made preparations for Hjalti’s journey. She gave him two Gautish men along and instructed them to be at his service, both to wait upon him and to be ready to go on his errands. She gave him twenty marks of weighed silver for travelling expenses, and also a message and tokens to deliver to Ingigerth, the daughter of King Óláf, enjoining her to further his business in every way and do whatever he might require of her.
Hjalti departed as soon as he was ready. And when he arrived at the court of King Óláf, he sought out Gizur and Óttar immediately. They greeted him joyfully and straightway went to the king with him, and told the king that a compatriot of theirs had arrived who was one of the most honored in that land, and asked the king to receive him well. Then the king ordered Hjalti and his companions to join his court. Now when Hjalti had been there some time and had made acquaintances, he was greatly honored by all. The skalds were often in the king’s presence, because they were free-spoken. Often during the day they were seated in front of the king’s high-seat, Hjalti among them. They paid him their highest respects in all matters. So he also became acquainted with the king, who spoke quite frankly with him and asked him about happenings in Iceland.
Chapter 71. The Skald Sigvat Accompanies Bjorn
Before leaving, Bjorn had requested the skald Sigvat to accompany him—he had at that time been attached to the court of King Óláf; but people had not been eager to join them on that journey. The friendliest relations existed between Bjorn and Sigvat. The latter spoke this verse:
(54.)
243. Fond I was of former
friendly marshals all who
crowd about our keen-eyed
king, seeking his favor.
Bjorn, thou brand-reddener,
boons thou didst procure me
oft from the folk-warder,
for thou hadst the skill to.
And when they rode up into Gautland, Sigvat spoke these verses:
(55.)
244. 1 Light my mind was, lord, and
mirthful, when on firthways
with glorious king the gusty
gales did shake our sail-ships:
in glee, swiftly, our sea-steeds
o’er sounds of Lister bounded
at will, with the wind bellying
the wings of heeling keel-birds.2
(56.)
245. Tented, in summer-time, and
tethered, our sea-wethers3
rode at anchor, floating
before the good land’s shore line:
now, in fall, when on rollers
Ræfil’s-horses4 are coursing,
we wretches must ride to Sweden,
r
estless, as the king requested.
And when they rode up into Gautland late in the evening, Sigvat spoke this verse:
(57.)
246. Hungry, my horse on long road
hastens, at twilight coursing—
stars gan stream out—forward,
the straw scenting, to our quarters.
Through brooks splashing, my black steed
bears me swiftly, warily,
at wane of day, from men far,
in ditch though stumbled he, pitching.
Then they rode into the market town of Skara and through its Street to the earl’s residence. He spoke this verse:
(58.)
247. Readily will look the ladies
and lasses, as we are passing
by the road, on the dust of our riding
fast, up to Rognvald’s castle.
Spur we to speed our horses
sprightly, so maidens high-born
and fair from the hall may hear us
whisk by as we gallop briskly.
Chapter 72. King Óláf of Sweden Refuses to Come to Terms
One day Hjalti went before the king, accompanied by the skalds. Then Hjalti spoke as follows: “As you know, sir king, I have come here to your court, and I had a long and difficult journey. But ever after I crossed the sea and heard of your royal splendor, it seemed foolish to return without having seen you and your grandeur. Now it is the law between Iceland and Norway that Icelanders when arriving in Norway must pay land-dues. And when I had crossed the sea, I appropriated the land-dues of all aboard. But because I know that yours by rights is the power over Norway, I travelled hither to bring you these land-dues.” And he showed the king the silver and poured into the lap of Gizur the Black ten marks of silver.
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