The king of Sweden flies into a rage.
The king said, “No one has brought us the like of that from Norway for some time. I give you my cordial thanks that you have gone to such pains to bring us the land-dues, rather than pay them to our enemies. However, I would that you accept this money as a gift from me, together with my friendship.” Hjalti thanked the king effusively.
From that time on Hjalti became great friends with the king, and often talked with him. The king thought that he was a wise and well-spoken man, as was the case. Hjalti told Gizur and Óttar that he was sent to Ingigerth, the king’s daughter, with tokens to bespeak her support and friendship, and requested them to arrange it so that he could talk with her. They said that would be an easy matter for them, and one day went to her quarters. She sat there drinking in the company of many persons. She welcomed the skalds, for she knew them well. Hjalti brought her the greetings of Ingibjorg, and told her that she had sent him there for her support and friendship, and showed her the tokens. The king’s daughter received his greetings graciously and said he should be welcome to her friendship. They sat there a long time during the day, drinking together. The princess asked Hjalti about many matters and requested him to come to her often to speak with her. He did so, and often came to talk with the king’s daughter, and told her in confidence of the journey of Bjorn and his company and asked her what she thought about how the Swedish king might react to the plan of concluding a peace between the two kings. The princess said it was her opinion that there was no use trying to have the king make a truce with Óláf the Stout—that the king was so incensed at him that he would not tolerate even having his name mentioned.
One day Hjalti sat by the king, talking with him. The king was in excellent humor and quite drunk. Then Hjalti said to the king, “All manner of splendor one can see here. I have actually got to see what I often heard told, that no king in the Northlands has the magnificence you have. It is a pity that it is so long and difficult a journey to come here—first the great expanse of ocean, and then it is not safe to travel through Norway for people who want to come here on friendly errands. Why is it that attempts are not made to reconcile you with Óláf the Stout? I have heard a great deal said about it in Norway and also in West Gautland, that all would be eager to have peace established; and I was told reliably that the king of Norway has remarked that he was eager to come to an agreement with you; and I know that the reason for that is that he realizes that he has much less power than you. Also, I heard it said that he intended to ask in marriage Ingigerth, your daughter, and that this would also be most conducive to a lasting peace. He is also a most distinguished person, according to what I have heard trustworthy men say.”
Thereupon the king replied, “You must not say that, Hjalti! But I shall not blame you for what you have said, because you don’t know what you are to guard against: that fat man no one here in my court may call king, and he is of much less account than many consider him to be, and you will be of the same opinion when I tell you that this alliance by marriage is in no wise fitting; for I am the tenth king in Uppsala, our kinsmen following one the other and having been sole kings over the Swedish realm and over many other large countries, and all having been kings over other kings in the north. But in Norway are but small settlements, and those scattered. Kinglets have ruled there, and Harald Fairhair was the greatest king in that land, and he fought against the district kings and made them subject to his rule. He knew his limitations and did not covet any of the dominions of the Swedish king. For that reason the Swedish kings let him be in peace, and also because they were akin. But when Hákon, Æthelstān’s foster son, was [king] in Norway, he remained in peace until he made depredations in Gautland and Denmark, but then a force was gathered against him, and he lost life and kingdom. The sons of Gunnhild also were cut off as soon as they showed disobedience to the king of Denmark. Thereupon Harald Gormsson [the king of Denmark] added Norway to his dominions and levied tribute from it. And yet King Harald Gormsson seemed to us less powerful than the kings of Uppsala, because our kinsman, Styrbjorn, subdued him, and Harald became his vassal. Yet Eirík the Victorious got the upper hand of Styrbjorn when they tried conclusions between them. Now when Óláf Tryggvason came to Norway and called himself king, we did not put up with that. Svein, the king of Denmark, and I banded together and slew him. Now I have taken possession of Norway, and with no less power than [in the cases] you have just heard of, and with as much justice as if I had waged war against and been victorious over the king who ruled there before. You may judge, sensible as you are, that it is far from my intention to yield up possession of that realm to that fat man. It is strange that he does not remember how he escaped by the skin of his teeth out of Lake Mælaren when we had him shut in. I should think that he had other things in mind [that time], if he got away with his life, than to pick a quarrel with us Swedes. And now I forbid you, Hjalti, ever again to mention these matters to me.”
It seemed to Hjalti most unlikely to get the king to listen to any proposals of a reconciliation. So he gave that up and talked about other matters. A little later, when talking with Princess Ingigerth, he related to her the discussion he had had with the king. She said that a reply such as that was to be expected from him. Hjalti requested her to say a good word to the king [about these matters] and said that was likely to help. She replied that the king would not listen, whatever she said; “but I shall mention it,” she said, “if you want me to.” Hjalti said he would be grateful to her for that.
One day, Princess Ingigerth was talking with her father, and when she noted that the king was in a cheerful frame of mind she said, “What are your intentions about your differences with Óláf the Stout? Many people are complaining about that trouble. Some claim they have lost property, some, that they have lost relatives through the Norwegians. And no one of your subjects is safe in Norway as matters lie. It was quite uncalled for that you claimed dominion in Norway. That country is poor and travelled with difficulty, and the people there are not to be trusted. Its inhabitants want anyone but you as their king. If I had anything to say, you would cease to claim possession of Norway, and rather fight in the east to regain the dominion which the former kings of Sweden had and which but a short time ago our kinsman Styrbjorn conquered, and leave his patrimony to Óláf the Stout and come to an agreement with him.”
The king replied furiously, “So that is your counsel: that I give up my claim to Norway and let you marry Óláf the Stout? No,” he said, “nothing will come of that! On the contrary, this winter at the Uppsala Assembly I shall announce to all Swedes that there will be a general levy before the ice goes off the lakes. I shall proceed to Norway and lay waste that land with fire and sword and so repay them for their treachery.” And the king became so enraged that she could not put in a word. So she went her way.
Hjalti had been watching for her and went up to her and asked how matters had turned out with the king. She replied that it had gone as she had anticipated, and she could not put in a word edgewise, in fact, that the king had uttered threats against [her]; and she begged him never to touch on that subject again before the king.
Often, when Ingigerth talked with Hjalti, they came to speak of Óláf the Stout. He told her frequently about him and his ways, praising him all he could, but sticking to the truth; and she appeared ready to be convinced. And one time when they talked together, Hjalti said, “Would I have permission, Princess, to speak out about what is in my mind?”
“Speak freely,” she said, “but to me alone.”
Then Hjalti said, “What answer would you give if Óláf, the king of Norway, sent men to you to ask for your hand?”
She blushed and, after some hesitation, answered with composure: “I have not made up my mind about that, because I don’t think I shall have occasion to answer such a question; but if Óláf is indeed in every way as you make him out to me, I could not ask for a better husband, unless you have given me too flattering a description of him.”
> Hjalti said he had in nowise made him out a better man than he was. They talked about this very frequently. Ingigerth begged Hjalti to be careful not to speak about this in the presence of other people—“Because if the king gets to hear of this he would be incensed against you.”
Hjalti informed the skalds Gizur and Óttar about this matter, and they thought it a most excellent plan if it could be brought to a happy issue. Óttar was a free-spoken man and a great favorite with the chieftains. He quickly took up the matter with the princess and recounted to her the good qualities of the king just as Hjalti had done. All three, the princess, Hjalti, and Óttar frequently discussed the matter. And after they had talked about it many times and Hjalti had assured himself about the outcome of his mission, he sent away the two Gauts who had been his attendants and had them return to the earl with the letters which Princess Ingigerth and he sent to the earl and Ingibjorg. Hjalti also gave a hint about the talks he had had with Ingigerth and what her answer had been. The messengers arrived at the earl’s court shortly before Yule.
Chapter 73. King Óláf Enforces Christianity in the Uppland Districts
At the time King Óláf had sent Bjorn and his company east to Gautland, he despatched other men to the Uppland District with the message that entertainment was to be made for him, and that he intended to journey about the Upplands that winter; because it had been the custom of the former kings to do so every third winter. So he began his progress in fall from Borg.1 First, the king journeyed to Vingulmork and ordered his progress so as to have himself entertained close to the Forest Settlements, and summoned all inhabitants to meet him, and most particularly those who lived farthest from the main centers. He investigated how Christianity was being kept, and when he considered that there was need of improvement, he taught them the right faith. And he laid such stress on it that if he found anyone who did not want to abandon heathendom, he drove him out of the land. Some he had maimed, having their hands or feet lopped off or their eyes gouged out, others he had hanged or beheaded, but left no one unchastised who refused to serve God. And thus he proceeded in all that district. Always he punished both the mighty and the humble. He provided priests for the people, placing these as closely together among the settlements as he thought best. In this way he proceeded about the entire district. He had about him three hundred [360] armed men when he entered the District of Raumaríki. Soon he found that the practice of Christianity became less the farther he proceeded into the interior of the country. Yet he persisted in the same fashion, converting all the people to the right faith and chastising severely those who refused to obey his commands.
Chapter 74. The Kings of Uppland Take Counsel Together
Now when this was reported to the king who then ruled over the Province of Raumaríki, it seemed to him that a difficult situation was arising; for every day there came to him many, both men of importance and lowly folk, who complained about this. The king bethought himself of journeying to Heithmork to meet King Hrœrek, because he was considered the wisest of the kings then ruling there. And after discussing this matter between them, they agreed on sending word north to King Guthröth in the Dales,1 as well as to Hathaland and the king who ruled there, bidding them to come to Heithmork and have a meeting with them. They did not delay this, and the five kings met in Heithmork at a place called Hringisakr.2 The fifth of them was Hring, the brother of Hrœrek. The kings first of all talked about this in private. The one from Raumaríki was the first to speak, and he told about the proceedings of Óláf the Stout and the trouble he was causing, executing some and maiming others, driving some out of the land and mulcting all who opposed him, and that he travelled about the country with an army and not with the force the laws permitted. He also told them that he had fled there from these hostilities, and that many other men of influence had fled from their rightful possessions in Raumaríki. “But though we now are closest to that trouble, it will not be so long before you will be exposed to the same thing, and therefore it is wisest that we discuss, all of us, what is to be done.”
After he had concluded, the kings turned to Hrœrek for his opinion. He spoke as follows: “Now that has come to pass which I suspected would happen when we met in Hathaland and you all were intent on raising Óláf up above all of us, and that is, that he would prove hard for us to manage as soon as he had achieved sole power in the land. Now there are two alternatives to choose from: either we all go to him and let him have all the say in the matter—and that would seem to me best for us; or else we rise up against him before he proceeds thus further throughout the land. Because even if he has some three or four hundred men about him, that is not too great a force for us to cope with if we all agree on one plan. However, most often men are less successful, when several of them are equally powerful than one who is uncontested leader of his force; and therefore it is my advice not to risk pitting our luck against that of Óláf Haraldsson.”
After him the other kings spoke their minds, some advising against, and some urging [that they make head against King Óláf], and they came to no decision, holding that either course had disadvantages. Then Guthröth, the king of Guthbrands Dale, spoke up as follows: “It seems strange to me that you cannot come to a decision in this business, thoroughly afraid of Óláf as you are, five kings, and no one of us of less high birth than Óláf. A short while ago we aided him in his fight against Earl Svein, and it is with our support that he has possessed himself of this country. But if he now begrudges each of us the little power we have had hitherto, and tyrannizes and oppresses us, then I will say for my part that I shall seek to avoid becoming thrall to this king; and I call that one of you not to be a man who is afraid to cut him off if he ventures into our power here in Heithmork, because that I can tell you: we never shall be free men while Óláf is alive.”
And after this incitation they all inclined to his counsel. Thereupon Hrœrek said, “If we follow this plan it appears necessary that we make our alliance so strong that no one breaks faith with the other. I suppose that you mean to attack Óláf when he comes here to Heithmork for a meeting which was agreed upon. In that case I will not place any confidence in you if some of you at that time are north in the Dales and others, somewhere in Heithmork. If this plan is agreed upon by us, then I want all of us to stay together day and night till it is carried out.”
The kings agreed to this, and they kept together. They had a banquet prepared for them at Hringisakr, and there they drank in turns, but had spies out in Raumaríki, in such fashion that they had some leave when others returned, so that they were informed, day and night, of Óláf’s movements and of how many men he had.
King Óláf rode to visitations throughout Raumaríki in the same manner as was said above. But whenever there were not sufficient means in a place to entertain so many men, he ordered the farmers there to add to the provisions so as to prolong the visitations wherever he considered it necessary to stay a longer time; but in some places he stayed a shorter time than, planned, and so his progress was faster, up to Lake Mjors, than was intended.
Now when the kings had confirmed their plan between them, they sent messengers and summoned landed-men and farmers from all districts to meet with them. And when they arrived, the kings met them in private, revealing to them their plans and agreeing on a day for coming together to execute them. On that day each of the kings was to bring three hundred [360] men. Then they let the landed-men go back in order to gather their troops and meet with the kings on the day agreed upon. This plan suited most of the men; still, as the saying goes, everyone has a friend even among his enemies.
Chapter 75. King Óláf Captures the Uppland Kings
At this meeting there was also Ketil from Hringuness. When he came home in the evening, he ate supper, then he and his housecarls dressed and went down to the lake where there was the skiff which King Óláf had given him. They launched the ship—all they required was in the boathouse—took to the oars, and rowed out into the lake. Ketil had with him forty men, all well ar
med. Early the next morning they arrived at the end of the lake. Then Ketil went on, together with twenty men, leaving the others to guard the boat. King Óláf was at that time at Eith1 in upper Raumaríki. Ketil arrived there when the king was leaving church after matins were sung. He received Ketil right well. Ketil said he must speak with the king immediately, so the two talked together. Thereupon Ketil told the king what were the kings’ plans and all their intentions which he had got to know for certain.
As soon as the king had learned this, he called his men together, despatching some into the settlements and bidding them to gather and bring up to him riding horses. Others, he sent to the lake to collect all the rowboats they could get hold of and have them ready for him. Then he went to church and had mass sung for himself, then sat down to table right away. And when he had eaten he got himself ready in all haste and proceeded to the lake. Then he himself boarded the skiff, together with as many as the skiff could hold, and all the others got into whatever boats were there. When evening wore on they set out from land, in a perfect calm, and rowed up the lake. The king had nearly four hundred [480] men with him. Before dawn he arrived at Hringisakr. The watchmen were unaware of the approach of the troops until they stood before the buildings. Ketil and his men knew exactly in which quarters the kings slept. All these the king had surrounded and watched so that no one could escape, and then waited for daylight. The kings had no men to defend them. They were all taken prisoner and brought before the king.
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