Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  1019

  1020

  1021

  When Thórarin was ready and there was a favorable breeze, he sailed outside all the skerries and islands, and rounding Cape Lithandisness made for the open sea. He did not soon have a favorable breeze but took good care not to approach the land [in Norway]. He sailed south of Iceland, close enough to have indications of it, and then west around it into the Greenland Sea. Then he had fierce storms and heavy seas, but as the summer wore on he made Iceland about the Breithafjord. 1019Thorgils Arason was the first of the chieftains to meet them. Thórarin told him about the message and the tokens of friendship from King Óláf which were to be his if he was willing to accommodate King Hrœrek. 1020Thorgils took this in good part and invited King Hrœrek to stay with him; and he stayed with Thorgils Arason during the winter. However, he did not like it there and asked that Thorgils take him to Guthmund, saying he thought he had heard that at Guthmund’s there was the most sumptuous living in Iceland and that he [really] was sent to him. 1021Thorgils did as he asked and got men to take him to Guthmund at Mothruvellir. Guthmund received him favorably because of the message of the king, and he stayed with Guthmund another winter. Then he did not like it there any longer. Thereupon, Guthmund got him lodging at a small farm which is called Kálfskin, and there were few people on that farm. There, Hrœrek passed a third winter and said that of all places he had been to, since losing his kingdom, he liked that one best because he was most honored there by all. The summer after, Hrœrek contracted a sickness which brought about his death. We are told that he is the only king who is buried in Iceland. Thórarin Nefjólfsson thereafter for a long time engaged in voyages, but once in a while stayed with King Óláf.

  Chapter 86. King Konofogor Defeats Earl Einar

  The same summer that Thórarin sailed to Iceland with Hrœrek, Hjalti Skeggjason also journeyed to Iceland. When they parted King Óláf saw him on his way with tokens of friendship. During the same summer 1018 Eyvind Urarhorn went on a viking expedition to the west, and in fall came to the court of Konofogor [Connor], a king of Ireland. Earl Einar of the Orkneys and this king of Ireland encountered each other in the Úlfreksfjord1 in fall, and there was a great battle. King Konofogor had a much larger force and carried off the victory, and Earl Einar fled on one ship and thus returned to the Orkneys in fall, having lost most of his crew and all the booty they had made. The earl was mighty ill-pleased with the result of his expedition and attributed his defeat to the Norwegians who had been in the battle on the side of the Irish king.

  Chapter 87. King Óláf of Sweden Defaults on His Agreement

  Now we shall have to resume our story where we left off before, when King Óláf went on his bridal journey to fetch his betrothed, Ingigerth, the daughter of Óláf, king of Sweden. King Óláf [of Norway] had a large and choice following. There were in his company all the chieftains he could lay hold of; and every one of these leaders had a picked body of men chosen both for high birth and accomplishments. That following was appointed admirably, both as to ships, weapons, and clothing. They proceeded east to Konungahella. But when they arrived there, nothing was to be seen of the Swedish king. Nor had any men come on his behalf. King Óláf remained at Konungahella for a long time during the summer and made many inquiries as to what could be learned of the whereabouts of the Swedish king or of his intentions; but no one was able to tell him for certain.

  King Óláf’s expedition to fetch his bride.

  Then he sent messengers to Earl Rognvald in Gautland to find out whether he knew what was in the wind to cause the Swedish king not to come to the meeting agreed upon. The earl said he did not know—“but if I do hear,” he said, “I shall at once despatch my messengers to King Óláf and let him know what is at the bottom of this and if there is any other cause for this delay than the press of business as often is the case and may be the reason why the journey of the Swedish king is delayed more than he intended.”

  Chapter 88. Of the Children of King Óláf of Sweden

  Óláf Eiríksson, the king of Sweden, first had a mistress, called Ethla, who was the daughter of an earl of Wendland. Before that, she had been abducted, hence was called the king’s handmaid. The names of their children were Emund, Ástríth, Hólmfríth. They had still another son, born on the day before Saint Jacob’s Mass. When the boy was to be baptized, the bishop had him called Jákob. That name ill-pleased the Swedes. They said that no Swedish king had borne that name. All of King Óláf’s children were handsome and well-endowed. His queen was of an imperious temperament and hated her stepchildren. The king sent his son Emund to Wendland where he was brought up with the kinsfolk on his mother’s side. He did not maintain his Christianity for any length of time. Princess Ástríth was fostered in West Gautland on the estate of an excellent man named Egil. She was a beautiful woman, well-spoken, of pleasant manners and modest ways, generous of her substance. And when of age she often was with her father and liked by everybody.

  King Óláf [of Sweden] was of an imperious nature and difficult to deal with. He was exceedingly incensed that the people had risen up in a body against him at the Uppsala Assembly and had imposed hard terms on him; and he blamed that most on Earl Rognvald. He did not allow any preparations to be made for the bride’s journey as had been agreed upon in the winter, [when it had been decided] that he was to give in marriage his daughter Ingigerth to Óláf the Stout, the king of Norway, and to proceed with her in summer to the boundary of his land. But as time wore on, many people wondered what intentions the king had and whether he would stick to the covenant with the king of Norway or break the agreement and thus also the peace. Many were distressed about this, but no one was so bold as to dare to ask the king about this. But many complained about this to Princess Ingigerth and prayed her to make sure what might be the king’s intentions. She replied, “I am unwilling to talk with the king about his business with Óláf the Stout, because there is no love between them. He gave me a cross answer the one time I did plead for Óláf the Stout.” All this gave Princess Ingigerth much concern. She was distressed and dejected, and she wondered greatly what might be in the king’s mind. She suspected then that he might not want to live up to his agreement with the king of Norway, because people observed he grew furious every time Óláf the Stout was called king.

  Chapter 89. King Óláf of Sweden Boasts of His Hunting

  Early one day the king rode out to hunt with his hawks and his dogs, and his men along with him. And when they slipped their falcons, the king’s hawk in one flight killed two heath cocks, and three in another. The dogs retrieved and brought back every bird that came down. The king spurred his horse after them and himself took the game from them. He boasted much about this and said, “Most of you will have a long way to go before you make a haul like this.” They agreed about that and said that no king was likely to have as much luck in the sport as he.

  Thereupon the king and his companions rode home in high spirits. The princess was walking outside of her bower and when she saw the king riding into the courtyard she went up to him and greeted him. He returned her greeting, laughing with pleasure, and right away showed her the birds and told her of his hunting. He said, “Do you know of any king who ever made such a catch in so short a time?”

  She answered, “That is a good morning’s hunt, sire, to have brought down five woodcocks; but a greater catch it was when in one morning Óláf, the king of Norway, caught five kings and took possession of all their lands.”

  When he heard this he leapt down from his horse and turning to her said, “I want you to know, Ingigerth, that however great your love for that fat man, you shall never marry him nor he you. I shall marry you to some chieftain with whom I can be friends. But I can never be the friend of the man who has robbed me of my dominions and has done me much harm pillaging and killing my subjects.” With that they parted, each going his own way.

  Chapter 90. King Óláf of Norway Is Advised Not to Avenge Himself

  Princess Ingigerth now
was certain about what the intentions of King Óláf were, and at once sent messengers to West Gautland to inform Earl Rognvald of what the Swedish king meant to do, that all the agreements with the king of Norway were broken, and that the earl and other men of West Gautland should be on their guard, because hostilities might be expected on the part of the Norwegians. And when the earl heard these tidings he despatched messengers to all parts of his domain, warning people to be on guard in case the Norwegians planned on incursions. Other messengers he despatched to King Óláf the Stout, telling him of what he had learned and informing him that he meant to keep the agreements and friendship with him. He also requested him not to make incursions into his domain.

  But when the message reached King Óláf [of Norway], he became very furious, and also distressed, and for some days people could not get a word out of him. When that had passed he called a council of his retinue.

  The first one to arise to speak was his marshal, Bjorn, and he related how, the winter before, he had journeyed east to conclude peace, and how Earl Rognvald had made him welcome. He also told how crossly and reluctantly the Swedish king had entered into these negotiations. “And such agreements as were made,” he said, “were due more to the numerous following and power of Thorgný and the support of Earl Rognvald than to the goodwill of the Swedish king. And therefore I think we can take it for certain that it is the king who has gone back on the agreement and that the earl is not to be blamed for it. Him we found to be a sincere friend of King Óláf. Now the king desires to know what the chieftains and other retainers think he should do, whether to invade Gautland with the forces we now have and harry there, or whether other counsels are to prevail.” He spoke both at length and eloquently.

  Thereafter many men of influence expressed their opinions, and at last all agreed that no invasion should be made, for this reason: “Though we have a large force, there are here collected men of importance and might; but for warfare, young men eager to gather wealth and honor are no less well suited. Also, it is the habit of men of weight, when about to engage in battle or warfare, to have with them many men to go ahead of them and protect them, whereas those who have few possessions often give better account of themselves in battle than they who have been brought up in wealth.”

  Yielding to their arguments the king decided to dismiss the levy. He gave everyone permission to journey home, and made known that next summer he would have a levy from all the land and advance against the king of Sweden to avenge this breach of promise. All were pleased at that. Then King Óláf journeyed north through Vík and that fall settled in Borg. And there he had brought together all provisions he needed for the winter, and remained there during the winter with a large retinue.

  Chapter 91. Sigvat Arranges for King Óláf’s Marriage to Ástríth

  There were divided opinions about Earl Rognvald. Some said he was a true friend of King Óláf, but others doubted that and thought that [if he wished to] he could have enough influence with the Swedish king to make him keep to his word and agreement with King Óláf the Stout. Sigvat the Skald was a great friend of Earl Rognvald and often touched on that when talking with King Óláf. He offered to visit Earl Rognvald for the king and try to find out what the latter had learned about the Swedish king and see if any agreement could be brought about. The king was pleased with this proposal, because he liked to talk frequently with his confidants about Princess Ingigerth.

  Toward the beginning of winter Sigvat the Skald with two companions set out from Borg, travelling east through the Forest Districts to Gautland. And before parting with King Óláf he spoke this verse:1

  (62.)

  251. Hail now, hero; bide thy

  halls within until I

  come again to give thee

  good news of thy true love.

  I pray that, prince—long live thy

  praise—that thou mayst keep both

  lands, liege-lord, and eke thy

  life. My verse is ended.

  (63.)

  252. Said is now what to say did,

  sovran, matter most; though

  in my mind are many

  more things which concern thee.

  God may grant you power,

  gladsome lord—such is my

  wish—to rule the realm which

  rightfully you are born to.

  Then they travelled east to Eith2 and had some difficulty crossing the river in an oaken boat, and just managed to get to the other bank. Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (64.)

  253. I dragged that dory—for we

  dreaded to turn back wet—

  all the way to Eithar.

  Almost we upset it.

  May trolls take that crazy

  tiller-horse: there was not

  ever seen a sorrier

  sea-buck.3 I was lucky.

  Then they travelled through the Eithaskóg Forest. Sigvat spoke a verse:

  (65.)

  254. Wearily we went our

  way—and that is certain—

  through Eithar forest onward,

  all of thirteen miles then.

  Blisters and sores, I swear, were

  seen on the soles of us king’s men.

  Fast we fared that day, though

  footsore, to our quarters.

  Then they journeyed through Gautland and in the evening came to a farm called Hof. There they found the door barred, so they could not enter. The people of the house declared it was “holy” there, so they turned away from there. Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (66.)

  255. At dark to Hof we drifted.

  Doors were barred; so outside

  stood I, knocking, and stoutly

  stuck my nose in, plucky.

  Gruffly answer they gave us:

  “Get you gone!” And threatened

  us all: ’t was heathen-holy.

  To hell with all those fellows!

  Then he went to another farm. There the woman of the house stood in the doorway and told them they could not come in there, saying that they had the sacrifice to the elves4 there. Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (67.)

  256. “Wreak his wrath will Óthin,

  wretch,” said a witchlike gammer.

  “Keep out,” quoth she, “nor further

  come; for we are heathen.”

  “Also,” this ancient beldame

  added, she who forbade me

  foot to set in, the slattern,

  “sacred to elves we are making.”

  The next evening he came to three farmers, all called Olvir, and they all drove him away. Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (68.)

  257. Moreover, now three knavish

  namesakes—not much fame they

  gained thereby—against me

  gruffly turned, the ruffians!

  I fear that from their doorsteps

  forthwith all the worthless,

  flinty fellows hight Olvir

  felly will expel us.

  Then they journeyed on, that same evening, and came to a fourth farmer who was reckoned to be the most considerable man in the neighborhood. He too drove them away. Sigvat spoke these verses:

  (69.)

  258. To find that flinger then of

  finger-gold,5 as all called the

  fellow forth we sallied,

  food seeking and other good things.

  Through a door’s chink the boorish

  churl but eyed us, surly:

  if best you call him—Christ! then

  curses on the worst one!

  (70.)

  259. Aye missed we in the east, in

  Eith-wood yonder wandering,

  the ale that all had drunk at

  Ásta’s farm, without asking:

  Sakse’s son6 we lacked, his

  sincere words so winsome:

  four times was I turned out,

  told I was unwelcome.

  And when they arrived at Earl Rognvald’s, the earl said they [must ha
ve] had a toilsome journey. Sigvat spoke these verses:

  (71.)

  260. Friends, on our hands had we

  a hard task when asked us

  the sea-king-of-the-Sognings:7

  “Proceed to the earl in Sweden.”

  Ordered us to folk-warder,

  word to bear from fjord-land.

  Nor have we spared us hardships

  heavy, nor moil and toiling.

  (72.)

  261. Weary were we from tiring

  ways—the earl I praised e’er—

  threading the thick Eith Woods

  this way to the feasting.

  Nor need you think us thankful,

  thrust as we were by blustering

  dolts from their doors with scolding,

  dastards! on way to your castle.

  Rognvald gave Sigvat a gold arm ring. A woman said he at least had some reward [for his journey], with those black eyes of his. Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (73.)

  262. This band my bonny Icelandic

  black eyes through the trackless

  forest wastes from westward,

  wench, led to these benches.

  And, o’er steep rocks stepping,

  these sturdy feet, unerring

  have trod, tender maiden,

  till we came to this village.

  But when Sigvat returned to King Óláf and stepped into the hall he spoke this verse, looking at the walls:

  (74.)

  263. Our king’s hall is hung with

  helmets and eke with mailcoats

  of hirth-men back from harrying—

  hall and eke the wall-posts.

  No better found, nor fitter

  furnishings than those byrnies,

  a king, nor comelier hangings

  could find: thy hall is goodly!

  Then he told about his journey and spoke this verse:

  (75.)