At this point Erling’s face was as red as blood. The Bishop Sigurth stepped forth and spoke to the king: “Sire, I shall ask you, for God’s sake, to obey me and be reconciled to Erling on the terms he has set, that this man have safety of life and limbs, but you yourself determine all conditions for a reconciliation.”
The king said, “You decide!”
Then the bishop said, “You, Erling, give the king such assurances as he may choose, then let Ásbjorn give himself up to the king and ask for mercy.” Erling gave assurances, which the king accepted. Then Ásbjorn gave himself up to the king’s mercy and kissed his hand. Thereupon Erling departed with his force. There were no exchanges of courtesies between them.
Thereupon the king went into the [council] room with Ásbjorn and revealed the conditions for their reconciliation: “The first point for reconciliation between us two, Ásbjorn, is that you submit to the laws of the land in this, that he who kills a servant of the king shall take upon himself the same service, if the king so wills. And it is my will that you take upon yourself this stewardship which Seal-Thórir held and manage this my estate on Ogvaldsness.” Ásbjorn said that it should be as the king wished, “yet I must go first to my estate and arrange matters there.” The king was agreeable to that.
Thereupon the king proceeded to another entertainment arranged for him, and Ásbjorn joined his companions for the return journey. They had been anchored in a hidden cove during all the time Ásbjorn was away. They had got news of what had happened with him, and would not sail away before they knew for certain what the outcome was. Then Ásbjorn went his way and did not stop, that spring, till he reached his estate in the north. People now called him Ásbjorn the Slayer of Seal-[Thórir].
Now when Ásbjorn had been at home for a little while, he and his kinsman Thórir [the Hound] met and discussed matters. Thórir asked Ásbjorn about all the particulars of his journey, and Ásbjorn told him how it had been. Then Thórir said, “Then I suppose you think you have removed the humiliation of having been robbed, last fall?”
“Yes, I do,” said Ásbjorn. “Or what do you think, kinsman?”
“That I shall tell you quickly,” said Thórir, “your former journey south was a great humiliation [for you], yet it could be remedied to some extent; but this journey has resulted in your and your kinsmen’s shame if it comes to pass that you become the king’s thrall and the equal of such a miserable wretch as Thórir Seal. Now behave like a man and rather remain here on your own estate. We, your kinsmen, shall support you so that you will never hereafter get into such straits again.” To Ásbjorn this counsel seemed excellent; and before they parted, it was agreed upon that he should remain on his own estate and not go to see the king again or enter his service; and so he did and stayed at home on his estate.
Chapter 121. The King Converts the People of Vors and Valdres
After King Óláf and Erling Skjálgsson had met on Ogvaldsness, disagreements arose anew between them, and they grew till there was full hostility between them. King Óláf proceeded about Horthaland on his visitations during the spring, at which time he went up to Vors, because he had learned that people there were not firm in the faith. He held meetings with the farmers at a place called Vang. The farmers came there in great strength and fully armed. The king bade them become Christians, but the farmers offered him battle instead, and it went so far that both sides drew up their forces in battle array. Then it so happened that fear entered into the hearts of the farmers so that no one would stand first in the ranks, and the upshot was—and that was to their advantage—that they submitted to the king and received the baptism. The king did not depart from there before all had accepted Christianity.
One day as the king rode on his way and sang his psalms, he came right opposite the burial mounds.1 He stopped and said: “Let these my words go forth to everybody, that I hold it advisable that never after should a king of Norway fare between these mounds.” And it is commonly reported that most kings have avoided doing so.
Then the king proceeded to the Ostrarfjord and came to his ships, whereafter he went north to Sogn District, where he held visitations during the summer. But as fall approached, he moved into the inner part of the fjord, then proceeded inland to Valdres. That valley was heathen still. The king travelled as fast as he could to the lake2 and, taking the farmers by surprise, seized their boats and went aboard them with all his followers. Then he called for a meeting with the farmers, arranging for it to be so near the shore that he had complete access to the boats in case he thought he required it. The farmers came to the meeting with a great host, all armed. The king called on them to accept Christianity, but the farmers cried out against him, asking him to stop speaking, and right away made a great din, clashing their weapons together. But when the king saw that they would not listen to what he would teach them, and also that he had too great a host to contend with, he gave his speech a different turn and asked if there were any persons present at the assembly who had grievances against others, and whether they would like to have him arbitrate between them. It soon became clear from the talk of the farmers that many of them who had banded together to oppose Christianity had cases outstanding against others. But no sooner did the farmers begin to set forth their cases than every one of them tried to get others to support his case, and with that the whole day passed. In the evening the assembly disbanded.
When the farmers had been informed that the king was proceeding through Valdres and that he had arrived in the settled areas, they had sent out the war-arrows and summoned both free men and thralls, and had advanced with that host against the king, so that far and wide the land was void of people. The farmers held their ranks together when the meeting was disbanded. The king became aware of that, and when he boarded his ships, he rowed straight across the lake during the night. There he had his men enter the settlements and burn and plunder, and on the day following they rowed from headland to headland, burning all the settlements. But when the farmers who were gathered together saw the smoke and fire rising from their houses, they dispersed [in a hurry], each one leaving and trying to get home to find his home folk. But as soon as there was a breach in their ranks, one after the other left till the whole host broke up into small groups. But the king crossed the lake again and burned the countryside on both shores. Then the farmers came up to him, begging for mercy, and offered their submission. He gave quarter to everyone who came to him asking it, and also spared their property. And then no one any longer opposed becoming Christian. Then the king had all the people baptized and took hostages from the farmers. The king remained there for a long time that fall and had his ships drawn across the portage between the lakes.3 The king did not much trust the farmers. He had churches built and consecrated, and placed priests there to serve them. But when he expected the advent of freezing weather, he went further inland till he arrived at Thótn. Mention is made by Arnór the Earls’ Skald of King Óláf having set fires in the Upplands, at the time he composed a poem about the king’s brother Harald:
(85.)
274. Inborn is it, for the
Ynglings’ scion—his wrath was
felt by Uppland folk—to
fire the farmers’ houses.
Would not the wealthy yeomen—
woe was in the making—
listen to their liege-lord;
led they were to the gallows.
Thereupon King Óláf proceeded north through the Dales and over the mountains and did not stop till he arrived in the Trondheim District and Nitharós. There he prepared winter quarters and dwelt there during the winter. This was the tenth winter that he was king.
Earlier, during the summer, Einar Thambarskelfir left the land, sailing first west to England, where he met his brother-in-law Hákon, with whom he remained for a while. Then he proceeded to the court of King Knút, from whom he received large presents. After that, Einar sailed south across the sea and made his way south to Rome, returning the following summer, when he repaired to his estates
. King Óláf and he did not meet, that time.
Chapter 122. Magnús Is Given His Name by the Skald Sigvat
Álfhild was the name of a woman who was called the King’s Hand-Maid. However, she was descended from a good family. She was very beautiful. She stayed at the court of King Óláf. Now when spring came it so happened that Álfhild was with child, and the king’s confidants knew that he 1024 most likely was the father of this child. One night Álfhild was in labor. Only a few persons were present, some women, a priest, and the skald Sigvat, but few others. Álfhild had a difficult delivery and was at death’s door. She gave birth to a boy child, and for some time they did not know for sure whether the child was alive. But when the child drew breath, though very weakly, the priest bade Sigvat go to the king and tell him about it. He replied, “I dare not for any consideration wake the king, because he has forbidden everybody to wake him out of his sleep before he awakens himself.”
The priest answered, “It is imperative that this child be baptized, for it seems unlikely that it will live.”
Sigvat said, “I had rather risk your baptizing the child than that I wake the king; and I shall take on myself the responsibility to name it.” And so they did: the boy was baptized and called Magnús.
The morning after, when the king was awake and dressed, he was told of what had happened. Then the king had Sigvat called to him and said, “How did you dare to have my child baptized before I knew of it?”
Sigvat answered, “Because I thought it better to give God two souls, rather than one to the devil.”
The king said, “Just how was there danger of that?”
Sigvat answered, “The child was nigh to death, and if it had died a heathen it would have been the devil’s, but now it is God’s. For another matter I knew that, even though you were furious at me, nothing would be involved but my life; but if you will that I lose it because of this, then I expect that I shall be with God.”
The king said, “Why did you baptize the boy to be called Magnús? That name does not run in our kin.”
Sigvat answered, “I named him after King Karla-Magnús,1 for him I knew to be the greatest man in the world.”
Then the king said, “You are a man of great good luck, Sigvat. It is not to be wondered at that good fortune attends wisdom. But it is strange that, as sometimes happens, good luck attends unwise men, and unwise counsel turns out to be fortunate.” And then the king was exceedingly glad. That boy was brought up and soon showed promise as he advanced in years.
Thórir the Hound with the spear, Sealkiller.
Chapter 123. Ásmund Grankelsson Slays Ásbjorn
That same spring King Óláf assigned to Ásmund Grankelsson half of the stewardship of Hálogaland which Hárek of Thjótta had had in its entirety, some of it for revenue, some as a fief. Ásmund owned a skiff with a crew of nearly thirty men, all well armed. When Ásmund arrived in the north, he and Hárek encountered one another, and Ásmund told him what the king had decided about the disposition of the stewardship, in proof of which he showed him the tokens of the king. Hárek said that the king had the power to decide who was to have the stewardship, “but the former rulers did not diminish our dominion to which we are entitled from the king by reason of our birth, and assign them to farmers’ sons who never before had such power in their hands.” And though it was clear that Hárek greatly disliked it, he let Ásmund take over the stewardship as the king had ordered.
Then Ásmund returned to his father’s estate, where he remained for a short while, then proceeded to his stewardship north in Hálogaland. And when he came north to Langey Island he found dwelling there two brothers, Gunnstein and Karli. Both were wealthy and men of great distinction. Gunnstein, the older of the brothers, managed the estate. Karli was a handsome man and one who loved a showy appearance, but both were accomplished in many things. Ásmund was well received by them and dwelled there for a time, gathering what revenues he could from the district. Karli talked with Ásmund about wanting to go south with him to meet King Óláf and to endeavor to find a place among the king’s bodyguard. Ásmund encouraged him in this, promising him to say a word for him to the king so that Karli might attain what he wished. Then Karli prepared to accompany Ásmund.
Ásmund learned that Ásbjorn the Slayer of Seal, with the cargo ship he owned, manned with nearly twenty men, had sailed south to the meeting at Vágar,1 and that he was at that time expected to be coming from the south. Ásmund and his men proceeded south along the land. They had contrary winds, though not strong ones. Ships came sailing toward them which belonged to the Vágar [fishing] fleet. In all secrecy they inquired concerning the whereabouts of Ásbjorn, and were told that he was probably on his way back from the south.
Ásmund and Karli shared one bunk and were the closest friends. One day as Ásmund was rowing along some sound, a cargo ship came sailing toward them. It was easily recognizable, having brightly painted bows, colored both white and red, and a sail of striped material. Then Karli said to Ásmund, “Often you have said that you were very eager to see Ásbjorn the Killer of Seal. I can’t tell one ship from another if that isn’t the one he is sailing on.”
Ásmund replied, “Be so good, comrade, and tell me if you recognize him.”
At that moment the ships ran alongside each other, and Karli said, “There he sits at the rudder, the Slayer of Seal, the one in a blue kirtle.”
Ásmund answered, “I shall give him a red kirtle,” and hurled a spear at Ásbjorn the Slayer of Seal. It struck him in the middle and went through him so that the spear stood fast in the head-board behind him. Ásbjorn fell down dead by the rudder. Then each vessel sailed on its way.
They brought Ásbjorn’s body north to Thrándarness. There Sigríth had messengers sent to Thórir the Hound on the Island of Bjarkey. He arrived when the body of Ásbjorn had been prepared [for burial] according to their customs. And when Thórir and his men were about to depart, Sigríth chose gifts for her friends. And as she accompanied Thórir to his ship she said before parting with him, “The fact is, Thórir, that Ásbjorn, my son, followed your kindly advice. It was not granted to him to repay you for what it was worth. Now, though I am not able to do as well as he would have done, still I am minded to do what I can. Here is a gift I shall give you, and I wish it may serve you well.” It was a spear. “Here is the spear that pierced my son Ásbjorn, with his blood still on it. It will help you to remember that it came from the wound you saw on Ásbjorn, your brother’s son. It would be a manly deed if you parted with it in such fashion that it stood in the breast of Óláf the Stout. And now I say,” she continued, “that you will be called by everyone a vile wretch if you do not avenge Ásbjorn.” With that she turned away.
Thórir was so enraged at her words that he could not make answer, and so distracted was he that he did not let go of the spear and that he did not watch out for the pier, and he would have fallen in the water if men had not taken hold of him and supported him when he went aboard his ship. It was a spear of no great length, adorned with figures [runes?], which had a gold inlaid socket. Then Thórir and his men rowed off and back to Bjarkey.
Ásmund and his companions sailed on their way till they arrived in Trondheim in the south, and repaired to the court of King Óláf, where Ásmund told him of what had occurred on his journey. Karli became one of the king’s bodyguard. Ásmund and he kept up their friendship. But the exchange of words between them before the slaying of Ásbjorn was not kept secret, because they themselves told the king about it. And here the saying proved true that everyone has a friend among his enemies. There were some who fixed this in their minds, and from them it reached Thórir the Hound.
Chapter 124. King Óláf’s Achievements
As spring wore on King Óláf got his ships ready. Later in summer, he sailed south along the land, had meetings with the farmers, helped some to come to an agreement, and confirmed the land in the faith. He also collected the revenues due to the crown wherever he went. In the fall the king proceeded eas
t all the way to the boundary. By that time King Óláf had Christianized all the larger settlements and had also regulated the laws over all the country. Moreover he had subjected the Orkneys to his rule, as was written above. Also, he had sent messages to friends he had made, both in Iceland, Greenland, and in the Faroes. King Óláf had sent to Iceland wood for churches and of it was built the church on Thingvellir [Plain], where the Althing is held. With it he sent the large bell which is still there. That was after the Icelanders had changed their laws and made them conform to the ones King Óláf had ordained. After that, many men of distinction came from Iceland and entered the king’s service, men such as Thorkel Eyólfsson, Thorleik Bollason, Thórth Kolbeinsson, Thórth Barkarsson, Thorgeir Hávararson, and Thormóth Kolbrúnarskáld [Skald of Coalbrows].1 King Óláf had sent gifts of friendship to many chieftains in Iceland, and they in return had sent him such things as were available there and which they expected would be acceptable to him. However, in this show of friendship by the king toward Iceland there dwelled some considerations which became plain later on.
Chapter 125. The Icelanders Refuse King Óláf’s Request for the Island of Grímsey
King Óláf that summer sent Thórarin Nefjólfsson to Iceland 1024 with his message. Thórarin steered his ship out of the Trondheimfjord at the same time as the king, and followed him south to Mœr. Thereupon Thórarin sailed out to sea and had such a fresh fair wind that he reached land at Eyrar in Iceland in eight half-days. He straightway rode to the Althing, arriving there as men were assembled on the Mount of Laws, and went straight up to it. After the judicial decisions had been made, Thórarin Nefjólfsson spoke as follows: “I parted from King Óláf Haraldsson four days ago. He gave me greetings hither to all the people, both men and women, the young as well as the old, the rich as well as the poor—both God’s and his greetings—and bade me say that he will be your king if you will be his subjects, and both be friends and help one another in all things of good report.” There was a favorable response to his speech, all saying that they would gladly be friends of the king if he would be a friend to them.
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