Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  Chapter 160. Sigvat Is Accepted Back into the King’s Graces

  The skald Sigvat had been with the king a long time, as I have said before, and the king had appointed him as his marshal. Sigvat was not ready of speech in prose, but skaldship was so easy for him that he spoke verse as readily as though it were ordinary speech. He had been on merchant voyages to France, and on this journey he had touched on England and met Knút the Powerful and received permission from him to proceed to Norway, as was related before. And when he arrived in Norway, he forthwith went to see King Óláf, whom he found at Borg, and appeared before him as he sat at table. Sigvat greeted him. The king looked at him, saying not a word. Then Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (104.)

  293. Home have I come hither—

  hear my words, O ruler,

  and let all men mark them—

  thy marshal, from his journey:

  say now, what seat hast thou,

  sea-king—though all thy hall is

  lief to me aye, liege-lord—

  allotted to me ’mongst thy warriors?

  Then the old adage proved true, that “many are the king’s ears.” The king had heard all about Sigvat’s journeys and that he had met King Knút. King Óláf said to Sigvat, “I don’t know whether you intend to continue as my marshal. Have you not become King Knút’s man?” Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (105.)

  294. Knút did ask me oft if

  I, ring-giver, would be

  loyal to him as liege-lord

  like to gladsome Óláf;

  but answered I to him that

  ill—and the truth spoke I—

  it seemed to serve two kings.

  My saying that many can witness.

  Then King Óláf said that Sigvat should occupy the same seat he was accustomed to have. Sigvat soon again became the same favorite [with the king] as he had been before.

  Chapter 161. King Knút Suborns Many Norwegians

  During the summer, Erling Skjálgsson and all his sons had been in the army of King Knút and in the same company with Earl Hákon. And there was also Thórir the Hound occupying a high rank. Now when King Knút learned that King Óláf had taken the land route to Norway, he dissolved the levy and gave all men permission to find them a place to pass the winter in. There was at this time a numerous body of foreigners, both of Englishmen and Norwegians, and of men from several lands who had joined his army during the summer. In the fall Erling Skjálgsson journeyed to Norway with his troops and at his departure received large gifts from King Knút. Thórir the Hound remained with King Knút. Together with Erling went emissaries of King Knút who carried on their persons an immense sum of money. During the winter they went far and wide about the country, paying out the rewards King Knút had promised men in the preceding fall for supporting him; and they also gave money to many others whom they thus managed to make friendly to the cause of King Knút. They had help from Erling for travelling through the land. The result was that a great many were induced to be friendly to King Knút, promising him their services and also to make resistance to King Óláf. Some did so openly, but by far the most kept that secret from the general public. King Óláf learned about all this, for there were many who could tell him about it, and it was common talk in his court. Sigvat the Skald spoke this verse:

  (106.)

  295. With open purses Óláf’s

  enemies go about there,

  pelf off’ring for the prince’s

  priceless head shamefully:

  hardly ’scapes black hateful

  hell pain the wight who his

  good lord gives away for

  gold—and he deserves it!

  and Sigvat still further spoke this verse:

  (107.)

  296. Sad reward received they,

  selling their lord foully:

  hied they to fiery hall of

  hell instead of heaven.

  And it was frequently mentioned there how ill it became Earl Hákon to lead an army against King Óláf, considering that he had spared his life, the time he had him in his power. But Sigvat was a great friend of the earl, and when he heard the earl blamed, he spoke this verse:

  (108.)

  297. More heinous guilt on their heads would

  heap the ruler’s henchmen

  than Earl Hákon even,

  if for pelf they sold him.

  Not beseeming are suchlike

  slurs against the king’s men.

  More befitting by far were’t

  for us all to be blameless.

  Chapter 162. King Óláf Decides on a Visitation to the Uppland Districts

  King Óláf had arranged for a great Yule celebration, to which 1028 many chieftains had come. On the seventh day of the Yule [January 1st] the king was walking outside, accompanied by only a few men. Sigvat was with the king day and night, and he was with him also then. They entered a certain house where the treasures of the king were kept. He had made ample preparations, as was the custom, and brought together his valuables in order to make presents to his friends on the eighth day of Yule. There stood in the house a number of gold-inlaid swords. Then Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (109.)

  298. Stand there, stored, gold-hilted

  stained swords; and I praise them.

  Best, though, to have the hero’s

  wholehearted good favor.

  But scorn would not the skald, if,

  scatterer-of-goldrings—

  of yore long years I was with

  you—a sword were given him.

  The king took a sword and gave it to him. Its hilt was wound with gold [wire], and the guards were inlaid with gold. That was a precious piece of property. But the gift provoked some envy, as appeared later.

  Immediately after Yule, King Óláf began his journey to the Uppland districts, because he had a great many men about him, but no revenues had come to him from the north that fall, for he had required a levy during the [preceding] summer and [on its equipment] he had spent all he could afford. Nor were there any ships to transport his troops north. Also, he had only such news from the north that he considered there would be trouble unless he came with a large company. For this reason the king resolved to travel through the Uppland districts. Now a sufficient time had not elapsed since his last progress there as was stipulated in the laws or had been the custom of the kings. But when the king arrived there, landed-men and powerful farmers invited him to stay with them and thus lightened his expenses.

  Chapter 163. Bjorn Accuses the People of Eystri Dale of Theft

  There was a certain man called Bjorn, of Gautish family. He was a friend of Queen Ástríth, [well] acquainted with her, and slightly related to her. She had procured for him a stewardship and overseership in Upper Heithmork. He also had under him the governance of the Eystri Dales [Eastern Dales]. King Óláf did not like him, nor was he popular with the farmers. Moreover there had occurred large thefts of cattle and swine in the settlement in which Bjorn had authority. Bjorn called an assembly and there inquired about the animals that had disappeared. He declared those men most likely to have perpetrated such misdeeds who lived in forest districts far from other folk. He was referring to the people who lived in the Eystri Dales. That district was much scattered, inhabited along water courses or in clearings in the forests, but only in a few places were there large settlements.

  Chapter 164. Dag Reveals Bjorn’s Thefts

  Rauth [Red] was the name of a man who lived in the Eystri Dales. His wife bore the name of Ragnhild, and their sons were called Dag and Sigurth. They were all most capable persons. They were amongst those present at this assembly and defended the people of the Dales against such accusations. To Bjorn they appeared to give themselves great airs and to show [too much] finery in their weapons and clothes. Bjorn taunted the brothers, saying that it was not unlikely that it was they who had done such things. They denied this; and with that the assembly came to an end.

  A short time afte
rwards King Óláf arrived at Bjorn the Steward’s place with his followers to be entertained there. Then this same complaint was brought up before the king which had been brought up at the assembly. Bjorn said that to him the sons of Rauth appeared the most likely to have caused this loss. Then they were sent for, and when they came before the king he declared they did not look like thieves and he exonerated them from this charge. They invited the king to visit their father and be entertained there for three days with all his company. Bjorn advised against his journeying, there, but the king went nevertheless.

  At Rauth’s place a magnificent reception was arranged for him. Then the king asked to what family Rauth and his family belonged. Rauth said he was a Swede, rich, and of high birth, “but I eloped from there,” he said, “with this woman with whom I have lived ever since. She is the sister of King Hring Dagsson.”1 Then the king recollected the family connection of both. He found that both father and sons were exceedingly intelligent people and asked them what skills they had. Sigurth said that he could interpret dreams and tell what time of the day it was even though he saw neither sun, moon, nor stars. The king tried him out in this skill, and it was as Sigurth had said. Dag declared he had the skill to be able to tell the good and the bad in every person he met if he decided to observe him and reflect about it. The king bade him tell what fault of character he could see in him. Dag gave him such answer as the king acknowledged to be correct.

  Thereupon the king asked him what fault of character Bjorn, his steward, had. Dag said that Bjorn was a thief, and also told him where on his place Bjorn had hidden both the bones, horns, and hides of the cattle he had stolen that fall. “He committed all the thefts,” he said, “which occurred this fall and of which he has accused others.” Dag told the king exactly where he should search. And when the king departed from Rauth’s estate, he was given noble parting presents. The sons of Rauth accompanied the king. First, the king went to Bjorn’s place and found that everything was as Dag had told him. Then the king drove Bjorn out of the country, and it was only owing to the queen that he kept life and limbs.

  Chapter 165. Thórir Admits Having Been Bribed

  Thórir, the son of Olvir of Egg and also the stepson of Kálf Árnason and the sister’s son of Thórir the Hound, was a very handsome, as well as a tall and strong, man. At this time he was eighteen years old. He had made a favorable marriage with a wealthy woman from Heithmork. He was exceedingly popular and gave promise to be a chieftain. He invited the king and his followers to be entertained at his estate. The king accepted this invitation and journeyed to Thórir’s estate, where he found a handsome reception. The entertainment there was most excellent, and all the guests there were served most liberally, and all the provisions were of the best. The king and his men remarked between them how proper everything was, and they did not know what they liked most, Thórir’s accommodations, the house furnishings, the table service, the drink, or the man who furnished all this. Dag did not say much about it all.

  King Óláf was accustomed to have frequent consultations with Dag, and asked him about various matters; and the king found everything Dag said to be true, whether it concerned past or coming events. Therefore the king placed great confidence in what he said, and so the king [one day] requested Dag to speak with him in private, and talked to him about a great many things; and finally he remarked what a fine man Thórir was to make such excellent entertainment for them. Dag said little about that but allowed all the king said to be true. Then the king asked Dag what faults of character he detected in Thórir. Dag replied that he thought Thórir might be of good disposition if he was such as everyone thought he was. The king requested Dag to be more specific, saying that he owed him that. Dag answered, “In that case, sire, would you grant me that I attend to the revenge if I discover the fault of character [in Thórir]?” The king replied that he did not care to have others speak in judgment for him, but requested Dag to reply to what he had asked. Dag answered, “Precious are the sovran’s words. That fault I find in Thórir’s character which may be found in many: he is too avaricious.”

  The king asked, “Is he a thief or a robber?”

  Dag answered, “No, not that.”

  “What else, then,” the king asked.

  Dag answered, “This he did for money that he became a traitor to his king. He has accepted money from Knút the Powerful to kill you.”

  The king replied, “How will you prove that?”

  Dag said, “On his right arm above the elbow he wears a thick gold ring which King Knút has given him but which he will let no one see.” After that they spoke no more, and the king was most furious.

  When the king sat at table and the men had drunk for a while and were very merry, while Thórir went about, serving the people, the king had Thórir called before him. He came up to the king’s table and rested his elbows on it.

  “How old a man are you, Thórir?” asked the king.

  “I am eighteen years old,” he replied.

  The king said, “A big man you are for your age, Thórir, and a fine fellow.” Then the king put his hand around Thórir’s right arm and stroked it above the elbow.

  Thórir said, “Gently, sire! I have a boil on my arm.” The king held on to his arm and felt something hard underneath.

  The king said, “Haven’t you heard that I am a healer? Let me see that boil.” Then Thórir saw that it would not do to conceal it any longer and took off the ring and showed it to the king. The king asked whether it was a gift from King Knút. Thórir said he would not deny it.

  The king had Thórir seized and put in chains. Then Kálf came forward and asked for mercy, offering money for him. Many supported him and offered compensation. The king was so furious that no one dared to address him. He declared that Thórir was to have the same sentence [of death] which Thórir had intended for him, and had him killed afterwards. But that deed created the greatest ill-will, both there in Uppland Province and to no less degree north in the Trondheim District where Thórir had most relatives. And Kálf felt very keenly the slaying of this man, because Thórir in his youth had been his foster son.

  Thórir reveals the ring given him by King Knút.

  Chapter 166. Thórir’s Brother Is Slain by King Óláf

  Grjótgarth, the son of Olvir, was the older brother of Thórir. He also was a most influential man and had a body of men about him. At that time he was also in the Heithmork District. And when he learned of the slaying of Thórir he made attacks on where he knew the king’s men were, or his property, and between these attacks he kept himself in the forests or other hiding places. Now when the king learned about these hostilities he sent out spies to find out where Grjótgarth kept himself, and he discovered his whereabouts. Grjótgarth had taken shelter for the night not far from where the king sojourned. Immediately, King Óláf set out at night and arrived there at dawn and surrounded the house where Grjótgarth and his men slept. They awoke, hearing the noise of men and the clashing of arms. They straightway seized their arms, and Grjótgarth ran out into the entrance hall. He asked who commanded this force, and was told that it was King Óláf. Grjótgarth asked if the king could hear what he said. The king stood in front of the door. He said Grjótgarth could say what he pleased, “I can hear what you say.’

  Grjótgarth said, “I shall not ask for quarter.” He rushed out, with his shield over his head and a bare sword in his hand. He did not see clearly, because it was still quite dark. He thrust at the king but hit Arnbjorn Árnason. The blow struck him under his coat of mail and went into the abdomen, and that was his death. Grjótgarth, too, was slain at once, and most of his company. After this occurrence the king journeyed back south to Vík.

  Chapter 167. King Óláf Sends for the Ships Left in Sweden

  Now when King Óláf arrived in Túnsberg he sent messengers into all shires, who were to demand troops and a levy for the king. He had but few ships at that time, and these were only small vessels belonging to farmers. Now troops in good numbers came to
his colors from the [neighboring] shires, but few from any distance; and it soon became apparent that the farmers had abandoned their loyalty to the king. King Óláf sent a company east to Gautland for his ships and the goods they had left behind them in fall. But the progress of these men was slow, because it was no easier then to proceed past Denmark than it was in the fall, because King Knút had levied an army from all the Danish dominions and had no less than twelve hundred [1440] ships.

  Chapter 168. Sigvat Advises the King to Flee

  It was learned in Norway that Knút the Powerful was gathering an invincible army and intended to sail with all his force to Norway to subdue it. But when this was noised abroad, troops became all the more difficult for King Óláf to enroll, and he received little support from the farmers after that. This was a matter which was discussed frequently among his men. Then Sigvat spoke this verse:

  (110.)

  299. Summons the sire of England

  sea-steeds from all shires;

  but few and frail—yet little

  fears the king—our vessels.

  Loath it were, if lieges

  left this king for pelf and

  troopless, selling their troth like

  traitors to the enemy.

  The king held meetings with his bodyguard, and at times called an assembly of all his troops, and asked them for advice as to what plan of action seemed to them most expedient. “We do not need to conceal from you,” he said, “that King Knút intends to invade the country this summer, and he has a large army, as you are likely to have heard, whereas we have only a small one just now, in comparison with his, and the people of the country are not proving loyal to us.” To this speech of the king the men he turned to made different answers. Here we are told what Sigvat said: