(125.)
314. Erling fell; that outcome
Óláf caused—his death not
ever met more manful
man—and gained the victory.
No other man I know in
Norway—too soon died he—
high-souled who upheld in
his short life such great worth.
We are told also that Áslák [in slaying Erling] had been guilty of the murder of a kinsman, which was altogether uncalled for:
(126.)
315. Has gallant Áslák grievous
guilt of kinsman’s slaying
heinous: the Horthars’6 warder
high-born slew he, foul deed!
May one not deny the
needless deed. Should kinsmen
born forbear in haste the
blood to shed of kinsmen.
Chapter 177. The King Escapes Northward
Of Erling’s sons, some were north in the Trondheim District with Earl Hákon, some north in Horthaland, some in the Fjord District where they gathered a force. Now when Erling’s fall was reported, the news of it went together with a levy east [south] in the District of Agthir, and also of Rogaland and Horthaland. A very great number of men gathered, and with the sons of Erling pursued King Óláf to the north. After the battle with Erling he sailed north in the sound, and by that time most of the day was gone. It is told that then he composed this verse:
(127.)
316. Ill the pale man’s plight, on
pallet who lies to-night in
Jathar—fiercely fought we—
fed were hungry ravens.
Ill-starred altogether
the earl’s attempt to rob me—
love of land1 oft brings a
loath fate—his ship I ridded.
Thereupon the king proceeded north along the land with his fleet. He received correct information about the gathering of farmers. Many landed-men were with King Óláf—all the sons of Árni were with him. This is mentioned by Bjarni Gullbrárskáld2 in the poem he made about Kálf Árnason:
(128.)
317. Wast, Kálf, when warlike Óláf
waged battle ’gainst Erling—
known I make thy mettle to
men—at Bókn in Norway.
Goodly meat thou gavest
Gríthr’s-steed3 at Yule-tide.
Foremost stood’st in strife where
stones were hurled and javelins.
(129.)
318. ’Scaped none from the skirmish
scatheless. Erling was captured.
Bathed were in blood many
black ships north of Útstein.
Clear it is, the king was
craftily reft of his kingdom.
Fell his lands to his foes. Their
force was greater, learned I.
King Óláf proceeded till he had rounded Cape Stath, and anchored in the Herey Islands.4 There he learned that Earl Hákon had a great army in Trondheim. Then the king sought the advice of his men. Kálf Árnason urged him strongly to proceed to Trondheim and offer battle to Earl Hákon even though the odds were great against him, and many supported him in this counsel, but some were against it. So the decision was left to the king.
Chapter 178. The King Retreats into the Totharfjord
Afterwards King Óláf steered into Steinavág Bay and anchored there for the night. But Áslák Fitjaskalli steered his ship to Borgund for the night. [As it happened], Vígleik Árnason lay anchored there; and in the morning, when Áslák was about to board his ship, Vígleik attacked him, wanting to avenge Erling. And there Áslák fell.
Certain men, belonging to the king’s court, who had been at home during the summer came to him from the north, from Frekeyar Sound,1 and told him that Earl Hákon and many landed-men in his company had come to Frekeyar Sound in the evening with a great host, “and want to kill you.” The king sent some of his men up on a mountain which rises there; and when they had climbed it, they saw in the north, in the direction of Bjarney Island, a great fleet approaching from the north with many ships. They returned to the king and told him about the force approaching from the north. The king himself lay there with twelve ships. Then he had the trumpets blown, the tents were taken off the ships, and they took to the oars. And when they were about to leave the harbor, the farmers’ fleet came sailing from the north rounding the Thrjótshverf headland with twenty-five ships. Then the king steered behind the Island of Nyrfi and past the Hundsver Islands, and when he was abreast of Borgund, a ship came out toward them—it was the one Áslák had commanded. And when they met King Óláf they told him what had happened and that Vígleik Árnason had slain Áslák Fitjaskalli because he had killed Erling Skjálgsson. The king was much depressed about that, yet could not delay proceeding, because hostilities threatened, and sailed into Veg Sound and past the village of Skot. There, part of his fleet, with Kálf Árnason and many other landed-men and skippers among them, parted with him and joined Earl Hákon.
But King Óláf kept on his course and did not stop till he entered the Totharfjord, where he stopped at Vall Dale, leaving his ships. By that time he had five left, which he laid up there, having sails and equipment taken care of. Then he set up his tents on the spit which is called Sult [Hunger], where there are fair meadows. And there he raised a cross nearby on the spit.
A farmer lived at Mœrin whose name was Brúsi and who was chieftain of that valley. Brúsi came down to the shore, together with many other farmers, to meet King Óláf, and they made him welcome, as was fitting, and he responded in friendly fashion to their reception. The king asked if it was possible to proceed inland through that valley and to Lesjar. Brúsi told him that there was a scree in the valley, called Skerfs Scree, “and that is passable neither for men nor horses.”
King Óláf replied, “We shall have to risk it, farmer. It will go as God pleases. Come here tomorrow, with your horses, and let us see then how things will go when we come to the scree, whether there is any way to get over it with horses or with men.”
Chapter 179. The King Makes His Way over the Mountains
When day broke the farmers came down to the shore with their horses, as the king had asked them to. Then they packed their belongings and clothes on the horses, and all the men went on foot, as did the king. He walked until he came to a place called Krossbrekka, and when he had climbed to the top of that slope he sat down to rest for a while, and as he looked down upon the fjord he said, “A toilsome road have they laid out for me, my landed-men, who have shifted their allegiance and but now were my friends and had my full confidence.”
Two crosses now stand where the king sat. Then the king mounted a horse and rode up the valley, not stopping till they came to the scree. Then the king asked Brúsi whether there was any chalet above it where they could stay. He said that there was. So the king set up his tent and stayed there during the night. But in the morning the king bade the men go to the scree and try whether they could make their way over it. They went up to it while the king remained behind in his tent. In the evening they returned, both the king’s men and the farmers, and said they had toiled hard and had not been able to get on, and that no path could ever be made over it.
They remained there another night, and the king stayed up praying all night long. And as soon as day dawned, he bade his men go to the scree and try again if they could make their way over it. They went reluctantly, saying they could not get any way.
When they had departed, the man who had charge of the provisions came to the king and informed him that there was no more food than two neats’ carcasses, “but you have four hundred men in your company and a hundred farmers.” Then the king ordered all kettles to be put over the fires and to put into each one a bit of the meat; and this was done. And the king went up to them and made the sign of the cross over them, and bade him prepare the food.
The king then went to the Skerfs Scree, where men were to make a path. But when he came there he found all of them sitting dow
n as they had grown tired by their toil. Then Brúsi said, “I told you, sire, but you would not believe me, that this scree is impassable.” Thereupon the king laid down his cloak and said that they all should try again; and so they did. And then twenty men moved boulders wherever they wanted, whereas before a hundred men could not budge them, and a path was made by midday so it could be travelled by humans and horses with pack-saddles as easily as if it were on level ground.
Thereupon the king returned down to where the provisions were, which place now is called Óláf’s Slabs. There is also a spring near by, and the king washed his hands in it. And now if the livestock in the valley fall ill and drink of its water, they recover. Thereupon the king and all those with him sat down to eat. When he had eaten his fill he inquired whether there was any chalet in the valley above the scree and near the mountain where they could pass the night. Brúsi said, “There are some chalets called Grœningar, but no one can stay there during the night on account of the trolls and noxious spirits that haunt the place.” Then the king said that they should proceed, saying that he would pass the night at this chalet.
Then the man who managed the provisions came to him and said that there was a superabundance of food, “and I don’t know where it is from.” The king thanked God for his gift and had burdens of food made up for the farmers, some of whom went down back into the valley [from there].
The king passed the night at the chalet. And in the middle of the night, when the men were asleep, a hideous voice was heard near the milking pen that spoke: “King Óláf’s prayers now burn me so,” said that evil spirit, “that I can’t remain at my own house and home and I must flee now and never come back to this chalet.”
But in the morning, when his men awoke the king proceeded up to the mountains and said to Brúsi, “Let a farm be established here, and he who lives here shall always have enough to support him, for the grain here shall never be damaged by frost neither above the farm nor below it.” Thereupon King Óláf proceeded over the mountains and arrived at Einbúi,1 where he stayed during the night.
At this time Óláf had been king of Norway for fifteen years, including that one when both Earl Svein and he were in the country, and the one of which we are telling. Yuletide was past when he abandoned his ships and came on land as was told above. This period of his kingship was written first by Ari Thorgilsson the Priest, called the Learned, who was both veracious and endowed with a fine memory, and also was so old a man that he remembered [some of these events]; and [he] had accounts from men who themselves were so old that, having lived so long, they could remember these events—as he himself has told us in his books, naming the men from whom he had his information. But it is generally accepted that Óláf had been king of Norway for fifteen years before he fell. However, those who reckon so, count in that winter Earl Svein still was ruling in Norway; because after that, Óláf was king for the following fifteen years.
Chapter 180. King Óláf Leaves Norway but Vows to Return
After King Óláf had spent a night at Lesjar, he travelled day after day with his company, first to Guthbrands Dale, and from there south to Heithmork. It was seen then who were his friends, as they remained with him when those who had served him with less devotion left him and some even turned against him and became outspoken enemies, as was apparent later. In the case of many men from Uppland districts it became clear that the king’s putting Thórir to death had made bad blood, as was said above. King Óláf gave leave to go home to many of his men who had farms and children to take care of, because they felt uncertain what safety would be given the property of those who left the land with the king.
He revealed to his friends that it was his intention to leave the country, for Sweden at first, and then to make up his mind what he meant to do or where he would go; but he told his friends to consider it likely that he intended to return to his land and regain his kingdom if God granted him to live so long. He said it was his expectation and hope that all the people of Norway would again be bound in allegiance to him. “And I should think,” he said, “that Earl Hákon would have power over Norway for only a short time; nor would that seem strange to many a one, seeing that he was not lucky in his dealings with me before. And few are likely to believe it, though I say so, that I expect that Knút the Powerful will be dead within a few years’ time, and all his power gone, and that his kinfolk will not regain power if all goes as I have foretold.”
When the king ceased speaking, his followers made ready to resume their journey. Then the king, with all the company that followed him turned east to the Eith Forest. There were with him there Queen Ástríth, their daughter, Úlfhild, and his son, Magnús; also, Rognvald Brúsason, the sons of Árni—Thorberg, Finn, and Árni—and still other landed-men. He had picked troops. Bjorn the Marshal received leave from him to return to his home. So he returned to his estate, as did many other friends of the king, with his permission. The king enjoined them to inform him of what happened [in his absence] that he should know. Whereupon he resumed his journey.
Chapter 181. The King Makes His Way through Sweden to Gartharíki
We are told about the journey of King Óláf that, on his way east from Norway, first he travelled through the Eith Forest to Vermaland and from there to Vatsbú1 and then through the forest that lies in the way, until he came to Næríki. A powerful and wealthy man lived there, called Sigtrygg. Ívar was the name of his son, who afterwards became a man of importance. King Óláf remained there with Sigtrygg during the spring. But when summer approached, the king prepared to leave and procured ships. He departed that summer, nor stopped till he arrived in Gartharíki in the east and sought out King Jarizleif and his consort Ingigerth. Queen Ástríth and Princess lfhild remained behind in Sweden, but he had with him his son Magnús on his journey east. King Jarizleif made King Óláf welcome, offering to have him stay there and giving him enough land to support his company. King Óláf accepted that and remained there.
We are told that King Óláf led a pure life and was diligent in his prayers to God all the time he lived; but when he found his power diminishing and his opponents waxing strong, he concentrated all his mind on serving God. Then no other concerns kept him from that, nor such efforts as he had before been busy with. Because during the time he was king he had labored with what he considered most requisite, first, to pacify the land and to keep it from being oppressed by foreign chieftains; then to convert the people of the land to the true faith, and also, to give them laws and statutes. This last he did for the sake of proper justice and to punish them who were bent on evil. It had been fixed custom in Norway for the sons of landed-men or powerful franklins to take ship and acquire goods by harrying, both inside and outside the country. But after Óláf became king he gave it peace by abolishing all plundering within the land. And if he could catch those guilty of that, nothing would do but the guilty ones lost life or limbs, and neither the entreaties of men nor the offers of money availed them. As says the skald Sigvat:
King Óláf travels through the Eith Forest.
(130.)
319. Gold they offered often,
after they were caught who
preyed on the peaceful; which the
prince refused to take, though:
their scalp with their skull—nor
’scaped a one of them—thus should
folk be fended—bade the
fair-dealing king be lopped off.
(131.)
320. Maimed he, who filled with meat the
maws of wolves, the tribe of
thieves and thugs and pirates.
Thus he stopped their looting.
Had the kindly king each
caitiff thief—thus was the
peace kept by the prince—de-
prived of hands and feet eke.
(132.)
321. Proof was seen of the prince’s
power when that the ruler
had the mane shorn2 of many
mischief-working vikings.
His might showed Magnús’ sire in
many hard-won contests.
Freehanded Óláf’s fame was
furthered by his victories.
He let punishment go over both the great and the small. But that seemed presumptuous to the people of the land, and a hate against him arose among them who had lost kinsmen through a just verdict of the king, even though there was good cause for it. That was the reason for the revolt against King Óláf that they would not stand for his exercising justice. But he would rather renounce his kingship than abandon right judgment. Nor was he justly accused of being stingy to his followers. He was most generous toward his friends. But the reason people became hostile to him was that he seemed to them harsh in inflicting punishment; whereas King Knút offered them huge sums of money. But the great chieftains were seduced by his [Knút’s] promising each of them rank and power. An additional reason was that people in Norway were eager to accept Earl Hákon, because he had been most popular among the people of the land when he still was ruler.
Chapter 182. Jokul Takes Over the Bison
Earl Hákon had sailed with his fleet from Trondheim and steered south to Mœr against King Óláf, as was written above. And when he sought refuge in the fjords, the earl followed him there. He was joined then by Kálf Árnason and seven others who had parted with King Óláf. Kálf was given a good welcome by the earl. Thereupon the earl steered to where the king had drawn his ships up on land, in the Totharfjord in Vall Dale, and took possession of them. He had them floated again and put into shape. Then lots were cast as to who was to captain them. There was in the earl’s company a certain man called Jokul. He was an Icelander and the son of Bárth Jokulsson of Vats Dale. It fell to his lot to command the Bison, which had been King Óláf’s ship. Jokul composed the following verse:
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