Chapter 193. Thórir and Hárek Prepare against the King’s Return
Now to tell what events took place in Norway at that time. Thórir the Hound had had the privilege of trading with the Finns [Lapps], those two years, and had been in the mountains for a long time during both winters, acquiring a great wealth [of furs]. He had many kinds of dealings with the Finns. He had there made for him twelve cloaks of reindeer skin charged with so much witchcraft that no weapon could penetrate them, less even than a coat of chain mail. And during the second spring Thórir had the warship he owned got ready and manned it with his housecarls. He called for an assembly of the farmers and demanded a levy from even the most northerly district, gathering a great body of troops, and in spring proceeded south with this force. Hárek of Thjótta also collected a great body of armed men. In this expedition there were many other chieftains, but these two were the most eminent. They announced that this army was to advance against King Óláf and defend the land against him, should he come from the east.
Chapter 194. Einar Thambarskelfir at King Knút’s Court
Ever since the death of Earl Hákon became known, Einar Thambarskelfir had the greatest authority in the outer districts of Trondheim. He considered that he and his son Eindrithi had most claim on the possessions and chattels of the earl, and he called to mind the promises and the professions of friendship for him on the part of King Knút when they had last met. Then Einar had a great ship he owned made ready, and boarded it himself with a numerous company; and after all the preparations had been made, he steered south along the land and then west across the sea; nor did he stop till he arrived in England, where he immediately sought out King Knút. The king gave him a good welcome. Then Einar made known to the king what he came for—that he wished him to redeem the promises he had made, that Einar was to be given princely rank and authority over Norway if Earl Hákon did not have to be considered. King Knút replied that matters had taken a different turn. “I have now sent emissaries with my tokens of authority to my son Svein in Denmark announcing to him that I have designated him to be king in Norway. But I wish to retain my friendship with you. You are to have such an advance in rank as you are entitled to by reason of your birth, to be a landed-man and have great revenues so as to stand higher than other landed-men, to the same degree as you excel them in other respects.”
Then Einar understood how matters stood. He made ready to return home; but as he now knew the intentions of the king and also foresaw that there would not be much peace in the land in case King Óláf arrived from the east, it occurred to him that it might be a wise course not to be in too great a hurry about his return journey; because if it came to a fight with King Óláf he might not have an increase in power any more than before. So he set sail only when he was good and ready, and arrived in Norway only when those events had come to pass which during that summer were of greatest importance.
Chapter 195. The Leaders Learn of Óláf’s Return
The chieftains in Norway had sent out spies, east to Sweden and south to Denmark, who were to report if King Óláf was coming from Gartharíki in the east. And they were informed by messengers travelling as fast as they could, that Óláf had landed in Sweden. As soon as that was confirmed, war summons went about all the land, with request for a complete levy, and an army gathered. As to the landed-men of Agthir, Rogaland, and Horthaland, they divided their forces, some proceeding north, some east, thinking that an army was required on either side. The sons of Erling in Jathar, together with all the forces stationed east of them headed east, and they were the leaders for that force; whereas Áslák of Finney, Erlend of Gerthi, and the landed-men north of them proceeded northward. All those mentioned had sworn King Knút oaths to do away with King Óláf if opportunity offered.
Chapter 196. King Óláf’s Friends Gather Forces
But when it became known in Norway that King Óláf had arrived in Sweden from the east, all friends of his who wished to support him gathered together. The one of the highest rank among them was Harald Sigurtharson, the [half-] brother of King Óláf. He was fifteen years old at the time, tall and of full-grown appearance; and there were many other prominent men. Altogether they had collected some six hundred [720] men when they proceeded from the Uppland District and headed east to Vermaland through the Eith Forest. Then they journeyed east through the forests to Sweden [proper], inquiring [on their way] as to the whereabouts of King Óláf.
Chapter 197. King Onund Lends Óláf His Support
King Óláf was in Sweden during the spring and had men reconnoiter from there what [the conditions] were north in Norway, and received the uniform report that he would encounter armed opposition if he came there; and the men who arrived from the north warned him earnestly against advancing on that side. But he had made up his mind as he had before to do so. He asked King Onund what support he would give him to regain his land. King Onund made this reply, that the Swedes had small desire to join in a military expedition against Norway. “We know,” he said, “that the Norwegians are hardy and great fighters and that it is dangerous to try to invade their country. I shall tell you right away what I shall furnish you. I shall let you have four hundred [480] men, and you may pick from my bodyguard good fighters, well equipped for warfare. Moreover I shall give you permission to go about my land and take along all those willing to follow you.” King Óláf accepted these conditions and made ready to start on his expedition. Queen Ástríth and Princess Úlfhild remained behind in Sweden.
Chapter 198. King Óláf Advances through Sweden
Now when [King Óláf] started on his expedition he was joined by the troop the Swedish king furnished, which amounted to four hundred [480] men. The king proceeded by the route the Swedes pointed out for him. They headed inland to the forests, and arrived in the district called Járnberaland.1 There they were joined by the troops which had come from Norway to meet them, as was told before. Among them was Harald, the king’s [half-] brother, and many others of his kinfolk, and it was a most joyful reunion. By that time their troops numbered twelve hundred [1440] men.
Chapter 199. Dag Hringsson Joins the King’s Forces
There was a certain man called Dag who, we are told, was a son of King Hring—the one who had been exiled by King Óláf—and people say that Hring was the son of Dag, the son of Hring, [who was] a son of Harald Fairhair. Dag was a kinsman of King Óláf. Father and son had settled in Sweden and had been given a domain to rule there. In the spring when King Óláf had arrived in Sweden, coming from the east, he sent word to Dag, his kinsman, to the effect that Dag should join him with all the troops he could muster; and in case he was successful in regaining Norway, then Dag was to have a dominion in no wise smaller than his ancestors had had. Now when this message came to Dag he was well pleased. He longed greatly to return to Norway and there repossess himself of the lands his kinsmen had had before. He quickly responded, promising to come. Dag was a man quick both in speech and in action, of a very impetuous disposition, most valorous, but not a man of much discernment. He got together an army of nearly twelve hundred [1440] men, and with this force he proceeded to join King Óláf.
Chapter 200. King Óláf Arrives in Jamtaland
The king sent word to the people of the country, and [particularly] to such men as liked to gain possessions and the revenues which the enemies of the king were enjoying, to join and follow him. King Óláf then moved his army through forest districts and sometimes through desert places, and often over large lakes. A multitude of men joined the king’s force, forest dwellers and some highwaymen. Many places where he stayed over night have since then borne the name of Óláf’s Booths. He did not stop till he arrived in Jamtaland, from whence he proceeded north [west] to the Keel. In the settled districts his army travelled mostly in scattered bands, so long as they did not expect any hostile opposition. And whenever they thus divided, the host of Norwegians followed the king, whereas Dag with his force went another way and the Swedes, still another.
Chapter 201. Gauka-Thórir and Afra-Fasti Offer Their Services
There were two men, one called Gauka-Thórir, the other, Afra-Fasti. They were highwaymen and evil robbers. They had with them thirty men of the same kind as themselves. These two brothers were bigger and stronger than other men, and they did not lack daring and courage. They learned about this army which proceeded through the land, and said to each other that it might be a good plan to join the king and follow him to his land and there go to battle with him and so try their prowess, because they had never before been in a battle in which troops were drawn up against each other in battle-array, and they were very curious to see how the king arrayed his troops. This plan was much to the liking of their comrades, and they made their way to where the king was. And when they arrived there, the whole gang went before the king, fully armed. They greeted him, and he asked who they might be. They gave their names and said they were from that part of the country. Then they told him on what errand they came, and offered to join the king.
The king said that it seemed to him that it might be a good thing to have the service of men like these. “I am inclined,” he said, “to accept the service of men like these. But are you Christians?”
Gauka-Thórir answered, saying that he was neither Christian nor heathen. “Nor have we fellows any other belief than trust in our own power and success, and that proves to be enough for us.”
The king replied, “A great pity that men of such prowess do not believe in Christ, their maker.”
Thórir answered, “Is there, sir king, in your company any Christian, who has grown to greater height than my brother and I?”
The king asked them to let themselves be baptized and accept the true faith, “and then you may follow me,” he said. “In that case I shall give you high rank; but if you do not want to, then go back to what you have been doing.”
Afra-Fasti answered, saying he would not accept Christianity, and they turned away then. Then Gauka-Thórir said, “It is a great shame that this king rejects our services. That has never happened to me that I was not accepted as an equal with other men. I shall not go back with that shame on me.” Thereupon they joined company with other men from the forests and followed the troops. And so King Óláf pursued his way toward the Keel.
Chapter 202. King Óláf’s Vision
When King Óláf crossed the Keel from the east he proceeded, descending westward, [till he came to a spot] where one can look over the land. Many of his troops went ahead of the king, and some came on behind him. He rode alone, keeping his pace, and spoke to no one. Thus he rode for a long time during the day, looking neither to right or left. Then the bishop rode up to him and asked what he was thinking about since he kept so silent—because [otherwise] the king always was cheerful and talked much with his men on his journeys, keeping all near him in good spirits. Whereupon the king answered in deep thought, “Strange sights I have had a while ago. I beheld [all] Norway as I looked westward from the mountains. It then came to my mind that many a day I had been happy in that land; and then I had a vision: I saw all districts of Trondheim, and then all of Norway; and as long as that vision lasted I saw ever farther, until I saw all the world, both land and sea. I recognized clearly the places I had before been to and seen. And as clearly I saw places I had not seen before—some that I had heard about as well as such that I had not heard spoken of, both places inhabited and uninhabited, as far as the world extends.” The bishop said that this vision was a holy one and most remarkable.
Chapter 203. Farmer Thorgeir Flekk’s Field Is Trampled by the King’s Army
Later, as the king was descending from the mountains, a certain farm lay in their way, called Súl, which is in the upper reaches of the district of Vera Dale. And when they approached the farm they saw fields lying along their way. The king requested his men to proceed carefully and not to ruin the farmer’s fields. And the troops that were with the king heeded that; but those who came later did not pay any attention to his command and ran over the field so as to tread down all the grain. The farmer who lived there was called Thorgeir Flekk. He had two nearly fullgrown sons. Thorgeir made the king welcome, offering him all the help he could afford. The king accepted that gratefully and then asked Thorgeir for information about how matters stood in the country and whether there was any gathering of troops against him. Thorgeir told him that a large army had been mustered in the Trondheim District and that it had been joined by landed-men from the south as well as from the north from Hálogaland, “but I do not know whether they intend to proceed against you [here] or in some other place.” And then he complained to the king about the damage done him by the careless behavior of the king’s men, trampling over and treading down all his fields.
Gauka-Thórir and Afra-Fasti meet the king.
The king said that it was a great pity that such damage was done him. Then the king rode up to the field and saw that the whole field had been flattened. He rode around it and then said, “I do expect, my man, that God will repair the damage done you, and I believe this field of yours will be restored in a week’s time.” And [indeed] the field recovered excellently, as the king had said.
The king remained there over night, and next morning continued on his way. He requested that farmer Thorgeir should go with him, but when he offered his two sons instead, the king said they should not go with him. But the youths insisted. The king told them to remain behind, but when they would not be restrained, the followers of the king wanted to bind them. When the king saw that, he said, “Let them go along, they will return [home].” And it came to pass just as the king had said.
Chapter 204. Gauka-Thórir and Afra-Fasti Are Baptized
Thereafter the army moved on to Staf; and when they came to the Staf quagmires the king ordered a halt. By that time he had had the report confirmed that the farmers were advancing against him, and also that he then would have to expect a battle soon. Then the king reviewed his troops and had them counted. It appeared that in this army there were nine hundred [1080] men who were heathens. As soon as the king got to know that, he requested them to let themselves be baptized, saying that he did not want heathens with him in battle. “We shall not,” he said, “put our trust in numbers, but shall put our trust in God, because [only] by his power and grace shall we be victorious. I do not want to mix heathens with my men.”
Now when the heathens heard the king’s words they consulted with one another, and in the end four hundred [480] men let themselves be baptized. But five hundred [600] refused to accept Christianity, and that troop returned to their homes.
Then the two brothers, Gauka-Thórir and Afra-Fasti advanced with their gang, and again offered the king to follow him. He asked them whether they had been baptized yet. Gauka-Thórir replied that they had not. The king requested them to have themselves baptized and accept the true faith or else leave. Then they turned aside and discussed among themselves what they should do. Then Afra-Fasti said, “If you want my opinion, I don’t care to turn back. I shall take part in the battle and stand on either side, and I don’t care on whose.” Gauka-Thórir answered, “If I go to battle I want to stand on the king’s side, for he needs help most. And if I am to believe in some god, what difference is it to me whether I believe in the White Christ or some other god? So now it is my advice that we let ourselves be baptized if the king thinks that it is of such great importance, and then let us go to the battle with him.” All were agreed, so they went to the king and told him they were ready to be baptized. Then they were baptized by the priests and confirmed by the bishop. The king took them into the fellowship of his bodyguard and told them they were to stand under his banner in the battle.
Chapter 205. The King Orders His Men for Battle
By that time King Óláf had learned for certain that he would shortly meet the farmers in battle. But when he had mustered and counted his troops he found he had more than three thousand [3600] men, which was considered a large army. Then the king addressed his troops in this wise:
“We have a large army and one well equipped. And now I will tell you what our battle formation is to be. I shall have my standard advanced in the middle of our force, and with it are to go my bodyguard and my retainers, and also the men who joined us from the Uppland districts, then too the troops that joined us from the Trondheim District. To the right of my standard is to stand Dag Hringsson, together with all the men he had with him to follow us. He is to bear another standard. To the left of my detachment shall be placed all that force which the king of Sweden furnished us and all those who joined our ranks from Sweden. They are to carry the third standard. I shall request all men to arrange themselves in groups so that kinsmen and acquaintances stand together, because then everyone will best shield his comrade if they know one another. We shall put a mark on all our host and set a war token on our helmets and shields by drawing on them with chalk the holy cross. And when we enter battle we shall all of us have one battle cry, ‘Forward, forward, Christ’s men, cross men, king’s men!’ Having smaller forces we shall have to thin out our ranks, for I do not propose to let them surround us with their [superior] numbers. Let men now arrange themselves in detachments and then let these form ranks, so that everyone may know his station and watch whether he is [too] far from the standard under which he is to fight. Let us now maintain our rank and file and let the men have their weapons about them day and night until we know where the battle is to be between the farmers and us.”
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