Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  Then Álfífa said, “Mighty little do bodies decompose when buried in sand. It would not be the case if he had lain in earth.” Then the bishop took a pair of shears and cut the king’s hair and trimmed his whiskers. He had had long whiskers as people in those days used to have.

  Then the bishop said to the king and Álfífa, “Now the hair and the beard of the king are as they were when he died, but it had grown as much as you can see here cut off.”

  Then Álfífa replied, “That hair would seem to me a holy relic only if fire does not burn it. We have often seen wholly preserved and undamaged the hair of persons who have lain in the ground longer than this man has.”

  Thereupon the bishop had fire put into a censer, blessed it, and put incense on it. Then he laid King Óláf’s hair into the fire, and when all the incense was burned, the bishop took the hair out of the fire, and it was not burned. The bishop had the king and the other chieftains view it. Thereupon Álfífa bade them lay the hair into fire that had not been blessed. Then Einar Thambarskelfir bade her be silent and used hard language against her. So then, by the bishop’s pronouncement, the consent of the king, and the judgment of all the people, King Óláf was declared a true saint. Subsequently the body of the king was carried into Saint Clemens Church and set up in public view before the high altar. The coffin was covered with a costly fabric and canopied with velvet[?]. Right soon there occurred many kinds of miracles by the shrine of Saint Óláf.

  Niðarós. From Íslenzk Fornrit, Vol. 28. Courtesy of Hið Íslenzka Fornritafélag, Reykjavík.

  Chapter 245. Saint Óláf’s Miracles Are Sung by Thórarin Loftunga

  On the sand flat where the body of King Óláf had been interred, a fine spring arose, and people obtained relief from their ailments by drinking its water. It was walled in, and its water has been safeguarded ever since. First a chapel was built there and an altar erected where the burial place of the king had been; but now Christ Church stands on that spot. When Archbishop Eystein built the large minster which stands there now he had its high altar erected on the very spot where the king’s grave had been. And on that spot stood also the high altar in the old Christ Church. It is said that Saint Óláf’s Church now stands where stood the shed in which the body of King Óláf reposed during the night. The rise up which the holy remains of the king were borne from the boat is now called Óláf’s Slope, and that is now in the middle of the town. The bishop tended the sanctuary of King Óláf, clipping his hair and nails, because both grew as they did when he was living in this world. As says the skald Sigvat:

  (165.)

  354. Like on living men—I

  lie not—much praise is due the

  fearless men who his flag did

  follow—Óláf’s hair grew.

  Lasted the locks of him who

  light gave to the eyes of

  Valdamar who, view-less

  vision gained in Garthar.1

  Thórarin Loftunga composed the poem about Svein Álfífuson which is called Glœlognskvitha; and in it are these verses:

  (166.)

  355. Now has the

  high-born one gained

  the throne in

  Thrándheim’s folk-lands.

  There fore’er

  the atheling hopes

  as liege-lord

  the land to rule,

  (167.)

  356. Where Óláf

  erstwhile governed

  ere he fared

  to future life

  and there was,

  as wot we all,

  set as saint

  in sepulchre.

  (168.)

  357. Had him there

  in heavenly Kingdom

  Harald’s son

  with hardy deeds

  won a realm

  …

  (169.)

  358. There where pure,

  unputrified,

  our lief liege

  lies in his grave,

  wondrously

  as on one living

  hair and nails

  behold growing!

  (170.)

  359. The choir bells

  his coffin above

  ring themselves

  readily o’er him:

  every day

  all the people

  hear the bells

  above the king.

  (171.)

  360. Over him

  on the altar,

  to Christ lief,

  the candles burn.

  Thus Óláf

  ere he left us,

  free of sins

  had saved his soul.

  (172.)

  361. Hosts do come

  where the holy king

  lies in state,

  relief to gain.

  Halt and blind,

  they hither come

  and hence go

  hale and hearty.

  (173.)

  362. Pray Óláf

  to apportion you—

  God’s saint he—

  goodly Norway;

  he will get

  from God himself

  for us all

  all that is needful,

  (174.)

  363. if made known

  to the man of God

  what your wants,

  so he will grant them.

  Thórarin Loftunga was in attendance with King Svein at the time, and saw and heard these great miracles, witnessing to the sanctity of King Óláf: that above his sanctuary one could hear sounds as though bells were rung by supernatural powers; and candles lit themselves above the altar, kindled by heavenly fire. And as Thórarin says, a host of halt and blind or otherwise ailing people came to the sanctuary of King Óláf, and departed from there hale and well. And though he says nothing else nor gives a close account there must have been an innumerable host who regained their health right from the beginning of the miracles wrought by Holy King Óláf. But the most important miracles of Saint Óláf which have occurred since have been written down and noted carefully.

  Chapter 246. The Length of King Óláf’s Reign

  Men who have kept close account say that Holy King Óláf was king of Norway for fifteen years after Earl Svein left the country, but that he assumed the royal title the winter before, when he was in the Uppland District. The skald Sigvat says this:

  (175.)

  364. Open-handed Óláf

  Uppland districts ruled for

  fifteen years before he

  fell in his patrimony.

  What greater giver-of-rings hath

  governed northern folk-lands?

  Though shorter his life was shaped than

  should have been his fortune.

  According to Priest Ari the Learned, Holy King Óláf was thirty-five years old when he fell. He had fought twenty large battles. As says the skald Sigvat:

  (176.)

  365. Some good men believed in God, we

  gather; others did not1—

  folk-battles twenty fought the

  folk-lord eager for combat.

  Kings-men in Christ believing

  called he to stand on right wing.

  Would that God gave welcome

  warm to Magnús’ father!

  Now we have told a part of the saga of King Óláf, of some happenings which occurred whilst he ruled Norway, and also of his fall and how his sainthood became known. But now we must not neglect to tell what redounds to his greatest honor, and that is, of the miracles wrought by him; but of that will be written also later in this book.

  Chapter 247. The Norwegians Resent the Tyranny of the Danes

  King Svein, the son of Knút was ruler of Norway for several years. He was a child both in age and sense. During that time Álfífa, his mother, had the government of the country in her hand; and the Norwegians hated her greatly, both then and afterwards. The Danes showed great overbearing in Norway during these years, and the people of the country were much incensed about that. And when they talke
d about that among themselves, people from other parts of the country than the Trondheim districts blamed the people of Trondheim for having been the chief cause of Saint Óláf’s death and [for the fact] that Norwegians were subjected to such tyranny, when oppression and slavery were the lot of both the great and the humble and all the people; and they said that it behooved the Tronders to start a rebellion “to free us from this oppression.” Also it was the general opinion that they had at that time the greatest power in Norway because of their leaders and the great numbers of inhabitants. And when it came to the ears of the Tronders that their countrymen reproached them, they acknowledged the truth of [the reproach, and admitted] that they had committed a most ungodly deed in robbing King Óláf of both life and land, and also, that their luckless deed was being repaid with much evil.

  The chieftains had meetings and discussed what was to be done; and in these deliberations Einar Thambarskelfir was the leader. The same was the case of Kálf Árnason, when he understood into what trap he had fallen through the instigation of King Knút: the promises he had made to Kálf were all broken. King Knút had promised Kálf an earldom and the rule over all Norway, and Kálf had been the leader in the battle against King Óláf and in depriving him of his land. [But now] Kálf had no higher rank than before, so he considered himself badly deceived, and so he came to an understanding with his brothers Finn, Thorberg, and Árni, and good relations were re-established between them.

  Chapter 248. Kálf Árnason Refuses to Join King Svein’s Fleet

  When Svein had been king for three years the news came to 1033 Norway that west across the sea a band was gathering whose leader was a certain Tryggvi. He called himself a son of Óláf Tryggvason and Gytha the English woman.1 Now when King Svein learned that a foreign army might invade the land he summoned a force from the northern part of the country and most of the landed-men of the Trondheim District joined him. Einar Thambarskelfir remained at home and refused to join King Svein. But when the message came to Kálf at Eggja, to wit that he was to join the king’s levy, he took a ship of twenty rowers’ benches which he owned, went on board of it with his housecarls in a great hurry and steered through the fjord, nor waited for King Svein. Then Kálf sailed south to Mœr and did not stop till he arrived south at Giski where his brother Thor-berg lived. Thereafter all of the brothers, the sons of Árni, arranged for a meeting and took counsel with one another. Then Kálf returned north. But when he came to Frekeyar Sound there lay before him the fleet of King Svein; and as Kálf came rowing north in the sound they hailed one another. The king’s men called upon Kálf to lay to and join the king and help him defend his land. Kálf answered, “I have done enough if not too much, fighting against my countrymen in order to help the Knytlings gain the kingdom.” Kálf and his men rowed north on their way, and continued until he came home to Eggja. None of the sons of Árni joined King Svein’s levy. King Svein steered south along the land with his fleet; but when he learned that no fleet had arrived from the west he continued south to Rogaland and all the way to Agthir, because his men believed that Tryggvi might intend to sail first to Vík because there his forbears had lived and he had most support. And [indeed] there he had much backing from kinsmen.

  Chapter 249. The Pretender Tryggvi Is Defeated and Slain

  Coming from the west, King Tryggvi arrived with his fleet in Horthaland. Then he learned that King Svein had sailed south, whereupon he also sailed south to Rogaland. But when King Svein heard of Tryggvi’s whereabouts after arriving from the west, he turned back north with his fleet, and the hostile forces met in the Sóknar Sound on the landward side of the Island of Bókn, not far from where Erling Skjálgsson had fallen, and a great and violent battle took place. It is told that Tryggvi hurled javelins with both hands at the same time. He said, “Thus did my father teach me to say mass.” His enemies have said that most likely he was the son of a priest, but he himself boasted that he looked more like King Óláf Tryggvason. Tryggvi was indeed a most resourceful man. In this battle he fell, together with many of his force. Some escaped by flight, others asked for quarter. The poem on him, called Tryggvaflokkr,1 has it thus:

  (177.)

  366. For fame eager, forth fared

  from the north King Tryggvi,

  whilst Svein from the south forth

  sailed to join the battle.

  From fray not far was I.

  Fast they raised their banners.

  Swiftly then—rang sword ’gainst

  sword—began the bloodshed.

  This battle is mentioned in the poem of praise composed about King Svein:2

  (178.)

  367. That Sunday morning, maiden,

  much unlike it was to

  days when at wassail women

  wait on men with ale-drink:

  when Svein the sailors bade his

  sloops of war to fasten

  by their bows, with carrion

  battening hungry ravens.

  King Svein continued to rule the country after this battle. A time of peace followed. During the ensuing winter King Svein resided in the south of the land.

  Chapter 250. Kálf Árnason Refuses Tribute to King Knút

  Einar Thambarskelfir and Kálf Árnason conferred that winter and took counsel together, meeting in Kaupang. About that time there arrived a messenger from King Knút to Kálf Árnason, demanding that Kálf should send him three dozens of [battle-]axes of prime quality. Kálf made this answer, “No axes shall I send to King Knút. Tell him I shall let his son Svein have enough axes so he will not think he is short of them.”

  Chapter 251. Einar Thambarskelfir and Kálf Árnason Offer Magnús the Crown

  Early in the spring Einar Thambarskelfir and Kálf Árnason set 1034 out with a large company of men picked from the best in all the Trondheim districts. They proceeded to Jamtaland in spring, across the Keel, from there to Helsingjaland, and arrived in Sweden. There they procured ships and in summer sailed to Gartharíki, arriving in fall at Aldeig-juborg. From there they sent messengers to Hólmgarth and King Jarizleif with the message that they desired Magnús, the son of Saint Óláf to go with them and accept their company to Norway, and that there they would give him support so that he could win back his patrimony and be made king of the country. Now when this message reached King Jarizleif he took counsel with the queen and his other chieftains. They agreed upon sending word to the Norwegians inviting them to come and meet with King Jarizleif and Magnús. They were given safe-conduct for the journey. And when they arrived in Hólmgarth it was agreed between them that the Norwegians who had come there were to swear loyalty to Magnús and become his followers; and they confirmed this with the oaths of Kálf and all those who had fought against King Óláf at Stiklarstathir. [On his part] Magnús gave his plighted faith offering full reconciliation, and confirmed with his oath that if he obtained the kingship and the rule of Norway he would be faithful and true to them. He was to become the foster son of Kálf Árnason, and Kálf [on his part] was to be in duty bound to do all that for Magnús which he believed would make his realm greater and more independent than before.

  The Saga of Magnús the Good

  Chapter 1. Magnús Óláfsson Arrives in Sweden

  King Magnús Óláfsson started on his journey to the west after Yule, first from Hólmgarth to Aldeigjuborg. He and his men began to get their ships ready when the ice broke up in spring. Arnór Jarlaskáld mentions this in his Magnússdrápa:1

  (1.)

  368. Of the atheling’s early

  outfitting shall I speak now—

  give ye heed, ye gold-ring

  givers—for I was witness.

  Eleven years had not lived the

  lordling noble, when out of

  Russia he made ready

  red-shielded war-galleons.

  In spring King Magnús sailed west to Sweden. Thus says Arnór:

  (2.)

  369. Summoned the sword-reddener,

  sage though young, his forces.

 
; Weaponed, briskly went the

  warrior’s host to the row-locks.

  From the east, o’er ocean,

  oaken keels pushed westward.

  Blustering winds bore the

  breaker-of-rings to Sigtúna.

  We learn here that King Magnús, leaving Russia, first sailed west to Sweden and to Sigtúna. At that time Emund Óláfsson was the king of Sweden. And there lived also Queen Ástríth, the widow of Holy King Óláf. She welcomed her stepson Magnús most heartily, and immediately had a numerous assembly summoned at a place called Hangrar.2 At this assembly Queen Ástríth spoke as follows: “With us here is the son of Holy King Óláf, whose name is Magnús. He now plans to proceed to Norway to recover his patrimony. I have great good reason to support him in this endeavor, for he is my stepson, as all know, both Swedes and Norwegians. I shall not be sparing of anything which he may need for his aid, so that his force may become as great as possible. I shall not be sparing of either the followers I have or of my goods. So all who are willing to join him in his expedition shall be assured of my whole-hearted friendship. I shall also let it be known herewith that I shall join him in this expedition. Thus all can see that I shall not be sparing for his support of any other thing which I am able to supply him with.” And she continued thus eloquently and at length.

  But when she ceased, many made answer and said that the Swedes who had followed King Óláf, his father, to Norway had reaped little honor therefrom—“nor is there expectation of greater success with this king,” they said. “And for this reason men are not very willing to go on this expedition.”

  Ástríth made this answer: “All those who want to be called men of mettle will not be given pause by such considerations. But [on the contrary], if anyone lost a kinsman in following Holy King Óláf or was wounded himself, then it shows manhood to proceed to Norway now and avenge that.”

  And so successful was Ástríth, what with her speech and her active support of Magnús, that a great host was willing to join Ástríth in accompanying him to Norway. This is noted by the skald Sigvat: