(3.)
370. Owe I to open-handed
Óláf’s daughter, her who
wedded was to Norway’s
warlike king, my praises.
A countless host on Hangrar
heath of Swedes assembled,
eastward, to hear Ástríth
Óláf’s son’s cause pleading.
(4.)
371. More whole-hearted counsel
hardly could she have given,
mailed Swedes among, than if
Magnús were her own son.
Harald’s3 whole dominion
her, the Swedish princess—
most beside Christ the mighty—
Magnús had to thank for.
(5.)
372. Due to Ástríth’s doughty,
dreadless words it is that
Magnús o’er lands and lieges
lords it in high favor.
Women few with well-turned
words have ever thus—I
praise her pluck and shrewdness—
profited their stepsons.
The skald Thjóthólf4 has this to say in his poem about Magnús:
(6.)
373. Out you shoved a ship, fast—
shuddered the boat’s sail-yards—
seaward driven by sixty
sweeps strong-manned, King Magnús.
Above you, stormy blasts did
bend the shaken mast-head.
Striped sail loyal liegemen
lowered at Sigtúna.
Chapter 2. Magnús Arrives in Trondheim and Is Received Cordially
Magnús Óláfsson started from Sigtúna and had then a large force which the Swedes had gotten together for him. On foot they traversed Sweden proper and then journeyed to Helsingjaland. Thus says Arnór Jarlaskáld:1
(7.)
374. Bucklers red then bor’st thou, Ygg-of-
battle, into Swedish hamlets,
and the franklins of the folk-land
flocked to thee to aid thy progress.
From the east there thronged the thingmen
thither, with gilded spears and shields white—
reddener-of-ravenous-wolves’-tongues—
rallying, chosen for the sword-thing.2
From there, Magnús Óláfsson journeyed through Jamtaland and across the Keel and down to Trondheim; and immediately all the inhabitants gave him cordial reception. But the followers of King Svein, as soon as they learned that Magnús, the son of King Óláf, had entered that part of the land, all fled in every direction and sought safety. No resistance was shown there to Magnús. King Svein had his residence in the south. As says Arnór Jarla-skáld:
(8.)
375. Westward cam’st thou, awing craven
caitiff foemen with the highest
helm of terror,3 into Trondheim’s
traitor shires, thou wound-birds’4-feeder;
whilst approaching doom and downfall
dogged the enemy host from Denmark:
for their wretched lives they fearing
fled before the son of Óláf.
Chapter 3. The Eyra Assembly Accepts Magnús as King
Magnús Óláfsson and his army marched to Kaupang.1 There he got a friendly reception. Then he had the Eyra Assembly summoned. And when the farmers arrived at the assembly, Magnús was accepted as king over all the land as far as King Óláf, his father, had had sway. Thereupon King Magnús selected a bodyguard and appointed landed-men. Soon afterwards in the fall King Magnús levied men and ships round about the Trondheim District, and he met a good response. Thereupon he sailed south with his fleet.
Chapter 4. King Svein Decides to Sail to Denmark
King Svein, the son of Álfífa, was in South Horthaland when he learned about this news of war. He had the war-arrows carried at once in all directions, summoning all the farmers to him with the message that there should be a general levy of men and ships to defend the land with him. All those in his immediate neighborhood gathered about him. Thereupon the king had an assembly and addressed the farmers, saying that he would advance against King Magnús and do battle with him if the farmers would follow him. The king spoke rather briefly. To this the farmers made rather lukewarm response. Then the Danish chieftains who were with the king spoke at length and cleverly; but the farmers made bold to speak against them. Many said they would follow King Svein and join him in battle, but some refused to. Some said nothing; some said they would join King Magnús as soon as they could.
Thereupon King Svein said, “It appears to me that few farmers have come here of those whom we summoned. But those farmers who are here tell us themselves that they mean to follow King Magnús. So it seems they will be as helpful to me as those who say nothing. But as to those who say they will follow us, probably every other man, or more, will not be dependable if we come to do battle against King Magnús. My advice is that we do not depend on the loyalty of these farmers, but rather go where all the people are proven and true to us. There we have a sufficient force to win and hold this land.”
As soon as the king had made this decision all his men concurred with him. They turned their ships about and hoisted their sails. Then King Svein sailed east [and south] along the land, nor stopped till he came to Denmark. There he was well received. And when he met his brother Hortha-Knút, the latter offered to share his kingdom in Denmark with him, and that King Svein accepted.
Chapter 5. King Knút the Powerful Dies in England
In the fall King Magnús journeyed east to the very boundary of the land, and was accepted as king everywhere; and all the people were glad that Magnús had become king. That same fall Knút the Powerful died 1035 in England, on the thirteenth of November. He was buried in Winchester. He had then been king of Denmark for twenty-seven years, and over Norway too, for seven years. Then Harald, the son of Knút, became king of England. That same winter Svein Álfífuson died in Denmark. Thjóthólf spoke this verse about King Magnús:
(9.)
376. Swedish forests you fared o’er,
feeder of hungry eagles.
With you wended, ruler,
warrior-hosts to Norway.
Fled Svein; and deserted
sithen by all, that learned I,
Denmark-ward had drifted,
daunted, the son of Álfífa.
Bjarni Gullbrárskáld composed this verse about Kálf Árnason:
(10.)
377. Great the help you gave, to
Gain for each his kingdom.
Right I reck it for Svein to
rule in Denmark only.
Kálf, through you the king did
come into his own; and
you it was who, warrior,
won Magnús his title.
King Magnús ruled that winter in Norway, and Hortha-Knút in Denmark.
Chapter 6. Peace Is Concluded between Magnús and Hortha-Knút
In the spring following both of the kings levied men and ships for war, and it was reported that they would fight it out near the [Gaut Elf] River. But when both forces were preparing to do battle, the landed-men in either army sent messengers to kinsmen and friends to find out if peace could not be concluded between the kings. And because both kings were still young and of childish mind, the influential men who had been chosen therefore in either land were in charge of the government; and it came to this that a peace meeting was arranged for the kings. Thereupon they met personally, and terms of peace were discussed. And the covenant was made that the kings swore brotherhood by mutual oath, and concluded peace between them for so long as either lived; and if one of them died without a male heir, the one who survived was to take over his land and subjects. Twelve men, the noblest in either land, confirmed with their oaths that this peace was to be kept the while any one of them lived. Thereupon the kings parted, and both returned to their kingdoms; and this peace was kept the while both lived.
Chapter 7. Ástríth and Álfhild Have a Falling Out
Queen Ástríth, who
had been married to King Óláf the Saint, came to Norway with King Magnús, her stepson, and resided with him in excellent agreement, as was proper. Then also Álfhild, King Magnús’ mother, joined his court. The king immediately received her with the greatest affection and established her in worthy fashion. But as is the case with many when they obtain power, Álfhild’s presumption grew apace, so that she was greatly vexed that Queen Ástríth was honored somewhat more than she, both in their seating and the services rendered them. Álfhild wanted to sit near to the king, but Ástríth called her her servant-woman, as had been the case when Ástríth was queen in Norway, at the time when King Óláf ruled the country, and would under no condition sit with Álfhild. [Indeed] they would not be accommodated in the same lodgings.
Magnús the Good meets Hortha-Knút.
Sigvat the Skald, had made pilgrimage to Rome the time the battle of Stiklarstathir took place. But on his journey north he learned of the fall of King Óláf, and that was a great sorrow for him. Then he spoke this verse:
(11.)
378. On the Mont1 I stood, remembering
many targes sundered,
broad ones, and long byrnies,
above the keep, at sunrise:
in his prime the prince wielded
power in all of Norway;
near the throne did Thórth2 stand
then—to mind I called it.
One day Sigvat came through a hamlet and heard a certain farmer wailing loudly because he had lost his wife by death. He beat his breast and rent his clothes, weeping much and saying that he would gladly die. Sigvat spoke this verse:
(12.)
379. His dear wife dying, he would
die too, vowed in sadness
a peasant: too high a price to
pay for love departed;
but bloody tears will be weeping—
worse by far our loss is—
unfleeing men when fallen they
find their king in battle.
Chapter 8. Sigvat Sorrows over King Óláf’s Death
Sigvat returned to Norway. He had a home and children in the Trondheim District. He sailed north along the land on a merchant ship. And when they were anchored in the Hillar Sound1 they saw many ravens flying past. Sigvat spoke this verse:
(13.)
380. Harborward now hie them
hungry ravens, where ere
floated the fair-shielded2
fleet of noble Óláf.
Screaming hie to Hillar
hither greedy eagles
many a morning, whom oft
Magnús’ father had sated.
But when Sigvat had come north to Kaupang he encountered King Svein, and the king invited him to join his court, because Sigvat before had been with Knút the Powerful, King Svein’s father. Sigvat said he wished to go to his homestead. One day Sigvat was walking on the Street and saw the king’s men disporting themselves at games. Then Sigvat spoke a verse:
(14.)
381. Pale as ashes, I promptly
passed from where the ruler’s
spearmen in games sprightly
sported—my breast fills sorrow:
came to mind how the keen-eyed
king oft played, aforetime,
the glorious one, games on
ground of his forefathers.
Thereupon he repaired to his homestead. He heard many reproach him, saying that he had fled from King Óláf. Sigvat spoke this verse:
(15.)
382. May cast me Holy Christ in
quenchless fires of hell-pain,
the all-seeing, if I from
Óláf fled: I am guiltless.
Witnesses have I like water.
Went I to Rome as palmer,
amends to make for my
many sins—why deny it?
Sigvat did not like it at home. One day he walked outside and spoke this verse:
(16.)
383. Smiled, methought, the sloping
sides of hills in Norway—
close to him the king e’er
kept me—when Óláf lived still:
gloomier now the grey fells—
grief besets me—with him
I sailed the seas in my time—
since his face shone on me.
At the beginning of winter Sigvat journeyed east over the Keel to Jamta-land and from there to Helsingjaland, and finally to Sweden. He straightway repaired to Queen Ástríth and remained with her for a long time, enjoying her favor. He also stayed with King Onund, her brother, and received from him ten marks of burnt [silver]. So we are told in his Knúts drápa.3 Sigvat often asked merchants who had dealings with Hólmgarth what they could tell him about Magnús Óláfsson. He spoke this verse:
(17.)
384. Once more would I—nor are
wasted your words, often
praising high the princeling—
ply you with my questions:
little ask I, though littlest
love-birds—but I doubt not
the king’s sop craves now home to
come—oft fare between us.
Chapter 9. Sigvat Joins Queen Ástríth and Magnús on Their Journey to Norway
Now when Magnús Óláfsson arrived in Sweden from Russia, Sigvat was there with Queen Ástríth, and they were all overjoyed. Then Sigvat spoke this verse:
(18.)
385. Boldly back to your homeland—
bounden am I to aid you—
faring, may’st thou, King Magnús,
make claim of lands and liegemen.
Gone had I to Garthar
gladly—thy name I gave thee1—
messages must have reached you,
Magnús, from thy kinsfolk.
Thereupon Sigvat joined Queen Ástríth to accompany Magnús to Norway. Sigvat spoke this verse:
(19.)
386. Pleased I am—to people
plainly I say it—Magnús,
—God’s good grace it is—that
guided well your life is.
Few would be the folk-lands,
famous king, that could then
boast that equal heir e’er,
Óláf, a father engendered.
And when Magnús had become king in Norway, Sigvat stayed with him and was in high favor. When Queen Ástríth and Álfhild, the king’s mother, had had some words with each other, he spoke this verse:
(20.)
387. Let thou, Álfhild, Ástríth
uppermost sit at table,
thousandfold though your standing,
thanks to God, have risen.
Chapter 10. Magnús Enshrines Saint Óláf’s Body
King Magnús had a shrine made adorned with gold and silver and inlaid with jewels. And that shrine was like a coffin, both as to size and shape, with a portico underneath, and above, a cover fashioned like a roof, and surmounting it, dragonheads as gable ends. On the back of the cover were hinges, and in front, hasps closed with [lock and] key. Thereupon King Magnús had the sacred remnants of King Óláf reposited in this reliquary. Many miracles happened there at this sanctuary of King Óláf. About these Sigvat the Skald spoke this verse:
(21.)
388. A golden shrine for good and
gallant King Saint Óláf—
high I hold fore’er his
holiness—was made then.
Many a man, quickly
mended, wends from the holy
saint’s sepulchre, and many,
seeing who blind came there.
Then it was written into the laws everywhere in Norway that the memorial day of King Óláf was to be kept holy. And then that day was kept as holy as the greatest of festivals. This is mentioned by the skald Sigvat:
(22.)
389. It behooves us to hold e’er
holy—God has given
power to sainted prince—with
pure spirit his mass day.
Seemly, to celebrate the
sainted Óláf’s death day,
the ruler’s who with red gold-
rings adorned my arms both.
Chapter 11. Thórir the Hound Makes a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
Thórir the Hound left the country shortly after the fall of King Óláf. Thórir journeyed to Jerusalem, and it is the opinion of many that he never returned. Sigurth was the name of the son of Thórir the Hound. He was the father of Rannveig, the wife of Jóan, who was the son of Árni Árnason. Their children were Víthkun of Bjarkey and Sigurth the Hound, Erling and Jarthrúth.
Chapter 12. Ásmund Grankelsson Slays Hárek of Thjótta
Hárek of Thjótta resided at home on his estates until the time when Magnús Óláfsson came into the land and had become king. Then Hárek journeyed south to Trondheim to meet King Magnús. At that time Ásmund Grankelsson was with the king. Now when Hárek had arrived in Nitharós and stepped on land from his ship, Ásmund was standing by the side of the king in the gallery [of the house he resided in]; and they saw Hárek and recognized him. Ásmund said to the king, “Now I want to repay Hárek for the slaying of my father.” He had in his hand a small axe with a broad blade that was beaten out thin.
The king looked at him and said, “Take my axe rather.” That one had a wedge-shaped edge and was thick. And he continued, “I am thinking, Ásmund, that the bones of that fellow are likely to be hard.”
Ásmund took the axe and stepped down from the house; and below, on the cross street, Hárek and those with him met him coming up from the river. Ásmund struck him on the head with such force that the axe at once cleft his skull. It was a mortal blow. But Ásmund returned to the house and rejoined the king, and the whole edge of the axe had been knocked off. Then the king said, “Now how would that thin axe have served you? It seems to me this one is ruined now.” Thereupon King Magnús gave Ásmund a fief and a stewardship in Hálogaland, and there exist many and long accounts of the dealings between Ásmund and the sons of Hárek.
Chapter 13. Thorgeir Makes the King Listen to Him
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