(88.)
455. On Sea of Sicily we
sailed in stately fashion—
sharp-cut, moved our shapely
ship, full-manned with warriors.
Scarce would cowards care to
come, I ween, where we did.
Yet the gold-ring-Gerth4 from
Garthar lets me dangle.
With this he referred to Ellisif, the daughter of King Jarizleif in Hólmgarth.
Chapter 16. Harald Collects Much Treasure
When Harald arrived in Hólmgarth, King Jarizleif welcomed him most heartily. He remained there during the winter, taking into his own keeping all the gold he had before sent there from Miklagarth, together with much other treasure. Altogether it was more than had ever been seen in the North in one man’s property. Harald had been in “pólútasvarf”1 three times whilst in Miklagarth. It is a custom there that every time the Greek emperor dies the Varangians are permitted to have “pólútasvarf.” Then they are free to go through all the pólútir of the emperor where are kept his treasures, and every one may then freely help himself to whatever he lays his hands on.
Chapter 17. Harald Marries Ellisif and Sails to Sweden
That winter King Jarizleif married his daughter to Harald. Her name was Elizabeth, whom Northmen call Ellisif. Witness Stúf the Blind:
(89.)
456. Kinship won the keen-eyed
king which he had wished,
gold a-plenty as guerdon
gained he, and eke the princess.
In the spring following he journeyed from Hólmgarth to Aldeigjuborg. There he got himself ships and in summer sailed west, turning first to Sweden, and anchored in Sigtúna. As says Valgarth á Velli:1
(90.)
457. Laden with fairest load, you
launched your swift ship, Harald,
carrying gold from Garthar—
glory came to you—westward.
You steered in stormy weather,
stalwart chief—ships wallowed
deep—through spray and spindrift
speeding, till you saw Sigtún.
Chapter 18. Harald Allies Himself with Svein
There, Harald encountered Svein Úlfsson. He had fled from King Magnús that fall, after the battle off Helganess. And when they met they were greatly pleased. Óláf Sœnski [the Swedish], King of Sweden, was the grandfather of Ellisif, Harald’s wife; and Ástríth, Svein’s mother, was the sister of King Saint Óláf. Harald and Svein entered into an alliance with each other and made firm agreements. All Swedes were friends of Svein, because most of his kinsmen dwelled there. And so all Swedes became friends and followers of Harald. Many important personages were bound to him there by ties of marriage. As says Thjóthólf:
(91.)
458. Your oaken keel from the east the
angry billows parted.
Since that time, all Swedes did,
scion of Óláf, aid thee.
Gales fell on gold-laden
galley soaked with salt sea,
leeward leaning strongly,
luffing under broad sail.
Chapter 19. Harald and Svein Harry in Denmark
Afterwards they procured ships, Harald and Svein, and soon a large force collected; and when it was equipped they sailed west to Denmark. As says Valgarth:
(92.)
459. Shoved out for you a ship was,
shield-surrounded, battle-
eager Yngvi-scion, your
own to win, from Sweden.
High, then, to mast’s head you
hoisted the sail as you
scudded past level Scania,
scaring women, near Denmark.
First they landed in Seeland with their fleet and harried and burned there far and wide. Then they made for Funen, went up on shore, and plundered there. As says Valgarth:
(93.)
460. Harrying, Harald, thou didst
havoc spread—the wolves on
bloody battle-slain then
battened—in all of Seeland.
With strong force you fell on
Funen and did to helmets—
shredded were there shapely
shields galore—great damage.
(94.)
461. Bright fire houses burned and
barns, south of Roskilde.
Toppled farms in flames the
fierce urger-of-combat.
Hel did life withhold from
hapless countrymen, while
hosts of fear-crazed franklins
fled to the woods in silence.
(95.)
462. Down-cast, away drifted
Danes who lived still, scattered
in flight, while fair maidens
fell into our power.
With fetters fastened, women
followed you down to your vessels;
cut chafing chains the flesh of
chattel maidens cruelly.
Chapter 20. Harald and Magnús Advance Against One Another
In the fall after the battle of Helganess King Magnús Óláfsson had sailed north to Norway. Then he heard the tidings that Harald Sigurtharson, his kinsman, had arrived in Sweden, and also, that he had allied himself with Svein Úlfsson, and with a large fleet intended to conquer Denmark and afterwards, Norway. King Magnús thereupon levied ships and men from Norway and soon had gathered a large fleet together. Then he heard that Harald and Svein had invaded Denmark, burning and laying waste everything, and that the people were submitting to them. It was said also that Harald was larger and stronger than any other man, and so clever that nothing was impossible for him and that he always was victorious, wherever he fought; also that he was so rich in gold that no one ever had seen the like of it. Thus says Thjóthólf:
(96.)
463. Little hope have land-folk—
lies the fleet before anchor—
fearful are they to face their
foes—to live in peace now.
Martial Magnús from northward
musters his roller-horses
whilst from the south his sea-steeds
Sigurth’s son makes ready.
Chapter 21. Magnús Agrees to Share the Kingdom with Harald
King Magnús councillors advised him that they considered it most unfortunate if he and his kinsman Harald were to enter into hostilities with one another. Many offered to try to have them come to an agreement and the king was persuaded to let them try. So some were detailed to travel by a swift boat as fast as possible south to Denmark. Those who were selected for this errand were Danes in whom King Magnús had complete confidence, and they were to bring this matter up before Harald. This was done with the utmost secrecy. But when Harald learned that King Magnús, his kinsman, would offer him terms, of partnership according to which Harald was to have one half of Norway and Magnús the other, against sharing each other’s treasure [then Harald agreed to that].1 And this covenant was brought back to King Magnús.
Chapter 22. Harald and Svein Fall Out
A short while thereafter, one evening Harald and Svein talked with one another at table. Svein asked Harald what possessions of his he valued most highly. He answered that it was his banner “Land-Destroyer.” Thereupon Svein asked what virtue it had to be accounted so valuable. Harald replied that it was prophesied that victory would be his before whom this banner was borne; and added that this had been the case ever since he had obtained it. Thereupon Svein said, “I shall believe that your flag has this virtue if you fight three battles with King Magnús, your kinsman, and are victorious in all.”
Harald answered rather angrily, “I am aware of the kinship between Magnús and myself even though you had not reminded me of it; and I would say that it would be more seemly for us two to meet otherwise than as enemies.”
Svein changed color and said, “Some say, Harald, that you have been known to keep only that part of an agreement which suits your purpose best.”
Harald answered, “Most likely you know of fewer
occasions when I didn’t keep my agreements than I know King Magnús is likely to remember that you kept with him.”
Then each went his way. In the evening, when Harald went to sleep in the poop of his ship he said to his page, “Now I shall not lie in my bunk tonight, because I have a suspicion that there may be some treachery afoot. This evening I saw that my kinsman grew very angry at my frank speech. I want you to keep watch tonight to see if anything happens here.” Then Harald went to sleep in some other place, and placed a log of wood in his bunk. In the night a boat approached the poop. A man climbed up and ripped open the tent-covering over it, stepped up to Harald’s bunk, and with a big axe hewed into it so that it stood fast in the wood. Then the man immediately jumped into his boat in the pitch-black night and rowed away; but the axe was left behind as evidence of the deed, standing fast in the wood. Then Harald woke up his men to show them what treachery they had been exposed to. “We can see by that,” he said, “that we shall have no support in Svein- here so soon as he contemplates treachery against us. So it might be wisest for us to get away from here while we have the chance. Let us now unfasten our ships and row away stealthily.” So they did, and during the night rowed north along the land. They sailed day and night till they encountered King Magnús where he lay anchored with his fleet. Then Harald went to meet his kinsman, King Magnús, and their meeting was most cordial, as says Thjóthólf:
(97.)
464. With keen oaken keels you
cleft, famed prince, the waters—
the trim ships severed salty
seas—westward to Denmark.
Offered thee, thereafter,
Óláf’s son—methinks that
whole-heartedly they met—the
half of lands and liegemen.
Thereupon the kinsmen discussed matters between them, and all went in a conciliatory fashion.
Chapter 23. King Magnús Stipulates Superior Rights
King Magnús with his fleet lay anchored near land and had his tents erected up on land. He then invited his kinsman, Harald, to his table, and Harald came to the banquet with sixty men. It was a very noble banquet. And as the day wore on, King Magnús entered the tent where Harald sat. Men accompanied him, bearing weapons and garments. The king went up to the man farthest down at the table and gave him a good sword, to another, a shield, and so on, garments or weapons or gold—and more valuable things to those of greater distinction. Last of all, he approached Harald, his kinsman, and had in his hand two reeds. He said, “Which of these reeds would you have?”
Then Harald answered, “The one nearest to me.”
Then King Magnús said, “With this reed I give you half of the Norwegian realm, with all the imposts, levies, and all properties thereto appertaining; with this stipulation that you shall be king in Norway in all places, having the same rights as I. But when we are both together, then I shall be first, in salutation, services, and seating. And if there are three men of princely rank present, then I shall occupy the middle seat. I shall have the king’s berth in harbor and the king’s pier. You are also to support and strengthen our realm, against my raising you to that position in Norway which I thought no one would have while I was above ground.”
Thereupon Harald arose and thanked him properly for the honor and glory conferred on him. Then both were seated and in excellent spirits all that day. In the evening Harald and his men repaired to their ship.
Chapter 24. Harald Shares His Treasures with Magnús
The morning after, King Magnús had the trumpets blown to call an assembly for all his forces. And when they were come together, King Magnús announced to all his men the gift he had bestowed on his kinsman Harald. Thórir of Steig gave Harald the title of king at this assembly. On the same day King Harald invited King Magnús to his table. In the course of the day, accompanied by sixty of his men, he went to King Harald’s tent where the banquet was prepared. Then both kings were seated together, and the banquet was a noble one, with excellent food and drink. Both kings were cheerful and in good spirits. Now as the day wore on, King Harald had a great many bags carried into the tent, and also garments, and weapons, and other valuable things. These things he distributed among the followers of King Magnús who were in the tent. Then he had the bags opened, and said to King Magnús, “Yesterday you gave us a large realm, which you had earlier won from your and my enemies, and granted me to have it in common with you. That was well done, because you labored greatly to gain it. Now I, for my part, I have been in foreign lands, and have indeed also been in some dangerous situations before acquiring the gold which you see here. This, I give for co-partnership with you. Let us two own this property in equal parts just as we have, each of us, half of the kingdom of Norway. I know that our natures differ. You are by far more generous than I. Let us then divide this treasure equally between us, and let then each do with it as he will.”
Thereupon Harald had a large ox-hide spread and poured the gold from the bags out on it. Then scales and weights were brought and the valuables weighed in the balance and divided by weight; and it seemed marvellous to all who saw it that so much gold should have been got together in one place in the North. As a fact it was really the property and treasure of the emperor of Greece where, as all say, there is red gold by the houseful.
The two kings were now in excellent spirits. A goblet was produced then as big as a man’s head. King Harald took hold of this goblet and said; “Where is the gold, kinsman Magnús, to match this knob-head?”
Then King Magnús answered, “There have been so many hostilities and such great levies [for me] that I have given you nearly all the gold and silver which were in my keeping. Now I have no more in my possession than this ring,” and took the ring and gave it to Harald.
He looked at it and said; “That is little gold, kinsman, for a king who has two kingdoms; and yet some might doubt whether you own this ring.”
Then King Magnús said gravely, “If this is not my ring by rights, then I don’t know what is my own by rights; because Holy King Óláf, my father, gave me this ring when last we parted.”
Then King Harald answered, laughing, “You say truly, King Magnús: your father gave you the ring. That ring he took from my father for little cause. But that is true, too, that petty kings fared badly when your father was most powerful.”
King Harald gave Steigar-Thórir a maple-wood bowl at this banquet. It was encircled with silver bands, with a silver handle on top, all gilded, and filled with coins of pure silver. In addition he gave him two gold rings, weighing eight ounces together. He also gave him his cloak which was of dark purple with white fur, and promised him great honor and friendship. Thorgils Snorrason said that he saw the altar cloth which was made of this cloak; and Guthríth the daughter of Guthorm, the son of Steigar-Thórir, affirmed that her father Guthorm owned that bowl. As says Bolverk:
(98.)
465. To goodly land was given thee,
gladsome prince,1 the title
when that met thee Magnús—
matched by thee with treasure.
Close the accord you two
kinsmen reached peacefully;
whereas Svein could sithen
solely look for conflict.
Chapter 25. Magnús Has Custody of the Reliques of Saint Óláf
King Magnús and King Harald both ruled Norway in the winter following their agreement, and both had their own bodyguards. During the winter they went about the district of Uppland on their journeys of state, sometimes together, sometimes separately. They progressed as far as the district of Trondheim and the town of Nitharós. King Magnús had had custody of the reliques of Saint Óláf ever since his return to Norway. He had cut Saint Óláf’s hair and clipped his nails every twelve months, and kept the key to the shrine. Many kinds of miracles happened at that time at the shrine of King Óláf.
Soon there came some rifts in the concord of the two kings; and many were so malicious as to sow ill-will between them.
Chapter 26. Sv
ein Takes the Royal Tithes in Denmark
Svein Úlfsson lay asleep when Harald had absconded. Thereafter, Svein inquired carefully about Harald’s actions. And when he learned that Harald and Magnús had come to an agreement and had one army in common, he proceeded with his fleet east past the coast of Scania, and remained there till he learned, in winter, that both Magnús and Harald with their forces had proceeded north to Norway. Thereupon Svein sailed with his fleet south [west] to Denmark and during that winter took in all royal tithes there.
Chapter 27. Magnús Asserts His Rights to the King’s Berth
When spring approached, King Magnús and King Harald levied men and ships for war. It happened one time that both kings one night lay in the same harbor; but the day after, Harald got ready to sail first and proceeded at once. In the evening he anchored in the place where King Magnús and his ships had intended to anchor that night. Harald anchored his vessel in the king’s berth and pitched his tent there. King Magnús got a later start and arrived at the harbor where Harald and his men had already pitched their tents. They saw that Harald had anchored in the king’s berth and that he meant to remain there. But when King Magnús’ crew had lowered their sail, King Magnús said, “Let men sit down by the gunwales and take to their oars. Let others get out their weapons and arm themselves. And if they will not move we shall fight.”
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