As was mentioned before, Halldór Snorrason and Úlf Óspaksson joined King Harald in Norway. They differed in many respects. Halldór was very tall, strong, and handsome. That testimony King Harald bore him that he was one of those among his followers who was least disturbed when anything terrible and unforeseen occurred. Whether danger threatened or good news was brought, or whatever peril there was, he was neither gladder nor sadder, nor did he sleep more or less, nor eat and drink otherwise than was his custom. Halldór was a man of few words, and gruff, outspoken, stubborn, and obstinate. But that did not sit well with the king, as he had plenty of excellent men about him who were ready to serve him. Halldór remained but a short while with the king. He sailed to Iceland, established himself in Hjartharholt, and lived there till his old age.
Chapter 37. Úlf Óspaksson Marries Jórunn
Úlf Óspaksson was in great favor with King Harald. He was exceedingly wise, eloquent, a great leader, dependable and honest. King Harald made Úlf his marshal and gave him Jórunn, the daughter of Thorberg, in marriage. She was the sister of Thóra with whom King Harald was married. The children of Úlf by Jórunn were Jóan the Strong of Rásvoll and Brígitha, the mother of Sautha-Úlf, the father of Peter Byrtharsvein, the father of Úlf Flý [and his brothers and sisters]. The son of Jóan the Strong was Erlend Hímaldi, the father of Archbishop Eystein and his brothers. King Harald gave Marshal Úlf the income of a king’s steward and twelve marks of rent, together with half a shire in the Trondheim District. So says Stein Herdísarson1 in his poem called Úlfsflokk.
Chapter 38. King Harald Builds Churches in Kaupang
King Magnús Óláfsson had the Saint Óláf’s Church built in the town of Kaupang. At that spot the body of the king was set down one night. It was located above the town. Also, he had the royal residence erected there. The church was not finished before the king’s death, and King Harald had it completed. In the same enclosure he laid the foundations of a stone hall; and that was not finished before he laid the foundation of Saint Mary’s Church on the sand hill near where the holy remains of the king were interred the first winter after his fall. That was a great minster, constructed strongly with mortar so that they could hardly raze it when Archbishop Eystein had it torn down. The holy shrine of King Óláf was kept in Saint Óláf’s Church while Saint Mary’s Church was being erected. King Harald had the royal residence built below Saint Mary’s by the river, where it now stands. But the hall he had erected he had consecrated as Saint Gregory’s Church.
Chapter 39. Of Ívar the White
There was a man by the name of Ívar the White, an excellent steward of the king. He resided in the Uppland District. He was the son of a daughter of Earl Hákon the Powerful. He was an exceptionally handsome man. His son was called Hákon. Of him it is said that he was superior to all his contemporaries in Norway as to valor, strength, and accomplishments. Even in his youth he joined warlike expeditions and acquired much fame, making a great name for himself.
Chapter 40. Of Einar Thambarskelfir and His Son Eindrithi
Einar Thambarskelfir was the most powerful landed-man in the Trondheim District. There was considerable coolness between him and King Harald. Yet Einar kept the revenues he enjoyed whilst King Magnús lived. Einar was a man of very great wealth. His wife was Bergljót, a daughter of Earl Hákon, as was mentioned above. At this time, Eindrithi, their son, was full grown. He married Sigríth, a daughter of King Harald’s sister. Eindrithi had the handsome appearance and comeliness of his mother’s kin, Earl Hákon and his sons, and the stature and strength of his father, Einar, as well as the accomplishments in which Einar excelled all others. He was the favorite of everyone.
Chapter 41. The Descendants of Earl Hákon
At that time there resided in the district of Uppland an earl by the name of Orm. His mother was Ragnhild, a daughter of Earl Hákon the Powerful. He was a most excellent man. East [west] in the district of Jathar at Sóli there lived a man by the name of Áslák Erlingsson, who was married to Sigríth, a daughter of Earl Svein, the son of Earl Hákon. Gunnhild, another daughter of Earl Svein became the wife of Svein Úlfsson, the king of Denmark. Those and other distinguished persons were the descendants of Earl Hákon living at that time in Norway; and all that family were handsomer by far than other people, and most of them were greatly accomplished, but all were distinguished.
Chapter 42. Of King Harald’s Imperious Nature
King Harald was of an imperious nature, and grew the more so as he consolidated his rule in Norway. And eventually it became worse than useless to oppose him or to promote matters other than those he wished. As says Skald Thjóthólf:
(114.)
481. ’Tis right for loyal liege, as
likes the combat-loving
war-worker intrepid
well, to sit and stand eke.
The army all obey the
eagles’-feeder; neither
could the king’s own men go
counter to his wishes.
Chapter 43. Einar Thambarskelfir Antagonizes King Harald
Einar Thambarskelfir was the chief leader of the farmers in all the districts of Trondheim. At the assemblies he defended those against whom suit was brought by the king’s men. Einar was well versed in the laws; and he did not lack the boldness to defend his case at the assemblies, even though the king himself was present. And all the farmers supported him. This infuriated the king, and it went so far that it came to high words beween them. Einar maintained that the farmers would not tolerate any unjustice from the king nor stand for his breaking the laws of the land. And this occurred several times between them. As a consequence Einar took to having a large company of men about him when he was at home, and even more when he came to town and knew the king to be there.
It happened one day that Einar came sailing to the town with a great host—eight or nine warships—and a crew of some five hundred [600} men; and when he reached the town he went on shore with that company. King Harald was in his royal residence and stood outside in the gallery, watching Einar’s troops disembark. And it is said that he then composed these verses:
(115.)
482. Behold free-handed Einar,
who the sea can cleave with
keel-horse, come ashore, by
crew of hundreds followed:
means the mighty chieftain—
many earls I’ve known were
followed by fewer men—to
fill the royal throne-seat.
(116.)
483. Will the dart-speeder dauntless
drive me from my kingdom
but the baron kiss the
bill’s blue thin-lipped edges.1
Einar remained several days in the town.
Chapter 44. Einar and His Son Eindrithi Are Slain by King Harald
One day a meeting was held, and the king himself attended it. A thief had been taken in town and was led to the meeting. The man had been with Einar, before, and Einar had rather liked him. When Einar was told, he thought the king would not let the man go any the sooner because Einar would take his side. So Einar had his troops take their arms and go to the meeting, where he took the man from the meeting by force. Thereupon friends of both the king and Einar went between them and sought to reconcile them. As a result an appointment was agreed upon where they were to meet. The meeting hall was in the king’s residence down by the river. The king entered the room with only a few men; the remainder of his force stayed outside. The king had the cover lid drawn over the louver, so as to leave but a small opening. Then Einar arrived in the yard with his men. He said to Eindrithi, his son, “Stay outside here with the men; then there will be no risk for me.” Eindrithi stood outside at the entrance door. When Einar came into the room he said, “It is dark in the king’s council hall.” Immediately, men fell upon him, some thrusting, others striking. But when Eindrithi heard that, he drew his sword and burst into the room. He was promptly cut down, along with his father. Thereupon the king’s men [outside] ran
to the hall and stood before the door. But the farmers did not know which way to turn as they now were left leaderless. One urged on the other, saying it was a shame if they did not avenge their chieftain. Yet nothing came of an attack. The king came out to his troops and ordered them in battle array, setting up his standard; but no attack was made by the farmers.
Thereupon the king boarded his ship with all his force. They rowed down the river and out into the fjord.
Bergljót, Einar’s wife, learned of his fall. At the time she was in the quarters which Einar and she had occupied when in the town. She went at once up to the royal residence where the farmers’ force stood, and heatedly urged them to do battle. That was just when King Harald rowed down the river. Then said Bergljót, “Now we feel the want of my kinsman, Hákon Ívarsson. The slayers of Eindrithi would not be rowing down the river if Hákon stood here on the banks.” Then Bergljót had the remains of Einar and Eindrithi attended to. They were interred near the Church of Saint Óláf, close by the tomb of King Magnús Óláfsson.
After the fall of Einar, King Harald was so strongly detested on account of his deed that the only reason the king’s stewards and the farmers did not attack and do battle with him was the lack of a leader to raise the standard for the farmers’ army.
Chapter 45. King Harald Has Finn Árnason Intercede for Him
At that time Finn Árnason lived at Austrátt in the district of Yrjar. He was a steward of King Harald’s. Finn had in marriage Bergljót, the daughter of Hálfdan, the son of Sigurth Sýr. Hálfdan [thus] was a brother of Holy King Óláf and King Harald. Thóra, wife of King Harald, was the niece of Finn Árnason. The king was very fond of Finn, as of his brothers. For some summers, Finn Árnason had been on viking expeditions in the west. He, Guthorm Gunnhildarson, and Hákon Ívarsson had been together on these expeditions.
King Harald had sailed out on the Trondheimfjord till he came to Austrátt. There he was made very welcome. Later, Finn and the king talked together about the events which had just happened—the slaying of Einar and his son—and also about the grumbling and uproar of the Thronders against the king. Finn answered quickly, “You blunder in whatever you do. First you commit all kinds of wrongs, and afterwards you are so afraid that you don’t know what to do with yourself.”
The king answered laughing, “Kinsman, I am now going to send you to the town. I want you to reconcile me with the farmers. And if you don’t succeed in that, I want you to go to Uppland and bring it about that Hákon Ívarsson doesn’t become my enemy.”
Finn answered, “What will you promise to do for me if I go on this dangerous errand, because both Thronders and the men of Uppland are so enraged against you that no messenger of yours can go there without danger to life and limb, unless he has your assistance.”
The king answered, “You go on this errand, kinsman, because I know that if anybody can execute it successfully, you can. Reconcile us and you can choose whatever you want from me.”
Finn replied, “Then keep your promise and I shall choose this: I choose pardon and permission to stay in the country, for my brother Kálf, and that he may regain all his property; and also, that he have the rank and all the power he had before he left the country.”
The king assented to all conditions Finn made, and the agreement was witnessed by others, and they clasped hands upon it. Then Finn asked, “What shall I offer to Hákon to make him agree to a reconciliation with you? He is the person of greatest influence now among the people of Trondheim.”
The king answered, “First hear what Hákon himself would demand for a reconciliation. Then advance my interests as best you can; but as a last resort offer him anything short of being king.” Thereupon King Harald sailed south to Mœr and gathered a considerable force.
Chapter 46. Finn Offers Compensation for the Slaying of Einar
Finn Árnason sailed to the town together with his henchmen, almost eighty in number. And when he entered the town he arranged a meeting with the townsmen. At this meeting Finn made a long and eloquent speech in which he asked both townsmen and farmers by all means to avoid hostilities against their king so as to drive him away. He reminded them how much evil they had suffered doing that before to Holy King Óláf; and he said that the king was willing to pay compensation for the slayings committed, according to the judgment of the best and wisest men. At the conclusion of his speech the farmers agreed to do nothing about the matter until the messengers returned whom Bergljót had sent to Hákon Ívarsson in Uppland.
Thereupon Finn, together with the men who had followed him to the town, travelled up the Orka Valley; then to the Dofra Fell, and then east [south] across it. First, Finn went to see Earl Orm, his son-in-law—he had married Sigríth, Finn’s daughter—and told him about his business.
Chapter 47. Hákon Ívarsson Demands Ragnhild in Marriage
Thereupon they arranged a meeting with Hákon Ívarsson; and when they met, Finn told Hákon the message which King Harald had entrusted to him. It soon appeared that Hákon thought it was his stern duty to avenge his kinsman Eindrithi; and he said he had had word from Trondheim that he would find sufficient support there to start a rebellion against the king. Thereupon Finn demonstrated to Hákon that it was a better alternative for him to exact from the king as much honor as he himself would ask for, rather than to risk rising in opposition to the king to whom he was bound in allegiance; that he might be defeated—“and then you have forfeited both property and life. But if you overcome King Harald you will be called a traitor to your king.”
Earl Orm also gave support to Finn’s arguments. And when Hákon had weighed them he revealed what he had in mind. He said, “I shall be reconciled to King Harald if he will give in marriage to me his relative Ragnhild, the daughter of King Magnús Óláfsson, together with such a dowry as is seeming to her and as she would like.” Finn said he would assent to that by authority of the king; and they came to an agreement about that. Thereupon Finn returned north to Trondheim. Then the unrest and turbulence there subsided, so that the king continued to rule undisturbed in the land; because now there was an end to the alliance among Eindrithi’s kinsmen to resist King Harald.
Chapter 48. King Harald Refuses Hákon Ívarsson the Title of Earl
When the time came for Hákon to demand the fulfilment of the agreement, he went to see King Harald. And when they began to discuss the matter, the king declared that he would on his part adhere to the agreement reached between Finn and Hákon. “It is your business, Hákon, to talk about this matter with Ragnhild and find out whether she agrees to this marriage. But neither you nor any else will find it advisable to obtain Ragnhild in marriage unless it be with her own consent.”
Thereupon Hákon went to Ragnhild and made his proposal of marriage to her. She answered in this wise, “Frequently I am made to feel that King Magnús, my father, is dead and his memory gone, if I am to marry a farmer, even though you are handsome and accomplished in many ways. If King Magnús were alive he would not give me in marriage to anyone less than a king. So there is no prospect that I be willing to marry a man not of princely rank.”
Thereupon Hákon went to King Harald and reported to him the parley between Ragnhild and him, and also reminded him of the agreement made between Finn and himself. Both Finn and several others were present who had been witnesses of this agreement. Hákon called upon all of them to witness that it had been agreed upon that the king was to provide Ragnhild with such a dowry as would be acceptable to her. “Now she declares she will not marry a man not of princely rank; so you can give me the title of earl. I am of sufficiently high birth to be called an earl, and also have some other qualities required for that, according to what people say.”
The king answered, “Both King Óláf, my brother, and King Magnús, his son, during their reign allowed only one earl at one time in the country. And I followed this, ever since I became king. I am not willing to take the title away from Earl Orm which I have before bestowed on him.”
Then Hákon unde
rstood that his plan would not succeed, and he was very greatly displeased. Finn, too, was furious. They said that the king would not abide by his word; and with that they parted. Hákon immediately left the land with a well-equipped warship. He sailed south to Denmark and immediately sought out King Svein, his kinsman. The king made him very welcome and gave him large revenues. He was entrusted with the defence of the country against the vikings who made many incursions in the Danish realm—Wends, Kurlanders, and many others from the eastern Baltic. He was out at sea with his fleet both in summer and winter.
Chapter 49. Hákon Ívarsson Defeats and Slays Ásmund
There was a man called Ásmund who, it is said, was the son of King Svein’s sister and was fostered by him. Ásmund was most accomplished, and the king was very fond of him. But as Ásmund grew up, he became most overbearing and a killer. The king was displeased at that and dismissed him from his presence; but he procured him a good fief on which he could well support himself together with a company of men. But as soon as Ásmund had received these possessions from the king he drew a great host of men together. And since the moneys the king had given him did not meet his expenses, he appropriated other and far greater properties belonging to the king. When the king learned of that he summoned Ásmund, and when he came, ordered him to join his bodyguard and not to have any followers; and the king had his way. But after Ásmund had been a little while with the king’s court he did not like it there, and he escaped at night and rejoined his company and did more mischief than before. So when the king rode over land near where Ásmund kept himself, he sent a body of men to capture him by force. Then the king had him placed in chains for a while, thinking that he might calm down. But as soon as Ásmund was freed he straightway escaped and got himself a company and warships, and then he began to harry both abroad and at home, doing great damage, and killing and robbing far and wide. Those who suffered from these hostilities went to the king and complained about the damage done to them. He answered them, “Why do you tell me this? Why don’t you go to Hákon Ívarsson? He is entrusted by me with the defence of the country and appointed for the purpose of keeping the peace for you farmers and punishing vikings. I was told that Hákon was a bold and brave man, but now it seems to me he doesn’t want to engage in anything he thinks might involve danger.”
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