Chapter 18. King Sigurth Engenders a Son with a Servant Woman
King Sigurth with his following rode east in Vík on his king’s progress, and past the estate of a wealthy man by the name of Símon. And as the king rode through the yard he heard someone sing so beautifully in one of the houses that he was much pleased. He rode to that house and looked in and saw a woman standing by a handmill and singing wondrously fine while she ground. The king descended from his horse and went in and lay with the woman. But when he departed, farmer Símon got to know what the king had been about there. The woman’s name was Thóra, and she was a working woman of farmer Símon. Afterwards he had her work done by others. Later on she bore a son, and this boy was named Hákon and termed the son of King Sigurth. Hákon was brought up there by Símon Thorbergsson and his wife Gunnhild. The sons of Símon, Onund and Andréás, were raised with Hákon, and they were so fond of one another that only death could part them.
Chapter 19. King Eystein Overcomes the Farmers of Ranríki and Hísing
King Eystein Haraldsson was stationed east in Vík at the extreme confines of the kingdom. He had some disagreements with the farmers of Ranríki and Hísing. They gathered a force against him, but he fought them and gained the victory. The place where the battle took place is called Leikberg. He devastated Hísing far and wide with fire. Thereupon the farmers submitted to him and paid him large tribute, also giving him hostages. As says Einar Skúlason:1
(219.)
587. Stern, unafraid,
the king repaid—
all men him laud—
the Vík-folk’s fraud.
They were in fear:
peace cost them dear.
He hostages took
as luck them forsook.
(220.)
588. Hard fight he chose
’gainst bitter foes—
my tale is clear—
to Leikberg near.
All Ran-folk fled,
or did as he said:
gave him their gold
as bade the king bold.
Chapter 20. King Eystein Leads an Expedition to Scotland and England
A short time thereafter King Eystein started on an expedition west across the sea, sailing to Caithness. He learned that Earl Harald Maddatharson was at Thórsá Island [Thurso]. He approached the island with three small skiffs and took them by surprise. The earl had had a ship with thirty rowers’ benches and a crew of eighty. However, as they were unprepared [for the attack], King Eystein and his men boarded the ship straightway, took the earl captive, and brought him along. He ransomed himself with three marks of gold, and then they parted. As says Einar Skúlason:
(221.)
589. Manned with eighty men was
Maddath’s scion’s sea-steed.
Won the wolfbrood’s-sater
welcome victory o’er them:
with skiffs three, unscathed—nor
’scaped the earl—he conquered.
The ravening ravens’-feeder
ransomed his head with gold rings.
From there King Eystein sailed south along the east coast of Scotland and landed by the Scottish town which is called Apardjón [Aberdeen]. There he slew many men and ransacked the town. As says Einar Skúlason:
(222.)
590. Heard I have tell
that folk many fell
when the king made war
near Aberdeen’s shore.
Another battle he fought in the south at Hjartapoll [Hartlepool] against a band of horsemen and put them to flight. They cleared some ships of their crews in that place. As says Einar:
(223.)
591. Bit the king’s sword.
Followed men their lord
with all their soul
at Hartlepool.
Did ravens gloat.
Many an English boat
was cleared. Grew red
swords with blood shed.
He proceeded still further south along the English coast and had a third battle at Hvítaby [Whitby]. He was victorious and burned the town. As says Einar:
(224.)
592. The king fray stirred,
was swords’ whine heard.
At Whitby Town
he won renown.
Fire leapt high
into the sky,
were wolves’ teeth red
with blood that was shed.
After that he harried far and wide in England. At that time King Stephen ruled in England.1 Afterwards King Eystein had a battle at Skarpasker2 with some horsemen. As says Einar:
(225.)
593. Drave arrows’-rain
with might and main
by Skarpasker coast
’gainst shield-clad host.
Then he fought a battle at Pílavík3 and was victorious. As says Einar:
(226.)
594. Bloodied his sword
the Northmen’s lord
in Scotsmen’s4 blood.
Ran the wound-flood
on Pílavík’s strand.
Rang ’gainst skulls his brand,
to the ground as down
he burned Langatown.
There they burned Langatún5 to the ground. That was a large town, and it is said that it never rose again to what it was before. Thereupon King Eystein left England, and in the fall sailed back to Norway. Men differed greatly about [the value of] this expedition.
Chapter 21. Of King Sigurth’s Appearance and Character
Good peace prevailed in the beginning of the reign of the sons of Harald, and they were tolerably agreed the while the body of their old counsellors was alive and Ingi and Sigurth were children. Then both had their courts together, but Eystein, his own separately. He was a full-grown man [at the time]. But when the foster parents of Ingi and Sigurth had passed away—to wit, Sátha-Gyrth Bártharson, Ámundi Gyrtharson, Thjóstólf Álason, Óttar Birting, Ogmund Sviptir, and Ogmund Dengir, the brother of Erling Skakki—Erling was thought of little account while Ogmund was still living. After that Ingi and Sigurth had separate courts, and King Ingi had the support of Grégóríús, the son of Dag Eilífsson and Ragnhild, the daughter of Skopti Ogmundarson. Grégóríús had large possessions and himself was a man of outstanding qualities. He was at the head of the government of the country with King Ingi; and the king permitted him to appropriate for himself all such possessions of the king as he desired.
King Sigurth as he matured grew to be a most overbearing man, unruly in all respects, as was Eystein who yet was somewhat more moderate, though he was a most avaricious and covetous man. King Sigurth grew to be a tall and strong man of stately appearance. He had brown hair and an ugly mouth, but good features otherwise. He was exceedingly ready and skilful of speech. This is mentioned by Einar Skúlason:
(227.)
595. Excels in speech Sigurth,
swords in blood who reddens—
God himself has given him
glory—all in Norway.
Whene’er the Raumers’1 ruler
raised his voice, ’t was as if—
unfading fame he won o’er
foes—hushed were all others.
Chapter 22. Of the Appearance and Character of Kings Eystein and Ingi
King Eystein was a man with black hair and a dark complexion. In stature he was somewhat over medium height. He had a good mind and keen understanding. What most contributed to his unpopularity was his avarice and stinginess. He had for a wife Ragna, daughter of Níkolás Mása.
King Ingi had an exceedingly handsome countenance. His hair was yellow, rather thin, and very curly. He was of low stature and could hardly walk alone because one of his legs was withered, and he had a hump both on his shoulders and his chest. He was kindly of speech and good to his friends, generous with his possessions. He let the chieftains share in the government of the country and was popular among the people. All this contributed to draw most of the people to his side.
Brígitha was the name of a daughter of King Harald Gilli. She
was first married to King Ingi Hallsteinsson of Sweden, then to Earl Karl Sónason, and then to Magnús, king of Sweden. King Ingi Haraldsson and she had the same mother. Finally, Earl Birgir Brosa married her. They had four sons—Earl Philippús, Earl Knút, Fólki, and Magnús. Their daughters were Ingigerth, who married King Sørkvir of Sweden—their son was King Jón—Kristín, and Margrét. Another daughter of Harald Gilli was named Máría. She was married to Símon Skálp, the son of Hallkel Húk. Their son was Níkolás. Margrét, the third daughter of Harald Gilli was married to Jón Hallkelsson, brother of Símon. A great many things happened which led to disagreement between the Brothers, but I shall mention only this one thing which, it seems to me, led to the most important consequences.
Chapter 23. Cardinal Níkolás Visits Norway
Cardinal Níkolás of Rome came to Norway in the days of the sons 1152 of Harald. He was sent to Norway by the Pope. The cardinal was incensed against Sigurth and Eystein, and they were compelled to come to an agreement with him. But he was exceedingly pleased with Ingi and called him his son. But when they all were reconciled with him he granted them permission to have Jón Birgisson consecrated archbishop of the Trondheim diocese and presented him with the vestment which is called pallium. He made the pronouncement that the archiepiscopal see should be in Nitharós, in Christ Church, where Holy King Óláf rests. Before that there had only been suffragan bishops in Norway. The cardinal brought it about that no one was to carry arms in the market towns with impunity, except the twelve men who were to attend the king. He improved in many respects the ways of the Norwegians whilst he dwelled there. No foreigner has ever come to Norway whom men rated as highly and who had such influence on the community as he. Later, he travelled south, after receiving many friendly gifts and declaring that he would always be most friendly disposed toward Norwegians. Soon after his arrival in Rome the Pope died who had ruled the see until then. All the people of Rome wanted to have Níkolás for 1154-1159 Pope and so he was consecrated as Pope, with the name of Adrian. Those who came to Rome in those days tell that never had he so important business with other men than he did not first speak with Norwegians, whenever they desired to consult him. He was not Pope for long, and he is pronounced to be a saint.
Chapter 24. Saint Óláf Restores a Man’s Speech
In the days of the sons of Harald Gilli it happened that a certain man called Halldór was made a captive by the Wends. They tortured him, slitting his throat, and pulling his tongue through it, and cutting it off at the roots. Thereupon he sought out the resting place of Saint Óláf and turned his thoughts firmly to that holy man and begged King Óláf with many tears to give him back his speech and his health. Soon thereafter he did receive back his speech [by] the mercy of this good king, and straightway became his servant for all his life, becoming an excellent man, steadfast in the Christian faith. This miracle happened half a month before the latter Saint Óláf’s Mass [July 20th], on the same day Cardinal Níkolás set foot on land in Norway.
Chapter 25. Saint Óláf Heals the Priest Richard
In the Uppland District there lived two brothers, named Einar and Andréás. Wealthy and of noble extraction, they were the sons of Guthorm Graybeard and maternal uncles of King Sigurth Haraldsson. All their possessions and their family homestead were in that district. Their sister was a woman of rather handsome appearance but not too careful about the promises of evil men, as proved to be the case later. She showed great kindness to an English priest, Richard by name, who lived with her brothers, and out of the goodness of her heart did much to please him. As a result, ugly rumors became current about her. Then, when it had become common talk, everyone laid the blame on the priest, as did her brothers. And as soon as they became aware of this they charged him publicly with seducing her, seeing the great tenderness which had prevailed between the two.
This later turned out to the great misfortune of Richard and their sister, as was to be expected, since the brothers kept their silence about their secret plot and did not betray their intentions by word or look. But on a certain day they called the priest to them—he expected nothing but good of them—luring him from home with them. They told him that they were bound for another district on some business and asked him to accompany them. They had with them their man servant who had been informed of their plan. In a boat they rowed along the lake called Rond and landed on the tongue of land called Skiptisand. There they landed and disported themselves for a while. Then they went to a spot that was hidden from sight and told the servant to deal the priest a blow with the back of his axe, and he did so, knocking him unconscious.
When he came to, he said, “Why do you ill-treat me so?”
They answered, “Even if no one has told you, you are going to find out now what you have done,” and then they brought up the charges against him. He denied them and prayed to let God and Holy King Óláf judge between them. Then they broke the bone in one of his legs. Thereupon they dragged him into the forest and tied his hands behind his back. Then they put a rope around his head and a board under his shoulders and his head and inserted a pin to tighten the rope with. Then Einar took a peg and set it on the eye of the priest. The servant stood over him and struck down with his axe, knocking out the eye so that it dropped into his beard. Then they set the peg on the other eye and said to the servant, “Don’t strike quite so hard.” He did so. Then the peg glanced off the eyeball and tore loose the eyelid. Then Einar took hold of the eyelid with his hand and held it up and saw that the eyeball still was in place. Then he set the peg outside on the cheek bone, the servant struck, and the eyeball fell down on the cheek bone where it was most prominent. Next they opened his mouth, pulled his tongue out, and cut it off. Then they undid his hands and his head. As soon as he regained his senses it occurred to him to lay the eyeballs under the brows in their proper places and to hold them there with both hands the best he could.
They carried him to the boat and brought him to the farm which is called Sæheimrud, where they landed. They sent a man to the farm to tell the people that a priest lay there on the strand by the boat. While the man they had sent was gone they asked the priest if he could speak, and he wagged his tongue to and fro, trying to speak. Then Einar said to his brother, “If he recovers and the stump of his tongue heals, it occurs to me that he might speak again.” Then they took hold of the stub of the tongue with tongs, pulled it out, cut it two ways, and down into the roots of it the third time, and left him there half dead.
The mistress of the farm was poor, yet she and her daughter went straightway and carried him home in their cloaks. Then they went to fetch a priest, and when he came he bandaged all his wounds, and they tried to relieve him the best they could. He lay there then, that priest, sorely mutilated and in a pitiful condition. But he lived aye in hopes of God’s grace, never misdoubting it; and though bereft of speech he prayed to God in his thoughts and with a sorrowful heart, and all the more confidently the worse off he was. He turned his thoughts to that gracious king, Saint Óláf, God’s holy man, having before heard told much of his glorious works and believing therefore all the more firmly, and with all his heart, that he would help him in his need. And as he lay there, maimed and bereft of all strength, he wept sorely, sighing, and with a sad heart prayed to glorious King Óláf to help him.
Now after midnight the sorely ill-treated priest fell asleep, when he thought he saw a noble-looking man come up to him and say to him, “Cruelly have you been maltreated, friend Richard, and I see that your strength is all gone.” He believed he agreed. Then the man said to him, “You are indeed in need of mercy.”
The priest replied, “I would indeed need the mercy of Almighty God and of Holy King Óláf.”
The other said, “And that you shall have indeed.” Thereupon he took hold of the stump of his tongue and pulled it so hard that the priest felt terrible pain. Thereupon with his hand he stroked him about the eyes and legs and other parts that were sore. Then the priest asked who he was. The man looked at him and sai
d, “I am Óláf from north in Trondheim,” and disappeared.
But the priest awoke, entirely recovered, and straightway said, “Blessed am I; thanks to God and to Holy King Óláf. He has healed me.” And however cruelly he had before been maltreated, now he quickly received comfort for all his mistreatment, and it seemed to him that he had neither been wounded nor ailing—his tongue was whole, his eyes were both in place, his leg as well as all the other parts were healed and smarted no longer, and he was in the best of health. But as a mark that his eyes had been gouged out, a white scar appeared on both his eyelids, so that the might of this glorious king should be shown in the man who had been so pitiably maltreated.
Chapter 26. The Kings Eystein and Sigurth Conspire against King Ingi
Eystein and Sigurth had fallen out for the reason that King Sigurth had slain a courtier of King Eystein, a man called Harald of Vík, who owned a house in Bergen, and another man, Priest Jón Taparth, the son of Bjarni Sigurtharson. On account of this the kings arranged for a meeting in winter in the Uppland District to come to an agreement. The two had a long session discussing the matter, and the upshot of their talks was that all three brothers were to meet the following summer in Bergen. And the two were also agreed that King Ingi should have only two or three estates and enough property otherwise so as to be able to have thirty men about him; and they were of the opinion that he was not hale enough to be king. Ingi and Grégóríús learned of this and proceeded to Bergen with a large force of men. Sigurth arrived a little later, with a force considerably smaller. By that time Ingi and Sigurth had been kings over Norway for nineteen years. Eystein arrived later, from Vík in the east, whereas the other two had come from the north. Then King Ingi had the trumpets blown for the assembly on the Hólm, and both Sigurth and Ingi came there, together with a great host of men. Grégóríús had two warships and ninety or more men whom he provided for at his own expense. He kept his housecarls better than other landed-men, never drinking at entertainments unless all his housecarls were served too. He went to the assembly with a gilded helmet, and all his following was helmeted. King Ingi arose and told people what he had heard—how his brothers wanted to deal with him, and asked for their support. His speech was well received by the multitude, and they declared they would follow him.
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