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Heimskringla

Page 93

by Snorri Sturluson


  Chapter 18. Markús and Sigurth Are Captured and Slain

  As soon as Erling Skakki learned that Markús had marched north, he himself proceeded north to Vík and soon collected numerous troops and also had many and large ships. However, when he set out from Vík, he had contrary winds, and put in here and there in harbors all that summer. Now when Markús’ fleet arrived east [south] at Listi he learned that Erling had a tremendous force in Vík, so he turned back north. And when they arrived in Horthaland, they planned to sail in to Bergen; but when they approached the town, Níkolás with his fleet rowed against them, with more and bigger ships. Then Markús saw no other way out but to row away southward. Some of his ships sailed out to sea, some to the sounds, some into the fjords. Markús himself and a part of his force sought refuge on an island called Skarpa. Níkolás and his men captured their ships and gave quarter to Jón Hallkelsson and a few others but slew most of them they got hold of. A few days later Eindrithi Heithafylja found Sigurth and Markús and brought them to Bergen. There, they beheaded Sigurth outside Grav Dale, and hanged Markús and another man on Hvarfsness.1 That was at Michaelmas 1163 [September 29th]. Thereupon the band which had followed them dispersed.

  Chapter 19. Erling Avenges Himself on the Men of Hísing

  Frírek Kœna, Bjarni the Evil, Onund Símunarson, and Ornólf Skorpa had rowed out to sea with several ships, and kept outside the skerries, sailing east along the land. And wherever they touched land, they ransacked and killed the friends of Erling. But when Erling had learned of the execution of Markús and Sigurth he gave his landed-men and the men of the levy leave to depart home. He himself sailed with his force east across the Foldenfjord, for he had heard that Markús’ men were there. He sailed to Konungahella, remaining there during the fall. In the first week of winter [the week following October 14th] he proceeded with a large force to the island of Hísing, and there demanded to have an assembly [with the inhabitants]. The people of Hísing complied and came to the assembly. Erling upbraided them for their having joined Markús’ band and raised arms against him. Ozur, the most powerful of the farmers, spoke in their defense. The assembly lasted long, but finally the farmers gave Erling the right to pass judgment in the matter. He appointed a meeting with them after a week’s time in the town and named fifteen of the farmers who were to appear there. And when they came, Erling passed sentence on them to pay a penalty of three hundred [360] head of cattle. The farmers returned home greatly put out.

  A little while later, the river froze over and Erling’s ships were ice-bound. Then the farmers held back the payment and gathered for a while [as though prepared to fight]. Erling got ready for the Yule banquet. But the men of Hísing had a joint drinking bout and kept their flock together. The night after the fifth day of Yule [December 29th], Erling marched to the 1163 island, surrounded the house of Ozur and burned him inside. Altogether he killed a hundred men and burned down three farms before returning to Konungahella. Then the farmers came to him and paid the penalty.

  Chapter 20. Erling Captures the Remnants of Markús’ Band

  Early in spring, Erling Skakki got ready his ships as soon as the 1164 condition of the ice allowed, and sailed from Konungahella. He had heard that some bands which had been part of Markús’ force were harrying north in Vík. Erling reconnoitered where they were and went to search them out. He came upon them where they had anchored in a certain harbor. Onund Símunarson and Ornólf Skorpa escaped, but Frírek Kœna and Bjarni the Evil were captured and many of their men killed. Erling had Frírek lashed to an anchor and cast overboard. For this deed Erling earned much hate by the people of the Trondheim District, for Frírek was connected with the most eminent families there. Bjarni, Erling had hanged; and before his execution, Bjarni uttered the foulest indecencies, as was his wont. As says Thorbjorn Skakkaskáld:

  (233.)

  601. East of the fjord, Erling

  erstwhile to death did vikings—

  many a man by Kœna

  murdered lay—in East Fold.

  An anchor fluke to Frírek

  fastened was; and high up

  above him, evil Bjarni’s

  body dangled from tree-limb.

  Onund and Ornólf, with the men who had escaped, fled to Denmark, but sometimes came to Gautland or Vík.

  Chapter 21. Erling and Archbishop Eystein Have High Words

  Afterwards, Erling Skakki proceeded to Túnsberg and dwelled there for a long time in spring. But when summer approached, he proceeded north [west] to Bergen. A great multitude of people was there at that time. There was the papal legate Stephanus from Rome and Archbishop Eystein, and other Norwegian bishops. There was also Bishop Brand, who was consecrated at that time to officiate in Iceland. There was also Jón Loptsson, a daughter’s son of King Magnús Barelegs. At that time King Magnús [Erlingsson] and other kinsfolk of Jón acknowledged relationship to him.

  Archbishop Eystein and Erling Skakki frequently conversed privately with one another. And one time in their conversation Erling asked, “Is it true, my lord, what people say, that you have increased the value of the dues owing to you from the farmers in the north of the land?”

  The archbishop answered, “To be sure it is true that the farmers have conceded to me an increase in the value of the dues owing to me. They did so of their own accord and under no compulsion from me, and have by so doing increased God’s glory and the wealth of the see.”

  Erling said, “Are these the laws of Holy King Óláf, my lord, or have you proceeded somewhat more harshly than is warranted by the laws?”

  The archbishop replied, “It is likely that Holy King Óláf gave his laws so that he had the agreement and consent of all the people, but there is nothing said in them about forbidding to increase the rights of God.”

  Erling replied, “If you wish to increase your rights, then you will wish to help us to increase the king’s rights as much.”

  The archbishop said, “You have increased even now amply the name and power of your son. And if I have unlawfully taken an increase in the value of the dues from the people of Trondheim, I consider it an even greater breach of the law that he is king over the land who is not a king’s son. For that there is neither law nor parallel in this country.”

  Erling said, “At the time Magnús was chosen king of the dominion of Norway, that was done with your knowledge and consent, as well as with that of the other bishops in the land.”

  The archbishop said, “This you promised at the time, Erling, that if we gave our consent to Magnús being elected king, you were to strengthen God’s rights in all places and with all your might.”

  “I do acknowledge,” said Erling, “that I promised to maintain God’s law as well as the laws of the land with all my, and the king’s, power. But now, instead of our accusing one the other of breach of promise, I consider it wiser that we both stick to our agreements. Do you strengthen King Magnús in his power, as you promised, and in return I shall strengthen yours in all matters profitable to you.”

  Thereupon all conversation between them took a more amicable turn. Then Erling said, “If it is so that Magnús was not chosen king according to ancient custom in our land, then you can with your authority give him the crown according to God’s law and anoint him for the royal power. And though I be not king or of the royal race, yet most of the kings I remember did not know the laws and customs of the land as well as I. But King Magnús’ mother is a king’s daughter and lawfully begotten, and thus Magnús is a queen’s son and the son of a lawful wife. And if you will consecrate him king, then no one may later depose him. William the Bastard was not a king’s son, yet he was consecrated and crowned king of England, and the royal power has remained in his line in England, and all have been crowned. Svein Úlfsson of Denmark was not a king’s son, yet he was crowned king, and his sons after him, and each of his successors in that line was a crowned king. There is now in our land an archiepiscopal see. That is a great honor and a glory for our country. Let us increase its dignit
y even more with gifts, and let us have a crowned king as have Englishmen and Danes.”

  King Magnús Erlingsson receives homage.

  Later, the archbishop brought this matter up before the papal legate, and easily got him to agree with him. Following that, the archbishop called a meeting with the suffragan bishops and other clerics, explaining the matter to them, and all answered with one accord, declaring their agreement with what the archbishop desired; and all urged that the consecration be carried out, as soon as they understood that this was the archbishop’s wish. Then everyone agreed to it.

  Chapter 22. Magnús Is Crowned King by the Archbishop

  Erling Skakki had a great banquet prepared in the great royal hall, which was hung with costly stuffs and tapestries and outfitted at very great expense. Both his following and all retainers were entertained there, with a great number of guests and many chieftains present. Magnús was then 1164 consecrated as king by Archbishop Eystein,1 and at the coronation there were present five other bishops, the papal legate, and a multitude of clerics. Erling Skakki, together with twelve landed-men and the king swore oaths to obey the laws. And on the day on which the coronation took place, the king and Erling had as their guests the archbishop, the papal legate, and all the bishops, and that banquet was a most splendid one. Both father and son gave [the guests] many magnificent presents. At that time King Magnús was eight years old and had been king for three years.

  Chapter 23. King Valdamar Reminds Erling of Their Agreement

  Valdamar, the king of the Danes, now had learned the tidings from Norway that by this time Magnús was sole king. All other opposing forces in the country had, by that time, been dispersed. Then King Valdamar sent messengers with letters to King Magnús and Erling, reminding them of the special agreement which Erling had made with King Valdamar, as was written above, that King Valdamar should have possession of Vík west to Rýgjarbit if Magnús became sole king of Norway. But when the messengers appeared at Erling’s court and showed Erling the letters of the Danish king and he understood the claims Valdamar made on Norway, he brought this matter up before other men with whom he was wont to confer, and they said with one accord that never should the Danes have a share of Norway, because everyone said that those times had been the worst in the land when the Danes had power over Norway. The messengers of the Danish king discussed their business with Erling, requesting him to come to a decision. Erling invited them to come east to Vík with him in the fall, saying that he would then arrive at a decision after he had spoken with the wisest men in Vík.

  Chapter 24. The People of Vík Refuse to be Subjects of Denmark

  In fall, Erling Skakki proceeded east to Vík and made his residence in Túnsberg. He sent messengers to Borg and had them call together an assembly of four districts. Thereupon Erling proceeded to Borg with his following. And when the assembly was gathered, Erling spoke and told what agreements had been made with the Danish king at the time Erling and his friends had first gathered forces. “And I am willing,” he said, “to keep all the agreements we made at that time if that meets with your wishes and has the consent of you farmers, to be subject to the king of Denmark, rather than to the king who has been consecrated and crowned to govern this land.”

  The farmers made answer to Erling, saying, “On no account will we be subjects of the Danish king while one of us men of Vík is alive.” Then the whole crowd tumultuously shouted and cried out and begged Erling not to break the oaths he had sworn before to all the people—“to defend your son’s land, and we shall all follow you.” And so the assembly dissolved.

  Thereupon the emissaries of the Danish king returned south to Denmark and told about the outcome of their errand as it had turned out. The Danes heaped many reproaches on Erling and all Norwegians, saying that only evil was to be expected of them. The rumor spread that the Danish king would muster an army in spring in order to harry in Norway. In the fall, Erling journeyed north [west] to Bergen. He resided there during the winter and paid out his men.

  Chapter 25. King Valdamar Suborns the People of Trondheim

  That winter some Danes travelled over the mountains, alleging that—as frequently was the case—they wanted to keep vigil at the shrine of Holy King Óláf. But when they arrived in the District of Trondheim, they sought out many influential men and then revealed their errand, which was that the king of Denmark had sent them to seek their friendship and ask for their welcome if he came to the land; and that in return he promised to give them both power and money. Accompanying this message was the letter and the seal of the Danish king, as also the request that the yeomen should in return send their letter and seal. They did so, and most of them turned a favorable ear to the message of the Danish king. His emissaries returned east [south] as Lent wore on.

  Erling resided in Bergen, and as spring arrived his friends told 1165 him the rumor which they had heard from merchantmen who had arrived south from Trondheim, that the people there showed open enmity to him and that they had given notice at their assembly that if Erling ever came to Trondheim he would not round Agthaness alive. Erling said that these were false rumors and nonsense. He announced that he would sail south to Unarheim1 for the assembly held there during Rogation Week [May 11th], and he ordered to be made ready a swift sailing ship of twenty rowers’ benches, a skiff of fifteen rowers’ benches, and also a merchant ship with provisions. And when these were ready, there arose a brisk wind from the south. On Tuesday during Rogation Week Erling had trumpet signals given that the crews were to repair to the ships, but the men were unwilling to leave the town and thought it was hard to pull against the wind. Erling put into Bishop’s Harbor to the north. There Erling spoke to the men, “You complain bitterly to have to row against the wind. Now go ahead and raise the masts, hoist the sails, and let us proceed to the north.” They did so, and sailed day and night to the north. On Wednesday in the evening they rounded Agthaness. Then they encountered a large assembly of ships—merchantmen, rowboats, and skiffs, with folks going [to the town] 1165 on Ascension Day [May 13th]—some went ahead of them, some followed. The townspeople for that reason paid no attention to the warships [coming in with them].

  Chapter 26. Erling Mulcts the People of Trondheim

  Erling Skakki arrived in the town at the time when matins were being said in Christ Church. He and his troops ran up into the town and they were told that Álf Hrothi, the son of Óttar Birting, a landed-man, was still at table, drinking with his followers. Erling fell upon them and killed him and most of his men. Few others were slain as most people had gone to church. That was in the night before Ascension. Early next morning Erling gave the signal for all the troops to assemble at Eyrar, and at this assembly Erling accused the people of Trondheim of treason against the king and himself, and named in particular Bárth Standali, Pál Andréásson, and Raza-Bárth—he was the king’s treasurer for the town—and also many others. They replied, trying to clear themselves of the accusation.

  Then arose Erling’s chaplain, and held up many letters and seals, and asked them if they recognized their seals which that spring they had sent to the Danish king. And the letters were read aloud. There were present also, in Erling’s company, those Danes who in winter had gone about [with these letters]. It was Erling who had got them to do that; and they spoke before the people the words of each of them. “Those were your words, Raza-Bárth, and you beat your breast. And out of your breast came all these machinations, to begin with.”

  Bárth replied, “Out of my mind I was, my lord, when I spoke thus.” There was no other way out for them than to let Erling be sole judge in this whole business. Then he forthwith took an immense amount of money from many [as punishment] and let all those who had been slain lie unatoned. Then he returned south to Bergen.

  Chapter 27. King Valdamar Returns to Denmark

  That spring, King Valdamar assembled a large fleet in Denmark, and with it sailed north to Vík. As soon as he arrived in the dominions of the king of Norway, the farmers gathered in gre
at multitudes. The king [and his force] proceeded peaceably and quietly, but wherever they approached the mainland, people shot at them, even though there were only one or two of them, so the Danes understood the complete ill will of the people toward them. Now when they came to Túnsberg, King Valdamar called an assembly on Haugar Hill, but few or no one came to it from the countryside. Then King Valdamar spoke as follows: “It is easy to see that all the people of this country are against us. Now we have two alternatives, one to harry in the country and spare neither man nor beast; the other, to return south without having accomplished anything. And I am inclined rather to sail into the Baltic to heathen lands, of which there are plenty, and not kill Christians here, even though they have richly deserved it.” But all others [in his army] were eager to harry. Nevertheless the king prevailed, so that they returned south. Yet they plundered far and wide in outer islands and everywhere, whenever the king was not present. They sailed south to Denmark.

  Chapter 28. Erling Pursues the Danish Fleet

  When Erling Skakki learned that an army of Danes had arrived in Vík, he called for a general levy throughout the country, both of ships and men. That resulted in a great rush to arms, and with that host he sailed east along the land. But when he arrived at Cape Lithandisness he learned that the Danish fleet had returned south to Denmark, and that there had been much harrying in the Vík District. Then Erling gave all the levied army permission to return home. But he himself and some landed-men and a great fleet sailed south to Jutland to pursue the Danes. And when they arrived at the place called Dýrsá, he found there numerous Danish ships returning from the expedition. Erling attacked them and fought with them. The Danes quickly fled, losing many men, and Erling and his troops plundered the ships and also the market town. They obtained a tremendous 1165 amount of booty, and then returned to Norway. Then for a time there were hostilities between Norway and Denmark.

 

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