among ourselves about it."

Then the people went to their tent-houses; and the
Northland people had a meeting among themselves, and
talked over the business, and every one spoke according
to his judgment. Gudmund supported the matter, and
many others formed their opinions by his. Then some
asked why his brother Einar did not speak on the subject.
"We think he has the clearest insight into most things."

Einar answers, "I have said so little about the matter
because nobody has asked me about it; but if I may give
my opinion, our countrymen might just as well make
themselves at once liable to land-scat to King Olaf, and
submit to all his exactions as he has them among his
people in Norway ; and this heavy burden we will lay not
only upon ourselves, but on our sons, and their sons, and
all our race, and on all the community dwelling and living
in this land, which never after will be free from this
slavery. Now although this king is a good man, as I
well believe him to be, yet it must be hereafter, when
kings succeed each other, that some will be good, and some
bad. Therefore if the people of this country will preserve
the freedom they have enjoyed since the land was first
inhabited, it is not advisable to give the king the smallest
spot to fasten himself upon the country by, and not to

459



THE HEIMSKRINGLA

give him any kind of scat or service that can have the
api^earance of a duty. On the other hand, I think it very
pn.)i>er that the people send the king sucli friendly presents
of hawks or horses, tents or sails, or such things which
are suitable gifts; and these are well appHed if they are
repaid with friendship. But as to Grimsey Isle, I have
to say, that although nothing is drawn from it that can
serve for food, yet it could support a great war-force
cruising from thence in long-ships ; and then, I doubt not,
there would be distress enough at every poor peasant's
door."

When Einar haci thus explained tne proper connection
of the matter, the whole community were of one mind
that such a thing should not be permitted ; and Thorarin
saw sufificiently well what the result of his errand w-as
to be.

135. THE ANSW^ER OE THE ICELANDERS.

The day following, Thorarin went again to the Lawhill,
and brought forward his errand in the following words:
— "King Olaf sends his message to his friends here in the
country, among whom he reckons Gudmund Eyjolfson,
Snorre Gode, Thorkel Eyjolfson, Skapte the lagman, and
Thorstein Halson, and desires them by me to come to him
on a friendly visit; and adds, that ye must not excuse
yourselves, if you regard his friendship as worth any-
tning." In their answer 'they thanked the king for his
message and added, that they would afterwards give a
reply to it by Thorarin when they had more closely con-
sidered the matter with their friends. The chiefs now

460



SAGA OF OLAF IIARALDSON

weighed the matter among- themselves, and eacli gave his
oun opinion about the journey. Snorre and Skapte dis-
suaded from such a dangerous proceeding with the people
of Norway ; namely, that all the men who had the most
to say in the countiy should at once leave Iceland. They
added, that from this message, and from what lunar had
said, they had the suspicion that the king intended to use
force and strong measures against the Icelanders if he
ruled in the country. Gudmund and Thorkel I^yjolfson
insisted much that they should follow King Olaf's invita-
tion, and called it a journey of honour. But when they
had considered the matter on all sides, it was at last
resolved that they should not travel themselves, but that
each of them should send in his place a man whom they
thought best suited for it. After this determination the
Thing was closed, and there was no journey that sum-
mer. Thorarin made two voyages that summer, and
about harvest was back again at King Olaf's, and reported
the result of his mission, and that some of the chiefs, or
their sons, would come from Iceland according to his
message.

136. — OF THE PEOPIyl^ OF THE FAREY ISLANDS.

The same summer (1024) there came from the Farey
Islands to Norway, on the king's invitation, Gille the lag-
man, Leif Ossurson, Thoralf of Dimun, and many other
bondes' sons. Thord of Gata made himself ready for the
voyage; but just as he was setting out he got a stroke of
palsy, and could not come, so he remained behind. Now

8 461



THE HEIMSKRINGLA

^vhell the people from the Farey Isles arrived at King
Olaf's, he called them to him to a conference, and ex-
plained the purix)se of the journey he had made them
take, namely, that he would have scat from the Farey
Islands, and also that the people there should be subject
to the laws which the king should give them. In that
meoting it appeared from the king's words that he would
make the Farey people who had come answerable, and
would bind them by oath to conclude this union. He
also offered to the men whom he thought the ablest to take
them into his service, and bestow honour and friendship
on them. These Farey men understood the king's words
so, that they must dread the turn the matter might take if
they did not submit to all that the king desired. Although
they held several meetings about the business before it
ended, the king's desire at last prevailed. Leif, Gille, and
Thoralf went into the king's service, and became his court-
men ; and they, with all their travelling companions, swore
the oath to King Olaf, that the law and land privilege
which he set them should be observed in the Farey Islands,
and also the scat be levied that he laid upon them. There-
after the Farey people prepared for their return home, and
at their departure the king gave those who had entered
into his service presents in testimony of his friendship, and
they went their way. Now the king ordered a ship to be
rigged, manned it, and sent men to the Farey Islands to
receive the scat from the inhabitants which they should
pay him. It was late before they were ready ; but they set
ofif at last : and of their journey all that is to be told is,
that they did not come back, and no scat either, the fol-

462



SAGA OF OLAF HARALDSON

lowing summer; for nobody had come to the Farey Isles,
and no man had demanded scat there.

137. — OF TIIK MARRIAGE OF KETlIy AND OE TlIORD TO TllE

king's sisters.

King Olaf proceeded about harvest time to Viken, and
sent a message before him to the Uplands that they should
prepare guest-quarters for him, as he intended to be there
in winter. Afterwards he made ready for his journey, and
went to the Uplands, and remained the winter there; going
about in guest-quarters, and putting things to rights
where he saw it needful, advancing also the cause of
Christianity wheresoever it was requisite. It happened
uhile King Olaf was in Hedemark that Ketil Kalf of
Ringanes courted Gunhild, a daughter of Sigurd Syr
and of King Olaf's mother Asta. Gunhild was a sister
of King Olaf, and therefore it belonged to the king to give
consent and determination to the business. He took it in
a friendly way; for he know Ketil, that he was of high
birth, wealthy, and of good understanding, and a great
chief; and also he had long been a great friend of King
Olaf, as before related. All these circumstances induced
the king to approve of the match, and so it was that Ketil
got Gunhild. King Olaf was present at the wedding.
From thence the king went north to Gudbrandsdal, where
he was entertained in guest-quarters. There dwelt a
man, by name Thord Guthormson, on a farm called
Steig; and he was the most powerful man in the north
end of the valley. \Mien Thord and the king met, Thord

463



THE HEIMSKRINCLA

made proposals for Isrid, the daughter of Gudbrand, and
the sister of King Olaf's mother, as it belonged to the
kino- to srive consent. After the matter was considered, it
was determined that the marriage should proceed, and
Thord eot Isrid. Afterwards Thord was the king's
faithful friend, and also many of Thord's relations and
fnends. who followed his footsteps. From thence King-
Ola f returned south tli rough Thoten and Hadaland, from
thence to Ringerike, and so to Viken. In spring (1025)
he went to Tunsberg, and stayed there while there was
the market-meeting, and a great resort of people. He
then had his vessels rigged out, and had many people
about him.

138. OF THE ICEI.ANDERS.

The same summer (1025) came Stein, a son of the
lagman Skapte, from Iceland, in compliance with King
01af'"s message; and with him Thorod, a son of Snorre
the gode, and Geller, a son of Thorkel Eyjolfson, and
Egil. a son of Hal of Sida, brother of Thorstein Hal.
Gudmund Eyjolfson had died the winter before. These
Iceland men repaired to King Olaf as soon as they had
opportunity ; and when they met the king they were well
received, and all were in his house. The same summer
King Olaf heard that the ship was missing which he had
sent the summer before to the Farey Islands after the
scat, and nobody knew what had become of it. The king
fitted out another ship, manned it. and sent it to the F'arey
Islands for the scat. They got under weigh, and pro-

464



SAGA OF OLAP HARALDSON

ceeded to sea ; but as little was ever heard of this vessel as
of the former one, and many conjectures were made about
what had become of them.

139, — HHRK BEGINS THE STORY OE CANUTE THE GREAT.

During this time Canute the Great, called by some
Canute the Old, was king of England and Denmark.
Canute the Great was a son of Svein Haraldson Forked-
beard, whose forefathers, for a long course of genera-
tions, had ruled over Denmark. Harald Gormson,
Canute's grandfather, had conquered Norway after the
fall of Harald Grafeld, Gunhild's son, had taken scat
from it, and had placed Earl Hakon the Great to defend
the country. The Danish King, Svein Haraldson, ruled
also over Norway, and placed his son-in-law Earl Eirik,
the son of Earl Hakon, to defend the country. The
brothers Eirik and Svein, Earl Hakon's sons, ruled the
land until Earl Eirik went west to England, on the invi-
tation of his brother-in-law Canute the Great, when he
left behind his son Earl Hakon, sister's son of Canute the
Great, to govern Norway. But when Olaf the Thick
came first to Norway, as before related, he took prisoner
Earl Hakon the son of Eirik, and deposed him from the
kingdom. Then Hakon proceeded to his mother's
brother, Canute the Great, and had been with him con-
stantly until the time to which here in our saga wc h:ivc
now come. Canute the Great had conquered England
by blows and weapons, and had a long struggle before
the people of the land were subdued. But when he had

465



THE HEIMSKRINGLA

set himself perfectly firm in the government of the coun-
trv. he remembered that he also had right to a kingdom
which he had not brought under liis authority ; and that
was Norway. He thought he had hereditary right to all
Norway; and his sister's son Hakon, who had held a part
of it. apjieared to him to have lost it witli disgrace. The
reason why Canute and Hakon had remained quiet with
respect to their claims upon Norway was, that when King
Olaf Haraldson landed in Norw-ay the people and com-
monalty ran together in crowds, and would hear of noth-
ing but that Olaf should be king over all the country,
although some afterwards, who thought that the people
upon account of his power had no self-government left to
them, went out of the country. ]\Iany powerful men, or
rich bondes' sons, had therefore gone to Canute the
Great, and pretended various errands ; and every one who
came to Canute and desired his friendship was loaded
with presents. With Canute, too, could be seen greater
splendour and pomp than elsewhere, both with regard to
the multitude of people who were daily in attendance, and
also to the other magnificent things about the houses he
owned and dwelt in himself. Canute the Great drew scat
and revenue from the people who were the richest of all
in northern lands; and in the same proportion as he had
greater revenues than other kings, he also made greater
presents than other kings. In his whole kingdom peace
was so well established, that no man dared break it. The
people of the country kept the peace towards each other,
and had their old country law : and for this he was
greatly celebrated in all countries. And many of those

466



SAGA OF OLAF IIARALDSON

who came from Norway represented their hardships to
Earl Ilakon, and some even to King Canute himself ; and
that the Norway people were ready to turn back to the
government of King Canute, or Earl Ilakon, and receive
deliverance from them. This conversation suited well the
earl's inclination, and he carried it to the king, and begged
of him to try if King Olaf would not surrender the king-
dom, or at least come to an agreement to divide it; and
many supported the earl's views.

140. — Canute's message to king olae.

Canute the Great sent men from the West, from Eng-
land, to Norway, and equipped them magnificently for
the journey. They were bearers of the English king
Canute's letter and seal. They came about spring (1025)
to the king of Norway, Olaf Haraldson, in Tunsberg.
Now when it was told the king that ambassadors had
arrived from Canute the Great he was ill at ease, and said
that Canute had not sent messengers hither with any
messages tliat could be of advantage to him or his people ;
and it was some days before the ambassadors could come
before the king. But when they got permission to speak
to him they appeared before the king, and made known
King Canute's letter, and their errand which accompanied
it; namely, "that King Canute considers all Norway as
his property, and insists that his forefathers before him
have possessed that kingdom ; but as King Canute offers
peace to all countries, he will also offer peace to all here,
if it can be so settled, and will not invade Norway with
his army if it can be avoided. Now if King Olaf Harald-

467



THE HEIMSKRINGLA



son wishes to remain king of Norway, he will come to
King Canute, and receive his kingdom as a fief from him,
become his vassal, and pay the scat which the earls before
him formerly paid." Thereupon they presented their let-
ters, which contained precisely the same conditions.

Then King Olaf rqolies, "I have heard say, by old
stories, that the Danish king Gorm was considered but a
small king of a few people, for he ruled over Denmark
alone; but the kings who succeeded him thought that was
too little. It has since come so far that King Canute
rules over Denmark and England, and has conquered for
himself a great part of Scotland. Now' he claims also
my paternal heritage, and will then show some moder-
ation in his covetousness. Does he wish to rule over all
the countries of the North? \\'ill he eat up all the kail
in England ? He shall do so, and reduce that country to
a desert, before I lay my head in his hands, or show him
any other kind of vassalage. Now ye shall tell him these
my words, — I will defend Norway with battle-axe and
sword as long as life is given me, and will pay scat to no
man for my kingdom."

After this answer King Canute's ambassadors made
themselves ready for their journey home, and were by no
means rejoiced at the success of their errand.

SigA'at the skald had been with King Canute, who had
given him a gold ring that weighed half a mark. The
skald Bcrse Skaldtorfason was also there, and to him
King Canute gave two gold rings, each weighing two
marks, and l)esides a sword inlaid with gold. Sigvat
made this song about it : —

468



. \N iji come i;

<''ef from him,

earls before

ted their 1; '

-ditions.

H say, by old

-idered but a

, over Denmark

lous^ht that V,

,ang Camr

s conquered .â– 

he claims al

V some moder-
MD ON SCOTLAND'S CO^ST.,^ ^^^^

'^ ^'"^ up all the k

jit of .-

. ._ ^ .. ci^'dyFti- ,

.hinder any ship >pas^5ti|rl \^ iTnKleiii

id and^^Spr^tl^^ilgaftk^i^ganc



ently kept as slaves.

^adors mad<



and were by nf

anute, who li
\ a mark,
re, and to i'

, V, ;M•J■'^l^■



SAGA OF OLAF HARALDSON

"Whf-n wp camo o'er the wave, you Pour marks to thee, —

tub, whiMi we came o'er the wave, A sword too, fine and brave.

To me one ring, to thee two rings, Now (Jod knows well,

the mighty Canute gave : And skalds can tell,
One mark to me. What justice hero would crave."

Sigvat the skald was very intimate with King Canute's
messengers, and asked them many questions. They
answered all his inquiries about their conversation with
King Olaf, and the result of their message. They said
the king listened unwillingly to their proposals. "And
we do not know," say they, "to what he is trusting when
he refuses iDecoming King Canute's vassal, and going to
him. which would be the best thing he could do; for King
Canute is so mild that however much a chief may have
done against him, he is pardoned if he only show himself
obedient. It is but lately that two kings came to him
from the North, from Fife in Scotland, and he gave up
his wrath against them, and allowed them to retain all
the lands they had [XDssessed before, and gave them be-
sides very valuable gifts." Then Sigvat sang: —

"From the North land, the midst of May he, our gallant Norse king,

Fife, never

Two kings came begging peace and Be brought, like these, his head t«

life ; offer

Craving from Canute life and As ransom to a living man

pcaro, — For the broad lands his sword has

May Olaf 's good luck never cease ! won."

King Canute's ambassadors proceeded on their way
back, and had a favourable breeze across the sea. They
came to King Canute, and told him the result of their
errand, and King Olaf's last words. King Canute replies,
"King Olaf guesses wrong, if he thinks 1 shall eat up all
the kail ill England; for I will let him see that there is
something else than kail under my ribs, and cold kail it
shall be for him." The same summer (1025) Aslak and

469



THE HEIMSKRINGLA

Skjalg. the sons of Erling of Jadar, came from Norway
to King Canute, and were well received; for Aslak was
married to Sigrid, a daughter of Earl Svein Hakonson,
and she and Earl Hakon Eirikson were brothers' children.
King Canute gave these brothers great fiefs over there,
and they stood in great favour.

141. KING OLAF's alliance WITH ONUND THE KING Gf

SVITHJOD.

King Olaf summoned to him all the lendermen, and
had a great many people about him this summer (1025),
for a report was abroad that King Canute would come
from England. People had heard from merchant ves-
sels that Canute was assembling a great army in
England. When summer was advanced, some affirmed
and others denied that the army would come. King
Olaf was all summer in Viken, and had spies out
to learn if Canute was come to Denmark. In autumn
(1025) he sent messengers eastward to Svithjod to his
brother-in-law King Onund, and let him know Kiog
Canute's demand upon Norway; adding, that, in his
opinion, if Canute subdued Norway, King Onund would
not long enjoy the Swedish dominions in peace. He
thought it advisable, therefore, that they should unite
for their defence. "And then," said he, "we will have
strength enough to hold out against Canute." King
Onund received King Olaf's message favourably, and
replied to it, that he for his part would make common
cause with King Olaf, so that each of them should stand

470



SAGA OF OLAF HARALDSON

by the one who first required help with nil the strength of
his kingdom. In these messages between them it was
also determined that they should have a meeting, and
consult with each other. The following winter (1026)
King Onund intended to travel across West Gautland, and
King Olaf made preparations for taking his winter abode
at Sarpsborg.

142, — KING Canute's ambassadors to onund oi^

SVITIIJOD.

In autumn King Canute the Great came to Denmark,
and remained there all winter (1026) with a numerous
army. It was told him that ambassadors with messages
had been passing between the Swedish and Norwegian
kings, and that some great plans must be concerting be-
tween them. In winter King Canute sent messengers to
Svithjod, to King Onund, with great gifts and messages
of friendship. He also told Onund that he might sit
altogether quiet in this strife between him and Olaf the
Thick; "for thou, Onund," says he, "and thy kingdom,
shall l)c in peace as far as I am concerned." When the
ambassadors came to King Onund they presented the gifts
which King Canute sent him, together with the friendly
message. King Onund did not hear their speech very
willingly, and the ambassadors could observe that King
Onund was most inclined to a friendship with King Olaf.
They returned accordingly, and told King Canute the
result of their errand, and told him not to depend much
upon the friendship of King Onund.

471



THE IIEIMSKRINGLA
14;3, — XIIIC EXPEDITION TO BJARMAIvAND.

This winter (102G) King Olaf sat in Sarpsborg, and
was surrounded by a very great army of people. He sent
the Halogalander Karle to the north country upon his
business. Karle went first to the Uplands, then across
the Dovrefield, and came down to Nidaros, where he
received as much money as he had the king's order for,
together with a good ship, such as he thought suitable for
the voyage which the king had ordered him upon; and
that was to proceed north to Bjarmaland. It was settled
that the king should be in partnership with Karle, and
each of them have the half of the profit. Early in spring
Karle directed his course to Halogaland, where his
brother Gunstein prepared to accompany him, having his
own merchant goods with him. There were about
twenty-five men in the ship; and in spring they sailed
north to Finmark. \Mien Thorer Hund heard this, he
sent a man to the brothers with the verbal message that
he intended in summer to go to Bjarmaland, and that he
would sail w^ith them, and that they should divide wdiat
booty they made equally between them. Karle sent him
back the message that Thorer must have twenty-five men
as they had, and they w^ere willing to divide the booty
that might be taken equally, but not the merchant goods
which each had for himself. When Thorer's messenger
came back he had i)ut a stout long-ship he owned into the
water, and rigged it, and he had put eighty men on board
of his house-servants. Thorer alone had the command
over this crew, and he alone had all the goods they might

472



SAGA OF OLAF HARALDSO^

rxquire on the cruise. When Thorcr was ready for sea
he set out northwards along- the coast, and found Karle a
h"ttle north of Sandver. They then proceeded with good
wind. Gunstein said to his brother, as soon as they met
Thorer, that in his opinion Thorer was strongly manned.
"I think," said he, "we had better turn 1)ack than sail so
entirely in Thorer's powder, for I do not trust him."
Karle replies. "I will not turn back, although if I had
known when we were at home on Langey Isle that Thorer
Huiul would join us on this voyage with so large a crew
as he has, I would have taken more hands with us." The
brothers spoke about it to Thorer, and asked what was
the meaning of his taking more people with him than
was agreed upon between them. He replies, "We have a
large ship which requires many hands, and methinks there
cannot be too many brave lads for so dangerous a cruise."
They went in summer as fast in general as the vessels
could go. When the wind was light the ship of the
brothers sailed fastest, and they separated ; but when the
wind freshened Thorer overtook them. They were
seldom together, but always in sight of each other. When
they came to Bjarmaland they w^ent straight to the mer-
chant town, and the market began. All who had money
to pay with got filled up with goods. Thorer also got a
number of furs, and of beaver and sable skins. Karle had
a considerable sum of money with him, with which he
purchased skins and furs. When the fair was at an end
they went out of the Vina river, and then the truce of the
country people was also at an end. When they came out
of the river they held a seaman's council, and Thorcr

473



THE HEIMSKRINGLA

asked the crews if they would Hke to go on the land and
get booty.

They replied, that they would like it well enough, if
they saw the booty before their eyes.

Thorer replies, that there was booty to be got, if the
voyage proved fortunate; but that in all probability there
would be danger in the attempt.

All said they would try, if there was any chance of
booty. Thorer explained, that it was so established in
this land, that when a rich man died all his movable
goods were divided between the dead man and his heirs.