 Section 32 of Himes Kringle by Snorri Sturlson, translated by George Pope Morris and Ira Kerr Magnussen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The story of Olaf the Holy Part 4, Chapter 46-60, Chapter 46, King Olaf's Talk. On the Sunday morning, as soon as day dawned, King Olaf stood up and arrayed himself and went ashore and let blow up for all the host to go ashore. Then had he talked with the host and tells all folk that he had learnt that there was but a short way between him and Earl's vine. Now said he, shall we get ready, for there will be short while to abide till we meet. Let men now get their weapons and let each one bedite him and his place whereunto he has already been marshalled, so that all men be all-dite when I let blow for departure. Sithens row we in close array, let none fare before the whole fleet ferreth, and let none lag behind then when I row out of the haven, for we may not know whether we shall come upon the Earl, where he is lying now, or whether they be seeking to set on us. But if we meet each other and a battle befall, let our men close up their ships and be ready to lash them. At first let us but ward us and take we good heat of our weapons, lest we bear them on to the sea or hurl them into the deep. But when the battle is pitched and the ships have been grappled, then make ye the brunt as hard as ever ye may, and let each one do at his manliest. Chapter 47 Battle of Nessiar King Olaf had on his ship and hundred men in ring-burnies and Welsh helms. Most of his men had white shields with the Holy Cross laid thereon in gold, while some were drawn with red stone or blue, across with all he had let draw in white on the brow of all helms. He had a white banner, and that was a worm. Then he let sing him the hours, and thereafter he went aboard his ship, and bad men eat and drink somewhat. Thereafter he let blow the war blast, and they set off out of the harbour, rowing in search of the Earl. But when they came off the haven where the Earl had lain, there was the Earl's host under weapons, and was minded to row out of the harbour. But when they saw the battle of the King, they began to lash the ships together and set up their banners and made ready. But when King Olaf saw that, they fell to their oars, and the King laid aboard the ship of Earl's vine, and straightway the battle was joined, so says Sigvat the Skald. The King wrought men much on set where he thrust into the battle on spine, amidst the haven. Red blood on Rody's deer fell, their valiant King held onwards, relentless where he wrought him the war moat, bold, there spines men were binding ships together. Here it is said that King Olaf went into battle, but spines lay before him in the harbour. Sigvat the Skald was there in the battle, he wrought forth with the next summer that lay which is called the Nessir Diddes, and there he tells carefully of these tidings. I know how that crafts master of point frost let lay Carl's head all nigh unto the Earl there, unto the east of Agdeir. The fight was of the fiercest, and it was a long while ere one looking over it might see which way it would turn, Vela many on either side and that multitude were wounded, so says Sigvat. No need to taunt Earl's vine then, or Olaf battle Mary for the breeze of the moon of battle, or gale of the den of sword edge. For each of that twain of warriors they had full choice of hewing where each on each fell. Never came host to worser fights dead. The Earl had the more numerous host, but the king, a chosen crew aboard his ship, that had followed him in war, and was so bravely dite, as is aforesaid, that every man had on a ring burning, and thus they get no wounds, so says Sigvat. Glad saw I the coal burnies over our shoulders falling in the host of the king the noble, hard there butid the sword den. There was my black hair hidden by Welsh helm from the shaft flight fight fellow, then I knew as so dite in the host of battle. Chapter forty-eight the flight of Earl's vine, but when folk began to fall on board Earl's vine's ship, and some were wounded, and the crew grew thinner along the gunwale, then King Olaf's men turned to boarding the Earl's ship, so the banner was borne up aboard the ship, which lay nearest to that of the Earl and the king himself followed the banner. So says Sigvat. The golden staff rushed on there where we furtherers of the sword den of Gondel went neath banners with the glorious king on warship. Aboard that steed of tackle, twas not as when a maid bears mead to the king's wage takers, twas metal greeting rather. There was then a brisk brunt, and of swine's men some fell thick and fast, but others some sprang overboard. So says Sigvat, all wroth we rushed on swiftly up on the ship, there heard we high crash of meeting weapons, rands reddened shields to cloven, there went the wounded bonders outboard where as we battled, on few swam corpses beachward ships bravely dyke were taken. And again this, the white shields we came bearing for us there folk did redden, easy it was to see it how there we dealt the sword voice, the young king whom we fathered me thinks the warship boarded, blood gulp gap the fowl of battle there where the swords were blunted. Then the fall of men turned to the host of the earl and the king's men set upon the ship of the earl and were on the very point of boarding her, but when the earl saw to how hopeless a past things were come he called upon his forecastlemen to cut the cables and let loose the ships and even so they did. Then the king's men caught the beaks of the ships with grappinels and thus held them fast. Then the earl cried out that the forecastlemen should hew off the beaks and even so they did. So says Sigvat. To us find himself that fiercely bad hew off the black beaks there, ere that thrust was he well not into ill-happed full-fashioned whereas we wrought and made their good cheer unto the raven. Their eags black chuffed the host hewed corpses around the ship's prowls. Einar Thambar Skelfer had laid his ship on the other board of that of the earl and his men threw an anchor into the prowl of the earl's ship and thus they all drifted together out into the furth. And after that the whole host of the earl took to flight and rode out into the furth. Bursey the son of Skal Torfa was in the forehold of earl's fine ship. So when the ship glided forth by the fleet, then speaketh King Olaf on high when he knew Bursey, who was a man easily known, the goodliest to look on of all men, and wondrous well-bedite of weapons and raiment. Fare ye hail, Bursey, hail to thee, King, said he. So says Bursey in that song which he wrought when he came into King Olaf's power and sat in fetters. Thou baddest this craft's master of songcraft hail, be fairing, and such like did I answer unto the fight's swift driver. I loathe of hindrance, bitter of fire, of the good ship's outland, soul the same word of the high-born that I bought of the bowl of Burney. I have seen Spine's mighty trouble, we too have fared together where bright cold tongues of war swords were singing loud and swiftly. No man foresooth, henceforward shall I follow, none full surely that shall be nobler bitter of the tempest of the waved elk. O swear of wound serpent, I crawl not so before thee this year for sooth thy tear in otty's skates, no little. That I, o wage good captain of war, host should throw over, dear friends, or come to loathe them. Young new I there thy foeman. Chapter 49 Earl Spine's fairing from the land. Now fletters sure some of Earl Spine's men, but some gave themselves up to quarter. Then Earl Spine and his host rode out into the furth and laid their ships together, and the chiefs had parlayed together, and the Earl sought reed of the landed men. Erling Skelgson counseled that they should sail to the north country and get in host together, and once more fight with King Olaf, but inasmuch as they had lost much folkmost, all of them urged the Earl to leave the land ago, meet the sweet King his brother-in-law, and strengthen himself thence with war host. And that council urged Einar Thambar Skelfer, whereas he deemed that as then they had no means wherewith to fight against King Olaf, then sundered their host, the Earl sailing south about the fold, and Einar Thambar Skelfer with them. Erling Skelgson and many other landed men besides such as would not flee away from their birthright lands, went north to their homes, and that summer through Erling had a great company about him. Chapter 50 Parlay between King Olaf and King Sigurd. King Olaf and his men got aware that Earl's fine had laid his ships together, then King Sigurd egged on to fall on the Earl and file the steel home. King Olaf says he will first see what council the Earl taketh up, whether they keep the host together or it sundereth from him. Sigurd said he would be like be having his way, but this mind forbodes me, says he, that with thy temper and masterfulness thou wilt but late make those big bucks, justee men, whereas they have erstbeen want to hold themselves big against their lords. Now the onset came to naught, and soon they saw how the Earl's host sundered. Then King Olaf let ransack the slain, and they lay there certain nights, and shared the wargettings. Then Sigurd the scald sang these staves. Yea, this I deem moreover, that many a murder craftsman, who fared from the north shall fail him of homefare from that hard stour. For many a sound sun's spender from off the spliced knots war-steed sank down unto the sea ground. At sea we met spine soothly. Now the fair Thrandheim maidens this year shall never taunt us, though lesser was the king's host, for sooth of brunt was somewhat. That host, the brides, shall rather mock now, if one be mocked, who beardling went in onset, the skeery's field we reddened. And still this, the king's might waxeth, whereas the uppermint will further this sender forth of dextede, spine this hast thou found for thee, tried is it that heath-markers must win more work than drinking the ale of the fight-up stirrer, the flight of corpse-worms had they. King Olaf gave good gifts to King Sigurd's sow, his step-father at their parting, and to the other chiefs with all who had given him help, to Kettle of ringness he gave of keel of burden of fifteen benches, and Kettle brought that ship up along round mouth all the way up into meors. After fifty-one of King Olaf, King Olaf held spies over the fairings of the earl, but when he heard that the earl was away from the land, then fared he west along the wick, drifteth and host to him, and he was taken for kings at things, and in this wise he fared right on to linden disness. Then he heard that earling Skiogson had a great gathering, so the king tarried no longer at north out near, for he fell in with a brisk wind at will, and he fared at his speediest north to Thrandheim, for there he deemed was all the pith of the land, if he might there bring the folk down under him, while the earl was away from the land. But when King Olaf came to Thrandheim, then was no uprising against him there, and there he was taken to king, and he set him down there in the harvest tide at Ndois, and there died him winter quarters. He led house, our king's garth, and reared clements, church there, whereas it now standeth. He marked out toffs for garths, and gave them to Goodman and Chapman, or to any others he would, and who were minded to house. He sat there with many men about him, for he trusted the Thrandheimers good faith, but little, if so be the earl, should come back to the land. The up Thrandheimers were ridded most herein, whereas thence he got no king's dues. Chapter 52 Earl's Vine and Olaf the Sweet King take counsel together. Earl's Vine fared first to Sweden to Olaf the Sweet King, his brother-in-law, and telleth him all about his dealings with Olaf the Thick, and sought counsel of the Sweet King as to what he shall take up. The king saith the earl had better be with him, if he will have that, and have there such dominion to sway over, as he deemeth befitting, or else, says he, I shall hand over to thee, host thee now to seek the land from Olaf's hand. This the earl chose for all his men, egged him there too, whereas many of them who were there with them had brought lands in Norway. Now as they sat and counseled together over this matter, they came to accord to fair next winter by land across Helsingland, and I am'd land, and thence down upon Thrandheim for the earl trusted the up Thrandheimers best for steadfastness and help if he came there, but in the meanwhile they made up their mind first to go awaring, in the summer tide into the east ways to gather wealth. Chapter 53 Death of Earl's Vine Earl's Vine went with his host east into Garth realm, and hurried there, and abode there through the summer, but when the autumn set in he turned together with his host to Sweden. Then got he the sickness which brought him to Bane. After the death of the earl, the company that had followed him went back to Sweden, while some turned to Helsingland, and thence to I am'd land, making their way from east over the keel to Thrandheim, where they told the tidings which had fallen in their journey. Then the tale about the death of Earl's Vine was known for a truth. Chapter 54 of the Thrandheimers Einar Thambar Skelfer together with the company which had followed him went in the winter to the swede king, and was there holding in good cheer there with all, where many other folk who had followed the earl, the swede king took it mightily ill that Olof the thick had sat him down in his scotland, and driven away Earl's Vine, for that cause the king vowed the heaviest lot on earloth as whence so he might bring it about, says he that Olof would not be so overbold as to take under him the dominion which had been the earl's before, and all the men of the swede king were of one mind with him that so would it be, but when the Thrandheimers heard for a truth that Earl's Vine was dead, and that he was not to be looked for in Norway, then turned all the commonality to the obedience of king Olof. Then there'd many men from up Thrandheim to meet king Olof, and became his men, while other some sent words and tokens that they were wishful to serve him. That harvest therefore he went into up Thrandheim and held things with the bonders, and in every folkland he was taken to king. Thereupon he went back out to Nadois, and let there be gathered all the king's dues, and made ready therefore winter quarters. Chapter 55 The king's garth housed. King Olof let house, a king's garth that Nadois there was done a big court hall, with a door at either end, but the high seat of the king was in the midmost of the hall. Up from him sat Grimkel, his court bishop, and next to him again other clerks of his, but down from the king sat his councilors. In the other high seat straight over against him sat his marshal, beyond the thick and then the guests. If men of high degree came to king Olof they were well seated, but lit and fires should ale be drunk. He appointed men to their services according as custom was among kings. He had about him sixty bodyguards and thirty guests, and assessed them wages, and gave them laws. With all he had thirty house-carls to work all needful service in the garth, and at what so in gatherings were needful. He had many thralls with all. In the garth also it was a mickle hall, wherein slept the bodyguard, and there was with all a mickle chamber, wherein the king held his court-councils. Chapter 56 of the Want of King Olof. It was the want of King Olof to rise betimes in the morning and dress and take a handbath, and then to go to church to hear matins and mourning tithe, and then to go to council to appease men, or to talk and tell what so else he deemed needful. He summoned to him rich and unrich, and all such as were accounted wisest. Often let he tell before him the laws which Hacon Ethel stands foster son had set forth in Thrandheim. He framed laws by the reed of the wisest men, and took out or added whatever seemed good to him, but the cannon right he framed by the council of Bishop Grimkel, and other clerks, and set his whole heart on putting down heathen them and ancient wants wherein he deemed was Christ's scape. At last it came to this that the bonders yea said these laws which the king set forth, even as says Sigmund, dweller in loft of yoke, beast of the wave, tis thou must fashion the lands right, standing steadfast amidst the host of all men. King Olof was a man of good manners, full mild, few spoken, open-handed, but wealth grasping. Then was with King Olof Sigvat the scald, as was writ afore, and other some Iceland men. King Olof asked after it carefully how Christian faith was holding in Iceland, and deemed it lacked much of being well, for they told the king of the holding of the faith there, that it was allowed in law to eat horse flesh, and cast out children even after the fashion of the heathen, and other things else wherein was Christ's scape. With all they told the king of many of the great men that then were in Iceland, Skapti the son of Thorad, then had the law say in the land. The manners of men wide in lands would he ask of such men as wanted, clearest thereof, and led most his questioning towards the holding of Christ's faith in Orkney, and in Shetland, and in Faroe, and learnt that widely it fell far short of being well kept, such talk would he oftenest have in his mouth, or discourse about law, or the right of the land. Chapter 57 Concerning the Messengers of Olof the Swede King, and of the death of Asgout Baelif. That same winter came from the east from Sweden messengers from Olof the Swede King, who had two brothers over them, to Witt, Thorgout, Herlif, and Asgout Baelif, with four and twenty men. But when they came from the east over the Kiel, and to Veradeil, they summoned a thing of the bonders, and had parlay with them, and claimed of them then, and their dews and skat on behalf of the Swede King. But the bonders took counsel together, and were of one consent that they would yield what the Swede King craved, if Olof King of Norway should claim no land dews of them on his behalf, said they that they would not pay dews to both of them. So the messengers left, and made their way down along the dews, and at every thing holding they got from the bonders the same answers, but no money. Thus they fared out to scound, and had a thing there, and again craved the payment of dews, but all fared the same way as before. Then they went to Stioradeil, and craved things there, but the bonders would not so much as come wither. Now the messengers saw that their errand was not so, nor gout was minded to fare back east. Me seam said as gout that we have not yet sped the king's errand, I will fare to meet King Olof, since the bonders put their case to him. So he had his way, and they fared out to the town where they took harbor. Next day they went to the king, as he sat at table and greeted him, and said that they were come with an errand of the Swede King. The king bade them come see him the next day. So that next day when the king had heard ours, he went to his thinghouse, and let call thither the Swede King's men, and bade them put forth their errand. Then spoke Thorgout, telling first on what errand they fared and were sent, and next how the upthrandheimers had answered, after that he bade the king settle what like speed their errand thither should have. The king says, while Earle's boarse way here over the land, it was not wondrous that the folk of the land should pay their dews to them, since they had a birthright title to the realm, rather than that they should lout before outland kings. It was more right, more over, that the Earle's should give field in service to such kings as had rightly come to the realm here, than to outland princes uprising with unpeace against the rightful kings, and cutting them away from the land. But for Olaf the Swede King, who claimeth Norway, I know not what title in which there be truth he hath thereto, but hereof we may mind us what manscaped we have gotten at the hands of him and his friends. Says Asgout, it is not to be wondered at that thou art called Olaf the Big, so bigly as thou answerest the message of such a Lord, unclearly waddest thou, how heavy to bear shall be the wrath of the king, as they have come to know to their cost, who had more of pith than the seams thou wilt have. But if thou wilt masterfully hold the realm, rather, thou wilt better go meet him and become his man, and then we will pray along with thee that he be pleased to enthife thee of this realm. Then answered the king, and took up the words in lowly wise. Other read have I for thee, Asgout, ver ye now back to your king, and tell him this, that early next spring I shall dyke thee east for the land marches, whereof old was the sundering of the realms of the king of Norway, and of the sweet king. And then he may come thither, if he will, so that we may frame peace together on such terms that each of us rule over that realm to which we have birthright. Then turned away the messengers and back to their harbor, and made ready for departing. But the king went to table, thereafter the messengers went into the king's garth, but when the doorwards saw that they told the king thereof, who bade them not let the messengers in, I will not speak with them, says he, so the messengers went their ways. Then says Thorgout that he is minded to turn back with his men, but Asgout says that he has made up his mind to carry the king's business through. Then they parted, and Thorgout took his way up to Strind, but Asgout and his men, twelve and all, turned up to Galdale, and thence out to Orkdale, being minded to fair south to Mir, there to carry out the business of the sweet king. Though when King Olaf was where thereof he sent the guests after them, they happened on them at stone, out on the nests, laid hands on them, and put them in bonds, and led them up to Galdledge, and there raised the gallows, and hanged them where they might be seen out of the furth from the high sea-way. These tidings Thorgout heard, or ever he fared back from Thrandheim. Thereupon he went all the way until he fell in with the sweet king, and tells him all that hath betid in their journey. The king was full wroth, when he heard this said, and there was no lack then of high words. After fifty-eight piece made between King Olaf and Erling Skelgson, next spring King Olaf heralds him, bat out folk from Thrandheim, and died him to fair east into the land. Then also Iceland ships got ready to leave Thrandheim. King Olaf sent word in tokens to Hjalti Skagason, bidding him come meet him. He sent word also to Skapti, the speaker-law, and to those other men who bore most rule in Iceland, that they should take out of the law that which to him seemed to war most against Christendom. And therewith he sent friendly words to all the people of the land together. The king sailed south along the land and tarried somewhat in every folkland, and held things with the bonders. And at everything he let read out the Christian law and the ordinances there unto appertaining. There and then he undid many evil wants and heathened them amongst the people, whereas the earls had hold him well to ancient laws in the right of the land, but as to Christendom they let everyone do as he would. At that time things had gone so far that in most places along the sea were countryside men were christened, but Christian laws were unknown to most folk, but about the upper dail land and failed dwellings, folk were yet widely all heathen. For so soon as the people had their own way with it, that troth abode fastest in their memory which they had learned when they were barons, but to those who would not shape them to the will of the king and the holding of Christendom he threatened evil dealings were they rich or unrich. At every law thing Olaf was taken for king over all the land, and then no man gained set him more. When he lay in corms sound the word went between him and Erling Skelgson that they should make peace, and a meeting for peace was appointed in Whiting Isle. Now as soon as they met they spoke together themselves about the peace, and Erling deemed that there was somewhat to be found in the king's words other than what had been told him, for he spoke for this that he would have all those grants which Olaf Trigvison had given him, and after him the Earl's fine and Hacan likewise, then I shall become thy man and be thy faithful friend, says he. The king answers, it seems to me, Erling, that it would be no worse for thee to take of me as great grants as thou didst take of Earl Eric, a man who had done to thee the greatest manscaped, but I shall make thee the noblest landed man in the land, though I will bestow my grants of my own will, and will not let it be that ye landed men have a birthright to the heritage of my kindred, and that I must need more over by your services for many times their worth. Erling had no mind to pray the king in this matter, for he saw that the king was not to be led. He saw with all that he had two choices to hand the one to make no peace with the king and take the risk how things would go, or else to let the king have his own way. So this he chose, much though it was against his mind and spake to the king, that service which I give to thee of mine own will shall be of most avail to thee. So then they dropped the matter. After that Erling's kinsmen and friends came forward and prayed him to yield and do with wit rather than mastery. Thou wilted, said they, be ever the noblest of landed men in Norway, both for thy prowess, and thy kindred, and thy wealth. Erling found that this was wholesome read, and that they did by good will who spoke thus. Thus he did then and became the king's man on such terms as the king determined in the end, and so they parted being at peace, in words at least, so king Alloth went on his ways east along the land. After fifty-nine the slaying of Eilith, the goutlander, straightway when king Alloth came to the wick, and that was known, the Danes fared away, they who held bailiff-rees there of the Dane king, and sought to Denmark, and would not abide king Alloth. The king Alloth went on up the wick, holding things with the bonders, and all the folk of the land came under him, and so he took to himself all the king's dues there, and tarried about the wick that summer through. In Tonsberg he held east over the fold all the way east beyond Swine Sound. Then began the realm of the sweet king. Over those parts he had set forth bailiff, Eilith, the goutlander over the northern lot, and Roy's grint-eye over the eastern and all the way to the Elf. He had his kindred on both sides of the Elf, and great lands in Heising he was a mighty man, and of plenteous wealth, Eilith also was a man of great kin. Now when king Alloth brought his host into the land, Ran Realm, he summoned the men of the land to a thing, and there came together to meet him those men who dwelt about the islands there, or nigh unto the sea. Now when the thing was set spake beyond the king's marshal, bidding the bonders take to them king Alloth, even as had been done elsewhere in Norway. A man, Hyde, Bern Nyoth Camel, a noble bonder, stood up and said, We bonders know what has been the rightest land, sundering from of old between the king of Norway and the swede king and the dain king to it, that the gout elf has ruled it from the vener late to the sea, but northward the marklands have ruled it even unto Eidschah, and thence the keel all the way north to Finmark, with all that now one now the other have overrun each other's lands. The Swedes have long had dominion all the way to swine sound, yet sooth to say, I wot that many men are of will that they had left first serve the king of Norway, but men like boldness in the matter, seeing that we have the realm of the swede king, both to the east of us, to the south, and inland of us, all about, while it may be looked for that the king of Norway will speedily depart north away into the land, where there be broader countryside, and then have we no might to oppose strife against the gout landers. So it behooves the king to look to some wholesome reed for us, feign as we are, to become his men. When the thing was over, Bernie Oth was the guest of the king in the evening, and so also the next day, and many things they talked over together in privy wives. Thereupon fared the king east along the wick, and when Islef heard that the king was there, he let bear spying on his ways. Islef had thirty men of his following, and was up in the brolt lands on the board of the Mark lands, and had there a gathering of bonders. Many bonders went to meet King Olof, while others sent him words of friendship. Then men went between King Olof and Islef, and the Franklans prayed both for a long time to a point. A thing betwixt them, and in one way or another settled peace. They said to Islef that it was to be looked for of the king, that if folk did not shape them according to his word, they might look for exceeding hard dealings at his hands. And they said that Islef should not lack folk. Then it was settled that they should come down and have a thing with the bonders and the king. But then King Olof sent Thorir the long, the guest, captain, and six of them all told to Brynjolf. They had bernies under their curdles and hats over their helmets. The next day the bonders came thronging down with Islef. Brynjolf was there then amongst his company, and Thorir in Brynjolf's following. The king laid his ship, where as was a cert cliff jutting into the sea, there he stepped a land and sat down on the cliff together with his host, but above the cliff was a field where on was the gathering of the bonders, but Islef's men stood up in a shield berg around him. Bjorn the marshall spoke long and boldly on behalf of the king, but as he sat down up stood Islef and began speaking. And in that nick of time, Thorir the long stood up and drew his sword and hewed Islef on his neck so that off went his head. Then sprang to their feet the whole crowd of the bonders, but the goutlanders took to their heels and ran off, and Thorir and his men slew some amongst them, but when the host halted and quieted down from the turmoil, the king stood up and bade the bonders sit down, and they did so, and many things were spoken. But in the end the bonders became the king's men, and yea he set him allegiance, but on his part he promised them in return not to part from them thereupon, but to tarry there until he and Olof the sweet king should have settled their troubles in one way or another. After this king Olof laid under him all the northernmost Bailey Wick, and went that summer all the way east to the Elf, and got all the king's do's along the seaboard and from the islands. But when summer wore, he turned back north towards the Wick and made up a long realm Elf. In that water is a great force called Sarp, and from the north by the force a nest goes into the river. There let king Olof do a wall right across the nests of stones and turf and wood, and that dig a dyke on the outward thereof, and here he reared a Mikkel earthen berg, and within the berg he set up a cheeping sted, and a king's garth he housed there, and let make merry church there also he let mark toffs for other garsts, and got men to house the same through harvest. He let flit thither, such in gatherings as were needed for winter fair, and sat there through the winter with a great multitude of people, having appointed his own men to all Bailey Wick's there. He forbade all flitting of goods from the Wick up into the goutland, both herring and salt, which the goutlanders might ill lack. The king had a great yule-bidding, and bad to him many wealthy bonders from the countryside's. Chapter 60 of Ivan Urocks' Horn. There was a man height Ivan Urocks' horn of east Agdeer kindred. He was a big man and of mighty kin, and went every summer awaring, whilst west over sea, whilst into the east ways or south to Friesland. He had a 20-bench cutter well found. He had been at Nessiar and given aid to King Olaf, and when they parted there, King Olaf, about him his friendship, and Ivan, in return, pledged his aid to the king, wheresoever he would crave it. This winter, Ivan was a yule-guest of King Olaf and took good gifts of him. There was also with the king at the time, Bernioth Camel, and he had for a yule gift from the king a gold-wrought sword, and there, with all the manner, called Vetland, the greatest of chiefs-steads. Bernioth sang a diddy about the gifts, whereof this is the ending. The famed lord, he gave me both brand and Vetland. Then the king gave him the title of a landed man, and the greatest friend of the king was Bernioth ever after. End of the story of Olaf, the holy part four, chapters 46 through 60. Section 33 of Himes-Kringla by Snorri Starrlson, translated by George Pope Morris and Iroker Magnusson. This Liberbox recording is in the public domain. The story of Olaf, the holy part five, chapter 61 through 75. Chapter 61, the slaying of Thrand the White. That winter, Thrand the White, went out of Thrandheim, east into Iambland, to call in Skat, on behalf of King Olaf the Thicke. But when he had fetched in the Skat, the men of the sweet king came there, and slew Thrand, him and them twelve together, and took the Skat, and brought it to the sweet king. That heard King Olaf, and it liked him ill. Chapter 62, christening of the wick. King Olaf had bidden Christian law throughout the wick, even in the same fashion as north away in the land, and that sped well. Whereas to the men of the wick, Christian wants were known much better than to folk north away in the land, in that both winter and summer was much thronging of merchants there, both of Danish and Saxon. The wick men with all were very busy in chaffering journeys to England and Saxon, or to Flanders or to Denmark. But some were out of Viking and took up their winter quarters in Christian lands. Chapter 63, the fall of Roy. In the spring, King Olaf sent word for Ivan to come to him, and they had a talk long in privity. Soon thereafter, Ivan got ready to fare a Viking. He sailed south along the wick and laid two in the Oak Isles west of Heising. There, he heard that Roy Skvintai had gone north to Ordost, and had drawn together folk there and landus on behalf of the king of Sweden, and was then to be looked for from the north. Then Ivan rode into Hau's sound, but Roy came even then, rowing from the north, and in the very sound they met and fought. There fell Roy the white and nigh thirty men, and Ivan took to him all the wealth that Roy had had, so Ivan went thence into the east ways and was a Viking through the summer. Chapter 64, the fall of Gudlike and Thorgout Herlip. There was a man height Gudlike the garth realmer of Agdeer, Kindred, Ameriner, and Michael Chapman, wealthy with all and one who went on chaffering journeys to sundry lands. He would often go east into garth realm, and for that cause was called Gudlike the garth realmer. Now this spring Gudlike died at his ship, being minded to go in the summer east to garth realm. King Olaf sent him word that he would see him, so when Gudlike came to him, the king told him he wished to be in fellowship with him, and prayed him to buy him dear havings hard to get in the land. Gudlike said it should be as the king would, then let the king pay him such wealth as it seemed him good, and Gudlike went into the east ways in the summer. They lay a while off Gothland, and here it befell as off that they were not all of them too close of their words, and the islanders got wind of it that on board the ship was a chaffering fellow of Olaf the thick. Gudlike went into the east ways in the summer, all the way to Homegarth, and bought there the cloths full choice which he was minded for the king for his robes of state, and there with furs a great price, and a glorious table service. In harvest tied when Gudlike fared from the east he fell in with contrary winds, and for a long time they lay beside Isle land. Now Thorgout Hairlip had in the autumn a spide Gudlike's journeyings, and he came here upon them with a long ship, and fought with them. They warded themselves long, but in as much as Mikkel were the odds, Gudlike fell, and many of his shipmates, and many were wounded. So Thorgout took all their wealth to him, together with the treasures of King Olaf, and he and his shared among them equally all the prey. But he says the treasures shall the sweet king have, for says he there are some deal of the scat which he hath to take of Norway. So Thorgout went east away to Sweden. Now the tidings were speedily known, a little after Ivan Urockshorn came to Isle land, and when he heard this he sailed away east after Thorgout and his company, and they happened on each other in the sweet scaries and fought. There fell Thorgout and the most part of his company, the rest jumping overboard into the deep, so Ivan took all the wealth they had taken from Gudlike and King Olaf's treasures with all. Ivan fared back to Norway in the autumn and brought his treasures to King Olaf. The king thanked him well for his journey and promised him his friendship once more. At this time King Olaf had been king of Norway for three years. Chapter 65, the meeting of King Olaf and Earl Ragnavald. This same summer King Olaf had out the folk once more and once more fared all the way east as far as the elf and lay there long through the summer. Then passed word sending between King Olaf and Earl Ragnavald and Inge Björg, Trigvee's daughter, the earl's wife. She furthered with all her might the helping of King Olaf and was most headstrong in the matter for two causes. This went that way both because there was Michael Kinship betwixt her and King Olaf and moreover because she might not forget it of the sweet king that he had been at the fall of King Olaf, Trigvee's and her brother. And for that sake she deemed she had a claim to this way over Norway. Now by her pleadings the earl's mind was much turned towards friendship with King Olaf and at last it came to this that the earl and the king set a day between them and met at the elf. There they talked over many things and most chiefly about the dealings betwixt the Norway king and the sweet king and both said what indeed was true that both to the Wichmann and to the Goutlanders the sheerst waste of their lands was in it that there should not be peace of markets betwixt the lands. Now in the end they made truce and peace between themselves till the next summer and at parting they gave gifts to each other and bespoke friendship between themselves. Chapter 66, the earl will of the sweet king to King Olaf Heraldsson then the king fared north into the wick and had for himself all king's dues all the way to the elf and all the folk of the land had then come under him. King Olaf the sweet harbored so great ear will against Olaf Heraldsson that no man was to be so bold as to call him by his right name in the hearing of the king. They called him the thick man and never gave him hard words when so he was spoken of. Chapter 67, beginning of the peacemaking story. The bonders of the wick spoke among themselves saying that the only thing to be done was that the kings should make agreement and peace between them and deem they were ill bestowed if the king should be ever harrying each other but this murmur no one dares bear boldly before the king. Then bad they be on the marshal to flip this case before the king that he send men to meet the sweet king to bid him peace of his own hand. This beorn was loath to do and begged off but for the prayer of many of his friends he promised at last to lay this matter before the king but said that his mind foreboded him that the king would take it unmeatly that he should yield in ought at all to the sweet king. This summer came from the west from Iceland that he altese Gagason at the behest of King Olaf and forthwith he fair to meet King Olaf and the king gave him a good welcome that he altese abide with him and showed him to a seat beside beorn the marshal and thus the two became mess mates and good fellowship grew up speedily betwixt them. But on a time when as King Olaf had parlay with his host and with bonders and the affairs of the land were talked over beorn the marshal spoke what art thou minded king as to that unpeace which here is betwixt the sweet king and thee. Now each side has lost many men at the hands of the other but no settlement is there now any more than before as to what of the realm each shall have. Thou hast now sat here in the wick one winter and two summers and left at the back of thee all the land north away hence. Now men are growing weary of sitting here they who have lands and airship in the north country. Now it is the will of landed men and of others of thine host and of the bonders with all that one road or other this should be sheared out. And seeing that now truce and peace is established with the Earl of the west gouts who here are the nearest neighbors men deemed that the best thing would be that thou send men to the sweet king and bid him peace of your own hand and many of them who are about the sweet king would stand up for that matter for it is to the gain of both sides those to it who dwell in the land both here and there. At Bjorn's talk the folk made good cheer then spake the king that read Bjorn which thou hast here up born it is meadest that thou shouldst have framed for thyself and thou shalt fare on this errand thou shalt thrive by it if it be well eroded. But if man's peril come therefrom then thou thyself hast too much hand therein but with all it is thy service to speak that before many which I will let speak. Then the king stood up and went to church and let's sing high mass before him and then went to table next day spake healty to Bjorn why art thou unmarried man art thou sick or wroth with any man. Bjorn tells healty of the talk between him and the king and says that this is a doomed man's errand. Answers healty so it is to follow kings that such men have nickel honor and are of more worship than other men but oft come they with all into peril of life and it behooves them to be well content with either lot. Nickel may can a king's good luck and much renown may be gotten in the journey if it turn out well. Bjorn said thou make us light of the journey may happen thou wilt fare with me for the king said that I should have my fellows on the journey with me. Says healty fare will I soothly if thou wilt for hard to find me seems will be another seat mate when we be sundered. Chapter sixty-eight the journey of Bjorn the marshal a few days later when Olaf the king was in council came Bjorn there and they twelved together. So he tells the king that they are bound to fare on their errand and that their horses were standing saddled without. Now will I what say of Bjorn with what errand I shall fare and what read thou layest down for us? Say if the king ye shall bring these my words to the sweet king that I would set peace between our lands according to the boundaries which Olaf Trigvison had before me and let that be bound by fast words that neither of us overstepped them. But as to the loss of men there is no need to speak thereof if peace shall be for the sweet king may no wise boot us with fee for all that manscape which we have gotten of the Swedes. Then the king stood up and went out with Bjorn and his men and took forth a well-wrought sword and a finger-ring and handed it over to Bjorn and said, this sword I give to thee it was given to me last summer by Earl Rognevald. To him shall ye go and bring him my word that he give thee his counsel and help that thou mayest push through thine errand and I shall deem thou hast done well if thou hearest the word of the sweet king whether he say ye or nay. But this ring thou shall hand over to Earl Rognevald and these tokens will he know. He also went up to the king and bade him farewell and much do we need king that thou lay thy good luck on this journey and he bade they might meet Hale again the king asked wither he all he would fare with Bjorn says he the king says it shall better this journey if thou fare with them for thou hast often been approved a man of good luck. Know this for certain that I shall lay my whole soul on it if that may weigh ought and I shall lay my luck to thine and to the luck of all ye. So Bjorn and his folk rode their ways and came to the court of Earl Rognevald and he was welcomed goodly there at Bjorn was a renowned man and known to many by sight and by speech of all such do it as had seen King Olaf for at every thing Bjorn stood up and spoke out the king's errand. Inge Bjorg the Earl's wife went up to Healti and kissed him. She knew him for she was with Olaf Trigvison her brother when Healti was with him and she claimed kindred between the king and Bjorn the wife of Healti. There were two brothers sons of Viking Kari a landed man of Wars Eric Bioda Skull the father of Astrid the mother of King Olaf Trigvison to it and Bodbar father of Olaf who was the mother of Gizur the white the father of Bjorn. There were they now in good cheer but on a day Bjorn and Bjorn went to have a talk with the Earl him and Inge Bjorg and then Bjorn giveth out his errand and showeth the tokens to the Earl. The Earl answers what mishap has come to thee Bjorn that the king willeth thine death all the less it is well with thine errand that I am minded to think that there will be no man who speaketh these words before the sweet king who will come away without paying the penalty. Over high metal the man is Olaf the sweet king that he should suffer any to put forth talk before him which is against the mind of him. Answers Bjorn not has come to hand to me whereby King Olaf should be wrothed with me that many are his councils both concerning himself and his men wherein seemeth peril to whom so taketh them up unto such to it as are of little heart. But all his reeds have hitherto taken a lucky turn and even so we hope it will fare once more. Now sooth to say Earl I will go see the king of the Swedes and not turn back till I have let him harken all those words which King Olaf commanded me to bring to his ears unless hell ban it me or fetters so that I may not bring it to pass. This will I do whether thou give any heed to the king's word sending or not. Then said Inge Bjorn swiftly I shall lay bare my mind. My will, Earl, is that thou put thy whole heart into furthering the message of Olaf, Norway's king, so that this errand reach the ears of the swede king, whatever wise he may answer it. Though there lie here on the wrath of the swede king or the loss of all our dominion I would far rather risk this than that it be told that thou laid under head the message of king Olaf or fear of the swede king. Here too by thy birth and strength of kindred and all thy dealings thou mayest well be so free here in the swede realm as to speak thy speech that is well-beceeming and which all men will deem worth harkening to whether they who harken be many or few, mighty or un-mighty, yea, though the king himself should be a harkening. The Earl answers, none may be blind as to whether thou eggest me. Maybe thou shalt have thy will in this that I promise the king's men to go with them so that they may bring it about to flit their errand before the swede king, whether the king like it well or ill. But my own counsel I mean to follow as to how to go about the matter for I will not run after the headlong ways of Bjorn or of any other man in so nickel the matter of trouble. Therefore I will that they tarry until such while as beceemeth likeliest that some furtherance may be of this errand. Now when the Earl had unlocked to them that he would further them in this matter and lay to his might with all them Bjorn thanked him well and said he would follow his read and Bjorn and his company tarried there with the Earl a right long while. Chapter 69 concerning the talk between Bjorn and Inge Bjorg Trigvee's daughter Inge Bjorg was exceeding well with them. Bjorn talked to her about his case and deemed it ill that his journey should be tarried so long and about this matter she and Hjalte ye and all of them would hold discourse. Then said Hjalte I shall go to the king if it be your will I am not a man of Norway and the Swedes will lay no right on me and I have heard that about the swede king there are Icelanders who are well beholden there and are of my acquaintance. The king's scalls to it gizzard the sword and utter the sword. Then I shall pry into the matter what I may learn of the swede king if this be so unlikely as it is now set out to be or whether there be some other stuff in it and I shall hit upon that for an errand which me, Seymeth, may fall there too. This Inge Bjorn and Bjorn deemed to be a device of the most wit and they agreed there too between them steadfastly so Inge Bjorn died at Hjalte's faring and got him to outland men and bade them so much as that they should follow him be his handymen and do service to his body and go his errands with all. For spending silver Inge Bjorn did over to him twenty marks weight she sent with him words and tokens to Inge Gerd the daughter of King Olaf begging her to give all her mind to his affair in whatsoever he might find it needful to crave her aid. Straightway departed Hjalte when he was ready but when he came to King Olaf he speedily happened on the scald's gizzard and otter who were all faint of him and went with him forthwith before the king and told him that there was come a man who was from the same land as they and was of the most worship in that land and they prayed to King to give him good welcome there. The king bade them take Hjalte and his fellow travelers into their company. Now when Hjalte had carried there a while and made himself known to men he was held of much worth by every man. The scalds were often before the king for they were bold of speech and often the daytime they would sit before the high seat of the king in fellowship with Hjalte and in all things they gave him the most worship. Then with all he became known to the king by word of mouth and the king was full of talk with him and asked him many things of Iceland. Chapter 70 of Sigbad the Scald. This had happened before Bjorn fared from home that he had asked Sigbad the scald to fared with him who was then with King Olaf that men were not eager for this journey between Bjorn and Sigbad there was good friendship. He sang, erst have I had good dealings with all the worthy marshals of the war bold king in such as before our Lord's knee when them oft hast thou earned me Bjorn at the king's hands things goodly. O fight ice redner good yet for me thou mayest for thou canst it. And when they wrote up through gout land Sigbad sang these staves oft was I wet and married when shaved the heavy weather King Olaf's sail all wind blown out in the first of Strenland. The deeps steed swept an amble heels cut the lace of Liste when as we let the cutters sweep over the sound to lured. Ships of the valiant shielding by the aisle we let float tilted when summer was beginning off the good land and glorious comes autumn when the horses of Echols spurn the thorns more than must I take to writing my diverse deeds now sing I. But when they wrote up through gout land late one evening then sang Sigbad now runneth steed and hungered long tracks to the hall in the glooming the hoof the reen swerd rendeth and little daylight have we or brooks my horse me beareth far off the folk of Dane land in the dike the lads horse stumbled now day and night are meeting then rode they into the cheaping stead at Scarar along the street onward to the garth of the Earl he sang the lovely dames shall look out and maiden see the reek there whereas we ride right swiftly all through the town of Ragnvald whip horse so that the good wife heart wise may hear of far off within the house our horses running the hard trot garth words chapter seventy one of healti Skagason when he was in Sweden on a day healti and the skulls within went before the king then healti took up the word so it is king even as is well known to thee that I have come here to see thee and have gone a long journey and a hard but when I had come across the sea and I heard of your highness it seemed to me an unlearned journey to fair back without having seen thee and all thy glory now this is a law that prevaileth between Iceland and Norway that Iceland men when they come to Norway have to pay their landues when I came over the sea took out the landues of all my shipmates now knowing that it is most right that to thee is all the power that is in Norway I fared to find thee that I might pay thee the said landues therewith he showed the king the silver and poured into the lap of Giser the sword ten marks thereof the king said few have brought us such things out of Norway this while past and I will can thee thanks Healti and my good will that thou hast been at the pains to bring the landues unto me rather than to yield them to our unfriends yet will I that thou take this money of me and my friendship therewith Healti gave thanks to the king with many words thenceforth Healti got himself into the greatest good-like with the king and was often talked with him the king deemed as was soothed that he was a wise man and deft of word now Healti tells Giser and Otter that he is sent with tokens to the warding and friendship of Ingegird the king's daughter and prays them to bring him to talk with her they said that there would but little pain go there too and on a certain day they go to her chamber where she sat at the drink with many men she greeted the skulls well for they were well known unto her Healti bore to her the greeting of Ingegird the earl's wife and said that she had sent him thither for her ward and friendship and he brought forth the tokens thereof the king's daughter took it well and told him he was welcome to her friendship there they sat a long while of the day and drank the king's daughter asked Healti of many tidings and bat him come and thither off to have talk with her this he did and often he came there and had talk with the king's daughter and so told her under privy trust of the journey of Bjorn and his men and asked what she thinks as to how the sweet king will be likely to take that matter that peace be set between both kings the king's daughter answers and says that she was minded to think there was no avail in seeking that the king should make peace with Olaf the sick and she said that the king was gotten so wroth with Olaf that he might not hear him named it fell one day that Healti sat before the king and talked with him and the king was then right merry and very drunk then said Healti to the king a very great glory of many kinds is to be beholden here and now what I often have heard told in tale has become a very sight to me that no king in the Northlands is as noble as art thou for Michael grief it is that we should have so long to seek hither and so perilous first over on Michael main sea and then across Norway unpeaceful for faring unto them who would seek hither in friendly wise or why do not men look to it to bear words of peace betwixt thee and Olaf the thick I heard it much talked about both in Norway and in West Scotland that all folk were vain if peace might be and this was told me for truth concerning the words of the king of Norway that he would be glad to make peace with thee and I want that what brings it about is this that he must need see that he has far less might than ye had moreover it was said that he was minded to woo Ingegird thy daughter and such a bidding would be like list for a hail peace and he is a man of the greatest mark from what I heard truthful men tell of him then answers the king such things thou shall not talk healty but I will not lay blame on thee for these words for thou know us not what thou hast to be aware of no wise shall that thick man be called king here in my court and to lean on him is of far less avail than many folk give out and even so wealth thou deem if I tell thee that such alliance may be not meet whereas I am the tenth king at Uppsala of them who have taken that kingdom one after the other we having been kinsmen and been so kings over the swede realm and over many other wide lands and we have been all over kings over other kings in the Northlands but in Norway are but little dwellings and far sundered and there have been but kinglets but Harold Fairfair was the greatest king in that land and he had to do with kings of the folk lands and broke them down under him yet he knew what was meet for him and not to covet the realm of the swede king and for that reason the swede kings let him sit in peace and moreover this went there too that there was kinship betwixt them but when as Heikon Ethelstern Vostersen was in Norway he sat there in peace until he warred in Gauland and Denmark and thereafter a flock was set up against him and he was cut off from his lands the sons of Gunnhild with all were cut off from life so soon as they became disobedient to the Dane king then Harold Gormsen laid Norway to his own realm and revenue and yet we deemed King Harold Gormsen as of lesser might than the Uppsala kings in as much as Sturr Bjorn our kinsmen cowed him so that Harold became his man but Erik the victorious my father strode over the head of Sturr Bjorn when they tried it out between them but when Olaf Trigleson came to Norway and called himself a king we did not let that avail him for I and Spine the Dane king fared against him and cut him off from life now have I gotten Norway to me and with no less of might than thou mightest now hear and by no worse title have I come by it than this that I have fallen on with war and overcome the king that ruled it urged now thou mayest deem wise man that it will be far from me to let that realm loose to the thick man and indeed it is a marvel that he should not bear it in mind how hardly he got out of the lo when we had penned him up there for I weaned he had then something else in his mind should he escape alive than to have to strive oftener with us Swedes so now he oughty thou shalt not again have this talk in mouth before me he oughty deem that the outlook was not hopeful that the king would listen to any parlay of peace so he left off and fell to other talk a while after when he oughty was a talking with Ingegurt the king's daughter he told her of all the converse between the king and himself she said she looked for such answers from the king so he oughty bat her put in some word with the king saying that that would perchance avail most she said the king would not hearken to whatever she might have to say yet says she I may put it forth if thou will he oughty said he would thank her for so doing on a certain day Ingegurt the king's daughter was a talking with King Olaf her father and when she found that her father was light of heart she said what art thou minded about thy strife with Olaf the thick many men are now bewailing that trouble some say that they have lost wealth others some kinsmen and all a land of peace at the hands of the Northmen and as matters now are it is for none of thy men to come into Norway it was uncalled for of thee to lay claim to the kingdom of Norway a land poor and ill to traverse and a folk untrust thee and men in the land would have any one for king rather than thee now if I might have my way thou shouldst let thy claim to Norway lie quiet and break into the Eastlands rather for that realm which has been swayed over by sweet kings of old time in which Sturbeorn our kinsmen hath but laid under him and that Olaf the thick have the heritage of his kindred and thou to make peace with him the king answered in wrath this is thy council Ingegurt that I let loose the sway of Norway and give thee in marriage to Olaf the thick no says he something else first rather shall it be that this winter at the Epsilon thing I shall lay it bare to all Swedes that all folk shall be out before the ices off the waters and I shall fair into Norway and waste that land with point and edge and burn all up and thus reward them their untrustiness and therewith was the king so would wroth that not a word might be answered him so she went away Hjalti was keeping watch on her and went straight way to see her and asked how her errand to the king had sped she said it had fared as she doubted that no words might be brought before the king and that he vowed threats and return for them and she bet Hjalti never get on to this matter before the king Ingegurt and Hjalti when as they talk together would often be speaking about Olaf the thick he told her often about him and his ways and praised him as he knew how and that was the truest to be told of him to such things she took kindly and once again as they were talking together Hjalti said king's daughter shall I with thy leave say that before thee which stirrth in my mind speak thou said she so that I hear it alone then spoke Hjalti how would thou answer if Olaf Norway's king were to send men to thee on the errand of wooing thee she blushed and answered unhastily and quietly with awe I am not a steadfast mind as to my answers to that for I am minded to think that with such answers I shall have no need to deal but if Olaf be a man so well in doubt of all things as thou tellest of him I should not know how to wish for my husband to be otherwise if it be not so that thou hast yielded him with praise in many ways Hjalti said that he had given nothing out about the king better than it was they talked about this prively very often Ingegird bad Hjalti beware of speaking of it before other folk for this cause that the king will be wroth with thee if he know it of truth Hjalti tells these things to the skulls gizzard and otter and they said that it was the happiest of reeds if it could be brought about otter was bold of speech and fond of great lords and speedily he was on this matter with the king's daughter and told her the same like things as Hjalti concerning the king's manly prowess and she and Hjalti and they all of them together talked oft on the matter and as they would at all times be talking of this and Hjalti had got to know for sure what end his errand had come to he sent away the goutland men who had followed him thither and let them go back to the earl with letters which Ingegird the king's daughter and Hjalti himself sent to the earl and Inge beware Hjalti also let them get wind of the matters he had broached to Ingegird and of her answers likewise the messenger came back to the earl somewhat before yule chapter 72 king Olaf's journey to the uplands when as king Olaf had sent Bjorn and his men east into goutland he sent other men to the uplands on the errand of bidding guessting for him for he was minded that winter to go a guessting about the uplands for it had been the want of the former kings to fare over the uplands a guessting every third winter he started on the journey in the autumn from Berg going first up to Vingelmark and went about the journey in this way that he took his guessting inland in the neighborhood of the woodland dwellings and summoned to meet him all the men of countryside and those most chiefly who dwelt farthest away from the main dwellings he ransacked men's ways of heeding Christ's faith and wherever he deemed they came short he taught them right manners and if there were any who would not leave off heathendom he laid such penalties upon them that some he drove away from the land some he let maim of hand or foot or sting their eyes out some he let hang or hew down and none did he let go unpunished who would not serve God in this manner fared he about all that folkland and he punished with even hand mighty and unmighty he gave them clerks and placed them so thick about the country as he deemed would do best in this wise fared he throughout that folkland he had three hundred fighting men when he went up to realm realm he speedily found that the further he made his way inland the less was Christian faith holding to but he dealt therewith throughout in the same guise and turned all the folk to the right faith and laid heavy penalties on whom so ever would not harken his words chapter seventy three the treason of the upland kings now when the king who then ruled over realm realm heard this be deemed that a great trouble was toward for every day there came to him many men who bewailed them to him about these matters some mighty some unmighty the king took that read that he fared up into heath mark to see king rare wreck for that he was the wisest of those kings who then were there now when the kings fell to talk together they agreed to send word north to the dales to king good rod and to half the land with all to the king that was there bidding them to come to heath mark to meet king rare wreck and him of realm realm they laid not that journey under their head and so these five kings met in heath mark at the place called ring anchor the fifth of the kings was king ring the brother of king rare wreck now the kings went to to parley first by themselves and he who was come from realm realm was the first to take up the word telling the tale of the journey of king Olaf the thick and all the unpeace that he wrought both in the taking of men's lives and in the maiming of men some he drove out of the land and seized the wealth of those who in art gained said him over the land well over he went with an armed host but not with the number of folk which was lawful furthermore he says that he had fled the other before this unpeace and that many other mighty men had fled away from their birthright lands out of realm realm now though this trouble be as yet nighest unto us there will be little while to wait ere ye will have to sit under such things and therefore it is better that we take council all together as to what read we shall take up now when he had closed his orang the other kings left the answering there to to rearwreck he said now has that come to pass which I mis-doubted me would be when we met at that thing in half a land and ye were every man of ye most eager that we should heave up Olaf Harrow sent over our heads to it that to us he would be hard to take by horn so soon as he had gotten the soul rule over the land now there are two choices to hand one that we all go and meet him and let him share and shape all matters betwixt us and himself and that I deem the best to take up the other to rise now up against him ere he has spared wider over the land for though he have three or four hundred men that makes no overwhelming odds if we be all in one mind together but most often it happens that when there are many together all of equal powers it goes worse for them as to victory than winning does for him who is a sole leader of his host so therefore it is rather my counsel not to set on our fortune against Olaf Harrellson's there after spakey to the kings what words seem good to him some letting others urging but no settlement of the matter was come to for they showed that to either case were drawbacks to be seen then Goodrod the Dale King took up the word and spake thus marvelous to me is it how greatly ye tangle your purpose in this matter and how all fearsome ye are of Olaf we are here five kings together not one of us worser of birth than Olaf we it was who gave him strength to fight Earl's vine and by our avail he have gotten the land but if he now begrudges each one of us the little dominion which we have had here to for and layeth on us torments and cowing then can I this to say for myself that I will have myself away from the kings thrall them and I call that one amongst you no man who is a dreaded this to cut him off from life if he faireth into our hands up here in Heathmark for this is to be told you that never shall we stroke out free head so long as Olaf is alive now after this egging on they all turn to that council then spake rare rec so besieged about this council of ours that we must needs make our bond as strong as may be lest any totter in good faith to the rest now you are minded when Olaf comes hither into Heathmark to set upon him at some appointed meeting now I will not trust you herein if some of you be then north away in the dales and others out away in Heathmark so I will if this council is to abide steadfast amongst us that we be together day and night until this breed be carried out this all the kings ye said and so fared away all together they let died a banquet for them out at ring anchor and there they drink in guild brotherhood but have spies away out in realm realm other spies they let go out forth with one out another in so that they know day and night what the tidings are about the journeys of king Olaf or the number of his company king Olaf went guesting up along realm realm and did all in the same likewise as is foretold but when the entertainments fell short for the sake of his much company he let the bonders add fare to eke out the banquets in such places where he deemed it needful to Terry but in some places he stayed a shorter while than had been settled beforehand so his journey up to the water was quicker than had been appointed a fore now when the kings had gotten fast to the council Olaf said they sent out word and summoned to them the landed men and the bonders of might from all those folk lands and when they came there the kings had a meeting with them alone and laid bare to them their council and settle and appointed day when as that read shall be carried through they settle with all that each of the kings shall have a company of 300 men so they send back the landed men that they may gather men together and come meet the kings at the place appointed this read most men liked well and yet it fell here as the saw says each hath a friend amidst unfriends chapter 74 maiming of the kings of the uplanders at this meeting was kettle of ringness but when he came home in the evening he ate night meal and thereafter he arrayed him and his house carls and went down to the water and took this ship of burden which he owned and king Olaf had given him and ran out the craft but all the gear appertaining to it was there in the ship house that then they took and benched themselves for rowing and pull off down along the water kettle had 40 men all well-weaponned they came early in the day down to waters end and then spared kettle with 20 men and let the other 20 keep guard of the ship king Olaf was then at id in the uppermost part of realm realm and kettle came there when as king was coming back from matins and he greeted kettle well kettle says that he won't talk with the king speedily so they go aside to talk the two of them then kettle tells the king what read the kings have on hand and all the mind of them that to it whereof he wanted now when the king knew this he calls men to him and send some into the country's sides bidding call into him the next but some he sent to the water to take row boats all they might get and have them up to meet him but he went to the church and let's sing mass before him and went thus forthwith to table but when he had had his meet he got ready at his speediest and went north to the water and there some ships came up and met him so he himself stepped aboard the ship of burden and with him as many men as the craft would hold but everyone else took ship where so ever he could get it in the evening they put out from the land the weather was calm and they wrote up along the water and now the king had with him nine four hundred men before dawn he was up by ring acre and the waters were where of not till the folk were come up to this dead kettle and his men knew well the chambers where in the kings were sleeping and the king let take all those chambers and guarded them so that no man might get away and thus they waited for a light of day the kings had no means of warding themselves and so were all laid hands on and led before the king king rarick wasn't exceeding wise men and heart of heart and king Olaf deemed him untrusty even though he made somewhat of a peace with him he let blind rarick of both eyes and had him with him but he let sheer out the tongue of good rob the dale king but of ring and to others he took oath that they should fair away from Norway nor ever come there again but of landed men and bonders who were proven to be of this treason some he drove out of the land some were maimed but of some he took peace of these things tell us otter the sword the spoiler of brand of hawks field now hath he given in payment unto the lords of the land here things ugly for their treason host rancor thou aforetime gave us the kings of heathmark they who with guile beset thee a girdin well befitting fight thronger thou hast driven the kings beyond the landmark brand redner now thy valor mightier than theirs is proven lord king each fled before thee as all men what and this since the word redits thou hopple of him who sat most northward or all that land thou rulest which five kings held the foretime and thee the high god strengthens with michael gain missy moth broad kin lands east to hide there all under thee are lying no gondals fires be thronger or such land sat a foretime king olof then laid under him the dominion which these five kings had had and took hostages of landed men and bounders he took guesting fees from the north as far as the dales and wide about heathmark and then turned back out to realm realm and then west to hath the land this winter died sugared sow his stepfather then turned king olof to ring realm and asda his mother arrayed a great banquet for him and now olof alone bore a king's name in norway chapter 75 of the brothers of king olof so it is said that while king olof was at the banquet with asda his mother she led forth her children and showed them to him the king set his brothers on one knee guthon and on the other half dawn the king looked on the lives and then knit his brows and looked wrathfully on them and both of the lads drooped then asda bore to him her youngest son who was height herald who was then three winters old the king frowned on him but he looked straight into his face then the king caught at the hair of the lad and pulled it and the lad laid hold of the king's beard and pulled in return then said the king revenge for wealth thou be later on kinsman next day the king was stalling abroad about the stead and asked his mother with him and they went to a certain town and there were at play the lads the sons of asda guthon and half dawn there were done big homesteads and great barns with many knee and sheep this was their play to it a little way thence along the town side by a certain clay creek was herald and had wood shavings and they floated by the land of many the king asked him what that meant he said they were his warships then left the king and said maybe kinsman that it may come about that thou shalt rule over ships then the king called the other half dawn and guthon and he asked guthon where of what's thou own the most kinsman cornfields says he the king said how wide what's thou have thine acres he answers that would i let all this nest which go within to the water were all sown every summer but ten steds stood there the king answers mikkel corn might stand there on then the king asked half dawn what it was that he would own most of kind said he the king says how many kind which thou have half dawn said so many that when they went to the water they should stand close to each other all around it the king answered big store will ye to have there in taking after your fathers then the king asked herald of what will us thou to own the most he answers house corals says he the king asked now how many wealth thou have that would i that they might eat up at one meal all the kind of half dawn my brother the king laughed and said to asda here be like the art rearing a king mother no more of their words are told of as at that time end of the story of olof the holy part five chapter 61 through 75