 Section 23 of Himes Kringle by Snorri Storlson. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The story of Olaf Trigves in Part 7, Chapter 61 through 70. Chapter 61, Rogeland christened. King Olaf summoned a thing so soon as he came into Rogeland, and when the bidding there too came to the bonders, they gathered all together, and many people, and all armed. And when they were met, they fell to talking the matter over, and appointed three men, the fairest of speech in their company, to answer King Olaf at the thing, and speak against him, and say that they would not submit themselves to any lawless ways, howsoever the king might bid them. But when the bonders came to the thing, and the thing was established, then stood up King Olaf, and spoke to the bonders, and kindly wise at the first. Albeit it might be seen in his words that he would have them take reasoning. This, with fair words, he bade them, but in the end was this added against such as Gaines said him, and would not obey his bidding, that they shall abide his wrath and punishment from him, and have he ruined, wheresoever he might bring it about. But when he had made an end of his speaking, then stood up he of the bonders, who was the fairest spoken of them all, and at the outset had been chosen for that end, that he might answer King Olaf. But lo, now when he would speak he fell a coughing and choking, so that no word would out of him and down he sat again. Then arose the second bonder, and will know wise let his answer fall dead, howsoever ill the first hath sped, but when he began his talk such stammering fell on him, that not a word would win out, and all fell a laughing who heard and down sat the bonder. Yet arose the third, and would say his say against King Olaf, that when he fell to speech he was so hoarse, and husky that no man heard what he was saying, and down he sat again. And so there was none left of the bonders to speak against the King, and whereas the bonders might get none to answer the King, none arose to withstand him, and so it came about, that they all accorded to the King's command, and the whole thing folk was christened, or ever the King went his ways thence. Chapter 62 The wooing of Erling Skiogson Now King Olaf made with his folk to the Gula thing, because the bonders had sent him word that they would give answer to his matter there at. But when either side was come to the thing, then with the King first of all have speech with the lords of the land, but when they were all come together, the King set forth his errand bidding them take christening according to his command. Then spake, O mod, the old we kinsmen have taken counsel together about this matter, and will be all of one consent herein, for if thou King art minded to drive us kins folk into such matters by torments, and will break down our laws, and will break down us beneath thee by mastery, then will we withstand thee to the utter most of our might, and let him prevail who is fated thereto. But if on the other hand, King, thou wilt speed us kins folk somewhat, then mayest thou bring it so well about that we shall all turn to thee with hearty obedience. The King saith, what will ye ask of me to the end, that the peace betwixt us be of the best? Answereth, O mod, first of all, whether wilt thou wed astrid thy sister to Erling Skiogson, our kinsmen, whom we now account the likeliest of all young men of Norway. King Olaf saith that him seameth the wedding would be good, whereas Erling is of high kin, and the goodliest of men to look on, yet saith he that astrid must have a word in the matter. So the King laid the matter before his sister. Little avails of me, saith she that I am her King's daughter and her King's sister, if I am to be given to a man without title of dignity. Lever were I to abide a few winters for another wooing, and therewith they left talking for that while. CHAPTER 63 THE CHRISTENING OF HORDELAND But the King let take a hawk of astrid's and pluck off all the feathers of it, and then sent it to her. Said Astrid, Roth is my brother now, and she arose and went to the King, and he gave her good welcome. Then spake Astrid and said that she would have the King deal with her matter according to his will. I was of thinking, said the King, that I had so much power in the land as to make what man I would a man of dignity. Then let the King call Old Maude and Erling and all the kin of them to talk with him, and the wooing was talked over with such end that Astrid was betrothed to Erling. Then let the King set a thing on foot and bade the bonders be christened, and now were Old Maude and Erling leaders in pushing forward this matter for the King. And all their kindred to boot, nor had any boldness to gain say it, and all that folk was christened. Chapter 64 The Wedding of Erling Skiogson. So Erling Skiogson arrayed his wedding in the summer tide, and there at was a full many folk, and there was Olaf the King. Then offered the King and earled him to Erling, but Erling spake thus, Her sirs have all my kin been, nor will I have a higher name than they, but this will I take of thee, King, that thou make me the highest of that name here in the land. The King said yea there too, and at their parting, King Olaf gave Erling his brother-in-law, Dominion south away from Sagan sea and east to Lydon disness, in such wise as Herald hair fair had given land to his sons, whereof is a forewrit. Chapter 65 The First and Romsdale christened. That same autumn King Olaf summoned a thing of four counties north at Dragg's Eid of Stod. There were to come the folk of Sagan and the firsts of Southmere and Romsdale. The third king Olaf with a great host of men that he had from the east country and the folk with all that had come to him out of Hordland and Rogeland. But when King Olaf came to the thing there, he christened as at other places. And whereas the king had with him a very great host, men were a draught of him. And at the end of his speaking the king had them have one of two choices, either take christening or make them ready for battle with him. But whereas the bonders saw that there was no might with them to fight with the king, they took such reed that all folk were christened. Then King Olaf fared with his folk into Northmere and christened that country. Then he sailed into Ledeer and let break down the godhouse there and take all the wealth and adornment from the godhouse and from off the gods. A great gold ring also he took from the door thereof, which Earl Hacon had let make, and thereafter King Olaf let burn the house. But when the bonders heard thereof, they sent forth the war arrow over all the countryside and called out and host and would go against King Olaf. Then King Olaf brought his folk down the furth and stood north away along the land, being minded for Haloga land to christen folk there. But when he came north to bear airs, then heard he of Haloga land that they had an host out there and were minded to defend the land against the king. And these were the captains of that host, Harak of Theota, Thorir, Hart of Bogar and Ivan Rentchik. So when King Olaf heard thereof, he turned about and sailed south along the land. But when he came south of the start he went more at his leisure, but yet came in the beginning of winter right east away into the wick. Chapter 66 King Olaf with Queen Sigrid the Haudy. Now Queen Sigrid of Sweden, who was called the Haudy, sat there on her manors. And that winter Baird Min betwixt King Olaf and Queen Sigrid, whereby King Olaf set forth his wooing of her. And she took it in hopeful wise and the matter was bound in with troth words. Then sent King Olaf unto Queen Sigrid that great gold ring which he had taken from the Godhouse door at Ladeer, naming that utmost noble gift. But the appointed day for settling this matter was to behold in the next spring tide at the marches of the lands amid the elf. Now while the ring which King Olaf had sent to Queen Sigrid was being praised exceedingly of all men, there were with the Queen her two smiths brethren. These handled the ring about and waited in their hands and then spake up privy word together, so the Queen called them to her and asked why they mocked at the ring. But they may say that. Then she said that they must needs and all despite tell her what they had found. And they said there on that there was false metal in the ring. So she let break it asunder and low inwardly it was but brass. There at was the Queen Roth and said that Olaf would play her false and more matters than this one only. That same winter fair King Olaf up into ring realm and christened there. Chapter 67 the christening of Olaf Haraldson. Asta Goodbrand's daughter was speedily wedded after the death of Harold the Greenlander to a man named Sigrid Sire, who was King in ring realm. Sigrid was the son of Halfdown, who was the son of Sigrid Abusch, son of Harold Harefair. Now Olaf the son of Asta by Harold the Greenlander abode with his mother and waxed up in his childhood at the house of Sigrid Sire, his stepfather. But when King Olaf Trigvison came into ring realm bidding to christening, then Sigrid Sire let himself be christened with Asta his wife and Olaf her son. And Olaf Trigvison became gossip to Olaf Haraldson, who was then three winters old. Then yet again fared King Olaf south into the wick and abode there through the winter and now had he been three winters king over Norway. Chapter 68 the talk of King Olaf and Sigrid the haughty. Early in spring tide went King Olaf east to the king's rock to the appointed meeting with Queen Sigrid. And when they met they talked over that matter which had been set on foot in the winter tide to wit how they would be wedded together. And things looked hopefully concerning it. Then spake King Olaf and that Sigrid take christening and the right wise trough. But she spake thus I will not depart from the trough that I have a fort on holden and all my kin before me yet will I not accounted against thee. Though thou trough in what so God seemeth good to thee. Then wax King Olaf very wroth and spake in haste what have I to do to wed with thee a heathen bitch. And smote her in the face with the glove he was a holding. Therewith he arose and she too and Sigrid said this may well be the bane of thee. Then they departed and the king went north into the wick but the queen east into the swede realm. Chapter 69 the burning of wizards. Then faired King Olaf to Tonsburg and again held a thing there and gave out there at that all such as were known and proven to deal with witchcraft and spellwork. And all wizards should get them gone from the land. Then that the king ransacked for those men about the studs that were hard by and bid them all to him. And when they came there among them was a man named Ivan Wellspring who was the son's son of Ragnvald straight leg the son of King Harold Harefair. Now Ivan was a spell worker and wise above all. Now King Olaf let marshal these men in a certain hall and let Aray it well and made them a feast therein and gave them strong drink. But when they were drunk and the king let lay fire in the hall and the hall burned up with all them that were therein save Ivan Wellspring who got out by the loffer and so Aray thence. And when he was gotten a long way off he met men on his road and bad them till the king that Ivan Wellspring was gotten away from the fire and would never come again into the power of King Olaf but with fair in the same wise as he had heretofore in all his cunning. So when these men met King Olaf they told him even as Ivan had bidden them and the king was ill content that Ivan was not dead. Chapter 70 the slaying of Ivan Wellspring. When springtime was come King Olaf fared out along the wick and guested at his great manners and sent word throughout all the wick that he would have an host out in the summertime to fare into the north country. Then when did he north to Agdeir but when Lent was well worn stood north again for rogueland and came at Easter Eve to Agvaldsness in Cormes Isle and there was his Easter Feaster raid for him and he had hard on 300 men. That same night made land at the Ivan Wellspring with a long ship all manned and the crew were all spell singers or other wizard folk. So Ivan went up a land with his company and they wrought hard at their wizardry and made wrapping of dimness and thick darkness so great that the king might not get to see them. But when they were come hard by the stead at Agvaldsness the day waxed bright there and all went clean contrary to Ivan's mind for the murk he had made by wizardry fell upon him and his fellows so that they might see no more with their eyes than with their poles and kept going all round and round about. But the king's warders saw where they went and wanted not what folk they were so the king was told thereof and he arose and clad himself in all his folk. And when he saw where Ivan and his folk fared he bet his men armed them and go see what manner of men these would be. But when the king's men knew Ivan they laid hands on him and the whole company and brought them to the king. And Ivan told all that had befallen in his journey then the king let take them all and bring them out into a tide washed scary and bound them there. So there Ivan and all of them lost their lives and that scary is then forward called scratch scary. End of the story of Olaf Trigveson Part 7 chapter 61 through 70. Section 24 of Heimskringla by Snorri Sturlson, translated by George Pope Morris and Arakur Magnusson. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The story of Olaf Trigveson Part 8 chapter 71 through 80. Chapter 71 of King Olaf and the Giles of Odin. So goeth the tale that as King Olaf was feasting at archivalness, thither came on an eve an old man very wise of speech with a wide slouched hat and one eyed. And that man had knowledge to tell of all lands. Now he gathered to talk with the king and the king deemed it good game of his talk and asked him of many matters. But the guest answered clearly to all his questioning and the king sat long with him that evening. The king asked if he wanted who Agvault had been, after whom that stead and nest were named. Said the guest that Agvault was a king and a mighty warrior who did very great sacrifices to a certain cow and had her with him where so ever he went and deemed it availed him well for his health to drink always of her milk. Now King Agvault fought with a king called Varen and in that battle fell King Agvault and was laid in Hau hard by the stead here and standing stones were set up in remembrance of him, even those that yet stand hereby. But in another place a little way hence was the Hau laid in Hau. Such things he told of and many other matters of kings and the tidings of old but when the night was far spent the bishop called to the king's mind that it was time to go to sleep and the king did after his words. But when he was unclad and laid in his bed then sat the guest down on the footboard of his bed and talked yet a long while with the king and ever when one word was done deemed the king that he lacked another. Then spake the bishop to the king saying that it was time to sleep so the king did according to his word and the guest went out. A little after the king awoke and asked after the guest and bad call him to him but nowhere might the guest be found. For the next morning the king let call to him his cook and him who had the keeping of his drink and asked if any strange man had come to them. They said that as they were getting ready the meat there came to them a certain man and said that wondrous ill flesh meat were they seething for the king's table and therewith he gave them two sides of neat both thick and fat and they see them with the other flesh meat. Then saith the king that all that little shall be wasted saying that this will have been no man but Odin rather he whom he the men have long trod in but said he in no wise shall Odin beguile us. Chapter 72 A Thing in Thrandheim King Olaf drew together much people from the east country that summer and brought his host north away to Thrandheim and stood up first to Nidaris. Then he let when the thing bidding throughout all the furth and summoned a thing of eight folks at Froste but the bonders turned this thing bidding into a war arrow and drew together both thing and thrall from out all Thrandheim. So when the king came to the thing that there also was come the bonder host all armed. Now when the thing was established the king spake before his lieges and bad them take christening but when he had spoken a little while the bonders cried out at him bidding him hold his peace and saying that they will fall on him else and drive him away. Thus did we say they with Hacong Ethel Stain's foster son when as he battered such like bidding nor do we account thee of more worth than him. So when King Olaf saw the fierce mind of the bonders and with all how great and host they had not to be withstood then he turned his speech aside as being of one accord with those bonders and said thus I will that we make peace and good fellowship together even as we have done a foretime. I will fare thither whereas ye have your greatest blood offering and behold your worship there. And then let us take counsel together concerning the worship which we shall have and be all of one accord there over. So whereas the king spake softly to the bonders their fierce mind was appeased and thereafter all the talk went hopefully and peacefully and at the last it was determined that the Midsummer Feast of Offering should be holding in at mere and thither should come all lords and mighty bonders as the want was and King Olaf also should be there. Chapter 73 of Iron Skaggy. There was one Skaggy a rich bonder who was called Iron Skaggy and dwelt at Apow in Yorah. Skaggy was the first to speak against King Olaf at the thing and above all the bonders did he speak against Christ's faith. But on the terms of force said came the thing to an end and the bonders fared home but the king to Lidear. Chapter 74 Feast at Lidear. Now King Olaf laid his ships in the Nid and 30 ships he had and a goodly host and great but the king himself was off at Lidear with the company of his court. But when it wore toward the time when as the blood offering should be at mere King Olaf made a great feast at Lidear and sent bidding in to Strind and up into Galldale and west into Orkdale and bad to him lords and other great bonders. But when the feast was arrayed and the guests would come the first eve was the feast for fair and the cheer most glorious and men were very drunk and that night slept all men in peace there. But on the morrow morn when the king was clad he let sing mass before him and when the mass was ended the king let blow up for a house thing. In all his men went from the ships there with him came to the thing but when the thing was established the king stood up and spake in these words a thing we held up at frost. And there at I bad the bonders be christened and they bad me back again turn me to offering with them even as King Hacon Ethel Stain's foster son did. Wherefore we accorded together to meet up at mere and there make a great blood offering. But look ye if I turn me to offering with you then will I make the greatest blood offering that is and will offer up men. Yay and neither will I choose here to thralls and evil doers but rather will I choose gifts for the gods the noblest of men. And here to I name Worm Ligra of Middle House, stir car of Jim Sark, car of Gritting, Aspion Thor Bergson of Varnais, Worm of Lioxa, Haldar of Skirting, Stithi. Other five he named with all the noblest that were and sayeth that these will he offer up for peace and the plenty of the year and bideth fall on them forthwith. But when the bonders saw that they lacked might to meet the King they craved peace and gave up the whole matter for the King's might to deal with. So it was agreed on betwixt them that all the bonders who were there come should let themselves be christened and they go to the King to hold the true faith and lay aside all blood offering. And all these men did the King keep for guests till they gave him hostage son or brother or other near kinsmen. Chapter 75 of a thing in Thrantime. Now King Olaf fared with all his hosts into Thrantime. But when he came up to Meir thither were come all the lords of Thrantime such as most withstood christening. And these had with them all the mighty bonders who had a foretime upheld the sacrifices in that place. Great was the concourse of men even as was want to be and after the manner of what had been a foretime at the frosty thing. So let the King cry the thing and thither went both sides all armed. But when the thing was set up then spake the King and bad men christening. Then Iron Skaggy answered the King on behalf of the bonders and said they would know it more than a foretime that the King should break down their laws on them. We will King quoth he that thou make offering here as other kings have done before thee. At this his speaking made the bonders great stir and said that even as Skaggy spake would they have it all. Then answered the King saying that he would fare into the Godhouse with them and look at the worship when as they made offering. The bonders were well pleased there at and either side fared through the Godhouse. Chapter 76 Thrantime christened. So now King Olaf went into the Godhouse and a certain few of his men with him and a certain few of the bonders. But when the King came where as the gods were there sat Thor the most honored of all the gods adorned with golden silver. Then King Olaf Hove up the gold rod that he had in his hand and smooth Thor that he fell down from the stall. And therewith ran forth all the King's men and tumbled down all the gods from their stalls. But whilst the King was in the Godhouse was Iron Skaggy slain without even at the very door and that deed did the King's men. So when the King was come back to his folk he bade the bonders take one of two things either all be christened or else abide the brunt of battle with him. But after the death of Skaggy there was no leader among the folk of the bonders to raise up the banner against King Olaf. So was the choice taken of them to go to the King and obey his bidding. Then let King Olaf christen all folk that were there and took hostages of the bonders that they would hold to their christening. Thereafter King Olaf caused men of his wend over all parts of Thrantime and now spake no man against the faith of Christ. And so were all folk christened in the countryside of Thrantime. Chapter 77 the building of a town. King Olaf brought his host out to Night Dois and there let he raise up a house on the Nid bank. And so ordered it that there should be a cheaping stead and gave men toffs there whereon to build them houses. But he himself let build the King's house up above Ship Crook. There they let he flit in the autumn tide all goods that were needed for winter abode and there had he a full many men. Chapter 78 the wedding of King Olaf. Now King Olaf appointed a day of meeting with the kin of Iron Skaggy and offered them a tournament there at. And many noblemen had the answering thereof. Iron Skaggy had a daughter named Gudrun and so it befell at last amid their peacemaking that King Olaf should wed Gudrun. But the very first night they lay together so soon as the king was falling asleep she drew a knife and would thrust him through. But when the king was aware of it he took the knife from her and leaped up from the bed and went to his men and told them what had been did. Gudrun also took her raiment and all those men who had followed her with her and they went on their way and Gudrun never came again into the same bed with King Olaf. Chapter 79 the building of the crane. That same autumn let King Olaf build a great long ship on the beach of the Nid. A cutter was this and many smiths he had at the building of it. But in the beginning of winter when it was fully done thirty benches of oars might be told in it. High in the stem it was but nothing brought of beam. That ship the king called the crane. After the slaying of Iron Skaggy his body was brought out to E. Rirar and Eliath in Skaggy's howl by Easter. Chapter 80 Fang brand Farath to Iceland. Now when as Olaf Trigveson had been king over Norway two winters there was with him a Saxon priest named Fang brand. Masterful was he a murderous but a good clerk and a doubty man. Now whereas he was so headstrong a man the king would not have him with him. But sent him on this message to fare out to Iceland and christen the land there. So a merchant ship was gotten for him and the tale telleth about his journey that he made the east first. Of Iceland swan furth the south most to it and the winter after abode with Hall of the side. So Fang brand preach christening in Iceland and after his words Hall let himself be christened in all his household. And many other chieftains also notwithstanding many more there were who gained said him. Thorn vaul the guileful and winter lid the skull made a scurvy rhyme about Fang brand but he slew them both. Fang brand abode three winters in Iceland and was the bane of three men or ever he departed thence. In the story of Olaf Trigveson part 8 chapter 71 through 80. Section 25 of Himes Kringla by Snorri Sturlson translated by George Pope Morris and Erica Magnussen. This liver box recording is in the public domain. The story of Olaf Trigveson part 9 chapter 81 through 90. Chapter 81 of Hawk and Sigurd. Two men there were one named Sigurd and the other Hawk. Hall of the landers of Kin were they and had been much busied in chaffering voyages. On a summer they had fared west to England and when they came back to Norway they sailed north along the land. But in north near they fell in with the fleet of King Olaf. And when the King was told that there were come certain men Hall of the landers and heathen he let call the skippers to him and asked if they would let themselves be christened. But they gained said it. Then the King would talk them over in many ways and prevailed not. So he threatened them with death or maiming but not for that would they shift about. So he let set them in irons and they were with him a certain while holding in fetters and the King often talked with them but it was but labor lost. And on a certain night they vanished away so that none heard out of them or knew in what wise they had gotten away. But in the autumn tide they turned up in the north country with Herak of Theota who gave them good welcome and they abode the winter with him in good entertainment. Chapter 82 of Herak of Theota. Now on a fair day of spring tide was Herak at home and few men with him at the stead and the time hung heavy on his hands. So Sigurd spake to him saying that if he will they will go a rowing some wither for their disport. That liked Herak well so they go down to the strand and launch a six-hour and Sigurd took from the boathouse sail and gear that went with the craft. For such wise off they fared to take the sail with them when they rode for their disport. Then Herak went aboard the boat and shipped the rudder. The brethren Sigurd and Hawth went with all weapons even as they were ever want to go with the Goodman at home and they were both men of the strongest. Now before they went aboard the craft they cast into her a butter keg and a bread basket and bear between them a beer cask down to the boat. Then they rode away from land but when they were come a little way from the aisle then the brethren hoisted sail and Herak steered and they speedily made way from the aisle. Then went the brethren after where Herak sat and Sigurd spake. Now shout out make thy choice of certain things. The first is that thou let us brethren be masters of our voyage and the course of it. The second that thou let us bind thee and the third for sooth that we slay thee. Now Herak saw in what applied he was being no more than a match for either of the brethren even where he arrayed as well as they. So he made that choice which seemed to him the best of a bad business to it to let them be masters of the voyage. So he bound himself with oaths there too and gave them his troth and Sigurd went to the rudder and they stood south along the land. The brethren took heed that they should meet no man and the wind was of the fairest. So they made no stay till they came south to Thrandheim and into Naduys and there met they King Olaf. Then let the King call Herak to talk with him and let him be christened but Herak gained said him. Hereof spake the King and Herak many days at wiles before many men at wiles privily nor might they be at once there over. So in the end spake King Olaf to Herak now shout thou go thy ways home nor will I be heavy on thee this time. All the more as we are nigh akin and with all thou mayest say that I have gotten thee by guile. But know of a sooth that my mind it is to come up north there in the summer and look on you Halegalanders and then shall ye wot how hard I may be on those that gain say christening. Herak seemed well content to get away at his speediest this time. King Olaf gave him a good cutter rowing ten or twelve oars aside and let array that ship as well as might be with all things needful. And he gave Herak thirty men all dowdy fellows and well arrayed. Chapter eighty three the death of Ivan rent jeek. So Herak of Theoda got him gone from the town at his speediest but hawk and segred abode with the King and let themselves both be christened. Herak went on his ways till he came home to Theoda thence sent he word to his friend Ivan rent jeek. Bidding men tell him that Herak of Theoda had come face to face with King Olaf and had not let himself be cowed into christening. And again he bad tell him that King Olaf had it in his heart to come on them with an host next summer. And save Herak that they must look to it to deal warily therewith and bideth Ivan come to meet him as soon as may be. And when this errand was set forth before Ivan he seeth that the need is instant to look to it that they be not tripped by the King. So Ivan fared at his speediest and light skiff and but few men with him. But when they came to Theoda Herak greeted him well and straightway got they are talking Herak and Ivan on the other way out from the stead. But a little while had they talked Herak King Olaf's men who had followed Herak to the north come upon them and lay hands on Ivan and lead him down to the ship with them. And so sail away with Ivan nor stayed they their journey till they were come to Thrandheim and found King Olaf in the Doys. Then was Ivan brought to speech with King Olaf and the King bat him take christening like other men. Which thing Ivan Gaines said the King bat him with kind words to take christening showing him many things clearly. He and the Bishop also but none the more would Ivan shift about. Then the King offered him gifts and great bale lefrees but Ivan would none of them. Then the King threatened him with maiming or death but it availed not to turn him. Then let the King bear in a hand basin full of glowing coals and set it on Ivan's belly. And presently his belly burst asunder. Then spake Ivan take away the basin and I will speak a word before I die. Said the King, wealth thou now throw in Christ Ivan. Nay said he I may no rise take christening I am a ghost quickened in a man's body by cunning of the fins. And my father and mother might have no child before that. Then died Ivan who had been the cunningest of wizards. Chapter 84 Halaga land christened. The spring after these things let King Olaf array his ships and folk. And he himself sailed the crane of fair host and up mighty had the King. So when he was ready he brought his fleet out of the furth and then north of Berta. And so north away to Halaga land. And wheresoever he came a land there held he a thing. And bad all folk there had to take christening and the right trod. No man durst gained say him. And all the land was christened wheresoever he came. King Olaf took guessting at the odor of herricks. And there was herrick christened and all his folk. Herrick gave the King good gifts at parting and became his man. And took bail the frieze of the King and the do's and rights of a lord of the land. Chapter 85 The fall of Thor Rear heart. Rod the strong was the name of a man who dwelt in a furth called Selpt in God Isle. He was very wealthy and had many house calls. A mighty man and there followed him great plenty of fins. When so he had need thereof. Rod was busy in blood offerings and full wise in wizardry. He was a great friend of a man named before Thor Rear heart to it. And they were both great chieftains. Now when they heard that King Olaf was faring over Halaga land from the south with a host of men they gathered men to them and called out ships and got a great company. Rod had a mighty dragon with a head all done with gold a ship of 30 benches by tail and great of hall with all for her length Thor Rear heart also had a great ship. So they stood south with their host to meet King Olaf. And when they met they joined battle with the King great was the battle and men felt thick and fast but the slaughter began to fall on the Halaga land host and their ships to be cleared and then fell fear and terror on them. Rod rode out to sea with his dragon and so let Horace sail forever had he wind at will with her so ever he would sail which thing came from his wizardry but the shortest tale of Rod's journey is that he sailed home to God Isle. Thor Rear heart and his folk fled in toward land and leaped ashore from his ship but King Olaf followed them he and his and they also leaped ashore and chased them and slew them. The King was foremost as ever when such play was toward and he saw where Thor Rear heart ran who was the swiftest footed of men so the King ran after him and his hound Viggy followed him then cried the King Viggy take the heart so Viggy ran forth after Thor Rear and was on him straight way there on Thor Rear made stay and the King shot a spear at him Thor Rear thrust with his sword at the hound and gave him a great wound but even therewith flew the King's spear under Thor Rear's arm so that it stood out at the other side so there Thor Rear ended his life but Viggy was born wounded out to the ship but King Olaf gave peace to all who craved it and would take christening Chapter 86 the journey of King Olaf to God Isle now King Olaf stood north along the land christening all folk wither so ever he came but when he came north to Selpt he was minded to sail in up the Firth to find route but foul weather and a squally storm raged down the Firth so there lay the King for a week and ever the same foul weather endured down the Firth though without was the wind blowing fair for sailing north along the land so the King sailed north away to Amd and there came all folk under christening then turned the King south again but when he came south off Selpt again was there a driving storm with Brian sprayed down the Firth certain nights the King lay there and still was the weather the same then spake the King to Bishop Sigurd and asked him if he knew of any remedy here too and the Bishop said he would try it if God would strengthen his hands to overcome the might of these fiends Chapter 87 of Bishop Sigurd and of Rouds tormenting so took Bishop Sigurd all his mass array and went forth on to the prowl of the King's ship and let kindle the candles and bore incense then he set up the rude in the prowl of the ship read out the gospel and many prayers and sprinkled holy water over all the ship then he bad unshipped the tilt and row in up the Firth then called the King to the other ships bidding them all row into the Firth after him but so soon as they felt a rowing of the crane she made way up into the Firth and they who rode that ship felt no wind on them and quite calm stood there the walled in track behind in the ship's wake while on either side there of world the driving spray so free that because of it the fells might not be seen but in that calm rode one ship after another and so far they all day and the night after and came a little before they break to the God Isles and when they came off Rouds dead load there off the shore lay his great dragon so King Olaf went straight way up to the house with his Vulcan set on the loft where in Roud slept and break open the door then men ran in and Roud was laid hand on and bound but such men as were therein were slain or taken then went men to the hall where in slept Rouds house calls and there some were slain and some bound and some beaten then let the King bring Roud before him and he bad him be christened then said the King will I not take the possessions from thee but rather be thy friend if thou wilt be worthy thereof but Roud cried out at him saying that he would never throw in Christ and blasphemed much and the King waxed Roth and said that Roud should have the worst of death so he let take him and bind him face up to a beam and let set a gag between his teeth to open the mouth of him then let the King take a ling worm and set it to his mouth but no wise would the worm enter his mouth but shrank away when as Roud blew upon him then let the King take a hollow stalk of Angelica and set it in the mouth of Roud whereas some men say it was his horn that he let set in his mouth but they laid there in the worm and laid a glowing iron to the outwards thereof so that the worm crawled into the mouth of Roud and then into his throat and dug out a hole in the side of him and there came Roud to his ending the King Olaf took their very great wealth of silver and gold and other chattels weapons to it and diverse kinds of deer bought things and all those men who had served Roud the King let christen where if they would not be christened he had them slain or tormented there took King Olaf that dragon which Roud had had and he himself steered it for it was a far greater and good leadership then was the crane forward on it was a dragon's head but afterward a crook fashioned in the end as the tail of a dragon but either side the neck and all the stem were overlaid with gold that ship the King called the worm because when the sail was aloft then should that be as the wings of the dragon the fairest of all Norway was that ship now those isles where in Roud had dwelt were called Gilling and Herring but all the isles together the god isles and the stream to the north betwixt them and the mainland was called the god isles stream all that furth King Olaf christened now and then went his way south along the land and in that his journey predicted many tidings told of entail thereafter how trolls and evil creatures tempted his men yea whilst himself even yet will we rather write about the tidings that befell when King Olaf christened Norway or those other lands he brought unto christening so King Olaf brought his host that same autumn to Thrandhan and stood in for Ndeus and there ordered his winter welling and now will I let right next what is to tell of Iceland men Chapter 88 of the Iceland men for that same harvest came out to Nederis from Iceland chr10 the son of Olaf the son of Hasgald and the son also of the daughter of Egil Skala Grimson which chr10 have been called now about the likeliest and goodliest man ever begotten in Iceland there was then also Halder son of Gudmund of Madar Mead and Kobine son of Thord Frays priest the brother of Burning Flossy Sverting also son of Runaugh the priest these and many others mighty and un-mighty were all heathen therewith also were come from Iceland noblemen who had taken christening from Thang brand to it Gizer the white the son of Tite Ketil Bjorn's son whose mother was Eilaf daughter of Badbar the hercer son of Viking Kari but the brother of Badbar was Sigurd father of Eric B. Adlaskali the father of Astrid mother of King Olaf another Icelander Healti son of Skegi he had two wife Bill Borg daughter of Gizer the white Healti was a christened man and King Olaf gave full kindly welcome to father and son-in-law Gizer and Healti and they abode with him now those Iceland men who were captains of the ships such of them as were heathen sought to sail away when the king was coming to the town for it was told them that the king would christen all men perforce but the wind was against them and they were driven back under Nid Holm these were the captains of ships there Thor-Raren Nafilsen Halford the Skull son of Arthur Bran the Bountiful and Thor-like Branson now it was told King Olaf that there lay certain ships of Icelanders who were all heathen and would flee away from meeting the king so he sent men to them forbidding them to stand up to see bidding them go lie off the town and so did they but unlated not their ships but they cried a market and held chaffer by the king's bridges thrice in the spring tide they sought to sail away but the wind never served and they lay yet by the bridges now on a fair weather day many men were a swimming for their disport and one man of them far out did the others in all mastery then spoke Kjartan with Halford the Troublas Skull bidding go try feats of swimming with this man but he excused himself said Kjartan then shall I try and cast his clothes from him therewith and leaped into the water and struck out forth that man and caught him by the foot and drew him under up they come and have no word together but down they go again and are underwater much longer than the first time and again come up and hold their peace and go down again the third time till Kjartan thought the game all up but might know wise amended and now knew well the odds of strength betwixt them so they are underwater there till Kjartan is well and I spent then up they come and swim to land then asked the Northman what might the Icelanders name be and Kjartan named himself said the other thou art depth at swimming hast thou any mastery in other matters said Kjartan little mastery in this the Northman said why askest thou me not again Kjartan answered the seamoth it is not to me who thou art or in what wise thou art named answered the other I will tell thee then here is Olaf Trigveson and therewith he asked him many things of the Iceland men and lightly Kjartan told him all and therewith was minded to get him away hastily but the king said here is a cloak which I will give thee Kjartan so Kjartan took the cloak and thanked him wondrous well Chapter 89 the Iceland men christen and now was Michael Miskum and the king let hold high tide and sing massful gloriously and there there went the Icelanders and harkened the fair song and the voice of the bells and when they came back to their ships each man said how the rays of the Christian men liked them and Kjartan said he was well pleased but most other mocked at them and so it went as saith the saw many are the king's ears and the king was told thereof so forthwith on that same day he sent a man after Kjartan bidding him come to him and Kjartan went to the king with certain men and the king greeted him well Kjartan was the biggest and goodliest of men and fair spoken with all so now when the king and Kjartan had taken and given some few words together the king bade Kjartan take christening Kjartan saith that he will not gain say it if he shall have the king's friendship therefor and the king promised him his hearty friendship and so Kjartan and he strike this bargain between them the next day was Kjartan christened and Bali Thor likes him his kinsmen and all their fellows and Kjartan and Bali were guests of the king whilst they wore their white wreaths and the king was full kind to them and all men accounted them noblemen where so ever they came Chapter 90 the christening of Hall Fred On a day went the king a walking in the street and certain men met him and he of them who went first greeted the king and the king asked him of his name and he named himself Hall Fred Art thou the scald said the king said he I can make verses then said the king will thou take christening and become my man thereafter saith he this shall be our bargain I will let myself be christened if thou king be thyself my gossip but from no other man will I take it the king answered well I will do that so then was Hall Fred christened and the king himself held him at the font then the king asked of Hall Fred will thou now become my man Hall Fred said first was I of the bodyguard of Earl Hacon nor will I now be the lesion of any other lord but if thou give me thy word that for no deed I may happen to do thou wilt drive me away from thee from all that is told me said the king thou art neither so wise nor so meek but it seemeth like enough to me that thou mayest do some deed or other which I may know wise put up with slay me then said Hall Fred the king said thou art a troublesome scald but my man shall thou be now answered with Hall Fred what wilt thou give me king for a name gift if I am to be called troublesome scald the king gave him a sword but no scabbard therewith and said the king make us now a stave about the sword and let the sword come into every line Hall Fred sang one only sword of all swords hath made me now sword wealthy now then shall things be swordsome for the neards of the sweep of sword edge not to the sword were lacking if to that sword were scabbard all with the earth bones colored of three swords am I worthy then the king gave him the scabbard and said but there is not a sword in every line yea answers Hall Fred but there are three swords in one line yea for sooth saith the king now from Hall Fred songs we take knowledge with witness from what is there told concerning king Olaf end of the story of Olaf Trigbison part 9 chapter 81 through 90 section 26 of Heimskringla by Snorri Sturlson translated by George Pope Morris and Ira Kerr this LibriVox recording is in the public domain the story of Olaf Trigbison part 10 chapter 91 through 100 chapter 91 Thang Brand cometh back to King Olaf from Iceland that same harvest came back from Iceland to King Olaf Thang Brand the mass priest and told how that his journey had been none of the smoothest for that the Icelanders had made scurvy rhymes on him yea and some would slay him and he said there was no hope that that land would ever be christened here at was king Olaf so would wroth that he let blow together all the Iceland men that were in the town saying with all that he would slay them every one but Kjartan and Ghazur and Hjalti and other such as had taken christening went to him and said thou wilt not king draw back from that word of thine whereby thou sest that no man might do so much to anger thee that thou wouldst forgive it him if he cast aside heathendom and let himself be christened now will all Iceland men that here are let themselves be christened and we will devise somewhat whereby the Christian faith shall prevail in Iceland here are sons of many mighty men of Iceland and their fathers will help all they may in the matter but in sooth thang brandfair there as here with thee dealing ever with masterful ways of manslaying and such things men would not bear of him so the king got to hearken to these reeds and all men of Iceland that there were were christened chapter 92 of king Olaf's masteries king Olaf was of all men told of the most of prowess in Norway in all matters stronger was he a nimbler than any and many are the tales told here of one to it how he went up the smalls horn and made fast his shield out most of the peak and with all how he helped a courtman of his who had climbed up before him onto a sheer rock in such wise that he might neither get up nor down but the king went to him and bore him under his arm down unto a level place king Olaf also would walk out board along the oars of the worm while his men were arowing and with three handsaxes would he play king was ever aloft and one held ever in his hand he smote well alike with either hand and shot with two spears at once king Olaf was the gladdest of all men and games semest kind he was and lowly hearted exceeding eager in all matters bountiful of gifts very glorious of attire before our men for high heart in battle the grimest of all men was he in his wrath all his pains laid he upon his foes some he burnt in the fire some he let wild hounds tear asunder some he stoned or cast down from high rocks now for all these things was he well beloved of his friends and dreaded of his foes for great therefore was his furtherance whereas some did his will for love and kindness sake chapter nineteen three the christening of leaf ericsson leaf the son of eric the red who first settled green land was come this summer from green land to norway he went to king Olaf and took christening and abode that winter with king Olaf chapter ninety four the fall of king goodrod now goodrod son of eric blood axe the moon hilled had been a warring in the west lands since he fled the land before oral hay con but in this summer of four told of when as king Olaf had ruled over norway for winters then came goodrod to norway with many warships and had newly sailed from England but when he drew so nigh as to have inkling of norway he stood south along the land whereas was least to be looked for and sailed to the wick but so soon as he came a land he felt a harrowing and beating down the people under him bidding them take him for king so when the folk of the land saw that a mighty host was come upon them then sought men for truce and peace and offered to the king to send the bidding to a thing throughout the land and would rather take him to guesting him and therefore was there tearing in the matter whilst the call to the thing was abroad then craved the king money for his vitil whilst he abode thus but the bonders chose rather to give the king quarters for such time as he needed which choice the king took and went guesting about the land with some of his folk while some held ward over his ships but when the brethren herning and Thor Gear king Olaf's brothers in law heard that they gather folk and go a shipboard and so fair north under the wick and come on a night with their company to where Gudrod was a guesting and there they fell on him with fire and the sword there fell king Gudrod and the more part of his folk but they of them who had been at the ships were slain some of them and some escaped and fled away far and wide and now are all the sons of Eric and goon hill dead chapter 95 the building of the long worm now the winter that king Olaf came from a like a land he let build a great ship in under the la deer cliffs and much greater it was than other ships that were then in the land and yet are the slips where on it was built left there for a token 70 and four L's long of grass line keel was it Thorberg shave here was the master smith of that ship but there were many others at the work some to join some to chip some to spite rivet some to flip timbers there were all matters of the choices long was that ship and brought of beam high of bulwark and great in the scantlin but now when they were gotten to the free board Thorberg had some needful Aaron that took him home to his house and he carried there very long and when he came back the bulwark was all done now the king went in the event tied and Thorberg with him to look on the ship and see how the ship showed and every man said that never yet had they seen along ships so great or so goodly and so the king went back to the town but Thorberg again to the ship and the smiths were already come with there but there they stood doing nothing the king asked them what they were about then and they said that the ship was spoiled for some manner other must have gone from stem to stern cutting notches with an axe all along the gun well one by another so the king went there too and saw that sooth it was and he spake there with and swore an oath that if he might see a man who for envy's sake have spoiled the ship he should surely die and he who will tell me thereof shall have great good of me then spake Thorberg I might tell thee be like king who will have done this deed say if the king I might look to thee as much as to any man to have such good hap as to what hereof and tell me well I will tell thee king who have done it I have done it answereth the king then shall thou make it good so that all be as well as heretofore and thy life shall lie on it so Thorberg went to the ship and planed all the notches out of the gun well and thereon said the king and all others that the ship was much better on that board where Thorberg had cut it and the king bet him fashion it so on either board and bet him have much thank for all so thereafter was Thorberg master smith of the ship until it was done this ship was a dragon and was wrought after the fashion of the worm that ship which the king had gotten in Helagoland but bigger it was and more excellent in all wise and he called it the long worm but the other the short worm on this worm were there at thirty and four benches of oars the head and the tail of it were all done over with gold and the bull works were as high as in the ship built for sailing the main sea the best wrought and the most costly was that ship of any that have been in Norway chapter ninety six of Earl Eric Haconson now Earl Eric Haconson and his brother and many other noble kinsmen of theirs had fled away from the land after the fall of Earl Haconson Earl Eric fared east into Sweden to Olaf the swede king and had good welcome of him he and his and King Olaf gave the Earl a land of peace there and great grants to sustain himself and his folk hereof telleth Thorred Cole Byneson short while O's gave wolves scatterer war ere the land folks treason and life of Haconson weird wendeth things of many when the host fared from the west land he thinks the son of Trigve came to the land that ere while the staff of sword fields conquered more in his heart had Eric against the great wealth waster than spoken word laid open as from him might be looked for the wrathful Earl of Thrandheim sought reed the king of Sweden therefore no man foresook him stiff neck then grew the friend folk much folk resorted from Norway to Earl Eric who had fled away from the land before King Olaf Trigveson so Earl Eric took such reed that he got him a ship board and went a warring to gather wealth for him and his men first he made for a goth land and lay there long in the summer season way laying ships of Chapman who sailed toward the land or of the Vikings else and while he went the land and harried there wide about the borders of the sea so it is said in Banda Drapa the Lord renowned there after one male storms more a many that have we learned a foretime the spear storm bounteous Eric when wrought he valley storm wreath of the hawks of the strand of vervil about wide harried goth land to him and fight gay wages then sailed Earl Eric south to Wendland and fell in their off-stour with certain Viking ships and joined battle with them there one Earl Eric the victory and slew the Vikings as is said in Banda Drapa the steer of the stem steed at stour let heads of men lie the Lord such deed he fashioned the Earl his wars and swear so then the scalp of Vikings the wound mew tour by sea beach there at the hard swords meeting the land by God's safeguarded chapter 97 of Eric's warring in the east lands then sailed Eric back to Sweden in harvest tide and about there another winter but in spring tide he arrayed his ships and sail for the east lands and when he came into the realm of King Voldemort he fell a harrowing and slew men folk and burnt all before him and laid waste the land and he came to the Iguia Berg and beset it till he won dead there he slew many folk and break down and burnt all the bird and thereafter fared wide about Garth realm doing all deeds of war as is said in Banda Drapa fared thence the sea flames bright near King Voldemort's land to Harry all with the brand of point storm there at the fray grew greater men saw the brooks all the Iguia and hard indeed the fight waxed betwixt the host thou came east unto Garth's so knew we this warfare waged Earl Eric for five summers and all but when he came from Garth realm he went a warring all about Andel Cisla and the Isle Cisla and there took he four biking cutters of the Danes and slew all the folk thereof so saith it in Banda Drapa her die where he the hardener of the spear see in Isle land sound the fray raise the spear storm bounteous Eric the fight tree for flames giver cleared for ships of the Dane folk so heard we the true story to him and fight gay wages oh heedful New York of the launch steed with Garth land men ye battled when ran the townward the Earl his wars and swath the wars God when did war shield aloft all or the counties to mend the peace be managed the land by God's safe guarded Earl Eric went to Denmark when as he had been one winter in the swede realm he met spine twybeard the Dane king there and wooed for himself Gita his daughter which wooing came to wedding and Earl Eric and Gita to wife and the next winter they had a son height achon Earl Eric about in Denmark in the winter or was in the swede realm but in summertime he went or warring chapter 98 the wedding of King spine spine twybeard the Dane king had to wife goon hill the daughter of Burislaw king of the winds but in these days even now told of it be king goon hill fell sick and died and a little after king spine wedded sigrid the haughty the daughter of gogal toasty who was the mother of Olaf the swede king of Sweden and with this alliance love also befell between the kings and well beloved of them both and they of him was Earl Eric Hakensson chapter 99 the wedding of King Burislaw now Burislaw the when king before Earl Sigvaldi his son-in-law that the treaty was broken which Earl Sigvaldi had made between King spine and King Burislaw to it that Burislaw should wed theory Harold's daughter the sister of King spine which wedding had never come to pass because theory had said nay downright to the wedding with the heathen king and an old man so said Burislaw now that he will claim the fulfillment and bad the Earl fair to Denmark and have a way with him Queen theory for King Burislaw's Behoo so Earl Sigvaldi slept not over that journey but fair to meet the Dane King and laid the matter before him and in such way the word of the Earl prevailed that King's spine delivered theory his sister into his hands and certain women went with her and her foster father one and certain other men with all it was covenanted between the King and the Earl that those domains in Wendland which Queen Goonhild had had should be for a dowry to theory and other great possessions should she had for joint share sore greeted theory and went all against her will but when the Earl and she came to Wendland then King Burislaw arrayed the wedding and took to wife Queen theory that she was come among heathen men she would neither take meet nor drink of them and such wise went matters for seven nights. Chapter 100 King Olaf Wetteth Queen theory now it came to pass on a certain night that Queen theory and Ozer fled away to the wood by night in cloud and shortly to tell of their journeying they came to Denmark but there no wise Durs theory abide because she and her brother heard of her being there he would speedily send her back to Wendland so they fared with heads all hidden until they came into Norway and theory made no stay till she came before King Olaf Trigvissen but he took them in kindly and in good welcome they abode there. Theory told the King all her trouble and create helpful counsel of him and a peaceful dwelling in his realm a smooth spoken woman was theory and the King thought her ways and beheld her that she was a fair woman and he came into his mind that this would be a good wedding for him so that the wise he turned the talk and asked her will she wed him but where as her fortune had fared in such wise and she deemed herself right hard bested and saw on the other hand how happy a wedding this was to be wedded to so noble a King she bad him deal with her and her matter as he would and so according to this talk King Olaf wedded Queen theory and their wedding was held in harvest time when as he was come south from how low the land so King Olaf and Queen theory abode in no dice that winter but the next spring would Queen theory be all be wailing to King Olaf and weeping sorely there with how for as great possessions as she had in one land here in the land had she know well which as beseemed a Queen and whilst would she pray the King with fair words to go get her her own saying that King Burislav was so dear a friend of King Olaf that so soon as they met he would give over to him all that he craved nevertheless all the friends of the King when they heard of this talk let it the King of that journey now so tells the tale that on a day early in spring tied the King was a going down the street and by the place a man met him with many Angelica heads wondrous big for that season of spring so the King took a great stem of Angelica in his hand and went home there with to the lodging of Queen theory now theory said a weeping in her hall when the King came in but he spake see here the big Angelica I give thee but she thrust it aside with her hand and spake Harold Gormson was want to give me greater gifts and moreover he feared less than thou does now to fear from the land and seek his own as was well seen of him when he came hither into Norway and laid waste the more part of this land and went to him all the scat and do's thereof whereas thou dost not went through the dame realm for fear of King spying my brother then up sprang King Olaf at that word of hers and spake out on high and swear an oath saying never shall I fear in fear for King spying my brother nay and if we meet he it is shall give aback end of the story of Olaf Trigveson part 10 chapter 91 through 100 section 27 of Himes Gringla by Snorri Sturlson translated by George Pope Morris and Iroker Magnusson this the Brevox recording is in the public domain the story of Olaf Trigveson part 11 chapter 101 through 110 chapter 101 the muster of King Olaf so a little hereafter King Olaf summoned a thing there in the town where at he set forth before all the people that he would have in host the land that summer and would have a levy from every folkland both of men and ships and there with all he saith how many ships he will have thence from out the furth then sendeth he messengers north and south along the land by the outer and the inner rays and let call out his folk there with let King Olaf thrust forth the long worm in all his other ships both great and small he himself steered the long worm but when men were died to go aboard ships so well arrayed and chosen was his company that none should be aboard the long worm older than 60 or younger than 20 and full closely were they chosen both for strength and stoutness of heart and the first set aside there too were those of the bodyguard of King Olaf for these were chosen by the strongest and stoutest both the folk of the land and of outlanders chapter 102 the telling up of the worms manning wolf the red was the man height who bore King Olaf spanner and was in the proud of the worm and next to him was Cole Bjorn the marshal Thor Stein Oxford also and by car of 10th land the brother Gellin these were of the four castle in the prow locker of the elf son of Rami Bursi the strong and the shooter of I am't land the stout of Thelmark and Uthi or mere his brother these hello golanders to wit Thrand Scwinty Ogman Sandy Laudvir the long of Saltwick and Herrick the King these of inner the high Thorfinne I sleep Howard he and his Brethren of Orthdale these man the for hold Bjorn of Studle Bork of the first Thor Grim son of Theodolph of Habin us Bjorn and Worm Thord of Neordlow Thor Stein the white of uproasted honor the mere man Hall Stein and Hawk of the first Ivan make a burgthor bestel hawkle of fjallir Olaf the lad arm finn of Sagan Sigurd Bill Einar of Hortland and finn Kettle of Rogeland Gryot guard the brisk these were in the main hold Einar them bar Skelvir deemed indeed by the others not able bodied whereas he was but 18 winters old Thor Stein Farson the Rolf Ivar Smeda Worm Shawneb and many other right noble men with all were on the Worm though not can we name them eight men there were to a half birth in the Worm all chosen man by man 30 there were in the for hold the talk of men it was that the crew of the Worm no less bore away the bell from other men for goodliness and might come from other ships thorkle nosy the king's brother steered the short Worm and thorkle died drill and Jastain the mother's brothers of the king had the crane and either ship was full well man 11 great ships had king Olaf from Thrandheim and 20 banked ships more over and smaller ships and viddlers chapter 103 Iceland christened Olaf had well now arrayed his host for a sailing from Nidois he appointed men throughout all Thrandheim to the steward ships and bail the frees then sent he to Iceland gives her the white and he all tea skegason to bid christening therein and gave them a priest named Thormad and other hallowed men but he held us hostages for Iceland men such as he deemed the noblest to it and now it is to be said of the journey of gazur and he all tea that they came to Iceland before the all thing and fared to the thing at which thing was Christ's troth taken for law in Iceland and that same summer was all man folk christened there chapter 104 green land christened that same spring also king Olaf sent leaf to the steward ships also king Olaf sent leaf Ericsson to green land to bid christening there so that same summer he went he took up a ship's crew on the sea who come to naught and were lying on the wreck of the ship and in that journey found he Vineland the good and came back in harvest tied to green land bearing with him the other a priest and teachers and so went to guest with Eric his father at Brent Lide and called him thereafter leaf the lucky but Eric his father said that one thing might be said against another whereas on the one hand leaf had hoping that wrecked crew and on the other had brought that juggler to green land to it the priest chapter 105 Err Raghnavald sent his men to king Olaf now king Olaf and queen theory about in that winter wherein the king had christened Heloga land and the summer before that queen theory brought forth a man child begotten of king Olaf great was the lad and of good hope and was called Harold after his mother's father the king and the queen loved the lad much and set their hearts on his growing up and taking the heritage of his father but he lived not a full year from the time he was born and a source gave they both esteemed it that winter were there many Iceland men with king Olaf as is for it and many other noble men besides and in the court also was Inge Björg Trigvee's daughter the sister of king Olaf there she was to look on lowly of mean and kind to all folk faithful she was great hearted and full friendly she loved well the Iceland men such as were there but Kjartan Olafson was the dearest of them all to her for the longest of them had he abided with the king and often talking to him she deemed a delight for wise he was and sweet of speech King Olaf was ever glad and joyous with his men and often he turned him to asking of the ways and the glory of the mighty men of the realms and I when men came to him from Sweden or Denmark now Paul Fred the soulless scald was come that summer from goutland east away there and had been with Earl Ragnarvald Wolfson now come to the dominion of west goutland Wolf the father of Ragnarvald was brother of Sigrid the haughty and king Olaf the sweet and Earl Ragnarvald were cousins germane now Hall Fred told King Olaf many things of Earl Ragnarvald saying how that he was a brave lord masterful bounteous of money manly minded and friendly Hall Fred said with all that the Earl would fain fall into friendship with King Olaf and had talked over how he would be a wooing Inge Bjorg Trigby's daughter and so that same winter came west from goutland messengers from Earl Ragnarvald who met King Olaf north away in the doys there they said forth the Earl's for the king according to the word that Hall Fred had spoken to it that the Earl was fain to be very friend of King Olaf and that he would speak of alliance with the king and would wed Inge Bjorg his sister therewith the messengers brought to the king manifest tokens of the Earl to make it plain that they did his errand faithfully the king took their matter well but said that Inge Bjorg must herself be mistress of her wedding then talked the king this matter over with his sister and asked her what her mind was herein and she answered thus I have abided with thee all while and thou has given me brotherly furtherance and loving honor in every place since thou came us into this land therefore will I say yea to what so thou wilt have of me in my wedding yet indeed I look to it that thou wilt not give me to a heathen man the king saith that so indeed it shall be and therewith he had speech of the messengers and this was determined before they went their ways that Earl Ragnvald should come to meet King Olaf in the east country that summer if he would become his very friend and then should they themselves talk over the matter when they met so the messengers of the Earl go back east on this errand but King Olaf about that winter in Nidois with great glory with mighty men Chapter 106 King Olaf go with his ways to Wendland that summer fared King Olaf with his host south along the land now there resorted to him many friends of his and mighty men such as were arrayed for fairing with the king and the first man of all was Erling Ski-Al-Ghson his brother-in-law who had a great cutter of thirty benches and full well manned was that ship there came to him also his brother-in-law Hearning and Thor Gear either of them steering a big ship and many other mighty men followed him sixty long ships had he as he fared from the land and sailed south along Denmark through the air sound and so to Wendland there he appointed a day of meeting with King Buresloth and the kings met and talked together over those possessions which King Olaf claimed and likewise between the kings and the claims that King Olaf deemed he had there were brought into a fair way to be paid so King Olaf abode there along that summer and found there many of his friends chapter one hundred and seven the egging on of Sigrid the Haudy now King's fine twy beard had then to wife Sigrid the Haudy as is a for it Sigrid was the greatest foe King Olaf Trigvison for this cause for sooth that King Olaf had broken their plighted troth and smitten her in the face even as is a for with now she stirred up King's fine busily to join battle with King Olaf Trigvison and said that he had enough against him in that King Olaf had lain by theory his sister without the leave of him and never would thy forefathers have born such like words had Queen Sigrid forever in her mouth whereby at the last she brought it to pass that King's fine was gotten ready to do by her council so early in the spring King's fine sent men east to Sweden to meet Olaf the sweet King his son in law and Earl Eric and he bad tell them that Olaf King of Norway had his fleet abroad and was minded to fair to Wendland that summer word also went with the message of the Dane King that the sweet King and Earl Eric should have out there hosting go meet King spine and that all they together should go join battle with King Olaf Trigvison now Olaf the sweet King and Earl Eric were already for this journey so they drew together a great host of ships from the sweet realm and brought that host south to Denmark but came better when King Olaf Trigvison already sailed east here of telleth Halldor the uncristened in the song that he made on Earl Eric the Kings or thrower Dauntless in gale of flame of battle called out much folk from Sweden the King held south to battle Fatner of Carrion Hornets then each and every Yeoman was feigned to follow Eric drink gap the wound mew seaword so the sweet King and Earl Eric held on to meet the Dane King and now joined all together they had a marvelous great host chapter 108 the ghouls of Earl Sigvaldi now King spine when he sent for that host had sent Earl Sigvaldi to Wendland to spy on the host and the King Olaf Trigvison and to lay such a trap that King spine and his fellows might not fail to fall in with him so Earl Sigvaldi went his ways and came to Wendland and I am's Bergen so went to meet Olaf Trigvison so there was most friendly converse but tricks them and the Earl grew into the greatest good liking with King Olaf astrid the wife of the Earl and daughter of King Burislav the great friend of King Olaf which came about much from their former ties whereas King Olaf had wedded Gira her sister now Earl Sigvaldi was a wise man and a shifty and when he was gotten into the privity of King Olaf's council he ever held him back from sailing from the east and found here on to now one thing now another but King Olaf's folk took it very homesick as they lay all died for sailing and the weather boating fair wind meanwhile Earl Sigvaldi had privy tidings from Denmark that the host of the sweet King was now come from the east and that Earl Eric also had a raid his host and that these lords would now be coming east under Wendland and had appointed to way like King Olaf by an isle called Svolder who the Earl to bring it so about that they might fall in with King Olaf there Chapter 109 King Olaf's journey from Wendland and now it got whispered about in Wendland that's fine the Dane King had and host abroad and speedily arose the rumour that King Svine would meet King Olaf but Earl Sigvaldi saith to the King it will be no read to join battle with thee with the Dane host only so great and host as thou has gotten but if thou misdoubt at all that war be set at thy way then will I be of thy company with my folk and time has been when the following of the Vikings of Ayamsburg has been deemed of good avail for a lord though I will get the eleven ships well manned the King said yea there too the wind blew light and handy sailing so the King let way anchor and blow for departing then men hoisted sail and all the small ships made the more way and sailed away right out to sea now the Earl sailed hard by the King's ship and called out to them bidding the King sail after him for well I know said he where are the deepest of the sounds betwixt the Isles and this will ye need for your big ships so the Earl sailed on before with his ships eleven ships he had and the King sailed after him with his big ships and he too had eleven there but all the rest of the host sailed out to sea now when Earl Sigvaldi was come sailing off Svolder by the west a skiff rode off to meet him and they told him that the host of the Dane King lay awaiting them in the haven there then let the Earl strike sail and row under the Isle so say of Halder the uncristened from the south came the King of the Isle folk with ships one more than seventy the meat stem of the wave steed he reddened sword in the murder when as the Earl had ordered the seas not crowned reindeer for a war moat with the scannings means peace it flew asunder herein is it said that King Olaf and Earl Sigvaldi had seventy ships and one when as they sailed from the south chapter 110 the kings talk together and take council now as find the Dane King and Olaf the sweet king were there with all their host fair weather it was and bright shown the sun so all the lords went up on to the home of the company of men and they saw how many ships together went sailing out to sea and now see they were saileth a great ship and a brave then spake both the kings and said yonder is a great ship and marvelous fair this will be the long worm but Earl Eric answered and said nay this will not be the long worm and so it was as he said for this ship was of Eindred of Gimsar a little thereafter they saw where another ship came sailing much greater than the first then spake kings find now is Olaf triglicent of fear endures not sail with the head on his ship then saith Earl Eric this is not the king's ship for I know it ship and striped sail Erling Skiogson owneth it let thee sail on for better for us shall be that rent and lacking in King Olaf's fleet than that yonder ship be there so well arrayed as it is but a while after saw they anew Earl Sigaldes ships that turned them toward the home then saw they where three ships came sailing and one was great then spake kings find and that go ship board for that there came the long worm then said Earl Eric many other great ships and glorious have they long worm bide we a while then get many men a talking and said Earl Eric will not fight then and avenges father great shame is this to be told of through all lands if we lie here with this so great and host and King Olaf saileth out to sea out here past our very eyes but when they had talked this wise a while saw they where four ships came a sailing and one of them was a dragon so great all done about with gold then up stood kings find and spake on high this night shall the worm bear me and I will steer her and many men said with all that the worm was a wondrous great ship and goodly and great glory it was to let build such a ship but Earl Eric said so that certain men heard him if King Olaf had no bigger ship than that one alone yet should kings find never get it from him only then drew the folk toward the ships and struck the tilts and were minded to dite them speedily but while the lords were so speaking together they saw where came three full mighty ships a sailing and a fourth last of all and though it was the long worm but those great ships which had sailed by a four and they deemed had been the worm were the first the crane and the last the short worm all knew her and none had a word to say against it that there was sailing Olaf Trigvison and they went to their ships and arrayed them for on set this was the privy bargain struck between the chieftains kings find to it King Olaf and Earl Eric that each should have his own third share of Norway if they laid low Olaf Trigvison but who so first went up on the worm should have all the trade to be gotten there on and each self cleared Earl Eric had a beaked ship wonders great wherewith he was want to sail a warring and a beard there was on either side the proud there of and thick staves of iron down from thence all the breadth of the beard and going down to the water line in of the story of Olaf Trigvison part 11 chapter 110