 Section 34 of Himes Kringle by Snorri Storrelson, translated by George Pope Morse and Iroker Magnusson, this LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The story of Olaf the Holy Part 6, Chapter 76 through 90, Chapter 76 of the Land Dealing and Laws in Sweden. In Sweden it was an ancient custom, while the land was heathen, that the chief blood offering should be at Uppsala in the month of Ghoi, then should be done blood offering for peace and victory to their king. The other folk should seek from the whole realm of Sweden, and there at the same time with all should be the thing of all the Swedes. A market and affair was there also which lasted for a week, but when Sweden was christened the law thing and the market were holden there nonetheless, but now when Sweden was all christened and the kings were bore to sit at Uppsala, the market was flitted and held at Candelmus, and that has prevailed ever since, and now it is held for but three days. There is holden, the thing of the Swedes, and thither they seek from all parts of the land. The swede realm lies in many lots, one lot is west gout land and worm land and the marks and all that there too appertaineth, and such a wide dominion is that that under the bishop who is there over there are eleven hundred churches. Another lot of the land is east gout land where there is another bishopric, and there with Goweth now gout land and eye land, and altogether this is a still wider bishopric. In the swede folk itself one part is called south man land which is one bishopric, but there is the part height west man land or fiadrun land that is one bishopric. Then is that height tenth land the third part of swede land, then the fourth is called eighth land, then the fifth sea land, together with what there too appertaineth lying east away along the sea. Fifth land is the best and most nobly peopled of Sweden, thither loudeth all the realm. Uppsala is there with the king's seat, and there is an archbishop's chair, and there by his name the wealth of Uppsala. So call the Swedes the king's wealth, they call it Uppsala wealth. In each shire of the land is its own law thing, and its own laws in many matters. However every law is a law man who hath the most to say among the bonders, for that shall be law which he ruleth to declare. But if king or earl or bishops fare over the land and whole thing with the bonders, then the law man answereth on behalf of the bonders, and in such way they follow him all that even men of the greatest power scarce dare to come to their all thing without the leave of the bonders and the law man. But in all matters where the laws sunder, they must all yield to the Uppsala law, and all other law men shall be under men of the law man who is of tenth land. Chapter seventy-seven of law man Thorgner. There was then in tenth land a law man Hyde Thorgner, his father's named Thorgner, son of Thorgner. His forefathers had been lawmen in tenth land through the lives of many kings. Thorgner was then an old man, he had a great court about him, and he was called the wisest man within the realm of Sweden. He was a kinsman of Earl Ragnavolt and his foster father. Chapter seventy-eight, meeting of Earl Ragnavolt and Ingegird, the king's daughter, at Uller Acre. Now we have to take up the story where as came to Earl Ragnavolt the man whom Ingegird, the king's daughter, and Hyalte had sent from the east. They led their errands before Earl Ragnavolt and his wife Ingeg Bjorg, and said the king's daughter had often spoken to the sweet king about peace between him and King Olaf the thick, and that she was the greatest friend of King Olaf, but that the sweet king waxed wroth when so ever she mentioned Olaf, and that she deemed there was no hope of peace as matters stood. The Earl told Bjorn what he had heard from the east, and Bjorn said still the same as before that he was not minded to turn back till he had met the sweet king, and says the Earl hath promised him to go with him to meet the sweet king. Now the winter weareth on, and forthwith after Yule the Earl arrayeth his journey, taking with him sixty men, and in that journey was Bjorn the marshal and his faring mates. The Earl went east all the way to Sweden, and when he got further inland he sent his men before him to Eppsala, and sent word to Ingegird, the king's daughter, that she should fare out to Uller Acre to meet him, for there she had large manners. And when the words of the Earl came to the king's daughter, she laid not the journey under her head, but got ready to go with many men. He all teem but took himself to this journey with her, but before he went away he went before King Olaf, and said, Sit thou, hailest of all kings, and sooth it is to say that I have never come, where I have seen such glory as here with thee, and that word shall I ever hereafter bear about, wheresoever I may come. I will pray this of thee, King, that thou be my friend. The king answers, why, let us thou on so journey proud with her away then, he all the answers, I will ride with Ingegird thy daughter out to Uller Acre. The king said fare thee well then, a wise man thou art, and well mannered art thou, and knowest well how to be with noble lords. Then went he all to his ways, but Ingegird, the king's daughter, wrote out to her manner of Uller Acre, and had there a great feast to raid for the Earl. Then the Earl came there, and a good welcome he had, and tarried there certain nights. He and the king's daughter spoke of many things, and most about the kings of Sweden, and Norway, and she telleth the Earl, that she deemeth the outlook toward peace but hopeless. Then said the Earl, how wouldst thou, king's woman, take it, if Olaf, Norway's king should woo thee? To us it seemeth about the likeliest for peace, if such affinity might be brought betwixt the two kings, but I will not follow up that matter, if I know that it thwarts thy will. She answers my father, will have the choice on my behalf, but of all my other kin's folk, thou art he whom I would most take for counsel, in matters whereon I deem that much lieth. But how good a read deemest thou this? The Earl urged her, much there too, and told of many things, to the fame of king Olaf, such as were right glorious. He told her carefully of all those haps, as had of late fallen, how king Olaf in one morning had laid hands on five kings, and taken from them all their kingship, and laid their lands and realms to his own dominion. Many things they spoke about this matter, and were well agreed on all things between them. The Earl went away when he was ready, and healti went with him. CHAPTER 79 OF ROGNAVALT AND LAWMAN THORGNER Rognaval the Earl came one day at eve to the manner of Thorgner, the lawman. Michael was that stead and grand. Outside, there were standing men who gave good welcome to the Earl, and took into their charge their horses and baggage. The Earl walked into the guest chamber, and within it there was a great multitude of folk. In the high seat there sat an aged man, and never had beyond he and his seen so big a man. His beard was so long that it lay on his knees, and was spread out all over his breast. A goodly man was he, and a noble looking. The Earl went up before him, and greeted him. Thorgner welcomes him well, and bade him go to the seat wherein he was want to sit. The Earl sat down on the other side right over against Thorgner. They tarried there for a certain nights before the Earl put forth his errand, then he prayed that he and Thorgner should go together to the council chamber. So beyond, and his journeymates went in thither with the Earl. Then the Earl took up the word, and told of that how Olaf, the Norway king, had sent his men east thither for the making of peace. Long he spoke with all of this, what a trouble it was, to the west gallant landers that unpeace went dense against Norway. He told with all how Olaf, the Norway king, had sent men thither, and that now the king's messengers were come there, and that he had promised them to go with them to meet the swede king. And further he said that the swede king took the matter so heavily that he set forth that it should do for no man to further that business. Now, so it is, foster father, says the Earl, that by myself, I may not prevail in this matter. And for this cause have I sought to thee that there where as thou art, I look for wholesome counsel and furtherance. Now when the Earl came to the end of his talk, Thorgner was silent for a while, but when he took up the word, he said, wondrously ye shift you herein, ye long to take lordly names, yet can ye know good read and forethought, so soon as ye come into trouble, why didst thou not forethink thee hereof before, thou behightest this journey, that thou hath no might to speak against king Olaf. For sooth I deem it no wise and worshipful to be amongst the tale of bonders, and be free of my words to speak, that I will, though the king be by. Now I shall come to thee up to saw the thing and give thee there such backing, that thou mayst speak there fearlessly in the face of the king, whatever likeeth thee. The Earl thanked him well for this promise, and he tarried on with Thorgner and rode with him to the Uppsala thing. There was a great multitude assembled, and there was king Olaf with all his court. Chapter 80 of the thing of Uppsala. The first day when the thing was set, king Olaf sat on a chair, and there was his body guard around him, but on the other side of the thingstead there sat on one stool, Earl Ragnivalg and Thorgner, and before them sat the body guard of the Earl and the company of Thorgner's house, Carls. The behind the stool and all about the place in a ring stood the throng of the bonders, and some went on to bents and howls that they might harken thence. But when the king's business had been told such to it as it was the want to speak out at things, and that matter was ended, then beyond the marshal stood up beside the stool of the Earl and spoke aloud, king Olaf hath sent me hither on this errand that he will bid peace to the king of Sweden, and such boundary therewith betwixt their lands as of ancient time hath been between Norway and Sweden. He spake in a high voice so that the king of Sweden heard him clearly, that when the sweet king first heard king Olaf named, he thought that the man would drive through some errand of his, but when he heard spoken of peace and the boundaries betwixt Sweden and Norway, then he wadded who must needs be at the bottom of the matter, so he sprang to his feet and called out aloud that the man should hold his peace, saying that such things would by no means do, so then beyond sat down. But when hearing was got, the Earl stood up and spoke, he told of the message of Olaf the thick, and his bidding of peace to Olaf the sweet king, and therewith all that the rescout landers sent to king Olaf, all words they might, that he should make peace with the king of Norway. He told forth what trouble it was to rescout landers that they must forego all those matters of Norway, wherein was increase of the year, and on the other hand that they must sit in the way of their onsets and harrying, if Norway's king should gather and host and come with war upon them. The Earl said further that king Olaf had sent the other men with the message that he was minded to woo Ingegurt his daughter. When the Earl left off speaking, stood up Olaf the sweet king, he answers in heavy wise as to the peace and laid on the Earl heavy reproaches and great, whereas he had dared to make truce and peace with the thick men and had made friends with him. He charged him with being a proven traitor to him and said it was meat that Ragnarval should be driven out of the realm and that he got all this from the egging on of his wife Inge Björg. It had been the unwisest of counts which he had taken up at the bidding of such a wife long he spoke and harshly and turned his speech against Olaf the thick, but when he sat down there was a hush at first for a while. Chapter 81, the speech of Thorgner, the lawman, then stood up Thorgner and when he arose all the bounders got to their feet who had been sitting before and all rushed forward who had been in other places and would listen to what Thorgner had to say. So at first there was a great dim from the thronging and the weapons, but when there was a hearing spake Thorgner. Another way goeth now the temper of the kings of Sweden than the one was a fortan. Thorgner, my father's father, remembered Eric the Uppsala king, the son of Eamon and told this of him that while he was in his lightest age he had out every summer a gathering and fared to sundry lands and laid under him thin land and carry all the land, S-land and Kurland and white about the east lands and even yet may be seen those earthbergs and other great works which he made. Yet was he not so hardy as not to give ear to men who had due errands to talk over with him. Thorgner, my father, was with King Bjorn for a long while while he knew his ways throughout the lifetime of Bjorn his realm stood with Michael might and not of waning and he with all was mild to his friends. I myself may remember King Eric the victorious and was with him in many a war fairing the realm of the sweets he eat and warded it heartily and it was good for us to bring our matters before him but this King who is now lets no man be so boldest to speak to him but that alone which he is pleased to allow for this he strived with all his might but let if his scat lands go from him from lack of diligence and doubtiness he anchors after this to hold the realm of Norway under him but no sweet King has set his heart upon this thing a four-time and it worketh unrest to many a man. Now that will we bonders that thou King Olaf make peace with Olaf the thick Norway's King and give him thy daughter Ingegerd and if thou wilt win again for thyself those realms in the east ways which thy kinsmen and forefathers have had there then will all we follow thee to that end but if thou wilt not have that which we set forth then shall we make an onset on thee and slay thee and not suffer of the any unpeace or lawlessness. Even so did our forefathers of old town who at the mewly thing steeped five kings into one ditch such as a four-time had been fulfilled of pride towards them even as thou to us now say speedily which choice without wilt take. Therewith the throng of folk made forth with nickel clash of weapons and din but the King stood up and spake and said that he will let all be even as the bonders will it says he that even so had done all Swedish kings here to fore to let the bonders rule with them in all matters whereon they had will to do there at the murmur of the bonders was stayed. Then spoke together the heads of the people the King the Earl and Thorgner and made peace and covenant at the hand of the sweet King even according to the words which Norway's King had already sent to that end. At this thing it was said that Ingegerd the daughter of King Olaf should be given in wedlock to King Olaf Haraldson. The King gave her plighted troth into the hand of the Earl and hand-sewed to him all his bidding over this betrothal and they parted there at the thing with matters thus ended but when the Earl fared home he and Ingegerd met and spoke together on the affair she sent to King Olaf a cloak of paw much gold embroidered and soken fillets. So the Earl went back to Goutland and Bjorn with him. Bjorn tarried there a little while and then fared back to Norway together with his journeymates. And when he met King Olaf and told him the end of his errand even as it was the King thanked him well for his journey and said as was true that good luck had stood Bjorn instead whereas he had brought through his errand amidst this unpeace. Chapter 82 of the treason of King Rerek When spring came King Olaf went down to the sea and let dite his ships and called out folk to him and that spring he fared down the wick all the way westward to the Dandisness and thence he fared all the way north through Hoardland then he sent word to the landed men and named all the mightiest men from the countryside and arrayed this journey at the state least whereas he went to meet his troth plight. The wedding feast was to be an autumn east on the elf by the boundary of the realms. Now King Olaf had with him King Rerek the blind and when his hurts were healed up King Olaf gave him doom in to serve him and let him sit in the high seat beside himself and kept him in drink and raiment in no worse wise therein than he had a foretime kept himself. Rerek was few spoken and answered in a manner stiff and short when people spoke to him it was his want to let his foot swain and lead him abroad a days and away from other men then would he beat the boy and when he ran away from him he would tell King Olaf that the boy would not serve him. Then King Olaf changed his serving men for him but all went as before that no serving man could hold it out with King Rerek. Then King Olaf got for the following and guarding of King Rerek one spine a kinsman of King Rerek who had been his man before still Rerek held to his want as to his cross-grained ways and lone walks but when he and spine were alone together Rerek grew merry and full of talk he called to mind then many things that had happened a foretime and such with all as had befallen in his life days when he was king he would bring to memory his former life and also who he was who had changed it with his rule and his bliss and made of him but a beadsman. And yet this I deem my hardest lot of all so see that thou or any other kinsman of mine in whom there were the makings of a man should now be such outcasts of their stock as to take revenge for no shame at all of those done to our race such like Wailings oft had he uppermost but spine answers and says that they had to deal with men mighty beyond measure and they had as then but little might Spake Rerek why should I live long amidst shame and crippling but that it might perchance so before that blind as I am I should overcome him who overcame me in my sleep so may we happily slay Olaf the thick now that he feareth nothing for himself I shall lay down read there too nor would I spare my hands for the deed if I could but use them the witch however I may not do by reason of my blindness and therefore thou shalt bear weapons on him and forthwith when Olaf is slain I know by the sooth thing that is in me that the realm returneth under the sway of his unfriends now maybe that I shall be king and then thou shalt be my Earl and so his word prevailed as fine said yea to carrying out this folly now this was how the plot was laid when the king got ready to go to even song spine stood without in the porch and had a drawn short sort under his cloak but when the king came out of the chamber then was he speedier than spine and had looked for and he saw the face of the king then he paled and waxed as one as a corpse and his hands fell down the king noted fear in him and said what now spine art thou minded to be ramy spine cast away the cloak from him and the sword with all and fell at the feet of the king and said all in God's power and in thine king the king bet his men takes fine and he was set in irons then the king let show Rarick to his seat on the lower bench but he gave peace to spine and he fared away out of the land then the king gave to Rarick another chamber to sleep in then that wherein he slept himself in that chamber many of the guards slept he got two men of the bodyguard to tend on Rarick night and day these men had long been with King Olaf and he had tried their trustiness unto him though it be not told out that they were men of great kin now King Rarick did so turn and turn about that whilst he held his peace for many days so that no man could get a word out of him and whilst he was so merry and glad that they deemed it good game of every word he said but whilst again he said but little and not but ill so was it with all that whilst he would drink every man off his saddle and made all them good for it not who sat nearest to him but oftenest he drank but little King Olaf gave him pocket money in plenty and often he do thus that he would come to his chamber before going to bed and let bear in some casks of meat and gave to drink to all the lads of the sleeping chamber whereof was he well beloved of them Chapter 83 of Finn the Little there was a man called Finn the Little of upland blood but as some would have it of Finn of kindred he was of all men the smallest and the swiftest of foot so that no horse might overtake him running of all men was he best skilled on snowshoes and at the bow he had been a long while a serving man of King Rarick and had off gone such errands of his as were affairs of trust he knew the ways all about the uplands and all great men there he knew to talk to but when King Rarick was taken captive Finn through himself in with their following going mostly in company with the knaves and the serving men but whenever he might bring it about he came to do service to King Rarick and many a time he got to talk to him but the King would speak with him but for a short while at a stretch as he desired not that their talk should be misdoubted but as the spring wore and they fared down into the wick then vanished away from the host certain days and then came back again and tarried awhile thus fared he often and therefore no heed was given to it for there were many runnigates with the host Chapter 84 slaughter of King Olaf's bodyguard King Olaf came to Tonsburg before Easter and tarried there a long while of spring there came to the town at that time many ships of Chapman both Saxons and Danes and folk from the eastern wick and from the north country so that there was a right Mickel throng the season was abundant and drinkings Mickel on an eve as it befell King Rarick was come to his chamber somewhat late and had drunk much and was then very married then came there to Finn the little with a mead cask full of spiced mead of the strongest this the King let give to drink to all the within until each fell asleep in his seat then was Finn gone away but light burned in the chamber then the King waked up the men who were want to follow him saying that he wanted to go into the yard they had a lantern with him for it was pitch dark abroad in the yard there was a large privy standing on posts and one had to get up to the door by steps now while Rarick and his men sat in the yard they heard how a man said cut the devil down and then they heard a crash and a thump as of something falling King Rarick said they will be full drunken who are thus dealing together are you there to impart them they bestowed them speedily and run out but when they came forth unto the steps he was first cut down who went last yet both were slain there were come the men of King Rarick Sigurd Skrip who had been his banner bearer he and his fifteen together and Finn the little was there also they dragged the corpses up between the houses and took the King and had him away with them and leaped into a cutter which they had there and rode away now Sigurd Skrip slept in the chamber of King all often he stood up in the night and a foot swain with them and went to the great privy but when they were coming back and were going down the steps Sigurd slipped and fell on his knee and thrust down his hand and it was wet there under Adim says he that the King has gotten for many of us that tub ships foot tonight and laughed with awe but when they came to the chamber where light was burning the foot swain asked has thou hurt thyself or why art thou all over blood he answered I am not hurt but this must be token tidings he then called up Thord, son of Foley the banner bearer, his bedfellow and they went out and had a lantern with them and soon found the blood then sought they and speedily found the corpses and knew who they were they looked out and saw that there lay a big tree but and there in great gashes and it was known syphons that this had been done by way of a faint in order to draw them out who were slain Sigurd and his mates spake between them that it was needful that the King should know these tidings as speedily as might be they sent the swain forthwith to the chamber where in King Rarick had been there all men were asleep but the King was away the swain awakened them who were there within and told them the tidings and men stood up and fared forthwith into the yard where as the dead bodies were now though it was needful that the King should know of these things as soon as might be yet none durst waken him then said Sigurd to Thord which wilt thou rather bedfellow wake the King or tell him the tidings Thord answers on no account do I dare to waken him but I will tell him the tidings then spoke Sigurd Mikkel is left of the night yet and it may be erred day dawns that King Rarick will have gotten him such a hiding place that thereafter he be not easily found but as yet they must have got but a short way off for the bodies were yet worn never shall such a shame overtake us as not to let the King know of this treason go thou Thord up into the chamber and await me there then went Sigurd to the church and called up the bell ringer and bat him ring for the souls of the King's guards naming by name the men who had been slain the bell ringer did what he bat him but the King was waked by the ringing and sat up he asked whether it was already time for mountains Thord answers it is a worse matter than that great tidings have befallen King Rarick has vanished away and two of thy bodyguard are slain then asked the King after the haps there and Thord told him there of such as he knew then stood the King up and let blow a gathering for the guard and when the company got together the King named men for the fairing out always from the town to seek Rarick by sea and land now Thord reared the long took a cutter and went with 30 men and when daylight broke they see two small cutters fair before them but when they saw each other either side wrote at their mightiest there was King Rarick with a company of 30 men and as they drew closer to each other Rarick and his men turned towards shore and there they all leaped the land saving the King who sat down in the poop he spake and bowed them farewell and meet Hale then Thord and his folk rode into the shore and there within the little shot an arrow which came on the midmost of Thord and got him his bane but Sigurd and his men all ran away into the wood the men of Thord took his dead body and King Rarick with all and brought them down to Tonsburg King Olaf himself took in hand the guarding of King Rarick and he had him carefully watched and paid great heed to his wows and got men to ward him day and night King Rarick was then of the merriest and no man could find in him that he did not like all these things as well as might be chapter 85 of King Rarick's plotting it befell on ascension day that King Olaf went to high mass there at the bishop went in procession round the church leading the king but when they came back into the church the bishop led the king to his seat in the north side of the choir and there sat hard by King Rarick as he was wont he had his cloak hood over his face but when King Olaf had sat down King Rarick laid his hand on his shoulder and felt him about and said precious raiment hast thou now kinsmen says he King Olaf answers now is a great high tide holding in memory of this that Jesus Christ died up to heaven from earth King Rarick answers this I do not understand so as it be fast in my mind what ye tell of Christ for much of what ye say seemeth to me somewhat past belief yet many wonders have befallen of old but when the mass was uphoven then King Olaf stood up and held his hands over his head and bowed towards the altar and his cloak fell down off his shoulders then King Rarick sprang to his feet swift and hard and thrust at King Olaf a sax knife which is called Rittening the thrust came on the cloak by the shoulders but the king was bent down so that the clothes were much sheared but the king was not wounded but when King Olaf found himself thus set on he leaped forth on to the floor King Rarick thrusted him a second time with the sax and missed him and said fliest thou now thick Olaf before me the blind the king bet his men lay hands on him and lead him out of the church and so it was done after these things King Olaf's men urged him to let slay King Rarick for it is said they the greatest trial of thy luck King to have him with thee and to spare him whatsoever outrage he takeeth to for he watcheth there over night and day to take away thy life but so soon as thou sendest him away from thee we see not any man who may guard him that there be no likelihood of his getting away but if he get loose he will forthwith have up and host and do many evil things the king answers it is rightly spoken that many a man hath taken his death for less deeds than Rarick's but I am loath to mar the victory which I have won over the kings of the uplanders when I took those five in one morning and got all their dominions in such wise that I needed not be their bansman whereas they were all my kinsmen yet now I scarce may see whether Rarick may or may not yet drive me into a corner to let slay him now the cause why Rarick had put his hand upon the shoulder of King Olaf was that he would what whether he was in burning chapter 86 the journey of King Rarick to Iceland there was a man named Thorarren son of Nephioth a man of Iceland and of Northland kin not of high degree but of all men the wisest and the sages of word outspoken in the face of lords a great seafarer and was long in the outlands Thorarren was the most ill-favoured of men and that mostly for the ill fashion of his limbs his hands were big and unshapely and yet were his feet more unshapely by far the Rarren happened to be staying at Tonsberg when those tidings befell which are aforesaid he knew King Olaf to talk to Thorarren was then diding a cheaping ship of his own being minded for Iceland in the summer King Olaf had Thorarren for a guest for some days and talked over many things with him and Thorarren swept in the king's chamber now one morning early the king lay awake but the other men in the chamber were asleep the summer's risen but little but it was full daylight with then then saw the king how Thorarren had stretched one of his feet out from under the bedclothes he looked on the foot a while till the men in the chamber awoke then spoke the king to Thorarren I've been now awake for a while and I've seen a sight by which I set a great store and that is a man's foot so fashioned that none me thinks shall be uglier here in this town any bad other men look there at whether it seems so to them and all who looked said it was true that so it was Thorarren found what was being talked of in answers there be few things so utterly odd that no likelihood there be a meeting another such like and it is likely is that even so it shall be now the king said nonetheless will I hold to it that a foot so ugly shall not be found yet even though I have to lay a wager on it spoke to Thorarren I'm ready to wager the here on that I shall find an uglier foot in the town the king says then shall he of us twain who holdeth the truest choose a boon of the other so be it says Thorarren then he stretched from under the clothes the other foot and no wit fairer was that to look upon and the little toe was offered to be then spoke to Thorarren look here now king here is another foot and it is by so much the uglier than the other that here is one of the toes off so I have won the wager the king answers this other foot is by so much the unfairer that there are on that five frightful toes but on this one but four so it is mine to beg the boon of thee Thorarren said worshipful is the Lord's word what is the boon thou wilt take at my hands he answered this that thou flit king Raric to Greenland and bring him to leaf the son of Eric Thorarren answered never have I been in Greenland the king says for such a sea fairer as thou art it is now high time to fare to Greenland if thou hast not come dither before at first the Rarren had but little to say as to this matter but as the king held to his urging of the matter Thorarren did not all together thrust it away from him but spake thus I shall let thee hear king the boon it was in my mind to bid of thee if I had won the wager this to wit that I would have bid thee of service in thy guard now if thou grant me that then were I the more bound not to lay under my head that which thou willest crave of me King Ye said this and Thorarren became of his bodyguard then Thorarren died his ship and when he was ready he took to him King Raric but when they were parting Thorarren and King Olaf Thorarren spake now it may so befall king as is not unlike and often cometh to pass that I may not carry out the Greenland journey that may be carried on to Iceland or some other of lands how then shall I part with this king in such wise as shall I like thee the king says if thou come to Iceland then hand him over to Gudmund son of Ayol or to Skopte the speaker-at-law or to some other of the chiefs such as will take him with my friendship and the tokens thereof but if thou shalt be born on to other lands of such as beet Nair here to see thou so too that thou watch early that Raric come never again to Norway but do thou this only if thou mayest do nothing else that when Thorarren was ready and the wind was fair he sailed all along the outer way without the aisles and north beyond Linden disness he put off into the main sea he got not a wind speedily but he was most heedful not to make land he sailed south of Iceland and had an inkling thereof and so west of the land into the Greenland main there he got great gales and heavy seas and as the summer was wearing he made Iceland and broad-furth Thorgyl's Ereson was the first man of worship there to come to them the Rarren telleth him the message of King Olaf the bidding of friendship and the tokens that went with the taking of King Raric Thorgyl's took them out of well and bad King Raric come to him and for that winter he tarried with Thorgyl's Ereson but he was ill content there and bad Thorgyl's let bring him to Gudmund and he says that he deemed he had heard that at Gudmund's there was the greatest stateliness in Iceland and to him he had been sent Thorgyl's did his he bad and got men to bring him to Gudmund of Matterwall's Gudmund gave Raric a good welcome for the sake of the king's message and he was with Gudmund another winter thereafter he was ill content there so Gudmund got him an abiding place at a little stead height cow skin where were but few serving folk and there Raric dwelt the third winter and he would say that since the time he had left kingship there was the place was most to his mind for there he was held of all of the most worship but the next summer Raric got the illness which brought him to his bane so it is said he is the only king that rests in Iceland the Raric son of Nethdioth long Sithons held him a seafaring but was wiles with King Olaf chapter 87 battle in Ulth rex furth the same summer that the Raric fared with Raric to Iceland here all to East Gagason went out to Iceland and out there parting King Olaf saw him off with friendly gifts that same summer Ivan Erox Horne went into the west biking and came in the autumn to Ireland to Kona Fogor the earth king in the autumn the king of the Irish and Ainar the Earl of Orkney met in Ulf rex furth and there was a great battle King Kona Fogor had by far the bigger host and got the victory but Earl Ainar fled in one ship and came back in autumn to Orkney in such a plight that he had lost well not all his host and all the plunder that they had gotten before and exceeding ill content was the Earl with his journey and late his defeat on the Northmen who had been in the battle with the Irish King chapter 88 King Olaf arrayeth his bride fair now the story is to be taken up where before it was turned from that King Olaf the thick fared his bridal journey to seek his betrothed Viggy Gerd the daughter of Olaf the sweet King the king had a great company with him and so picked it was that in his following were all the great men he could get hold of and every one of the mightier men had with him a chosen band both as to kindred and with all the grudliest that might be arrayed was the host with the best of goods both of ships and weapons and raiment the host held these two kings rock but when they came there they got no news of the sweet King nor were any folk come there on his behalf King Olaf tarried for a long while that summer at King's Rock and said him much to asking what men had to tell him of the goings of the sweet King and the mind of him but no one knew ought for certain to tell him thereof then he sent his men up into gout land to Earl Ragnarval to ask of him if he knew what might have brought it about that the sweet King came out to the meeting according to what had been settled before the Earl said he knew it not but if I get to know it says he then shall I send my men to King Olaf and let him know what is amiss whether this delay is from any other sake than from the much business which all brings about delay of the journeys of the sweet King beyond what he himself may reckon chapter 89 of the children of Olaf the sweet King Olaf the sweet King had first a concubine height Edela daughter of an Earl in Wendland she had been taken captive and therefore was she called the King's bond maiden their children were Emond, Astrid, Holmfrid again he begat on his queen a son who was born on the wake day of James and when the board was to be baptized the bishop gave him the name of James this name the Swedes liked ill and they cried out that never a sweet King had height James all King Olaf's children were goodly to look upon and well furnished with wits the Queen was masterful of mood and not kind to her stepchildren the King sent Emond his son to Wendland where he was brought up among his mother's kindred nor did he keep to Christ's faith for a long while Astrid the King's daughter was brought up in West Goutland at a noble lords who height Agil she was the fairest of women and the most deftly spoken glad of talk and humble minded and open-handed with all but when she was of ripe age she would often be with her father and was well looked to of every man King Olaf was of masterful mind and unmild of speech it liked him exceeding ill that the folk of the land had made throng on him at the upsala thing and threatened him mishandling and that he laid chiefly on Earl Rodnevald no bridal journey did he cause to be arrayed according to what had been settled the winter before to it that he should give his daughter Ingeger to Olaf the thick king of Norway and fare this tide of summer to the marshatures of the lands Now as the summer wore many folk were right wistful to note what mind the king might have or whether he would keep his covenant with the king of Norway or was minded to tear up the settlement and the peace with all many were mind sick here over but none was so bold as to question him concerning it by word of mouth though many bewailed hereof to Ingeger the king's daughter and bat her get to what the king would she answers unwilling am I to have converse with the king and talk with him on his dealings with Olaf the thick for there and neither is the others friend and one time he answered me ill when I put forth the cause of Olaf the thick for Ingeger the king's daughter this matter gap much for thinking and she was sick at heart and unmarried and foe wistful she was as to what the king would take up but she misdoubted rather that he would not keep his word to the king of Norway for that was found of him that ever he grew raw when Olaf the thick was called a king chapter 90 of the sweet king's hunting catch befell it early on a day that the king rode abroad with his hawks and hounds and his men with him but when they flew the hawks the king's hawk slew in one swoop to Heathcocks and forthwith he made another swoop and then slew three Heathcocks the hounds ran beneath it so as to catch up every foul that fell to earth the king galloped after them and took his own catch to him and boasted much there of saying long will you have to wait most of you before you make such a catch they said that true it wasn't that they were minded to think that no king would bear about such good luck in hunting there upon the king rode home and all day together and was in a right merry mood Ingeger the king's daughter was as then coming out of her chamber as it happened and when she saw the king come riding into the court she turned round his way and greeted him he greeted her and laughed and straight away he held forth the foul to her and tells her of his hunting and said where knowest thou of a king who hath got so Mikkel a catch in so little while she answers a good morning's catch is this Lord that ye have gotten five Heathcocks but greater was that when Olaf the Norway's king in one morning caught five kings and took to him all their dominions and when he heard this he leaped from his horse and turned about and said know this Ingeger that for all the great love thou hast bestowed on that thick man thou shalt never enjoy him nor either of you the other for I shall wed thee to such a Lord as I shall deign to have friendship with all but never can I be friends with a man who has taken my realm as war-gettings and done to me manifold harm and robberies and man slings therewith they sundered and went each their own way end of the story of Olaf the holy part six chapter seventy six through ninety section thirty five of hymns kringla by snorri sterlson translated by george pope morris and iraqur magnusson this liberal vox recording is in the public domain the story of Olaf the holy part seven chapter ninety one through one hundred and five chapter ninety one inga gerd's message to url rognaval now inga gerd the king's daughter had come to know all the truth about the mind of king Olaf and sent forth with men down to west goutland to rognaval the url and let tell him the news of the sweet king that all the covenant with the king of norway was broken and bad the url and other west goutlanders to beware for peace at the hands of the men of norway would now be unsure and when the url heard these tidings he sends word throughout all his dominion bidding the people beware lest the men of norway should be minded to make war on them the url also sent messengers to king Olaf the thick and let tell him the words he had heard and this with all that he will have peace and friendship with king Olaf and he prayed this there too that the king should forbear harrowing his dominion now when this message came to king Olaf he was very wroth and sick at heart and it was for some days that no man got a word of him there after he held a house thing with his host and first of all stood up beyond the marshal and first began his speech how he had fared east for peace making in the winter he says how url rognaval had given him a goodly welcome and how fortly and heavily the sweet king had taken these matters at first but the covenant that was made he said was brought about rather by the might of the many and through the power of Thor near and the avail of url rognaval than by the goodwill of the sweet king for this cause we deem that we want that it is the king who has brought it about that the covenant is broken and that it is not to be laid on the url soothly for we found him to be a true friend of king Olaf now the king will know of his captains and other folk what read he shall take whether he shall go up into galt land and harry there with such host as we now have or whether it seem good to you to take up another read he spake long and deftly there upon many of the great men had their say and it came much to one point at last that all let it war and thus said they though we have a great host yet here are gathered together mighty men and noble but for warfare are no less meet young men who deem it good to gain for them wealth and honors moreover it is the manner of mighty men if they fare into war or battle that they have with them many men to go before them and to shield them but often happens that men of little wealth fight no worse than those who are brought up wealthy now from their talk here over the king made up his mind to break up the muster and he gave each one leave to fare back home but he gave it out that next summer he should have out the folk from all the land and go meet the sweet king and avenge him of this fickleness this was well liking to all so king Olaf went again north into the wick and in the autumn took up his seat in Berg and let draw the other all goods that he needed for his winter quarters and there he sat with a great throng through the winter chapter 92 scald Sigvats journey to the east the folk spake very diversely about Earl Ragnvald some would have it that he was a true friend of king Olaf well to some that seemed untrustworthy for they said he might well have prevailed with the sweet king that he should hold the word and covenant betwixt him and king Olaf the thick now Sigvats the scald was a great friend of Earl Ragnvald and all he said about him and on that matter he would often be talking before king Olaf he offered the king to go to see Earl Ragnvald and to spy what he might learn about the sweet king and to try if he might bring about peace in any way this the king liked well for he deemed it good to talk off concerning Ingegerd the king's daughter to his trusty men early in the winter scald Sigvats he and his three together fared from burg east over the marklands and so to Gowtland but before they parted king Olaf and Sigvats he sang this stave now sit thou hail king Olaf until again we twain meet and have our talk together and I come thine hall to look on the scald meanwhile thus prayeth that the stem of the drift of war helm hold life and with all the land here life to thy fame thus end I O king the words are spoken which most of every matter to us were heedful now thus of more things have we cunning heart hearty king may God now do thee to keep thy land whole for thou were born there unto this dew I will fall surely then they went east to Eid and Gat and ill ferry over the river and oak dug out to wit and came hardly over the water Sigvats sang a diddy wet let I drag the crank tub to Eid and feared I sorely the coming back so drave we toward folly in that shipping may the house host take the full ship ne'er saw I worser that I risk all on yonder sea ram all was better than I looked for thereafter they went through Eid wood and Sigvats sang a stave not long to I for the running 12 miles and one through wild wood from Eid and well man wadded that hurt see now I had there yet thither as me seemeth I went that day full keenly though on both feet of the king's men in flakes the sores were falling there upon they went through Goutland and came at eve of a day to the stead height off the door was fast and they might not get in the serving man said that there was it hallowed and so they turned away thence Sigvats sang for half I made unslothful the door was locked I louded and thrust in nose and spirit I of matters from without ward few words got out of folk there the heathen labs thence thrust me for holy tide they called it and I bad the trolls to take them then he came to another stead where the housewife stood it in the door and bet him not come inside there for elf worship was toward Sigvats sang oh wretch cried out the woman no further in for I fear me to win the wrath of Odin here be we heathen people the hideous hag oh folk friend me as a wolf drabe outward she said that now elf offering was toward within her homestead next evening he came to three bonders each of whom height over and they all drove him out Sigvats sang now drabe me out three namesakes those fur trees of the home bed who turned their head backs on me honored themselves in no wise but this I fear that henceforth each loader of the sea skate who have the name of over will most of all drive guests out so they fared on still that same evening and happened on a fourth bonder who was accounted up as the best thing of them all but how he drabe Sigvats also and Sigvats sang then fared I next to find him that breaker of waves glitter whom all the folk were calling the friendliest peace I hoped there he the hose heater surely heated me little bad then is worse if this the best is the folks blame here I bear forth of kindly quarters lacked I on the way to the east of eyed wood when I asked the churl on christened to give me not but guesting the son of mighty Saxie not bound I in one evening four times they bade me outward not fair abode within there but when they came to Earl Ragnvald the Earl says that they had had a tourism journey Sigvats sang the sentiment of the chieftain of the Sagan folk they who sought forth their ways with the king's own errands on hand had nickel faring great outfit need men ganging but few of things were grudged us the worthy Norway's water so ruled when he went northward hardgoing twas through eyed shop for the men on the east ways wending to the thruster down of king folk the king's praise make I greater not do was my out thrusting by the Earl's groves of the fire flame of the field of the deer of rollers ere I got me to my good lord Earl Ragnvald gave Sigvats a golden ring one of the women said he had come his ways to some purpose with those dark eyes of his Sigvats sang ye the sword eyes of Iceland old woman surely showed us the steep way wending longsum unto the ring the bright one me, Nana, this my foot here for bravely hath been ganging over the ways of old time where a thight man not knoweth Sigvats this God was in good cheer with the Earl for a long while then he learnt this from Ritt's sendings of Igigard the king's daughter that messengers from King Jari's leaf from Homegarth in the east lands had come to Olaf the sweet king to woo Igigard his daughter on behalf of King Jari's leaf and this moreover that King Olaf took it up as a matter most likely therewithal came to the court of the Earl asked the daughter of King Olaf and thereon a great banquet was arrayed now Sigvats soon got to know the king's daughter to talk to and she called to mind who he was and of what kin whereas Otar the scald the sister son of Sigvats had been for a long while in good liking with Olaf the sweet king now many things were talked over and Earl Ragnarvald asked Sigvats if Olaf Norway's king would have asked the king's daughter to wife and if he has a will there too says see then Irene we shall not ask the king of Sweden about that wooing asked did the king's daughter said the same thing thereafter Sigvats and his turned back home and came a little before you to Berg and met King Olaf but when Sigvats came home to King Olaf and went into the hall and looked on the walls thereof then he sang here courtmen they that fattened the wound swan dyke the king's hall with helms and burnies see I on the walls good choice of either for no young one of the king folk may boast of house gear braver that is a thing past doubting dear is the hall in all wise then he told the tale of his journeys and sang these staves I bid the guards high hearted of the eager king to harken how brisk I bore my travel these staves I made on the fairing sent was I in the harvest up from the skates of swan me to fare far east to Sweden sith and slept I but little but when he got to talk to the king he sang Olaf the king uprightly I let hold word betwixt us when as I came and met there the famed and mighty rognaval I learned of many a matter of the good gold ward in garth realm and never courtmen heard I more clear in dealing speech word oh drowner of the Rhine sun the earls can pray the ever hold well each of his house calls who air should get him hither but listies Lord whoever of thine shall go see the this shall be in as surely hath safe hold under rognaval king when from out the west land I came most folk were deeming that Eric's kin already had wet these wiles against them but the brothers help I say it of the wolf's kin hath Nathlas brought thee to gain the earl's land that earth's from swine thou took us wise wolf let take betwixt you e twain the deed of peace word such answer there we get us both ye lay down your gilts now the minisher of thief kin rognaval said unto thee king was given not to wreak thee for the bond of peace late riven soon telleth Sigbat to the king the tidings whereof he had heard at first the king was all unmarried when Sigbat told him of the ruin of king Jara's leaf saying that for naught but evil might he look from the sweet king but one day we may get the luck to pay him with some reminders but as time passed away the king asked Sigbat for many tidings from the east of gutland Sigbat told him much about the fairness and sweet speech of Astrid the king's daughter and therewith that every man there said she was in no way worse than Ingegird her sister the king took that well into his ears and Sigbat told him all the converse they had holden betwixt them he and Astrid and the king found that right good and said the sweet king will not think that I shall dare wed his daughter without his will but this matter was not given out to any more folk but king Olaf and Sigbat the scald spoke often about it the king asked Sigbat heedfully what he had found out about Earl Ragnavolt what like friend he be of ours said he Sigbat said the Earl was the greatest friend of king Olaf and sang with all oh mighty king thy friendship hold fast with mighty Ragnavolt a friend in need he standeth both night and day before thee oh things crafts master what I that in him still thou ownest the best friend of all east ways all down along the green salt sea Chapter 93 concerning the journey of Earl Ragnavolt and Astrid to the king after Yule they too thawed Scotacall a sister son of Sigbat the scald and another foot swain of Sigbat went secretly from the court and went east to Gaotland with it they had fared in company with Sigbat the harvest tied before but when they came to the court of Earl Ragnavolt they brought forth tokens before the Earl such as Sigbat and the Earl had done between them at parting with all they brought the Earl the tokens which king Olaf himself had sent the Earl in trust forth with the Earl Maketh ready at once for bearing and with him Astrid the king's daughter having with them nine and hundred of men a picked company both of the body guard and of sons of mighty bonders with all array of the choicest both weapons and raiment and horses so they rode north into Norway unto Sarpsburg where too they came at Candlemas Chapter 94 the wedding of king Olaf king Olaf had caused all things to be made ready there there was all kinds of drink the best that might be gotten and all other goods there were of the best it also summoned to him from the country's sides around many great men and when the Earl with his company came there the king welcomed him wondrous well and big and good chambers were gotten for the Earl died most daily serving men worth all were appointed to him and there with they who should look to it that not should be lacking whereby the feast might be glorified but when this banquet had stood for a certain days the king and the Earl and the king's daughter met at a parlay and the upshot of their talk was this that they settled that Earl Ragnarvald should be trove Astrid the daughter of Olaf the sweet king to Olaf Norway's king with the same dowry which the four have been covenanted that Ingegurt her sister should take with her from home the king with all was to give to Astrid such a jointure as he was to have settled on Ingegurt her sister then was the banquet eat and the bridle of King Olaf and Queen Astrid was drunk with Michael Glory after this Earl Ragnarvald went back to Goutland and at parting the king bestowed good gifts and great upon the Earl and in the dearest friendship they parted and to that they held as long as they lived. Chapter 95, peace with Norway's king sundered. The next spring there came to Sweden messengers from King Jaroslith east away from Homegarth and they feared to see to the matter of King Olaf's promise from the past summer to give Ingegurt his daughter to King Jaroslith. King Olaf put the matter before Ingegurt and said it was his will that she should wed King Jaroslith. She answers, if I am to be wedded to King Jaroslith then she says, will I have for my jointure all Diagia, Berg and the Oraldom that thereto appertaineth. But the Garth realm messengers Ye said this on behalf of their king then spoke Ingegurt if I am to go east into Garth realm then will I choose that man out of the realm of Sweden to go with me whom I deem most meet thereto and I also claim that east there he have a title no wise lesser than here and a right and honors in no way worse or lesser than here he has. This the king Ye said and the messengers in likewise and the king plighted his troth and the messengers with all do this matter. Then the king asked Ingegurt who the man was within his realm whom she is minded to choose for her following. She answers that man is Ragnarval the Earl, son of Wolf, my kinsman. The king answers otherwise I have made it my mind to reward Earl Ragnarval for the betrayal of his lord in that he took my daughter to Norway and handed her over for a whore to the thick man whereas he knew more over that he was our greatest unfriend for that deed he shall hang aloft this summer. Ingegurt bowed her father, keep to the faith he had hand-selled her and by reason of her praying the matter came to this that the king says that Ragnarval shall go in peace out of Sweden but not come before his eyes nor back to Sweden while Olaf was king. So Ingegurt sent men to meet the Earl and to tell him these tidings and appointed time and place with him where they should meet. So the Earl made ready forthwith for his journey and rode up into East Gowtland where he got him ship and so went on with his company to the meeting with Ingegurt the king's daughter. And in the summer they went all together east into Garth realm and Ingegurt was then wedded to King Jaroslith. Their sons were Voldemar, Miss Evald, Holti the Nimble, Queen Ingegurt gave to Earl Ragnarval Hall, Diagea, Berg and the Earldom there unto appertaining and along while Earl Ragnarval was there and was a renowned man. The sons of Earl Ragnarval and Inge Bjorg were the Earl Wolf and the Earl Eilith. Chapter 96, the story of Eamond the lawman. There was a man named Eamond of Skarar. He was lawman there in West Gowtland, wisest of men in the most deft of speech. He was a great kin, had many kindred and was exceeding wealthy. He was called the man of underhand dealings and but middling trustee. He was the mightiest man in West Gowtland now when the Earl was gone away. The same spring that Earl Ragnarval went away from Gowtland, the Gowtland folk had a thing between them and murmured off amongst themselves as to what the sweet king would take up. They heard that he was wroth with them for having become friends with Norway's king, rather than to uphold the strife with him. He also laid guilt on the men who had followed Astrid, his daughter, to Norway. So some urged that they should seek for avail at the hands of Norway's king and offer him their service. But some let it this and said that the West Gowtlanders had no strength to uphold strife with the Swedes. Norway's king will be afar from us, said they, for the main of his land is far away from us and so the first thing to look to is to send men to the sweet king and try to bring ourselves into peace with him. But if that is not to be brought about, then there is the choice before us to seek for aid of Norway's king. So the Bounders bat Eamond there on this message and he said yay there too and went with 30 men and came forth into East Gowtland. There were many of his kinsmen and friends and he get good welcome there. Here he talked, this trumbless matter over with the wisest men and they deemed it contrary to custom and law what the king was doing to them. So Eamond went up into Sweden realm and had their talk with many men of might and there everything came to one and the same point. He held on his journey till such time as he came on Eve of a day to Uppsala. There they got good quarters for them and rested the night over. But the next day Eamond went to see the kings as he sat in his law court and a throng of folk with him. Eamond went up before the king and bowed to him and greeted him. The king looked up at him and greeted him and asked him of tidings. Eamond answered, small are the tidings amongst us Gowtlanders. But news redeemed that Audi the fool of Wormland went last winter up into the mark with his snowshoes and bow. In our esteem he is the greatest of hunters. He had gotten on the mountain so many furs that he had filled his sleigh with as much as he could bring after him. Then he turned homeward from the mark but in the wood he saw a squirrel and shot at it and missed it. Then he was wroth and let loose the sleigh and ran after the squirrel. But the squirrel would ever keep there whereas the wood was thick as whilst running by the roots whilst up into the limbs. Then would he sail between the limbs into another tree. But whenever Audi shot at him the arrow flew ever above or below him but never went the squirrel where Audi did not see him. Now he got so eager for this prey that he crept after it all day long but none the more might he catch that squirrel. But when Merck night fell he threw himself down on the snow as he was wanting. Lay there the night through but the weather was drifty. The next day Audi went to look for his sleigh but never found it after and in this plight there at home. These are my tidings Lord. The king said little enough tidings these if there be not more to tell. Eamon answers, well a short time ago on there happened another matter which well may be called news in that Gauti son of Tovi went with five warships down the Elf and as he lay amidst the Oak Isles there came the Danes with five large cheaping ships. Then Gauti and his folks swiftly overcame four of the ships losing not a man and gaining measureless wealth. However the fifth ship got away into the main and get under sail but Gauti went after them with one ship and at first drew in upon them but then the wind fell to wax so that there was greater weight on the cheaping ship and they got them into the main. Now would Gauti turn back but the weather grew to a storm and erect his ship on less aisle and all the goods were lost and the greater part of the men. Now he had been his company await him at the Oak Isles but Anon came the Danes upon them there with 15 cheaping ships and slew them all and took all the wealth they had gotten of four thus by greed had they speed. The king answered, these be great tidings and tale worthy but what is thine errand hither? Answer Zeeman, I'm about this Lord to get unraveled those naughty points wherein our laws and Uppsala's laws are diverse. Ask the king, what is it whereof thou wilt bewail thee? Eamon dancers, there were two men of noble birth equal of kindred but unequal of wealth and temper. They strove concerning lands and each wrought scathed to the other but he the more who was the mightier until their strife was ended and doomed at an all folks thing. Then had he to pay who was erst the mightier and for the first hand so he yielded a ghastning for a goose, a sucking pig for an old swine and for a mark of burnt gold he delivered half a mark of gold and another half mark of clay and rubble and threatened him to boot with hard dealings who had to take this payment of his debt. What doom ye hereon, Lord? The king answered, let him yield to the fool what was awarded and to his king the amount thrice over and if it be not yielded at the term appointed he shall fare away and be outlaw of all that is his own and let one half of his wealth fall to the king's garth and the other to him who's wrong he had to boot. Eamon took witness to this award of all those who were the mightiest there and laid it to the laws that prevailed at the up-solid thing. Thereupon he saluted the king and went out there after. Thereupon other men set forth their planes before the king and for a long time that day he sat over the affairs of men. Now when the king came to the table he asked where law man Eamon was and was told he sat at home in his quarters said the king go fetch him he shall be my bidding guest today. Now came in the courses and thereafter fared in the players with harps and gigs and song tools and then the skinkers of the drink. The king was exceeding Mary he had many mighty men at his guest bidding and gave no heed to Eamon. All that day the king drank and slept through the night but on the morrow when he awoke he called to mine what Eamon had spoken the day before and when he was glad he had his wise men called in to him. King Olaf had always with him 12 men of the wisest who sat over the dunes with him and gave counsel in naughty matters but that was not without trouble for the king misliked greatly if dunes were thrust away from right and it would no wise due to gain say him. Now at this parlay the king took up the word and bad law man Eamon be called in thither but when the messenger came back Lord said he law man Eamon wrote off yesterday as soon as he had had his meal. Then said the king tell me this good Lord what way pointed that question at law that Eamon asked yesterday. They answered Lord thou must have taken that to heart if it pointed to ought else than what he spake. The king said those two nobly born men of whom he then told the tale that they had been at unpeace with each other where of one was the mightier and yet each did scape to the other therein he told a tale of us to me and Olaf the thick. So it is Lord said they even as thou sayest answers the king the doom in our case was a judged at the epsilon thing but what did it point to when he said that so ill-paid it was that a Gosling was given for a goose a sucking pig for an old swine and half clay for all gold. On with the blind answers Lord says he most unlike to each other are red, golden clay but yet further sundered is king from thrall. Thou didst promise to Olaf the thick thy daughter Ingegird who was king born in all branches from the race of the upsweeds the noblest stock in the Northlands in as much as all that kindred hath come down from the gods themselves. But now king Olaf hath gotten for wife astrid who though she be a king's child hath for mother a bond woman and her a wendish one with all. Wide apart are those kings for sooth one of whom taketh such a matter with thanks ye a thing it is to be looked for that a mere Norwegian should not hold himself equal to the king of Uppsala. Let us all give thanks that so it may endure for the gods have for a long time wrecked Mikkel of their offspring though now many folk be reckless of that faith. There were three brothers of them Arne with the blind his eyesight was so little that he was scarce war worthy though he was the nimblest minded of men. The second was Thor with the stammerer who might not get out to words one after the other but he was the boldest man there and the most free spoken. The third was Frey with the death who was hard of hearing. All these brothers were men of might, wealthy of high kin and exceeding wise and all in good liking of the king. Then spake King Olaf what does it point to that which Eamon said about Artee the fool? Then answered none but all looked on each other. The king said speak up now then said Thor with the stammerer Artee gripping greedy ill will dolt each foolish. Spake the king at whom is this thrust answered Frey with the death. Lord men will be bearer spoken if they have thy leave there too. The king said tell now Frey with by my leave whatever thou willest speak. Then Frey with took up the word Thor with my brother who is called the wisest of us call such and one as Artee griping doltish and foolish thereby calleth he him so who is loath to peace so that he striveeth after small things yet reaches them not and for this sake for to things profitable and great. Now it is true that I am deaf but so many have now spoken out that I have gotten to what that men like it ill might eat men no less than the commonality that thou Lord does not keep word with Norway's king. But this yet worse that thou breakest the all folk dune which was done at the thing of Uppsala. Thou needest not fear Norway's king nor the Dane king or never another while the sweet host will follow thee. But if the folk of the land turn against thee with one accord then we thy friends see no read which shall barely avail thee. The king asketh who will be made headmen herein to be away me of my lands. And so with Frey with all Swedes will have their ancient laws and therefore right look ye now to this Lord how many of your chiefs are sitting here together and counsel with you. I am minded to think that it be soothed to say that now are we six here together whom ye call your counselors but all the others me thinketh have ridden away and gone into the country's sides there to have things with the folk. And soothed is to tell thee that the war arrow has been shorn up and sent all over the land for the summoning of a thing of eschete. All we brethren have been bidden to have part in this read but none of us will have the name to be called Lord Betrayer for not such was ever our father. Then the king took up the word saying what read shall we now take to? Mickel trouble is now borne in at our hands now therefore good lords give me such counsel as that thereby I may hold to the kingdom and to the heritage of my forefathers for I am not minded to deal in strife with a whole host of the Swedes. Aren't with the blind answer Lord Massimuth read that thou ride down to River Royce with such company as will follow thee and take ship there and so bear out into the low and then summon the folk to thee fair stubbornly no more but bid men law and lands right and thus give the war arrow dropped as yet it will not have fared wide over the land for the time hath been short there too. Send thou such men of thine as thou trusteth in to see the men who have this read on hand and dry if this murmur may be laid. The king saith he will take that read and my will is to see that ye brothers fare this errand for me for I trust you best of all my men. Then said Thor with the stammerer I shall abide behind let James go this needeth. Then said Freywith do we Lord even as Thor says he will not sunder him from thee in this peril but I am aren't with shall fare. Now this council was carried out that King Olaf went to his ships and held into the low and speedily a multitude of folk gathered to him but those brothers Freywith and Arnwith rode out to others acre and had with them James the king's son though they kept his journey privy. They were speedily aware that there was before them a gathering and running to arms whereas the bonders were holding thing day and night and when as Freywith and his brother came there upon many kinsmen and friends they said they would but take them to that flock and thereof they all were full fain. Forthwith all councils were made over to those brothers and the throng drew to them. Now men spake all of them one and the same thing saying that they would have Olaf for king over them no longer and would not suffer at his hands his lawlessness and insolence whereas he would listen to no man's word nay not even though mighty Lord should tell him the very truth. Now when Freywith found the eagerness of people he saw into what hopeless plight things were gotten so he had meetings with the great men of the land and set forth the matter before them and spoke thus. Me seemeth that this great business shall come to pass to it to take Olaf Ericsson from his realm we the upsweeds shall have to be at the head of it for so it hath all way been that whatsoever the upsweed lords have made fast between them that same council hath hearkened the other folk of the land. Never needed our forefathers to beg the west gouts for council of the land steering now we shall not be such outcast among our kindred that Eamon must needs learn us read and I will that we bind us read together we kinsmen and friends. This they all ye said and deemed it well spoken thereafter all the throng of folk joined the bond that the upsweed lords made among them and now Freywith and Arnwith were chiefs over the company but when Eamon saw this he mist doubted him if this read would be carried through so he went to meet those brothers and they had talked together and Freywith asked Eamon what mind have ye hereover if Olaf Ericsson be bereft of life to it what king ye will have to you. Eamon answered him who we deem the fittest there to no matter whether he be of a high degree or not. Freywith answered we upsweeds will know wise have it that in our days the kingship should sunder from the lineage of the ancient kings while there is so good avail there too as now is. King Olaf hath two sons and one or the other we will have for king. Yet wide is the sundering betwixt them whereas one is wedlock born and a sweet of either kin the other a son of a bond woman and half a wend. At this word there was great cheering and all would have James for king. Then said Eamon as for this time ye upsweeds have the might to rule the matter but this I tell you as we'll come to pass hereafter that some of those who now will listen to not but that the kingdom in Sweden go in the ancient lineage will themselves live to ye say the kingdom passing into other kindred which certs will better avail. Thereafter the brothers Freywith and Arnwith let lead forth James the king's son there at the thing and let give him the king's name and there with all the Swedes gave him the name of Onand and thereby was he called ever afterwards as long as he lived. At this time was he 10 or 12 years old. Thereafter king Onand took him a bodyguard and chose him his captains and they all together had as larger company as he deemed needful but he gave leave to all the throng of the bonders to go home. After this messengers went about between the kings and presently it came about that they met themselves and made peace together Olaf to be king over the land as long as he lived he was to hold peace and friendship with the king of Norway and with all those men who had woven themselves into that matter between them but Onand was to be king also and to have of the land as much as father and son should agree upon but he should be bound to back up the bonders with king Olaf should do ought which they would not endure of him. Chapter 97 peace meeting of the kings and the casting of the dice. Hereafter messengers went to Norway to meet king Olaf with the message that he should come to king's rock to meet the sweet king where to was added that it was the will of the sweet king that they make pledge of peace together but when king Olaf heard this message he was as ever willing for peace and so went with his company according as had been aforesettled. Now the sweet king came there and when they father and son-in-law met they bind peace and friendship betwixt them and now Olaf the sweet king was good to speak with and meek of mood. So says Thor Stein that learned that in his scene there was a dwelling that had walls gone with Norway walls with outland. Then the king spoke between them that they should go to lots for that having and cast dice there too and he was to have it who cast the strongest. Then the sweet king threw two sixes and said that king Olaf had now no need to throw. He answered there are still two sixes on the dice and tis but little for the Lord my God to let them turn up. So he cast and had two sixes uppermost. Then Olaf the sweet king through and still up came two sixes. Then Olaf Norway's king through and there was six on one but the other break asunder and there on were seven. Thus he came by that dwelling. No more tidings of that beating have we heard but the kings parted in peace. Chapter 98 of Olaf Norway's king after these tidings where we have just been telling King Olaf turned back with his company to the Wick and first to Tonsberg and carried there a little while and then fared into the North country and in harvest all the way north to Frantan where he had all things arrayed for winter abode. And there he sat the winter through. Then was King Olaf Heraldsson sole ruler over all that realm which Herald Harefair had swayed with this moreover that he was king alone in the land. By peace and covenant he had then gotten him that part of the land which Olaf the sweet king had had before but the part of the land which the Dane king had had he took by force and ruled over that as other where in the land. Canute the Dane king ruled at this time both over England and Denmark and himself sat mostly in England but set chieftains to rule over Denmark and he laid no claim to Norway at that time. Chapter 99 the story of the Earl's of Orkney. So is it said that in the days of Herald Harefair king of Norway the Orkneys were build it. Before that time they were but a Viking lair. Sigurd was the name of the first Earl of Orkney. He was the son of Einstein, Glomroth and brother to Ragnarvald the mere Earl. But after Sigurd do Thorn his son was Earl for one winter. After him Turf Einer took the earldom. He was the son of Earl Ragnarvald and was for a long time Earl and a mighty man with all. Half done, high leg son of Herald Harefair went against Turf Einer and drove him away from Orkney but he came back again and slew Half done in Rennan Sea where upon King Herald went with a war host to Orkney and Einar fled into Scotland while Herald let the Orkneys swear him all their Odal lands. But after this king and Earl made peace between them and the Earl became the king's man and took the lands and feet of the king but was to pay no scat whereas they lay so open to war. The Earl paid the king 60 marks of gold here after King Herald Harefair into Scotland as is told of in Glimdropa. After Turf Einer, the rule over those lands came to his sons Arnkel, Erlund and Thorfinn Skull Cleaver. In their days came from Norway Eric Bloodaxe and to him the Earls were a fiefd. Arnkel and Erlund fell in war but Thorfinn ruled the lands and became an old man. His sons were these Arnfinn, Howard, Plover, Liat, Schooley. Their mother was Grelad, daughter of Dungad, Earl of Cathness, but her mother was Groa, the daughter of Thorstein the Red. In the latter days of Earl Thorfinn there came from Norway the sons of Bloodaxe when as they had fled out of the land before Earl Hacon, Mikkel was the tyranny of them all over Orkney. Earl Thorfinn died of sickness and after him his sons ruled over the land and many be the tales told of them. Plover was the longest lived of them and ruled alone over the land when the others were no more. His son was Sigurd the Thick who took the earldom after him and was a mighty man and a great warrior. In his days fared Olaf Trigbesen from Western Viking together with his company and Hove into Orkney and laid hands on Earl Sigurd in Ragnarvaldzee who lay there before him with but one ship. King Olaf offered the earl this ransom of his life that he should take christening and the right faith and become his man and bid christening throughout all Orkney. King Olaf took for hostage his son who hight Hound or Welp. Thence Olaf went to Norway and became king there. Hound tarried with King Olaf for some winters and died there but thereafter Earl Sigurd did no service to King Olaf. He went and wedded the daughter of Malcolm the king of the Scotch and their son was Thorfinn but besides him there were these older sons of Earl Sigurd, Somerlid, Brucey, Einar, wrong mouth. Five winters or four after the fall of Olaf Trigbesen Earl Sigurd fared to Ireland but he set his elder sons to the ruling of the lands. Thorfinn he sent to the Scottish king, his mother's father. In that journey Earl Sigurd fell in the Bryan battle but when the news thereof came to Orkney then were taken to Earl's those brethren Somerlid, Brucey, Einar and they shared the islands and two thirds between them. Thorfinn Sigurdson was five winters old when Earl Sigurd fell but when the Scottish king heard the news of his fall he gave to his kinsmen Thorfinn Kaithness and Sunderland and an Earl's name therewithal and got men to rule over his dominion with him. Earl Thorfinn was from his youth up speedily wrought with all pit. He was Mickel and Stark, a man ill-favored and so soon as he waxed in years he was easily seen of him that he was a grasping man hard and grim and exceeding wise so saith Ornnar the Earl's scald no man beneath the cloud-haul younger than Einar's brother was held more nimble-minded to war-land or to war-land. Chapter 100 of Earl's Einar and Brucey the brothers Einar and Brucey were unlike in mine Brucey was Mickel and peaceful, wise, deft of speech and well-beloved. Einar was stubborn, sullen and gruff, grasping and griping and a great warrior. Some of it was like to Brucey in his ways, he was the oldest and the shortest lived of those brethren and died of sickness. After his death Thorfinn laid claim to his share of Orkney, Einar answered that Thorfinn held Kaithness and Sunderland, that dominion which their father Earl Sigurd had had before and this he deemed to be much more than a third part of Orkney and therefore he would not yay say Thorfinn's sharing but Brucey for his part granted the sharing for I will not say he hanker after more of the lands than the third which I own of right. Then Einar took under him two thirds of the islands and became a mighty man and had many folk about him. In summer he would off be awaring and had out Mickel gatherings from the land but all uneven were his Viking giddings. Then the bonders began to be weary of this toil but the Earl upheld with exceeding masterfulness all that was laid on them and let it avail no man to speak there against. Earl Einar was the most overbearing of men, then befell dearth in his dominion by reason of the toil and money cost which the bonders were put to but in that deal of the land which Brucey had was Mickel increase and sweet life for the bonders and well-beloved that Earl was. Chapter 101 of Thorkel's son of Amundi. There was a man hide Amundi, a mighty man and wealthy who dwelt in Rossi at Sandburgoon Laupandamess. Thorkel was the name of his son of all men the doughtiest in Orkney. Amundi was the wisest of men and one of the best accounted of in the islands. Now it befell one spring when Earl Einar once more bat out his folk as he was wont that the bonders made ill murmur there at and laid their case before Amundi and bat him speak up for them some furtherance before the Earl. The answer is the Earl is all unheedful and he gave it out that it would be of no avail to bid any boon whatsoever of the Earl in this matter. Moreover, the friendship between me and the Earl is good enough as matters stand but me seemeth things would be at the point of peril if we should get too wrangling looking to the mood of each of us. So says Amundi, I will have not to do herein. Then they spoke about this to Thorkel but he was unwilling, though at last from the egging of men he promised Amundi deemed he had promised over hastily. Now when the Earl held a thing then spake Thorkel on behalf of the bonders and bade the Earl spare men of those burdens. And he set forth the need of men the Earl answered well and said he will pay Michael honor to Thorkel's word. I was now minded to have six ships out of the land but now will I have no more than three but thou Thorkel ask such boons never again. The bonders thanked Thorkel well for his aid. The Earl went on his Viking and came back in harvest. But the next spring the Earl had the same bidding where to he was want and held a thing with the bonders. Now Thorkel spoke again and bade the Earl spare the bonders. The Earl answers wrathfully and says that the lot of the bonders shall only be the worser for his speaking up for them. He made himself so woodwroth that he said that next spring they should not both of them meet hail at the thing and therewith he broke up the thing. Now when a Monday knew for sure what words Thorkel and the Earl had had together he bade Thorkel get him gone and he crossed over on to Caithness to Earl Thorfinn. Thorkel was there for a long time thereafter and loved the Earl well whereas he was young and thereafter was he called Thorkel the foster father and a fair famed man was he. Chapter 102 the Earl's make peace. There were more mighty men who fled away from their lands in Orkney before the over mastery of Earl Einar. The most of them fled over to Caithness to Earl Thorfinn but other some fled from Orkney to Norway and others again to Sundry lands. But when Earl Thorfinn grew into man's estate he sent word to his brother Einar and craved of him the dominion where to he had a title in Orkney to wit one third of the islands. Einar was slow to diminish his realm but when Thorfinn heard thereof he bade out folk from Caithness and fared out into the islands and when Earl Einar had news thereof he gathers and host and is minded toward his lands. Earl Bruce he also gathers and host and fares to meet them and bears between them words of peace. And hereon they made such terms of peace that Earl Thorfinn should have one third of the islands in Orkney even as that pertained to him by right but Bruce and Einar joined their lots together into one over which Einar was to rule alone. But if either should die before the other then was the longest live to take to him the other lands but this covenant was deemed not to be fair whereas Bruce he had a sun height rotten of all but Einar was without sons. So now Earl Thorfinn set his men to look after his dominion in Orkney while he aboed mostly in Caithness. Earl Einar was for the most part in the summer a warring about Ireland and Scotland and Brett land. Chapter 103 the slaying of Ivan Urocks Horne. One summer when Earl Einar was warring on Ireland it be felt that he had a fight in O'Frecks Firth with Cronin Fogher king of the Irish even as is written for that Earl Einar got there a Mikkel overthrow and lost his men. The next summer Ivan Urocks Horne went away from the west from Ireland minded for Norway but as much as the weather was stormy and the roosts could not be crossed. Ivan turned to Asmund Bay and lay there a while weather bound but when Einar the Earl heard this he drew there with a Mikkel host and laid hands there on Ivan and let slay him but gave life to most of his men and they went east to Norway in the autumn and came to meet King Olaf and told him of the making a way of Ivan. The king answered few words there over but it was to be found that he deemed this Mikkel a man scathed and a deed done sorely in his despite and few spoken he was on most things which he took greatly to heart. Earl Thorfin sent Thorkel foster father out into the isles to gather his dues. Earl Einar witted Thorkel much of that uprising of Earl Thorfin to claim lands out in Orkney so Thorkel went speedily away from the isles over to Caithness. He told Earl Thorfin that he had made sure of this that Earl Einar had minded him death if his kinsmen and friends had not brought him timely news. Now shall I, says he, have the chance before me either to let such be the meeting between me and the Earl that matters come to an end between us but the other choice is to fare further away and the other where over his sway be not. The Earl urged that Thorkel should fare east to Norway to meet King Olaf. Thou will be, says he, much accounted of where so ever thou comest among men of high degree but I know the temper of you both, thee and the Earl, so well that ye will take short aim at each other. So then Thorkel got ready and went in autumn to Norway and then to meet King Olaf and he tarried there over the winter and Mikkel good like King. The King had Thorkel much into his councils and deemed him as soothed was a wise man and Mikkel stirring in affairs. The King found this in his converse that he told a very different tale of the two Earls whereas he was a much friend to Thorfin but laid heavy charges at the door of Earl Einar. So early in the spring the King sent a ship west beyond sea for Earl Thorfin and with it the word that the Earl should come east to meet him and that journey the Earl did not lay under his head for friendly words went with the message. Chapter 104, the slaying of Earl Einar Earl Thorfin went east to Norway and came to see King Olaf and had a good welcome of him and tarried there awhile that summer and when he went back west King Olaf gave him a long ship great and good with all gear. Thorkel foster father betook himself to the journey with the Earl and the Earl gave him the ship he had had from the west that same summer. The King and the Earl parted in Mikkel good liking. Earl Thorfin came to Orkney in the harvest tide and when Earl Einar heard thereof he had out a great company and lay aboard ship but Earl Brucie went to meet both those brethren and to bear words of peace between them and once again it came to this that they were appeased and bound the peace with oaths. Thorkel foster father was to be in peace and friendship with Earl Einar and it was settled that each should give a feast to the other and that the Earl should first seek to Thorkel's at Sandwick. But when the Earl was there a feasting the cheer was of the noblest yet the Earl was no wise merry. A great hall was there with doors at either end now the day where on the Earl was to go away Thorkel was to go home within a feasting. Thorkel sends forth men a spine the road whereby they were to fare that day and when the spies came back they told Thorkel that they had come upon three waylangs and armed men in each and we are minded to think say they that threes in his toward. Now when Thorkel heard this he teared his a rail and gathered his men to him. The Earl let him get ready saying it was high time to ride off. Thorkel said he had many things to give heed to and whilst he would be going out and whilst he went in fires were burning on the floor and now he came in through one of the doors and behind him a man called Hallward an Iceland man and eased further he locked the door after them. Thorkel walked up the hall between the fire and the place where the Earl was sitting. The Earl asked, are thou not ready yet? Thorkel answers, now am I ready? And therewith he hewed at the Earl and smote his head and the Earl fell on the floor. Then spake the Iceland man never saw I such drop-handed ones as you whereas ye dragged not the Earl out of the fire. Therewith he thrust in a stake under the nape of the neck of the Earl and hove him up towards the dais. Then Thorkel he and his fellow went out swiftly through another door then that whereby they had come in and there without stood Thorkel's men all wept. The Earl's men took hold of him and by then he was dead but their hands fell down all from avenging him whereas moreover this was done so suddenly and none looked for such a deed from Thorkel in as much as they all thought that so would things be still as they had been settled before to wit that friendship yet was between the Earl and Thorkel. Moreover most of the men within were weaponless and many of them were already good friends of Thorkel. This also went toward the hap that to Thorkel was faded a longer life and now when he came out he had a company no less than the men of the Earl. Then Thorkel fared to his ship and the Earl's men went their ways. That day Thorkel sailed straight away and eased into the main. It was after winter nights and he came safe and sound to Norway and fared at his swiftest to meet King Olaf of whom he had a right good welcome. The King was well pleased with this work and Thorkel teared with him through the winter. Chapter 105, peace between King Olaf and Earl Brucey after the fall of Earl Einar Earl Brucey took that deal of the islands which Earl Einar had had a for for there were many folk witnesses there too under what covenant those brothers Einar and Brucey had made fellowship but Thorkel thought it most just that each of them should have half of the islands yet that winter Brucey had two thirds thereof. The next spring Thorkel laid claim against Brucey to those lands saying that he would have one half with Brucey but Brucey would not give yay say here to. Now they had things in parlays over this business and their friends weren't between to settle the matter but so it came about that Thorkel said he would like not but to have one half of the islands and said this moreover that Brucey needed to have not more than one third seeing the mind of him. Brucey answers I was content to see to have that one third of the land which I took in heritage after my father nor did any one lay claim to it at my hands but now I have taken a second third in heritage after my brother according to rightful covenant but though I be unmighty to try masteries with the brother yet will I seek other where than to yay say my lands for me as yet and thus they broke off this parlay but when Brucey saw that he would not have a bail to stand on and even footing with Thorfinn whereas Thorfinn had much greater might and trust in the king of Scotland his grandfather therefore Brucey are read at him to sail away east and meet King Olaf and he had with him Ragnobald his son who was then 10 winters old but when the Earl met the king he had good welcome of him and when the Earl put forth his errand and told the king all the matter between him and his brother and asked the king to give him strength to hold his dominion and offered and return his full friendship the king answered and took up his tale there whereas Harold Harefare had made his own all Odle land in the Orkneys but the Urals had ever since held those lands in thief but never as their own and in token thereof he says that when Eric Bloodax and his sons were in the Orkneys the Urals were his lesionant but when Olaf Trigleson my kinsman came there Earl Sigurd thy father became his man now I have taken all the heritage after King Olaf and I will give this choice that thou become my man and then will I give thee the islands and feet and we shall thus try if I give thee my strength whether that shall be of more avail to thee or the backing up of the king of Scotland to Thorfinn thy brother but if thou wilt not take this choice then shall I go seek those haveings and the Odle lands which my kinsmen and forefathers have owned west away these words the Earl brought home to his mind and laid them before his friends and sought counsel of them as to what he should say yea to whether he should as the matter stood make peace with King Olaf and become his man but the other thing is unseen to me what my lot shall be at our parting if I say no there too whereas the king has laid bare the claim which he deems him to have to the Orkneys but because of his masterfulness seeing that I have come here it will be but little for him to deal with my affairs even as it seemeth good to him now although the Earl found drawbacks in either case he took the choice to lay all his case in the hand of the king himself and his dominion with all thus King Olaf took over from the Earl power and sway over the heritage lands of the Earl so the Earl became his man and bound it with sworn oath End of the story of Olaf The Holy Part 7 Chapter 91-105