Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway
ye had for my father, although I have one-half more people than he
had. I do not by any means do it merely to plague you, or to make your
condition harder than formerly."
5. KING SVEIN ULFSON'S DEATH.
King Svein Ulfson died ten years after the fall of both the Haralds
(A.D. 1076). After him his son, Harald Hein, was king for three years
(A.D. 1077-1080); then Canute the Holy for seven years (A.D. 1081-1087);
afterwards Olaf, King Svein's third son, for eight years (A.D.
1088-1095). Then Eirik the Good, Svein's fourth son, for eight winters
(A.D. 1096-1103). Olaf, the king of Norway, was married to Ingerid, a
daughter of Svein, the Danish king; and Olaf, the Danish King Svein's
son, married Ingegerd, a daughter of King Harald, and sister of King
Olaf of Norway. King Olaf Haraldson, who was called by some Olaf Kyrre,
but by many Olaf the Bonde, had a son by Thora, Joan's daughter, who was
called Magnus, and was one of the handsomest lads that could be seen,
and was promising in every respect. He was brought up in the king's
court.
6. MIRACLES OF KING OLAF THE SAINT.
King Olaf had a church of stone built in Nidaros, on the spot where King
Olaf's body had first been buried, and the altar was placed directly
over the spot where the king's grave had been. This church was
consecrated and called Christ Church; and King Olaf's shrine was removed
to it, and was placed before the altar, and many miracles took place
there. The following summer, on the same day of the year as the church
was consecrated, which was the day before Olafsmas, there was a great
assemblage of people, and then a blind man was restored to sight. And on
the mass-day itself, when the shrine and the holy relics were taken out
and carried, and the shrine itself, according to custom, was taken and
set down in the churchyard, a man who had long been dumb recovered his
speech again, and sang with flowing tongue praise-hymns to God, and to
the honour of King Olaf the Saint. The third miracle was of a woman
who had come from Svithjod, and had suffered much distress on this
pilgrimage from her blindness; but trusting in God's mercy, had come
travelling to this solemnity. She was led blind into the church to hear
mass this day; but before the service was ended she saw with both
eyes, and got her sight fully and clearly, although she had been blind
fourteen years. She returned with great joy, praising God and King Olaf
the Saint.
7. OF THE SHRINE OF KING OLAF THE SAINT.
There happened a circumstance in Nidaros, when King Olaf's coffin was
being carried about through the streets, that it became so heavy that
people could not lift it from the spot. Now when the coffin was set
down, the street was broken up to see what was under it at that spot,
and the body of a child was found which had been murdered and concealed
there. The body was carried away, the street put in order again as it
had been before, and the shrine carried on according to custom.
8. KING OLAF WAS BLESSED WITH PEACE.
In the days of King Olaf there were bountiful harvests in Norway and
many good things. In no man's life had times been so good in Norway
since the days of Harald Harfager. King Olaf modified for the better
many a matter that his father had inaugurated and maintained with
severity. He was generous, but a strict ruler, for he was a wise man,
and well understood what was of advantage to the kingdom. There are many
stories of his good works. How much he loved and how kind he was to the
people may be seen from the following words, which he once spoke at a
large banquet. He was happy and in the best of spirits, when one of his
men said, "It pleases us, sire, to see you so happy." He answered: "I
have reason to be glad when I see my subjects sitting happy and free in
a guild consecrated to my uncle, the sainted King Olaf. In the days of
my father these people were subjected to much terror and fear; the most
of them concealed their gold and their precious things, but now I see
glittering on his person what each one owns, and your freedom is my
gladness." In his reign there was no strife, and he protected himself and
his realm against enemies abroad; and his nearest neighbours stood in
great awe of him, although he was a most gentle man, as is confirmed by
the skald.
9. MEETING OF OLAF KYRRE AND CANUTE THE SAINT.
King Olaf Kyrre was a great friend of his brother-in-law, the Danish
king, Canute the holy. They appointed a meeting and met at the Gaut
river at Konungahella, where the kings used to have their meetings.
There King Canute made the proposal that they should send an army
westward to England on account of the revenge they had to take there;
first and foremost King Olaf himself, and also the Danish king. "Do one
of two things," said King Canute,--"either take sixty ships, which I
will furnish thee with, and be thou the leader; or give me sixty ships,
and I shall be the leader." Then said King Olaf, "This speech of thine,
King Canute, is altogether according to my mind; but there is this
great difference between us; your family has had more luck in conquering
England with great glory, and, among others, King Canute the Great;
and it is likely that this good fortune follows your race. On the other
hand, when King Harald, my father, went westward to England, he got his
death there; and at that time the best men in Norway followed him. But
Norway was so emptied then of chosen men, that such men have not since
been to find in the country; for that expedition there was the most
excellent outfit, and you know what was the end of it. Now I know my own
capacity, and how little I am suited to be the leader; so I would rather
you should go, with my help and assistance."
So King Olaf gave Canute sixty large ships, with excellent equipment and
faithful men, and set his lendermen as chiefs over them; and all must
allow that this armament was admirably equipt. It is also told in the
saga about Canute, that the Northmen alone did not break the levy
when the army was assembled, but the Danes would not obey their king's
orders. This king Canute acknowledged, and gave them leave to trade in
merchandise where they pleased through his country, and at the same time
sent the king of Norway costly presents for his assistance. On the other
hand he was enraged against the Danes, and laid heavy fines upon them.
10. A BONDE WHO UNDERSTOOD THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS.
One summer, when King Olaf's men had gone round the country collecting
his income and land dues, it happened that the king, on their
return home asked them where on their expedition they had been best
entertained. They said it was in the house of a bonde in one of the
king's districts. "There is an old bonde there who knows many things
before they happen. We asked him about many things, which he explained
to us; nay, we even believe that he understands perfectly the language
of birds." The king replies, "How can ye believe such nonsense?" and
insisted that it was wrong to put confidence in such things. It happened
soon after that the king was sailing along the coast; and as they
sailed through a Sound the king said, "What is that township up in the
country?"
They replied, "That is the district, sire, where we told you we were
best entertained."
Then said the king, "What house is that which stands up there, not far
from the Sound?"
They replied, "That house belongs to the wise old bonde we told you of,
sire."
They saw now a horse standing close to the house. Then said the king,
"Go there, and take that horse, and kill him."
They replied, "We would not like to do him such harm."
The king: "I will command. Cut off the horse's head; but take care of
yourselves that ye let no blood come to the ground, and bear the horse
out to my ship. Go then and bring to me the old man; but tell him
nothing of what has happened, as ye shall answer for it with your
lives."
They did as they were ordered, and then came to the old man, and told
him the king's message. When he came before the king, the king asked
him, "Who owns the house thou art dwelling in?"
He replies, "Sire, you own it, and take rent for it."
The king: "Show us the way round the ness, for here thou must be a good
pilot."
The old man went into his boat and rowed before the king's ship; and
when he had rowed a little way a crow came flying over the ship, and
croaking hideously. The peasant listens to the crow. The king said, "Do
you think, bonde, that betokens anything?"
"Sire, that is certain," said he.
Then another crow flies over the ship, and screeches dreadfully. The
bonde was so ill hearing this that he could not row, and the oars hung
loose in his hands.
Then said the king, "Thy mind is turned much to these crows, bonde, and
to what they say."
The bonde replies, "Now I suspect it is true what they say."
The third time the crow came flying screeching at its very worst, and
almost settling on the ship. Now the bonde threw down his oars, regarded
them no more, and stood up before the king.
Then the king said, "Thou art taking this much to heart, bonde; what is
it they say?"
The peasant--"It is likely that either they or I have misunderstood--"
"Say on," replied the king.
The bonde replied in a song:--
"The 'one-year old'
Mere nonsense told;
The 'two-years' chatter
Seemed senseless matter;
The three-years' croak
Of wonders spoke.
The foul bird said
My old mare's head
I row along;
And, in her song,
She said the thief
Was the land's chief."
The king said, "What is this, bonde! Wilt thou call me a thief?"
Then the king gave him good presents, and remitted all the land-rent of
the place he lived on. So says Stein:--
"The pillar of our royal race
Stands forth adorned with every grace.
What king before e'er took such pride
To scatter bounty far and wide?
Hung round with shields that gleam afar;
The merchant ship on one bestows,
With painted streaks in glowing rows.
"The man-at-arms a golden ring
Boasts as the present of his king;
At the king's table sits the guest,
By the king's bounty richly drest.
King Olaf, Norway's royal son,
Who from the English glory won,
Pours out with ready-giving hand
His wealth on children of the land.
"Brave clothes to servants he awards,
Helms and ring-mail coats grace his guards;
Or axe and sword Har's warriors gain,
And heavy armour for the plain.
Gold, too, for service duly paid,
Red gold all pure, and duly weighed,
King Olaf gives--he loves to pay
All service in a royal way."
11. OF KING OLAF KYRRE'S DEATH.
King Olaf lived principally in his domains on his large farms. Once when
he was east in Ranrike, on his estate of Haukby, he took the disease
which ended in his death. He had then been king of Norway for twenty-six
years (A.D. 1068-1093); for he was made king of Norway the year after
King Harald's death. King Olaf's body was taken north to Nidaros, and
buried in Christ church, which he himself had built there. He was the
most amiable king of his time, and Norway was much improved in riches
and cultivation during his reign.
MAGNUS BAREFOOT'S SAGA.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
The greater part of the contents of this saga is also found in "Agrip",
"Fagrskinna", and "Morkinskinna".
Magnus and his cousin Hakon became kings in 1093, but Hakon ruled only
two years and died in 1095. King Magnus fell in the year 1103.
Skalds quoted are: Bjorn Krephende, Thorkel Hamarskald, and Eldjarn.
1. BEGINNING OF THE REIGN OF KING MAGNUS AND HIS COUSIN HAKON.
Magnus, King Olaf's son, was, immediately after King Olaf's death,