Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway
There was a girl whose name was Alfhild, and who was usually called
the king's slave-woman, although she was of good descent. She was
a remarkably handsome girl, and lived in King Olaf's court. It was
reported this spring that Alfhild was with child, and the king's
confidential friends knew that he was father of the child. It happened
one night that Alfhild was taken ill, and only few people were at hand;
namely, some women, priests, Sigvat the skald, and a few others. Alfhild
was so ill that she was nearly dead; and when she was delivered of a
man-child, it was some time before they could discover whether the child
was in life. But when the infant drew breath, although very weak, the
priest told Sigvat to hasten to the king, and tell him of the event.
He replies, "I dare not on any account waken the king; for he has forbid
that any man should break his sleep until he awakens of himself."
The priest replies, "It is of necessity that this child be immediately
baptized, for it appears to me there is but little life in it."
Sigvat said, "I would rather venture to take upon me to let thee baptize
the child, than to awaken the king; and I will take it upon myself if
anything be amiss, and will give the child a name."
They did so; and the child was baptized, and got the name of Magnus.
The next morning, when the king awoke and had dressed himself, the
circumstance was told him. He ordered Sigvat to be called, and said.
"How camest thou to be so bold as to have my child baptized before I
knew anything about it?"
Sigvat replies, "Because I would rather give two men to God than one to
the devil."
The king--"What meanest thou?"
Sigvat--"The child was near death, and must have been the devil's if it
had died as a heathen, and now it is God's. And I knew besides that if
thou shouldst be so angry on this account that it affected my life, I
would be God's also."
The king asked, "But why didst thou call him Magnus, which is not a name
of our race?"
Sigvat--"I called him after King Carl Magnus, who, I knew, had been the
best man in the world."
Then said the king, "Thou art a very lucky man, Sigvat; but it is not
wonderful that luck should accompany understanding. It is only wonderful
how it sometimes happens that luck attends ignorant men, and that
foolish counsel turns out lucky." The king was overjoyed at the
circumstance. The boy grew up, and gave good promise as he advanced in
age.
132. THE MURDER OF ASBJORN SELSBANE.
The same spring (A.D. 1024) the king gave into the hands of Asmund
Grankelson the half of the sheriffdom of the district of Halogaland,
which Harek of Thjotta had formerly held, partly in fief, partly for
defraying the king's entertainment in guest-quarters. Asmund had a ship
manned with nearly thirty well-armed men. When Asmund came north he
met Harek, and told him what the king had determined with regard to
the district, and produced to him the tokens of the king's full powers.
Harek said, "The king had the right to give the sheriffdom to whom he
pleased; but the former sovereigns had not been in use to diminish our
rights who are entitled by birth to hold powers from the king, and to
give them into the hands of the peasants who never before held such
offices." But although it was evident that it was against Harek's
inclination, he allowed Asmund to take the sheriffdom according to the
king's order. Then Asmund proceeded home to his father, stayed there a
short time, and then went north to Halogaland to his sheriffdom; and
he came north to Langey Island, where there dwelt two brothers called
Gunstein and Karle, both very rich and respectable men. Gunstein, the
eldest of the brothers, was a good husbandman. Karle was a handsome
man in appearance, and splendid in his dress; and both were, in many
respects, expert in all feats. Asmund was well received by them,
remained with them a while, and collected such revenues of his
sheriffdom as he could get. Karle spoke with Asmund of his wish to go
south with him and take service in the court of King Olaf, to which
Asmund encouraged him much, promising his influence with the king
for obtaining for Karle such a situation as he desired; and Karle
accordingly accompanied Asmund. Asmund heard that Asbjorn, who had
killed Thorer Sel, had gone to the market-meeting of Vagar with a
large ship of burden manned with nearly twenty men, and that he was now
expected from the south. Asmund and his retinue proceeded on their way
southwards along the coast with a contrary wind, but there was little of
it. They saw some of the fleet for Vagar sailing towards them; and they
privately inquired of them about Asbjorn, and were told he was upon
the way coming from the south. Asmund and Karle were bedfellows, and
excellent friends. One day, as Asmund and his people were rowing through
a sound, a ship of burden came sailing towards them. The ship was easily
known, having high bulwarks, was painted with white and red colours, and
coloured cloth was woven in the sail. Karle said to Asmund, "Thou hast
often said thou wast curious to see Asbjorn who killed Thorer Sel; and
if I know one ship from another, that is his which is coming sailing
along."
Asmund replies, "Be so good, comrade, and tell me which is he when thou
seest him."
When the ships came alongside of each other, "That is Asbjorn," said
Karle; "the man sitting at the helm in a blue cloak."
Asmund replies, "I shall make his blue cloak red;" threw a spear at
Asbjorn, and hit him in the middle of the body, so that it flew through
and through him, and stuck fast in the upper part of the stern-post;
and Asbjorn fell down dead from the helm. Then each vessel sailed on its
course, and Asbjorn's body was carried north to Thrandarnes. Then Sigrid
sent a message to Bjarkey Isle to Thorer Hund, who came to her while
they were, in the usual way, dressing the corpse of Asbjorn. When he
returned Sigrid gave presents to all her friends, and followed Thorer
to his ship; but before they parted she said, "It has so fallen out,
Thorer, that my son has suffered by thy friendly counsel, but he did not
retain life to reward thee for it; but although I have not his ability
yet will I show my good will. Here is a gift I give thee, which I expect
thou wilt use. Here is the spear which went through Asbjorn my son, and
there is still blood upon it, to remind thee that it fits the wound
thou hast seen on the corpse of thy brother's son Asbjorn. It would be
a manly deed, if thou shouldst throw this spear from thy hand so that
it stood in Olaf's breast; and this I can tell thee, that thou wilt be
named coward in every man's mouth, if thou dost not avenge Asbjorn."
Thereupon she turned about, and went her way.
Thorer was so enraged at her words that he could not speak. He neither
thought of casting the spear from him, nor took notice of the gangway;
so that he would have fallen into the sea, if his men had not laid hold
of him as he was going on board his ship. It was a feathered spear; not
large, but the handle was gold-mounted. Now Thorer rowed away with his
people, and went home to Bjarkey Isle. Asmund and his companions also
proceeded on their way until they came south to Throndhjem, where
they waited on King Olaf; and Asmund related to the king all that had
happened on the voyage. Karle became one of the king's court-men, and
the friendship continued between him and Asmund. They did not keep
secret the words that had passed between Asmund and Karle before Asbjorn
was killed; for they even told them to the king. But then it happened,
according to the proverb, that every one has a friend in the midst of
his enemies. There were some present who took notice of the words, and
they reached Thorer Hund's ears.
133. OF KING OLAF.
When spring (A.D. 1024) was advanced King Olaf rigged out his ships,
and sailed southwards in summer along the land. He held Things with the
bondes on the way, settled the law business of the people, put to rights
the faith of the country, and collected the king's taxes wherever he
came. In autumn he proceeded south to the frontier of the country; and
King Olaf had now made the people Christians in all the great districts,
and everywhere, by laws, had introduced order into the country. He had
also, as before related, brought the Orkney Islands under his power, and
by messages had made many friends in Iceland, Greenland, and the Farey
Islands. King Olaf had sent timber for building a church to Iceland, of
which a church was built upon the Thing-field where the General Thing is
held, and had sent a bell for it, which is still there. This was after
the Iceland people had altered their laws, and introduced Christianity,
according to the word King Olaf had sent them. After that time, many
considerable persons came from Iceland, and entered into King Olaf's
service; as Thorkel Eyjolfson, and Thorleif Bollason, Thord Kolbeinson,
Thord Barkarson, Thorgeir Havarson, Thormod Kalbrunar-skald. King Olaf
had sent many friendly presents to chief people in Iceland; and they
in return sent him such things as they had which they thought most
acceptable. Under this show of friendship which the king gave Iceland
were concealed many things which afterwards appeared.
134. KING OLAF'S MESSAGE TO ICELAND, AND THE COUNSELS OF THE ICELANDERS.
King Olaf this summer (A.D. 1024) sent Thorarin Nefiulfson to Iceland
on his errands; and Thorarin went out of Throndhjem fjord along with the
king, and followed him south to More. From thence Thorarin went out
to sea, and got such a favourable breeze that after four days sail he
landed at the Westman Isles, in Iceland. He proceeded immediately to the
Althing, and came just as the people were upon the Lawhillock, to which
he repaired. When the cases of the people before the Thing had been
determined according to law, Thorarin Nefiulfson took up the word as
follows:--"We parted four days ago from King Olaf Haraldson, who sends
God Almighty's and his own salutation to all the chiefs and principal
men of the land; as also to all the people in general, men and women,
young and old, rich and poor. He also lets you know that he will be your
sovereign if ye will become his subjects, so that he and you will be
friends, assisting each other in all that is good."
The people replied in a friendly way, that they would gladly be the
king's friends, if he would be a friend of the people of their country.
Then Thorarin again took up the word:--"This follows in addition to the
king's message, that he will in friendship desire of the people of the
north district that they give him the island, or out-rock, which lies at
the mouth of Eyfjord, and is called Grimsey, for which he will give you
from his country whatever good the people of the district may desire.
He sends this message particularly to Gudmund of Modruvellir to support
this matter, because he understands that Gudmund has most influence in
that quarter."
Gudmund replies, "My inclination is greatly for King Olaf's friendship,
and that I consider much more useful than the out-rock he desires. But
the king has not heard rightly if he think I have more power in this
matter than any other, for the island is a common. We, however, who have
the most use of the isle, will hold a meeting among ourselves about it."
Then the people went to their tent-houses; and the Northland people had
a meeting among themselves, and talked over the business, and every one
spoke according to his judgment. Gudmund supported the matter, and many
others formed their opinions by his. Then some asked why his brother
Einar did not speak on the subject. "We think he has the clearest
insight into most things."
Einar answers, "I have said so little about the matter because nobody