Hakon Gamle

Hakon Gamle (Hakon the Old) served as an emissary for Queen Gunhild, sent to the Swedish king Eirik "with presents and messages of friendship" (Heimskringla, Hakon's Embassy To Sweden). When the question of young Olaf's custody arose, Hakon Gamle "returned a friendly answer, saying that it depended entirely upon Olaf's mother. But Astrid would on no account listen to the proposal" (Heimskringla, Hakon's Embassy To Sweden). His diplomatic role positions him as an intermediary in the political manoeuvring between Gunhild's faction and the Swedish court.