The Heimskringla on Asbjorn of Medalhus
Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. The Frosta-Thing.
attestation: Asbjorn of Medalhus in Gaulardal stood up and challenged Hakon, asking whether the bondes had truly gained freedom or were being made vassals again through forced conversion.
"Asbjorn of Medalhus in the Gaulardal stood up, and answered thus to the king's proposal"
attestation: Asbjorn declared the bondes would hold to the ancient faith of their fathers from the times of cremation and mound burial, which had served them well.
"we should abandon the ancient faith which our fathers and forefathers have held from the oldest times, in the times when the dead were burnt, as well as since that they are laid under mounds"
attestation: Asbjorn warned that if the king used force, the bondes had resolved to part with him and choose another chief who would let them keep their faith.
"If, however, thou wilt take up this matter with a high hand, and wilt try thy power and strength against us, we bondes have resolved among ourselves to part with thee, and to take to ourselves some other chief"
attestation: Asbjorn demanded the king choose before the Thing ended: either moderate his demands or face the bondes' withdrawal of allegiance.
"Now, king, thou must choose one or other of these conditions before the Thing is ended."
attestation: The bondes unanimously endorsed Asbjorn's speech at the Frosta-thing, declaring they would stand or fall by his demands.
"The bondes gave loud applause to this speech, and said it expressed their will, and they would stand or fall by what had been spoken."