The Heimskringla on Aslak Hane
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 32. Of Aslak Hane.
attestation: Aslak Hane, a small but fiery man of no great family who had traveled with Sigurd on the crusade, alone dared to challenge the king.
"a man called Aslak Hane spoke. He had been a long time with King Sigurd on his journey abroad, and was not a man of any great family; and was small of stature, but fiery."
attestation: Aslak reminded Sigurd of his baptism in the Jordan and his crusading oath, shaming the king for eating flesh on a Friday when even a common man would merit punishment.
"When you rose up out of Jordan, after bathing in the same waters as God himself, with palm-leaves in your hands, and the cross upon your breast, it was something else you promised, sire, than to eat flesh-meat on a Friday."
attestation: Aslak lamented that a mean man like himself had to challenge such an act, saying the royal hall was poorly attended when such correction fell to him.
"This royal hall is not so beset as it should be, when it falls upon me, a mean man, to challenge such an act."
attestation: Aslak refused to flee when advised, saying he preferred death now that he had prevented the king from sinning.
"I do not see how it could help me; and to tell the truth, it is as good to die now that I have got my will, and have prevented the king from committing a sin. It is for him to kill me if he likes."
attestation: The episode parallels the Ottar Birting incident, with a lowborn man again courageously correcting the king when all nobles stayed silent.
""What is it, sire, that is smoking on the dish before you?"
The king replies, "What do you mean, Aslak? what do you think it is?""
- attestation: Aslak said it would be vexatious to know that a gallant king who had gained so much honour in the world should so forget himself.
"It would be vexatious to know that a gallant king, who has gained so much honour in the world, should so forget himself."