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The Heimskringla on Earl Sigvaldi

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 99. King Burizleif'S Marriage.

attestation: Earl Sigvalde went to Denmark and persuaded King Svein to hand over his sister Thyre.

"Earl Sigvalde loses no time, but goes to King Svein of Denmark, explains to him the case; and brings it so far by his persuasion, that the king delivered his sister Thyre into his hands"

attestation: Sigvalde first went to Jomsborg and then to King Olaf, ingratiating himself into great favor with the Norwegian king.

"First, he came to Jomsborg, and then he sought out King Olaf Trygvason. There was much friendship in their conversation, and the earl got himself into great favour with the king."
attestation: Sigvalde used his position in Olaf's council to repeatedly delay the king's departure from Vindland, frustrating Olaf's men who were eager to return home.

"as he had got a voice in King Olaf's council, he put him off much from sailing homewards, finding various reasons for delay. Olaf's people were in the highest degree dissatisfied with this"
attestation: Sigvalde received a secret message from Denmark that the Swedish army and Earl Eirik's forces were assembled, and that the allied chiefs planned to ambush Olaf at the island of Svold.

"Earl Sigvalde got a secret message from Denmark that the Swedish king's army was arrived from the east, and that Earl Eirik's also was ready; and that all these chiefs had resolved to sail eastwards to Vindland, and wait for King Olaf at an island which is called Svold."

attestation: Rumors reached Vindland that King Svein had fitted out an army against Olaf, but Earl Sigvalde dismissed the threat and offered to escort Olaf with his eleven Jomsborg viking ships.

"Earl Sigvalde says to King Olaf, "It never can be King Svein's intention to venture with the Danish force alone, to give battle to thee with such a powerful army; but if thou hast any suspicion that evil is on foot, I will follow thee with my force"
attestation: Olaf ordered departure, with the earl leading in his track and claiming knowledge of the deepest waters between the islands -- but this was the trap leading toward Svold.

"the earl, who sailed nearest to the king's ship, called to those on board to tell the king to sail in his keel-track: "For I know where the water is deepest between the islands and in the sounds, and these large ships require the deepest.""
attestation: When Sigvalde approached the island of Svold, a skiff warned him that the Danish army lay in wait, and he ordered sails struck and rowed in under the island, betraying Olaf.

"when Earl Sigvalde came sailing close under the island Svold, a skiff rowed out to inform the earl that the Danish king's army was lying in the harbour before them. Then the earl ordered the sails of his vessels to be struck, and they rowed in under the island."

attestation: Earl Sigvalde's ships were observed turning in to the island, which the allied chiefs noted before the main Norwegian fleet appeared.

"Soon after they saw and knew Earl Sigvalde's ships, which turned in and laid themselves under the island."

attestation: When Earl Sigvalde rowed under the island, Thorkel Dydril of the Crane and other ship commanders followed, asking why he sailed that way; he claimed to be waiting for King Olaf due to enemies in the water.

"Thorkel Dydril of the Crane, and the other ship commanders who sailed with him, saw that he turned his ships towards the isle, and thereupon let fall the sails, and rowed after him, calling out, and asking why he sailed that way. The Earl answered, that he was waiting for king Olaf, as he feared there were enemies in the water."