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The Heimskringla on Erling Skialgson

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 21. Of Erling Skialgson.

attestation: Erling was one of the handsomest, largest, and strongest men, comparable to King Olaf in exercises, and a man of understanding.

"Erling was one of the handsomest, largest, and strongest men; a better warrior than any other; and in all exercises he was like King Olaf himself."
relationship: Erling and Astrid's children were Aslak, Skialg, Sigurd, Lodin, Thorer, and Ragnhild (married to Thorberg Arnason).

"Erlings and Astrid s children were these--Aslak, Skialg, Sigurd, Lodin, Thorer, and Ragnhild, who was married to Thorberg Arnason."
attestation: Erling always kept ninety free-born men or more and used measured drinking at midday but unmeasured at night.

"Erling had always with him ninety free-born men or more, and both winter and summer it was the custom in his house to drink at the mid-day meal according to a measure (1), but at the night meal there was no measure in drinking."
attestation: Erling never went to sea with fewer than a fully-manned twenty-bench ship and also had a thirty-two-bench ship carrying at least 200 men.

"He never went to sea with less than a fully-manned ship of twenty benches of rowers. Erling had also a ship of thirty-two benches of rowers"
attestation: The common saying held that Erling was the most valiant man who ever held lands under a king in Norway.

"It was a common saying among the people, that Erling had been the most valiant who ever held lands under a king in Norway."

attestation: Erling kept thirty slaves on his farm in addition to other serving-people, giving them set day-tasks and leisure to work for themselves in twilight and night hours.

"Erling had always at home on his farm thirty slaves, besides other serving-people. He gave his slaves a certain day's work; but after it he gave them leisure, and leave that each should work in the twilight and at night for himself, and as he pleased."
attestation: Erling gave his slaves arable land to sow corn and keep the crops for themselves, and set a fixed quantity of labor by which they could buy their freedom.

"He gave them arable land to sow corn in, and let them apply their crops to their own use. He laid upon each a certain quantity of labour to work themselves free by doing it"
attestation: Many slaves bought their freedom within one to three years; Erling used the money to buy more slaves.

"there were many who bought their freedom in this way in one year, or in the second year, and all who had any luck could make themselves free within three years. With this money he bought other slaves"
attestation: Erling directed his freed people into herring-fishing, handicrafts, or clearing outfields and building houses, helping all to prosperity.

"to some of his freed people he showed how to work in the herring-fishery, to others he showed some useful handicraft; and some cleared his outfields and set up houses. He helped all to prosperity."

attestation: Erling and Aslak retained all the fiefs King Olaf Trygvason had given to Erling, making Erling a firm friend of the earl's.

"the father and son, Erling and Aslak, retained all the fiefs which King Olaf Trygvason had given to Erling. Thus Erling became a firm friend of the earl's, and their mutual friendship was confirmed by oath."

attestation: Erling Skialgson joined Earl Svein's fleet with many people and lendermen when it reached Rogaland.

"When they came farther south, abreast of Rogaland, Erling Skialgson came to meet them, with many people and many lendermen with him"

attestation: Erling Skialgson advised sailing north to gather more people and fight Olaf again, but most others favored the earl fleeing to the Swedish king.

"Erling Skialgson advised that they should sail north, collect people, and fight King Olaf again; but as they had lost many people, the most were of opinion that the earl should leave the country, and repair to his brother-in-law the Swedish King"

attestation: Erling reluctantly submitted to the king's terms on his relations' advice, saying the most useful service would be given freely.

"The service will be the most useful to thee which I give with a free will"
attestation: Erling entered Olaf's service on the king's own terms and they separated somewhat reconciled; Olaf continued east along the coast in A.D. 1016.

"Erling went into the king's service on such conditions as the king himself should determine and please. Thereafter they separated in some shape reconciled, and Olaf went his way eastward along the coast (A.D. 1016)"