The Heimskringla on Kjartan Olafson

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 88. Of The Icelanders.

• relationship: Kjartan Olafson was grandson of Hoskuld and grandson of Egil Skallagrimson through his mother's side, and was considered the most agreeable man born in Iceland.

  "Kjartan Olafson, a son's son of Hoskuld, and a daughter's son of Egil Skallagrimson, came the same autumn (A.D. 999) from Iceland to Nidaros, and he was considered to be the most agreeable and hopeful man of any born in Iceland"

• attestation: Kjartan challenged Halfred Vandredaskald to a swimming contest against a man who excelled in bodily exercises.

  "Kjartan challenged Halfred Vandredaskald to try himself in swimming against this man, but he declined it"

• attestation: Kjartan swam against the unknown man, diving repeatedly and nearly drowning before they surfaced.

  "They come up again, and without speaking a word dive again, and are much longer under water than the first time. They come up again, and without saying a word dive a third time, until Kjartan thought it was time to come up again, which, however, he could in no way accomplish"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 89. Baptism Of The Icelanders.

• attestation: Kjartan expressed pleasure at the Christian worship while most other Icelanders scoffed at it.

  "Kjartan expressed his pleasure at it, but most of the others scoffed at it"

• attestation: Kjartan agreed to be baptized in exchange for the king's friendship, and was baptized along with his kinsman Bolle Thorlakson and their companions.

  "Kjartan replies, that he would not say no to that, if he thereby obtained the king's friendship; and as the king promised him the fullest friendship, they were soon agreed. The next day Kjartan was baptized, together with his relation Bolle Thorlakson, and all their fellow-travelers"

• attestation: Kjartan and Bolle were honored as the king's guests during their white baptismal period and were considered people of distinction.

  "Kjartan and Bolle were the king's guests as long as they were in their white baptismal clothes, and the king had much kindness for them. Wherever they came they were looked upon as people of distinction"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 91. Thangbrand Returns From Iceland.

• attestation: Kjartan, Gissur, and Hjalte intervened, reminding Olaf of his promise to forgive any who converted, and offered to advance Christianity through influential Icelanders.

  "Kjartan, Gissur, and Hjalte, with the other Icelanders who had become Christians, went to him, and said, "King, thou must not fail from thy word--that however much any man may irritate thee, thou wilt forgive him if he turn from heathenism and become Christian. All the Icelanders here are willing to be baptized"