The Heimskringla on Magnus the Good

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn

• attestation: Magnus ruled Norway and Hardaknut ruled Denmark during winter 1036

  "King Magnus ruled over Norway this winter (A.D. 1036), and Hardaknut over Denmark."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Reconciliation Between Hardaknut And King Magnus.

• attestation: In spring 1036, both Magnus and Hardaknut raised armies and expected to battle at the Gaut river

  "The following spring (A.D. 1036) the kings on both sides ordered out a levy, and the news was that they would have a battle at the Gaut river"

• attestation: Lendermen on both sides initiated peace negotiations between the two young kings

  "the lendermen in the one army sent messengers to their connections and friends in the other; and it came to a proposal for a reconciliation between the two kings"

• attestation: Magnus and Hardaknut agreed that the survivor would inherit both kingdoms, with twelve principal men from each kingdom swearing to uphold the treaty

  "the peace was to be a brotherly union under oath to keep the peace towards each other to the end of their lives; and if one of them should die without leaving a son, the longest liver should succeed to the whole land and people. Twelve of the principal men in each kingdom swore to the kings that this treaty should be observed"

• attestation: The succession treaty between Magnus and Hardaknut was kept as long as both kings lived

  "the treaty was kept as long as both lived."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 11. King Olaf'S Shrine.

• attestation: King Magnus commissioned a gold- and silver-mounted, jewel-studded shrine shaped like a coffin with an arched way beneath and raised roof above

  "King Magnus had a shrine made and mounted with gold and silver, and studded with jewels. This shrine was made so that in shape and size it was like a coffin. Under it was an arched way, and above was a raised roof, with a head and a roof-ridge."

• attestation: Magnus deposited King Olaf's holy remains in the shrine, where many miracles were reported

  "In this shrine King Magnus had the holy remains of King Olaf deposited, and many were the miracles there wrought."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 13. Of The Murder Of Harek Of Thjotta.

• attestation: King Magnus gave Asmund his own thick club-like axe instead of Asmund's thin hatchet, warning that Harek had hard bones

  "The king looked at him, and said, "Rather take this axe of mine." It was thick, and made like a club. "Thou must know, Asmund," added he, "that there are hard bones in the old fellow.""

• attestation: King Magnus afterwards gave Asmund a fief and office in Halogaland, leading to prolonged strife with Harek's sons

  "King Magnus afterwards gave him a fief and office in Halogaland, and many are the tales about the strife between Asmund and Harek's sons."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 14. Of Thorgeir Flek.

• attestation: Despite the uproar from Thorgeir's bold words, King Magnus resolved his business favorably and promised him friendship

  "the king called him, and not only despatched his business to his satisfaction, but promised him favour and friendship."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 15. Kalf Arnason Flies The Country

• attestation: At a feast at Haug in Veradal, King Magnus sat with Kalf Arnason on one side and Einar Tambaskelfer on the other, but favored Einar over Kalf

  "the king was at a feast at the farm of Haug in Veradel, and at the dinner-table Kalf Arnason sat upon one side of him, and Einar Tambaskelfer on the other. It was already come so far that the king took little notice of Kalf, but paid most attention to Einar."

• attestation: Magnus asked to ride to Stiklestad to see the site of his father's death, and Einar suggested taking Kalf as guide since Kalf had been there

  "The king said to Einar, "Let us ride to-day to Stiklestad. I should like to see the memorials of the things which took place there." Einar replies, "I can tell thee nothing about it; but take thy foster-father Kalf with thee; he can give thee information about all that took place.""

• attestation: At Stiklestad, Magnus asked Kalf to show where Olaf fell; Kalf pointed with his spear-shaft and said he stood where he now stood

  ""Where is the spot at which the king fell?"

Kalf stretched out his spear-shaft, and said, "There he lay when he fell."

The king: "And where wast thou, Kalf?"

Kalf: "Here where I am now standing.""

• attestation: Magnus turned red with fury and accused Kalf of being close enough to strike Olaf with his axe

  "The king turned red as blood in the face, and said, "Then thy axe could well have reached him.""

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 16. Of The Threats Of The Bondes.

• attestation: King Magnus confiscated Veggia from Hrut, Kviststad from Thorgeir, and Eggja with all Kalf's goods, seizing many farms belonging to fallen bonde-army fighters from Stiklestad

  "King Magnus added to his property Veggia, which Hrut had been owner of, and Kviststad, which had belonged to Thorgeir, and also Eggja, with all the goods which Kalf had left behind him; and thus he confiscated to the king's estate many great farms, which had belonged to those of the bonde-army who had fallen at Stiklestad."

• attestation: Magnus imposed heavy fines, exiled some opponents, and slaughtered others' cattle, provoking the bondes to murmur about repeating their uprising against Olaf

  "He drove some out of the country, took large sums of money from others, and had the cattle of others slaughtered for his use. Then the bondes began to murmur, and to say among themselves, "Will he go on in the same way as his father and other chiefs, whom we made an end of when their pride and lawless proceedings became insupportable?""

• attestation: The people of Sogn gathered forces and resolved to fight King Magnus if he entered the Fjord district

  "The people of Sogn gathered men, and, it was said, were determined to give battle to King Magnus, if he came into the Fjord district."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 17. Of The Free-Speaking Song ("Bersoglisvisur").

• attestation: The exhortation succeeded: Magnus consulted prudent men and ordered affairs according to law

  "This exhortation had a good effect on the king, for many others held the same language to him. So at last the king consulted the most prudent men, who ordered all affairs according to law."

• attestation: King Magnus had the law-book called the Grey Goose composed in writing, still in use in the Throndhjem district

  "Thereafter King Magnus had the law-book composed in writing which is still in use in Throndhjem district, and is called "The Grey Goose""

• attestation: After reforming his governance, Magnus became beloved by all the country people and earned the epithet Magnus the Good

  "King Magnus afterwards became very popular, and was beloved by all the country people, and therefore he was called Magnus the Good."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 19. Of King Magnus Olafson.

• attestation: Upon hearing of Hardaknut's death, Magnus immediately sent messengers to Denmark invoking the succession treaty

  "When King Magnus Olafson heard of Hardaknut's death, he immediately sent people south to Denmark, with a message to the men who had bound themselves by oath to the peace and agreement which was made between King Magnus and Hardaknut, and reminded them of their pledge."

• attestation: Magnus announced he would come with his army in summer 1042 to claim Denmark or die in the attempt

  "in summer (A.D. 1042.) he would come with his army to Denmark to take possession of his Danish dominions, in terms of the agreement, or to fall in the field with his army."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 20. King Magnus'S Armament.

• attestation: Magnus assembled seventy large war-vessels with lendermen and powerful bondes for his expedition to Denmark

  "Thereafter King Magnus gathered together a great army, and summoned to him all lendermen and powerful bondes, and collected war-ships. When the army was assembled it was very handsome, and well fitted out. He had seventy large vessels when he sailed from Norway."

• attestation: Magnus sailed in the great ship Bison, built by his father Olaf, which had over thirty rowing banks and a gilded buffalo head at the bow and tail at the stern

  "King Magnus had the great Bison, which his father King Olaf had built. It had more than thirty banks of rowers; and forward on the bow was a great buffalo head, and aft on the stern-post was its tail. Both the head and the tail, and both sides of the ship, were gilded over."

• attestation: Magnus sailed from Agder to Jutland aboard the Bison

  "King Magnus set out to sea from Agder, and sailed over to Jutland."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 21. King Magnus Comes To Denmark.

• attestation: Magnus was joyfully received in Denmark and immediately summoned a Thing to claim the kingship under the succession agreement

  "When King Magnus came to Denmark he was joyfully received. He appointed a Thing without delay, to which he summoned the people of the country, and desired they would take him as king, according to the agreement which had been entered into."

• attestation: Three factors supported Magnus's claim: the oath-bound Danish chiefs, the extinction of Canute's line, and Olaf the Saint's renowned sanctity

  "the highest of the chiefs of the country were bound by oath to King Magnus, and were desirous of keeping their word and oath, they endeavoured zealously to promote the cause with the people. It contributed also that King Canute the Great, and all his descendants, were dead; and a third assistance was, that his father King Olaf's sanctity and miracles were become celebrated in all countries."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 22. King Magnus Chosen King Of Denmark.

• attestation: Magnus Olafson was chosen king of all Danish dominions at the Viborg Thing in summer 1042

  "At this Thing the Danes chose Magnus Olafson to be king of all the Danish dorninions. King Magnus remained long in Denmark during the summer (A.D. 1042)"

• attestation: Magnus divided Denmark into baronies and districts, granted fiefs to powerful men, then returned to Norway in late autumn, stopping at the Gaut river

  "He divided the country into baronies and districts, and gave fiefs to men of power in the land. Late in autumn he returned with his fleet to Norway, but lay for some time at the Gaut river."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 24. Svein Ulfson Created An Earl.

• attestation: King Magnus publicly announced his intention to appoint Svein Ulfson as earl over Denmark, citing Svein's distinguished family and merits

  "The king then made a speech: "Be it known to you, chiefs, and the people in general, that I have taken the following resolution. Here is a distinguished man, both for family and for his own merits, Svein Ulfson, who has entered into my service, and given me promise of fidelity.""

• attestation: Magnus justified the appointment by noting Denmark needed a defender against raids from Vindland, Kurland, Saxons, and Baltic peoples

  "it is not unknown to you how it is ravaged by the people of Vindland, Kurland, and others from the Baltic, as well as by Saxons. Therefore I promised them a chief who could defend and rule their land"

• comparison: Magnus drew a parallel with Canute the Great setting Earl Ulf (Svein's father) over Denmark while Canute was in England

  "just as King Canute the Great set his father, Earl Ulf, over Denmark while he was in England."

• attestation: Magnus formally invested Svein with sword, shield, and helmet, granting him the title of earl with the same fiefs in Denmark his father Earl Ulf had held

  "Then the king stood up, took a sword, and girt it on the earl's loins, and took a shield and fastened it on his shoulders, put a helmet upon his head, and gave him the title of earl, with the same fiefs in Denmark which his father Earl Ulf had formerly held."

• attestation: Magnus identified Svein as the man best fitted in all respects to be chief of Denmark, given his birth and abilities

  "I know no man better fitted, in all respects, for this than Svein Ulfson, who is of birth to be chief of the country. I will therefore make him my earl, and give him the government of my Danish dominions while I am in Norway"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 25. King Magnus'S Foray.

• attestation: Magnus sailed south to Denmark in spring 1048 after hearing the Vindland people in Jomsborg had withdrawn from submission

  "when the spring set in (A.D. 1048) he gathered a large force, with which he sailed south to Demnark, having heard the news from Vindland that the Vindland people in Jomsborg had withdrawn from their submission to him."

• attestation: Magnus attacked and took Jomsborg, killing many, burning and destroying the town and surrounding countryside

  "Now when King Magnus came to Vindland he attacked Jomsborg, and soon took the fortress, killing' many people, burning and destroying both in the town and in the courttry all around"

• attestation: After Jomsborg, many Vindland people submitted to Magnus while others fled; Magnus returned to Denmark for winter

  "Many people in Vindland submitted to King Magnus, but many more got out of the way and fled. King Magnus returned to Denmark"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 27. Of King Magnus'S Military Force.

• attestation: Danish chiefs urged Magnus to advance against the Vindland army rather than allow pagans to ravage the country, leading to a march south to Heidaby

  "The Danish chiefs pressed King Magnus to advance against the Vindland army, and not allow pagans to march over and lay waste the country; so it was resolved that the king with his army should proceed south to Heidaby."

• attestation: At Hlyrskog Heath by the Skotborg river, Magnus learned the Vindland army vastly outnumbered his own forces

  "While King Magnus lay at Skotborg river, on Hlyrskog Heath, he got intelligence concerning the Vindland army, and that it was so numerous it could not be counted; whereas King Magnus had so few, that there seemed no chance for him but to fly."

• attestation: Duke Otto pressed for battle despite the overwhelming odds, and Magnus ordered his army into battle array, spending a sleepless night in prayer

  "Duke Otto, however, pressed much to go to battle. Then the king ordered the whole army to be gathered by the war trumpets into battle array"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 28. Of King Olaf'S Miracle.

• attestation: King Magnus dreamt on Michaelmas eve that his father King Olaf the Saint appeared and told him not to fear the Vindland heathens

  "the king slumbered, and dreamt that his father, King Olaf the Saint, appeared to him, and said, "Art thou so melancholy and afraid, because the Vindland people come against thee with a great army? Be not afraid of heathens, although they be many; for I shall be with thee in the battle."

• attestation: When the king awoke and day was dawning, all the people heard a ringing of bells in the air

  "When the king awoke he told his dream to his men, and the day was then dawning. At that moment all the people heard a ringing of bells in the air"

• attestation: Men who had been in Nidaros thought the bell-ringing sounded like the bell called Glod which King Olaf had given to Saint Clement's church in Nidaros

  "those among King Magnus's men who had been in Nidaros thought that it was the ringing of the bell called Glod, which King Olaf had presented to the church of Saint Clement in the town of Nidaros."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 29. Battle Of Hlyrskog Heath.

• attestation: King Magnus threw off his coat of ring-mail and wore a red silk shirt over his clothes in battle

  "King Magnus threw off from him his coat of ring-mail, and had a red silk shirt outside over his clothes"

• attestation: Magnus wielded in battle the axe called Hel which had belonged to King Olaf

  "had in his hands the battle-axe called Hel (1), which had belonged to King Olaf."

• attestation: Magnus ran ahead of all his men into the enemy army, hewing down every man who came against him with both hands

  "King Magnus ran on before all his men to the enemy's army, and instantly hewed down with both hands every man who came against him."

• attestation: After the battle, Magnus personally examined his men's hands and selected twelve with the softest hands to serve as doctors to bind wounds

  "the king himself went round, and felt the hands of those he thought best suited for the business; and when he had thus stroked their palms, he named twelve men, who, he thought, had the softest hands, and told them to bind the wounds of the people"

• attestation: People commonly said no man could fight against Magnus Olafson because his father Saint Olaf stood so near to him

  "it was the common saying of the people, that no man could venture to fight against King Magnus Olafson, for his father Saint Olaf stood so near to him that his enemies, on that account, never could do him harm."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 30. Battle At Re.

• attestation: King Magnus turned his army against Svein, whom he called his earl though the Danes called Svein their king

  "King Magnus immediately turned round with his army against Svein, whom he called his earl, although the Danes called him their king"

• attestation: Magnus and Svein met at Re near Vestland where Magnus won the victory and Svein fled

  "They met at Re, near Vestland; and there was a great battle, which ended in King Magnus gaining the victory, and Svein taking flight."

• attestation: King Magnus returned to Jutland where he remained all winter of 1044 with many people guarding his ships

  "King Magnus returned to Jutland, where he remained all winter (A.D.

1044. with many people, and had a guard to watch his ships."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 31. Battle At Aros.

• attestation: Magnus addressed his troops at a House-thing saying he intended to fight Svein though they had fewer people, trusting in God and Saint Olaf

  "he held a House-thing, and addressed his people thus: "It is reported to me that the earl and his fleet are lying not far from us, and that he has many people. Now I would let you know that I intend to go out against the earl and fight for it, although, we have fewer people. We will, as formerly, put our trust in God, and Saint Olaf, my father"

• attestation: The fighters at Aros fought at the bows with spears, those on the forecastle thrust with spears, those farther off shot javelins or arrows, and those aft shot with bows

  "They fought at the bows, so that the men only on the bows could strike; the men on the forecastle thrust with spears: and all who were farther off shot with light spears or javelins, or war-arrows. Some fought with stones or short stakes; and those who were aft of the mast shot with the bow."

• attestation: Magnus leaped over the shield-rampart and rushed forward to the bows where hand-to-hand fighting was occurring

  "King Magnus stood in the beginning of the battle within a shield-rampart; but as it appeared to him that matters were going on too slowly, he leaped over the shields, and rushed forward in the ship, encouraging his men with a loud cheer, and springing to the bows, where the battle was going on hand to hand."

• attestation: Magnus boarded Svein's ship and cleared it, then cleared the rest of the ships one after another

  "Then Magnus boarded Svein's ship, followed by his men; and one after the other came up, and made so stout an assault that Svein's men gave way, and King Magnus first cleared that ship, and then the rest, one after the other."

• attestation: Magnus captured seven ships from Svein's forces at the battle of Aros

  "Magnus took seven ships from Svein's people."

• attestation: After the battle, Magnus's men went ashore in the morning and returned with a great booty in cattle

  "King Magnus brought his ships to the shore, and sent his men up the country in the night-time, and early in the morning they came flown to the strand with a great booty in cattle."

• attestation: Magnus granted quarter to vanquished men after clearing the earl's ships

  "The king's luck thrives--their decks are cleared, Of fighting men no more appeared. The earl's ships are driven to flight, Before the king would stop the fight: The gold-distributor first then Gave quarters to the vanquished men."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 32. Svein'S Flight.

• attestation: Magnus pursued Svein to Seeland and chased the fugitives, killing all who were caught

  "King Magnus sailed with his fleet from the south after Svein to Seeland; but as soon as the king came there Svein fled up the country with his men, and Magnus followed them, and pursued the fugitives, killing all that were laid hold of."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 33. Burning In Fyen.

• attestation: Magnus landed in Fyen and plundered and burned everywhere while all of Svein's men fled

  "King Magnus landed in Fyen, and plundered and burned over all; and all of Svein's men who came there fled far enough."

• attestation: After the burning of Fyen, the people of Denmark submitted to Magnus and there was peace for the rest of winter

  "After this the people of Denmark submitted to King Magnus, and during the rest of the winter, there was peace."

• attestation: Magnus appointed men to govern Denmark and sailed north to Norway in spring, remaining there most of the summer

  "King Magnus then appointed some of his men to govern Denmark; and when spring was advanced he sailed northwards with his fleet to Norway, where he remained a great part of the summer."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 34. Battle At Helganes

• attestation: Magnus and Svein met at Helganes where the battle began about the fall of day; Magnus had fewer men but larger and better equipped vessels

  "They met at a place called Helganes, and the battle began about the fall of day. King Magnus had fewer men, but larger and better equipt vessels."

• attestation: Magnus threw hand-spears during the whole night at the battle of Helganes

  "King Magnus, during the whole night, threw hand-spears."

• attestation: Magnus won the battle of Helganes and Svein's ship was cleared from stem to stern

  "King Magnus won the victory in this battle, and Svein fled. His ship was cleared of men from stem to stern"

• attestation: In the battle of Helganes, Magnus used the sword Hneiter which his father Olaf had borne

  "Hneiter (2), the sword his father bore, Was edge and point, stained red with gore"

• attestation: Magnus drove through Scania with fire and sword, marching to Lund without opposition from Svein's men or bondes

  "King Magnus and his people drove the fugitives up through the country without meeting any opposition either from Svein's men or the bondes."

• attestation: Magnus's forces burned habitations in Scania and drove the people to flee on every side

  "They began to burn the habitations all around, and the people fled on every side."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 35. Of King Magnus'S Campaign.

• attestation: After subduing Scania, Magnus went to Falster and plundered, killing many people who had previously submitted to Svein

  "When King Magnus had subdued Scania he turned about, and first went to Falster, where he landed, plundered, and killed many people who had before submitted to Svein."

• attestation: Magnus then proceeded to Fyen, went on land, plundered, and caused great devastation

  "Thereafter Magnus with his fleet proceeded to the isle of Fyen, went on land, plundered, and made great devastation."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 36. Of King Magnus'S Battles.

• attestation: Magnus remained in Denmark all winter of 1046 in peace, having won all his battles

  "King Magnus remained in Denmark all that winter (A.D. 1046), and sat in peace. He had held many battles, and had gained the victory in all."

• attestation: Magnus had three battles with Svein Ulfson according to Thiodolf

  "King Magnus had three battles with Svein Ulfson. So says Thiodolf"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 37. Of King Magnus, And Thorfin And Ragnvald, Earls Of Orkney.

• attestation: Magnus sent Ragnvald west to Orkney and ordered Thorfin to give Ragnvald his father's heritage

  "King Magnus sent Ragnvald west to Orkney, and ordered that Thorfin should let him have his father's heritage."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 38. Of King Magnus'S Letter To England.

• attestation: Magnus ruled both Denmark and Norway and sent ambassadors with a letter to King Edward of England

  "King Magnus ruled then both over Denmark and Norway; and when he had got possession of the Danish dominions he sent ambassadors over to England to King Edward"

• attestation: Magnus claimed England based on his agreement with Hardaknut that the survivor would inherit all lands of the deceased

  "Ye must have heard of the agreement which I and Hardaknut made,--that he of us two who survived the other should have all the land and people which the deceased had possessed."

• attestation: Magnus threatened Edward that if he did not deliver the kingdom, Magnus would seek to take it by arms from both Denmark and Norway

  "Now I will therefore that thou deliver to me the kingdom; otherwise I will seek to take it by arms, both from Denmark and Norway; and let him rule the land to whom fate gives the victory."

• attestation: Magnus considered England his heritage after Hardaknut because Hardaknut had held both England and Denmark before his death

  "But before he departed this life he had England as well as Denmark; therefore I consider myself now, in consequence of my rights by this agreement, to own England also."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 39. King Edward'S Answer To King Magnus'S Letter.

• attestation: Upon hearing Edward's reply, Magnus decided it was wisest to let Edward keep England in peace

  "King Magnus reflected a while, and answered thus: "I think it wisest, and will succeed best, to let King Edward have his kingdom in peace for me, and that I keep the kingdoms God has put into my hands.""