The Heimskringla on Olaf Haraldson

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. King Hakon Offers Sacrifices.

• attestation: Eating horse-flesh at pagan sacrifice festivals was considered the most direct proof of paganism, later punished by death or mutilation under Saint Olaf.

  "This eating of horse-flesh at these religious festivals was considered the most direct proof of paganism in the following times, and was punished by death or mutilation by Saint Olaf."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 49. Birth Of Olaf, Son Of Harald Grenske.

• attestation: The child Olaf was brought up in the house of Gudbrand and his mother Asta

  "the child was brought up at first in the house of Gudbrand and his mother Asta"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 67. Olaf Haraldson Baptized.

• relationship: Olaf, son of Asta and Harald Grenske, was raised by his stepfather Sigurd Syr.

  "Olaf, the son of Asta and Harald Grenske, lived with Asta, and was brought up from childhood in the house of his stepfather, Sigurd Syr"

• attestation: Young Olaf Haraldson was three years old at his baptism, and Olaf Trygvason had been king of Norway for three years by 998.

  "Olaf was then three years old. Olaf returned from thence to Viken, where he remained all winter. He had now been three years king in Norway (A.D. 998)"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > Preliminary Remarks.

• attestation: The Saga of Olaf Haraldson the Saint is the longest, most important, and most finished saga in Heimskringla.

  "Olaf Haraldson the Saint's Saga is the longest, the most important, and the most finished of all the sagas in "Heimskringla"."

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson was born in 995, went as a viking at twelve in 1007, visited England from 1009-1012, France from 1012-1013, and returned to Norway as recognized king on April 3, 1015.

  "Olaf Haraldson was born 995, went as a viking at the age of twelve, 1007; visited England, one summer and three winters, 1009-1012; in France two summers and one winter, 1012-1013"

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson fled Norway in the winter of 1028-1029 and fell at the Battle of Stiklestad on July 29 (or August 31), 1030.

  "fled from Norway the winter of 1028-1029; fell at Stiklestad, July 29 (or August 31), 1030."

• attestation: King Olaf the Saint reigned from about 1015 to 1030; Earl Eirik held the government for Danish and Swedish kings for about fifteen years after Olaf Trygvason's death in 1000.

  "King Olaf the Saint reigned from about the year 1015 to

  1030. The death of King Olaf Trygvason was in the year 1000: and Earl Eirik held the government for the Danish and Swedish kings about fifteen years."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 1. Of Saint Olaf'S Bringing Up.

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson was the son of Harald Grenske and was raised by his stepfather Sigurd Syr and mother Asta.

  "Olaf, Harald Grenske's son, was brought up by his stepfather Sigurd Syr and his mother Asta."

• attestation: Olaf matured early, was handsome, middle-sized, and showed good understanding and ready speech from a young age.

  "Olaf came early to manhood, was handsome in countenance, middle-sized in growth, and was even when very young of good understanding and ready speech."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 2. Of Olaf And King Sigurd Syr.

• attestation: Young Olaf saddled the largest he-goat from the pen instead of a horse, putting the king's saddle on it.

  "Olaf went to the goats' pen, took out the he-goat that was the largest, led him forth, and put the king's saddle on him"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 3. Of Ring Olaf'S Accomplishments.

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson was not tall but middle-sized, very thick-set, and of good strength.

  "When Olaf Haraldson grew up he was not tall, but middle-sized in height, although very thick, and of good strength."

• attestation: Olaf had light brown hair, a broad white-and-red face, and particularly fine, beautiful, piercing eyes that made people afraid to look at him when angry.

  "He had light brown hair, and a broad face, which was white and red. He had particularly fine eyes, which were beautiful and piercing, so that one was afraid to look him in the face when he was angry."

• attestation: Olaf excelled at all bodily exercises: bow handling, spear throwing, swimming, and smithwork.

  "Olaf was very expert in all bodily exercises, understood well to handle his bow, and was distinguished particularly in throwing his spear by hand: he was a great swimmer, and very handy, and very exact and knowing in all kinds of smithwork"

• attestation: Olaf was called 'Olaf the Great' and was beloved by friends, eager in amusements, and always liked to be first.

  "He was called Olaf the Great."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 4. King Olaf'S War Expedition.

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson first went on a warship at twelve years old in 1007, with his mother Asta arranging for Hrane to command the ship and take charge of him.

  "Olaf Haraldson was twelve years old when he, for the first time, went on board a ship of war (A.D. 1007). His mother Asta got Hrane, who was called the foster-father of kings, to command a ship of war and take Olaf under his charge"

• attestation: It was customary for commanders of kingly descent on viking cruises to receive the title of king even without lands or a kingdom.

  "it was the custom that those commanders of troops who were of kingly descent, on going out upon a viking cruise, received the title of king immediately although they had no land or kingdom."

• attestation: Olaf sailed east along the coast to Denmark and then into Swedish dominions, raiding and burning because the Swedes had killed his father Harald.

  "Towards autumn he sailed eastward to the Swedish dominions, and there harried and burnt all the country round; for he thought he had good cause of hostility against the Swedes, as they killed his father Harald."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 5. Olaf'S First Battle.

• attestation: Olaf's first battle was at Sotasker in the Swedish skerry circle against vikings led by Sote.

  "The same autumn Olaf had his first battle at Sotasker, which lies in the Swedish skerry circle. He fought there with some vikings, whose leader was Sote."

• attestation: Though outnumbered, Olaf used his larger ships and blind rocks to prevent the vikings from getting alongside, then grappled and cleared their ships.

  "Olaf had much fewer men, but his ships were larger, and he had his ships between some blind rocks, which made it difficult for the vikings to get alongside; and Olaf's men threw grappling irons into the ships which came nearest, drew them up to their own vessels, and cleared them of men."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 6. Foray In Svithjod.

• attestation: King Olaf sailed east to Svithjod, into the Maelar lake (Lag), ravaging land on both sides all the way up to Sigtuna.

  "King Olaf steered thereafter eastwards to Svithjod, and into the Lag (the Maelar lake), and ravaged the land on both sides. He sailed all the way up to Sigtuna, and laid his ships close to the old Sigtuna."

• attestation: Stone-heaps were still visible that Olaf had laid under the gangway ends from shore to ships at Sigtuna.

  "The Swedes say the stone-heaps are still to be seen which Olaf had laid under the ends of the gangways from the shore to the ships."

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson escaped by digging a canal across the flat land of Agnafit to the sea, using heavy rains to flood the canal and sail his ships over the shallows.

  "He therefore dug a canal across the flat land Agnafit out to the sea."

• attestation: Olaf had all rudders unshipped and sails hoisted with a strong breeze astern, using oars to steer, and the ships rushed over the shallows to the sea undamaged.

  "Then Olaf had all the rudders unshipped and hoisted all sail aloft. It was blowing a strong breeze astern, and they steered with their oars, and the ships came in a rush over all the shallows, and got into the sea without any damage."

• attestation: The passage through Agnafit was afterward called King's Sound, but large vessels could not pass unless waters were very high.

  "This passage has since been called King's Sound; but large vessels cannot pass through it, unless the waters are very high."

• attestation: An alternative account says the Swedes tried to block the canal but the water undermined the banks and many Swedes drowned, though Swedes deny this.

  "Some relate that the Swedes were aware that Olaf had cut across the tongue of land, and that the water was falling out that way; and they flocked to it with the intention to hinder Olaf from getting away, but the water undermined the banks on each side so that they fell in with the people, and many were drowned: but the Swedes contradict this as a false report"

• attestation: Olaf sailed to Gotland and prepared to plunder, but the Gotlanders offered scat instead; he accepted and wintered there.

  "The king sailed to Gotland in harvest, and prepared to plunder; but the Gotlanders assembled, and sent men to the king, offering him a scat. The king found this would suit him, and he received the scat, and remained there all winter."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 7. The Second Battle.

• attestation: In spring, King Olaf sailed east to Eysyssel, landed and plundered, and the Eysyssel men came to the strand and gave him battle, but Olaf won.

  "King Olaf, when spring set in, sailed east to Eysyssel, and landed and plundered; the Eysyssel men came down to the strand and grave him battle. King Olaf gained the victory"

• attestation: The Eysyssel people initially offered scat but came armed to the exchange instead, deceiving the king.

  "when King Olaf first came to Eysvssel they offered him scat, and when the scat was to be brought down to the strand the king came to meet it with an armed force, and that was not what the bondes there expected; for they had brought no scat, but only their weapons"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. The Third Battle.

• attestation: Olaf sailed to Finland, plundered, and went far inland to a valley called Herdaler, but the people had fled to forests with their goods.

  "After this they sailed to Finland and plundered there, and went up the country. All the people fled to the forest, and they had emptied their houses of all household goods."

• attestation: On retreating through woods, Olaf's forces were ambushed from all sides; many were killed or wounded before reaching the ships at nightfall.

  "when they came into the woods again people rushed upon them from all quarters, and made a severe attack. The king told his men to cover themselves with their shields, but before they got out of the woods he lost many people, and many were wounded"

• attestation: The Finlanders used witchcraft to conjure a dreadful storm at night, but the king's luck prevailed and he beat around Balagard's side to open sea.

  "The Finlanders conjured up in the night, by their witchcraft, a dreadful storm and bad weather on the sea; but the king ordered the anchors to be weighed and sail hoisted, and beat off all night to the outside of the land. The king's luck prevailed more than the Finlanders' witchcraft"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 9. The Fourth Battle In Sudervik.

• attestation: Olaf sailed from Finland to Denmark, where he met Thorkel the Tall, brother of Earl Sigvalde, and formed a partnership for raiding.

  "King Olaf sailed from thence to Denmark, where he met Thorkel the Tall, brother of Earl Sigvalde, and went into partnership with him"

• attestation: Olaf and Thorkel sailed south to Sudervik on the Jutland coast, where they defeated many viking ships in a severe battle.

  "They sailed southwards to the Jutland coast, to a place called Sudervik, where they overcame many viking ships."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 10. The Fifth Battle In Friesland.

• attestation: Olaf sailed south to Friesland and lay under the strand of Kinlima in dreadful weather.

  "King Olaf sailed from thence south to Friesland, and lay under the strand of Kinlima in dreadful weather."

• attestation: Local horsemen rode down to the strand to fight Olaf's landing party, but Olaf defeated them.

  "The king landed with his men; but the people of the country rode down to the strand against them, and he fought them."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 11. Death Of King Svein Forked Beard.

• attestation: King Olaf volunteered to lay his fleet alongside London Bridge if other ships would do the same, and the war council agreed.

  "Then said King Olaf he would attempt to lay his fleet alongside of it, if the other ships would do the same. It was then determined in this council that they should lay their war forces under the bridge"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. The Sixth Battle.

• attestation: King Olaf built floating wood platforms tied with hazel bands to roof over his ships as protection from stones, with pillars high enough to allow sword-fighting underneath.

  "King Olaf ordered great platforms of floating wood to be tied together with hazel bands, and for this he took down old houses; and with these, as a roof, he covered over his ships so widely, that it reached over the ships' sides."

• attestation: Despite heavy missile bombardment, Olaf and the Northmen's fleet rowed up under London Bridge, laid cables around the supporting piles, and rowed downstream as hard as they could.

  "King Olaf, and the Northmen's fleet with him, rowed quite up under the bridge, laid their cables around the piles which supported it, and then rowed off with all the ships as hard as they could down the stream."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 13. The Seventh Battle.

• attestation: King Olaf spent the winter with King Ethelred and fought a great battle at Hringmara Heath in Ulfkel Snilling's domain, winning again.

  "King Olaf passed all the winter with King Ethelred, and had a great battle at Hringmara Heath in Ulfkel's land, the domain which Ulfkel Snilling at that time held; and here again the king was victorious."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 14. Eighth And Ninth Battles Of Olaf.

• attestation: Olaf commanded all forces in the assault on Canterbury, which they took, killing many and burning the castle.

  "King Olaf was commander of all the forces when they went against Canterbury; and they fought there until they took the town, killing many people and burning the castle."

• attestation: Olaf was entrusted with the whole land defence of England and sailed around the land with warships.

  "King Olaf was entrusted with the whole land defence of England, and he sailed round the land with his ships of War."

• attestation: Olaf fought and defeated Thingmen forces at Nyjamoda (Newport), which Sigvat counted as the ninth battle.

  "He laid his ships at land at Nyjamoda, where the troops of the Thingmen were, and gave them battle and gained the victory."

• attestation: Olaf scoured all of England taking scat and plundering where refused, remaining for three years (1010-1012).

  "King Olaf then scoured all over the country, taking scat of the people and plundering where it was refused."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 15. The Tenth Battle.

• attestation: Olaf sailed south, fought at Hringsfjord, took a castle at Holar used as a viking stronghold, and burnt it.

  "Olaf sailed southwards out to sea, and had a battle at Hringsfjord, and took a castle situated at Holar, where vikings resorted, and burnt the castle."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 16. Eleventh, Twelfth And Thirteenth Battles.

• attestation: Olaf fought vikings at Williamsby near Grislupollar, winning his eleventh battle.

  "King Olaf proceeded westwards to Grislupollar, and fought there with vikings at Williamsby; and there also King Olaf gained the victory."

• attestation: Olaf's twelfth fight was westward on Fetlafjord.

  "Next he fought westward on Fetlafjord"

• attestation: Olaf sailed south to Seljupollar, took the large and old castle of Gunvaldsborg, and captured its ruler, Earl Geirfin.

  "King Olaf sailed southwards to Seljupollar, where he had a battle. He took there a castle called Gunvaldsborg, which was very large and old. He also made prisoner the earl who ruled over the castle and who was called Geirfin."

• attestation: Olaf imposed a ransom of twelve thousand gold shillings on Gunvaldsborg and Earl Geirfin, which was paid.

  "he laid a scat upon the town and earl, as ransom, of twelve thousand gold shillings: which was also paid by those on whom it was imposed."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. Fourteenth Battle And Olaf'S Dream.

• attestation: Olaf fought his fourteenth battle at Karlsar while waiting for wind to sail to Norvasund and onward to the land of Jerusalem.

  "King Olaf steered with his fleet westward to Karlsar, and tarried there and had a fight. And while King Olaf was lying in Karlsa river waiting a wind, and intending to sail up to Norvasund, and then on to the land of Jerusalem"

• attestation: Olaf had a prophetic dream in which a great and terrible man commanded him to abandon his journey and return home, saying he would be king over Norway forever.

  "he dreamt a remarkable dream--that there came to him a great and important man, but of a terrible appearance withal, who spoke to him, and told him to give up his purpose of proceeding to that land. "Return back to thy udal, for thou shalt be king over Norway for ever.""

• attestation: Olaf interpreted the dream to mean he and his posterity would rule Norway for a long time.

  "He interpreted this dream to mean that he should be king over the country, and his posterity after him for a long time."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Fifteenth Battle.

• attestation: After his dream, Olaf turned back and plundered the merchant town of Varrande in Poitou.

  "After this appearance to him he turned about, and came to Poitou, where he plundered and burnt a merchant town called Varrande."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 19. Of The Earls Of Rouen.

• attestation: King Olaf had been two summers and one winter in western Valland on his cruise, thirteen years after the fall of Olaf Trygvason.

  "King Olaf had been two summers and one winter in the west in Valland on this cruise; and thirteen years had now passed since the fall of King Olaf Trygvason."

• attestation: King Olaf arrived in Normandy in autumn 1013 and remained all winter 1014 in the river Seine in peace.

  "To Normandy King Olaf came in autumn (A.D. 1013), and remained all winter (A.D. 1014) in the river Seine in good peace and quiet."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 25. Olaf And Ethelred'S Sons.

• attestation: Olaf and Ethelred's sons agreed that Olaf would receive Northumberland if they succeeded in taking England from the Danes.

  "They made an agreement with each other that King Olaf should have Northumberland, if they could succeed in taking England from the Danes."

• attestation: Olaf sent his foster-father Hrane to England with money and tokens from Ethelred's sons to recruit supporters, but Danish power was too dominant for the English to resist.

  "Olaf sent his foster-father Hrane to England to collect men-at-arms; and Ethelred's sons sent tokens to their friends and relations with him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Battle Of King Olaf.

• attestation: In spring 1014, Olaf and Ethelred's sons sailed west to a place in England called Jungufurda, where they took a castle and killed many after receiving promised aid.

  "In spring (A.D. 1014) King Olaf and King Ethelred's sons set out together to the west, and came to a place in England called Jungufurda, where they landed with their army and moved forward against the castle."

• attestation: When Canute's men assembled a superior force, Ethelred's sons retreated to Rouen, but Olaf refused to return to Valland.

  "when King Canute's men heard of this they assembled an army, and were soon in such force that Ethelred's sons could not stand against it; and they saw no other way left but to return to Rouen. Then King Olaf separated from them, and would not go back to Valland"

• attestation: Olaf sailed north along England to Northumberland, put into a haven called Valde, and won a battle against townspeople and merchants, taking great booty.

  "sailed northwards along England, all the way to Northumberland, where he put into a haven at a place called Valde; and in a battle there with the townspeople and merchants he gained the victory, and a great booty."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 27. Olaf'S Expedition To Norway.

• attestation: King Olaf left his longships behind and prepared two cargo ships with 220 well-armed chosen men, sailing north to sea in harvest.

  "King Olaf left his long-ships there behind, but made ready two ships of burden; and had with him 220 men in them, well-armed, and chosen people. He sailed out to sea northwards in harvest"

• attestation: They encountered a tremendous storm but survived thanks to their chosen crew and the king's luck.

  "encountered a tremendous storm and they were in danger of being lost; but as they had a chosen crew, and the king s luck with them, all went on well."

• attestation: Olaf landed at the isle of Saela, in the very middle of Norway outside of Stad, and considered it a lucky omen.

  "King Olaf came from the sea to the very middle of Norway; and the isle is called Saela where they landed, and is outside of Stad. King Olaf said he thought it must be a lucky day for them, since they had landed at Saela in Norway"

• attestation: When Olaf slipped in clay, Hrane reinterpreted the stumble as the king setting fast foot in the soil of Norway.

  "the king slipped with one foot in a place where there was clay, but supported himself with the other foot. Then said he "The king falls." "Nay," replies Hrane, "thou didst not fall, king, but set fast foot in the soil.""

• attestation: They sailed to Ulfasund, where they learned Earl Hakon was south in Sogn with a single ship, expected to sail north when wind allowed.

  "They went down again thereafter to their ships, and sailed to Ulfasund, where they heard that Earl Hakon was south in Sogn, and was expected north as soon as wind allowed with a single ship."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Taken Prisoner By Olaf.

• attestation: King Olaf laid an ambush at Saudungssund in Fjaler district, placing his two vessels on opposite sides of the sound with a thick cable between them.

  "King Olaf steered his ships within the ordinary ships' course when he came abreast of Fjaler district, and ran into Saudungssund. There he laid his two vessels one on each side of the sound with a thick cable between them."

• attestation: Earl Hakon rowed into the sound thinking the vessels were merchantmen; Olaf's men raised the cable under his keel, capsizing the ship.

  "Hakon, Earl Eirik's son, came rowing into the sound with a manned ship; and as they thought these were but two merchant-vessels that were lying in the sound, they rowed between them. Then Olaf and his men draw the cable up right under Hakon's ship's keel and wind it up with the capstan."

• attestation: Olaf's men took Earl Hakon and his men from the water as prisoners, killing some with stones and weapons while others drowned.

  "King Olaf's people took Earl Hakon and all his men whom they could get hold of out of the water, and made them prisoners; but some they killed with stones and other weapons, and some were drowned."

• attestation: Olaf told Hakon his family's luck had deserted him; Hakon replied that success is changeable and his youth left him unprepared.

  "It is not false what is said of your family, that ye are handsome people to look at; but now your luck has deserted you."

• attestation: Olaf offered to release Hakon if he left the country, gave up his kingdom, and swore never to fight against Olaf.

  "Nothing," says the king, "except that thou shalt leave the country, give up thy kingdom, and take an oath that thou shalt never go into battle against me.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 30. Asta Receives Her Son Olaf.

• attestation: King Olaf traveled eastward through Norway holding Things with bondes; many joined him, though Earl Svein's friends opposed him.

  "King Olaf went now eastward along the land, holding Things with the bondes all over the country. Many went willingly with him; but some, who were Earl Svein's friends or relations, spoke against him."

• attestation: Olaf sailed to Viken, set ships on land, and proceeded inland to meet his stepfather Sigurd Syr in autumn 1014.

  "King Olaf sailed in all haste eastward to Viken; went in there with his ships; set them on the land; and proceeded up the country, in order to meet his stepfather, Sigurd Syr."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 32. Of The Feast.

• attestation: Olaf arrived with about 100 well-equipped men and banners waving, while people gathered on housetops to watch.

  "they saw on the other side of the house the banners of Olaf coming waving; and there was he himself, with about 100 men all well equipped. People were gathered over all upon the house-tops."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 33. Conversation Of Olaf And Sigurd.

• attestation: Olaf summoned Sigurd Syr, Asta, and Hrane to a private conference to reveal his plan to claim Norway's kingship.

  "King Olaf had not been long here before he one day called his stepfather King Sigurd, his mother Asta, and his foster-father Hrane to a conference and consultation."

• attestation: Olaf declared that foreigners now occupied the possessions rightfully belonging to his father, grandfather, and forefathers through udal right, leaving some relations little and others nothing.

  "foreigners are now sitting in the possessions which my father, his father, and their forefathers for a long series of generations owned, and to which I have udal right."

• attestation: Olaf stated his intent to reclaim his patrimony by battle-axe and sword with help of friends, relations, and supporters, rather than supplicate the Danish or Swedish kings.

  "I intend rather to seek my patrimony with battle-axe and sword, and that with the help of all my friends and relations, and of those who in this business will take my side."

• attestation: Olaf framed his ambition as all-or-nothing: either he would rule all of Norway or fall upon his inheritance in his fathers' land.

  "either I shall lay all this kingdom under my rule which they got into their hands by the slaughter of my kinsman Olaf Trygvason, or I shall fall here upon my inheritance in the land of my fathers."

• attestation: Olaf appealed to Sigurd as a man of understanding best able to judge how to bring the plan forward, whether quietly to a few or publicly to all.

  "I have not proposed this matter to any before thee, because I know thou art a man of understanding, and can best judge how this my purpose shall be brought forward in the beginning"

• attestation: Olaf noted he had already captured Earl Hakon, who left Norway under oath, making it easier to face Earl Svein alone.

  "I have already shown my teeth by taking prisoner the Earl Hakon, who has now left the country, and given me, under oath, the part of the kingdom which he had before; and I think it will be easier to have Earl Svein alone to deal with"

• attestation: Olaf appealed to the udal right of succession established by King Harald Harfager's law.

  "other men here in the country who have udal right of succession to the kingdom, according to the law made by King Harald Harfager"

• attestation: Olaf described his viking years as having deprived many innocent men of property and life, acknowledging the moral cost of his warring.

  "I and my men have had nothing for our support but what we captured in war, for which we have often hazarded both life and soul: for many an innocent man have we deprived of his property, and some of their lives"

• attestation: Olaf said the common people all wanted freedom from foreign masters and would support whoever rose to reclaim the Harfager heritage.

  "I know the inclination of the people well,--that all want to be free from the slavery of foreign masters, and will give aid and strength to the attempt."

• attestation: Olaf characterized the current rulers as having gained Norway through the slaughter of his kinsman Olaf Trygvason.

  "they got into their hands by the slaughter of my kinsman Olaf Trygvason"

• attestation: King Olaf remained with Sigurd, who entertained them alternating fish and milk one day with flesh-meat and ale the next.

  "King Olaf remained here a while with all his men. King Sigurd entertained them, day about, the one day with fish and milk, the other day with flesh-meat and ale."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 34. Kings In The Upland Districts.

• attestation: The majority of the Upland kings resolved to enter into a league with Olaf, who promised his friendship and to uphold the country's laws.

  "the most of them determined to enter into a league with King Olaf. He promised them his perfect friendship, and that he would hold by and improve the country's laws and rights"

• attestation: The alliance between the Upland kings and Olaf was confirmed by oath.

  "This league was confirmed by oath"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 35. Olaf Gets The Title Of King From The Thing.

• attestation: The Upland kings summoned a Thing where Olaf presented his claim to the kingship.

  "Thereafter the kings summoned a Thing, and there King Olaf set forth this determination to all the people, and his demand on the kingly power"

• attestation: Olaf promised to allow the bondes to retain their ancient laws and to defend the land from foreign rulers.

  "promises, on the other hand, to allow them to retain their ancient laws, and to defend the land from foreign masters and chiefs"

• attestation: Olaf was proclaimed king over the whole country at the Uplands Thing in A.D. 1014.

  "King Olaf was proclaimed king over the whole country, and the kingdom adjudged to him according to law in the Uplands (A.D. 1014)"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 36. King Olaf Travels In The Uplands.

• attestation: Olaf began a royal progress through Hadaland, then north to Gudbrandsdal, attracting supporters from all quarters as Sigurd Syr had predicted.

  "King Olaf began immediately his progress through the country, appointing feasts before him wherever there were royal farms. First he travelled round in Hadaland, and then he proceeded north to Gudbrandsdal"

• attestation: Olaf gathered nearly 300 men, far exceeding the customary 60-70 men for Upland royal processions.

  "he had nearly 300 men. But the entertainments bespoken did not half serve; for it had been the custom that kings went about in guest-quarters in the Uplands with 60 or 70 men only, and never with more than 100 men"

• attestation: Olaf crossed the Dovrefield mountains to Opdal, then proceeded through Opdal forest to Medaldal where he held a Thing.

  "When he came north to Dovrefield, he arranged his journey so that he came over the mountain and down upon the north side of it, and then came to Opdal"

• attestation: At the Medaldal Thing, Olaf asked the bondes to accept him as king, offering the same laws as Olaf Trygvason, and the bondes submitted.

  "The king made a speech to the Thing, and asked the bondes to accept him as king; and promised, on his part, the laws and rights which King Olaf Trygvason had offered them"

• attestation: The bondes of Medaldal sent word to Orkadal and Skaun about Olaf's proceedings.

  "they sent word to Orkadal and Skaun of all that they knew concerning Olaf's proceedings"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 38. Olaf'S Progress In Throndhjem.

• attestation: Olaf advanced peacefully through Orkadal but encountered more than 700 assembled bondes at Griotar.

  "King Olaf proceeded with his men down into Orkadal, and advanced in peace and with all gentleness; but when he came to Griotar he met the assembled bondes, amounting to more than 700 men"

• attestation: Olaf arrayed his army for battle when he saw the bondes, but the bondes lacked a commander and fell into confusion.

  "Then the king arrayed his army, for he thought the bondes were to give battle. When the bondes saw this, they also began to put their men in order; but it went on very slowly, for they had not agreed beforehand who among them should be commander"

• attestation: Olaf sent Thorer Gudbrandson to negotiate, requesting twelve of their ablest men to meet him.

  "he sent to them Thorer Gudbrandson; and when he came he told them King Olaf did not want to fight them, but named twelve of the ablest men in their flock of people, who were desired to come to King Olaf"

• attestation: Olaf claimed Earl Hakon had ceded him the whole Throndhjem kingdom, including Orkadal, Gaulardal, Strind, and Eyna district.

  "Earl Hakon and I met in summer; and the issue of our meeting was, that he gave me the whole kingdom he possessed in the Throndhjem country, which, as ye know, consists of Orkadal, Gaulardal, Strind, and Eyna district"

• attestation: Olaf offered the bondes peace and law identical to what Olaf Trygvason had offered.

  "Now I offer you peace and law, the same as King Olaf Trygvason offered before me"

• attestation: Olaf gave the bondes two choices: submit to his rule or fight him.

  "proposing to the bondes two conditions--either to go into his service and be subject to him, or to fight him"

• attestation: The bondes chose to submit to Olaf and confirmed their submission by oath.

  "they preferred at last to submit to the king; and it was confirmed by the oath of the bondes"

• attestation: Olaf acquired a twenty-bench longship from Gunnar of Gelmin and another from Loden of Viggia.

  "he got a long-ship of twenty benches of rowers from Gunnar of Gelmin; another ship of twenty benches he got from Loden of Viggia"

• attestation: Olaf obtained three twenty-bench ships from the farm of Angrar, managed by a steward named Bard White on behalf of Earl Hakon.

  "three ships of twenty benches from the farm of Angrar on the ness which farm Earl Hakon had possessed, but a steward managed it for him, by name Bard White"

• attestation: With these vessels plus four or five boats, Olaf sailed into the Throndhjem fjord.

  "The king had, besides, four or five boats; and with these vessels he went in all haste into the fjord of Throndhjem"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 40. Earl Svein'S And Einar'S Consultations.

• attestation: Olaf arrived at Steinker, collected the Yule feast provisions, and sailed out to Nidaros instead of remaining.

  "When King Olaf came to Steinker he collected all the meat prepared for the Yule feast, and made it be put on board"

• attestation: At Nidaros, Olaf restored the houses that Olaf Trygvason had built but Earl Eirik had neglected, preferring his own estate at Lade.

  "When Earl Eirik came to the country, he applied all his attention to his house of Lade, where his father had had his main residence, and he neglected the houses which Olaf had erected at the Nid"

• attestation: Olaf repaired the standing houses at Nidaros and rebuilt those that had fallen, then prepared to hold Yule there.

  "King Olaf went now with his ships up the Nid, made all the houses to be put in order directly that were still standing, and built anew those that had fallen down"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 41. Of Sigvat The Skald.

• attestation: Sigvat was a skilled skald from an early age and composed a lay in honor of King Olaf.

  "Sigvat was a good skald at an early age. He made a lay in honour of King Olaf, and asked the king to listen to it"

• attestation: Olaf initially refused to hear the poem, claiming he did not understand the skald's craft.

  "The king said he did not want poems composed about him, and said he did not understand the skald's craft"

• attestation: After Sigvat composed a verse appealing to the king, Olaf rewarded him with a gold ring weighing half a mark and made him a court-man.

  "King Olaf gave Sigvat as a reward for his verse a gold ring that weighed half a mark, and Sigvat was made one of King Olaf's court-men"

• attestation: Olaf demanded the same harbour-dues from Iceland traders; Sigvat interceded on their behalf with a verse asking the king to remit the double payment.

  "Now when King Olaf came there, he sent his men to demand that half of the tax from the Iceland traders; and they went up to the king's house and asked Sigvat to help them"

• attestation: Sigvat composed a verse arguing the Iceland traders should not pay harbour-dues twice.

  "it is not right that these poor men Their harbour-dues should pay again. That they paid once I know is true; Remit, great king, what scarce is due"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 42. Of Earl Svein.

• attestation: Olaf's mounted guards on the Gaular ridge detected the approaching force and alerted the king at midnight.

  "King Olaf's men were out upon the Gaular ridge, and had a guard on horseback. They became aware that a force was coming down the Gaulardal, and they brought word of it to the king about midnight"

• attestation: Olaf evacuated his forces by ship from Nidaros during the night; Svein's men arrived simultaneously and seized the Christmas provisions and burned the houses.

  "Then came the earl's men to the town at the same moment, took all the Christmas provision, and set fire to the houses"

• attestation: Olaf retreated from Nidaros by sea to Orkadal, then overland across the mountains eastward into Gudbrandsdal.

  "King Olaf went out of the fjord down to Orkadal, and there landed the men from their ships. From Orkadal they went up to the mountains, and over the mountains eastwards into Gudbrandsdal"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 43. Of King Olaf.

• attestation: Olaf traveled south through Gudbrandsdal to Hedemark, where he spent the winter of A.D. 1015 in guest-quarters.

  "King Olaf went southwards through Gudbrandsdal, and thence out to Hedemark. In the depth of winter (A.D. 1015) he went about in guest-quarters"

• attestation: In spring Olaf collected men from Hedemark, including Ketil Kalf from Ringanes, and received a great body of men from his stepfather Sigurd Syr.

  "He had with him many people from Hedemark, whom the kings had given him; and also many powerful people from among the bondes joined him, among whom Ketil Kalf from Ringanes"

• attestation: Olaf's fleet sailed from Viken to Tunsberg, manned with many fine warriors.

  "The fleet, which was manned with many fine fellows, went out then to Tunsberg"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 45. King Olaf S Forces.

• attestation: King Olaf steered his fleet out from Viken until the two fleets were near each other, with news exchanged the Saturday before Palm Sunday.

  "King Olaf steered his fleet out from Viken, until the two fleets were not far from each other, and they got news of each other the Saturday before Palm Sunday"

• attestation: Olaf's ship was called the Carl's Head, bearing a king's head carving on its bow that Olaf himself had carved.

  "King Olaf himself had a ship called the Carl's Head, on the bow of which a king's head was carved out, and he himself had carved it"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 46. King Olaf'S Speech.

• attestation: On Sunday morning King Olaf assembled his entire army on shore and made a battle speech.

  "As soon as day dawned on Sunday morning, King Olaf got up, put on his clothes, went to the land, and ordered to sound the signal for the whole army to come on shore"

• attestation: Olaf ordered his men to arm themselves and hold their posts, then row out together keeping formation.

  "Let the people arm, and every man be at the post that has been appointed him, so that all may be ready when I order the signal to sound for casting off from the land"

• attestation: Olaf instructed his fleet to close ranks and bind ships together when battle began, conserving weapons early and fighting hard once engaged.

  "let people be alert to bring all our ships in close order, and ready to bind them together. Let us spare ourselves in the beginning, and take care of our weapons"

• attestation: Olaf urged his men to show their manly spirit when the fight became hot and ships were bound together.

  "But when the fight becomes hot and the ships are bound together, then let each man show what is in him of manly spirit"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 47. Of The Battle At Nesjar.

• attestation: Olaf's ship carried 100 men armed in ring-mail coats and foreign helmets.

  "King Olaf had in his ship 100 men armed in coats of ring-mail, and in foreign helmets"

• attestation: Most of Olaf's men carried white shields with gilt holy crosses, and crosses were painted on all helmets.

  "The most of his men had white shields, on which the holy cross was gilt; but some had painted it in blue or red. He had also had the cross painted in front on all the helmets"

• attestation: Olaf's white banner bore the image of a serpent.

  "He had a white banner on which was a serpent figured"

• attestation: Olaf ordered mass read before departure, then sounded war-horns to begin the battle at Nesjar.

  "He ordered a mass to be read before him, went on board ship, and ordered his people to refresh themselves with meat and drink. He then ordered the war-horns to sound to battle"

• attestation: Olaf arrived at the harbour to find Earl Svein's men already rowing out and binding their ships together for battle.

  "when they came to the harbour where the earl had lain, the earl's men were armed, and beginning to row out of the harbour; but when they saw the king's fleet coming they began to bind the ships together"

• attestation: Olaf laid his ship alongside the earl's and the Battle of Nesjar began.

  "When King Olaf saw this he hastened the rowing, laid his ship alongside the earl's, and the battle began"

• comparison: The earl had more men overall, but Olaf had an elite crew fully equipped with ring-mail that made them invulnerable.

  "The earl had most men, but the king had a chosen crew in his ship, who had followed him in all his wars; and, besides, they were so excellently equipped, as before related, that each man had a coat of ring-mail, so that he could not be wounded"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 48. Earl Svein'S Flight.

• attestation: As men fell on Earl Svein's ships and the sides grew thinly manned, King Olaf's crew prepared to board.

  "When the men began to fall on board the earl's ships, and many appeared wounded, so that the sides of the vessels were but thinly beset with men, the crew of King Olaf prepared to board"

• attestation: Olaf personally followed his banner aboard the enemy ship nearest the earl's.

  "Their banner was brought up to the ship that was nearest the earl's, and the king himself followed the banner"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 50. Olaf'S And Sigurd'S Consultation.

• attestation: Olaf ransacked the slain after the battle and divided the booty at Nesjar.

  "Then King Olaf ransacked the slain, and remained there some days to divide the booty"

• attestation: Olaf gave generous parting gifts to Sigurd Syr and other chiefs; he gave Ketil of Ringanes a fifteen-bench yacht.

  "King Olaf gave his stepfather King Sigurd Syr, and the other chiefs who had assisted him, handsome presents at parting. He gave Ketil of Ringanes a yacht of fifteen benches of rowers"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 51. Of King Olaf.

• attestation: After confirming Earl Svein had left the country, Olaf sailed west to Viken where he was accepted as king at the Thing.

  "when he found that the earl had left the country he sailed out west, and to Viken, where many people came to him. At the Thing there he was taken as king"

• attestation: When Olaf heard that Erling Skialgson had gathered a large force, he bypassed North Agder and sailed directly to Throndhjem.

  "when he heard that Erling Skialgson had gathered a large force, he did not tarry in North Agder, but sailed with a steady fair wind to the Throndhjem country"

• attestation: Olaf was elected king in Throndhjem and established his seat in Nidaros in autumn A.D. 1015.

  "When Olaf came to Throndhjem there was no opposition, and he was elected there to be king. In harvest (A.D. 1015) he took his seat in the town of Nidaros"

• attestation: Olaf built a king's house and raised Clement's church at Nidaros, and parcelled out building ground to bondes and merchants.

  "He built a king's house, and raised Clement's church on the spot on which it now stands. He parcelled out building ground, which he gave to bondes, merchants, or others who he thought would build"

• attestation: Olaf kept many armed men at Nidaros because he distrusted the Throndhjem people, who paid him no land-scat from the interior.

  "he put no great confidence in the Throndhjem people, if the earl should return to the country. The people of the interior of the Throndhjem country showed this clearly, for he got no land-scat from them"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 54. Of The Throndhjem People.

• attestation: In autumn, Olaf went into the interior of Throndhjem, held Things, was received as king in each district, and returned to Nidaros for winter A.D. 1016.

  "in autumn, he went into the interior of Throndhjem, and held Things with the bondes, and was received as king in each district. He returned to Nidaros, and brought there all the king's scat and revenue"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 55. Of King Olaf'S Household.

• attestation: Olaf built a king's house in Nidaros with a large room featuring doors at both ends and the king's high-seat in the middle.

  "King Olaf built a king's house in Nidaros, and in it was a large room for his court, with doors at both ends. The king's high-seat was in the middle of the room"

• attestation: Olaf maintained sixty court-men and thirty pursuivants on pay, plus thirty house-servants and many slaves.

  "He had in his house sixty court-men and thirty pursuivants; and to them he gave pay and certain regulations. He had also thirty house-servants to do the needful work about the house"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 56. Of King Olaf'S Habits.

• attestation: Olaf's daily routine included rising early, washing, attending church for matins and morning mass, then going to Thing-meetings.

  "It was King Olaf's custom to rise betimes in the morning, put on his clothes, wash his hands, and then go to the church and hear the matins and morning mass"

• attestation: Olaf had knowledgeable men recite the laws of Hakon Athelstan's foster-son for Throndhjem, then modified them after consultation.

  "He often made them recite to him the laws which Hakon Athelstan's foster-son had made for Throndhjem; and after considering them with those men of understanding, he ordered laws adding to or taking from those established before"

• attestation: Olaf settled Christian privileges on the advice of Bishop Grimkel, working to uproot heathenism and customs contrary to Christianity.

  "Christian privileges he settled according to the advice of Bishop Grimbel and other learned priests; and bent his whole mind to uprooting heathenism, and old customs which he thought contrary to Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf was described as a good, gentle, and open-handed man of few words, though greedy of money.

  "King Olaf was a good and very gentle man, of little speech, and open-handed although greedy of money"

• attestation: Olaf inquired about Christianity in Iceland and learned it was poorly observed, with horse-flesh eating and infant exposure still permitted.

  "it was told the king that it was permitted there to eat horse-flesh, to expose infants as heathens do, besides many other things contrary to Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf investigated the state of Christianity in the Orkney, Shetland, and Farey Islands, finding it unsatisfactory.

  "his inquiries turned principally on how Christianity was observed in the Orkney, Shetland, and Farey Islands: and, as far as he could learn, it was far from being as he could have wished"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 57. King Olaf'S Messengers.

• attestation: Olaf responded that the earls should have served the rightful Norwegian kings rather than foreign kings.

  "it would have been more just if those earls had given assistance and service to the kings who had a right to the country, rather than to foreign kings"

• attestation: Olaf denied the Swedish king had any claim to Norway, saying he himself was the rightful king.

  "With regard to Olaf the Swede, who calls himself entitled to the kingdom of Norway, I, who in fact am so entitled, can see no ground for his claim"

• attestation: Olaf told Asgaut to return east and invite the Swedish king to meet at the ancient frontier in spring for peace negotiations.

  "Go back to the east again to thy king, and tell him that early in spring I will make myself ready, and will proceed eastward to the ancient frontier that divided formerly the kingdom of the kings of Norway from Sweden"

• attestation: When the messengers returned to demand another audience, Olaf refused to see them.

  "the doorkeepers saw it, and reported it to the king, who told them not to let the messengers in. "I will not speak with them," said he"

• attestation: Olaf sent pursuivants who captured Asgaut and his men at Stein, then hanged them at Gaularas visible from the sea-way.

  "King Olaf came to the knowledge of this he sent out his pursuivants after them, who found them at the ness in Stein, bound their hands behind their backs, and led them down to the point called Gaularas, where they raised a gallows, and hanged them"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 58. Olaf And Erling Reconciled.

• attestation: In spring A.D. 1016, King Olaf called out an army from Throndhjem and prepared to head east.

  "The spring thereafter (A.D. 1016) King Olaf Haraldson calls out an army from the Throndhjem land, and makes ready to proceed eastward"

• attestation: Olaf sent word to Hjalte Skeggjason in Iceland, summoning him, and also sent messages to Skapte the lagman requesting reforms to Icelandic law.

  "King Olaf sent word and token to Hjalte Skeggjason, and summoned him to come to him, and at the same time sent a verbal message to Skapte the lagman, and other men who principally took part in the lawgiving of Iceland, to take out of the law whatever appeared contrary to Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf progressed south along the coast, holding Things in each district where he ordered Christian law read and swept away heathen customs.

  "the king then proceeded southwards himself along the coast, stopping at every district, and holding Things with the bondes; and in each Thing he ordered the Christian law to be read"

• attestation: The coastal areas were mostly baptized but ignorant of Christian law, while mountain communities remained largely heathen.

  "the people were baptized in the most places on the sea-coast, but the most of them were ignorant of Christian law. In the upper ends of the valleys, and in the habitations among the mountains, the greater part of the people were heathen"

• attestation: Olaf was proclaimed king at every Law Thing in Norway with no opposition.

  "Olaf was proclaimed king in every Law Thing in the country, and no man spoke against him"

• attestation: Olaf and Erling Skialgson met at Whitings Isle to negotiate; Erling demanded all the fiefs he had held under previous rulers.

  "When they met they spoke with each other about agreement together; but Erling found something else than he expected in the conversation: for when he insisted on having all the fiefs which Olaf Trygvason, and afterwards the Earls Svein and Hakon, had given him"

• attestation: Olaf refused to grant Erling more than Earl Eirik's equivalent, insisting he would bestow fiefs at his own will.

  "it would be no bad bargain for thee to get as great fiefs from me for thy aid and friendship as thou hadst from Earl Eirik"

• attestation: Olaf declared he would not act as if the lendermen had udal right to his ancestral heritage.

  "I will bestow my fiefs according to my own will, and not act as if ye lendermen had udal right to my ancestor's heritage"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 59. Eilif Of Gautland'S Murder.

• attestation: When Olaf arrived in Viken, Danish officials who served the Danish king fled to Denmark without waiting.

  "As soon as it was reported that Olaf had come to Viken, the Danes who had offices under the Danish king set off for Denmark, without waiting for King Olaf"

• attestation: Olaf collected all taxes in Viken in summer A.D. 1016, then sailed east from Tunsberg to Svinasund, the border of Swedish territory.

  "He then sailed east from Tunsberg across the fjord, and all the way east to Svinasund. There the Swedish king's dominions begin"

• attestation: Olaf sent his chief pursuivant Thorer Lange with six men disguised under cloaks to Brynjolf.

  "King Olaf thereupon sent the chief of his pursuivants, Thorer Lange, with six men, to Brynjolf. They were equipped with their coats-of-mail under their cloaks, and their hats over their helmets"

• attestation: The Gautlanders fled and Thorer's men killed several; afterward, Olaf addressed the crowd and the bondes submitted to him.

  "the Gautland men set off in full flight and Thorer with his people killed several of them. Now when the crowd was settled again, and the noise over the king stood up, and told the bondes to seat themselves"

• attestation: Olaf extended his power over the whole northern district as far as the Gaut river in summer A.D. 1016.

  "King Olaf then brought the whole northern district under his power, and went in summer eastward as far as the Gaut river"

• attestation: Olaf built an earthen fort at Sarp waterfall on the Raum river, established a merchant town there, built a king's house and Mary church.

  "On the north side of the fall, a point of land juts out into the river. There the king ordered a rampart to be built right across the ness, of stone, turf, and wood"

• attestation: Olaf prohibited exports of herrings and salt from Viken to Gautland, creating hardship for the Gautlanders.

  "The king prohibited all exports from Viken to Gautland of herrings and salt, which the Gautland people could ill do without"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 60. The History Of Eyvind Urarhorn.

• attestation: Olaf granted Brynjolf the title of Lenderman, and Brynjolf became the king's greatest friend.

  "The king afterwards gave him the title of Lenderman, and Brynjolf was ever after the king's greatest friend"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 61. Thrand White'S Murder.

• attestation: King Olaf was very displeased when he learned of Thrand White's murder.

  "King Olaf was very ill-pleased when he heard this news"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 62. Christianity Proclaimed In Viken.

• attestation: Olaf proclaimed Christian law in Viken as he had in the north, and it succeeded well because Viken's people had more exposure to Christian customs.

  "King Olaf made Christian law to be proclaimed in Viken, in the same way as in the North country. It succeeded well, because the people of Viken were better acquainted with the Christian customs than the people in the north"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 63. Hroe'S Fall.

• attestation: In spring A.D. 1017, King Olaf secretly conferred with Eyvind Urarhorn, after which Eyvind prepared for a viking cruise.

  "About spring-time (A.D. 1017) King Olaf sent a message that Eyvind Urarhorn should come to him; and they spake together in private for a long time. Thereafter Eyvind made himself ready for a viking cruise"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 64. Fall Of Gudleik And Thorgaut.

• attestation: King Olaf entered a trading partnership with Gudleik, funding him to purchase costly items unavailable in Norway.

  "he told him he would go in partnership with him, and told him to purchase some costly articles which were difficult to be had in this country"

• attestation: At this time Olaf had been king over Norway for three years.

  "At this time Olaf had been three years king over Norway"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 65. Meeting Of Olaf And Ragnvald.

• attestation: In summer A.D. 1017, King Olaf took a levy and went east to the Gaut river, staying there much of the summer.

  "The same summer (A.D. 1017) King Olaf ordered a levy, and went out eastwards to the Gaut river, where he lay a great part of the summer"

• attestation: Olaf and Ragnvald agreed on a truce and ceasefire between their territories until the next summer, then parted with mutual gifts.

  "both agreed upon a peace, and still-stand of arms between them until next summer; and they parted with mutual gifts and friendly speeches"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 66. King Olaf The Swede.

• attestation: Olaf returned north to Viken, collecting all royal revenues up to the Gaut river, with all the country's people having submitted to him.

  "The king thereupon returned north to Viken, and had all the royal revenues up to the Gaut river; and all the people of the country there had submitted to him"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 67. Account Of Their Reconciliation.

• attestation: King Olaf replied that Bjorn should carry out his own advice and undertake the embassy himself.

  "It is fair, Bjorn, that the advice thou hast given should be carried out by thyself. Thou shalt undertake this embassy thyself"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 68. Journey Of Bjorn The Marshal.

• attestation: Olaf instructed Bjorn to offer the Swedish king peace based on the ancient frontier that Olaf Trygvason had held.

  "Ye shall carry these my words to the Swedish king--that I will establish peace between our countries up to the frontier which Olaf Trygvason had before me"

• attestation: Olaf stated that the Swedish king could never pay for the men the Swedes had killed, so losses must not be mentioned if peace were to hold.

  "with regard to the loss of people, no man must mention it if peace there is to be; for the Swedish king cannot with money pay for the men the Swedes have deprived us of"

• attestation: King Olaf gave Bjorn a gold-mounted sword that Earl Ragnvald had given him, plus a gold ring for the earl as a token.

  "he took a gold-mounted sword and a gold ring, and said, in handing over the sword to Bjorn, "This I give thee: it was given to me in summer by Earl Ragnvald.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 72. Olaf'S Journey To The Uplands.

• attestation: In autumn, King Olaf began a progress from Sarpsborg through the Uplands for the winter of A.D. 1018, following the custom of making such progresses every third year.

  "In autumn he began his progress from Sarpsborg, and went first to Vingulmark. He ordered his progress so that he came first to lodge in the neighbourhood of the forest habitations"

• attestation: Olaf visited the most remote forest settlements first, summoning their people to inquire about the state of Christianity.

  "summoned to him all the men of the habitations who dwelt at the greatest distance from the head-habitations of the district; and he inquired particularly how it stood with their Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf punished those who refused to abandon heathen ways by driving them out, mutilating their hands, feet, or eyes, hanging them, or cutting them down.

  "he drove some out of the country, mutilated others of hands or feet, or stung their eyes out; hung up some, cut down some with the sword; but let none go unpunished who would not serve God"

• attestation: Olaf traveled through the whole district with 300 armed men, placing Christian teachers throughout the countryside.

  "He went thus through the whole district, sparing neither great nor small. He gave them teachers, and placed these as thickly in the country as he saw needful. In this manner he went about in that district, and had 300 deadly men-at-arms with him"

• attestation: Olaf then proceeded to Raumarike where he found Christianity thriving less the farther inland he went.

  "then proceeded to Raumarike. He soon perceived that Christianity was thriving less the farther he proceeded into the interior of the country"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 73. Treachery Of The Upland Kings.

• attestation: The king of Raumarike described Olaf's violent campaign of killing, mutilating, and dispossessing opponents, and his travel with an unlawfully large army.

  "told of King Olaf's proceedings, and of the disturbance he was causing both by killing and mutilating people. Some he drove out of the country, some he deprived of their offices or property"

• attestation: The kings debated without reaching agreement; some urged resistance while others counseled against it.

  "Thereafter each of the kings spoke according to his own mind some dissuading from going out against King Olaf, others urging it; and no determination was come to"

• attestation: Olaf progressed through Raumarike in guest-quarters, sometimes staying longer due to insufficient provisions for his large following.

  "King Olaf went about in Raumarike in guest-quarters, and altogether in the way before related; but as the provision of the guest-quarter was not always sufficient, upon account of his numerous followers"

• attestation: Olaf's journey toward Lake Mjosen proceeded faster than planned.

  "his journey down to the lake Miosen was shorter than had been fixed on"

• attestation: The text notes that despite secrecy, everyone has friends among enemies, foreshadowing betrayal of the plot.

  "The most approved of the measure; but it happened here, as it usually does, that every one has some friend even among his enemies"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 74. Mutilating Of The Upland Kings.

• attestation: King Olaf now ruled over the territories that five kings had previously governed.

  "King Olaf now rules o'er What five kings ruled before"

• attestation: After Sigurd Syr's death, Olaf visited Ringerike where his mother Asta hosted a great feast for him.

  "King Olaf went to Ringerike, where his mother Asta made a great feast for him"

• attestation: After defeating the five kings, Olaf was the sole king in all of Norway.

  "Olaf alone bore the title of king now in Norway"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 75. King Olaf'S Half-Brothers.

• attestation: King Olaf's mother Asta presented her children to him during his visit.

  "when King Olaf was on his visit to his mother Asta, she brought out her children, and showed them to him"

• attestation: Olaf placed his brothers Guthorm and Halfdan on his knees and made angry faces at them, which frightened them.

  "The king took his brother Guthorm on the one knee, and his brother Halfdan on the other. The king looked at Guthorm, made a wry face, and pretended to be angry at them: at which the boys were afraid"

• attestation: Harald, aged three, was unafraid of Olaf's angry expression and pulled the king's whiskers when Olaf pulled his hair.

  "The king took the boy by the hair, and plucked it; but the boy seized the king's whiskers, and gave them a tug"

• attestation: Olaf predicted Harald would be revengeful based on the three-year-old's defiant response.

  "thou wilt be revengeful, my friend, some day"

• attestation: Olaf prophesied that Harald would one day command ships after seeing him play with toy warships.

  "The time may come, friend, when thou wilt command ships"

• attestation: Olaf declared to Asta that she was raising a future king, referring to young Harald.

  "Here, mother, thou art bringing up a king"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 80. Of The Upsala Thing.

• attestation: The Swedish king spoke long and bitterly against Olaf the Thick, and when he finished there was total silence.

  "The king spoke long and bitterly, turning his speech always against Olaf the Thick. When he sat down not a sound was to be heard at first"

• attestation: The Swedish king derisively referred to King Olaf of Norway as 'the thick fellow.'

  "entering into a peaceful truce with the thick fellow, and making up a peaceful friendship with him"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 82. Of King Hrorek'S Treachery.

• attestation: In spring 1018 AD, King Olaf traveled from Viken along the coast to Hordaland, preparing to meet his bride.

  "On the approach of spring (A.D. 1018) King Olaf went down to the coast, had his ships rigged out, summoned troops to him, and proceeded in spring out from Viken to the Naze, and so north to Hordaland"

• attestation: The wedding feast was planned for autumn at the Gaut river on the border between Sweden and Norway.

  "The wedding-feast was to be in autumn, at the Gaut river, on the frontiers of the two countries"

• attestation: Olaf assigned Svein, Hrorek's kinsman and former servant, to attend him.

  "Then the king appointed a man called Svein to wait upon and serve King Hrorek. He was Hrorek's relation, and had formerly been in his service"

• attestation: King Olaf detected the assassination attempt and confronted Svein, who confessed and threw down the dagger.

  "The king observed his terror and said, "What is this, Svein? Wilt thou betray me?" Svein threw down his cloak and dagger, and fell at the king's feet"

• attestation: Olaf spared Svein's life but had him put in irons and then exiled, while moving Hrorek to separate quarters with trusted guards.

  "The king ordered Hrorek's seat to be moved to another bench. He gave Svein his life, and he left the country"

• attestation: King Olaf gave Hrorek generous pocket-money, which Hrorek spent on mead for everyone in his lodgings, making himself well-liked.

  "King Olaf gave him plenty of pocket-money. When he went to his lodgings he would often, before going to bed, have some stoups of mead brought in, which he gave to all the men in the house to drink, so that he was much liked"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 84. Murder Of Olaf'S Court-Men.

• attestation: King Olaf came to Tunsberg before Easter 1018 AD and remained there into late spring as many merchants arrived.

  "King Olaf came to Tunsberg before Easter (A.D. 1018), and remained there late in spring. Many merchant vessels came to the town"

• attestation: Nobody dared to wake King Olaf despite the urgency of the situation.

  "however needful it appeared to be that the king should know it, nobody dared to waken him"

• attestation: King Olaf dispatched search parties by sea and land from Tunsberg to find the fugitive Hrorek.

  "The king got up immediately, ordered to sound the call for a meeting of the court, and when the people were assembled he named men to go out to every quarter from the town, by sea and land, to search for Hrorek"

• attestation: After Hrorek's recapture, King Olaf personally oversaw his guarding with a constant watch day and night.

  "King Olaf undertook himself thereafter to look after King Hrorek, made him be carefully guarded, and took good care of his treason, for which reason he had a watch over him night and day"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 85. Of Hrorek'S Assault.

• attestation: On Ascension-day, King Olaf attended high mass with a procession led by the bishop around the church.

  "It happened on Ascension-day that King Olaf went to high mass, and the bishop went in procession around the church, and conducted the king"

• attestation: The blow struck only the cloak at the shoulder because Olaf was bending forward, leaving him uninjured.

  "the blow was received in the upper cloak at the shoulder, because the king was bending himself forwards. The clothes were much cut, but the king was not wounded"

• attestation: Olaf's men advised killing Hrorek, arguing it was tempting fate to keep him alive.

  "It is," said they, "tempting your luck in the highest degree, king, to keep him with you, and protect him, whatever mischief he may undertake"

• attestation: Olaf refused to kill Hrorek, saying he would not darken his victory over the five Upland kings by murdering a kinsman.

  "willingly I would not darken the victory I gained over the Upland kings, when in one morning hour I took five kings prisoners, and got all their kingdoms: but yet, as they were my relations, I should not be their murderer but upon need"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 86. King Hrorek'S Journey To Iceland.

• attestation: King Olaf observed Thorarin's ugly foot sticking out from the bed-clothes one morning and wagered that no uglier foot existed in the merchant town.

  "I have been awake for a while, and have seen a sight which was worth seeing; and that is a man's foot so ugly that I do not think an uglier can be found in this merchant town"

• attestation: Olaf claimed victory by arguing the first foot with five ugly toes was uglier than the second with only four, thus winning the right to make a demand.

  "That other foot was so much uglier than this one by having five ugly toes upon it, and this has only four; and now I have won the choice of asking something from thee"

• attestation: Olaf demanded that Thorarin take Hrorek to Greenland and deliver him to Leif Eirikson.

  "To take Hrorek," said the king, "to Greenland, and deliver him to Leif Eirikson"

• attestation: Olaf instructed Thorarin to deliver Hrorek to Gudmund Eyolfson or Skapte the lagman if they reached Iceland, and to ensure Hrorek never returned to Norway if landing elsewhere.

  "If thou comest to Iceland, deliver him into the hands of Gudmund Eyolfson, or of Skapte, the lagman, or of some other chief who will receive my tokens and message of friendship"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 88. Olaf Prepares For His Bridal Journey.

• attestation: King Olaf travelled to his bridal to receive his betrothed Ingegerd, the Swedish king's daughter

  "King Olaf's travelling to his bridal, to receive his betrothed Ingegerd the king's daughter."

• attestation: King Olaf had a great and chosen body of men with him, well equipped in ships, weapons, and clothes

  "The king had a great body of men with him, and so chosen a body that all the great people he could lay hold of followed him"

• attestation: They steered the fleet eastwards to Konungahella but found no sign of the Swedish king there

  "They steered the fleet eastwards to Konungahella; but when they arrived there they heard nothing of the Swedish king and none of his men had come there."

• attestation: King Olaf remained a long time at Konungahella in summer 1018 AD waiting for the Swedish king

  "King Olaf remained a long time in summer (A.D. 1018) at Konungahella"

• attestation: King Olaf sent men to Gautland to Earl Ragnvald to ask why the Swedish king did not come to the agreed meeting

  "he sent men up to Gautland to Earl Ragnvald, to ask him if he knew how it came to pass that the Swedish king did not come to the meeting agreed on."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 91. Olaf The Norway King'S Counsels.

• attestation: King Olaf held a House-Thing where Bjorn spoke about his journey eastward the previous winter and how Earl Ragnvald had received him kindly

  "He then held a House-Thing with his men, and in it Bjorn arose, and first took the word. He began his speech by telling that he had proceeded eastward last winter to establish a peace, and he told how kindly Earl Ragnvald had received him"

• attestation: The chiefs advised King Olaf against hostilities, arguing that men of weight should have troops to send before them, and young men seeking property are more suitable for war

  "Although we are a numerous body of men who are assembled here, yet they are all only people of weight and power; but, for a war expedition, young men who are in quest of property and consideration are more suitable."

• attestation: King Olaf dismissed this army, gave leave to return home, and proclaimed a general levy for next summer against the Swedish king

  "the king resolved to dismiss this army from any expedition, and to give every man leave to return home; but proclaimed, at the same time, that next summer the people over the whole country would be called out in a general levy"

• attestation: King Olaf returned northwards to Viken and took his abode at Sarpsborg

  "Then the king returned northwards to Viken, and took his abode at Sarpsborg"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 92. Sigvat The Skald'S Journey Eastwards.

• attestation: King Olaf was cast down when he heard of King Jarisleif's suit for Ingegerd

  "the king was much cast down when he heard of King Jarisleif's suit"

• attestation: King Olaf said the Swedish king would scarcely think he would dare marry his daughter without consent

  "The Swedish king," said he, "will scarcely think that I will dare to marry a daughter of his without his consent."

• attestation: King Olaf and Sigvat often spoke privately about the possibility of marrying Astrid

  "King Olaf and Sigvat the skald often spoke about it. The king inquired particularly of Sigvat what he knew about Earl Ragnvald"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 94. Of King Olaf'S Marriage.

• attestation: King Olaf prepared an excellent feast with the best liquors and preparations when Earl Ragnvald arrived with Astrid

  "King Olaf had put all things in order in the best style. There were all sorts of liquors of the best that could be got, and all other preparations of the same quality."

• attestation: King Olaf married Queen Astrid and their wedding was celebrated in great festivity

  "King Olaf and Queen Astrid's wedding was drunk in great festivity."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 97. Meeting Of Reconciliation Between The Kings, And Their Game At Dice.

• attestation: The Swedish kings sent ambassadors inviting King Olaf of Norway to a reconciliation meeting at Konungahella.

  "ambassadors were sent to Norway to King Olaf, with the errand that he should come with his retinue to a meeting at Konungahella with the Swedish kings"

• attestation: The kings met and mutually bound themselves to peace and agreement, and the Swedish king became remarkably mild and agreeable.

  "the relations, when they met, bound themselves mutually to peace and agreement. Olaf the Swedish king was then remarkably mild in manner, and agreeable to talk with"

• attestation: The kings agreed to decide the ownership of a disputed district in Hising by throwing dice.

  "they would cast lots by the dice to determine who should have this property, and that he who threw the highest should have the district"

• attestation: The Swedish king threw two sixes twice, but when the Norwegian king threw, one die split in two showing seven eyes total, winning the district.

  "Olaf king of Norway then threw, and had six upon one dice, and the other split in two, so as to make seven eyes in all upon it; and the district was adjudged to the king of Norway"

• attestation: Before throwing, King Olaf of Norway invoked God Almighty's power to turn two sixes in his favor.

  "Although there be two sixes on the dice, it would be easy, sire, for God Almighty to let them turn up in my favour"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 98. Of Olaf Of Norway, After The Meeting.

• attestation: After the reconciliation, King Olaf returned to Viken, visited Tunsberg briefly, then sailed north to Throndhjem for the winter of 1020 AD.

  "Olaf returned with his people to Viken. He went first to Tunsberg, and remained there a short time, and then proceeded to the north of the country. In harvest-time he sailed north to Throndhjem"

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson was sole and supreme king of Norway with sovereignty equal to Harald Harfager's, plus the advantage of being the only king in the land.

  "Olaf Haraldson was now sole and supreme king of Norway, and the whole of that sovereignty, as Harald Harfager had possessed it, and had the advantage over that monarch of being the only king in the land"

• attestation: Olaf recovered through peace the territory the Swedish king had occupied, and retook by force the territory held by the Danish king.

  "By a peaceful agreement he had also recovered that part of the country which Olaf the Swedish king had before occupied; and that part of the country which the Danish king had got he retook by force"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 103. Eyvind Urarhorn'S Murder.

• attestation: King Olaf of Norway received the news of Eyvind's death with visible displeasure, considering it a great and vexatious loss.

  "The king said little about it, but one could see that he considered it a great and vexatious loss; for he did not usually say much if anything turned out contrary to his wishes"

• attestation: Thorkel stayed the winter of 1020 AD with King Olaf in high favour; the king found him a high-minded man of good understanding.

  "Thorkel made himself ready, and proceeded in autumn to Norway, and then to King Olaf, with whom he stayed the whole winter (A.D. 1020), and was in high favour"

• attestation: In conversations, the king found Thorkel was a great friend of Earl Thorfin but critical of Einar.

  "the king found a great difference in his description of the two earls; for Thorkel was a great friend of Earl Thorfin, but had much to say against Einar"

• attestation: In early spring 1020, King Olaf sent a ship west to invite Earl Thorfin to visit him in Norway.

  "Early in spring (A.D. 1020) the king sent a ship west over the sea to Earl Thorfin, with the invitation to come east and visit him in Norway"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 104. Earl Einar'S Murder.

• attestation: Thorkel immediately sailed east to Norway and was well received by King Olaf, who expressed satisfaction at the deed.

  "Thorkel sailed out eastwards into the sea. This happened after winter; but he came safely to Norway, went as fast as he could to Olaf, and was well received by him. The king expressed his satisfaction at this deed"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 105. Agreement Between King Olaf And Earl Bruse.

• attestation: King Olaf asserted that Harald Harfager had appropriated all udal rights in Orkney, making the earls feudal vassals, not udal proprietors.

  "Harald Harfager had appropriated to himself all udal rights in Orkney, and that the earls, since that time, have constantly held the country as a fief, not as their udal property"

• attestation: Olaf cited precedents: the earls were subject to Eirik Blood-axe's sons, and Earl Sigurd became Olaf Trygvason's man.

  "when Eirik Blood-axe and his sons were in Orkney the earls were subject to them; and also when my relation Olaf Trygvason came there thy father, Earl Sigurd, became his man"

• attestation: Olaf offered Bruse a choice: become his vassal and receive the islands as a fief, or the king would reclaim his udal property by force.

  "I will give thee the condition to become my man and then I will give thee the islands as a fief"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 106. The Earl'S Agreement To The King'S Terms.

• attestation: King Olaf made the same feudal demand of Thorfin as of Bruse: surrender Orkney and become his vassal.

  "the king made the same demand upon the kingdom of Orkney that he had done to Earl Bruse, and required that Thorfin should voluntarily deliver over to the king that part of the country which he had possessed hitherto"

• attestation: King Olaf gave Thorfin an ultimatum: become his vassal, renounce all claims under oath, or face hostility.

  "if thou wilt not become my vassal, there is another condition; namely, that I will place over the Orkney Islands the man I please, and require thy oath that thou wilt make no claim upon these lands"

• attestation: King Olaf observed that Thorfin was more high-minded and less disposed to subjection than Bruse, and suspected he would rely on Scottish support to break the agreement.

  "The king observed that Thorfin was more high-minded, and less disposed to suffer subjection than Bruse, and therefore he trusted less to Thorfin than to Bruse"

• attestation: King Olaf judged Bruse as slow to agree but certain to keep his word, while Thorfin agreed too readily, raising suspicion.

  "Bruse, although slow to enter into an agreement, would promise nothing but what he intended to keep; but as to Thorfin when he had once made up his mind he went readily into every proposal"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 107. Earl Thorfin'S Departure, And Reconciliation With Thorkel.

• attestation: King Olaf publicly announced that both earls had acknowledged his property rights over Orkney and Shetland and became his vassals under oath.

  "They have now acknowledged my right of property to Orkney and Shetland, and have both become my vassals, all which they have confirmed by oath"

• attestation: Olaf invested Bruse and Thorfin each with one-third of Orkney, claiming Einar Rangmund's third for himself because Einar had killed his court-man Eyvind Urarhorn.

  "Bruse with one third part and Thorfin with one third, as they formerly enjoyed them; but the other third which Einar Rangmund had, I adjudge as fallen to my domain, because he killed Eyvind Urarhorn, my court-man, partner, and dear friend"

• attestation: King Olaf took jurisdiction over the murder of Earl Einar by Thorkel, awarding a penalty equivalent to three lendermen but reducing it by one-third since Einar provoked the killing.

  "King Olaf awarded as great a penalty for Earl Einar's murder as for three lendermen; but as Einar himself was the cause of the act, one third of the mulct fell to the ground"

• attestation: King Olaf and Earl Thorfin never met again after this departure.

  "The earl set off as soon as all was ready, and never again were King Olaf and Thorfin together"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 108. Earl Bruse'S Departure.

• attestation: King Olaf gave Earl Bruse two-thirds of Orkney instead of one-third, saying he wanted Bruse to be no less powerful after entering his service.

  "I intend to give thee the two parts of the country which thou formerly hadst to rule over; for I will not that thou shouldst be a less powerful man after entering into my service than before"

• attestation: King Olaf kept Bruse's son Ragnvald as a hostage to secure Bruse's fidelity.

  "I will secure thy fidelity by keeping thy son Ragnvald with me"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 110. Of Harek Of Thjotta.

• attestation: King Olaf Haraldson concluded peace with King Olaf of Sweden and traveled north to Throndhjem in 1019.

  "King Olaf Haraldson having concluded peace with King Olaf the Swedish king, and having the same summer gone north to Throndhjem (1019)"

• attestation: Olaf Haraldson had been king of Norway for five years, from 1015 to 1019.

  "He had then been king in Norway five years (A.D. 1015-1019)"

• attestation: Olaf took winter residence at Nidaros in 1020, with Thorkel the Fosterer, son of Amunde, as his companion.

  "he prepared to take his winter residence at Nidaros, and he remained all winter there (A.D. 1020). Thorkel the Fosterer, Amunde's son, as before related, was all that winter with him"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 111. Of The People Of Halogaland.

• attestation: Olaf equipped five ships with about 300 men and sailed north in spring 1020.

  "Olaf rigged out five ships in spring (A.D. 1020), and had with him about 300 men"

• attestation: Olaf summoned bondes to Things across Naumudal and was accepted as king at every Thing.

  "when he came to Naumudal district he summoned the bondes to a Thing, and at every Thing was accepted as king"

• attestation: Olaf threatened loss of life, limbs, and property to anyone who would not accept Christian law.

  "he threatened every man with loss of life, and limbs, and property who would not subject himself to Christian law"

• attestation: Olaf inflicted severe punishments on men of all ranks and left no district until the people consented to Christianity.

  "He inflicted severe punishments on many men, great as well as small, and left no district until the people had consented to adopt the holy faith"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 113. Of The Sacrifices Of The Throndhjem People.

• attestation: Olaf demanded the interior Throndhjem people prove their right faith themselves.

  "the king said the people of the interior of Thorndhjem must themselves give the best testimony to their being in the right faith"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 114. Of The Sacrifices By The People Of The Interior Of The Throndhjem District.

• attestation: King Olaf was unconvinced by Olver's defense and warned the bondes not to try such things again.

  "He ordered the bondes to return home. "I shall some time or other," said he, "come to the truth of what you are now concealing, and in such a way that ye shall not be able to contradict it. But, however, that may be, do not try such things again.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 115. Murder Of Olver Of Eggja.

• attestation: After Easter 1021, Olaf ordered his ships launched and prepared for sea at the piers.

  "At Easter (A.D. 1021) the king held a feast, to which he had invited many of the townspeople as well as bondes. After Easter he ordered his ships to be launched into the water"

• attestation: The king summoned Thoralde and asked him to truthfully report whether the interior Throndhjem people practised heathen sacrifices.

  "asked him what truth there was in what had been told him of the principles and living of the people of the interior of Throndhjem, and if it really was so that they practised sacrifices to heathen gods"

• attestation: King Olaf sailed with five ships and 300 men up the fjord and came to Maerin at night, surrounding the house with armed men.

  "with five ships and 300 men he steered up the fjord. The wind was favourable, the ships sailed briskly before it, and nobody could have thought that the king would be so soon there. The king came in the night time to Maerin, and immediately surrounded the house with a ring of armed men"

• attestation: King Olaf seized the feast provisions and all goods, dividing the booty among his men.

  "the king took all the provision for the feast, and had it brought to his ships; and also all the goods, both furniture, clothes, and valuables, which the people had brought there, and divided the booty among his men"

• attestation: The king summoned the bondes to a Thing after plundering, and their imprisoned friends and relations compelled them to promise obedience.

  "because he had taken many powerful men prisoners, and held them in his power, their friends and relations resolved to promise obedience to the king, so that there was no insurrection against the king on this occasion"

• attestation: Olaf brought the people back to Christianity, gave them teachers, and built and consecrated churches.

  "He thus brought the whole people back to the right faith, gave them teachers, and built and consecrated churches"

• attestation: Olaf punished the most guilty by execution, maiming, exile, or fines, then returned to Nidaros.

  "of the men he judged the most guilty, some he ordered to be executed, some he maimed, some he drove out of the country, and took fines from others. The king then returned to Nidaros"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 117. King Olaf'S Journey To The Uplands.

• attestation: After seven years in Norway (1015-1021), Olaf received earls Thorfin and Bruse from Orkney and gained mastery of their land.

  "When King Olaf had been seven years (A.D. 1015-1021) in Norway the earls Thorfin and Bruse came to him, as before related, in the summer, from Orkney, and he became master of their land"

• attestation: Olaf went to North and South More, then Raumsdal, and forced the people of Lesjar and Dovre to accept Christianity or face death.

  "Olaf went to North and South More, and in autumn to Raumsdal. He left his ships there, and came to the Uplands, and to Lesjar. Here he laid hold of all the best men, and forced them, both at Lesjar and Dovre, either to receive Christianity or suffer death"

• attestation: Olaf took the sons of the converted as hostages and placed priests at Lesjar.

  "After they received Christianity, the king took their sons in his hands as hostages for their fidelity. The king stayed several nights at a farm in Lesjar called Boar, where he placed priests"

• attestation: At Stafabrekka, the king looked down on the hamlet of Loar by the river Otta and lamented that such a beautiful place might be burned.

  "a place called Stafabrekka. There a river runs along the valley, called the Otta, and a beautiful hamlet, by name Loar, lies on both sides of the river, and the king could see far down over the whole neighbourhood. "A pity it is," said the king, "so beautiful a hamlet should be burnt.""

• attestation: Olaf summoned the people of Vagar, Lear, and Hedal to a Thing, demanding they accept Christianity or have their habitations burned.

  "summoned by message-token the people to a Thing, both for the districts of Vagar, Lear, and Hedal; and gave out the message along with the token, that they must either receive Christianity and give their sons as hostages, or see their habitations burnt"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 118. The Story Of Dale-Gudbrand.

• attestation: King Olaf and Bishop Sigurd fixed teachers in Loar and Vagar.

  "The king and Bishop Sigurd fixed teachers in Loaf and in Vagar"

• attestation: The bondes at Breida prepared for battle but when Olaf advanced and spoke, they fled after a brief clash, and Gudbrand's son was taken prisoner.

  "the king's men ran forward and threw their spears; but the bondes turned round instantly and fled, so that only few men remained behind. Gudbrand's son was taken prisoner; but the king gave him his life, and took him with him"

• attestation: Olaf told the captured son to return to Gudbrand and warn that the king would come soon.

  "the king said to Gudbrand's son, "Go home now to thy father, and tell him I expect to be with him soon.""

• attestation: Olaf stayed four days at Breida after the battle.

  "The king was four days here"

• attestation: Olaf proceeded to Lidstad after the battle and remained five days before going to meet the bondes.

  "The king, after the battle with the son of Gudbrand, had proceeded to Lidstad, and remained there for five days: afterwards he went out to meet the bondes, and hold a Thing with them"

• attestation: At the Thing, Olaf announced that people of Lesjar, Loar, and Vagar had accepted Christianity and believed in the true God.

  "the king stood up and said that the people in Lesjar, Loaf, and Vagar had received Christianity, broken down their houses of sacrifice, and believed now in the true God who had made heaven and earth and knows all things"

• attestation: Olaf took Gudbrand's son as hostage, giving a man in exchange.

  "The king accordingly returned home to his lodging, taking Gudbrand's son as a hostage; but he gave them a man as hostage in exchange"

• attestation: The bondes demanded clear sunshine the next forenoon as proof of Olaf's God, threatening battle if the test failed.

  "tell him to make it clear sunshine to-morrow forenoon, and then we shall meet here again, and do one of two things,--either agree with you about this business, or fight you"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 119. Dale-Gudbrand Is Baptized.

• attestation: Olaf ordered his men to bore holes in the bondes' ships at night and set loose their horses.

  "gave orders to his people to go down in the night to where the ships of the bondes lay and bore holes in them, and to set loose their horses on the farms where they were"

• attestation: Olaf secretly instructed Kolbein to strike the idol with his club when the bondes looked away.

  "The king now whispers to Kolbein Sterke, without the bondes perceiving it, "If it come so in the course of my speech that the bondes look another way than towards their idol, strike him as hard as thou canst with thy club.""

• attestation: Olaf directed the bondes to look east at the rising sun, calling it his advancing God.

  "turn your eyes towards the east,--behold our God advancing in great light."

The sun was rising, and all turned to look"

• attestation: Terrified bondes fled to their ships, but the bored-out ships filled with water; others could not find their horses.

  "The bondes were so terrified that some fled to their ships; but when they sprang out upon them they filled with water, and could not get away. Others ran to their horses, but could not find them"

• attestation: Olaf spent the night in prayer, asking God to release him from evil.

  "the king was in prayer all the night, beseeching God of His goodness and mercy to release him from evil"

• attestation: Olaf called the bondes back to the Thing after the idol's destruction.

  "The king then ordered the bondes to be called together, saying he wanted to speak with them; on which the bondes came back, and the Thing was again seated"

• attestation: Olaf mocked the destroyed idol, telling the bondes to take the gold and silver ornaments for their wives and daughters rather than hang them on idols.

  "Take now your gold and ornaments that are lying strewed about on the grass, and give them to your wives and daughters; but never hang them hereafter upon stock or stone"

• attestation: Olaf gave the bondes two choices: accept Christianity or fight, with victory going to whoever's God willed it.

  "Here are now two conditions between us to choose upon,--either accept Christianity, or fight this very day; and the victory be to them to whom the God we worship gives it"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 120. Hedemark Baptized.

• attestation: Olaf proceeded to Hedemark to baptize but ventured cautiously due to having formerly taken their kings prisoner.

  "King Olaf proceeded from thence to Hedemark, and baptized there; but as he had formerly carried away their kings as prisoners, he did not venture himself, after such a deed, to go far into the country with few people at that time"

• attestation: Olaf introduced Christianity throughout Hedemark, consecrated churches, and placed teachers before moving to Hadaland and Thoten.

  "the king did not desist from his expedition before he had introduced Christianity over all Hedemark, consecrated churches, and placed teachers. He then went to Hadaland and Thoten"

• attestation: Ringerike also accepted Christianity, after which the Raumarike people gathered a great force against Olaf.

  "He then went to Ringerike, where also all people went over to Christianity. The people of Raumarike then heard that Olaf intended coming to them, and they gathered a great force"

• attestation: Olaf defeated the Raumarike bondes at the river Nitja, forcing them to accept Christianity.

  "the multitude of bondes came against him at a river called Nitja; and the bondes had a strong army, and began the battle as soon as they met; but they soon fell short, and took to flight. They were forced by this battle into a better disposition, and immediately received Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf assembled a Thing at Eidsvold where he established laws for the Upland people that would apply to all Upland districts.

  "he assembled a numerous Thing, at a place where the Eidsvold Things have since been held. He made a law, that the Upland people should resort to this Thing, and that Eidsvold laws should be good through all the districts of the Uplands"

• attestation: Olaf went to Tunsberg in spring, where foreign goods were brought for sale during a good year in Viken.

  "he rigged his ships, and went by sea to Tunsberg. He remained there during the spring, and the time the town was most frequented, and goods from other countries were brought to the town for sale"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 121. Reconciliation Of The King And Einar.

• attestation: In spring 1022, King Olaf prohibited exporting or selling corn, malt, or meal from Agder north to Hordaland and Rogaland.

  "In spring (A.D. 1022) King Olaf sent a message west to Agder, and north all the way to Hordaland and Rogaland, prohibiting the exporting or selling of corn, malt, or meal"

• attestation: The king remained in Viken, spending long in Sarpsborg in autumn and early winter 1022.

  "the king remained behind in Viken, and remained long in Sarpsborg in autumn (A.D. 1022), and during the first part of winter"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 122. Reconciliation Of The King And Erling.

• attestation: The king summoned both men to a meeting at Tunsberg in spring, where the king criticized Erling's overbearing governance.

  "sent a message to Erling that he should come to him in spring at Tunsberg. When they all arrived there they held a meeting at which the king said to him, "It is told me concerning thy government, Erling, that no man from Sogn Lake to the Naze can enjoy his freedom for thee""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 123. Here Begins The Story Of Asbjorn Selsbane.

• attestation: King Olaf's prohibition on exporting corn south to north reached Asbjorn in summer 1022, complicating his provisions.

  "King Olaf prohibited all export of corn, malt, or meal from the southern to the northern parts of the country. Then Asbjorn perceived that it would be difficult to procure what was necessary for a house-keeping"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 124. Murder Of Thorer Sel.

• attestation: King Olaf ordered Asbjorn seized and removed from the hall; the king was enraged but remained quiet in speech.

  "The king ordered him to be seized and taken out. This was done. They laid hands on Asbjorn, and took him from the hall"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 125. Of Skjalg, The Son Of Erling Skjalgson.

• attestation: The king enumerated three capital offences: breaking Easter peace, killing in the king's lodging, and using the king's feet as an execution-block.

  "Is it not a matter of death, Skjalg, that a man break the Easter peace; and in the next place that he kills a man in the king's lodging; and in the third that he makes my feet his execution-block"

• attestation: The king refused to break the law or cast away his dignity even to repay Skjalg's services.

  "Although thou hast made me greatly indebted to thee, Skjalg, for thy services, yet I will not for thy sake break the law, or cast away my own dignity"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 126. Of Thorarin Nefiulfson.

• attestation: King Olaf demanded to know why Asbjorn had not been put to death; Thorarin Nefiulfson argued it would be murder to kill a man at night.

  "The king says, "Why is he not put to death?"

Thorarin Nefiulfson replies, "Sire, would you not call it murder to kill a man in the night-time?""

• attestation: The king ordered Asbjorn chained overnight and killed in the morning.

  "The king answers, "Put him in irons then, and kill him in the morning."

Then Asbjorn was laid in chains, and locked up in a house for the night"

• attestation: The king placed Asbjorn under Thorarin's charge, warning that Thorarin's life would answer for any escape.

  "Thou must take care then that he is not put to death to-day; but take him under thy charge, and know for certain that thy own life shall answer for it if he escape in any way"

• attestation: The king ordered the slaves to execute Asbjorn, but the Sabbath bell rang at that moment, and Thorarin invoked Sabbath-peace.

  "the king, that it was now time for the slaves to go to the murderer and put him to death. In the same moment the bell rang in the Sabbath.

Then Thorarin went before the king, and said, "The Sabbath-peace this man must have, although he has done evil.""

• attestation: The king sat at the Thing all day Saturday with many bondes who had complaints to be determined.

  "On Saturday the king arose and went to the early mass, and from thence he went to the Thing, where a great many bondes were assembled, who had many complaints to be determined. The king sat there long in the day"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 127. Erling'S Reconciliation With King Olaf.

• attestation: King Olaf stood still in church without looking around during the commotion.

  "they who were in the church looked all towards them, except the king, who stood still, without looking around him"

• attestation: Olaf accused Erling of having drawn forces because he was determined to settle things by force.

  "It appears to me, Erling, that thou thinkest the case of Asbjorn is now in thy own power, and I do not therefore know why thou speakest now as if thou wouldst offer terms for him. I think thou hast drawn together these forces because thou are determined to settle what is between us"

• attestation: The king told the bishop to determine the terms of reconciliation.

  "The king replies, "You will determine.""

• attestation: King Olaf required Asbjorn to take up Thorer Sel's bailiff office at Augvaldsnes as the law demanded of one who kills a king's servant.

  "the law of the land, which commands that the man who kills a servant of the king must undertake his service, if the king will. Now I will that thou shalt undertake the office of bailiff which Thorer Sel had, and manage my estate here in Augvaldsnes"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 129. King Olaf Baptizes In Vors And Valders.

• attestation: New differences arose between King Olaf and Erling Skjalgson after Augvaldsnes, growing into perfect enmity.

  "After King Olaf and Erling Skjalgson had this meeting at Augvaldsnes, new differences arose between them, and increased so much that they ended in perfect enmity"

• attestation: In spring 1023, Olaf went to Vors in Hordaland and held a Thing at Vang, where armed bondes challenged him to battle.

  "In spring (A.D. 1023) the king proceeded to guest-quarters in Hordaland, and went up also to Vors, because he heard there was but little of the true faith among the people there. He held a Thing with the bondes at a place called Vang, and a number of bondes came to it fully armed"

• attestation: The bondes at Vang lost courage when battle came to the point and chose to obey the king and accept Christianity.

  "when it came to the point such a fear entered into the blood of the bondes that none would advance or command, and they chose the part which was most to their advantage; namely, to obey the king and receive Christianity"

• attestation: Between some hills, King Olaf warned that no king of Norway should travel there hereafter, and most kings since avoided it.

  "Man after man shall relate these my words, that I think it not advisable for any king of Norway to travel hereafter between these hills." And it is a saying among the people that the most kings since that time have avoided it"

• attestation: The king went to Ostrarfjord, then to Sogn by ship, and in autumn entered the Fjord district and went to Valders where people were still heathen.

  "The king proceeded to Ostrarfjord, and came to his ships, with which he went north to Sogn, and had his living in guest-quarters there in summer (A.D. 1023); when autumn approached he turned in towards the Fjord district, and went from thence to Valders, where the people were still heathen"

• attestation: Olaf seized the bondes' vessels at the lake in Valders and used them as leverage at a Thing.

  "The king hastened up to the lake in Valders, came unexpectedly on the bondes, seized their vessels, and went on board of them with all his men"

• attestation: The armed bondes refused Christianity and made a great uproar, so Olaf switched tactics to settling their disputes.

  "when he commanded them to accept Christianity the bondes shouted against him, told him to be silent, and made a great uproar and clashing of weapons. But when the king saw that they would not listen to what he would teach them, and also that they had too great a force to contend with, he turned his discourse, and asked if there were people at the Thing who had disputes with each other"

• attestation: While the bondes argued among themselves all day, Olaf crossed the lake at night and began plundering and burning their homes.

  "the king went on board his ships, rowed in the night right across the water, landed in the country there, and began to plunder and burn. The day after the king's men rowed from one point of land to another, and over all the king ordered the habitations to be set on fire"

• attestation: The bondes had summoned both free and unfree to meet in arms against the king when they heard he was in Valders.

  "they had sent out message-tokens summoning the free and the unfree to meet in arms, and with this force they had advanced against the king; so that the neighbourhood all around was left without people"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 131. The Birth Of King Magnus.

• attestation: Olaf asked why the name Magnus, saying it was not a name of their race.

  "The king asked, "But why didst thou call him Magnus, which is not a name of our race?""

• attestation: Olaf called Sigvat a very lucky man and praised the combination of luck and understanding.

  "Then said the king, "Thou art a very lucky man, Sigvat; but it is not wonderful that luck should accompany understanding""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 132. The Murder Of Asbjorn Selsbane.

• attestation: In spring 1024, King Olaf gave Asmund Grankelson half the sheriffdom of Halogaland, previously held entirely by Harek of Thjotta.

  "The same spring (A.D. 1024) the king gave into the hands of Asmund Grankelson the half of the sheriffdom of the district of Halogaland, which Harek of Thjotta had formerly held"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 133. Of King Olaf.

• attestation: In spring 1024, King Olaf sailed south along the coast holding Things, settling law business, improving faith, and collecting taxes.

  "When spring (A.D. 1024) was advanced King Olaf rigged out his ships, and sailed southwards in summer along the land. He held Things with the bondes on the way, settled the law business of the people, put to rights the faith of the country, and collected the king's taxes wherever he came"

• attestation: King Olaf had made all the great districts of Norway Christian and brought the Orkney Islands under his power.

  "King Olaf had now made the people Christians in all the great districts, and everywhere, by laws, had introduced order into the country. He had also, as before related, brought the Orkney Islands under his power"

• attestation: Olaf sent timber and a bell to Iceland for building a church at the Thing-field where the General Thing was held.

  "King Olaf had sent timber for building a church to Iceland, of which a church was built upon the Thing-field where the General Thing is held, and had sent a bell for it, which is still there"

• attestation: Many Icelandic notables entered King Olaf's service, including Thorkel Eyjolfson, Thorleif Bollason, Thord Kolbeinson, Thord Barkarson, Thorgeir Havarson, and Thormod Kalbrunar-skald.

  "many considerable persons came from Iceland, and entered into King Olaf's service; as Thorkel Eyjolfson, and Thorleif Bollason, Thord Kolbeinson, Thord Barkarson, Thorgeir Havarson, Thormod Kalbrunar-skald"

• attestation: Olaf's friendly outreach to Iceland concealed ulterior motives that later became apparent.

  "Under this show of friendship which the king gave Iceland were concealed many things which afterwards appeared"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 134. King Olaf'S Message To Iceland, And The Counsels Of The Icelanders.

• attestation: King Olaf sent Thorarin Nefiulfson to Iceland in summer 1024; Thorarin sailed from Throndhjem fjord and reached the Westman Isles in four days.

  "King Olaf this summer (A.D. 1024) sent Thorarin Nefiulfson to Iceland"

• attestation: Thorarin relayed Olaf's message offering to be their sovereign if they would become his subjects.

  "He also lets you know that he will be your sovereign if ye will become his subjects, so that he and you will be friends, assisting each other in all that is good"

• attestation: Olaf requested the island of Grimsey at the mouth of Eyfjord from the Northland people, offering goods in exchange.

  "he will in friendship desire of the people of the north district that they give him the island, or out-rock, which lies at the mouth of Eyfjord, and is called Grimsey"

• attestation: Olaf specifically asked Gudmund of Modruvellir to support his claim to Grimsey.

  "He sends this message particularly to Gudmund of Modruvellir to support this matter, because he understands that Gudmund has most influence in that quarter"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 135. The Answer Of The Icelanders.

• attestation: Thorarin delivered Olaf's invitation for Gudmund Eyjolfson, Snorre Gode, Thorkel Eyjolfson, Skapte the lagman, and Thorstein Halson to visit him in Norway.

  "King Olaf sends his message to his friends here in the country, among whom he reckons Gudmund Eyjolfson, Snorre Gode, Thorkel Eyjolfson, Skapte the lagman, and Thorstein Halson, and desires them by me to come to him on a friendly visit"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 136. Of The People Of The Farey Islands.

• attestation: King Olaf demanded scat from the Farey Islands and that the people be subject to his laws.

  "he would have scat from the Farey Islands, and also that the people there should be subject to the laws which the king should give them"

• attestation: The ship King Olaf sent to the Farey Islands to collect scat never arrived, and no scat was received the following summer.

  "the king ordered a ship to be rigged, manned it, and sent men to the Farey Islands to receive the scat from the inhabitants which they should pay him. It was late before they were ready; but they set off at last: and of their journey all that is to be told is, that they did not come back, and no scat either"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 137. Of The Marriage Of Ketil And Of Thord To The King'S Sisters.

• attestation: King Olaf proceeded to the Uplands for winter guest-quarters after harvest.

  "King Olaf proceeded about harvest time to Viken, and sent a message before him to the Uplands that they should prepare guest-quarters for him, as he intended to be there in winter"

• attestation: The king approved the match, knowing Ketil to be highborn, wealthy, and a great chief who had long been Olaf's friend.

  "He took it in a friendly way; for he know Ketil, that he was of high birth, wealthy, and of good understanding, and a great chief; and also he had long been a great friend of King Olaf"

• attestation: The king returned south through Thoten, Hadaland, and Ringerike to Viken, then went to Tunsberg in spring 1025.

  "King Olaf returned south through Thoten and Hadaland, from thence to Ringerike, and so to Viken. In spring (A.D. 1025) he went to Tunsberg"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 138. Of The Icelanders.

• attestation: The second ship Olaf sent to the Farey Islands for scat also disappeared, like the first.

  "The king fitted out another ship, manned it, and sent it to the Farey Islands for the scat. They got under weigh, and proceeded to sea; but as little was ever heard of this vessel as of the former one"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 139. Here Begins The Story Of Canute The Great.

• attestation: Olaf the Thick (Olaf Haraldson) took Earl Hakon Eirikson prisoner and deposed him; Hakon then went to Canute.

  "when Olaf the Thick came first to Norway, as before related, he took prisoner Earl Hakon the son of Eirik, and deposed him from the kingdom. Then Hakon proceeded to his mother's brother, Canute the Great"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 140. Canute'S Message To King Olaf.

• attestation: King Olaf refused vassalage, declaring he would defend Norway with battle-axe and sword as long as he lived.

  "I will defend Norway with battle-axe and sword as long as life is given me, and will pay scat to no man for my kingdom"

• attestation: Olaf mocked Canute's ambition, asking whether he intended to rule all northern countries and suggesting he would eat up all the kail in England first.

  "Does he wish to rule over all the countries of the North? Will he eat up all the kail in England? He shall do so, and reduce that country to a desert, before I lay my head in his hands"

• attestation: Olaf was ill at ease when he heard Canute's ambassadors had arrived, saying Canute had not sent messages of advantage.

  "when it was told the king that ambassadors had arrived from Canute the Great he was ill at ease, and said that Canute had not sent messengers hither with any messages that could be of advantage to him or his people"

• attestation: It took several days before the ambassadors could gain audience with King Olaf.

  "it was some days before the ambassadors could come before the king"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 141. King Olaf'S Alliance With Onund The King Of Svithjod.

• attestation: In summer 1025, Olaf summoned lendermen and gathered many people, as reports said Canute was assembling a great army in England.

  "King Olaf summoned to him all the lendermen, and had a great many people about him this summer (A.D. 1025), for a report was abroad that King Canute would come from England"

• attestation: In autumn 1025, Olaf sent messengers to his brother-in-law King Onund of Sweden, warning that Canute would threaten Swedish dominions next.

  "In autumn (A.D. 1025) he sent messengers eastward to Svithjod to his brother-in-law King Onund, and let him know King Canute's demand upon Norway; adding, that, in his opinion, if Canute subdued Norway, King Onund would not long enjoy the Swedish dominions in peace"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 143. The Expedition To Bjarmaland.

• attestation: In winter 1026, King Olaf sent Karle the Halogalander north on a trading expedition to Bjarmaland, with the king as a half-partner.

  "He sent the Halogalander Karle to the north country upon his business"

• attestation: King Olaf was displeased with the Bjarmaland voyage but invited Gunstein to stay with him.

  "The king was ill-pleased with the voyage, but told Gunstein to remain with him, promising to assist him when opportunity offered."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 144. Meeting Of King Olaf And King Onund.

• attestation: King Olaf stayed in Sarpsborg during the winter of 1026 while King Canute was in Denmark.

  "King Olaf was, as before related, in Sarpsborg the winter (A.D. 1026) that King Canute was in Denmark."

• attestation: Kings Olaf and Onund agreed to meet at Konungahella on the Gaut river in spring.

  "they agreed to meet in spring at Konungahella"

• attestation: King Olaf sailed past Jadar, reached Hirtingsey in the evening, and proceeded to Hordaland.

  "They sailed the same day past Jadar with the best wind, and in the evening reached Hirtingsey, from whence the king proceeded to Hordaland"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 145. Thoralf'S Murder.

• attestation: In summer 1026, King Olaf sent messengers to the Faroe Islands requesting Leif Ossurson, Lagman Gille, or Thoralf of Dimun to come to him.

  "The same summer (A.D. 1026) a ship sailed from Norway to the Farey Islands, with messengers carrying a verbal message from King Olaf, that one of his court-men, Leif Ossurson, or Lagman Gille, or Thoralf of Dimun, should come over to him from the Farey Islands."

• attestation: The Faroese suspected King Olaf wanted to investigate the disappearance of his former messengers and the loss of two ships.

  "the king wanted to inquire into the real state of the event which some said had taken place upon the islands; namely, the failure and disappearance of the former messengers of the king, and the loss of the two ships, of which not a man had been saved."

• attestation: King Olaf was in guest-quarters at Lygra when the murder was reported, and he called a Thing to investigate.

  "King Olaf was at that time in guest-quarters at Lygra, and thither they sent a message. Now a Thing was called by message-token, and the king came to the Thing."

• attestation: King Olaf accused Sigurd Thorlakson of killing Thoralf and Thord the Low of throwing Thoralf's companion into the sea.

  "Sigurd Thorlakson has killed the man, and Thord the Low has cast his comrade into the sea"

• attestation: Olaf suspected the motive was to prevent Thoralf from revealing information about the murder of the king's earlier messengers.

  "the motives to this must have been to hinder Thoralf from telling about the misdeed of which he had information; namely, the murder which I suspect was committed upon my messengers."

• attestation: The king arranged for Sigurd to undergo the iron ordeal at Lygra the following day, with the bishop presiding.

  "the king took Sigurd's obligation to take the iron ordeal; he should come the following day to Lygra, where the bishop should preside at the ordeal"

• attestation: King Olaf spoke little about the matter but seemed certain his suspicion was correct.

  "King Olaf spoke but little about the matter, but seemed to know of a certainty that the suspicion he had taken up was founded in truth."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 146. Of The Icelanders.

• attestation: King Olaf summoned four Icelanders -- Thorod Snorrason, Geller Thorkelson, Stein Skaptason, and Egil Halson -- and forbade all but Geller from returning to Iceland.

  "King Olaf called before him the men who had come from Iceland, Thorod Snorrason, Geller Thorkelson, Stein Skaptason, and Egil Halson"

• attestation: King Olaf demanded the Icelanders adopt his Norwegian laws and pay thane-tax and nose-tax (a penny per person).

  "The king's message was, that he required the Icelanders to adopt the laws which he had set in Norway, also to pay him thane-tax and nose-tax"

• attestation: The winter of 1027, King Olaf's thirteenth year of reign, was spent in the merchant town of Nidaros.

  "The winter (A.D. 1027) that he passed here in the merchant-town of Nidaros was the thirteenth year of his reign."

• attestation: Nose-tax (nefgildi) was an ancient Norse poll-tax with the penalty for defaulters being loss of their nose.

  "Nefgildi (nef=nose), a nose-tax or poll-tax payable to the king."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 147. Of The Jamtaland People.

• attestation: During the quarrel between Olaf the Thick and the Swedish king Olaf, both Jamtaland and Helsingjaland reverted to Swedish rule.

  "Then the Jamtaland and Helsingjaland people went back to the Swedish king"

• attestation: King Olaf sent messages declaring his will that the Jamtalanders should be subject to him, threatening violence if they refused.

  "King Olaf had sent a message round in Jamtaland, declaring it to be his will that the Jamtaland people should be subject to him, threatening them with violence if they refused"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 148. Stein'S Story.

• attestation: King Olaf condemned Stein as a fugitive outlaw after the murder of Thorgeir.

  "the king, after sending out a message-token, held a Thing concerning the murder of Thorgeir, and has condemned Stein as having fled the country"

• attestation: King Olaf demanded the Arnason brothers swear oaths to follow him in and out of the country and report any treason against him.

  "If ye brothers will give your oaths that ye will follow me in the country and out of the country, and not part from me without my leave and permission, and shall not conceal from me any treasonable design that may come to your knowledge against me, then will I agree to a peace with you brothers."

• attestation: The king accused their counsel of originating from the people of Jadar (Erling Skjalgson's territory).

  "this counsel, I can observe, has its origin from the people of Jadar"

• attestation: Kalf refused to swear an oath to King Olaf, agreeing only to remain with the king as long as he kept his fiefs and the king's friendship.

  "I will make no oath to King Olaf, but will be with him always, so long as I retain my fiefs and dignities, and so long as the king will be my friend"

• attestation: King Olaf allowed Stein to depart safely but permanently barred him from the king's household.

  "Stein might for him depart in safety, and go where he pleased, but "in my house he can never be again.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 149. Fin Arnason'S Expedition To Halogaland.

• attestation: King Olaf sent Fin Arnason to Halogaland to raise a levy of men and ships, to assemble at Agdanes.

  "thou proceed on my errand to Halogaland, and raise the people there to an expedition, men and ships, and summon that force to meet me at Agdanes."

• attestation: King Olaf intended to raise the whole country for a levy in spring to oppose King Canute the Great.

  "in spring I should raise the whole country to a levy both of men and ships, and then proceed, with all the force I can muster, against King Canute the Great"

• attestation: King Olaf said it was always better to have Thorer at a distance than near, acknowledging him as an enemy.

  "I believe that Thorer must be our enemy, and it appears to me always better to have him at a distance than near."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 150. Dispute Between Harek And Asmund.

• attestation: King Olaf judged the case, awarding the rock to Grankel and paying no mulct for Harek's beaten servants.

  "Asmund then produced witnesses to prove that Grankel had owned the rock, and the king gave judgment accordingly. No mulct was paid for Harek's house-servants, and the rock was declared to be Grankel's."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 151. Thorod'S Story.

• attestation: King Olaf sent men to Jamtaland to collect scat, but nobody wanted to go after the previous twelve men had been killed there.

  "he would send people to Jamtaland to collect the scat; but nobody had any great desire to go on this business, after the fate of those whom King Olaf had sent before, namely, Thrand White and others, twelve in number, who lost their lives"

• attestation: King Olaf said it was a pity so brave and distinguished a man as Arnliot had given himself up to misdeeds.

  "it is a pity so brave a hero, and so distinguished a man, should have given himself up to misdeeds."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 152. King Olaf'S Levy Of Men.

• attestation: King Olaf left Nidaros in spring 1027, gathering levy forces from Throndhjem and the northern country.

  "King Olaf made ready in spring (A.D. 1027) to leave Nidaros, and many people were assembled about him, both from Throndhjem and the Northern country"

• attestation: King Olaf complained that the Faroe Islanders had not paid the promised scat and proposed sending men to collect it.

  "The scat which they promised me," he said, "is not forthcoming; and I now intend to send men thither after it."

• attestation: All men at the Thing declined the king's expedition to the Faroe Islands to collect scat.

  "the answer was, that all declined the adventure."

• attestation: King Olaf admitted he had wanted Karl dead in the past, but now offered thanks and favor for Karl's willingness to help.

  "there was a time when our meeting must have been such, if I had had my will; that thou shouldst not have had to tell it now. But I will not show myself worse than thou"

• attestation: Olaf lay a long time at the Herey Isles waiting for his forces and held frequent House-things.

  "He lay a long time at the Herey Isles waiting for his forces; and he often held House-things"

• attestation: King Olaf invited Karl Morske to be his guest and to discuss the Faroe expedition.

  "Now thou shalt come to me, Karl, and be my guest to-day; and then we shall consult together about this business."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 153. Karl Morske'S Story.

• attestation: The king reconciled with Karl, gave him friendship, and fitted him out with about twenty men for the Faroe expedition.

  "the king was reconciled to him, gave him his friendship, and let him be fitted out in the best manner for this expedition. There were about twenty men in the ship"

• attestation: King Olaf was displeased at Karl's death and threatened speedy vengeance but was unable to act due to hostilities in Norway.

  "He was in no pleasant humour at it, and threatened a speedy vengeance; but it was not allotted by fate to King Olaf to revenge himself on Thrand and his relations"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 154. King Olaf'S Expedition With His Levy.

• attestation: King Olaf's ship Visund had a gilded bison's head on the bow, commemorated in verse by Sigvat comparing it to Olaf Trygvason's Long Serpent.

  "Olaf has raised a bison's head, Which proudly seems the waves to tread."

• attestation: King Olaf sailed south to Denmark with his best-appointed and most warlike men, dismissing the less useful forces.

  "he resolved to sail with his fleet south to Denmark, and took with him all the men who were best appointed and most warlike; and he gave leave to the others to return home."

• attestation: King Olaf sailed south around Stad, gathering men from surrounding districts.

  "King Olaf sailed with his fleet south around Stad, and many people from the districts around joined him."

• attestation: Most chief men and lendermen of Norway were with King Olaf's fleet, despite some having fled the country or stayed home.

  "most of the chief men and lendermen of Norway were along with him."

• attestation: King Olaf could not discover with certainty where to meet King Canute, and his people were dissatisfied with lying idle.

  "Olaf had a large fleet, and could not discover with certainty where he should go to meet King Canute, and as his people were dissatisfied with lying quiet in one place with so large an armament"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 155. Of King Olaf And King Onund.

• attestation: King Olaf sailed to Seeland in Denmark, where he plundered and ravaged, killing and binding inhabitants.

  "When King Olaf sailed to Denmark, he set his course for Seeland; and when he came there he made incursions on the land, and began to plunder."

• attestation: The two kings had concluded a union and friendship at the Gaut river to oppose King Canute.

  "the resolution had been that the two kings had taken at the Gaut river, where they had concluded a union and friendship, and had bound themselves to oppose King Canute."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 159. Foray In Scania.

• attestation: Kings Olaf and Onund retreated east to Scania upon hearing of Canute's arrival, ravaging and burning districts there.

  "When King Olaf and King Onund heard that King Canute was come from the West, and also that he had a vast force, they sailed east to Scania, and allowed themselves to ravage and burn in the districts there"

• attestation: King Olaf built a dam of timber and turf at the headwaters of the Helga river, creating an artificial flood weapon.

  "King Olaf with his people went up the country to the forest, and to the lake out of which the river Helga flows. There at the riverhead they made a dam of timber and turf, and dammed in the lake."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 160. Battle In Helga River.

• attestation: King Olaf broke the dam and released the river floodwaters, then traveled down to his ships at night.

  "King Olaf broke up the dam, and let the river take its course. King Olaf travelled down in the night to his ships."

• attestation: Olaf and Onund withdrew their fleets without loss of men, deciding they could not win against Canute's greater force.

  "Olaf and Onund looked over their forces, and found they had suffered no loss of men."

• attestation: Both fleets separated and sailed their own courses after the battle, with Olaf and Onund retreating eastward.

  "They took the resolution, therefore, to row with the whole fleet eastward along the coast."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 161. King Olaf And King Onund'S Plans.

• attestation: Kings Olaf and Onund landed at Barvik in Swedish territory, where they noticed the greater part of Swedish forces deserting overnight.

  "landed at a place called Barvik, where they lay all night. But then it was observed of the Swedes that they were home-sick; for the greater part of their forces sailed eastward along the land in the night"

• attestation: Onund originally had 350 vessels but was now reduced to about 100, while Olaf still had his 60 ships.

  "I had 350 vessels, and now have not above 100 remaining with me. Now it appears to me we can make no greater progress than we have made, although you have still the 60 vessels which have followed you"

• attestation: Onund offered Olaf as much of Sweden as he needed to support himself and his men through the winter.

  "I will offer you, King Olaf, to come with me, and we shall remain assembled during the winter. Take as much of my kingdom as you will"

• attestation: Olaf argued they should keep their remaining forces together, noting his 60 ships contained chosen men while the Swedish deserters were the most worthless.

  "the part of your war-force which has now run away is the most worthless, and of least resistance; but now I see here all your chiefs and leaders"

• attestation: Olaf proposed staying in ships like vikings, predicting Canute could not stay long in Helga river's harbor and his army would also disperse.

  "we can very well lie all winter in our ships, as viking's custom is. But Canute cannot lie long in Helga river; for the harbour will not hold so many vessels as he has."

• attestation: Olaf originally had 350 ships in Norway but selected his best 60 for the campaign.

  "I had in the first of summer, before I left Norway, 350 ships; but when I left the country I chose from among the whole war-levy those I thought to be the best, and with them I manned 60 ships"

• attestation: Olaf's speech won approval and his strategy of remaining together was adopted; spies were sent into Canute's army.

  "Thus King Olaf ended his speech, and it found much applause, and his advice was followed. Spies were sent into King Canute's army"

• attestation: Olaf noted they had ravaged widely in Scania and Halland during the summer campaign.

  "we have ravaged so widely in summer, that the villagers, both in Scania and in Halland, know well whose favour they have to seek."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 164. Of King Olaf And The Swedes.

• attestation: Kings Olaf and Onund held a House-thing upon learning Canute lay in the Sound with a great force.

  "King Olaf and King Onund heard that King Canute had sailed to the Sound, and lay there with a great force, the kings held a House-thing"

• attestation: Olaf wanted to remain with the fleet, but the Swedes feared being trapped by frost and went home, leaving Olaf alone.

  "the Swedes held it to be unadvisable to remain until the frost set in, and so it was determined; and King Onund went home with all his army, and King Olaf remained lying after them."

• attestation: King Olaf wished to stay and observe Canute's final resolution, but was overruled.

  "King Olaf wished they should remain there with all the fleet, and see what King Canute would at last resolve to do."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 165. Of Egil And Tofe.

• attestation: King Olaf was furious at their releasing the prisoners, putting both men in danger.

  "the king was so enraged at it, that they themselves were in the greatest danger."

• attestation: King Olaf later healed Egil's illness by laying hands on his side and singing a prayer, which cured the pain instantly.

  "the king now dismissed his wrath against Egil, laid his hands upon the side on which Egil's pain was, and sang a prayer; upon which the pain ceased instantly, and Egil grew better."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 167. King Olaf'S Consultations.

• attestation: King Olaf suspected some advisors spoke differently from what they actually thought, making him uncertain of their fidelity.

  "he had a suspicion that there must be some who spoke differently from what they really thought advisable for him, and he was thus uncertain if all gave him due fidelity in council."

• attestation: Some advisors urged sailing through the Sound past Canute's fleet to reach Norway, which Olaf recognized as impracticable.

  "Some pressed that with the first fair wind they should sail to the Sound, and so to Norway."

• comparison: Olaf recalled that Olaf Trygvason had found the Danes quite willing to fight when he tried to pass with few ships.

  "He knew also that Olaf Trygvason had found it quite otherwise, as to the Danes not daring to fight, when he with a few people went into battle against a great body of them."

• attestation: Olaf decided to proceed overland through Gautland to Norway, sending his ships east to Swedish territory for safekeeping.

  "the people who would follow him should make themselves ready to proceed by land across Gautland, and so to Norway. "But our ships," said he, "and all things that we cannot take with us, I will send eastward to the Swedish king's dominions""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 168. Harek Of Thjotta'S Voyage.

• attestation: Olaf sent his ships east to Calmar for safekeeping before beginning the overland march.

  "he sent off people to take his ships east to Calmar. There he had the vessels laid up, and the ships' apparel and other goods taken care of."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 169. King Olaf'S Course From Svithjod.

• attestation: King Olaf marched overland through Smaland and West Gautland, proceeding quietly and peaceably with assistance from country people.

  "When King Olaf began his journey, he came first into Smaland, and then into West Gautland. He marched quietly and peaceably, and the country people gave him all assistance on his journey."

• attestation: Olaf proceeded through Viken to Sarpsborg, where he ordered winter quarters prepared for 1028.

  "he came into Viken, and north through Viken to Sarpsborg, where he remained, and ordered a winter abode to be prepared (A.D. 1028)."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 170. Of Sigvat The Skald.

• attestation: King Olaf made Sigvat his marshal; Sigvat had no talent for prose but was so practiced in skaldcraft that verses came as readily as ordinary speech.

  "the king made him his marshal. Sigvat had no talent for speaking in prose; but in skaldcraft he was so practised, that the verses came as readily from his tongue as if he were speaking in usual language."

• attestation: King Olaf was suspicious, having heard about Sigvat's meeting with Canute, and asked if Sigvat had become Canute's man.

  "I do not know if thou art my marshal, or hast become one of Canute's men."

• attestation: After the verse, King Olaf restored Sigvat to his former seat and favor.

  "King Olaf told Sigvat to take his seat where he before used to sit; and in a short time Sigvat was in as high favour with the king as ever."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 172. Of King Olaf'S Presents At Yule.

• attestation: King Olaf held a great Yule feast and on the seventh day visited a house where he kept his most precious valuables, including gold-mounted swords intended as New Year's gifts.

  "It was the seventh day of Yule, that the king, with a few persons, among whom was Sigvat, who attended him day and night, went to a house in which the king's most precious valuables were kept."

• attestation: After Yule 1028 King Olaf journeyed to the Uplands because he had received no income from the North country that autumn and lacked ships to travel there.

  "Immediately after Yule (1028) the king began his journey to the Uplands; for he had a great many people about him, but had received no income that autumn from the North country"

• attestation: Olaf visited the Uplands sooner than customary law prescribed for royal guest-quarters because he had news that the North was unsafe without a great force.

  "he determined to proceed through the Uplands, although it was not so long a time since he had been there in guest-quarters as the law prescribes"

• attestation: The lendermen and richest bondes in the Uplands invited King Olaf to be their guest, lightening his expenses during the visit.

  "the lendermen and the richest bondes invited him to be their guest, and thus lightened his expenses."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 174. Of Raud'S Sons.

• attestation: King Olaf came to guest-quarters at Bjorn's, heard the theft accusations, but judged Raud's sons innocent based on their appearance, saying they did not look like thieves.

  "when they appeared before the king he said they had not at all the appearance of thieves, and acquitted them."

• attestation: Raud's sons invited the king to a three-day feast at their father's house, and despite Bjorn's objections, King Olaf went and found the entertainment excellent.

  "they invited the king, with all his retinue, to a three days' entertainment at their father's; and although Bjorn dissuaded him from it, the king went. At Raud's there was a very excellent feast."

• attestation: King Olaf confirmed Dag's accusations against Bjorn were true and drove Bjorn out of the country; Bjorn owed his life to Queen Astrid's intercession.

  "The king went first to Bjorn's, and found there that all Dag had told him was true. Upon which he drove Bjorn out of the country; and he had to thank the queen that he preserved life and limbs."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 175. Thorer'S Death.

• attestation: Thorer invited King Olaf to a splendid feast where the entertainment was so excellent that the king's men could not decide what to admire most, but Dag said little about it.

  "The entertainment was very splendid; they were excellently treated, and all that was set before the guests was of the best that could be got."

• attestation: At the feast King Olaf confronted Thorer by feeling his arm; Thorer tried to pass off the ring as a boil, but was forced to reveal it when Olaf claimed to be a physician.

  "Thorer said, "Take care, for I have a boil upon my arm."

The king held his hand there, and felt there was something hard under it. "Hast thou not heard," said he, "that I am a physician? Let me see the boil.""

• attestation: King Olaf ordered Thorer seized and put in irons; Kalf Arnason and many others pleaded for mercy and offered money, but the king was too wrathful and had Thorer killed.

  "The king ordered him to be seized and laid in irons. Kalf came up and entreated for mercy, and offered money for him, which also was seconded by many; but the king was so wroth that nobody could get in a word."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 176. The Fall Of Grjotgard.

• attestation: King Olaf located Grjotgard's night-quarters and surrounded the house at dawn; Grjotgard refused to beg for mercy and rushed out with sword drawn.

  "Grjotgard asked if the king would hear his words. The king, who stood at the door, said that Grjotgard might speak what he pleased, and he would hear his words. Grjotgard said, "I do not beg for mercy;""

• attestation: After Grjotgard's death, King Olaf turned south to Viken.

  "After this event the king turned back to the south to Viken."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 177. King Olaf Sends For His Ships And Goods.

• attestation: King Olaf came to Tunsberg and ordered a levy from all districts but received few men from any distance, revealing that the people had turned away from him.

  "Now when the king came to Tunsberg he sent men out to all the districts, and ordered the people out upon a levy."

• attestation: Olaf had only a small provision of shipping with only bondes' vessels available, and sent men to Gautland for ships and goods left there in autumn.

  "He had but a small provision of shipping, and there were only bondes' vessels to be got."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 178. King Olaf'S Counsels.

• attestation: Olaf held House-things and consulted his men, acknowledging that Canute would come with a large force that summer and that they could not depend on the country people's fidelity.

  "We must not conceal from ourselves," said he, "that Canute will come here this summer; and that he has, as ye all know, a large force, and we have at present but few men to oppose to him""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 180. King Canute'S Expedition To Norway.

• attestation: King Olaf was at Tunsberg when Canute's fleet sailed past.

  "King Olaf was in Tunsberg when Canute's fleet sailed across the mouth of the fjord"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 183. Of The Messengers Sent By King Olaf For His Ships.

• attestation: Olaf's men retrieved his ships from Gautland, taking the best vessels and burning the rest.

  "The men whom King Olaf had sent eastwards to Gautland after his ships took with them the vessels they thought the best, and burnt the rest"

• attestation: Olaf hid his fleet in a branch of Oslo fjord called Drafn while Canute's fleet sailed past.

  "King Olaf steered with his fleet into Oslo fjord, and into a branch of it called Drafn, where he lay quiet until King Canute's fleet had sailed southwards again"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 184. Of King Olaf In His Proceedings.

• attestation: Olaf sailed from Tunsberg after Canute returned to Denmark, with only thirteen ships.

  "King Olaf sailed with his ships out to Tunsberg, as soon as he heard that King Canute had turned back, and was gone south to Denmark. He then made himself ready with the men who liked to follow him, and had then thirteen ships"

• attestation: Olaf got few men and little money, as only those on islands and outlying points would follow him.

  "got little money, and few men, as those only followed him who dwelt in islands, or on outlying points of land"

• attestation: This was in the beginning of winter 1029.

  "This was in the beginning of winter (A.D. 1029)"

• attestation: Olaf waited long at the Seley islands for favorable winds.

  "they lay long in the Seley islands, where they heard the news from the North"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 185. Of King Olaf'S Voyage.

• attestation: On Thomasmas before Yule (December 21), Olaf sailed northward past Jadar in rainy weather.

  "On Thomasmas, before Yule (Dec. 21), the king left the harbour as soon as day appeared. With a good but rather strong gale he sailed northwards past Jadar"

• attestation: Olaf's ships were heavily laden and waterlogged from being at sea all summer, autumn, and winter.

  "the king's ships were heavily laden, and were besides water-soaked, having been in the sea the whole summer, autumn, and winter, up to this time"

• attestation: Olaf ordered sails lowered and booms unshipped to lure Erling into pursuing alone.

  "He hailed from ship to ship the orders to let the sails gently sink, and to unship the booms and outriggers"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 186. Of Erling Skjalgson'S Fall.

• attestation: Olaf steered into Bokn fjord and ambushed Erling by hiding his ships behind a rocky point.

  "King Olaf then steered in towards the Bokn fjord, by which the ships came out of sight of each other. Thereafter the king ordered his men to strike the sails, and row forwards through a narrow sound that was there, and all the ships lay collected within a rocky point"

• attestation: Olaf's fleet surrounded Erling's ship and attacked, with Erling's men suffering heavy losses.

  "the king's fleet surrounded his ship on all sides. Then the fight began, and it was of the sharpest; but soon the greatest loss was among Erling's men"

• attestation: Olaf himself was among the foremost in the boarding fight.

  "The king himself was amongst the foremost in the fray"

• attestation: Olaf offered Erling the chance to re-enter his service after the battle.

  "Then said the king, "Wilt thou enter into my service, Erling?""

• attestation: Olaf struck Erling in the chin with his battle-axe, marking him as a traitor.

  "The king struck him in the chin with the sharp point of his battle-axe, and said, "I shall mark thee as a traitor to thy sovereign.""

• attestation: Olaf rebuked Aslak, saying the stroke had struck Norway out of Olaf's hands.

  "The king said to Aslak, "May all ill luck attend thee for that stroke; for thou hast struck Norway out of my hands.""

• attestation: Olaf forbade plundering the slain and ordered departure before Erling's bonde fleet arrived.

  ""We will not plunder the slain," says he, "and each man may keep what he has taken.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 187. Of The Insurrection Of Agder District.

• attribution: Olaf composed a verse after the battle reflecting that Erling deserved his fate for breaking fealty.

  "The far-descended Erling's life Too soon has fallen; but, in the strife He met the luck they well deserve Who from their faith and fealty swerve."

• attestation: Olaf sailed north to the Herey Isles beyond Stad, where he learned Earl Hakon had a great force in Throndhjem.

  "King Olaf continued his voyage until he came north of Stad, and brought up at the Herey Isles. Here he heard the news that Earl Hakon had a great war-force in Throndhjem"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 188. Death Of Aslak Fitiaskalle.

• attestation: Olaf went to Steinavag while Aslak Fitiaskalle ran into Borgund for the night.

  "the king went into Steinavag, and remained there all night; but Aslak Fitiaskalle ran into Borgund, where he remained the night"

• attestation: Olaf's scouts saw a great armament of ships approaching from the north around Bjarney Island.

  "when they came to the top, and looked northwards to Bjarney Island, they perceived that a great armament of many ships was coming from the north"

• attestation: Olaf had only twelve ships against the bonde army's twenty-five.

  "The king, who was lying there with only twelve ships, ordered the war-horn to sound"

• attestation: Olaf retreated to Todar fjord and brought up at Valdal, where he had only five ships left.

  "King Olaf, however, proceeded on his way without stopping until he came to Todar fjord, where he brought up at Valdal, and landed from his ship. He had then five ships with him"

• attestation: Olaf drew up his ships at Valdal and set up camp at a point called Sult.

  "he drew up upon the shore, and took care of their sails and materials. Then he set up his land-tent upon a point of land called Sult"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 189. Clearing Of The Urd.

• attestation: King Olaf traveled on foot with his people until he came to a place called Krosbrekka where he rested and looked over the fjord

  "He went thus until he came to a place called Krosbrekka, and when he came up upon the hill he rested himself, sat down there a while, looked down over the fjord"

• attribution: Olaf accused the lendermen of having changed their fealty despite recently being his friends

  "A difficult expedition ye have thrown upon my hands, ye lendermen, who have now changed your fealty, although but a little while ago ye were my friends and faithful to me."

• attestation: Two crosses were erected on the bank where King Olaf sat at Krosbrekka

  "There are now two crosses erected upon the bank on which the king sat."

• attestation: King Olaf asked Bruse if there was a summer hut nearby where they could remain

  "the king asked Bruse if there was no summer hut of cattle-herds in the neighbourhood, where they could remain"

• attestation: The king's men tried for two days to clear the urd called Skerfsurd but could not make progress with the wagons

  "so they continued there the second night, during which, for the whole night, the king was occupied in prayer"

• attestation: The king's kitchen-master reported only two carcasses of young cattle remained to feed 400 of the king's men and 100 bondes

  "there were only two carcasses of young cattle remaining of provision: "Although you, sire, have 400 men, and there are 100 bondes besides.""

• attestation: King Olaf made the sign of the cross over each kettle of food, miraculously multiplying the provisions

  "the king went there, and made the sign of the cross over each kettle, and told them to make ready the meat"

• attestation: After King Olaf's prayer, twenty men could handle stones which before one hundred men could not move, and the road was cleared before midday

  "now twenty men could handle stones which before 100 men could not move from the place; and thus before midday the road was cleared"

• attestation: Near the rock called Olaf's Rock is a spring where Olaf washed himself, believed to cure sick cattle

  "Near the rock is a spring, at which Olaf washed himself; and therefore at the present day, when the cattle in the valley are sick, their illness is made better by their drinking at this well."

• attestation: At the sheeling called Groningar, a spirit cried out that Olaf's prayers were burning it, causing it to flee forever

  "Now Olaf's prayers are burning me," says the spirit, "so that I can no longer be in my habitation; now must I fly, and never more come to this fold.""

• attribution: King Olaf prophesied that a farm settled at Groningar would never want for sustenance and would never have its crops destroyed by frost

  "Here shall now a farm be settled, and the bonde who dwells here shall never want what is needful for the support of life; and never shall his crop be destroyed by frost"

• attestation: King Olaf proceeded over the mountains to a farm called Einby where he stayed the night

  "the king proceeded over the mountains, and came to a farm called Einby, where he remained for the night"

• attestation: King Olaf had been fifteen years king of Norway from 1015 to 1029, including the year he and Svein were both in the country

  "King Olaf had then been fifteen years king of Norway (A.D. 1015-1029), including the year both he and Svein were in the country"

• attestation: It was just past Yule when the king left his ships and traveled overland

  "a little past Yule when the king left his ships and took to the land, as before related"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 190. Olaf'S Prophecies.

• attestation: King Olaf traveled from Lesjar through Gudbrandsdal and then to Redemark, where many of his former supporters separated from him

  "When the king had been one night at Lesjar he proceeded on his journey with his men, day by day; first into Gudbrandsdal, and from thence out to Redemark."

• attestation: Many Upland people resented Olaf for putting Thorer to death

  "it could be seen clearly in many Upland people that they took very ill his putting Thorer to death"

• attribution: Olaf predicted that Earl Hakon would rule Norway only a short time and that Canute the Great would die within a few years with his kingdoms vanishing

  "I think," says he, "that Earl Hakon will have Norway but a short time under his power"

• attestation: Queen Astrid, daughter Ulfhild, son Magnus, Ragnvald Brusason, and the three sons of Arne (Thorberg, Fin, and Arne) accompanied Olaf eastward through Eid forest

  "there were along with him the Queen Astrid; their daughter Ulfhild; Magnus, King Olaf's son; Ragnvald Brusason; the three sons of Arne, Thorberg, Fin, and Arne"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 191. King Olaf Proceeds To Russia.

• attestation: King Olaf traveled eastward from Norway through Eid forest to Vermaland, then to Vatnsby, and through forests to Nerike district

  "he went first from Norway eastward through Eid forest to Vermaland, then to Vatnsby, and through the forests in which there are roads, until he came out in Nerike district."

• attestation: Olaf stayed with Sigtryg all spring of 1029, then sailed to Russia to King Jarisleif and Queen Ingegerd

  "Olaf stayed with Sigtryg all spring (A.D. 1029); and when summer came he made ready for a journey, procured a ship for himself, and without stopping went on to Russia to King Jarisleif and his queen Ingegerd"

• attestation: In exile, Olaf turned his mind entirely to God's service, having formerly been occupied with freeing Norway from foreign chiefs and converting the people

  "he turned all his mind to God's service; for he was not distracted by other thoughts, or by the labour he formerly had upon his hands"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 192. Causes Of The Revolt Against King Olaf.

• attestation: It had been an old Norwegian custom that sons of lendermen went out in war-ships to plunder, but King Olaf abolished all such raiding within the country

  "It had been an old custom in Norway that the sons of lendermen, or other great men, went out in war-ships to gather property, and they marauded both in the country and out of the country. But after King Olaf came to the sovereignty he protected the country, so that he abolished all plundering there"

• attestation: Olaf punished great and small with equal severity, which the chief people found too harsh, leading to hostility when they lost relatives to the king's just sentences

  "He punished great and small with equal severity, which appeared to the chief people of the country too severe; and animosity rose to the highest when they lost relatives by the king's just sentence"

• attestation: King Olaf would rather renounce his dignity than omit righteous judgment

  "He again would rather renounce his dignity than omit righteous judgment."

• attestation: The accusation that Olaf was stingy was unjust, as he was generous to his friends; the true cause of discontent was his harsh retributions

  "The accusation against him, of being stingy with his money, was not just, for he was a most generous man towards his friends; but that alone was the cause of the discontent raised against him, that he appeared hard and severe in his retributions."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 197. Bjorn The Marshal'S Journey.

• attestation: Olaf forgave Bjorn but told him to reconcile his perjury with God, observing that if even men like Bjorn could be turned false, few in Norway had kept faith.

  ""Stand up, Bjorn' thou shalt be reconciled with me; but reconcile thy perjury with God. I can see that but few men in Norway have held fast by their fealty, when such men as thou art could be false to me.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 198. Of King Olaf.

• attestation: In Russia, King Jarisleif and Queen Ingegerd offered Olaf a kingdom called Vulgaria, a heathen part of Russia, but his men urged him to return to Norway instead.

  "King Jarisleif and Queen Ingegerd offered him to remain with them, and receive a kingdom called Vulgaria, which is a part of Russia, and in which land the people were still heathen."

• attestation: Olaf privately contemplated laying down his royal dignity to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem or enter a monastic order, yet his deepest desire was to recover his Norwegian kingdom.

  "the king himself had resolved almost in his own mind to lay down his royal dignity, to go out into the world to Jerusalem, or other holy places, and to enter into some order of monks."

• attestation: Olaf reflected that his first ten years of reign had been prosperous but everything thereafter became heavy, difficult, and hard, making him doubt his luck.

  "it recurred to his mind how all things had gone prosperously with him during the first ten years of his reign, and how afterwards every thing he undertook became heavy, difficult, and hard"

• attestation: Unable to resolve his course, Olaf left his cause to God, praying that He would determine what was best.

  "he left his cause to God, praying that He would do what to Him seemed best."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 199. Of King Olaf'S Dream.

• attestation: Olaf lay awake anxiously deliberating his future until a light sleep came near morning, during which he had a vision of a splendid man standing by his bed whom he recognized as Olaf Trygvason.

  "Then he saw a great and superb man, in splendid clothes, standing by his bed; and it came into the king's mind that this was King Olaf Trygvason who had come to him."

• attestation: After the vision Olaf's courage rose and he firmly resolved to return to Norway, a decision his men joyfully approved.

  "From this time the king's courage rose, and he fixed firmly his resolution to return to Norway; to which his inclination also tended most, and which he also found was the desire of all his men."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 200. Of King Olaf'S Healing Powers.

• attestation: While in Russia, King Olaf was asked by a widow to heal her son's dangerous boil on the neck; the queen had directed the woman to Olaf as the best physician available.

  "The boy's mother went to Queen Ingegerd, with whom she was acquainted, and showed her the lad. The queen said she knew no remedy for it. "Go," said she, "to King Olaf, he is the best physician here""

• attestation: Olaf initially protested he was not a physician, but at the queen's request laid hands on the boy's neck, then placed bread in the sign of the cross on his palm and fed it to the boy.

  "Then the king took a piece of bread, laid it in the figure of the cross upon the palm of his hand, and put it into the boy's mouth."

• attestation: The boy swallowed the bread, all soreness left his neck, and he was well within days; this established Olaf's reputation for healing power in his hands and was later counted among his miracles.

  "He swallowed it down, and from that time all the soreness left his neck, and in a few days he was quite well"

• attestation: This healing was considered among the first signs of Olaf's miraculous healing touch, later universally acknowledged alongside his other miracles.

  "Then first came Olaf into the repute of having as much healing power in his hands as is ascribed to men who have been gifted by nature with healing by the touch"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 201. King Olaf Burns The Wood Shavings On His Hand For His Sabbath Breach.

• attestation: King Olaf fell into deep thought on a Sunday and unconsciously whittled fir-wood splinters with a knife while sitting at the dinner table.

  "It happened one Sunday that the king sat in his highseat at the dinner table, and had fallen into such deep thought that he did not observe how time went. In one hand he had a knife, and in the other a piece of fir-wood from which he cut splinters from time to time."

• attestation: A table-servant reminded Olaf it was Sunday by saying 'It is Monday, sire, to-morrow'; realizing his Sabbath breach, Olaf gathered the shavings and burned them on his bare hand as self-punishment.

  "Then the king ordered a lighted candle to be brought him, swept together all the shavings he had made, set them on fire, and let them burn upon his naked hand"

• attestation: Olaf's act of burning the shavings on his hand demonstrated his determination to hold fast by God's law and not trespass without punishment.

  "showing thereby that he would hold fast by God's law and commandment, and not trespass without punishment on what he knew to be right."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 202. Of King Olaf.

• attestation: King Olaf announced his intention to return to Norway; Jarisleif and Ingegerd tried to dissuade him, offering as much power in their dominions as he desired.

  "When King Olaf had resolved on his return home, he made known his intention to King Jarisleif and Queen Ingegerd. They dissuaded him from this expedition"

• attestation: Olaf told Jarisleif and Ingegerd of his dream as evidence that returning was God's will; when they saw he was determined, they offered all assistance he would accept.

  "Then King Olaf told them of his dream; adding, that he believed it to be God's will and providence that it should be so."

• attestation: Olaf thanked them warmly and accepted what was necessary for his undertaking from the Russian king and queen.

  "The king thanked them in many fine words for their good will; and said that he accepted from them, with no ordinary pleasure, what might be necessary for his undertaking."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 203. Of King Olaf'S Journey From Russia.

• attestation: After Yule 1030, King Olaf departed Russia with about 200 men; King Jarisleif provided horses and provisions, and Olaf left his son Magnus behind with the Russian king.

  "Immediately after Yule (A.D. 1080), King Olaf made himself ready; and had about 200 of his men with him. King Jarisleif gave him all the horses, and whatever else he required"

• attestation: Olaf sailed from the coast to the island of Gotland, where he heard that Earl Hakon was confirmed missing and Norway was without a ruler.

  "When Olaf came to the island of Gotland with his ships he heard the news--which was told as truth, both in Svithjod, Denmark, and over all Norway--that Earl Hakon was missing, and Norway without a head."

• attestation: From Gotland Olaf sailed to the Maelar lake and Aros in Sweden, sending men to King Onund; Astrid also came to meet him and there was great joy on all sides.

  "From thence they sailed, when the wind suited, to Svithjod, and went into the Maelar lake, to Aros, and sent men to the Swedish King Onund appointing a meeting."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 206. Of The Chief People In Norway.

• attestation: Norwegian chiefs kept spies in Sweden and Denmark to track King Olaf's movements; as soon as his arrival in Sweden was confirmed, a war message-token went round the land calling a levy.

  "The chiefs in Norway had their spies east in Svithjod, and south in Denmark, to find out if King Olaf had come from Russia."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 208. Of King Olaf'S Proceedings In Svithjod.

• attestation: In spring 1030, spies confirmed that Norway offered no safety for Olaf, but he remained firmly resolved to return despite all dissuasion.

  "King Olaf was in Svithjod in spring (A.D. 1030), and had sent spies from thence to Norway. All accounts from that quarter agreed that there was no safety for him if he went there"

• attestation: Olaf accepted Onund's offer and prepared for the march; Queen Astrid and Ulfhild the king's daughter remained behind in Sweden.

  "King Olaf accepted this offer, and got ready for his march. Queen Astrid, and Ulfhild the king's daughter, remained behind in Svithjod."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 209. King Olaf Advances To Jarnberaland.

• attestation: King Olaf received the 400 Swedish soldiers from King Onund and followed the route the Swedes showed him into the forests, reaching a district called Jarnberaland.

  "Just as King Olaf began his journey the men came to him whom the Swedish king had given, in all 400 men, and the king took the road the Swedes showed him."

• attestation: At Jarnberaland Olaf met his brother Harald and other relations who had come from Norway; their combined force was 1200 men and the meeting was joyful.

  "Here the people joined him who had come out of Norway to meet him, as before related; and he met here his brother Harald, and many other of his relations, and it was a joyful meeting. They made out together 1200 men."

• attestation: Olaf advanced upward through the forests following the route the Swedes showed him before reaching Jarnberaland where the Norwegian contingent awaited.

  "He advanced upwards in the country to the forests, and came to a district called Jarnberaland."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 210. Of Dag Hringson.

• attestation: Both Hring and Dag had settled in Sweden and received land to rule; Olaf sent Dag a message promising him a share of the Norwegian kingdom no smaller than his forefathers had held.

  "if they gained the country of Norway again, Dag should have no smaller part of the kingdom under him than his forefathers had enjoyed."

• attestation: Dag was described as quick-speaking and quick-resolving, eager but of little understanding; he collected almost 1200 men and joined King Olaf.

  "Dag was a quick-speaking, quick-resolving man, mixing himself up in everything; eager, but of little understanding. He collected a force of almost 1200 men, with which he joined King Olaf."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 211. Of King Olaf'S Journey.

• attestation: King Olaf sent messages ahead promising goods, money, and lands taken from his enemies to any who would follow him on his march.

  "King Olaf sent a message before him to all the inhabited places he passed through, that the men who wished to get goods and money, and share of booty, and the lands besides which now were in the hands of his enemies, should come to him"

• attestation: Olaf led his army through forests, desert moors, and over large lakes, dragging boats from lake to lake; many followers joined including forest settlers and vagabonds.

  "Thereafter King Olaf led his army through forests, often over desert moors, and often over large lakes; and they dragged, or carried the boats, from lake to lake."

• attestation: The halting places were afterwards called Olaf's Booths; the army proceeded through Jamtaland then north over the mountain keel-ridge.

  "The places at which he halted for the night are since called Olaf's Booths. He proceeded without any break upon his journey until he came to Jamtaland"

• attestation: Dag proceeded with his men on a separate line of march, the Swedes on a third route, while the Northmen always accompanied the king.

  "Dag proceeded with his men on another line of march, and the Swedes on a third with their troop."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 212. Of Vagabond-Men.

• attestation: Olaf told them to accept baptism or leave; Afrafaste refused Christianity and departed, but Gauka-Thorer was ashamed to be rejected and joined the rear with other forest-men.

  "Afrafaste said he would not take on Christianity, and he turned away.

Then said Gauka-Thorer, "It is a great shame that the king drives us thus away from his army""

• attestation: Olaf called it a great pity that such brave fighters did not believe in Christ their Creator, but maintained his requirement of baptism before service.

  "The king replies, "A great pity it is that such brave slaughtering fellows did not believe in Christ their Creator.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 213. Of King Olaf'S Vision.

• attestation: As Olaf descended the western side of the mountain ridge toward the sea, he rode in silence for much of the day, a marked departure from his usual cheerful, talkative manner on journeys.

  "He was silent, and nobody spoke to him, and thus he rode a great part of the day without looking much about him."

• attestation: When the bishop asked why he was so silent, Olaf described a vision in which he first saw all of Throndhjem, then all Norway, then the entire world including places he had never heard of.

  "It appeared to me at first as if I saw over all the Throndhjem country, and then over all Norway; and the longer this vision was before my eyes the farther, methought, I saw, until I looked over the whole wide world, both land and sea."

• attestation: The bishop declared Olaf's expanding vision of the world was holy and very remarkable.

  "The bishop replied that this was a holy vision, and very remarkable."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 214. Of The Miracle On The Corn Land.

• attestation: Descending the mountain, King Olaf reached a farm called Sula at the highest part of Veradal district and ordered his people to proceed carefully so as not to destroy the bondes' corn.

  "When the king had come lower down on the mountain, there lay a farm before him called Sula, on the highest part of Veradal district"

• attestation: Olaf rode around the trampled field and prophesied that God would repair the loss so the field would be better within a week; the prophecy proved true and it became the best of the corn.

  "he rode round the field, and said, "I expect, bonde, that God will repair thy loss, so that the field, within a week, will be better;" and it proved the best of the corn, as the king had said."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 215. Of The Baptism Of The Vagabond Forest-Men.

• attestation: At Staf's moor King Olaf mustered his forces and found 900 heathen men in the army; he ordered them to accept baptism, saying he would have no heathens in battle.

  "He mustered his force here, and, after reckoning them up, found there were in the army 900 heathen men, and when he came to know it he ordered them to allow themselves to be baptized"

• attestation: Of the 900 heathens, 400 agreed to be baptized while 500 refused Christianity and returned home.

  "at last 400 men agreed to be baptized; but 500 men refused to adopt Christianity, and that body returned home to their land."

• attribution: Olaf declared confidence must be placed in God alone, not in numbers, for through God's power and favour they must be victorious.

  ""We must not," says he, "put our confidence in numbers, but in God alone must we trust; for through his power and favour we must be victorious""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 216. King Olaf'S Speech.

• attestation: After mustering more than 3000 men, King Olaf arranged his battle order: his banner in the centre with court-men and Upland forces, Dag Hringson on the right with a second banner, and the Swedish contingent on the left with a third.

  "I will let my banner go forward in the middle of the army, and my-court-men, and pursuivants shall follow it, together with the war forces that joined us from the Uplands"

• attribution: Olaf ordered all men marked with a holy cross painted in white on their helmets and shields as a field-token, with the battle cry 'Forward, forward, Christian men! cross men! king's men!'

  "We will have all our men distinguished by a mark, so as to be a field-token upon their helmets and shields, by painting the holy cross thereupon with white colour. When we come into battle we shall all have one countersign and field-cry,--'Forward, forward, Christian men! cross men! king's men!'"

• attestation: Olaf instructed his men to divide into separate flocks by relations and acquaintances who could defend each other best, and to form thinner ranks to avoid being surrounded by the larger bonde army.

  "We must draw up our meal in thinner ranks, because we have fewer people, and I do not wish to let them surround us with their men."

• attestation: The army arrayed itself according to the king's orders and was to remain fully armed night and day until battle.

  "When the king had finished speaking, the army arrayed, and arranged itself according to the king's orders."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 217. King Olaf'S Counsel.

• attestation: Scouts reported that the entire countryside was stripped of fighting men who had joined the bondes' army; most who remained refused to follow either side.

  "all around the country was stripped of all men able to carry arms, as all the people had joined the bondes' army"

• attestation: King Olaf rejected Fin Arnason's scorched-earth proposal, distinguishing this treason from earlier pagan resistance where he had justly burned habitations to defend God's honour.

  ""The bondes have well deserved that it should be done to them as ye desire. They also know that I have formerly done so, burning their habitations, and punishing them severely in many ways; but then I proceeded against them with fire and sword because they rejected the true faith""

• attribution: Olaf argued that treason against a sovereign was a lesser crime than rejecting the faith, and that it was more in his power to spare those who wronged him than those God hated.

  ""But this treason against their sovereign is a much less grievous crime, although it does not become men who have any manhood in them to break the faith and vows they have sworn to me.""

• attestation: Olaf proposed instead to proceed gently, seek reconciliation first, and only if battle came, to win and inherit full houses rather than fight encumbered with plunder.

  ""I will, therefore, that my people proceed gently, and commit no ravage. First, I will proceed to meet the bondes; if we can then come to a reconciliation, it is well""

• attestation: Olaf ordered Dag to take the north side down the valley while he himself went along the main road, planning to reunite at nightfall; he permitted killing enemy spies but forbade pillaging.

  ""Dag and his people shall go by the north side down along the valley, and I will go on along the country road, and so we shall meet in the evening, and all have one night quarter.""

• attribution: Olaf argued strategically that burnt property serves no one, while victorious soldiers would inherit enemy estates: 'what is burnt is of use to no man.'

  ""then it will be good to enter into full houses and well-stocked farms; but what is burnt is of use to no man, and with pillage and force more is wasted than what turns to use.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 218. Of King Olaf'S Skalds.

• attestation: King Olaf formed a shield rampart of his strongest and boldest men to defend him in battle, then ordered his skalds to stand within this defense to witness events firsthand.

  "when King Olaf drew up his men in battle order, he made a shield rampart with his troop that should defend him in battle, for which he selected the strongest and boldest."

• attribution: Thorrood composed a verse rousing the men with 'Up! brave men, up! with Olaf on!' declaring that even faint hearts find courage when danger is near.

  "The whistling arrows pipe to battle, Sword and shield their war-call rattle. Up! brave men, up! the faint heart here Finds courage when the danger's near."

• attestation: The king ordered the skalds to remain within the shield defense so they would be eyewitnesses rather than relying on others' reports for their future verses.

  ""Ye shall." says the king, "remain here, and see the circumstances which may take place, and then ye will not have to follow the reports of others in what ye afterwards tell or sing concerning it.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 219. Of King Olaf'S Gifts For The Souls Of Those Who Should Be Slain.

• attestation: King Olaf's army marched down through the valley, sleeping under their shields at night; many bondes came to the king and most joined his army, all reporting that the lendermen had collected an enormous force.

  "Many bondes then came to the king, of whom the most joined his army; and all, as one man, told the same tale,--that the lendermen had collected an enormous army"

• attestation: Olaf gave many marks of silver to a bonde to be distributed to churches, priests, and alms-men as gifts for the souls of enemy bondes who would fall in battle against him.

  ""This money thou shalt conceal, and afterwards lay out, some to churches, some to priests, some to alms-men,--as gifts for the life and souls of those who fight against us, and may fall in battle.""

• attribution: When the bonde asked if the money should be given for his own men's souls, Olaf declared that his own fallen followers would all be saved together with himself.

  ""This money shall be given for the souls of those who stand against us in the ranks of the bondes' army, and fall by the weapons of our own men. The men who follow us to battle, and fall therein, will all be saved together with ourself.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 220. Of Thormod Kolbrunarskald.

• attestation: The night before battle, King Olaf lay long awake in prayer, sleeping little; at dawn he asked Thormod the skald to sing, and Thormod sang the old Bjarkamal so loudly the whole army could hear.

  ""Sing us a song," said the king. Thormod raised himself up, and sang so loud that the whole army could hear him. He began to sing the old "Bjarkamal""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 221. King Olaf Comes To Stiklestad.

• attestation: King Olaf led his army down through the valley to Stiklestad, where he saw the bonde army spread on every footpath with enormous numbers, while Dag and his men went another way.

  "King Olaf led his army farther down through the valley, and Dag and his men went another way, and the king did not halt until he came to Stiklestad. There he saw the bonde army spread out all around"

• attestation: A scouting party led by Hrut of Viggia with thirty men came close enough to be recognized; Olaf ordered his pursuivants to kill Hrut, punning on his name meaning 'young ram' by calling him a sheep to slaughter.

  "It was Hrut of Viggia, with thirty men. The king ordered his pursuivants to go out against Hrut, and make an end of him"

• attestation: Olaf told the Icelanders that just as Icelandic bondes give servants a sheep to slaughter, he was giving them a ram (Hrut) to slaughter; they went out and killed Hrut and his troop.

  ""It is told me that in Iceland it is the custom that the bondes give their house-servants a sheep to slaughter; now I give you a ram to slaughter.""

• attestation: At Stiklestad, Olaf deployed his army for battle with Dag's wing absent; he suggested his fifteen-year-old brother Harald should not fight, but Harald insisted.

  ""It appears to me advisable," says the king, "that Harald my brother should not be in the battle, for he is still in the years of childhood only.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 222. Of Thorgils Halmason.

• attestation: Olaf declined Thorgils's battle offer, instead asking him to tend the wounded, bury the dead, and care for Olaf's own body should he fall.

  ""I would rather," says the king, "thou shouldst not be in the fight. Do us rather the service to take care of the people who are wounded, and to bury those who may fall, when the battle is over.""

• attestation: Olaf specifically asked Thorgils to care for his body if he fell in battle, and Thorgils promised to do as the king desired.

  ""Should it happen, bonde, that I fall in this battle, bestow the care on my body that may be necessary, if that be not forbidden thee." Thorgils promised the king what he desired."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 223. Olaf'S Speech.

• attribution: Before battle at Stiklestad, King Olaf declared he would never flee but would either be victorious over the bondes or fall in the fight.

  ""This I will make known to you solemnly, that I shall not fly from this battle, but shall either be victorious over the bondes, or fall in the fight.""

• attribution: Olaf argued their cause was more just than the bondes' and that God would either protect them or give a far higher recompense than what they might lose in this world.

  ""With this we may encourage ourselves, that we have a more just cause than the bondes; and likewise that God must either protect us and our cause in this battle, or give us a far higher recompense""

• attestation: Olaf promised to reward each man according to his bravery if victorious, with enemy lands and movables to divide; he urged a sharp first assault since their smaller force could not afford a prolonged fight.

  ""if we gain the victory, there must be land and movables enough to divide among you, and which are now in the hands of your enemies. Let us at the first make the hardest onset, for then the consequences are soon seen.""

• attestation: Olaf explained that their smaller army could expect victory only from a sharp assault, since the bondes could relieve their men in rotation while Olaf's army could not.

  ""There being a great difference in the numbers, we have to expect victory from a sharp assault only; and, on the other hand, it will be heavy work for us to fight until we are tired, and unable to fight longer""

• attestation: Olaf's speech was received with loud applause and the men encouraged one another for battle.

  "When the king had ended his speech it was received with loud applause, and the one encouraged the other."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 225. Of King Olaf'S Armour.

• attestation: King Olaf wore a gold-mounted helmet and carried a white shield inlaid with a gold holy cross.

  "He had a gold-mounted helmet on his head; and had in one hand a white shield, on which the holy cross was inlaid in gold."

• attestation: Olaf carried a lance that was later preserved beside the altar in Christ Church.

  "In his other hand he had a lance, which to the present day stands beside the altar in Christ Church."

• attestation: Olaf's sword was called Hneiter, remarkably sharp with a gold-worked handle.

  "In his belt he had a sword, which was called Hneiter, which was remarkably sharp, and of which the handle was worked with gold."

• attestation: Olaf also wore a strong coat of ring-mail into battle.

  "He had also a strong coat of ring-mail."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 226. King Olaf'S Dream.

• attestation: Before the battle, King Olaf rested his head on Fin Arnason's knee and fell asleep while waiting for the bondes' army.

  "He leaned down, and laid his head upon Fin Arnason's knee. There a slumber came upon him, and he slept a little while"

• attestation: Olaf dreamed he climbed a high ladder reaching to heaven, and had reached the highest step when awakened.

  "he seemed to see a high ladder, upon which he went so high in the air that heaven was open: for so high reached the ladder."

• attestation: Olaf rebuked Fin for waking him, saying the bondes were not yet near enough to warrant it.

  "Why did you waken me, Fin, and did not allow me to enjoy my dream?"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 228. Concerning The Army Collected In Norway.

• attestation: The lendermen and bondes assembled a vast host in the Throndhjem country when they learned King Olaf had returned from Russia and reached Jamtaland.

  "the lendermen and bondes had collected a vast host as soon as it was reported that King Olaf was come from Russia, and had arrived in Svithjod"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 230. Bishop Sigurd'S Speech.

• attestation: Sigurd charged that Olaf had set himself against King Canute's scat-lands and against Olaf the Swedish king.

  "even against King Canute, whom all are bound to serve according to their ability, and in whose scat-lands he set himself down. He did the same to Olaf the Swedish king."

• attestation: Sigurd accused Olaf of driving Earls Svein and Hakon from their heritages and driving all the Upland kings from their kingdoms.

  "He drove the earls Svein and Hakon away from their heritages; and was even most tyrannical towards his own connections, as he drove all the kings out of the Uplands"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 236. Of The King'S And The Bondes' Armies.

• attestation: King Olaf also delayed his attack, waiting for Dag and his men to arrive.

  "King Olaf also made no attack, for he waited for Dag and the people who followed him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 237. Meeting Of The King And The Bondes.

• attestation: King Olaf confronted Kalf across the battle lines, reminding him they had parted as friends in More and that four of Kalf's brothers stood with Olaf.

  "Why art thou here, Kalf, for we parted good friends south in More? It beseems thee ill to fight against us, or to throw a spear into our army; for here are four of thy brothers."

• attestation: King Olaf rebuked Thorgeir, saying fate had not decreed Thorgeir a victory that day, and reminding him that Olaf had raised him from a mean station.

  "Thou hast no occasion to hasten so much to meet us; for fate has not decreed to thee to-day a victory over me, who raised thee to power and dignity from a mean station."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 238. Beginning Of The Battle Of Stiklestad.

• attestation: The king's men raised the war-shout 'Forward, forward, Christ-men! cross-men! king's men!'

  "the king's men raised also a war-shout; and that done, encouraged each other to advance, crying out, "Forward, forward, Christ-men! cross-men! king's men!""

• attestation: Olaf's army charged downhill from a rising ground so fiercely that the bondes' front line was pushed back.

  "King Olaf had drawn up his army upon a rising ground, and it rushed down from thence upon the bonde-army with such a fierce assault, that the bondes' array went before it"

• attestation: The king ordered Thord to carry the banner forward as the front ranks thinned, and followed with his best-armed men.

  "the king ordered Thord to carry the banner forward, and the king himself followed it with the troop he had chosen to stand nearest to him in battle"

• attestation: When Olaf came forth from behind the shield-wall, the bondes were frightened by his face and let their hands drop.

  "Olaf came forth from behind the shield-bulwark, and put himself at the head of the army; and when the bondes looked him in the face they were frightened, and let their hands drop."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 239. Thorgeir Of Kviststad'S Fall.

• attestation: King Olaf struck Thorgeir of Kviststad across the face, cutting off his helmet's nose-piece and cleaving his head below the eyes.

  "He struck the lenderman before mentioned (Thorgeir of Kviststad) across the face, cut off the nose-piece of his helmet, and clove his head down below the eyes so that they almost fell out."

• attestation: As Thorgeir fell, Olaf said he had been right that Thorgeir would not be victor in their meeting.

  "When he fell the king said, "Was it not true, Thorgeir, what I told thee, that thou shouldst not be victor in our meeting?""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 240. King Olaf'S Fall.

• attestation: King Olaf hewed at Thorer Hund across the shoulders but the sword would not cut through Thorer's reindeer-skin coat, as if dust flew from it.

  "King Olaf hewed at Thorer Hund, and struck him across the shoulders; but the sword would not cut, and it was as if dust flew from his reindeer-skin coat."

• attestation: Olaf told Marshal Bjorn to kill the 'dog' (Thorer Hund) on whom steel would not bite; Bjorn struck Thorer with the hammer of his axe.

  "The king said to Bjorn the marshal, "Do thou kill the dog on whom steel will not bite." Bjorn turned round the axe in his hands, and gave Thorer a blow with the hammer of it on the shoulder so hard that he tottered."

• attestation: Olaf gave his kinsman Olaf (Kalf's relation) a death-wound as he turned against Kalf's group.

  "The king at the same moment turned against Kalf and his relations, and gave Olaf his death-wound."

• attestation: After the leg wound, Olaf staggered to a stone, threw down his sword, and prayed God to help him.

  "The king after the wound staggered towards a stone, threw down his sword, and prayed God to help him."

• attestation: Three wounds killed King Olaf: the leg wound from Thorstein, the belly wound from Thorer, and the neck wound attributed to Kalf.

  "These three wounds were King Olaf's death; and after the king's death the greater part of the forces which had advanced with him fell with the king."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 242. King Olaf'S Miracle Shown To Thorer Hund.

• attestation: The king's blood ran onto Thorer's wounded hand and healed it so speedily that it needed no bandaging.

  "The king's blood came on Thorer's hand, and ran up between his fingers to where he had been wounded, and the wound grew up so speedily that it did not require to be bound up."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 248. Of Some Circumstances Of The Battle.

• attestation: King Olaf fell at the Battle of Stiklestad on Wednesday, July 29, A.D. 1030, with the fighting lasting from approximately half-past one until before three o'clock.

  "King Olaf fell on Wednesday, the 29th of July (A.D. 1030). It was near mid-day when the two armies met, and the battle began before half-past one, and before three the king fell."

• attestation: An unnatural darkness coincided with the battle, lasting from about half-past one to three, the same period during which the fighting took place.

  "The darkness continued from about half-past one to three also."

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed verses lamenting that King Olaf was slain by his own people, noting that of all the chiefs only Dag survived the battle.

  "The loss was great to England's foes, When their chief fell beneath the blows By his own thoughtless people given,-- When the king's shield in two was riven."

• attestation: The bondes resolved that all who fell with King Olaf should be denied proper burial and reckoned as robbers and outlaws, though men of power ignored this and removed their kin to churches.

  "they resolved among themselves that all who had fallen with the king should not receive the interment which belongs to good men, but reckoned them all robbers and outlaws. But the men who had power, and had relations on the field, cared little for this, but removed their remains to the churches, and took care of their burial."

• attestation: A dread came upon many of the bondes who had fought against the king immediately after the battle, even as they maintained their hostile stance.

  "immediately after the battle there came upon many of them who had been against the king a kind of dread as it were; yet they held by their evil inclination"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 249. A Miracle On A Blind Man.

• attestation: Many beggars and poor people had followed both armies and sought lodging around the neighbourhood after the battle.

  "A great many beggars and poor people had followed both armies, who begged for meat; and the evening after the battle many remained there, and sought lodging round about in all the houses, great or small."

• attestation: A blind beggar attended by a boy came to the empty hut where King Olaf's body lay hidden and had to creep through the low door.

  "a blind man who was poor, that a boy attended him and led him. They went out around the farm to seek a lodging, and came to the same empty house, of which the door was so low that they had almost to creep in."

• attestation: The blind man felt moisture on the floor of the hut, and when he wiped it on his eyes while pushing up his hat, his eyelids itched and he regained his sight.

  "He felt with his hands that there was moisture on the floor, and he put up his wet hand to raise his hat, and in doing so put his fingers on his eyes. There came immediately such an itching in his eyelids, that he wiped the water with his fingers from his eyes"

• attestation: Upon exiting the hut the blind man could distinguish his hands and nearby objects despite the darkness of night, confirming his sight had been restored.

  "When he came out of the hut he could distinguish his hands, and all that was near him, as far as things can be distinguished by sight in the darkness of light"

• attestation: The formerly blind man went to the farmhouse and told everyone he had regained his sight, and many people confirmed he had been blind for a long time.

  "he went immediately to the farm-house into the room, and told all the people he had got his sight again, and could see everything, although many knew he had been blind for a long time"

• attestation: The moisture on the floor of the hut where King Olaf's body was hidden served as the agent of the blind man's miraculous healing.

  "He said he first got his sight when he was coming out of a little ruinous hut which was all wet inside."

• attestation: This miracle of the blind man's healing was attributed to the sanctity of King Olaf's remains, representing one of the first posthumous signs of his holiness.

  "He said he first got his sight when he was coming out of a little ruinous hut which was all wet inside."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 251. Of King Olaf'S Body.

• attestation: A supernatural clear light burned at night over the spot on the battlefield where King Olaf's body had lain, and continued to appear over wherever the corpse was concealed.

  "The father and son had seen a clear light burning at night over the spot on the battlefield where King Olaf's body lay, and since, while they concealed it, they had always seen at night a light burning over the corpse"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 252. Of The Beginning Of King Svein Alfifason'S Government.

• attestation: Svein had already reached Viken when the Battle of Stiklestad was fought and King Olaf fell, and he continued north to Throndhjem by autumn.

  "He had already come as far as Viken at the time the battle was fought at Stiklestad, and King Olaf fell. Svein continued his journey until he came north, in autumn, to the Throndhjem country"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 253. Of King Svein'S Laws.

• attestation: When the laws were promulgated, the people who had not fought against King Olaf accused the Throndhjem men of having been promised peace and justice but instead receiving oppression and slavery.

  "Now take your reward and friendship from the Canute race, ye men of the interior Throndhjem who fought against King Olaf, and deprived him of his kingdom. Ye were promised peace and justice, and now ye have got oppression and slavery for your great treachery and crime."

• attestation: Public resentment against Svein's harsh laws was widespread but difficult to act on, as all men saw how miserable the change had been from Olaf's reign.

  "Nor was it very easy to contradict them, as all men saw how miserable the change had been."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 254. Of King Olaf'S Sanctity.

• attestation: In the winter of A.D. 1031, many people in the Throndhjem region began to declare that King Olaf was truly a holy man, confirmed by many miracles.

  "This winter (A.D. 1031) many in the Throndhjem land began to declare that Olaf was in reality a holy man, and his sanctity was confirmed by many miracles."

• attestation: People began making prayers and promises to King Olaf for help with health, journeys, and other needs, and many reported great benefit from these invocations.

  "Many began to make promises and prayers to King Olaf in the matters in which they thought they required help, and many found great benefit from these invocations. Some in respect of health, others of a journey, or other circumstances in which such help seemed needful."

• attestation: The emerging cult of Saint Olaf included invocations for healing, safe travel, and other practical needs, marking the beginning of his veneration as a saint.

  "Many began to make promises and prayers to King Olaf in the matters in which they thought they required help, and many found great benefit from these invocations."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 257. Bishop Sigurd'S Flight.

• attestation: In the summer of A.D. 1031, public opinion about King Olaf shifted dramatically, with many former opponents now believing in his sanctity.

  "The summer after (A.D. 1031) there was much talk about King Olaf's sanctity, and there was a great alteration in the expressions of all people concerning him."

• attestation: People turned their reproaches against those who had most actively opposed King Olaf, reflecting a collective shift in guilt and allegiance.

  "People began then to turn their reproaches against the men who had principally excited opposition to the king"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 258. King Olaf The Saint'S Remains Disinterred.

• attestation: When the grave was opened, the coffin had raised itself almost to the surface of the earth, appearing as new as if it had just been made.

  "the coffin had already raised itself almost to the surface of the earth. It was then the opinion of many that the bishop should proceed to have the king buried in the earth at Clement's church"

• attestation: King Olaf's holy remains were disinterred twelve months and five days after his death, on August 3, A.D. 1031.

  "Twelve months and five days (Aug. 3, A.D. 1031), after King Olaf's death his holy remains were dug up, and the coffin had raised itself almost entirely to the surface of the earth"

• attestation: The coffin appearing new and the body's incorruption were taken as further signs of King Olaf's sanctity.

  "the coffin appeared quite new, as if it had but lately been made. When Bishop Grimkel came to King Olaf's opened coffin, there was a delightful and fresh smell."

• attestation: A great many people were present in the town at the time of the disinterment, witnessing the miraculous state of the king's remains.

  "At that time there were a great many people in the town. The bishop, Einar, and some men with them, went to the place where the king's body was buried"

• attestation: The king's body was reburied at Clement's church following the opinions of many present at the disinterment.

  "It was then the opinion of many that the bishop should proceed to have the king buried in the earth at Clement's church; and it was so done."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 259. Of King Olaf'S Miracles.

• attestation: A beautiful spring of water appeared at the sand-hill where King Olaf's body had lain, and its waters cured many human ailments and infirmities.

  "In the sand-hill where King Olaf's body had lain on the ground a beautiful spring of water came up and many human ailments and infirmities were cured by its waters."

• attestation: A chapel with a consecrated altar was first built where the king's body had lain; Christ's church later stood on the same spot.

  "There was first a chapel built, and an altar consecrated, where the king's body had lain; but now Christ's church stands upon the spot."

• attestation: Olaf's church was said to stand on the spot where the empty house had been in which King Olaf's body was laid for the night after the battle.

  "It is said that Olaf's church stands on the spot on which the empty house had stood in which King Olaf's body had been laid for the night."

• attestation: The route over which King Olaf's holy remains were carried from the vessel became known as Olaf's Road and was located in the middle of the town.

  "The place over which the holy remains of King Olaf were carried up from the vessel is now called Olaf's Road, and is now in the middle of the town."

• attestation: The bishop adorned King Olaf's remains and cut his nails and hair, both of which had continued growing as if he were still alive.

  "The bishop adorned King Olaf's holy remains, and cut his nails and hair; for both grew as if he had still been alive."

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed verses testifying to the king's incorruption: his nails and yellow hair still growing, his cheeks still ruddy.

  "I lie not, when I say the king Seemed as alive in every thing: His nails, his yellow hair still growing, And round his ruddy cheek still flowing"

• attribution: Sigvat's verse references King Olaf's yellow locks adorned for the Russian queen, connecting his earthly appearance to his posthumous state.

  "As when, to please the Russian queen, His yellow locks adorned were seen; Or to the blind he cured he gave A tress, their precious sight to save."

• attestation: The holy spring was carefully preserved, and the water was organized around it as a site of veneration and healing.

  "Things were put in order around it, and the water ever since has been carefully preserved."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 260. Of King Olaf'S Age And Reign.

• attestation: Olaf the Saint reigned as king of Norway for fifteen years from the time Earl Svein left the country, though he had received the royal title from the Uplanders one winter before.

  "Olaf the Saint was king of Norway for fifteen years from the time Earl Svein left the country; but he had received the title of king from the people of the Uplands the winter before."

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed verses lamenting that King Olaf held the land for fifteen winters before falling in the North, declaring no worthier prince had ever ruled.

  "For fifteen winters o'er the land King Olaf held the chief command, Before he fell up in the North: His fall made known to us his worth."

• attestation: Saint Olaf was thirty-five years old when he fell, according to Are Frode the priest, and had fought in twenty pitched battles.

  "Saint Olaf was thirty-five years old when he fell, according to what Are Frode the priest says, and he had been in twenty pitched battles."

• attribution: Sigvat composed additional verses praising Olaf as God-fearing, noting he fought and won twenty pitched battles and always placed his Christian men on the right.

  "God-fearing Olaf fought and won Twenty pitched battles, one by one, And always placed upon his right His Christian men in a hard fight."

• attestation: The saga announces that King Olaf's miracles will be treated later in the work, marking a transition from his political biography to his saintly legacy.

  "Now shall we not neglect to mention what it was that most advanced his honour. This was his miracles; but these will come to be treated of afterwards in this book."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 261. Of The Throndhjem People.

• attestation: The rest of Norway accused the Throndhjem people of having caused King Olaf's fall and thereby brought Danish oppression and slavery upon the whole country.

  "the people of the rest of Norway accused the Throndhjem people of having principally occasioned King Olaf the Holy's fall, and also that the men of Norway were subject, through them, to the ill government by which oppression and slavery had come upon all the people"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 102. Of Olaf Haraldson'S Expedition To Norway.

• attestation: Olaf, son of Harald Sigurdson, sailed from Hrafnseyr in England to Orkney, where his half-sister Maria died suddenly on the same day and hour their father fell in battle.

  "Olaf, the son of King Harald Sigurdson, sailed with his fleet from England from Hrafnseyr, and came in autumn to the Orkney Isles, where the event had happened that Maria, a daughter of Harald Sigurdson, died a sudden death the very day and hour her father, King Harald, fell"

• attestation: Olaf wintered in Orkney, then sailed east to Norway where he was proclaimed king alongside his brother Magnus.

  "Olaf remained there all winter; but the summer after he proceeded east to Norway, where he was proclaimed king along with his brother Magnus"

• attestation: Olaf conferred on Skule lands at Konungahella, Oslo, Tunsberg, Sarpsborg, Bergen, and Nidaros.

  "conferred on him lands eastward at Konungahella, Oslo, Tunsberg, Sarpsborg, Bergen, and north at Nidaros"