The Heimskringla on Olaf Tryggvason

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > Of The Priest Are Frode

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason founded the merchant town of Nidaros (Throndhjem) at Nidarnes

  "King Olaf Trygvason afterwards laid the foundation of the merchant town of Nidaros (i.e., Throndhjem) which is now there."

• attestation: Eighty years had elapsed between Olaf Trygvason's fall and Bishop Isleif's death

  "at his death eighty years had elapsed since the fall of Olaf Trygvason."

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

• attestation: With Olaf Trygvason's Saga, the narrative becomes full and connected, and reliable history begins.

  "With Olaf Trygvason's Saga reliable history begins, and the narration is full and connected."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 5. Of Sigurd Eirikson.

• attestation: Olaf was separated from his mother and received by an Estonian man Klerkon, who killed old Thorolf and sold the boys onward.

  "Olaf was separated from his mother, and an Eistland man called Klerkon got him as his share along with Thorolf and Thorgils. Klerkon thought that Thorolf was too old for a slave, and that there was not much work to be got out of him, so he killed him"

• attestation: Olaf was bought by a man called Reas for a good cloak, and lived six years in Estonian captivity (967-972).

  "A third man, called Reas, bought Olaf for a good cloak. Reas had a wife called Rekon, and a son by her whose name was Rekone. Olaf was long with them, was treated well, and was much beloved by the people. Olaf was six years in Eistland in this banishment (A.D. 987-972)."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 6. Olaf Is Set Free In Eistland.

• attestation: Sigurd, collecting taxes for King Valdemar in Estonia, recognized Olaf as a remarkably handsome foreign boy in the marketplace.

  "Sigurd, the son of Eirik (Astrid's brother), came into Eistland from Novgorod, on King Valdemar's business to collect the king's taxes and rents. Sigurd came as a man of consequence, with many followers and great magnificence. In the market-place he happened to observe a remarkably handsome boy"

• attestation: Olaf identified himself as the son of Trygve Olafson and Astrid, daughter of Eirik Bjodaskalle.

  "his name was Olaf; that he was a son of Trygve Olafson; and Astrid, a daughter of Eirik Bjodaskalle, was his mother."

• attestation: Sigurd bought both Olaf and Thorgils from the peasant Reas and took them to Holmgard (Novgorod).

  "When he came there he bought both the boys, Olaf and Thorgils, and took them with him to Holmgard."

• attestation: Sigurd initially concealed Olaf's royal lineage but treated him well.

  "But, for the first, he made nothing known of Olaf's relationship to him, but treated him well."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 7. Klerkon Killed By Olaf.

• attestation: Olaf recognized Klerkon in the marketplace at Holmgard and split his skull with a small axe to avenge his foster-father Thorolf.

  "He recognized Klerkon again, who had killed his foster-father Thorolf Lusarskeg. Olaf had a little axe in his hand, and with it he clove Klerkon's skull down to the brain"

• attestation: Sigurd brought Olaf to Queen Allogia's house for protection, and she deployed armed men to defend the boy.

  "Sigurd immediately took Olaf to Queen Allogia's house, told her what had happened, and begged her to protect the boy. She replied, that the boy appeared far too comely to allow him to be slain; and she ordered her people to be drawn out fully armed."

• attestation: King Valdemar settled the matter peacefully, with Queen Allogia paying the fine for the murder.

  "It was settled at last in peace, that the king should name the fine for the murder; and the queen paid it."

• attestation: Sigurd revealed Olaf's royal descent to the queen, who persuaded King Valdemar to receive Olaf into his court.

  "Sigurd therefore told the queen of what family Olaf was, and for what reason he had come to Russia; namely, that he could not remain with safety in his own country: and begged her to speak to the king about it."

• attestation: Olaf was nine years old when he came to Russia and remained nine more years (978-981) with King Valdemar.

  "Olaf was nine years old when he came to Russia, and he remained nine years more (A.D. 978-981) with King Valdemar."

• attestation: Olaf was the handsomest and strongest of Northmen, excelling in all bodily exercises beyond any ever heard of.

  "Olaf was the handsomest of men, very stout and strong, and in all bodily exercises he excelled every Northman that ever was heard of."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 21. Olaf Trygvason'S Journey From Russia.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason resided in Gardarike (Russia) and was held in high esteem by King Valdemar.

  "All this time Olaf Trygvason was in Gardarike (Russia), and highly esteemed by King Valdemar, and beloved by the queen."

• attestation: King Valdemar appointed Olaf as chief of his men-at-arms for the defense of the land.

  "King Valdemar made him chief over the men-at-arms whom he sent out to defend the land."

• attestation: Olaf kept many men-at-arms at his own expense from the pay the king gave him, making him very popular.

  "Olaf was very generous to his men, and therefore very popular."

• attestation: Courtiers grew envious of Olaf's favor with both king and queen, warning Valdemar that Olaf could become dangerous.

  "many envied him because he was so favoured by the king, and also not less so by the queen. They hinted to the king that he should take care not to make Olaf too powerful"

• attestation: Olaf told the queen of his desire to travel to the Northern lands where his family formerly had power and kingdoms.

  "he had a great desire to travel to the Northern land, where his family formerly had power and kingdoms, and where it was most likely he would advance himself."

• attestation: The queen wished Olaf a prosperous journey and praised his bravery.

  "The queen wished him a prosperous journey, and said he would be found a brave man wherever he might be."

• attestation: Olaf sailed from Russia westward through the Baltic and raided Bornholm, defeating the local defenders.

  "As he was coming from the east he made the island of Borgundarholm (Bornholm), where he landed and plundered. The country people hastened down to the strand, and gave him battle; but Olaf gained the victory, and a large booty."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 22. Olaf Trygvason'S Marriage.

• attestation: Bad weather forced Olaf to sail south from Bornholm to Vindland, where he found a good harbour.

  "While Olaf lay at Borgundarholm there came on bad weather, storm, and a heavy sea, so that his ships could not lie there; and he sailed southwards under Vindland, where they found a good harbour."

• relationship: Olaf married Queen Geira in the harvest of 982 AD and became co-ruler over her dominions.

  "Olaf willingly accepted the invitation, and went in harvest (A.D. 982) to Queen Geira. They liked each other exceedingly, and Olaf courted Queen Geira; and it was so settled that Olaf married her the same winter, and was ruler, along with Queen Geira, over her dominions."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 25. Olaf Trygvason'S War Expedition.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason spent the winter of 980 AD in Vindland and made war on baronies that had withdrawn from Queen Geira's obedience.

  "Olaf Trygvason had been all winter (A.D. 980) in Vindland, as before related, and went the same winter to the baronies in Vindland which had formerly been under Queen Geira, but had withdrawn themselves from obedience and payment of taxes."

• attestation: Olaf killed many, burnt settlements, and forced the rebellious baronies back under his subjection.

  "There Olaf made war, killed many people, burnt out others, took much property, and laid all of them under subjection to him"

• attestation: Olaf raided Skane in early spring, defeated local defenders, and took great booty.

  "He sailed to Skane and made a landing. The people of the country assembled, and gave him battle; but King Olaf conquered, and made a great booty."

• attestation: Olaf then raided Gotland, capturing a Jamtaland merchant vessel after fierce resistance.

  "He then sailed eastward to the island of Gotland, where he captured a merchant vessel belonging to the people of Jamtaland. They made a brave defence; but the end of it was that Olaf cleared the deck, killed many of the men, and took all the goods."

• attestation: Olaf fought and won a third battle on Gotland with great booty.

  "He had a third battle in Gotland, in which he also gained the victory, and made a great booty."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 30. Olaf'S Journey From Vindland.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason spent three years in Vindland (982-984 AD) before his queen Geira fell sick and died.

  "Olaf Trygvason was three years in Vindland (A.D. 982-984) when Geira his queen fell sick, and she died of her illness."

• attestation: After Geira's death, Olaf found no pleasure in Vindland and resumed raiding with warships.

  "Olaf felt his loss so great that he had no pleasure in Vindland after it. He provided himself, therefore, with warships, and went out again a plundering"

• attestation: Olaf raided first in Frisland, then Saxland, and then Flanders.

  "plundered first in Frisland, next in Saxland, and then all the way to Flaemingjaland (Flanders)."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 31. King Olaf'S Forays.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason sailed to England and ravaged Northumberland, then Scotland, the Hebrides, Man, and Ireland.

  "Thereafter Olaf Trygvason sailed to England, and ravaged wide around in the land. He sailed all the way north to Northumberland, where he plundered; and thence to Scotland, where he marauded far and wide. Then he went to the Hebrides, where he fought some battles; and then southwards to Man, where he also fought. He ravaged far around in Ireland"

• attestation: From Ireland, Olaf steered to Bretland (Wales) and laid waste Cumberland with fire and sword.

  "and thence steered to Bretland, which he laid waste with fire and sword, and all the district called Cumberland."

• attestation: Olaf sailed west to Valland (France), then came to the Scilly Isles west of England.

  "He sailed westward from thence to Valland, and marauded there. When he left the west, intending to sail to England, he came to the islands called the Scilly Isles, lying westward from England in the ocean."

• attestation: Olaf's raiding cruise from Vindland to the Scilly Isles lasted four years, from 985 to 988 AD.

  "Olaf Trygvason had been four years on this cruise (A.D. 985-988), from the time he left Vindland till he came to the Scilly Islands."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 32. King Olaf Is Baptized.

• attestation: While at the Scilly Isles, Olaf heard of a seer or fortune-teller whose prophecies were widely believed to come true.

  "While Olaf Trygvason lay in the Scilly Isles he heard of a seer, or fortune-teller, on the islands, who could tell beforehand things not yet done, and what he foretold many believed was really fulfilled."

• attestation: Olaf tested the seer by sending his handsomest, strongest man dressed magnificently to impersonate the king.

  "He therefore sent one of his men, who was the handsomest and strongest, clothed him magnificently, and bade him say he was the king"

• attestation: The seer saw through the deception and told the impersonator he was not the king, advising him to be faithful to his real king.

  "he got the answer, "Thou art not the king, but I advise thee to be faithful to thy king.""

• attestation: Olaf then visited the seer himself; the hermit prophesied he would become a renowned king and bring many to faith and baptism.

  ""Thou wilt become a renowned king, and do celebrated deeds. Many men wilt thou bring to faith and baptism, and both to thy own and others' good"

• attestation: The hermit predicted that mutineers would attack Olaf, wound him nearly to death, and that he would recover in seven days.

  "When thou comest to thy ships many of thy people will conspire against thee, and then a battle will follow in which many of thy men will fall, and thou wilt be wounded almost to death, and carried upon a shield to thy ship; yet after seven days thou shalt be well of thy wounds"

• attestation: The hermit's predictions came true exactly: Olaf was attacked by mutineers, wounded, carried on a shield, and healed in seven days.

  "A fight took place, and the result was what the hermit had predicted, that Olaf was wounded, and carried upon a shield to his ship, and that his wound was healed in seven days."

• attestation: The hermit attributed his prophetic knowledge to the Christian God.

  "The hermit replied, that the Christian God himself let him know all that he desired"

• attestation: Olaf agreed to be baptized after witnessing the hermit's prophecies fulfilled, and he and all his followers were baptized.

  "Olaf agreed to let himself be baptized, and he and all his followers were baptized forthwith."

• attestation: Olaf remained at the Scilly Isles for a long time after baptism, learning the true faith and taking priests with him.

  "He remained here a long time, took the true faith, and got with him priests and other learned men."

• attestation: Olaf was known in all countries as handsomer, stronger, and braver than all others, but after leaving Russia traveled under the name Ole.

  "Olaf was known in all countries as handsomer, stronger, and braver than all others, although, after he had left Russia, he retained no more of his name than that he was called Ole, and was Russian."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 33. Olaf Marries Gyda.

• attestation: In autumn 988 AD, Olaf sailed from Scilly to England and entered a harbour peacefully, having become Christian.

  "In autumn (A.D. 988) Olaf sailed from Scilly to England, where he put into a harbour, but proceeded in a friendly way; for England was Christian, and he himself had become Christian."

• attestation: Olaf attended the Thing in rough clothes, standing apart from the crowd, and Gyda noticed and approached him.

  "Olaf had come there also; but had on his bad-weather clothes, and a coarse over-garment, and stood with his people apart from the rest of the crowd. Gyda went round and looked at each"

• relationship: Olaf and Gyda were betrothed after further conversation.

  "They afterwards talked over the matter together, and agreed, and Olaf and Gyda were betrothed."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 34. King Olaf And Alfvine'S Duel.

• attestation: Each combatant was allowed twelve men; Olaf used a large axe to disarm Alfvine's sword and then struck him down.

  "He had a large axe; and when Alfvine was going to cut at him with his sword he hewed away the sword out of his hand, and with the next blow struck down Alfvine himself."

• attestation: Olaf banished Alfvine from the country, seized all his property, and married Gyda.

  "Thereupon he ordered Alfvine to quit the country, and never appear in it again; and Olaf took all his property. Olaf in this way got Gyda in marriage"

• attestation: After marriage, Olaf lived sometimes in England and sometimes in Ireland.

  "and lived sometimes in England, and sometimes in Ireland."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 35. King Olaf Gets His Dog Vige.

• attestation: During an expedition in Ireland, Olaf's men drove a large herd of cattle from the coast for provisions.

  "While Olaf was in Ireland he was once on an expedition which went by sea. As they required to make a foray for provisions on the coast, some of his men landed, and drove down a large herd of cattle to the strand."

• attestation: A peasant's house-dog correctly separated and drove out only the peasant's own cattle from a herd of many hundred head.

  "The dog ran into the herd, and drove out exactly the number which the peasant had said he wanted; and all were marked with the same mark"

• attestation: Olaf was so impressed by the dog's sagacity that he acquired it; the peasant offered it freely, and Olaf gave him a gold ring in return.

  "Olaf immediately presented him with a gold ring in return, and promised him his friendship in future."

• attestation: The dog was named Vige and was considered the very best of dogs; Olaf owned him for a long time.

  "This dog was called Vige, and was the very best of dogs, and Olaf owned him long afterwards."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 52. Olaf Trygvason Comes To Norway.

• attestation: Olaf revealed his true name and family to Thorer and asked if the bondes would accept him as king.

  "Olaf disclosed to Thorer his name and family, and asked him his opinion, and whether he thought the bondes would take him for their king if he were to appear in Norway."

• attestation: Olaf sailed with five ships from Ireland to the Hebrides, then to the Orkneys.

  "Olaf sailed accordingly, accompanied by Thorer, with five ships; first to the Hebrides, and from thence to the Orkneys."

• attestation: At the Orkneys, Olaf encountered Earl Sigurd Hlodverson at Osmundswall and forced him to accept baptism under threat of death.

  "At that time Earl Sigurd, Hlodver's son, lay in Osmundswall, in the island South Ronaldsa, with a ship of war"

• attestation: Olaf forced Earl Sigurd to be baptized and take an oath of service, and took Sigurd's son Hvelp (Whelp) as a hostage.

  "the earl must allow himself to be baptized, and all the people of the country also, or he should be put to death directly"

• attestation: Olaf first touched Norwegian soil at Morster Island, where he had high mass sung in a tent and a church was later built.

  "Olaf went out to sea to the eastward, and made the land at Morster Island, where he first touched the ground of Norway. He had high mass sung in a tent, and afterwards on the spot a church was built."

• attestation: When Olaf reached Agdanes, he learned Earl Hakon was in the fjord and in discord with the bondes.

  "When he came north to Agdanes, he heard that the earl was in the fjord, and was in discord with the bondes."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.

• attestation: Thora brought news that Olaf Trygvason had arrived in the fjord and killed Hakon's son Erlend.

  "Thora brought the tidings to the earl that Olaf Trygvason had come from sea into the fjord, and had killed his son Erlend."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 54. Erlend'S Death.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason entered the fjord with five longships; Erlend, Hakon's son, rowed out with three ships.

  "Olaf Trygvason came from sea into the fjord with five long-ships, and Erlend, Hakon's son, rowed towards him with three ships."

• attestation: Olaf saw a remarkably handsome man swimming and threw a tiller at him, which struck Erlend on the head and cleft his skull, killing him.

  "Olaf saw a remarkably handsome man swimming in the water, and laid hold of a tiller and threw it at him. The tiller struck Erlend, the son of Hakon the earl, on the head, and clove it to the brain; and there left Erlend his life."

• attestation: Olaf killed many of Erlend's men but spared some prisoners so they could report that the bondes had driven Earl Hakon into hiding.

  "Olaf and his people killed many; but some escaped, and some were made prisoners, and got life and freedom that they might go and tell what had happened."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 55. Earl Hakon'S Death.

• attestation: The bondes met Olaf joyfully and together resolved to seek out Earl Hakon, going up Gaulardal to search Thora's house at Rimul.

  "The bondes then met Olaf, to the joy of both, and they made an agreement together. The bondes took Olaf to be their king, and resolved, one and all, to seek out Earl Hakon. They went up Gaulardal"

• attestation: Olaf stood on a great stone beside the swine-sty and promised rewards and honors to whoever killed the earl.

  "Olaf held a House Thing (trusting), or council out in the yard, and stood upon a great stone which lay beside the swine-stye, and made a speech to the people, in which he promised to enrich the man with rewards and honours who should kill the earl."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 56. Earl Hakon'S Head.

• attestation: King Olaf and the bondes took the heads of Hakon and Kark to Nidarholm, a place used for executing criminals, and hung them on the gallows.

  "King Olaf, and a vast number of bondes with him, then went out to Nidarholm, and had with him the heads of Earl Hakon and Kark. This holm was used then for a place of execution of thieves and ill-doers, and there stood a gallows on it. He had the heads of the earl and of Kark hung upon it"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 57. Olaf Trygvason Elected King.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason was chosen king over all Norway at the Throndhjem General Thing, in the same manner as Harald Harfager before him.

  "Olaf Trvgvason was chosen at Throndhjem by the General Thing to be the king over the whole country, as Harald Harfager had been."

• attestation: Olaf traveled through the whole country during the first winter (996 AD) and following summer, bringing all of Norway under his rule.

  "He went thus through the whole country during the first winter (A.D. 996) and the following summer."

• attestation: The Upland and Viken chiefs who had previously held fiefs from the Danish king now became King Olaf's men.

  "also the chiefs in the Uplands and in Viken, who before had held their lands as fiefs from the Danish king, now became King Olaf's men, and held their hands from him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 59. Olaf Baptizes The Country Of Viken.

• attestation: When Olaf Trygvason became king, he remained in Viken during the summer of 996 AD, where many of his relatives and his stepfather Lodin were settled.

  "now that Olaf Trygvason was king of Norway, he remained long during the summer (A.D. 996) in Viken, where many of his relatives and some of his brothers-in-law were settled"

• attestation: Olaf convened his mother's brothers, stepfather Lodin, and brothers-in-law Thorgeir and Hyrning to support his plan to Christianize all Norway.

  "Olaf called together his mother's brothers, his stepfather Lodin, and his brothers-in-law Thorgeir and Hyrning, to speak with them"

• attestation: Olaf declared he would either make all Norway Christian or die trying, asking his relatives to be the first to support the effort.

  ""I shall make you all," said he, "great and mighty men in promoting this work; for I trust to you most, as blood relations or brothers-in-law.""

• attestation: All Olaf's relatives agreed to support him; with these powerful men behind the initiative, the eastern part of Viken accepted baptism.

  "All agreed to do what he asked, and to follow him in what he desired."

• attestation: Olaf used severe punishments against resisters in the north of Viken: killing some, mutilating others, and driving some into banishment.

  "those who opposed him he punished severely, killing some, mutilating others, and driving some into banishment."

• attestation: By the end of the summer of 996 AD and the following winter of 997 AD, all of Viken was made Christian.

  "during that summer (A.D. 996) and the following winter (A.D. 997) all Viken was made Christian."

• attestation: Olaf Christianized both the former kingdom of his father Trygve and that of his relation Harald Grenske.

  "all the kingdom which his father King Trvgve had ruled over, and also that of his relation Harald Grenske, accepted of Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf said he would make his relatives great and mighty men for promoting Christianity, trusting them most as blood relations.

  "He would, he declared, either bring it to this, that all Norway should be Christian, or die."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 60. Of The Hordaland People.

• attestation: In early spring 997 AD, King Olaf marched north from Viken to Agder proclaiming baptism, which the people accepted rather than face the king's will.

  "Early in spring (A.D. 997) King Olaf set out from Viken with a great force northwards to Agder, and proclaimed that every man should be baptized. And thus the people received Christianity, for nobody dared oppose the king's will"

• attestation: When the Hordaland family learned of Olaf's approach with a great force, imposing harsh punishment on resisters, they resolved to meet him at the Gula-Thing.

  "they all resolved to appear in force at the Gula-Thing, there to hold a conference with King Olaf Trygvason."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 61. Rogaland Baptized.

• attestation: When Olaf arrived in Rogaland and summoned a Thing, the bondes assembled well armed and chose three of their best speakers to argue against accepting Christianity.

  "When King Olaf came to Rogaland, he immediately summoned the people to a Thing; and when the bondes received the message-token for a Thing, they assembled in great numbers well armed. After they had come together, they resolved to choose three men, the best speakers of the whole, who should answer King Olaf"

• attestation: Olaf spoke pleasantly at first but warned those who resisted his proposal would face his displeasure and punishment.

  "King Olaf arose, and at first spoke good-humoredly to the people; but they observed he wanted them to accept Christianity, with all his fine words: and in the conclusion he let them know that those who should speak against him, and not submit to his proposal, must expect his displeasure and punishment"

• attestation: The first chosen speaker was seized by a coughing fit and could not speak; the second stammered and was laughed down; the third became hoarse and inaudible.

  "But when he would begin to speak such a cough seized him, and such a difficulty of breathing, that he could not bring out a word, and had to sit down again. Then another bonde stood up, resolved not to let an answer be wanting, although it had gone so ill with the former: but he stammered so that he could not get a word uttered"

• attestation: With no opposition voiced, all the people at the Thing agreed to be baptized before it was dissolved.

  "There was none of the bondes now to speak against the king, and as nobody answered him there was no opposition; and it came to this, that all agreed to what the king had proposed. All the people of the Thing accordingly were baptized before the Thing was dissolved."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 62. Erling Skjalgson'S Wooing.

• attestation: King Olaf went to the Gula-Thing where the Hordaland bondes had agreed to meet him.

  "King Olaf went with his men-at-arms to the Gula-Thing; for the bondes had sent him word that they would reply there to his speech."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 63. Hordaland Baptized.

• attestation: King Olaf plucked his sister Astrid's falcon bare of feathers and sent it back to her as a warning of his anger.

  "King Olaf took a falcon that belonged to Astrid, plucked off all its feathers, and then sent it to her. Then said Astrid, "Angry is my brother.""

• attestation: Astrid submitted to the king's will and agreed to let him determine her marriage.

  "And she stood up, and went to the king, who received her kindly, and she said that she left it to the king to determine her marriage."

• attestation: The king arranged the marriage of Astrid to Erling; with Olmod and Erling's clan actively supporting Christianity, all Hordaland was baptized.

  "Thereafter the king held the Thing, and recommended Christianity to the bondes; and as Olmod, and Erling, and all their relations, took upon themselves the most active part in forwarding the king's desire, nobody dared to speak against it; and all the people were baptized, and adopted Christianity."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 64. Erling Skjalgson'S Wedding.

• attestation: Olaf granted Erling all the land from Sognefjord north to Lidandisnes east, on the same terms Harald Harfager had given land to his sons.

  "at his departure the king invested his brother-in law Erling with all the land north of the Sognefjord, and east to the Lidandisnes, on the same terms as Harald Harfager had given land to his sons"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 65. Raumsdal And Fjord-Districts Baptized.

• attestation: That harvest, Olaf summoned a Thing of four districts at Dragseid in Stad, bringing together people from Sogn, the Fjord-districts, South More, and Raumsdal.

  "The same harvest King Olaf summoned the bondes to a Thing of the four districts at Dragseid, in Stad: and there the people from Sogn, the Fjord-districts, South More, and Raumsdal, were summoned to meet."

• attestation: Olaf offered the assembled bondes only two choices: accept Christianity or fight; they chose baptism seeing his powerful force.

  "The king offered them two conditions,--either to accept Christianity, or to fight. But the bondes saw they were in no condition to fight the king, and resolved, therefore, that all the people should agree to be baptized."

• attestation: Olaf then baptized North More and sailed to Hlader in Throndhjem, where he razed the temple to the ground.

  "The king proceeded afterwards to North More, and baptized all that district. He then sailed to Hlader, in Throndhjem; had the temple there razed to the ground"

• attestation: Olaf stripped the Hlader temple of all ornaments including a great gold ring Earl Hakon had ordered made for the temple door.

  "took all the ornaments and all property out of the temple, and from the gods in it; and among other things the great gold ring which Earl Hakon had ordered to be made, and which hung in the door of the temple"

• attestation: After Olaf burned the temple, the Throndhjem bondes sent out a war-arrow summoning an armed force against him.

  "and then had the temple burnt. But when the bondes heard of this, they sent out a war-arrow as a token through the whole district, ordering out a warlike force, and intended to meet the king with it."

• attestation: Olaf sailed northward toward Halogaland to baptize there but turned back when he heard of armed resistance at Bjarnaurar, led by Harek of Thjotta, Thorer Hjort, and Eyvind Kinrifa.

  "When he came north to Bjarnaurar, he heard from Halogaland that a force was assembled there to defend the country against the king. The chiefs of this force were Harek of Thjotta, Thorer Hjort from Vagar, and Eyvind Kinrifa."

• attestation: Olaf turned south, passed Stad, and arrived in Viken early in the winter of 998 AD.

  "Now when King Olaf heard this, he turned about and sailed southwards along the land; and when he got south of Stad proceeded at his leisure, and came early in winter (A.D. 998) all the way east to Viken."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 66. Olaf Proposes Marriage To Queen Sigrid.

• attestation: Olaf sent Sigrid a gold ring he had taken from the temple door at Hlader as an engagement gift.

  "King Olaf sent to Queen Sigrid the great gold ring he had taken from the temple door of Hlader, which was considered a distinguished ornament"

• attestation: A meeting between Olaf and Sigrid was arranged for spring at the Gaut river on the frontier.

  "The meeting for concluding the business was appointed to be in spring on the frontier, at the Gaut river"

• attestation: Olaf went to Ringerike in 998 and baptized the people there.

  "In the same year (A.D. 998) King Olaf went into Ringenke, and there the people also were baptized"

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

• relationship: Olaf Trygvason served as godfather to young Olaf Haraldson when Sigurd Syr and Asta were baptized in Ringerike.

  "Sigurd Syr and his wife allowed themselves to be baptized, along with Olaf her son; and Olaf Trygvason was godfather to Olaf, the stepson of Harald Grenske"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 68. Meeting Of Olaf And Sigrid.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason met Queen Sigrid at Konungahella in spring 998 to finalize their marriage.

  "Early in spring (A.D. 998) King Olaf went eastwards to Konungahella to the meeting with Queen Sigrid; and when they met the business was considered about which the winter before they had held communication, namely, their marriage"

• attestation: Olaf struck Sigrid in the face with his glove and insulted her as an old heathen woman.

  "Why should I care to have thee, an old faded woman, and a heathen jade?" and therewith struck her in the face with his glove which he held in his hands"

• attestation: After the confrontation, Olaf returned to Viken and Sigrid to Svithjod.

  "The king set off to Viken, the queen to Svithjod"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 69. The Burning Of Warlocks.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason held a Thing at Tunsberg declaring that sorcerers and those dealing with evil spirits should be banished from Norway.

  "the king proceeded to Tunsberg, and held a Thing, at which he declared in a speech that all the men of whom it should be known to a certainty that they dealt with evil spirits, or in witchcraft, or were sorcerers, should be banished forth of the land"

• attestation: Olaf feasted the captured sorcerers in an adorned room, got them drunk, then ordered the house set on fire, killing all inside.

  "The king let all these men be seated in one room, which was well adorned, and made a great feast for them, and gave them strong drink in plenty. Now when they were all very drunk, he ordered the house be set on fire, and it and all the people within it were consumed"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 70. Eyvind Kelda'S Death.

• attestation: In spring 998, King Olaf traveled from Viken to Agder and then to Rogaland with 360 men.

  "When spring (A.D. 998) came King Olaf went out to Viken, and was on visits to his great farms. He sent notice over all Viken that he would call out an army in summer, and proceed to the north parts of the country. Then he went north to Agder; and when Easter was approaching he took the road to Rogaland with 300 (=360) men"

• attestation: Olaf arrived at Ogvaldsnes on Kormt Island on Easter evening, where a feast was prepared for him.

  "came on Easter evening north to Ogvaldsnes, in Kormt Island, where an Easter feast was prepared for him"

• attestation: Olaf's men captured Eyvind and his entire company and brought them to the king.

  "The king's men discovered it was Eyvind, took him and all his company prisoners, and brought them to the king"

• attestation: Olaf had Eyvind and all his men bound on a tidal skerry where they drowned; the skerry was afterward called Skrattasker.

  "the king ordered these all to be taken out to a skerry which was under water in flood tide, and there to be left bound. Eyvind and all with him left their lives on this rock, and the skerry is still called Skrattasker"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 71. Olaf And Odin'S Apparition.

• attestation: A mysterious old man visited King Olaf at a feast at Ogvaldsnes, wearing a broad-brimmed hat and having one eye.

  "one eventide there came to him an old man very gifted in words, and with a broad-brimmed hat upon his head. He was one-eyed"

• attestation: The bishop twice reminded Olaf it was time to sleep, but the king was captivated by the stranger's tales.

  "the bishop reminded him that it was time to go to bed, and the king did so. But after the king was undressed, and had laid himself in bed, the guest sat upon the foot-stool before the bed, and still spoke long with the king; for after one tale was ended, he still wanted a new one"

• attestation: Olaf ordered all the meat thrown away, identifying the stranger as Odin whom the heathens worshipped.

  "the king ordered that all the meat should be thrown away, and said this man can be no other than the Odin whom the heathens have so long worshipped; and added, "but Odin shall not deceive us.""

• attestation: Olaf was at Ogvaldsnes when the apparition occurred, the same location where Eyvind Kelda had been captured.

  "once on a time King Olaf was at a feast at this Ogvaldsnes"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 72. The Thing In Throndhjem.

• attestation: Olaf assembled a great army in eastern Norway and sailed north to Nidaros in Throndhjem.

  "King Olaf collected a great army in the east of the country towards summer, and sailed with it north to Nidaros in the Throndhjem country"

• attestation: Olaf summoned eight districts to a Thing, but the bondes converted his Thing-token into a war-token, calling all freemen and slaves to arms.

  "he sent a message-token over all the fjord, calling the people of eight different districts to a Thing; but the bondes changed the Thing-token into a war-token; and called together all men, free and unfree, in all the Throndhjem land"

• attestation: The bondes threatened to attack Olaf when he spoke about Christianity, citing their similar treatment of Hakon Athelstan's foster-son.

  "the bondes called out to him to be silent, or they would attack him and drive him away. "We did so," said they, "with Hakon foster-son of Athelstan, when he brought us the same message, and we held him in quite as much respect as we hold thee.""

• attestation: Olaf strategically backed down and agreed to attend the bondes' greatest sacrifice-festival at Maeren.

  "I wish only to be in a good understanding with you as of old; and I will come to where ye hold your greatest sacrifice-festival, and see your customs, and thereafter we shall consider which to hold by"

• attestation: A midsummer sacrifice at Maeren was agreed upon, to be attended by all chiefs and great bondes, with the king present.

  "a midsummer sacrifice was fixed to take place in Maeren, and all chiefs and great bondes to attend it as usual. The king was to be at it"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 73. Jarnskegge Or Iron Beard.

• attestation: The Thing ended inconclusively, with the bondes returning home and the king going to Hlader.

  "The Thing was concluded in this way for that time,--the bondes returned home, and the king went to Hlader"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 74. The Feast At Hlader.

• attestation: Olaf stationed thirty ships in the river Nid and frequently stayed at Hlader with his court.

  "King Olaf lay with his ships in the river Nid, and had thirty vessels, which were manned with many brave people; but the king himself was often at Hlader, with his court attendants"

• attestation: As the Maeren sacrifice approached, Olaf prepared a feast at Hlader and invited chiefs from Strind, Gaulardal, and Orkadal.

  "the king prepared a great feast at Hlader, and sent a message to the districts of Strind, Gaulardal, and out to Orkadal, to invite the chiefs and other great bondes"

• attestation: The bondes were made very drunk at the feast and slept peacefully through the night.

  "plenty of liquor went round, and the guests were made very drunk. The night after they all slept in peace"

• attestation: Olaf held a House Thing the next morning and reminded the bondes of the Frosta Thing where they had demanded he sacrifice like King Hakon.

  "We held a Thing at Frosta, and there I invited the bondes to allow themselves to be baptized; but they, on the other hand, invited me to offer sacrifice to their gods, as King Hakon, Athelstan's foster-son, had done"

• attestation: Olaf threatened that if he must sacrifice, he would sacrifice the greatest men rather than slaves or criminals.

  "if I, along with you, shall turn again to making sacrifice, then will I make the greatest of sacrifices that are in use; and I will sacrifice men. But I will not select slaves or malefactors for this, but will take the greatest men only to be offered to the gods"

• attestation: Olaf named specific chieftains for sacrifice: Orm Lygra, Styrkar of Gimsar, Kar of Gryting, Asbjorn Thorbergson, Orm of Lyxa, and Haldor of Skerdingsstedja.

  "for this I select Orm Lygra of Medalhus, Styrkar of Gimsar, Kar of Gryting, Asbjorn Thorbergson of Varnes, Orm of Lyxa, Haldor of Skerdingsstedja"

• attestation: The bondes, unable to resist the king's forces, submitted and agreed to be baptized.

  "when the bondes saw that they were not strong enough to make head against the king, they asked for peace, and submitted wholly to the king's pleasure. So it was settled that all the bondes who had come there should be baptized"

• attestation: The bondes swore oaths to hold the right faith and renounce sacrifice to the old gods.

  "should take an oath to the king to hold by the right faith, and to renounce sacrifice to the gods"

• attestation: Olaf held the assembled men as hostages until they sent their sons, brothers, or close relatives.

  "The king then kept all these men as hostages who came to his feast, until they sent him their sons, brothers, or other near relations"

• attestation: Olaf also named five additional principal men besides the six named chiefs for potential sacrifice.

  "besides these he named five others of the principal men. All these, he said, he would offer in sacrifice to the gods for peace and a fruitful season"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 75. Of The Thing In Throndhjem.

• attestation: Olaf entered Throndhjem with his forces and met the assembled chiefs at Maeren who were most opposed to Christianity.

  "King Olaf went in with all his forces into the Throndhjem country; and when he came to Maeren all among the chiefs of the Throndhjem people who were most opposed to Christianity were assembled"

• attestation: Olaf proposed entering the temple with the bondes to observe their sacrificial customs, which they agreed to.

  "the king said he would go into the temple of their gods with them, and see what the practices were when they sacrificed. The bondes thought well of this proceeding, and both parties went to the temple"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 76. The Throndhjem People Baptized.

• attestation: Olaf struck Thor's image with his gold-inlaid axe, knocking it from its seat.

  "The king lifted up his gold-inlaid axe which he carried in his hands, and struck Thor so that the image rolled down from its seat"

• attestation: The king's men threw down all the other god-images while Jarnskegge was killed outside the temple doors.

  "the king's men turned to and threw down all the gods from their seats; and while the king was in the temple, Jarnskegge was killed outside of the temple doors, and the king's men did it"

• attestation: Olaf offered the bondes two choices: accept Christianity immediately or fight him.

  "the king came forth out of the temple he offered the bondes two conditions,--that all should accept of Christianity forthwith, or that they should fight with him"

• attestation: Olaf baptized all present and took hostages, then sent men throughout the districts, converting all of Throndhjem.

  "King Olaf had all the people present baptized, and took hostages from them for their remaining true to Christianity; and he sent his men round to every district, and no man in the Throndhjem country opposed Christianity, but all people took baptism"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 77. A Town In The Throndhjem Country.

• attestation: Olaf established a merchant town at Nidaros on the flat side of the river Nid.

  "King Olaf with his people went out to Nidaros, and made houses on the flat side of the river Nid, which he raised to be a merchant town, and gave people ground to build houses upon"

• attestation: The king's house was built opposite Skipakrok, and he moved his winter residence there in harvest.

  "The king's house he had built just opposite Skipakrok; and he transported thither, in harvest, all that was necessary for his winter residence"

• attestation: Olaf kept many people around him at his new residence in Nidaros.

  "had many people about him there"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 78. King Olaf'S Marriage.

• attestation: Olaf offered compensation to Jarnskegge's relatives for his killing.

  "King Olaf appointed a meeting with the relations of Jarnskegge, and offered them the compensation or penalty for his bloodshed"

• attestation: Olaf saw the knife, disarmed Gudrun, and the marriage was effectively ended as she never returned to his bed.

  "the king saw it, took the knife from her, got out of bed, and went to his men, and told them what had happened. Gudrun also took her clothes, and went away along with all her men who had followed her thither. Gudrun never came into the king's bed again"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 79. Building Of The Ship Crane.

• attestation: In autumn 998, Olaf laid the keel of a great longship, a snekkja, at the river Nid.

  "The same autumn (A.D. 998) King Olaf laid the keel of a great long-ship out on the strand at the river Nid. It was a snekkja"

• attestation: The ship had thirty rowing benches, was high in stem and stern but not broad, and was named the Crane (Tranen).

  "It had thirty benches for rowers, was high in stem and stern, but was not broad. The king called this ship Tranen (the Crane)"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 80. Thangbrand The Priest Goes To Iceland.

• attestation: Olaf sent Thangbrand to Iceland in 997 to Christianize the country, giving him a merchant vessel.

  "The king would not have him in his house upon account of his misdeeds; but gave him the errand to go to Iceland, and bring that land to the Christian faith. The king gave him a merchant vessel"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 81. Of Sigurd And Hauk.

• attestation: Olaf's men intercepted Sigurd and Hauk at North More and brought the heathen steersmen before the king.

  "at North More they met King Olaf's people. When it was told the king that some Halogaland people were come who were heathen, he ordered the steersmen to be brought to him"

• attestation: Sigurd and Hauk refused baptism despite threats of death and torture, and were put in irons.

  "He then threatened them with death and torture: but they would not allow themselves to be moved. He then had them laid in irons, and kept them in chains in his house for some time"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 82. Of Harek Of Thjotta.

• attestation: Olaf urged Harek to be baptized but Harek refused despite multiple conversations both public and private.

  "the king called Harek to him, and in a conference desired him to be baptized. Harek made objections; and although the king and Harek talked over it many times, sometimes in the presence of other people, and sometimes alone, they could not agree upon it"

• attestation: Olaf released Harek, partly due to their kinship, but warned he would come north to punish those rejecting Christianity.

  "Now thou mayst return home, and I will do thee no injury; partly because we are related together, and partly that thou mayst not have it to say that I caught thee by a trick: but know for certain that I intend to come north next summer to visit you Halogalanders, and ye shall then see if I am not able to punish those who reject Christianity"

• attestation: Olaf gave Harek a good boat of ten or twelve pairs of oars with thirty well-appointed men for his return journey.

  "King Olaf gave Harek a good boat of ten or twelve pair of oars, and let it be fitted out with the best of everything needful; and besides he gave Harek thirty men, all lads of mettle, and well appointed"

• relationship: Olaf and Harek were related by kinship.

  "partly because we are related together"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 83. Eyvind Kinrifa'S Death.

• attestation: King Olaf's men had secretly followed Harek north, and when Eyvind arrived at Thjotta they captured him.

  "King Olaf's men, who had secretly followed Harek to the north, came up, and took Eyvind prisoner, and carried him away to their ship"

• attestation: Olaf offered Eyvind gifts and great fiefs to accept Christianity, but Eyvind refused all inducements.

  "The king offered him gifts and great fiefs, but Eyvind refused all. Then the king threatened him with tortures and death, but Eyvind was steadfast"

• attestation: Olaf had a pan of glowing coals placed on Eyvind's belly, which burst his abdomen open.

  "the king ordered a pan of glowing coals to be placed upon Eyvind's belly, which burst asunder"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 84. Halogaland Made Christian.

• attestation: In spring 999, Olaf sailed north from Bryda to Halogaland with his fleet, commanding the ship Crane.

  "The spring after (A.D. 999) King Olaf fitted out and manned his ships, and commanded himself his ship the Crane. He had many and smart people with him; and when he was ready, he sailed northwards with his fleet past Bryda, and to Halogaland"

• attestation: Olaf held Things wherever he stopped along Halogaland, and no one dared oppose Christianity.

  "Wheresoever he came to the land, or to the islands, he held a Thing, and told the people to accept the right faith, and to be baptized. No man dared to say anything against it, and the whole country he passed through was made Christian"

• attestation: Harek of Thjotta was baptized with all his people when Olaf stayed as his guest.

  "King Olaf was a guest in the house of Harek of Thjotta, who was baptized with all his people"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 85. Thorer Hjort'S Death.

• attestation: Thorer Hjort fled on foot but Olaf pursued him personally with his dog Vige.

  "When the king saw where Thorer Hjort, who was quicker on foot than any man, was running to, he ran after him with his dog Vige. The king said, "Vige! Vige! Catch the deer.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 86. King Olaf'S Voyage To Godey.

• attestation: Olaf offered life and freedom to all men who agreed to become Christian.

  "King Olaf gave life and freedom to all the men who asked it and agreed to become Christian"

• attestation: Olaf tried to sail into Salten fjord to find Raud, but a dreadful tempest raged in the fjord for a week, attributed to Raud's sorcery.

  "when he came north to Salten fjord, he intended to sail into it to look for Raud, but a dreadful tempest and storm was raging in the fjord. They lay there a whole week, in which the same weather was raging within the fjord, while without there was a fine brisk wind only"

• attestation: Olaf continued north to Omd where all the people accepted Christianity.

  "Then the king continued his voyage north to Omd, where all the people submitted to Christianity"

• attestation: On the return south, the same sorcerous tempest blocked Salten fjord again for several days.

  "when he came to the north side of Salten fjord, the same tempest was blowing, and the sea ran high out from the fjord, and the same kind of storm prevailed for several days while the king was lying there"

• attestation: Bishop Sigurd offered to try to overcome the devilish storm through God's power.

  "the king applied to Bishop Sigurd, and asked him if he knew any counsel about it; and the bishop said he would try if God would give him power to conquer these arts of the Devil"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 87. Of Raud'S Being Tortured.

• attestation: Olaf's fleet reached Godey, where they found Raud's dragon ship afloat near land.

  "they proceeded this way the whole day and night, until they reached Godey. Now when they came to Raud's house his great ship, the dragon, was afloat close to the land"

• attestation: Olaf attacked Raud's loft at night, captured him, and killed or imprisoned his men.

  "King Olaf went up to the house immediately with his people; made an attack on the loft in which Raud was sleeping, and broke it open. The men rushed in: Raud was taken and bound, and of the people with him some were killed and some made prisoners"

• attestation: Olaf offered Raud baptism and friendship, but Raud loudly refused and mocked God.

  "says the king, "I will not take thy property from thee, but rather be thy friend, if thou wilt make thyself worthy to be so." Raud exclaimed with all his might against the proposal, saying he would never believe in Christ, and making his scoff of God"

• attestation: Olaf tortured Raud by forcing a serpent into his mouth through an angelica root tube, and the serpent gnawed through his side, killing him.

  "the king ordered an adder to be stuck into the mouth of him; but the serpent would not go into his mouth, but shrunk back when Raud breathed against it. Now the king ordered a hollow branch of an angelica root to be stuck into Raud's mouth; others say the king put his horn into his mouth, and forced the serpent to go in by holding a red-hot iron before the opening. So the serpent crept into the mouth of Raud and down his throat, and gnawed its way out of his side; and thus Raud perished"

• attestation: Olaf seized Raud's dragon ship, which was larger and handsomer than the Crane, and renamed it the Serpent.

  "the king took the dragonship which Raud had owned, and steered it himself; for it was a much larger and handsomer vessel than the Crane. In front it had a dragon's head, and aft a crook, which turned up, and ended with the figure of the dragon's tail. The carved work on each side of the stem and stern was gilded. This ship the king called the Serpent"

• attestation: When the Serpent's sails were hoisted they resembled dragon's wings, and the ship was considered the handsomest in all Norway.

  "When the sails were hoisted they represented, as it were, the dragon's wings; and the ship was the handsomest in all Norway"

• attestation: Olaf baptized all the people of the fjord and returned to Nidaros in Throndhjem for the autumn.

  "King Olaf baptized the whole people of the fjord, and then sailed southwards along the land"

• attestation: Olaf had all who refused baptism killed or tortured after taking Raud's property.

  "all the men who were with Raud he either had baptized, or if they refused had them killed or tortured"

• attestation: Olaf's fleet returned to Nidaros in autumn where he established his winter quarters.

  "The same autumn Olaf with his fleet returned to Throndhjem, and landed at Nidaros, where he took up his winter abode"

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

• attestation: The heathen Icelandic ship captains tried to flee when they learned Olaf was forcing Christianity, but the wind drove them back to Nidarholm.

  "the Iceland men who directed the ships, and were heathens, tried to sail away as soon as the king came to the town of Nidaros, for they were told the king forced all men to become Christians; but the wind came stiff against them, and drove them back to Nidarholm"

• attestation: The unknown swimmer revealed himself to be King Olaf Trygvason and gave Kjartan a cloak as a gift.

  ""Then will I," says he, "tell thee: I am Olaf Trygvason."

He asked Kjartan much about Iceland"

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

• attestation: At Michaelmas, the king had high mass sung with great splendor, and the Icelanders attended.

  "When Michaelmas came, the king had high mass sung with great splendour. The Icelanders went there, listening to the fine singing and the sound of the bells"

• attestation: The king heard about Kjartan's favorable reaction and summoned him; Kjartan was described as a very stout, handsome man with ready speech.

  "He sent immediately that very day a message to Kjartan to come to him. Kjartan went with some men, and the king received him kindly. Kjartan was a very stout and handsome man, and of ready and agreeable speech"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 90. Halfred Vandredaskald Baptized.

• attestation: The king called Halfred a 'skald who composes difficulties' and accepted him into his service.

  ""Thou art a skald who composes difficulties," says the king; "but into my service, Halfred, thou shalt be received.""

• attestation: The king gave Halfred a sword without a scabbard and challenged him to compose a strophe with 'sword' in every line.

  "The king gave him a sword without a scabbard, and said, "Now compose me a song upon this sword, and let the word sword be in every line of the strophe.""

• attestation: The king noted the word 'sword' was missing from one line but Halfred pointed out three swords appeared in another line.

  "the king gave him the scabbard, observing that the word sword was wanting in one line of his strophe. "But there instead are three swords in one of the lines," says Halfred. "That is true," replies the king"

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

• attestation: Olaf was so enraged he ordered all Icelanders in the town assembled by horn blast to be killed.

  "King Olaf was so enraged at this, that he ordered all the Icelanders to be assembled by sound of horn, and was going to kill all who were in the town"

• attestation: Olaf heeded their counsel and all the Icelanders present in Norway were baptized.

  "The king harkened to those remonstrances; and all the Iceland men who were there were baptized"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 92. Of King Olaf'S Feats.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason was more expert in all exercises than any man in Norway recorded in sagas, and was stronger and more agile than most.

  "King Olaf was more expert in all exercises than any man in Norway whose memory is preserved to us in sagas; and he was stronger and more agile than most men"

• attestation: Olaf ascended Smalsarhorn and fixed his shield upon the very peak.

  "he ascended the Smalsarhorn, and fixed his shield upon the very peak"

• attestation: Olaf rescued a follower stranded on the peak by climbing up and carrying him down under his arm.

  "one of his followers had climbed up the peak after him, until he came to where he could neither get up nor down; but the king came to his help, climbed up to him, took him under his arm, and bore him to the flat ground"

• attestation: Olaf could run across the oars outside the vessel while his men rowed the Serpent.

  "King Olaf could run across the oars outside of the vessel while his men were rowing the Serpent"

• attestation: Olaf could juggle three daggers, walk the ship's rails, fight ambidextrously, and cast two spears at once.

  "He could play with three daggers, so that one was always in the air, and he took the one falling by the handle. He could walk all round upon the ship's rails, could strike and cut equally well with both hands, and could cast two spears at once"

• attestation: Olaf was merry and generous but distinguished for cruelty when enraged, burning enemies, having them torn by dogs, mutilated, or thrown from precipices.

  "King Olaf was a very merry frolicsome man; gay and social; was very violent in all respects; was very generous; was very finical in his dress, but in battle he exceeded all in bravery. He was distinguished for cruelty when he was enraged, and tortured many of his enemies. Some he burnt in fire; some he had torn in pieces by mad dogs; some he had mutilated, or cast down from high precipices"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 93. Baptism Of Leif Eirikson.

• attestation: Leif adopted Christianity upon meeting King Olaf and spent the winter of 1000 with him.

  "as he met King Olaf he adopted Christianity, and passed the winter (A.D. 1000) with the king"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 95. Building Of The Ship Long Serpent.

• attestation: After returning from Halogaland in winter 1000, Olaf had a great vessel built at Hladhamrar, larger than any ship in Norway.

  "The winter after, King Olaf came from Halogaland (A.D. 1000), he had a great vessel built at Hladhamrar, which was larger than any ship in the country, and of which the beam-knees are still to be seen"

• attestation: The carpenters stood idle because someone had cut deep notches from stem to stern on one side of the planking.

  "The carpenters were there before them, but all were standing idle with their arms across. The king asked, "what was the matter?" They said the ship was destroyed; for somebody had gone from, stem to stern, and cut one deep notch after the other down the one side of the planking"

• attestation: Olaf swore the vandal should die, but Thorberg confessed he himself had made the cuts.

  "The man shall die who has thus destroyed the vessel out of envy, if he can be discovered, and I shall bestow a great reward on whoever finds him out."

"I can tell you, king," said Thorberg, "who has done this piece of work.""

• attestation: The ship was a dragon modeled after the one captured from Raud in Halogaland but far larger and more carefully built.

  "The ship was a dragon, built after the one the king had captured in Halogaland; but this ship was far larger, and more carefully put together in all her parts"

• attestation: Olaf named this ship 'Serpent the Long' (Long Serpent) to distinguish it from the earlier 'Serpent the Short.'

  "The king called this ship Serpent the Long, and the other Serpent the Short"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 100. Olaf Gets Thyre In Marriage.

• attestation: Olaf was attracted by Thyre's beauty and conversation and proposed marriage.

  "Thyre was a well-spoken woman, and the king had pleasure in her conversation. He saw she was a handsome woman, and it came into his mind that she would be a good match; so he turns the conversation that way, and asks if she will marry him"

• attestation: Olaf and Thyre married in harvest 999 after the king returned from Halogaland, and spent the winter at Nidaros.

  "King Olaf took Thyre in marriage. This wedding was held in harvest after the king returned from Halogaland (A.D. 999), and King Olaf and Queen Thyre remained all winter (A.D.

1000. at Nidaros"

• attestation: Olaf swore in anger that he never feared King Svein and that Svein would give way if they met.

  "King Olaf sprang up, and answered with loud oath, "Never did I fear thy brother King Svein; and if we meet he shall give way before me!""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 101. Olaf'S Levy For War.

• attestation: Olaf convoked a Thing in Nidaros proclaiming a summer expedition abroad, demanding ships and men from every district.

  "the king convoked a Thing in the town, and proclaimed to all the public, that in summer would go abroad upon an expedition out of the country, and would raise both ships and men from every district; and at the same time fixed how many ships would have from the whole Throndhjem fjord"

• attestation: Olaf sent message-tokens throughout Norway, both along the coast and inland, to raise an army.

  "he sent his message-token south and north, both along the sea-coast and up in the interior of the country, to let an army be gathered"

• attestation: The Long Serpent was launched along with all Olaf's other ships, and Olaf personally steered the Long Serpent.

  "The king ordered the Long Serpent to be put into the water, along with all his other ships both small and great. He himself steered the Long Serpent"

• attestation: Olaf's bodyguard consisted of particularly chosen men, both natives and foreigners, selected for boldness and strength.

  "Those who were Olaf's bodyguard were in particular chosen men, both of the natives and of foreigners, and the boldest and strongest"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 102. Crew On Board Of The Long Serpent.

• attestation: Olaf's fleet from Throndhjem comprised eleven large ships plus smaller vessels and provision ships.

  "King Olaf had eleven large ships from Throndhjem, besides vessels with twenty rowers' benches, smaller vessels, and provision-vessels"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 103. Iceland Baptized.

• attestation: King Olaf sent Gissur the White and Hjalte Skeggjason to Iceland to proclaim Christianity, accompanied by a priest called Thormod and several men in holy orders.

  "He also sent to Iceland Gissur the White and Hjalte Skeggjason, to proclaim Christianity there; and sent with them a priest called Thormod, along with several men in holy orders."

• attestation: Olaf retained four prominent Icelanders as hostages: Kjartan Olafson, Haldor Gudmundson, Kolbein Thordson, and Sverting Runolfson.

  "he retained with him, as hostages, four Icelanders whom he thought the most important; namely, Kjartan Olafson, Haldor Gudmundson, Kolbein Thordson, and Sverting Runolfson."

• attestation: Olaf appointed administrators over the Throndhjem country in all districts and communities while rigging out his fleet in Nidaros.

  "When King Olaf had nearly rigged out his fleet in Nidaros, he appointed men over the Throndhjem country in all districts and communities."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 104. Greenland Baptized

• attestation: King Olaf sent Leif Eirikson to Greenland in 1000 AD to proclaim Christianity, and Leif went there that summer.

  "The same spring King Olaf also sent Leif Eirikson (A.D. 1000) to Greenland to proclaim Christianity there, and Leif went there that summer."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 105. Ragnvald Sends Messengers To Olaf.

• attestation: The winter after baptizing Halogaland, King Olaf and Queen Thyre were in Nidaros, where their infant son Harald (named after Thyre's father) had died barely a year after birth.

  "the summer before Queen Thyre had brought King Olaf a boy child, which was both stout and promising, and was called Harald, after its mother's father. The king and queen loved the infant exceedingly, and rejoiced in the hope that it would grow up and inherit after its father; but it lived barely a year after its birth"

• attestation: Ambassadors from Gautland arrived in Nidaros formally proposing Earl Ragnvald's marriage to Ingebjorg, and King Olaf said Ingebjorg must consent.

  "The king listened with approbation to their speech; but said that Ingebjorg must determine on his assent to the marriage."

• attestation: King Olaf was characteristically gay and full of mirth in his dealings with people, and frequently asked visiting foreigners about the customs of neighboring rulers.

  "The king was always gay and full of mirth in his intercourse with people; and often asked about the manners of the great men and chiefs in the neighbouring countries"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 106. Olaf Sends Expedition To Vindland.

• attestation: King Olaf sailed south in summer with Queen Thyre, his sister Ingebjorg, and many friends and persons of consequence.

  "King Olaf proceeded in summer with his ships and men southwards along the land (and past Stad. With him were Queen Thyre and Ingebjorg, Trygveis daughter, the king's sister)."

• attestation: Olaf agreed to the marriage on condition that Ragnvald accept the Christian faith and have all his subjects baptized; the earl agreed, was baptized with all his followers, and wed Ingebjorg at Erling's feast.

  "the king said he would keep his word, and marry his sister Ingebjorg to him, provided he would accept the true faith, and make all his subjects he ruled over in his land be baptized; The earl agreed to this, and he and all his followers were baptized."

• attestation: Olaf sent learned men with Ragnvald to baptize the people of Gautland, and the king and earl parted in great friendship.

  "the king sent learned men with him to baptize the people in Gautland, and to teach them the right faith and morals. The king and the earl parted in the greatest friendship."

• attestation: With Ingebjorg's marriage, King Olaf had now married off all his sisters.

  "King Olaf had now married off all his sisters."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 107. Olaf'S Expedition Vindland.

• attestation: After Ingebjorg's wedding, King Olaf hastily departed Norway with a great army of fine men.

  "After his sister Ingebjorg's wedding, the king made ready in all haste to leave the country with his army, which was both great and made up of fine men."

• attestation: Olaf sailed south with sixty warships past Denmark, through the Sound, and on to Vindland where he met King Burizleif.

  "When he left the land and sailed southwards he had sixty ships of war, with which he sailed past Denmark, and in through the Sound, and on to Vindland. He appointed a meeting with King Burizleif"

• attestation: The conference between Olaf and Burizleif went peaceably, with a good account given of the properties Olaf claimed there, and he spent much of the summer in Vindland finding old friends.

  "when the kings met, they spoke about the property which King Olaf demanded, and the conference went off peaceably, as a good account was given of the properties which King Olaf thought himself entitled to there."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 110. King Olaf'S Voyage From Vindland.

• attestation: The combined Norwegian fleet under Olaf and Sigvalde consisted of seventy-one ships when they sailed from the south.

  "It is said here that King Olaf and Earl Sigvalde had seventy sail of vessels: and one more, when they sailed from the south."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 112. Of King Olaf'S People.

• attestation: When Olaf sailed toward the island, the entire enemy fleet rowed out from behind it into the sound, cutting off escape; Olaf's men begged him to flee, but he refused.

  "when the king sailed in towards the isle, the whole enemies' fleet came rowing within them out to the Sound. When they saw this they begged the king to hold on his way, and not risk battle with so great a force."

• attestation: King Olaf declared from the quarter-deck that he would never flee from battle, ordering sails struck and leaving his fate to God -- words his men would not forget.

  "The king replied, high on the quarter-deck where he stood, "Strike the sails; never shall men of mine think of flight. I never fled from battle. Let God dispose of my life, but flight I shall never take.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 113. Olaf'S Ships Prepared For Battle.

• attestation: King Olaf Trygvason ordered war-horns sounded to close up all his ships together for battle.

  "King Olaf ordered the war-horns to sound for all his ships to close up to each other."

• attestation: The king's ship held the center of the battle line, flanked by the Little Serpent on one side and the Crane on the other.

  "The king's ship lay in the middle of the line, and on one side lay the Little Serpent, and on the other the Crane"

• attestation: The stems of the Long Serpent and Short Serpent were fastened together, but Olaf ordered the larger ship moved forward so its stern would not lag behind the fleet.

  "the Long Serpent's stem and the short Serpent's were made fast together; but when the king saw it he called out to his men, and ordered them to lay the larger ship more in advance, so that its stern should not lie so far behind in the fleet."

• attestation: King Olaf mocked Ulf the Red for being both afraid and red-haired.

  "I did not think I had a forecastle man afraid as well as red."

• attestation: Olaf aimed a bow at Ulf the Red, who told the king to shoot where it was more needed, declaring his own work served the king's gain.

  "Ulf said, "Shoot another way, king, where it is more needful: my work is thy gain.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 114. Of King Olaf.

• attestation: King Olaf stood on the Long Serpent's quarterdeck, wearing a gilt shield, gold-inlaid helmet, and a short red coat over his armor.

  "King Olaf stood on the Serpent's quarterdeck, high over the others. He had a gilt shield, and a helmet inlaid with gold; over his armour he had a short red coat, and was easy to be distinguished from other men."

• attestation: Olaf dismissed King Svein and the Danes as soft and lacking bravery.

  "We are not afraid of these soft Danes, for there is no bravery in them"

• attestation: Olaf mocked the Swedish forces by saying they would be better off at home killing their sacrifices than facing the Long Serpent's weapons.

  "Better it were," says King Olaf, "for these Swedes to be sitting at home killing their sacrifices, than to be venturing under our weapons from the Long Serpent."

• attestation: Olaf identified Earl Eirik Hakonson's forces as Norsemen like themselves, from whom they should expect the sharpest conflict.

  "He, methinks, has good reason for meeting us; and we may expect the sharpest conflict with these men, for they are Norsemen like ourselves."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 116. Flight Of Svein And Olaf The Swede.

• attestation: King Svein and his surviving men fled to other vessels and withdrew out of bow-shot, exactly as King Olaf Trygvason had foreseen.

  "King Svein, and all the men who escaped, fled to other vessels, and laid themselves out of bow-shot. It went with this force just as King Olaf Trygvason had foreseen."

• attestation: Eventually all of King Olaf Trygvason's ships were cleared of men except the Long Serpent, where all remaining fighters gathered.

  "all King Olaf Trygvason's ships were cleared of men except the Long Serpent, on board of which all who could still carry their arms were gathered."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 117. Of Earl Eirik.

• attestation: Olaf's enraged men boarded enemy ships to fight with swords, but many fell overboard and drowned under the weight of their weapons, thinking they were on solid ground.

  "King Olaf's men became so mad with rage, that they ran on board of the enemies ships, to get at the people with stroke of sword and kill them"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 118. Of Einar Tambarskelver.

• attestation: When Olaf asked what broke with such a noise, Einar replied 'Norway, king, from thy hands.'

  ""What is that," cried King Olaf, "that broke with such a noise?"

"Norway, king, from thy hands," cried Einar."

• attestation: Olaf offered Einar his own bow, but Einar declared it too weak for a mighty king and took up sword and shield instead.

  ""Too weak, too weak," said he, "for the bow of a mighty king!" and, throwing the bow aside, he took sword and shield, and fought Valiantly."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 119. Olaf Gives His Men Sharp Swords.

• attestation: King Olaf fought from the Long Serpent's gangways most of the day, alternating between bow and spear, always throwing two spears at once.

  "The king stood on the gangways of the Long Serpent, and shot the greater part of the day; sometimes with the bow, sometimes with the spear, and always throwing two spears at once."

• attestation: When Olaf noticed his men's swords had become blunt and full of notches, he went below to the forehold chest and distributed sharp replacement swords.

  "Then the king went down into the forehold, opened the chest under the throne, and took out many sharp swords, which he handed to his men"

• attestation: As Olaf handed out swords with his right hand, observers noticed blood running down under his steel glove, though no one knew where he was wounded.

  "as he stretched down his right hand with them, some observed that blood was running down under his steel glove, but no one knew where he was wounded."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 121. The Serpent'S Decks Cleared.

• attestation: King Olaf and Kolbjorn the marshal both sprang overboard from opposite sides of the Long Serpent.

  "King Olaf and Kolbjorn the marshal both sprang overboard, each on his own side of the ship"

• attestation: King Olaf threw his shield over his head and sank beneath the waters when the earl's men tried to seize him.

  "King Olaf threw his shield over his head, and sank beneath the waters."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 122. Report Among The People.

• attestation: When King Olaf sprang overboard, the whole enemy army raised a victory shout, and only then did Earl Sigvalde row his ships toward the battle.

  "when King Olaf sprang overboard, the whole army raised a shout of victory; and then Earl Sigvalde and his men put their oars in the water and rowed towards the battle."

• attestation: A widely circulated report claimed Olaf swam underwater from ship to ship after casting off his armor, eventually reaching the Vindland cutter where Astrid's men conveyed him to Vindland.

  "King Olaf had cast off his coat-of-mail under water, and had swum, diving under the longships, until he came to the Vindland cutter, and that Astrid's men had conveyed him to Vindland"

• attestation: King Olaf Trygvason never returned to his kingdom of Norway after the Battle of Svold.

  "however this may have been, King Olaf Trygvason never came back again to his kingdom of Norway."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 20. Of Einar Tambaskelfer.

• attestation: After Olaf Trygvason's fall, Earl Eirik gave peace to Einar Tambaskelfer, son of Eindride Styrkarson, who then went north to Norway with the earl.

  "After Olaf Trygvason's fall, Earl Eirik gave peace to Einar Tambaskelfer, the son of Eindride Styrkarson; and Einar went north with the earl to Norway."

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

• attestation: Under Olaf Trygvason, Erling Skialgson received half the land scat and royal revenues between the Naze and Sogn as the king's brother-in-law.

  "When Olaf Trygvason ruled over Norway, he gave his brother-in-law Erling half of the land scat, and royal revenues between the Naze and Sogn."

• relationship: Olaf Trygvason married his other sister to Earl Ragnvald Ulfson, who ruled over West Gautland.

  "His other sister he married to the Earl Ragnvald Ulfson, who long ruled over West Gautland."

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

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason was of udal succession and well-fitted to be a chief, with the whole country wanting to make him supreme king.

  "raised to the kingly power Olaf Trygvason, who was of the udal succession to the kingdom, and in all respects well fitted to be a chief. The whole country's desire was to make him supreme king"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 99. History Of The Earls Of Orkney.

• attestation: Olaf Trygvason captured Earl Sigurd the Thick in South Ronaldsha, forced his baptism and conversion of Orkney to Christianity, taking his son Hunde as hostage.

  "Olaf Trygvason from his viking expedition in the western ocean, with his troops, landed in Orkney and took Earl Sigurd prisoner in South Ronaldsha"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 199. Of King Olaf'S Dream.

• attestation: The vision of Olaf Trygvason rebuked him for considering abandoning his God-given kingship for a foreign kingdom, urging him to return to Norway and reclaim his heritage.

  "Go back rather to that kingdom which thou hast received in heritage, and rule over it with the strength which God hath given thee, and let not thy inferiors take it from thee."

• attribution: The apparition declared it glorious for a king to be victorious over enemies or to die in battle, and promised that God would testify the kingdom was rightfully Olaf's.

  "It is the glory of a king to be victorious over his enemies, and it is a glorious death to die in battle."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 262. Of King Svein'S Levy.

• attestation: After King Svein had ruled Norway for three years (A.D. 1031-33), news came that a force had assembled in the west under a chief named Trygve who claimed to be a son of Olaf Trygvason and Queen Gyda of England.

  "When King Svein had been three years in Norway (A.D. 1031-33), the news was received that a force was assembled in the western countries, under a chief who called himself Trygve, and gave out that he was a son of Olaf Trygvason and Queen Gyda of England."