The Heimskringla on Ottar Birting
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 30. Of Sigurd And Ottar Birting.
attestation: Ottar Birting, a bonde's son serving as torch-bearer, snatched the book from the fire and delivered an eloquent speech reminding Sigurd of his former glory.
"He ran and snatched the book which the king had cast into the fire, held it out, and said, "Different were the days, sire, when you came with great state and splendour to Norway, and with great fame and honour""
attestation: Ottar was described as small, agreeable, lively, bold, black-haired, and dark-skinned.
"He was of small stature, but of agreeable appearance; lively, bold, and full of fun; black haired, and of a dark skin."
attestation: Ottar urged Sigurd to make peace with the queen and be merry with his friends, calling this saving advice.
"do, good king, take this saving advice, make peace first with the queen, and make her joyful whom you have so highly affronted, with a friendly word; and then all your chiefs, friends, and servants; that is my advice."
attestation: Ottar Birting pleaded for the king to reconcile with the queen first, then with his chiefs and servants, demonstrating rhetorical skill unusual for his low station.
"make peace first with the queen, and make her joyful whom you have so highly affronted, with a friendly word; and then all your chiefs, friends, and servants"
attestation: Ottar afterwards became one of the most celebrated men in Norway for various good and praiseworthy deeds.
"Ottar became one of the most celebrated men in Norway for various good and praiseworthy deeds."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 9. Ottar Birting'S Speech.
attestation: Ottar Birting rose at the Thing and proposed that King Sigurd prepare himself with all available men and go south to support King Inge.
""Now I will make known to you my opinion, and we will hear if King Sigurd and the other people of power will agree to it; and it is, that thou, King Sigurd, make thyself ready, with all the people who will follow thee, to defend thy country""
attestation: Ottar diplomatically acknowledged Inge's sharp message while affirming Inge's legitimate complaints, balancing loyalty to both brothers.
""Although now some think there is something sharp in King Inge's message to his brother Sigurd, yet he has in many respects sufficient cause for it.""
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 14. Murder Of Ottar Birting.
attestation: King Sigurd disliked Ottar because he always sided with King Inge; Ottar was killed in Nidaros at twilight while going to evening song.
"Ottar Birting was killed north in the merchant town (Nidaros), in an assault upon him in the twilight as he was going to the evening song."
attestation: Ottar held up his cloak against what he thought was a snowball, but it was a killing blow; his son Alf Hrode saw the murder and killed the assassin at the choir corner.
"When he heard the whistling of the blow he held up his cloak with his hands against it; thinking, no doubt, it was a snowball thrown at him"