The Heimskringla on Sigurd Sigurdson
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 36. Of Sigurd'S Swimming.
- attestation: Sigurd Sigurdson, a gallant lenderman, was the only one willing to intervene, lamenting the absence of Dag Eilifson who would have dared.
"Then said Sigurd Sigurdson, "Shall we let the king kill this man?"
Somebody said, "No one has any wish to interfere."
Sigurd replies, that "If Dag Eilifson were here, we should not be without one who dared.""
- attestation: Sigurd Sigurdson swam to the king and persuaded him to release the Icelander by flattering his swimming superiority.
""Sire, do not kill the man. Everybody sees that you are a much better swimmer.""
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 37. Of Harald And Svein Rimhildson.
attestation: The Rogaland men captured Harald and prepared to hang him, but Sigurd Sigurdson woke the king despite being banished from his presence.
"Sigurd Sigurdson went out to the king's ship and awoke him. When the king opened his eyes and recognised Sigurd, he said. "For this reason thou shalt die, that thou hast intruded into my presence; for thou knowest that I forbade thee""
attestation: Sigurd Sigurdson said other business was more urgent: the Rogaland people were about to hang the king's brother Harald.
""That is in your power as soon as you please; but other business is more urgent. Go to the land as quickly as possible to help thy brother; for the Rogaland people are going to hang him.""
attestation: The incident demonstrated Sigurd Sigurdson's indispensable value to the king, turning his banishment into permanent favor.
""That will I not," said the king; "for I can never be without thee.""
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 3. Battle At Fyrileif.
- attestation: Sigurd Sigurdson and Thorer Ingeridson advised keeping forces together in Viken against Harald's return, but Magnus went north to Bergen instead
"Sigurd Sigurdson, Thorer Ingeridson, and all the men of most understanding, advised that they should keep their forces together in Viken, and remain there, in case Harald should return from the south; but King Magnus would take his own way, and went north to Bergen."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 5. Of The Counsels Proposed.
attestation: When Magnus learned Harald was in Viken, he called chiefs in Bergen for counsel. Sigurd Sigurdson proposed sending a ship to offer Harald half the kingdom in peace.
"Sigurd Sigurdson said, "Here I can give a good advice. Let a ship be manned with good men, and put me, or any other lenderman, to command it; send it to thy relation, King Harald, and offer him peace according to the conditions upright men may determine upon, and offer him the half of the kingdom.""
attestation: Sigurd's second proposal was to kill disloyal lendermen, seize their property, and give it to lesser men willing to fight -- but Magnus found this unpopular.
"Send out your pursuivants, and send other people with them, and let them go against the lendermen who will not join you in your necessity, and kill them; and bestow their property on others who will give you help"
attestation: Sigurd's third counsel was to flee north to Throndhjem where support was strongest, hoping Harald's men would tire of the long pursuit.
"Let us go north to Throndhjem, where the main strength of the country is most inclined to our side; and on the way let us gather all the men we can."
attestation: Sigurd stood up to leave, delivering a bitter final prediction: Magnus would sit in Bergen until Harald came, and then face death or disgrace.
"Sigurd stood up and said, while he was preparing to go out, "I will now give you the counsel which I see you will take, and which must have its course. Sit here in Bergen until Harald comes with his troops, and then you will either suffer death or disgrace.""
attestation: Sigurd warned that the lendermen who left in autumn would not return, and he had predicted then that dismissing the army was folly.
"your lendermen who in autumn asked your leave to return home will now sit at home and will not come to you. At that time it was much against my advice that you dispersed so entirely the people we had collected"
attestation: Sigurd called the 'Elfgrims' those who followed Harald from the east, suggesting they might tire of pursuing Magnus northward.
"It may be that these Elfgrims will be tired of such a long stride after us."
attestation: Sigurd departed the council meeting after his final prophecy, and remained no longer.
"And Sigurd remained no longer at that meeting."