The Heimskringla on Sigurd Syr

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

• relationship: Sigurd Syr was a king in Ringerike, son of Halfdan, grandson of Sigurd Hrise, who was a son of Harald Harfager.

  "Sigurd was a son of Halfdan, and grandson of Sigurd Hrise, who was a son of Harald Harfager"

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

• attestation: Sigurd Syr was a careful householder who personally inspected his corn-rigs, meadowland, cattle, and smithwork.

  "Sigurd his stepfather was a careful householder, who kept his people closely to their work, and often went about himself to inspect his corn-rigs and meadowland, the cattle, and also the smith-work"

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

• attestation: When no servants were available, King Sigurd Syr told his stepson Olaf to saddle his horse.

  "King Sigurd wanted to ride from home, but there was nobody about the house; so he told his stepson Olaf to saddle his horse."

• attestation: Sigurd Syr observed that Olaf disregarded his orders and was far more proud than himself, noting their different dispositions.

  "It is easy to see that thou wilt little regard my orders; and thy mother will think it right that I order thee to do nothing that is against thy own inclination. I see well enough that we are of different dispositions, and that thou art far more proud than I am."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 31. King Sigurd'S Dress.

• attestation: King Sigurd Syr was found in his corn-field when messengers arrived with news of Olaf's coming, wearing a blue kirtle and breeches, grey cloak and hat, with a veiled face and a staff with a gilt-silver head.

  "he had a blue kirtle and blue breeches; shoes which were laced about the legs; a grey cloak, and a grey wide-brimmed hat; a veil before his face; a staff in his hand with a gilt-silver head on it and a silver ring around it."

• attestation: Sigurd Syr was the most understanding man in Norway, extremely wealthy, peaceful, not haughty, and attended carefully to cattle and husbandry.

  "he was a man of the best understanding in Norway, and also excessively wealthy in movable property. Peaceful he was, and nowise haughty."

• relationship: Sigurd and Asta's children were Guthorm (eldest), Gunhild, Halfdan, Ingerid, and Harald.

  "Their children were, Guthorm, the eldest; then Gunhild; the next Halfdan, Ingerid, and Harald."

• attestation: Sigurd warned that Olaf faced the wrath of the Danish and Swedish kings, questioning whether Asta could lead her son out of the venture as splendidly as she was leading him in.

  "can she lead her son out of the business with the same splendour she is leading him into it? If it is to proceed so methinks they who mix themselves up in it regard little property or life."

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

• attestation: Sigurd changed into his finest clothes with a scarlet cloak, gilded helmet, gold-spurred corduvan boots, and a sword, then gathered thirty well-clothed men to ride home.

  "he put off his cloak and coat, and dressed himself in his finest clothes, with a scarlet cloak over all; girded on his sword, set a gilded helmet upon his head, and mounted his horse."

• attestation: Sigurd saluted his stepson from horseback and invited him to drink; Asta kissed her son and offered him land, people, and all her support.

  "King Sigurd immediately saluted his stepson from horseback in a friendly way, and invited him and his men to come in and drink a cup with him. Asta, on the contrary, went up and kissed her son, and invited him to stay with her; and land, and people, and all the good she could do for him stood at his service."

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

• attestation: Sigurd Syr acknowledged Olaf's ambition came more from hasty pride than prudence, but recognized the difference between his own humble ways and Olaf's high thoughts.

  "It is no small affair, King Olaf, thou hast in thy mind; and thy purpose comes more, methinks, from hasty pride than from prudence."

• attestation: Sigurd refused to bind himself by promise before knowing other Upland kings' views, but offered his property and influence with kings, chiefs, and country people.

  "I will not bind myself by any promise, before I know the views and intentions of other Upland kings; but thou hast done well in letting me know thy purpose, before declaring it publicly to the people. I will promise thee, however, my interest with the kings, and other chiefs, and country people; and also, King Olaf, all my property stands to thy aid"

• attestation: Sigurd warned that strife against both Olaf the Swedish king and Canute, king of Denmark and England, required great support.

  "it is a daring measure to enter into strife with Olaf the Swedish king, and Canute, who is king both of Denmark and England; and thou requirest great support under thee, if it is to succeed."

• attestation: Sigurd compared Olaf's situation to Olaf Trygvason, noting that the commonalty always loves what is new but Trygvason did not enjoy his kingdom long.

  "It is not unlikely, in my opinion, that thou wilt get good support from the people, as the commonalty always loves what is new; and it went so before, when Olaf Trygvason came here to the country, that all rejoiced at it, although he did not long enjoy the kingdom."

• attestation: Sigurd cautioned they should only present the plan publicly when they saw progress and expected support.

  "we will only produce the matter to the community so soon as we see some progress, and expect some strength to this undertaking"

• attestation: Sigvat noted that the commonalty loves what is new, drawing a parallel to the reception of Olaf Trygvason.

  "the commonalty always loves what is new; and it went so before, when Olaf Trygvason came here to the country, that all rejoiced at it"

• attestation: Sigurd observed that Olaf had been full of ambition and desire of command since childhood.

  "whilst yet in thy childhood thou wast full always of ambition and desire of command, and now thou art experienced in battles, and hast formed thyself upon the manner of foreign chiefs."

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

• attestation: Sigurd assembled the district-kings in Hadaland and presented Olaf's purpose, urging them to cast off Danish and Swedish rule.

  "With these district-kings Sigurd had a meeting up in Hadaland, and Olaf Haraldson also met with them. To these district-kings whom Sigurd had assembled he set forth his stepson Olaf's purpose, and asked their aid"

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

• attestation: Sigurd Syr urged Olaf to pursue Earl Svein immediately, but Olaf chose to wait and observe the earl's intentions.

  "Sigurd Syr was in haste for pursuing the earl, and letting steel decide their cause. But King Olaf replies, that he would first see what the earl intended doing"

• attestation: Sigurd Syr warned Olaf that his trusting nature would lead to betrayal by great men accustomed to defying their sovereigns.

  "I fear, from thy disposition and wilfulness, that thou wilt some day be betrayed by trusting to those great people, for they are accustomed of old to bid defiance to their sovereigns"

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

• attestation: Olaf's stepfather Sigurd Syr died in winter 1018 AD.

  "This winter (A.D. 1018) his stepfather Sigurd Syr died"