The Laxdæla Saga on King Harald

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xxi

• attestation: King Harald recognised Olaf on account of his kindred and invited him to stay at court

  "The king at once recognised Olaf for the sake of his kindred, and forthwith bade him stay with him."

• attestation: King Harald and Gunnhild saw Olaf off to his ship, bestowing their good-luck upon him

  "King Harald and Gunnhild led Olaf to his ship, and they said they wished to bestow on him their good-luck over and above other friendship they had bestowed on him already."

• attestation: King Harald declared that no finer man had come from Iceland in their days

  "they must say that no goodlier a man had in their days come out of Iceland."

• attestation: King Harald's men aboard the ship were identified as his bodyguard

  "these are of the bodyguard of King Harald, the son of Gunnhild, who are here on board."

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xxii

• attestation: King Harald and Gunnhild honored Olaf above all other foreigners at court

  "King Harald and Gunnhild set so great a store by Olaf that no foreigner had ever been held in such honour by them."

• attestation: King Harald gave Olaf scarlet clothing at Yule

  "King Harald gave Olaf at Yule a set of clothes made out of scarlet stuff."

• attestation: The king offered Olaf any position he wished if he stayed in Norway

  "It would be more to my mind that you should settle down with us, and take whatever position in our service you like best yourself."

• attestation: King Harald provided Olaf with a merchant ship for his journey to Iceland

  "King Harald had a ship launched in the spring; it was a merchant ship, both great and good."

• attestation: The king saw Olaf off, saying he would be hard to replace

  "Nothing shall be done in this in an unfriendly manner to you, Olaf. You shall go out to Iceland in the summer, for I see you have set your heart on it"