第119章

Having now gone through this second story, we shall return to that which we left, -- at King Olaf Haraldson having concluded peace with King Olaf the Swedish king, and having the same summer gone north to Throndhjem (1019).He had then been king in Norway five years (A.D.1015-1019).In harvest time he prepared to take his winter residence at Nidaros, and he remained all winter there (A.D.1020).Thorkel the Fosterer, Amunde's son, as before related, was all that winter with him.King Olaf inquired very carefully how it stood with Christianity throughout the land, and learnt that it was not observed at all to the north of Halogaland, and was far from being observed as it should be in Naumudal, and the interior of Throndhjem.There was a man by name Harek, a son of Eyvind Skaldaspiller, who dwelt in an island called Thjotta in Halogaland.Eyvind had not been a rich man, but was of high family and high mind.In Thjotta, at first, there dwelt many small bondes; but Harek began with buying a farm not very large and lived on it, and in a few years he had got all the bondes that were there before out of the way; so that he had the whole island, and built a large head-mansion.He soon became very rich; for he was a very prudent man, and very successful.

He had long been greatly respected by the chiefs; and being related to the kings of Norway, had been raised by them to high dignities.Harek's father's mother Gunhild was a daughter of Earl Halfdan, and Ingebjorg, Harald Harfager's daughter.At the time the circumstance happened which we are going to relate he was somewhat advanced in years.Harek was the most respected man in Halogaland, and for a long time had the Lapland trade, and did the king's business in Lapland; sometimes alone, sometimes with others joined to him.He had not himself been to wait on King Olaf, but messages had passed between them, and all was on the most friendly footing.This winter (A.D.1020) that Olaf was in Nidaros, messengers passed between the king and Harek of Thjotta.

Then the king made it known that he intended going north to Halogaland, and as far north as the land's end; but the people of Halogaland expected no good from this expedition.

111.OF THE PEOPLE OF HALOGALAND.

Olaf rigged out five ships in spring (A.D.1020), and had with him about 300 men.When he was ready for sea he set northwards along the land; and when he came to Naumudal district he summoned the bondes to a Thing, and at every Thing was accepted as king.

He also made the laws to be read there as elsewhere, by which the people are commanded to observe Christianity; and he threatened every man with loss of life, and limbs, and property who would not subject himself to Christian law.He inflicted severe punishments on many men, great as well as small, and left no district until the people had consented to adopt the holy faith.

The most of the men of power and of the great bondes made feasts for the king, and so he proceeded all the way north to Halogaland.Harek of Thjotta also made a feast for the king, at which there was a great multitude of guests, and the feast was very splendid.Harek was made lenderman, and got the same privileges he had enjoyed under the former chiefs of the country.

112.OF ASMUND GRANKELSON.

There was a man called Grankel, or Granketil, who was a rich bonde, and at this time rather advanced in age.In his youth he had been on viking cruises, and had been a powerful fighter; for he possessed great readiness in all sorts of bodily exercises.

His son Asmund was equal to his father in all these, and in some, indeed, he excelled him.There were many who said that with respect to comeliness, strength, and bodily expertness, he might be considered the third remarkably distinguished for these that Norway had ever produced.The first was Hakon Athelstan's foster-son; the second, Olaf Trygvason.Grankel invited King Olaf to a feast, which was very magnificent; and at parting Grankel presented the king with many honourable gifts and tokens of friendship.The king invited Asmund, with many persuasions, to follow him; and as Asmund could not decline the honours offered him, he got ready to travel with the king, became his man, and stood in high favour with him.The king remained in Halogaland the greater part of the summer, went to all the Things, and baptized all the people.Thorer Hund dwelt at that time in the island Bjarkey.He was the most powerful man in the North, and also became one of Olaf's lendermen.Many sons of great bondes resolved also to follow King Olaf from Halogaland.

Towards the end of summer King Olaf left the North, and sailed back to Throndhjem, and landed at Nidaros, where he passed the winter (A.D.1021).It was then that Thorkel the Fosterer came from the West from Orkney, after killing Einar Rangmumd, as before related.This autumn corn was dear in Throndhjem, after a long course of good seasons, and the farther north the dearer was the corn; but there was corn enough in the East country, and in the Uplands, and it was of great help to the people of Throndhjem that many had old corn remaining beside them.

113.OF THE SACRIFICES OF THE THRONDHJEM PEOPLE.