Sverri leads his troop into the Vik, where is men make him King. He returns to Vermaland.

11. The Following Wednesday, which we call Ash-Wednesday, Sverri took with him this troop, and started with from Hamar in Vermaland with not more than seventy men. He marched into the Vik, and on the way, men crowded to his band, so that when he reached Saurby in the Vik he had three and a half hundred³ men. Here he caused an Assembly to be summoned, at which his men would have him accept the title of King. But he excused himself, saying that it became him better to wait until his cause strengthened by some clear evidence of its truth. Then they declared that they would not listen to him: “They were unwilling,” They said “to serve one who had no high title than anyone of themselves.” They gave, therefore, the title of King the first Lord's day in lent, and swore fealty to him laying their hands on his sword.

He had not been long ruler of the band before he saw, what he had already suspected, that he would not gain much strength from their counsels. He began, then, to take the whole burden on himself, and while he stayed in the Vik with his men he studied diligently their ways and proceedings. They seemed to him a very unequal band, some of them gallant and orderly men, others unruly. Then he formed the design of putting them to the test if they would follow him for any other object than pillage and disorder. He returned to Vermaland, being unwilling to plunder in the Vik, and desirous rather of fighting for the land that was his by birthright. Thence he continued his journey, intending to march north. He proceeded as far as Eidaskog, where he reviewed his troop, and found that many who had become his liegemen lacked manliness, and had thought of plunder rather than of fighting for the honour of their King, for he had then no more than seventy men of the four hundred. He now saw that he had not the means to attain his object; his troop was too small to confront such overwhelming odds as he might expect to meet. He could put no trust in a force that was unwilling to follow him north and back again. They seemed, indeed, more willing to bring down the wrath of the commons on their heads by pillage and disorder than to support him in dangerous undertakings. And this brought him much depression of mind, because almost from the outset he had been compelled to accept the title of King, and those who compelled him had given him no loyal support afterwards. Then he pondered on the plan he should follow. He could see, as he thought, no way to separate himself from his force, because those who were his most eager followers kept careful watch over him, now that he had accepted the title of King and became known to all in the land. So he turned again into Vermaland, and kept Easter with a priest who prepared a grand entertainment for him. Afterwards he sent letters into Norway, to Thelamork, because its people were at variance with King Magnus and Earl Erling, and he promised them some amendment of their laws fir they would turn to him. He also appointed that they should meet him north in the land, if they would join him or afford him assistance.

King Sverri's toilsome march north through the forests.

12. Easter week being past, Sverri perceived that he would not be able to reach the north of the land unless he made a laborious march by strange paths. For directly it became known that rebellious troop was forming in the east of the country, great preparations to meet it were made over the whole land so that no progress was possible through well-peopled districts. To turns towards the Eystral-salt seemed his best plan. The first wood through which he marched with his men before they reached Aekisherad was twelve miles long. And when they passed thence, they had to march through another wood quite as long, before they came to Molung. Thence they marched fifteen miles through a wood t o Jarnberaland. In all these woods there was no food except flesh of birds and elks. For many reasons the marches were toilsome and difficult, for they were made chiefly through uninhabited districts, and the men suffered hunger, cold, and much weariness; they were unable to make use of horses or other means of progress, for the roads were in the worst condition, as at that time the snow was melting in the woods and the ice thawing one the waters. At one time they marched over bogs or wide moors, at another through dense forests over great felled trees.

Jarnberaland is under the rule of the King of the Swedes, and was at that time a heathen land. Its people had never before set eyes on a king, and they were unaccustomed to the visits of kings. It might even be said, there was not one among them who understood what king's men were, or knew whether they were men or animals. There was great difficulty in making way among so rude a people. But Almighty God and Holy Maria gave such abundant grace to King Sverri, that when the people heard his words they furthered his progress and permitted him to pass through their land. But his road lay for the most part by wild forest, mosses, deserts, great streams and lakes, rather than by human dwellings. From Jarnberaland he marched eighteen miles through a wood to the district called Herdalesm which was his own land. Thence he marched thirty-two miles through another wood, in which his men were so distressed that they found nothing to eat except the bark and sap of trees, and such berries as had lain all winter under the snow.

King Sverri the subject of a miracle. Continued sufferings Of his men on the march north.

13. It happened that King Sverri had to pass over a large lake in a forest, and as there were no boats in the neighbourhood, his men constructed rafts of trees, three or four together, just as they then could. The raft which bore the King was not large, and had four men on it. The lake was half mile across. As soon as they had moved a short distance form shore, the raft sank until the water reach half-way up the legs of those who were on it. At this moment a men came running to the edge of the lake much exhausted by the march, for they were in the very thick of the forest, and the whole troop had now been two days without food. He called to those on the raft, begging them to save him, as he was almost dead of exhaustion. Now the rest of the troop were well on their way over the lake. The King heard the man's cry, and saw that his life depended on their raking him; yet the raft seemed scarcely able to bear those already on it. But he had the raft pushed to land and took the man on, though it was no easy matter; and when he came on the raft, the water reached above their knees. In this way they crossed the lake, and then quitted the raft, landing by means of a single log. The King was the last to go on shore, and as soon as left the raft it sank like a stone. All marked the singular and marvelous character of the event. For having beheld the raft float when carrying its human freight, and sink the instant they left it, all say clearly that it had borne one who was destined to do great deeds that were yet undone, and to hold higher rank than he yet held.

They had passed the next two days in the wilds without nourishment, except from chewing pine-shoots for the sap and sucking birch-wood. The third day the whole troop was in extreme need. Yet they marched with such vigour through this wilderness that only thirteen short miles remained. And now it came to pass that the troop crossed a large river, and as they reached the other side they lay down on the bank, having lost all desire to go farther, so wearied had they become. The King was among the last three that crossed, and the current bore them a long way down the river, but at last they drifted to land and took rest. Then the King bade his men be of good courage; they were not far now, he said, from the abodes of men, and their hopes would again shine bright if they should come at last to a Christian people.

King Sverri marches through Jamtaland and comes to Nidaros. The Men of Selbu and Gaulardale submit to him.

14. The King now reached Jamtalamd, and the Jamts wished to oppose him. He therefore sent forward Sigurd of Saltness, supposing they would be less on their guard against wise schemes before he himself, the chief of the band, came up. And his supposition proved true, for Sigurd in his expedition got possession of all their ferry-boats, which they had prepared for the defense of their land. When the King himself arrived, the yeomen felt the loss of their boats, and, as the best course before them, submitted to him. King Magnus had many barons in the land, and they all made peace with King Sverri; they prepared receptions for him, and full entertainment; they supplied him with sixty men. Afterwards, he proceeded on his march, and again his troop suffered great distress, so that no man tasted food for five days; neither had they time for sleep, because the King did not wish intelligence of his march to precede him. On the Friday night before Whitsunday he came into the neighbourhood on the t own [Nidaros]. The townsmen heard of his approach, and crossed the river Nid to oppose him with twelve hundred men under Sigurd Nikolasson, Eirik Arnasn, Ivar Horti, Ivar Silki, and Ivar Giafvallsson. When the King became aware of this force he went himself to spy them out, taking with him a man named Jon, and coming right among them, obtained an accurate knowledge of the odds against him; and seeing that with one hundred men, he was unable to fight against twelve hundred, he turned away for the present.

Then the men of Selby gathered together against him to the number of three hundred. But King Sverri's men were so exhausted by their toilsome march and long want of sleep that they were forced to take rest. So he sent messengers to Vigleik of Digrin, bidding him to give his men food, and Vigleik thought good to obey the message. On their departure from Digrin, God so furthered the king's cause that he and his troop got between the Selbu host and their boats, the whole of which they took. They then sailed to the abodes of the very men who were eagerly plotting against their lives, and found lodging in their houses, whether the owners of the farms liked it or not. And when these reached their homes, there was not a man of them but consented to all the King required; and he laid on them the charge of half a month's provisions. The King then occupied an island in the lake of Selbu, afterwards called the king's-Holm. This place they left in the night, no one knowing of their departure but themselves, and marched in the Vatsfell. Here they lay, no one being aware of them; and they learnt all that occurred in the town, and heard much that was said of themselves. The men of Gualardale also had gathered a great host tighter, which the Birkibeins watched closely, but this force was disbanded when, after some days, nothing was heard of the King. Forthwith the Birkibeins seeing them disperse, followed close upon their heels and came quite unexpected to their abodes; the inhabitants then gladly submitted to all that King Sverri demanded. This news was soon told in Nidaros, and a force was again dispatched from the town to go after him. But King Sverri again withdrew for a time and marched up into Soknadale. When he arrived there he heard the Rut and eighty men, all well armed, had come from Thelamork. This was in answer to the message and letters, already mentioned, which the King had sent to Thelamork. He rejoiced greatly to hear the news, and then marched up to Rennabu to meet them.

King Sverri's over the men of Nidaros.

15. After this the King turned back, having now with him a hundred and eighty men. They marched until the came to the mouth of the Gaul, which they crossed on ferry-boats. The twenty men who first reached the other side were sent forward by the King as scouts under Jon Gudrunasron. The townsmen [of Nidaros] had also sent scouts on their part, seven in number. These two bands met; five of the townsmen were slain, one was taken prisoner, and one escaped, who bore news to the town. Hereupon the townsmen went forth, twelve hundred in number, drawn up in orderly array. And Ivar Horti spoke, saying, “We must use craft in hunting them down, let us hide some of our force, for if they see the whole they will not venture to attack.” So they placed seven hundred men behind a fence to come forth and attack the enemies' rear when the hosts were engaged in close combat. The townsmen showed such audacity-barons and yeomen as they were- that they took the banner of King Olaf the Saint, to bear it against King Sverri; but shall hear now what came to pass. The man who bore the banner was mounted on horseback, and as he rode behind the force he could not stop his horse which ran against two men. One of these was killed, and the other so injured that he never fully recovered; the rider himself was thrown, and let the banner fall to the ground. Against these five hundred men, all in the battle array, the King drew up his force, setting his bowmen all together; and every man made good use of his weapons. The ambush behind the fence only became aware of the fight by the whizzing of the arrows over their heads. These all whom Ivar supposed to have the victory in their hands were the first to flee, each man running against his fellow; and those who, considering their numbers might be thought unlikely to win, were made glad by victory. King Sverri in this battle slew Ivar Silki and Ivar Giafvallsson, and more than a hundred men besides. They captured the banner of king Olaf the Saint, which they bore to the town in glorious triumph, while the chiefs who escaped from the batlle ran hither and thither like mice to their holes. Eirik Arnason was there taken prisoner. Afterwards quarter was accepted, and many came with meekness into the presence of Sverri who before, in excess of pride, and had been loudest in their talk against him. And now King Sverri gave thanks to Almighty God, to Holy Maria the Mother of God, and to King Olaf the Saint, for the glorious victory which God had given him; and he showed him thankfulness by granting pardon to every one that asked it. Many great men had escaped, and he was conscious that they would lay plots against him if he were not on his guard.

After the battle the King sent forth spies from the town both by sea and land. These returned after three days, bringing with them tidings that the Inner Thronds had collected twenty hundred men, and were already on the way thither; and that Ivar had fifty ships at sea, near Raudabiorg. As soon as these tidings came all at once to the ears of the King, he perceived that he could not remain where he was, and his men hastened on board eleven cutters which they procured. When they rowed a short distance beyond Holm, they beheld the fleet of the Inner Thronds sailing from the inner part of the Fiord, and came within range of them. There were nine ships of burden at anchor near the Raudabiorg, also, lay eleven cutters and one long-ship which Ivar had got together. These fled immediately, for they dared not fight with the Birkibeins; and the King sailed on to Agraness, where he came upon nine cutters, and at once made at them. There crews did some trade- trade of this kind: they barted their cloths and weapons for knocks and shame. They lost everything of value they possessed, but the King would not allow the men themselves to be slain. Then he took his ships seaward to Folskn, where they met with a ship of burden, owned by Ivar; and on board of it was property to the value of six marks of gold, which they took. After this they sailed south to Mœri, where they came upon twelve or thirteen cutters, and a like market was made these as for the former crews. Both fleets were intending to join Ivar, if there came 'no trolls in the way between outhouse and home.'

The Assembly at Eyra accepts Sverri as King. He marches Into the Uplands and gains two victories.

16. After this the King turned back north to Throndham, and, coming to Nidaros, was received as befitted a king by the townsmen, who had the bells rung throughout the town and went in procession to meet him. He then caused the Assembly to be summoned at Eyra, calling to it twelve men by name from each of the eight shires that lie within Agdaness. At the Assembly of the eight shires, met together, the title of King was given to Sverri, and ratified by the brandishing of weapons; land and liegemen were confirmed to him by oath in accordance with the old laws of the land.

Tidings of these things spread abroad rapidly, and reached King Magnus and Earl Erling, who straightway gathered a force together and sailed north coastwise. On hearing this, King Sverri would not wait for them, but with his ships and men sailed away in to Orkadale. Here they dragged the ships ashore, set fire to them, and burnt them completely. They now turned to the Uplands. Having passed over Dofrafell into Gudbrands-they came to the lake called Miors, where was a gathering of barons with eighteen ships. There were three barons, Hallvard of Sasteads, Sæbiorn Sindrason, and Ivar Gæsling. They had another force on land which numbered twelve hundred men. King Sverri had two hundred men. He now sought counsel of his troop what plan she should adopt; and they all wished to fight. But the King answered them: “It does not appear to me as to you; for I think there are great odds to deal with. I intend to avenge my sorrows another way, a way more promising than that of walking into such a snare, for my fathers, brothers, and many ancestors besides, will not be avenged by my biting the dust of bein driven to flight.” So by the King's advice, but against their own wish, they marched thence two days' journey. The King sent forward forty men to Hadaland, to the lake called Rond, and they seized all the ships that were there. And when the King arrived he found the hosts gathered together- in two places three hundred men, and five hundred in the third. He then divided his force into two, himself taking one half, a hundred men, and the other half he sent to the homestead of Ozure Bilsi, which they plundered to the amount of twenty marks of gold. The king did wish to idle while they were absent, and he decided to attack with the force he had a host of three hundred before him. Both sides made ready as best they could, and marched against each other. But as soon as the Birkibeins brandished their weapons, the yeomen fellows were struck to the heart with fear. They took now a better course. They asked for quarter, threw down their weapons and so showed their fear. The King acted as before, and gave every man quarter that asked. A second host of those gathered together, seeing how their fellows were dealt with, also reconciled themselves to the King. They promised such obedience as never before was promised in Hadaland, and an Assembly was summoned at which the King should conclude peace, but this meeting for the peace was not meant by the yeomen to be free from guile, for seeing that the King had but a small force with him, they intended to fall upon him at the assembly. On the day appointed for the meeting, those who had been sent to plunder Ozur's homestead returned, and as the king's force was now more numerous than the yeomen expected, they dared not utter a word in opposition to what the King wished. He therefore laid upon them such terms as he liked, and they promised all that he demanded. Thus they were reconciled, so to speak. But yet the yeomen fellows showed somewhat of a deceitful disposition as before; for they decided to send word to Orm Kings-brother, who was then at sea on board ship, and ask him to sail up from the Vik against the king, whom they said they would oppose if he should attempt to escape. Orm therefore collected a numerous force, and had large ships dragged out of the lake called Tyrfi, to go to Rond and attack King Sverri, who was there on board ship.

The King's bailiffs had arranged to have in Heidmork at that time fourteen ships on Miors. King Sverri, having intelligence of these, formed his plan. He made as though he would go to meet Orm, and sent forward all his scouts in that direction. Then he went into the wood with forty men, and they felled trees. No one knew the reasons of this; but the King had commanded his men to follow him, which they did, and passed the night there. At daybreak the next morning the trumpets were sounded, and the whole force arose, not knowing what business the king had in hand. When the men were dressed, he arranged them, and bade them drag the ships form Rond, five miles along a road never before passed by ships. No need now to ask why the King had those trees felled in the wood; they were the rollers. No pause was made on the road until they came to Miors. Arrived there, they rowed forward and made an unexpected attack on the barons. The encounter so ended that he whom God favoured gained a victory and King Sverri routed all his foes. When he had cleared the place he sailed to Hamar-Kaupang. Where he held an Assembly, and no man spoke a single word against the King. The barons fled before him to the south of the lake, and there was now a long distance between them, for Miors is so large a lake that it is more like a sea.

King Sverri defeats the barons near Lake Miors.

17. Hallvard of Sasteads and other barons held a great feast at Sasteads, to which he invited all those who wished to be invited, that their following might be as numerous as possibles. It was the anniversary of the dedication of the church. Three hundred were bidden, but more than three hundred attended; for the Birkibeins came to the festival, all prepared for battle. Both sides drew up their array, marched against each other and exchanged shots; the barons and their host were soon in flight, seven being slain and five taken prisoners. And now the unbidden guests were that they enjoyed the feast, and they that prepared it were chased away. These ran to Orm Kings-brother, and told him that their paths had not been smooth. King Sverri now inquired of the men made prisoners where their ships lay hidden, and being told, he seized all the ships on the Miors, both small and large. He took of the property of the barons and of all those who fled away, likewise all the land dues which King Magnus and Earl Erling expected for themselves.

The whole of the Uplands and the Eystridales were now in the possession of King Sverri, and those who submitted to him had ever a better lot than those who steered away from him. And as men perceived his power growing, more by wise counsels than a multitude of adherents, they were ever the more eager to cultivate his friendship. His host increased so that he had three hundred men. After this, King Magnus and Earl Erling came into the Vik, and having heard all the tidings now related of the Birkibeins, they gathered troops together afresh from over all the Vik, collecting a warlike host that was irresistible; and whn King Sverri was told of it, he perceived the unwisdom of awaiting danger there from this innumerable force.