Saga of Olaf Haroldson

205. OF EINAR TAMBASKELFER.

Einar Tambaskelfer had most influence in the outer part of the
Throndhjem country after Earl Hakon's death was no longer
doubtful; for he and his son Eindride appeared to be the nearest
heirs to the movable property the earl had possessed. Then Einar
remembered the promises and offers of friendship which King
Canute had made him at parting; and he ordered a good vessel
which belonged to him to be got ready, and embarked with a great
retinue, and when he was ready sailed southwards along the coast,
then set out to sea westwards, and sailed without stopping until
he came to England. He immediately waited on King Canute, who
received him well and joyfully. Then Einar opened his business
to the king, and said he was come there to see the fulfillment of
the promises the king had made him; namely, that he, Einar,
should have the highest title of honour in Norway if Earl Hakon
were no more. King Canute replies, that now the circumstances
were altered. "I have now," said he, "sent men and tokens to my
son Svein in Denmark, and promised him the kingdom of Norway; but
thou shalt retain my friendship, and get the dignity and title
which thou art entitled by birth to hold. Thou shalt be
lenderman with great fiefs, and be so much more raised above
other lendermen as thou art more able than they." Einar saw
sufficiently how matters stood with regard to his business, and
got ready to return home; but as he now knew the king's
intentions, and thought it probable if King Olaf came from the
East the country would not be very peaceable, it came into his
mind that it would be better to proceed slowly, and not to be
hastening his voyage, in order to fight against King Olaf,
without his being advanced by it to any higher dignity than he
had before. Einar accordingly went to sea when he was ready; but
only came to Norway after the events were ended which took place
there during that summer.

206. OF THE CHIEF PEOPLE IN NORWAY.

The chiefs in Norway had their spies east in Svithjod, and south
in Denmark, to find out if King Olaf had come from Russia. As
soon as these men could get across the country, they heard the
news that King Olaf was arrived in Svithjod; and as soon as full
certainty of this was obtained, the war message-token went round
the land. The whole people were called out to a levy, and a
great army was collected. The lendermen who were from Agder,
Rogaland, and Hordaland, divided themselves, so that some went
towards the north, and some towards the east; for they thought
they required people on both sides. Erling's sons from Jadar
went eastward, with all the men who lived east of them, and over
whom they were chiefs; Aslak of Finey, and Erlend of Gerde, with
the lendermen north of them, went towards the north. All those
now named had sworn an oath to King Canute to deprive Olaf of
life, if opportunity should offer.

207. OF HARALD SIGURDSON'S PROCEEDINGS.

Now when it was reported in Norway that King Olaf was come from
the East to Svithjod, his friends gathered together to give him
aid. The most distinguished man in this flock was Harald
Sigurdson, a brother of King Olaf, who then was fifteen years of
age, very stout, and manly of growth as if he were full-grown.
Many other brave men were there also; and there were in all 600
men when they proceeded from the uplands, and went eastward with
their force through Eid forest to Vermaland. From thence they
went eastward through the forests to Svithjod and made inquiry
about King Olaf's proceedings.

208. OF KING OLAF'S PROCEEDINGS IN SVITHJOD.

King Olaf was in Svithjod in spring (A.D. 1030), and had sent
spies from thence to Norway. All accounts from that quarter
agreed that there was no safety for him if he went there, and the
people who came from the north dissuaded him much from
penetrating into the country. But he had firmly resolved within
himself, as before stated, to go into Norway; and he asked King
Onund what strength King Onund would give him to conquer his
kingdom. King Onund replied, that the Swedes were little
inclined to make an expedition against Norway. "We know," says
he, "that the Northmen are rough and warlike, and it is dangerous
to carry hostility to their doors, but I will not be slow in
telling thee what aid I can give. I will give thee 400 chosen
men from my court-men, active and warlike, and well equipt for
battle; and moreover will give thee leave to go through my
country, and gather to thyself as many men as thou canst get to
follow thee." King Olaf accepted this offer, and got ready for
his march. Queen Astrid, and Ulfhild the king's daughter,
remained behind in Svithjod.

209. KING OLAF ADVANCES TO JARNBERALAND.

Just as King Olaf began his journey the men came to him whom the
Swedish king had given, in all 400 men, and the king took the
road the Swedes showed him. He advanced upwards in the country
to the forests, and came to a district called Jarnberaland. Here
the people joined him who had come out of Norway to meet him, as
before related; and he met here his brother Harald, and many
other of his relations, and it was a joyful meeting. They made
out together 1200 men.

210. OF DAG HRINGSON.

There was a man called Dag, who is said to have been a son of
King Hring, who fled the country from King Olaf. This Hring, it
is said further, had been a son of Dag, and grandson of Hring,
Harald Harfager's son. Thus was Dag King Olaf's relative. Both
Hring the father, and Dag the son, had settled themselves in
Svithjod, and got land to rule over. In spring, when Olaf came
from the East to Svithjod, he sent a message to his relation Dag,
that he should join him in this expedition with all the force he
could collect; and if they gained the country of Norway again,
Dag should have no smaller part of the kingdom under him than his
forefathers had enjoyed. When this message came to Dag it suited
his inclination well, for he had a great desire to go to Norway
and get the dominion his family had ruled over. He was not slow,
therefore, to reply, and promised to come. Dag was a quick-
speaking, quick-resolving man, mixing himself up in everything;
eager, but of little understanding. He collected a force of
almost 1200 men, with which he joined King Olaf.

211. OF KING OLAF'S JOURNEY.

King Olaf sent a message before him to all the inhabited places
he passed through, that the men who wished to get goods and
money, and share of booty, and the lands besides which now were
in the hands of his enemies, should come to him, and follow him.
Thereafter King Olaf led his army through forests, often over
desert moors, and often over large lakes; and they dragged, or
carried the boats, from lake to lake. On the way a great many
followers joined the king, partly forest settlers, partly
vagabonds. The places at which he halted for the night are since
called Olaf's Booths. He proceeded without any break upon his
journey until he came to Jamtaland, from which he marched north
over the keel or ridge of the land. The men spread themselves
over the hamlets, and proceeded, much scattered, so long as no
enemy was expected; but always, when so dispersed, the Northmen
accompanied the king. Dag proceeded with his men on another line
of march, and the Swedes on a third with their troop.

212. OF VAGABOND-MEN.

There were two men, the one called Gauka-Thorer, the other
Afrafaste, who were vagabonds and great robbers, and had a
company of thirty men such as themselves. These two men were
larger and stronger than other men, and they wanted neither
courage nor impudence. These men heard speak of the army that
was crossing the country, and said among themselves it would be a
clever counsel to go to the king, follow him to his country, and
go with him into a regular battle, and try themselves in this
work; for they had never been in any battle in which people were
regularly drawn up in line, and they were curious to see the
king's order of battle. This counsel was approved of by their
comrades, and accordingly they went to the road on which King
Olaf was to pass. When they came there they presented themselves
to the king, with their followers, fully armed. They saluted
him, and he asked what people they were. They told their names,
and said they were natives of the place; and told their errand,
and that they wished to go with the king. The king said, it
appeared to him there was good help in such folks. "And I have a
great inclination," said he, "to take such; but are ye Christian
men?"

Gauka-Thorer replies, that he is neither Christian nor heathen.
"I and my comrades have no faith but on ourselves, our strength,
and the luck of victory; and with this faith we slip through
sufficiently well."

The king replies, "A great pity it is that such brave
slaughtering fellows did not believe in Christ their Creator."

Thorer replies, "Is there any Christian man, king, in thy
following, who stands so high in the air as we two brothers?"

The king told them to let themselves be baptized, and to accept
the true faith. "Follow me then, and I will advance you to great
dignities; but if ye will not do so, return to your former
vocation."

Afrafaste said he would not take on Christianity, and he turned
away.

Then said Gauka-Thorer, "It is a great shame that the king drives
us thus away from his army, and I never before came where I was
not received into the company of other people, and I shall never
return back on this account." They joined accordingly the rear
with other forest-men, and followed the troops. Thereafter the
king proceeded west up to the keel-ridge of the country.