Sverri's birth, and life in the Færeys.

Fb1. Bishop Hroi was at that time in the Færeys. He had a brother called Unas Kambari, who married a Norse wife named Gunnhold late in the reign of the brothers, Ingi, Sigurd, and Eystein, the sons of Harald Gilli. Before long Gunnhild had a son who was called Sverri, and was said to be the son of Unas. His coming into the world was heralded by remarkable dreams, such as ever precede remarkable events. His mother Gunnhild told of a dream that came to her before he was born. She dreamt that she was in a goodly upper room, and about to give birth to her childm and her maid was seated at her knees ready to receive that child at its birth. After the birth a great terror seized the maid and she cried aloud saying “Gunnhild, my Gunnhild! You have brought forth a wonderful and awful birth.” Three times she cried out, using the same words. And when Gunnhild heard the maid utter the same cry with so often a trembling voice, she inquired what it was that was born; and it seemed in her dream to be a stone, very large, white as snow to the sight; and it glowed fiercely, so that it emitted sparks in all directions like iron white heat in the fierce blast of a forge. And she said to her maid, “We must have a watchful care of this birth and let no one know aught of it, for all who see it will think a strange sight.” So, in her dream, they took the stone and set it in a large chair and hid under a fair covering. But cover it as they would, spark continued to issue from it which flew in all directions through the covering to every part of the room, and they were greatly affrighted as the awful at the awful issue from the stone. Then Gunnhild awoke. Unas and Gunnhild had a son Named Hidi; a daughter who was married to Svina-Stfan, and had a son named Petr Steypi; and also several other daughters.

When Sverri was five years old he sailed from Norway to the Færeys, and was there brought up as the foster-son of Bishop Hroi. The Bishop put him to books, and admitted him to Holy Orders, and he was ordained priest. But when hr reached a ripe age he did not shape himself to the priesthood, and was rather unruly. He had a quarrel with Bryniolf, son of Kalf Sendiman, who was then King's bailiff in the islands. Sverri had struck a man, and Bryniolf, with a large company, went to seize him, but he escaped. Yet they pressed him so closely that he ran into a stove-room to conceal himself. A woman hid him in the oven, and set a flat stone before the oven's mouth; then she lighted a fire outside. His pursuers sought him in the room, but did not find him. And when people saw what he became, they thought there had been many signs pointing to supernatural power in him.

Sverri's Dream.

Fb.2. Sverri had remarkable dreams, which some men regarded as nonsense and made sport of. He told of one in which he dreamt that he was in Norway, and was become a bird, so large that its beak reach ed the boundaries of the land in the east, and the feathers of its tail as far north as the dwellings of the Finns, while its wings covered the whole country. He told this dream to a wise man named Einar, and inquired what he thought it might portend. Einar answered that the dream was dark to him but that it probably pointed to power of some kind. “possibly”, said he, “you may become Archbishop”. “It seems to me very unlikely that I shall become Archbishop,” replied Sverri, “when I am not well suited to be priest.” Sverri was twenty-four years of age before he was told who was his real father, and he remained one year longer in the Færeys before he proceeded to Norway.

King Magnus of Norway and his father Earl Erling.

3. At that time King Magnus and Earl Erling were strong in the support of mighty men and of all the commons. The King was beloved and popular; the Earl was powerful and wise, energetic and blest with victory, and held all rule over the land. There were many, great and small, who wished him ill, especially in the communities of the Thronds north of the land. But Archbishop Eystein, who controlled all the north, was a very dear friend of King Magnus, and secured to him its whole strength. King Magnus had all the greatest men in the land on his side' some of them served in his bodyguard, and others held royal grants; while the commons, whit one consent, agreed to exalt him and maintain him in the kingdom, His ancestry was the greatest advantage to him; for all the people of the land lovedhim because of it, preferring rather to serve a descendant of Sigurd Jorsala-fari than one of Harald Gilli.

Sverri learns that he is a son of King Sigurd Munn.

4. A strange matter now happened: Gunnhild, the mother of Sverri, left the land to go south to Rome. There, to one who heard her confessions, she confessed that the man whom hitherto she had stated to be her son's father was not so; but that a king was his father and her son himself knew it not. This confession being laid before the Pope, She was commanded in her penance to inform her son of his real parentage as soon as she found him. Not long after her return home, she sailed to the Færeys, and told Sverri that he was the son of King Sigurd Munn. This information caused him much anxiety, and his mind wavered greatly. To contend for the kingdom against King Magnus and Earl Erling seemed difficult; and yet, supposing he were a king's son, it seemed contemptible that he should do nothing more than a plain yeoman's son would do. But when he called to mind the interpretation put upon his dreams b wise men, those very dreams quickened his courage to avenge his kinsmen.

Sverri dreams that he aids St. Olaf in fight.

5. Sverri related in these words a dream which appeared to him. He dreamt that he had come to Norway over the sea from the west, and attained some position of honour, chosen to be bishop most likely. And there was much unrest in the land, because of the contention of kings. He dreamt that King Olaf the Saint was contending against King Magnus and Earl Erling, and he was pondering in his mind which side he should join. He chose rather to go to King Olaf, and on his arrival the King welcomed him with great joy. He had not been long with him when this even happened. One morning, as it seemed to him in his dream, there were few men with the King, not more than fifteen or sixteen, and the king was washing himself at a table in an upper room. When he had finished, another man wished to go to the table and wash in the same water, but the King pushed him aside with the hand and bade him desist. He then called Sverri Magnus by name, and bade him wash I the same water; and Sverri did as he was bid. When he had washed, a man rushed into the room with the sudden tidings that the King's foes were at the door, and he bade them seize their weapons as quickly as they could. But the King spoke, and said there was no danger, and bade the men take their axes and swords and march out, while he himself would take his shield and protect them all. And they did as the King commanded. Then he took his sword and offered it to the young man Sverri, and placed is standard in Sverri's hand saying, “Take my standard, Lord, and know of a surety that henceforth you shall be its bearer always.” And Sverri in his dream received that standard though with a feeling of dread. Afterwards the king took his shield, and they all walked out together somewhat hastily. The vestibule seemed long as they marched through, not less then sixty ells in length, and while they were in the building, Sverri was unable to carry the standard upright. But when they reached the door through which they had to pass, seven men came against them with weapons, intending to cut down the standard bearer. But the King moved forward in front of him, and with his shield protected him and all the others, so that they were unharmed. Afterwards they came in his dream to an open country and a fair field, where he carried the standard upright, and bore it against the array of King Magnus and Earl Erling. And as soon as the attack was made, that host fell away. Then Sverri awoke, and pondering his dream, considered it better than no dream, though it seemed a strange one. He told it afterwards to his friends, that is a few, and succeeding events agreed fairly with their interpretation. And when such things came into his mind he was greatly strengthened.

Sverri arrives in Norway; Meets with Earl Erling; and visits Earl Birgi Brosa in Gaultland [1174-1176].

6. Sverri now made ready for a voyage to Norway to see what would happen, and he arrived there at the time when Eystein had let himself be proclaimed King. Now Eystein and he were cousins, sons of two brothers. And when Sverri heard of Eystein's doings he made careful inquiry into them, and found many of his plans and designs quite immature; this checked him so he did not feel it right to join Eystein.

Afterwards he journeyed to the north of the land, for his foster-father Bishop Hroi, had advised that he should present himself before the Archbishop and tell his difficulty to him. As he went on the voyage he made inquiries of men who had come from the north. He delayed fro a time at Selia, because he found friends. And there was a priest who gave him accurate information about all he wished to know, from which Sverri perceived how strong an opponent the Archbishop had been to his brothers. There seemed to him small hope that he would be exalted where his brothers had been abased.

He then turned south to leave the land, and sailed to Tunsberg with the crew of a merchantman, and thence to Konunga-hella. Here he had constant speech with Earl [Erling] himself, and dissembled with such success that the Earl neither knew who he was nor what his mind was brooding over. Sverri mixed much with the body-guard and others of the king's men, and his cheerful manner and conversation were a pleasure and amusement to them at all hours. By prudent speech he so sounded them that he became assured of many matters which they would never have disclosed if they had known who was among them or with whom they conversed. He applied his mind diligently to observe if the commons showed doubtful loyalty in their language, taking care that his own words roused no suspicion, and that no one perceived what his mind was brooding over. But he only found that the whole of the commons were loyal to King Magnus.

From Konunga-hella he passed to Liodhus, enduring much fatigue and toil; and thence into East Gautland, where he arrived weary and exhausted. Three days before Yule he came to his kinsman Earl Birgi Brosa, who had married his father's sister Brigit, and he laid bare his difficulty to the Earl and his wife. But they looked coldly on the project of helping his cause. There were two reasons for this: the first that his kinsman Eystein had raised his band of followers by their aid, and so long as he loved they would help no one else; and the second reason, a rumour had come to the ears of Birgi that Earl Erling had sent Sverri to him in mockery. Sverri remained here during Yule, and constantly spole to the Earl of his difficulty, begging him to give wholesome advice as to the plans he should adopt. Now there happened to be men present, such as constantly are met with, fuller of malice than kindness, and their presence was a source of great danger to Sverri. For as they were mostly short-sighted men, they believed the rumour and wished to slay him; but Earl Birgi would not have him slain without just cause, and he wished rather to inquire what were his usual habits. So they gave him to drink wine and mead, that he might become drunk and proved criminal out of his own mouth. But Sverri, anxious about his cause at every moment, gave little heed to either mead or wine though placed before him in plenty, when he found that answers were drawn from him on all matters of moment to himself, he grew more and more cautious; so that those who would make him drunk found naught of which to accuse him.

Sverri visits his sister Cecilia in Vermaland [1177]

7. After Yule-tide was passed, Sverri, perceiving that he did not obtain from the Earl such an answer as he wished, turned his course to Vermaland. He was not accompanied by a large crowd of followers, for he had only one man with him when he left the Earl; and he endured much fatigue and toil on the road. His condition most resembled that of royal children in the old stories, under the curses of step-mothers. For six or seven days together he strayed through wide and unknown forests, suffering cold and hunger in his wanderings. Arrived in Vermaland, he met men who had come from Norway, and asked them minutely of the tidings. They were able to tell him of what had lately happened: that King Eystein has marched from the north, east into the Vik, and had fought a battle at Re against King Magnus, in which he had fallen with a great part of his force. Those that escaped had fled to Vermaland, or Thelamork, or south to Denmark. The sorrows and perplexities of Sverri seemed greatly increased by this event, and he went first of all to his sister Cecilia, who as soon as she heard of her brother's movements, had prepared for him a hospitable reception. She was glad at his coming, and welcomed him with much joy. Afterwards brother and sister deliberated what plan he should follow. To return to Norway was not safe, for information of his affairs and movements had found its way there. It seemed to them the best course that he should visit foreign lands for a time and wait for the tidings that God would send for him.

The Birkibeins, having lost their leader, offer to serve under Sverri. He refuses their offer.

8. And now the miserable band that had lost its leader learnt that a son of King Sigurd Munn had come to Vermaland. All of them that heard the news went to see Sverri, and they begged him to put himself at the head of their cause and become their leader. The troop was in a very shameful condition; some had grievous wounds, some were without clothes, and well-nigh all were weaponless. So very young, too, were they all, that they appeared to him unfit for any great enterprise. He answered them in this manner:-

“ It does not seem to me desirable for either you or me that we take that course. You are poor men, and I am without resources and unknown to you. If my resolves are not to your liking, you may say that you do not clearly know whom you serve. I was brought up where men are little accustomed to such high aims or labours; and you and I, it seem to me, have small foundation for comradeship, together, except poverty and trouble. I am not prepared to join your perplexities to my anxiety. But insasmuch as you have applied to my, I will give you advice that seems to me good. Birgi, my kinsman, and his wife Bridgit, have three sons, who have an equal right with King Magnus Elringsson to rule the land. Go to Birig and ask him to give you one of them as your leader. Besides, I have carefully viewed and considered your band, and I observe in particular that there is little to distinguish one man from another among you. It is quite of my power to take up with this band. I see great hindrances to a common cause, especially in the absence of that which either of us can least afford to lack; for there is good reason to suppose that your company has not in it the elements of such great influence in the land as is needed to cope with Earl Erling. And for myself, brought up on an outlying rock, remote from other lands, I am incapable of Enterprise. Little acquaintance had I even with the customs of other men, until lately when I came to your land; far less have I the knowledge to lead a warlike host, or direct the government of the country. I am capable of nothing, being unknown to everyone. No man knows from what family I spring: all are ignorant, except so far as I myself may tell of it. Possible you will now say of me, as of your former leader, that you did not know what manner of man he was to whom your service was given. Thus your chief will ever be held your reproach wherever you meet your foes. Let all men set their hopes on the sons of Birgi, no one on me.”

The Birkibeins consult Earl Birgi about a leader, and he Sends them back to Sverri. Sverri's favorable answer.

9. These men, still in search of a leader, went to Birgi Brosa. He bewailed their loss greatly, and thus spoke: “My sons are children in age, unable to form plans either for themselves or others; they are not capable of such-chiefly, though, because of their youth. Among men of your band I see non to choose that are able to form plans for my sons, and I could raise no force here, because the men of Norway will not suffer a Gautish host to invade their land. But I will lay before you the plan that seems to me the best' God will decide how it turns out. A son of King Sigurd was with us during Yule, and he will be now in Vermaland. Take him for your leader; he is of the right age and of a suitable understanding. Ask him to place himself at the head of our cause.” “We went to that man,” the answered, “and he gave us a refusal.” The Earl then became the more urgent and said: “It is my belief that your cause will find no success unless it comes from him; and so if you will take my advice, you will go to him. You may bear him this message from me, that I promise him all such friendship as I can afford, and he shall bring his force here as to a friendly country whenever he comes into the realm of the Swedes. Give him the choice either to yield to the need of you all or to lose his life.” Now they had set men to keep watch over him while they went to consult Earl Birgi; because Sverri had formed a design to visit Jerusalem, thinking that he knew no men in Norway from whom he might expect protection. For King Magnus and Earl Erling had so bewitched the whole of that region that no man dared speak of Sigurd² or Hakon by the title of King.

These men now came the second time to Sverri, bringing letters from King Knut and Earl Birgi containing these words: “It is our prayer that you be moved to help this poor band, and show no disregard to our words. And notwithstanding that we looked coldly on you cause aforetime, yet now we will support and strengthen your rule in every way that we can.” But although they used this fair, enticing language, Sverri none the less perceived his lack of means for so great a design, and again refused the men's prayer. They then called to mind the last words of Earl Birgi and offered Sverri two choice of courses: would he prefer to take pity on their cause or look for sharper trouble from your kinsmen. For your father's sake we have lost our fathers, brothers, well-nigh all our relations, and we have no land wherein we may dwell peacefully. And now we all again offer our duty to you yourself, but you prefer to despise both us and your own honour. Know then of a surety that we will slay you in all belonging to you, and so purchase to ourselves peace with King Magnus; we who were most loyal to you in time past will now be most stern.” Sverri's position now seemed to him one of great and fresh difficulty, and he pondered it in himself. He saw that he would bring all his kindred to a very swift end if he risked these threats of evil. He chose otherwise, and on the Lord's Day before Lent, he entered into fellowship with them; the Monday following, seventy men swore fealty to him. Some became his Guardsmen, some his Gests, and some his House-Carles.

Sverri Dreams that he is Anointed by the Prophet Samuel.

10. The next night Sverri had a dream. He dreamt that he was at Borg, where the Raum-Elf falls into the sea, and King Magnus, Earl Erling, and their force were in the town. There was somewhat of a stir, because a King's son was supposed to be in the town, and all the people were busy seeking where he might be. And it seemed to Sverri that this stir was about himself. He dreamt that he was making his way secretly out of the town, and come up to Mariukirk, which he entered for the service. As he was at prayers in the church, there appeared to him a man who came and took him by the hand, and leading him into a chapel that lay north of the choir-door, thus spoke to him, “Come with me, brother, I have somewhat to tell thee in secret.” Sverri went in him dream with the man, carefully observing his appearance. The man seemed to him to be aged; his hair was of a snowy whiteness, his beard was long, and his garments trailed upon the ground; His face was ruddy, with short hair around it, and he inspired great awe. Sverri's mind was full of concern, wondering what the man might want. The old man perceived his anxiety and said to him, “Fear not, brother, for God has sent me.” Then Sverri, in his dream, sank to the ground before him, and aksed, “Who art thou, Lord, that I many be assured God has sent thee.” The old man answered a second time, bidding Sverri fear not, and saying that God had sent him to him. But Sverri's fear became rather greater then less. Then the old man took him by the hand and raised him up, saying the third time, “Fear not, brother, peace be wit thee. I am Samuel the prophet of God, and I have a message from God to deliver to thee.” After this, the old man took a horn from a scrip which he carried about his neck, and the horn appeared to Sverri to contain holy oil. And the old man said, “Let me see thy hands.” And Sverri stretched out both his hands towards him. And the man anointed them, saying, “May these hands be sanctified and made strong to hate foes and opponents, and to govern much people.” Then he kissed Sverri and taking his right hand in his own, said; “Be strong and valiant, for God will give thee help.” Sverri then awoke and related his dream to the twelve men, two priests and ten others, who slept in the same room with him. They all considered the dream remarkable and of great import, and all of them were somewhat gladdened by it. But when he asked them to interpret the dream, no one had the confidence to explain it, though all thought the dream better then no dream. When Sverri perceived that there was no interpretation of the dream forthcoming, he bade his men avoid speaking of the vision, though it had appeared to him.

After this dream his disposition seemed to all who were about him to undergo a great change. It was altogether a trying experience for him to live in a strange land and among a people altogether strange. And at the very same time that he took on himself the charge of his company he had to bear the burdens of those who served him; for in the troop that he had accepted, and whose lot he had bound to his own, there was not a man besides himself able to form a plan.