King Sverri's Death.

181. King Sverri died on the Saturday in Ember week, and his body was laid out with all honour, as was expected. His face was left uncovered, as he had commanded. All who were present observed, and all afterwards bore one and the same testimony, that they had never seen a fairer corpse than his. While he was alive his complexion was very beautiful.

King Sverri was most polished in manner. He was low of stature, stout and strong, broad of face and well featured. His beard was usually trimmed, and his eyes were hazel in colour, set deeply and handsomely. He was calm and thoughtful. He was most eloquent in speech; his ideas were lofty, his articulation was distinct, and when he spoke, the ring of his voice was so clear that though he did not appear to speak loud, all understood him, even though they were far off. He was a seemly chief as he sat I his high-seat grandly dressed; for though his legs were short he sat high in the seat. He never drank strong drink to the injury of his reason, and always ate but one meal a day. He was valiant and bold, very capable of enduring fatigue and loss of sleep.

We see in King Sverri, as we often see elsewhere, that the paternity of men is no sign of their characters, for King Sigurd was light-hearted and impetuous, but Sverri was steadfast and calm. Sigurd was credulous and easily swayed, Sverri wary and cautious in the choice of friends. Sigurd was inconstant and variable in temper, Sverri staunch and even-tempered. Sigurd was headstrong and outspoken, Sverri true to his word and reserved. Sigurd was ignorant and irresolute, Sverri sagacious and conscientious. Yet in many ways they resembled each other. Both were ambitious and magnanimous; both were courteous, obliging towards friends, but hard towards foes; both were popular with their Guardsmen and followers, for both were hopeful under misfortune, and their best friends were those who were most intimate with their ways. King Sverri was lamented by his men and loving friends; and even those who had been his enemies declared that no man like Sverri had appeared in Norway in their time.

King Sverri's Burial.

182. King Sverri's body was carried down to Kristskirk with great pomp. The stone wall of the church between the chancel and the south door was opened, and the King's body laid therein. The wall was then built up, and a tablet of brass was fixed, on which was engraved in gold letters [Latin] verses to this effect: “Here lies the excellency of kings, the support and stay, the model and pattern of truth, gallantry, and worth; the manly strength, shield, and defence of his native land and the inheritance of his fathers; the courage of resolution, the destruction of foes, the honour of Norway, the glory of its people, the strengthening of justice, the amendment of law, the affection of all his followers.” To the wall was fixed a velvet cloth, and on it were his standard, shield, sword and helmet.

King Sverri died on the eighth day before the Ides of March, in the year MCCXV. for the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same year died Knut, King of the Danes, and his brother Valdamar succeeded him. Also Earl Birgi Brosa died. The Swedes then took Jon, son of King Sorkvi, to be their King. Jon was one year old, and the Swedes had then an unbreeched King.

King Sverri had reigned twenty-five years, and eighteen years had elapsed from the fall of King Magnus Erlingsson.

Here ends now the Saga of Sverri, King of Norway.