Then said the Icelander, "I never saw people so foolish as not to drag the earl out of the fire;" and took a stick, which he set under the earl's neck, and put him upright on the bench.Thorkel and his two comrades then went in all haste out of the other door opposite to that by which they went in, and Thorkel's men were standing without fully armed.The earl's men now went in, and took hold of the earl.He was already dead, so nobody thought of avenging him: and also the whole was done so quickly; for nobody expected such a deed from Thorkel, and all supposed that there really was, as before related, a friendship fixed between the earl and Thorkel.The most who were within were unarmed, and they were partly Thorkel's good friends; and to this may be added, that fate had decreed a longer life to Thorkel.When Thorkel came out he had not fewer men with him than the earl's troop.Thorkel went to his ship, and the earl's men went their way.The same day Thorkel sailed out eastwards into the sea.
This happened after winter; but he came safely to Norway, went as fast as he could to Olaf, and was well received by him.The king expressed his satisfaction at this deed, and Thorkel was with him all winter (A.D.1091).
105.AGREEMENT BETWEEN KING OLAF AND EARL BRUSE.
After Earl Einar's fall Bruse took the part of the country which he had possessed; for it was known to many men on what conditions Einar and Bruse had entered into a partnership.Although Thorfin thought it would be more just that each of them had half of the islands, Bruse retained the two-thirds of the country that winter (A.D.1021).In spring, however, Thorfin produced his claim, and demanded the half of the country; but Bruse would not consent.
They held Things and meetings about the business; and although their friends endeavoured to settle it, Thorfin would not be content with less than the half of the islands, and insisted that Bruse, with his disposition, would have enough even with a third part.Bruse replies, "When I took my heritage after my father Iwas well satisfied with a third part of the country, and there was nobody to dispute it with me; and now I have succeeded to another third in heritage after my brother, according to a lawful agreement between us; and although I am not powerful enough to maintain a feud against thee, my brother, I will seek some other way, rather than willingly renounce my property." With this their meeting ended.But Bruse saw that he had no strength to contend against Thorfin, because Thorfin had both a greater dominion and also could have aid from his mother's brother, the Scottish king.He resolved, therefore, to go out of the country;and he went eastward to King Olaf, and had with him his son Ragnvald, then ten years old.When the earl came to the king he was well received.The earl now declared his errand, and told the king the circumstances of the whole dispute between him and his brother, and asked help to defend his kingdom of Orkney;promising, in return, the fullest friendship towards King Olaf.
In his answer, the king began with showing how Harald Harfager had appropriated to himself all udal rights in Orkney, and that the earls, since that time, have constantly held the country as a fief, not as their udal property."As a sufficient proof of which," said he, "when Eirik Blood-axe and his sons were in Orkney the earls were subject to them; and also when my relation Olaf Trygvason came there thy father, Earl Sigurd, became his man.Now I have taken heritage after King Olaf, and I will give thee the condition to become my man and then I will give thee the islands as a fief; and we shall try if I cannot give thee aid that will he more to the purpose than Thorfin can get from the Scottish king.If thou wilt not accept of these terms, then will I win back my udal property there in the West, as our forefathers and relations of old possessed it."The earl carefully considered this speech, laid it before his friends, and demanded their advice if he should agree to it, and enter into such terms with King Olaf and become his vassal."But I do not see what my lot will be at my departure if I say no; for the king has clearly enough declared his claim upon Orkney; and from his great power, and our being in his hands, it is easy for him to make our destiny what he pleases."Although the earl saw that there was much to be considered for and against it he chose the condition to deliver himself and his dominion into the king's power.Thereupon the king took the earl's power, and the government over all the earl's lands, and the earl became his vassal under oath of fealty.
106.THE EARL'S AGREEMENT TO THE KING'S TERMS.
