And now the curved plank of the bow Cleaves the blue sea; the ocean-plough By grey winds driven across the main, Reaches Sigtuna's grassy plain."Here it is related that when King Magnus and his fellow-travellers sailed from the East to Svithjod, they brought up at Sigtuna.Emund Olafson was then king in Svithjod.Queen Astrid, who had been married to King Olaf the Saint, was also there.She received very gladly and well her stepson King Magnus, and summoned immediately a numerous Thing of Swedes at a place called Hangtar.At the Thing Queen Astrid spoke these words: "Here is come to us a son of Olaf the Saint, called Magnus, who intends to make an expedition to Norway to seek his father's heritage.It is my great duty to give him aid towards this expedition; for he is my stepson, as is well known to all, both Swedes and Norwegians.Neither shall he want men or money, in so far as Ican procure them or have influence, in order that his strength may be as great as possible; and all the men who will support this cause of his shall have my fullest friendship; and I would have it known that I intend myself to go with him on this attempt, that all may see I will spare nothing that is in my power to help him." She spoke long and cleverly in this strain;but when she had ended many replied thus: "The Swedes made no honourable progress in Norway when they followed King Olaf his father, and now no better success is to be expected, as this man is but in years of boyhood; and therefore we have little inclination for this expedition." Astrid replies, "All men who wish to be thought of true courage must not be deterred by such considerations.If any have lost connections at the side of King Olaf, or been themselves wounded, now is the time to show a man's heart and courage, and go to Norway to take vengeance." Astrid succeeded so far with words and encouragement that many men determined to go with her, and follow King Magnus to Norway.
Sigvat the skald speaks of this:--
"Now Astrtd, Olaf's widowed Queen, --
She who so many a change had seen, --
Took all the gifts of happier days, Jewels and rings, all she could raise, And at a Thing at Hangrar, where The Swedes were numerous, did declare What Olaf's son proposed to do, And brought her gifts -- their pay -- in view.
"And with the Swedes no wiser plan, To bring out every brave bold man, Could have been found, had Magnus been The son himself of the good queen.
With help of Christ, she hoped to bring Magnus to be the land's sole king, As Harald was, who in his day Obtained o'er all the upper sway.
"And glad are we so well she sped, --
The people's friend is now their head;
And good King Magnus always shows How much be to Queen Astrid owes.
Such stepmothers as this good queen In truth are very rarely seen;And to this noble woman's praise The skald with joy his song will raise."Thiodolf the skald also says in his song of Magnus: --"When thy brave ship left the land, The bending yard could scarce withstand The fury of the whistling gale, That split thy many-coloured sail;And many a stout ship, tempest-tost, Was in that howling storm lost That brought them safe to Sigtuna's shore, Far from the sound of ocean's roar."2.MAGNUS'S EXPEDITION FROM SVITHJOD.
King Magnus set out on his journey from Sigtuna with a great force, which he had gathered in Svithjod.They proceeded through Svithjod on foot to Helsingjaland.So says Arnor, the earl's skald: --"And many a dark-red Swedish shield Marched with thee from the Swedish field.
The country people crowded in, To help Saint Olaf's son to win;And chosen men by thee were led, Men who have stained the wolf's tongue red.
Each milk-white shield and polished spear Came to a splendid gathering there."Magnus Olafson went from the East through Jamtaland over the keel-ridge of the country and came down upon the Throndhjem district, where all men welcomed the king with joy.But no sooner did the men of King Svein, the son of Alfifa, hear that King Magnus Olafson was come to the country, than they fled on all sides and concealed themselves, so that no opposition was made to King Magnus; for King Svein was in the south part of the country.So says Arnor, the earls' skald: --"He who the eagle's talons stains Rushed from the East on Throndhjem's plains;The terror of his plumed helm Drove his pale foemen from the realm.
The lightning of thy eye so near, Great king! thy foemen could not bear, Scattered they fled -- their only care If thou their wretched lives wilt spare."3.MAGNUS MADE KING.
Magnus Olafson advanced to the town (Nidaros), where he was joyfully received.He then summoned the people to the Eyra-thing (1); and when the bondes met at the Thing, Magnus was taken to be king over the whole land, as far as his father Olaf had possessed it.Then the king selected a court, and named lendermen, and placed bailiffs and officers in all domains and offices.Immediately after harvest King Magnus ordered a levy through all Throndhjem land, and he collected men readily; and thereafter he proceeded southwards along the coast.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Eyra Thing, held on the ayr of the river Nid, that is, on the spit of sand, still called an ayr in the north of Scotland, dividing a lake, pond, or river-mouth from the sea.At the Thing held here the kings of Norway were chosen and proclaimed.It was held to be the proper Thing for settling disputes between kings in Norway.-- L.
4.KING SVEIN'S FLIGHT.
