Stubborn and stiff are Throndhjem men, But Throndhjem's earl may come again;In Swedish land he knows no rest --Fierce wrath is gathering in his breast."58.LODIN'S MARRIAGE
Lodin was the name of a man from Viken who was rich and of good family.He went often on merchant voyages, and sometimes on viking cruises.It happened one summer that he went on a merchant voyage with much merchandise in a ship of his own.He directed his course first to Eistland, and was there at a market in summer.To the place at which the market was held many merchant goods were brought, and also many thralls or slaves for sale.There Lodin saw a woman who was to be sold as a slave: and on looking at her he knew her to be Astrid Eirik's daughter, who had been married to King Trygve.But now she was altogether unlike what she had been when he last saw her; for now she was pale, meagre in countenance, and ill clad.He went up to her, and asked her how matters stood with her.She replied, "It is heavy to be told; for I have been sold as a slave, and now again I am brought here for sale." After speaking together a little Astrid knew him, and begged him to buy her; and bring her home to her friends."On this condition," said he, "I will bring thee home tn Norway, that thou wilt marry me." Now as Astrid stood in great need, and moreover knew that Lodin was a man of high birth, rich, and brave, she promised to do so for her ransom.Lodin accordingly bought Astrid, took her home to Norway with him, and married her with her friends' consent.Their children were Thorkel Nefia, Ingerid, and Ingegerd.Ingebjorg and Astrid were daughters of Astrid by King Trygve.Eirik Bjodaskalle's sons were Sigird, Karlshofud, Jostein, and Thorkel Dydril, who were all rich and brave people who had estates east in the country.
In Viken in the east dwelt two brothers, rich and of good descent; one called Thorgeir, and the other Hyrning; and they married Lodin and Astrid's daughters, Ingerid and Ingegerd.
59.OLAF BAPTIZES THE COUNTRY OF VIKEN.
When Harald Gormson, king of Denmark, had adopted Christianity, he sent a message over all his kingdom that all people should be baptized, and converted to the true faith.He himself followed his message, and used power and violence where nothing else would do.He sent two earls, Urguthrjot and Brimilskjar, with many people to Norway, to proclaim Christianity there.In Viken, which stood directly under the king's power, this succeeded, and many were baptized of the country folk.But when Svein Forked-beard, immediately after his father King Harald's death, went out on war expeditions in Saxland, Frisland, and at last in England, the Northmen who had taken up Christianity returned back to heathen sacrifices, just as before; and the people in the north of the country did the same.But now that Olaf Trygvason was king of Norway, he remained long during the summer (A.D.996) in Viken, where many of his relatives and some of his brothers-in-law were settled, and also many who had been great friends of his father; so that he was received with the greatest affection.
Olaf called together his mother's brothers, his stepfather Lodin, and his brothers-in-law Thorgeir and Hyrning, to speak with them, and to disclose with the greatest care the business which he desired they themselves should approve of, and support with all their power; namely, the proclaiming Christianity over all his kingdom.He would, he declared, either bring it to this, that all Norway should be Christian, or die."I shall make you all,"said he, "great and mighty men in promoting this work; for Itrust to you most, as blood relations or brothers-in-law." All agreed to do what he asked, and to follow him in what he desired.
King Olaf immediately made it known to the public that he recommended Christianity to all the people in his kingdom, which message was well received and approved of by those who had before given him their promise; and these being the most powerful among the people assembled, the others followed their example, and all the inhabitants of the east part of Viken allowed themselves to be baptized.The king then went to the north part of Viken and invited every man to accept Christianity; and those who opposed him he punished severely, killing some, mutilating others, and driving some into banishment.At length he brought it so far, that all the kingdom which his father King Trvgve had ruled over, and also that of his relation Harald Grenske, accepted of Christianity; and during that summer (A.D.996) and the following winter (A.D.997) all Viken was made Christian.
60.OF THE HORDALAND PEOPLE.
Early in spring (A.D.997) King Olaf set out from Viken with a great force northwards to Agder, and proclaimed that every man should be baptized.And thus the people received Christianity, for nobody dared oppose the king's will, wheresoever he came.In Hordaland, however, were many bold and great men of Hordakare's race.He, namely, had left four sons, -- the first Thorleif Spake; the second, Ogmund, father of Thorolf Skialg, who was father of Erling of Sole; the third was Thord father of the Herse Klyp who killed King Sigurd Slefa, Gunhild's son; and lastly, Olmod, father of Askel, whose son was Aslak Fitjaskalle; and that family branch was the greatest and most considered in Hordaland.
Now when this family heard the bad tidings, that the king was coming along the country from the eastward with a great force, and was breaking the ancient law of the people, and imposing punishment and hard conditions on all who opposed him, the relatives appointed a meeting to take counsel with each other, for they knew the king would come down upon them at once: and they all resolved to appear in force at the Gula-Thing, there to hold a conference with King Olaf Trygvason.
61.ROGALAND BAPTIZED.
When King Olaf came to Rogaland, he immediately summoned the people to a Thing; and when the bondes received the message-token for a Thing, they assembled in great numbers well armed.
