第213章

King Magnus Olafson built Olaf's church in the town (Nidaros), on the spot where Olaf's body was set down for the night, and which, at that time, was above the town.He also had the king's house built there.The church was not quite finished when the king died; but King Harald had what was wanting completed.There, beside the house, he began to construct a stone hall, but it was not finished when he died.King Harald had the church called Mary Church built from the foundations up, at the sandhill close to the spot where the king's holy remains were concealed in the earth the first winter after his fall.It was a large temple, and so strongly built with lime that it was difficult to break it when the Archbishop Eystein had it pulled down.Olaf's holy remains were kept in Olaf's church while Mary Church was building.King Harald had the king's house erected below Mary Kirk, at the side of the river, where it now is; and he had the house in which he had made the great hall consecrated and called Gregorius Church.

40.BEGINNING OF HAKON IVARSON'S STORY.

There was a man called Ivar the White, who was a brave lenderman dwelling in the Uplands, and was a daughter's son of Earl Hakon the Great.Ivar was the handsomest man that could be seen.

Ivar's son was called Hakon; and of him it was said that he was distinguished above all men then in Norway for beauty, strength and perfection of figure.In his very youth he had been sent out on war expeditions, where he acquired great honour and consideration, and became afterwards one of the most celebrated men.

41.OF EINAR TAMBASKELFER.

Einar Tambaskelfer was the most powerful lenderman in the Throndhjem land.There was but little friendship between him and King Harald, although Einar retained all the fiefs he had held while Magnus the Good lived.Einar had many large estates, and was married to Bergliot, a daughter of Earl Hakon, as related above.Their son Eindride was grown up, and married to Sigrid, a daughter of Ketil Kalf and Gunhild, King Harald's sister's daughter.Eindride had inherited the beauty of his mother's father, Earl Hakon, and his sons; and in size and strength he took after his father, Einar, and also in all bodily perfections by which Einar had been distinguished above other men.He was, also, as well as his father, the most popular of men, which the sagas, indeed, show sufficiently.

42.OF EARL ORM.

Orm was at that time earl in the Uplands.His mother was Ragnhild, a daughter of Earl Hakon the Great, and Orm was a remarkably clever man.Aslak Erlingson was then in Jadar at Sole, and was married to Sigrid, a daughter of Earl Svein Hakonson.Gunhild, Earl Svein's other daughter, was married to the Danish king, Svein Ulfson.These were the descendants of Earl Hakon at that time in Norway, besides many other distinguished people; and the whole race was remarkable for their very beautiful appearance, and the most of them were gifted with great bodily perfection, and were all distinguished and important men.

43.HARALD'S PRIDE.

King Harald was very proud, and his pride increased after he was established in the country; and it came so far that at last it was not good to speak against him, or to propose anything different from what he desired.So says Thiodolf, the skald: --"In arms 'tis right the common man Should follow orders, one by one, --Should stoop or rise, or run or stand, As his war-leader may command;But now to the king who feeds the ravens The people bend like heartless cravens --Nothing is left them, but consent To what the king calls his intent."44.OF THE QUARREL OF KING HARALD AND EINAR TAMBASKELFER.

Einar Tambaskelfer was the principal man among the bondes all about Throndhjem, and answered for them at the Things even against the king's men.Einar knew well the law, and did not want boldness to bring forward his opinion at Things, even if the king was present; and all the bondes stood by him.The king was very angry at this, and it came so far that they disputed eagerly against each other.Einar said that the bondes would not put up with any unlawful proceedings from him if he broke through the law of the land; and this occurred several times between them.

Einar then began to keep people about him at home, and he had many more when he came into the town if the king was there.It once happened that Einar came to the town with a great many men and ships; he had with him eight or nine great war-ships and nearly 500 men.When he came to the town he went up from the strand with his attendants.King Harald was then in his house, standing out in the gallery of the loft; and when he saw Einar's people going on shore, it is said Harald composed these verses:

--

"I see great Tambaskelfer go, With mighty pomp, and pride, and show, Across the ebb-shore up the land, --Before, behind, an armed band.

This bonde-leader thinks to rule, And fill himself the royal stool.

A goodly earl I have known With fewer followers of his own.

He who strikes fire from the shield, Einar, may some day make us yield, Unless our axe-edge quickly ends, With sudden kiss, what he intends."Einar remained several days in the town.

45.THE FALL OF EINAR AND EINDRIDE.

One day there was a meeting held in the town, at which the king himself was present.A thief had been taken in the town, and he was brought before the Thing.The man had before been in the service of Einar, who had been very well satisfied with him.

This was told to Einar, and he well knew the king would not let the man off, and more because he took an interest in the matter.