ThechiefIronbeardonthisoccasionwasoneGudbrand，averyruggedpeasant;who，saysSnorro，waslikeakinginthatdistrict。Somedaysbefore，KingOlaf，intendingareligiousThinginthosedeeplyheathenparts，withalternativeofChristianityorconflagration，isreported，onlookingdownintothevalleyandthebeautifulvillageofLoarstandingthere，tohavesaidwistfully，\"Whatapityitisthatsobeautifulavillageshouldbeburnt！\"Olafsentouthismessage-tokenallthe，same，however，andmetGudbrandandanimmenseassemblage，whosehumortowardshimwasuncomplianttoahighdegreeindeed。JudgebythispreliminaryspeechofGudbrandtohisThing-people，whileOlafwasnotyetarrived，butonlyadvancing，hardlygottoBreedenontheothersideofthehill：\"AmanhascometoLoarwhoiscalledOlaf，\"saidGudbrand，\"andwillforceuponusanotherfaiththanwehadbefore，andwillbreakinpiecesallourGods。HesayshehasamuchgreaterandmorepowerfulGod;anditiswonderfulthattheearthdoesnotburstasunderunderhim，orthatourGodletshimgoaboutunpunishedwhenhedarestotalksuchthings。I
knowthisforcertain，thatifwecarryThor，whohasalwaysstoodbyus，outofourTemplethatisstandinguponthisfarm，Olaf’sGodwillmeltaway，andheandhismenbemadenothingassoonasThorlooksuponthem。\"WhereupontheBondersallshoutedasoneman，\"Yea！\"
WhichtremendousmessagetheyevenforwardedtoOlaf，byGudbrand’syoungersonattheheadof700armedmen;butdidnotterrifyOlafwithit，who，onthecontrary，drewuphistroops，rodehimselfattheheadofthem，andbeganaspeechtotheBonders，inwhichheinvitedthemtoadoptChristianity，astheonetruefaithformortals。
Farfromconsentingtothis，theBondersraisedageneralshout，smitingatthesametimetheirshieldswiththeirweapons;butOlaf’smenadvancingonthemswiftly，andflingingspears，theyturnedandran，leavingGudbrand’ssonbehind，aprisoner，towhomOlafgavehislife：\"Gohomenowtothyfather，andtellhimImeantobewithhimsoon。\"
Thesongoesaccordingly，andadviseshisfathernottofaceOlaf;butGudbrandangrilyreplies：\"Ha，coward！Iseethou，too，arttakenbythefollythatmanisgoingaboutwith;\"andisresolvedtofight。
Thatnight，however，GudbrandhasamostremarkableDream，orVision：
aMansurroundedbylight，bringinggreatterrorwithhim，whowarnsGudbrandagainstdoingbattlewithOlaf。\"Ifthoudost，thouandallthypeoplewillfall;wolveswilldragawaytheeandthine;ravenswillteartheeinstripes！\"Andlo，intellingthistoThordPotbelly，asturdyneighborofhisandhenchmanintheThing，itisfoundthattoThordalsohascometheselfsameterribleApparition！
BetterproposetrucetoOlaf（whoseemstohavethesedreadfulGhostlyPowersonhisside），andtheholdingofaThing，todiscussmattersbetweenus。Thingassembles，onadayofheavyrain。Beingallseated，uprisesKingOlaf，andinformsthem：\"ThepeopleofLesso，Loar，andVaage，haveacceptedChristianity，andbrokendowntheiridol-houses：theybelievenowintheTrueGod，whohasmadeheavenandearth，andknowsallthings;\"andsitsdownagainwithoutmorewords。
\"Gudbrandreplies，’Weknownothingabouthimofwhomthouspeakest。
DostthoucallhimGod，whomneitherthounoranyoneelsecansee？
ButwehaveaGodwhocanbeseeneveryday，althoughheisnotoutto-daybecausetheweatheriswet;andhewillappeartotheeterribleandverygrand;andIexpectthatfearwillmixwiththyverybloodwhenhecomesintotheThing。ButsincethousayestthyGodissogreat，lethimmakeitsothatto-morrowwehaveacloudyday，butwithoutrain，andthenletusmeetagain。’
\"Thekingaccordinglyreturnedhometohislodging，takingGudbrand’ssonasahostage;buthegavethemamanashostageinexchange。IntheeveningthekingaskedGudbrand’ssonWhattheirGodwaslike？HerepliedthatheborethelikenessofThor;hadahammerinhishand;
wasofgreatsize，buthollowwithin;andhadahighstand，uponwhichhestoodwhenhewasout。’Neithergoldnorsilverarewantingabouthim，andeverydayhereceivesfourcakesofbread，besidesmeat。’
Theythenwenttobed;butthekingwatchedallnightinprayer。Whendaydawnedthekingwenttomass;thentotable，andfromthencetotheThing。TheweatherwassuchasGudbranddesired。NowtheBishopstoodupinhischoir-robes，withbishop’scoifonhishead，andbishop’scrosierinhishand。HespoketotheBondersofthetruefaith，toldthemanywonderfulactsofGod，andconcludedhisspeechwell。
\"ThordPotbellyreplies，’Manythingswearetoldofbythislearnedmanwiththestaffinhishand，crookedatthetoplikearam’shorn。
Butsinceyousay，comrades，thatyourGodissopowerful，andcandosomanywonders，tellhimtomakeitclearsunshineto-morrowforenoon，andthenweshallmeethereagain，anddooneoftwothings，——eitheragreewithyouaboutthisbusiness，orfightyou。’
Andtheyseparatedfortheday。\"
OvernightthekinginstructedKolbeintheStrong，animmensefellow，thesamewhokilledGunhild’stwobrothers，thathe，Kolbein，muststandnexthimto-morrow;peoplemustgodowntowheretheshipsoftheBonderslay，andpunctuallyboreholesineveryoneofthem;
_item_，tothefarmswheretheirhorseswore，andpunctuallyunhalterthewholeofthem，andletthemloose：allwhichwasdone。Snorrocontinues：——
\"Nowthekingwasinprayerallnight，beseechingGodofhisgoodnessandmercytoreleasehimfromevil。Whenmasswasended，andmorningwasgray，thekingwenttotheThing。Whenhecamethither，someBondershadalreadyarrived，andtheysawagreatcrowdcomingalong，andbearingamongthemahugeman’simage，glancingwithgoldandsilver。WhentheBonderswhowereattheThingsawit，theystartedup，andbowedthemselvesdownbeforetheuglyidol。ThereuponitwassetdownupontheThingfield;andontheonesideofitsattheBonders，andontheothertheKingandhispeople。
\"ThenDaleGudbrandstoodupandsaid，’Wherenow，king，isthyGod？
Ithinkhewillnowcarryhisheadlower;andneitherthou，northemanwiththehorn，sittingbesidetheethere，whomthoucallestBishop，aresoboldto-dayasontheformerdays。FornowourGod，whorulesoverall，iscome，andlooksonyouwithanangryeye;andnowIseewellenoughthatyouareterrified，andscarcelydareraiseyoureyes。Throwawaynowallyouropposition，andbelieveintheGodwhohasyourfatewhollyinhishands。’
\"ThekingnowwhisperstoKolbeintheStrong，withouttheBondersperceivingit，’IfitcomesointhecourseofmyspeechthattheBonderslookanotherwaythantowardstheiridol，strikehimashardasthoucanstwiththyclub。’
\"Thekingthenstoodupandspoke。’Muchhastthoutalkedtousthismorning，andgreatlyhastthouwonderedthatthoucanstnotseeourGod;butweexpectthathewillsooncometous。ThouwouldstfrightenuswiththyGod，whoisbothblindanddeaf，andcannotevenmoveaboutwithoutbeingcarried;butnowIexpectitwillbebutashorttimebeforehemeetshisfate：forturnyoureyestowardstheeast，——beholdourGodadvancingingreatlight。’
\"Thesunwasrising，andallturnedtolook。AtthatmomentKolbeingavetheirGodastroke，sothathequiteburstasunder;andthereranoutofhimmiceasbigalmostascats，andreptilesandadders。TheBondersweresoterrifiedthatsomefledtotheirships;butwhentheysprangoutuponthemtheshipsfilledwithwater，andcouldnotgetaway。Othersrantotheirhorses，butcouldnotfindthem。ThekingthenorderedtheBonderstobecalledtogether，sayinghewantedtospeakwiththem;onwhichtheBonderscameback，andtheThingwasagainseated。
\"Thekingroseupandsaid，’Idonotunderstandwhatyournoiseandrunningmean。YouyourselvesseewhatyourGodcando，——theidolyouadornedwithgoldandsilver，andbroughtmeatandprovisionsto。Youseenowthattheprotectingpowers，whousedandgotgoodofallthat，werethemiceandadders，thereptilesandlizards;andsurelytheydoillwhotrusttosuch，andwillnotabandonthisfolly。Takenowyourgoldandornamentsthatarelyingstrewedonthegrass，andgivethemtoyourwivesanddaughters，butneverhangthemhereafteruponstocksandstones。Herearetwoconditionsbetweenustochooseupon：
eitheracceptChristianity，orfightthisveryday，andthevictorybetothemtowhomtheGodweworshipgivesit。’
\"ThenDaleGudbrandstoodupandsaid，’WehavesustainedgreatdamageuponourGod;butsincehewillnothelpus，wewillbelieveintheGodwhomthoubelievestin。’
\"ThenallreceivedChristianity。TheBishopbaptizedGudbrandandhisson。KingOlafandBishopSigurdleftbehindthemteachers;andtheywhometasenemiespartedasfriends。AndafterwardsGudbrandbuiltachurchinthevalley。\"[13]
Olafwasbynomeansanunmercifulman，——muchthereversewherehesawgoodcause。TherewasawickedoldKingRaerik，forexample，oneofthosefivekingletswhom，withtheirbitsofarmaments，Olafbystratagemhadsurroundedonenight，andatoncebaggedandsubjectedwhenmorningrose，allofthemconsenting;allofthemexceptthisRaerik，whomOlaf，asthereadiestsurecourse，tookhomewithhim;
blinded，andkeptinhisownhouse;findingtherewasnoalternativebutthatordeathtotheobstinateolddog，whowasakindofdistantcousinwithal，andcouldnotconscientiouslybekilled。Stone-blindoldRaerikwasnotalwaysinmurderoushumor。Indeed，formostpartheworeaplacid，conciliatoryaspect，andsaidshrewdamusingthings;
buthadthriceovertried，withamazingcunningofcontrivance，thoughstone-blind，tothrustadaggerintoOlafandthelasttimehadallbutsucceeded。Sothat，asOlafstillrefusedtohavehimkilled，ithadbecomeaproblemwhatwastobedonewithhim。Olaf’sgoodhumor，aswellas_his_quiet，readysenseandpracticality，aremanifestedinhisfinalsettlementofthisRaerikproblem。Olaf’slaugh，Icanperceive，wasnotsoloudasTryggveson’sbutequallyhearty，comingfromthebrightmindofhim！
BesidesblindRaerik，OlafhadinhishouseholdoneThorarin，anIcelander;aremarkablyuglyman，saysSnorro，butafar-travelled，shrewdlyobservant，loyal-minded，andgood-humoredperson，whomOlaflikedtotalkwith。\"Remarkablyugly，\"saysSnorro，\"especiallyinhishandsandfeet，whichwerelargeandill-shapedtoadegree。\"OnemorningThorarin，who，withothertrustedones，sleptinOlaf’sapartment，waslazilydozingandyawning，andhadstretchedoneofhisfeetoutofthebedbeforethekingawoke。ThefootwasstilltherewhenOlafdidopenhisbrighteyes，whichinstantlylightedonthisfoot。
\"Well，hereisafoot，\"saysOlaf，gayly，\"whichoneseldomseesthematchof;IdurstventurethereisnotanothersouglyinthiscityofNidaros。\"
\"Hah，king！\"saidThorarin，\"therearefewthingsonecannotmatchifoneseeklongandtakepains。Iwouldbet，withthypermission，King，tofindanuglier。\"
\"Done！\"criedOlaf。UponwhichThorarinstretchedouttheotherfoot。
\"Astilluglier，\"criedhe;\"forithaslostthelittletoe。\"
\"Ho，ho！\"saidOlaf;\"butitisIwhohavegainedthebet。The_less_
ofanuglythingthelessugly，notthemore！\"
LoyalThorarinrespectfullysubmitted。
\"Whatistobemypenalty，then？Thekingitisthatmustdecide。\"
\"TotakemethatwickedoldRaeriktoLeifEricsoninGreenland。\"
WhichtheIcelanderdid;leavingtwovacantseatshenceforthatOlaf’stable。LeifEricson，sonofEricdiscovererofAmerica，quietlymanagedRaerikhenceforth;senthimtoIceland，——IthinktofatherErichimself;certainlytosomesafehandthere，inwhosehouse，orinsomestillquieterneighboringlodging，athisownchoice，oldRaerikspentthelastthreeyearsofhislifeinaperfectlyquiescentmanner。
Olaf’sstrugglesinthematterofreligionhadactuallysettledthatquestioninNorway。Bytheseroughmethodsofhis，whateverwemaythinkofthem，Heathenismhadgotitselfsmasheddead;andwasnomoreheardofinthatcountry。Olafhimselfwasevidentlyahighlydevoutandpiousman;——whosoeverisbornwithOlaf’stempernowwillstillfind，asOlafdid，newandinfinitefieldforit！ChristianityinNorwayhadthelikefertilityasinothercountries;orevenrosetoahigher，andwhatDahlmannthinks，exuberantpitch，inthecourseofthetwocenturieswhichfollowedthatofOlaf。Himalltestimonyrepresentstousasamostrighteousnolessthanmostreligiousking。
Continuallyvigilant，just，andrigorouswasOlaf’sadministrationofthelaws;repressionofrobbery，punishmentofinjustice，sternrepaymentofevil-doers，whereverhecouldlayholdofthem。
AmongtheBonderoropulentclass，andindeedeverywhere，forthepoortoocanbesinnersandneedpunishment，Olafhad，bythiscourseofconduct，naturallymadeenemies。Hisseveritysovisibletoall，andthejusticeandinfinitebeneficenceofitsoinvisibleexcepttoaveryfew。But，atanyrate，hisreignforthefirsttenyearswasvictorious;andmighthavebeensototheend，haditnotbeenintersected，andinterferedwith，byKingKnutinhisfarbiggerorbitandcurrentofaffairsandinterests。Knut’sEnglishaffairsandDanishbeingallsettledtohismind，heseems，especiallyafterthatyearofpilgrimagetoRome，andassociationwiththePontiffsandKaisersoftheworldonthatoccasion，tohaveturnedhismoreparticularattentionuponNorway，andtheclaimshehimselfhadthere。
JarlHakon，too，sister’ssonofKnut，andalwayswellseenbyhim，hadlongbeenbusyinthisdirection，muchforgetfulofthatoathtoOlafwhenhisbargegotcantedoverbythecableoftwocapstans，andhislifewasgivenhim，notwithoutconditionsaltogether！
Abouttheyear1026therearrivedtwosplendidpersonsoutofEngland，bearingKingKnuttheGreat’sletterandseal，withamessage，likelyenoughtobefarfromwelcometoOlaf。ForsomedaysOlafrefusedtoseethemortheirletter，shrewdlyguessingwhatthepurportwouldbe。
Whichindeedwascouchedinmildlanguage，butofsharpmeaningenough：anoticetoKingOlafnamely，ThatNorwaywasproperly，byjustheritage，KnuttheGreat’s;andthatOlafmustbecomethegreatKnut’sliegeman，andpaytributetohim，orworsewouldfollow。KingOlaflisteningtothesetwosplendidpersonsandtheirletter，inindignantsilencetilltheyquiteended，madeanswer：\"Ihaveheardsay，byoldaccountsthereare，thatKingGormofDenmark[Blue-tooth’sfather，Knut’sgreat-grandfather]wasconsideredbutasmallking;havingDenmarkonlyandfewpeopletoruleover。Butthekingswhosucceededhimthoughtthatinsufficientforthem;andithassincecomesofarthatKingKnutrulesoverbothDenmarkandEngland，andhasconqueredforhimselfapartofScotland。Andnowheclaimsalsomypaternalbitofheritage;cannotbecontentedwithoutthattoo。DoeshewishtoruleoverallthecountriesoftheNorth？CanheeatupallthekaleinEnglanditself，thisKnuttheGreat？Heshalldothat，andreducehisEnglandtoadesert，beforeIlaymyheadinhishands，orshowhimanyotherkindofvassalage。AndsoI
bidyoutellhimthesemywords：IwilldefendNorwaywithbattle-axeandswordaslongaslifeisgivenme，andwillpaytaxtonomanformykingdom。\"WordswhichnaturallyirritatedKnuttoahighdegree。
Nextyearaccordingly（year1027），tenthoreleventhyearofOlaf’sreign，therecamebadrumorsoutofEngland：ThatKnutwasequippinganimmensearmy，——land-army，andsuchafleetashadneversailedbefore;Knut’sownshipinit，——aGoldDragonwithnofewerthansixtybenchesofoars。OlafandOnundKingofSweden，whosesisterhehadmarried，wellguessedwhitherthisarmamentwasbound。Theywerefriendswithal，theyrecognizedtheircommonperilinthisimminence;
andhad，inrepeatedconsultations，takenmeasuresthebestthattheirunitedskill（whichIfindwasmainlyOlaf’sbutloyallyacceptedbytheother）couldsuggest。ItwasinthisyearthatOlaf（withhisSwedishkingassisting）didhisgrandfeatuponKnutinLymfjordofJutland，whichwasalreadyspokenof。Thespecialcircumstancesofwhichwerethese：
Knut’sbigarmamentarrivingontheJutishcoaststoolateintheseason，andthecoastcountrylyingallplunderedintotemporarywreckbythetwoNorsekings，whoshrankawayonsightofKnut，therewasnothingcouldbedoneuponthembyKnutthisyear，——or，ifanything，what？Knut’sshipsranintoLymfjord，thesafe-shelteredfrith，orintricatelongstraggleoffrithsandstraits，whichalmostcutsJutlandintwointhatregion;andlaysafe，idlyrockingonthewatersthere，uncertainwhattodofarther。Atlasthesteeredinhisbigshipandsomeothers，deeperintotheinteriorofLymfjord，deeperanddeeperonwardstothemouthofabigrivercalledtheHelge（_Helge-aa_，theHolyRiver，notdiscoverableinmypoormaps，butcertainlyenoughstillexistingandstillflowingsomewhereamongthoseintricatestraitsandfriths），towardsthebottomofwhichHelgeriverlay，insomesafenook，thesmallcombinedSwedishandNorsefleet，underthechargeofOnund，theSwedishking，whileatthetoporsource，whichisabiggishmountainlake，KingOlafhadbeendoingconsiderableengineeringworks，wellsuitedtosuchanoccasion，andwasnowreadyatamoment’snotice。Knut’sfleethavingidlytakenstationhere，noticefromtheSwedishkingwasinstantlysent;
instantlyOlaf’swell-engineeredflood-gateswerethrownopen;fromtheswollenlakeahugedelugeofwaterwasletloose;OlafhimselfwithallhispeoplehasteningdowntojoinhisSwedishfriend，andgetonboardintime;Helgeriverallthewhilealongsideofhim，withever-increasingroar，andwider-spreadingdeluge，hasteningdownthesteepsinthenight-watches。Sothat，alongwithOlaforsomewayaheadofhim，cameimmeasurableroaringwasteofwatersuponKnut’snegligentfleet;shattered，broke，andstrandedmanyofhisships，andwaswithinatrifleofdestroyingtheGoldenDragonherself，withKnutonboard。OlafandOnund，weneednotsay，werepromptlythereinperson，doingtheirverybest;therailingsoftheGoldenDragon，however，weretoohighfortheirlittleships;andJarlUlf，husbandofKnut’ssister，atthetopofhisspeed，courageouslyintervening，spoiledtheirstratagem，andsavedKnutfromthisverydangerouspass。
Knutdidnothingmorethiswinter。ThetwoNorsekings，quiteunequaltoattacksuchanarmament，exceptbyambushandengineering，sailedaway;againplunderingatdiscretionontheDanishcoast;carryingintoSwedengreatbootiesandmanyprisoners;butobligedtoliefixedallwinter;andindeedtoleavetheirfleetsthereforaseriesofwinters，——Knut’sfleet，postedatElsinoreonbothsidesoftheSound，renderingallegressfromtheBalticimpossible，exceptathispleasure。Ulf’sopportunedeliveranceofhisroyalbrother-in-lawdidnotmuchbesteadpoorUlfhimself。Hehadbeenindisfavorbefore，pardonedwithdifficulty，byQueenEmma’sintercession;anambitious，officious，pushing，stirring，and，bothinEnglandandDenmark，almostdangerousman;andthisconspicuousaccidentalmeritonlyawokenewjealousyinKnut。Knut，findingnothingpasstheSoundworthmuchblockading，wentashore;\"andthedaybeforeMichaelmas，\"saysSnorro，\"rodewithagreatretinuetoRoeskilde。\"Snorrocontinueshistragicnarrativeofwhatbefellthere：
\"ThereKnut’sbrother-in-law，JarlUlf，hadpreparedagreatfeastforhim。TheJarlwasthemostagreeableofhosts;buttheKingwassilentandsullen。TheJarltalkedtohimineverywaytomakehimcheerful，andbroughtforwardeverythinghecouldthinkoftoamusehim;buttheKingremainedstern，andspeakinglittle。AtlasttheJarlproposedagameofchess，whichheagreedto。Achess-boardwasproduced，andtheyplayedtogether。JarlUlfwashastyintemper，stiff，andinnothingyielding;buteverythinghemanagedwentonwellinhishands：andhewasagreatwarrior，aboutwhomtherearemanystories。HewasthemostpowerfulmaninDenmarknexttotheKing。
JarlUlf’ssister，Gyda，wasmarriedtoJarlGudin（Godwin）Ulfnadson;
andtheirsonswere，HaraldKingofEngland，andJarlTosti，JarlWalthiof，JarlMauro-Kaare，andJarlSvein。Gydawasthenameoftheirdaughter，whowasmarriedtotheEnglishKingEdward，theGood（whomwecalltheConfessor）。
\"Whentheyhadplayedawhile，theKingmadeafalsemove;onwhichtheJarltookaknightfromhim;buttheKingsetthepieceontheboardagain，andtoldtheJarltomakeanothermove。ButtheJarlflewangry，tumbledthechess-boardover，rose，andwentaway。TheKingsaid，’Runthyways，UlftheFearful。’TheJarlturnedroundatthedoorandsaid，’ThouwouldsthaverunfartheratHelgeriverhadstthoubeenlefttobattlethere。ThoudidstnotcallmeUlftheFearfulwhenIhastenedtothyhelpwhiletheSwedeswerebeatingtheelikeadog。’TheJarlthenwentout，andwenttobed。
\"Thefollowingmorning，whiletheKingwasputtingonhisclothes，hesaidtohisfootboy，’GothoutoJarlUlfandkillhim。’Theladwent，wasawayawhile，andthencameback。TheKingsaid，’HastthoukilledtheJarl？’’Ididnotkillhim，forhewasgonetoSt。
Lucius’schurch。’TherewasamancalledIvartheWhite，aNorwegianbybirth，whowastheKing’scourtmanandchamberlain。TheKingsaidtohim，’GothouandkilltheJarl。’Ivarwenttothechurch，andinatthechoir，andthrusthisswordthroughtheJarl，whodiedonthespot。ThenIvarwenttotheKing，withthebloodyswordinhishand。
\"TheKingsaid，’HastthoukilledtheJarl？’’Ihavekilledhim，’
saidhe。’Thouhastdonewell，’answeredtheKing。\"I
Fromamanwhobuiltsomanychurches（oneoneachbattlefieldwherehehadfought，tosaynothingoftheothers），andwhohadinhimsuchdepthsofrealdevotionandotherfinecosmicquality，thisdoesseemratherstrong！Butitischaracteristic，withal，——oftheman，andperhapsofthetimesstillmore。[14]Inanycase，itisaneventworthnoting，theslainJarlUlfandhisconnectionsbeingofimportanceinthehistoryofDenmarkandofEnglandalso。Ulf’swifewasAstrid，sisterofKnut，andtheironlychildwasSvein，styledafterwards\"SveinEstrithson\"（\"Astrid-son\"）whenhebecamenotedintheworld，——atthistimeabeardlessyouth，who，onthebackofthistragedy，fledhastilytoSweden，wherewerefriendsofUlf。Aftersometenyears’eclipsethere，Knutandbothhissonsbeingnowdead，SveinreappearedinDenmarkunderanewandeminentfigure，\"JarlofDenmark，\"highestLiegemantothethensovereignthere。Brokehisoathtosaidsovereign，declaredhimself，SveinEstrithson，toberealKingofDenmark;and，aftermuchpreliminarytrouble，andmanybeatingsanddisastrousflightstoandfro，becameineffectsuch，——tothewonderofmankind;forhehadnothadonevictorytocheerhimon，oranygoodluckormeritthatonesees，exceptthatofsurvivinglongerthansomeothers。NeverthelesshecametobetheRestorer，socalled，ofDanishindependence;soleremainingrepresentativeofKnut（orKnut’ssister），ofFork-beard，Blue-tooth，andOldGorm;andancestorofallthesubsequentkingsofDenmarkforsome400years;
himselfcoming，aswesee，onlybytheDistaffside，alloftheSwordormalesidehavingdiedsosoon。Earlydeath，ithasbeenobserved，wastheGreatKnut’sallotment，andallhisposterity’saswell;——fatallimit（hadtherebeennoothers，whichweseetherewere）
tohisbecoming\"CharlemagneoftheNorth\"inanyconsiderabledegree！
JarlUlf，aswehaveseen，hadasister，Gydabyname，wifetoEarlGodwin（\"GudinUlfnadsson，\"asSnorrocallshim）averymemorableEnglishman，whosesonandhers，KingHarald，_Harold_inEnglishbooks，isthememorablestofall。ThesethingsoughttobebetterknowntoEnglishantiquaries，andwillperhapsbealludedtoagain。
Thisprettylittlevictoryoraffront，gainedoverKnutin_Lymfjord_，wasamongthelastsuccessesofOlafagainstthatmightyman。Olaf，theskilfulcaptainhewas，neednothavedespairedtodefendhisNorwayagainstKnutandalltheworld。Buthelearnedhenceforth，monthbymonthevermoretragically，thathisownpeople，seeingsofterprospectsunderKnut，andinparticularthechiefsofthem，industriouslybribedbyKnutforyearspast，hadfallenawayfromhim;
andthathismeansofdefenceweregone。Nextsummer，Knut’sgrandfleetsailed，unopposed，alongthecoastofNorway;KnutsummoningaThingeveryhereandthere，andinallofthemmeetingnothingbutsky-highacclamationandacceptance。Olaf，withsometwelvelittleships，allhenowhad，layquietinsomesafefjord，nearLindenaes，whatwenowcalltheNaze，behindsomelittlesolitaryislesonthesoutheastofNorwaythere;tilltriumphantKnuthadstreamedhomeagain。HometoEnglandagain\"SovereignofNorway\"now，withnephewHakonappointedJarlandVice-regentunderhim！ThiswasthenewsOlafmetonventuringout;andthathisworstanticipationswerenotbeyondthesadtruthall，oralmostall，thechiefBondersandmenofweightinNorwayhaddeclaredagainsthim，andstoodwithtriumphantKnut。
Olaf，withhistwelvepoorships，steeredvigorouslyalongthecoasttocollectmoneyandforce，——ifsuchcouldnowanywherebehad。Hehimselfwasresolutetoholdout，andtry。\"Sailingswiftlywithafairwind，morningcloudywithsomeshowers，\"hepassedthecoastofJedderen，whichwasErlingSkjalgson’scountry，whenhegotsurenoticeofanendlessmultitudeofships，war-ships，armedmerchantships，allkindsofshipping-craft，downtofishermen’sboats，justgettingunderwayagainsthim，underthecommandofErlingSkjalgson，——thepowerfulestofhissubjects，oncemuchafriendofOlaf’sbutnowgoneagainsthimtothislength，thankstoOlaf’sseverityofjustice，andKnut’sabundanceingoldandpromisesforyearsback。TothatcomplexionhaditcomewithErling;sailingwiththisimmenseassemblageofthenavalpeopleandpopulaceofNorwaytoseizeKingOlaf，andbringhimtothegreatKnutdeadoralive。
Erlinghadagrandnewshipofhisown，whichfaroutsailedthegeneralmiscellanyofrebelships，andwasvisiblyfastgainingdistanceonOlafhimself，——whowellunderstoodwhatErling’spuzzlewas，betweenthetailofhisgame（themiscellanyofrebelships，namely）thatcouldnotcomeup，andtheheadorgeneralprizeofthegamewhichwascrowdingallsailtogetaway;andOlaftookadvantageofthesame。\"Loweryoursails！\"saidOlaftohismen（thoughwemustgoslower）。
\"Hoyou，wehavelostsightofthem！\"saidErlingtohis，andputonallhisspeed;Olafgoing，soonafterthis，altogetherinvisible，——behindalittleislandthatheknewof，whenceintoacertainfjordorbay（BayofFungenonthemaps），whichhethoughtwouldsuithim。\"Halthere，andgetoutyourarms，\"saidOlaf，andhadnottowaitlongtillErlingcameboundingin，pasttherockypromontory，andwithastonishmentbeheldOlaf’sfleetoftwelvewiththeirbattle-axesandtheirgrappling-ironsallinperfectreadiness。
Thesefellonhim，theunreadyErling，simultaneous，likeaclusterofangrybees;andinafewminutesclearedhisshipofmenaltogether，exceptErlinghimself。Nobodyaskedhislife，norprobablywouldhavegotitifhehad。OnlyErlingstillstooderectonahighplaceonthepoop，fiercelydefensive，andverydifficulttogetat。\"Couldnotbereachedatall，\"saysSnorro，\"exceptbyspearsorarrows，andthesehewardedoffwithuntiringdexterity;nomaninNorway，itwassaid，hadeverdefendedhimselfsolongaloneagainstmany，\"——analmostinvincibleErling，hadhiscausebeengood。OlafhimselfnoticedErling’sbehavior，andsaidtohim，fromtheforedeckbelow，\"Thouhastturnedagainstmeto-day，Erling。\"\"Theeaglesfightbreasttobreast，\"answershe。Thiswasaspeechoftheking’stoErlingoncelongago，whiletheystoodfighting，notasnow，butsidebyside。Theking，withsometransientthoughtofpossibilitygoingthroughhishead，rejoins，\"Wiltthousurrender，Erling？\"\"ThatwillI，\"answeredhe;tookthehelmetoffhishead;laiddownswordandshield;andwentforwardtotheforecastledeck。Thekingpricked，I
thinknotveryharshly，intoErling’schinorbeardwiththepointofhisbattle-axe，saying，\"ImustmarktheeastraitortothySovereign，though。\"Whereupononeofthebystanders，AslakFitiaskalle，stupidlyandfiercelyburstup;smoteErlingontheheadwithhisaxe;sothatitstruckfastinhisbrainandwasinstantlythedeathofErling。
\"Ill-luckattendtheeforthatstroke;thouhaststruckNorwayoutofmyhandbyit！\"criedthekingtoAslak;butforgavethepoorfellow，whohaddoneitmeaningwell。TheinsurrectionaryBonderfleetarrivingsoonafter，asifforcertainvictory，wasstruckwithastonishmentatthisErlingcatastrophe;andbeingnowwithoutanyleaderofauthority，madenottheleastattemptatbattle;but，fullofdiscouragementandconsternation，thankfullyallowedOlaftosailawayonhisnorthwardvoyage，atdiscretion;andthemselveswentofflamenting，withErling’sdeadbody。
ThissmallvictorywasthelastthatOlafhadoverhismanyenemiesatpresent。Hesailedalong，stillnorthward，dayafterday;severalimportantpeoplejoinedhim;butthenewsfromlandwardgrewdailymoreominous：Bondersbusilyarmingtorearofhim;andahead，HakonstillmorebusilyatTrondhjem，nownearby，\"——andhewillendthydays，King，ifhehavestrengthenough！\"Olafpaused;sentscoutstoahill-top：\"Hakon’sarmamentvisibleenough，andunderwayhitherward，abouttheIsleofBjarno，yonder！\"Soonafter，OlafhimselfsawtheBonderarmamentoftwenty-fiveships，fromthesouthward，sailpastinthedistancetojointhatofHakon;and，worsestill，hisownships，oneandanother（seveninall），wereslippingoffonalikeerrand！HemadefortheFjordofFodrar，mouthoftheruggedstrathcalledValdal，——whichIthinkstillknowsOlafandhasnowan\"Olaf’sHighway，\"where，ninecenturiesago，itscarcelyhadapath。Olafenteredthisfjord，hadhisland-tentsetup，andacrossbesideit，onthesmalllevelgreenbehindthepromontorythere。
Findingthathistwelvepoorshipswerenowreducedtofive，againstaworldallrisenuponhim，hecouldnotbutseeandadmittohimselfthattherewasnochanceleft;andthathemustwithdrawacrossthemountainsandwaitforabettertime。
Hisjourneythroughthatwildcountry，intheseforlornandstraitenedcircumstances，hasamournfuldignityandhomelypathos，asdescribedbySnorro：howhedrewuphisfivepoorshipsuponthebeach，packedalltheirfurnitureaway，andwithhishundredorsoofattendantsandtheirjourney-baggage，underguidanceofsomefriendlyBonder，rodeupintothedesertandfootofthemountains;scaled，afterthreedays’
effort（asifbymiracle，thoughthisattendantsandthoughtSnorro），thewell-nighprecipitousslopethatledacross，neverwithoutmiraculousaidfromHeavenandOlafcouldbaggage-wagonshaveascendedthatpath！Inshort，Howhefaredalong，besetbydifficultiesandthemournfulestthoughts;butpatientlypersisted，steadfastlytrustedinGod;andwasfixedtoreturn，andbyGod’shelptryagain。Anevidentlyverypiousanddevoutman;agoodmanstrugglingwithadversity，suchasthegods，wemaystillimaginewiththeancients，dolookdownuponastheirnoblestsight。
HegottoSweden，tothecourtofhisbrother-in-law;kindlyandnoblyenoughreceivedthere，thoughgradually，perhaps，ill-seenbythenowauthoritiesofNorway。Sothat，beforelong，hequittedSweden;lefthisqueentherewithheronlydaughter，hisandhers，theonlychildtheyhad;hehimselfhadanonlyson，\"byabondwoman，\"Magnusbyname，whocametogreatthingsafterwards;ofwhom，andofwhich，byandby。Withthisbrightlittleboy，andaselectedescortofattendants，hemovedawaytoRussia，toKingJarroslav;wherehemightwaitsecureagainstallriskofhurtingkindfriendsbyhispresence。
Heseemstohavebeenanexilealtogethersometwoyears，——suchisone’svaguenotion;forthereisnochronologyinSnorroorhisSagas，andoneisreducedtoguessingandinferring。HehadreignedoverNorway，reckoningfromthefirstdaysofhislandingtheretothoselastofhisleavingitacrosstheDovrefjeld，aboutfifteenyears，tenofthemshininglyvictorious。
ThenewsfromNorwaywerenaturallyagitatingtoKingOlafand，inthefluctuationofeventsthere，hispurposesandprospectsvariedmuch。
HesometimesthoughtofpilgrimingtoJerusalem，andahenceforthexclusivelyreligiouslife;butformostparthispiousthoughtsthemselvesgravitatedtowardsNorway，andastrokeforhisoldplaceandtaskthere，whichhesteadilyconsideredtohavebeencommittedtohimbyGod。Norway，bytherumors，wasevidentlynotatrest。JarlHakon，underthehighpatronageofhisuncle，hadlastedtherebutalittlewhile。Iknownotthathisgovernmentwasespeciallyunpopular，norwhetherhehimselfmuchrememberedhisbrokenoath。Itappears，however，hehadleftinEnglandabeautifulbride;andconsideringfartherthatinEnglandonlycouldbridalornamentsandotherweddingoutfitofasufficientlyroyalkindbefound，hesetsailthither，tofetchherandthemhimself。Oneeveningofwildish-lookingweatherhewasseenaboutthenortheastcornerofthePentlandFrith;thenightrosetobetempestuous;Hakonoranytimberofhisfleetwasneverseenmore。Hadallgonedown，——brokenoaths，bridalhopes，andallelse;mouseandman，——intotheroaringwaters。
TherewasnofartherOpposition-line;thelikeofwhichhadlastedeversinceoldheathenHakonJarl，downtothishisgrandsonHakon’s_finis_inthePentlandFrith。WiththisHakon’sdisappearanceitnowdisappeared。
IndeedKnuthimself，thoughofanempiresuddenlysogreat，wasbutatemporaryphenomenon。FatehaddecidedthatthegrandandwiseKnutwastobeshort-lived;andtoleavenothingassuccessorsbutanineffectualyoungHaraldHarefoot，whosoonperished，andastillstupiderfiercely-drinkingHarda-Knut，whorusheddownofapoplexy（hereinLondonCity，asIguess），withthegobletathismouth，drinkinghealthandhappinessatawedding-feast，alsobeforelong。
Hakonhavingvanishedinthisdarkway，thereensuedapause，bothonKnut’spartandonNorway’s。Pauseorinterregnumofsomemonths，tillitbecamecertain，first，whetherHakonwereactuallydead，secondly，tillNorway，andespeciallytillKingKnuthimself，coulddecidewhattodo。Knut，tothedeepdisappointment，whichhadtokeepitselfsilent，ofthreeorfourchiefNorwaymen，namednoneofthesethreeorfourJarlofNorway;butbethoughthimofacertainSvein，abastardsonofhisown，——who，andalmoststillmorehisEnglishmother，muchdesiredacareerintheworldfitterforhim，thoughttheyindignantly，thanthatofcaptainoverJomsburg，wherealonethefatherhadbeenabletoprovideforhimhitherto。SveinwassenttoNorwayaskingorvice-kingforFatherKnut;andalongwithhimhisfondandvehementmother。NeitherofwhomgainedanyfavorfromtheNorsepeoplebythekindofmanagementtheyultimatelycametoshow。
Olafonnewsofthischange，andsuchuncertaintyprevailingeverywhereinNorwayastothefuturecourseofthings，whetherSveinwouldcome，aswasrumoredofatlast，andbeabletomaintainhimselfifhedid，——thoughttheremightbesomethinginitofachanceforhimselfandhisrights。And，afterlengthenedhesitation，muchprayer，piousinvocation，andconsideration，decidedtogoandtryit。
Thefinalgrainthathadturnedthebalance，itappears，wasahalf-wakingmorningdream，oralmostocularvisionhehadofhisgloriouscousinOlafTryggveson，whoseverelyadmonished，exhorted，andencouragedhim;anddisappearedgrandly，justintheinstantofOlaf’sawakening;sothatOlafalmostfanciedhehadseentheveryfigureofhim，asitmeltedintoair。\"Letuson，letuson！\"thoughtOlafalwaysafterthat。Helefthisson，notinRussia，butinSwedenwiththeQueen，whoprovedverygoodandcarefullyhelpfulinwisewaystohim：——inRussiaOlafhadnownothingmoretodobutgivehisgratefuladieus，andgetready。
HismarchtowardsSweden，andfromthattowardsNorwayandthepassesofthemountains，downVaerdal，towardsStickelstad，andthecrisisthatawaited，isbeautifullydepictedbySnorro。Ithas，allofit，thedescription（andweseeclearly，thefactitselfhad），akindofpatheticgrandeur，simplicity，andrudenobleness;somethingEpicorHomeric，withoutthemetreorthesingingofHomer，butwithallthesincerity，ruggedtruthtonature，andmuchmoreofpiety，devoutness，reverenceforwhatisforeverHighinthisUniverse，thanmeetsusinthoseoldGreekBallad-mongers。Singularlyvisualallofit，too，broughthomeineveryparticulartoone’simagination，sothatitstandsoutalmostasathingoneactuallysaw。
Olafhadaboutthreethousandmenwithhim;gatheredmostlyashefaredalongthroughNorway。Fourhundred，raisedbyoneDag，akinsmanwhomhehadfoundinSwedenandpersuadedtocomewithhim，marchedusuallyinaseparatebody;andwere，ormighthavebeen，ratheranimportantelement。LearningthattheBonderswereallarming，especiallyinTrondhjemcountry，Olafstreameddowntowardsthemintheclosestorderhecould。Bynomeansveryclose，subsistenceevenforthreethousandbeingdifficultinsuchacountry。
Hisspeechwasalmostalwaysfreeandcheerful，thoughhisthoughtsalwaysnaturallywereofahighandearnest，almostsacredtone;
devoutaboveall。Stickelstad，asmallpoorhamletstillstandingwherethevalleyends，wasseenbyOlaf，andtacitlybytheBondersaswell，tobethenaturalplaceforofferingbattle。ThereOlafissuedoutfromthehillsonemorning：drewhimselfupaccordingtothebestrulesofNorsetactics，rulesoflittlecomplexity，butperspicuouslytruetothefacts。Ithinkhehadaclearopengroundstillratherraisedabovetheplaininfront;hecouldseehowtheBonderarmyhadnotyetquitearrived，butwaspouringforward，inspontaneousrowsorgroups，copiouslybyeverypath。ThiswasthoughttobethebiggestarmythatevermetinNorway;\"certainlynotmuchfewerthanahundredtimesahundredmen，\"accordingtoSnorro;greatBondersseveralofthem，smallBondersverymany，——allofwillingmind，animatedwithahotsenseofintolerableinjuries。\"KingOlafhadpunishedgreatandsmallwithequalrigor，\"saysSnorro;\"whichappearedtothechiefpeopleofthecountrytoosevere;andanimosityrosetothehighestwhentheylostrelativesbytheKing’sjustsentence，althoughtheywereinrealityguilty。Heagainwouldratherrenouncehisdignitythanomitrighteousjudgment。Theaccusationagainsthim，ofbeingstingywithhismoney，wasnotjust，forhewasamostgenerousmantowardshisfriends。Butthatalonewasthecauseofthediscontentraisedagainsthim，thatheappearedhardandsevereinhisretributions。Besides，KingKnutofferedlargesumsofmoney，andthegreatchiefswerecorruptedbythis，andbyhisofferingthemgreaterdignitiesthantheyhadpossessedbefore。\"Onthesegrounds，againsttheintolerableman，greatandsmallwerenowpouringalongbyeverypath。
OlafperceiveditwouldstillbesometimebeforetheBonderarmywasinrank。HisownDagofSweden，too，wasnotyetcomeup;hewastohavetherightbanner;KingOlaf’sownbeingthemiddleorgrandone;
someotherpersonthethirdorleftbanner。Allwhichbeingperfectlyrankedandsettled，accordingtothebestrules，andwaitingonlythearrivalofDag，Olafbadehismensitdown，andfreshenthemselveswithalittlerest。Therewerereligiousservicesgonethrough：amatins-worshipsuchastherehavebeenfew;sternlyearnesttotheheartofit，anddeepasdeathandeternity，atleastonOlaf’sownpart。FortherestThormodsangastaveofthefiercestSkaldicpoetrythatwasinhim;allthearmystraightwaysangitinchoruswithfierymind。TheBonderofthenearestfarmcameup，totellOlafthathealsowishedtofightforhim\"Thankstothee;butdon’t，\"saidOlaf;\"stayathomerather，thatthewoundedmayhavesomeshelter。\"
TothisBonder，Olafdeliveredallthemoneyhehad，withsolemnordertolayoutthewholeofitinmassesandprayersforthesoulsofsuchofhisenemiesasfell。\"Suchofthyenemies，King？\"\"Yes，surely，\"
saidOlaf，\"myfriendswillalleitherconquer，orgowhitherIalsoamgoing。\"
AtlasttheBonderarmytoowasgotranked;threecommanders，oneofthemwithakindofloosechiefcommand，havingsettledtotakechargeofit;andbegantoshakeitselftowardsactualadvance。Olaf，inthemeanwhile，hadlaidhisheadonthekneesofFinnArneson，histrustiestman，andfallenfastasleep。Finn’sbrother，KalfArneson，onceawarmfriendofOlaf，waschiefofthethreecommandersontheoppositeside。Finnandheaddressedangryspeechtooneanotherfromtheoppositeranks，whentheycamenearenough。Finn，seeingtheenemyfairlyapproach，stirredOlaffromhissleep。\"Oh，whyhastthouwakenedmefromsuchadream？\"saidOlaf，inadeeplysolemntone。\"Whatdreamwasit，then？\"askedFinn。\"IdreamtthatthererosealadderherereachinguptoveryHeaven，\"saidOlaf;\"Ihadclimbedandclimbed，andgottotheverylaststep，andshouldhaveenteredtherehadstthougivenmeanothermoment。\"\"King，Idoubtthouart_fey_;Idonotquitelikethatdream。\"
TheactualfightbeganaboutoneoftheclockinamostbrightlastdayofJuly，andwasveryfierceandhot，especiallyonthepartofOlaf’smen，whoshooktheothersbackalittle，thoughfierceenoughtheytoo;andhadDagbeenontheground，whichhewasn’tyet，itwasthoughtvictorymighthavebeenwon。Soonafterbattlejoined，theskygrewofaghastlybrassorcoppercolor，darkeranddarker，tillthicknightinvolvedallthings;anddidnotclearawayagaintillbattlewasnearending。Dag，withhisfourhundred，arrivedinthedarkness，andmadeafuriouscharge，whatwasafterwards，inthespeechofthepeople，called\"Dag’sstorm。\"Whichhadnearlyprevailed，butcouldnotquite;victoryagainincliningtothesovastlylargerparty。Itisuncertainstillhowthematterwouldhavegone;forOlafhimselfwasnowfightingwithhisownhand，anddoingdeadlyexecutiononhisbusiestenemiestorightandtoleft。Butoneofthesechiefrebels，ThorerHund（thoughttohavelearntmagicfromtheLaplanders，whomhelongtradedwith，andmademoneyby），mysteriouslywouldnotfallforOlaf’sbeststrokes。Beststrokesbroughtonlydustfromthe（enchanted）deer-skincoatofthefellow，toOlaf’ssurprise，——whenanotheroftherebelchiefsrushedforward，struckOlafwithhisbattle-axe，awildslashingwound，andmiserablybrokehisthigh，sothathestaggeredorwassupportedbacktotheneareststone;andtheresatdown，lamentablycallingonGodtohelphiminthisbadhour。Anotherrebelofnote（thenameofhimlongmemorableinNorway）slashedorstabbedOlafasecondtime，asdidthenathird。UponwhichthenobleOlafsankdead;andforeverquittedthisdogholeofaworld，——littleworthyofsuchmenasOlafonesometimesthinks。Butthattooisamistake，andevenanimportantone，shouldwepersistinit。
WithOlaf’sdeaththeskyclearedagain。Battle，nowneardone，endedwithcompletevictorytotherebels，andnexttonopursuitorresult，exceptthedeathofOlafeverybodyhasteninghome，assoonasthebigDuelhaddecideditself。Olaf’sbodywassecretlycarried，afterdark，tosomeout-houseonthefarmnearthespot;whitherapoorblindbeggar，creepinginforshelterthatveryevening，wasmiraculouslyrestoredtosight。And，trulywithanotable，almostmiraculous，speed，thefeelingsofallNorwayforKingOlafchangedthemselves，andwereturnedupsidedown，\"withinayear，\"oralmostwithinaday。Superlativeexampleof_Extinctusamabituridem。_Not\"OlaftheThick-set\"anylonger，but\"OlaftheBlessed\"orSaint，nowclearlyinHeaven;suchthenameandcharacterofhimfromthattimetothis。Twochurchesdedicatedtohim（outoffourthatoncestood）
standinLondonatthismoment。Andthemiraclesthathavebeendonethere，nottospeakofNorwayandChristendomelsewhere，inhisname，werenumerousandgreatforlongcenturiesafterwards。VisiblyaSaintOlafeversince;and，indeed，in_Bollandus_orelsewhere，I
haveseldommetwithbetterstufftomakeaSaintof，oratrueWorld-Heroinallgoodsenses。
SpeakingoftheLondonOlafChurches，Ishouldhaveaddedthatfromoneofthesethethrice-famousTooleyStreetgetsitsname，——wherethoseThreeTailors，addressingParliamentandtheUniverse，sublimelystyledthemselves，\"We，thePeopleofEngland。\"SaintOlaveStreet，SaintOleyStreet，StooleyStreet，TooleyStreet;sucharethemetamorphosesofhumanfameintheworld！
Thebattle-dayofStickelstad，KingOlaf’sdeath-day，isgenerallybelievedtohavebeenWednesday，July31，1033。Butoninvestigation，itturnsoutthattherewasnototaleclipseofthesunvisibleinNorwaythatyear;thoughthreeyearsbefore，therewasone;butonthe29thinsteadofthe31st。Sothattheexactdatestillremainsuncertain;Dahlmann，thelatestcritic，incliningfor1030，anditsindisputableeclipse。[15]
CHAPTERXI。
MAGNUSTHEGOODANDOTHERS。
St。OlafisthehighestoftheseNorwayKings，andisthelastthatmuchattractsus。Forthisreason，ifareasonwerenotsuperfluous，wemighthereendourpoorreminiscencesofthosedimSovereigns。Butwewill，nevertheless，forthesakeoftheirconnectionwithbitsofEnglishHistory，stillhastilymentiontheDamesofoneortwowhofollow，andwhothrowamomentarygleamoflifeandilluminationoneventsandepochsthathavefallensoextinctamongourselvesatpresent，thoughoncetheyweresomomentousandmemorable。
ThenewKingSveinfromJomsburg，Knut’snaturalson，hadnosuccessinNorway，norseemstohavedeservedany。HisEnglishmotherandhewerefoundtobegrasping，oppressivepersons;andawoke，almostfromtheinstantthatOlafwassuppressedandcrushedawayfromNorwayintoHeaven，universalodiummoreandmoreinthatcountry。
Well-deservedly，asstillappears;fortheirtaxingsandextortionsofmalt，ofherring，ofmeal，smithworkandeveryarticletaxableinNorway，wereextreme;andtheirservicetothecountryotherwisenearlyimperceptible。InbrieftheironebasistherewasthepowerofKnuttheGreat;andthat，likeallearthlythings，wasliabletosuddencollapse，——anditsufferedsuchinanotabledegree。KingKnut，hardlyyetofmiddleage，andthegreatestKinginthethenworld，diedatShaftesbury，in1035，asDahlmannthinks[16]，——leavingtwolegitimatesonsandabusy，intriguingwidow（NormanEmma，widowofEthelredtheUnready），motheroftheyoungerofthesetwo;neitherofwhomprovedtohaveanytalentoranycontinuance。InspiteofEmma’sutmostefforts，Harald，theeldersonofKnut，nothers，gotEnglandforhiskingdom;EmmaandherHarda-KnuthadtobecontentwithDenmark，andgothither，muchagainsttheirwill。HaraldinEngland，——light-goinglittlefigurelikehisfatherbeforehim，——gotthenameofHarefoothere;andmighthavedonegoodworkamonghisnoworderlyandsettledpeople;buthediedalmostwithinyearandday;
andhasleftnotraceamongus，exceptthatof\"Harefoot，\"fromhisswiftmodeofwalking。EmmaandherHarda-KnutnowreturnedjoyfultoEngland。Buttheviolent，idle，anddrunkenHarda-Knutdidnogoodthere;and，happilyforEnglandandhim，soonsuddenlyended，bystrokeofapoplexyatamarriagefestival，asmentionedabove。InDenmarkhehaddonestilllessgood。Andindeed，——underhim，inayearortwo，thegrandimperialedifice，laboriouslybuiltbyKnut’svalorandwisdom，hadalreadytumbledalltotheground，inamostunexpectedandremarkableway。Aswearenowtoindicatewithallbrevity。
Svein’styranniesinNorwayhadwroughtsuchfruitthat，withinthefouryearsafterOlaf’sdeath，thechiefmeninNorway，theveryslayersofKingOlaf，KalfArnesonattheheadofthem，metsecretlyonceortwice;andunanimouslyagreedthatKalfArnesonmustgotoSweden，ortoRussiaitself;seekyoungMagnus，sonofOlafhome：
excellentMagnus，tobekingoverallNorwayandthem，insteadofthisintolerableSvein。Whichwasatoncedone，——Magnusbroughthomeinakindoftriumph，allNorwaywaitingforhim。IntolerableSveinhadalreadybeenrebelledagainst：someyearsbeforethis，acertainyoungTryggveoutofIreland，authenticsonofOlafTryggveson，andofthatfineIrishPrincesswhochosehiminhislowhabilimentsandlowestate，andtookhimovertoherownGreenIsland，——thisroyalyoungTryggveOlafsonhadinvadedtheusurperSvein，inafierce，valiant，anddeterminedmanner;andthoughwithtoosmallaparty，showedexcellentfightforsometime;tillSvein，zealouslybestirringhimself，managedtogethimbeatenandkilled。Butthatwasacoupleofyearsago;thepartystilltoosmall，notincludingoneandallasnow！Svein，withoutstrokeofswordthistime，movedofftowardsDenmark;nevershowingfaceinNorwayagain。Hisdrunkenbrother，Harda-Knut，receivedhimbrother-like;evengavehimsometerritorytoruleoverandsubsistupon。Buthelivedonlyashortwhile;wasgonebeforeHarda-Knuthimself;andwewillmentionhimnomore。
Magnuswasafinebrightyoungfellow，andprovedavaliant，wise，andsuccessfulKing，knownamonghispeopleasMagnustheGood。HewasonlynaturalsonofKingOlafbutthatmadelittledifferenceinthosetimesandthere。Hisstrange-looking，unexpectedLatinnamehegotinthisway：Alfhild，hismother，aslavethroughill-luckofwar，thoughnoblyborn，wasseentobeinahopefulway;anditwasknownintheKing’shousehowintimatelyOlafwasconnectedwiththatoccurrence，andhowmuchhelovedthis\"King’sserving-maid，\"asshewascommonlydesignated。Alfhildwasbroughttobedlateatnight;
andalltheworld，especiallyKingOlafwasasleep;Olaf’sstrictrule，thenandalways，being，Don’tawakenme：——seeminglyamansensitiveabouthissleep。Thechildwasaboy，ofratherweaklyaspect;noimportantpersonpresent，exceptSigvat，theKing’sIcelandicSkald，whohappenedtobestillawake;andtheBishopofNorway，who，Isuppose，hadbeensentforinhurry。\"Whatistobedone？\"saidtheBishop：\"hereisaninfantinpressingneedofbaptism;andweknownotwhatthenameis：go，Sigvat，awakentheKing，andask。\"\"Idarenotformylife，\"answeredSigvat;\"King’sordersarerigorousonthatpoint。\"\"Butifthechilddieunbaptized，\"saidtheBishop，shuddering;toocertain，heandeverybody，wherethechildwouldgointhatcase！\"Iwillmyselfgivehimaname，\"saidSigvat，withadesperateconcentrationofallhisfaculties;\"heshallbenamesakeofthegreatestofmankind，——imperialCarolusMagnus;letuscalltheinfantMagnus！\"KingOlaf，onthemorrow，askedrathersharplyhowSigvathaddaredtakesuchaliberty;
butexcusedSigvat，seeingwhattheperilousalternativewas。AndMagnus，bysuchaccident，thisboywascalled;andhe，notanother，istheprimeoriginandintroducerofthatnameMagnus，whichoccursratherfrequently，notamongtheNormanKingsonly，butbyandbyamongtheDanishandSwedish;and，amongtheScandinavianpopulations，appearstoberatherfrequenttothisday。
Magnus，ayouthofgreatspirit，whoseown，andstandingathisbeck，allNorwaynowwas，immediatelysmotehomeonDenmark;desirousnaturallyofvengeanceforwhatithaddonetoNorway，andthesacredkindredofMagnus。Denmark，itsgreatKnutgone，andnothingbutadrunkenHarda-Knut，fugitiveSveinandCo。，thereinhisstead，wasbecomeaweakdislocatedCountry。AndMagnusplunderedinit，burntit，beatit，asoftenashepleased;Harda-Knutstrugglingwhathecouldtomakeresistanceorreprisals，butneveroncegettinganyvictoryoverMagnus。Magnus，Iperceive，was，likehisFather，askilfulaswellasvaliantfighterbyseaandland;Magnus，withgoodbattalions，andprobablybackedbyimmediatealliancewithHeavenandSt。Olaf，aswasthenthegeneralbelieforsurmiseabouthim，couldnoteasilybebeaten。Andthetruthis，heneverwas，byHarda-Knutoranyother。Harda-Knut’slasttransactionwithhimwas，TomakeafirmPeaceandevenFamily-treatysanctionedbyallthegrandeesofbothcountries，whodidindeedmainlythemselvesmakeit;theirtwoKingsassenting：ThatthereshouldbeperpetualPeace，andnothoughtofwarmore，betweenDenmarkandNorway;andthat，ifeitheroftheKingsdiedchildlesswhiletheotherwasreigning，theothershouldsucceedhiminbothKingdoms。Amagnificentarrangement，suchashasseveraltimesbeenmadeintheworld’shistory;butwhichinthisinstance，whatisverysingular，tookactualeffect;drunkenHarda-
Knutdyingsospeedily，andMagnusbeingthemanhewas。OnewouldliketogivethedateofthisremarkableTreaty;butcannotwithprecision。Guesssomewhereabout1040：[17]actualfruitionofitcametoMagnus，beyondquestion，in1042，whenHarda-KnutdrankthatwassailbowlattheweddinginLambeth，andfelldowndead;whichintheSaxonChronicleisdated3dJuneofthatyear。MagnusatoncewenttoDenmarkonhearingthisevent;wasjoyfullyreceivedbytheheadmenthere，whoindeed，withtheirfellowsinNorway，hadbeenmaincontriversoftheTreaty;bothCountrieslongingformutualpeace，andtheendofsuchincessantbroils。
MagnuswastriumphantlyreceivedasKinginDenmark。Theonlyunfortunatethingwas，thatSveinEstrithson，theexilesonofUlf，Knut’sBrother-in-law，whomKnut，aswesaw，hadsummarilykilledtwelveyearsbefore，emergedfromhisexileinSwedeninaflatteringform;andproposedthatMagnusshouldmakehimJarlofDenmark，andgeneraladministratorthere，inhisownstead。TowhichthesanguineMagnus，inspiteofadvicetothecontrary，insistedonacceding。
\"ToopowerfulaJarl，\"saidEinarTamberskelver——thesameEinarwhosebowwasheardtobreakinOlafTryggveson’slastbattle（\"Norwaybreakingfromthyhand，King！\"），whohadnowbecomeMagnus’schiefman，andhadlongbeenamongthehighestchiefsinNorway;\"toopowerfulaJarl，\"saidEinarearnestly。ButMagnusdisregardedit;
andatroublesomeexperiencehadtoteachhimthatitwastrue。Inaboutayear，craftySvein，bringingendstomeet，gothimselfdeclaredKingofDenmarkforhisownbehoof，insteadofJarlforanother’s：andhadtobebeatenanddrivenoutbyMagnus。Beateneveryyear;butalmostalwaysreturnednextyear，foranewbeating，——almost，thoughnotaltogether;havingatlengthgotonedreadfulsmashing-downandhalf-killing，whichheldhimquietforawhile，——solongasMagnuslived。Nayintheend，hemadegoodhispoint，asifbymerepatienceinbeingbeaten;anddidbecomeKinghimself，andprogenitorofalltheKingsthatfollowed。KingSveinEstrithson;socalledfromAstridorEstrith，hismother，thegreatKnut’ssister，daughterofSveinForkbeardbythatamazingSigridtheProud，who_burnt_thosetwoineligiblesuitorsofhersbothatonce，andgotaswitchonthefacefromOlafTryggveson，whichprovedthedeathofthathighman。
ButallthisfinefortuneoftheoftenbeatenEstrithsonwasposteriortoMagnus’sdeath;whoneverwouldhavesufferedit，hadhebeenalive。Magnuswasamightyfighter;afieryman;veryproudandpositive，amongotherqualities，andhadsuchluckaswasneverseenbefore。Luckinvariablygood，saideverybody;neveroncewasbeaten，——whichproves，continuedeverybody，thathisFatherOlafandthemiraculouspowerofHeavenwerewithhimalways。Magnus，I
believe，didputdownagreatdealofanarchyinthosecountries。OneofhisearliestenterpriseswastoabolishJomsburg，andtrampleoutthatnestofpirates。WhichhemanagedsocompletelythatJomsburgremainedamerereminiscencethenceforth;anditsplaceisnotnowknowntoanymortal。
OneperversethingdidatlastturnupinthecourseofMagnus：anewClaimantfortheCrownofNorway，andheaformidablepersonwithal。
ThiswasHarald，half-brotherofthelateSaintOlaf;uncleorhalf-uncle，therefore，ofMagnushimself。IndisputablesonoftheSaint’smotherbySt。Olaf’sstepfather，whowas，himselfdescendedstraightfromHaraldHaarfagr。ThisnewHaraldwasalreadymuchheardofintheworld。AsanardentBoyoffifteenhehadfoughtatKingOlaf’ssideatStickelstad;wouldnotbeadmonishedbytheSainttogoaway。Gotsmittendownthere，notkilled;wassmuggledawaythatnightfromthefieldbyfriendlyhelp;gotcuredofhiswounds，forwardedtoRussia，wherehegrewtoman’sestate，underbrightauspicesandsuccesses。FellinlovewiththeRussianPrincess，butcouldnotgethertowife;wentoffthereupontoConstantinopleas_Vaeringer_（Life-GuardsmanoftheGreekKaiser）;becameChiefCaptainoftheVaeringers，invinciblechampionofthepoorKaisersthatthenwere，andfilledalltheEastwiththeshineandnoiseofhisexploits。Anauthentic_Waring_or_Baring_，suchthesurnamewenowhavederivedfromthesepeople;whowereanimportantinstitutioninthoseGreekcountriesforseveralages：VaeringerLife-Guard，consistingofNorsemen，withsometimesafewEnglishamongthem。
Haraldhadinnumerableadventures，nearlyalwayssuccessful，singtheSkalds;gainedagreatdealofwealth，goldornaments，andgoldcoin;
hadevenQueenZoe（sotheysing，thoughfalsely）enamoredofhimatonetime;andwashimselfaSkaldofeminence;someofwhoseverses，bynomeanstheworstoftheirkind，remaintothisday。
ThischaracterofWaringmuchdistinguishesHaraldtome;theonlyVaeringerofwhomIcouldevergettheleastbiography，trueorhalf-true。ItseemstheGreekHistory-booksbutindifferentlycorrespondwiththeseSagarecords;andscholarssaytherecouldhavebeennoconsiderableromancebetweenZoeandhim，Zoeatthatdatebeing60yearsofage！Harald’sownlayssaynothingofanyZoe，butarestillfulloflongingforhisRussianPrincessfaraway。