Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of NorwaySnorri Sturluson
History
Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway
Snorri Sturluson
Iceland -- History; Norway -- History; Sagas -- Translations into English; Scandinavia -- History
King Olaf went now eastward along the land, holding Things with the
bondes all over the country. Many went willingly with him; but some,
who were Earl Svein's friends or relations, spoke against him. Therefore
King Olaf sailed in all haste eastward to Viken; went in there with his
ships; set them on the land; and proceeded up the country, in order
to meet his stepfather, Sigurd Syr. When he came to Vestfold he was
received in a friendly way by many who had been his father's friends or
acquaintances; and also there and in Folden were many of his family. In
autumn (A.D. 1014) he proceeded up the country to his stepfather King
Sigurd's, and came there one day very early. As Olaf was coming near to
the house, some of the servants ran beforehand to the house, and into
the room. Olaf's mother, Asta, was sitting in the room, and around her
some of her girls. When the servants told her of King Olaf's approach,
and that he might soon be expected, Asta stood up directly, and ordered
the men and girls to put everything in the best order. She ordered four
girls to bring out all that belonged to the decoration of the room and
put it in order with hangings and benches. Two fellows brought straw
for the floor, two brought forward four-cornered tables and the
drinking-jugs, two bore out victuals and placed the meat on the table,
two she sent away from the house to procure in the greatest haste all
that was needed, and two carried in the ale; and all the other serving
men and girls went outside of the house. Messengers went to seek King
Sigurd wherever he might be, and brought to him his dress-clothes, and
his horse with gilt saddle, and his bridle, which was gilt and set
with precious stones. Four men she sent off to the four quarters of the
country to invite all the great people to a feast, which she prepared as
a rejoicing for her son's return. All who were before in the house she
made to dress themselves with the best they had, and lent clothes to
those who had none suitable.
31. KING SIGURD'S DRESS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account