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
Then King Hrorek says, "True it is that Harald Harfager's kingdom has
gone to decay, none of his race being supreme king over Norway. But
the people here in the country have experienced many things. When King
Hakon, Athelstan's foster-son, was king, all were content; but when
Gunhild's sons ruled over the country, all were so weary of their
tyranny and injustice that they would rather have foreign men as kings,
and be themselves more their own rulers; for the foreign kings were
usually abroad and cared little about the customs of the people if the
scat they laid on the country was paid. When enmity arose between
the Danish king Harald and Earl Hakon, the Jomsborg vikings made an
expedition against Norway; then the whole people arose, and threw the
hostilities from themselves; and thereafter the people encouraged Earl
Hakon to keep the country, and defend it with sword and spear against
the Danish king. But when he had set himself fast in the kingdom with
the help of the people, he became so hard and overbearing towards the
country-folks, that they would no longer suffer him. The Throndhjem
people killed him, and raised to the kingly power Olaf Trygvason, who
was of the udal succession to the kingdom, and in all respects well
fitted to be a chief. The whole country's desire was to make him supreme
king, and raise again the kingdom which Harald Harfager had made for
himself. But when King Olaf thought himself quite firmly seated in his
kingdom, no man could rule his own concerns for him. With us small kings
he was so unreasonable, as to take to himself not only all the scat and
duties which Harald Harfager had levied from us, but a great deal more.
The people at last had so little freedom under him, that it was not
allowed to every man to believe in what god he pleased. Now since he
has been taken away we have kept friendly with the Danish king; have
received great help from him when we have had any occasion for it; and
have been allowed to rule ourselves, and live in peace and quiet in the
inland country, and without any overburden. I am therefore content that
things be as they are, for I do not see what better rights I am to enjoy
by one of my relations ruling over the country; and if I am to be no
better off, I will take no part in the affair."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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