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 Ingegerd begged her father to be true to the promise he had made
her, and had confirmed by giving his hand upon it. By her entreaties it
was at last agreed that the king should promise to let Earl Ragnvald
go in peace from Svithjod, but that he should never again appear in the
king's presence, or come back to Svithjod while Olaf reigned. Ingegerd
then sent messengers to the earl to bring him these tidings, and to
appoint a place of meeting. The earl immediately prepared for his
journey; rode up to East Gautland; procured there a vessel, and, with
his retinue, joined Ingegerd, and they proceeded together eastward to
Russia. There Ingegerd was married to King Jarisleif; and their children
were Valdemar, Vissivald, and Holte the Bold. Queen Ingegerd gave Earl
Ragnvald the town of Ladoga, and earldom belonging to it. Earl
Ragnvald was there a long time, and was a celebrated man. His sons and
Ingebjorg's were Earl Ulf and Earl Eilif.
96. HISTORY OF THE LAGMAN EMUND.
There was a man called Emund of Skara, who was lagman of west Gautland,
and was a man of great understanding and eloquence, and of high birth,
great connection, and very wealthy; but was considered deceitful, and
not to be trusted. He was the most powerful man in West Gautland after
the earl was gone. The same spring (A.D. 1019) that Earl Ragnvald left
Gautland the Gautland people held a Thing among themselves, and often
expressed their anxiety to each other about what the Swedish king
might do. They heard he was incensed because they had rather held in
friendship with the king of Norway than striven against him; and he
was also enraged against those who had attended his daughter Astrid to
Norway. Some proposed to seek help and support from the king of Norway,
and to offer him their services; others dissuaded from this measure, as
West Gautland had no strength to oppose to the Swedes. "And the king of
Norway," said they, "is far from us, the chief strength of his country
very distant; and therefore let us first send men to the Swedish king
to attempt to come to some reconciliation with him. If that fail, we
can still turn to the king of Norway." Then the bondes asked Emund to
undertake this mission, to which he agreed; and he proceeded with
thirty men to East Gautland, where there were many of his relations and
friends, who received him hospitably. He conversed there with the most
prudent men about this difficult business; and they were all unanimous
on one point,--that the king's treatment of them was against law and
reason. From thence Emund went into Svithjod, and conversed with many
men of consequence, who all expressed themselves in the same way. Emund
continued his journey thus, until one day, towards evening, he arrived
at Upsala, where he and his retinue took a good lodging, and stayed
there all night. The next day Emund waited upon the king, who was just
then sitting in the Thing surrounded by many people. Emund went before
him, bent his knee, and saluted him.
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