King Svein Alfifason was staying in South Hordaland when he heard this news of war.He immediately sent out war-tokens to four different quarters, summoned the bondes to him, and made it known to all that they should join him with men and ships to defend the country.All the men who were in the neighbourhood of the king presented themselves; and the king formed a Thing, at which in a speech he set forth his business, and said he would advance against Magnus O1afson and have a battle with him, if the bondes would aid his cause.The king's speech was not very long, and was not received with much approbation by the bondes.Afterwards the Danish chiefs who were about the king made long and clever speeches; but the bondes then took up the word, and answered them; and although many said they would follow Svein, and fight on his side, some refused to do so bluntly, some were altogether silent, and some declared they would join King Magnus as soon as they had an opportunity.Then King Svein says, "Methinks very few of the bondes to whom we sent a message have appeared here;and of those who have come, and tell us to our face that they will join King Magnus as soon as they can, we shall have as little benefit as of those who say they will sit at home quietly.
It is the same with those who say nothing at all.But as to those who promise to help us, there are not more than every other man; and that force will avail us little against King Magnus.It is my counsel, therefore, that we do not trust to these bondes;but let us rather go to the land where all the people are sure and true to us, and where we will obtain forces to conquer this country again." As soon as the king had made known this resolution all his men followed it, turned their ship's bows, and hoisted sail.King Svein sailed eastward along the land, and then set right over to Denmark without delay, and Hardaknut received his brother Svein very kindly.At their first meeting Hardaknut offered King Svein to divide the kingdom of Denmark with him, which offer King Svein accepted.
5.KING MAGNUS'S JOURNEY TO NORWAY.
In autumn (A.D.1035) King Magnus proceeded eastward to the end of the country, and was received as king throughout the whole land, and the country people were rejoiced at his arrival.
6.DEATH OF KING CANUTE THE GREAT AND HIS SON SVEIN.
King Svein, Canute's son, went to Denmark, as before related, and took part in the government with his brother Hardaknut.In the same autumn King Canute the Great died in England, the 13th November, forty years old, and was buried at Winchester.He had been king of Denmark for twenty-seven years, and over Denmark and England together twenty-four years, and also over Norway for seven years.King Canute's son Harald was then made king in England.The same winter (A.D.1036) King Svein, Alfifa's son, died in Denmark.Thiodolf the skald made these lines concerning King Magnus: --"Through Sweden's dirty roads the throng Followed the king in spearmen strong.
Svein doth fly, in truth afraid, And partly by his men betrayed;Flying to Denmark o'er the sea, He leaves the land quite clear to thee."Bjarne Gullbrarskald composed the following lines concerning Kalf Arnason: --"By thee the kings got each his own, --Magnus by thee got Norway's throne;
And Svein in Denmark got a seat, When out of Norway he was beat.
Kalf! It was you who showed the way To our young king, the battle-lover, --From Russia to his father's sway You showed the way, and brought him over."King Magnus ruled over Norway this winter (A.D.1036), and Hardaknut over Denmark.
7.RECONCILIATION BETWEEN HARDAKNUT AND KING MAGNUS.
The following spring (A.D.1036) the kings on both sides ordered out a levy, and the news was that they would have a battle at the Gaut river; but when the two armies approached each other, the lendermen in the one army sent messengers to their connections and friends in the other; and it came to a proposal for a reconciliation between the two kings, especially as, from both kings being but young and childish, some powerful men, who had been chosen in each of the countries for that purpose, had the rule of the country on their account.It thus was brought about that there was a friendly meeting between the kings, and in this meeting a peace was proposed; and the peace was to be a brotherly union under oath to keep the peace towards each other to the end of their lives; and if one of them should die without leaving a son, the longest liver should succeed to the whole land and people.Twelve of the principal men in each kingdom swore to the kings that this treaty should be observed, so long as any one of them was in life.Then the kings separated, and each returned home to his kingdom; and the treaty was kept as long as both lived.
8.OF QUEEN ASTRID.
Queen Astrid, who had been married to King Olaf the Saint, came to Norway with King Magnus her stepson, as before related, and was held by him deservedly in great honour and esteem.Then came also Alfhild, King Magnus's mother, to the court, and the king received her with the greatest affection, and showed her great respect.But it went with Alfhild, as it does with many who come to power and honour, that pride keeps pace with promotion.She was ill pleased that Queen Astrid was treated with more respect, had a higher seat, and more attention.Alfhild wanted to have a seat next to the king, but Astrid called Alfhild her slave-woman, as indeed she had formerly been when Astrid was queen of Norway and King Olaf ruled the land, and therefore would on no account let her have a seat beside her, and they could not lodge in the same house.
9.OF SIGVAT THE SKALD.
Sigvat the skald had gone to Rome, where he was at the time of the battle of Stiklestad.
He was on his way back from the South when he heard tidings of King O1af's fall, which gave him great grief.He then sang these lines: --"One morning early on a hill, The misty town asleep and still, Wandering I thought upon the fields.