Skalds quoted in this saga are: -- Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord Kolbeinson, Berse Torfason, Brynjolf, Arnor Jarlaskald, Thord Siarekson, Harek, Thorarin Loftunga, Halvard Hareksblese, Bjarne Gulbraskald, Jokul Bardson, Thormod Kolbrunarskald, Gissur, Thorfin Mun, Hofgardaref.
ENDNOTES:
(1) King Olaf the Saint reigned from about the year 1015 to 1030.The death of King Olaf Trygvason was in the year 1000: and Earl Eirik held the government for the Danish and Swedish kings about fifteen years.-- L.
1.OF SAINT OLAF'S BRINGING UP.
Olaf, Harald Grenske's son, was brought up by his stepfather Sigurd Syr and his mother Asta.Hrane the Far-travelled lived in the house of Asta, and fostered this Olaf Haraldson.Olaf came early to manhood, was handsome in countenance, middle-sized in growth, and was even when very young of good understanding and ready speech.Sigurd his stepfather was a careful householder, who kept his people closely to their work, and often went about himself to inspect his corn-rigs and meadowland, the cattle, and also the smith-work, or whatsoever his people had on hand to do.
2.OF OLAF AND KING SIGURD SYR.
It happened one day that King Sigurd wanted to ride from home, but there was nobody about the house; so he told his stepson Olaf to saddle his horse.Olaf went to the goats' pen, took out the he-goat that was the largest, led him forth, and put the king's saddle on him, and then went in and told King Sigurd he had saddled his riding horse.Now when King Sigurd came out and saw what Olaf had done, he said "It is easy to see that thou wilt little regard my orders; and thy mother will think it right that I order thee to do nothing that is against thy own inclination.
I see well enough that we are of different dispositions, and that thou art far more proud than I am." Olaf answered little, but went his way laughing.
3.OF RING OLAF'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
When Olaf Haraldson grew up he was not tall, but middle-sized in height, although very thick, and of good strength.He had light brown hair, and a broad face, which was white and red.He had particularly fine eyes, which were beautiful and piercing, so that one was afraid to look him in the face when he was angry.
Olaf was very expert in all bodily exercises, understood well to handle his bow, and was distinguished particularly in throwing his spear by hand: he was a great swimmer, and very handy, and very exact and knowing in all kinds of smithwork, whether he himself or others made the thing.He was distinct and acute in conversation, and was soon perfect in understanding and strength.
He was beloved by his friends and acquaintances, eager in his amusements, and one who always liked to be the first, as it was suitable he should be from his birth and dignity.He was called Olaf the Great.
4.KING OLAF'S WAR EXPEDITION.
Olaf Haraldson was twelve years old when he, for the first time, went on board a ship of war (A.D.1007).His mother Asta got Hrane, who was called the foster-father of kings, to command a ship of war and take Olaf under his charge; for Hrane had often been on war expeditions.When Olaf in this way got a ship and men, the crew gave him the title of king; for it was the custom that those commanders of troops who were of kingly descent, on going out upon a viking cruise, received the title of king immediately although they had no land or kingdom.Hrane sat at the helm; and some say that Olaf himself was but a common rower, although he was king of the men-at-arms.They steered east along the land, and came first to Denmark.So says Ottar Svarte, in his lay which he made about King Olaf: --"Young was the king when from his home He first began in ships to roam, His ocean-steed to ride To Denmark o'er the tide.
Well exercised art thou in truth --
In manhood's earnest work, brave youth!
Out from the distant north Mighty hast thou come forth."Towards autumn he sailed eastward to the Swedish dominions, and there harried and burnt all the country round; for he thought he had good cause of hostility against the Swedes, as they killed his father Harald.Ottar Svarte says distinctly that he came from the east, out by way of Denmark: --"Thy ship from shore to shore, With many a well-plied car, Across the Baltic foam is dancing.--Shields, and spears, and helms glancing!
Hoist high the swelling sail To catch the freshening gale!
There's food for the raven-flight Where thy sail-winged ship shall light;Thy landing-tread The people dread;And the wolf howls for a feast On the shore-side in the east."5.OLAF'S FIRST BATTLE.
The same autumn Olaf had his first battle at Sotasker, which lies in the Swedish skerry circle.He fought there with some vikings, whose leader was Sote.Olaf had much fewer men, but his ships were larger, and he had his ships between some blind rocks, which made it difficult for the vikings to get alongside; and Olaf's men threw grappling irons into the ships which came nearest, drew them up to their own vessels, and cleared them of men.The vikings took to flight after losing many men.Sigvat the skald tells of this fight in the lay in which he reckons up King Olaf's battles: --"They launch his ship where waves are foaming --To the sea shore Both mast and oar, And sent his o'er the seas a-roaming.
Where did the sea-king first draw blood?
In the battle shock At Sote's rock;
The wolves howl over their fresh food."
6.FORAY IN SVITHJOD.