In autumn the news was brought to King Olaf that the bondes had had a great feast on the first winter-day's eve, at which there was a numerous attendance and much drinking; and it was told the king that all the remembrance-cups to the Asas, or old gods, were blessed according to the old heathen forms; and it was added, that cattle and horses had been slain, and the altars sprinkled with their blood, and the sacrifices accompanied with the prayer that was made to obtain good seasons.It was also reported that all men saw clearly that the gods were offended at the Halogaland people turning Christian.Now when the king heard this news he sent men into the Throndhjem country, and ordered several bondes, whose names he gave, to appear before him.There was a man called Olver of Eggja, so called after his farm on which he lived.He was powerful, of great family, and the head-man of those who on account of the bondes appeared before the king.
Now, when they came to the king, he told them these accusations;to which Olver, on behalf of the bondes, replied, that they had had no other feasts that harvest than their usual entertainments, and social meetings, and friendly drinking parties."But as to what may have been told you of the words which may have fallen from us Throndhjem people in our drinking parties, men of understanding would take good care not to use such language; but I cannot hinder drunken or foolish people's talk." Olver was a man of clever speech, and bold in what he said, and defended the bondes against such accusations.In the end, the king said the people of the interior of Thorndhjem must themselves give the best testimony to their being in the right faith.The bondes got leave to return home, and set off as soon as they were ready.
114.OF THE SACRIFICES BY THE PEOPLE OF THE INTERIOR OF THETHRONDHJEM DISTRICT.
Afterwards, when winter was advanced, it was told the king that the people of the interior of Throndhjem had assembled in great number at Maerin, and that there was a great sacrifice in the middle of winter, at which they sacrificed offerings for peace and a good season.Now when the king knew this on good authority to be true, he sent men and messages into the interior, and summoned the bondes whom he thought of most understanding into the town.The bondes held a council among themselves about this message; and all those who had been upon the same occasion in the beginning of winter were now very unwilling to make the journey.
Olver, however, at the desire of all the bondes, allowed himself to be persuaded.When he came to the town he went immediately before the king, and they talked together.The king made the same accusation against the bondes, that they had held a mid-winter sacrifice.Olver replies, that this accusation against the bondes was false."We had," said he, "Yule feasts and drinking feasts wide around in the districts; and the bondes do not prepare their feasts so sparingly, sire, that there is not much left over, which people consume long afterwards.At Maerin there is a great farm, with a large house on it, and a great neighbourhood all around it, and it is the great delight of the people to drink many together in company." The king said little in reply, but looked angry, as he thought he knew the truth of the matter better than it was now represented.He ordered the bondes to return home."I shall some time or other," said he, "come to the truth of what you are now concealing, and in such a way that ye shall not be able to contradict it.But, however, that may be, do not try such things again." The bondes returned home, and told the result of their journey, and that the king was altogether enraged.
115.MURDER OF OLVER OF EGGJA.
At Easter (A.D.1021) the king held a feast, to which he had invited many of the townspeople as well as bondes.After Easter he ordered his ships to be launched into the water, oars and tackle to be put on board, decks to be laid in the ships, and tilts (1) and rigging to be set up, and to be laid ready for sea at the piers.Immediately after Easter he sent men into Veradal.
There was a man called Thoralde, who was the king's bailiff, and who managed the king's farm there at Haug; and to him the king sent a message to come to him as quickly as possible.Thoralde did not decline the journey, but went immediately to the town with the messenger.The king called him in and in a private conversation asked him what truth there was in what had been told him of the principles and living of the people of the interior of Throndhjem, and if it really was so that they practised sacrifices to heathen gods."I will," says the king, "that thou declare to me the things as they are, and as thou knowest to be true; for it is thy duty to tell me the truth, as thou art my man."Thoralde replies, "Sire, I will first tell you that I have brought here to the town my two children, my wife, and all my loose property that I could take with me, and if thou desirest to know the truth it shall be told according to thy command; but if I declare it, thou must take care of me and mine."The king replies, "Say only what is true on what I ask thee, and I will take care that no evil befall thee."Then said Thoralde, "If I must say the truth, king, as it is, Imust declare that in the interior of the Throndhjem land almost all the people are heathen in faith, although some of them are baptized.It is their custom to offer sacrifice in autumn for a good winter, a second at mid-winter, and a third in summer.In this the people of Eyna, Sparby, Veradal, and Skaun partake.
