With this reply the messengers set off, and went to Grjotgard, for whom they had the same message, and brought him good presents, and offered him King Harald's friendship, and invited him to visit the king.Grjotgard promised to come and at the appointed time he paid a visit to King Harald and Gunhild, and was received in the most friendly manner.They treated him on the most intimate footing, so that Grjotgard had access to their private consultations and secret councils.At last the conversation, by an understanding between the king and queen, was turned upon Earl Sigurd; and they spoke to Grjotgard about the earl having kept him so long in obscurity, and asked him if he would not join the king's brothers in an attack on the earl.If he would join with them, the king promised Grjotgard that he should be his earl, and have the same government that Sigurd had.
It came so far that a secret agreement was made between them, that Grjotgard should spy out the most favourable opportunity of attacking by surprise Earl Sigurd, and should give King Harald notice of it.After this agreement Grjotgard returned home with many good presents from the king.
5.SIGURD BURNT IN A HOUSE IN STJORADAL
Earl Sigurd went in harvest into Stjoradal to guest-quarters, and from thence went to Oglo to a feast.The earl usually had many people about him, for he did not trust the king; but now, after friendly messages had passed between the king and him, he had no great following of people with him.Then Grjotgard sent word to the king that he could never expect a better opportunity to fall upon Earl Sigurd; and immediately, that very evening, Harald and Erling sailed into Throndhjem fjord with several ships and many people.They sailed all night by starlight, and Grjotgard came out to meet them.Late in the night they came to Oglo, where Earl Sigurd was at the feast, and set fire to the house; and burnt the house, the earl, and all his men.As soon as it was daylight, they set out through the fjord, and south to More, where they remained a long time.
6.HISTORY OF HAKON, SIGURD'S SON.
Hakon, the son of Earl Sigurd, was up in the interior of the Throndhjem country when he heard this news.Great was the tumult through all the Throndhjem land, and every vessel that could swim was put into the water; and as soon as the people were gathered together they took Earl Sigurd's son Hakon to be their earl and the leader of the troops, and the whole body steered out of Throndhjem fjord.When Gunhild's sons heard of this, they set off southwards to Raumsdal and South More; and both parties kept eye on each other by their spies.Earl Sigurd was killed two years after the fall of King Hakon (A.D.962).So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller in the "Haleygjatal": --"At Oglo.as I've heard, Earl Sigurd Was burnt to death by Norway's lord, --Sigurd, who once on Hadding's grave A feast to Odin's ravens gave.
In Oglo's hall, amidst the feast, When bowls went round and ale flowed fast, He perished: Harald lit the fire Which burnt to death the son of Tyr."Earl Hakan, with the help of his friends, maintained himself in the Throndhjem country for three years; and during that time (A.D.963-965) Gunhild's sons got no revenues from it.Hakon had many a battle with Gunhild's sons, and many a man lost his life on both sides.Of this Einar Skalaglam speaks in his lay, called "Vellekla," which he composed about Earl Hakon: --"The sharp bow-shooter on the sea Spread wide his fleet, for well loved he The battle storm: well loved the earl His battle-banner to unfurl, O'er the well-trampled battle-field He raised the red-moon of his shield;And often dared King Eirik's son To try the fray with the Earl Hakon."And he also says-"Who is the man who'll dare to say That Sigurd's son avoids the fray?
He gluts the raven -- he ne'er fears The arrow's song or flight of spears, With thundering sword he storms in war, As Odin dreadful; or from far He makes the arrow-shower fly To swell the sail of victory.
The victory was dearly bought, And many a viking-fight was fought Before the swinger of the sword Was of the eastern country lord."And Einar tells also how Earl Hakon avenged his father's murderer: --"I praise the man, my hero he, Who in his good ship roves the sea, Like bird of prey, intent to win Red vengeance for his slaughtered kin.
From his blue sword the iron rain That freezes life poured down amain On him who took his father's life, On him and his men in the strife.
To Odin many a soul was driven, --
To Odin many a rich gift given.
Loud raged the storm on battle-field --
Axe rang on helm, and sword on shield."
The friends on both sides at last laid themselves between, and brought proposals of peace; for the bondes suffered by this strife and war in the land.At last it was brought to this, by the advice of prudent men, that Earl Hakon should have the same power in the Throndhjem land which his father Earl Sigurd had enjoyed; and the kings, on the other hand, should have the same dominion as King Hakon had: and this agreement was settled with the fullest promises of fidelity to it.Afterwards a great friendship arose between Earl Hakon and Gunhild, although they sometimes attempted to deceive each other.And thus matters stood for three years longer (A.D.966-968), in which time Earl Hakon sat quietly in his dominions.
7.OF HARALD GRAFELD.
King Hakon had generally his seat in Hordaland and Rogaland, and also his brothers; but very often, also, they went to Hardanger.
