Norse Legends. Snorri Sturluson

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      123. OF EARL EIRIK, THE SON OF HAKON.

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      By this victory Earl Eirik Hakonson became owner of the Long Serpent, and made a great booty besides; and he steered the Serpent from the battle. So says Haldor:—

      "Olaf, with glittering helmet crowned,

       Had steered the Serpent through the Sound;

       And people dressed their boats, and cheered

       As Olaf's fleet in splendour steered.

       But the descendent of great Heming,

       Whose race tells many a gallant sea-king,

       His blue sword in red life-blood stained,

       And bravely Olaf's long ship gained."

      Svein, a son of Earl Hakon, and Earl Eirik's brother, was engaged at this time to marry Holmfrid, a daughter of King Olaf the Swedish king. Now when Svein the Danish king, Olaf the Swedish king, and Earl Eirik divided the kingdom of Norway between them, King Olaf got four districts in the Throndhjem country, and also the districts of More and Raumsdal; and in the east part of the land he got Ranrike, from the Gaut river to Svinasund. Olaf gave these dominions into Earl Svein's hands, on the same conditions as the sub kings or earls had held them formerly from the upper-king of the country. Earl Eirik got four districts in the Throndhjem country, and Halogaland, Naumudal, the Fjord districts, Sogn, Hordaland, Rogaland, and North Agder, all the way to the Naze. So says Thord Kolbeinson:—

      "All chiefs within our land

       On Eirik's side now stand:

       Erling alone, I know

       Remains Earl Eirik's foe.

       All praise our generous earl,—

       He gives, and is no churl:

       All men are well content

       Fate such a chief has sent.

       From Veiga to Agder they,

       Well pleased, the earl obey;

       And all will by him stand,

       To guard the Norsemen's land.

       And now the news is spread

       That mighty Svein is dead,

       And luck is gone from those

       Who were the Norsemen's foes."

      The Danish king Svein retained Viken as he had held it before, but he gave Raumarike and Hedemark to Earl Eirik. Svein Hakonson got the title of earl from Olaf the Swedish king. Svein was one of the handsomest men ever seen. The earls Eirik and Svein both allowed themselves to be baptized, and took up the true faith; but as long as they ruled in Norway they allowed every one to do as he pleased in holding by his Christianity. But, on the other hand, they held fast by the old laws, and all the old rights and customs of the land, and were excellent men and good rulers. Earl Eirik had most to say of the two brothers in all matters of government.