With this saga, which describes a series of conflicts, Snorre's "Heimskringla" ends. King Eystein died in 1177, but Magnus Erlingson continued to reign until his death in 1184. The conflicts continued until the opposition party was led to victory by King Sverre.

The only skald quoted is Thorbjorn Skakkaskald.


1. OF MAGNUS ERLINGSON'S BEGINNING.

When Erling got certain intelligence of the determinations of
Hakon and his counsellors, he sent a message to all the chiefs
who he knew had been steady friends of King Inge, and also to his
court-men and his retinue, who had saved themselves by flight,
and also to all Gregorius's house-men, and called them together
to a meeting. When they met, and conversed with each other, they
resolved to keep their men together; and which resolution they
confirmed by oath and hand-shake to each other. Then they
considered whom they should take to be king. Erling Skakke first
spoke, and inquired if it was the opinion of the chiefs and other
men of power that Simon Skalp's son, the son of the daughter of
King Harald Gille, should be chosen king, and Jon Halkelson be
taken to lead the army; but Jon refused it. Then it was inquired
if Nikolas Skialdvarson, a sister's son of King Magnus Barefoot,
would place himself at the head of the army; but he answered
thus: -- It was his opinion that some one should be chosen king
who was of the royal race; and, for leader of the troops, some
one from whom help and understanding were to be looked for; and
then it would be easier to gather an army. It was now tried
whether Arne would let any of his sons, King Inge's brothers, be
proclaimed king. Arne replies, that Kristin's son, she was the
daughter of King Sigurd the Crusader, was nearest by propinquity
of descent to the crown of Norway. "And here is also a man to be
his adviser, and whose duty it is to take care of him and of the
kingdom; and that man is his father Erling, who is both prudent,
brave, experienced in war, and an able man in governing the
kingdom; he wants no capability of bringing this counsel into
effect, if luck be with him." Many thought well of this advice.

Erling replied to it, "As far as I can see or hear in this
meeting, the most will rather be excused from taking upon
themselves such a difficult business. Now it appears to me
altogether uncertain, provided we begin this work, whether he who
puts himself at the head of it will gain any honour; or whether
matters will go as they have done before when any one undertakes
such great things, that he loses all his property and possibly
his life. But if this counsel be adopted, there may be men who
will undertake to carry it through; but he who comes under such
an obligation must seek, in every way, to prevent any opposition
or enmity from those who are now in this council."

All gave assurance that they would enter into this confederacy
with perfect fidelity. Then said Erling, "I can say for myself
that it would almost be my death to serve King Hakon; and however
dangerous it may be, I will rather venture to adopt your advice,
and take upon me to lead this force, if that be the will,
counsel, and desire of you all, and if you will all bind
yourselves to this agreement by oath."

To this they all agreed; and in this meeting it was determined to
take Erling's son Magnus to be king. They afterwards held a
Thing in the town; and at this Thing Magnus Erlingson, then five
years old, was elected king of the whole country. All who had
been servants of King Inge went into his service, and each of
them retained the office and dignity he had held under King Inge
(A.D. 1161).

2. KING MAGNUS GOES TO DENMARK.

Erling Skakke made himself ready to travel, fitted out ships, and
had with him King Magnus, together with the household-men who
were on the spot. In this expedition were the king's relatives,
-- Arne; Ingerid, King Inge's mother, with her two sons; besides
Jon Kutiza, a son of Sigurd Stork, and Erling's house-men, as
well as those who had been Gregorius's house-men; and they had in
all ten ships. They went south to Denmark to King Valdemar and
Buriz Heinrekson, King Inge's brother. King Valdemar was King
Magnus's blood-relation; for Ingebjorg, mother of King Valdemar,
and Malmfrid, mother of Kristin, King Magnus's mother, were
cousins. The Danish king received them hospitably, and he and
Erling had private meetings and consultations: and so much was
known of their counsels, that King Valdemar was to aid King
Magnus with such help as might be required from his kingdom to
win and retain Norway. On the other hand, King Valdemar should
get that domain in Norway which his ancestors Harald Gormson and
Svein Forked-beard had possessed; namely, the whole of Viken as
far north as Rygiarbit. This agreement was confirmed by oath and
a fixed treaty. Then Erling and King Magnus made themselves
ready to leave Denmark, and they sailed out of Vendilskage.

3. BATTLE OF TUNSBERG.

King Hakon went in spring, after the Easter week, north to
Throndhjem, and had with him the whole fleet that had belonged to
King Inge. He held a Thing there in the merchant-town, and was
chosen king of the whole country. Then he made Sigurd of Reyr an
earl, and gave him an earldom, and afterwards proceeded
southwards with his followers all the way to Viken. The king
went to Tunsberg; but sent Earl Sigurd east to Konungahella, to
defend the country with a part of the forces in case Erling
should come from the south. Erling and his fleet came to Agder,
and went straight north to Bergen, where they killed Arne
Brigdarskalle, King Hakon's officer, and came back immediately
against King Hakon. Earl Sigurd, who had not observed the
journey of Erling and his followers from the south, was at that
time east in the Gaut river, and King Hakon was in Tunsberg.
Erling brought up at Hrossanes, and lay there some nights. In
the meantime King Hakon made preparations in the town. When
Erling and his fleet were coming up to the town, they took a
merchant vessel, filled it with wood and straw, and set fire to
it; and the wind blowing right towards the town, drove the vessel
against the piers. Erling had two cables brought on board the
vessel, and made fast to two boats, and made them row along as
the vessel drove. Now when the fire was come almost abreast of
the town, those who were in the boats held back the vessel by the
ropes, so that the town could not be set on fire; but so thick a
smoke spread from it over the town, that one could not see from
the piers where the king's array was. Then Erling drew the whole
fleet in where the wind carried the fire, and shot at the enemy.
When the townspeople saw that the fire was approaching their
houses, and many were wounded by the bowmen, they resolved to
send the priest Hroald, the long-winded speaker, to Erling, to
beg him to spare them and the town; and they dissolved the array
in favour of Hakon, as soon as Hroald told them their prayer was
granted. Now when the array of towns-people had dispersed, the
men on the piers were much thinned: however, some urged Hakon's
men to make resistance: but Onund Simonson, who had most
influence over the army, said, "I will not fight for Earl
Sigurd's earldom, since he is not here himself." Then Onund
fled, and was followed by all the people, and by the king
himself; and they hastened up the country. King Hakon lost many
men here; and these verses were made about it: --

"Onund declares he will not go
In battle 'gainst Earl Sigurd's foe,
If Earl Sigurd does not come,
But with his house-men sits at home.
King Magnus' men rush up the street,
Eager with Hakon's troop to meet;
But Hakon's war-hawks, somewhat shy,
Turn quick about, and off they fly."

Thorbjorn Skakkaskald also said: --

"The Tunsberg men would not be slow
In thy good cause to risk a blow;
And well they knew the chief could stain
The wolves' mouths on a battle-plain.
But the town champion rather fears
The sharp bright glance of levelled spears;
Their steel-clad warrior loves no fight
Where bowstring twangs, or fire flies bright."

King Hakon then took the land-road northwards to Throndhjem.
When Earl Sigurd heard of this, he proceeded with all the ships
he could get the seaway north-wards, to meet King Hakon there.

4. OF ERLING AND HAKON.

Erling Skakke took all the ships in Tunsberg belonging to King
Hakon, and there he also took the Baekisudin which had belonged
to King Inge. Then Erling proceeded, and reduced the whole of
Viken in obedience to King Magnus, and also the whole country
north wheresoever he appeared up to Bergen, where he remained all
winter. There Erling killed Ingebjorn Sipil, King Hakon's
lenderman of the north part of the Fjord district. In winter
(A.D. 1162) King Hakon was in Throndhjem; but in the following
spring he ordered a levy, and prepared to go against Erling. He
had with him Earl Sigurd, Jon Sveinson, Eindride Unge, Onund
Simonson, Philip Peterson, Philip Gyrdson, Ragnvald Kunta, Sigurd
Kapa, Sigurd Hiupa, Frirek Keina, Asbjorn of Forland, Thorbjorn,
a son of Gunnar the treasurer, and Stradbjarne.

5. OF ERLING'S PEOPLE.

Erling was in Bergen with a great armament, and resolved to lay a
sailing prohibition on all the merchant vessels which were going
north to Nidaros; for he knew that King Hakon would soon get
tidings of him, if ships were sailing between the towns.
Besides, he gave out that it was better for Bergen to get the
goods, even if the owners were obliged to sell them cheaper than
they wished than that they should fall into the hands of enemies
and thereby strengthen them. And now a great many vessels were
assembled at Bergen, for many arrived every day, and none were
allowed to go away. Then Erling let some of the lightest of his
vessels be laid ashore, and spread the report that he would wait
for Hakon, and, with the help of his friends and relations,
oppose the enemy there. He then one day called a meeting of the
ship-masters, and gave them and all the merchant ships and their
steersmen leave to go where they pleased. When the men who had
charge of the cargoes, and were all ready to sail away with their
goods, some for trade, others on various business, had got leave
from Erling Skakke to depart, there was a soft and favourable
wind for sailing north along the coast. Before the evening all
who were ready had set sail, and hastened on as fast as they
could, according to the speed of their vessels, the one vying
with the other. When this fleet came north to More, Hakon's
fleet had arrived there before them: and he himself was there
fully engaged in collecting people, and summoning to him the
lendermen, and all liable to serve in the levy, without having
for a long time heard any news from Bergen. Now, however, they
heard, as the latest news, that Erling Skakke had laid his ships
up in Bergen, and there they would find him; and also that he had
a large force with him. King Hakon sailed from thence to Veey,
and sent away Earl Sigurd and Onund Simonson to gather people,
and sent men also to both the More districts. After King Hakon
had remained a few days at the town he sailed farther, and
proceeded to the South, thinking that it would both promote his
journey and enable new levies to join him sooner.

Erling Skakke had given leave on Sunday to all the merchant
vessels to leave Bergen; and on Tuesday, as soon as the early
mass was over, he ordered the warhorns to sound, summoned to him
the men-at-arms and the townsmen, and let the ships which were
laid up on shore be drawn down into the water. Then Erling held
a House-Thing with his men and the people of the levy; told them
his intentions; named ship commanders; and had the names called
over of the men who were to be on board of the king's ship. This
Thing ended with Erling's order to every man to make himself
ready in his berth wherever a place was appointed him; and
declared that he who remained in the town after the Baekisudin
was hauled out, should be punished by loss of life or limb. Orm,
the king's brother, laid his ships out in the harbour immediately
that evening, and many others, and the greater number were afloat
before.

6. OF ERLING SKAKKE.

On Wednesday, before mass was sung in the town, Erling sailed
from Bergen with all his fleet, consisting of twenty-one ships;
and there was a fresh breeze for sailing northwards along the
coast. Erling had his son King Magnus with him, and there were
many lendermen accompanied by the finest men. When Erling came
north, abreast of the Fjord district, he sent a boat on shore to
Jon Halkelson's farm, and took Nikolas, a son of Simon Skalp and
of Maria, Harald Gille's daughter, and brought him out to the
fleet, and put him on board the king's ship. On Friday,
immediately after matins, they sailed to Steinavag, and King
Hakon, with thirteen ships, was lying in the harbour in the
neighbourhood. He himself and his men were up at play upon the
island, and the lendermen were sitting on the hill, when they saw
a boat rowing from the south with two men in it, who were bending
back deep towards the keel, and taking hasty strokes with their
oars. When they came to the shore they did not belay the boat,
but both ran from it. The great men seeing this, said to each
other, "These men must have some news to tell;" and got up to
meet them. When they met, Onund Simonson asked, "Have ye any
news of Erling Skakke, that ye are running so fast?"

They answered, as soon as they could get out the words, for they
had lost their breath, "Here comes Erling against you, sailing
from the south, with twenty-one ships, or thereabouts, of which
many are great enough; and now ye will soon see their sails."

Then said Eindride Unge, "Too near to the nose, said the peasant,
when his eye was knocked out."

They went in haste now to where the games were playing, and
immediately the war-horns resounded, and with the battle-call all
the people were gathered down to the ships in the greatest haste.
It was just the time of day when their meat was nearly cooked.
All the men rushed to the ships, and each ran on board the vessel
that was nearest to him, so that the ships were unequally manned.
Some took to the oars; some raised the masts, turned the heads of
the vessels to the north, and steered for Veey, where they
expected much assistance from the towns.

7. FALL OF KING HAKON.

Soon after they saw the sails of Erling's fleet, and both fleets
came in sight of each other. Eindride Unge had a ship called
Draglaun, which was a large buss-like long-ship, but which had
but a small crew; for those who belonged to her had run on board
of other ships, and she was therefore the hindmost of Hakon's
fleet. When Eindride came abreast of the island Sek, the
Baekisudin, which Erling Skakke himself commanded, came up with
her; and these two ships were bound fast together. King Hakon
and his followers had arrived close to Veey; but when they heard
the war-horn they turned again to assist Eindride. Now they
began the battle on both sides, as the vessels came up. Many of
the sails lay midships across the vessels; and the ships were not
made fast to each other, but they lay side by side. The conflict
was not long before there came disorder in Hakon's ship; and some
fell, and others sprang overboard. Hakon threw over him a grey
cloak, and jumped on board another ship; but when he had been
there a short time he thought he had got among his enemies; and
when he looked about him he saw none of his men nor of his ships
near him. Then he went into the Baekisudin to the forecastle-
men, and begged his life. They took him in their keeping, and
gave him quarter. In this conflict there was a great loss of
people, but principally of Hakon's men. In the Baekisudin fell
Nikolas, Simon Skalp's son; and Erling's men are accused of
having killed him themselves. Then there was a pause in the
battle, and the vessels separated. It was now told to Erling
that Hakon was on board of his ship; that the forecastle-men had
taken him, and threatened that they would defend him with arms.
Erling sent men forwards in the ship to bring the forecastle-men
his orders to guard Hakon well, so that he should not get away.
He at the same time let it be understood that he had no objection
to giving the king life and safety, if the other chiefs were
willing, and a peace could be established. All the forecastle-
men gave their chief great credit and honour for these words.
Then Erling ordered anew a blast of the war-horns, and that the
ships should be attacked which had not lost their men; saying
that they would never have such another opportunity of avenging
King Inge. Thereupon they all raised a war-shout, encouraged
each other, and rushed to the assault. In this tumult King Hakon
received his death-wound. When his men knew he had fallen they
rowed with all their might against the enemy, threw away their
shields, slashed with both hands, and cared not for life. This
heat and recklessness, however, proved soon a great loss to them;
for Erling's men saw the unprotected parts of their bodies, and
where their blows would have effect. The greater part of Hakon's
men who remained fell here; and it was principally owing to the
want of numbers, as they were not enough to defend themselves.
They could not get quarter, also excepting those whom the chiefs
took under their protection and bound themselves to pay ransom
for. The following of Hakon's people fell: Sigurd Kapa, Sigurd
Hiupa, and Ragnvald Kunta; but some ships crews got away, rowed
into the fjords, and thus saved their lives. Hakon's body was
carried to Raumsdal, and buried there; but afterwards his
brother, King Sverre, had the body transported north to the
merchant town Nidaros, and laid in the stone wall of Christ
church south of the choir.

8. FLIGHT OF THE CHIEFS OF HAKON'S MEN.

Earl Sigurd, Eindride Unge, Onund Simonson, Frirek Keina, and
other chiefs kept the troop together, left the ships in Raumsdal,
and went up to the Uplands. King Magnus and his father Erling
sailed with their troops north to Nidaros in Throndhjem, and
subdued the country as they went along. Erling called together
an Eyra-thing, at which King Magnus was proclaimed king of all
Norway. Erling, however, remained there but a short time; for he
thought the Throndhjem people were not well affected towards him
and his son. King Magnus was then called king of the whole
country.

King Hakon had been a handsome man in appearance, well grown,
tall and thin; but rather broad-shouldered, on which account his
men called him Herdebreid. As he was young in years, his
lendermen ruled for him. He was cheerful and friendly in
conversation, playful and youthful in his ways, and was much
liked by the people.

9. OF KING SIGURD'S BEGINNING.

There was an Upland man called Markus of Skog, who was a relation
of Earl Sigurd. Markus brought up a son of King Sigurd Mun, who
was also called Sigurd. This Sigurd was chosen king (A.D. 1162)
by the Upland people, by the advice of Earl Sigurd and the other
chiefs who had followed King Hakon. They had now a great army,
and the troops were divided in two bodies; so that Markus and the
king were less exposed where there was anything to do, and Earl
Sigurd and his troop, along with the lendermen, were most in the
way of danger. They went with their troops mostly through the
Uplands, and sometimes eastwards to Viken. Erling Skakke had his
son King Magnus always with him, and he had also the whole fleet
and the land defence under him. He was a while in Bergen in
autumn; but went from thence eastward to Viken, where he settled
in Tunsberg for his winter quarters (A.D. 1163), and collected in
Viken all the taxes and revenues that belonged to Magnus as king;
and he had many and very fine troops. As Earl Sigurd had but a
small part of the country, and kept many men on foot, he soon was
in want of money; and where there was no chief in the
neighbourhood he had to seek money by unlawful ways, -- sometimes
by unfounded accusations and fines, sometimes by open robbery.

10. EARL SIGURD'S CONDEMNATION.

At that time the realm of Norway was in great prosperity. The
bondes were rich and powerful, unaccustomed to hostilities or
violence, and the oppression of roving troops; so that there was
soon a great noise and scandal when they were despoiled and
robbed. The people of Viken were very friendly to Erling and
King Magnus, principally from the popularity of the late King
Inge Haraldson; for the Viken people had always served under his
banner. Erling kept a guard in the town, and twelve men were on
watch every night. Erling had Things regularly with the bondes,
at which the misdeeds of Sigurd's people were often talked over;
and by the representations of Erling and his adherents, the
bondes were brought unanimously to consider that it would be a
great good fortune if these bands should be rooted out. Arne,
the king's relation, spoke well and long on this subject, and at
last severely; and required that all who were at the Thing, --
men-at-arms, bondes, towns-men, and merchants, -- should come to
the resolution to sentence according to law Earl Sigurd and all
his troop, and deliver them to Satan, both living and dead. From
the animosity and hatred of the people, this was agreed to by
all; and thus the unheard-of deed was adopted and confirmed by
oath, as if a judgment in the case was delivered there by the
Thing according to law. The priest Hroald the Long-winded, who
was a very eloquent man, spoke in the case; but his speech was to
the same purpose as that of others who had spoken before. Erling
gave a feast at Yule in Tunsberg, and paid the wages of the
men-at-arms at Candlemas.

11. OF ERLING.

Earl Sigurd went with his best troops down to Viken, where many
people were obliged to submit to his superior force, and many had
to pay money. He drove about thus widely higher up the country,
penetrating into different districts. But there were some in his
troop who desired privately to make peace with Erling; but they
got back the answer, that all who asked for their lives should
obtain quarter, but they only should get leave to remain in the
country who had not been guilty of any great offenses against
Erling. And when Sigurd's adherents heard that they would not
get leave to remain in the country, they held together in one
body; for there were many among them who knew for certain that
Erling would look upon them as guilty of offences against him.
Philip Gyrdson made terms with Erling, got his property back, and
went home to his farm; but soon after Sigurd's men came there,
and killed him. They committed many crimes against each other,
and many men were slain in their mutual persecution; but here
what was committed by the chiefs only is written down.

12. ERLING GETS NEWS OF EARL SIGURD.

It was in the beginning of Lent that news came to Erling that
Earl Sigurd intended to come upon him; and news of him came here
and there, sometimes nearer, sometimes farther off. Erling sent
out spies in all quarters around to discover where they were.
Every evening he assembled all the men-at-arms by the war-horn
out of the town; and for a long time in the winter they lay under
arms all night, ready to be drawn up in array. At last Erling
got intelligence that Sigurd and his followers were not far
distant, up at the farm Re. Erling then began his expedition out
of the town, and took with him all the towns-people who were able
to carry arms and had arms, and likewise all the merchants; and
left only twelve men behind to keep watch in the town. Erling
went out of the town on Thursday afternoon, in the second week of
Lent (February 19); and every man had two days' provisions with
him. They marched by night, and it was late before they got out
of the town with the men. Two men were with each shield and each
horse; and the people, when mustered, were about 1200 men. When
they met their spies, they were informed that Sigurd was at Re,
in a house called Rafnnes, and had 500 men. Then Erling called
together his people; told them the news he had received, and all
were eager to hasten their march, fall on them in the houses, or
engage them by night.

Erling replied to them thus: -- "It is probable that we and Earl
Sigurd shall soon meet. There are also many men in this band
whose handy-work remains in our memories; such as cutting down
King Inge, and so many more of our friends, that it would take
long to reckon them up. These deeds they did by the power of
Satan, by witchcraft, and by villainy; for it stands in our laws
and country rights, that however highly a man may have been
guilty, it shall be called villainy and cowardly murder to kill
him in the night. This band has had its luck hitherto by
following the counsel of men acquainted with witchcraft and
fighting by night, and not in the light of day; and by this
proceeding have they been victorious hitherto over the chiefs
whose heads they have laid low on the earth. Now we have often
seen, and proved, how unsuitable and improper it is to go into
battle in the nighttime; therefore let us rather have before our
eyes the example of chiefs better known to us, and who deserve
better to be imitated, and fight by open day in regular battle
array, and not steal upon sleeping men in the night. We have
people enough against them, so few as they are. Let us,
therefore, wait for day and daylight, and keep together in our
array in case they attack us."

Thereafter the whole army sat down. Some opened up bundles of
hay, and made a bed of it for themselves; some sat upon their
shields, and thus waited the daydawn. The weather was raw, and
there was a wet snowdrift.

13. OF EARL SIGURD'S BATTLE ARRAY.

Earl Sigurd got the first intelligence of Erling's army, when it
was already near to the house. His men got up, and armed
themselves; but not knowing how many men Erling had with him,
some were inclined to fly, but the most determined to stand.
Earl Sigurd was a man of understanding, and could talk well, but
certainly was not considered brave enough to take a strong
resolution; and indeed the earl showed a great inclination to
fly, for which he got many stinging words from his men-at-arms.
As day dawned, they began on both sides to draw up their battle
array. Earl Sigurd placed his men on the edge of a ridge between
the river and the house, at a place at which a little stream runs
into the river. Erling and his people placed their array on the
other side of the river; but at the back of his array were men on
horseback well armed, who had the king with them. When Earl
Sigurd's men saw that there was so great a want of men on their
side, they held a council, and were for taking to the forest.
But Earl Sigurd said, "Ye alleged that I had no courage, but it
will now be proved; and let each of you take care not to fail, or
fly, before I do so. We have a good battle-field. Let them
cross the bridge; but as soon as the banner comes over it let us
then rush down the hill upon them, and none desert his
neighbour."

Earl Sigurd had on a red-brown kirtle, and a red cloak, of which
the corners were tied and turned back; shoes on his feet; and a
shield and sword called Bastard. The earl said, "God knows that
I would rather get at Erling Skakke with a stroke of Bastard,
than receive much gold."

14. EARL SIGURD'S FALL.

Erling Skakke's army wished to go on to the bridge; but Erling
told them to go up along the river, which was small, and not
difficult to cross, as its banks were flat; and they did so.
Earl Sigurd's array proceeded up along the ridge right opposite
to them; but as the ridge ended, and the ground was good and
level over the river, Erling told his men to sing a Paternoster,
and beg God to give them the victory who best deserved it. Then
they all sang aloud "Kyrie Eleison", and struck with their
weapons on their shields. But with this singing 300 men of
Erling's people slipped away and fled. Then Erling and his
people went across the river, and the earl's men raised the
war-shout; but there was no assault from the ridge down upon
Erling's array, but the battle began upon the hill itself. They
first used spears then edge weapons; and the earl's banner soon
retired so far back, that Erling and his men scaled the ridge.
The battle lasted but a short time before the earl's men fled to
the forest, which they had close behind them. This was told Earl
Sigurd, and his men bade him fly; but he replied, "Let us on
while we can." And his men went bravely on, and cut down on all
sides. In this tumult fell Earl Sigurd and Jon Sveinson, and
nearly sixty men. Erling lost few men, and pursued the fugitives
to the forest. There Erling halted his troops, and turned back.
He came just as the king's slaves were about stripping the
clothes off Earl Sigurd, who was not quite lifeless. He had put
his sword in the sheath, and it lay by his side. Erling took it,
struck the slaves with it, and drove them away. Then Erling,
with his troops, returned, and sat down in Tunsberg. Seven days
after Earl Sigurd's fall Erling's men took Eindride Unge
prisoner, and killed him, with all his ship's crew.

15. MARKUS OF SKOG, AND SIGURD SIGURDSON.

Markus of Skog, and King Sigurd, his foster-son, rode down to
Viken towards spring, and there got a ship; but when Erling heard
it he went eastwards against them, and they met at Konungahella.
Markus fled with his followers to the island Hising; and there
the country people of Hising came down in swarms, and placed
themselves in Markus's and Sigurd's array. Erling and his men
rowed to the shore; but Markus's men shot at them. Then Erling
said to his people, "Let us take their ships, but not go up to
fight with a land force. The Hisingers are a bad set to quarrel
with, -- hard, and without understanding. They will keep this
troop but a little while among them, for Hising is but a small
spot." This was done: they took the ships, and brought them over
to Konungahella. Markus and his men went up to the forest
district, from which they intended to make assaults, and they had
spies out on both sides. Erling had many men-at-arms with him,
whom he brought from other districts, and they made attacks on
each other in turn.

16. BEGINNING OF ARCHBISHOP EYSTEIN.

Eystein, a son of Erlend Himaide, was selected to be archbishop,
after Archbishop Jon's death; and he was consecrated the same
year King Inge was killed. Now when Archbishop Eystein came to
his see, he made himself beloved by all the country, as an
excellent active man of high birth. The Throndhjem people, in
particular, received him with pleasure; for most of the great
people in the Throndhjem district were connected with the
archbishop by relationship or other connection, and all were his
friends. The archbishop brought forward a request to the bondes
in a speech, in which he set forth the great want of money for
the see, and also how much greater improvement of the revenues
would be necessary to maintain it suitably, as it was now of much
more importance than formerly when the bishop's see was first
established. He requested of the bondes that they should give
him, for determining law-suits, an ore of silver value, instead
of what they had before paid, which was an ore of judgment money,
of that kind which was paid to the king in judging cases; and the
difference between the two kinds of ore was, that the ore he
desired was a half greater than the other. By help of the
archbishop's relations and friends, and his own activity, this
was carried; and it was fixed by law in all the Throndhjem
district, and in all the districts belonging to his
archbishopric.

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