Harald Gille, on the other hand, was very pleasing in intercourse, gay, and full of mirth; and so generous that he spared in nothing for the sake of his friends.He willingly listened to good advice, so that he allowed others to consult with him and give counsel.With all this he obtained favour and a good repute, and many men attached themselves as much to him as to King Magnus.Harald was in Tunsberg when he heard of his brother King Sigurd's death.He called together his friends to a meeting, and it was resolved to hold the Hauga Thing (1) there in the town.At this Thing, Harald was chosen king of half the country, and it was called a forced oath which had been taken from him to renounce his paternal heritage.Then Harald formed a court, and appointed lendermen; and very soon he had as many people about him as King Magnus.Then men went between them, and matters stood in this way for seven days; but King Magnus, finding he had fewer people, was obliged to give way, and to divide the kingdom with Harald into two parts.The kingdom accordingly was so divided (October 3, 1130) that each of them should have the half part of the kingdom which King Sigurd had possessed; but that King Magnus alone should inherit the fleet of ships, the table service, the valuable articles and the movable effects which had belonged to his father, King Sigurd.He was notwithstanding the least satisfied with his share.Although they were of such different dispositions, they ruled the country for some time in peace.King Harald had a son called Sigurd, by Thora, a daughter of Guthorm Grabarde.King Harald afterwards married Ingerid, a daughter of Ragnvald, who was a son of the Swedish King Inge Steinkelson.King Magnus was married to a daughter of Knut Lavard, and she was a sister of the Danish King Valdernar; but King Magnus having no affection for her, sent her back to Denmark; and from that day everything went ill with him, and he brought upon himself the enmity of her family.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Hauga-thing means a Thing held at the tumuli or burial mounds.-- L.
2.OF THE FORCES OF HARALD AND MAGNUS.
When the two relations, Harald and Magnus, had been about three years kings of Norway (A.D.1131-1133), they both passed the fourth winter (A.D.1134) in the town of Nidaros, and invited each other as guests; but their people were always ready for a fight.In spring King Magnus sailed southwards along the land with his fleet, and drew all the men he could obtain out of each district, and sounded his friends if they would strengthen him with their power to take the kingly dignity from Harald, and give him such a portion of the kingdom, as might be suitable;representing to them that King Harald had already renounced the kingdom by oath.King Magnus obtained the consent of many powerful men.The same spring Harald went to the Uplands, and by the upper roads eastwards to Viken; and when he heard what King Magnus was doing, he also drew together men on his side.
Wheresoever the two parties went they killed the cattle, or even the people, upon the farms of the adverse party.King Magnus had by far the most people, for the main strength of the country lay open to him for collecting men from it.King Harald was in Viken on the east side of the fjord, and collected men, while they were doing each other damage in property and life.King Harald had with him Kristrod, his brother by his mother's side, and many other lendermen; but King Magnus had many more.King Harald was with his forces at a place called Fors in Ranrike, and went from thence towards the sea.The evening before Saint Lawrence day (August 10), they had their supper at a place called Fyrileif, while the guard kept a watch on horseback all around the house.
The watchmen observed King Magnus's army hastening towards the house, and consisting of full 6000 men, while King Harald had but 1500.Now come the watchmen who had to bring the news to King Harald of what was going on and say that King Magnus's army was now very near the town.
The king says, "What will my relation King Magnus Sigurdson have?
He wants not surely to fight us."
Thjostolf Alason replies, "You must certainly, sire, make preparation for that, both for yourself and your, men.King Magnus has been drawing together an army all the summer for the purpose of giving you battle when he meets you."Then King Harald stood up, and ordered his men to take their arms."We shall fight, if our relative King Magnus wants to fight us."Then the war-horns sounded, and all Harald's men went out from the house to an enclosed field, and set up their banners.King Harald had on two shirts of ring-mail, but his brother Kristrod had no armour on; and a gallant man he was.When King Magnus and his men saw King Harald's troop they drew up and made their array, and made their line so long that they could surround the whole of King Harald's troop.So says Haldor Skvaldre: --"King Magnus on the battle-plain From his long troop-line had great gain;The plain was drenched with warm blood, Which lay a red and reeking flood."3.BATTLE AT FYRILEIF.
King Magnus had the holy cross carried before him in this battle, and the battle was great and severe.The king's brother, Kristrod, had penetrated with his troop into the middle of King Magnus's array, and cut down on each side of him, so that people gave way before him everywhere.But a powerful bonde who was in King Harald's array raised his spear with both hands, and drove it through between Kristrod's shoulders, so that it came out at his breast; and thus fell Kristrod.Many who were near asked the bonde why he had done so foul a deed.
