The Saga of the Jomsvikings

by Lee M Hollander

  18 The funeral feast, at which the inheritor seated himself in the High-Seat vacated by his predecessor and thus advanced into the formal (as well as de facto) possession of his inheritance.

  5. KING HAROLD AND EARL HÁKON PLOT TOGETHER

  At this time Harold Grayfur and his mother, Grunnhild, ruled over Norway. And Earl Hákon Sigurdarson had fled that country with ten ships; he set out on raiding expeditions, and in the fall he came to Denmark and expressed a wish to be on friendly terms with King Harold, and the king was agreeable to that. Hákon stayed at the court of the king that winter with a hundred men.

  Now Knút, the son of Gorm, was survived by a son named Harold. He was called Gold-Harold. He returned from a raiding expedition a little after Hákon’s arrival, and he also had ten ships and an immense quantity of booty. He also resorted to King Harold’s court. That winter, King Harold Gormsson and Earl Hákon plotted against Harold, king of Norway, and his mother, Gunnhild, and in the spring they treacherously fell upon him and overcame him in the Lim Firth, as we are told in the Book of Kings, which relates that Gold-Harold slew Harold, king of Norway.19 Earl Hákon later on had Gold-Harold led to the gallows. Thereupon the earl assumed the rule of all Norway and was to pay tribute to the king of Denmark.

  A little later, Emperor Otto of Saxland marched against Denmark with a great army, and Ólaf Tryggvason came to his aid.20 They forced King Harold to accept Christianity, and also Earl Hákon. At that time all of Denmark was Christianized. But Earl Hákon reverted to heathendom when he had returned to Norway and never thereafter paid any tribute.

  Notes

  19 It is not certain which work in the historical literature of the Old North is meant. Considering the evident marks of condensation in this passage, it appears that the author (or scribe) is satisfied merely to “refer” to the book’s treatment of these events.

  20 See Introduction, page 19.

  6. KING HAROLD HAS ÁKI TÓKASON SLAIN

  There lived in the district of Funen21 in Denmark a man who was called Tóki.22 Thorvor was the name of his wife. He had three sons. The second was called Áki, the youngest, Palnir. The oldest, Fiolnir, was bastardborn. Tóki was old at that time and fell ill and died, and Thorvor, his wife, died soon thereafter. Thereupon the two brothers Áki and Palnir took possession of their inheritance. Then Fiolnir asked his brothers what portion of the inheritance they would let him have. They said they would share with him the third part of the chattels but none of the lands, and they considered that they were giving him a fair deal. But he claimed a third of all the property as though he were entitled to inherit. His brothers refused. Fiolnir took that in ill part and left and joined King Harold and became his retainer and counselor. He was a clever man and shrewd, and also malicious, and he set out to malign his brother Áki to the king.

  In those days there was in Denmark no greater man not of royal birth than Áki, the son of Tóki. Every summer he went on viking expeditions, and nearly always was victorious. Fiolnir hinted to King Harold that he could not consider himself sole king of Denmark the while Áki Tókason lived. And he got the king to believe that, so there grew hostility between the king and Áki.

  There was great friendship between Áki and Earl Óttar of Gotland,23 and Áki was always welcome in Gotland. And one day he journeyed there for a banquet with two ships and a hundred followers, all well equipped with weapons and apparel. He stayed there some time, and at his departure to return to his lands he received noble gifts from the earl.

  King Harold learned that Áki had gone abroad. He set forth ten ships with five hundred men and ordered them to sail and ambush Áki as he returned, and kill him and all his followers. The king’s men set out and were on the lookout for Áki. To find him was an easy matter since he suspected no harm. The king’s men then fell upon them all unawares, attacking them and dropping the tents over their heads.24 Áki and his followers were surprised and killed to a man. Afterwards the king’s men brought Harold all the booty they had taken, and he was well pleased and said that now he was sole king so far as Áki was concerned. Fiolnir was glad, feeling that he was well avenged for not getting his share of the inheritance.

  Notes

  21 The large Danish island west of Zealand.

  22 The name signifies “fool,” just as the Swiss Tell does. Both legendary heroes were famous for their reckless bravery and prowess in archery.

  23 The province of southern Sweden.

  24 Tent coverings were spread over ships when in harbor.

  7. PALNIR’S MARRIAGE. THE RISE OF PALNATÓKI

  Now when these tidings were brought to Funen, Palnir was so shaken that he took to his bed, for he saw no chance of revenge against the man he had to deal with, that is, the king himself.25 A man named Sigurd was a foster brother of Áki and Palnir, a wise man and wealthy. Palnir sought him out for advice, and Sigurd said he would ask a woman in marriage for him. Palnir asked whom he had in mind. Sigurd said it was Ingeborg, the daughter of Earl Óttar of Gotland.

  Palnir said: “I fear that I may not win this woman. Yet I hold that this would be the most likely redress for my misfortunes, if I could marry her.”

  Thereupon Sigurd set out. He had with him one ship and sixty men, and he journeyed north to Gotland. He made his errand known to the earl and asked his daughter in marriage for Palnir, saying that Palnir had abundant possessions in Funen and that he was on the verge of death because of the grief he suffered. And in the end the earl was willing to promise the hand of his daughter and said that he himself would bring her to Palnir in Funen. Then Sigurd returned and told Palnir what had passed between them, and hearing that Palnir was greatly relieved. Thereupon they prepared a great feast in Funen, not sparing in any matter. And on the day agreed, the earl arrived with a great following and the marriage was celebrated with much magnificence. Thereupon Palnir and Ingeborg were led to their marriage couch.

  Ingeborg soon fell asleep and had a notable dream; and when she awoke she told Palnir her dream. “I dreamed,” she said, “that I was here in this estate and that I had set up a web on the loom. It was gray of color. The weights were fixed, so it seemed, and I was weaving. Then one of the stones fell down from the middle of the web, and I saw then that the weights all were men’s heads.26 And I took up that head and recognized it.”

  Palnir asked whose head it was, and she said it was that of King Harold Gormsson. Palnir said it was well that she had had that dream. “I think so, likewise,” she said.

  When the banquet ended Earl Óttar returned to Gotland with noble gifts. A strong affection arose between Palnir and Ingeborg, and soon she bore him a son, who was called Palnatóki. He grew up in Funen and soon became wise and had many friends. And when Palnatóki was well-nigh full grown his father took ill and died. Thereupon Palnatóki assumed possession of all his father’s wealth under the guardianship of his mother. Then he engaged in raiding expeditions every summer and acquired fame. And he resembled no one so much as his father’s brother Áki.

  At that time an earl ruled in Wales whose name was Stefnir. He had a daughter called Álof. She was wise and much beloved. Palnatóki landed there with his fleet and intended to harry in Stefnir’s land. But when they learned of that, Álof and her counselor, Bjorn the Welshman, contrived the plan of asking Palnatóki to come to a banquet in his honor so that he should consider this a land of friends and not harry there. Palnatóki accepted the invitation and came to the feast with all his company. And at that feast Palnatóki asked for the hand of Álof, nor was it hard to win. And straightway they prepared for their marriage, and at the wedding Earl Stefnir bestowed on Palnatóki the title of earl and half his land; and after the earl’s death Palnatóki was to have the whole of the land. Palnatóki stayed there both that summer and the winter following.27

  In the spring he conferred with Bjorn the Welshman and said: “Now I intend to return home to Denmark, but I shall wish you to remain here with Stefnir, my father-in-law, and rule here in my stead.” Then Palnatóki left
together with Álof, his wife, and returned home to Funen in Denmark. There he remained settled on his estates for a while and was considered the most important man in Denmark next to the king, as well as the richest and best endowed with understanding.

  Notes

  25 There are several cases in saga literature where men of valor took to their beds when despairing of the possibility of revenge.

  26 The motif of men’s heads as the weights of a loom seems a reminiscence of the famous “Song of the Valkyries” in Njál’s Saga. (A translation of the saga, by C. F. Bayerschmidt and L. M. Hollander, was published in 1955 by New York University Press for the American-Scandinavian Foundation.)

  27 Historically there were Norse settlements in Wales.

  8. OF KING HAROLD AND SAUMÆSA

  Now King Harold went on his royal progress round about the country. Palnatóki prepared a banquet and invited him to attend it, and the king accepted and stayed there for a long time, feasting. A woman was assigned to wait on him, called Æsa and nicknamed Saumæsa.28 She was a poor woman, yet accomplished. Then the king left the banquet and was presented with many gifts.

  The following summer Saumæsa was with child, and Palnatóki spoke with her and asked who had got her with it. She answered that it was no other than the king.

  “In that case,” said Palnatóki, “I shall free you from work until your child is born.”

  Time passed, and Æsa gave birth to a boy child. He was given the name of Svein and nicknamed Saumæsu-Svein. He grew up on Funen, and Palnatóki and his followers were good to him. And when Svein was three years old King Harold again came to Funen for a banquet. Now Palnatóki contrived a plan with Saumæsa. One day, when the king sat at table drinking, Saumæsa approached him, leading the boy with her, and said:

  “Sir King,” she said, “here I bring you a boy, and I maintain that no one else is responsible for that boy but you, Sir King.”

  When she ceased speaking the king asked her who she was. She told him her name.

  The king said: “An exceedingly bold woman you are, and a foolish one, too. And dare not say this again if you want to keep a whole skin.”

  Palnatóki said: “She is saying this because she considers it the truth. She is not a loose woman, and we have been protecting her for your sake.”

  The king answered: “I did not expect that you would side against me.” “Neither do I,” said Palnatóki, “and I shall keep him as though he were your son.”

  The king said: “I shall in nowise thank you for that.” Palnatóki said: “That will make no difference. Let us now drop the matter for the present.”

  Then the king left the banquet, nor were any gifts made to him at parting, and there was little love lost between him and Palnatóki.

  Notes

  28 That is, Sempstress Æsa. The following story of Svein’s illegitimate origin is much like the one told by Snorri in Heimskringla: Inga saga, chap. 18, about the origin of the later King Hákon Sigurdarson (ruled 1157–1161), who is said to have been engendered by King Sigurd with the servant girl of a wealthy man past whose farm he was riding. The master later protected the girl and fostered her child.

  9. SVEIN’S DEALINGS WITH KING HAROLD

  A short time afterwards Álof gave birth to a son. He was named Áki and grew up with his father on Funen. Svein was there, too, until he was fifteen. Then Palnatóki bade Svein see his father and demand assistance from him and declare himself his son, whether King Harold liked it or no. Svein did as his foster father advised.

  King Harold said: “I can see from your speech that they tell the truth about your mother. You are likely to be a fool and a simpleton.”

  Then Svein replied: “I should have preferred a mother of nobler birth if you had provided me with such a one. But you are surely my father. Now let me have three ships. My foster father will furnish me three others. If you don’t do it I shall play you some evil tricks that will cost you more than the ships.”

  The king said: “I have a notion that I can buy you off with this so that you will never come here again.”

  Then the king gave him three ships with a hundred men, and Palnatóki provided him with another three ships. He harried in the realm of his father that summer, and there arose much grumbling among the farmers. The king paid no heed to it. Things went on that way till fall. Then Svein returned home to Funen and passed the winter with Palnatóki.

  In the spring following, Svein again went to see King Harold; and everything went as before. Now Svein got six ships from the king, and Palnatóki gave him another six. And again Svein harried in the kingdom of his father, carrying on even more wildly than before and giving the farmers no respite. He harried both in Zealand and in Halland,29 killing many people. These tidings spread far and wide. The farmers went to see the king about their hardships. But the king let it pass unheeded as before.

  In the fall Svein repaired to Palnatóki with all his followers and remained there during the winter. When spring came he got his men ready and did exactly as his foster father advised him: he went to the king and asked for twelve ships.

  The king said: “I have never seen the like of you for impudence—that you dare to come to me, being a thief and a robber. And never will I acknowledge you as my kinsman.”

  Svein said: “Most certainly am I your son, and in truth we are kinsmen. But I shall not spare you for all that. Right now I shall fight you if you don’t give me what I want, nor will it help you to back out now.”

  “You are a difficult man to deal with,” the king said, “and your ways show that you are of no mean birth. You shall have what you demand. Take yourself off, then, and never again come within my sight.”

  Then Svein betook himself to Palnatóki with thirty ships, and was made right welcome. Palnatóki said: “It appears that you turn my advice to good account. Now you are to make forays on Denmark this summer, and all the more since now you have greater forces. The king is not likely to bear with you longer; but do not flee even though he pursue you with an army, because I shall come to your aid. I intend to sail to Wales this summer, with nine ships, to stay with my father-in-law, Earl Stefnir.”

  Thereupon they parted, leaving the country at the same time. Now Svein laid waste Denmark, both day and night, robbing and killing people and burning the countryside. The inhabitants fled from this sad havoc and informed the king, and he was not willing to stand for it any longer. He had fifty ships made ready and went with the fleet himself, and they made search for Svein.

  In the fall the two fleets met at the island of Bornholm.30 It was so late in the evening that neither could see to do battle. But in the morning, as soon as there was enough light, they laid their ships broadside and fought all day till evening. By that time ten ships of King Harold’s were cleared of their crew, and twelve of Svein’s. Then Svein retired with his ships to the inner end of the bight, and the king anchored his ships across the bay and shut Svein in.

  Notes

  29 The province of Sweden opposite northern Jutland. It formerly belonged to Denmark.

  30 The shoreline of the island of Bornholm (in the Baltic, south of Sweden) shows no indentation capable of harboring a fleet, nor a promontory such as is mentioned in the following narrative. Actually, the battle between father and son took place at Helgenæs Headland on the east coast of central Jutland.

  10. PALNATÓKI SLAYS KING HAROLD AND PROCLAIMS SVEIN KING

  That same evening Palnatóki made a landfall there with twenty-four ships. He anchored on the other side of the island, nearby the headland, and pitched his tents there. Then Palnatóki went up on land by himself. He had with him his bow and his quiver. That same evening King Harold went up on land, accompanied by eleven others, and into the forest and kindled a fire to bask at. It was dark night by then. The king took off his clothes and warmed himself at the fire. Palnatóki saw the fire in the forest and circled near it. He recognized the men and fixed an arrow in his bow and shot King Harold through. The king dropped dead straightway. Pal
natóki at once returned to his men.

  The followers of the king thronged about his body and took counsel how they should proceed.

  Fiolnir said: “It is my advice that we all tell the same story: that the king was shot in battle; for then we shall not be reproached for our negligence.” And this they all bound themselves to do. Fiolnir took the arrow to keep it—it was easily known from other arrows because it was wound with gold.

  Meanwhile, Palnatóki told off twenty of his men to come with him, saying that he was going to look for Svein. They went across the cape, and he and Svein took counsel together. Svein said that he would follow Palnatóki’s advice.

  Palnatóki told no one about the death of the king. He said: “It will not take us long to decide on a plan. I shall join you on your ship. Then we shall undo all your ships from their fastenings31 and make an attack on the king’s fleet. I dislike being penned in here by the king and killed.” They followed that plan and rowed to the attack. Three swift-sailing ships in the king’s fleet foundered, and of their crews only those who could swim escaped with their lives. Palnatóki and Svein rowed through that gap with all Svein’s ships and joined the fleet that Palnatóki had brought with him.

  Next morning they attacked the king’s fleet and learned that the king was dead. Then said Palnatóki: “Now you can choose one of two things, either to fight us or to accept Svein as king.”

  They chose to accept Svein. Then both fleets sailed, and an assembly was called, and there Svein was chosen king over all Denmark.