Heimskringla 1

ero bygð alla, fellr

lie beyond all settlement, there flows

á um Sviþioð, Su er at rét-to

a river through Sweden which is rightly

heitir Tanais, hon var

called Tanais. It was

forðom cǫllot Tana qviſl

formerly called Tanakvisl

eða Vana qviſl, hon kømr til

or Vanakvisl; it comes to

ſiavar iɴ i Svarta haf. J

the sea in the Black Sea. At

Vanaqviſlom var þa callat

Vanakvislar it was then called

Vanaland eða Vanaheimr. Su

Vanaland or Vanaheim. That

á ſcilr heims þriðiungana. hei-tir

river divides the thirds of the world. It is called

fyrir ꜹſtan Aſia, en fyrir

on the east side Asia, and on the

veſtan Európa.

west side Europe.

II. Fra Aſiamǫnnom.

II. Of the people of Asia.

Fyrir ꜹſtan Tanaqviſl i

East of Tanakvisl, in

Aſia var callat Aſaland eða Aſa

Asia, it was called Asaland or

heimr Eɴ hǫfot borgin er

Asaheim. And the chief city which

var i landino colloðo þeir

was in the land they called

Aſgarð. En i borgiɴi var hǫfþin-gi

Asgard. And in the city was a chieftain

ſa er Oþiɴ var callaðr. þar

who was called Odin. There

var blotſtaðr micill. þat var

was a great place of sacrifice. It was

þar ſiþr at xij. hofgoðar váro ø̨ztir.

the custom there that twelve temple priests were highest;

ſcylldo þeir raða fyrir blótum oc

they were to direct the sacrifices and

domom manna i milli. þat ero diar

judgments between men. These are díar [priest-chieftains],

callaðir eða drotnar, þeim ſcylde þio-noſto

so called, or lords; to them service

veita oc lotning allt folc.

and reverence were to be given by all the people.

Oþiɴ var hermaðr micill oc mioc

Odin was a great warrior and very

viþfǫroll oc eignaðiz morg riki.

widely travelled, and won many kingdoms.

morg miſſere.

many half-years.

III. C. Fra broðrom Oðens.

III. Chapter. Of Odin's brothers.

Oþiɴ átte ij brø̨ðr, het aɴaʀ

Odin had two brothers; one was called

Ve en aɴaʀ Vilir. þeir brǿðr hans ſtyr-ðo

Vé and the other Vili. These brothers of his governed

ríkeno, þa er hann var i brotto. Þat

the realm when he was away. It

var eitt ſiɴ þa er Oðinn var fariɴ lan-gt

happened once, when Odin had gone far

i brot oc hafði lengi dvalz. at

away and had stayed away long, that

áſom þotti ø̨rvænt hans heim, þa

the Æsir thought his return home hopeless; then

toco brǿðr hans at ſcipta arfe hans. En

his brothers began to divide his inheritance. And

kono hans friɢ gengo þeir baþir at

his wife Frigg they both took

eiga. Eɴ litlo ſiðaʀ com Oðinn

as theirs. But a little later Odin came

heim. toc hann þa uið kono ſiɴi.

home; he then took back his wife.

Cap IV. Ofriðr við Váne.

Chapter IV. War with the Vanir.

Oþiɴ for með her a hendr

Odin went with an army against

Vǫnom, en þeir urðo væl við oc

the Vanir, but they met it well and

vǫrðo land ſit. oc hafðo ymsir

defended their land, and now one side, now the other had

ſigr. herioðo. hvárir land aɴara

victory. Each raided the other's land

oc gerþo ſcaða. En er þat leiddiz hva-rom

and did damage. But when it wearied both

tveɢiom, lꜹgðo þeir mille

sides, they arranged between

sín ſǽttar ſtefno oc gerþo frið oc

themselves a peace meeting and made peace and

ſellduz giſlar. fengo Vanir ſi-na

exchanged hostages. The Vanir handed over their

ena agæzto menn, Niorð hiɴ

most excellent men, Njord the

ꜹðga oc ſon hans Frey. En

Wealthy and his son Frey. And

æsir þar i mot þaɴ er Hø̨nir

the Æsir in return [gave] the one named Hœnir,

hét oc cǫlloðo hann allvel til hǫf-þingia

and they declared him very well suited

falliɴ. hann var micill maðr

to be a chieftain. He was a big man

oc hiɴ vænſti, með honom ſendo æsir

and most handsome. With him the Æsir sent

þaɴ er Mimir hét hiɴ vitraſti maðr

the one called Mimir, the wisest of men,

En Vanir fengo þar i mot þann er

and the Vanir gave in return the one who

ſpacaſtr var i þeira flocki, ſa hét

was cleverest in their company; he was called

qvaſir, eɴ er Hø̨nir com i Vana heim

Kvasir. And when Hœnir came to Vanaheim

þa var hann þegar hǫfþingi gø̨ʀ, Mi-mir

he was at once made a chieftain; Mimir

kendi honom rad ǫll. En er Hø̨-nir

advised him in everything. But when Hœnir

var ſtaddr a þingom eða ſtefnom

was present at assemblies or meetings

ſva at Mimir var eigi nær oc cømi

where Mimir was not near, and there came

nockor vanda mál fyrir hann, þa

some difficult matter before him, then

ſvaraðe hann æ eno ſama. raðe aþrir

he always answered the same: 'Let others decide,'

qvað hann. þa grunaðe Vane at æſir

he said. Then the Vanir suspected that the Æsir

mundi hafa falſat þá i manna

must have cheated them in the exchange

ſciptino. þa tocó þeir mimi oc

of men. Then they seized Mimir and

háls hioɢio. oc ſendo hǫfotit áſom.

cut off his head, and sent the head to the Æsir.

Oþinn tóc hǫfotit oc ſmurþi urtum

Odin took the head and smeared [it] with herbs

þeim er eigi mátte fúna. oc

so that it could not rot, and

qvað þar yfir galdra oc magnaðe ſva

chanted spells over it and gave it such power

at þat mælte við hann, oc ſagðe honom

that it spoke with him and told him

marga leynda lute. Niorð oc

many hidden things. Njord and

Frey ſetti Oðinn blótgoða oc váro

Frey Odin appointed as sacrificial priests, and they were

þeir díar með Áſom. Dottir Nia-rþar

díar [priest-chieftains] among the Æsir. Njord's daughter

var Freyia, hon var blot-gyðia

was Freyja; she was a sacrificial priestess.

hon kende fyrſt með

She first taught among

Áſom ſeið ſem Vǫnom var

the Æsir seiðr [a kind of sorcery], as among the Vanir was

títt. Þa er Niorðr var með

the custom. When Njord was among

Vǫnom þa hafðe hann átta ſy-ſtor

the Vanir, he had married a sister

ſina, þviat þat váro þar lꜹg.

of his own, for that was the law there.

váro þeira bǫrn freyr oc freya, en

Their children were Frey and Freyja. But

þat var baɴat með áſom at byɢia

it was forbidden among the Æsir to marry

ſva náit at frændſemi.

such close kin.

5. Cap. V. Fra Gefian.

5. Chapter V. Of Gefjon.

Fiallgarðr micill gengr af Land-norþri

A great mountain range runs from the north-east

til utſuðrs. ſa ſcilr Sviðioð

to the south-west; it divides Sweden

ena miclo oc ǫnnor riki. Fyrir ſuɴan

the Great from other realms. South of

fiallit er eigi langt til Tyrclandz.

the mountains it is not far to Turkland.

þar átti Oþinn eignir ſtórar. J þaɴ

There Odin had great possessions. At that

tíma fóro rumveria hǫfþingiar ví-ða

time the Roman leaders were travelling widely

um heimeɴ oc bruto undir

over the world and subjecting

ſic allar þioþir. En margir hofþingiar

all peoples to themselves. And many chieftains

flyðo fyrir þeim ofriðe af ſinom

fled from that warfare, away from their

eignom, en fyrir því at Oþinn

lands. And because Odin

var fórſpár oc fiolkuɴigr.

had foresight and was skilled in magic,

þa viſſi hann at hans afqvæmi

he knew that his descendants

mundi um norðr hálfo heim-ſens

would in the northern half of the world

byɢia. Þa ſetti hann brøðr

settle. Then he set his brothers

ſina Ve oc Vila yfir Asgarð.

Vé and Vili over Asgard,

En hann fór oc diar allir með

and he went, and all the díar with

honom. oc micit maɴ folc. For

him, and a great host of people. He went

hann fyrſt veſtr i Garðaríki oc

first west into Gardariki and

þa ſuþr i Saxland. Hann átti

then south into Saxony. He had

marga ſono. hann eignaðiz ríki

many sons. He won realms

víða um Saxland, oc ſetti þar

far and wide across Saxony, and set there

ſono ſina til landz gøzlo. Þa

his sons to guard the land. Then

for hann norþr til ſiávar. oc toc

he went north to the sea, and took

sér búſtað i ey eiɴi. þar heitir nu

himself a dwelling on an island; the place is now called

Oþins ey í Fíone, þa ſende hann

Odinsey, on Funen. Then he sent

Gefion norðr yfir ſundit a landa

Gefjon north over the Sound in search

leitan, þa com hon til Gylfa oc

of land. She came to Gylfi, and

gaf hann henne eítt plógsland. Þa

he gave her one ploughland. Then

for hon i jǫtunheima oc gat þar

she went to Jotunheim and bore there

iiij ſono við jotni nockorom. Hon

four sons to a certain giant. She

bra þeim i yxnalike oc førðe þa

turned them into the shape of oxen and yoked them

fyrir plógiɴ oc dró landit ut a

to the plough and drew the land out into

hafit oc veſtr gegnt Oðens ey.

the sea and west, opposite Odinsey,

oc er þat cǫllot Selund. þar bygðe

and it is called Zealand. There she lived

hon ſiþan. hennar fecc Scioldr

afterwards. Skjold married her,

ſonr Oðins. þꜹ bioɢo at Hleiðro.

the son of Odin. They lived at Lejre.

þar er vatn eða ſiár eptir. þat er callat

There a lake or sea is left behind; it is called

lꜹgriɴ. Sva liɢia firþir i leginom

Lögrinn. The inlets lie in the lake

ſem nes i Selunde. Sva qvaþ Bra-gi

just as the headlands in Zealand. So said Bragi

hiɴ gamli.

the Old:

Gefion dro fra Gylfa

Gefjon drew from Gylfi,

glꜹð diuprꜹðul ꜹðla

glad, the deep disc of lands,

ſva at af reɴi rꜹ́cnom

so that from the running draught-beasts

rꜹ́c Danmarkar hꜹca.

steam rose: Denmark's increase.

báro yxn oc viij

The oxen bore, and eight

eɴi tungl. þar er gengo

forehead-moons, where they went

fyrir víneyiar viðri

ahead of the meadow-isle's wide

valrꜹf fiǫgor hꜹfot

plunder, four heads.

Eɴ er Oþinn ſpurðe at goþir Landz-coſtir

And when Odin learned that good lands

váro ꜹſtr at Gylfa, for

were to be had east with Gylfi, he went

þaɴoc. oc gerþo þeir Gylfi ſætt

there, and he and Gylfi made a settlement

ſina, því at Gylfi þóttiz engi crapt

between them, because Gylfi thought he had no strength

til hafa til mót ſtoðo við Áſana.

to stand against the Æsir.

Mart attuz þeir Oðiɴ við oc Gylfi i brogðum

Odin and Gylfi contended much with each other in tricks

oc ſionhverfingom. oc urðo æsir jaf-nan

and illusions, and the Æsir always proved

rikri. Oðinn toc ſér buſtað við

the stronger. Odin took himself a dwelling by

lꜹgiɴ, þar ſem nu ero callaþar

Lögrinn, at the place now called

forno Sigtúnir. oc gerþi þar micit hof

Old Sigtuna, and made there a great temple

oc blót eptir ſiðvenio Aſaɴa, hann ei-gnaðiz

and sacrifices after the custom of the Æsir. He took possession

þar lǫnd ſva vítt ſem

there of lands as far as

hann let heita Sigtunir. Hann gaf bú-ſtaði

he called Sigtuna. He gave dwellings

hofgoðonom. Niorðr bió.

to the temple priests. Njord lived

i Nóatúnom. en Freyr at Up-ſǫlum

at Noatun, and Frey at Uppsala,

. Heimdallr at himinbiorgom.

Heimdall at Himinbjorg,

Þóʀ a þruðvangi. Balldr a

Thor at Thrudvang, Baldr at

Breiðablike. Ǫllom fecc hann

Breidablik. To all of them he gave

þeim goða bólſtaði.

good homesteads.

VI. Cap. Fra atgervi Oþins

Chapter VI. Of Odin's accomplishments.

Þa er Aſa Oþenn com a norþ-lǫnd

When Odin of the Æsir came to the northern lands

Hann oc hofgoþar hans heita lio-ðaſmiþir

He and his temple priests are called song-smiths,

, þviat ſu iþrótt hofz

because that art began

af þeim i norðr lꜹndom. Oþinn

with them in the northern lands. Odin

kuɴe ſva gera at i oʀosto urðo

could bring it about that in battle

ovinir hans blindir eða dꜹfir eða ót-tafullir

his enemies became blind or deaf or terror-struck,

. en vápn þeira bito eigi

and their weapons bit no

helldr en vendir. enn hans menn fóro

more than sticks; but his men went

brynjolꜹ́sir oc váro galnir ſem

without mail-coats and were mad as

hundar eða vargar. bito i ſcioldo

dogs or wolves, bit into their shields,

sína váro ſterkir ſem birnir eða grið-ungar

were strong as bears or bulls.

. þeir drapo manfolkit. en

They slew people, and

hvartki eldr ne járn orti a þa.

neither fire nor iron had any effect on them.

þat er callat berſercs gangr.

That is called going berserk.

VII. Cap. Fra Iþróttum Oðens.

Chapter VII. Of Odin's skills.

Oþiɴ ſcipti hꜹmom, lá þa bú-kriɴ

Odin changed shapes; then his body lay

ſem ſofiɴ eða dꜹ́ðr, eɴ hann var

as if asleep or dead, while he was

þa fugl eða dýr, fiſkr eða ormr. oc

then a bird or beast, a fish or serpent, and

fór a eiɴi ſvipſtund a fiaʀlǽg

went in a single instant to far-off

lǫnd at ſinom erendom eða aɴara manna.

lands on his own errands or other men's.

þat kuɴe hann eɴ at gera með orðom

He could also do this: with words

einom at ſlø̨qva elld oc kyʀa ſiá.

alone quench fire and calm the sea,

oc ſnua vindom hveria leið er hann

and turn the winds whichever way he

villde. Oc hann atte ſcip er ſciðblaðnir

wished. And he had a ship called Skidbladnir,

hét er hann fór a yfir hꜹf ſtór, en

on which he went over great seas, and

þat matte vefia ſaman ſem dúk.

it could be folded up like a cloth.

Oðinn hafðe með sér hǫfot mimis oc

Odin had with him Mimir's head, and

ſagðe þat honom morg tiðende or

it told him many tidings from

ꜹðrom heimum, en ſtundum vacte

other worlds; and sometimes he woke

hann upp dꜹða menn or jorðo. eða ſettiz

dead men up out of the earth, or sat

undir hanga. fyrir því var hann callaðr

beneath hanged men; for this he was called

drꜹgadrottiɴ eða hangadrottiɴ.

lord of the dead or lord of the hanged.

Hann atte hrafna ij. er hann hafðe

He had two ravens which he had

tamit við mál, flugo þeir viða um

taught to speak; they flew far over

lꜹnd oc ſǫgðo honom morg tiðen-de

lands and told him many tidings.

. Af þessom lutom varþ hann ſtor-lega

From these things he became greatly

froþr. Allar þessar iþróttir

learned. All these skills

keɴde hann með runom oc lioðom.

he taught with runes and songs,

þeim er galdrar heita fyrir því

those that are called incantations; for this reason

ero æsir callaþir galldra ſmiþir.

the Æsir are called smiths of incantations.

Oðinn kuɴe þa iþrott er meſtr

Odin knew the art which carries the greatest

mattr fylgðe. oc framþi ſialfr er

power, and practised it himself; it

ſeiðr heitir. En af því matte hann vita

is called seiðr [sorcery]. And by it he could know

ǫrlog manna oc oorðna lute, Sva

the fates of men and things yet to happen; also

oc at gera mǫnnom bana eða ohamingio

bring men death or misfortune

eða vanheilende. ſva oc at taca fra mǫnnom

or ill health; also take from men

vit eða afl oc gefa ǫðrom. En

wit or strength and give [it] to others. But

þessi fiolkyɴge er framit er fylgir

this sorcery, when it is practised, brings with it

ſva micil ergi at eigi þótte karl

such ergi [unmanliness] that it was not thought fit for

mǫnnom viþ at fara. oc var gyðionom kend

men to have dealings with it, and the priestesses were taught

ſu iþrót. Oðinn viſſe um alt jarð-fe

that art. Odin knew of all treasure in the earth,

hvar folgit var. oc hann kuɴe

where it was hidden, and he knew

þꜹ lioð er uplꜹcz fyrir honom jor-ðen

the songs by which the earth opened up before him,

oc biorg oc ſteínar oc hꜹgarnir.

and the hills and rocks and burial mounds,

oc batt hann með orðom einom þa

and with words alone he bound those

er fyrir bioɢo. oc gecc iɴ oc toc þar

who dwelt within, and went in and took there

ſlict er hann vilde. Af þessum crꜹp-tom

whatever he wished. Through these powers

varð hann mioc frægr. uvinir

he became very famous. His enemies

hans óttuðuz hann, en vinir hans trey-ſtuz

feared him, and his friends trusted

honom, oc truþo a crapt hans oc

in him and believed in his power and

a ſíalfan hann, En hann keɴde fleſtar

in himself. And he taught most of

iþróttir ſínar blotgoþonom, váro þeir

his skills to the sacrificial priests; they were

næſt honom um allan froðleíc oc

next to him in all lore and

fiolkyɴgi. Margir aþrir námo þo

sorcery. Many others, though, learned

micit af, oc hefir þaðan af dreifz

much of it, and from there has spread

fiolkynngin viða oc haldiz lengi.

the sorcery widely, and it has lasted long.

Eɴ Oþinn oc þa hǫfþingia xij. blo-taðo

And Odin and those twelve chieftains people worshipped

menn oc cǫlloðo goð ſin oc trúþo

and called their gods, and believed

breɴa. oc bera a bál með

be burned, and that there be borne onto the pyre with

þeim eign þeira. Sagðe hann ſva at

them their property. He said this, that

með því lícom ꜹðø̨fom ſcylde

with such wealth should

hverr coma til valhallar ſem

each man come to Valhalla as

hann hafðe á bal, þeſs ſcylde

he had on the pyre, and he should

hann oc niota er hann ſiálfr hafðe

also enjoy what he himself had

IX. Cap. Kvan-fꜹng Njarðar.

Chapter 9. Njord's marriage.

Niorðr fecc kono þeirar er

Njord took a wife who

ſcaðe hét hon villde ecke við hann ſamfarar

was called Skadi. She would not live with him as his wife,

. oc giptiz ſiþan oðne. átto þꜹ

and afterwards married Odin. They had

marga ſono. Eiɴ þeira hét Sæmingr.

many sons. One of them was called Saeming.

um hann orte Eyvindr Scálda ſpillir

About him Eyvind Skaldaspillir composed

morg tiðende.

many tidings.

X.. dꜹði Oþins.

X. Odin's death.

Oþenn varþ ſóttdꜹðr i Svi-þioð

Odin died of sickness in Sweden.

. Oc er hann var atcomiɴ dꜹþa

And when he was near death,

lét hann marka ſic geirs odde oc

he had himself marked with a spear-point, and

eignaðe sér alla vápndꜹða menn.

claimed for himself all men who died by weapons.

ſagðe hann ſic mundo fara i goð -heim

He said he would go to Godheim

oc fagna þar vinom sínom. Nu

and welcome his friends there. Now

hugðo Suíar at hann væri comiɴ i

the Swedes believed that he had come into

hiɴ forna Áſgarðoc, munde þar

the old Asgard and would there

lifa at eílifo. Hófz þa at nyio

live forever. Then began anew

atrunaðr við Oþin oc aheit. Opt

belief in Odin and vows to him. Often

þótte Suíum hann vitraz sér aðr ſtórar

it seemed to the Swedes that he appeared to them before great

oʀostor yrðe. gaf hann þa ſum-um

battles took place; to some he then gave

ſigr. en ſumum bꜹð hann til

victory, and others he invited to

sín. þotti hvartveɢi coſtr goðr.

himself; both lots were thought good.

Oþinn var breɴdr dꜹðr. oc var ſu

Odin was burned when dead, and that

breɴa gjor allvegleg. Þat var

burning was made very splendid. It was

trua þeira at þvi hæra, ſem rey-kenn

their belief that the higher the smoke

lagðe i loptit upp at því

rose up into the air, the

háleitare være ſa i himnenom er

more exalted in heaven would be the one whose

breɴona átte, oc þess ꜹðgare

burning it was, and the richer,

er meira fe braɴ með honom.

the more wealth burned with him.

XI. Cap. fra Nirði

Chapter XI. Of Njord.

Niorðr af Nóatunom gerþizc

Njord of Noatun then became

þa valldz maðr yfir Sviom. oc hellt

ruler over the Swedes, and kept

upp blótum. hann cǫlloðo Svíar þa

up the sacrifices. The Swedes then called him

drotten sinn. Toc hann þa Scatgiafir

their lord. He then received tribute

af þeim. A hans dǫgom var friþr

from them. In his days there was peace,

allgoðr oc allz conar ár ſva micit.

very good, and plenty of every kind, so great

at Suiar trúþo því at Niorþr reðe

that the Swedes believed that Njord had power

fyrir áre oc fyrir féſælo manna. A hans dǫgom

over the harvest and over men's wealth. In his days

dó fleſtir díar. oc váro allir blotaþir oc

most of the díar [priest-chieftains] died, and all were given sacrifice and

breɴdir ſiþan. Niorðr varð ſottdꜹðr.

burned afterwards. Njord died of sickness;

lét hann oc marka ſic Oðne aðr hann do. Suiar breɴdo hann oc greto all

he too had himself marked for Odin before he died. The Swedes burned him and wept very

mioc yfir leiðe hans.

much over his grave.

XII. Cap. dꜹðe Freys.

Chapter XII. Frey's death.

Freyr tóc þa við ríki eptir Niorð.

Frey then took the kingdom after Njord.

var hann callaðr drotteɴ yfir Suium. oc

He was called lord over the Swedes and

toc scattgiafir af þeim. hann var

received tribute from them. He was

vinſæll oc arſæll ſem faþir hans.

well liked and blessed with good harvests, like his father.

Freyr reiſte at Uppſǫlom hof micit.

Frey raised a great temple at Uppsala

oc ſetti þar hꜹfoð ſtað ſiɴ. lagðe

and made his chief seat there; he gave

þar til allar ſcylldir ſinar. lǫnd oc

to it all his dues, lands and

lꜹ́ſan eyre. þa hófz Uppſala ꜹ-ðr

movable wealth. Then the Uppsala estate began,

oc hefir halldiz æ ſiþan. A hans

and it has been kept ever since. In his

dǫgom hófz froþa friðr, þa var

days the Peace of Frodi began; then there were

oc ár um ǫll Lǫnd. kendo Sviar

also good harvests in all lands. The Swedes credited

þat frey. var hann þvi meiʀ dyrca-ðr

that to Frey; he was the more worshipped

en ǫɴor goðen, ſem a hans dǫ-gom

than the other gods, as in his days

varð Landzfólket ꜹðgara

the people of the land became richer

eɴ fyʀ af friþinom oc áre. Ger-ðr

than before through the peace and good harvests. Gerd,

Gymis dóttir het kona hans. ſonr

Gymir's daughter, was his wife's name. Their son

þeira hét fiolnir. Freyr hét yn-gvi

was called Fjolnir. Frey was called Yngvi

ꜹðro nafne. yngva nafn var

by another name. The name Yngvi was

lengi ſiþan haft i hans ætt fyrir

long afterwards used in his line as

tígnar nafn, oc ynglingar váro ſiþan

a title of honour, and his kinsmen were afterwards

callaðir hans ættmenn. Freyr tóc ſott.

called Ynglings. Frey fell sick,

en er at honom leið ſotten, leitoðo

and when the sickness gained on him, men sought

menn sér raðs oc léto fá menn til hans

a plan, and let few men come to him,

coma, enn bioɢo hꜹg miciɴ oc

and they built a great mound and

léto dyʀ á oc iijjá gluɢa. Eɴ er

put a door in it and three windows. And when

freyr var dꜹðr, báro þeir hann leyni-lega

Frey was dead, they carried him secretly

i hꜹgiɴ, oc ſꜹgðo Suium

into the mound, and told the Swedes

at hann lifðe oc varðveítto hann

that he was alive, and kept him

þar iijjá vetr, eɴ ſcatt ǫllom hellto

there three winters; and all the tribute they poured

þeir i hꜹgiɴ, i eiɴ gluɢ gulli-no

into the mound: through one window the gold,

, en i aɴan ſilfrino, í hinn

and through the second the silver, through the

iijja eirpeɴingom. þa hellz ár

third copper pennies. Then good harvests

oc friðr.

and peace continued.

XIII, fra Freyu og dætrum hennar.

XIII. Of Freyja and her daughters.

Freyia helt þa upp

Freyja then kept up

blótum, þvíat hon ein lifðe

the sacrifices, because she alone survived

þa eptir goðanna, oc varþ

then of the gods, and she became

hon þa hin frægſta. ſva at

then the most renowned, so that

með hennar nafne ſcyllde calla allar

by her name should be called all

konor tignar, ſva ſem nu heita

women of rank, just as they are now called

frúvor. ſva het oc hver freyia

frúvor [ladies]. So too each woman is called freyja [lady]

yfir sinni eigo, en ſu húsfreyia er

over her own property, and she húsfreyja [mistress of the house] who

bú á. Freyia var heldr

owns a household. Freyja was rather

marglynd. Oþr hét bónde hennar.

fickle. Her husband was called Od.

Dø̨tr hennar heto Hnoſs oc ger-ſime

Her daughters were called Hnoss and Gersemi;

. þær váro fagrar mioc. af

they were very beautiful. From

þeira nafne ero ſva callaðir hinir dyr-ſto

their names the most precious

gripir. Þa er allir Suiar viſſo

treasures are so called. When all the Swedes knew

at freyr var dauðr en hellz

that Frey was dead, and yet there continued

ár oc friðr, þa truþo þeir at ſva munde

good harvests and peace, they believed that it would

vera, meþan freyr væri a Sviþioð

be so as long as Frey was in Sweden,

. oc villdo eigi breɴa hann oc

and they would not burn him, and

cǫlloðo hann veraldar goð. blotaðo meſt

called him god of the world, and sacrificed to him most of all

til árs oc friþar alla æve ſiþan.

for good harvests and peace for all time after.

XIV. Cap. dꜹðe Fiolnis konongs.

Chapter XIV. The death of King Fjolnir.

Fiolnir ſonr ynguifreys reð þa

Fjolnir, son of Yngvi-Frey, then ruled

er Suegðir gecc fra dryckio til

when Svegdir went from the drinking to

ſuefn burs, ſa hann til ſteínſens at

his sleeping-chamber, he looked toward the stone [and saw] that

duergr ſat undir ſteininom. Suegdir

a dwarf sat under the stone. Svegdir

oc hans menn váro mioc drucnir oc ruɴo

and his men were very drunk, and they ran

til ſteinſins. Duergriɴ ſtoð i

to the stone. The dwarf stood in

við jǫfri geín.

gaped at the prince.

XVI. Cap. Fra Vaɴlanda.

Chapter 16. Of Vanlandi.

Vanlande hét ſonr Svegðis er

Vanlandi was the name of Svegdir's son, who

ríki tók eptir hann oc reð fyrir uppſala

took the kingdom after him and ruled over the Uppsala

ꜹð. hann var hermaðr micill oc hann for

wealth. He was a great warrior, and he travelled

aptr a þriɢia vetra freſte. En

back within three winters. But

hann com eigi a x. vetrom. Þa ſende

he did not come in ten winters. Then

Drifa eptir Hulð ſeið cono, enn

Drifa sent for Huld the sorceress, and

ſende Viſbur ſon þeira Vanlanda

sent Visbur, her son and Vanlandi's,

til Sviþioþar. Drifa keypti a

to Sweden. Drifa bargained with

Hulþ ſeið cono at hon ſcylde

Huld the sorceress that she should

ſiða vanlanda til fiɴlandz.

draw Vanlandi by sorcery to Finland,

eða deyþa hann at ꜹðrom coſte. En

or else kill him. And

er ſeiðr var framiðr, var Vanlande

when the sorcery was performed, Vanlandi was

at upſolom. Þa gerþi hann

at Uppsala. Then he grew

fuſan at fara til fiɴlandz. En

eager to go to Finland. But

vinir hans oc raða menn bꜹɴoðo honom

his friends and counsellors forbade him

oc ſogðo at vera myndi fiolkyɴ-gi

and said that it must be the sorcery

fiɴa i fyſi hans, þa gerþiz

of the Finns in his eagerness. Then he grew

honom ſuefn hǫfugt oc lagðiz hann til

heavy with sleep, and he lay down to

ſvefns. Eɴ er hann hafðe lítt ſof-nat

sleep. But when he had slept only a little,

, callaði hann oc ſagðe at mara traþ

he cried out and said that a mara [night-hag] was trampling

hann. Menn hans fóro til oc villdo hialpa honom.

him. His men went to him and wanted to help him.

En er þeir tóco upp til hofoðſens, þa

But when they took hold up at his head,

traþ hon fótleɢina, ſva at nær

she trampled his legs so that they nearly

brotnaðo. þa tóco þeir til fotaɴa.

broke. Then they took hold of his feet;

þa cafðe hon hofoðet ſva at þar

then she pressed down on his head so that there

do hann. Suíar toco líc hans oc var hann

he died. The Swedes took his body, and he was

breɴdr við a þá er Scuta hét. þar

burned by a river called Skuta. There

verþa at bana hinom bezta manne

be the death of the best man

i ætt hans. oc fóro i brot oc heim.

in his line, and they went away home.

Þa var en fengit at ſeið oc ſiðit

Then once more seiðr [sorcery] was procured and worked,

til þeꜱ at þeir ſcylldo mega drepa

so that they might be able to kill

fǫðor sinn. þa ſagðe Hulðr vǫlva

their father. Then Huld the seeress told

þeim. at hon mundi ſva ſiþa oc

them that she would work seiðr so, and

þat með at ætt víg ſcyldo avalt

with this besides, that kin-slayings would always

vera i ætt þeira ynglinga ſiþan; þeir

be in the line of the Ynglings from then on. They

játto því. Eptir þat ſamnoðo þeir

agreed to that. After that they gathered

liðe oc comu at Viſbur vm nótt

a force and came upon Visbur by night

Viſbur oc reð lꜹndom. A hans dǫgom

Visbur, and ruled the lands. In his days

gerðiz i Sviþioð ſultr oc ſeyra. Þa

there came famine and want in Sweden. Then

eflðo Suíar blot ſtór at upſǫlum.

the Swedes held great sacrifices at Uppsala.

It fyrſta hꜹſt blotaðo þeir yxnom.

The first autumn they sacrificed oxen,

oc batnaðe ecke arferþ at heldr.

and the harvests grew no better for that.

konongr var engi hermaðr oc ſat hann

the king was no warrior, and he sat

at lǫndom i kyʀſǽti. hann var ꜹðigr

quietly at home on his lands. He was very

mioc oc ſincr af fé. hann hafði

rich, and miserly with his wealth. He had

mioc i hirþ sinni allz conar leikara,

at his court many entertainers of every kind,

harpara, oc gigiara. oc fiðlara.

harpers, and gígja-players [players of a stringed instrument], and fiddlers.

hann hafði oc með sér ſeið menn oc allz-conar

He also had with him sorcerers and all kinds of

fiolkuɴict fólc. Hake oc

folk skilled in witchcraft. Haki and

Hagbarðr heto brøþr oc váro agætir

Hagbard were the names of brothers, and they were very

mioc. þeir váro ſia konongar oc hofðo lið

renowned. They were sea-kings and had a force

fall Ala for Aún konongr aptr til

Ali's fall King Aun went back to

Vpſala oc reð þar rikino eɴ

Uppsala and ruled the kingdom there for another

xxv þa gerþi hann blót micit oc

twenty-five [years]. Then he held a great sacrifice and

blotaðe ꜹðrom ſyni ſinom. þa

sacrificed his second son. Then

ſagðe Oþinn honom at hann ſcylde

Odin told him that he would

æ lifa meþan hann gæfi Oðni ſon sinn

live for ever, as long as he gave Odin one of his sons

et tíunda huert ár. oc þat

every tenth year, and this

með at hann ſcylde heiti gefa

besides, that he should give a name

nockoro heraðe i lande síno eptir

to some district in his land after

tǫlo ſona ſiɴa þeira er hann bló-taðe

the number of his sons whom he sacrificed

til Oþins. Eɴ þa er hann

to Odin. But when he

hafþi blótat vij. ſonom ſinom.

had sacrificed seven of his sons,

þa lifðe hann x. vetr, ſva at hann

he lived ten winters such that he

mátte ecki ganga. var hann þa a

could not walk; he was then carried on

ſtóli boriɴ. þa blótaðe hann enom

a chair. Then he sacrificed his

viija ſyni ſinom. oc lifðe hann þa enn

eighth son, and he lived then another

x. vetra oc lá þa i kǫr.

ten winters and lay then bedridden.

þa blotaðe hann

Then he sacrificed

enom. ix.da ſyni sínom oc lifðe þa eɴ x. vetra

his ninth son, and lived then another ten winters;

þa dracc hann horn ſem lé-barn

then he drank from a horn like an infant.

. þa atti eiɴ ſon eptir, oc

Then [he] had one son left, and

vilde hann þa blota þeim. oc þa

he wanted then to sacrifice him, and then

villdi hann gefa oðni upſali oc þꜹ

he wanted to give Odin Uppsala and the

heroð er þar liɢia til oc láta cal-la

districts that belong to it, and have it called

þat tiunda land. Suíar bǫɴoðo

the Tenth Land. The Swedes forbade

honom þat. oc varþ þa ecki blót. Siþan

him that, and then there was no sacrifice. Afterwards

andaðiz Aun konongr oc er hann heygðr

King Aun died, and he is buried in a mound

at upſolom. þat er ſiþan cǫlloð A-na

at Uppsala. Since then it has been called Aun's

ſott ef maðr deyr verclꜹs af

sickness if a man dies without ailment of

elli. Sva ſegir Þióðólfr.

old age. So says Thjodolf:

Knátte endr

Once did,

at upſolom

at Uppsala,

Guɴhildr. oc ſagði at faðir

Gunnhild, and said that her father

hennar bio á Halogalandi. er

lived in Halogaland; he

het ꜹtzoʀ tóti. Ec hefi hér verit

was called Ozur Toti. 'I have been here

til þeꜱ ſegir hon at nema kuɴoſto

for this,' she says, 'to learn magic

af fiɴom tveim er hér ero

from two Finns who are here

froðaſtir a morkiɴi, nu ero þeir

the most knowing in the forest. Now they have

farnir a veiðar, en baðir þeir vilia

gone hunting, and both of them want

eiga mic, oc baðir ero þeir ſva vísir

to have me, and both are so skilled

at þeir rekia ſpor ſem huɴdar

that they follow tracks like hounds,

bæþi a þá oc a hiarni. Eɴ

both on thawed ground and on hard snow. And

þeir kuɴo ſva vel a ſiþom at

they go so well on skis that

eigi má forðaz þa hvarki menn

nothing can escape them, neither men

ne dýr, eɴ hvatki er þeir ſciota

nor beasts; and whatever they shoot

til þa hæfa þeir ſva hafa þeir fyrir-comit

at, they hit. So they have destroyed

hveriom manni er hér hefir co-mit

every man who has come here

i nand, oc ef þeir verþa reiðir

near, and if they grow angry

þa ſnyz iorð um fyrir ſionom

the earth turns over before their

þeira. En ef nockot kvict verþr

eyes. And if any living thing comes

fyrir ſionom þeira þa fellr dát ni-ðr

before their eyes, it falls down dead.

. Nu megut þér fyrir engan

Now you must by no

mun verða a veg þeira nema ec

means come in their way, unless I

þa freiſta ef vér faim drepit

then try whether we can kill

þá. þeir þectuz þetta at hon fal

them. They agreed to this, that she hid

þá. hon tóc lín seck eiɴ oc

them. She took a linen sack, and

hugðo þeir at aſca væri í. hon toc

they thought there were ashes in it. She took

þar i hendi ſinni oc ſeri því um gam-an

some of it in her hand and sprinkled it about the hut,

utan oc iɴan. Litlo ſiþaʀ

outside and in. A little later

coma fiɴar iɴ. þeir ſpyria hvat

the Finns come in. They ask what

þar er comit. hon ſegir at þar er eigi

has come there. She says that nothing

comit. fiɴom þickir þat undarlict

has come. The Finns think that strange,

er þeir hofþo rakit ſpor alt

since they had followed the tracks all [the way]

at gammanom, en ſiþan fiɴa þeir

to the hut, but after that they find

eigi. þa gera þeir ſer eld oc matbua

nothing. Then they make themselves a fire and prepare food,

eɴ er þeir váro mettir, þa býr Guɴhildr

and when they were fed, Gunnhild makes up

recio ſina. eɴ ſva hafþi

her bed. Now it had gone so

aðr farit iij nætr, at Gunnhilldr hefir

for three nights before, that Gunnhild has

ſofit. en hvaʀ þeiʀa hefir va-kat

slept, but each of them has kept watch

yfir ꜹðrom fyrir abrydis ſa-kir

over the other out of jealousy.

, þa mælti hon, farit nu hegat

Then she said: Come here now,

oc liɢi a ſina hliþ mer

and lie down on either side of me,

hvaʀ yckaʀ. þeir urðo þeſſo

each of you two. They were, at this,

fegnir oc gerþo ſva, hon hellt

glad, and did so. She held

sinni hendi um háls hvarom

a hand round the neck of each

þeira, þeir ſofna þegar, en hon

of them. They fall asleep at once, but she

vecr þa, oc en brallega ſo-fna

wakes them, and soon again they fall asleep,

þeir. oc ſva faſt at hon

and so fast that she

fær varliga vakit þa, oc eɴ

can hardly wake them, and again

ſofna þeir oc fær hon þa fyrir

they fall asleep, and then she can by

engan mun vakit þa. oc þa ſe-tr

no means wake them. And then she sets

hon þa upp oc eɴ ſofa þeir

them up, and still they sleep.

hon tecr þa ſelbelgi tva micla

She then takes two big sealskin bags

oc ſteypir yfir hofot þeim oc bindr

and pulls them over their heads and ties

at ſterkliga fyrir neþan hendrnar. þa

them fast below the arms. Then

gerir hon beɴding konongs monnom. hlꜹ-pa

she gives a signal to the king's men. They run

þeir þa fram oc bera vápn a

forward then and bring weapons against

villdi oc Haralldr konongr vera láta. váro

King Harald also wanted it to be. They were,

þeir feðgar lꜹngom aſamt. Rognvaldr

father and son, together for long periods. Rognvald

rettilbeíni atti Haðaland

Rettilbeini held Hadeland.

hann nam fiolkyngi oc gerðiz ſeiðmaðr

He learned sorcery and became a seiðmaðr [practitioner of seiðr, sorcery].

. Haralldi konongi þotto illir ſeiðmenn.

King Harald held seiðr-men to be evil.

A Horðalandi var ſa ſeiðmaðr er het

In Hordaland there was a seiðr-man who was called

Vitgeiʀ. konongr ſendi honom orð oc bað

Vitgeir. The king sent him word and bade

hann hætta ſeið. hann ſvarar oc qveðr

him give up seiðr. He answers and recites:

þá er vá litil

That is small harm

at vér ſíþim

that we work seiðr,

karla born

children of old men

oc kerlinga

and of old women,

er Rognvaldr ſiþr

when Rognvald works seiðr,

rettilbeíni

Rettilbeini,

hroðmꜹgr Haraldz

Harald's glorious son,

a Haðalandi.

in Hadeland.

Eɴ er Haralldr konongr heyrði þetta ſagt þa með

And when King Harald heard this told, then with

hans raðe for Eiríkr bloðø̨x til

his counsel Eirik Bloodaxe went to

uplanda oc com a Haðaland. hann breɴdi

the Uplands and came to Hadeland. He burned

iɴi Rognvald bróðor sinn með Lxxx

his brother Rognvald inside [his house] with eighty

ſeið manna oc var þat verc lofat mioc.

sorcerers, and that deed was much praised.

Guðroðr Liomi var um vetriɴ

Gudrod Ljomi was during the winter

með Þioðolfi i Hvini foſtr

with Thjodolf in Hvinir, his foster-father,

niarðar full oc freys full til ars oc friðar

Njord's toast and Frey's toast, for good harvest and peace.

, þa var morgom mǫnnom títt at drecka

Then it was customary for many men to drink

þar næſt bragafull. menn druc-ko

next the bragafull [toast of the foremost]. Men drank

oc full frænda sinna, þeira er heygðir

also toasts to their kinsmen, those who had been laid

hofþo verit oc váro þat miɴi collot.

in mounds, and these were called minni [memorial toasts].

afſpring með ſér þingat

the offspring, with him to that place,

fe ſæranda at fǫra

of the wealth-wounder, to bring;

fetz vélto goð þiaza

the gods beguiled Thjazi.

hverr moni vés við valldi

Who would, with the ruler of the sanctuary,

vægia kind vm bægiaz

of the kin [of men], contend?

var oc ſva at konongr ſat i haſæti

it was also the case that the king sat in the high seat,

ſino, eɴ er et fyrſta full

his own. And when the first toast

var ſkeinct, þa mælti Sigurðr Jarl. fyrir oc

had been poured, Earl Sigurd spoke the words over it and

ſignaði oðni oc drack af hor-nino

dedicated it to Odin and drank from the horn

til konongs. konongr toc við oc gerþi kroſs

to the king. The king took it and made a cross

marc yfir, þa mælti Káʀ af Gritingi

sign over it. Then Kar of Gryting said:

hvi feʀ konongrinn nu ſva, vill hann

Why does the king act so now? Will he

eigi eɴ blóta. Sigurðr Jarl ſvarar. konongr gerir

still not sacrifice? Earl Sigurd answers: The king does

ſva ſem þeir allir er trua a matt

as all those do who trust in their might

ſiɴ oc meginn oc ſigna full ſitt

and main, and dedicate their toast

Þór, hann gerþi hamars marc yfir

to Thor. He made the sign of the hammer over it

aðr hann drack. Var þa kyrt

before he drank. Then all was quiet

um qveldit. Eptir um dagiɴ, er

through the evening. The next day, when

menn gengo til borða, þa þuſto bǫndr

men went to table, the farmers thronged

þeꜱ er hann com i Syllingar

the time when he came to the Scillies.

XXXi. Cap. Skijrðiſt Olafr Konungr Tryggvaſon i Syl–ingum.

Chapter 31. King Olaf Tryggvason is baptised in the Scillies.

Oláfr Tryggva ſon þa er hann la i Syllingom

Olaf Tryggvason, when he lay in the Scillies,

, ſpurði hann at þar i eyioɴi

heard that there on the island

var ſpamaðr nokoʀ, ſa er ſagðe fyrir

was a certain seer, who foretold

oorðna lute oc þotti morgum mǫnnom

things not yet come to pass, and many men thought

þat mioc eptir ganga. Gǫrðiz Oláfi

that it mostly came true. Olaf grew

forvitni á at reyna ſpádom

curious to test the prophecy

mannz þess. hann ſendi þaɴ af mǫnnom sínom

of this man. He sent the one of his men

er friðaſtr var oc meſtr oc bio

who was handsomest and biggest, and dressed

hann ſem vegligazt oc bað hann ſe-gia

him as splendidly as could be, and told him to say

at hann væri konongr, því at Oláfr var

that he was the king; for Olaf had

þa frægr orðiɴ af því um ǫll

by then become famous for this throughout all

lꜹnd at hann var friðari oc gꜹfugligri

lands, that he was handsomer and nobler

oc meire eɴ allir menn aðrir, eɴ

and bigger than all other men. But

ſiþan er hann for or Garðaríki, hafðe

since he left Gardariki he had

hann eigi meira af nafni ſino, en callaði

kept no more of his name, but called

ſik Óla oc qvaþz vera gerzcr. Eɴ er

himself Oli and said he was from Gardar. And when

ſendimaðr com til ſpá manzins oc ſagðiz

the messenger came to the seer and said he

vera konongr, þa fecc hann þeꜱi andſvor

was the king, he got this answer:

Ecki ertu konongr, eɴ þat er rað mitt at

You are not the king, but my advice is that

þu sér trúr konongi þínom. eigi ſegir hann fleira

you be true to your king. He says no more

þessom manni, fǫr ſendi maðr aptr oc

to this man. The messenger goes back and

ſegir Oláfi fyſti hann þess at meiʀ at fi-ɴa

tells Olaf. He was all the more eager to meet

þeɴa maɴ er hann heyrði ſlic

this man when he heard such

andſvor hans. oc tóc nu ifa af honom

an answer from him, and now his doubt was removed

at hann væri eigi ſpámaðr, for þa Oláfr

that he might not be a seer. Then Olaf went

a hans fund oc atti tal við hann. oc ſpurþi

to meet him and had talk with him, and asked

eptir hvat ſpámaðr ſegði Oláfi fyrir

what the seer would foretell for Olaf

þat allt er comaz mátti. þá æt–laði

all that could be got away. Then

Danakonongr at ſigla liþi því til

the Danish king meant to sail that force to

Iſlandz oc hefna niðz þeꜱ er allir

Iceland and avenge the níð [defamatory verse] with which all

iſlendingar hofþo hann niddan. þat

the Icelanders had defamed him. It

var i lǫgom haft a iſlandi at yrkia

had been made law in Iceland that there should be composed

ſcylde um Dana konong nið víſo

about the Danish king a níð verse

fyrir nef hvert er a var landino, eɴ

for every nose there was in the land. And

ſu var ſoc til at ſcip þat er iſlenzcir

the cause of it was that a ship which Icelandic

menn átto brꜹt i Danmǫrc

men owned was wrecked in Denmark,

en Danir toco up fe allt oc cǫlloðo

and the Danes seized all the goods and called [it]

þa ſa ꜹlld i jǫldo

then people saw, in a mare,

uríkr fyrir ríki

one powerless in place of one mighty.

Haralldr konongr bꜹð kuɴgom manni at fara

King Harald told a man skilled in magic to go

i hamfꜹrom til islandz oc freiſta

in a changed shape to Iceland and find out

hvat hann kynni ſegia honom, ſa for

what he could tell him. He went

i hvals líki. Eɴ er hann com til landzins

in the shape of a whale. And when he came to the land,

þa for hann veſtr fyrir norðan landit

he went west along the north of the land.

. hann ſá at fioll ǫll oc hólar

He saw that all the mountains and hills

váro fullir af landvettom, ſumt

were full of land-spirits, some

ſtórt eɴ ſumt ſmátt. Eɴ er hann

big and some small. And when he

com fyrir vapna fiorð, þa for hann

came off Vopnafjord, he went

iɴ a fiorðiɴ, oc ætlaðe a land

into the fjord and meant to go

at ganga. þa for ofan or

ashore. Then down out of

dalnom dreki mikill oc fylgðo

the valley came a great dragon, and with

honom margir ormar pꜹddor oc eðlor

it came many serpents, toads and lizards,

oc bleſo eitri a hann eɴ hann lagþiz

and they blew venom at him. But he swam

i brot oc veſtr fyrir land alt fyrir

away and west along the land, all the way to

eyiafiǫrð for hann iɴ eptir þeim

Eyjafjord. He went in along that

firðe, þar for móti honom fu-gl

fjord. There a bird came against him,

ſva micill, at vængirnir toco

so big that its wings reached

utfiollin tveɢia vegna. oc

the mountains on both sides, and

fioldi aɴara fugla bæþi ſtorir

a host of other birds, both large

oc ſmáir, brꜹt for hann þaðan

and small. He went away from there

oc veſtr um landit, oc ſva ſu-þr

and west around the land, and so south

a Breiðafiorð oc ſtefndi þar

into Breidafjord, and headed there

iɴ a fiorð. þar for moti honom

into the fjord. There came against him

griþungr micill oc oð a ſæiɴ út

a great bull, and it waded out into the sea

oc toc at gella ogurliga fioldi

and began to bellow terribly; a host of

landvetta fylgðe honom, Brǫ́t

land-spirits followed it. Away

for hann þaðan oc ſuþr um rey-kia

he went from there and south around Reykjanes

nes oc vilde ganga up a

and meant to go ashore at

Vikarſkeiðe. þar com i moti

Vikarsskeid. There came against

honom bergriſe oc hafþe iárn

him a mountain giant with an iron

ſtaf i hendi, oc bar hofotit

staff in his hand, and he carried his head

hǽra en fiollin oc margir aðrir

higher than the mountains, and many other

jǫtnar með honom, þaðan for hann ꜹſtr

giants with him. From there he went east

með endlǫngo lande, var þa eigi

along the whole length of the land. There was nothing,

ſegir hann nema ſandar oc ǫrævi oc

he says, but sands and wastes and

ꜹſtr i ſvíavelldi.

east into the realm of the Swedes.

LXVIII. ſeiðmanna Brenna.

LXVIII. The burning of the sorcerers.

Oláfr konongr for þa til Tunsbergs

King Olaf then went to Tunsberg

oc atti þar þa eɴ þing oc talaðe

and held an assembly there again, and declared

a þingino at þeir menn allir er

at the assembly that all those men who

kuɴir oc ſaɴir yrði at þvi at

were known and proven to

fǫri með galdra oc gǫrningar eða ſeið

deal in spells and witchcraft, or were sorcerers,

menn þa ſcyldo allir fara af landi

should all go out of the land

a brot, Siþan lét konongr raɴſaca

and away. Then the king had a search made

eptir þeim mǫnnom um þær bygðir

for those men throughout the settlements

er þaɴug váro i námunda oc boða

that were nearby there, and summoned

þeim ǫllom til ſín. Eɴ er þeir comu

them all to him. And when they came

þar, þa var eiɴ maðr af þeim er

there, there was one man among them who

nefndr er Eyvindr kellda. hann var

is named Eyvind Kelda. He was

ſonar ſonr Rꜹgvalldz rettilbeina ſonar

the grandson of Rognvald Straight-leg, the son

Haralldz hárfagra. Eyvindr var ſeið

of Harald Fairhair. Eyvind was a sorcerer

maðr oc allmioc fiolkuɴigr

and very greatly skilled in magic.

Oláfr konongr let ſcipa þessom mǫnnom ollom

King Olaf had all these men placed

ï eina ſtofo oc let þar vel um

in one hall, and had it well

buaz. lét gera þeim þar veizlo

furnished; he had a feast made for them there

oc fa þeim ſtercan drycc Oc

and gave them strong drink. And

þa er þeir váro drucnir lét Oláfr leɢia

when they were drunk, Olaf had fire

eld i ſtofona oc braɴ ſtofa ſu

set to the hall, and that hall burned

oc allt þat fólc er þar var iɴi, nema

and all the people who were inside it, except that

Eyvindr Kelda comz ut um

Eyvind Kelda got out through

lioran oc ſva i brot, Eɴ er hann

the smoke-hole and so away. And when he

buiɴ fyrir honom paſca veizla hann

prepared for him an Easter feast. He

hafþi nær ccc manna. þa ſomo nott

had nearly three hundred men. That same night

com þar við eyna Eyvindr kelda, hann

Eyvind Kelda came there to the island. He

hafþi langſcip alſcipat, váro þat

had a longship fully manned; they were

alt ſeiðmenn oc aɴat fiolkyngis

all sorcerers and other witchcraft

folc. Eyvindr gecc up af ſcipi oc

folk. Eyvind went ashore from the ship, and

ſveit hans oc mǫgnoðo fiolkynngi

his band, and they worked up their sorcery.

ſina. gørði Eyvindr þeim huliz

Eyvind made for them a concealing

hiálm oc þoko myrcr ſva mikit

helm and a darkness of fog so great

at konongr oc liþ hans ſcyldi eigi mega

that the king and his men should not be able

ſia þa. Eɴ er þeir comu mioc

to see them. But when they had come almost

ſva til bø̨iarens a ꜹgvallz neſi

up to the farm at Ogvaldsnes,

þa gerþiz liós dagr varð þa mioc

then it became bright day. It then turned out very

aɴan veg eɴ Eyvindr hafþi ætlat þa

otherwise than Eyvind had intended. Then

com miorqvi ſa er hann hafþi gert með

the murk which he had made with

fiolkyɴgi yfir hann oc hans fǫroneyti

sorcery came over him and his company,

, ſva at þeir ſa eigi heldr ꜹgom

so that they saw no more with their eyes

eɴ hnacka oc fóro alt i hring oc

than with the backs of their heads, and went all round in a ring and

kring. Eɴ varðmenn konongs ſa þa hvar

circle. And the king's watchmen saw where

þeir fóro oc visſo eigi hvat liþ þat

they were going, and did not know what troop that

var, var þa ſagt konongi. ſtoð hann þa

was. Then it was told to the king. He stood

up oc alt liþit oc clæddiz. Eɴ er konongr

up, and all his men, and dressed. And when the king

ſa hvar þeir Eyvindr fóro bað hann ſina

saw where Eyvind and his men were going, he told his

menn vapna ſic oc ganga til oc vita

men to arm themselves and go there and find out

hvat mǫnnom þat væri. Eɴ er Konongs menn keɴdo

what men those were. And when the king's men recognised

þar Eyvind þa toco þeir hann

Eyvind there, they took him

hǫndom oc alla þa oc leiddo þa

prisoner, and all of them, and led them

til konongs, ſagði þa Eyvindr allan atburð

to the king. Then Eyvind told all that had happened

um ſinar ferðir ſiþan let konongr taka þa

on his journeys. Afterwards the king had them taken,

alla oc flytia þa i flǫði ſker

all of them, and carried out onto a skerry that floods at high tide,

oc binda þa þar. lét Eyvindr ſva

and bound there. Thus Eyvind lost

líf ſitt oc allir þeir. Er þat ſiþan

his life, and all of them. It has since been

callat ſcratta ſcer.

called Wizards' Skerry.

LXXIV. Cap. Frꜳ þijngi ï Þrꜳndheimi.

Chapter 74. Of the assembly in Trondheim.

Oláfr konongr for með ollo liþi ſino

King Olaf went with all his force

iɴ i Þrandheim. Eɴ er hann com iɴ a

into Trondheim. And when he came in to

mø̨ri þa váro þar comnir allir ho

Mære, there had come there all the

fþingiar þrø̨nda þeir er þa ſtoðo

chieftains of the Trondheimers who then stood

meſt i móti criſtiɴe oc hofþo

most against Christianity, and they had

fair menn með honom oc fáir af bǫndom

a few men with him, and a few of the farmers.

, eɴ er konongr com þar ſem goðin

And when the king came to where the gods

váro þa ſat þar Þoʀ oc var meſt

were, Thor sat there, and he was the most

tignaðr af ollom goðom buiɴ

honoured of all the gods, adorned

með gulli oc ſilfri. Ǫláfr konongr hof

with gold and silver. King Olaf raised

up refþi gullbuit, er hann hafþi

up a gold-adorned staff which he had

het konongr honom meizlom eða dꜹða

the king threatened him with maiming or death.

eigi ſcipaðiz Eyvindr við þat. Siþan let

Eyvind was not moved by that. Then

konongr bera iɴ muɴlꜹg fulla af

the king had a basin brought in, full of

gloðum oc ſetia a qvið Eyvindar

glowing embers, and set on Eyvind's belly.

braſt bratt qviþriɴ ſundr þa

Soon his belly burst open. Then

mælti Eyvindr, taki af mér muɴlꜹgina

Eyvind said: Take the basin off me;

ec vil mæla orð nokoʀ aðr

I want to speak some words before

ec dey oc var ſva gert. þa

I die. And so it was done. Then

ſpurði konongr, viltu nu Eyvindr trua

the king asked: Will you now, Eyvind, believe

a criſt, nei ſegir hann, ec má enga

in Christ? No, he says, I can receive no

ſcírn fá, ec em einn andi qvicnaðr

baptism. I am a spirit brought to life

i mannz licam með fiolkyɴgi

in a man's body by the sorcery

fiɴa, eɴ faðir miɴ oc moðir

of Finns, and my father and mother

fengo eigi fyʀ barn átt. ſiþan

had not been able to have a child before. Then

do Eyvindr oc hafþi verit hiɴ fiol

Eyvind died, and he had been the

kuɴgaſti maðr.

most skilled in sorcery of men.

Kriſtnat Hꜳlogaland.

Halogaland made Christian.

Eɴ um varit eptir let Oláfr konongr

And the following spring King Olaf

ꜹðigr oc hafþi marga huscarla, hann

wealthy and had many house-carls. He

var ricr maðr fylgði honom micill fioldi

was a powerful man; a great host of

fiɴa þegar er hann þurpti. Rꜹðr var

Finns followed him whenever he needed. Raud was

blotmaðr micill oc mioc fiolkuɴigr

a great sacrificer and much skilled in sorcery.

hann var vin micill þess mannz er fyʀ varnefndr

He was a great friend of the man who was named before,

þórir Hiortr, váro þeir

Thorir Hjort. They were

baðir hofþingiar miclir. Eɴ er þeir

both great chieftains. And when they

ſpurþo at Oláfr konongr fór með her mannz

learned that King Olaf was going with an army

ſuɴan um Hálogaland, þa ſamna

from the south through Halogaland, they gather

þeir her ſaman oc bioða ſcipom

an army together and call out ships

út oc fa liþ micit. Rauðr hafþi dre-ka

and get a great force. Raud had a dragon-ship,

miciɴ oc gullbuin hꜹfot a

a big one, with gilded heads on it;

var þat ſcip xxx at ruma tali oc

that ship was of thirty rowing-benches, and

micit at því, Þorir Hiortr hafþi oc

big for that. Thorir Hjort also had

micit ſcip, þeir halda liþi því ſuðr i

a big ship. They take that force south

moti Oláfi konongi. Eɴ er þeir hittaz þa

against King Olaf. And when they meet,

leɢia þeir til oʀosto við Oláf konong, varð

they go into battle with King Olaf. There was

þar micill bardagi, oc gerþiz brátt

a great fight there, and soon there was

maɴfall oc ſneri því i liþ Haleygia

loss of men, and it turned against the Halogalanders' force,

oc ruþuz ſcip þeira oc því næſt ſló

and their ships were cleared, and next

a þá felmt oc ótta. reri Rauðr með

panic and fear fell upon them. Raud rowed with

dreka ſiɴ út til hafs oc því næſt

his dragon out to sea, and next

lét hann draga ſegl ſitt, Rauðr hafþi

he had his sail hoisted. Raud always had

jafnan byr hvert er hann vildi ſigla

a fair wind wherever he wanted to sail,

oc var þat af fiolkyɴgi hans, Er þat

and that came from his sorcery. It is

at ſegia ſciótaz af ferð Rauðs at

quickest told of Raud's journey that

hann ſigldi heim i Goðey. Þorir

he sailed home to Godey. Thorir

crapt.

power.

LXXXVI. Cap. Frꜳ Sigurdi Biſkupi oc pijnïngu Rꜹds.

Chapter 86. Of Bishop Sigurd and the torture of Raud.

Sigurðr byskup toc allan meſo ſcru-ða

Bishop Sigurd put on all his mass vestments

sinn oc gecc fram i ſtafn a konongs

and went forward into the prow of the king's

ſcipi lét tendra kerti oc bar reykelſi

ship, had candles lit and carried incense,

ſetti roðo cross upp i ſtafninn

set up a rood-cross in the prow,

las þar guðſpiall oc margar bǫnir

read the gospel there and many other

aðrar. Stø̨cþi vigðo vatni um alt

prayers, sprinkled holy water over the whole

ſcipit. Siþan bað hann taka af tioldin

ship. Then he bade them take off the awnings

oc róa iɴ a fiorðiɴ. konongr let þa calla

and row into the fjord. The king then had [word] called

til aɴarra ſcipa at allir ſcyldo ró-a

to the other ships that all should row

eptir honom. Eɴ er roðr var greiddr

after him. And when the stroke was set going

a trǫnuɴe, þa gecc hon iɴa

on the Crane, she went in up

fiorðiɴ oc keɴdo þeir engan

the fjord, and they felt no

vind á sér er því ſcipi rero. oc

wind on themselves who rowed that ship, and

ſva ſtoð tóptinn eptir i vaʀſímanum

so the open water behind stood in her wake

at þar var logn. En

that there was calm there. But

ſva lꜹs ſiarokan brot fra

so hard did the spray beat away on

hvartveɢia veg. at hvergi ſa

both sides that nowhere could [anyone] see

konongr varð þa reiðr oc ſagði at Rꜹðr

The king then grew angry and said that Raud

ſcyldi hafa hiɴ verſta dꜹða, þa

should have the worst death. Then

let konongr taca hann oc binda opiɴ

the king had him taken and bound, on his back,

a ſlá eina. let ſetia kefli a

to a beam. He had a gag set

millom taɴa honom oc luka up

between his teeth, and so open up

ſva muɴiɴ, þa let konongr taca

his mouth. Then the king had them take

lyngorm eiɴ oc bera at muɴi

an adder and bring it to the mouth

honom, eɴ ormriɴ vildi eigi i muɴiɴ

of him, but the snake would not [go] into the mouth,

oc reyctuz frá i brot þvi

and shrank away, because

Rauðr bles i moti honom, þa let konongr

Raud blew against it. Then the king had

taca hvaɴóla trumbo oc ſetia

a hollow angelica stalk taken and set

i munn Rauði FJ; BA: Rauð eɴ ſumir menn ſegia at

in Raud's mouth; but some men say that

norðan milli oc meginlandz. Oláfr

north, between [them] and the mainland. King Olaf

konongr criſtnaði fiorð þann allan. feʀ

Christianised all that fjord. He goes

ſiþan leið ſina ſuðr með landi, oc varþ

then on his way south along the coast, and there happened

i þeiri ferð mart þat er i fraſǫgn er fø̨rt

on that journey much that is set down in tales,

eɴ troll oc illar vettir glettuz við menn hans

and trolls and evil beings played tricks on his men,

oc ſtundom við hann ſialfan. Eɴ

and sometimes on himself. But

vér viliom heldr rita um þa at-burði

we would rather write about those events

er Oláfr konongr criſtnaði Noreg eða

when King Olaf Christianised Norway, or

ǫɴor þꜹ lꜹnd er hann com criſtni

the other lands to which he brought Christianity.

á, Oláfr konongr com liþi ſino þat

King Olaf came with his force that

ſama hꜹſt i Þrandheim oc helt

same autumn to Trondheim and held on