ENDNOTES: (1) It is a singular physical circumstance, that in almost all
the swords of those ages to be found in the collection of
weapons in the Antiquarian Museum at Copenhagen, the handles
indicate a size of hand very much smaller than the hands of
modern people of any class or rank. No modern dandy, with
the most delicate hands, would find room for his hand to
grasp or wield with case some of the swords of these
Northmen.--L.

104. KING HARALD AND KING OLAF COMPARED.

When Haldor, a son of Brynjolf Ulfalde the Old, who was a sensible man
and a great chief, heard people talk of how unlike the brothers Saint
Olaf and King Harald were in disposition, he used to say, "I was in
great friendship with both the brothers, and I knew intimately the
dispositions of both, and never did I know two men more like in
disposition. Both were of the highest understanding, and bold in arms,
and greedy of power and property; of great courage, but not acquainted
with the way of winning the favour of the people; zealous in governing,
and severe in their revenge. King Olaf forced the people into
Christianity and good customs, and punished cruelly those who disobeyed.
This just and rightful severity the chiefs of the country could not
bear, but raised an army against him, and killed him in his own kingdom;
and therefore he is held to be a saint. King Harald, again, marauded to
obtain glory and power, forced all the people he could under his power,
and died in another king's dominions. Both brothers, in daily life,
were of a worthy and considerate manner of living; they were of great
experience, and very laborious, and were known and celebrated far and
wide for these qualities."

105. KING MAGNUS'S DEATH.

King Magnus Haraldson ruled over Norway the first winter after King
Harald's death (A.D. 1067), and afterwards two years (A.D. 1068-1069)
along with his brother, King Olaf. Thus there were two kings of Norway
at that time; and Magnus had the northern and Olaf the eastern part of
the country. King Magnus had a son called Hakon, who was fostered by
Thorer of Steig in Gudbrandsdal, who was a brother of King Magnus by the
mother's side; and Hakon was a most agreeable man.

After King Harald Sigurdson's death the Danish king Svein let it be
known that the peace between the Northmen and the Danes was at an end,
and insisted that the league between Harald and Svein was not for longer
time t