e Thing was opened,
peace and safe conduct was given to all; and when the people were all
collected, and the case should be gone into, Bergthor, a son of Svein
Bryggjufot, stood up, and gave his evidence that Sigurd Hranason had
concealed a part of the Laplanders' taxes.

Then King Eystein stood up and said, "If thy accusation were true,
although we do not know what truth there may be in thy testimony, yet
this case has already been dismissed from three Things, and a fourth
time from a town meeting; and therefore I require that the lagmen acquit
Sigurd in this case according to law." And they did so.

Then said King Sigurd, "I see sufficiently, King Eystein, that thou hast
carried this case by law-quirks (1), which I do not understand. But now
there remains, King Eystein, a way of determining the case which I am
more used to, and which I shall now apply."

He then retired to his ships, had the tents taken down, laid his whole
fleet out at the holm, and held a Thing of his people; and told them
that early in the morning they should land at Iluvellir, and give battle
to King Eystein. But in the evening, as King Sigurd sat at his table in
his ship taking his repast, before he was aware of it a man cast himself
on the floor of the forehold, and at the king's feet. This was Sigurd
Hranason, who begged the king to take what course with regard to him the
king himself thought proper. Then came Bishop Magne and Queen Malmfrid,
and many other great personages, and entreated forgiveness for Sigurd
Hranason; and at their entreaty the king raised him up, took him by the
hand, and placed him among his men, and took him along with himself to
the south part of the country. In autumn the king gave Sigurd Hranason
leave to go north to his farm, gave him an employment, and was always
afterward his friend. After this day, however, the brothers were never
much together, and there was no cordiality or cheerfulness among them.

ENDNOTES: (1) These law-quirks show a singularly advanced state of law.
and deference to the Law Things, amidst such social disorder
and misdeeds.--L.

23. OF KING OLAF'S DEATH.

King Olaf Magnuson fell into a sickness which ended in his death. He was
buried in Christ church in Nidaros, and many were in great grief at his
death. After Olaf's death, Eystein and Sigurd ruled the country, the
three brothers together having been kings of Norway for twelve years
(A.D. 1104-1115); namely, five year