Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/288

 he, "I make the solemn vow, and take God to witness, who made me, and rules over all things, that never shall I clip or comb my hair until I have subdued the whole of Norway, with scatt , and duties, and domains; or if not, have died in the attempt." Guttorm thanked the king warmly for his vow; adding, that it was royal work to fulfil royal words.

After this the two relations gather together a great force, and prepare for an expedition to the Uplands, and northwards up the valley (Gudbrandsdal), and north over Dovrefielde; and when the king came down to the inhabited land he ordered all the men to be killed, and every thing wide around to be delivered to the flames. And when the people came to know this, they fled every one where he could; some down the country to Orkadal, some to Gaulerdal, some to the forests. But some begged for peace, and obtained it, on condition of joining the king and becoming his men. He met no opposition until he came to Orkadal. There a crowd of people had assembled, and he had his first battle with a king called Gryting. Harald won the victory, and King Gryting was made prisoner, and most of his people killed. He took service himself under the king, and swore fidelity to him. Thereafter all the people in Orkadal district went under King Harald, and became his men.

King Harald made this law over all the lands he conquered, that all the udal property should belong to him; and that the bonders, both great and small,