Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/171

 sson. KINGS OF NORWAY. 163 bonders stood under him ; and although he had much SA GA V IJ - smaller royal fiefs than formerly, still so great a dread king and of him prevailed that nobody dared to do any thing skiai| against his will, so that the king thought his power too great. There was a man called Aslak Fitiaskalle, who was powerful, and of high birth. Erling's father Skialg, and Aslak' s father Askel, were brother's sons. Aslak was a great friend of King Olaf, and the king settled him in South Hordaland, where he gave him a great fief, and great income, and ordered him in no respect to give way to Erling. But this came to nothing when the king was not in the neighbourhood ; for then Erling would reign as he used to do, and was not more humble because Aslak would thrust himself forward as his equal. At last the strife went so far that Aslak could not keep his place, but hastened to King Olaf, and told him the circumstances between him and Erling. The king told Aslak to remain with him until he should meet Erling ; and sent a message to Erling that he should come to him in spring at Tunsberg. When they all arrived there they held a meeting, at which the king said to him, "It is told me concerning thy government, Erling, that no man from Sogn Lake to the Naze can enjoy his freedom for thee ; although there are many men there who con- sider themselves born to udal rights, and have their privileges like others born as they are. Now, here is your relation Aslak, who appears to have suffered great inconvenience from your conduct ; and I do not know whether he himself is in fault, or whether he suffers because I have placed him to defend what is mine ; and although I name him, there are many others who have brought the same complaint before us, both among those who are placed in office in our districts, and among the bailiffs who have our farms to manage, and are obliged to entertain me and my people." m 2