Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/202

 ^94 CHRONICLE OF THE SAGA VII. other magnificent things about the houses he owned and dwelt in himself. Canute the Great drew scatt and revenue from the people who were the richest of all in northern lands; and in the same proportion as he had greater revenues than other kings, he also made greater presents than other kings. In his whole kingdom peace was so well established, that no man dared break it. The people of the country kept the peace towards each other, and had their old country law: and for this he was greatly celebrated in all countries. And many of those who came from Nor- way represented their hardships to Earl Hakon, and some even to King Canute himself; and that the Norway people were ready to turn back to the go- vernment of King Canute, or Earl Hakon, and receive deliverance from them. This conversation suited well the earl's inclination, and he carried it to the king, and begged of him to try if King Olaf would not sur- render the kingdom, or at least come to an agreement to divide it ; and many supported the earl's views. chapter Canute the Great sent men from the West, from cinqs' England, to Norway, and equipped them magnificently message to for the journey. They were bearers of the English Kmgoiaf. ^.^^ Canute's letter and seal. They came about spring to the king of Norway, Olaf Haraldsson, in Tunsberg. Now when it was told the king that em- bassadors had arrived from Canute the Great he was ill at ease, and said that Canute had not sent messen- gers hither with any messages that could be of advan- tage to him or his people ; and it was some days before the embassadors could come before the king. But when they got permission to speak to him they ap- peared before the king, and made known King Canute's letter, and their errand which accompanied it ; namely, " that King Canute considers all Norway as his pro- perty, and insists that his forefathers before him have possessed that kingdom ; but as King Canute offers