Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/277

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 269 Olaf when he heard of it ; therefore there was nobody sa ga v il in Halogaland to sue Harek for mulct for this deed, and also he offered none. Canute the Great collected his forces, and went to C C L H ™ Lymfiord. When he was ready with his equipment King he sailed from thence with his whole fleet to Norway; expedition made all possible speed, and did not land to the east- to Norwa y- ward of the Fiords, but crossed F olden*, and landed in Agder, where he summoned a Thing. The bon- ders came down from the upper country to hold a Thing with Canute, who was every where in that country accepted as king. Then he placed men over the districts, and took hostages from the bonders, and no man opposed him. King Olaf was in Tuns- berg when Canute's fleet sailed across the mouth of the fiord. Canute sailed northwards along the coast, and people came to him from all the districts, and promised him fealty. He lay a while in Egersound, where Erling Skialgsson came to him with many people, and King Canute and Erling renewed their league of friendship. Among other things, Canute promised Erling the whole country between Stad and Rygiarbit to rule over. Then King Canute pro- ceeded ; and, to be short in our tale, did not stop un- til he came to Drontheim, and landed at Nidaros. In Drontheim he called together a Thing for the eight districts, at which King Canute was chosen king of all Norway. Thorer Hund, who had come with King Canute from Denmark, was there, and also Harek of Thiotto ; and both were made sheriffs of the king, and took the oath of fealty to him. King Canute gave them great fiefs, and also right to the Lapland trade, and presented them besides with great gifts. He en- riched all men who were inclined to enter into friendly accord with him both with fiefs and money, and gave them greater power than they had before.
 * The mouth of Christiania fiord.