Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/329

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 321 Jemteland, and intended to proceed westwards over saga vn. the keel-ridge to Vaerdal, they brought their forces into the Drontheim country, where they gathered together the whole people, free and unfree, and pro- ceeded towards Vaerdal with so great a body of men, that there was nobody in Norway at that time who had seen so large a force assembled. But the force, as it usually happens in so great a multitude, consisted of many different sorts of people. There were many lendermen, and a great many powerful bonders ; but the great mass consisted of labourers and cottars. The chief strength of this army lay in the Dron- theim land, and it was the most warm in enmity and opposition to the king. When King Canute had, as before related, laid all £^xrx Norway under his power, he set Earl Hakon to ma- of Bishop nage it, and gave the earl a court-bishop, by name Slgur ' Sigurd, who was of Danish descent, and had been long with King Canute. This bishop was of a very hot temper, and particularly obstinate, and haughty in his speech ; but supported King Canute all he could in conversation, and was a great enemy of King Olaf. He was now also in the bonders' army, spoke often before the people, and urged them much to insur- rection against King Olaf. At a House-thing, at which a great many people Chapter were assembled, the bishop desired to be heard, and Bishop made the following; speech : " Here are now assembled si g ui ; d,s ° L m speech. a great many men, so that probably there will never be opportunity in this poor country of seeing so great a native army ; but it would be desirable if this strength and multitude could be a protection : for it will all be needed, if this Olaf does not give over bring- ing war and strife upon you. From his very earliest youth he has been accustomed to plunder and kill : for which purposes he drove widely around through all countries, until he turned at last against this, VOL. II. y