Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/127

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 115 XL MAGNUS BAKEFOOT'S SAGA.* sagaxi. Magnus, King Olaf s son, was, immediately after Chapter King Olaf 's death, proclaimed at Viken king of all Beginning Norway ; but the Upland people, on hearing of King °J ^? ^^^s" Olaf's death, chose Hakon, Thorer's foster-son, a Magnus cousin f of King Magnus, as king. Thereupon Hakon cousin^ and Thorer went north to the Drontheim country, Hakon. and when they came to Nidaros they summoned a Thing at Ore ; and at that Thing Hakon desired the bonders to give him the kingly title, which was agreed to, and the Drontheim people proclaimed him king of half of Norway, as his father King Magnus had been before. Hakon relieved the Drontheim people of all harbour duties, and gave them many other privileges. He did away with Yule-gifts, and gained by this the good-will of all the Drontheim people. Thereafter Hakon formed a court, and then proceeded to the Uplands, where he gave the Upland people the same privileges as the Drontheim people ; so that they also were perfectly well affected to him, and were his friends. The people in Drontheim sang this ballad about him : — " Young Hakon was the Norseman's pride. And Steigar-Thor was on his side. Young Hakon from the Upland came. With royal birth, and blood, and name. Young Hakon from the king demands His royal birthright, half the lands; Magnus will not the kingdom break, — The whole or nothing he will take." ■j" Hakon was a son of Magnus, Harald Hardraade's son; and Magnus was a son of Olaf Kyrre, Harald Hardraade's son also. I 2
 * Magnus Barefoot reigned from about 1093 to 1103.