Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/29



It is the custom, namely, there, that every time one of the Greek emperors dies, the Yaeringers are allowed polota-svarf; that is, they may go through all the emperor's palaces where his treasures are, and each may take and keep what he can lay hold of while he is going through them.

This winter King Jarisleif gave Harald his daughter Elizabeth in marriage. She is called by the Northmen Ellissof. This is related by Stuff the Blind,thus:—

In spring he began his journey from Novogorod, and came to Aideigoburg, where he took shipping, and sailed from the East in summer. He turned first to Sweden, and came to Sigtuna. So says Yalgard of Yalli:—

Harald found there before him Swend Ulfsson, who the autumn before had fled from King Magnus at Helgeness; and when they met they were very between friendly on both sides. The Swedish king, Olaf the Swede, was brother of the mother of Ellisof, Harald' Wife; and Astrid, the mother of Swend, was King Olaf's sister. Harald and Swend entered into friendship with each other, and confirmed it by oath. All the Swedes were friendly to Swend, because he belonged to the greatest family in the country; and thus all the Swedes were Harald' s friends and helpers