Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/312

 300 CHKONICLE OF THE XVI. sAGAjcvL MAGNUS ERLINGSSON'S SAGA.* Chapter When Erliiig got Certain intelligence of the deter- of Magnus Hiinations of Hakon and his counsellors, he sent a Eriings- message to all the chiefs who he knew had been ginning" stcady fricnds of King Inge, and also to his court- men and his retinue, who had saved themselves by flight, and also to all Gregorius's house-men, and called them together to a meeting. When they met, and conversed with each other, they resolved to keep their men together ; and which resolution they con- firmed by oath and hand-shake to each other. Then they considered who they should take to be king. Erling Skakke first spoke, and inquired if it was the opinion of the chiefs and other men of power that Simun Skalp's son, the son of the daughter of King Harald Gille, should be chosen king, and John Hal- kelsson be taken to lead the army ; but John refused it. Then it was inquired if Nicolas Skialdvarsson, a sister's son of King Magnus Barefoot, would place himself at the head of the army ; but he answered thus : — It was his opinion that some one should be chosen king who was of the royal race; and, for leader of the troops, some one from whom help and understanding were to be looked for ; and then it would be easier to gather an army." It was now tried whether Arne would let any of his sons, King Inge's brothers, be proclaimed king. Arne replies, that Christina's son, as she was daughter of King Sigurd Magnus Erlingsson reigned to 1184-.
 * From about 11 62 to 1177, when the Heimskringla ends; but