the people, I am of birth, family and other qualifications to be called
earl."

The king replies, "When my brother, King Olaf, and his son, King Magnus,
ruled the kingdom, they allowed only one earl at a time to be in the
country, and I have done the same since I came to the kingly title; and
I will not take away from Orm the title of honour I had before given
him."

Hakon saw now that his business had not advanced, and was very ill
pleased; and Fin was outrageously angry. They said the king had broken
his word; and thus they all separated.

50. HAKON'S JOURNEY TO DENMARK.

Hakon then went out of the country with a well-manned ship. When he came
to Denmark he went immediately to his relative, King Svein, who received
him honourably and gave him great fiefs. Hakon became King Svein's
commander of the coast defence against the vikings,--the Vindland
people, Kurland people, and others from the East countries,--who
infested the Danish dominions; and he lay out with his ships of war both
winter and summer.

51. MURDER OF ASMUND.

There was a man called Asmund, who is said to have been King Svein's
sister's son, and his foster-son. This Asmund was distinguished among
all by his boldness and was much disliked by the king. When Asmund came
to years, and to age of discretion, he became an ungovernable person
given to murder and manslaughter. The king was ill pleased at this,
and sent him away, giving him a good fief, which might keep him and his
followers well. As soon as Asmund had got this property from the king he
drew together a large troop of people; and as the estate he had got from
the king was not sufficient for his expenses he took as his own much
more which belonged to the king. When the king heard this he summoned
Asmund to him, and when they met the king said that Asmund should remain
with the court without keeping any retinue of his own; and this took
place as the king desired. But when Asmund had been a little time in
the king's court he grew weary of being there, and escaped in the night,
returned to his former companions and did more mischief than ever.
Now when the king was riding through the country he came to the
neighbourhood where Asmund was, and he sent out men-at-arms to seize
him. The king then had him laid in irons, and kept him so for some time
in hope he would reform; but no sooner did Asmund get rid of his chains
than he absconded again, gathered together people and men-at-arms an