And heavy armour for the plain.
Gold, too, for service duly paid,
Red gold all pure, and duly weighed,
King Olaf gives--he loves to pay
All service in a royal way."

11. OF KING OLAF KYRRE'S DEATH.

King Olaf lived principally in his domains on his large farms. Once when
he was east in Ranrike, on his estate of Haukby, he took the disease
which ended in his death. He had then been king of Norway for twenty-six
years (A.D. 1068-1093); for he was made king of Norway the year after
King Harald's death. King Olaf's body was taken north to Nidaros, and
buried in Christ church, which he himself had built there. He was the
most amiable king of his time, and Norway was much improved in riches
and cultivation during his reign.

MAGNUS BAREFOOT'S SAGA.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

The greater part of the contents of this saga is also found in "Agrip",
"Fagrskinna", and "Morkinskinna".

Magnus and his cousin Hakon became kings in 1093, but Hakon ruled only
two years and died in 1095. King Magnus fell in the year 1103.

Skalds quoted are: Bjorn Krephende, Thorkel Hamarskald, and Eldjarn.

1. BEGINNING OF THE REIGN OF KING MAGNUS AND HIS COUSIN HAKON.

Magnus, King Olaf's son, was, immediately after King Olaf's death,
proclaimed at Viken king of all Norway; but the Upland people, on
hearing of King Olaf's death, chose Hakon, Thorer's foster-son, a cousin
of King Magnus, as king. Thereupon Hakon and Thorer went north to the
Throndhjem country, and when they came to Nidaros they summoned the
Eyrathing; and at that Thing Hakon desired the bondes to give him the
kingly title, which was agreed to, and the Throndhjem people proclaimed
him king of half of Norway, as his father, King Magnus, had been before.
Hakon relieved the Throndhjem 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 Throndhjem people. Thereafter Hakon formed
a court, and then proceeded to the Uplands, where he gave the Upland
people the same privileges as the Throndhjem people; so that they also
were perfectly well affected to him, and were his friends. The people in
Throndhjem sang this ballad about him:--

"Young Hakon was the Norseman's pride,
And Steig-Thorer 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 birth