nto between us. Do you
strengthen Magnus in his dominion, according to what you have promised;
and I will, on my part, strengthen your power in all that can be of
advantage or honour."

The conversation now took a more friendly turn; and Erling said,
"Although Magnus was not chosen king according to what has been the
old custom of this country, yet can you with your power give him
consecration as king, as God's law prescribes, by anointing the king to
sovereignty; and although I be neither a king, nor of kingly race, yet
most of the kings, within my recollection, have not known the laws or
the constitution of the country so well as I do. Besides, the mother of
King Magnus is the daughter of a king and queen born in lawful wedlock,
and Magnus is son of a queen and a lawfully married wife. Now if you
will give him royal consecration, no man can take royalty from him.
William Bastard was not a king's son; but he was consecrated and crowned
king of England, and the royalty in England has ever since remained with
his race, and all have been crowned. Svein Ulfson was not a king's son
in Denmark, and still he was a crowned king, and his sons likewise, and
all his descendants have been crowned kings. Now we have here in Norway
an archiepiscopal seat, to the glory and honour of the country; let us
also have a crowned king, as well as the Danes and Englishmen."

Erling and the archbishop afterwards talked often of this matter, and
they were quite agreed. Then the archbishop brought the business before
the legate, and got him easily persuaded to give his consent. Thereafter
the archbishop called together the bishops, and other learned men, and
explained the subject to them. They all replied in the same terms, that
they would follow the counsels of the archbishop, and all were eager to
promote the consecration as soon as the archbishop pleased.

22. KING MAGNUS'S CONSECRATION.

Erling Skakke then had a great feast prepared in the king's house. The
large hall was covered with costly cloth and tapestry, and adorned
with great expense. The court-men and all the attendants were there
entertained, and there were numerous guests, and many chiefs. Then King
Magnus received the royal consecration from the Archbishop Eystein;
and at the consecration there were five other bishops and the legate,
besides a number of other clergy. Erling Skakke, and with him twelve
other lendermen, administered to the king the oath of the law; and
th