ar,
and therefore was called the king's slave-girl. Their children were
Emund, Astrid, Holmfrid.... They had, besides, a son, who was born the
day before St. Jacob's-day. When the boy was to be christened the bishop
called him Jacob, which the Swedes did not like, as there never had been
a Swedish king called Jacob. All King Olaf's children were handsome in
appearance, and clever from childhood. The queen was proud, and did not
behave well towards her step-children; therefore the king sent his son
Emund to Vindland, to be fostered by his mother's relations, where he
for a long time neglected his Christianity. The king's daughter, Astrid,
was brought up in West Gautland, in the house of a worthy man called
Egil. She was a very lovely girl: her words came well into her
conversation; she was merry, but modest, and very generous. When she was
grown up she was often in her father's house, and every man thought well
of her. King Olaf was haughty and harsh in his speech. He took very ill
the uproar and clamour the country people had raised against him at the
Upsala Thing, as they had threatened him with violence, for which he
laid the chief blame on Earl Ragnvald. He made no preparation for the
bridal, according to the agreement to marry his daughter Ingegerd
to Olaf the king of Norway, and to meet him on the borders for that
purpose. As the summer advanced many of his men were anxious to know
what the kings intentions were; whether to keep to the agreement with
King Olaf, or break his word, and with it the peace of the country. But
no one was so bold as to ask the king, although they complained of it
to Ingegerd, and besought her to find out what the king intended. She
replied "I have no inclination to speak to the king again about the
matters between him and King Olaf; for he answered me ill enough once
before when I brought forward Olaf's name." In the meantime Ingegerd,
the king's daughter, took it to heart, became melancholy and sorrowful
and yet very curious to know what the king intended. She had much
suspicion that he would not keep his word and promise to King Olaf; for
he appeared quite enraged whenever Olaf the Thick's name was in any way
mentioned.
90. OF THE SWEDISH KING OLAF'S HUNTING.
One morning early the king rode out with his dogs and falcons, and his
men around him. When they let slip the falcons the king's falcon killed
two black-cocks in one flight, and three in another. The dogs ran and
brought
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