ior of Throndhjem. There was a man by name Harek, a son of Eyvind
Skaldaspiller, who dwelt in an island called Thjotta in Halogaland.
Eyvind had not been a rich man, but was of high family and high mind. In
Thjotta, at first, there dwelt many small bondes; but Harek began with
buying a farm not very large and lived on it, and in a few years he had
got all the bondes that were there before out of the way; so that he had
the whole island, and built a large head-mansion. He soon became very
rich; for he was a very prudent man, and very successful. He had long
been greatly respected by the chiefs; and being related to the kings
of Norway, had been raised by them to high dignities. Harek's father's
mother Gunhild was a daughter of Earl Halfdan, and Ingebjorg, Harald
Harfager's daughter. At the time the circumstance happened which we are
going to relate he was somewhat advanced in years. Harek was the most
respected man in Halogaland, and for a long time had the Lapland trade,
and did the king's business in Lapland; sometimes alone, sometimes with
others joined to him. He had not himself been to wait on King Olaf,
but messages had passed between them, and all was on the most friendly
footing. This winter (A.D. 1020) that Olaf was in Nidaros, messengers
passed between the king and Harek of Thjotta. Then the king made it
known that he intended going north to Halogaland, and as far north as
the land's end; but the people of Halogaland expected no good from this
expedition.

111. OF THE PEOPLE OF HALOGALAND.

Olaf rigged out five ships in spring (A.D. 1020), and had with him about
300 men. When he was ready for sea he set northwards along the land; and
when he came to Naumudal district he summoned the bondes to a Thing, and
at every Thing was accepted as king. He also made the laws to be
read there as elsewhere, by which the people are commanded to observe
Christianity; and he threatened every man with loss of life, and
limbs, and property who would not subject himself to Christian law. He
inflicted severe punishments on many men, great as well as small, and
left no district until the people had consented to adopt the holy faith.
The most of the men of power and of the great bondes made feasts for
the king, and so he proceeded all the way north to Halogaland. Harek
of Thjotta also made a feast for the king, at which there was a great
multitude of guests, and the feast was very splendid. Harek was made
lenderman, and got th