eman; for she was wondrous beautiful but of
high mood withal. Now when the messengers came there and gave their
message to her, she made answer that she would not throw herself away
even to take a king for her husband, who swayed no greater kingdom than
a few districts; 'And methinks,' said she, 'it is a marvel that no king
here in Norway will put all the land under him, after the fashion that
Gorm the Old did in Denmark, or Eric at Upsala.' The messengers deemed
this a dreadfully proud-spoken answer, and asked her what she thought
would come of such an one, for Harold was so mighty a man that his
asking was good enough for her. But although she had replied to their
saying otherwise than they would, they saw no likelihood, for this
while, of bearing her along with them against her will, so they made
ready to fare back again. When they were ready and the folk followed
them out, Gyda said to the messengers--'Now tell to King Harold these my
words:--I will only agree to be his lawful wife upon the condition that
he shall first, for sake of me, put under him the whole of Norway, so
that he may bear sway over that kingdom as freely and fully as King
Eric over the realm of Sweden, or King Gorm over Denmark; for only then,
methinks, can he be called king of a people.' Now his men came back to
King Harold, bringing him the words of the girl, and saying she was so
bold and heedless that she well deserved the king should send a greater
troop of people for her, and put her to some disgrace. Then answered the
king. 'This maid has not spoken or done so much amiss that she should
be punished, but the rather should she be thanked for her words. She has
reminded me,' said he, 'of somewhat that it seems wonderful I did not
think of before. And now,' added he, 'I make the solemn vow, and take
who made me and rules over all things, to witness that never shall I
clip or comb my hair until I have subdued all Norway with scatt, and
duties, and lordships; or, if not, have died in the seeking.' Guttorm
gave great thanks to the king for his oath, saying it was "royal work
fulfilling royal rede." The new and strange government that Harold tried
to enforce--nothing less than the feudal system in a rough guise --which
made those who had hitherto been their own men save at special times,
the king's men at all times, and laid freemen under tax, was withstood
as long as might be by the sturdy Norsemen. It was only by dint of hard
fighting that he slowl