Harald
It all started with a woman, because, of course it did. Olof of Sweden had a daughter of marriageable age, Ingegerd. My half-brother Olaf wooed her, but instead of giving Ingegerd to Olaf, Olof gave her to another suitor, Yaroslav, along with Olof’s Swedish dominions in Rus'. This alienated Olaf, but eventually Olaf accepted Olof’s younger daughter Astrid, along with some empty promises about future political arrangements, and declared himself satisfied.
So Olaf and Yaroslav were allies but … it was awkward.
Heimskrinlga
When Olaf Haraldson grew up he was not tall, but middle-sized in height, although very thick, and of good strength. He had light brown hair, and a broad face, which was white and red. He had particularly fine eyes, which were beautiful and piercing, so that one was afraid to look him in the face when he was angry. Olaf was very expert in all bodily exercises, understood well to handle his bow, and was distinguished particularly in throwing his spear by hand: he was a great swimmer, and very handy, and very exact and knowing in all kinds of smithwork, whether he himself or others made the thing. He was distinct and acute in conversation, and was soon perfect in understanding and strength. He was beloved by his friends and acquaintances, eager in his amusements, and one who always liked to be the first, as it was suitable he should be from his birth and dignity. He was called Olaf the Great.
Tale of Bygone Years
Yaroslav wiped away his tears, and informed his subjects in the assembly that his father was dead, and that Svyatopolk had settled in Kiev after killing his brethren. Then the men of Novgorod said, “We can still fight for you, oh Prince, even though our brethren are slain.” So Yaroslav collected one thousand Varangians and forty thousand other soldiers, and marched against Svyatopolk.
Now it was already beginning to freeze. Svyatopolk was stationed between two lakes, and caroused with his fellows the whole night through. Yaroslav on the morrow marshaled his troops, and crossed over toward dawn. His forces disembarked on the shore, and pushed the boats out from the bank. The two armies advanced to the attack, and met upon the field. The carnage was terrible. Because of the lake, the Pechenegs could bring no aid, and Yaroslav's troops drove Svyatopolk with his followers toward it. When the latter went out upon the ice, it broke under them, and Yaroslav began to win the upper hand. Svyatopolk then fled among the Lyakhs, while Yaroslav established himself in Kiev upon the throne of his father and his grandfather. Yaroslav had then been in Novgorod twenty-eight years.
Heimskrinlga
The poet Sigvatr came to Jarl Rǫgnvaldr’s and stayed there with good entertainment for a long time. Then he learned from letters sent by the king’s daughter Ingigerðr that messengers of King Jarizleifr had come from the east from Hólmgarðr to King Ólofr of the Svíar to ask for the hand of the king’s daughter Ingigerðr on behalf of Jarizleifr, and this too, that King Ólofr had received this very favourably. Then there also came to Jarl Rǫgnvaldr’s court King Ólofr’s daughter Ástríðr. Then there was held a great banquet there. Then a great deal was discussed. Jarl Rǫgnvaldr asked whether King Óláfr would be willing to marry Ástríðr.
“And if he is willing,” he says, “then I suppose that about this match we shall not enquire of the king of the Svíar.”
The king’s daughter Ástríðr said the same thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment