Saga of Olaf Haraldson

[Ulf]

Olaf Haraldson the Saint's Saga is the longest, the most important, and the most
finished of all the sagas in "Heimskringla". The life of Olaf will be found treated
more or less freely in "Agrip", in "Historia Norvegiae", in "Thjodrek the Monk", in
the legendary saga, and in "Fagrskinna". Other old Norse literature relating to this
epoch:
Are's "Islendingabok", "Landnama", "Kristni Saga", "Biskupa- sogur", "Njala",
"Gunlaugs Saga", "Ormstungu", "Bjarnar Saga Hitdaelakappa", "Hallfredar Thattr
Vandraedaskalde", "Eyrbyggia", "Viga Styrs Saga", "Laxdaela", "Fostbraedra",
"Gretla", "Liosvetninga", "Faereyinga", "Orkneyinga".
Olaf Haraldson was born 995, went as a viking at the age of twelve, 1007; visited
England, one summer and three winters, 1009-1012; in France two summers and one
winter, 1012-1013; spent the winter in Normandy, 1014; returned to Norway and was
recognized as King, April 3, 1015; fled from Norway the winter of 1028-1029; fell at
Stiklestad, July 29 (or August 31), 1030.
Skalds quoted in this saga are: -- Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord Kolbeinson,
Berse Torfason, Brynjolf, Arnor Jarlaskald, Thord Siarekson, Harek, Thorarin
Loftunga, Halvard Hareksblese, Bjarne Gulbraskald, Jokul Bardson, Thormod
Kolbrunarskald, Gissur, Thorfin Mun, Hofgardaref.
ENDNOTES: (1) King Olaf the Saint reigned from about the year 1015 to 1030. The
death of King Olaf Trygvason was in the year 1000: and Earl Eirik held the
government for the Danish and Swedish kings about fifteen years. -- L

1. OF SAINT OLAF'S BRINGING UP.
Olaf, Harald Grenske's son, was brought up by his stepfather
Sigurd Syr and his mother Asta. Hrane the Far-travelled lived in
the house of Asta, and fostered this Olaf Haraldson. Olaf came
early to manhood, was handsome in countenance, middle-sized in
growth, and was even when very young of good understanding and
ready speech. Sigurd his stepfather was a careful householder,
who kept his people closely to their work, and often went about
himself to inspect his corn-rigs and meadowland, the cattle, and
also the smith-work, or whatsoever his people had on hand to do.

2. OF OLAF AND KING SIGURD SYR.
It happened one day that King Sigurd wanted to ride from home,
but there was nobody about the house; so he told his stepson Olaf
to saddle his horse. Olaf went to the goats' pen, took out the
he-goat that was the largest, led him forth, and put the king's
saddle on him, and then went in and told King Sigurd he had
saddled his riding horse. Now when King Sigurd came out and saw
what Olaf had done, he said "It is easy to see that thou wilt
little regard my orders; and thy mother will think it right that
I order thee to do nothing that is against thy own inclination.
I see well enough that we are of different dispositions, and that
thou art far more proud than I am." Olaf answered little, but
went his way laughing.