Hal says that the chiefs wished to have Sigurd killed instantly;but the men who were the most cruel, and thought they had injuries to avenge, advised torturing him; and for this they named Beintein's brothers, Sigurd and Gyrd, the sons of Kolbein.
Peter Byrdarsvein would also avenge his brother Fin.But the chiefs and the greater part of the people went away.They broke his shin-bones and arms with an axe-hammer.Then they stripped him, and would flay him alive; but when they tried to take off the skin, they could not do it for the gush of blood.They took leather whips and flogged him so long, that the skin was as much taken off as if he had been flayed.Then they stuck a piece of wood in his back until it broke, dragged him to a tree and hanged him; and then cut off his head, and brought the body and head to a heap of stones and buried them there.All acknowledge, both enemies and friends, that no man in Norway, within memory of the living, was more gifted with all perfections, or more experienced, than Sigurd, but in some respects he was an unlucky man.Hal says that he spoke little, and answered only a few, and in single words, under his tortures, although they spoke to him.
Hal says further, that he never moved when they tortured him, more than if they were striking a stock or a stone.This Hal alleged as proof that he was a brave hero, who had courage to endure tortures; for he still held his tongue, and never moved from the spot.And farther he says, that he never altered his voice in the least, but spoke with as much ease as if he was sitting at the ale-table; neither speaking higher nor lower, nor in a more tremulous voice than he was used to do.He spoke until he gave up the ghost, and sang between whiles parts of the Psalm-book, and which Hal considered beyond the powers and strength of ordinary men.And the priest who had the church in the neighbourhood let Sigurd's body be transported thither to the church.This priest was a friend of Harald's sons: but when they heard it they were angry at him, had the body carried back to where it had been, and made the priest pay a fine.Sigurd's friends afterwards came from Denmark with a ship for his body, carried it to Alaborg, and interred it in Mary church in that town.So said Dean Ketil, who officiated as priest at Mary church, to Eirik; and that Sigurd was buried there.Thjostolf Alason transported Magnus the Blind's body to Oslo, and buried it in Halvard's church, beside King Sigurd his father.Lodin Saupprud was transported to Tunsberg; but the others of the slain were buried on the spot.
13.EYSTEIN HARALDSON COMES TO NORWAY.
When the kings Sigurd and Inge had ruled over Norway about six years, Eystein, who was a son of Harald Gille, came in spring from Scotland (A.D.1142).Arne Sturla, Thorleif Brynjolfson, and Kolbein Hruga had sailed westward over the sea after Eystein, accompanied him to Norway, and sailed immediately with him to Throndhjem.The Throndhjem people received him well; and at the Eyra-thing of Ascension-day he was chosen king, so that he should have the third part of Norway with his brothers Sigurd and Inge.
They were at this time in the east part of the country; and men went between the kings who brought about a peace, and that Eystein should have a third part of the kingdom.People believed what he said of his paternal descent, because King Harald himself had testified to it, and he did not resort to the ordeal of iron.
King Eystein's mother was called Bjadok, and she followed him to Norway.Magnus was the name of King Harald Gille's fourth son, who was fostered by Kyrpingaorm.He also was chosen king, and got a fourth part of the country; but Magnus was deformed in his feet, lived but a short time, and died in his bed.Einar Skulason speaks of them: --"The generous Eystein money gave;Sigurd in fight was quick and brave;
Inge loved well the war-alarm;
Magnus to save his land from harm.
No country boasts a nobler race The battle-field, or Thing, to grace.
Four brothers of such high pretence The sun ne'er shone upon at once."14.MURDER OF OTTAR BIRTING.
After King Harald Gille's death Queen Ingerid married Ottar Birting, who was a lendermen and a great chief, and of a Throndhjem family, who strengthened King Inge's government much while he was in his childhood.King Sigurd was not very friendly to Ottar; because, as he thought, Ottar always took King Inge's side.Ottar Birting was killed north in the merchant town (Nidaros), in an assault upon him in the twilight as he was going to the evening song.When he heard the whistling of the blow he held up his cloak with his hands against it; thinking, no doubt, it was a snowball thrown at him, as young boys do in the streets.
Ottar fell by the stroke; but his son, Alf Hrode, who just at the same moment was coming into the churchyard, saw his father's fall, and saw that the man who had killed him ran east about the church.Alf ran after him, and killed him at the corner of the choir; and people said that he had good luck in avenging his father, and afterwards was much more respected than he had been before.
15.BEGINNING OF KING EYSTEIN.
King Eystein Haraldson was in the interior of the Throndhjem district when he heard of Ottar's murder, and summoned to him the bonde-army, with which he proceeded to the town; and he had many men.Ottar's relations and other friends accused King Sigurd, who was in the town, of having instigated this deed; and the bondes were much enraged against him.But the king offered to clear himself by the ordeal of iron, and thereby to establish the truth of his denial; and accordingly a peace was made.King Sigurd went to the south end of the country, and the ordeal was never afterwards heard of.
16.BEGINNING OF ORM THE KING-BROTHER.
Queen Ingerid had a son to Ivar Sneis, and he was called Orm, and got the surname of King-brother.He was a handsome man in appearance, and became a great chief, as shall be told hereafter.
