The Danish king Valdemar assembled in spring (A.D.1165) a great army, and proceeded with it north to Viken.As soon as he reached the dominions of the king of Norway, the bondes assembled in a great multitude.The king advanced peacefully; but when they came to the mainland, the people shot at them even when there were only two or three together, from which the ill-will of the country people towards them was evident.When they came to Tunsberg, King Valdemar summoned a Hauga-thing; but nobody attended it from the country parts.Then Valdemar spoke thus to his troops: "It is evident that all the country-people are against us; and now we have two things to choose: the one to go through the country, sword in hand, sparing neither man nor beast; the other is to go back without effecting our object.And it is more my inclination to go with the army to the East against the heathens, of whom we have enough before us in the East country, than to kill Christian people here, although they have well deserved it." All the others had a greater desire for a foray; but the king ruled, and they all returned back to Denmark without effecting their purpose.They pillaged, however, all around in the distant islands, or where the king was not in the neighbourhood.They then returned south to Denmark without doing anything.
28.ERLING'S EXPEDITION TO JUTLAND.
As soon as Erling heard that a Danish force had come to Viken, he ordered a levy through all the land, both of men and ships, so that there was a great assemblage of men in arms; and with this force he proceeded eastward along the coast.But when he came to Lidandisnes, he heard that the Danish army had returned south to Denmark, after plundering all around them in Viken.Then Erling gave all the people of the levy permission to return home; but he himself and some lendermen, with many vessels, sailed to Jutland after the Danes.When they came to a place called Dyrsa, the Danes who had returned from the expedition lay there with many ships.Erling gave them battle, and there was a fight, in which the Danes soon fled with the loss of many people; and Erling and his men plundered the ships and the town, and made a great booty, with which they returned to Norway.Thereafter, for a time, there was hostility between Norway and Denmark.
29.ERLING'S EXPEDITION TO DENMARK.
The princess Krisfin went south in autumn (A.D.1165) to Denmark, to visit her relation King Valdemar, who was her cousin.The king received her kindly, and gave her fiefs in his kingdom, so that she could support her household well.She often conversed with the king, who was remarkably kind towards her.In the spring following (A.D.1166) Kristin sent to Erling, and begged him to pay a visit to the Danish king, and enter into a peace with him.In summer Erling was in Viken, where he fitted out a long-ship, manned it with his finest lads, and sailed (a single ship) over to Jutland.When he heard that the Danish king Valdemar was in Randaros, Erling sailed thither, and came to the town just as the king sat at the dinner-table, and most of the people were taking their meal.When his people had made themselves ready according to Erling's orders, set up the ship-tents, and made fast the ship, Erling landed with twelve men, all in armour, with hats over their helmets, and swords under their cloaks.They went to the king's lodging, where the doors stood open, and the dishes were being carried in.Erling and his people went in immediately, and drew up in front of the high-seat.Erling said, "Peace and safe conduct we desire, king, both here and to return home."The king looked at him, and said, "Art thou here, Erling?"He replies, "Here is Erling; and tell us, at once, if we shall have peace and safe conduct."There were eighty of the king's men in the room, but all unarmed.
The king replies, "Peace ye shall have, Erling, according to thy desire; for I will not use force or villainy against a man who comes to visit me."Erling then kissed the king's hand, went out, and down to his ship.Erling stayed at Randaros some time with the king, and they talked about terms of peace between them and between the countries.They agreed that Erling should remain as hostage with the Danish king; and that Asbjorn Snara, Bishop Absalon's brother, should go to Norway as hostage on the other part.
30.KING VALDEMAR AND ERLING.
In a conference which King Valdemar and Erling once had together.
Erling said, "Sire, it appears to me likely that it might lead to a peace between the countries if you got that part of Norway which was promised you in our agreement; but if it should be so, what chief would you place over it? Would he be a Dane?""No," replied the king; "no Danish chief would go to Norway, where he would have to manage an obstinate hard people, when he has it so easy here with me."Erling: "It was on that very consideration that I came here; for I would not on any account in the world deprive myself of the advantage of your friendship.In days of old other men, Hakon Ivarson and Fin Arnason, came also from Norway to Denmark, and your predecessor, King Svein, made them both earls.Now I am not a man of less power in Norway than they were then, and my influence is not less than theirs; and the king gave them the province of Halland to rule over, which he himself had and owned before.Now it appears to me, sire, that you, if I become your man and vassal, can allow me to hold of you the fief which my son Magnus will not deny me, by which I will be bound in duty, and ready, to undertake all the service belonging to that title."Erling spoke such things, and much more in the same strain, until it came at last to this, that Erling became Valdemar's man and vassal; and the king led Erling to the earl's seat one day, and gave him the title of earl, and Viken as a fief under his rule.