King Magnus had a lenderman called Nikolas Kufung, who was a son of Pal Skaptason.He took Harald prisoner, who called himself a son of King Sigurd Haraldson and the princess Kristin, and a brother of King Magnus by the mother's side.Nikolas brought Harald to Bergen, and delivered him into Earl Erling's hands.It was Erling's custom when his enemies came before him, that he either said nothing to them, or very little, and that in all gentleness, when he had determined to put them to death; or rose with furious words against them, when he intended to spare their lives.Erling spoke but little to Harald, and many, therefore, suspected his intentions; and some begged King Magnus to put in a good word for Harald with the earl; and the king did so.The earl replies, "Thy friends advise thee badly.Thou wouldst govern this kingdom but a short time in peace and safety, if thou wert to follow the counsels of the heart only." Earl Erling ordered Harald to be taken to Nordnes, where he was beheaded.
36.EYSTEIN EYSTEINSON AND THE BIRKEBEINS.
There was a man called Eystein, who gave himself out for a son of King Eystein Haraldson.He was at this time young, and not full grown.It is told of him that he one summer appeared in Svithjod, and went to Earl Birger Brosa, who was then married to Brigida, Eystein's aunt, a daughter of King Harald Gille.
Eystein explained his business to him, and asked their assistance.Both Earl Birger and his wife listened to him in a friendly way, and promised him their confidence, and he stayed with them a while.Earl Birger gave him some assistance of men, and a good sum for travelling expenses; and both promised him their friendship on his taking leave.Thereafter Eystein proceeded north into Norway (A.D.1174), and when he came down to Viken people flocked to him in crowds; and Eystein was there proclaimed king, and he remained in Viken in winter.As they were very poor in money, they robbed all around, wherefore the lendermen and bondes raised men against them; and being thus overpowered by numbers, they fled away to the forests and deserted hill grounds, where they lived for a long time.Their clothes being worn out, they wound the bark of the birch-tree about their legs, and thus were called by the bondes Birkebeins.
They often rushed down upon the settled districts, pushed on here or there, and made an assault where they did not find many people to oppose them.They had several battles with the bondes with various success; and the Birkebeins held three battles in regular array, and gained the victory in them all.At Krokaskog they had nearly made an unlucky expedition, for a great number of bondes and men-at-arms were assembled there against them; but the Birkebeins felled brushwood across the roads, and retired into the forest.They were two years (A.D.1175-1176) in Viken before they showed themselves in the northern parts of the country.
37.BIRKEBEINS, KING EYSTEIN, AND SKAKKE.
Magnus had been king for thirteen years when the Birkebeins first made their appearance.They got themselves ships in the third summer (A.D.1176), with which they sailed along the coast gathering goods and men.They were first in Viken; but when summer advanced they proceeded northwards, and so rapidly that no news preceded them until they came to Throndhjem.The Birkebeins' troop consisted principally of hill-men and Elfgrims, and many were from Thelemark; and all were well armed.Their king, Eystein, was a handsome man, and with a little but good countenance; and he was not of great stature, for his men called him Eystein Meyla.King Magnus and Earl Erling were in Bergen when the Birkebeins sailed past it to the north; but they did not hear of them.
Earl Erling was a man of great understanding and power, an excellent leader in war, and an able and prudent ruler of the country; but he had the character of being cruel and severe.The cause of this was principally that he never allowed his enemies to remain in the country, even when they prayed to him for mercy;and therefore many joined the bands which were collected against him.Erling was a tall strong-made man, somewhat short-necked and high-shouldered; had a long and sharp countenance of a light complexion, and his hair became very grey.He bore his head a little on one side; was free and agreeable in his manners.He wore the old fashion of clothes, -- long body-pieces and long arms to his coats, foreign cloak, and high shoes.He made the king wear the same kind of dress in his youth; but when he grew up, and acted for himself, he dressed very sumptuously.
King Magnus was of a light turn of mind, full of jokes; a great lover of mirth, and not less of women.
38.OF NIKOLAS.
Nikolas was a son of Sigurd Hranason and of Skialdvor, a daughter of Brynjolf Ulfalde, and a sister of Haldor Brynjolfson by the father's side, and of King Magnus Barefoot by the mother's side.
Nikolas was a distinguished chief, who had a farm at Ongul in Halogaland, which was called Steig.Nikolas had also a house in Nidaros, below Saint Jon's church, where Thorgeir the scribe lately dwelt.Nikolas was often in the town, and was president of the townspeople.Skialdvor, Nikolas's daughter, was married to Eirik Arnason, who was also a lenderman.
39.OF EIRIK AND NIKOLAS.