As he was coming from the east he made the island of Bornholm, where he landed and plundered. The country people hastened down to the strand, and gave him battle; but Olaf gained the victory, and a large booty.
Chapter XXII.
Olaf Tryggvesson's marriage.
While Olaf lay at Bornholm there came on bad weather, storm, and a heavy sea, so that his ships could not he there; and he sailed southwards under Vendland[1], where they found a good harbour. They marriage, conducted themselves very peacefully, and remained some time. In Vendland there was then a king called Burislaf, who had three daughters,—Geyra, Gunhild, and Astrid. The king's daughter Geyra had the power and government in that part where Olaf and his people landed, and Dixin was the name of the man who most usually advised Queen Geyra. Now when they heard that unknown people were come to the country, who were of distinguished appearance, and conducted themselves peaceably, Dixin repaired to them with a message from Queen Geyra, inviting the strangers to take up their winter abode with her; for the summer was almost spent, and the weather was severe and stormy. Now when Dixin came to the place he soon saw that the leader was a distinguished man, both from family and personal appearance, and he told Olaf the queen's invitation with the most friendly message. Olaf willingly accepted the invitation, and went in harvest to Queen Geyra. They liked each other exceedingly, and Olaf courted Queen Geyra; and it was so settled that Olaf married her the same winter, and was ruler, along with Queen Geyra, over her dominions. Halfred Vandraedaskald tells of these matters in the lay he composed about King Olaf:—
- ↑ Vindland or Vendland—the land of the Vends or Vands, the Sclavonic people who then occupied the coast from the Vistula to Holstein. The Vendland of the saga is the present Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and East Prussia.
