Chapter LVI.
Earl Hakon's head.
King Olaf, and a vast number of bonders with him, then went out to Nidarholm[1], and had with them the heads of Earl Hakon and Karker. This holm was used then for a place of execution of thieves and illdoers, and there stood a gallows on it. He had the heads of the earl and of Karker hung upon it, and the whole army of the bonders cast stones at them, screaming and shouting that the one worthless fellow had followed the other. They then sent up to Guldal for the earl's dead body. So great was the enmity of the Drontheim people against Earl Hakon, that no man could venture to call him by any other name than Hakon the Bad; and he was so called long after those days. Yet, sooth to say of Earl Hakon, he was in many respects fitted to be a chief: first, because he was descended from a high race; then because he had understanding and knowledge to direct a government; also manly courage in battle to gain victories, and good luck in killing his enemies. So says Thorleif Randfeldson:—
"In Norway's land was never known
A braver earl than the brave Hakon.
At sea,, beneath the clear moon's light,
No braver man e'er sought the fight.
Nine kings to Odin's wide domain
Were sent, by Hakon's right hand slain!
So well the raven-flocks were fed—
So well the wolves were filled with dead!"
Earl Hakon was very generous; but the greatest misfortunes attended even such a chief at the end of his days: and the great cause of this was that the time was come when heathen sacrifices and idolatrous worship were doomed to fall, and the holy faith and good customs to come in their place.
Chapter LVII.
Olaf Tryggvesson elected king at a General Thing.
Olaf Tryggvesson was chosen at Drontheim by the General Thing to be the king over the whole country, as Harald Haarfager had been. The whole public
- ↑ Now Munkholm, opposite to the town of Drontheim.
