KINGS OF NORWAY. 205 XIII. SAGA OF MAGNUS THE BLIND ^ AND OF sAc^m HAEALD GILLE.f King Sigurd's son Magnus was proclaimed in Opslo Chapter king of all the country immediately after his father's Magnus death, according: to the oath which the whole nation ^"^ Haraid ' <^ ^ ^ ^ proclaimed had sworn to King Sigurd ; and many went into his kings, service, and many became his lendermen. Magnus was the handsomest man then in Norway ; of a pas- sionate temper, and cruel, but distinguished in bodily exercises. The favour of the people he owed most to the respect for his father. He was a great drinker, greedy of money, hard, and obstinate. Harald Gille, on the other hand, was very pleasing in intercourse, gay, and full of mirth; and so generous that he spared in nothing for the sake of his friends. He willingly listened to good advice, so that he allowed others to consult with him and give counsel. With all this he obtained favour and a good repute, and many men attached themselves as much to him as to King Magnus. Harald was in Tunsberg when he heard of his brother King Sigurd's death. He called together his friends to a meeting, and it was resolved to hold the Hauga Thing J there in the town. At this Thing, Harald was chosen king of half the country, and it was called a forced oath which had been taken from him to renounce his paternal heritage. Then
- Reigned from 1180 to 1135. t To 1136.
- |: Hauga-thing means a Thing held at the tumuli or hurial
mounds; but whether this was a local name at Tunsberg, or the name of a Thing held for a solemn purpose at the burial mounds of their ances- tors for proclaiming a king, seems uncertain.
