6
The North Star
tianity, came the abolishing of the pagan priesthood, and a consequent lowering of the kingly position.
So at this period Earl Haakon represented the departing pagan power, and Olaf the prevailing Christian influence; that marvellous combat between Christ and Thor, between the gospels of fierce hate and gentle peace, that ended in the triumph of the Cross—so beautifully sung in the old Norse sagas, under the suggestive title of “The Twilight of the Gods.”
And it was at this time, while brave Olaf, the true king, wandered afar, and fierce, false Haakon ruled in his place, that Harold of Denmark incited the Jomsvikings to rebel against the wicked jarl.
