KINGS OF NORWAY. 173 made in Norway which gave the bonders the right saga xn. to judge between the kings of the country, when they had pleas with each other. " I shall bring witnesses to prove that Sigurd has given the case into my hands ; and it is with me, not with Sigurd Hranesson, that King Sigurd has to do in this case." The lagmen said, that disputes between kings must be judged only at the Ore Thing in Nidaros. King Eystein said, So I thought that it should be there, and the case must be removed there." Then King Sigurd said, " The more difficulties and inconvenience thou bringest upon me in this matter, the more I will persevere in it." And with that they parted. Both kings then went south to Nidaros town, where they summoned a Thing from eight districts. King Eystein was in the town with a great many people, but Sigurd was on board his ships. When the Thing was opened, peace and safe conduct were given to all ; and when the people were all collected, and the case should be gone into, Bergthor Bok, a son of Swend Bryggefod, stood up, and gave his evidence that Sigurd Hranesson had concealed a part of the Laplanders' taxes. Then King Eystein stood up and said, " Tf thy accusation were true, although we do not know what truth there may be in thy testimony, yet this case has already been dismissed from three Things, and a fourth time from a town meeting; and therefore I require that the lagmen acquit Sigurd in this case according to law." And they did so. Then said King Sigurd, " I see sufficiently. King Eystein, that thou hast carried this case by law- quirks*, which I do not understand. But now there
- These law-quirks show a singularly advanced state of law, and
deference to the Law Things, amidst such social disorder and misdeeds.
