KINGS OF NORWAY. 65 together of many things, but especially of the Nor- saga vil wegian and Swedish kings' relations with each other ; both agreeing, as was the truth also, that it was the greatest loss, both to the people of Viken and of Got- land, that there was no peace for trade between the two countries ; and at last both agreed upon a peace, and still -stand of arms between them until next sum- mer : and they parted with mutual gifts and friendly speeches. The king thereupon returned north to Viken, and Chapter had all the royal revenues up to the Gotha river ; and King oiaf all the people of the country there had submitted to {J^ JJJJJ? 65 him. King Olaf the Swede had so great a hatred of to King Olaf Haraldsson, that no man dared to call him by ra idsson!" his right name in the king's hearing. They called him the thick man ; and never named him without some hard by-name. The bonders in Viken spoke with each other about Chapter there being nothing for it but that the kings should Beginning make peace and a league with each other, and in- ^ t ^ a |T sisted upon it that they were badly used by the kings their recon- going to war ; but nobody was so bold as to bring these murmurs before the king. At last they begged Biorn the marshal to bring this matter before the the king, and entreat him to send messengers to the Swedish king to offer peace on his side. Biorn was disinclined to do this, and put it off from himself with excuses ; but on the entreaties of many of his friends, he promised at last to speak of it to the king ; but declared, at the same time, that he knew it would be taken very ill by the king to propose that he should give way in any thing to the Swedish king. The same summer Hialte Skeggeson came over to Norway from Iceland, according to the message sent him by King Olaf, and went directly to the king. He was well received by the king, who told him to lodge in his house, and gave him a seat beside Biorn VOL. II. F
