Part 52 - Plan Of Svein And The Swedish King

Earl Svein went first to Svithjod to his brother-in-law Olaf the Swedish king, told him all that had happened between him and Olaf the Thick, and asked his advice about what he should now undertake.

The king said that the earl should stay with him if he liked, and get such a portion of his kingdom to rule over as should seem to him sufficient;

"or otherwise,"

says he,

"I will give thee help of forces to conquer the country again from Olaf."

The earl chose the latter; for all those among his men who had great possessions in Norway, which was the case with many who were with him, were anxious to get back; and in the council they held about this, it was resolved that in winter they should take the land-way over Helsingjaland and Jamtaland, and so down into the Throndhjem land; for the earl reckoned most upon the faithful help and strength of the Throndhjem people of the interior as soon as he should appear there.

In the meantime, however, it was determined to take a cruise in summer in the Baltic to gather property.