492 DIVISIONS OF PEOPLE INTO CLASSES. 



of a patriarchal nature belonging to the social structure of 

 that period, intimately connected with the Bondi of the Herad 

 of which the Hersir was the hereditary head ; and with the 

 loss of his independence carne that of the freedom of the Herad 

 and of the people ; and never has Norway been herself since 

 that time. But out of evil came good. These men, who could 

 not bear the yoke of this Royal despot, in whom there is but 

 little to admire, except his personal bravery, afterwards migrated 

 into different parts of Europe, as is seen from several Sagas. 



" In the old age of Ketil, Harald Fairhair established his 

 rule over Norway, so that no Kings of Fylkis or other great 

 men could thrive there without acknowledging his power. 



" When Ketil heard that King Harald intended to make him 

 submit to the same conditions as other powerful men, to get 

 no wergild for his kinsmen and become his tenant, he sum- 

 moned a Thing of his kinsman and said : ' To your knowledge 

 must have come our dealings with King Harald, which need 

 not'be told, for it is more necessary to take counsel about the 

 hard conditions which he wishes to impose on us. I know for 

 certain his enmity toward us, and that we can hope for nothing 

 from him. It therefore seems to me that we have the choice 

 of only two things either to flee the country, or be slain each 

 at his place ; and I prefer to die like my kinsmen, but I do not 

 wish to lead you into such danger by my selfwill, as I know 

 the temper of my friends and kinsmen : they will not leave 

 me though it may be some danger to follow me.' 



" Bjorn, Ketil's son, replied : ' Quickly will I proclaim my 

 choice, for I will follow the example of other highborn men, 

 and flee this land, rather than remain here as the thrall of 

 King Harald.' All thought this well and manfully spoken, 

 and it was decided that they should all leave the country. 

 Bjorn and Helgi wanted to go to Iceland, as they had heard 

 that the land was good, with plenty of game and fish. Ketil 

 however said that he would not go to that wild country in his 

 old age, but westward, where he knew many places, as he had 

 ravaged widely there " (Laxdoela, 2). 



"Ulf Gyldir was a powerful hersir in Thelamork. He 

 resided at Fiflavellir, and his son Asgrim dwelt there after 

 him. King Harald Fairhair sent his kinsman Thororni from 

 Thruma to get tribute from Asgiini, but he would not pay any, 

 for he had shortly before sent to the king a Gautaland horse 

 and mu^h silver, but said that this was a gift, and no tax, for 

 he had never before paid any. The king returned the 

 property, and would not accept it " (Landnama, v., c. 6). 



