of Norway. 



THE TRUE STATE OF ICELAND ad. 



1592. 

 new idolatry of the papists began to prevaile, and did 

 sound foorth nothing but faith in God the Father, the 

 Sonne & the holy Ghost, like unto those two most 

 renoumed kings of Norway, who as they had one 

 common name, so had they one common care and pro- [I. 571-] 

 fession to advance the gospel of Christ. I meane Olaus ^^he first 

 the Sonne of Thryggo, who was borne in the yeere of '^^f]^^l^^^,J^^ 

 Christ 968. attaining to the kingdom of Norway in the 

 27. yeere of his age, and was the first, as we have heard, 

 that offred Christ unto the Norwegians, over whom hee 

 reigned five yeeres ; and another of that name called 

 Olaus Sanctus the sonne of Harald, who in the yeere of 

 Christ 1013. or there about, governed with more severitie, 

 & for the space of 17. yeeres did boldly deliver the 

 doctrine of Christ. In the yere of Christ 1030. being 

 unjustly slaine by wicked murtherers, he shed his blood 

 for ye name of Christ in a town of Norway called Sticfla 

 Stodum. 



Our countrey also had, among many other, one man Nialus the 

 of excellent pietie whose name was Nialus, who about the first kmzone 

 yeere of Christ 1000. lived in the village of Berthorshvol ^^'^/^^^''^^ 

 situate in the parish of Island called Landehum : who ^-^ ^uiand 

 also for his experience in humane affaires, for his great 

 wisedome and sage counsell was accompted famous. 

 For whereas in his time Island was turmoiled with many 

 fierce mutinies, the inhabitants being in subjection to no 

 superiour magistrate, he intermedled not in any quarels, 

 saving that by his discreet vertue & diligence, hee set 

 through and brought to composition a great number : 

 hee never did nor suffered violence, but onely upon the 

 last day of his life. So carefully avoyded he al seditions 

 and strifes : and gave good assistance to others, who were 

 desirous also to avoyd and escape them : neither did any 

 man ever put in practise his counsel, but it turned to his 

 especiall good : nor ever any did swerve therefrom, but 

 with the danger of his life and possessions. The wordes 

 or rather the oracles that came from him were so certaine, 

 that it was wonderful from whence any man should have 

 IV 145 K 



