Peasant Life in Sweden ... Illustrated

Preface

. Having of late years resided much in Sweden, it has struck me that some account of the way of life and habits of the peasantry, as also of their religious and other festivals, many of which date back to heathen times, might not be unacceptable to the English reader ; the rather, as much of the blood of the old Northmen flows in our veins ; and as light may be thereby thrown on many of our own customs, about which we are at present wholly, or in great part, in the dark. Not a few of the popular superstitions of the country will, moreover, be found interspersed through out these pages; and should this work meet with a favourable reception from the public, it is my inten tion to submit to it at no distant day a somewhat fuller account of them, together with other matter of a curious nature, with which we at home are but little acquainted.

As regards the customs here spoken of, it is to be observed, that though a few may have fallen into desuetude, the greater part are still retained, espe-

PREFACE.

. VI eially in mountainous and wooded districts, where people cling more tenaciously to the habits of their forefathers; and the like may be said of the superstitions, for where nature is on a wild and grand scale the mind is more prone to believe in the super natural. One chapter gives some account of the Swedish Church and its government ; matters that have been somewhat misrepresented by recent English travellers. Another is devoted to the education, moral and religious, ofthe youth of both sexes; from which, perchance, our own legislators may take some useful hints. Appended to the work will be found some of the numerous Fairy Tales and Giant Stories with which the Swedish peasantry are accustomed to beguile their long winter evenings. For some of the illustrations I am indebted to my friend, Colonel Fritz Von Dardel, Aide-de-Camp to the King of Sweden, who is admitted by every one to be amongst the very first amateur artists in the country.

In conclusion, I would observe that as this book has been passed through the press during my absence from England, the reader will, perhaps, excuse any little inaccuracies that may have crept into it. L. LLOYD. GotJtenburgh, June 25th, 1870. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

— THE SWEDISH PEASANTRY. THE PEASANT OR BONDE HIS IMPORTANCE. IN THE OLDEN TIME. STORY OF ASBJORN ... ... ... ... PAGES 1 13

Chapter II

— WEDDING CUSTOMS. BETROTHAL. THE BRIDE'S PINES. THE PROCESSION. ATTENDANT KNIGHTS. SERVICE IN CHURCH. THE CHURCH CORONET. SERVICE IN A PRIVATE HOUSE. THE BANQUET. TOASTS. AMUSEMENTS. THE ' STSKON SANG.' HUNT FOR THE BRIDE. THE RICE PUDDING. HURRAHS AND FLIPP ... 14 31

Chapter III

— WEDDING CUSTOMS IN WAREND, WANGA, DELSBY, WESTBO. THE MAT-POLE. PRIVILEGES OF THE WAREND WOMEN. MODES OF DRESSING THE HAIR IN WANGA. THE STOMACHER. IMMORAL CUSTOMS IN DELSBT. PECULIAR CUSTOMS AT DELSBY AND WESTBO 32—54

Chapter IV

— WEDDING CUSTOMS IN OTHER LOCALITIES PECULIAR CUSTOMS IN HAFVERO, RACKEBY, KULLINGS AND GASENED, DANMARK, TORNA, — -IN FLEDIE, FJELIE, AND LOMMA, IN 8ABROO, ROFSUNDS, SVEG, HEDESUNDA, WISSERUM ... ... 55 71

Chapter V

— WEDDING CUSTOMS IN THE OLDEN TIMES, AND ORDINANCES RESPECTING THEM FROM A.D. 1614—1742. BETROTHAL. MAIDEN'S EVE AND BACHELOR'S EVENING. CASTING THE SPEAR. THE BARBER. THE FIRST BORN BABY. THE FOREST JOURNEY. PARTING SCENE. SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE. ORDI- NANCES from 1644—1742 72—83

Chapter VI

— SUPERSTITIONS RELATING TO MARRIAGE, PREG- NANCY, AND CHILDREN. THE EVIL EYE. THE NIGHTMARE ... ... ... 84 95

Chapter VII

— BAPTISM IN WINGAKER, DANMARK, WESTBO, AND BOHUS LAN, IN THE OLDEN TIMES. CONFIRMATION. ORDINANCES FROM A.D. 1644—1686. SPONSORSHIP. SUPERSTITIONS RESPECTING BAPTISM. — -'CHURCHING;' SUPERSTITIONS RESPECTING IT ... 96 CONTENTS. VIII

Chapter VIII

— FUNERALS. FUNERALS IN THE OLDEN TIMES. CUSTOMS IN B0HUS LAN. PERSON- ALIA, OR OF THE DECEASED READ IN CHURCH. CUSTOMS IN WESTBO HARADJ IN DANMARK; IN TORNA HARAD J IN HELLE SUND ; IN UPPER ELFDALEN. ORDINANCES FROM A.D. 1644 1731. SANCTITY OF THE CHURCH-YARD. ORDINANCES OPPOSED TO IT. THE NORTH SIDE. ABOLITION OF CATHOLIC RITES. SUPERSTI- TIONS ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ill — 135

Chapter IX

— FUNEBRIA. instances of non-decomposition. of embalmment. of resus0i1 i tion 136—14.')

Chapter X

— SUPERSTITIONS RESPECTING DISEASES. CURE BY STEPPING OVER A GRAVE. BY FOOD FROM ANOTHER'S LARDER. — IMAGINARY REMEDIES FOR COLIC, TOOTH-ACHE, EAR-ACHE, HOOPING-COUGH, LUMBAGO, STIES, BOILS, STENVRID, SCROFULA, THE HICCUPS, DROPSY, WARTS, CORNS, THE SCAB, EPILEPSY, HOARSENESS, SYPHILIS, THE AGUE (TROLL STORY), VIOLENT PAINS, SPITTING BLOOD.. — EFFICACY OF CONSECRATED WAFERS. SPITTING AND THE BLOOD OF MALEFACTORS. THE CUCKOO. ASSISTANCE IN PARTURI TION. AUGURIES ... ... ... ... ... 146 161

Chapter XI

— CHRISTMAS. WHY NAMED JUL. JUL IN THE. OLDEN TIME. FREJS BOAR. BRAGE GOBLET. — THE BOAR SEHRIMNER. JUL FRID. JUL SUPERSEDED BY CHRISTMAS. PREPARATIONS FOR JUL. — THE JUL CROSS. JUL PINES. THE POOR AND THE SPARROWS. DECORATION OF ROOM. —JUL HALM, OR RYE STRAW. — VISIT TO THE COW-HOUSE, STABLE, WATCH-DOG, BATH-HOUSE. — THE JUL FIRE, CANDLES, GIFTS, BANQUET. ANGELS' ALE. TOMTE GUBBE, OR ELF. OTHER SUPERSTITIONS ... 162 — 178

Introduction

. MUSIC, OR BALLADS. DANCES. SACRIFICIAL DANCE. LOVE-TOKENS. — CHRISTMAS DOLL. — PUSH JOB. — JUL CLUB. CHRIST- MAS OLD WOMAN. JUL GOAT. JUL BOAR. RUPERT THE SOLDIER. 'SITTING GAMES.' — DIVINING ... ... ... ... 179 187

Chapter XIII

— CHRISTMAS LEGENDS. ON JUL NIGHT EVIL SPIRITS ABROAD. HOW HERNE ULF BEHEADED A TROLL. HOW A PAGE CARRIED OFF A TROLL HORN AND GOBLET, AND DIED. THE SONG OF THE KNIGHT AND THE TROLL MAIDEN. THE ARS GANO OF PILGRIMAGE IN QUEST OF THE SUPERNATURAL. HOW THE DEAD CELEBRATE DIVINE SERVICE, AND HOW A LADY AND HER MAID SAW THEM ... ... ... ... 188 200

Chapter XIV

— CHRISTMAS-TIDE. CHRISTMAS DAY. CHURCH SERVICE. QUIET FAMILY LIFE. ST STE- CONTENTS. IX PHEN'S DAY. STAFFAN, THE SWEDISH ST STEPHEN.- — HIS LABOURS, MARTYRDOM, GRAVE, WORSHIP. STAFFAN'S ' SKEl'E,' OR RACE, AND BALLAD. NEW YEAR'S EVE. — SUPERSTITIONS RESPECTING THE NEW MOON AND NEW YEAR'S DAY. TWELFTH DAY. BETHLEHEM STAR. STAR BOYS. TAKING A WIFE.. — ST KNUT's DAY ... 201 218

Chapter XV

— CANDLEMAS TO EASTER. CANDLEMAS DAY. STORY OF DISA. — HEALTH TO ELDSBORGS. ANNUN- CIATION DAY, CALLED HJETTE DAY. — SUPERSTITIONS. — GOOD FRIDAY. LEGENDS OF THE DWARF BIRCH. THE ASPEN TREE. THE SWALLOW. THE TURTLE DOVE. THE CROSSBILL. THE STORK. THE LAPWING. EASTER EVE.. — HARD EGGS. EASTER DAY. ANCIENT CUS- TOMS.— SUPERSTITIONS. WITCH JOURNEY TO BLA KULLA 219 232

Chapter XVI

— MAY DAY AND HOLY ROOD DAY. MAY DAY. BONFIRES. VISIONS. — MAY SONGS. BATTLE OF WINTER V. SUMMER. INTERMENT OF WINTER. MUSIC AND DANCING. MAGPIE FEAST. SUPERSTITIONS. TROLL HARES. HOLY ROOD DAY. LEGEND OF THE HOLY CROSS. THE 'WANDERING JEW ' ... 233 — 243

Chapter XVII

— FROM ST HALFVARD'S DAY TO HOLY TRINITY DAY. ST HALFVARD'S DAY. ST ERIC'S DAY. THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING. THE SATER. THE JOURNEY THERE. THE SATER STUGA. THE OCCUPATIONS THERE. THE WILD BEASTS. THE CARESSIVE NAMES FOR THEM. THE RETURN TO THE HOMESTEAD. ASCENSION DAY.. — SUPERSTITIONS. WHITSUNTIDE. GREENWICH HILL. HOLY TRINITY day 244—255

Chapter XVIII

— MIDSUMMER. MIDSUMMER VIGILS. PREPARATIONS IN COUNTRY ; IN STOCKHOLM. THE LEAF MARKET. BALDER's FIRES. THE MAJ STANG, OR MAY- POLE. THE DANCE. PICNIC IN NORRLANDS. SACRED SPRINGS THEIR VIRTUES. LEGENDS. THE IMMOVABLE CROSS. PARSON MELCHIOR. THE LADY OF HUSHBERGET. MYSTIC NIGHT. SUPER- STITIONS. THE STAG RUTA. MIDSUMMER QVAST. THE PANCAKE AND MISTLETOE. MIDSUMMER DAY... ... ... 256 270

Chapter XIX

— FESTIVALS FROM JUNE TO CHRISTMAS. CHEESE MEETINGS. ST PETER'S DAY. LEGENDS OF ST PETER. ■ — ST OLAF'S DAY. OLAF'S LIFE. MIRACLES WROUGHT BY HIS BODY. ALTAR-PIECE REPRESENTING HIM AS HE TRIUMPHED OVER A TROLL. LEGEND OF THE ALTAR-PIECE. HOP-PICKING. EVENING SEASONS FOR TALE-TELLING. ST MICHAEL'S DAY, AND SUPERSTITIONS RESPECT- ING IT.- — HARVEST HOME. ST LUCIE's DAY.- — LEGEND OF ST LUCIE. ■ — THE TIARA OF LIGHT ... ... ... ... 271 287

Chapter XX

— THE LAW. LITIGATION. — THE LAWS. CONSTITUTION OF COURTS. — DEFECTS IN THE b CONTENTS. X LAW. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. JUDGES NOT IMMACULATE. CRIMINAL LAW. CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS. BREAD AND WATER. FLOG- GING. MANNER OF EXECUTION. EXPOSURE OF BODIES 288 294

Chapter XXI

— SCHOOLS. EDUCATION COMPULSORY. PEOPLE'S SCHOOLS, PREPARATORY, STATION- ARY, AND MOVABLE. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, UPPER AND LOWER. PRIVATE SCHOOLS.— GYMNASTICS. THE UNIVERSITIES. FEMALE EDU- CATION. 8EMINARIUM. PRIVATE GIRLS' SCHOOLS. CLERICAL IN- STRUCTION. THE HOUSE EXAMINATION ... ... 295 307

Chapter XXII

- THE SWEDISH CHURCH. THE NATIONAL CHURCH. THE CLERGY'. CHURCH REVENUES. INCOMES OF THE CLERGY. THE UNIVERSITIES. CHOICE OF BISHOPS. NATURE OF BENEFICES. - — FREE LIVINGS. COMPETITORY SERMONS. — STATUS AND DRESS OF THE SWEDISH CLERGY. THE CHURCH DIET.- Ill I CHURCHES. THE SERVICE. NOTICES FROM THE PULPIT. THE CUTTY STOOL. THE SACRAMENT. SECTARIANS. THE LA8ARE. THE CHAR- TAUARNE. — INTOLERANCE ... ... ... ... 308 — 324

Chapter XXIII

— THE ARMY AND NAVY. ME BEWARING, OR ARMED DEFENCE. THE VOLUNTEERS. THE MILITIA. EFFICIENT CHARACTER OF THE ARMY. THE NAVY. THE NAVY OF THE ISLANDS. TRANSITION STATE OF THE SEAGOING NAVY 325 330

Chapter XXIV

— MODERN RECREATIONS AND ANCIENT SPORTS. spinning parties. the scandal tankard. lund horse fair. barbarous manner of fighting. ancient exeroises \ vaulting, climbing, running, swimming, wrestling. practice in the use of arms. skating. hockey. the sword game. the chase. an old Norseman's address to his son. — a contrast 331 — 344

Chapter XXV

— CHARACTER OF THE PEASANTRY. CHARACTER OF THE MEN AND WOMEN.— WANT OF CHASTITY. LAWS. CHASTITY OF OLD. LAWS. HOW LEJDOLF WAS PUNISHED. MISDEEDS OF THE MONKS. A MONK CAUGHT IN A NET. A MONK WARNED BY A LULLABY. MONKISH SUPERSTITIONS. TALE OF THE CHARMED BAG. EXPULSION OF THE MONKS ... ... ... 345 356

Chapter XXVI

— MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. FEW SURNAMES.- — DRESS. DRESS IN WINGAKER. CIRCUMSTANCES. HOUSES. FURNITURE. GARDENS. FOOD AND DRINK. BARK BREAD. DIRTY HABITS. — EARLY RISING. HOME MANUFACTURES. ITINER- ANT SHOEMAKERS AND TAILORS. — SMOKING. DRUNKENNESS — LAW AGAINST IT. SWEARING LAW AGAINST IT. POOR LAWS. — SUMMARY 357—373 SWEDISH LEGENDS ... ... ... ... ... 374 PEASANT LIFE IN SWEDEN.

Chapter I. The Swedish Peasantry

THE PEASANT OR BONDE HIS IMPORTANCE. — IN THE OLDEN TIME. STOKY OF ASBJORN. Before describing the customs and ways ofthe Swedish ' Bonde? * or peasant, it may be proper to say a few words as to who and what he is. Though the above designation, correctly speaking, per tains only to the man who tills his own land, it at present is just as commonly applied to the ' Torpare? or he who rents from another a ' Torp? or cottage, with a small allotment of ground attached ; and as regards the rural districts — where, however, he is hardly to be found — to the mere day labourer. In common parlance, in short, every small occupier of land, whether owned by himself or leased, is called a ' Bonde.' As well by law as custom, the peasantry, it should be remarked, constitutes a distinct class both in Sweden and Norway ; and however wealthy any individual peasant may * So named from the verb ' Bo,' or to reside. be — and very many possess large and well-stocked farms — he still retains not only the dress and manners of his order, but to a considerable extent the customs of his ancestors.

Until within the past two or three years, indeed, when the ' Bonde Stand? or peasant class, formed one of the four estates of the realm,* he was, as its representative, entitled not only to take a leading part in the legislation of his country, but at the royal entertainments given at the palace when the parliament was sitting, to take his place at the king's banqueting table, clad in the garb of his order — a simple long coat of home-made woollen cloth — on terms of equality, so to say, with the first nobles in the land. At the present day, however, there are only two chambers, equal in power, but differently constituted, the members of the second being elected by nearly universal suffrage, and those of the first by the municipality of each province. The members of the second are paid for their services, whereas those eligible to the first must have a certain minimum property, and this chamber is therefore supposed to represent the wealth and the more conservative element of the nation.

Thus it will be seen that though the Swedish ' Bonde ' is, in the usual acceptation of the word, a peasant, his position, that of the ' Bonde ' proper, at least, is in reality that of a yeoman. But be it what it may, it is very cer tain he is the bone and sinew of the country. In the olden times, however, — I speak of those of the famous Sea Kings, the terror of all civilized countries, — the * These consisted of the nobles, the clergy, the burghers, and the peasants. THE SWEDLSH PEASANTRY. 3 Swedish ' Bonde ' held a very superior position to that wliich he fills at the present clay. Neither the feudal system nor vassalage having ever existed in Sweden or Norway,* he called himself, and with every justice, a free born man. And as, excepting those who governed or held office under the Crown, no titles such as Count or Baron then existed in Scandinavia, his class was the most influential and powerful in the kingdom.

The peasantry of bygone days, in fact, constitutes the nation itself, or rather the several nations into which, during the time of the petty kings, the northern penin sula was divided. Many of the peasantry were then large landed proprietors and the leading men of the country We read, for instance, of a Skoglar Toste becoming the father-in-law of two kings, whose sons were received into his house, and accompanied him on his buccaneering expeditions ; of an Ake, in Werm eland, who invited and entertained at the same time the kings of both Sweden and Norway, together with all their retainers, in a patriarchal and most hospitable manner, and on the departure of the sovereigns, presenting each with large gifts ; of a Hakan, surname d the ' Gamle? or old, who defended a fugitive king's son and his desolate mother against the power of the reigning monarch.

These peasants, and others their equals, competed in power and consideration with such as bore princely rank, and looked on themselves as their equals in every way. When, for example, King Harald, surnamed ' Hdrfager? * So say Scandinavian historians ; but, from what I can gather from the old chronicles, the great proprietors would seem to have had some thing like unto the power of life and death over their surfs or retainers. 1 * or the beautiful-haired, would persuade a rich peasant in Norway, named Kittel, to enter his service, offering him at the same time lands and a title, the man declined the sovereign's proposal, saying, ' he would rather be a peasant, in which character he looked on himself as quite equal to those who bore names of higher honour.' Many similar instances to the above might be quoted from the ' Sagas,' but the following story, which is not without interest in more respects than one, will best explain the social position, and the weight and influence, of the class in question.

One Sigurd Thoreson, a rich and powerful peasant of Arund, or Throndenas, in Norway, was in the habit every year, so long as heathenism prevailed in that country, to hold three ' sacrificial feasts ' to the gods — the first at the commencement of the winter, the second at midwinter, and the third in the spring ; and even after he had embraced Christianity he continued the same, as regarded the banquets, at least. At his death his son Asbjorn, then only 18 years of age, followed up the custom of his father. One year there was a total failure of the crops ; but having corn of the preceding season in his granary, he neverthe less gave the usual entertainments. The succeeding harvest also proved a miserable one, on which his mother, Sigrid, was desirous he should at least curtail the number of the festivals.

Asbjorn, however, would not listen to her remonstrances, but went amongst his relatives and friends, and having partly by purchase, and partly by presents, obtained the requisite quantity of grain, all the merry makings took place as usual. But the third year proved THE S WEDISH PEASANTR Y. 5 a dearth likewise, and to make the matter worse, intelligence was received from the more southern parts of the country, that the King Olof, surnamed ' Digre? or the Obese, had, in consequence of the prevailing scarcity, strictly forbidden grain, malt, or meal to be sent from thence to the northern districts. In spite of all these dis couraging circumstances, nevertheless, Asbjorn was deter mined on having his banquets as customary. He possessed a very good trading vessel, and of a size sufficient to navigate the open sea, which was fitted with a streaked or parti-coloured sail.

This he launched, and taking with him 20 of his own people, put to sea. In the south of Norway is an island called in former times Karmt, but at present Karmen. Here was a large and handsome royal residence, with an extensive domain attached, called Ogvaldsnas, over which ruled a steward or sheriff, named Thorer Sel. He was a man of low origin, but active, fluent of speech, full of big words, and fond of gaudy apparel; and now that the king's authority was delegated to him, he well knew how to make use of these qualities. Asbjorn arrived at the island in question late one evening, anchored his vessel near to the ' King's Card,' set up an awning, or tent, as it was then called, over her in the usual manner to protect the men from the weather, and remained there during the night. Thorer, on the following morning, inquired his destination?

Asbjorn replies — ' There is scarcity of grain in the north, but we are informed that here the harvest was good. Wilt thou, therefore, peasant, dispose of some to us ? I see around me,' he went on to say, * many stacks of corn : it would be a great convenience to us not to be necessitated to extend our voyage.' ' This convenience I shall render thee,' rejoined Thorer in a supercilious tone, ' as to inform thee that thou hast no need to proceed further in Ragoland (the name of the district) ' to purchase grain ; for I will tell thee this : that neither here nor elsewhere in these parts canst thou obtain it, because the king has prohibited any being sent away from hence to the north. Return home again, therefore, " Helgolander," * that is the best course for thee to pursue.' Asbjorn and his men took down the awning spoken of, rowed round into the open sea, set sail, and stood away to the southward, and in the evening reached the island of Jader, where Erling Skialgsson, his uncle, dwelt.

Erling welcomed his relative ; was rejoiced at his arrival, placed him next to himself at table, and inquired the news of the northern parts of the country. After that Asbjorn had satisfied his curiosity, and informed him of the object of his voyage, Erling observed : ' It is unfor tunate that the king should have forbidden the sale of grain from these parts. I know no man in this neighbour hood who would dare to disobey his commands ; and as there are many who endeavour to disturb the good un derstanding that exists between Olof (the king) and myself, I must therefore be careful not to offend him in this matter.' Asbjorn heard all this with astonishment, was silent for a time, but at length said : — ' The truth is always long in reaching one's ears. It was told me from * Not the island of Heligoland, as some might possibly suppose, but of Helgoland, a widely-extended district in the more northern part of Norway.

THE SWEDISH PEASANTRY. 7 my youth that my mother was " free-born " tli rough all her ancestors, and that Erling of Sala was the most distin guished of all her kinsfolk ; but I now hear thee thyself say that the king's slave, Thorer, allows thee not so much liberty as that here, on Jacler, thou canst do with thy own grain according to thy pleasure.' Erling looked at Asbjorn, smiled, and replied : — ' You dwellers in Helgoland know less of the king's power than we in Ragoland. A braggart thou art said to be at home, relation, and in this matter thou dost not differ from others of thy family. We will now first drink together, and to-morrow see what can be done to serve thee.' They repaired together to the wassail board, and en joyed themselves during the evening ; and on the follow ing morning Erling thus addressed Asbjorn : — ' I have thought much on the affair that brought thee here, relation.

Art thou particular as to the party of whom thou makest thy purchases ? ' and when assured by his nephew that, provided it was from the rightful owner, it made not the slightest difference, Erling went on to say ' that his slaves, who did not stand under the same Landslaw as other men, had, he believed, as much corn to dispose of as Asbjorn needed.' The hint was taken, and the bargain soon concluded. Asbjorn loaded his vessel with grain and malt, and after receiving valuable presents from Erling, steered, with a favourable wind, homewards, and in the evening came to an anchor near Ogvallsnas. During the night Thorer Sel, the king's sheriff, as said, collected his men — 60 in number — and with this PEASANT LIFE IN SWEDEN. 8 force proceeded at an early hour in the morning to Asbjorn's vessel ; upbraided him with warmth for the contempt he had shown to the sovereign's commands, and threatened that unless he and his people went at once on shore he would throw the whole of them overboard ; ' for we will not,' he added, ' have you in the way whilst we take out the grain.' The cargo having been discharged, Thorer proceeded to the fore-part of the vessel, when casting his eyes on the streaked sail spoken of, he observed to his men, ' A wonderfully fine sail have these Helgolanders !

Take it from them, and give them in its stead the old one belonging to our trading vessel ; it is quite good enough for people who sail with an empty ship.' The exchange in question having been effected, Asbjorn was allowed to depart, when he made the best of his way back to his home at Throndenas ; and as the necessary supplies were now wanting, no festival took place that winter, neither did he visit any of his relations. His late adventure became much known and talked of, and was the subject of not a few ill-natured remarks. But Asbjorn confined his wrath within his own breast, and awaited quietly at home the approach of spring. As soon, however, as the water was open, he launched his war-galley of 20 banks of oars, with a crew of 90 well-armed men, consisting partly of his friends and relations, and partly of his own retainers, and safled away to the southward.

On the fifth day of Easter they reached the island of Karmt, when Asbjorn went on shore alone, that he might reconnoitre the localities. From an eminence that he THE SWEDISH PEASANTRY. 9 ascended, and from whence he had a view of Ogvallsnas, he remarked that much people, both by sea and land, were directing their course towards the house. Making up to the latter, he entered one of the detached buildings, where the servants were busy with culinary operations, and by them was informed that King Olof had arrived, which ex plained the. cause of so much bustle and preparation. Having learnt thus much, he proceeded into the royal residence, and posted himself in the passage leading to the banqueting hall ; and though people were constantly go ing in and out, no one took notice of his presence. The door of the apartment stood open, so that he could see and hear all that passed within it.

The king was seated at the table ; Thorer Sel stood in front of it, and was relating a long ' Saga,' as to what had passed between him self and Asbjorn, in which he, in many respects, greatly deviated from the truth. Some one inquired of him how the latter had conducted himself when his vessel was taken forcible possession of and unloaded. Thorer replied, ' that whilst the cargo was being discharged he was tolerably tranquil, but when the sail was taken away from him he actually shed tears.' Up to this time Asbjorn had had sufficient control over himself as to remain passive ; but when he was accused of having wept — a charge of the most scandalous nature in the eyes of the old Northmen — he could no longer restrain his passion, but drawing his sword, he rushed forward into the banqueting hall, and up to Thorer, and at a single blow severed his head from his body.

The head of the steward rolled on to the table before the king, the trunk fell at his feet, and the floor and the table-cloth was drenched with the man's blood ! IN SWEDEN. Asbjorn was immediately seized and put in irons, — Skialg Erlingsson, a son of Erling Skialgsson, and first cousin to Asbjorn, was of the royal retinue, and present on the occasion in question. He arose from his seat, and offered to ransom his kinsman's life, as was customary in those days. ' Is it not a crime worthy of death,' replied the king, ' for any one to break the sacred peace of Easter ? and is it not a second crime deserving of condign punish ment to commit a homicide in the actual presence of the sovereign ? and is it not a third crime that my feet have been converted into a beheading block ? ' But Skialg made yet another attempt to prevail on the monarch to ac cept of a pecuniary fine in satisfaction of the offence.

The king, however, turned a deaf ear to this application also. ' Although I hold thee, Skialg, in high estimation,' said the monarch, ' I must not for thy sake break the laws of the country, and dishonour the royal dignity.' Seeing that any further efforts of his on Asbjorn's be half would prove fruitless, Skialg now retired from the presence, and, followed by his men, 12 in number, left the banqueting hall. The evening was then far advanced, but he nevertheless hurried to his galley, and after rowing hard during the whole night, reached the island of Jader as the day broke on the following morning. So soon as he had set foot on land, he hurried up to his father's house, and knocked at the portal with such violence that the fastenings gave way, and all the inmates awoke at the same time. Erling arose from his couch, took his sword and buckler, and hastened to the door, and in quired wdio it was that made such an uproar ? — and wdien he distinguished the voice of his son, he added, * I might THE SWEDISH PEASANTRY. 11 well have supposed it could only be thee thyself who acts thus madly.' ' Although thou thinkest me impetu ous,' Skialg rejoined, ' Asbjorn, who is lying in chains at Ogvallsnas, will not consider my haste unseemly, and it will be a manly action on thy part if thou proceed to his rescue.' The father and son now took counsel together as to the best course to be pursued in the emergency.

Sunday arrived. The king and all his people were in the church, and before its portal stood Asbjorn, loaded with chains and surrounded by the guard. When Divine service wras over, and the monarch came from out the sacred edifice, he, to his utter astonishment, saw the prisoner freed from his fetters, and a line of armed men drawn upon either side of the road the whole distance to the royal residence. At the entrance to the latter stood Erling and his sons, who had collected together 1500 armed men. The chieftain made his obeisance to the sovereign, and addressed him thus : ' It is told me that my relation, Asbjorn, has committed a great fault ; and it is much to be lamented, king, if what has happened has caused thee displeasure. I am now, therefore, come here to offer thee atonement, and such ransom as it may be thy pleasure to award ; but I at the same time require that he may retain life and limb ; as also that he be permitted to remain in the country.' A conference then took place between the king and Erling, which, though at first promising an amicable settlement of the affair, afterwards assumed a very different aspect.

At last Erling said, ' I will not conceal from thee, king, my wishes in this matter, viz., that we part reconciled ; if that cannot LN SWEDEN. 12 be, it seems to me best I should not again seek an inter view with thee.' Erling's face was then as red as blood. The bishop, Sigurd, now stepped forward and said to the sovereign, ' Lord, I pray thee, in God's name, that thou wilt be friends with Erling, the rather as he only insisted on the man's retaining life and limb, and leaves all the rest to thy good pleasure.' Moved by this address of the prelate, and Erling offering at the same time to become security for the fulfilment of the conditions, the monarch at length gave his acquiescence. The terms, afterwards promulgated, on which the king pardoned the homicide, ran thus : ' Asbjorn, thou shalt submit to that particular provision of the laws of our land, that he who kills a servant of the king shall, if the sovereign so wills it, fill the post held by the deceased.