King Olaf had been ransacking the Emerald Isles for too long, in the eyes of some. Jarl Haakon, for one, heard rumors that boy may have ambitions to seize the crown of Norway, using his success as a warrior to justify the takeover. Worse yet, news came from overseas that Olaf had converted to Christianity - surely, the Old Gods would not want this man to rule!
Haakon sent a messenger, Thorer Klakka, to Ireland, hoping to persuade Olaf's men to come home. Fresh off their victory in battle and flush with the spoils of war, they agreed happily. Olaf, Thorer, and his men sailed home.
While the Jarl's messenger was away, though, an uprising had begun at home. Olaf arrived just in time - the rebellion welcomed him as their new leader. A search began to find Haakon, who had been deposed and was hiding in a pigsty with his slave, Kark.
Unfortunately for the Jarl, Olaf promised a great reward for any man who could bring him the head of Haakon. When Kark heard this news, he took his chance and beheaded the Norseman he was bound to serve.
This did not prove a wise decision for Kark. When the servant brought Haakon's bloody, severed head to Olaf, it was greeted with celebration - and then Olaf commanded that Kark join his former master in Valhalla.
After murdering the slave, Olaf confirmed what many of Haakon's men had feared. A forced baptism was conducted throughout the land.
The new King of Norway was a Christian.
lyrics
King of Mystery, faraway lands
Come to Em’rald seas, capture the man
Feed him lies and make him obey
Bring him home and we’ll cast him away
Not to be swayed
Hunt to the grave
Torn at the crown
Hide in the home of the swine
Scoff at him now
Laugh at the pig left to die
Torn at the crown
Arrows for cowards aside
Laugh at him now
A slave holds the head of the High
King of Mystery now holds a court
Kill or be called a murderer
Crosses stand where the emblem should lay
Flames engulf where the Old Gods stay
Winterblade is one man with a passion for the Old Norse Æsir and heavy metal. Those passions are combined on the album "Long
Nights," a project rooted in Viking history and often drawn from historical texts. Just released: GREATEST SAGA, the 11-part story of how Norway's first king rose to power in the most unusual way......more
