The Axe Read online

  Sigrid Undset

  The Axe

  Sigrid Undset was born to Norwegian parents in Denmark in 1882. Between 1920 and 1922, she published her magnificent and widely acclaimed trilogy of fourteenth-century Norway, Kristin Lavransdatter (composed of The Bridal Wreath, The Mistress of Husaby, and The Cross). And between 1925 and 1927, she published the four volumes of The Master of Hestviken (composed of The Axe, The Snake Pit, In the Wilderness, and The Son Avenger). Ms. Undset, the author of numerous other novels, essays, short stories, and tales for young readers, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. During the Second World War, she worked with the Norwegian underground before having to flee to Sweden and then to the United States. After the war, she returned to Norway, where she died in 1949.

  ALSO BY SIGRID UNDSET

  Kristin Lavransdatter

  The Bridal Wreath (VOLUME I)

  The Mistress of Husaby (VOLUME II)

  The Cross (VOLUME III)

  The Master of Hestviken

  The Axe (VOLUME I)

  The Snake Pit (VOLUME II)

  In the Wilderness (VOLUME III)

  The Son Avenger (voLUME IV)

  VINTAGE BOOKS EDITION

  Copyright © 1928 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

  Renewal Copyright 1956 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. Originally published in hardcover in Norwegian by H. Ascheboug & Company, Oslo. Copyright 1925 by H. Ascheboug & Company, Oslo. This translation was published in hardcover as part of The Master of Hestviken by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, in 1930.

  Translated from the Norwegian by Arthur G. Chater.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Undset, Sigrid, 1982–1949.

  [Olav Audunssøn i Hestviken. I. English]

  The axe / Sigrid Undset.

  p. cm.—(The master of Hestviken / Sigrid Undset ; v. 1)

  Originally published in Norwegian as part 1 of Olav Audunssøn I

  Hestviken (2 v.).

  eISBN: 978-0-307-77306-7

  1. Norway—History—1030–1397—Fiction.

  2. Middle Ages—History—Fiction.

  I. Title. II. Series: Undset, Sigrid, 1882–1949.

  Master of Hestviken ; v. 1.

  PT8950.U5061513 1994

  839.8′2372—dc20 94-16662

  v3.1

  CONTENTS

  Cover

  About the Author

  Other Books by This Author

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Part One - Olan Audunsson Takes a Wife

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Part Two - Ingunn Steinfinnsdatter

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  PART ONE

  Olan Audunsson

  Takes a Wife

  1

  THE STEINFINNSSONS was the name folk gave to a kin that flourished in the country about Lake Mjösen at the time the sons of Harald Gille held sway in Norway. In those days men of that stock held manors in every parish that bordered the lake.

  In the years of trouble which later came upon the land, the Steinfinnssons thought most of keeping their estates unshorn and their manors unburned, and for the most part they were strong enough to succeed in this, whether the Birchlegs or any of the opposing bands were to the fore in the Upplands. They seemed not to care greatly who in the end might be kings in Norway; but some men of this line had served King Magnus Erlingsson and later Sigurd Markusfostre faithfully and well, and none of them had aided Sverre and his kinsmen more than they could help. Old Tore Steinfinnsson of Hov and his sons joined the cause of King Skule, but when there was once more peace in the land they paid allegiance to King Haakon.

  But from that time the family began to lose something of its repute. The country was now quieter and law and justice prevailed between man and man; their power was then greatest who held the King’s authority or had served in the royal body-guard and won the King’s trust. But the Steinfinnssons stayed at home upon their lands and were content to govern their own estates.

  They were yet a wealthy kindred. The Steinfinnssons had been the last of the great Uppland lords to own thralls, and they still took the offspring of their freedmen into service or made them tenants on their land. Among the people round about, it was whispered that the Steinfinnssons were a race greedy of power, but they had the wit to choose such liegemen as should be easy to deal with. The men of the kin had no name for being of the wisest; but foolish they could not be called, since they had shown such good sense in the preserving of their estates. And they were not harsh lords toward those of less degree, so long as none offered to raise his voice against them.

  Now, two years before King Haakon the Old died, young Tore Toresson of Hov sent his youngest son, Steinfinn, to the royal body-guard. His age was then eighteen; he was a handsome, well-grown man, but it was with him as with his kinsmen: folk knew them by their horses and their clothes, their arms and jewels. But if young Steinfinn had donned a coarse peasant’s cloak, many a man would hardly have known him, of those who had called him friend and boon companion over the ale tankards the night before. The Steinfinnssons were goodly men for the most, but, as the saying was, they were lost in the crowd of church folks; and of this Steinfinn his fellows used to say that his wit was none too bad, but that it was as naught to his arrogance.

  Now, Steinfinn was in Björgvin, and there he met a maiden, Ingebjörg Jonsdatter, who had her place at the King’s court with Queen Ingebjörg. She and Steinfinn took a liking for each other, and he had his suit preferred with her father; but Jon answered that his daughter was already promised to Mattias Haraldsson, a dear friend of young King Magnus and one of his body-guard. But it seemed Steinfinn could not take his rejection in earnest: he came again many times, and had men of mark and at last Queen Ingebjörg herself to plead his cause. It availed nothing, for Jon Paalsson would not break his word to Mattias.

  Steinfinn followed King Haakon in his last warfaring west oversea. In the fight at Largs he won fair renown for valour. While the King lay sick at Kirkevaag, Steinfinn often had the night watch by his side, and at least he himself thought that King Haakon had shown him great favour.

  The next summer Steinfinn was again in Björgvin. And one fine morning just after John’s Mass, as some of the Queen’s maidens were coming from Nonneseter toward the King’s house, they met Steinfinn and his body-servant riding through the street. They were leading a fine horse which Steinfinn said he had bought that morning, as they saw it, with bridle and woman’s saddle. He greeted the damsels with courtesy and blithe jesting and would have them try this horse of his. They then went all together to a meadow and diverted themselves awhile. But when Ingebjörg Jonsdatter was in the saddle, Steinfinn said that she must have the loan of the horse to ride back to the King’s court, and he would go with her.—The next that was heard of these two was that they had passed through Vors and taken to the hills. At last they reached Hov; Tore seemed at first ill pleased at his son’s misdeed, but afterwards he gave him a homestead, Frettastein, which lay remote in the forest tracts. There he lived with Ingebjörg Jonsdatter as though they had been lawfully wedded, and he held a christening ale with the most lavish hospitality when she bore him a daughter next spring.

  Nothing was done to him, either for the rape of the woman or for his f
light from the body-guard. Folk said he could thank Queen Ingebjörg for that. And at last the Queen made a reconciliation between the young couple and Jon Paalsson; he gave Steinfinn his daughter in marriage and held their wedding at the King’s court in Oslo, where he was then a courtier.

  At that time Ingebjörg was expecting her third child; but neither she nor Steinfinn showed becoming humility toward Jon or thanked him as they ought for his fatherly kindness. Steinfinn gave costly gifts to his wife’s father and her kinsmen, but in other ways both he and his wife were very overweening and behaved as though all their life had been honourable, nor had they any need to humble themselves in order to retrieve their position. They brought their elder daughter, Ingunn, to the wedding, and Steinfinn danced with her on his arm and showed her to all who were there; she was three years old, and her parents were proud beyond measure of this fair child.

  But their first son died, whom Ingebjörg bore close upon their marriage, and after that she had still-born twins, both boys. Then the two bowed the knee to Jon Paalsson and besought his pardon with contrite hearts. Thereafter Ingebjörg had two sons who lived. She grew fairer with every year that passed; she and Steinfinn lived together in affection, maintained a great house, and were merry and of good cheer.

  One man there was of whom none seemed to take thought: Mattias Haraldsson, Ingebjörg’s rightful bridegroom, whom she had played false. He went into foreign lands at the time Steinfinn’s wedding was held and he stayed away for many years. Mattias was a little man and ill-favoured, but mettlesome, hardy, and of great wealth.

  Steinfinn and Ingebjörg had been married seven years or thereabouts and their daughters, Ingunn and Tora, were ten and eight winters old, but the sons were quite small—when Mattias Haraldsson came one night with an armed band to Frettastein. It was at haymaking, and many of the house-folk were away on the outlying pastures; those who were at home were overpowered as they lay asleep. Steinfinn did not wake until he was pulled out of the bed, where he slept with his wife. The summer was warm that year, so folk lay naked; Steinfinn was bare as his mother bore him as he stood bound by his own board with three men holding him.

  The lady Ingebjörg defended herself like a wild beast, with tooth and nail, while Mattias wrapped the coverlet about her, lifted her out of bed, and set her on his knees. Mattias said to Steinfinn:

  “Now could I take such vengeance as ye two deserve—and you, Steinfinn, should stand there a bound man with no power to protect your wife, if I had a mind to take her who was promised to me and never to you. But I have more fear of breaking God’s law and I take more heed of good morals than you. So now I shall chasten you, Steinfinn, by letting you take back your wife inviolate, by my favour—and you, my Ingebjörg, dwell with your man and peace be with you both! After this night I trow ye will remember to thank me each time ye shall embrace in joy and gladness,” he said with a loud laugh.

  He kissed the lady and laid her in the bed, calling to his men that now they should ride away.—Then he turned to Steinfinn.

  Steinfinn had not uttered a word, and, as he saw he could not break loose, he stood still; but his face was a deep crimson and he did not take his eyes off Mattias. The other went close up to him.

  “If you have not the grace, man, then maybe you have the wit to thank me for the mercy I have shown tonight?” asked Mattias with a laugh.

  “Be sure I shall thank you,” quoth Steinfinn. “If God grant me life.”

  Now, Mattias was dressed in a kirtle with open, hanging sleeves and tassels at their points. He took the flap of his sleeve in his hand and whisked the tassel across Steinfinn’s face, laughing yet louder. And of a sudden he drove his fist into the face of the bound man, so that the blood flowed from Steinfinn’s mouth and nose.

  That done, he went out to his men. Olav Audunsson, Steinfinn’s foster-son, a boy of eleven years, ran forward and cut Steinfinn’s bonds. The lad, Steinfinn’s children, and their foster-mothers had been dragged into the outer room and held there while Mattias was speaking to his faithless betrothed and her man within.

  Steinfinn snatched a spear and, naked as he was, ran out after Mattias and his men as they rode down the steep slope, straight across the plough-land, laughing scornfully. Steinfinn flung the spear, but it fell short. Meanwhile the boy Olav ran to the men’s room and the byre and let out the serving-men who had been barred in, while Steinfinn went back to the house, dressed himself, and took his arms.

  But all thought of pursuing Mattias was vain, for there were but three horses left at Frettastein and they were loose in the paddock. Nevertheless Steinfinn rode off at once, to seek his father and brothers. As he dressed, he had spoken in private with his wife. She came out with him when he was ready to set out. And now Steinfinn declared to his house-folk that he would not sleep with his wife until he had repaired the shame, so that no man could say she was his by the favour of Mattias Haraldsson. Then he rode forth, but his lady went into an old outhouse that stood in the courtyard, and locked herself in.

  The house-folk, men and women, streamed into the hall, eager to learn what had happened. They close-questioned Olav, who sat half-clad on the edge of the bed that Steinfinn’s weeping daughters had crept into; they turned to ask the two little maids and the foster-mother of Steinfinn’s youngest son. But none of these could tell them aught, and soon the servants grew tired of questioning and went out.

  The boy sat in the dark hall listening to Ingunn’s obstinate weeping. Then he climbed up into the bed and lay down by her side.

  “Be sure your father will take vengeance. You may well believe he will do that. And I trow I shall be with him, to show that Steinfinn has a son-in-law, though his sons are yet too young to bear arms!”

  It was the first time Olav had dared to speak straight out of the betrothal that had been made between him and Ingunn when they were children. In the first years he spent at Frettastein the servants had sometimes chanced to speak of it and tease the children with being betrothed, and it had always made Ingunn wild. Once she had run to her father and complained, and he had been angered and had forbidden his people to speak of such things—so wrathfully that more than one of them had guessed that maybe Steinfinn repented his bargain with Olav’s father.

  That night Ingunn took Olav’s reminder of the plans that had been made for them in such wise that she crept up to the boy and wept upon his arm, till the sleeve of his shirt was drenched with her tears.

  • • •

  From that night a great change came over the life at Frettastein. Steinfinn’s father and brothers counselled him to bring a suit against Mattias Haraldsson, but Steinfinn said that he himself would be the judge of what his honour was worth.

  Now, Mattias had gone straight home to the manor in Borgesyssel where he dwelt. And the following spring he went on a pilgrimage in foreign lands. But when this was noised abroad and it was known that Steinfinn’s wrath was such that he shunned folk and would not live with his wife any more, then there was much talk of the vengeance that Mattias had taken upon his faithless betrothed. Even though Mattias and his men told no different tale of the raid from what was heard at Frettastein, it turned out that the farther the rumour spread over the country, the more cheaply folk judged that Steinfinn had been held by Mattias. And a ballad was made of these doings as they were thought to have fallen out.

  One evening—it was three years later—as Steinfinn sat drinking with his men, he asked if there were any who could sing the ballad that had been made upon him. At first all the house-carls made as though they knew naught of any ballad. But when Steinfinn promised a great gift to him who could sing his dance, it came out that the whole household knew it. Steinfinn heard it to the end; now and then he bared his teeth in a sort of smile. As soon as it was done, he went to bed together with his half-brother Kolbein Toresson, and the folk heard the two talking behind the bed-shutters till near midnight.

  This Kolbein was a son of Tore of Hov by a concubine he had had before his marriage; and he had al
ways cared more for his children by her than for those born in wedlock. For Kolbein he had made a good marriage and got him a great farm to the northward on Lake Mjösen. But there was little thrift in Kolbein; he was overbearing, unjust, and of a hasty temper and was ever in lawsuits both with lesser men and with his equals. So he was a man of few friends and there was little love between him and his true-born half-brothers, until, after his misfortune, Steinfinn took up with Kolbein. After that these two brothers were always together and Kolbein charged himself with Steinfinn and all his affairs. But he ordered them as he ordered his own and brought trouble with him even when he acted on his brother’s behalf.

  Assuredly it was not that Kolbein had a will to harm his younger brother; he was fond of Steinfinn in his own way, after that the younger in his perplexity had put himself wholly into his half-brother’s hands. Careless and lazy Steinfinn had been in his days of prosperity; he had thought more of lordly living than of taking care for his estate. After the night of the raid he shunned all men for a time. But afterwards, by Kolbein’s advice, he took a whole band of house-carls into his service—young men well trained to arms, and by choice such as before had done lord’s service elsewhere. Steinfinn and his men slept in the great hall, and they followed their master wherever he went, but they neither could nor would do much work on the estate, so that he had great cost and little gain of the whole band.

  Nevertheless the farm work at Frettastein was seen to in a way, for the old bailiff, Grim, and Dalla, his sister, were children of one of Steinfinn’s grandmother’s thralls, and they had no thought beyond the welfare of their young master. But now, when Steinfinn had need of a return from his outlying farms, he cared neither to see nor to speak with his own tenants and bailiffs—and Kolbein, who took charge of all such matters in his stead, brought with him trouble without end.

  Ingebjörg Jonsdatter had been a skilful housewife, and in former days this had made great amends for her husband’s lavish and indolent ways. But now she hid herself in the little outhouse with her maids, and the rest of the household scarcely saw her. She spent her days in pondering and repining, never inquired of the condition of the house or estate, but rather seemed to be angered if any disturbed her thoughts. Even with her children, who lived with their mother in the outhouse, she was silent, caring little for how they fared or what they did. Yet before, in the good days, she had been a tender mother, and Steinfinn Toresson had been a happy and loving father, proud of their strong and handsome children.