18 The League Between King Harald and Svein Ulfson
Harald found there before him Svein Ulfson, who the autumn before (A.D. 1045) had fled from King Magnus at Helganes; and when they met they were very friendly on both sides. The Swedish king, Olaf the Swede, was brother of the mother of Ellisif, Harald’s wife; and Astrid, the mother of Svein, was King Olaf’s sister. Harald and Svein entered into friendship with each other and confirmed it by oath. All the Swedes were friendly to Svein, because he belonged to the greatest family in the country; and thus all the Swedes were Harald’s friends and helpers also, for many great men were connected with him by relationship. So says Thiodolf:
“Cross the East sea the vessel flew,—
Her oak-keel a white furrow drew
From Russia’s coast to Swedish land.
Where Harald can great help command.
The heavy vessel’s leeward side
Was hid beneath the rushing tide;
While the broad sail and gold-tipped mast
Swung to and fro in the hard blast.”