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50 A History of Sweden
or maimed. The violence of the viking spirit was with
him still. In such manner Olaf finally succeeded in
converting the coast provinces of Norway.
But his power awakened alarm and envy in the
neighboring kings, Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark and
Olof Lapking (Skotkonung) of Sweden. According
to tradition the trouble was also fomented by a re-
vengeful woman. Olof Lapking’s mother Sigrid, a
beautiful widow, had many suitors, but rejected them
all. For her pride and great power she was called
"Storrada" (Imperious) . Two petty kings, whose suits
she had rejected again and again, she caused to be
burned to death, in order to be let alone. But an offer
of marriage from Olaf Tryggvesson she accepted, as it
was an offer worthy of her. Olaf then wanted her to
accept baptism, but she refused. "I will not," she said,
"give up my religion and that of my kindred before me,
but I will not object to your worshiping the god you
believe in." Then the king flared up and struck her
face with his glove, saying, "Why should I marry you,
a pagan dog?" "This may be your death," was her
reply. Soon after she married Sweyn Forkbeard.
Sigrid stirred up her husband, king of Denmark,
and her son, king of Sweden, and they formed an am-
bush against Olaf Tryggvesson, when he was return-
ing from an expedition against Pomerania. Off the
Island of Svolder, presumably near Riigen, they lay in
wait for him with a superior Swedish and Danish fleet.
Even Norwegian ships were along, for they had a Nor-
wegian jarl (earl) as an ally. The confederates kept
their fleet hid behind the island until Olaf himself
should appear. There stood the two kings and many
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