Medieval Sourcebook:
From The Heimskringla:
Northern Fairs, c. 998-1026
The Fair at Upsala, c. 9 In Svithjod it was the old
custom, as long as heathenism prevailed, that the chief sacrifice took place in Goe month
at Upsala. Then sacrifice was offered for peace, and victory to the king; and thither came
people from all parts of Svithjod. All the Things of the Swedes, also, were held
here, and markets, and meetings for buying, which continued for a week: and after
Christianity was introduced into Svithjod, the things and fairs were held there as
before. After Christianity had taken root in Svithjod, and the kings would no longer dwell
in Upsala, the market-time was moved to Candlemas, and it has since continued so, and it
lasts only three days..
The Fair at Nidaaros, c. 998: King Olaf Trygvason with his people
went out to Nidaaros, and made houses on the flat side of the river Nid, which he raised
to be a merchant town, and gave people ground to build houses upon. The king's house he
had built just opposite Skipakrok; and he transported thither, in harvest, all that was
necessary for his winter residence, and had many people about him there....
The Fair at Bjarmaland, c. 1026: When they came to Bjarmaland they went straight to
the merchant town, and the market began. All who had money to pay with got filled up with
goods. Thorer also got a number of furs, and of beaver and sable skins. Karle had a
considerable sum of money with him, with which he purchased skins and furs. When the fair
was at an end, they went out of the Vina river, and then the truce of the country people
was also at an end....
Source:
From: Samuel Laing, trans., The Heimskringla, A History of the Kings of Norway,
(New York: The Norroena Society, 1911), Vol. I, p. 342, reprinted in Roy C. Cave &
Herbert H. Coulson, A Source Book for Medieval Economic History, (Milwaukee: The
Bruce Publishing Co., 1936; reprint ed., New York: Biblo & Tannen, 1965), pp. 117-118.
Scanned by Jerome S. Arkenberg, Cal. State Fullerton. The text has been modernized by
Prof. Arkenberg.
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