[244]. See Landnama v., 2; Hrafnkel Freysgodis Saga, pp. 4–6.
[245]. Olaf Tryggvason Heimskringla, ch. 65, 66.
[246]. Kjalnesinga, 2; Droplaugarsona, Saga about Bessi temple, Landnáma v. 12.
[247]. Landowner (see p. [496]).
[248]. Adam of Bremen about 1070 writes that not far from Sictona (Sigtuna) is the temple Ubsola, where were the three gods, Thor, Wodan and Fricco (Frey). What he says about this temple makes it evident that not only its roof but also the whole inside of the structure was covered with gold plates. Further he says that close to it there was a large tree, which no one knew, and which stretched its branches far out, and was always green, as well as a spring, near which the heathen made their sacrifices, and wherein a live man was thrown; the people believed that his wishes would be fulfilled, in case he sank; also a golden chain went around the temple, and hung from the roof.
[249]. Saxo writes that the Danish king Halfdan journeyed to Upsala in order to find out the cause of his daughter’s sterility, and was answered that he must first satisfy the spirit of his brother, whom he had unwittingly slain; this he did, and then she, in accordance with the promise of the oracle, bore Harald Hilditönn.
At the present old Upsala church there were discovered the foundations of an old building, a mass of coals, molten copper and silver pieces, with small traces of pure gold, as well as a rusty nail with a little gold on it, and finally skulls of pigs and hawks, and cheekbones and teeth of horses, all of which tend to show that the old heathen temple of Upsala, so famous during pagan times, stood there. (Verelius Notæ in epist. def. Shefferi, p. 16.)
[250]. This implies that in the sacred precincts there were several buildings.
[251]. Gridastad means place of truce.
[252]. The writer or copyist seems to have been a Christian.