King Olaf had much trouble in converting him to Christianity and in getting him to take the christening. He succeeded as we shall see from the following quotation, but Halfreðr clung in secret to the faith of his fathers, the hope of a future life in Valhalla as we note from the many references to the old northern gods in his songs and the way in which he talks of them. So frequently did he call upon the pagan deities that Olaf often talked to him about it and mistrusted that he was not really converted to the Cross.
The Christening of Halfred The Troublous-Skald.
Heimskringla, Vol. I. Sturlason.
“On a day went the King a-walking in the street, and certain men met him, and he of them who went first greeted the King; and the King asked him of his name, and he named himself Hallfreðr.”
“Art thou the skald?” said the king.
Said he, “I can make verses.”
Then said the King:—“Wilt thou take christening, and become my man thereafter?”
Saith he:—“This shall be our bargain: I will let myself be christened, if thou, King, be thyself my gossip, but from no other man will I take it.”
The King answerest:—“Well, I will do that.”