One of the most disputed sagas is Odd Munk s saga of Olav Tryggvason. Here the relationship between Olav and Erling is expanded beyond what we find in Snorre. Odd s saga tells the fantastic legend of how Olav Tryggvason escaped the Battle of Svolder and, tired of war and killing, ended his days in a cloister. One of the sensational aspects of this legend is that Olav is supposed to have sent a messenger to his sister, Astrid, and her husband, Erling, telling them about his pious decision. When, with great astonishment, they received the letter, the envoy produced Olav s knife and ring, to convince them of the truth of the message.
Historians consider the tale to be pure legend.
Such a good relationship between King Olav and the King of Rogaland would explain more clearly why Olav, certain of dependable support from Erling, chose Nidaros as his capital. Olav Tryggvason fell in the year 1000, after only five years as king. When, fifteen years later, Olav Haraldsson made his bid to be the single king of Norway, the result was war. Erling was a thorn in the eye of the new Olav. Or perhaps he was equally as powerful as the king.