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162 EELIGION OF THE NOETHMEN.
denoting the ruler of a hera8, both in his priestly
and temporal calling. As the dignity t)f Hersir was
properly hereditary in Norway, so was the Go5or8
ia Iceland- to be regarded as the possession of cer-
tain families. v
Although the barons in Norway were thus, as
GoSi, the actual priests of the Asa-faith, there were
also other secular rulers who conducted the public
worship of the Gods. Kings or Jarls often directed
the great sacrificial festivals which were attended
by all the inhabitants of greater or smaller portions
of the country, and they had the chief seats at the
sacrificial banquets -connected with them.* It was
believed that the zeal of the kings in the worship
of the Gods brought prosperity to the people, while
negligence in this respect on their part brought ruin
upon the wholes country, caused unpropitious sea-
sons and famine. For a neglect of this kind king
Olaf Tr6telgia of Vermaland had to atone with his
life;f while on the other hand, to Hakon Jarl's
zeal in the worship of the JEsir was attributed the
fruitfulness which, after many years of scarcity, re-
turned to Norway when he became the ruler of the
coimtry.:]: Moreover, every one could worship at
his home the Deities which he adored the most
therefore it was not unusual for the rich landsman
to,have near Hs house a temple in which he performed
the priestly rites for himself.§
* Fri8>j6f8 S., 9; Snor.: Sag, U&k. G66a, 16, 18.
t
Snor. :
Yngl. S., 47.
t lb.: Sag. 01. Tryggv., 16.
§ Olaf Tryggv. S. in Fommanna Sogur, 145, 201 ; Droplauga
Bonar S. 26.