When Erling Skjalgsson laid siege to Avaldsnes, king Olav was in church. On the advice of bishop Sigurd the king negotiated with the attacker. He decided not to carry out the death sentence for murder on Asbjörn on one condition, that of the ancient custom that he should replace the murdered man and become the king’s governor. Asbjörn agreed as long as, prior to this, he was able to visit his own home. There he was convinced by his kinsmen that he should not become the “king’s thrall” and should, instead, remain lord of himself and his people.