John Steel was enlisted as a liegeman in 1217 (alongside Ivar Nosy) by King Haakon IV of Norway and Earl Skule Bårdsson.
[5] Originally starting with a "fair breeze off Jadar", they spent half a month in Lykr and consequently ran low on provisions.
[8] During the meeting, he gave a short speech: "We thought, we old Birchshanks when we underwent most toil with King Sverre of Norway and stood it out against many bands that there would be no need of such talk as this; for we all fought to save his inheritance for himself and his offspring.
"[9]Steel revealed his past in this speech; he was a loyal veteran of King Sverre's army and referred to several lawmen who advised Skule to push his claim to the throne after his brother.
Arnbjorn Johnson proceeded to make a jest that the lawmen were probably drunk when they said it or had been bribed, showing that he agreed with John Steel.