The Historia Norwegie names "Berno" as fourth son of "Haraldus Comatus", recording that he was reared "in Grenlandia". Under his father's division of territories, Vingulmark, Raumarike, Vestfold and Thelamark were granted to Olav, Björn, Sigtryg, Frode and Thorgils.
King in Vestfold, based at Tunsberg, and "promised to become a good ruler". He promoted merchant expeditions to procure "for himself costly articles", earning himself the nicknames "Farman/Seaman" and "Kaupman/the Chapman" among his brothers.
He was killed by retainers of his half-brother Erik after a dispute about who should deliver the tribute from his kingdom to their father. He was buried "in the mound of Farmanshaug at Saeheim".
Snorre records that Björn "made a good and suitable marriage" but does not name his wife. 1
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