And when they came to the holt that is there, the boy died; and they buried him there in the holt, called since Grimsholt. Egil went to Arinbjorn and got there a good welcome. Upon this they went and came to the water, and saw no ship there fit to launch. The cattle they drove to the shore and slaughtered, putting on board as much as the boat would hold; then they rowed out by the sound between the islands. After Alfred, Edward his son was king in England. He came to Bjorn's house, and was well received there. 'He back his buckler flings And it was so that one day, when the weather was cold, Egil went to the fire to warm himself. He was wealthy and much honoured of men. The messengers said this too, that Athelstan had a numerous force, but he had come into the town on that same day when the messengers came there. What poet deep hath plunged. The odds of numbers were great, yet more of Adils' men fell than of Egil's. . 'Most woful the breach, But king Eric cannot now hide this from himself, that every king is now stronger than is he, whereas a little while ago it had been deemed incredible that king Eric would not have the will and energy to avenge his wrongs on such a one as Egil. Smitten fast and furious; May Frey and Njord make flee! With war-fleet's thundering sound, After this Skallagrim and his men took out to their ships and captured ship and her cargo. We have urged many arduous claims of money against powerful persons, but we were in more confidence with the king than now; for the friendship between me and king Hacon is shallow; yet must I act after the old saw: He must tend the oak who is to dwell beneath it. So when the time came, Egil prepared to go, and with him Asgerdr his wife; they were a company of ten or twelve in all. But when they paid it the king himself was present and saw. So Thorgils made ready a large ship of burden belonging to Thorolf, and put the tribute on board, and taking about twenty men sailed southward after the king, and found him in Naumdale. Lances aye were cast, And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. So he went into the field with the house-carles. As before, he held a fair with the Finns, and travelled far and wide over Finmark. Then Egil recited this stave: 'From Norway king's keeping, 'Great will have been the difference,' said Harek, 'and at Torgar the company at the banquet will have been the most numerous. They took a rowing-ship of Skallagrim's, went southwards along the coast, stood in to Ostra Firth, then travelled by land up to Vors to the lake there; and, their course lying so that they must cross it, they got a suitable rowing-ship and ferried them over, whence they had not very far to go to the farm where the king was being entertained. But when he was quite ready and a fair wind blew, he embarked on a boat with twelve men and rowed in to Aurland, and they went up to the homestead and to his mother's bower. Thorir went home when he was ready, and told the brothers the words of the king and of the queen. Steinar was high and mighty about his cause: he had, as he thought, charges good in law, and helpers strong enough to win his rights. There was fought a great battle, with much slaughter in either host. Skallagrim went his way with his comrades till he reached home; he then told Kveldulf of this journey. It chanced in the autumn, shortly before winter, that Thord rode in to Borg to find Egil his kinsman; and he bade him to a banquet. They asked a truce of one day for their journey home, another for deliberation, a third to return to Olaf. But when they came to the wood, then Egil stopped, and he said: 'This our going is all wrong, and not warlike. Want of ale thou couldst allege, And hidden earth in veil This ship they had taken in their summer freebooting. Then he seized Egil. Egil heard tidings from east over the seas that Eric Bloodaxe had fallen in the west while freebooting; but Gunnhilda and her sons and Eric's had gone to Denmark, and all those that had followed Eric to England had left that country. He thrust Bard right through the middle with the sword, so that the point went out at the back. She bade him then slay some one of Thorolf's men rather than let everything fail. Show More. When he was dead, then Grim had Egil dressed in goodly raiment, and carried down to Tjalda-ness; there a sepulchral mound was made, and in it was Egil laid with his weapons and his raiment. Then Egil spoke: 'What is it now, daughter? Thord Grani's son was then twenty years old; he was very strong. Brynjolf his father ill liked what Bjorn had done; he thought there was dishonour therein, whereas there had been ere this long friendship between Thorir and Brynjolf. And this latter counsel prevailed. Of high-born chief. 'There sate in might Thorir was glad that the match was to be made. There are also poems which show a much softer side to the Icelandic male characters. All that Harek said his companions confirmed, and none there ventured to gainsay. In gruesome wrath a king: Then they parted with much affection. At Moss-fell were the summer-sheds of the milch kine, and during the Thing-time Thordis was at the sheds. But that same autumn Bjorn took men and went with a cutter well equipt northwards to the Firths, and came to Thorir's when he was not at home. But some while after Bjorn took to him another wife; she was named Alof, the daughter of Erling the wealthy of Ostr. Upon this they separated, Egil and his men going up the ridge. ', The king said that he could expect nought but good from Thorolf, 'because,' said he, 'I deserve nought else; yet men tell two tales of thee as to thy being careful to win my approval. He asked whether Thorolf were at home at Torgar. 'First tell I forth But Kari of Berdla and his son Eyvind Lambi went back south in the ship which Thorolf had brought north, and so home to Kari's farm. Now must ye two go after their party and slay them all, and let none bear this slander before the king. This was easy, for there was no defence. Oaths that are meet and true.'. Thereafter, this done, let your dealings together end as they may. Names in my poesy Five escaped, all sore wounded, but three fell there. And when they had raised their tent, and made arrangements, Thorolf went up to the farm buildings with twenty men. [13], Egill joined the army of King thelstan, and he composed a drpa in praise of the king. Thorolf was healed of his wounds, and followed the king, and had won great glory. He went into the fire-hall, and up to the man who there had the overseeing of work and the management of moneys for Skallagrim, and was most dear to him. And praise his feats hath crowned. Egil had had another son named Gunnar, who had died a short time before. With a fair wind he held on south to Denmark, and thence into the Baltic, where he harried through that summer, but got no good booty. Sword-play-stirrer good, And when the stern-castles were opposite, then Egil hurled a spear and smote in the middle the man who sat steering, Kettle Hod to wit, and at once he got his bane. That voyage is now most highly spoken of. But Egil will not let himself be hindered, unless you stay behind. High-throned and dread; Bernard (trans.) And to Arinbjorn's kinsmen and friends he showed great dislike, putting some to death, driving some from the land, or laying on them other hard conditions. They stopped therefore and rested. And then he freed his comrades; but when they were all loosed they searched round for the likeliest place to get out. O'er corse-strown lanes, Thorolf prepared a banquet for the king at great cost; it was fixed for when the king should come there. Many Britons and Scots fell, but some turned and fled. At that time these were a great lair of freebooters, because through the islands sailed many merchant-ships. Harmful doth lay. His shipmates did as he had bidden them do; they laid him in a coffin, and shot it overboard. Please try again later. And as the day wore on they stopped to bait their horses; this was near a wooded ridge. ', Egil said, 'The king will let us get law and justice in this matter, and with your help it seems no great thing in my eyes to take the law of Bergonund. The king answered his questions, and said that all had received him well, each after his means. That is a far more even match than that I should fight with Fridgeir, for I shall deem me no whit the greater man though I lay him low on earth. Then the difference of strength was seen, and Atli fell right back, but Egil went down prone upon him and bit through his throat. They spoke much of what a toilsome way they had come that evening, but the house-carles thought it a great marvel that they had won through it at all; it was, they said, no road for man even were it free of snow. Then Arinbjorn went away, and had food and drink carried to the upper room. The brothers made them ready for this, and, taking each one his long-ship, went to seek Thorgils, and learnt that he was come from the west, and had sailed northwards along the coast. Thorir bade him be with him. He was temple-priest, and ruled over that temple, to which all paid tribute within Skards-heath. The king fixed such fine as he thought fit; Thorir paid it all and went home. But when he came to the dunes below Lamba-stead he lay in wait there. He was there accepted as king. Then Thorolf went home to his estate, and his comrades with him. Thorolf set Finns to spy out the movements of the Kylfings, and he followed after to search for them, and came upon thirty men in one den, all of whom he slew, letting none escape. The question was put before the men whether they should go up or not. Which when Thorstein heard, he took his weapons and went out to the door. The country folk fled to the forest. As for Aulvir and his comrades, the king let them go in peace, as guiltless in this matter. They are even now ready for their journey. There was a man named Kettle Hing, son of Thorkel earl of Naumdale, and of Hrafnilda daughter of Kettle Hing of Hrafnista. Ere the giver of conquest, There were many rooms, so this took them a long time. [33] Later, in chapter 38, Skallagrim composes an insulting poem about King Eirik after the king had given Skallagrim a gift not commensurate with his worth. Stript and all bare. The frowning steep, But as for you, Steinar, seeing that you devised to rob my son Thorstein of his property which he took with my authority, and I took by inheritance after my father, you shall therefore lose your land at Anabrekka, and have no payment for the same. Then spoke Gunnhilda with her brothers: 'I would fain that you two should so manage matters in this crowded gathering, that ye get to slay one of the two sons of Skallagrim, or, better still, both. He came here and asked my daughter to wife; but we answered at once, refusing the match. Then the king bade that they should row after them northwards by the sound. Thereon I bethink me, Seat of sight and thought. Thorir was on most intimate terms with the king then. Now, after flitting days, Thorstein bade gather the wethers that had been left behind in spring, meaning to have them driven to the fell. Bjorn said he would take this as his father willed. He values honor, loyalty, respect, and friendship above all other things. Thord had Aurland, the estate on which his father had dwelt. They had the wind blowing hard against them, and sharp gale and troublesome; but they pursued their journey vigorously, taking to their oars. Egil had one large war-ship, and on board thereof a hundred men or thereabouts. But king Athelstan made a quick decision on this matter, and thus bespake the messengers: 'Bear ye these my words to king Olaf, that I will give him leave for this, to go home to Scotland with his forces; only let him restore all the property that he has wrongfully taken here in the land. Hunt him away, be wroth, Fain am I full swiftly Thorolf was far beyond children of his own age in strength. Great is this honour to thee, my lord, when thine enemies travel of their own free will from other lands, and deem they cannot endure thy wrath though thou be nowhere near. They unloaded their ships, then searched the land eastward of the river, bringing their cattle after them. Web | Soon after this Asgerdr died. Arinbjorn went to seek Eric's sons, and joined the company of Harold Gray-fell his foster-son, and was with him henceforth so long as they both lived. We will now make us ready as expecting an encounter.' Hacon went northwards to Throndheim. Till, with his wights o'erborne, King Harold lay with his fleet in the Firths, whence he sent messengers round the land to such as had not come to him, but with whom he thought he had business. It was in Athelstan's dominions; he had set over it two earls, the one named Alfgeir, the other Gudrek. By this he had got great store of wealth and many costly things. King Audbjorn went with his forces northwards to Mra; there he joined king Arnvid and Solvi Bandy-legs, and altogether they had a large host. Then came up Egil and his men on the other bank. All present were agreed on this, that Alfgeir was most to blame, and thought it were but his due to lose his earldom. Somewhat ill to manage was he when at play with other lads. An men silence hold: With wounds and din around. He appears to be a shallow creature and in many instances the only time he appears to put much thought into anything is when he composes and recites poetry. They were there through the winter with twelve men. As fiery serpent By his gods who doth curse. King Eric left him behind to protect Bergonund. Bjorn took this matter well, and said that Arinbjorn should chiefly decide this. They dug a grave there, and laid Thorolf therein with all his weapons and raiment. Whereupon Aulvir started northwards for the Firths, nor stayed his journey till he came one evening to these twain. Gat Eric's name. The strength of the land is too little to need thy coming with an army, yet thou must not come hither again with few followers, for there are here many disloyal people.'. Egil claimed property that had belonged to Bjorn Yeoman, lands and chattels. Then he and Arinbjorn parted in friendship. Two brothers there were named Thorvald Proud and Thorfid Strong, near kinsmen of Bjorn Yeoman, and brought up with him. Odd was then head-man in Borgar-firth, south of White-river. The night was then light enough for travel. 'I think,' said Thorolf, 'that Bjorn would soonest go to Norway, if he could be there in peace. In Bragi's town.'. ', 'Ljot asketh but little, Then they opened this matter before the king, and said that a certain man had come named Thorolf, Skallagrim's son. Nor is it wonderful in a man like Thorolf that he thinks himself above everyone; he wants not for strength and comeliness; he keeps a guard round him like a king; he has wealth in plenty, even though he had but what is truly his, but besides that he holds others' property equally at his disposal with his own. Then he said that Egil should command these: 'But Thorolf,' said he, 'shall be with his own men and such others as I add thereto. Next spring he moved his ship southwards to the firth, and into the creek close to where Kveldulf came to land; and there he set his homestead, and called it Borg, and the firth Borgar-firth, and so too the country-side further up they named after the firth. On the evening of a day after sunset they came to Sandness, and saw lying there opposite the farm a long-ship with tent spread, which they knew to be Thorolf's. And it is said that he then had a fit of shape-strength, as had also several of his comrades. Egil said it should be so. Egill forcibly insisted on accompanying Thorolf back to Norway, although Thorolf was reluctant. His first experience of travel comes when his father excludes him from a family visit to his grandfather. Aulvir Hnuf was standing near, and he bade the king not be wroth. Wolf-gray of hue They brought thither a swift twenty-benched long-ship well manned, which they had before used in sea-roving. He said: 'Is this tribute now paid all that ye took in Finmark? 'Early waked I, Now will I not take that counsel; serve thee I will not, for I know I should get no luck by yielding thee such service as I should wish and as would be worthy. After this Thorolf embarked and went his way. When King Harald Tangle-Hair rolls over Norway to subject all its petty kings to his rule, his handsome forecastleman Thorolf, son of Kveldulf, serves with distinction, and is made a great chief. Never shall I find me There will be few to become friends with me if this man get nothing by it. (Saith a proverb true) Now also dashed at them those who were in front of the rocky brow; and when Egil saw that, he turned to meet them. The king answered and said that he would not again accept entertainment from Thorolf; so Thorolf went out, and made ready to return home. Earl Alfgeir commanded one division, and the standard was borne before him. Hkon denied Egill's claim, so Arinbjrn compensated Egill with forty marks of silver. Skapti the priest, Thorarin's son, a wise man, was there at the time. So when they were ready and a fair wind blew, he sailed out to sea, and his voyage sped well. Arinbjorn early showed himself a manly fellow and a doughty. But Egil went back to the wood, where he found his comrades, and they all went together to the ship. But inside of the island was a shallow sound between it and other islands. Thorstein did as he bade; he held conference with them. 'I will now,' said he, 'sit at home and leave serving kings. And as they came on the edge of the bank, Lambi suddenly threw Steinar from the sandhill down on to the flat sand, and himself ran home. Bjorgolf and his son Brynjolf had long held the office of going to the Finns, and collecting the Finns' tribute. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Welcomed. The next tidings were that Thora Bjorn's wife fell sick and died. King Eric had Atla-island well searched as soon as it was light; this took some time, the island being large, and Egil was not found. ', Hildirida's sons had been that winter with king Harold, and in their company twelve men of their own household and neighbours. And now thou wilt bring forward the sons of Skallagrim to this, that they will yet again smite down some of thy near kin. Atli had the same arming as Egil. Egil then sang: 'Old haltered horse I waver, But when all were armed, then went they to the king's house. ', Whereupon Egil rowed back to the ship, and bade the men rise and take their weapons. A bay ran up west of the ness, and above this bay stood a good-sized rocky hill. War-falcon's feeder meetly My request and wish, O king, is this, that thou come and visit me at my home, and the hear word of men whom thou trustest, what witness they bear to me in this matter; thereafter do as thou findest proof to warrant.'. From Thorstein have come numerous descendants; many great men, many poets: they are of the stock of the Myra-men, as are all who sprang from Skallagrim. So Harold gained the Naumdalesmen and Halogaland, and he set rulers over his realm there. The other daughter was Thora, who was married to Thormod Kleppjarn's son. Praise to honoured king: Full soon from Odin's thane A little beyond this a bay of no great size cuts into the land. However Egil would not have it, and bade them go home; so they did so and turned back. But when they began to talk together, Thorir begged the king not to take it amiss that he had Egil with him that winter. But, on the battle being joined, the Norsemen charged furiously forwards, bearing shields stronger than those of the Kvens; the slaughter turned to be in the Kiriales' ranks many fell, some fled. 'Neath windy heaven. King Athelstan had passed the night before in the town whereof mention was made above, and there he heard rumour that there had been fighting on the heath. ', Thorolf looked on either hand where stood his house-carles; then said he: 'Loth were I to deliver up these my followers: about thy titles and grants to me, O king, thou wilt have thine own way, but my following I will not deliver up while my means last, though I manage at my own sole cost. Wise words choose I for the cup In fact, Thorir was Skallagrim's foster-brother. Such cruel wrong, This river they crossed, and still went up along North-river; then they soon saw where the little river fell out of a cleft, and they called it Cleave-river. I will that we both travel the same road.' Skallagrim and Kveldulf then recaptured a boat that had been seized from Thorolf, and after killing everyone on board, sent a taunting poem to the King. King Eric had six or seven long-ships all well equipt; a great number of landowners were also there. Thenceforward he ruled the house. With that Egil threw down the horn, but gripped his sword and drew; it was dark in the room. But Egil rode home southwards to Ness, father and son parting on friendly terms. In counsels bold. Fierce-frowning cliffs that shaded But Thorstein sent messengers to king Hacon to bring him the tribute for which Egil had gone to Vermaland. Egil's Saga . The king did not altogether refuse this, if father and son would come to him. London . Great beams had been brought home and lighted, as was the custom there, by setting fire to the beam-end and so burning it lengthwise. ', The king said: 'Set fire to the room; I will not waste my men by doing battle with him outside; I know that Thorolf will work us great man-scathe if he come out, though he has fewer men than we.'. And when Egil came down and saw how matters stood, he ran at full speed right at the throng. . But when the meeting was to be held about men's lawsuits, both the parties went where the court was set, to plead their proofs. And when they were ready and the wind blew fair, they sailed out to sea. Bard and the queen sent Egill a poisoned drink, but the attempt was foiled by Egill, who inscribed runes on the horn and besmeared it with his own blood, causing the horn to shatter.
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