They encountered a fresh head-wind, and rowed night and day, making what progress they could. Of the wild sea-mew, None with rude jeer, Far other treatment should I have expected of thee, than that thou wouldst prefer seeing me laid dead on the earth to granting me the boon I crave of one man's life. This force shall be opposed to that part of the enemy which is loose and not in set array, for the Scots are ever loose in array; they run to and fro, and dash forward here and there. They so regulated their pace that they came to Fenhring at eventide, and put into a hidden creek there. Nothing is told of their journey before they came to the island called Hod, and went to pass the night at a farm named Bindheim. 'Spears crossing dashed, Of these, one was twelve years old, the other ten, and both were lads of promise. Hack we shield with falchion, Great Eric's brow: Bernard (trans.) In the forecastle of the king's ship were Thorolf Kveldulfsson, Bard the White, Kari of Berdla's sons, Aulvir Hnuf and Eyvind Lambi, and in the prow were twelve Berserks of the king. While visiting, word arrived from Norway that Thorstein's father died leaving him a large inheritance. So they went back and told the king of their journey, and that Grim and his comrades would now have got clear over the lake. The other slain: a sovereign Ljot was a man of vast size and strong. The Frisians came to a dyke, over which they went, and then drew away the bridge. I will now that every man embark on his ship and go home. Then answered many who stood by, and all with one mind, that it was a slander of wicked men if such words had been spoken, and Thorolf would be found guiltless. O'er carrion course thou heard'st not May rescue the maiden; They set up their standard, which was borne by Thofid the Strong. But Egil took his ships, cargo, and weapons. A choice company it was: Egil had brought with him the best landowners' sons from the southern Nesses, those whom he thought the most warlike. Go we back to the house, and let him know what hath befallen.'. (While much he honoured He fixed it up by his seat. On learning this, the earls who ruled there mustered their force and went against the king. Egil had there bought much wood, which he was having conveyed home by water: for this his house-carles went, taking with them an eight-oared boat belonging to Egil. This plan they fixed upon, and so ended the council. And when Bjorn was ready for going, then Bera said she would fain have Asgerdr, her foster-child, left-behind. For to eyes of all Streams the battle-tide. Oleif accepted this, and moved thither his household, and set there his homestead by Warm-brook as it is called. Egil said: 'I would fain, good fellow, you should go into the hall and ask Arinbjorn whether he will rather speak without or within to Egil Skallagrimsson. Egill went in Thorsteinn's place. He was even then purposing to sail away, and had bidden them brew the ale for their parting carousal. For I deem him to be no friend of yours, and for good reason as he thinks. Then Thorstein with his company rode out over the moor, taking with them the boy Grim. Few now I find Egil inquired where in the town Arinbjorn was housed. The haft was now black with smoke, and the blade rusted. Sigurd said that he would hold to all that they had arranged; so they fixed the wedding-day, and Bard with his party were to come north to Sandness. But when they came where it lay, they put in to land. Then sang Egil: 'In struggle sternly hard In war-god's wine of song The character of Egill is complex and full of seeming contradictions. She went home with him to Hjardarholt. Our sea-swan doth buffet Draught of Odin's wave King Olaf's messengers declare before Athelstan their errand and the proposals for peace. [34] In chapters 55 and 81, Egill composes two powerful poems that show how grief-stricken he is when his brother rlfr and his son Bvar (Bodvar) die. Egil stood up, and went to his place and sang: 'Blind near the blaze I wander, Eleven faced I twice, Dark deeds men love, Quelled the quarrel-seeker: That same autumn old Bjorgolf journeyed from home in a cutter of his own, with thirty men aboard. [24] In chapters 55 and 81, Egill composes two powerful poems that show how grief-stricken he is when his brother rlfr and his son Bvar (Bodvar) die. Aunund was tall, and the strongest of those men who were then in the country-side; nay, some doubted whether he were not shape-strong. Now therefore not from ignorance, Steinar, did you act in grazing on Thorstein's land, for you, Steinar, and you, Aunund, might know that Ani received the land of my father Grim: but you encroached on his land, thinking that he would be so degenerate as tamely to submit to your robbery. And when Thorstein landed there, he then preferred his claim to his father's property before the stewards who were settled on his farm. The weather was calm, a fell-wind blew by night, a sea breeze by day. [21], Egill joined the army of King thelstan, and he composed a drpa in praise of the king. Then said Egil: 'Now will I go up into the island and spy out what I can get to know; but you shall await me here. They had so pitched that in every third tent there were no men at all, and in one of every three but few. Egil told his father that he wished to go. The king answered his questions, and said that all had received him well, each after his means. Yngvar accepted this offer. Eric England's warder Bereft of peace. It now happened that Steinar in the early part of the winter went out to Snfell-strand and stayed there awhile. And when the appointed time came, there was a very grand feast at Egil's marriage. All the movable goods that they could carry they took with them, but their lands none dared buy, for fear of the king's power. Then Thorstein and Aunund took hands, and named them witnesses, declaring withal that Egil Skallagrimsson should along judge this cause, as he would, without appeal, then and there at the Thing. But when Kveldulf with his men came to the gangway-end, he went out by the stern gangway, while Skallagrim went forward to the other gangway. Egil took this offer with thanks. A proud pile built I Just then the herd-boys chanced to come up. But when day dawned, Thorolf's sentries saw the army approaching. We may by this mark how he will bear our matter before the king, that he threw in our face such a charge, the taking the life of the king's men. But in that summer when Hacon and Eric had met and contended for Norway, all travel to any land from Norway was forbidden; so in that summer there came to Iceland from Norway neither ship nor tidings. Thou, too, hast bestowed on him large grants, and he had now made all ready to repay them with ill. For this is the truth that I tell thee: when it was learnt that thou wert coming north to Halogaland with no more force than three hundred men, the counsel of people here was that an army should assemble and take thy life, O king, and the lives of all thy force. Gave nought again. After that Thorolf and Bjorn went their way to Sogn. [2] [3] The work is generally referred to as Egla in Icelandic pronounced as /kla/ by Icelandic scholars. High uplifted All that Harek said his companions confirmed, and none there ventured to gainsay. And open doth stand In chapter 80, Egill composes another praise poem of 25 stanzas expressing his gratitude towards his lifelong friend Arinbjrn for saving his life in his meeting with King Eirkr. When the messengers came to Olaf he was just beginning to make ready his army, and purposing to attack. This wealth-craving wight. To brother can stand Thou wilt not let it be so, father, with him who has been the first to give me such a treasure. His son Eric, by-named Bloodaxe, was then quite young. Thorolf was then taller and stronger than other men, and herein like his father. Green, W. C. Egil's Saga. Then came out Sigridr the mistress, and with her the women that were within, and the others to whom permission was given. 'I should like,' said Bard, 'to give you better drink if I had any.'. Smite upon the grave-gate Then they put in by a ness. Let me hear. 'That mark he hitteth Whom Hela, the sister A little after came king Olaf with his army; they, too, encamped and made their arrangements where their men had before placed their tents. He had now been long abroad. Now I would fain have your help in the recovery of this. Whom friends all fail. Soon dark with bloody stain Bows were bent amain, There was a man named Thorgeir. But the business here in Halogaland put thou into the hands of men who are moderate and will serve thee faithfully, and have kinsfolk here, men whose relatives have had the same work here before. Now as he came over against the Thing-field, Iri came running to meet them, and said that he wished to speak to Thorstein alone. 0140447709 . And better deemed I Thereafter he rowed in to Alrekstead, and bade Frodi to his house, for he had a great ale-drinking there. Cloaking thus thy churlish greed. He and his rested there themselves and their beasts. And when he came there he found men to speak to, and asked where Thorstein was. Then rowed out of the haven many other ships of Arinbjorn's people, cutters and row-boats; but the long-ship which Arinbjorn steered went last, for it was the heaviest under oars. Thorolf and Egil stayed that winter with Thorir, and were made much of. My bolster-mate's ransom Much ado had they with the horses; but the walking for the men was of the heaviest, and sorely wearied were they when they came off the ridge and saw before them a large house, for which they made. In his hand he grasped his halberd, and then ran forward to meet Bergonund. King Harold thy father took the life of Thorolf, a man of renown, Egil's father's brother, for the slander of bad men, for no crime at all. The two handsome Thorolfs (rlfrs) die heroic deaths, while their brothers Skallagrim and Egill both die in old age after spitefully burying their wealth in the wilderness. But when they came to the staircase head they saw that the loft was open. The Complete Sagas of Icelanders Including 49 Tales. The king said he would prefer to believe this. They were six in all on the eight-oared boat. The gift then given All Egil's children were of good promise and intelligence. Then he went in and out of each firth and round all the islands, and got together every man he could find and every weapon, and it was no secret that this army was to muster for battle against king Harold. But if they turn and fly, they will lose some of their men, and be less bold afterwards for conflict with us. He had a long-ship built, large, and with a dragon's head, fitted out in the best style; this he took with him from the north. ', 'Loth am I in nowise, They soon got tidings from land, and it was told them that Arinbjorn was at home on his estate. Bjorn at once remembered about him, and he went to meet Skallagrim, and they talked together. Brynjolf was made a baron of the king's; the king also gave him large grants beside what he had before. The king said that this should be done. Show More. Seethed there an angry main, He produced tokens and a message from Arinbjorn to the king and also to Egil, that he might be his advocate with the king, so that king Athelstan might send a message from himself to king Hacon, his foster-son, advising that Thorstein should get his inheritance and possessions in Norway. But to-morrow early we will again join company and go on the next evening to Eida-wood. Aunund replied that he was there. Moved my mouth with word On me hath bestowed But when Athelstan had taken the kingdom, then those chieftains who had before lost their power to his forefathers rose in rebellion; now they thought was the easiest time to claim back their own, when a young king ruled the realm. Then Bard asked Thorolf to go north with him, saying (as was true) that he would meet there many of his kin, men of renown, whom he had not yet seen or known. King Eric had six or seven long-ships all well equipt; a great number of landowners were also there. I trust him far more than others; and I shall have my way in this. Atli gave no ground. Then she leapt out from the rock into the water. Then he sang: 'Gloomy on me glowered But when they came home they heard that King Harold was in Rogaland and would remain there for the winter. But Asgerdr, your foster-child, shall go out with me to her father. Alf said: 'I with my house-carles had gone to the wood, and we came on men's footprints; the trail led into the wood, and there must have been many in all. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG) Book. I am now come to look after that property, lands and chattels, and to beg you to give it up and pay it into my hands. Full am I of scorn, The king there took ships belonging to the landowners, and embarked his force on them, having with him his guard; four hundred men they were. Bergljt Kristjnsdttir and Svanhildur skarsdttir (eds). He was black-eyed and brown-skinned. Round the farmhouse were high wooden palings: at these Thorgeir leapt, grasping with his hand the stakes, and so swung himself out of the yard. He dwelt by Eida-wood. On the morrow Aulvir Hnuf went to his kinsman Thorolf; they talked together, Aulvir saying that Thorolf was much slandered, and the king gave ear to such tales. Thorstein ran out on the moor. They came there before daybreak, and formed a ring of men round the place, then raised a war-whoop and wakened those within, who quickly leapt up to their weapons. A light was inside, and servants, who were making the beds. ', 'Then will I give it thee,' said Thorolf, 'if thou wilt take the present. The king said that Thorstein should have leave to dwell in the land, and should be reconciled to him. With bloody blade Then they went on ship-board, and loosed from land. They resolved to go up there, and left behind a third of their force to guard the ships. I know that there will be here with thee men who can in no wise be thought of more martial appearance than I am. Onslaught in flight hath driven, And when the king had so spoken, Arinbjorn saw that it would not do to plead this cause any further with him; so he prepared to return home. He took a good-sized hand-axe, and brandishing it aloft in one hand, brought down the back of it with force on the skull to break it. Men offered to go with him, but he would not; so he and his Easterling friend rode two together. At the age of seven while playing in the ball games (knattleikr), he committed his first murder (axe-killing an older boy who outclassed him in the sport). Aki went to a trapdoor in the floor and opened it, telling them that they should go down by this to the store-room below. A mighty man he became, and he bestowed much care on his ships, equipment, and weapons. This proposal Bjorn took well, his consent was easily won; and it was settled that the betrothal should be there, and a day was fixed for the wedding. At this the goodman thought to steal out in the dark, but Egil was near, and dealt him his death-blow, as he did to many others. And when the wind began to abate, and the surf to calm down, there before them was a wide river-mouth. Till now Bergonund's bane Egill became frail and blind. Egil took the horn, and recited a stave: 'Wizard-worshipper of cairns! Gave as fourth gift to young Egil To the wasteful tract And when Atli's shield was of no use, then he cast it from him, and, grasping his sword with both hands, dealt blows as quickly as possible. Accueil; Solution; Tarif; PRO; Mon compte; France; Accueil; Solution; Tarif; PRO; Mon compte It would soon be shown if Arinbjorn were here in the land, that we should not endure the overbearing of such a fellow as is Ljot. 2,756 ratings182 reviews. Rognvald took the ships that had belonged to Vemund and all the chattels he could get. Soon after this Asgerdr died. Thorgils Yeller was standing near; he made a sweep with his sword at Thorgeir, and cut off his hand along with the fence-stake. Egill and Arinbjrn went raiding in Saxony and Frisia, after which they stayed with Thorstein Thoruson (orsteinn ruson). 'For she is very wroth with you,' said Arinbjorn; 'and this has been made much worse by your encounter with Eyvind near Jutland.'. In winter this is under water, but in spring, when the ice breaks up, such good grazing for cattle is there, that it was deemed equal to stacked hay. And when the king saw that Egil was come in, he bade the lower bench be cleared for them, and that Egil should sit in the high-seat facing the king. The king set his own ship in the van, and there the battle was most stubborn, but the end was that king Harold won the victory. He and Aulvir set them a time when Grim should come to the king. Egil at once ran off from the buildings. While staying with Thorir, Egill became attached to Thorir's son Arinbjorn (Arinbjrn risson), an important figure in the saga and Egill's lifelong friend. We will now make us ready as expecting an encounter.' To me this seems right counsel, while we both live and are so nearly concerned with their quarrel, that we take this cause into our own hands and quash it, and let not Tongue-Odd and Einar match our sons together like fighting horses. Thorstein brought no counter-summons on any charge. Egil had brought in his sledge a very long cord of bast, for it is the wont of those who take long sledging journeys to have with them some spare cord in case the harness need mending. The king's treasury hath a wide entrance, but a narrow exit. Thorir bade Brynjolf send Thora home; no atonement could there be else. Egil undid the lock. Then Egil spoke: 'What is it now, daughter? Ye shall bear my greeting to my son Grim, when ye meet, and tell him withal that if he come to Iceland, and things so turn out that unlikely as it may seem I be there first, then he shall choose him a homestead as near as may be to where I have come ashore.'. Asgerdr, Egil's wife, had remained at Arinbjorn's while they went to the Thing. With a fair wind they sailed north to Vik; there again they fell in with a large merchant-ship belonging to men of Vik, laden with malt and meal. So they told Thorstein that they would be content if Egil went and Thorstein stayed at home. One of the first negative poems in Egill's saga is a threatening poem in chapter 27 that displays Skallagrim's power after he had just plundered a ship and killed many men. ', Gunnhilda said, 'Well can I see by this, Arinbjorn, that thou art more faithful to Egil than to king Eric. Thorolf by his persuasion so managed that Skallagrim yielded and gave men for the outward voyage that summer. Of Odin's cup; A detailed family tree connecting major and minor characters through blood and marriage can be found here, "Egla" redirects here. Shameless in selfish greed Of the sea's breezy brother But in spring they got ready a large war-ship and gathered men thereto, and in summer they went the eastern way and harried; there won they much wealth and had many battles. And such was this; for in the place where the battle was to be the heath was level, with a river flowing on one side, on the other a large wood. For land we sought the law: He had a daughter named Sigridr; she was thought the best match in Halogaland, being his only child and sole heiress to her father. They all remained together for the night. With war-fleet's thundering sound, You think you risk little where I am; and I believe I shall come well out of it if I and Thorstein try our strength together.'. Thorgils was strong of body and right bold of heart; the king had bestowed on him friendly gifts after the battle, and promised him his friendship. From arm beset with rings, Song that all could hear. Eirik declares Egill an outlaw to be killed on sight, and Egill vows vengeance, especially against the manipulative queen. Now there was a handmaid of Skallagrim's named Thorgerdr Brak, who had nursed Egil when a child; she was a big woman, strong as a man, and of magic cunning. There was a man named Thorgeir, a kinsman and friend of Thorstein: he dwelt then at Swan-ness. Some time after Skallagrim's coming out, a ship put into Borgar-firth from the main, commanded by a man named Oleif Halt. They then lay drifting, letting the ship ride free for some nights. This Egil accepted. Thorstein did as he bade; he held conference with them. Of high-born chief. But after his marriage he and Jofridr had ten children. King Eric had then power to bid and ban in this land. Some remained in the room, though sick, some went out of doors. Egil's Saga or Egill's saga is an Icelandic saga (family saga) on the lives of the clan of Egill Skallagrmsson (Anglicised as Egil Skallagrimsson), an Icelandic farmer, viking and skald. Egill's Saga or Egil's saga (Old Norse: Egils saga [eels s]; Icelandic pronunciation:[eijls saa] (listen)) is an Icelandic saga (family saga) on the lives of the clan of Egill Skallagrmsson (Anglicised as Egill Skallagrimsson),[1] an Icelandic farmer, viking and skald. And when summer came, Egil let it be known that he meant to make ready his ship for a voyage out in the summer. Sport I deem the spear-din, Skallagrim was very sharp-sighted. 'Once bare I goodwill Thus they coasted on southwards, and had no tidings of men till they came eastwards to Vik. Arinbjorn asked him to stay there. With speech-moulding tongue. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators. So the king brightened up, and asked tidings of the journey of Thorolf and his company. Further, the king appointed such captains of companies as he thought fit. Then he went back to his own people, and told Kveldulf what he had seen, and withal how he had recognised the ship, being that which once was Thorolf's, and was taken by Hallvard from Thorgils, and doubtless there were some men on board who would be worth catching. ', 'It went,' said Kveldulf, 'just as my mind foreboded, that they marched not to victory who went northwards to fight with Harold Shockhead in Mra; and equally true will this be, that Harold will work much scathe on my kin. After that Eric's sons took the kingdom in Norway. Of these Audun Ill-skald sat innermost, being the oldest; he had been skald to Halfdan Swarthy, king Harold's father. ''Tis Asgerdr your kinswoman; and I would fain have your furtherance to secure this match. But when he heard that freebooters had come to land there, he sent his men to meet them with this errand, to know whether they wished for peace or war. Egil made his demand of money due, but Atli offered against it as a lawful defence the oath of twelve men that he, Atli, had in keeping no money that belonged to Egil. Treacherous trick on such to play.'. [m][24], Egill married his brother Thorolf's widow, Asgerd. summary egils saga english egils saga sparknotes saga of egil skallagrimsson egil s saga penguin Related Books : Paw Prints in the Stars A Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet The New Oxford Book of Christian Verse The Call of the Forest Confessions Of A Narcoleptic Narcolepsy Confessions That rushed and Kettle's ribs Let him get of thee good terms, seeing that he hath so magnified thine honour, as thou now mayst see, by braving many seas and dangers to come hither from his own home. But as soon as king Athelstan heard that so mighty a host was come into his land, he despatched men and summoned forces, sending word to his earls and other nobles. Thorstein Thora's son came to seek Egil, and asked him and such men as he would bring to stay with him that winter. Wolf-gray of hue Then he and his men went thither, and cut in sunder the precinct-ropes and tore down the poles, and scattered the judges. But in the spring Odd and Einar went with Steinar on the journey of summons, taking a large company. But where the blow fell the bone whitened, but neither was dinted nor cracked. The man went into the room and up to where Aulvir sat, and said: 'There be men here outside newly come, twelve together, if men one may call them, for they are liker to giants in stature and semblance than to mortal men.'. This will best rest you.'. But when he was quite ready, then one day Egil went to his father, and asked him to give him an outfit. ', 'Right well,' said he, 'it is a perfect beauty. Of warlike prince. Never ought that shame to be ours. Thus he dashed down to his men, who looked on him as recovered from the dead. And since Egil knew that Grim was a wealthy man and the match was a good one, it was so settled, and Thordis was given to Grim. Then they parted with much affection. Thorstein rode to Swan-ness that evening, as he had intended, and sat there at the feast three nights, after which he made him ready to go home. Egil and his company turned by the shorter way, which lay over the ridge. Wait but awhile, till me Skallagrim came home about midnight, and then went to his place and lay down in his clothes. My hurtling spear hath sounded Then answered Kveldulf: 'Good is that thou tellest; for 'tis an old saw that he will be avenged who falls forward, and that vengeance will reach him who stands before him when he falls; yet is it unlikely that such good-fortune will be ours.'. Open Document. Born heiress, jewell'd dame. Arinbjorn started when ready, and his journey went well; he found king Hacon, and was well received. Arinbjorn talked with Asgerdr, and she made the same answer. And he has gathered such large force as ye cannot withstand if ye encounter it all at once; but he himself goes with two light vessels, and he is even now here close by you.'. To Aulvir Hnuf and his brother he said: 'Take ye Thorolf your kinsman and give him honourable burial; bury also the other men who have fallen, and see to the binding of the wounds of those who have hope of life; but let none plunder here, for all this is my property. Whereat the king looked sullen, but he spoke little; these men, he said, were proud, or what were they aiming at? Ere the giver of conquest, Then he got possession of Upland; thence he went northwards to Throndheim, and had many battles there before he became absolute over all the Thronds. But if he were vanquished, then should he ransom himself for such price as should be fixed. There it had happened in the winter that Brynjolf had fallen sick and died, and his sons had shared the heritage. But many fled abroad from this tyranny, and much waste land was then colonized far and wide, both eastwards in Jamtaland and Helsingjaland, and also the West lands, the Southern isles, Dublin in Ireland, Caithness in Scotland, and Shetland. When Egil was twelve years old, he was grown so big that there were but few men howso large and strong that he could not overcome in games. Many get great honour from thee to whom less is due, and who are not nearly so accomplished as is he in every kind of skill. Freely and fully ', 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. Glory and fame Egill's son Thorsteinn has many feuds with Steinar, son of Onund Sjoni (nundr sjni Anason), over land and cattle grazing. But when he came to the dunes below Lamba-stead he lay in wait there. Hildirida's sons were there, and few men with them. Rulers valued poets for their ability to make or break a man, increasing his fame or besmirching his good name. From kings' courts exiled. He saw where Steinar's cattle were moving. Bjorn said Thora must go with him, and they led her away. I have no men to give you as escort who would be any strength to you: but this I offer, that ye tarry here with me till I can report to you that the wood is safe.' Of a stout-limbed wight: He had taken again the grants and possessions that he had before, and had gotten great favour with the king. Wherefore he stood up, went across the floor to where Armod sat, took him with his hands by the shoulders, and forced him back against the inner posts, and spat in his face. Four men nowadays could not lift a larger mass. He thought he had little hope of escape, though he should try to conceal himself and to go disguised as long as he might till he were clear of Eric's dominions. Where ever was it known that a king was thus dealt with? Thorolf sate in the high seat over against Thorir, and drank with him; Egil sate as cup-mate over against Arinbjorn. Great uproar was there in the Thing; but men there were all weaponless. Skallagrim promised to come. Egil then went first into Sogn and arranged about those lands that he now got into his own power. - Hermann Plsson and Paul Edwards translation, Penguin Classics, 1976, "At the root of the first half of the Saga are two family conflicts which extend far beyond the domestic issues which give rise to them, and lead ultimately to enmities with the royal household of Norway.

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