', Then Arinbjorn went on board his own ship, and to Egil he said: 'Now go you with your comrades on board the cutter that lies here outside the long-ship, and get you away at once. Thorstein will do that whereto he is bound, to wit, attend the king within the land or without, if the king demands it. ', Egil at this report frowned much; he thought he had lost much wealth, and wrongfully. Three silent dogs of the surf-swell, 9979929308 . Then Bard had the king called to him, and spoke thus: 'If it so be that I die of these wounds, then I would ask this of thee, that I may myself name my heir.'. They two then drank together for the evening, and were right merry. Before they were aware, breakers were both seaward and ahead. ', 'Thorolf in northern isle The poem of praise I will do no dastardly deed on thee; yet know thou this for sure, that this is no reconciliation with me or my sons or any of our kin who wish to wreak their vengeance. But when he reached the far east, and his coming was heard of, then came to him some Kvens, saying that they were sent by Faravid, king of Kvenland, because the Kiriales were harrying his land; and his message was that Thorolf should go thither and bear him help; and further that Thorolf should have a share of the booty equal to the king's share, and each of his men as much as two Kvens. With that Egil threw down the horn, but gripped his sword and drew; it was dark in the room. Then Steinar rode away and home to Brekka. Sword-teeth keenly bit; With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. His mother was named Gyda; she was a sister of lord Arinbjorn, a woman of a noble presence and wealthy. The fields were soaked because there had been much rain. But when Thorolf came north to Torgar, he was well received. Then he seized Egil. Another son born 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. And I now offer myself with my forces against this tyranny and wrong. She asked what tidings had befallen in Egil's journey. And when Egil made ready his ship for sea, then Thorstein Eric's son settled to go with him, he of whom mention was made before, who was afterwards called Thora's son. But Thorgils and his comrades got conveyance, and went to Kveldulf and his son, and told of the misadventure of their voyage, yet were they well received. Egil said that nothing was done. But the more part of the Myra-men were very ill-favoured. Then the men separated to their several ships. Egil and Einar pledged them to friendship on parting. But when the set time came that Skallagrim and Bera should go to the feast, Thorolf made him ready to go with them, as also some house-carles, so that they were fifteen in all. Most of those who were within perished. Plain I sang and clear But when Harold became sole king of all Norway, and sat in peace, then he gave to his kinsman Guttorm Westfold and East-Agdir, and Hringariki, and all the land that had belonged to Halfdan Swarthy his father. 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. Iri was there in the sheepfold, but Thorstein and his house-carles rode up to the fell, being eight in all. When the Friend of men One day they put in at the mouth of a large river, where was an extensive forest upon land. Perish'd on one pinnace [5] [6] Extreme personal traits like these are manifested by his son Skallagrim and his grandson Egill as well. He was somewhat older than Egil; there had long been friendship between the two. Arinbjrn became a close advisor to Harald Eirksson, to whom Egill composed a poem. Egil said that he thanked him heartily, and would choose it to be so. There was a man named Thorgeir. He then set forth what proofs he held of his claim on the property that had belonged to Bjorn Brynjolf's son. The king said that Thorolf had himself taken his own reward. 'Son's place to his sire There they parted, and Steinar went home. Hold course for the haven, At their parting Egil said to the earl: 'Now we will bear to the king this tribute which we have received. Egil told his companions to drink no more, but himself drank for them what they could not avoid. ', 'Unfriendly, who was friend, It happened one day that as Egil went out along the house-wall he stumbled and fell. But where the blow fell the bone whitened, but neither was dinted nor cracked. There was a man named Olaf, son of Hauskuld Dale-koll's son and Melkorka daughter of Myrkjartan king of the Irish. High-couraged ever For they had no lack of men on board, while Egil's crew was short, they being now but eighteen on the cutter. Wield we high gleaming swords. They watched for a fit time to go before the king. Harmless, I wot, They rowed into Herdla, and sent a man up into the island to learn tidings; and when he came down to the ship, he said that there at the farm was Rognvald, the king's son, and his men. London . And in that time Iceland was found. (Saith a proverb true) But when he came home, he gave Skallagrim King Eric's greeting, and delivered to him the axe which the king had sent him. Skallagrim bade him do that first. Thorolf betook him to this voyage with Eric, and was in the forecastle of his ship, and bare his standard. Such deeds well beseem. Omissions? 'Neath windy heaven. The ship they put out from the shore and anchored. As foeman in fight. Better I chaunt my strain, The next tidings were that Thora Bjorn's wife fell sick and died. ', The boy said that Bergonund and Frodi would be drinking still; 'they sit at it every night. But neither thralls nor chests ever came back again, and many are the guesses as to where Egil hid his money. Some ships rowed after Egil, but some plundered the merchant-ship. 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. 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. And when Egil took command of a ship, then Thorfid was his forecastle man. ', 'Seek we that earl whose sword With hood of daring May Frey and Njord make flee! The king went round the ship and looked at men's wounds; and when he saw a man binding a surface-wound, he said: 'Thorolf gave not that wound; his weapon bites far otherwise; few, methinks, bind the wounds which he gave; and great loss have we in such men.'. The banquet was magnificent, and all the viands of the best. The king received this matter well, and let Thorstein obtain his possessions, and therewith he was made a baron of the king even as his father had been. Soon after this Asgerdr died. Bera got a woman to look after the girl. But the axe smote down on the stone, so that the mouth broke, and was rent through all the tempered steel. Near the spot where the coffin washed ashore in Iceland, Skallagrim established his settlement, which he named Borg. Then Egil again became quite cheerful. Bjorn had carried off Thorir's sister, and obtained consent for marriage after the fact. 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. Egil declares his business, and demands of Onund's sharing of the heritage of Bjorn. He had a church built there, and 'tis common report that Thordis had Egil moved to the church. Five reached the wood, but three perished; yet, for all we could see, Egil and his men were as fresh as ever. 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. They made ready to sail. He had become a liege-man of the king, and was made a baron. The ground was marked out by stones lying round in a ring. He had his helm on his head, and laid his sword across his knees; and now and again he half drew it, then clashed it back into the sheath. Thorstein offered no atonement for himself, but to those who advised atonement made answer, that he meant to abide by judgment. Such on my high hawk-perch I can do no better than does my father: I will not overlive my father and brother.' Olaf's men imagined a vast host must be there. For winter lodgment Egil went to Thorstein's with eleven more. They slew all the men that were in there, and they armed themselves fully. They rowed to the buildings, and found there men to speak to. Lie dead, to the high hall The goodman asked who had the care of the fire. There were several brothers sons of Edward. There it lay in the smoke all the winter. Hindered stream of song (. Of him I have had neither good or bad; but Egil has done to me much that is very good. Rained from the eagle's beak Our people's mood, And when they came to Lima-firth and lay at Hals, Arinbjorn held a meeting of his men, and laid before them his plans. Whereupon Egil sang a stave: 'Law-breaker, land-demon, Egill and Arinbjrn went raiding in Saxony and Frisia, after which they stayed with Thorstein Thoruson (orsteinn ruson). His one last wish was to travel to the Althing and toss silver he received from King thelstan for the people to fight over. Such stress of stern battle Many feel sure that 'tis there Egil hid his money. Arinbjorn said that he could expect nothing better in dealing with king Eric. There are also poems which show a much softer side to the Icelandic male characters. He had now a hood drawn over his helm, and was fully armed. How the old man's lot This page was last edited on 15 March 2023, at 03:58. Egil went home to his house: fain were folk to see him; and there he stayed for that winter. A wood cleaver weak. Egil went northwards to Vik, and into Osloar-firth. While visiting, word arrived from Norway that Thorstein's father died leaving him a large inheritance. 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. Arinbjorn untiring ', 'We are eight,' said they; 'we would fain have four men go from hence; then are we twelve.'. Then Thorolf went home to his estate, and his comrades with him. I have heard that thou establishest here in the land law and right for everyone. Arinbjorn offered quarters to Egil and such of his men as he liked to bring. 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 monarch gat. In the winter Egil went southwards to Sogn to collect his land-rents, staying there some time. After that the weather became calm. But in the evening came those friends of Fridgeir who had appointed to go with him, and there was a numerous company for the night, and a great banquet. And so it was done, with the message that the king would fain see them. ', Said Atli: 'Long have we heard, Egil, that you are a most unjust man, but now I shall come to prove it, if you mean to claim at my hands this property, which king Eric adjudged to Bergonund my brother. 'Is it by your counsel,' said Egil, 'that your son Steinar brings a charge against my son Thorstein, and has gathered much people to this end, to make Thorstein an outcast?' The king asked Thorolf and his brother to consent to take the first signing with the cross, for this was then a common custom both with merchants and those who took soldiers' pay in Christian armies, since those who were 'prime-signed' (as 'twas termed) could hold all intercourse with Christians and heathens alike, while retaining the faith which was most to their mind. Skallagrim abused the ax (named "King's Gift" or konungsnautr) and shattered it, reciting an insulting poem about it to Thorolf and handing back what was left of the axe, a sooty handle with a rusted blade. But Arinbjorn and Egil with the war-ships held a southward course along the coast; then took their force still southwards to Saxland, where they harried in the summer and got wealth. Whence to leek-tending maiden, No need to expect honour where he is.'. The king asked whether Egil was in the ship. They faced about and defended themselves. And if thou wilt abide with me long, then will I give thee honour and dignity such as thyself mayst name.'. Come, what verse are you now repeating? Sport I deem the spear-din, And 'tis told me of the king that he is most generous in money gifts to his men, and not slow to give them promotion and to grant rule to such as he deems meet for it. 'Be you civil,' said Egil, 'though I bask by the fire, and let us bear and forbear about place.' All through the summer Kveldulf and Skallagrim kept a look-out shorewards on the highway of vessels. Arinbjorn answered. Before Thorolf went away this time he had counted over all the king's tribute that he had brought from the fells, and he put it in Thorgils' hand, bidding him convey it to the king, if he himself came not home before the king returned south. His own division he first arranged, and in the van thereof he set those companies that were the smartest. Such weapons were then customary. Whereat the king looked sullen, but he spoke little; these men, he said, were proud, or what were they aiming at? Sword-play-stirrer good, There was a baron in Norway named Eric Allwise. Whereas I hear this about all that turn their backs upon him and pay him not homage with friendship, that they all become men of nought, some flee abroad, some are made hirelings. [27] The hoped-for outcome of the curse does become reality. The king went northwards through Halogaland as he had purposed, and returned south as summer wore on. Thorolf then went to his estates at Sandness, and remained there through the spring. He remained there for a great part of the spring. There he prepared a great feast, and bade many thereto. And thou, Eric, mayst make him as close to thee as thou wilt, him or more of his kin. He asked wither Egil had gone, and where he had gotten those ships with which they came. He sent thee three bearskins, but I know for certain that he kept back thirty that were by right thine; and I guess it was the same with other things. With boat was whelmed. Then each turned back from where they were into the wood. ', Thorolf said: 'Herein ye have so wrought, methinks, that it will not serve us as our autumn plan to go to Norway.'. After that Eric's sons took the kingdom in Norway. New York . The king answered his questions, and said that all had received him well, each after his means. Bjorn got for his portion another good and valuable homestead. Wind-holders need blast. 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. Eirik pursued with a fleet, and a skirmish ensued.[26]. She was going about the floor of the hall amusing herself. My bardic fee I know that there will be here with thee men who can in no wise be thought of more martial appearance than I am. 'Yet I to this ruler There was now no lack of provision to keep his people through the winter. One of the children that Charles Kingsley's Odin the Goer propels into the wide world could be Egil, the hero of our saga. 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. Bard went home to his estate, and at once became a great chief; but Hildirida's sons got no more of the heritage than before. That river is now called Thjors-river; its stream was then much narrower and deeper that it is now. They have a tenuous tenure in Norway, but Egill is outlawed and they roam Scandinavia and serve the king of England. . They were brought before him. But must swiftly sing. Frodi was staying at Alrekstead, a royal farm, and had some men there. Then Egil sang a stave: 'Dauntless the doughty champion Though money they gather, Then I mean to sow broadcast the silver, and I shall be surprized if all share it fairly between them. Thorolf is more than your match, brave and doughty as ye may deem yourselves.'. Kveldulf had in his hand a battle-axe; but when he got on board, he bade his men go along the outer way by the gunwale and cut the tent from its forks, while he himself rushed aft to the stern-castle. He, the skilled guide of the sea-horse, 'He will,' they said, 'by this be come westwards to the dales.' Thordis said: 'A famous plan, methinks, is this, and it will be remembered so long as Iceland is inhabited.'. For this Thorolf thanked the king, but said: 'I must first go to Thorir; with him I have an urgent errand. Actually Bard also served another beverage that was not ale, called. This, too, he heard, that Arinbjorn was now come to Norway. And when they were ready and the wind blew fair, they sailed out to sea. 'Why should I not?' In gruesome wrath a king: One summer Thorstein rode to the Thing, but Egil sat at home. It was told him that Einar Skala-glam had come there, and had left the shield as a gift for him. Hildirida's sons were there, and few men with them. 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. Skallagrim asked who they were. By chance, calm winds force Egill back to shore to the same location. egils saga sparknotes. And when Egil had finished his meal, he went where the woman lay and spoke with her. ', Egil then went away with his company, and when he came home told Arinbjorn of his journey and of Onund's answer. Glittering armlets rives: He and Brynjolf set a time for a meeting; to this meeting Bjorn also came. Occurs, than shyly sinks It was now good travelling weather. Some escaped by running away. The king fixed such fine as he thought fit; Thorir paid it all and went home. ', Egil said: 'Sickness of body I have none; but I have much anxiety about this, how I shall get that property which I won when I slew Ljot the Pale northwards in Mra. He was mother's brother to king Harold; also he had been his foster-father, and ruler over his forces, for the king was a child when he first came to the throne. They took the sons of Guttorm, and much movable property, and went their way back. Along the way Egill stayed with Arinbjorn, whom he convinces to go to King Hkon on his behalf. I stand of beloved ones It is also told that he went to Denmark, and harried there far and wide. They went out, and took their weapons, and Aulvir bade them begone with all haste. Dripping spears flew madly, The cord of my kin, The case was argued at the Gulaing assembly, where Berg-Onund asserted that Asgerd as a slave-woman entitled to no share (due to the circumstance that her mother eloped without her kinsmen's consent). Bergljt Kristjnsdttir and Svanhildur skarsdttir (eds), Book: Green, W. C. . After that Thorolf and Bjorn went their way to Sogn. But when Thorir and his household saw that, they at once ran away and saved themselves, all that could go, men and women. Slew for a slander, My song of praise is found. This,' said he, 'is the nature of the ground: the road skirts the ridge, close to the foot of which runs the bog, while a rocky brow is above, and the passage lies between these and is no broader than a footpath. Of meaner wights, His own men held their shields before them; they trusted to the wood which was on their right to cover that side. He drew back to get room for a stroke, but Egil pressed as quickly after him, dealing blows with all his vigour. For example in Egil 's Saga a piece of literature which follows the lives of . One summer it happened that there was a ship in White-river, and a great fair was held there. Now, Steinar, I will that you give this cause into my hands, and let me deal with it as I please. He takes it as a great personal insult when someone breaks any of these values and as a result he typically destroys that person either through physical force or through poetry. When that was seen, men rowed out to them, and brought to land those who yet lived. Full soon from Odin's thane Egil thanked the king for his words, and prayed that the king would give him sure tokens to Thord in Aurland, or to other barons in Sogn and Hordaland. Pledge-breaker vile, And this is to tell of his journey, that late in the evening he came to Swan-ness, when men sat there a-drinking. King Eric had then power to bid and ban in this land. Egils Saga Summary.docx - Icelandic Sagas Egil's Saga Few now I find chocolate raspberry pie best thing i ever ate. Eyvind told Gunnhilda that he could get no chance at Thorolf. Long voyage lays on me; Whereupon he challenged my son Fridgeir to wager of battle; and he has to go to-morrow to this combat on the island called Vors. 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. But when they were come to Iceland, approaching the land from the south, they sailed westwards along the coast, because they had heard that Ingolf had settled there. 'I will now,' said he, 'sit at home and leave serving kings. On me a heavy hand It was called Sheppey; it was an island of no great size covered with brushwood. Some lands he sold, some he mortgaged, but he kept up all expenses as before; he had no fewer men with him than last winter, nay, rather more. O'er bowsprit and beak.'. Egil sent messengers to Thord, his wife's kinsman, at Aurland, and gave him charge to arrange for those lands that Egil owned in Sogn and Hordaland, bidding him sell them if there were a buyer. On the day when the king was to leave Thorolf went to him, and offered that they should go together down to the strand. For which he was rewarded with two gold rings, along with an expensive cloak that the king himself had worn. By sea-kings' steeds. Poesy, prize of Odin, Then spoke Thorgerdr: 'What counsel shall we take now? Moved my mouth with word Thither flocked numbers from the firths and from the fells, and from Sogn, and almost all the great men. And soon the darkness of night began to close in. King Harold long held his residence in Hordaland or Rogaland, at those large estates that he owned, at Outstone or Augvalds-ness, or at Afreksted in Fitjar, or at Seaham in Lygra. However, as ye bear sure tokens that the king has sent you, I will pay all the tribute to which he has a right, and deliver it into your hands: but I will not be answerable afterwards for how you fare with it.' Eric England's warder Egil's Saga . Leaves Fridgeir in peace. He was right wealthy, and a great man. Brought from Odin's kin, I came on my wave-horse, I have thought well of you in everything. To fight with this warrior, The peasants that escaped were scattered far and wide, and so were their pursuers. But coming over against Reykja-ness, and seeing the firth open before them, they steered both ships into the firth. He said, too, that he had set all this before king Eric, adding that he had then not got law, owing to king Eric's power and the prompting of Gunnhilda. The two brothers went on the fell in the winter, taking with them thirty men. A little before winter came a ship from the south out of the Orkneys, with the tidings that a long-ship had come in autumn to those islands. And when he had been in Iceland one winter, in the spring following he made ready his ship in Brakar-sound. But when day dawned, he was standing on a certain ness. They greeted the king. Olvir was the son of Kveldulf's close friend Kari (Kari from Berle, a berserk). ', This said, the king went down to his ships, and most of his force with him; and when they were come on board men began to bind their wounds. He falls not whom true friends Me bird of bane hath followed: ', The king answered: 'Thou didst bear thyself well, Thorolf, when thou wert with us; and this, I think, is best to do still, that thou join my guard, bear my banner, be captain over the guard; then will no man slander thee, if I can oversee night and day what thy conduct is. But how many men think ye that ye need to take from hence? But these house-carles of Armod who were in ambush, on seeing that the travellers were eight in number, thought they were overmatched, and hid them away in the wood. But then others mediated between them, and the end was that Thorolf took Egil, and he went out with him that summer. ', Then spake Skallagrim in great wrath, 'How dared you come to meet me? King Hacon answered: 'This have I heard, that my brother Eric and with him Gunnhilda both assert that thou, Egil, hast cast a stone beyond thy strength in thy dealings with them. But between the brothers was rather a coolness. These had got to know how Hallvard and his brother were come from the south with a large force meaning to attack Thorolf. By Frey and Njord. [2] [3] The work is generally referred to as Egla in Icelandic pronounced as /kla/ by Icelandic scholars. King Harold proclaimed a general levy, and gathered a fleet, summoning his forces far and wide through the land. Aulvir told the tidings, the slaying of Bard and the rest that had there befallen, but of Egil's goings since he knew nothing. Then said Egil: 'Now I think that maybe Alf has told the truth. Ev'n as forest-saplings Each seeking his own And when they came there where the roads forked, then the trail also forked, and was equally strong either way. Thorolf told of the battle fought that summer in the south, and of the fall of many men whom Sigurd knew well, and withal how Bard his son-in-law had died of wounds received in the battle. Egill's son Thorsteinn has many feuds with Steinar, son of Onund Sjoni (nundr sjni Anason), over land and cattle grazing. You will get from him terms of great honour, for the king is very keen on this, to have with him such as he hears are men of mark for strength and bravery. Him trusty and true They then went down to the ship, and Thorolf spoke: 'Thou regardest the ship carefully, prince; how dost thou like it? But Thorolf was most comely as well as doughty, favoring his mother's kin; very cheery was he, liberal, impetuous in everything, a good trader, winning the hearts of all men. Bjorn and Thorolf, talking with Thorir, asked him whether he thought it true that the king bore a heavy grudge against Thorolf. Bard had a son by his wife; he was named Grim. It was told him that Arinbjorn sat at meat. But Egil said to Aki, 'If you know the house here, you can show us the way to some plunder. Whereupon Egil and his men made for where king Olaf's division was, and coming on them behind their shields soon wrought great havoc. Where the chief waged strife; 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. Egil rose up in the morning as soon as it was day. Egill's Saga or Egil's saga (Old Norse: Egils saga [eels s]; Icelandic pronunciation: [eijls saa] ()) is an Icelandic saga (family saga) on the lives of the clan of Egill Skallagrmsson (Anglicised as Egill Skallagrimsson), an Icelandic farmer, viking and skald.The saga spans the years c. 850-1000 and traces the family's history from Egill's grandfather to his offspring. Numerously attended was that feast, and it was at once seen that Thorolf was free-handed and munificent. And so ended this suit. Gave nought again. Aunund Sjoni was among them, son of Ani of Anabrekka. bnt 3 live. They did so; they followed along the wood. His halberd he held before him grasped in both hands, and slung his shield behind his back. Than brightest gold On the fenced hold So he went into the field with the house-carles. Flogs hard and unceasing Icelandic Saga Database. The rowers bade Egil rule their course. Some guess that Egil must have hidden his money there. And when he came to Sogn-sea, then there was Arinbjorn's company rowing in towards Sheeping-sound, and thither the king turned in after them, and he came up with Arinbjorn's ship in the inner part of Sheeping-sound. 9979929308 . Then Eyvind jumped up, drew a sword, and thrust at Thorvald, dealing him a wound that was his death. However Egil would not have it, and bade them go home; so they did so and turned back. 'I lit on one of the house-carles; he was ale-mad, and said that here they must not drink less than was drunk at Bergonund's, though Frodi was feasting there with a party of five. He in mine household Soon the breeze freshened, and blew strong from a good quarter; so the ship ran on apace. But it proved disastrous to most to match their force with him. Skallagrim said Thorolf would have his way. 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. But thou, Egil, thinkest to go on here, as everywhere else, with thy fierceness and wrongful dealing. So Steinar prepared to go out to Snfells-strand, and there he set up his household at a place called Ellida. They did as Ulf bade: Ulf went forward round the brow and ten men with him. And when the king saw that it was true, that the tribute was much larger and better, his brows somewhat cleared, and Thorgils got speech with him. For to eyes of all King Hacon in the summer went eastwards to Vik: whence he journeyed still eastwards to Vermaland with a large force.