egils saga sparknotes

And so he did. 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.'. His one last wish was to travel to the Althing and toss silver he received from King thelstan for the people to fight over. One night when the weather was calm they went up a large river-mouth, where was bad harbourage, and the ebb of the tide was great. Then Egil got angry and lifted up the bat and struck Grim, whereupon Grim seized him and threw him down with a heavy fall, and handled him rather roughly, and said he would thrash him if he did not behave. Earl Adils and his brother saw that they would not come upon Thorolf unawares, so they began to draw up their force. Arinbjorn craved entrance into the hall; it was granted. 'Now shall you, Egil, bring the king your head and clasp his foot, but I will be your spokesman.'. That winter Geir, Kettle's son, asked to wife Thorunn, Skallagrim's daughter, and the match was made, and Geir took her. For this they made, and when they came there they ran into the house, but could see no one there. The king said: 'These chests, Egil, thou shalt have, and, if thou comest to Iceland, shalt carry this money to thy father; as payment for a son I send it to him: but some of the money thou shalt divide among such kinsmen of thyself and Thorolf as thou thinkest most honourable. There up on land were wide flats with woods hard by. He had a church built there, and 'tis common report that Thordis had Egil moved to the church. Then Egil sang: 'Lonely I lie, Thorolf asked what had been the errand of the men whom Harold sent thither. Thorolf was healed of his wounds, and followed the king, and had won great glory. He began to compose poetry when quite young, and was eager for learning. He at once stood northwards to Sogn. The monarch strong, And force him to face me He married Thora, daughter of lord Thorir, sister of Arinbjorn. 'However, I will try this,' said he. Einar went to Iceland and lodged with his brother Osvif: but in autumn he rode east and came to Borg, and was guest there. 'So we will go back into the hall, and be all together for the whole day.'. Ball-play was then a common game. Thorolf and his company had a large long-ship well equipt, and went on their way as had been agreed. He was a Norwegian, a house-carle of Thorstein Thora's son. So I freed me (nor flaunt I The feat overbold), Who knows not to read them; ', 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. Then he rode to the south country, and of his travel 'tis to be told that he rode night and day till he and his came westwards to Earls-ness. Tall men they were and strong, of much energy and forward daring. But when a sea-breeze came on, Egil said to his shipmen, 'We will now sail to land, for I do not quite know, should the sea-wind come to blow hard, where we could make land, 'tis a dangerous-looking coast in most places.' Hold course for the haven, Then Egil was asked what counsel he thought good. [13], The saga then proceeds to describe the lives of Thorolf and Egill Skallagrimsson, born in Iceland, and eventually making their way to Norway in adulthood. I trowed for friend: ', King Eric sate upright while Egil recited the poem, and looked keenly at him. . Then was it said by some that earl Arnvid belike set men of his own to slay the king's men, while he kept the tribute for himself. All should be told to a friend. This they both felt to be a great loss. 'But best, methinks, were it,' he said, 'for thee to be with me and be made defender of my land and command my army. All such creatures were then tame on the hunting-ground, as they were unused to man. Whereupon Arinbjorn went away and out by the door leading up to the house-roof, and he sate by the window of the upper room where the bird had before sate. Egill returned to Iceland and spent a few years with his family. He was a priest. Egil said it should be so. His voyage sped well, and he came north to Alost and Sandness. Long sorrow and pain.'. He then rode to Borg. orsteinn, Arinbjorn and Egill made plans to sail to Norway to claim Thorsteinn's share. Adils at first pursued the flying foe, but not far; then he turned back to where the battle was, and made an onset there. Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of tenth-century warrior-poet and farmer Egill Skallagrmsson: a morally ambiguous character who was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical grotesque capable of staggering brutality. Sword-teeth keenly bit; Eager I came, nor thought He was well-made, more than commonly tall, had hair wolf-gray and thick, but became early bald. In stress of fight, The king said that Thorolf had himself taken his own reward. Vengeance now on king is ta'en: Now I would fain that we take this counsel: that you be awake through the night, and compose a song of praise about king Eric. The Sagas of Icelanders: A Selection . With hood of daring These cases both begin with a man of wealth and power who marries twice, one of the two marriages being in some way of doubtful legality, and illustrate the effect upon the family of the two conflicting lines of descent." And when they perceived Thorstein they ran to their weapons, then pursued his party. Hermann . Bjorn stayed for the winter with Skallagrim as did all his shipmates. Thither to Thorstein's house was moved the wheat and honey; a merry time of it they had that winter. They told Skallagrim of his father's death, and how Kveldulf had come to land there, and they had buried him. The messengers came to Kveldulf, and were well received. Since no one was able to accompany him, he wandered alone and allegedly concealed his silver treasure near Mosfellsbr, giving birth to the legend of silfur Egills ("Egill's Silver"). 'I will release Thorstein from this journey. It was again as before; some opposed this, some desired it. Updates? And when Aunund grew old and his sight was dim, then he gave up the housekeeping to Steinar his son. This Egil accepted. Such weapons were then customary. Thorgerdr went at once into the hall. In the spring Thorolf went home to his farm, and then employed his men at the fishing in Vagar, and some in herring-fishing, and had the take of every kind brought to his farm. Egil answered her inquiries. They put out from land as soon as day dawned; Aki and his two sons were with Egil's following. They are even now ready for their journey. 'Lances, a woven fence, 'This I think of you, Thrand,' said Steinar, 'that you would not regard the priesthood of Thorstein if ye two were face to face.' An untrue steward Afterwards Eirik Bloodaxe was crowned co-king, and as Thorolf headed home to Iceland, the king gave him a gold-inlaid ax as a gift to Skallagrim. Guerdon none I seek me, 'Of this I am not the cause,' said Aunund, 'that they are quarrelling. And my foreboding is that this is our last meeting: it were in the course of nature from our ages that thou shouldst overlive me, but I think it will be otherwise.'. 'Tooth-fence took I, 'Erewhile the anger He received them most gladly. But if thou thinkest that thou hast prophetic foresight of this, that we shall get misfortune from this king, and that he will be our enemy, then why didst thou not go to battle against him with that king in whose service thou wert before? The Scots shouted a shout of victory, as having slain the enemy's chieftain. egils saga sparknotesmeredith lynn daviesmeredith lynn davies Egil and his men were very thirsty from weariness; they took up the bowls and drank the curds eagerly, Egil drinking far the most. Then they stood slant-wise across the wind as they might (but still eastwards), till a firth lay over against them, into which they sailed, till all the skerries and the surf were passed. Now I wished, Egil, that you should go to the combat with Fridgeir. Thorolf thought this desirable, so they got leave from the king for this; then they made them ready, took a good ship and crew, and went their way. Egil and his force pursued, and slew all whom they overtook; no need there to beg quarter. Then they bore him immediately down to Nausta-ness. 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. In the autumn he steered back from the east to Denmark, at the time when the fleet at Eyrar was breaking up. There he prepared a great feast, and bade many thereto. 'Soared battle-cranes That winter the king held court in the north in Throndheim. Of worthy friends: Found flesh-fowl's bill Shall play on his mail. But afterwards, in the evening, when they came home to Borg, Egil was very angry. Actually Bard also served another beverage that was not ale, called. Egil's poetry won him thanks from many men. The messengers went back to the earl, and told him the issue of their errand: but when the earl knew that he need not gather men for this cause, then he rode down without any armed force to meet the freebooters. 'Now better seeth said she. ', Hereupon Egil with his comrades went away. King Hacon in the summer went eastwards to Vik: whence he journeyed still eastwards to Vermaland with a large force. Egil and Asgerdr had children thus named: Bodvar a son, and another son Gunnar; Thorgerdr a daughter, and Bera. However I will not take back my word about those brothers. And when he came in to his place, then he saw the shield, and asked whose was that costly work. So he set earl Rognvald over North and South Mra and Raumsdale, and kept a numerous force about himself. There Egil had a mound raised on the point of the ness. Then they two, Arinbjorn and Egil, went back to Arinbjorn's house. And when Arinbjorn knew this, then went he with all his followers fully armed to the king's palace while the king sate at table. Poetry is used throughout most of the saga and Egill is a master of the art. And at their parting the king delivered to Thorolf an axe, which he said he wished to give to Skallagrim. Starved not the ravens' maw.'. Thorolf made for this ship, and offered Thorir and his crew the choice to defend themselves, but, as they had no force to make defence against such numbers, they yielded. But it is not told that he had lawsuits with any here in the land; nor is there a word of single combats, or war and slaughter of his after he settled down here in Iceland. Egil had caused to be made a long ship's sail, elaborately worked; this he gave to Arinbjorn, and yet other gifts of value. They said they knew for a fact that Armod Beard had put six men into the wood to lie in wait for them, and it was likely that there would be more ambushed in the wood in case the first should fail. They made sail, and sailed out to sea. Courts I of monarchs ', The king was slow to speak, but at length answered: 'I know not, Arinbjorn, why thou comest with such pleading for Egil. The king claimed ownership of the estate at Torgar, and of all the property that Brynjolf had had; and all this he gave into the keeping of Hildirida's sons. Full oft shall shower of song So the cargo was moved from the ship up to the homestead at Borg. ', Then they entered, and Aulvir went up to the king, Skallagrim standing at his back. 'Very bad,' said she; 'will you eat some?' Egil was at Moss-fell with Grim and Thordis. Brynjolf resolved to go, and with him Bard his son; and in the autumn they went southwards to Throndheim, and there met the king. [10] Thorolf flung the axe overboard, but reported to King Eirik that his father was grateful for the axe, presenting a bolt of longship sail cloth pretended to be from Skallagrim. But robbery of my right I summon you to the Gula-thing, there to have lawful decision on this matter. Northumbria's humbled soil.'. Go now back,' said he, 'and tell him this.'. Arinbjorn gave Egil as a Yule-gift a trailing robe made of silk, and richly broidered with gold, studded with gold buttons in front all down to the hem. Low stern play shall lay him, Egil proved a sore loser and struck with his bat the boy who was named Grim (Grmr). What poet deep hath plunged. With the stout ships' Bane. Then we were cast into this vault. ', 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. Merchant-ships used then commonly to be drawn up into rivers, brook-mouths, or ditches. Bergonund ran forward to the bushes. But Asgerdr, your foster-child, shall go out with me to her father. Arinbjorn took to the Thing a numerous company, among them went Egil. And when they were ready, they sailed away: first to the islands called Solundir, which are many and large, and so scored with bays that few men (it is said) know all their havens. Streams the battle-tide. The children of Eyvind and Sigridr were Fid Squinter, father of Eyvind Skald-spoiler, and Geirlaug, whom Sighvat Red had to wife. Aulvir now maketh pale. Me whilom greatly honoured: Egil had now been several winters at Borg with his father, when one summer a ship from Norway to Iceland with these tidings from the east, that Bjorn Yeoman was dead. Of their exchange of blows nought is there to tell: the end was that Egil slew them all. He was wealthy and much honoured of men. With Thorstein went an Easterling, his guest, and two house-carles. Thorolf stood northwards with his force past Holland, and they put into a harbour there, as the wind drove them back. 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. Aulvir spoke fully and fluently, for he was a man ready of words. From the tales of old people it is thought pretty sure that these were Egil's bones. These were called Thororna's sons; she dwelt hard by Skallagrim, and was of magic skill. When that was seen, men rowed out to them, and brought to land those who yet lived. But when Egil was ready, and a fair wind blew, he sailed out to sea, and his voyage sped well. But honoured slain. Then he seized Egil. Three children had Kari, one son named Eyvind Lambi, another Aulvir Hnuf, and a daughter Salbjorg, who was a most beautiful woman of a noble spirit. Nor easily shafted Egill then went up to Bard and stabbed him to death with his sword. When the Friend of men There was a man named Aulvir, a house-carle of Thorir's, who was manager and bailiff over his estate. Hring stood not stour of weapons, Upon the field fared Gudrek Smitten fast and furious; 'But I know not,' he said, 'what they have since done with it, whether they brought it to the king or ran away with it out of the land. Each listening ear-mouth He falls not whom true friends Brynjolf's sons were Bjorn and Thord. There was a man named Ulf, son of Bjalf, and Hallbera, daughter of Ulf the fearless; she was sister of Hallbjorn Half-giant in Hrafnista, and he the father of Kettle Hing. Worse than death-pang must bear. King Hakon requested Thorstein to collect tribute in Vrmland or be sentenced to outlawry. And he will think it no more than a fair return for the ox that he gave me last autumn that I should go and see him, if he deems the matter important.' In the following winter Egil composed a poem about the gift of the shield: it is called Buckler-poem, and this is the beginning: 'List to the stream of lay Njal's Saga is the longest and the most revered of the forty family sagas written in Iceland between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. They went up along White-river till a river was before them coming down from the fells to the north; this they called North-river. She was sprinkled with water, and named Asgerdr. Thorstein Egil's son received baptism when Christianity came to Iceland, and he had a church built at Borg. Then he and his captains sate in council. Great Athelstan victorious, Bard, Brynjolf's son, and Hildirida's sons were about of an age. Now shall I for thy sake do what thou hast asked, letting Egil go from my land safe and unhurt. Poetry is used throughout most of the saga and Egill is a master of the art. Egil also went before king Hacon and declared his errand, giving therewith king Athelstan's message and tokens. ', 'Then wouldst thou have been surprised,' said he, 'if thou hadst received all that belonged to thee! He had also got possession of all the farms occupied of late by Bjorn. With this troop Egil rode to the booth which Thorstein had had roofed, a booth hitherto empty. The treasure-sender's gift. Egill's son Thorsteinn has many feuds with Steinar, son of Onund Sjoni (nundr sjni Anason), over land and cattle grazing. The messengers went home, and came back on the third day according to promise; they now said to king Olaf that Athelstan would give all that he offered before, and over and above, for distribution among king Olaf's soldiers, a shilling to every freeborn man, a silver mark to every officer of a company of twelve men or more, a gold mark to every captain of the king's guard, and five gold marks to every earl. Two of these he had led under the house-wall, and placed with heads crossing. 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.'. 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. He was an old man, wealthy in money, of a strange temper, so that he could keep but few in his household. ), Egills saga Skallagrmssonar, slenzk fornrit, 2 (Reykjavk, 1933). (Witness true I bear), Ljot went out beyond the boundary stones far into the field. Then he had roofed in a far larger booth than the other that were there. Thora bare a child in the summer; it was a girl. bnt 3 live. Egil with three comrades made him ready for the journey.

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