11 During that summer when the brothers set sail for Iceland, Ingimund went to his father and stayed with him. Thorstein began to age.
On one occasion, Thorstein said to Ingimund, ‘It is now good to die knowing that one’s son is such a lucky man. The thing which I hold best in my life is that I have not been aggressive towards others; and it is very likely that my life will come to an end in the same peaceful manner because I feel a sickness coming on. Now, kinsman, I want to let you know how my affairs stand. It would not seem to me strange were you to find yourself moving from these ancestral lands, and I do not allow this to trouble me.’
Ingimund said that he would commit himself to act in accordance with Thorstein’s instructions. Thorstein said that he believed Ingimund would be regarded as a great man wherever he settled. Thorstein then prophesied many things for him and died shortly afterwards. He was given a fitting burial in the ancient heathen way. Ingimund took over the management of the estate and all its effects. He intended to make his home there and did not stir for a while.
12 King Harald Fair-hair, the greatest of all the old kings of Scandinavia, had now established complete peace and stability. He then remembered what he had promised his friends and prepared lavish feasts for them with all due honours.
He issued a special invitation to Ingimund, and when he arrived, the king welcomed him warmly and said, ‘I understand that your situation is in many ways an honourable one, but you nevertheless lack one thing, in that you are unmarried; but I have thought of a match for you. It was in my mind when you risked your life for mine. Earl Thorir the Silent has a daughter called Vigdis; she is the most beautiful of women and very wealthy. I will arrange this marriage for you.’
Ingimund thanked the king and said that he was keen on the idea. The king held a feast of great splendour and honour, and then men returned home. After that Ingimund prepared for the wedding and when things were ready King Harald arrived and many other men of distinction. Ingimund married Vigdis as arranged. The marriage went off with great splendour. The king paid for costly gifts and other honours.
Ingimund said to the king, ‘Now I am very happy with my marriage, and it is a great honour to be the object of your goodwill, but I have in mind what the Lapp woman prophesied for me about a change in my life, because I have no wish that it should ever be the case that I leave my family estate.’
The king answered, ‘I cannot deny that the prophecy may have some purpose, and that Frey might wish his amulet to come to rest in the place where he wants his seat of honour to be established.’
Ingimund said that he was eager to know whether he could find the amulet after the digging was done for his high-seat pillars – ‘It may be that all this has not happened for nothing. It is, therefore, to be no secret, my lord, that I now propose to send for those Lapps who can show me the extent of the region and the lie of the land where I will be living; and I intend to send them to Iceland.’
The king said that he could do that, ‘but I think that you will end up in Iceland, and it is a matter of concern whether you go with my blessing or keep the decision to yourself, which is very much the fashion nowadays’.
‘It would never be the case that I would go without your permission.’
Afterwards he and the king parted. Ingimund went home and remained on his farm. He sent for the Lapps, and three of them came from the north. Ingimund said that he wanted to make a bargain with them – ‘I will give you butter and tin, and you are to undertake an errand for me in Iceland and search for my amulet and report back to me about the lie of the land.’
They answered, ‘This is a hazardous mission for Lapp messengers to undertake, but in response to your request we want to make an attempt. You must now shut us up together in a shed and our names must not be revealed.’
This was duly done. And when three nights had passed, Ingimund went to them.
They stood up and sighed deeply and said, ‘It has been hard for us, and we have had much toil and trouble, but nevertheless we have returned with these tokens so that you may recognize the land from our account, if you go there; but it was very difficult for us to search for the amulet, and the spell of the Lapp woman was a powerful one because we placed ourselves in great jeopardy. We arrived at a spot where three fjords open up to the north-east and in one fjord there were big lakes to be seen. We later entered a long valley and there at the foot of a mountain were some wooded areas. It was a habitable hillside, and there in one of the woods was the amulet, but when we tried to pick it up, it flew off into another wood, and as we pursued it, it always flew away, and some sort of cover always lay over it, so that we could not get hold of it; and so it is that you yourself must go there.’
Ingimund said that he would be heading off there soon and declared that it was useless to fight against this. He looked after the Lapps well and they left, and he stayed quietly on his estate and was a very wealthy and worthy man. Afterwards he met the king and told him what he had done and what he was planning. The king said that this came as no surprise to him and that it was difficult to go against the way things must be.
Ingimund said that this was true – ‘I have now tried every way.’
The king said, ‘Whichever land you live in, you will be an honoured man.’
As before, the king showed him all due honour.
After this Ingimund held a splendid feast and invited his friends and the chieftains, and at the feast he asked for silence and said, ‘I have decided on a change in my life; I am thinking of going to Iceland, more because of destiny and the decree of mighty forces than out of any personal desire. Anyone wishing to accompany me may do so; those others wishing to remain behind are free to do so, and both groups will remain equally our friends, whatever they choose to do.’
There was much acclaim for his speech, and people said that the departure of such a man was a great blow, ‘but there are few things more powerful than destiny’. Many made ready to go with Ingimund – people of great worth, both farmers and men without land.
13 This was the time of greatest emigration to Iceland, and it was then that Vigdis gave birth to a child. It was a boy, and he was very fine-looking.
Ingimund gazed at the child and said, ‘That boy has a thoughtful look in his eye, and I don’t need to search far for a name. He will be named Thorstein, and it is my hope that good luck will go with the name.’
The boy was good-looking and accomplished from an early age, even-tempered, witty, far-sighted, steadfast in friendship and moderate in everything.
They had a second son. He was also presented to his father and Ingimund had to choose a name for him.
He looked at him and said, ‘This boy is hefty and sharp-sighted. If he survives, few will be his match, and he will be no great shakes at controlling his temper; but he will be true to his friends and kinsmen, and a great warrior, if I am any judge. Our kinsman Jokul must be remembered, as my father requested of me, and he will be named Jokul.’
The boy grew up to be a formidable figure in size and strength. He was taciturn, tough, difficult to deal with, stern-minded and brave in every way.
The third son of Ingimund’s marriage was named Thorir. He was a fine-looking fellow, a big man with very much the mind of a merchant. The fourth was named Hogni; a fifth child was Smid he was a concubine’s son. Thorstein was the wisest of all the brothers. Ingimund’s first daughter was called Thordis, named after his mother; there was a second daughter named Jorunn.
There was a man named Jorund, the son of Earl Thorir the Silent, Vigdis’s brother. He made it known that he would be going to Iceland with Ingimund, saying that it was for reasons both of friendship and kinship. Ingimund said that he was well pleased with this. There was a man named Hvati and another called Asmund, both of them Ingimund’s slaves. There was a man named Fridmund, another was named Thorir, a third Refkel, a fourth Ulfkel, a fifth Bodvar. These men prepared to leave for Iceland with Ingimund, and all of them were very wealthy.
14 Ingimund
set sail with his company as soon as he was ready, had a good voyage and arrived off the west coast of Iceland, and sailed on into Borgarfjord to Leiruvog. News of the ship’s arrival soon spread.
Grim rode to the ship and greeted his foster-brother warmly, and said that he was very pleased about his arrival, ‘and so it is with you here now that, as the saying goes, it is very hard to fly in the face of fate’.
Ingimund said that this was true – ‘It cannot be resisted, foster-brother.’
Grim said, ‘I invite you and all your company to my home, and you may have anything of mine that you want, whether land or other valuables.’
Ingimund thanked him for the offer and said that he would stay with him over the winter, ‘but because I have changed my life by undertaking this voyage, I must in due course set off to look for the place which was revealed to me as my settlement’.
Ingimund and his wife and sons went to Hvanneyri, and all his followers were everywhere in the vicinity. Grim looked after them nobly and did everything he could to honour them over the winter. And when spring came, then as earlier Grim made available to them everything which he owned, whether land or other resources.
Ingimund said that, as was to be expected, he had been treated as well as could be, ‘but I must head north, though we will avail ourselves of your help with transportation and provisions’.
Grim said that this should be so, and so also did Hromund, because they had all welcomed the worthy Ingimund warmly.
He journeyed north that summer in search of land, and went up Nordurardal and came down into an uninhabited fjord. On the day they travelled along the fjord, two sheep ran down the mountain side towards them. They were rams.
Then Ingimund said, ‘It seems only right that this fjord should be called Hrutafjord (Rams’ fjord).’
After they came to the fjord, a thick fog descended. They came to a headland, and found there a big wooden plank, newly washed ashore.
Ingimund then said, ‘It must be intended that we should give this place a name – one that will last – and so let us call the headland Bordeyri (Plank headland).’
Summer was passing, for there was a great deal to move and they had set out late, and winter was almost upon them when they came to a valley with willow scrub growing all over it.
Then Ingimund said, ‘This valley is overgrown with willow; let us call it Vididal (Willow valley), and I think that this looks just the place for our winter quarters.’
They stayed there for a second winter and built themselves a hall which is now called Ingimundarhol (Ingimund’s hill).
Then Ingimund said, ‘Our home here may not be as cheery as the one in Norway, but we need not to think about that because there are many good men assembled here for some fun, and so let us enjoy ourselves as far as our resources allow.’
Everyone agreed with this. They remained there throughout the winter, and played games and had all kinds of merriment.
15 And when spring came, and the snow had melted a little from the slopes, Ingimund said, ‘I am curious to know if anyone can climb to the top of a high mountain and see if there is any less snow visible elsewhere, because it does not seem to me that we can start a settlement in this valley; it is a poor exchange for Norway.’
Men then climbed up one high mountain and from it they could see far and wide.
They returned and told Ingimund that those mountains which lay to the north-east were quite without snow, ‘and they are lovely to look on, but here where we are it is as if the same storm is always with us, and we can see that over there the quality of the land is much better’.
Ingimund replied, ‘Well and good, then, and we may yet hope that some greenness awaits us. This may turn out to be our lot.’
They made themselves ready early in the spring and, as they approached Vatnsdal to the north, Ingimund said, ‘This must confirm the Lapps’ prophecy for I now recognize the lie of the land from their description; this must be the place intended for us, and how very good it now looks. I see a spacious land, and if its qualities match its size, it may be that here is a fine place to settle.’
And when they came to Vatnsdalsa river, Vigdis, the wife of Ingimund, then said, ‘I must take a rest here, because I feel unwell.’
Ingimund replied, ‘May all go well with you.’
Then Vigdis gave birth to a girl; she was named Thordis.
Ingimund said, ‘This place will be called Thordisarholt (Thordis’s wood).’
Then people set off up the valley and saw there fine land with good grass and woods. It was lovely to behold; people’s faces brightened. Ingimund claimed all Vatnsdal above the lakes Helgavatn and Urdarvatn. The Thordis-arlaek stream flows from the west into Smidjuvatn lake. Ingimund chose a site for his home in a very beautiful vale and prepared to build his homestead. He built a great temple a hundred feet long, and when he dug holes for the high-seat pillars, then he found the amulet as had been prophesied.
Then Ingimund said, ‘Though it is true to say that one cannot fight against fate, yet we may now settle here in good spirits. This farm will be called Hof (Temple).’
Ingimund’s men spread themselves all over the valley and took settlement sites as he directed.
That autumn there was a good deal of ice, and when men walked out on to it, they found a she-bear and with her were two cubs. Ingimund was with them on this trip and said that the lake should be called Hunavatn (Cubs’ lake), ‘and the fjord into which all the waters flow will be called Vatnafjord’.
After that Ingimund went home. He built a splendid homestead and soon became chieftain of the Vatnsdal people and of the adjoining areas. He owned a good many livestock, both cows and sheep and other beasts. That same autumn some sheep went astray and were found the following spring in the woods – this place is now called Saudadal (Sheep valley). The excellence of the land at this time can be judged from the fact that all the sheep fed themselves out of doors. It is also said that some pigs went missing from Ingimund’s land and were not found until the autumn of the following year, and by that time there were a hundred of them in all; they had become wild. A big old boar followed them around and was called Beigad. Ingimund gathered men together to round up the swine and declared that it could truly be said that there were two heads on every one of them. They chased after the swine, and drove them to the lake which is now called Svinavatn (Swine lake), and wanted to head them off there, but the boar jumped into the water, swam across and grew so tired that his trotters dropped off. He reached a hill which is now called Beigadarhol (Beigad’s hill) and died there. By now Ingimund felt comfortable in Vatnsdal. Many districts had been settled; they also adopted laws and established rights.
16 When Ingimund had lived for some time at Hof, he announced that he was going abroad to collect building-wood for himself, because he said that he wanted to live in fine style there, and that he expected King Harald to greet him warmly. Vigdis said that good was to be expected from the king. He appointed men to look after the estate, along with Vigdis. Ingimund took the bears along with him.
The journey went well for him and he arrived in Norway. He asked where King Harald was; the country was then at peace. And when he found King Harald he was warmly welcomed. The king invited him to stay with him and Ingimund accepted. Throughout the winter he was entertained with great honour by the king. The king asked what the good points were about the new land.
He spoke well of it, ‘and it is my main object now to get some building timber’.
The king said, ‘Good for you. I grant you permission to have whatever timber you want cut from our forests, and I will have it moved to the ship, and you need have no concerns on that score; and you will stay here with me.’
Ingimund said, ‘My lord, you can see here before you a bear which I captured in Iceland, and I would like you to accept it from me.’
The king answered, ‘I will certainly accept it and offer you my thanks.’
They exchanged many gifts over the winter, and when spring cam
e, Ingimund’s ship was loaded with the cargo which he had selected, and with the choicest timber to be found.
The king said, ‘I see, Ingimund, that you have no intention of travelling again to Norway; you should take enough timber with you now to meet your needs, but a single ship cannot carry it. Here are some other ships to look at. Select whichever one you want.’
Ingimund said, ‘Select one for me, my lord. That will ensure the best possible luck.’
‘So be it; I know them best. Here is a ship called Stigandi (High Stepper) which we consider the best ship of all upwind under sail and better voyaging than any of the others, and this is the one which I choose for you. It is a fine vessel, though not a large one.’
Ingimund thanked the king for the gift. He then took his leave with many tokens of friendship.
He soon discovered how fast a ship Stigandi was.
Then Ingimund said, ‘The king’s choice of ship for me was a good one, and rightly is it called Stigandi, stepping through the waves as it does.’
They arrived off the coast of Iceland, and then sailed first to the north, and then westwards. No one had done this before. Ingimund brought both ships into Hunavatnsos and there assigned all the place names which have lasted ever since. The place where the ship beached was called Stigandahrof (Stigandi’s Shed). News of Ingimund’s arrival spread widely, and all were pleased that he had returned. Ingimund had an excellent farm with ample resources. He now greatly improved his homestead, because he had enough building materials. He also acquired for himself a godord and authority over men.
The Sagas of the Icelanders Page 33