The Sagas of the Icelanders

by Smilely, Jane

  When suitably frightened, the woman revealed that a man came to her, ‘a large man, and handsome, he seemed to me’.

  Thord then asked when she thought this man would return and she said she expected him to come soon.

  Thord then approached Olaf and told him that it was very likely Stigandi was not far away and asked him to gather some men together and go after him. Olaf was quick to respond and went up to Hundadal, where the slave-woman was brought before him. Olaf asked where Stigandi’s camp was, but she said she did not know. He then offered to buy her her freedom if she would deliver Stigandi into their hands, and she accepted his offer.

  That day she watched over her sheep as usual and Stigandi came to her. She welcomed him warmly and offered to search his hair for lice. He lay down with his head in her lap and soon fell asleep. She then crawled out from under him and went to Olaf and his men to tell them how matters stood. They went to where Stigandi lay and were determined not to let him see anything he could put a curse on, as his brother had done, so they drew a sack over his head. Stigandi awoke and offered no resistance for there were many of them against him alone. There was a tear in the sack through which Stigandi could see the slope opposite. It was a fertile bit of land, green with grass, but suddenly it was as if a tornado struck it. The land was transformed and never again did grass grow there. It is now called ‘The Fire-Site’. Following this they stoned Stigandi to death and placed him in a shallow grave there. Olaf kept his promise to the slave-woman and gave her her freedom, and she returned to Hjardarholt with them.

  Hallbjorn’s Slickstone-eye’s body washed up on the beach a short while after he was drowned. He was placed in a shallow grave at the spot called Knarrarnes, and haunted the area frequently.

  A man called Thorkel the Bald lived at Thykkvaskog on a farm he had inherited from his father. He was a courageous man and extremely strong. One evening a cow was missing at Thykkvaskog and Thorkel and one of his farmhands went to look for her. It was after nightfall and there was a moon in the sky. Thorkel said they should split up and divide the area between them. When Thorkel was alone he thought he saw a cow on a rise before him. As he approached it turned out to be Slickstone-eye rather than a cow and they fought with one another. Hallbjorn had to give way and, just when Thorkel least expected it, he slipped out of his hands and let himself sink down into the ground. Thorkel returned home afterwards. His servant had already come home with the cow. After this Hallbjorn did no more harm.

  By this time both Thorbjorn the Pock-marked and Melkorka were dead. They were buried in a mound in Laxardal and their son Lambi lived on their farm. He was a bold fighter and well off. He enjoyed more respect than his father had because of his mother’s family, and the relations between him and Olaf were warm.

  The winter following the killing of Kotkel and his family passed and the next spring the brothers Olaf and Thorleik met. Olaf asked whether Thorleik intended to continue farming at Kambsnes, and Thorleik replied that this was his intention.

  Olaf said, ‘I would like to ask you instead, kinsman, to change your plans and sail abroad. You will enjoy the respect of everyone wherever you go. But I’m afraid our kinsman Hrut cares little for your company, and I would rather not take the chance of having the two of you at such close quarters much longer. Hrut is a powerful man, and his sons are bold warriors and hotheads. For the sake of our family ties, I would rather avoid a clash between you two kinsmen.’

  Thorleik replied, ‘I’m not afraid of not being able to stand up to Hrut and his sons, and won’t leave the country because of that. But if it makes a great difference to you, kinsman, and has put you into a difficult position, then I will do so at your request, and because I was more contented when I was abroad. Nor do I fear that you will treat my son Bolli any less well though I am not nearby, and he is dearer to me than anyone else.’

  Olaf answered, ‘You’re doing the right thing in agreeing to my request in this matter. And, as far as Bolli is concerned, I intend to continue as before, and treat him no less well than I do my own sons.’

  Following this the brothers parted with great affection. Thorleik sold his property and used the proceeds to prepare for his journey abroad. He purchased a ship which was beached at Dagverdarnes, and when it was ready to sail went aboard accompanied by his wife and others of his family They had a good passage and made land in Norway that autumn. From there he travelled south to Denmark, as he did not feel satisfied in Norway, his friends and relatives had died or been driven out of the country. From Denmark he travelled to Gotland. According to most people, Thorleik was not one to grow old gracefully, but was nevertheless respected as long as he lived. The story of Thorleik ends here.

  39 Word spread of the dispute between Hrut and Thorleik, and most people in the dales of Breidafjord felt that Kotkel and his sons had dealt Hrut a heavy blow. Osvif reminded Gudrun and her brothers of his earlier words, and his advice that they avoid jeopardizing their own lives by taking on such fiends as Kotkel and his family.

  Gudrun said, ‘No one can be ill-advised, Father, who has the advantage of your advice.’

  Olaf now enjoyed great respect on his farm. All of his sons lived at Hjardarholt, as did their kinsman and foster-brother, Bolli. Kjartan was the leader of Olaf’s sons, and he and Bolli were very close. Kjartan never went anywhere without Bolli at his side.

  Kjartan often went to the hot springs at Saelingsdal, and it usually happened that Gudrun was there as well. Kjartan enjoyed Gudrun’s company, as she was both clever and good with words. Everyone said that, of all the young people of the time, Kjartan and Gudrun were best suited for one another. Olaf and Osvif were also good friends, and exchanged visits regularly, which did little to decrease the growing affection between the youngsters.

  Olaf spoke to Kjartan one day, saying, ‘I don’t know why your visits to the springs at Laugar to spend time with Gudrun make me uneasy. It isn’t because I don’t appreciate how much superior to other women Gudrun is, as she is the only woman I consider a worthy match for you. But somehow I have a feeling, although I won’t make it a prediction, that our dealings with the Laugar family will not turn out well.’

  Kjartan replied that he would do his utmost not to go against his father’s wishes, but said he expected things would turn out better than Olaf anticipated. He continued his visits as before, with Bolli usually accompanying him. The year passed.

  40 A man named Asgeir, who was called Scatter-brain, lived on the farmstead Asgeirsa in Vididal. His father, Audun Shaft, was the first of his family to make the journey to Iceland and had taken land and settled in Vididal. Another of Audun’s sons was Thorgrim Grey-head who was the father of Asmund, the father of Grettir the Strong.

  Asgeir had five children: one of his sons was Audun, the father of Asgeir, the father of Audun, the father of Egil who was married to Ulfheid, the daughter of Eyjolf the Lame. Their son was Eyjolf, who was killed at the Althing. Another of Asgeir’s sons was Thorvald, whose daughter Dalla was married to Bishop Isleif and was the mother of Bishop Gizur. A third son was named Kalf. Asgeir’s sons were all promising. At this time Kalf was sailing on trading voyages and had earned a good name for himself. Thurid, one of Asgeir’s daughters, was married to Thorkel, the son of Thord Bellower, and their son was named Thorstein. His other daughter was named Hrefna. She was the finest-looking woman in the northern districts of Iceland and very well liked. Asgeir was a powerful figure.

  Kjartan Olafsson set out on a journey to Borgarfjord, of which nothing is reported until he arrived at Borg. Thorstein Egilsson, his mother’s brother, was farming at Borg at the time. Bolli accompanied Kjartan, as the affection between the two foster-brothers was such that both of them felt something was missing in the other’s absence. Thorstein welcomed Kjartan warmly and said he hoped he would make his visit a long one, and Kjartan stayed at Borg for some time.

  That summer a ship that was owned by Kalf Asgeirsson was beached at the mouth of the Gufua river. He had spent the winter with Thorstei
n Egilsson.

  Kjartan confided to Thorstein that his main purpose in coming south to Borg had been to purchase a half-share in the ship from Kalf, ‘as I want to journey abroad’, and he asked Thorstein for his opinion of Kalf.

  Thorstein replied that he considered Kalf to be a decent fellow, ‘but it’s a shame you long to go abroad and learn of foreign ways. Your journey will likely prove to be of importance in more ways than one. For your kinsmen a great deal depends upon how the journey turns out.’

  Kjartan said that it would turn out well. He then purchased a half-share in the ship from Kalf and they reached an agreement to share the profits equally. They would set sail when Kjartan returned after the tenth week of summer. On departing from Borg, Kjartan was given fine gifts and he and Bolli rode home. When Olaf learned of the plans he felt that Kjartan had made a hasty decision, but said he would not fail to offer his support.

  A short while later Kjartan rode to Laugar and told Gudrun of his proposed journey abroad.

  Gudrun said, ‘You were in a hurry to make this decision, Kjartan’, and other words which made it clear to Kjartan that Gudrun was not at all pleased about it.

  Kjartan said, ‘Don’t get angry about this and I’ll make it up to you by doing anything you ask that would please you.’

  Gudrun said, ‘Make sure you mean that, because I’ll hold you to it.’

  Kjartan told her to go ahead and name whatever she wished, and Gudrun said, ‘I want to go with you this summer, and by taking me you can make up for deciding this so hastily, for it’s not Iceland that I love.’

  ‘You can’t do that,’ Kjartan answered. ‘Your brothers are inexperienced and your father is an old man. If you go abroad there’d be no one to look after things. Wait for me instead for three years.’

  Gudrun said she would promise nothing of the sort, and they parted in disagreement. Kjartan returned home.

  Olaf attended the Althing that summer, and Kjartan accompanied his father from Hjardarholt as far as the Nordurardal valley, where they parted ways. Kjartan rode to his ship, accompanied by his kinsman Bolli. There were ten Icelanders who went with Kjartan on his journey because they were so attached to him. With this group of followers Kjartan approached the ship, where Kalf Asgeirsson gave them a warm welcome. Kjartan and Bolli took with them goods of great value. They set about making their preparations, and as soon as a favourable wind arose they set sail from Borgarfjord out to the open sea.

  They had a good crossing and made land in Norway north of Nidaros, at Agdenes, where they sought news of recent events from the people they met. They were told that there had been a change of rulers in the country, of the fall of Earl Hakon and the rise of King Olaf Tryggvason, who had managed to bring all of Norway under his rule. King Olaf decreed that the Norwegians should adopt a new religion, and far from all of his subjects were prepared to agree to this.

  Kjartan and his men docked their ship at Nidaros. There were a great number of prominent Icelanders in Norway at this time, and the three ships already docked there were all owned by Icelanders. Brand the Generous, the son of Vermund Thorgrimsson, owned one of them, Hallfred the Troublesome Poet a second and the third was owned by two brothers, Bjarni and Thorhall, who were the sons of Skeggi of Breida in Fljotshlid. All of them had intended to sail to Iceland that summer, but the king had forbidden all of the ships to put to sea because the owners refused to adopt the new religion which he had decreed. All the Icelanders welcomed Kjartan, especially Brand, as he and Kjartan were old acquaintances.

  The Icelanders held counsel and agreed among themselves to refuse to adopt the new religion which the king had decreed. All of the men mentioned were party to the decision. Kjartan and his men then docked, unloaded their ship and saw to their goods. King Olaf, who was in town, learned of the arrival of the ship and that among those on board were a number of highly capable men.

  One fine day that autumn, Kjartan and his men saw many people leaving the town to go swimming in the river Nid. Kjartan suggested to his men that they also go on a swimming outing, which they did. One of the swimmers was by far the best, and Kjartan asked Bolli if he wouldn’t care to match himself against the local swimmer.

  Bolli answered: ‘I doubt that I’m good enough.’

  ‘I don’t know what’s become of your sporting spirit,’ Kjartan replied. ‘I’ll challenge him then.’

  Bolli answered, ‘Go ahead and do as you please.’

  Kjartan then dived out into the river and swam over to the man who was such a strong swimmer, pushed him underwater and held him down for some time, before letting him come up again. The other had not been above water long before he grasped Kjartan and forced him underwater and held him under so long that Kjartan felt enough was enough. They both emerged once more, but neither spoke to the other. On the third try both of them went underwater and were under much longer. Kjartan was far from certain what the outcome would be and realized that he had never before been in such a tight situation. Finally both of them came up and swam ashore.

  The local man then asked, ‘Who is this man?’

  Kjartan told him his name and the local man replied, ‘You’re a fair swimmer; are you as good at other skills?’

  Kjartan answered, after a pause, ‘It was said, in Iceland, that I was – not that it makes any difference now.’

  The man spoke: ‘It does make a difference who your opponent is; why haven’t you asked me any questions?’

  Kjartan replied, ‘I don’t care who you are.’

  The man said, ‘You’re not only highly capable, but highly confident of yourself as well; but I intend to tell you my name, all the same, and who it is you have been swimming against. You have before you King Olaf Tryggvason.’

  Kjartan made no answer but turned to leave without putting on his outer cloak. He was wearing an inner shirt of scarlet. By this time the king was practically fully dressed. He called out to Kjartan, asking him not to hurry off, and Kjartan turned back reluctantly. The king then removed a fine cloak from his own shoulders and gave it to Kjartan, saying it wouldn’t do for him to return to his men without a cloak. Kjartan thanked the king for the gift, went back to his followers and showed them the cloak. They were not at all pleased, as they felt Kjartan had put himself in the king’s debt, but nothing more occurred.

  The weather was especially harsh that autumn, with long spells of heavy frost and cold.

  The heathen men said it was hardly surprising that the weather should be bad – ‘It’s because of the new king and his new religion, that the gods have grown angry.’

  All of the Icelanders spent the winter in the town, and Kjartan was the leader among them. When the weather improved a great number of people began arriving in town in answer to the summons of King Olaf. Some people in Nidaros had converted to Christianity, but the great majority were still opposed.

  One day the king called a meeting at Oyr where he made a long and very eloquent speech to urge men to convert. The men of the Nidaros district had collected a small army and maintained they were prepared to do battle with the king rather than convert. The king told them to keep in mind that he had dealt with greater opponents than a bunch of local farmers from Nidaros. This was enough to strike fear into the hearts of the farmers and they all surrendered to him. A great number of people were baptized before the assembly was dissolved.

  That same evening the king sent men to the quarters of the Icelanders to listen in on their conversations. Inside there was a great deal of noise.

  Kjartan could be heard speaking to Bolli, ‘How eager are you to adopt this religion that the king has decreed, kinsman?’

  ‘I’m not eager at all,’ Bolli answered, ‘as this religion seems very weak to me.’

  Kjartan asked, ‘Didn’t you think the king was threatening anyone who wasn’t prepared to submit to his will?’

  Bolli answered, ‘I think the king left no doubt about his intentions to use force against them if need be.’

  ‘No one is going to force m
e to do anything against my will,’ said Kjartan, ‘as long as I can stand on my own two feet and wield a weapon. Only a coward waits to be taken like a lamb from the fold or a fox from a trap. The other course looks better to me; if a man’s got to die anyway, he might as well make a name for himself before it comes to that.’

  Bolli asked, ‘What is it you want to do?’

  ‘I won’t keep it from you,’ Kjartan said. ‘Burn down his quarters with the king inside.’

  ‘I wouldn’t call that a cowardly plan,’ Bolli said, ‘but something tells me little good will come of it. This king is not only favoured by destiny and fortune, he is also securely guarded both day and night.’

  Kjartan replied that even courageous men lost their nerve now and again, to which Bolli answered, that he wasn’t so sure who should be taunted about lack of courage. Many of their followers then told them to stop this pointless arguing. After listening to this, the king’s spies left to report the entire exchange to the king.

  The next morning the king called a meeting and summoned all the Icelanders. When they had assembled he stood up and thanked all those men who were his loyal friends and had converted to Christianity for answering his summons to the meeting. He ordered the Icelanders to come before him and asked whether they wished to be baptized. Not really, they replied.

  He said they were choosing a course for themselves that would turn out badly for them – ‘and which of you was it who expressed the wish to set fire to my quarters?’

  At this Kjartan replied, ‘You no doubt expect that the speaker of these words will not dare to admit to them, but he stands here before you.’

  ‘I know you,’ the king replied, ‘and your daring, but you are not destined to stand over my dead body. You are guilty of enough in ignoring the advice of those who would teach you a better faith, without threatening to burn alive the king who attempts it. Since, however, I am not certain that you meant what you said, and you have honestly admitted to it, I will not have you put to death for the offence. Perhaps when you do convert you will keep your faith better than others – to the same extent you expressed more opposition to it than they did. I realize as well, that it will mean entire ship’s crews will turn up for baptism the day that you decide of your own free will to convert. I think it very likely that your friends and kinsmen will pay heed to what you say when you return to Iceland, and if my guess is right, Kjartan, you will leave Norway under a better faith than you had when you arrived. Leave this meeting then in peace and proceed in safety, whatever course you choose; no one will force you to adopt Christianity for the time being, for God has said that he wishes no man to be forced to turn to him.’