Chapter 1

Produced by Ted Garvin, Sankar Viswanathan, and Online Distributed Proofreading Team of Distributed Proofreaders Europe at http://dp.rastko.net

LAXDAELA

SAGA

TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC

by

MURIEL A.C. PRESS

MDCCCXCIX

PUBLISHED BY J.M. DENT AND CO. ALDINE HOUSE LONDON W.C.

CONTENTS

CHAP.

I. OF KETILL FLATNOSE AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 9TH CENTURY A.D.

II. KETILL AND HIS SONS PREPARE TO LEAVE NORWAY.

III. KETILL's SONS GO TO ICELAND.

IV. KETILL GOES TO SCOTLAND, A.D. 890.

V. UNN GOES TO ICELAND, A.D. 895.

VI. UNN DIVIDES HER LAND.

VII. OF THE WEDDING OF OLAF "FEILAN," A.D. 920.

VIII. THE BIRTH OF HRUT, AND THORGERD'S SECOND WIDOWHOOD, A.D. 923.

IX. HOSKULD'S MARRIAGE, A.D. 935.

X. OF VIGA HRAPP.

XI. ABOUT THORD GODDI AND THORBJORN SKRJUP.

XII. HOSKULD BUYS A SLAVE WOMAN.

XIII. HOSKULD RETURNS TO ICELAND, A.D. 948.

XIV. THE MURDER OF HALL, INGJALD'S BROTHER.

XV. THOROLF'S ESCAPE WITH ASGAUT THE THRALL.

XVI. THORD BECOMES OLAF'S FOSTER FATHER, A.D. 950.

XVII. ABOUT VIGA HRAPP'S GHOST, A.D. 950.

XVIII. OF THE DROWNING OF THORSTEIN SWART.

XIX. HRUT COMES TO ICELAND

XX. MELKORKA'S MARRIAGE AND OLAF THE PEACOCK'S JOURNEY, A.D. 955

XXI. OLAF THE PEACOCK GOES TO IRELAND, A.D. 955

XXII. OLAF THE PEACOCK COMES HOME TO ICELAND, A.D. 957

XXIII. THE MARRIAGE OF OLAF PEACOCK AND THORGERD, THE DAUGHTER OF EGIL, A.D. 959

XXIV. THE BUILDING OF HERDHOLT, A.D. 960

XXV. ABOUT HOSKULD'S SONS

XXVI. THE DEATH OF HOSKULD, A.D. 985

XXVII. THE FUNERAL FEAST FOR HOSKULD

XXVIII. THE BIRTH OF KJARTAN, OLAF'S SON, A.D. 978

XXIX. OLAF'S SECOND JOURNEY TO NORWAY, A.D. 975

XXX. ABOUT GIERMUND AND THURED, A.D. 978

XXXI. THURED'S SECOND MARRIAGE, A.D. 980

XXXII. OF OSVIF HELGISON

XXXIII. OF GEST ODDLEIFSON AND GUDRUN'S DREAMS

XXXIV. GUDRUN'S FIRST MARRIAGE, A.D. 989

XXXV. GUDRUN'S SECOND MARRIAGE, A.D. 991

XXXVI. ABOUT KOTKELL AND GRIMA

XXXVII. ABOUT HRUT AND ELDGRIM, A.D. 995

XXXVIII. THE DEATH OF STIGANDI. THORLIEK LEAVES ICELAND

XXXIX. OF KJARTAN'S FRIENDSHIP FOR BOLLI

XL. KJARTAN AND BOLLI VOYAGE TO NORWAY, A.D. 996

XLI. BOLLI RETURNS TO ICELAND, A.D. 999

XLII. BOLLI MAKES LOVE TO GUDRUN, A.D. 1000

XLIII. KJARTAN COMES BACK TO ICELAND, A.D. 1001

XLIV. KJARTAN COMES HOME, A.D. 1001

XLV. KJARTAN MARRIES HREFNA, A.D. 1002

XLVI. FEAST AT HERDHOLT AND THE LOSS OF KJARTAN'S SWORD, A.D. 1002

XLVII. KJARTAN GOES TO LAUGAR, AND OF THE BARGAIN FOR TONGUE, A.D. 1003

XLVIII. THE MEN OF LAUGAR AND GUDRUN PLAN AN AMBUSH FOR KJARTAN, A.D. 1003

XLIX. THE DEATH OF KJARTAN

L. THE END OF HREFNA. THE PEACE SETTLED, A.D. 1003

LI. OSVIF'S SONS ARE BANISHED

LII. THE KILLING OF THORKELL OF GOAT'S PEAK

LIII. THORGERD'S EGGING, A.D. 1007

LIV. HALLDOR PREPARES TO AVENGE KJARTAN

LV. THE DEATH OF BOLLI

LVI. BOLLI BOLLISON IS BORN, A.D. 1008

LVII. ABOUT THORGILS HALLASON, A.D. 1018

LVIII. THORKELL AND GRIM, AND THEIR VOYAGE ABROAD

LIX. GUDRUN DEMANDS REVENGE FOR BOLLI, A.D. 1019

LX. THE EGGING OF GUDRUN

LXI. OF THORSTEIN THE BLACK AND LAMBI

LXII. THORGILS AND HIS FOLLOWERS LEAVE HOME

LXIII. THE DESCRIPTION OF HIS ENEMIES BROUGHT TO HELGI

LXIV. THE DEATH OF HELGI, A.D. 1019

LXV. OF GUDRUN'S DECEIT

LXVI. OSVIF AND GEST DIE

LXVII. THE DEATH OF THORGILS HALLASON, A.D. 1020

LXVIII. GUDRUN'S MARRIAGE WITH THORKELL EYJOLFSON

LXIX. THE QUARREL ABOUT GUNNAR AT THE FEAST

LXX. THORLEIK GOES TO NORWAY

LXXI. THE PEACE BETWEEN THE SONS OF BOLLI AND THE SONS OF OLAF, A.D. 1026

LXXII. BOLLI AND THORLEIK GO ABROAD, A.D. 1029

LXXIII. BOLLI'S VOYAGE

LXXIV. THORKELL EYJOLFSON GOES TO NORWAY

LXXV. THORKELL AND THORSTEIN AND HALLDOR OLAFSON, A.D. 1026

LXXVI. THE DROWNING OF THORKELL, A.D. 1026

LXXVII. THE RETURN OF BOLLI, A.D. 1030

LXXVIII. THE DEATH OF SNORRI, AND THE END, A.D. 1031

THE LAXDALE SAGA

CHAP. I

Of Ketill Flatnose and his Descendants, 9th Century A.D. [Sidenote: Ketill's family] Ketill Flatnose was the name of a man. He was the son of Bjorn the Ungartered. Ketill was a mighty and high-born chieftain (hersir) in Norway. He abode in Raumsdale, within the folkland of the Raumsdale people, which lies between Southmere and Northmere. Ketill Flatnose had for wife Yngvild, daughter of Ketill Wether, who was a man of exceeding great worth. They had five children; one was named Bjorn the Eastman, and another Helgi Bjolan. Thorunn the Horned was the name of one of Ketill's daughters, who was the wife of Helgi the Lean, son of Eyvind Eastman, and Rafarta, daughter of Kjarval, the Irish king. Unn "the Deep-minded" was another of Ketill's daughters, and was the wife of Olaf the White, son of Ingjald, who was son of Frodi the Valiant, who was slain by the Svertlings. Jorunn, "Men's Wit-breaker," was the name of yet another of Ketill's daughters. She was the mother of Ketill the Finn, who settled on land at Kirkby. His son was Asbjorn, father of Thorstein, father of Surt, the father of Sighat the Speaker-at-Law.

CHAP. II

Ketill and his Sons prepare to leave Norway

[Sidenote: The tyranny of King Harald] In the latter days of Ketill arose the power of King Harald the Fairhaired, in such a way that no folkland king or other great men could thrive in the land unless he alone ruled what title should be theirs. When Ketill heard that King Harald was minded to put to him the same choice as to other men of might--namely, not only to put up with his kinsmen being left unatoned, but to be made himself a hireling to boot--he calls together a meeting of his kinsmen, and began his speech in this wise: "You all know what dealings there have been between me and King Harald, the which there is no need of setting forth; for a greater need besets us, to wit, to take counsel as to the troubles that now are in store for us. I have true news of King Harald's enmity towards us, and to me it seems that we may abide no trust from that quarter. [Sidenote: Ketill's speech] It seems to me that there are two choices left us, either to fly the land or to be slaughtered each in his own seat. Now, as for me, my will is rather to abide the same death that my kinsmen suffer, but I would not lead you by my wilfulness into so great a trouble, for I know the temper of my kinsmen and friends, that ye would not desert me, even though it would be some trial of manhood to follow me." Bjorn, the son of Ketill, answered: "I will make known my wishes at once. I will follow the example of noble men, and fly this land. For I deem myself no greater a man by abiding at home the thralls of King Harald, that they may chase me away from my own possessions, or that else I may have to come by utter death at their hands." At this there was made a good cheer, and they all thought it was spoken bravely. This counsel then was settled, that they should leave the country, for the sons of Ketill urged it much, and no one spoke against it. Bjorn and Helgi wished to go to Iceland, for they said they had heard many pleasing news thereof. They had been told that there was good land to be had there, and no need to pay money for it; they said there was plenty of whale and salmon and other fishing all the year round there. But Ketill said, "Into that fishing place I shall never come in my old age." So Ketill then told his mind, saying his desire was rather to go west over the sea, for there was a chance of getting a good livelihood. He knew lands there wide about, for there he had harried far and wide.

Chap. III

Ketill's Sons go to Iceland

[Sidenote: Of Bjorn in Iceland] After that Ketill made a great feast, and at it he married his daughter Thorunn the Horned to Helgi the Lean, as has been said before. After that Ketill arrayed his journey west over the sea. Unn, his daughter, and many others of his relations went with him. That same summer Ketill's sons went to Iceland with Helgi, their brother-in-law. Bjorn, Ketill's son, brought his ship to the west coast of Iceland, to Broadfirth, and sailed up the firth along the southern shore, till he came to where a bay cuts into the land, and a high mountain stood on the ness on the inner side of the bay, but an island lay a little way off the land. Bjorn said that they should stay there for a while. Bjorn then went on land with a few men, and wandered along the coast, and but a narrow strip of land was there between fell and foreshore. This spot he thought suitable for habitation. Bjorn found the pillars of his temple washed up in a certain creek, and he thought that showed where he ought to build his house. Afterwards Bjorn took for himself all the land between Staff-river and Lavafirth, and abode in the place that ever after was called Bjornhaven. He was called Bjorn the Eastman. [Sidenote: Ketill's doings in Scotland] His wife, Gjaflaug, was the daughter of Kjallak the Old. Their sons were Ottar and Kjallak, whose son was Thorgrim, the father of Fight-Styr and Vemund, but the daughter of Kjallak was named Helga, who was the wife of Vestar of Eyr, son of Thorolf "Bladder-skull," who settled Eyr. Their son was Thorlak, father of Steinthor of Eyr. Helgi Bjolan brought his ship to the south of the land, and took all Keelness, between Kollafirth and Whalefirth, and lived at Esjuberg to old age. Helgi the Lean brought his ship to the north of the land, and took Islefirth, all along between Mastness and Rowanness, and lived at Kristness. From Helgi and Thornunn all the Islefirthers are sprung.

CHAP. IV

Ketill goes to Scotland, A.D. 890

Ketill Flatnose brought his ship to Scotland, and was well received by the great men there; for he was a renowned man, and of high birth. They offered him there such station as he would like to take, and Ketill and his company of kinsfolk settled down there--all except Thorstein, his daughter's son, who forthwith betook himself to warring, and harried Scotland far and wide, and was always victorious. Later on he made peace with the Scotch, and got for his own one-half of Scotland. He had for wife Thurid, daughter of Eyvind, and sister of Helgi the Lean. The Scotch did not keep the peace long, but treacherously murdered him. [Sidenote: Of Unn the Deep-minded] Ari, Thorgil's son, the Wise, writing of his death, says that he fell in Caithness. Unn the Deep-minded was in Caithness when her son Thorstein fell. When she heard that Thorstein was dead, and her father had breathed his last, she deemed she would have no prospering in store there. So she had a ship built secretly in a wood, and when it was ready built she arrayed it, and had great wealth withal; and she took with her all her kinsfolk who were left alive; and men deem that scarce may an example be found that any one, a woman only, has ever got out of such a state of war with so much wealth and so great a following. From this it may be seen how peerless among women she was. Unn had with her many men of great worth and high birth. A man named Koll was one of the worthiest amongst her followers, chiefly owing to his descent, he being by title a "Hersir." There was also in the journey with Unn a man named Hord, and he too was also a man of high birth and of great worth. When she was ready, Unn took her ship to the Orkneys; there she stayed a little while, and there she married off Gro, the daughter of Thorstein the Red. She was the mother of Greilad, who married Earl Thorfinn, the son of Earl Turf-Einar, son of Rognvald Mere-Earl. Their son was Hlodvir, the father of Earl Sigurd, the father of Earl Thorfinn, and from them come all the kin of the Orkney Earls. After that Unn steered her ship to the Faroe Isles, and stayed there for some time. [Sidenote: Unn leaves the Faroe Isles] There she married off another daughter of Thorstein, named Olof, and from her sprung the noblest race of that land, who are called the Gate-Beards.

CHAP. V

Unn goes to Iceland, A.D. 895

Unn now got ready to go away from the Faroe Isles, and made it known to her shipmates that she was going to Iceland. She had with her Olaf "Feilan," the son of Thorstein, and those of his sisters who were unmarried. After that she put to sea, and, the weather being favourable, she came with her ship to the south of Iceland to Pumice-Course (Vikrarskeid). There they had their ship broken into splinters, but all the men and goods were saved. After that she went to find Helgi, her brother, followed by twenty men; and when she came there he went out to meet her, and bade her come stay with him with ten of her folk. She answered in anger, and said she had not known that he was such a churl; and she went away, being minded to find Bjorn, her brother in Broadfirth, and when he heard she was coming, he went to meet her with many followers, and greeted her warmly, and invited her and all her followers to stay with him, for he knew his sister's high-mindedness. She liked that right well, and thanked him for his lordly behaviour. She stayed there all the winter, and was entertained in the grandest manner, for there was no lack of means, and money was not spared. [Sidenote: Unn takes land in Iceland] In the spring she went across Broadfirth, and came to a certain ness, where they ate their mid-day meal, and since that it has been called Daymealness, from whence Middlefell-strand stretches (eastward). Then she steered her ship up Hvammsfirth and came to a certain ness, and stayed there a little while. There Unn lost her comb, so it was afterwards called Combness. Then she went about all the Broadfirth-Dales, and took to her lands as wide as she wanted. After that Unn steered her ship to the head of the bay, and there her high-seat pillars were washed ashore, and then she deemed it was easy to know where she was to take up her abode. She had a house built there: it was afterwards called Hvamm, and she lived there. The same spring as Unn set up household at Hvamm, Koll married Thorgerd, daughter of Thorstein the Red. Unn gave, at her own cost, the bridal-feast, and let Thorgerd have for her dowry all Salmonriver-Dale; and Koll set up a household there on the south side of the Salmon-river. Koll was a man of the greatest mettle: their son was named Hoskuld.

CHAP. VI

Unn Divides her Land

After that Unn gave to more men parts of her land-take. To Hord she gave all Hord-Dale as far as Skramuhlaups River. [Sidenote: Her followers] He lived at Hordabolstad (Hord-Lair-Stead), and was a man of the greatest mark, and blessed with noble offspring. His son was Asbjorn the Wealthy, who lived in Ornolfsdale, at Asbjornstead, and had to wife Thorbjorg, daughter of Midfirth-Skeggi. Their daughter was Ingibjorg, who married Illugi the Black, and their sons were Hermund and Gunnlaug Worm-tongue. They are called the Gilsbecking-race. Unn spoke to her men and said: "Now you shall be rewarded for all your work, for now I do not lack means with which to pay each one of you for your toil and good-will. You all know that I have given the man named Erp, son of Earl Meldun, his freedom, for far away was it from my wish that so high-born a man should bear the name of thrall." Afterwards Unn gave him the lands of Sheepfell, between Tongue River and Mid River. His children were Orm and Asgeir, Gunbjorn, and Halldis, whom Alf o' Dales had for wife. To Sokkolf Unn gave Sokkolfsdale, where he abode to old age. Hundi was the name of one of her freedmen. He was of Scottish kin. To him she gave Hundidale. Osk was the name of the fourth daughter of Thorstein the Red. She was the mother of Thorstein Swart, the Wise, who found the "Summer eeke." Thorhild was the name of a fifth daughter of Thorstein. She was the mother of Alf o' Dales, and many great men trace back their line of descent to him. His daughter was Thorgerd, wife of Ari Marson of Reekness, the son of Atli, the son of Ulf the Squinter and Bjorg, Eyvond's daughter, the sister of Helgi the Lean. From them come all the Reeknessings. Vigdis was the name of the sixth daughter of Thorstein the Red. From her come the men of Headland of Islefirth.

CHAP. VII

Of the Wedding of Olaf "Feilan," A.D. 920

Olaf "Feilan" was the youngest of Thorstein's children. He was a tall man and strong, goodly to look at, and a man of the greatest mettle. Unn loved him above all men, and made it known to people that she was minded to settle on Olaf all her belongings at Hvamm after her day. [Sidenote: Unn's advice to Olaf] Unn now became very weary with old age, and she called Olaf "Feilan" to her and said: "It is on my mind, kinsman, that you should settle down and marry." Olaf took this well, and said he would lean on her foresight in that matter. Unn said: "It is chiefly in my mind that your wedding-feast should be held at the end of the summer, for that is the easiest time to get in all the means needed, for to me it seems a near guess that our friends will come hither in great numbers, and I have made up my mind that this shall be the last bridal feast arrayed by me." Olaf answered: "That is well spoken; but such a woman alone I mean to take to wife who shall rob thee neither of wealth nor rule (over thine own)." [Sidenote: Olaf's wedding] That same summer Olaf "Feilan" married Alfdis. Their wedding was at Hvamm. Unn spent much money on this feast, for she let be bidden thereto men of high degree wide about from other parts. She invited Bjorn and Helgi "Bjolan," her brothers, and they came with many followers. There came Koll o' Dales, her kinsman-in-law, and Hord of Hord-Dale, and many other great men. The wedding feast was very crowded; yet there did not come nearly so many as Unn had asked, because the Islefirth people had such a long way to come. Old age fell now fast upon Unn, so that she did not get up till mid-day, and went early to bed. No one did she allow to come to her for advice between the time she went to sleep at night and the time she was aroused, and she was very angry if any one asked how it fared with her strength. On this day Unn slept somewhat late; yet she was on foot when the guests came, and went to meet them and greeted her kinsfolk and friends with great courtesy, and said they had shown their affection to her in "coming hither from so far, and I specially name for this Bjorn and Helgi, but I wish to thank you all who are here assembled." After that Unn went into the hall and a great company with her, and when all seats were taken in the hall, every one was much struck by the lordliness of the feast. Then Unn said: "Bjorn and Helgi, my brothers, and all my other kindred and friends, I call witnesses to this, that this dwelling with all its belongings that you now see before you, I give into the hands of my kinsman, Olaf, to own and to manage." [Sidenote: Unn's death] After that Unn stood up and said she would go to the bower where she was wont to sleep, but bade every one have for pastime whatever was most to his mind, and that ale should be the cheer of the common folk. So the tale goes, that Unn was a woman both tall and portly. She walked at a quick step out along the hall, and people could not help saying to each other how stately the lady was yet. They feasted that evening till they thought it time to go to bed. But the day after Olaf went to the sleeping bower of Unn, his grandmother, and when he came into the chamber there was Unn sitting up against her pillow, and she was dead. Olaf went into the hall after that and told these tidings. Every one thought it a wonderful thing, how Unn had upheld her dignity to the day of her death. So they now drank together Olaf's wedding and Unn's funeral honours, and the last day of the feast Unn was carried to the howe (burial mound) that was made for her. She was laid in a ship in the cairn, and much treasure with her, and after that the cairn was closed up. Then Olaf "Feilan" took over the household of Hvamm and all charge of the wealth there, by the advice of his kinsmen who were there. When the feast came to an end Olaf gave lordly gifts to the men most held in honour before they went away. Olaf became a mighty man and a great chieftain. He lived at Hvamm to old age. [Sidenote: Olaf's children] The children of Olaf and Alfdis were Thord Yeller, who married Hrodny, daughter of Midfirth Skeggi; and their sons were, Eyjolf the Grey, Thorarin Fylsenni, and Thorkell Kuggi. One daughter of Olaf Feilan was Thora, whom Thorstein Cod-biter, son of Thorolf Most-Beard, had for wife; their sons were Bork the Stout, and Thorgrim, father of Snori the Priest. Helga was another daughter of Olaf; she was the wife of Gunnar Hlifarson; their daughter was Jofrid, whom Thorodd, son of Tongue-Odd, had for wife, and afterwards Thorstein, Egil's son. Thorunn was the name of yet one of his daughters. She was the wife of Herstein, son of Thorkell Blund-Ketill's son. Thordis was the name of a third daughter of Olaf: she was the wife of Thorarin, the Speaker-at-Law, brother of Ragi. At that time, when Olaf was living at Hvamm, Koll o' Dales, his brother-in-law, fell ill and died. Hoskuld, the son of Koll, was young at the time of his father's death: he was fulfilled of wits before the tale of his years. Hoskuld was a hopeful man, and well made of body. He took over his father's goods and household. The homestead where Koll lived was named after him, being afterwards called Hoskuldstead. Hoskuld was soon in his householding blessed with friends, for that many supports stood thereunder, both kinsmen and friends whom Koll had gathered round him. [Sidenote: Thorgerd's second marriage] Thorgerd, Thorstein's daughter, the mother of Hoskuld, was still a young woman and most goodly; she did not care for Iceland after the death of Koll. She told Hoskuld her son that she wished to go abroad, and take with her that share of goods which fell to her lot. Hoskuld said he took it much to heart that they should part, but he would not go against her in this any more than in anything else. After that Hoskuld bought the half-part in a ship that was standing beached off Daymealness, on behalf of his mother. Thorgerd betook herself on board there, taking with her a great deal of goods. After that Thorgerd put to sea and had a very good voyage, and arrived in Norway. Thorgerd had much kindred and many noble kinsmen there. They greeted her warmly, and gave her the choice of whatever she liked to take at their hands. Thorgerd was pleased at this, and said it was her wish to settle down in that land. She had not been a widow long before a man came forward to woo her. His name was Herjolf; he was a "landed man" as to title, rich, and of much account. Herjolf was a tall and strong man, but he was not fair of feature; yet the most high-mettled of men, and was of all men the best skilled at arms. Now as they sat taking counsel on this matter, it was Thorgerd's place to reply to it herself, as she was a widow; and, with the advice of her relations, she said she would not refuse the offer. So Thorgerd married Herjolf, and went with him to his home, and they loved each other dearly. Thorgerd soon showed by her ways that she was a woman of the greatest mettle, and Herjolf's manner of life was deemed much better and more highly to be honoured now that he had got such an one as she was for his wife.

CHAP. VIII

The Birth of Hrut and Thorgerd's Second Widowhood, A.D. 923