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“Olaf, Hoskuld's son, was now grown up, and was the handsomest of all men that people ever set eyes on. He arrayed himself always well, both as to clothes and weapons.” (Laxdaela Sagaq, c.20)
“Hrefna went north with her brothers, and was much weighed down with grief, nevertheless she bore her sorrow with dignity, and was easy of speech with every man. Hrefna took no other husband after Kjartan. She lived but a little while after coming to the north; and the tale goes that she died of a broken heart.” (Laxdaela Saga, c.50)
'"I deem," she said, "that she whom ye have held of least account is the noblest of the twain."
He answered: "I too have misdoubted me, that she is little like a bondwoman, and when we first met, in seemly wise she greeted noble men. Lo now, we will make trial of the thing."' (VS, c.12)
“The herd was attended by slave-people, churls, and girls, and they took all of them together. Among them was a remarkably beautiful girl called Yrsa. Adils returned home with this plunder. Yrsa was not one of the slave girls, and it was soon observed that she was intelligent, spoke well, and in all respects was well behaved. All people thought well of her, and particularly the king; and at last it came to this that the king celebrated his wedding with her, and Yrsa became queen of Sweden, and was considered an excellent woman.” (YS, c.32)
"You are a difficult man to deal with," the king said, "and your ways show that you are of no mean birth. You shall have what you demand. Take yourself off, then, and never again come within my sight." (JS, c.9)
A talent greatly prized by our ancestors was organization.
In days of old, when getting married the woman was given the “keys” to the house.
This was symbolic as well as literal. It symbolized that she was responsible
for the running of the household and its prosperity depended on her. A man was
considered most lucky to gain a wife whose organizational abilities were considerable.
60.Of seasoned shingles and strips of bark“Jorunn Bjorn's daughter sits behind at Hoskuldstead, and takes over the care of the household with Hoskuld. It was very soon seen that she was wise and well up in things, and of manifold knowledge, though rather high-tempered at most times.” (Laxdaela Saga, c.9)
For the thatch let one know his need,
And how much of wood he must have for a month,
Or in half a year he will use. (Havamal 60)
6. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! and hear thou my rede,-
Profit thou hast if thou hearest,
Great thy gain if thou learnest:
If o'er mountains or gulfs thou fain wouldst go,
Look well to thy food for the way. (Loddfafnismal 6)
Hand and hand with organizational skills was industriousness. Laziness was something that was much looked down upon and brought only a bad name.
58. He must early go forth who fain the blood“Never had he fewer freedmen about his home than a hundred; he was open-handed and liberal, and readily made friends with the great, and with all that were near him. A mighty man he became, and he bestowed much care on his ships, equipment, and weapons.” (Egils Saga, c.10)
Or the goods of another would get;
The wolf that lies idle shall win little meat,
Or the sleeping man success.
59. He must early go forth whose workers are few,
Himself his work to seek;
Much remains undone for the morning-sleeper.
For the swift is wealth half won. (Havamal 58-59)
“But as soon as Ketil was a few winters old, he lazed in the kitchen, seeming a laughing-stock to brave men, and was taken to be such.” (KT, c.1)
“Both brothers, in daily life, were of a worthy and considerate manner of living; they were of great experience, and very laborious, and were known and celebrated far and wide for these qualities.” (SHH, c.104)
As much praise was given for those who showed persistence, for
at times it is with persistence that the day is won.
“It happened one evening when they were come to land, Hall and Thorolf, and
began to divide the catch, that Hall wished both to choose and to divide, for
he thought himself the greater man of the two. Thorolf would not give in, and
there were some high words, and sharp things were said on both sides, as each
stuck to his own way of thinking. So Hall seized up a chopper that lay by him,
and was about to heave it at Thorolf's head, but men leapt between them and
stopped Hall; but he was of the maddest, and yet unable to have his way as at
this time. The catch of fish remained undivided. Thorolf betook himself away
that evening, and Hall took possession of the catch that belonged to them both,
for then the odds of might carried the day. Hall now got another man in Thorolf's
place in the boat, and went on fishing as before. Thorolf was ill-contented
with his lot, for he felt he had come to shame in their dealings together; yet
he remained in the islands with the determination to set straight the humble
plight to which he had been made to bow against his will.” (Laxdaela Saga, c.14)
'"And now," says Gritgard, "we have laid down two choices, one
that ye go on shore, and we will take your goods; the other is, that we fall
on you and slay every man that we can catch."
"The will of the chapmen," answers Helgi, "is to defend themselves."
But the chapmen called out, "Wretch that thou art to speak thus! What defence
can we make? Lading is less than life."
But Grim, he fell upon a plan to shout out to the Vikings, and would not let
them hear the bad choice of the chapmen.
Then Bard and Olaf said, "Think ye not that these Icelanders will make
game of you sluggards; take rather your weapons and guard your goods."
So they all seized their weapons, and bound themselves, one with another, never
to give up so long as they had strength to fight.”' (Njal's Saga, c.82)
“The younger son, Bosi, was a tall strong fellow, swarthy and not so
handsome. A cheerful, humorous man, he took after his mother in personality
and looks. Whatever he started, he would see it through, and never flinched,
no matter whom he had to deal with.” (HE, c.2)
One of the greatest birthrights of the Northern European peoples
is the rule of law. A person who believed in justice received the greatest praise.
Lawlessness was held to be a great oppression to the people. When law ruled,
frith and prosperity were its brothers. Indeed law and justice was considered
to be a holy affair and it was considered the be the domain of the gods themselves
and overseen by them. Everyone was subject to the law from king to thrall.
“For with law shall our land be built up and settled, and with lawlessness wasted
and spoiled.” (Sögumál 9)
“After this Grettir left Kjol and went South to Hjalli where he asked Skapti
for shelter. Skapti said: "I am told that you are acting with violence
and are robbing men of their property; that ill becomes a man so highly connected
as you are. It would be easier to negotiate if you gave up robbing. Now as I
am called Lawman of this country, it would not be seemly for me to break the
law by harbouring outlaws. I would like you to betake yourself somewhere where
you do not need to commit robbery." (GS, c.54)
“One of Arnkel's servants said, You'll have to wait till after the Thor's Ness
Assembly in the spring before you can decide how to rid yourself of your troubles.'
Thorarin replied: They say we'll suffer setbacks in court; we must plead for
support from powerful chieftains: but Arnkel will argue an eloquent case, he'll
sway judge and jury - I have faith in justice.” (ES, c.19)
“Thorarin made this verse: Not for desperate deeds have I, who's endured the
fierce storms of the field, been denied fair play: my armed enemies would brand
me outlaw: favour us, you gods, with the force to outface them.” (ES, c.22)
“When King Olaf came to Rogaland, he immediately summoned the people to a Thing;
and when the bondes received the message- token for a Thing, they assembled
in great numbers well armed. After they had come together, they resolved to
choose three men, the best speakers of the whole, who should answer King Olaf,
and argue with the king; and especially should decline to accept of anything
against the old law, even if the king should require it of them.” (OT, c.61)
“Then the others, one after the other, stood up and spoke; and the conclusion
was, that the most of them determined to enter into a league with King Olaf.
He promised them his perfect friendship, and that he would hold by and improve
the country's laws and rights, if he became supreme king of Norway. This league
was confirmed by oath.” (OH, c.34)
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