Part #3

Hrolleif the Great and Ljot his mother settle in Hrolleifsdale. Settlement results in a series of deadly family feuds.

Chapter IV. Hrolleif the Mickle or Great, and Ljot his mother, come out to Iceland and landed in Burgfirth, they wandered north over the country sides but they found nowhere a chance of settled abode until they came to Skagafirth to Sæmund. Hrolleif was the son of Arnhall, the brother of Sæmund, wherefore he sent them north to Headstrand to Thord, who assigned him land in Hrolleifsdale, and he dwelt there. Hrolleif defiled Hrodny, the daughter of Uni from Unisdale; Odd, the son of Uni, lay in wait for him and slew Ljot his cousin, and wounded him in the foot but his sword would not pierce his kirtle. Hrolleif slew Odd and two men beside, and two men escaped. On account of that Thord (17) o' Head made him an outlaw from the countryside (heraðssekan) (18) as wide as water-shed running streams to sea in Skagafirth. (19)
        Then Sæmund sent Hrolleif to Ingimund the Old; Ingimund placed him down in Odds-ridge opposite Hof. He had the fishing in Vatnsdale river with Ingimund, on such terms that he was to quit the river when the men of Hof came to fish in it, but he would not quit it for the sons of Ingimund, so they fought about the river; this was told to Ingimund; he was then blind and he caused a boy to lead the horse whereon he rode into the river between them. Hrolleif shot his spear through him, and therewith he and the boy went home. Ingimund sent the lad to tell the news to Hrolleif, but he, Ingimund, was dead in his High Seat when his sons came home. Hrolleif told these things to his mother. She said that they would come to find out which would avail most, the fortune of the sons of Ingimund or her own skill in magic; then she bade him betake himself away to begin with.
        It was allotted to Thorstein to follow up Hrolleif in bloodfeud, and for that he was to have what heirloom he should choose for himself. The sons of Ingimund did not sit down in the High Seat of their father; (20) they went north to Geirmund, and Thorstein gave him sixty hundreds in silver that he might get Hrolleif out of the way. They tracked his spoor from the north across the Necks to Vatnsdale. Thorstein sent his house-carle to the Ridge (21) to spy; he repeated twelve verses (of incantations) before anyone came to the door. He saw heaps of clothes on the brands, (22) beneath which red clothes appeared. Thorstein said that Hrolleif was there and that Ljot had sacrificed in order that she might obtain long life for him. They then went to Ridge and Thorstein would sit above the door, but could not have his way on account of Jokul, because he also wished to be there.
        A man came out and looked round; then another led forth Hrolleif after him; then Jokul burst forth from his hiding place amongst the fuel logs and tumbled the pile of firewood down, but cast a stick from it to his brothers. After that he rushed upon Hrolleif and they both rolled over the brink, but Jokul was the uppermost in the end; then came up Thorstein and they took to their weapons. Then Ljot came out walking back foremost and she had her head between her legs and her clothes slung over her back.
        Jokul hewed off the head from Hrolleif and threw it in the face of Ljot. Then she said that she had been too late, "for otherwise would the earth have turned inside out before my very sight but you would all have become crazed." After that Thorstein chose Hofsland and Jokul kept the sword and dwelt in Tongue. Thorir had the priesthood and dwelt at Underfell (23) and had fits of frenzy (bersarksgang). (24) Hogni got the ship Stigand, he was a seafarer; Smid abode at Smidstead. Thorstein married Thurid Gydja or Temple Priestess, the daughter of Solmund in Asbjorn'sness, their son was Ingolf the fair and Gudbrand. The son of Bard, the son of Jokul, was Jokul, whom King Olave the Saint caused to be killed. Jokul the Highwayman foretold that for a long time there should be manslaughter by mishaps in that family.
        Thorgrim dwelt at Hjallaland (Hill-land). The sons of Ingimund and the sons of Jorund fought about the ownership of Deildarhjalli, and Hogni fell there and a freeman of Thorstein, and out of the band of Mar there fell a daughter's son of Jorund and five men beside. Jokul hewed at the thigh of Thorgrim and then they fled forth. Mar paid eighty hundreds in silver and retained Hjallaland. Thorstein and Jokul slew Thorolf Hellskin and two men beside. Thorolf Sledge dwelt at Sledgestead, up from Helgavatn, he gave chase to Hallvard, the Norwegian of Thorstein, till he plunged into the deep in a fen, to spite those brethren, and he killed Hallvard and another man. Berg the Rank, sister's son of Finnbogi the Strong of Borg came out (to Iceland from Norway.)
        Thorgrim married the daughter of Skidi from Skidistead in Vatnsdale. There Jokul struck Berg with the hilt of his sword at a wedding feast, (25) for this Thorstein was required to go under three turfs (26) or sods at Hunavatns Thing and he would not. Then Finnbog challenged Thorstein to the Holmgang (27) and Berg challenged Jokul. Faxa-Brand dwelt above the Knolls, he accompanied Thorstein to the place of single combat in Vididales Island. There Jokul raised the pole of shame (28) to Finnbogi.
        Groa and Thorey came out to Iceland from Norway. Groa dwelt at Grostead near to Hof. Thorey dwelt at Vesthope at Thorey's Gnup. There Groa made a Harvest Feast to Thorstein and the brothers. Thorstein dreamed three times that he ought not to go. Then Groa let loose, by means of witchcraft, a landslip falling down upon all the men who were present there. Thorstein vowed an offering to him who had created the sun, to the end that bearsark's fury might leave Thorir, that he might bring up Thorkel Krafla, Thorgrim's son from Korn river; by that means Thorgrim obtained the goðorð (Priesthood.) (29) Ingolf composed a love song on Valgerd, the daughter of Ottar. Then Ottar set afoot a lawsuit against Ingolf but that suit came to naught.
        Then Thorir died but Ottar migrated thence. Gudbrand dwelt at Gudbrand's Stead. Thorir was outlawed on account of a woman. He went as a hired assassin (30) to Ingolf, being enticed thereto by Ottar. He made a rush at Gudbrand, but Gudbrand slew him. Then they wanted to set on Ottar, but could not catch him. Ottar paid a penalty of five hundred of silver. Then Swart came out to Mindakseyri from the Hebrides in a disabled ship; he was sent as a hired assassin against Ingolf and Gudbrand. Ingolf warded off the danger, but Swart slew Gudbrand between the summer dairy and the winter folds (31) but there lay Swart also behind (fallen) on Swart's moor. Then Ottar paid in redemption three hundred in silver. Then Ingolf married Hild, the daughter of Olaf from Haukagil (Hawkgill.) Ingolf slew of the cavemen two men with one blow, in the summer shed in Micklagil (Micklegill) and three men beside. There his comrade fell and he was himself so sorely wounded that he died a short time afterwards.
        Thorgil Yeller dwelt at Svinavatn (swinewater) and had come out with Audun Skokul; his sons were Digr-Orm and Thorkel, who slew Skarphedin Vefred's son at Vatnskard. Glædir was Thorgil Yeller's brother's son and sister's son of Gudmund the Mighty. Thorkell Krafla slew Thorkel from Helgavatn at a public meeting at Korn river, being 11 years old. Afterwards Thorkel Krafla went abroad and was with Sigurd, the son of Hlodver. (32) Thorkel, the son of Thorgils, married Hild, the daughter of Thororm from Thorormstongue, and at the bridewain Thorkell slew Glædir. Hildr, the daughter of Hermund, the son of Eyvind, kept company with him; he hid himself in Krafla-cave, under a waterfall in Vatnsdale-river.
        Thordis the Seer gave this counsel, that Thorkel should throw the metal-bossed end of her belt, which was called Hegnuðr (33) (the avenger) at the head of Gudmund the Mighty, when at the Doom of Judgment Seat, and he, Gudmund, would then forget what he should say; but they, Gudmund and his, received two hundreds in silver. Then took Thorkel the lands of Hof = The Temple; and the Priesthood, and had it whilst he lived; he married Vigdis, the daughter of Olaf from Haukagil. In that time came out Fridrek the Bishop, with Thorvald, the son of Kodran, and abode at Gillriver with Orm Kodranson and his sons. The Bishop was at an autumn feast at Olaf's, and there the Bishop consecrated the fire; (34) there also were two Bearserks and they were both named Hauk; they walked through the fire and were both burned, and the place was afterwards named Haukagil; there was Thorkel baptised and all the Vatnsdalers. He caused a church to be reared at Hof (35) and there were all the men of his district interred.

Eyvindr settles Svindale. Ævarr comes to Blanda river mouth. Settles Langdale all across the Hause and shares his lands with his ship's crew. Vefreyd settles Moberg. Gaut settles Gauts-dale and Hauk settles near Hauk's pits. Holti at Holtisland. Fostolf and Thorstolf settle Engihlid in Langdale. Fatal feud between them and Ulfhedin.

Chapter V. There was a man named Eyvindr Audkula; he settled all Svindale (Swinedale) and dwelt at Audkulastead. There was a man named Thorbjorn Kolka; he settled Kolka-moors and abode there while he lived. Eyvinder Sorkvir settled Blandadale, as has been written before; his son was Hromund the Halt, who slew Hogni, the son of Ingimund, then when Mar and Ingimund fought about Deildarhjalli, for this he was exiled from the Northern Quarter. His sons were Hastein and Thorbjorn, who fought with Steilu-Helgi in Hruta-firth. Another son of Eyvind was Hermund, the father of Hild, whom Avaldi the son of Ingald had for wife; their children were Kolfinna, whom Gris the son of Seming had to wife, and Brand who slew Galti the son of Ottar at the Hunavatn's Thing on account of a libellous (36) rhyme by Hallfled.
        There was a man named Ævarr, the son of Ketil Helluflagi = (slate river or slate splitter) and Thurid the daughter of King Harald Goldbeard from Sogn. Ævarr had with his wife a son named Vefreyd. The sons of Ævarr bastard-born were these: Karli and Thorbjorn Strug and Thord the Mickle. Ævarr went to Iceland, leaving off Viking raids, together with his sons, all but Vefreyd. With him went out to Iceland Gunnsteinn his kinsman, and Audolf and Gautr; Vefreyd remained behind sea-roving.
        Ævarr brought his ship to Blanda mouth; by that time all the lands to the west of Blanda were occupied. Ævarr went up along Blanda to seek for himself a landtake, and when he came to that place which is called Moberg's-brinks, he stuck up there a long pole and said that there he took a dwelling site for his son Vefreyd. After that he settled all Langdale up from thence and likewise north across the Hause; (37) there he shared lands with his ship's crew.
        Ævarr abode in Ævar's Skard. Vefreyd came out afterwards to the mouth of the Gaunga Skard's-river and walked from the north to his father, and his father knew him not; they wrestled so fiercely that all the benches in the house were forced out of their places before Vefreyd told who he was. He set up house at Moberg as it had been planned, and Thorbjorn Strug at Strugstead, and Gunstein at Gunsteinstead, and Karli at Karlistead, and Thord at Micklestead, Audolf at Audolfstead. Gaut settled Gautsdale, (38) he was one-handed (einhender). Eyvind Sorkvir and his friends put an end to themselves for they were unwilling to live after Ingimund the Old.
        Hauk (39) dwelt at the place which now is called Hauksgrafir = Hauksgraves (meaning Hauks pits). Vefreyd married Gunnhild, the daughter of Eirek from Goddales, the sister of Holmgang-Starri. Their sons were Ulfhedinn, whom Thjostolf slew at Grindalæk (Grind-brook) and Skarphedinn, whom Digr-Ormr slew in Vatnskard, and Hunraud the father of Mar, the father of Haflidi. The daughter of Hunraudar was named Halldora, the mother of Vigdis, the mother of Ulfhedinn, the father of Rafn, the father of Hallbera, the mother of Valdis, the mother of Snorri, the father of Hallbera, whom Markus of Melar the son of Thord had for wife. There was a man named Holti, who settled Langdale out from Moberg, and dwelt at Holti'sstead, he was the father of Israud, the father of Isleif, the father of Thorvald, the father of Thorarin the sage. The daughter of Thorvald was Thordis, whom Halldor, the son of Snorri the godi took to wife. Their daughter was Thorkatla whom Gudlaug Thorfinnson in Straumfjord (40) had for wife, thence are the Sturlungs (41) descended and the men of Oddi.

Notes:
17. He was called Hofda Thord because he dwelt at Hofði = Head or Headland. [Back]
18. Heraðssekan. The legal term used here means exiled from a district or jurisdiction as opposed to being exiled from the country generally. The meaning of the word herað or district varies, but as in the present instance, it is for the most part merely geographical, i.e., a district, valley, fjord, or country, as being bordered by the same mountains or within the same river basin. [Back]
19. For Skagafirth see Skagafjordr in Map. [Back]
20. They could not do that until lawful revenge was taken for the slaying of him. [Back]
21. i.e. Odds-ridge, see before. [Back]
22. The Icelandic word used for describing this is "brandar" and refers to the "skiðahlaði" which is mentioned afterwards, so that "brandar" here seems to be synonymous with fuel logs. [Back]
23. The genuine old name of this place is now proved to have been Undornfell. [Back]
24. Bersarksgang was the name of fits of frenzy to which the ber-serkr were subject, during which they howled like wild beasts, foamed at the mouth and gnawed the iron rim of their shields. During these fits, they were according to the popular belief, proof against steel and fire, and made great havoc in the ranks of the enemy, but when the fever abated they were weak and tame. [Back]
25. The Icelandic word is Brudlaup, that is the wedding journey or wedding procession. [Back]
26. Three turfs or sods --- in Icelandic Ganga undir jardarmen or to "gang or creep under a sod," partially detached from the earth and to let the blood mix with the mould as an ordeal. [Back]
27. Holmganga --- The Holmgang or Holmgoing was the duel or wager of battle fought on an Islet or Holm, which with the ancients was a kind of last appeal or ordeal, and wherever a Þing or Parliament was held, a place was appointed for the wager or battle, as the Holm on the Aze river in the Alþing. The Holmgang differed from the duel in being accompanied by rites and governed by rules, while the latter was not. Some champions named in the Landnama or Book of Settlement were nicknamed from this as Holmgongu-Starri, Holmgongu-Krafn, Holmgongu-Mani. About A.D. 1006, the Holmgang was abolished by law in the Parliament on account of the unhappy feud between Gunnlaug Snaketongue and Skald Hrafn. [Back]
28. This Nið-stong or pole of shame is described below in a note at III, 5. The custom has been kept up in Iceland to modern times. Upon the mountain roads and passes are stone pyramids on which passing travellers inscribe poetical ditties of a scurrilous nature, inscribing them to the person who may next pass. A horse head is placed there as in old times. In Lakeland such verses used to be placed on a heap of stones in the Pass of Nan Beild, and there was, I believe, something of a similar character upon a stone near the Raise on the road between Grasmere and Thirlmere. [Back]
29. The story is told in Vatnsdæla Saga how Thorir promised his godord to Thorstein, if by his vow to him who created the sun he should be healed of the fits of bearserk's fury that troubled him. He was healed of his distemper but lost his godord. [Back]
30. The word is "Flugumadr," that is, fly man, a man who swallows the offered reward for his crime, as a fish does a fly-bait. [Back]
31. 'Sel,' a dairy away from the house in outlying pastures, used in summer; 'vetrhús,' winter houses, folds or pens for grown sheep in winter. [Back]
32. Earl of Orkney. [Back]
33. Hegnuðr, the chastiser was the official name of the staff so used and this was a formal act. [Back]
34. Ok vigði biskup þar elda. The Bishop consecrated the fire so that the Berserks could not walk through it unharmed, which was the ordinary method by which they displayed their power of witchcraft. [Back]
35. This is an example of the place where was an heathen temple becoming the site of a Christian place of worship. [Back]
36. The term for libel or contumely as here used is "Nid," as a law term this kind of libel made a man subject to outlawry. Another, and graver kind of libel, was the carving of a person's likeness (tre-nid) in an obscene position upon an upright post or pole (nidstong). When the post was put up a horse's head was also put up and a man's head was carved upon the end of the pole with dire runes and imprecations. [Back]
37. Icelandic "Hals," a mountain neck or pass, and is equivalent to Hause found with the same meaning in Lakeland. [Back]
38. Compare Goats or Gaitswater in High Furness, also Gaitscale and Gaits Hause near to it. [Back]
39. Compare Hawkshead, Hawkesdale. [Back]
40. Streamfirth. [Back]
41. The Sturlungs were the most noted family in Iceland. [Back]