Appendix I
The Flatey-book Prologue to the Saga

Here we begin to speak of events which happened within the men of the very m en who at the first put together this book. Abbot Karl Jonsson followed that book when he wrote with the full confidence of King Sverri himself, who directed what he should write, and how he should set it down. Priest Styrmi, the historian, followed that book [Karl's] when he wrote, and Priest Magnus Thorhallsson wrote this Saga of Sverri following that book [Styrmi's]. The narrative therefore cannot have become corrupted by passing from mouth to mouth. Beyond comparison, this Saga, presented on such authority, is more trustworthy than others related by various persons, which, however true they may be, have no foundation but tradition alone.

This Saga which we now propose to relate, tells mainly of King Sverri, son of King Sigurd Munn. Sigurd Munn was the son of Harald Gilli, the son of Magnus Berbein, the son of Olaf Kyrri, the son of Harald, the son of Sigurd Syr, the Halfdan, the son of Sigurd Hrisi, the son of Harald the Fairhaired, the son of Haldan the Black, the son of Gudrod the Worshipful, the son of Halfdan the Money-free and the Meat–frugal, the son of Eystein, the son of Adil, the son of Ottar Vendilkraka, the son of Egil, the son of Ani the Old, the son of Jorund, the son of Yngvi, the son of Alrek, the son of Agni, the son of Dag, the son of Dyggvi, the son of Domar, the son of Domaldi, the son of Visbur, the son of Vandlandi, the son of Sveigdi, the son of Fiolni, the son of Yngvifrey, the son of Niord of Noatun. And the mother of Harald the Fairhaired was Ragnhild, daughter of Sigurd Hiort, the son of Aslaug, the daughter of Sigurd Fafnisbane, the son of Sigmund, the son of Volsung, the son of Sigi, the son of Reri, the son od Odin, the son of Frialaf, the son of Finn, the son of Godolf, the son of Biar, the son of Skialdi, the son of Hermod, the son the Trinam, the son of Atras, the son of Bedvig, the son of Sesep, the son of Magni, the son of Modi, the son of Vingener, the of Vingithor, the son of Eredier, the son of Lorek, the son of Thor. Thor's mother was Troana, the daughter of Priamus, supreme King of Troy, who was the son of Lamidon, the son of Ilus, the son of Ereas, the son of Erecthonius, the son of Dardan, the son of Jupitor, the son of Saturnus, the son of Chelius, the son of Chretus, the son of Chiprus, the son of Zechim, the son of Japhan, the son of Japhet, the son of Noi, the son of Lamech, the son of Matusalem, the son of Enek, the son of Pharet, the son of Malaleel, the son of Kainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam the first man.

In the beginning of King Sverri's Saga something is said of his battles. As the book advances, his strength grows, foreshadowing, it may be said, the greater events which, by God's providence, afterwards occurred in his career. Men called the first part of the book Gryla, that is, bugbear; for many declared that fear and dread did their full work in the war and great strife, since all probability seemed to point to the quick downfall and utter annihilation [of Sverri], because of the strength and overwhelming odds against him, in Earl Erling and his son Magnus, who had abundant friends and powerful kinsmen. Sverri was aided neither by wealth of kinsmen, nor yet friends, as may be seen when it is considered that he was young and alone, and unknown to all, when he came into the land. The result that many expected would have occurred, if the God of Heaven Himself had not given him strength, and raised him to the kingdom over which He permitted him to rule to the day of his death, which kingdom He gave to his descendants after him in succession. The latter part of the book men call Perfecta Fortitudo, which may be held to mean perfect strength; for in it may be seen hoe God granted him such might that he crushed and destroyed every band of unruly men that rose against him, however he was situated, whether with a greater or less force. Now, if all the battles and proceedings for King Sverri happen not to be told at full length, or if matters be omitted that are worth of mention, let those who have a clearer and more perfect knowledge of them cause them to be written. And though, in telling of the issue of battles against large numbers and great odds, some things are here said to have occurred otherwise than seems most probable, let all know that the relation is quite truthful, and that absolutely nothing has been added. To us it seems probable that the stories are true which are told in books concerning famous men who lived in old times, though they performed might deeds. Now this narrative will seem to many tedious enough; let them therefore seek for themselves other amusement which will delight them more, and let those listen who prefer to listen. Both kinds of hearers I expect there will be; but I think that courteous and intelligent persons will find greater delight in Sagas than in the wanton pleasures which alone many enjoy. In telling Sagas one person may afford pleasure to many. Let each therefore find pleasure and amusement in what is agreeable to his own mind. And let no one blame another for conduct which is proper in itself, for every one is most prone to follow his own bent.