Egil’s Saga Read online

  NECK, THE (Háls): in the Limfirth in Denmark, the scene of the battle where K. Harald Greycloak and Arinbiorn the Hersir lost their lives 165; 200. 251, 286

  NESSES, THE (Nes): 184; 209–10; 215. 308

  NíÐ: see Scorn

  NIDOYCE (Niðaróss): 256

  NIGHT-RIDERS: 290

  NIGHT-SLAYINGS: 288

  NIORD (Njörðr): the God 124; 198

  NJAL (Njáll): xvii, xxx. 249, 265, 282

  NONES: 300

  NORDAL, PROFESSOR SIGURDUR: xxii, xxxii. 271

  NORMANDY (Normandi): 6

  NORN: 257, 274

  NORTHMERE (Norðmærr): separated from Southmere by Raumsdale 3; see also Mere

  NORTHUMBERLAND (Norðimbraland): 99; 100; 103; ruled by K. Eric Blood-axe 134, 179, 270

  NORTHWATER (Norðrá): Icel., an important tributary of the Hvítá (Whitewater) 56; 57

  NORWAY (Nóregr): 3; 25; 34; 50; 58; 64; 66–8; 74; 93; 96–8; 113; 115–7; 125–6; 134–5; 140; 14778; 159–60; 166–7; 176–7; 181; 183; 193; 200. Also Int. and Notes passim

  NOVEL: modern, xxx–xxxi

  ODAL (óðul): xviii. 258

  ODD ARNGEIRSON (Oddr Árngeirsson): 245

  ODD-A-TONGUE (Tungu-Oddr): s. of Onund Broadbeard; 56; 203; helps Steinar in his suits against Thorstein Egilson 209–11; his misgivings at the leaving of the award to Egil 212; 213; Egil’s saying on him 214; is lord in Burgfirth south of Whitewater, and temple-priest 219, 269, 306

  ODD LIVE-ALONE (einbúi): a follower of Skallagrim 47; 57

  ODIN (Óðinn): 45; 115 (‘Lord of Strife’); 124; 129 (‘Bor’s Son’); 141; 142; 144; 175 (‘Din-God’); 189; 191 (‘War-God’); 193 (various by-names); 196 (by-names); 197; 201; 204 (by-name), xxiii, xxiv. 244, 245, 275, 294, 300, 302

  OFEIG GRETTIR (Ófeigr grettir): 44

  OGMUND (Ögmundr): f. of Kormak the Skald 204

  OGVALDSNESS (Ögvaldsnes): Norw. 68

  OLAF FEILAN (Ólafr feilan): 58; 203. 306

  OLAF THE HOLY (helgi): King of Norway 264, 265, 277

  OLAF: s. of K. Harald Hairfair; taken for king in the Wick on his f.’s death, but felled by his brother Eric at Tunsberg 125

  OLAF THE PEACOCK (pái): of the Laxdæla Saga; s. of Hauskuld and the Irish princess Melkorka, weds Thorgerd, Egil’s d. 186. 253, 271, 284, 298, 299

  OLAF THE QUIET (kyrri): King of Norway 78. 259, 273

  OLAF THE RED (rauði): the Scots-King 99; harries Northumberland and overthrows its earls 100; K. Athelstane hazels him a field on Winaheath 101; his treating with A. by whom he is outwitted 102–4; sends forward Hring and Adils 105; 106; hears that both are fallen 107; at the second day’s battle on Winaheath 108; defeated and slain 109; no; 134

  OLAF TREESHAVER (trételgja): king; first won Vermland 166

  OLAF TRYGGVISON (Tryggvason): King of Norway; grandson of K. Harald Hairfair 223. 251–2, 254, 256, 276–7, 311

  OLAF THE WHITE (hvíti): Norse king of Dublin 270, 298

  OLD TESTAMENT: xxix

  OLEIF HJALTI (Óleifr hjalti): settles in Iceland and dwells at Varmalech 57–8; 74; 76

  OLFUS (Ölfus): in S.W. of Icel. 185; 186

  OLIVER HNUFA (Ölvir hnúfa): second s. of Berdla-Kari, a messmate of Thorolf Kveldulfson 1; loves Solveig, but her f., Earl Atli, will not give her to him; leaves harrying to compose songs to his lady 2; her brethren would slay him; he flees and becomes K. Harald Hairfair’s skald 5; keeps the peace between Kveldulf and the K. 7; his place at the K.’s table; with his f., brings Thorolf Kveldulfson to the Κ.; his friendship with Th. and Bard Bryniolfson 12; in the stem of the K.’s ship at Hafrsfirth 14; suspects the treason of Hildirid’s sons; persuades the K. to see Thorgils the Yeller and the scat brought by him from Thorolf 24; tells Thorolf of the slanders and tries to mend matters with the Κ., but without success 27; at the burning of Sandness, acts as ambassador between the K. and Thorolf 39; the K. charges him and Eyvind to look to Th’s burial and other matters 40; this done, they follow the K. to Thrandheim; asks the K.’s leave to go home as he and E. cannot bear to sit with men who bare weapons against Th., but is refused 41; the K. will not let him go because of his skaldship 42; urges the K. to pay boot for Th.’s slaying; tells Kveldulf of all that befell at Sandness 45; at last prevails on Skallagrim to go to the K. and ask for boot 46; welcomes Sk., brings him to the Κ., and pleads his cause 47; when things take a bad turn, hurries Sk. away and, by breaking up the ships, saves his life 48. 252–3

  OLIVER: a housecarle and overseer of Thorir the Hersir’s, goes with twelve men to get in Th.’s rents and takes Egil with him 80; comes to Atley and is entertained by Bard in an outhouse 81; sent for by K. Eric to the feast of the Goddesses; sits by Egil, who drinks for him when he comes to the end of his powers 82; led out by E.; Bard will have him drink his parting-health; when B. is slain, falls spewing and is found lying senseless in a pool of blood 83–4; brings home to Thorir’s the tidings of B.’s slaying and E.’s flight 85

  OLVALD (Ölvaldr): a thingman of Thorstein Egilson’s 215–6

  OLVALDSTEAD (Ölvaldsstaðir): Icel. 215

  ONUND SJONI (Önundr sjóni): s. of Ani of Anisbrent 56; an old friend and follower of Egil; with E. on his last voyage to Norway 160; but by mischance does not go to Vermland 168; in his old age hands over his house to his s. Steinar 204; his attitude in the quarrel between St. and Thorstein Egilson; leaves the award to E. 211–2; 213; his anger at the result 214; concerned in the onslaught on Th. at Longholt 216

  ONUND: see Bergonund

  OPEN SHIELDS, at: 282

  ORIGINES ISLANDICAE: 241. 243

  ORKNEYS (Orkneyjar): 6; 64; 134; 135. 270

  OSEBERG SHIP: 254

  OSLOFIRTH (Óslóarfjörðr): Norw. 148; 166

  OSTER (Ostr): Norw., a large island near Bergen, mod. Osterö 71

  OSTERFIRTH (Ostrarfjörðr): between Oster and the mainland 47

  OSVIF THE WISE (Ósvífr enn spaki): f. of Gudrun, the heroine of the Laxdæla Saga; brother of Einar Jingle-scale 199; 201

  OTTER (Óttarr): s. of Biorn the Easterner 199

  OTTO, Kaiser: 251

  OUNCE: 260

  OUTLAWRY: 279, 288

  OUTSTONE (Útsteinn): Norw., mod. Utsten, a great house of K. Harald Hairfair’s 68

  OZUR EYVINDSON (Özurr Eyvindarson): 186

  OZUR TOTI (tóti): f. of Q. Gunnhild, and of Eyvind Braggart and Alf Ashman 71; 95. 271

  PAGANISM: xvii, xxv, xxviii

  PALNATOKI (Pálnatóki): captain of the Jomsburgers 277

  PAYNE, JOHN: 240

  PHILLPOTTS, DAME BERTHA: xxii. 274

  POEMS: see Verse-form

  POET: see Skald

  POPE, ALEXANDER: 237–8

  POPULATION: of Iceland, xviii–xix

  PRIEST (goði): xx–xxi

  PRIME-SIGNING: 279

  PROPER NAMES: treatment of, in English 241–2

  RAGI: s. of Oleif Hjalti 58

  RAGNAR (Ragnarr): s. of Duke Gutthorm 50

  RAGNAR HAIRYBREEKS (loðbrók): King of the Danes 99. 279

  RAGNARÖK: xxvi–xxviii

  RAGNHILD (Ragnhildr): d. of K. Eric Bloodaxe 134

  RAGNHILD: m. of K. Eric Bloodaxe 270, 271

  RAGNHILD: d. of Duke Gutthorm 50

  RAN (Rán): 190. 301

  RANGRIVER (Rangá): two rivers in S. of Icel. 44

  RANNVEIG: the name of (a) a daughter, and (b) a great-granddaughter, of Thord of Aurland 78

  RANSACK: 276

  RAUD THE STRONG (Rauðr enn sterki): 276–7

  RAUDSGILL (Rauðsgil): Icel. 74

  RAUFARNESS (Raufarnes): mod. Rauðanes, S.W. of Burg 59

  RAUMREALM (Raumaríki): in S.E. Norw., mod. Romerike 148

  RED-BIORN’S SONS (Rauða-Bjarnarsynir): 202

  REEKDALE (Reykjadalr): Icel., mod. Reykholtsdalur, famous as the countryside of Reykholt, the seat of Snorri Sturlason 74; 209. 272

  REEKDALEWATER’S-OYCE (Reykjadalsáróss): Icel. 74

  REEKHAMMER (Reykjarhamarr)
: in Burgfirth 187

  REEKNESS (Reykjanes): the S.W. point of Icel. 54; 59. 268

  REEKS (Reykir): Icel. 74

  RELIGION, THE OLD NORTHERN: xxii–xxviii

  REPUBLIC: Icelandic; nature and origin of xviii–xxii. 268

  REYKDÆLA SAGA: 249, 258, 260, 308

  REYKHOLT: xxii. 272

  REYKJAVÍK: 266

  RINGREALM (Hringaríki): mod. Ringerike, N. of Oslo 50

  ROGALAND: Norw., the countryside about Stavanger, a favourite residence of K. Harald Hairfair 14; 68; 125; 162

  ROGNVALD THE MERE-EARL (Rögnvaldr Mærajarl): set by K. Harald Hairfair over either Mere and Raumsdale; burns K. Vemund 5. 256, 257–8, 270

  ROGNVALD: s. of K. Eric Bloodaxe, aet. 10 or 11, and “the fairest of hopeful young men” 125–6; 127; drowned by Egil in his painted caravel; E.’s stave upon this 130. 286

  ROLF, DUKE OF NORMANDY (Hrólfr): 257

  ROMANCE: xxix

  ROSMHVALNESS (Rosmhválanes): Icel. 184

  RUDDER: 286

  RUNES: 275

  RUSSIA: 262

  SAEUNN (Sæunnr): d. of Skallagrim 60; weds Thorfinn the Strong 116

  SAGA: xii; compared with other forms of art xxviii–xxxi; why native to Iceland xxxii–xxxiii; underlying spirit of xxxiii–xxxiv; translators of, compared 232–8; style the essence of 239; method of narration xxx, xxxi, xxxii, 292, 307

  SALBIORG (Salbjörg): d. of Berdla-Kari, weds Kveldulf 1

  SANDNESS (Sandnes): Norw., mod. Sandnaesøen, the seat of Sigurd, and later of Thorolf Kveldulfson 11; 13; 16–8; 26; 29; 31; 36; 38; 41–2; 45

  SANDWICK (Sandvík): close to Burg 76

  SAPPHO: 230

  SAUDUNGSOUND (Sauðungssund): Norw., mod. Saudesund in the Sondfjord 122

  SAXLAND: 98; 164

  SCAT: 260, 262

  SCORN, SCORN-POLE: 130–1. 249–50, 285

  SCOTLAND (Skotland): 6; 99; 102; 104; 134–5

  SCOTS (Skotar): 98–100; 107; tactics in battle 108; 134; K. Eric Bloodaxe their ‘scourge’ 143

  SEAHAM (Sæheimr): Norw., a great house of K. Harald Hairfair’s, mod. Saeim 68

  SELALON (Selalón): Icel. 55

  SELF-DOOM: 276

  SERK OF SOGN (Serkr ór Sogni): 78

  SETTLEMENT: of Iceland, xviii–xx

  SHAKESPEARE: xxxi. 239

  SHAPE-STRONG: 245–7; 273, 288

  SHEPPEY (Sauðey): Norw., a small isle near Atley, q.v. 84–5

  SHETLAND (Hjaltland): 6; 64. 258, 270

  SHIELD-BURG: 265

  SHIELDS, AT OPEN: 282

  SHIELD-WAINSCOT: 277

  SHIP: 254

  SHUT-BED: 299

  SIGHVAT THE RED (Sighvatr rauði): 42

  SIGMUNG (Sigmundr): a follower of Skallagrim 57

  SIGMUNG BRESTISON (Brestason): xxiii

  SIGMUNG THE VOLSUNG: 245

  SIGMUNDSNESS (Sigmundarnes): Icel. 57

  SIGMUNDSTEAD (Sigmundarstaðir): Icel. 57

  SIGRID (Sigriðr): d. of Sigurd of Sandness 11; weds Bard Bryniolfson 13; and, by B.’s wish, after his death weds Thorolf Kveldulfson 15–6; at the burning of Sandness seeks, through Oliver and Eyvind, to bring about peace between the K. and Thorolf 39; 41; wedded the third time, to Eyvind Lambi 42

  SIGTRYGG SHARPFARER (Sigtryggr snarfari): see Hallvard Hardfarer

  SIGURD HART (Sigurðr hjörtr): f. of Ragnhild, the mother of K. Harald Hairfair 50

  SIGURD: Earl of Hladir 250

  SIGURD: Earl of the Orkneys 64. 270

  SIGURD: s. of K. Harald Hairfair; taken for king in Thrandheim on his f.’s death, but felled by his brother Eric at Tunsberg 125

  SIGURD: s. of Duke Gutthorm 50

  SIGURD JERUSALEM-FARER (Jórsalafari): King of Norway 277

  SIGURD SLEMBI-DEACON (slembidjákn): 277

  SIGURD OF SANDNESS: father-in-law of Thorolf Kveldulfson 11; 13; 16–7

  SIGURD THE VOLSUNG: 248

  SIGVALDI: Earl; son of E. Strut-Harald of Skaney, and captain of the Jomsburg Vikings, mentioned in a stave by Einar Jingle-scale 201. 276, 305, 310–1

  SINFIOTLI (Sinfjötli): 245

  SKALD: 260

  SKALDIC VERSE: see Verse-form

  SKALD-HRAFN: see Hrafn

  SKALLAGRIM (Skallagrímr): younger s. of Kveldulf, and f. of Egil 1; a ‘black man and an ugly,’ taking after his f. in looks and disposition, and a great workman and smith 2; refuses to be made K. Harald’s landed man, because “my father… shall be my over-man while he liveth” 7; 36; weds Bera, Yngvar’s d.; is bald at 25, and so named ‘Skallagrim’ (‘Bald Grim’) 37; comforts his f. after Thorolf’s fall, and counsels vengeance 45; persuaded by Oliver Hnufa to go and see the K. and ask boot for Th. 46; comes to the K. in Vors with eleven followers, liker to giants than to mortal men 47; his answer to the K.’s offer; Oliver hurries him out just in time 48; determines with his f. to go to Iceland; his dear friendship with Thorir the Hersir, his fosterbrother 49–50; his keenness of sight; with his f. waylays and slays Hallvard and Sigtrygg 51–2; his ditty on this; puts to sea 53; Kveldulf’s last message to him 54; comes to Burgfirth and sets up house at Burg; gives land to his followers and settles the countryside 55–6; his bent for work and his great estates 57; gives land to Oleif Hjalti; his lands and goods in Norway seized by the K. 58; gives land to Yngvar; his smithy, and an instance of his ‘shape-strength’ 59; his sons and daughters 60; says Egil must not go to the feast at Yngvar’s 61; 62; takes to Biorn and Thora Jewel-hand 65; his wrath against B. appeased by Thorolf 66; sends men to Norway to make peace for B. with Thorir the Hersir 67; fosters Asgerd, B. and Thora’s d. 68; 70; his treatment of the axe sent him by Eric Bloodaxe 72; unwillingly gives Thorolf leave to go abroad a second time: his forebodings; sends the axe back by Th. with a scornful stave 73; gives his d. Thorunn in marriage to Geir Ketilson; fond of ball-plays 74; 75; displeased at Egil’s slaying of Grim Heggson 75; at ball-play runs berserk, and slays Thord and Thorgerd Brak 76–7; 78; Thorolf tactfully brings a supposed gift from him to Eric 79; Q. Gunnhild’s saying on his sons 94; 95; becomes an old man; welcomes Egil home, but gets none of K. Athelstane’s silver 115–6; hands over the housekeeping to E. 131; his last talk with E., about money 132; hides his treasure in Krumm’s Well; found dead in his high-seat; precautions taken in giving him lyke-help; laid in howe at Digraness 133; the sword Dragvandil formerly his 146; Bodvar buried beside him many years later 187; his death mentioned in Sonatorrek 190; his lordship in Burgfirth recalled by Egil 213; the great and famous line that came from him 223. xix. 246, 261, 265, 273, 287

  SKAPTI THORARINSON (Þórarinsson): the mass-priest, finds Egil’s bones 222

  SKAPTI THORODDSON (Þóroddsson): Speaker of the Law 185. 299

  SKARNSOUND (Skarnssund): Norw. 38. 265

  SKARPHEDINN (Skarpheðinn): Njal’s Eldest Son XXIV, XXVII, XXX. 246, 263, 282

  SKARTHS-HEATH (Skarðsheiði): 219. 268, 299

  SKEGG-THORIR (Skeggþórir): in charge of K. Eric’s great house at herdla 126; 130

  SKOGUL (Skögul): see Valkyries

  SKOLBRUNN: 282

  SKORREY: Icel. 185

  SKORRI: a thrall 185

  SKÖRUNGR: 253

  SKRYMIR: Steinar’s sword 309

  SKULI (Skúli): s. of Thorstein Egilson 204; 223. 310–1

  SKYR: see Curds

  SLAYING BARDI (Víga-BarðI): 186. 299

  SLAYING SKUTA (Víga-Skúta): 249

  SLAYING STIR (Víga-Styrr): 244–5, 267, 299

  SNAEFELLSTRAND (Snæfellsströnd): Icel., the S. seaboard of the Snaefell peninsula 204; 206; 218. 307

  SNORRI THE PRIEST (goði): XX, XXV. 245, 267, 268, 299, 308

  SNORRI STURLASON (Sturluson): XXII. 236, 248, 251–2, 253, 272

  SNOWLAND (Snæland): 258

  SOGN: Norw., the country of the great Sogn Firth 7; 62; 68; 70; 78–95 95; 118; 150; 155; 157–8; 160; 183

  SOGN-SEA (Sognsær): the mouth of the Sogn Firth 51; 64; 122

  SÖL: see Dulse


  SOLSKEL (Sólskel): Norw., an island on the seaboard of Northmere, the scene of a great sea-fight of K. Harald Hairfair’s 5

  SOLUNDS, THE (Sólundir): Norw. 50. 267

  SOLVEIG THE FAIR (Sólveig en fagra): d. of Earl Atli the Slender 2

  SOLVI KLOFI (Sölvi klofi): s. of K. Hunthiof, raises a league against K. Harald Hairfair 3–4; escapes after the battle of Solskel and becomes a great viking 5

  SONATORREK: 189–93. xxii, xxiii, xxiv. 300–2

  SOUTH-ISLES (Suðreyjar): the Hebrides 6; 64

  SOUTHMERE (Sunmærr): separated from Northmere by Raumsdale 3;5. See also Mere

  SPEAKER OF THE LAW: 266

  STACKSMIRE (Staksmýrr): a rich pasture near Burg 205–6

  STAD (Staðr): Norw., on the coast of Southmere, an exposed headland unprotected by the ‘skjærgaard’ 5

  STAFFHOLT (Stafaholt): Icel., in Northwaterdale, the seat of Einar the Priest 209–10

  STAFF-RIVER (Stafá): xx

  STAMFORD BRIDGE: 273

  STANGARHOLT: Icel., in Longwaterdale 56; 215

  STARBOARD: 286

  STAVE: see Verse-form

  STEINAR (Steinarr): s. of Egil’s old shipmate, Onund Sjoni; a quarrelsome man and hard to deal with; grazes Thorstein Egilson’s land in his despite 204–7; his meeting with Thorstein after Thrand’s slaying 208; summons Thorstein to the Spring-Thing 209; has support of great men at the Thing 210; is persuaded against his judgement to leave the award to his father and Egil 211–2; Egil’s summing up against him 213–4; be moves house to Leirulech 214; sits for Thorstein beside Einkunnir 216; fights with Thorstein near Longholt, his son is slain 216–7; sits for Thorstein near Lambistead, and is thwarted by Lambi 217–8; goes to dwell at Ellidi on Snaefellstrand 218. 307, 309

  STEINDOR (Steindórr): s. of Olaf the Peacock, 186

  STEINGERD (Steingerðr): Kormak’s lady 307

  STEINGRIM OF KROPP (Steingrímr frá Kroppi): 308

  STEINSOUND (Steinssund): Norw. 123

  STEINTHOR OF ERE (Steinþórr á Eyri): 308

  STEM: 261

  STEVENSON, R. L.: xxviii

  STICKLESTEAD(Stiklastaðir): battle of 265

  STIR: see Slaying Stir

  STOFA: see Hall

  STORD (Storð): Norw., mod. Stordö; see also Fitiar 194

  STOROLF (Stórólfr): s. of Ketil Haeng 44. 245

  STOROLFSFIELD (Stórólfsvöll): Icel. 44. 245

  STREAMFIRTH (Straumfjörðr): Icel., N.W. of Alptaness, a small inlet 59