The Sagas of the Icelanders (51 page)

8
Soon after Herjolf and Thorgerd began their life together they had a son. The child was sprinkled with water and named Hrut. From his early childhood he was both big and strong for his age, and no man cut a better figure: tall, broad-shouldered and narrow at the waist, with well-formed arms and legs. Hrut was also very handsome, and in this respect took after his grandfather, Thorstein, and great-great-grandfather, Ketil. He was highly accomplished in all respects.

Herjolf fell ill and died, and was deeply mourned by everyone. Afterwards Thorgerd wanted to return to Iceland and see her son Hoskuld, whom she cared for more than anyone else. Hrut stayed behind with his kinsmen where he was in a favourable position. Thorgerd set out on the trip to Iceland and made her way to her son Hoskuld’s farm in Laxardal. He gave his mother a fitting welcome. Thorgerd was wealthy and spent the remainder of her life with Hoskuld. A few years later she fell ill and died, and was buried in a mound. Hoskuld took over all her wealth, although his brother Hrut was entitled to half.

9
At this time Norway was ruled by King Hakon, foster-son of King Athelstan of England. Hoskuld was one of the king’s men and spent alternate years at court and at home on his farm. He was a well-known person in both Norway and Iceland.

A man named Bjorn had settled in Bjarnarfjord, which cuts into the land north of Steingrimsfjord and is named after him. There is a ridge between the two fjords. Bjorn was a wealthy man and of good family. His wife was named Ljufa and they had a daughter named Jorunn, a good-looking woman, very proud, and no less clever. She was considered the best match in the entire West Fjords.

Hearing of this woman and also that Bjorn was the foremost farmer of the Strandir district, Hoskuld set out with a party of nine men to visit him in Bjarnarfjord. Hoskuld was well received, for Bjorn had heard others speak well of him. Eventually Hoskuld asked for his daughter’s hand. Bjorn consented for his part, and said in his opinion his daughter could not wish for a better marriage, but referred the question to her.

When the question was put to Jorunn, she answered, ‘Nothing I have heard of you, Hoskuld, would make me inclined to refuse you, and I think any woman married to you will be well cared for. In this, however, my father will have the deciding say, as I will abide by his wishes.’

The long and the short of it was that Jorunn was betrothed to Hoskuld with a large dowry. Their wedding was to be celebrated at Hoskuldsstadir. The question settled, Hoskuld rode home to his farm, where he remained until the date set for the wedding. Bjorn came south for the occasion, accompanied by a sizeable following. Hoskuld had also invited a great many guests from among both his friends and his kinsmen, and the wedding feast was a very grand one. Afterwards everyone returned home in a spirit of friendship and bearing worthy gifts.

Jorunn Bjarnardottir remained at Hoskuldsstadir and assumed her duties in running the farm along with Hoskuld. She soon showed herself to be both clever and experienced, and skilled at many things, though often somewhat headstrong. She and Hoskuld got along well together, but they seldom showed strong affection for each other.

Hoskuld soon became a great chieftain. He was both powerful and ambitious, and did not lack wealth. People felt him to be at least the equal of his father, Koll, in all respects. Not long after their marriage Hoskuld and Jorunn had a child. This son was named Thorleik and was the eldest of their children. A second son was named Bard. Their daughter Hallgerd
was later called Long-legs. Another daughter was named Thurid. All their children were promising.

Thorleik was a big, strong man with striking features, who spoke little and was unruly. Judging from his character as a youngster people felt he would hardly prove to be easy to get along with. Hoskuld often said that Thorleik reminded him of his relatives in the Strandir district. Bard was exceptionally good-looking, strong and intelligent, and in character resembled more his father’s side of the family. As a youngster Bard was even-tempered, and he grew up to be a popular man. Of all the children he was Hoskuld’s favourite.

Hoskuld’s situation was by this time extremely prosperous and he was highly respected. At this point Hoskuld married his sister Groa to Veleif the Old. Their son was Bersi the Dueller.

10
A man named Hrapp lived north of the Laxa river, across from Hoskuldsstadir. His farm, later called Hrappsstadir, is now deserted. Hrapp was the son of Sumarlidi and was called Killer-Hrapp. He was of Scottish descent on his father’s side, but his mother’s family had lived in the Hebrides, where he was born. A big, strong man, he was never willing to back down, even when facing an opponent who was considered more than his equal. He had fled from the Hebrides to Iceland and purchased the farm where he now lived because this same belligerence had led him to commit misdeeds for which he refused to make retribution. His wife was Vigdis Hallsteinsdottir and their son was named Sumarlidi.

Vigdis’s brother was Thorstein Hallsteinsson, who lived at Thorsnes. Sumarlidi grew up there and was a promising youth. Thorstein had been married, but his wife had died by this time. He had two daughters, one named Gudrid and the other Osk. Gudrid was married to Thorkel Scarf who lived at Svignaskard, an important chieftain and wise man; he was the son of Red-Bjorn. Osk, Thorstein’s other daughter, was married to a man named Thorarin who lived in Breidafjord. He was a robust and popular man who farmed with his father-in-law Thorstein, now an elderly man and much in need of help.

Most people cared little for Hrapp. He pushed his neighbours around and had on occasion hinted to them that they could expect trouble if they showed anyone else more respect than they did him. The farmers got together and agreed to approach Hoskuld and tell him of their difficulties.

Hoskuld told them to let him know if Hrapp did them any harm, ‘for he’ll deprive me of neither men nor means’.

11
A man named Thord Goddi lived on the north side of the Laxa river on a farm which has since been called Goddastadir. He was very wealthy and had no children. He had purchased the farm where he lived. As a neighbour of Hrapp’s, he was often the victim of his aggression. Hoskuld gave him protection so that he could remain on his farm. Thord’s wife Vigdis was the daughter of Ingjald, who was the son of Olaf Feilan and brother of Thord Bellower. On her mother’s side she was the niece of Thorolf Red-nose of Saudafell. Thorolf was a noted warrior and a man of means; his kinsmen could always look to him for support. Vigdis had been married to Thord more for his wealth than his worth.

Thord had a slave, who had immigrated to Iceland with him, named Asgaut. He was a large and capable man, and, though he was called a slave, there were few among those called free men who could regard themselves as his equals. He was exceptionally loyal to his master. Thord had other slaves, but only Asgaut is mentioned by name.

A man named Thorbjorn, who was called Pock-marked, lived on the next farm up the valley from Thord. He was a man of wealth, much of it in gold and silver. He was a big man, very strong, and tight-fisted in his dealings with most people.

The buildings on Hoskuld’s farm were far from his liking, as he felt them unworthy of a man in his situation. He purchased a ship from a man from the Shetland Islands which was beached at Blonduos. He made the ship ready and declared his intention to travel abroad, leaving Jorunn to look after his farm and children. They set out to sea, had favourable winds and made land in the south of Norway, in Hordaland, where the trading town of Bergen was later established. He had the ship drawn ashore there, as important kinsmen of his lived nearby, although they are not mentioned by name. King Hakon was then in Vik. Hoskuld did not proceed on to the king, as his kinsmen received him with open arms. Nothing of note occurred all that winter.

12
The coming summer was the occasion of a royal expedition east to the Brenno Islands. Intended to keep the peace in the region, the excursion was made every third summer, according to the law. An assembly of chieftains was called to choose the cases in which the kings were to pass judgement. Attending the assembly was regarded as an entertainment, as men attended from all the lands of which we have reports.

Hoskuld had his ship set afloat. He also wanted to attend the assembly, as he had not yet paid his respects to the king that winter. The assembly attracted a gathering of traders. People attended in large numbers, and there was plenty of entertainment, drinking and games, and festivities of all sorts. Nothing especially newsworthy occurred, but Hoskuld met many of his kinsmen who lived in Denmark.

One day, when Hoskuld was on his way to the festivities with several companions, he noticed a highly decorated tent some distance away from the others. Hoskuld went over and entered the tent, where a man sat dressed in costly clothing and wearing a Russian hat.

When Hoskuld asked him his name he replied that it was Gilli, ‘but many know me better by my nickname; I am called Gilli the Russian’.

Hoskuld replied that he had often heard him mentioned and called him the richest of the merchants trading there.

Hoskuld then said, ‘I suppose you can provide me with anything I might want to buy?’

Gilli asked what it was that he and his companions wished to buy.

Hoskuld said that he wanted to purchase a slave-woman, ‘if you should happen to have one for sale’.

Gilli replied, ‘You hope to put me on the spot by asking for something you assume I don’t have. I wouldn’t be too sure of that, however.’

Hoskuld then noticed an inner curtain drawn across the tent. When Gilli lifted the curtain Hoskuld saw twelve women sitting behind it. Gilli told Hoskuld to go inside and take a look, to see whether he cared to buy any of these women. Hoskuld did so. The women sat in a row across the width of the tent. When Hoskuld looked more closely he noticed one of the women sitting near the outer side of the tent. She was poorly dressed, but Hoskuld thought her to be a good-looking woman, as far as he could judge.

Hoskuld then spoke: ‘Say I wanted to buy this woman, how much would she cost?’

Gilli answered: ‘For her you will weigh out and pay me three marks of silver.’

‘It seems to me,’ said Hoskuld, ‘that you value this slave-woman rather highly; that is the price of three.’

To this Gilli answered, ‘Right you are, I do value her more highly than the others. Choose one of the eleven others instead, for one mark of silver; I will keep this one.’

Hoskuld said, ‘Tell me first how much silver is in this purse on my belt,’ and asked Gilli to bring out his scales while he sought his purse.

Gilli then said, ‘I’m not out to trick you in this transaction – the woman has a major flaw and I wish you to know of it, Hoskuld, before we conclude the bargain.’

When Hoskuld asked what it was, Gilli replied: ‘The woman cannot speak. I have tried in many ways to get her to speak, but never got so much as a word from her. To my mind, at least, she doesn’t know how to speak.’

To this Hoskuld replied, ‘Bring out your scale and we will see how much the money I have here weighs.’

This Gilli did, and weighed the silver, which proved to weigh three marks.

Hoskuld then said, ‘Since that’s the case, we’ll call it a bargain. You take the silver, and I will take the woman. I must say you acted fairly, in not trying to trick me into a purchase.’

Hoskuld then went back to his own booth.

Hoskuld slept with the woman that same evening. The next morning, as they were dressing, Hoskuld spoke:

‘There’s not much sign of pride in this clothing which the wealthy Gilli has provided you with. But I suppose it’s more of a burden for him to dress twelve than for me to dress one.’

Hoskuld then opened a chest from which he took fine women’s clothing and gave it to her. Everyone remarked on how well fine clothing suited her.

When the leaders had concluded the business provided for by law, the assembly was dissolved. Hoskuld then approached King Hakon and offered his respectful greetings in a fitting manner.

The king looked hard at him and said, ‘We would have received you well, Hoskuld, had you hailed us earlier, and so will it be even now.’

13
This said, the king welcomed Hoskuld affectionately and suggested he come aboard his ship – ‘and dwell with us as long as you wish to stay in Norway’.

Hoskuld answered, ‘For your offer, many thanks, but I have much work ahead of me this summer. My intention of acquiring building timber was the main reason for the delay in paying you my respects.’

King Hakon told Hoskuld to sail to Vik, where he spent some time as the king’s man. The king gave him a supply of building timber and had it loaded aboard ship.

He then spoke to Hoskuld: ‘I will not detain you here longer than you wish to stay, but it will be no easy task to find someone to take your place.’

The king then accompanied Hoskuld to his ship and spoke: ‘You have
proved the best of men, but I suspect that this will be the last time you sail from Norway under my rule.’

The king drew a gold ring, which weighed a full mark, from his arm and presented it to Hoskuld along with another treasure, a sword which was worth half a mark of gold. Hoskuld thanked the king for his gifts and all the honour he had shown him. He then boarded his ship and sailed out to sea.

The ship was favoured with good winds and made land on the south shore of Iceland. They sailed westward, skirting the peninsulas of Reykjanes and then Snaefellsnes, to enter the bay of Breidafjord. Hoskuld landed at the mouth of the Laxa river, had the cargo unloaded and the ship drawn up on the beach on the inland side of the river. There they constructed a boat shed for the ship, the remains of which are still visible. They built booths at the place now known as Budardal (Booth valley). Hoskuld then had the timber transported to his home, which was not difficult as it was no great distance away. Afterwards he and several other men rode home to be met with a warm reception, as might be expected. His property had also been well looked after in his absence.

Jorunn asked who the woman was accompanying him.

Hoskuld answered: ‘You probably think I’m mocking you, but I do not know her name.’

Jorunn said, ‘Unless the stories I’ve heard are lies, you must have spoken to her enough to have at least asked her name.’

Hoskuld said there was no denying that and told her the whole story. He asked her to show the woman respect and said he wanted her to live there at home with them.

Jorunn replied: ‘I’ve no intention of wrangling with some slave-woman you have brought home from Norway who doesn’t know how her betters behave, least of all since she is obviously both deaf and dumb.’

Hoskuld slept with his wife every night after returning home, and had little to do with his slave-woman. Everyone noticed the obvious air of distinction about her and realized that she was no fool. Late that winter Hoskuld’s slave-woman gave birth to a boy. When Hoskuld was sought and the boy shown to him, he felt, as did others, that he had never seen a handsomer or more distinguished-looking child. Hoskuld was asked what the child should be called. He asked that the boy be named Olaf, as his uncle Olaf Feilan had died a short time earlier.

Olaf was an exceptional child and Hoskuld became extremely fond of the boy. The following summer Jorunn said that the slave-woman would either have to do her share of the farm work or leave. Hoskuld asked the
woman to wait upon himself and Jorunn as well as look after her child. By the time the boy was two years old he spoke perfectly and ran about on his own like a child of four.

One morning Hoskuld had gone out on some farm business. The weather was good, and the sun still low in the sky. He heard voices and followed the sound to a place where a stream ran down the slope of the hayfield. There he saw two people whom he recognized: his son, Olaf, and the child’s mother. He then realized that she was anything but dumb, as she had plenty to say to the boy. Hoskuld went over to them and asked her what her name was, saying that there was no point in pretending any longer. She agreed and they all sat down on the slope.

Then she spoke: ‘If you wish to know my name, it is Melkorka.’

Hoskuld asked her for details of her family.

She answered: ‘My father is Myrkjartan; he is a king in Ireland. I was taken captive there at the age of fifteen.’

Hoskuld said that she had too long concealed such noble birth.

Hoskuld then returned to the house and told Jorunn what he had learned. Jorunn said there was no way of knowing whether she spoke the truth, and that she had no use for people of dubious origin. Their discussion ended on this point. Jorunn treated the slave-woman no better than before, but Hoskuld was rather more kindly towards her from then on. Shortly afterwards, when Jorunn was getting ready for bed, Melkorka assisted her in removing her socks and shoes and laid them on the floor. Jorunn picked up the socks and struck her with them. Angered, Melkorka gave Jorunn a blow on the nose, causing it to bleed, before Hoskuld came in and separated them. After that he had Melkorka move to another farm farther up the valley which has been called Melkorkustadir ever since and is now deserted. It is on the south shore of the river. Melkorka set up household there with her son Olaf, and Hoskuld supplied her with everything she needed. As Olaf grew up it was obvious to everyone how exceptionally handsome and well mannered he was.