Sigvat Thordarson

Heimskringla

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed the 'Nesjar Song' about the battle shortly after it occurred. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 47. Of The Battle At Nesjar.)

  "Sigvat the skald was himself in the fight; and in summer, just after the battle, he composed a lay, which is called the "Nesjar Song""

• attribution: Sigvat composed a verse describing the steel-clad crew protected by ring-mail under their helms. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 47. Of The Battle At Nesjar.)

  "Our lads, broad-shouldered, tall, and hale, Drew on their cold shirts of ring-mail"

• attribution: Sigvat composed verses boasting that few of Svein's northerners returned home from the Sunday battle. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 50. Olaf'S And Sigurd'S Consultation.)

  "The tale I tell is true To their homes returned but few Of Svein's men who came to meet King Olaf's gallant fleet"

• attestation: Before the embassy departed, Sigvat the skald declined to join Bjorn's journey despite their close friendship. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 70. Of Sigvat The Skald.)

  "It happened that before Bjorn set out from home he asked Sigvat the skald, who at that time was with King Olaf, to accompany him on his journey. It was a journey for which people had no great inclination"

• attribution: Sigvat composed a verse praising Bjorn as a friend who had often pleaded his cause before the king. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 70. Of Sigvat The Skald.)

  "Bjorn, thou oft hast ta'en my part-- Pleaded with art, And touched the heart. Bjorn! brave stainer of the sword, Thou art my friend--I trust thy word"

• attestation: During the ride through Gautland, Sigvat composed travel verses describing sailing through Lister sea and riding through Gautland's waste. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 70. Of Sigvat The Skald.)

  "While they were riding up to Gautland, Sigvat made these verses"

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed verses lamenting that King Olaf was slain by his own people, noting that of all the chiefs only Dag survived the battle. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 248. Of Some Circumstances Of The Battle.)

  "The loss was great to England's foes, When their chief fell beneath the blows By his own thoughtless people given,-- When the king's shield in two was riven."

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed verses testifying to the king's incorruption: his nails and yellow hair still growing, his cheeks still ruddy. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 259. Of King Olaf'S Miracles.)

  "I lie not, when I say the king Seemed as alive in every thing: His nails, his yellow hair still growing, And round his ruddy cheek still flowing"

• attribution: Sigvat's verse references King Olaf's yellow locks adorned for the Russian queen, connecting his earthly appearance to his posthumous state. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 259. Of King Olaf'S Miracles.)

  "As when, to please the Russian queen, His yellow locks adorned were seen; Or to the blind he cured he gave A tress, their precious sight to save."

• attribution: Sigvat the skald composed verses lamenting that King Olaf held the land for fifteen winters before falling in the North, declaring no worthier prince had ever ruled. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 260. Of King Olaf'S Age And Reign.)

  "For fifteen winters o'er the land King Olaf held the chief command, Before he fell up in the North: His fall made known to us his worth."

• attribution: Sigvat composed additional verses praising Olaf as God-fearing, noting he fought and won twenty pitched battles and always placed his Christian men on the right. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 260. Of King Olaf'S Age And Reign.)

  "God-fearing Olaf fought and won Twenty pitched battles, one by one, And always placed upon his right His Christian men in a hard fight."

• attestation: The skalds quoted in the Saga of Magnus the Good include Arnor Jarlaskald, Sigvat, Thjodulf, Bjarne Gullbrarskald, Thorgeir Flek, and Od Kikinaskald. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > Preliminary Remarks.)

  "The skalds quoted in this saga are: Arnor the earls' skald (Arnor Jarlaskald), Sigvat, Thjodulf, Bjarne Gullbrarskald, Thorgeir Flek, Od Kikinaskald."