The Egil's Saga on Kveldulf

Chapter 1 - Of Kveldulf and his sons.

• attestation: Ulf became sullen every evening and was reputed to be a shape-shifter, earning the name Kveldulf (Evening-Wolf)

  "everyday as evening drew on he became sullen, so that few could come to speak with him. He was an evening sleeper, and it was commonly said that he was very shape strong. He was called Kveldulf."

• relationship: Kveldulf and his wife Salbjorg had two sons: the elder Thorolf and the younger Grim

  "Kveldulf and his wife had two sons, the elder was named Thorolf, the younger Grim"

Chapter 1 - Of Kveldulf and his sons. > Chapter 3 - The beginning of the rule of Harold Fairhair.

• attribution: Kveldulf refused to join the war, arguing it was beyond his duty to fight in Maera and predicting Harold's victory

  "this I deem clean beyond my duty, to go north to Mæra and defend their land. Briefly ye may say when ye meet your king that Kveldulf will sit at home during this rush to war"

• attribution: Kveldulf prophesied that Harold had great good fortune while their king had little

  "I think that he has a whole load of good-fortune where our king has not a handful."

Chapter 1 - Of Kveldulf and his sons. > Chapter 5 - The king's message to Kveldulf.

• attribution: Kveldulf refused Harold's summons, claiming he was too old for war

  "Kveldulf answered that he was an old man, not fit for war or to be out in warships. 'I will now,' said he, 'sit at home and leave serving kings.'"

• attribution: Kveldulf foreboded that he and his sons would get no luck from Harold

  "My foreboding is that I and my sons shall get no luck from this king: and I will not go to him."

• attribution: Kveldulf offered to send his son Thorolf to Harold's service instead of going himself

  "if Thorolf returns this summer, he will be easily won to this journey, as also to be made the king's man."

• attribution: Kveldulf pledged friendship to Harold and to maintain his existing authority under the new king

  "I will be his friend, and will keep to his friendship all who heed my words; I will also hold the same rule and authority from his hand that I held before from the former king"

Chapter 1 - Of Kveldulf and his sons. > Chapter 6 - Thorolf resolves to serve the king.

• attribution: Kveldulf counseled both his sons never to take service with Harold, prophesying ruin from the king

  "I would never take service with king Harold; and ye two will both do the same, if I may counsel: this I think will be the end, that we shall reap ruin from that king."

• attribution: Kveldulf reiterated his prophecy that Harold would bring harm to his kin

  "equally true will this be, that Harold will work much scathe on my kin."

• attribution: Kveldulf warned Thorolf to keep within bounds and not rival his betters in Harold's service

  "Only beware of this, keep within bounds, nor rival thy betters; thou wilt not, I am sure, yield to others overmuch."

• attestation: Kveldulf accompanied Thorolf to his ship and embraced him before departure

  "Kveldulf accompanied him down to the ship and embraced him, with wishes for his happy journey and their next merry meeting."

Chapter 1 - Of Kveldulf and his sons. > Chapter 24 - Kveldulf's grief.

• attestation: Kveldulf was so deeply grieved by Thorolf's death that he took to his bed from sorrow and age

  "Kveldulf heard of his son Thorolf's death, and so deeply grieved was he at the tidings that he took to his bed from sorrow and age."

Chapter 1 - Of Kveldulf and his sons. > Chapter 27 - Slaying of Hallvard and Sigtrygg.

• attestation: Kveldulf and Skallagrim kept watch all summer along the coast for passing ships

  "All through the summer Kveldulf and Skallagrim kept a look-out shorewards on the highway of vessels."