The Grettir's Saga on Grettir

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xiv. Asmund'S Children. Grettir'S Childhood

• attestation: Grettir was Asmund's second son, hard to manage, rough-mannered, quarrelsome, unloved by his father but loved dearly by his mother

  "His second son was called Grettir. He was very hard to manage in his bringing up. He spoke little and was rough in his manners and quarrelsome"

• attestation: Grettir was handsome with a broad short face, red-haired and somewhat freckled

  "Grettir was a handsome man in appearance, with a face rather broad and short, red-haired and somewhat freckled"

• attestation: When assigned to mind geese, Grettir killed all the goslings and broke the geese's wings

  "Soon afterwards some wanderers found the goslings lying outside dead, and the geese with their wings broken."

• attestation: Grettir composed a verse admitting he wrings goslings' necks when winter comes

  ""Always when winter is coming on I like to wring the goslings' necks. If among them there are geese I treat the creatures all alike.""

• attestation: Grettir drew a wood-comb along Asmund's back instead of using his hands, causing Asmund to spring up in anger

  "Grettir saw some wood-combs lying on one of the benches; he took up one of them and drew it along Asmund's back."

• attestation: Grettir shaved all the skin off Keingala's back with a knife as revenge for her wandering

  "he drew across her shoulder and along her back on both sides."

• attestation: Keingala always chose the windiest grazing spots regardless of weather, frustrating the poorly-clothed Grettir

  "Keingala always chose the windiest places whatever the weather was."

• attestation: Grettir grew very big but his full strength was unknown since he had never been tested in wrestling

  "He now began to grow very big, but men did not clearly know what strength he had because he had never been tried in wrestling."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xv. Games At Midfjordvatn

• attestation: Grettir was matched against Audun at ball-play when he was fourteen years old; Audun was stronger and a few years older

  "Grettir was matched against Audun, the youth already mentioned, who was a few years the elder."

• attestation: Grettir struck Audun in the forehead with the ball hard enough to break skin after Audun hit the ball over his head

  "Grettir lost his temper, thinking he had done it out of mischief, but he fetched the ball, brought it back and going up to Audun drove it straight into his forehead, so that the skin was broken."

• attestation: In their wrestling match, Audun was clearly stronger and threw Grettir, beating him roughly on the ground

  "They struggled long together until at last Grettir was thrown. Audun then set his knees on his stomach and dealt unmercifully with him."

• attestation: Grettir declared that the thrall alone takes instant vengeance, and the coward never

  "Grettir said they need not hold him like a mad dog, and added: "The thrall alone takes instant vengeance, the coward never.""

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xvi. Grettir Kills Skeggi And Is Outlawed For Three Years

• attestation: Grettir went to the Thing with Thorkell since Asmund couldn't spare Atli from managing the farm

  ""Grettir will not do anything. But he has quite wit enough to carry out the duties at the Thing on my behalf under your guidance.""

• attestation: On the way to the Thing, Grettir's provision bag was lost and he fought with a man named Skeggi from Ass in Vatnsdal over it

  "He said his name was Skeggi and that he was a man from Ass in Vatnsdal in the North."

• attestation: Skeggi ran off and grabbed a provision bag, claiming it was his; Grettir insisted on seeing it to verify

  "Skeggi started running with all his might along the moor and picked up the sack. Grettir saw him bend and asked what it was that he had picked up."

• attestation: Grettir killed Skeggi by pulling the axe from his hands and driving it into his brain

  "Grettir seized the handle of the axe with his left hand and pulled it forward with such force that Skeggi at once let go. The next moment it stood in his brain and he fell dead to the earth."

• attestation: On the way home from the Thing, Grettir lifted a stone at Sledaass that became known as Grettishaf, astonishing onlookers

  "Grettir lifted a stone lying in the grass, which is still known as Grettishaf."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xvii. Grettir Sails For Norway And Is Wrecked On Haramarsey

• attestation: Grettir refused to work on the ship, lying under the ship's boat and composing satirical verses about the freezing crew

  "Grettir made himself a corner under the ship's boat, whence he refused to stir either to bale or to trim the sails or to do any work in the ship"

• attestation: Grettir composed a verse saying his mother was best, having given him the sword while his wealthy father sent him poorly from home

  ""Oh trimmer of sails I my father is wealthy, but poorly enough he sent me from home. My mother it was who gave me this sword. True is the saying: The mother is best.""

• attestation: The crew threatened to pay Grettir out for his lampoons and mutinous behavior

  "They got no work out of him and liked him even worse than before, and said they would pay him out on his person for his squibs and his mutinous behaviour."

• attestation: Grettir composed an ambiguous verse about Haflidi that seemed insulting but was actually fair

  ""Other the words that Haflidi spake when he dined on curds at Reydarfell. But now two meals a day he takes in the steed of the bays mid foreland shores.""

• attestation: The mate's young wife stitched Grettir's sleeves for him during the voyage, causing banter from the crew

  "The mate's young wife was in the habit of stitching Grettir's sleeves for him, and the men used to banter him about it."

• attestation: Grettir finally offered his services for baling; Haflidi told the crew not to refuse his help

  "He replied: "A man's help is something." Haflidi told them not to refuse his help."

• attestation: Grettir proved his extraordinary strength by baling, filling buckets faster than eight men could empty them

  "Some say that before they were done eight men were engaged in emptying the buckets for him."

• attestation: They struck a rock at night, the ship sinking; they escaped to a nearby island with the women and loose property in boats

  "One night when they least expected it, they struck a rock and the lower part of the ship began to fill."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xviii. Adventure In The Howe Of Kar The Old

• attestation: Grettir stayed with Thorfinn, keeping quiet, while visiting daily Audun who lived at Vindheim on the island

  "Grettir liked going about and visiting the people in the other farms on the island. There was a man named Audun, who dwelt at Vindheim."

• attestation: Grettir declared he wanted to explore the howe despite Audun's warning that it would bring Thorfinn's wrath

  ""But I want to know," Grettir said."

• attestation: Grettir broke open Kar the Old's grave, digging until he reached wood, then descended into the howe

  "Grettir broke open the grave, and worked with all his might, never stopping until he came to wood"

• attestation: Inside the dark howe, Grettir found a throne with a seated figure, gold and silver treasure, and a casket of silver

  "Then he knocked against a sort of throne in which he was aware of a man seated. There was much treasure of gold and silver collected together, and a casket under his feet, full of silver."

• attestation: Grettir fought a fierce merciless struggle with the howe-dweller among horse bones until the creature fell with a horrible crash

  "They did not spare each other. Soon they came to the place where the horse's bones were lying, and here they struggled for long, each in turn being brought to his knees."

• attestation: Grettir drew his sword Jokulsnaut, beheaded the howe-dweller, and laid the head between its thighs

  "Grettir then drew his sword Jokulsnaut, cut off the head of the howedweller and laid it between his thighs."

• attestation: Among the treasure was a short sword that Grettir declared finer than any weapon he had ever seen; it was a Thorfinn family heirloom

  "One thing there was upon which more than anything else Grettir cast his eyes, a short sword, which he declared to be finer than any weapon which he had ever seen. It was the last thing that he showed. Thorfinn opened his eyes when he saw the sword, for it was an heirloom of his family and had never been out of it."

• attestation: Grettir had to climb the rope with his hands after Audun fled, hauling the treasure up after him

  "finding Audun gone he had to swarm up the rope with his hands."

• attestation: Grettir composed a verse about ravishing the grave and said none would afterward want to ransack that lair

  ""Scatterer of gold! 'twas the lust of wealth that urged my hand to ravish the grave. This know; but none hereafter, I ween, will be fain to ransack Fafnir's lair.""

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xix. Berserks At Haramarsey

• attestation: Grettir greeted the berserks warmly and deliberately told them Thorfinn was away and the house was full of ale and delights

  ""The bondi has gone from home with all his freedmen and will not be back until after Yule. The goodwife is at home with her daughter, and if I had any grudge to repay, I would come just as you do, for there is everything here which you want, ale to drink and other delights.""

• attestation: Grettir collected the berserks' weapons by offering to take their wet clothes and gear, pretending to be their ally

  "Grettir said to the berserks: "Give me all the things which you want to lay aside, your weapons and your wet clothes""

• attestation: Grettir wanted to join the berserks' company but said they should wait until sober, quoting that Ale is another man

  ""there is truth in the saying that Ale is another man, and such a thing should not be done hastily""

• attestation: Grettir tricked the berserks into an outhouse, then slammed and locked the door while they were inside examining Thorfinn's treasures

  "in a moment was out of the house, had pulled the bolt, slammed the door to, and locked it."

• attestation: Grettir thrust the halberd through Thorir Paunch's body; it continued through into Ogmund the Bad behind him, killing both

  "he thrust it right through Thorir's body just as he was about to descend the steps. The blade was very long and broad. Ogmund the Bad was just behind pushing him on, so that the spear passed right up to the hook, came out at his back between the shoulderblades and entered the breast of Ogmund. They both fell dead, pierced by the spear."

• attestation: Grettir slew all twelve berserks single-handedly, six in the enclosure and the last two fleeing to Vindheim

  "Grettir slew two of the Halogaland men there in the enclosure."

• attestation: Grettir received a severe blow and narrowly escaped serious hurt in the boat-house fight

  "Grettir received a severe blow from one of them and narrowly escaped a serious hurt."

• attestation: The goodwife kindled a light in the loft window to guide the exhausted Grettir home through the dark cold night

  "The goodwife kindled a light and put it in a window in the loft at the top of the house, where it served him as a guide"

• attestation: The mistress praised Grettir for saving the household from irredeemable disgrace

  ""You have earned great glory," she said, "and have saved me and my household from a disgrace never to be redeemed if you had not delivered us.""

• attestation: Grettir composed a verse claiming he slew all twelve berserks near the surging sea alone

  ""Near the surging sea the twelve lie buried. I stayed not my hand but slew them alone.""

• attestation: The last two berserks were found dead from cold and wounds and buried on the shore beneath the tide with stones over them

  "They were found at the end of the day lying under a rock, both dead from cold and from their wounds; they were carried away and buried in a place on the shore beneath the tide"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xx. Thorfinn'S Return. Grettir Visits The North

• attestation: Grettir's fame for killing the berserks spread through all Norway

  "The fame of his deed spread through all Norway, especially in those parts where the berserks had ravaged most mercilessly."

• attestation: Grettir traveled to Salfti in Halogaland and stayed the winter with a man of some consideration named Thorkell

  "So he took his passage in a trading ship belonging to one Thorkell, a man of some consideration in Salfti in Halogaland."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxi. Adventure With A Bear

• attestation: Grettir returned alone to fight the bear, tying a loop around his sword Jokulsnaut's handle over his wrist

  "He drew his sword Jokulsnaut and tied a loop round the handle which he passed over his wrist"

• attestation: Grettir cut off the bear's paw with his sword, then seized it by the ears to prevent it from biting

  "Grettir aimed a blow at him with his sword and cut off his paw just above the claws."

• attestation: Grettir said holding back the bear was the greatest feat of strength he ever performed

  "He always said that he considered this holding back the bear the greatest feat of strength that he ever performed."

• attestation: Both Grettir and the bear fell over the precipice; the bear landed first and was badly mauled, then Grettir killed it with his sword

  "they both fell over the precipice. The bear being the heavier came down first on the beach; Grettir fell on the top of him"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxii. Grettir Kills Bjorn And Is Summoned Before Jarl Sveinn

• attestation: Grettir killed Bjorn in single combat at Gartar at the mouth of Thrandheim's Fjord

  "soon Bjorn was wounded and then he fell dead to the ground."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxiii. Grettir Kills Hjarrandi

• attestation: Grettir struck off Hjarrandi's arm at the shoulder, then killed five of his followers

  "Grettir struck at him and cut off his arm at the shoulder."

• attestation: Grettir met his brother Thorsteinn Dromund in Tunsberg, who was a landowner there

  "There Grettir met his brother Thorsteinn Dromund, who greeted him joyfully and invited him to be his guest. He was a landowner in the town."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxiv. Grettir Kills Gunnar. His Friends Rally Round Him And Save > Him From The Vengeance Of The Jarl

• attestation: Grettir killed one of Gunnar's followers, then drove them from the booth and killed another

  "One blow he succeeded in delivering upon one of Gunnar's followers, who needed nothing more."

• attestation: Grettir cut off both of Gunnar's hands at the wrist as he fell over the doorstep, then gave him his death-blow

  "Grettir struck down between him and the shield, cutting off both his hands at the wrist."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxviii. Grettir'S Visit To Audun In Vididal; Offers His Services > To Bardi

• attestation: Grettir returned to Skagafjord with such a reputation for strength that none of the younger men was his equal

  "Grettir Asmundsson returned to Skagafjord. He had such a reputation for strength that none of the younger men was supposed to be his equal."

• attestation: Grettir rode to Audunarstad on his finest horse with the ornate saddle from Thorfinn to challenge Audun to a rematch

  "Grettir put on all his finery and rode with the coloured and richly ornamented saddle which Thorfinn had given him"

• attestation: Audun stumbled over Grettir's stretched-out leg while carrying curd-bags, and the bags broke, drenching Grettir in curds

  "Audun stumbled over it, falling on the curd-bags which broke at the neck."

• attestation: Grettir and Audun wrestled fiercely through the house, overturning everything, with Grettir gaining the advantage

  "Neither of them spared himself, but Grettir had the advantage, and at last Audun fell"

• attestation: Bardi rebuked Grettir for bullying Audun and suggested he should avenge his brother Hall instead

  ""You would do better to avenge your brother Hall than to come between me and Audun when we are contending.""

• attestation: Grettir offered to join Bardi's planned expedition to Borgarfjord, but Bardi said it depended on Thorarin the Wise's approval

  ""I propose that I shall go with you, which I think is more than you deserve.""

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxix. Horse-Fight At Langafit

• attestation: Grettir retaliated by driving his stick into Odd's side with such force that three ribs broke and Odd fell into the pool

  "Grettir ducked beneath the flank of his horse and drove his stick into Odd's side with such violence that three of his ribs were broken and Odd fell into the pool"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxx. Thorbjorn Oxmain And The Fray At Hrutafjardarhals

• attestation: Grettir fought Kormak's party at Hrutafjardarhals after trying to lift the great stone called Grettishaf

  "Hrutafjardarhals to the west of Burfell, where the great stone called Grettishaf lies; he struggled a long time with that stone, trying to lift it"

• attestation: Grettir pushed back the sons of Thorir so forcefully that both fell over

  "Grettir was making a clean sweep of everything round him. Before him were the sons of Thorir. He pushed them back and they both fell over."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxxi. Grettir'S Vain Endeavour To Provoke Bardi

• attestation: Grettir was furious at being excluded from Bardi's expedition and rode to Thoreyjargnup to confront him

  "Grettir was at Bjarg when he received the news that Bardi had started on his expedition. He was very angry that word had not been sent to him, and said it should not end there."

• attestation: Grettir challenged Bardi to single combat to test their relative strength

  ""You have wiped out your disgrace," said Grettir. "Now the next thing is for us two here to try which is the stronger.""

• attribution: Grettir claimed his fighting principle was to engage up to three opponents but not more than four unless in self-defence

  "Grettir once said that he would trust himself to fight with most men if there were not more than three against him. Even with four he would not give way without trying, but more he would not attempt, except in self-defence."

• attestation: Reinforcements from Thoreyjargnup arrived to join Bardi's party, compelling Grettir to withdraw

  "Then the men from Thoreyjargnup came up and joined Bardi's party, so he left them and went back to his horse."

• attestation: Grettir returned to Bjarg frustrated at finding no worthy opponent to test his strength against

  "On leaving Bardi, Grettir returned to Bjarg, and was much aggrieved at finding nothing to try his strength on."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxxiv. Grettir Visits His Uncle Jokull

• attestation: Grettir gave Audun a valuable battle-axe and they renewed their friendship at Audunarstad

  "He and Audun made friends again; Grettir gave him a valuable battle-axe and they agreed to hold together in friendship."

• attestation: Grettir and Jokull parted uneasily, each sensing foreboding about the other's future

  "Then they parted, neither of them well pleased with the other's prophetic saying."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxxv. The Fight With Glam'S Ghost

• attestation: Glam did not appear on the first night Grettir stayed at Thorhallsstad

  "Grettir's horse was placed securely under lock and key and they both went to bed. The night passed without Glam showing himself."

• attestation: On the third night Grettir lay clothed in a shaggy cloak on a seat, bracing his feet against a bench to await Glam

  "Grettir said he would not take off his clothes, and lay down on a seat opposite to Thorkell's sleeping apartment. He had a shaggy cloak covering him"

• attestation: Grettir seized Glam around the waist and they fought through the hall, shattering benches and everything around them

  "Suddenly Grettir sprang under his arms, seized him round the waist and squeezed his back with all his might"

• attestation: Glam managed to drag Grettir outside the hall despite Grettir's efforts to keep the fight indoors

  "Glam succeeded in getting him outside the hall. Then a terrific struggle began, the thrall trying to drag him out of the house"

• attestation: Grettir used a stone fastened in the ground at the doorway to lever Glam backward, toppling the revenant out of the house

  "he dashed into the thrall's arms and set both his feet against a stone which was fastened in the ground at the door."

• attestation: When the moon illuminated Glam's eyes, Grettir was so terrified that he could not draw his sword — the only sight that ever made him tremble

  "Grettir himself has related that that sight was the only one which ever made him tremble."

• attestation: After the curse, Grettir drew his short sword and beheaded Glam, placing the head between the revenant's thighs

  "He drew his short sword, cut off Glam's head and laid it between his thighs."

• attestation: All agreed that in the whole countryside there was no equal to Grettir for strength, courage, and enterprise

  "all agreed that in the whole country side for strength and courage and enterprise there was not the equal of Grettir the son of Asmund."

• attestation: After defeating Glam, Grettir developed a permanent fear of the dark and saw apparitions everywhere at night

  "he had become so frightened of the dark that he dared not go anywhere alone at night. Apparitions of every kind came before him."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxxvii. Grettir Sails For Norway And Kills Thorbjorn Slowcoach

• attestation: Grettir killed Thorbjorn Slowcoach with a single blow that struck his arm and glanced onto his neck, severing his head

  "Grettir then struck at him. He tried to parry the blow with his arm, but it struck him above the wrist and glanced off on to his neck so that his head flew off."

• attestation: Grettir sailed to the south coast of Norway near Hordland and then headed north to Thrandheim to seek King Olaf

  "towards the end of the summer reached the south coast of Norway, about Hordland, where they learned that King Olaf was in the North at Thrandheim."

• attestation: The sailors declared Grettir's strike a splendid deed and said such men were fit for the king's service

  "The sailors declared it was a splendid stroke, and that such were the men for the king."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxxviii. Grettir Fetches Fire--The Sons Of Thorir Are Burnt

• attestation: Grettir and his companions were stranded near Stad in freezing weather, desperately needing fire to survive

  "one evening they were so exhausted with the snow and frost that they were compelled to put in and lie under a bank"

• attestation: Grettir's companions urged him to swim across the channel to fetch fire from a building they could see burning on the opposite shore

  ""But won't you venture, Grettir? The people of Iceland all talk so much about your prowess, and you know very well what we want.""

• attestation: Grettir swam across the channel in freezing water wearing only a cloak and breeches of coarse stuff

  "Then Grettir threw off his clothes and got ready to go into the water. He went in a cloak and breeches of coarse stuff. He tucked up the cloak, tied a cord of bast round his waist, and took a barrel with him."

• attestation: Grettir burst in looking like a troll with his cloak frozen solid, terrifying the occupants who struck at him with firebrands

  "His cloak had all frozen directly he landed, and he was a portentous sight to behold; he looked like a troll."

• attribution: Grettir maintained he did not intentionally burn the men and said the traders rewarded him poorly for fetching fire

  "Grettir said that what he expected had come to pass, and that he was ill rewarded for getting the fire for them."

• attestation: The traders drove Grettir from their ship once they learned the burned men were Thorir of Gard's sons

  "The traders refused to have Grettir on board their ship any longer and drove him away."

• attestation: Grettir traveled north to Thrandheim and waited days before being able to appear before the king

  "So he went North to Thrandheim where the king was, and had heard the whole story before Grettir came"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xxxix. Grettir Appears Before The King And Fails To Undergo The > Ordeal

• attestation: During the ceremony at church, an ill-favoured overgrown boy appeared and denounced Grettir as a convicted murderer

  "there started up a very ill-favoured, overgrown boy and cried to him:

"Wondrous are now the ways in a land where men should call themselves Christians, when evil-doers and robbers and thieves walk in peace to purge themselves.""

• attestation: Grettir lost his temper and struck the boy senseless, disrupting the ordeal ceremony

  "Then Grettir lost his temper and his self-control. He raised his hand and gave him a box on the ear so that he fell senseless"

• attestation: The boy was believed to be an unclean spirit sent for Grettir's destruction — no one knew where he came from or went

  "it was generally believed that he was some unclean spirit sent forth for the destruction of Grettir."

• attestation: Grettir traveled south to find his brother Thorsteinn Dromund at Tunsberg after leaving King Olaf

  "Then he went to the South, intending after that to go East to Tunsberg to find his brother Thorsteinn Dromund."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xl. Adventure With The Berserk Snaekoll

• attestation: Grettir spent Yule with a wealthy bondi named Einar who had a beautiful marriageable daughter named Gyrid

  "At Yule Grettir came to a bondi named Einar, a man of wealth who had a wife and a marriageable daughter named Gyrid."

• attestation: Grettir kicked Snaekoll's shield up into his face, breaking the upper jaw, then dragged him from his horse and beheaded him

  "he kicked the shield with his foot from below with such force that it struck his mouth, breaking the upper jaw, and the lower jaw fell down on to his chest. With the same movement he seized the viking's helmet with his left hand and dragged him from his horse, while with his right hand he raised his axe and cut off the berserk's head."

• attestation: Grettir then traveled east to Tunsberg to visit his brother Thorsteinn Dromund

  "Then Grettir went East to Tunsberg to visit his brother Thorsteinn, who received him joyfully"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xli. Thorsteinn Dromund'S Arms

• attribution: Grettir in turn mocked Thorsteinn's thin arms, saying his ribs ran together and he was scarcely as strong as a woman

  ""There is no need to look long at that; all your ribs are run together. I never saw such a pair of tongs as you carry about! Why, you are scarcely as strong as a woman!""

• attestation: Grettir returned to Iceland in the summer after spending winter with Thorsteinn; the brothers never met again

  "The spring came and Grettir took a ship for Iceland in the summer. The brothers parted with friendship and never saw one another again."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xlvii. Grettir Returns To Bjarg--Sveinn And His Horse > Saddle-Head

• attestation: Grettir returned to Iceland landing at Hvita in Borgarfjord, where he learned simultaneously of his father's death, brother's slaying, and his own outlawry

  "all the news came at once upon Grettir, first that his father was dead, then that his brother was slain, and third that he was declared outlaw throughout the land."

• attestation: Grettir received all three devastating pieces of news without changing his manner at all

  "It is told that Grettir changed his manner no whit for these tidings, but was just as merry as before."

• attestation: Grettir stole Sveinn's mare Saddle-head at dawn and rode north along the Hvita river in disguise

  "He went up past Thingnes to Bakki, by which time it was light. Seeing a brown horse in the meadow he went up and put a bridle on it"

• attestation: Grettir secretly traveled north over Tvidaegra Heath to Bjarg, arriving at midnight and entering through the back door

  "Grettir rode North over the Tvidaegra Heath to Bjarg, where he arrived at midnight."

• attestation: Grettir learned that Thorbjorn Oxmain was at home with few men, presenting an opportunity for vengeance

  "He learned that Thorbjorn Oxmain was at home with few men. This was after the hay-harvest."

• attribution: Grettir quoted the saying that 'one evil is mended by a worse one' and promised Atli would be avenged

  ""It is an ancient saying," said Grettir, "that one evil is mended by a worse one. There is more in the heart of man than money can buy; Atli may yet be avenged.""

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xlviii. Death Of Thorbjorn Oxmain

• attestation: Grettir rode to Thoroddsstad to kill Thorbjorn Oxmain, who was in the fields binding hay with his sixteen-year-old son Arnor

  "they told him that he was gone out into the fields to bind hay with his sixteen-year-old son Arnor."

• attestation: Grettir carried a spear with a silver-inlaid socket and deliberately knocked out the rivet to prevent Thorbjorn returning it

  "a great spear in his hand without barbs and inlaid with silver at the socket. He sat down and knocked out the rivet which fastened the head in order to prevent Thorbjorn from returning the spear upon him."

• attestation: Grettir struck Arnor on the head with the back of his sword, killing the sixteen-year-old boy

  "he raised his sword aloft and struck Arnor's head with the back of it such a blow that the skull broke and he died."

• attestation: Grettir then killed Thorbjorn Oxmain with a sword blow that split his shield and entered his brain

  "struck with his sword a blow which severed Thorbjorn's shield in two and went into his head, reaching the brain. Thorbjorn fell dead."

• attestation: Grettir rode to Reykir and formally proclaimed the two slayings

  "He got on to his horse, rode to Reykir and proclaimed the slaying."

• attribution: Grettir declared Atli's death was now fully avenged in a verse

  ""Atli's death was unatoned; fully now the debt is paid.""

• attestation: Grettir rode west to Ljarskogar to stay with his kinsman Thorsteinn Kuggason

  "he rode to the West across the Laxardal Heath and did not stop before he reached Ljarskogar, where he stayed some time in the autumn with Thorsteinn Kuggason."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xlix. Grettir Visits Thorsteinn Kuggason And Snorri Godi

• attestation: The lost spearhead from the fight was found in later days of Sturla the Lawman son of Thord, proving Thorbjorn died at Spearmarsh

  "The spear which Grettir had lost was never found until within the memory of men now living. It was found in the later days of Sturla the Lawman, the son of Thord, in the very marsh where Thorbjorn fell, now called Spearmarsh."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter L. Grettir Winters With Thorgils At Reykjaholar In Company With > The Foster-Brothers

• attestation: Grettir stayed the winter at Reykjaholar with Thorgils son of Ari, who warned about the hot-headed foster-brothers Thorgeir and Thormod

  ""Some men are expected here who are a little hot-headed, namely, the foster-brothers Thorgeir and Thormod.""

• attestation: The three outlaws — Grettir, Thorgeir, and Thormod — sailed together in a ten-oared boat to fetch the ox from Olafseyjar

  "So the three set out in a ten-oared boat."

• attestation: Grettir held the boat steady in surf reaching his shoulders while the foster-brothers loaded the ox

  "He stood by her middle on the side away from the land, the sea reaching right up to beneath his shoulders, but he held the boat firmly so that she could not drift."

• attestation: Grettir improvised oars from two spars after the rowlocks broke, rowing so hard every timber creaked

  "Grettir took two spars which were on board, bored two holes in the gunwale, and rowed so energetically that every timber creaked."

• attestation: None of the three would help the other carry the ox, so Grettir carried it on his back from Titlingsstad to Reykjaholar

  "When they got to Titlingsstad it could go no more. The foster-brothers went home, for none of them would help the other at his job."

• attestation: Grettir carried the full-grown ox on his back from Titlingsstad, astonishing everyone

  "a man coming towards them with an ox on his back; it was Grettir carrying the ox. They all admired his great feat"

• attestation: Grettir threw Thorgeir to the ground and Thorgils intervened before any real harm was done

  "Grettir ran at him and brought him over with a heavy fall."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lii. Grettir Is Captured By Farmers And Released By Thorbjorg

• attestation: Grettir raided the smaller cultivators in Langadal, taking weapons and clothes from everyone

  "Grettir went over the Thorskafjord Heath to Langadal, where he let his hands sweep over the property of the smaller cultivators, taking what he wanted from every one."

• attestation: Thirty farmers ambushed Grettir while he slept in a forest near Vatnsfjardardal and bound him after a violent struggle

  "All the farmers came together and a band of thirty of them concealed themselves in the forest"

• attestation: The farmers decided to hang Grettir from a gallows and were uproariously delighted at the proposal

  "they would not throw away their luck, and set to work to raise a gallows there and then in the forest upon which Grettir should hang. Their delight over this proposal was uproarious."

• attestation: Grettir swore never to commit violence in Isafjord in exchange for his release

  ""You shall swear never to commit any violence here in Isafjord; nor shall you take revenge upon those who have had a hand in capturing you.""

• attribution: Grettir composed verses about his capture in Isafjord, the threatened hanging, and Thorbjorg's rescue

  ""Full was my cup in Isafjord when the old swine held me at ransom.""

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Liii. Grettir Winters In Ljarskogar With Thorsteinn Kuggason

• attestation: Grettir returned south in autumn to winter with his kinsman Thorsteinn Kuggason at Ljarskogar

  "Grettir returned to the South and did not stop till he came to his kinsman Thorsteinn Kuggason in Ljarskogar, who welcomed him."

• attestation: Despite friction over work habits, Thorsteinn sheltered Grettir through the winter

  "He accepted Thorsteinn's invitation to stay the winter with him."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Liv. Adventure With Lopt

• attestation: Grettir went to Kjol in the highlands and for some time robbed travelers heading north or south

  "Grettir went from Tunga up the Haukadal valley northwards to Kjol and was there for some time in the summer. For men travelling either to the North or to the South there was no certainty of their not being stripped of what they had on them"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lv. Grettir In The Arnarvatn Heath. Death Of Grim The Forest-Man

• attestation: Grettir built a hut on the Arnarvatn Heath and supported himself by fishing rather than robbing

  "Grettir went up to the Arnarvatn Heath and built himself a hut there of which the remains are still to be seen. He went there because he wanted to do anything rather than rob, so he got himself a net and a boat and went out fishing to support himself."

• attestation: Grettir found life weary and lonely in the mountains because of Glam's curse making him fear the dark

  "It was a weary time for him in the mountains be cause he could not be alone."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lviii. Grettir Visits Bjorn The Hitdale Warrior And Takes Refuge > In The Fagraskogafjall

• attestation: Grettir took refuge in Fagraskogafjall, a mountain stronghold, after staying with Bjorn

  "Grettir went up to Fagraskogafjall"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lix. The Chastisement Of Gisli

• attestation: Grettir went down to Flysjuhverfi to get sheep and took four wethers from the local farms

  "Grettir went down to Flysjuhverfi to get some sheep and got four wethers."

• attestation: The bondis pursued Grettir with Gisli urging them on, and they confronted him at the foot of the mountain

  "The bondis heard of his having come and went after him."

• attestation: Grettir made a stand at a stone called Grettishaf that still stands by the roadside

  "Grettir fell back a little and reached a stone which is still standing by the side of the way and is called Grettishaf, where he stood at bay."

• attestation: Grettir stripped Gisli of his weapons and horse and sent him home in disgrace

  "Grettir took from Gisli his weapons and his horse"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lx. The Battle With The Myramen

• attestation: In his third winter at Fagraskogafjall, Grettir raided farms in Myrar, taking six wethers, two oxen, and sheep

  "When Grettir had been two winters in Fagraskogafjall and the third winter had set in, he went South into Myrar to the farm called Laekjarbug, where he took six wethers without their owner's permission."

• attestation: Ten men fell in battle against Grettir, five more were wounded to death, and nearly all combatants were hurt

  "Ten had fallen; five were wounded to death or crippled, and nearly all who had been in the battle were hurt."

• attestation: The Myramen retreated having suffered heavy losses including many good men

  "The Myramen drew off, having suffered heavy losses, for many a good man had fallen."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxi. Grettir Winters Under The Geitland Glacier

• attestation: Grettir built a hut from logs under the Geitland glacier and caught sheep for food, finding one larger than any others

  "Grettir stayed there and built himself a hut out of logs which he found about. He caught a sheep to eat, and it was better for slaughter than two in other places."

• attestation: There was a magnificent ewe with a brown head that excelled all others in size

  "There was a ewe there with her lamb; she had a brown head and excelled all the others in size."

• attestation: Grettir was anxious to catch the lamb but it vanished, and he later heard a human voice

  "He was anxious to have the lamb, so he cau"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxiii. Grettir'S Meeting With Thorir On The Reykja Heath

• attestation: Grettir traveled in disguise from the eastern fjords, hiding because he did not wish to encounter Thorir of Gard

  "Grettir, who came from the eastern fjords, travelling in disguise and hiding his head because he did not wish to meet Thorir."

• attestation: Grettir escaped Thorir's pursuit and went north to Bardardal in disguise

  "Grettir escaped and went north"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxiv. Ghosts In Bardardal

• attestation: Grettir (calling himself Gest) carried Steinvor and her daughter across the flooding Eyjardalsa on his left arm

  ""I will find a way," he said, taking them both up and setting the girl on her mother's knee as he bore them both on his left arm, keeping his right arm free."

• attestation: The river came up to Grettir's breast and a great piece of ice struck him but he reached the other side safely

  "The river came up to his breast, and a great piece of ice drove against him, w"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxv. Adventure With A Troll-Woman

• attestation: At midnight a huge troll-wife entered the room carrying a trough in one hand and a large cutlass in the other

  "towards midnight he heard a loud noise outside, and very soon there walked a huge troll-wife into the room. She carried a trough in one hand and a rather large cutlass in the other."

• attestation: They fought their way out through the door, tearing away the door-frame, and down to the river gorge

  "They fought out through the door and down to the river"

• attestation: Grettir cut off the troll-woman's arm at the shoulder with his short sword, and she fell into the gorge

  "Grettir cut off her arm at the shoulder"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxvi. Grettir Slays A Giant

• attestation: The giant attacked Grettir with a hafted weapon but Grettir struck with his short sword, cutting off the giant's belly

  "Grettir struck at the giant with his sword"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxvii. Visit To Gudmund The Mighty

• attestation: Grettir stayed the winter with the priest Steinn at Eyjardalsa after the troll-slaying

  "Grettir stayed the winter at Eyjardalsa with the priest"

• attestation: Grettir visited Gudmund the Mighty of Modruvellir, who received him with honor

  "Grettir went to visit Gudmund the Mighty at Modruvellir"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxviii. Fight With Thorodd The Son Of Snorri

• attestation: Thorodd attacked Grettir but was overpowered; Grettir chose not to kill him out of respect for Snorri the Godi

  "Grettir then said:

"Let us stop this play; you will not gain the victory in a battle with me.""

• attestation: Grettir set Thorodd down beside him and warned that he should only attempt tasks he could accomplish

  "so he took hold of him and set him down next to himself, saying: "I could do what I liked with you; but I have no fear of your killing me.""

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxix. Grettir'S Last Visit To Bjarg And Journey With Illugi To > Drangey

• attestation: Grettir's fear of the dark had grown so great that he dared go nowhere after dusk

  "His fear of the dark grew so upon him that he dared go nowhere after dusk."

• attestation: Grettir said Illugi was the greatest comfort that could befall him and he would take no one else if Illugi would go

  "Grettir said Illugi was the greatest comfort he could have"

• attestation: Grettir and Illugi traveled north through the districts to Skagafjord, then to Langholt and Glaumbaer

  "Then they turned their steps to Skagafjord, then North to Vatnsskard on to Reykjaskard below Saemundarhlid to Langholt, reaching Glaumbaer as the day was waning."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxii. Grettir Visits The Thing At Hegranes

• attestation: Grettir disguised himself and went to the Hegranes Thing, which assembled in spring with people from all the surrounding districts

  "The time passed on until the spring, when men assembled at the Hegranes Thing."

• attestation: Grettir arrived at the Thing disguised in a wide cowl pulled over his head, and challenged the best wrestlers there

  "Grettir went there in disguise"

• attestation: Grettir cast off his hood and upper garments, revealing himself to the assembled crowd who recognized him by his great stature

  "Then he cast off his hood and after that all his upper garments. Each looked at the other and woe spread over their lips; for they knew that it was Grettir who had come to them, by his excelling all other men in stature and vigour."

• attestation: Grettir returned safely to Drangey where Illugi rejoiced at seeing him again after the Hegranes Thing

  "Grettir returned to Drangey where Illugi rejoiced much at seeing him again."

• attestation: The men of Skagafjord were praised for honoring their peace with Grettir despite his outlaw status

  "All thought the men of Skagafjord had acted most honourably in upholding their peace"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxiii. Visit Of Thorbjorn Angle To Drangey

• attestation: Grettir refused to leave Drangey and told Thorbjorn there was no hope of it

  "Grettir said there was not much hope of that."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxiv. The Fire Goes Out In Drangey

• attestation: Grettir had been two years in Drangey and had slaughtered nearly all the sheep except one grey ram with large horns

  "Grettir had, it is said, been two years in Drangey, and they had slaughtered nearly all the sheep. One ram, it is told, they allowed to live; it was grey below and had large horns."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxv. Grettir Swims To The Mainland For Fire

• attestation: Grettir prepared for his swim wearing coarse breeches and a cloak, with his fingers webbed together

  "Grettir then prepared for his swim. He wore a cloak of coarse material with breeches and had his fingers webbed."

• attestation: Grettir swam a full sea-mile from Drangey to the mainland with the current, arriving at Reykir on Reykjastrond

  "He sm"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxv. Grettir Swims To The Mainland For Fire > (Verse Missing In Manuscript)

• attestation: Grettir's swim of a sea-mile earned universal admiration for his extraordinary courage on sea and land

  "When it became known that Grettir had swum a sea-mile, every one thought his courage extraordinary both on sea and on land."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxvii. Grettir'S Case Before The All-Thing

• attestation: At the All-Thing debate, some argued Grettir's outlawry term was fulfilled after twenty years

  "some held that his term was fulfilled when he had completed any portion of the twentieth year."

• attestation: The opposition argued Grettir had committed further crimes during his outlawry that extended it

  "This was disputed by the opposite party, who declared that he had committed many acts deserving of outlawry since"

• attestation: The lawman ruled that no man could be outlawed for more than twenty years in total, but Grettir's term was not yet complete

  "The lawman said no man should be outlawed more than twenty years"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxviii. Thorbjorn'S Foster-Mother

• attribution: Grettir told Thorbjorn it would not hurt him if he never came again

  ""It would not hurt me if you never came at all," said Grettir."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxix. The Spell Takes Effect

• attestation: Grettir's axe turned flat and glanced off the enchanted log into his right leg above the knee, cutting to the bone

  "Directly the axe touched the tree it turned flat and glanced off into Grettir's right leg. It entered above his right knee and pierced to the bone, making a severe wound."

• attestation: Grettir had been irritated with the thrall Glaum and did not notice what tree he was chopping

  "Grettir was irritated with the thrall; he used his axe with both hands and did not notice what tree it was."

• attestation: Grettir recognized the wound as the work of sorcery and warned they must not let any more driftwood come up

  "Grettir turned to the"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxx. The Spell Continues To Work

• attestation: Grettir's wound swelled, turned blue as coal, and became gangrenous from the enchantment

  "They fetched a light, unbound the wound and found it swollen and blue as coal."

• attestation: Grettir knew the wound was not natural and would be his death, the result of Thurid's sorcery

  "Grettir knew the wound would be his death"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxxii. The Last Battle--Death Of Grettir And Illugi

• attestation: Grettir was so ill from the enchanted wound that he could not stand on his feet

  "It has now to be told how Grettir became so ill that he could not stand on his feet."

• attestation: Grettir, though unable to stand, thrust a spear through the rafters that killed Kar, Halldor's man from Hof

  "Grettir got on to his feet, seized a spear and thrust it between the rafters. It struck Kar, Halldor's man from Hof, and went right through him."

• attestation: Thorbjorn's men broke through the barricade and attacked Grettir who fought with his sword from his knees

  "Then they laid open the end of one of the timbers and bore upon it until it broke. Grettir was unable to rise from his knees, but he seized the sword Karsnaut"

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Lxxxiii. Thorbjorn Visits Grettir'S Mother At Bjarg

• attestation: Grettir's and Illugi's kinsmen were deeply grieved and accused Thorbjorn Angle of both cowardice and sorcery

  "The kinsmen of Grettir and Illugi were deeply grieved when they heard of their death. They held that Angle had done a dastardly deed in slaying a man at the point of death, and they also accused him of practising sorcery."

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xciii. The Testimony Of Sturla The Lawman

• attestation: First, Grettir was the cleverest outlaw, surviving the longest without being captured while sound in health

  "First, that he was the cleverest, inasmuch as he was the longest time an outlaw of any man without ever being captured, so long as he was sound in health."

• attestation: Second, Grettir was the strongest man in all of Iceland, and third, his vengeance was carried out furthest from Iceland — in Constantinople

  "Secondly, that"