The Grettir's Saga on Olaf

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

• attestation: King Olaf son of Harald had taken power in Norway after driving away Jarl Sveinn following the battle of Nesjar

  "Olaf the son of Harald was now king, having driven away jarl Sveinn from the country in the spring which followed the battle of Nesjar."

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

• attestation: King Olaf recognized Grettir and acknowledged his worthiness but doubted his fortune

  "The king said: "You are worthy enough; but I know not what fortune you will have in defending yourself.""

• attestation: King Olaf decreed that Grettir should undergo the ordeal of bearing iron to prove innocence in the burning

  "King Olaf said: "I decree that you shall bear iron, if your fate so wills it.""

• attribution: King Olaf declared the ordeal could not proceed because of Grettir's ill-fortune and inability to control his temper

  ""You are a man of ill luck, Grettir. All was prepared for the ordeal, but it cannot take place now. It is not possible to contend against your ill-fortune.""

• attribution: King Olaf acknowledged Grettir's unmatched strength and courage but declared his luck too bad to remain at court

  ""I know," said the king, "that few are your equals in strength and courage, but your luck is too bad for you to remain with me.""

• attestation: The king permitted Grettir to stay the winter but ordered him to return to Iceland where he was destined to die

  "You have my leave to depart in peace whithersoever you will for the winter, and then in the summer you may return to Iceland, where you are destined to lay your bones."

• attribution: Olaf declared that Grettir's impetuosity always led to evil and that he was the most doom-fated of men

  "Impetuosity always leads to evil. If ever a man was doomed to misfortune you are."