The Grettir's Saga on Thorbjorg the Fat

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

• attestation: Thorbjorg the Fat arrived on horseback and was recognized as the leading personage of the district in Vermund's absence

  "They guessed that it must be Thorbjorg the mistress of Vatnsfjord on her way to the dairy, and so it was. Thorbjorg was a person of great magnificence, and tremendously wise. She was the leading personage of the district and managed everything when Vermund was away."

• attribution: Thorbjorg called the farmers churls and warned that hanging Grettir would bring trouble on the men of Isafjord

  ""It may be that Grettir has deserved it, but it will bring trouble upon you men of Isafjord if you take the life of a man so renowned and so highly connected as Grettir""

• attestation: Thorbjorg gave Grettir a horse and took him to Vatnsfjord, gaining great renown in the district

  "Thorbjorg told him to come home with her and gave him a horse to ride on."

• attribution: Vermund was put out when he returned but Thorbjorg defended her decision on three grounds: his honor, kinship with Hrefna, and Grettir's worth

  ""Many reasons there were," she said. "The first is that you might be the more respected as a chief for having a wife who would dare to do such a thing. Next, his kinswoman Hrefna will surely say that I could not let him be slain; and thirdly, because he is in many respects a man of the highest worth.""