The Grettir's Saga on Thorfinn

The Saga Of Grettir The Strong > Chapter Xi. Death Of Onund. Disputes Between The Sons Of Onund And Of > Eirik

• attestation: Flosi sent Thorfinn to assassinate Thorgeir, but the axe struck the leather bottle on Thorgeir's back, missing him entirely

  "as he passed the boat-house Thorfinn sprang out upon him and dealt him a blow with an axe between his shoulders. The axe went into something and made a squeaking noise."

• attestation: A mocking verse was composed about Thorfinn's failed assassination that reddened his axe in whey rather than blood

  ""In days gone by men bathed their blades in the streaming gore of a foeman's wound. But now a wretch of all honour bereft reddens his dastard axe in whey.""

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

• relationship: Thorfinn, son of Kar the Old, was the Landman of Haramarsey, a man of great influence

  "The name of the Landman who lived in the island was Thorfinn. He was a son of Kar the Old, who had lived there for a long time. Thorfinn was a man of great influence."

• attestation: Thorfinn rescued the shipwrecked crew with his thirty-man sixteen-oared boat

  "Thorfinn brought all the men off her to his house, where they stayed for a week drying their goods."

• attestation: Thorfinn told Grettir he must display his prowess before he could receive the sword, as even Thorfinn never got it from his father in life

  ""But before I can give you the sword you must display your prowess in some way. I never got it from my father whilst he lived.""

• attestation: Thorfinn took the treasure but kept the sword, saying Grettir had to earn it by proving himself further

  "Thorfinn took the treasure and kept the sword in his own custody near his bed."

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

• attestation: Thorfinn had been most active in getting the berserks outlawed, making them determined to take revenge on him

  "The man who had been most active in getting them outlawed was Thorfinn, and they were determined to pay him out in full for his hostility."

• attestation: The mistress was terrified and reproached Grettir for welcoming the berserks, calling them arrant robbers and malefactors

  "She said: "I don't call them bondis, nor are they decent men, but arrant robbers and malefactors.""

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

• attestation: Thorfinn returned from his Yule feast and feared the worst when he saw the berserk ship on the beach

  ""I suspect that things have taken place here such that I would give the whole island and everything that is in it for them not to have happened.""

• attestation: Thorfinn's wife told him everything about Grettir's heroic defense, and he praised Grettir's courage highly

  "Then she told him fully all that had happened, praising highly Grettir's courage and resourcefulness."

• attestation: Thorfinn offered Grettir his highest honor and hospitality, saying he wished Grettir would someday need his help

  ""I will say a word to you," he said, "which few would say to their friend. I would it might happen that you should need the help of a man, for you to know whether I count for anything or not""

• attestation: Thorfinn gave Grettir the excellent short sword from the howe when he departed for Vagar

  "Thorfinn said that any money which he required should be at his service; Grettir said he did not want more just then than enough to pay for his living. Thorfinn said that was his due, and brought him to a ship, where he gave him the excellent short sword."

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

• attestation: Thorfinn offered to pay a fine for the killing and spoke at length about Grettir's service in killing the berserks

  "Thorfinn offered to pay a fine such as the jarl thought suitable"

• relationship: Thorfinn appointed kinsman Arnbjorn to accompany Grettir daily because Hjarrandi was plotting against his life

  "Thorfinn appointed one of his kinsmen, Arnbjorn, to accompany Grettir every day, for he knew that Hjarrandi was plotting against his life."

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: Thorfinn, Thorsteinn, and their followers prepared to defend against the jarl's forces, threatening that one fate would befall them all

  ""One fate shall fall upon us all," they cried"

• attestation: Thorfinn gave Grettir valuable garments, a colored saddle with a bridle when they parted in friendship

  "Thorfinn gave him many valuable garments and a coloured saddle with a bridle."