The Laxdæla Saga on Kotkell

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xxxv

• attestation: Kotkell and his wife Grima were natives of Sodor and renowned wizards who recently arrived in Iceland

  "Kotkell was the name of a man who had only come to Iceland a short time before, Grima was the name of his wife."

• relationship: Kotkell and Grima's sons were Hallbjorn Whetstone-eye and Stigandi, all powerful sorcerers

  "Their sons were Hallbjorn Whetstone-eye, and Stigandi. These people were all wizards and the greatest of enchanters."

• attestation: The wizard family from Sodor caused great harm through their sorcery in the district

  "These people were all wizards and the greatest of enchanters."

• attestation: Kotkell's sorcery was used by Thorliek against Hrut in their feud

  "[Sidenote: Kotkell the wizard] Kotkell was the name of a man who had only come to Iceland a short time before, Grima was the name of his wife."

• attestation: The sorcerers performed witchcraft that caused death and destruction in the community

  "the greatest of enchanters."

• attestation: Kotkell and Grima's family were all natives of Sodor, the Hebrides islands

  "These people were natives of Sodor."

• attestation: The wizard family's presence caused lasting trouble for the settlement

  "their dwelling there was none of the best liked."

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xxxvi

• attestation: Events concerning the sorcerers Kotkell and Grima are recounted

  "About Kotkell and Grima"

• attestation: Kotkell and his family were condemned for practising destructive witchcraft

  "they were accounted of as men of doomed lives, who wrought such witchcraft as that which Kotkell and his had now shown."

• attestation: Kotkell's family departed with only four stud-horses, including a large, fair, and strong black stallion

  "Kotkell and his went away with no other goods than four stud-horses. The stallion was black; he was both great and fair and very strong, and tried in horse-fighting."

• attestation: Kotkell came to Combeness and offered Thorliek the horses in exchange for a place to live nearby

  "they came to Combeness, to Thorliek, Hoskuld's son. He asked to buy the horses from them, for he said that they were exceeding fine beasts. Kotkell replied, "I'll give you the choice. Take you the horses and give me some place to dwell in here in your neighbourhood.""