The Laxdæla Saga on Melkorka

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xiii

• attestation: The mistress showed signs of high birth in her bearing and was clearly not a fool

  "Every one clearly saw that there was something betokening high birth in the way she bore herself, and that she was no fool."

• attribution: Melkorka revealed her name and identity as the daughter of Myrkjartan, an Irish king

  ""If you want to know my name, I am called Melkorka." Hoskuld bade her tell him more of her kindred. She answered, "Myr Kjartan is the name of my father, and he is a king in Ireland; and I was taken a prisoner of war from there when I was fifteen winters old.""

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xx

• attestation: Melkorka married and Olaf the Peacock journeyed abroad around 955 AD

  "Melkorka's Marriage and Olaf the Peacock's Journey, A.D. 955"

• attestation: Melkorka lived at Melkorkastead and grew resentful that Hoskuld neglected her household

  "Melkorka, Olaf's mother, lived at Melkorkastead, as has been told before. Hoskuld looked less after Melkorka's household ways than he used to do"

• attestation: Melkorka plotted to do something to displease Hoskuld in retribution

  "Melkorka thought Hoskuld had done shamefully by her, and makes up her mind to do something to him at which he should not be over pleased."

• relationship: Melkorka married Thorbjorn Skrjup, partially to spite Hoskuld

  "Melkorka, Olaf's mother, lived at Melkorkastead, as has been told before."

Laxdaela > Saga > Chap. Xxi

• attestation: Melkorka's foster-mother, though bedridden, walked unaided to meet Olaf and recognised the knife and belt as gifts

  "the foster-mother of Melkorka, who was then bed-ridden, both from heavy sickness and old age; yet she walked with no staff even to support her, to meet Olaf."