The Njál's Saga on Bergthor

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 34. Of Thrain Sigfus' Son

• relationship: Bergthora was identified as Njal's wife and Skarphedinn's mother

  "Bergthora, Skarphedinn's daughter"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 36. Kol Slew Swart

• attestation: Bergthora hired Atli as a replacement worker to continue the feud with Hallgerda's household

  "Bergthora"

• attribution: Bergthora claimed equal authority to Njal in household matters

  "I am Njal's wife," she says, "and I have as much to say to our housefolk as he."

• attestation: Bergthora hired Atli on condition he would kill when she commanded, even at risk of his life

  "If thou wilt do all the work that I set before thee, and that, though I wish to send thee where a man's life is at stake."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 37. The Slaying Of Kol, Whom Atli Slew

• attestation: Bergthora ordered Atli to find and kill Kol in retaliation for Swart's death

  "thou shalt go and look for Kol until thou find him; for now shalt thou slay him this very day, if thou wilt do my will."

• attestation: Bergthora sent Atli specifically to avenge Swart's death through killing Kol

  "I have thought of some work for thee"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 44. Sigmund Mocks Njal And His Sons

• attestation: Bergthora urged her sons to avenge the insults to their father

  "Bergthora"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 47. Of Otkell In Kirkby

• attribution: Bergthora chided Njal for talking too much about small matters rather than acting

  "What's the good of thy talking so much about such a little matter," says Bergthora"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 90. The Quarrel Of Njal'S Sons With Thrain Sigfus' Son

• attestation: Bergthora goaded her sons, saying no one would think they had the heart to lift their weapons

  ""No one will now think," says Bergthora, "that ye have the heart to lift your weapons.""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 91. Thrain Sigfus' Son'S Slaying

• attestation: Gangrel women told Bergthora that Thrain's company had spoken insultingly about her household

  ""we thought it best to tell thee that they were so full-tongued towards this house, against thy husband and his sons.""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 103. The Slaying Of Hauskuld Njal'S Son

• attestation: Bergthora goaded her sons to act immediately, saying they talked and tarried while no vengeance was taken

  ""Wonderfully do ye men behave," said Bergthora, "when ye slay men for small cause, but talk and tarry over such as this until no vengeance at all is taken""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 131. Njal'S And Bergthora'S Bones Found

• attestation: Bergthora's body was found and her bones were still whole

  "they found Bergthora's body"