The Njál's Saga on Njal

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 20. Of Njal And His Children

• relationship: Njal was the son of Thorgeir Gelling, grandson of Thorolf

  "There was a man whose name was Njal. He was the son of Thorgeir Gelling, the son of Thorolf."

• relationship: Njal's mother was named Asgerda

  "Njal's mother's name was Asgerda"

• attestation: Njal lived at Bergthorsknoll with another homestead on Thorolfsfell

  "Njal dwelt at Bergthorsknoll in the land-isles; he had another homestead on Thorolfsfell."

• attestation: Njal was wealthy and handsome but beardless

  "Njal was wealthy in goods, and handsome of face; no beard grew on his chin."

• attestation: Njal was the greatest lawyer in Iceland, with no equal to be found

  "He was so great a lawyer, that his match was not to be found."

• attestation: Njal possessed the gift of foresight and prophetic wisdom

  "Wise too he was, and foreknowing and foresighted"

• attestation: Everyone who sought Njal's counsel benefited from his advice

  "all that he advised men was sure to be the best for them to do. Gentle and generous, he unravelled every man's knotty points who came to"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > Endnotes:

• attestation: Njal's foreknowledge is described as akin to Scottish 'second sight'

  "according to the firm belief of that age, had a more than human insight into things about to happen. It answers very nearly to the Scottish "second sight.""

• relationship: Njal was called 'son of Gollnir' because his father was Thorgeir Gelling or Gollnir

  ""Son of Gollnir," Njal, who was the son of Thorgeir Gelling or Gollnir."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 22. Njal'S Advice

• attestation: Njal instructed Gunnar to disguise himself as a peddler named Huckster Hedinn

  "Over all thou shalt have a great rough cloak, and under that, a russet kirtle of cheap stuff, and under all, thy good clothes."

• attestation: Njal planned every detail including carrying hardware and smith's work as cover

  "Thou shalt carry hardware and smith's work with thee hence"

• attestation: Njal instructed Gunnar to slouch his hat to hide his identity after crossing Whitewater

  "when ye are come across Whitewater westwards, mind and slouch thy hat well over thy brows."

• attestation: Njal scripted the exact conversation Gunnar should have with Hrut, disparaging local men

  "Are there any stout champions left in Reykiardale?' he will ask. Thieves and scoundrels,' thou shalt answer."

• attestation: Njal predicted Hrut would enjoy hearing Gunnar criticize men from the Eastfirth Quarter

  "Then Hrut will smile and think it sport to listen."

• attestation: Njal instructed Gunnar to compose a verse praising Mord to please Hrut

  "sing some stave to please Hrut, for I know thou art a skald."

• attestation: Njal foresaw that Hrut would ask Gunnar to share his bed, showing trust

  "Hrut will ask thee to share his bed"

• attestation: Njal instructed Gunnar to formally summon Hrut for Unna's dowry claim using specific legal language

  "thou must summon Hrut to pay the dower"

• attestation: The plan demonstrated Njal's extraordinary legal cunning and knowledge of human psychology

  "thou shalt answer. Then Hrut will smile and think it sport to listen."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 24. Gunnar And Hrut Strive At The Thing.

• attestation: Njal accompanied Gunnar and directed the legal proceedings

  "Njal was there with Gunnar"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 26. Of Asgrim And His Children

• attestation: Njal proposed a marriage between his son Helgi and Asgrim's daughter Thorhalla

  "Njal came to talk with his son Helgi, and said, "I have thought of a ma"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 27. Helgi Njal'S Son'S Wooing

• attestation: Njal and Helgi rode to Tongue to negotiate Helgi's marriage with Asgrim's daughter Thorhalla

  "they rode out across Thurso water, and fared till they came into Tongue. Asgrim was at home, and gave them a hearty welcome"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 28. Hallvard Comes Out To Iceland

• attribution: Njal approved of Gunnar traveling abroad, saying foreigners would honor him

  "I think it is wise," says Njal; "they will think thee there an honourable man, as thou art."

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

• attestation: Njal praised Thrain as wealthy, proper, and of great mark when asked about him

  "That is to be said of this man, that the man is well to do for wealth, and a proper man in all things. A man, too, of the greatest mark"

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

• attestation: Njal accepted compensation for the killing and the two friends maintained their bond

  "Njal"

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

• attestation: Njal paid compensation to Gunnar for the killing, maintaining their friendship

  "Njal"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 38. The Killing Of Atli The Thrall

• attestation: Njal warned Atli that Hallgerda would try to have him killed and urged him to move east

  "I wish that thou wouldst change thy abode to the east firths, so that Hallgerda may not put an end to thy life"

• attestation: Njal paid atonement for Atli's death as a free man's price, not a thrall's

  "Njal"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 40. Gunnar And Njal Make Peace About Brynjolf'S Slaying

• attribution: Njal said more men were becoming manslayers than he expected

  "More men now become man- slayers than I weened."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 43. Njal And Gunnar Make Peace For The Slaying Of Thord

• attestation: Njal valued his friendship with Gunnar above all else and refused to let the feud destroy it

  "Njal"

• attestation: Njal set a high price for Thord's death since he was a free man, not a thrall

  "Njal awarded a great atonement"

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

• attestation: The mocking verses became widely known and brought shame upon Njal's family

  "all men heard the verses"

• attestation: The verses constituted a grave social offense that demanded blood revenge in Icelandic society

  "dungbeard boys"

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

• attestation: Njal agreed to supply Gunnar with both meat and hay from his own stores

  "I will of a surety supply his need somewhat."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 51. Of Gunnar

• attestation: Njal advised Gunnar on the legal proceedings throughout the case

  "Njal and his sons too, they all went with Gunnar"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 55. Njal'S Advice To Gunnar

• attestation: Njal advised Gunnar to accept a settlement at the Thing and not to kill twice in the same bloodline

  "Now those tidings are heard far and wide"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 56. Gunnar And Geir The Priest Strive At The Thing

• attestation: Thorod was thought the best lawyer in Iceland after Njal

  "Thorod was thought"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 58. How Gunnar'S Horse Fought

• attestation: Njal advised Gunnar to exercise restraint after the horse-fight incident

  "Njal"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 63. Njal'S Counsel To Gunnar

• attestation: Njal gave Gunnar counsel about the legal aftermath of the battle

  "Njal"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 68. Of Njal And Those Namesakes

• attestation: Njal devised a counter-strategy against the two Thorgeirs

  "Njal"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 69. Olaf The Peacock'S Gifts To Gunnar

• attestation: Njal rode away to warn the namesakes that Gunnar would not disband his forces

  "Njal rode away under the Threecorner, and told those namesakes that Gunnar would not break up his band of men bef"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 73. Of The Atonement

• attribution: Njal declared he could no longer remain neutral and intervened in the legal proceedings

  "Now I can no longer sit still and take no part. Let us go to where the neighbours sit on the inquest."

• attestation: Njal guided the atonement proceedings to achieve a settlement

  "Njal spoke and said"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 74. Kolskegg Goes Abroad

• attestation: Njal made the final preparations and reminded Gunnar of his obligations

  "Njal"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 77. Gunnar Sings A Song Dead

• attestation: Njal and the sons of Sigfus were deeply grieved by Gunnar's death

  "Njal could ill brook Gunnar's death, nor could the sons of Sigfus brook it either."

• attestation: Njal advised that since Gunnar was an outlaw, no manslaughter suit could be filed, but vengeance killings were worthwhile

  "He said that could not be done, as the man had been outlawed; but said it would be better worth trying to do something to wound their glory, by slaying some men in vengeance after him."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 79. Hogni Takes An Atonement For Gunnar'S Death

• attestation: Njal helped negotiate an atonement between those with blood-feuds after Starkad and Thorgeir

  "Njal took a share in bringing those who had the blood-feud after Starkad and Thorgeir to take an atonement"

• relationship: Njal arranged Hogni's marriage to Alfeida daughter of Weatherlid the Skald

  "Njal asked as a wife for Hogni Alfeida the daughter of Weatherlid the Skald, and she was given away to him."

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

• attestation: Njal's sons raised their grievances with Kettle of the Mark, who tried and failed to mediate with his brother Thrain

  "Njal said it would be best that Kettle should talk with his brother Thrain about it, and he gave his word to do so."

• attestation: Njal advised gathering witnesses to Thrain's insults so the eventual killing would not seem unprovoked

  ""It will be thought that they are slain without a cause, if they are slain now, and my counsel is, that as many men as may be should be brought to talk with them about these things, and thus as many as we can find may be ear-witnesses if they answer ill""

• attestation: Njal warned that their disgrace would grow until they had to fight their way out with weapons

  ""it will go on ever growing and growing with your disgrace, that ye will never get rid of it until ye bring yourselves into a strait, and have to fight your way out with weapons; but in that there is a long and weary night in which ye will have to grope your way.""

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

• attestation: Njal heard Skarphedinn's axe striking the wall panel at dawn, signalling his sons were arming for battle

  "Njal woke up early and heard how Skarphedinn's axe came against the panel."

• attestation: Njal foresaw that Thrain's slaying would lead to the death of one or more of his sons

  ""These are great tidings, and it is more likely that hence will come the death of one of my sons, if not more evil.""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 92. Kettle Takes Hauskuld As His Foster-Son

• attestation: Njal paid the full blood-price for Thrain's slaying in a handsomely settled atonement

  "the fair price of a man was awarded for Thrain's slaying, and they all had a share in the blood-money who had a lawful right to it. After that pledges of peace and good faith were agreed to"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 93. Njal Takes Hauskuld To Foster

• attestation: Njal offered Hauskuld a gold ring and the boy accepted it, beginning their bond

  "Njal had a ring of gold on his hand, and showed it to the lad. He took hold of the gold, and looked at it, and put it on his finger."

• attestation: Njal praised Hauskuld's answer and said he would live to be a good and true man

  ""Better answered than asked," said Njal; "and thou wilt live to be a good man and true," he adds."

• attestation: Njal offered to foster Hauskuld and the boy accepted, going home to Bergthorsknoll

  ""Now will I offer to foster thee," said Njal, "if thou wilt take the offer.""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 96. Of The Change Of Faith

• attestation: Njal welcomed the new faith and said he would back those who came to preach it

  ""It seems to me as though this new faith must be much better, and he will be happy who follows this rather than the other; and if those men come out hither who preach this faith, then I will back them well.""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 98. Of Thangbrand And Gudleif

• attestation: Njal and all his household accepted the Christian faith when Thangbrand came to Bergthorsknoll

  "Thangbrand fared to Bergthorsknoll, and Njal took the faith and all his house"

• attestation: Njal and the eastfirthers stood by Thangbrand when Thorwald's kinsmen threatened him at the Thing

  "Njal and the eastfirthers stood by Thangbrand."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 102. The Wedding Of Hauskuld, The Priest Of Whiteness

• attestation: Njal proposed Hildigunna daughter of Starkad as a wife for his foster-son Hauskuld

  ""There is a woman called Hildigunna," answers Njal, "and she is the daughter of Starkad, the son of Thord Freyspriest. She is the best match I know of.""

• attestation: Njal asked for a three-year delay to arrange a priesthood for Hauskuld

  ""I will beg thee to let this match stand over for three winters, that I may see what I can do.""

• attestation: Njal deliberately sabotaged lawsuits at the Thing to create deadlock, building the case for a Fifth Court

  "he gave such counsel in men's lawsuits as was not thought at all likely, so that both the pleadings and the defence came to naught, and out of that great strife arose"

• attestation: Njal proposed creating a Fifth Court to handle suits that the Quarter Courts could not resolve

  ""Methinks, it were wiser if we had a Fifth Court, and there pleaded those suits which cannot be brought to an end in the Quarter Courts.""

• attestation: Njal proposed creating new priesthoods and filling them with the best men in each quarter

  ""I can see help for that," says Njal, "by setting up new priesthoods, and filling them with the men who are best fitted in each Quarter""

• attestation: The Fifth Court would handle contempt of Thing, false witness, false findings, bribery, and deadlocked Quarter Court cases

  ""These matters shall come before it," says Njal, -- "all matters of contempt of the Thing, such as if men bear false witness, or utter a false finding; hither, too, shall come all those suits in which the judges are divided in opinion in the Quarter Court; then they shall be summoned to the Fifth Court; so, too, if men offer bribes, or take them, for their help in suits.""

• attestation: Njal successfully petitioned for a new priesthood at Whiteness to be given to Hauskuld

  ""I will beg you to give me leave to set up a new priesthood at Whiteness for Hauskuld."

He got this leave from all"

• attestation: Njal immediately rode east to Swinefell to finalize the marriage with Flosi

  "Njal stayed but a short time at home ere he rides east to Swinefell, and his sons with him, and again stirs in the matter of the marriage with Flosi"

• attestation: Njal bought land at Ossaby for Hauskuld and they moved there, maintaining deep mutual love

  "Njal bought land in Ossaby, and hands it over to Hauskuld, and thither he fares to his own abode."

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

• attestation: Njal recognized death marks on Hauskuld and noted Rodny had not closed his eyes and nostrils

  ""I see death marks on him," said Njal, "but no signs of life; but why hast thou not closed his eyes and nostrils? see, his nostrils are still open!""

• attestation: Njal identified Lyting of Samstede and his brothers as the killers

  ""Lyting of Samstede and his brothers must have slain him," says Njal."

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 104. The Slaying Of Lyting'S Brothers

• attestation: Njal decreed that Lyting's brothers fell as outlaws, Lyting got no compensation for his wounds, but must pay full blood-money for Hauskuld Njal's son

  "Lyting's brothers shall fall as outlaws. Nor shall Lyting have any atonement for his wounds, but on the other hand, he shall pay the full blood-fine for Hauskuld."

• attestation: Njal set Lyting's blood-fine at two hundred in silver and warned him to move away but did not force it

  ""My will then is, that he pays two hundred in silver for the slaying of Hauskuld, but he may still dwell at Samstede; and yet I think it were wiser if he sold his land and changed his abode""

• attestation: Njal prophetically warned that someone might rise up against Lyting in the neighbourhood

  ""methinks it may be that some one may rise up in this country against whom he may have to be on his guard.""

• attestation: Njal implied Skarphedinn had failed to kill Lyting when he should have

  ""Hauskuld could not have thrown his shield before him," says Njal, "if thou hadst slain him, as it was meant thou shouldst.""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 121. Of The Award Of Atonement Between Flosi And Njal

• attestation: Njal declared he had loved Hauskuld more than his own sons and felt as if a light had gone out in his life

  ""I loved Hauskuld more than my own sons, and when I heard that he was slain, methought the sweetest light of my eyes was quenched""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 122. Of The Judges

• attestation: Njal warned his sons that the suits were in a fair way of settlement and begged them not to spoil things

  ""Now are our suits come into a fair way of settlement, now are we men atoned, for all the money has been brought together in one place""

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 144. Battle At The Althing

• attestation: Njal was atoned for with a triple fine and Bergthora with a double fine

  "Njal was to be atoned for with a triple fine, and Bergthora with two."