The Njál's Saga on Snorri the Priest

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 113. Of Snorri The Priest, And His Stock

• attestation: Snorri the Priest dwelt at Helgafell before Gudruna bought it, then moved to Hvamsfirth on Saelingdale's tongue

  "There was a man named Snorri, who was surnamed the Priest. He dwelt at Helgafell before Gudruna Oswif's daughter bought the land of him, and dwelt there till she died of old age; but Snorri then went and dwelt at Hvamsfirth on Saelingdale's tongue."

• relationship: Snorri's father was Thorgrim son of Thorstein Codcatcher, and Snorri was a great friend of Asgrim Ellidagrim's son

  "Thorgrim was the name of Snorri's father, and he was a son of Thorstein codcatcher (1). Snorri was a great friend of Asgrim Ellidagrim's son"

The Story Of Burnt Njal > 1. Of Fiddle Mord > 138. Of Asgrim, And Gizur, And Kari

• attestation: Snorri the Priest acknowledges he received many wholesome counsels from Njal

  "We, too, got many wholesome counsels from Njal, though few now bear that in mind"

• attestation: Snorri predicts the burning suit will end in violence at the Thing

  "it is likeliest that ye will press them home with daring, and that they will defend themselves so in like wise, and neither of you will allow the others' right."

• attestation: Snorri the Priest plans to block Flosi's retreat to the stronghold in the Great Rift if fighting breaks out

  "my meaning is that they will try to run for a stronghold in the 'Great Rift.' But if they come thither, then ye will never get the better of them. Now I will take that on my hands, to draw up my men there, and guard the pass to the stronghold"

• attestation: Snorri promises to intervene and stop the battle once enough men have been slain to balance blood-fines

  "when you have slain out of their band about as many as I think ye will be able to pay blood-fines for, and yet keep your priesthoods and abodes, then I will run up with all my men and part you."

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

• attestation: Snorri the Priest draws up his men below the Great Rift in preparation for battle

  "Snorri the Priest hears how the causes stood, and then he begins to draw up his men in arry below "the Great Rift," between it and Hadbooth"

• attestation: Snorri the Priest blocks Flosi's retreat to the Great Rift with his men drawn up in array

  "Snorri the Priest had drawn up his men there in array, so thick that they could not pass that way"

• attestation: Snorri blames Thorwalld Cropbeard and Kol, both now dead, as the worst men in Flosi's band and the cause of his troubles

  "it is the fault of Thorwalld Cropbeard and Kol."

They were both then dead, but they had been the worst men in all Flosi's band."

• attestation: Snorri the Priest and Hall of the Side intervene to stop the battle and establish a truce for the rest of the Thing

  "Snorri the Priest came up with his band, and Skapti was there in his company, and they ran in between them"

• attestation: Snorri the Priest sings a mocking verse about Skapti and the battle between his teeth

  "Skill hath Skapti us to tell Whether Asgrim's shaft flew well; Holmstein hurried swift to flight, Thorstein turned him soon to fight."

• attestation: Twelve men under Snorri's leadership made the award, setting manslaughters off against each other and paying fines for the remainder

  "twelve men were to utter the award; and Snorri the Priest was the chief man in the award"