Summary: The saga of people from Laxdal

The saga tells the story of eight generations of an Icelandic family. The central place is reserved for the seventh generation: the events connected with it took place at the end of the 10th and the beginning of the 11th century.

Ketil Ploskonosy occupied a high position in Norway. When King Harald the Fair-haired reached his highest power, Ketil gathered his relatives to the council. All agreed that it is necessary to leave the country. Sons of Ketil Bjarn and Helgi decided to settle in Iceland, which was heard a lot of tempting. Ketil said that in his advanced years it is better to go to the west, beyond the sea. He knew these places well. With Ketil went his daughter Unn the Wise. In Scotland, he was well received by notable people: he was offered to settle with relatives, where they would like. Son Unne Wise Thorstein was a lucky warrior and took possession of half of Scotland. He became a king, but the Scots broke the conspiracy and slyly attacked him. After the death of

his father and the death of his son, Und Mudraya secretly ordered to build a ship in the forest, equip it and set out on a journey. All the surviving relatives went with her. There was no other case for a woman to escape from a formidable danger with so many companions and with such wealth! She was accompanied by many worthy people, but all were superior to a noble person named Kolle from the Valleys.

Thorstein Red had six daughters and one son, who was called Olav Feilan. Unn married all her granddaughters, and each of them gave rise to the illustrious family. In Iceland, Unn first visited the brothers, and then occupied the vast lands around the Breid-fjord. In the spring, Kolle married Thorgerd, the daughter of Thorstein Red. “Unn gave her the entire valley of Laxdal as a dowry. He declared his heir to Olav Feilan. On the day of the wedding of grandson Unn suddenly left the celebration. Next morning Olav went to her room and saw that she was sitting dead on the bed. People admired the fact that Unn managed to preserve dignity and greatness until the day of death.

When Koll of the Valley fell ill and

died, his son Khaskuld was in his youth. But Thorgerd, Thorstein’s daughter, Haskuld’s mother, was still a young and very beautiful woman. After Kolle’s death, she told her son that she did not feel happy in Iceland. Haskuld bought her a half-ship, and she sailed with great riches to Norway, where she soon married and gave birth to a son. The boy was given the name of Khrut. He was very handsome – like his grandfather, Thorstein, and great-grandfather Ketil Ploskonosy. After the death of her second husband, Thorgerd was drawn back to Iceland. Haskulda she loved more than other children. When Torgger died, Haskuld got all her goods, although half had to get the Khrut.

A man named Bjarn had a daughter, Yorunn – a beautiful arrogant girl. Haskuld got acquainted with her and obtained consent. The wedding was magnificent – all the guests left with rich gifts. Haskuld was in no way inferior to his father Kolya. They had several children with Jorunn: the sons were called Torlake and Bard, the daughters were Halfgard and Turid. All of them promised to become outstanding people. Haskuld considered it humiliating for himself that his house was built worse than he would have liked. He bought a ship and went for a forest to Norway. The relatives living there met him with open arms. King Hakon was very kind to him: he singled out the forest, gave his golden wrist and sword. Haskuld bought a beautiful slave in Norway, although the merchant warned him that she was dumb. Haskuld shared a bed with her, but on returning to Iceland he stopped paying attention to her. And Jorunn said, that will not start a quarrel with a concubine, but for all it is better that she is deaf and dumb. At the end of winter, a woman gave birth to an unusually beautiful boy. Haskuld ordered him to be called Olav, since his uncle Olav Feilan had died shortly before. Olav stood out among other children, and Haskuld loved him very much. Once Haskuld heard Olav’s mother talking to her son. Approaching them, he asked the woman not to hide her name anymore. She said that her name was Melkorka and that she was the daughter of Murkjartan, the King of Ireland. Haskuld replied that in vain she had so long withheld her high background. Yorunn did not change her attitude towards Melkorka. One day, Melkorka took out Jorunn, and she hit her with stockings across her face. Melkorka got angry and broke Yorunn’s nose to blood. Haskuld separated women and settled the Melkorka separately. Soon it became clear, that her son Olav will be prettier and more courteous than other people. Haskuld helped a man named Tord Goddy, and in gratitude he took Olav to be raised. Melkorka considered this adoption dishonorable, but Haskuld explained that she was short-sighted: Tord had no children, and after his death, Olav inherited the property. Olav grew up, became tall and strong. Haskuld called Olaho Peacock, and this nickname behind him remained.

Khrut, the brother of Haskuld, was the vigilante of King Harald. King Gunnhild’s mother valued him so highly that no one wanted to compare him. Hrut was going to get a big inheritance in Iceland, and the king gave him a ship. Gunnhild was very upset by his departure. When Khrut came to Haskuld, he said that his mother was not poor when she married in Norway. For three years, Khrutas demanded his property on the tings, and many believed that he was right in this dispute. Then Khrut stole twenty cattle from Haskul and killed two servants. Haskuld was furious, but Yorunn advised him to go to the world with his brother. Haskuld then gave Khrut a portion of the inheritance, and Khrut compensated for the damage caused to them. Since then, they began to get along, as befits relatives.

Melkorka wanted Olav to go to Ireland and find his noble relatives. Wanting to help her son, she married Torbjarna Chilogo, and he gave Olav many goods. Haskuld did not like it very much, but he did not object. Olav went to sea and soon reached Norway. King Harald accepted him very cordially. Gunnhild also paid him much attention because of his uncle, but people said that she would be happy to talk with him, even if he was not the nephew of Khrut, then Olav went to Ireland. Mother taught him her own language and gave her a gold ring, which my father gave her. King Muirkjartan recognized Olav as his grandson and offered to make him an heir, but Olav refused, not wanting to wage war with his royal sons in the future. At parting, Murciyartan gave Olav a spear with a golden tip and a sword of skillful work. When Olav returned to Norway, the king gave him a ship with a drill wood and a garment of purple cloth. Olav’s journey brought him great fame, because everyone learned about his noble birth and about the honor with which he was received in Norway and Ireland.

A year later, Haskuld started talking about the fact that Olav should marry, and said that he wanted to marry him Thorgerd, the daughter of Egil. Olav replied that he trusted his father’s choice, but he would be very unpleasant to be refused. Haskuld went to Egil and asked for Thorger’s hands for Olav. Egil accepted the matchmaking benevolently, but Thorgerd stated that she would never marry the son of a servant. Upon learning of this, Haskuld and Olav again came to Egil’s tent. On Olav there was a purple robe donated by King Harald, and in his hands he held the sword of King Murciatan. Seeing the beautiful smart girl, Olav realized that it was Thorgerd. He sat next to her on the bench, and they talked all day. After that, Thorgerd said that she would not oppose her father’s decision. The wedding feast was held in the house of Haskuld. There were a lot of guests, and everyone left with rich gifts. Olav then gave his father-in-law a precious sword of Murjakartan, and Egil’s eyes flashed with joy. Olav and Thorgerd fell in love with each other. The economy of Olav was the richest in Laxdal. He built a new courtyard and gave it the name Hjardarholt (“The Hill on which the Herd”). Olav was very fond of everything, because he always rightly settled disputes. Olav was considered the most notable of the sons of Haskuld. When Haskuld fell ill in his old age, he sent for his sons. Torlake and Bard, born in marriage, had to share the inheritance, but Haskuld asked to give the third part to Olav. Torlake objected that Olav already had a lot of good. Then Haskuld presented Olav with a gold wrist and a sword received from the king Hakon. Then Haskuld died, and the brothers decided to arrange a magnificent triune for him. Bard and Olav got along with each other, and Olav and Thorleuk were at enmity. Summer came, people began to prepare for the ting, and it was clear that Olav would be given more honor than his brothers. When Olav ascended to the Rock of Law and invited everyone to a trichemeral tribune in honor of Haskul, Torleik and Bard expressed displeasure-it seemed to them that Olav had gone too far. Trizna was magnificent and brought great glory to the brothers, but Olav was still among them first. Wanting to make peace with Torlake, Olav suggested taking on the education of his three-year-old son Bolly. Thorleik agreed, so Bolly grew up in Hyardarholt. Olav and Thorgerd loved him no less than their children. The eldest son Olav named Kjartan in honor of King Muirkjartan. Kjartan was the most beautiful of all the husbands that were ever born in Iceland. He was as tall and strong as Egil, his grandfather by his mother. Kjartan achieved perfection in everything, and people admired him. He was an excellent warrior and swimmer, distinguished by a cheerful and kind disposition. Olav loved him more than other children. And Bolly was the first after Kjartan for agility and strength. He was tall and handsome, always dressed richly. The two brothers were very fond of each other.

The famous Norwegian viking Gaymund wooed to Turid, daughter of Olav. Olav did not like this marriage, but Thorgerd considered it beneficial. The joint life of Geirmund and Turid was not happy because of both sides. After three winters, Turid left Geirmund and deceived his sword – this blade was called Fotbit (“Nogorez”) and never rusted. Geirmund told Turid that Fotbit would take the life of that husband whose death would be the most grievous loss for the family and the cause of the greatest misfortunes. Returning home, Turid gave the sword to Bolly, who has not since parted with him.

In Laugar there lived a man named Osvivr. He had five sons and a daughter named Gudrun. She was the first woman in Iceland for beauty and intelligence. One day Gudrun met her kinsman Geest, who had the gift of providence. She told him four of her dreams, and Gestran interpreted them as follows: Gudrun will have four husbands – she will not love the first one at all and will leave him, the second will fall in love, but he will drown, the third will not be dearer to her than the second, and the fourth will keep her in fear and submission. After that Guest visited Olav. Olav asked which of the youth would be the most outstanding person, and Guest said that Kjartan would be glorified more than others. Then Guest went to his son. He asked why he had tears in his eyes. Gestus replied that the time would come when, at the feet of Bolli, Kjartan, which he had defeated, would lie, and then Bolly himself would die.

Osvivr wedded his daughter for Torvalda – a man of wealth, but not brave. Opinions Gudrun no one asked, and she did not hide her displeasure. They lived together for two winters. Then Gudrun left her husband. In their house there was often a man named Tord: people used to say that between him and Gudrun was a love affair. Gudrun demanded that Thord divorce his wife Oud. He did, and then played a wedding with Gudrun in Laugar. Their joint life was happy, but soon the ship of Torda crashed on the reefs. Gudrun was greatly saddened by Tord’s death.

Olav and Oswevir were very friendly at that time. Kjartan liked to talk with Gudrun, because she was intelligent and eloquent. People said that Kjartan and Gudrun fit each other. One day, Olav said he appreciated Gudrún very much, but his heart tightened every time Kjartan went to Laugar. Kjartan replied that bad forebodings do not always come true. He continued to visit Gudrun as before, and Bolly always accompanied him. A year later, Kjartan wanted to go on a trip. Gudrun was very annoyed with this decision. Kjartan asked her to wait for him for three years. In Norway, Kjartan with Bolly and their companions, at the insistence of King Olav, took a new faith.

The sister of King Ingybiyarg was considered the most beautiful woman in the country. She was very pleased to talk with Kjartan, and people noticed this. In the summer, the king sent people to Iceland to preach a new faith. Kjartan he left with him, and Bolly decided to return home. So the first brothers broke up for the first time. Bolly met Gudrun and answered all her questions about Kjartan, mentioning the great friendship between him and the king’s sister. Gudrun said it was good news, but blushed, and people realized that she was not as happy with Kjartan as she would like to show. After a while, Bolly wooed Gudrun. She said that she would not marry any man while Kjartan was alive. However, Oswevir wished for this marriage, and Gudrun did not dare to contradict his father. They played the wedding with great splendor. Bolly spent the winter in Aaugara.

In the summer Kjartan asked King Olav to let him go to Iceland, because all the people there have already accepted Christianity. Konung said he would not break the word, although Kjartan could take the highest position in Norway. At parting, Ingibyarg gave Kjartanu a white-embroidered white headscarf and said that it was a wedding present for Gudrun, the daughter of Osvir. When Kjartan ascended the ship, King Olav looked after him for a long time, and then said that it was not easy to ward off an evil rock – great misfortunes threatened Kjartan and his family.

Olav and Oswiwer have a habit of inviting each other to visit. Kjartan went to Laugar with great reluctance and behaved with restraint. Bolly wanted to give him horses, but Kjartan said he did not like horses. The two brothers parted coldly, and Olav was very upset. Then Kjartan begged to Hrevna, Kalva’s daughter. She was a very beautiful girl. At the wedding, Kjartan gave his wife a shawl sewn in gold – no one in Iceland had ever seen such an expensive thing. Kjartan and Hrevna are very attached to each other.

Soon, Osvivir came to Olav to a feast. Gudrun asked Khrevna to show her handkerchief and looked at him for a long time. When the guests were about to leave, Kjartan discovered that his sword, the gift of the king, had disappeared. It turned out that Thorolf, one of the sons of Osvir, had stolen him. Kjartan was very hurt, but Olav forbade him to start a fight with his relatives. After a while people from Laksdal went to Laugar. Kjartan wanted to stay at home, but yielded to his father’s requests. Took them very well. In the morning the women began to dress, and Hrevna saw that her headscarf had disappeared. Kjartan gave Bolly everything he thinks about it. In response, Gudrun noticed that Kjartan should not stir up the extinct coals, and the handkerchief does not belong to Hrevna, but to other people. Mutual invitations have since ceased. Between the people of Laxdal and Laugar there was an open hostility.

Soon Kjartan gathered sixty people and came to Laugar. He ordered to guard the doors and did not let anyone out for three days, so everyone had to cope with the need right in the house. The sons of Oswiros were furious: they believed that Kjartan would have hurt them less if he had killed one or two servants. Gudrun said little, but it was clear that she was insulted more than others. At Easter it happened that Kjartan rode past Laugar with only one guide. Gudrun tune the brothers and husband to attack him. Kjartan bravely defended himself and inflicted great damage on the sons of Oswiros. Bolly did not initially take part in the battle, but then rushed to Kjartan with a sword. Gudrun was glad, because tonight Khrevna will not lie in bed laughing. Olav had a hard time surviving the death of Kjartan, but forbade his sons to touch Bolly. Not daring to disobey their father, they killed only those, who was with Bolly and the sons of Oswyre. She did not marry any more, and very soon died, because her heart was broken from suffering.

Olav turned to his relatives for help, and on the Ting all the sons of Oswiere were outlawed. From Bolly, Olav demanded only a virus, and he willingly paid. After the death of Olav Thorgerd began to incite the sons to take revenge on Bolly. The sons of Olav gathered people, attacked Bolly and killed him. Gudrun was pregnant then. Soon she gave birth to a son and called him Bolly. Her eldest son Torlake was four years old when his father was killed. A few years later, a man named Torghils started bidding for Gudrun. Gudrun said that first you need to avenge Bolly. Toggils, along with his sons Gudrun, killed one of the perpetrators of Bolly’s death. Despite this, Gudrun refused to marry, and Torgils was very unhappy. Soon he was killed right on the Thing, and Gudrun married a mighty hawding named Torquel. He obtained a virgin from the sons of Olav for Bolly’s death and began to survive them from Laxdal. Gudrun regained her high position. But one day the ship of Torquel fell into a storm and sank. Gudrun courageously suffered this death. After all that she had gone through, she became very religious and first learned the Psalter among the women of Iceland. One day Bolly, the son of Bolly, asked which of her husbands she loved most. Gudrun said that Thorkel was the most powerful, Bolly the bravest, Tord the smartest, and she does not want to talk about Torvald. Bolly was not satisfied with this answer, and Gudrun said that she loved most of all the one to whom the greatest sorrow brought. She died in a very old age and before her death was blinded. Her descendants are told many wonderful things in other sagas. But one day the ship of Torquel fell into a storm and sank. Gudrun courageously suffered this death. After all that she had gone through, she became very religious and first learned the Psalter among the women of Iceland. One day Bolly, the son of Bolly, asked which of her husbands she loved most. Gudrun said that Thorkel was the most powerful, Bolly the bravest, Tord the smartest, and she does not want to talk about Torvald. Bolly was not satisfied with this answer, and Gudrun said that she loved most of all the one to whom the greatest sorrow brought. She died in a very old age and before her death was blinded. Her descendants are told many wonderful things in other sagas. But one day the ship of Torquel fell into a storm and sank. Gudrun courageously suffered this death. After all that she had gone through, she became very religious and first learned the Psalter among the women of Iceland. One day Bolly, the son of Bolly, asked which of her husbands she loved most. Gudrun said that Thorkel was the most powerful, Bolly the bravest, Tord the smartest, and she does not want to talk about Torvald. Bolly was not satisfied with this answer, and Gudrun said that she loved most of all the one to whom the greatest sorrow brought. She died in a very old age and before her death was blinded. Her descendants are told many wonderful things in other sagas. which of her husbands she loved most. Gudrun said that Thorkel was the most powerful, Bolly the bravest, Tord the smartest, and she does not want to talk about Torvald. Bolly was not satisfied with this answer, and Gudrun said that she loved most of all the one to whom the greatest sorrow brought. She died in a very old age and before her death was blinded. Her descendants are told many wonderful things in other sagas. which of her husbands she loved most. Gudrun said that Thorkel was the most powerful, Bolly the bravest, Tord the smartest, and she does not want to talk about Torvald. Bolly was not satisfied with this answer, and Gudrun said that she loved most of all the one to whom the greatest sorrow brought. She died in a very old age and before her death was blinded. Her descendants are told many wonderful things in other sagas.