E-text produced, edited, and prepared by Douglas B. Killings
(DeTroyes@AOL.COM), July 1995. Document scanning provided by
David Reid and John Servilio.
The Story of Burnt Njal<Njal's Saga>
Originally written in Icelandic, sometime in the 13th Century
A.D. Author unknown.
This electronic edition was produced, edited, and prepared byDouglas B. Killings (DeTroyes@AOL.COM), July 1995. Documentscanning provided by David Reid and John Servilio.
There was a man named Mord whose surname was Fiddle; he was theson of Sigvat the Red, and he dwelt at the "Vale" in theRangrivervales. He was a mighty chief, and a great taker up ofsuits, and so great a lawyer that no judgments were thoughtlawful unless he had a hand in them. He had an only daughter,named Unna. She was a fair, courteous, and gifted woman, andthat was thought the best match in all the Rangrivervales.
Now the story turns westward to the Broadfirth dales, where, atHauskuldstede, in Laxriverdale, dwelt a man named Hauskuld, whowas Dalakoll's son, and his mother's name was Thorgerda.(1) Hehad a brother named Hrut, who dwelt at Hrutstede; he was of thesame mother as Hauskuld, but his father's name was Heriolf. Hrutwas handsome, tall and strong, well skilled in arms, and mild oftemper; he was one of the wisest of men — stern towards hisfoes, but a good counsellor on great matters. It happened oncethat Hauskuld bade his friends to a feast, and his brother Hrutwas there, and sat next him. Hauskuld had a daughter namedHallgerda, who was playing on the floor with some other girls.She was fair of face and tall of growth, and her hair was as softas silk; it was so long, too, that it came down to her waist.Hauskuld called out to her, "Come hither to me, daughter." Soshe went up to him, and he took her by the chin, and kissed her;and after that she went away.
Then Hauskuld said to Hrut, "What dost thou think of this maiden?Is she not fair?" Hrut held his peace. Hauskuld said the samething to him a second time, and then Hrut answered, "Fair enoughis this maid, and many will smart for it, but this I know not,whence thief's eyes have come into our race." Then Hauskuld waswroth, and for a time the brothers saw little of each other.
(1) Thorgerda was daughter of Thorstein the Red who was Olaf the White's son, Ingialld's son, Helgi's son. Ingialld's mother was Thora, daughter of Sigurd Snake-i'-the-eye, who was Ragnar Hairybreek's son. And the Deeply-wealthy was Thorstein the Red's mother; she was daughter of Kettle Flatnose, who was Bjorn Boun's son, Grim's son, Lord of Sogn in Norway.
It happened once that those brothers, Hauskuld and Hrut, rode tothe Althing, and there was much people at it. Then Hauskuld saidto Hrut, "One thing I wish, brother, and that is, that thouwouldst better thy lot and woo thyself a wife."
Hrut answered, "That has been long on my mind, though therealways seemed to be two sides to the matter; but now I will do asthou wishest; whither shall we turn our eyes?"
Hauskuld answered, "Here now are many chiefs at the Thing, andthere is plenty of choice, but I have already set my eyes on aspot where a match lies made to thy hand. The woman's name isUnna, and she