The Viking Age. Volume 2 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations — John Shaqi
The Viking Age. Volume 2 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nationsDu Chaillu, Paul B. (Paul Belloni)
History
The Viking Age. Volume 2 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations
Then the king gave him a scabbard and said: ‘“Sword” is not in every
line.’ Hallfred answered: ‘There are three swords in one of them.’ ‘That
is true,’ said the king” (Olaf Tryggvason, c. 90; Fornmanna Sögur, ii.
56).[67]
All through the old Saga literature we see how strongly the people
believed in predestination. Luck and good fortune were considered
hereditary in certain families, especially in those of kings who were
supposed to have their individual good luck, which they could
communicate to their champions and friends, not only for the execution
of some one adventurous undertaking, for it followed the person during
his whole life.
“A death-fated man cannot be saved” (Islendinga Sögur, ii. 103; Fms.,
vi. 417).
“All is dangerous for the death-fated” (Fafnismál, 11).
“A man not death-fated cannot be dealt with (fought against)” (Gisli
Súrsson, 148).
“He who is not death-fated escapes in some way” (Fostbrœdra Saga, 171).
“Every one must go when he is death-fated” (Gretti’s Saga, 138).
Two Norwegian brothers, Thórólf and Thorstein, had a fight against the
Viking Ljót and his men, and were victorious. After they had landed and
were walking up from their ships, Thórólf said:
“‘I will now make a stop in my journey; I do not like to walk farther.’
Thorstein asked: ‘Art thou wounded, brother?’ Thórólf answered: ‘I will
not conceal that when Ljót threw his sword he aimed at thee, and I
covered thee with the shield; then I was unprotected, and it hit my
stomach below the ribs, and pierced it; then I wrapped the clothes
around me, and thus I have walked since; my walking will soon be
finished now.’ Thorstein said: ‘It has happened as I supposed, that one
of us would not return; I would give much not to have gone on this
journey.’ Thórólf added: ‘Let us not reproach ourselves with that now,
for no one can get over his day of fate, and I prefer to die in good
repute than live in the shame of not having followed thee; nevertheless
I want to ask of thee a boon, which shows my pride.’ ‘What is that,
kinsman?’ asked Thorstein. Thórólf said: ‘I will tell thee. It seems to
me my name has not existed long enough, and it will disappear as
withered grass, and I shall never be mentioned when thou art dead; but I
see that thou wilt increase our kin, and live a long time; thou wilt be
a man of great luck. If thou shouldst get a son, I want thee to give him
the name of Thórólf, and all the luck which I have had I will give to
him, for thus I believe my name will live while the world is inhabited.’
Thorstein answered: ‘I will grant thee this willingly, for I expect it
to be to our honour, and good luck will follow thy name while it remains
in our family.’ Thórólf added: ‘Now I think I have asked what seems most
important to me,’ and then he died” (Svarfdæla, c. 5).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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