Saga network
Egils saga Skallagrímssonar
Egil's Saga, trans. W. C. Green (1893). 92 chapters, 220 characters resolved, 165 distinct social edges (217 typed edge records across seven relation types — see Methods for why those two counts differ).
Network
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95 characters · 165 edges (217 typed edge records)
Network summary
0.037Density
0.148Avg. clustering
3.365Avg. path length
8Diameter
11Communities (Louvain)modularity 0.524
-0.127Degree assortativity
90.0%Structural balance9/10 triangles balanced
25Articulation pointsbridge characters
Metrics are computed on the semantic layer only (kinship, marriage, friendship, conversation, conflict, killing, support) — the much denser sentence co-occurrence layer (217 nodes, 1165 edges) is a baseline, not a claim about social structure. See Methods for what each number does and does not mean.
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Chapter 63: Egil recites the poem
King Eric went to table according to his wont, and much people were with him. And when Arinbjorn knew this, then went he with all his followers fully armed to the king's palace while the king sate at table. Arinbjorn craved entrance into the hall; it was granted. He and Egil went in with half of his followers, but the other half stood without before the door. Arinbjorn saluted the king; the king received him well. Arinbjorn spoke: 'Here now is come Egil. He has not sought to run away in the night. Nor would we fain know, my lord, what his lot is to be. I hope thou wilt let him get good from my words, for I think it a matter of great moment to me that Egil gain terms from thee. I have so acted (as was right) that neither in word nor deed have I spared aught whereby thy honour should be made greater than before. I have also abandoned all my possessions, kinsmen, and friends that I had in Norway, and followed thee when all other barons deserted thee; and herein do I what is meet, for thou hast often done great good to me.' Then spoke Gunnhilda: 'Cease, Arinbjorn, nor prate so at length of this. Thou hast done much good to king Eric, and this he hath fully rewarded. Thou owest far more duty to king Eric than to Egil. It is not for thee to ask that Egil go unpunished hence from king Eric's presence, seeing what crimes he hath wrought.' Then said Arinbjorn: 'If thou, O king, and thou Gunnhilda, if ye two have resolved that Egil shall here get no terms, then is this the manly course, to give him respite and leave to go for a week, that he may look out for himself; of his own free will any way he came hither to seek you, and therefore hoped for peace. Thereafter, this done, let your dealings together end as they may.' Gunnhilda said, 'Well can I see by this, Arinbjorn, that thou art more faithful to Egil than to king Eric. If Egil is to ride hence for a week, then will he in this time be come to king Athelstan. But king Eric cannot now hide this from himself, that every king is now stronger than is he, whereas a little while ago it had been deemed incredible that king Eric would not have the will and energy to avenge his wrongs on such a one as Egil.' Said Arinbjorn: 'No one will call Eric a greater man for slaying a yeoman's son, a foreigner, who has freely come into his power. But if the king wishes to achieve greatness hereby, then will I help him in this, so that these tidings shall be thought more worthy of record; for I and Egil will now back each other, so that we must both be met at once. Thou wilt then, O king, dearly buy the life of Egil, when we be all laid dead on the field, I and my followers. Far other treatment should I have expected of thee, than that thou wouldst prefer seeing me laid dead on the earth to granting me the boon I crave of one man's life.' Then answered the king: 'A wondrous eager champion art thou, Arinbjorn, in this thy helping of Egil. Loth were I to do thee scathe, if it comes to this; if thou wilt rather give away thine own life than that he be slain. But sufficient are the charges against Egil, whatever I cause to be done with him.' And when the king had said this, then Egil advanced before him and began the poem, and recited in a loud voice, and at once won silence. HEAD-RANSOM 1. 'Westward I sailed the wave, Within me Odin gave The sea of song I bear (So 'tis my wont to fare): I launched my floating oak When loosening ice-floes broke, My mind a galleon fraught With load of minstrel thought. 2. 'A prince doth hold me guest, Praise be his due confess'd: Of Odin's mead let draught In England now be quaff'd. Laud bear I to the king, Loudly his honour sing; Silence I crave around, My song of praise is found. 3. 'Sire, mark the tale I tell, Such heed beseems thee well; Better I chaunt my strain, If stillness hush'd I gain. The monarch's wars in word Widely have peoples heard, But Odin saw alone Bodies before him strown. 4. 'Swell'd of swords the sound Smiting bucklers round, Fiercely waxed the fray, Forward the king made way. Struck the ear (while blood Streamed from glaives in flood) Iron hailstorm's song, Heavy, loud and long. 5. 'Lances, a woven fence, Well-ordered bristle dense; On royal ships in line Exulting spearmen shine. Soon dark with bloody stain Seethed there an angry main, With war-fleet's thundering sound, With wounds and din around. 6. 'Of men many a rank Mid showering darts sank: Glory and fame Gat Eric's name. 7. 'More may yet be told, An men silence hold: Further feats and glory, Fame hath noised in story. Warriors' wounds were rife, Where the chief waged strife; Shivered swords with stroke On blue shield-rims broke. 8. 'Breast-plates ringing crashed, Burning helm-fire flashed, Biting point of glaive Bloody wound did grave. Odin's oaks (they say) In that iron-play Baldric's crystal blade Bowed and prostrate laid. 9. 'Spears crossing dashed, Sword-edges clashed: Glory and fame Gat Eric's name. 10. 'Red blade the king did wield, Ravens flocked o'er the field. Dripping spears flew madly, Darts with aim full deadly. Scotland's scourge let feed Wolf, the Ogress' steed: For erne of downtrod dead Dainty meal was spread. 11. 'Soared battle-cranes O'er corse-strown lanes, Found flesh-fowl's bill Of blood its fill. While deep the wound He delves, around Grim raven's beak Blood-fountains break. 12. 'Axe furnished feast For Ogress' beast: Eric on the wave To wolves flesh-banquet gave. 13. 'Javelins flying sped, Peace affrighted fled; Bows were bent amain, Wolves were battle-fain: Spears in shivers split, Sword-teeth keenly bit; Archers' strings loud sang, Arrows forward sprang. 14. 'He back his buckler flings From arm beset with rings, Sword-play-stirrer good, Spiller of foemen's blood. Waxing everywhere (Witness true I bear), East o'er billows came Eric's sounding name. 15. 'Bent the king his yew, Bees wound-bearing flew: Eric on the wave To wolves flesh-banquet gave. 16. 'Yet to make more plain I to men were fain High-soul'd mood of king, But must swiftly sing. Weapons when he takes, The battle-goddess wakes, On ships' shielded side Streams the battle-tide. 17. 'Gems from wrist he gives, Glittering armlets rives: Lavish ring-despiser Loves not hoarding miser. Frodi's flour of gold Gladdens rovers bold; Prince bestoweth scorning Pebbles hand-adorning. 18. 'Foemen might not stand For his deathful brand; Yew-bow loudly sang, Sword-blades meeting rang. Lances aye were cast, Still he the land held fast, Proud Eric prince renowned; And praise his feats hath crowned. 19. 'Monarch, at thy will Judge my minstrel skill: Silence thus to find Sweetly cheered my mind. Moved my mouth with word From my heart's ground stirred, Draught of Odin's wave Due to warrior brave. 20. 'Silence I have broken, A sovereign's glory spoken: Words I knew well-fitting Warrior-council sitting. Praise from heart I bring, Praise to honoured king: Plain I sang and clear Song that all could hear.'
Table of contents
1. Of Kveldulf and his sons2. Of Aulvir Hnuf3. The beginning of the rule of Harold Fairhair4. Battle of king Harold and Audbjorn5. The king's message to Kveldulf6. Thorolf resolves to serve the king7. Of Bjorgolf, Brynjolf, Bard, and Hildirida8. Of Bard and Thorolf9. Battle in Hafr's Firth10. Thorolf in Finmark11. The king feasts with Thorolf12. Hildirida's sons talk with Harold13. Thorgils goes to the king14. Thorolf again in Finmark15. King Harold and Harek16. Thorolf and the king17. Hildirida's sons in Finmark and at Harold's court18. Thorolf's ship is taken19. Thorolf retaliates20. Skallagrim's marriage21. Hallvard and his brother go after Thorolf22. Death of Thorolf Kveldulfsson23. The slaying of Hildirida's sons24. Kveldulf's grief25. Skallagrim's journey to the king26. Of Guttorm27. Slaying of Hallvard and Sigtrygg28. Of Skallagrim's land-taking29. Of Skallagrim's industry30. Of the coming out of Yngvar, and of Skallagrim's iron-forging31. Of Skallagrim's children32. Of lord Brynjolf and Bjorn, his son33. Bjorn goes to Iceland34. Of Skallagrim and Bjorn35. Thorolf goes abroad36. Of Eric Bloodaxe and Thorolf37. The journey to Bjarmaland38. Thorolf comes out to Iceland39. Kettle Blund comes out to Iceland40. Of Egil's and Skallagrim's games41. Of Bjorn42. Thorolf asks Asgerdr to wife43. Of Aulvir and Egil44. The slaying of Bard45. Flight of Egil46. Of Thorolf's and Egil's harrying47. Of the further harrying of Thorolf and Egil48. Of the banquet at earl Arnfid's49. Slaying of Thorvald Proud50. Of Athelstan king of the English51. Of Olaf king of Scots52. Of the gathering of the host53. Of the fight54. The fall of Thorolf55. Egil buries Thorolf56. Marriage of Egil57. Suit between Egil and Onund58. Of king Eric and Egil59. King Eric slays his brothers60. The slaying of Bergonund and Rognvald the king's son61. Death of Skallagrim62. Egil's voyage to England63. Egil recites the poem64. Egil's life is given him65. Egil goes to Norway66. Egil and Thorstein go before the king67. Egil slays Ljot the Pale68. Of Egil's journeyings69. Egil comes out to Iceland70. Egil goes abroad71. Egil's sadness72. Of Arinbjorn's harrying73. Mission to Vermaland74. Journey to Vermaland75. Parting of Egil and Armod76. Egil comes to landowner Alf77. Egil gathers tribute78. Egil and his band slay twenty-five men79. Egil comes to Thorfinn's. The harrying of king Hacon80. Of the marriages of Egil's daughters81. Death of Bodvar: Egil's poem thereon82. Hacon's wars and death. Poem on Arinbjorn83. Of Einar Helgi's son and Egil84. Of Thorstein Egil's son85. Of Aunund Sjoni and Steinar his son86. Slaying of Thrand87. Of Egil and Aunund Sjoni88. Of Thorgeir89. Thorstein goes to a feast90. Death of Egil Skallagrim's son91. Grim takes the Christian faith92. Of Thorstein's descendants