Saga network
Laxdæla saga
Laxdæla Saga, trans. Muriel A. C. Press (1899). 78 chapters, 198 characters resolved, 227 distinct social edges (341 typed edge records across seven relation types — see Methods for why those two counts differ).
Network
Drag nodes, scroll to zoom, click a character for its profile, click an edge to read the sentences that support it.
121 characters · 227 edges (341 typed edge records)
Network summary
0.031Density
0.211Avg. clustering
3.252Avg. path length
7Diameter
9Communities (Louvain)modularity 0.495
-0.159Degree assortativity
93.8%Structural balance15/16 triangles balanced
26Articulation pointsbridge characters
Metrics are computed on the semantic layer only (kinship, marriage, friendship, conversation, conflict, killing, support) — the much denser sentence co-occurrence layer (197 nodes, 1247 edges) is a baseline, not a claim about social structure. See Methods for what each number does and does not mean.
Read a chapter
Chapter 68: Gudrun's Marriage with Thorkell Eyjolfson
The same summer that Thorgils Hallason was killed a ship came to Bjorn's-haven. It belonged to Thorkell Eyjolfson. He was by then such a rich man that he had two merchant ships on voyages. The other ship came to Ramfirth to Board-Eyr; they were both laden with timber. When Snorri heard of the coming of Thorkell he rode at once to where the ship was. Thorkell gave him a most blithe welcome; he had a great deal of drink with him in his ship, and right unstintedly it was served, and many things they found to talk about. Snorri asked tidings of Norway, and Thorkell told him everything well and truthfully. Snorri told in return the tidings of all that had happened here while Thorkell had been away. "Now it seems to me," said Snorri, "you had better follow the counsel I set forth to you before you went abroad, and should give up voyaging about and settle down in quiet, and get for yourself the same woman to wife of whom we spoke then." Thorkell replied, "I understand what you are driving at; everything we bespoke then is still uppermost in my mind, for indeed I begrudge me not the noblest of matches could it but be brought about." Snorri spake, "I am most willing and ready to back that matter up on your behalf, seeing that now we are rid of both the things that seemed to you the most troublesome to overcome, if you were to get Gudrun for wife at all, in that Bolli is revenged and Thorgils is out of the way." Thorkell said, "Your counsels go very deep, Snorri, and into this affair I go heart and soul." Snorri stayed in the ship several nights, and then they took a ten-oared boat that floated alongside of the merchant ship and got ready with five-and-twenty men, and went to Holyfell. Gudrun gave an exceeding affectionate welcome to Snorri, and a most goodly cheer they had; and when they had been there one night Snorri called Gudrun to talk to him, and spake, "Matters have come to this, that I have undertaken this journey for my friend Thorkell, Eyjolf's son, and he has now come here, as you see, and his errand hither is to set forth the wooing of you. Thorkell is a man of noble degree. You know yourself all about his race and doings in life, nor is he short of wealth either. To my mind, he is now the one man west about here who is most likely to become a chieftain, if to that end he will put himself forward. Thorkell is held in great esteem when he is out there, but by much is he more honoured when he is in Norway in the train of titled men." Then answers Gudrun: "My sons Thorleik and Bolli must have most to say in this matter; but you, Snorri, are the third man on whom I shall most rely for counsels in matters by which I set a great store, for you have long been a wholesome guide to me." Snorri said he deemed it a clear case that Thorkell must not be turned off. Thereupon Snorri had the sons of Gudrun called in, and sets forth the matter to them, laying down how great an help Thorkell might afford them by reason of his wealth and wise foresight; and smoothly he framed his speech on this matter. Then Bolli answered: "My mother will know how most clearly to see through this matter, and herein I shall be of one mind with her own will. But, to be sure, we shall deem it wise to set much store by your pleading this matter, Snorri, for you have done to us mightily well in many things." Then Gudrun spake: "In this matter we will lean most on Snorri's foresight, for to us your counsels have been wholesome." Snorri urged the matter on by every word he spoke, and the counsel taken was, that Gudrun and Thorkell should be joined in marriage. Snorri offered to have the wedding at his house; and Thorkell, liking that well, said: "I am not short of means, and I am ready to furnish them in whatever measure you please." Then Gudrun spake: "It is my wish that the feast be held here at Holyfell. I do not blench at standing the cost of it, nor shall I call upon Thorkell or any one else to trouble themselves about this matter." "Often, indeed, you show, Gudrun," said Snorri, "that you are the most high-mettled of women." So this was now settled that the wedding should take place when it lacked six weeks of summer. At matters thus settled Snorri and Thorkell went away, Snorri going home and Thorkell to his ship, and he spent the summer, turn and turn about, at Tongue or at his ship. Time now wore on towards the wedding feast. Gudrun made great preparation with much ingatherings. Snorri came to the feast together with Thorkell, and they brought with them well-nigh sixty men, and a very picked company that was, for most of the men were in dyed raiments. Gudrun had well-nigh a hundred and twenty first-bidden guests. The brothers Bolli and Thorleik, with the first-bidden guests, went to meet Snorri and his train; and to him and his fellowship was given a right cheery welcome, and their horses are taken in hand, as well as their clothes. They were shown into the guest-chamber, and Thorkell and Snorri and their followers took seats on the bench that was the upper one, and Gudrun's guests sat on the lower.
Table of contents
1. Of Ketill Flatnose and his Descendants, 9th Century A.D.2. Ketill and his Sons prepare to leave Norway3. Ketill's Sons go to Iceland4. Ketill goes to Scotland, A.D. 8905. Unn goes to Iceland, A.D. 8956. Unn Divides her Land7. Of the Wedding of Olaf "Feilan," A.D. 9208. The Birth of Hrut and Thorgerd's Second Widowhood, A.D. 9239. Hoskuld's Marriage, A.D. 93510. Of Viga Hrapp11. About Thord Goddi and Thorbjorn Skrjup12. Hoskuld Buys a Slave Woman13. Hoskuld Returns to Iceland, A.D. 94814. The Murder of Hall, Ingjald's Brother15. Thorolf's Escape with Asgaut the Thrall16. Thord becomes Olaf's Foster Father, A.D. 95017. About Viga Hrapp's Ghost, A.D. 95018. Of the Drowning of Thorstein Swart19. Hrut Comes to Iceland20. Melkorka's Marriage and Olaf the Peacock's Journey, A.D. 95521. Olaf the Peacock goes to Ireland, A.D. 95522. Olaf the Peacock comes Home to Iceland, A.D. 95723. The Marriage of Olaf Peacock and Thorgerd, the Daughter of Egil, A.D.24. The Building of Herdholt, A. D. 96025. About Hoskuld's Sons26. The Death of Hoskuld, A.D. 98527. The Funeral Feast for Hoskuld28. The Birth of Kjartan, Olaf's Son, A.D. 97829. Olaf's Second Journey to Norway, A.D. 97530. About Giermund and Thured, A.D. 97831. Thured's Second Marriage, A.D. 98032. Of Osvif Helgeson33. Of Gest Oddleifson and Gudrun's Dreams34. Gudrun's First Marriage, A.D. 98935. Gudrun's Second Marriage, A.D. 99136. About Kotkell and Grima37. About Hrut and Eldgrim, A.D. 99538. The Death of Stigandi. Thorliek leaves Iceland39. Of Kjartan's Friendship for Bolli40. Kjartan and Bolli Voyage to Norway, A.D. 99641. Bolli returns to Iceland, A.D. 99942. Bolli makes love to Gudrun, A.D. 100043. Kjartan comes back to Iceland, A.D. 100144. Kjartan comes home, A.D. 100145. Kjartan marries Hrefna, A.D. 100246. Feast at Herdholt and the Loss of Kjartan's Sword, A.D. 100247. Kjartan goes to Laugar, and of the Bargain for Tongue, A.D. 100348. The Men of Laugar and Gudrun plan an Ambush for Kjartan, A.D. 100349. The Death of Kjartan50. The End of Hrefna. The Peace Settled, A.D. 100351. Osvif's Sons are Banished52. The Killing of Thorkell of Goat's Peak53. Thorgerd's Egging, A.D. 100754. Halldor prepares to avenge Kjartan55. The Death of Bolli56. Bolli Bollison is born, A.D. 100857. About Thorgils Hallason, A.D. 101858. Thorkell and Grim, and their Voyage Abroad59. Gudrun demands Revenge for Bolli, A.D. 101960. The Egging of Gudrun61. Of Thorstein the Black and Lambi62. Thorgils and his Followers leave Home63. The Description of his Enemies brought to Helgi64. The Death of Helgi, A.D. 101965. Of Gudrun's Deceit66. Osvif and Gest die67. The Death of Thorgils Hallason, A.D. 102068. Gudrun's Marriage with Thorkell Eyjolfson69. The Quarrel about Gunnar at the Feast70. Thorleik goes to Norway71. The Peace between the Sons of Bolli and the Sons of Olaf, A.D. 102672. Bolli and Thorleik go abroad, A. D. 102973. Bolli's Voyage74. Thorkell Eyjolfson goes to Norway75. Thorkell and Thorstein and Halldor Olafson, A.D. 102676. The Drowning of Thorkell, A.D. 102677. The Return of Bolli, A.D. 103078. The Death of Snorri, and the End, A.D. 1031