Egill Skallagrímsson
ᛉ 904 - 995 ᛦ
Egill Skallagrímsson, born 904 CE, was an Icelandic warrior, poet, farmer, and rune master. His parents were Skalla-Grimr Kveldúlfsson and Bera Yngvarsdóttir. Skalla-Grimr was a renowned and respected chieftain back in Norway, but migrated to Iceland with his wife and four children so that he could be free from the influence of King Harald Fairhair.
Egill’s childhood was an extraordinary one! He composed his first poem at the age of three, and took revenge on another boy for cheating in a game at the age of seven. His skills as both a skald and berserker showed early on in life, and would be carried with him for the rest of his days.
“Here I am at the hearth
Of my host, Yngvar
The Generous, who grants
Gold to heroic men;
Free-handed fosterer,
You’ll find no three-year
Babe among bards
More brilliant than me.”
He was also a master of the runes! His most famous tale of rune magic involves healing a deathly sick woman. A local land owner had attempted to cast a love spell with runes carved into a bone, which was placed under her pillow, but had mistakenly cast a spell of illness on the woman instead. Egill burned the illness runes, and carved a healing spell instead. The woman’s recovery was swift!
Upon healing the sick woman, he recited a poem, and famously said:
“Runes none should grave ever,
Who knows not to read them.”
Later in his life, Egill killed a retainer of King Erik Bloodaxe and Queen Gunnhildr, starting a blood feud that would last for the rest of their lives. Queen Gunnhildr sent her two brothers to take vengeance on Egill, but they were quickly sent to join their ancestors in Hel’s hall. Once Erik Bloodaxe became King of Norway soon after, he declared Egill an outlaw and sent a company of men after him. They, too, were killed in their attempt to subdue the war poet. Before finally leaving Norway, Egill killed King Erik’s son Rögnvaldr and placed a horse’s head on a niðing pole, saying:
“Here I set up a nið-pole, and declare this nið against King Erikr and Queen Gunnhildr! I declare this nið at the land spirits there, and the land itself, so that all will fare astray, not to hold nor find their places, not until they wreak King Erikr and Gunnhildr from the land!”
After Erik and Gunnhildr found themselves ruling the Kingdom of Northumbria in England, Egill soon found himself shipwrecked in their new realm. Egill went to the home of his friend Arinbjörn, who advised him to offer his head to King Erik in hopes that he would spare his life. Arinbjörn made a case for Egill, while Egill himself composed a short poem for the king.
Erik and Gunnhildr were not swayed by this, and told Egill that his offenses against them were too great to be forgiven. His execution was ordered to take place the following morning. Over what was supposed to be his last night on this side of the veil, Egill composed a twenty-stanza poem in honor of King Erik. When morning came, Egill recited the poem for the king, who was so impressed that he let Egill live!
After fighting for the Saxon King Æthelstan at the famous Battle of Brunanburh, Egill was rewarded two chests of silver for his service, and returned to his farm in Iceland. He remained prominent in local politics, as he had truly become a legend among his Folk. He lived to the age of 90, and passed beyond the veil just before Iceland began converting to Christianity. He was survived by five children, all of which he had with his wife, Ásgerðr Björnsdóttir.
Egill Skallagrimsson lived a legendary life of adventure and poetry, of love and war. His might and skill as a warrior helped win the most famous battle in Anglo-Saxon history, and his prowess in poetry was the height of a long tradition of Nordic verse. His legacy has lasted over one thousand years, and it will last thousands more!
Hail Egill Skallagrímsson!