Egils saga

Egils saga is an epic Icelandic saga possibly by Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241 A.D.), who may have written the account between the years 1220 and 1240 A.D. It is an important representative of the sagas and has much to say about the end of the Viking era. The saga is centered around the life of Egil Skallagrímsson, an Icelandic farmer, viking, and skald.

Related Topics:
Epic - Icelandic saga - Snorri Sturluson - Viking - Egil Skallagrímsson - Skald

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The saga covers a long period of time, starting in Norway in 850 A.D., with the life of Egil's grandfather Úlfr, called Kveldúlfr ("Evening Wolf") and his two sons, Þórólfr, a great warrior who had a complicated relationship with King Haraldr of Norway, and Egil's father Skalla-Grímr ("Bald Mask"). After Þórólfr's death, due to his broken allegiance to King Haraldr (although not Þórólfr's fault), Skalla-Grímr and his father Kveldúlfr flee Norway to settle in Iceland. Skalla-Grímr settles in peace as a farmer and blacksmith at Borg, where his sons Egil and Þórólfr (named after his uncle) grow up.

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The story continues with the childhood of Egil, which foreshadows his future rebelliousness. His family's peace is again lost as the social order is threatened by Egil's dangerous attitude. The story goes on to tell the tales of Egil's voyages to Scandinavia and England, his fights and friendships, his relationship with his family (highlighted by his jealousy, as well as fondness for his older brother Þórólfr), his old age, and the fate of his own son Þorsteinn (who was baptized once Christianity came to Iceland) and his children who had many children of their own. The saga ends around the year 1000 A.D and spans many generations.

Related Topics:
Scandinavia - England

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The saga follows Egil through the various stages of his life, most of which are surrounded by battle, and Egil virtually narrates his own life story with his frequent segments of poetry. Before Egil died he allegedly concealed his silver treasure near Mosfellsbær.

Related Topics:
Silver - Mosfellsbær

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Noted scholar Jesse Byock has made a convincing argument that Egil suffered from Paget's disease, comparing textual evidence from the saga to symptoms of Paget's disease.

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