BEFORE THORVALDR:



Chapter 16
There was a man named Ásólfur. He was a kinsman of Jörundur in Görðum; he came out east to Ós. He was a devout Christian and did not wish to have dealings with heathen men, nor did he wish to accept food from them.
He built himself a hut beneath the Eyjafjöll mountains, at the place now called the easternmost Ásólfsskáli; there he found no people. Then people became curious about what he had for sustenance, and they saw that in his hut there were many fish. But when men went to the stream that ran by the hut, it was full of fish, so that men thought they had never seen such a marvel.
When the local men became aware of this, they drove him away and would not allow him to enjoy these blessings. Ásólfur then moved his dwelling to Miðskáli, and stayed there. There, all fishing in the stream vanished whenever men tried to take from it. But when he came to Ásólf’s hut, the water was full of fish again. He was driven away once more. He then went to the westernmost Ásólfsskáli, and the same thing happened.
When he left from there in anger, he went to meet his kinsman Jörundur, who offered him to stay with him; but Ásólfur would not consent to be among other men.
Then Jörundur had a house built for him at Hólmur the inner, and brought him his provisions there. He remained there all his life, and was buried there. A church now stands there, which contains his remains, and he is called the most holy man

ANOTHER ACCOUNT 


Their son was Ásólfr 
(Álskíkr)
alskik, who went from Ireland to Iceland during that time and came to 

the Eastern Fjords. They came from the east as a group of twelve, until 

they came to the farm of Þorgeirr the Hǫrðalander in Holt Forest under 

the Eyjafjǫll Mountains and put up their tent there. And his three com-

panions then fell ill. They died there, and Priest Jón, son of Þorgeirr, 

father of Grímr in Holt Forest, found their bones and brought them to 

a church. Then Ásólfr built himself a house, close to what is now the 

church corner at Ásólfsskáli Hall, on the advice of Þorgeirr, because 

Þorgeirr did not want to have them by his house. A river flowed past 

Ásólfr’s own house. That was an early winter. The river immediately 

became full of fish. Þorgeirr said that they were on his fishing ground. 

Then Ásólfr went away from there and built another house to the west 

by another river. That [river] is called Írá ‘Irishmen-River’ because they 

were Irish. And when men came to the river, it was so full of fish that 

the men thought they had never seen such a marvel; and everything 

was gone from the eastern river. Then the men of the area drove them 

away from there, and he went then to the house further west. Every-

thing happened the same way. The farmers called them sorcerers, but 

Þorgeirr said that he thought that they were good men. In spring they 

went away and to the west to Akranes Peninsula. He built a farm at 

Hólmr Island at Kirkjubólstaðr. His son was Sǫlvi, father of Þórhildr, 

who married Brandr, the son of Þorgrímr, son of Kjallakr; their son was 

Þorleifr, father of Bárðr, father of Jófríðr, who was married to Árni, son 

of Torfa. Their daughter was Helga, who was married to Arngrímr, son 

of Guðmundr.

And when Ásólfr got old, he became a hermit. His cell was where 

the church is now. There he died and was buried there at Hólmr Island. 

And when Halldórr, son of Illugi the Red, lived there, a dairymaid had 

the habit of wiping her feet on the mound which was on Ásólfr’s grave.













She dreamed that Ásólfr rebuked her for wiping her dirty feet on his 

house. ‘And we will be reconciled,’ he says, ‘when you tell your dream 

to Halldórr.’ She told him, and he did not ascribe significance to what the 

woman dreamed, and paid no attention to it. And when Bishop Hróðólfr 

went away from Bœr Farm, where he had lived, three monks remained 

behind. One of them dreamed that Ásólfr spoke to him:

‘Send your farmhand to Halldórr at Hólmr Island and buy the mound 

from him which is on the cattle trail, and pay a mark of silver.’

The monk did so. The farmhand was able to buy the mound, and dug 

the earth from it and found there the bones of a man; he picked them up 

and went home with them. The following night, Halldórr dreamed that 

Ásólfr came to him and said that he would make both his eyes burst from 

his skull unless he bought his bones for the same price he had sold them 

for. Halldórr bought Ásólfr’s bones and had a wooden shrine made and 

set over the altar. Halldórr sent his son Illugi abroad for timber to build 

a church; but when he was coming back to Iceland and came between 

the peninsulas Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes, then he was, because of the 

ship’s owners, unable to go ashore where he wanted. Then he threw all 

the timber for the church overboard and prayed that it would go where 

Ásólfr wanted. And the Norwegians came west to Vaðill. And three nights 

later the timber reached the Kirkjusandr ‘Church’s Beach’, at Hólmr 

Island, except that two trees came to Raufarnes Peninsula in Mýrar 

Moors. Halldórr had a church built measuring thirty [ells?] and roofed 

with wood, and dedicated it to Columba together with God.

Chapter 12
There was a man named Örlygur, son of Hrapp Bjarnarson; he was fostered with the holy Bishop Patrick in the Hebrides. He wished to go to Iceland and asked the bishop to oversee him. The bishop provided him with church timber, a iron bell, a plenar, and consecrated soil, which he was to place under the corner posts. The bishop instructed him to claim land where he could see two mountains from the sea and to settle beneath the southern mountain, for there would be a valley in each mountain; he was to make his dwelling there, build a church, and dedicate it to the holy Columba.
With Örlygur on the ship were three men: one named Kollur, his foster-brother; another named Þórólfur spár; and the third named Þorbjörn tálkni, and his brother Þorbjörn skúma. They were sons of Böðvarr blöðruskalli.
Örlygur set out to sea and endured a rough voyage, not knowing where they were heading. Then Örlygur promised Bishop Patrick, upon claiming land, that he would give place-names in his honor wherever he took land. They were at sea for a short while before they saw land, eventually arriving in the west of the country. They settled at the place now called Örlygshöfn, and the fjord inland they called Patreksfjörð. They spent the winter there, and in the spring Örlygur prepared his ship, while some of his crew took land, which will be mentioned later.
Örlygur sailed west past Barð; when he came south of Snæfellsjökull into a fjord, he saw two mountains with valleys in each. He claimed the land as he had been directed.
He then went to the southern mountain, which was Kjalarnes, where Helgi, his cousin, had already settled. Örlygur stayed with Helgi for the first winter, and in the spring he claimed land according to Helgi’s advice, from Mógilsá to Ósvífs slækur, and settled at Esjuberg. There he had a church built, as was decreed.
Örlygur had many children. His son was Valþjófur, father of Valbrandr, father of Torfi; another son was Geirmundur, father of Halldóra, mother of Þorleifr, from whom the Esjuberg lineage descends. Örlygur and his kinsmen were faithful to Columba.
Örlygur’s daughter Vélaug married Gunnlaugur Ormstunga, son of Hrómundr of Þverárhlíð; their daughter was Þuríður Dylla, mother of Illugi the Black of Gilsbakki.



Melabók, Chapter 22 (21)
Thormódur the Old and Ketill Bresa, sons, traveled from Ireland to Iceland and settled Akranes entirely between the Aur-rida River and Kalmann’s River. They were Irish. Kalman was also Irish, as is still known, and first lived in Katanes. The brothers divided the lands among themselves, so that Thormódur held the land south of the Reyne River to Kalmann’s River, and lived at the outer Holm.
His daughter was Geirlaug (or Þorlaug, according to Landnáma), mother of Tungu-Odd. Ketill, brother of Thormódur, held all of Akranes west of Reyne and north of Akrafjall, and down to Auridaar. Bresa was the son of his father Þorgest’s father, Starra at Holm, father of Knattr, father of Asdísar, father of Klængur Snæbjarni’s son, Hafnar-Orm. Another son of Ketill was Jörundur the Christian, who inherited his father’s estate and lived at Görðum, which was called Jörundarhollt. He remained a good Christian until his death and was a hermit in his dwelling.
The son of Jörundur was Kleppur, father of Einar, father of Narfi, father of Hávard Þorgeir’s (Hávard was another son of Kleppur). Edna was the daughter of Ketill Bresa’s son. She was married in Ireland to a man named Konall.
His son was Ásólfur Alskíck, who in that time traveled from Ireland to Iceland and came to the East Fjord. They traveled together eastward until they came to the farm of Þorgeir the Hardy in Hollt under Eyjafjöll, and there they settled their household. But three of his companions died there. Jon, priest, son of Þorgeir Grim in Hollt, found their bones and moved them to the church.
Afterwards Ásólfur made for himself a small house there, near what is now the church corner called Ásólfs-skála, according to Þorgeir’s advice, because Þorgeir did not want him near his house. At the foot of Ásólfur’s hall, it was the winter. The stream there was already full of fish. Þorgeir says that they sat at their fishing grounds.
Then Ásólfur left that place and made another hall west by another river, called Írá from the Irish. When people came to the river it was also full of fish; such a wonder people had not seen. But all the fish disappeared from the eastern river. The local farmers drove them off, and Ásólfur then went to the westernmost hall. Everything went the same way. The farmers called them magical. But Þorgeir said he thought they were good men. In the spring, they went away west.

Ásólfur settled in Akranes. He made a dwelling at Holm at the church estate (Kirkiubólstad). His son was Sölve, father of Þorhildur, who owned Brandur, son of Þorgrímur Kjallaksson. Their son was Þorleifur, father of Bárðr, father of Jófríðr, who married Árni Torfason. Their daughter Helga married Grímur Guðmundarsson.
When Ásólfur grew old, he became a hermit. His hut was where the church now stands; there he died and was buried at Holm. When Halldór, son of Illugi the Red, lived there, a serving woman stumbled on the path that led to Ásólfur’s hut. She dreamed that Ásólfur scolded her for stepping on the path, but Halldór later interpreted the dream. She told him, but he did not pay attention to women’s dreams and gave them no heed.
Later, when Bishop Hróðólfur left for Bergen after having lived there for nineteen years, three of his companions remained behind. One of them dreamed that Ásólfur spoke to him: “Send your housecarl to Halldór at Holm and buy the turf where I lay.” The companion did so. The housecarl bought the turf and dug the ground and found human bones there. He took them home.
One night afterward, Halldór dreamed that Ásólfur came to him and said that both his eyes would jump from his head unless he bought Ásólfur’s bones at the value they were sold for. Halldór bought Ásólfur’s bones, had a wooden shrine made, and placed it over the altar. Halldór sent his son Illugi to fetch church timber. He came back, and as he reached between Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes, he could not find a ship captain willing to let him claim land there. So he carried all the church timber aboard himself and had it placed where Ásólfur wanted.
People from the east came west into Vaðill. Two nights later, the timber reached Kirkiusand at Holm, except for two pieces that reached Raufarnes at Mýrar. Halldór had a church built, thirty ells long, roofed wide, and dedicated to St. Columba along with God.
Finnur the Old, son of Halldór Högni’s son, traveled from Stavanger to Iceland. He married Þorbjörg, daughter of Þorbjörn from Mosfell, son of Hróðas. He settled land south of Laxá to Kalmann’s River and lived at Midfell. His son was Þorgeir, father of Holmsteinn (Jósteinn, according to Landnáma), father of Þórunn, mother of Guðrún, mother of Sæmundur 
…father of Brandr, the bishop. Skeggi of Skógar was the son of Þórunn; he ruled Styrmir and Bólli in Skógar.



FRIÐREKR AND THORVALDR:



Kristni Saga:

1. Concerning Þorvaldr the Far-Traveled and Bishop Friðrekr

Now begins the account of how Christianity came to Iceland: There was a man named Þorvaldr Koðránsson, nephew of Atli the Strong. They were sons of Eilífr the Eagle, son of Bárðr from Ál, Ketill the Fox, and Skíði the Old. Koðrán lived at Giljá in Vatnsdal and was a remarkable man. His son, Þorvaldr, went abroad and at first became a warrior, but the share he received from warfare he used to ransom captives, keeping nothing for his own luxury. Because of this, he became esteemed and beloved.

Þorvaldr traveled widely throughout southern lands. In Saxony, he met a bishop named Friðrekr, from whom he received baptism and the true faith, and he stayed with him for a time. Þorvaldr asked the bishop to come with him to Iceland, to baptize his father and mother and other relatives who would follow his counsel. The bishop granted his request.

Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr came to Iceland in the summer, when the land had been settled for seventy-seven years. At that time, Þorkell máni was the lawspeaker, and these were the most prominent chieftains in the country:

Eyjólfr Valgerðarson in the north and Víga-Glúmr, Arnórr kerlingarnef, Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson and the Starri brothers in Goðdalir, Þorkell krafla in Vatnsdal; in the west were Ari Másson, Ásgeirr Knattarson, Eyjólfr the Grey, Gestr the Wise, Óláfr pái, Víga-Styrr, Snorri goði (who was eighteen years old and had taken over the farm at Helgafell), Þorsteinn Egilsson, Illugi the Red; and in the south, Þorkell máni and Þóroddr goði, Gizurr the White, Ásgrímr Elliða-Grímsson, Hjalti Skeggjason, Valgarðr at Hof, Runólfr Úlfsson and the sons of Örnólfur in Skógar; in the east, the sons of Þórðr Freysgoði, Síðu-Hallr, Helgi Ásbjarnarson, Víga-Bjarni, and Geitir.

It is told that as the bishop and Þorvaldr traveled through the northern quarter, Þorvaldr preached the faith to the people, for the bishop did not know Norse. But Þorvaldr boldly proclaimed the word of God, yet most men paid little heed to their words. Those who accepted the faith included Önundr the Christian, son of Þorgils of Reykjadal, Grenjaðarson, and Hlenni the Old, son of Ormr töskubak, and Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson at Ás in Hjaltadal. Eyjólfr Valgerðarson received the sign of the cross (primsigning).
2. Concerning the Evangelism of Þorvaldr and the Bishop

The bishop and Þorvaldr stayed at Giljá with Koðrán for the first winter, with thirteen in their household. Þorvaldr asked his father to be baptized, but he was slow to agree.

At Giljá there stood a stone, which the family had used for sacrifices, and they called the spirit within it their guardian (ármann). Koðrán said he would not allow himself to be baptized until he knew which was more powerful: the bishop or the spirit in the stone.

After that, the bishop went to the stone and sang over it until the stone split apart. Koðrán then realized the spirit had been overcome. Koðrán was baptized, as were all his household, except for his son Ormr, who would not accept the faith. He went south to Borgarfjörður and bought land at Hvanneyri.

Ormr married Þórvör, daughter of Özurr and Bera, the daughter of Egill Skalla-Grímsson. Their daughter was Yngvildr, who married Hermundr Illugason. Afterwards, Ormr married Geirlaug, daughter of Steinmóðr from Djúpadal. Their daughter was Bera, who married Skúli Þorsteinsson.

The bishop and Þorvaldr established a farm at Lækjamót in Víðidal and lived there for four winters. They traveled widely throughout Iceland preaching the faith.

The bishop and Þorvaldr attended an autumn feast at Giljá in Vatnsdal with Óláfr. Also present was Þorkell krafla and many others. There came two berserks, both named Haukr, who imposed themselves on people, howling and walking through fire. People asked the bishop to deal with them. After that, the bishop blessed the fire before they entered, and they burned severely. Afterwards, people attacked and killed them, and they were carried up the mountain by the ravine, which has since been called Haukagil ("Ravine of the Hauks"). After that, Þorkell krafla received primsigning, and many were baptized who witnessed this event.

Þorvaldr and the bishop then went to the Westfjords quarter to preach the faith. They came to Hvamm during the Althing to see Þórarinn fylsenni, but he was away at the assembly. His wife Friðgerðr was at home with their son Skeggi. Þorvaldr preached the faith there, but Friðgerðr was in the temple making sacrifices and heard his words. The boy Skeggi mocked them. Then Þorvaldr recited this verse:

    I brought the precious judgment,
    No young man listened to me.
    I received mockery and ridicule
    from the lad at the stone altar.
    And with no wisdom,
    the woman of old contended with the poet,
    when the goddess's idols
    gripped the pagan altar.

No one is said to have been baptized by their words in the Westfjords, but in the northern quarter, many gave up sacrifices and broke their idols, though some refused to pay temple dues.
3. Concerning the Church of Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson

Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson had a church built at his farm at Ás. This angered the pagans greatly.

A man named Klaufi, son of Þorvaldr Refsson from Barð, was a chieftain. He was furious at Þorvarðr and went to Arngeirr, Þorvarðr’s brother, offering him the choice of burning the church or killing the priest whom the bishop had appointed there.

Arngeirr replied, “I will not have any of my friends harm the priest, for my brother has harshly avenged lesser offenses. But I think it a good plan to burn the church, though I myself will not take part.”

Shortly after, Klaufi and ten men went by night intending to burn the church. When they entered the churchyard, it seemed to them as if fire was pouring out of all the windows, so they left, thinking the whole church was full of fire.

When he learned that the church was not burned, he and Arngeirr tried again another night, intending to burn the church. After breaking into it, Klaufi kindled a fire with dry wood. The fire caught slowly. He lay down and blew on it over the threshold. Then an arrow struck the floor near his head, and another between his shirt and his side. He leapt up and said he would not wait for a third. Arngeirr went home.

That church was built sixteen years before Christianity became law in Iceland, and it was still standing when Bishop Bótólfr was at Hólar, with nothing done to it except the turf roof replaced.
4. Þorvaldr and Bishop Friðrekr Leave the Country

Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr went to the Althing, and the bishop asked Þorvaldr to preach the faith at the Law Rock, standing by his side. Þorvaldr spoke.

A nobleman, Heðinn from Svalbarð in Eyjafjörður, son of Þorbjörn Skagason, replied with many harsh words. He had married Ragnheiðr, stepdaughter and niece of Eyjólfr Valgerðarson. Then poets were asked to compose slander against Þorvaldr and the bishop. This verse was then made:

    The bishop has borne
    nine children,
    all of whom
    Þorvaldr is the father.

For that slander, Þorvaldr killed two men. The bishop asked why he did so. “Because they claimed we had children together.”

The bishop answered, “They lied about us, but you have cleared their slander, for I could well bear your children after me.”

When Þorvaldr and the bishop tried to ride to the Hegraness Assembly, pagans blocked them and pelted them with stones, so they could not proceed. After that, they were declared outlaws under pagan law.

The next summer at the Althing, chieftains gathered a force of two hundred men and planned to burn the bishop and Þorvaldr alive. They stopped to rest their horses before riding to the farm at Lækjamót, but as they were about to mount, birds flew up beside them. The horses panicked, and men fell off. Some broke their arms, some their legs, some were cut by their own weapons, and some had their horses run off, so they turned home.

The bishop and Þorvaldr were unaware of this raid until later. They had lived at Lækjamót for three years. They stayed there another year, then went abroad.

When they came to Norway, they lay at anchor in a harbor. Heðinn from Iceland also came to that harbor and immediately went up to the woods to cut wood. When Þorvaldr learned of this, he went with his slave and had him killed there. When the bishop learned of it, he said that now their companionship must end, for Þorvaldr was vengeful.

The bishop then went south to Saxony and died there—a truly holy man—while Þorvaldr was for a time engaged in trading.
(From Later in the Chronicle)
12. Concerning Ísleifr and Gizurr, the Bishops

In the summer when Christianity was made law in Iceland, it had been one thousand years since the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That same summer King Óláfr vanished from the Long Serpent south by Svoldr, on the fourth day before the Ides of September. He had ruled Norway for five years. After him, Earl Eiríkr Hákonarson took power.

Þorvaldr Koðránsson and Stefnir Þorgilsson met after King Óláfr’s disappearance. They traveled widely together, all the way to Jerusalem and from there to Constantinople, and then to Kiev in the east, up the Dnieper.

Þorvaldr died in Russia, not far from Polotsk. He is buried in a hill there, at the church of John the Baptist, and the people there call him a saint. Thus says Brandr the Far-Traveled:

    I have come there
    where Christ granted rest
    to Þorvaldr Koðránsson.
    There he is buried
    in a high mountain
    up in Drafna
    at the church of St. John.

“Therefore, let us give thanks to God for His saints, who went into distant lands for the sake of the Gospel, and pray for their intercession, as the Apostle says: ‘Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the outcome of their conduct, imitate their faith.’ (Hebrews 13:7). And as St. John Chrysostom reminds us: ‘Let us then also imitate them… and pray without ceasing.’ May the Lord have mercy on us through the prayers of His saints.”

Íslendingabók:

From Foreign Bishops
These are the names of the bishops who have been in Iceland, according to the saga of Teitr: Friðrekr arrived here during heathen times, and the following served afterward: Bjarnharðr the Bookwise, five years; Kolr, few years; Hróðólfr, nineteen years; Jóhan the Irishman, few years; Bjarnharðr, nineteen years; Heinrekr, two years.
Then came five others who claimed to be bishops: Örnólfr and Goðiskálkr, and three Germans: Pétrús, Ábrahám, and Stéphánús.
Grímr at Mosfell, son of Svertingr, took the legal authority after Þorgeirr and held it for two summers, but then he granted it to Skafti Þóroddson, his sister’s son, because Grímr was a man of high speech himself.
Skafti held legal authority for twenty-seven summers. He established the fimmardómslög (five-judge laws) and the rule that no person could impose a killing on another except by their own hand, whereas previously the laws here were similar to those in Norway. In his days, many chieftains and wealthy men were convicted or went into exile for killings or violent acts due to his rulings and land governance. He died the same year that King Óláfr the Saint (Haraldsson, son of Goðröðr, grandson of Björn, Haraldsson of the Fair-haired) fell, three decades after King Óláfr Tryggvason fell.
Then Steinn Þorgestisson held the legal authority for three summers. After him, Þorkell Tjörvason held it for twenty summers, and then Gellir Bölverksson for nine summers.


Þorvalds Þáttr Viðförla and Vatnsdæla Saga:


1.

There was a man named Eilífr the Eagle; one of the highest mountains on Reykjaströnd in Skagafjörður is named after him. Eilífr the Eagle was the son of Atli, who was the son of Skíði the Old, who was the son of Bárðr of Ál. Eilífr the Eagle married Þórlaug, daughter of Sæmundr the Southerner, who settled Sæmundarhlíð. They had three sons: one was called Sölmundr, the father of Guðmundr, who was the father of Víga-Barði and his brothers. Another was Atli the Strong; he married Herdís, daughter of Þórðr of Höfði; their daughter was Þórlaug, who married Guðmundr the Powerful of Möðruvellir. The third son of Eilífr the Eagle was named Koðrán, who lived at Giljá in Vatnsdalur; he was a wealthy man. His wife was named Járngerðr; their sons were Ormr and Þorvaldr. Koðrán loved his son Ormr greatly, but had little or no affection for Þorvaldr. Þorvaldr was kept working as soon as he was able to do anything; he was poorly clothed, and was in every way made the underling of his brother. He served in his father's household wherever he was ordered, with good will.

At that time, a seeress named Þórdís lived out on Skagaströnd, at a place later called Spákonufell. One summer she visited Koðrán at Giljá, for he was her friend. While Þórdís was at the feast, she noticed the difference in treatment between the brothers, and said to Koðrán: “I advise you to show more manliness hereafter toward your son Þorvaldr than you have up to now, for I see clearly that for many reasons he will become more distinguished than any of your kin. But if you cannot find it in yourself to love him, then give him money for his journey, and set him free, if someone can be found to look after him while he is young.” Koðrán saw that she spoke out of goodwill and said that indeed, he would give Þorvaldr some silver. He brought out a purse and showed her. Þórdís looked at the silver and said, “He shall not have this money, for you took it by force and overbearing from men in fines.” Then he brought out another purse and asked her to look at it. She did so and said, “I will not take this money on his behalf.” Koðrán asked, “What do you find wrong with this silver?” Þórdís answered, “You gathered these coins out of greed, through land rents and livestock leases more than was just; therefore, such money should not be in the hands of a man who will be both just and merciful.” At last Koðrán showed her a heavy purse, which was full of silver. Þórdís took three marks from it for Þorvaldr and gave the rest back to Koðrán. Then Koðrán said, “Why did you rather take from this money for my son than from the others I showed you earlier?” She replied, “Because you came by this money fairly; you received it as an inheritance from your father.” After this, Þórdís left the feast with honorable gifts and Koðrán's friendship. She took Þorvaldr home with her to Spákonufell, and he stayed with her for a while, well-provided with clothes and whatever he needed, and grew much in strength. When he was grown, he went abroad at the advice of Þórdís. He did not rest until he came to Denmark.

There he met Sveinn, called Forkbeard. Sveinn was of humble birth on his mother's side, though he claimed to be the son of King Haraldr Gormsson of Denmark. Sveinn was not at home in Denmark in those days, for King Haraldr did not wish to acknowledge him as his son. So Sveinn spent long periods raiding, and was called king by his men, as was the Viking custom.

When Þorvaldr came to Sveinn, the king welcomed him warmly, and Þorvaldr became his man and spent several summers campaigning with him west over the sea. Þorvaldr had not been long with King Sveinn before the king valued him above other men and all his friends, for Þorvaldr was a great planner, obviously virtuous and wise, strong and brave, skilled in battle and quick in conflict, generous and open-handed with money, proven in faithfulness and humble service, well-liked and affectionate with all the crew. And indeed, although he was still a heathen, he showed more justice than most, for whatever share of booty he gained in war, he gave to the needy or to ransom captives, and helped many who were in distress. If he captured prisoners, he sent them home to their families, just as he ransomed others with his own money. Because he was braver in battle than the others, they made it a law that he should have first choice at every division of spoils; but he used this right by selecting the sons of rich men or other things most desired by those who had fallen, and which his companions cared least to give up, and then sent these things to their rightful owners; for this, he was loved even by those who suffered from Sveinn's raids, and his good reputation spread. Thus, he could easily ransom his own men, even if captured by his enemies, and not least that of King Sveinn himself.

It happened once, when Sveinn was raiding in Britain and had won victory and much booty at first, but pressing too far inland from the ships, he was met by such a force of knights that he could not resist. King Sveinn was captured, bound, and thrown into prison, along with Þorvaldr Koðránsson and many other noble and important men. The next day, a powerful duke came to the dungeon with a large retinue, to take Þorvaldr out, because not long before Þorvaldr had ransomed this same duke’s son and sent him home free to his father. The duke asked Þorvaldr to come out and go free, but Þorvaldr swore he would by no means leave alive unless King Sveinn was released and freed with all his men. The duke did this immediately for his sake, as King Sveinn later recounted at a splendid banquet with two other kings. When messengers arrived, a steward remarked that no dish was ever better served than when three such mighty kings dined from one bowl. King Sveinn answered with a smile, “I know a foreign peasant’s son, who, if justice were done, would be in no way less noble or worthy than all three of us kings together.” Great merriment followed in the hall, and everyone laughed and asked who or what kind of man this was of whom he spoke such praise. He replied, “This man I am speaking of is as wise as any king should be, strong and bold as the bravest berserk, as well-mannered as the most polite sage.” He then told of Þorvaldr’s deed, how he had saved the king by his good name and many worthy acts and noble reputation.
2.

After Þorvaldr had traveled widely, he accepted the true faith and was baptized by a Saxon bishop named Friðrekr. Then he earnestly asked Bishop Friðrekr to go to Iceland with him to preach God’s word and try to convert his father and mother and other relatives to God. The bishop gladly agreed, and so they traveled to Iceland, and their journey went well. Koðrán welcomed his son warmly. That first winter, Þorvaldr and the bishop stayed at Giljá with Koðrán, along with thirteen men. Þorvaldr immediately began to preach God’s word to his relatives and all who came to see him, since the bishop did not know the language of the people, and that winter some men turned to the true faith by Þorvaldr’s words.

Now we should first tell how he led his father and household to the true faith. At some festival, when Bishop Friðrekr and his clergy were performing the service and sacred duties, Koðrán was present, more out of curiosity than any intention to accept their customs. But when he heard the sound of bells and beautiful singing, and smelled the sweet scent of incense, and saw the bishop robed in splendid vestments, and all those serving him clothed in white with shining faces, and the great brightness through the house from the lovely wax candles, and all the other things that went with the feast, he was quite pleased with all these things.

That same day he came to his son Þorvaldr and said: “Now I have seen and pondered somewhat how seriously you serve your God. Yet, as it seems to me, our customs are quite different, for I think your God is pleased by the light which our gods fear. And if it is as I think, then this man you call your bishop is your prophet, for I see you learn everything you preach to us from him. But I have another prophet, who is very useful to me; he foretells many things yet to come, protects my livestock, reminds me of what I should do or beware of, and so I trust him greatly and have honored him all my life. But you and your prophet dislike him, and your customs as well, and this discourages me from giving you much support—least of all to take up your ways.”

Þorvaldr said: “Where does your prophet dwell?”
Koðrán answered: “He lives not far from my farm, in a great and splendid stone.”
Þorvaldr asked how long he had lived there.
Koðrán said he had been there for many years.
“Then,” said Þorvaldr, “let us make a wager, father: you claim your prophet is very powerful and trust him greatly, while the bishop, whom you call my prophet, is clearly not strong; but if, by the power of the heavenly God whom we believe in, he can drive your prophet out from so strong a dwelling, then it is only right for you to renounce him and turn to the stronger God, your creator, who alone is truly God and whom no power can overcome. He lives in eternal light, and leads all who believe and serve Him to live with Him in indescribable happiness without end. But if you will turn to the high King of heaven, you will soon see that the one who keeps you from believing is your perfect deceiver, who seeks to drag you from eternal light to endless darkness. Even if it seems he does good things for you, he only does them to deceive you more easily, if you believe him to be good and necessary.”

Koðrán replied: “It is clear to me that you and the bishop see things differently from him, and it is also clear that each side follows its own view passionately. And everything you say about him, he says in turn about you. But what is the use of talking more about this? The wager you have set will prove the truth.”

Þorvaldr was pleased with his father’s answer and told the bishop the whole story. The next day, the bishop blessed water, went with prayers and singing, and sprinkled the water around the stone, and poured it over the top so that the whole stone was soaked.

That night, Koðrán’s prophet came to him in a dream, looking sad and trembling with fear, and said to Koðrán: “You have done badly in bringing here men who betray you, who seek to drive me from my home, for they have poured boiling water over my dwelling, so my children suffer great torment from the burning drops that run through the roof; though this does not hurt me much, it is still heavy to hear the cries of the little ones as they scream from the burning.”

The next morning, Koðrán told all this to his son, who rejoiced and urged the bishop to continue what he had begun. The bishop went to the stone again with his men, did as before, and earnestly prayed to Almighty God to drive the demon away and help the man. The next night, that cunning spirit appeared to Koðrán in a completely different form from before—no longer bright and friendly, but now in a black, dreadful goatskin coat, dark and ugly in countenance, and spoke to the farmer in a sorrowful, trembling voice: “These men are bent on robbing us both of all our goods and blessings, wanting to drive me from my own inheritance, and deprive you of my loving care and prophetic foresight; now act like a man and drive them away, so we need not lose all good things through their wickedness, for I will never flee, though it is hard to endure their evil deeds and troubles any longer.”

All these and many other words the fiend spoke to Koðrán, who told them all to his son the next morning. The bishop went to the stone a third day, as before. That evil spirit appeared again to Koðrán that night, looking very downcast, and lamented with sobbing voice: “This wicked deceiver, the Christian bishop, has deprived me of all my possessions, ruined my dwelling, poured boiling water over me, soaked and ruined my clothes completely, and inflicted incurable burning on me and my household, and now has driven me far away into desolate exile. Now we must part, both in company and friendship, and this is all due to your faithlessness. Now think—who will guard your goods as diligently as I have done? You call yourself a just and faithful man, yet you have repaid my good with evil.”

Koðrán replied: “I have honored you as a useful and strong god, while I was ignorant of the true one. But now, since I have found you deceitful and powerless, it is only right, and no fault, to renounce you and flee for refuge to that divinity who is much better and stronger than you.” With this, they parted in enmity and no friendliness.

Shortly after, Koðrán the farmer was baptized, along with his wife Járngerðr and other members of the household, except Ormr his son, who would not yet be baptized.


3. After Friðrekr the Bishop and Þorvaldr Koðránsson, known as the Far-Traveler (inn víðförli), began their Christian mission in Iceland, they spent their first winter at Giljá with Koðrán and his household. Afterward, they moved to Víðidal and settled at Lækjamót, dwelling there for three winters, traveling throughout Iceland to preach the word of God.

During their time at Lækjamót, Þorvaldr sought the hand of Vígdís, daughter of Ólafur of Haukagil. When Friðrekr and Þorvaldr arrived at the wedding feast, there was a large gathering of heathen guests. The hall was vast, with a stream running through it, and a curtain divided the Christians, led by Bishop Friðrekr, from the pagans.

At the feast appeared two infamous berserk brothers, both named Haukr. They were feared for their violence, sorcery, and for forcing themselves upon women or robbing people, or else challenging others to duels. They howled like dogs, bit their shields, and walked barefoot through burning fire as a show of power. The two berserks, being the fiercest opponents of the new faith and striving to destroy Christian morals, challenged Bishop Friðrekr to test himself against them in their ordeal—walking barefoot through fire—if he truly trusted his God.

Trusting in Christ, Bishop Friðrekr did not refuse. Great fires were kindled down the length of the hall. Bishop Friðrekr, vested in full episcopal regalia, blessed the fires and sprinkled them with holy water.

The two berserks, growling savagely and biting their shields, rushed into the flames but immediately stumbled and fell into the fire, which consumed them quickly and with such fury that they died and were dragged out dead. Their bodies were carried up a ravine, which has since been called Haukagil (“Haukr’s Ravine”).

Bishop Friðrekr then made the sign of the Cross and walked into the middle of the fire and the length of the hall. The flames parted away from him as if blown by the wind, and neither he nor even the smallest thread of his vestments were harmed. Many, witnessing this miracle, were converted to the faith.

Afterward, Friðrekr challenged Þorkell Krafla, a chieftain present, to accept baptism, since Þorkell had demanded a sign. Þorkell replied that he wished for no other faith “than that of Þorsteinn Ingimundarson and my foster-father Þórir, who believed in the One who created the sun and governs all things.” The bishop answered, “That is the very faith I preach: to believe in one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and to be baptized in His name.”

Þorkell hesitated, especially at the idea of being washed with water, saying he was not yet ready for this custom, but admitted it seemed good and would likely be accepted. He said, “Ólafur, my kinsman, is old. Let him and any others who wish accept this faith; I will yet wait a while.” Thus, Ólafur was baptized and died soon after in his white baptismal garments, and others at the feast were also baptized.

Þorkell and all the Vatnsdal people were baptized when Christianity was made law in Iceland. Þorkell, being a great chieftain, built a church at his homestead and remained faithful.

Thus, the miracle of the burning berserks at Haukagil is among the most celebrated signs that accompanied the apostolic labors of Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr the Far-Traveler in Iceland, leading to the conversion of many and the establishment of the Church in Vatnsdal.


4. The Bishop and Þorvaldr Spread the Faith

The bishop and Þorvaldr made every effort, with the greatest zeal, to lead as many people as possible to God—not only in the nearby districts, but they also traveled widely around Iceland preaching the word of God. They came west to Hvamm in Breiðafjarðardalir at the time of the Alþingi (national assembly). There lived Þórarinn Nef, son of Þórðr Gellir; he was married to Friðgerðr, daughter of Höfða-Þórðr. Þórarinn was not home, but the housewife Friðgerðr at first received them well. Þorvaldr preached the faith to the people there, but Friðgerðr made sacrifices inside the house, and each heard the other's words. Friðgerðr replied little and poorly to Þorvaldr's words, and their son Skeggi mocked Þorvaldr’s preaching. On this, Þorvaldr composed the following verse:

    I entered with right judgment,
    No brave man listened to me,
    I endured mockery from the ring-giver’s son at the altar stone;
    No wisdom from the noble lady to the poet,
    When God’s hand seizes the priestess,
    There is bitterness for the heathen altar.

It is not recorded that anyone in the Westfjords accepted Christianity through their words. But further north, in the regions they visited, several noble men accepted the true faith: Önundr of Reykjadalur, son of Þorgils Grenjaðarson; Hlenni at Saurbær in Eyjafjörður; and Þorvarðr at Ás in Hjaltadalur (whose brothers were Arngeirr and Þórðr; their father was Spak-Böðvarr Öndóttsson, the settler who lived at Viðvík). These and several others became fully Christian in the northern quarter, though many did not allow themselves to be baptized at that time, yet believed in Christ and abandoned idol worship and all pagan custom, and refused to pay temple dues. Because of this, the pagans became angry with Bishop Friðrekr and became hostile toward all who agreed with him.

Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson had a church built at his farm at Ás, and had with him a priest, given by the bishop, to sing services and provide him with spiritual care. This greatly angered Klaufi, son of Þorvaldr Refsson from Barði in Fljót. Klaufi was a man of great importance; he went to meet Þorvarðr’s brothers, Arngeirr and Þórðr, to ask them whether they would rather kill the priest or burn the church. Arngeirr replied: "I forbid you, and any other friend of mine, to harm the priest, for my brother Þorvarðr has harshly avenged lesser wrongs before, and I think this would anger him. But I do urge you to burn the church." Þórðr did not agree to this advice.

A little later, Klaufi set out at night with ten men to burn the church. When they approached and entered the churchyard, they felt great heat and saw a shower of sparks fly out the church windows; they left, thinking the church was full of fire.

Another time, Arngeirr went with many men intending to burn the same church. When they had broken down the door and tried to set fire to the floor with dry brushwood, the fire would not catch as quickly as he wished. So he lay down across the threshold to blow on the embers, but the fire would not take hold. Then an arrow came and stuck fast in the church floor right above his head; immediately another arrow came, pinning his shirt to the floor, so that the arrow passed between his side and his shirt. He jumped up and said, "That arrow flew so close to my side, I won’t wait here for a third!" Thus God protected His house. Arngeirr left with his men, and the pagans did not again attempt to burn the church.

This church was built sixteen years before Christianity was made law in Iceland, and it stood unscathed.


5. Þorvaldr Preaches Publicly at Alþingi

The next summer at the Alþingi, at the request of the bishop, Þorvaldr Koðránsson preached the faith publicly before all the people. And when he had presented many and very true great signs of Almighty God with great skill, a prominent and noble man—though he was heathen and harsh—was the first to respond: Héðinn from Svalbarð on the Eyjafjörður coast, son of Þorbjörn Skagason, Skoftason. Héðinn was married to Ragneiðr, stepdaughter and niece of Eyjólfr Valgerðarson.

Héðinn spoke many evil things to Þorvaldr and blasphemed greatly against the holy faith. And by his ill-will, he so influenced the people that no one trusted what Þorvaldr had said. Instead, this led to such hostility and hatred of the pagans towards the bishop and Þorvaldr that they paid poets to compose defamatory verses about them. Among these was:

    The bishop has borne
    nine children,
    All of whom
    Þorvaldr is the father.

Because of this, Þorvaldr killed the two poets who had made the verses; but the bishop endured all wrongs with the greatest gentleness. When Þorvaldr had killed the poets, he went to the bishop to tell him what he had done. The bishop was sitting inside reading a book, and before Þorvaldr entered, two drops of blood fell on the bishop's book. The bishop understood immediately that this was a sign. When Þorvaldr came in to him, the bishop said, “Either you have committed a killing, or you are thinking of it.” Þorvaldr then explained what he had done.

The bishop said, “Why did you act thus?”

Þorvaldr replied, “I could not bear it when they called us cowards.”

The bishop said, “That was little to endure, even if they lie and say you had children; you have made their words worse, for I could well bear your children, if you had any. A Christian man should not seek revenge for himself, even if he is grievously slandered, but should endure abuse and wrong for God's sake.”
6. They Continue Preaching and a Child Is Baptized

Now, even though they endured many hardships from wicked men, they did not cease their journeying around the districts, preaching the word of God. They came out to Laxárdal and stayed for a time under Eilífsfell with Atli the Strong, Þorvaldr’s uncle. Atli was then baptized along with his household, and many other people who came to them, for the mercy of the Holy Spirit drew near through their words.

At that time, the teaching of the bishop, by God’s gift, reached the ears of a little boy five years old named Ingimundr, son of Hafr in Goðdalir; he was being fostered at Reykjaströnd. One day, Ingimundr spoke to his foster-father’s shepherd and asked him to secretly accompany him to Eilífsfell to see the bishop. The shepherd granted his request. They went over Kjartans-gjá and west across the hills to Laxárdal.

And when they came to Atli’s farm at Eilífsfell, the boy asked to be baptized. Atli took the boy by the hand and led him to the bishop, saying, “This boy is the son of a noble man, though a heathen, and the boy asks for baptism without the counsel or knowledge of his father or foster-father. Now see what should be done, for it is likely that both of them will be very displeased if he is baptized.”

The bishop replied, laughing, “Truly, one should not refuse so holy a sacrament to a young child, especially since he has a healthier understanding of his own will than his older kinsmen.” Then the bishop baptized Ingimundr and taught him, before he departed, what he most needed to keep as a Christian.


7. The Baptism and Piety of Máni the Christian

It is said that Bishop Friðrekr baptized a man named Máni, and because he kept the holy faith with many virtues and a good life, he was called Máni the Christian. He lived at Holt on Kólgumýrar, where he built a church. In that church, he served God both day and night with holy prayers and acts of charity, giving many kinds of alms to the poor. He had a fishing station on the river nearby, at a place still called Mánafors after him, for at a certain time, when there was great famine and hunger, he had nothing with which to feed the starving. Then he went to the river and caught plenty of salmon in the pool below the waterfall. He gave this salmon fishery to the church at Holt, and Gunnlaugr the monk says that this fishery has always remained there since. Near the church, one can still see traces that he built there as a hermit; just as he was distant from most people in his heart, so too did he want, in body, to keep away from the bustle of the crowd. For by the churchyard, one can see remains of some kind of enclosure, showing that he worked the hay there in the summers to feed the one cow he kept with him, for he wished to earn his living with his own labor rather than associate with the pagans who hated him. And the place has since been called either Mánatóftir ("Máni’s ruins") or Mánagerði ("Máni’s enclosure").
8. The Persecutions Faced by Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr

There is little to be said about the many injuries and persecutions which pagans inflicted upon Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr for preaching the true faith. Once, when they wanted to ride to the spring assembly at Hegranes, as they approached the assembly site, a whole crowd of pagans rose up and ran at them with great shouting; some threw stones, some brandished weapons and shields at them with clamor and noise, and called on the gods to cast down their enemies, so there was no hope that they could reach the assembly. Then the bishop said: “Now is fulfilled what my mother once dreamed, that she thought she found wolf’s hair on my head, for now we are made outcasts, and driven like wretched wolves with terrible howls and violence.” After that, the bishop and his companions went home to Lækjamót and stayed there for the summer.

That same summer, after the Alþingi, some pagan chieftains gathered a force, so that they had two hundred men together; they intended to go to Lækjamót to burn the bishop and all his people inside. But when they were close to the farm at Lækjamót, they dismounted from their horses and meant to rest, as was customary. But just as they had mounted again, many birds flew by them ominously; at this, their horses panicked and became so wild that all who were mounted fell off and were injured; some fell on rocks and broke their legs or arms or suffered other wounds; some fell on their weapons and were badly hurt; the horses trampled some and injured them. The least trouble came to those whose horses simply ran away, and they had to walk a long way home; thus, they turned back. In this way, Almighty God’s mercy protected His servants, so that the bishop and his people suffered no harm this time from the malice and siege of the pagans, as they were completely unaware of this attack and plot.

They, that is, Þorvaldr and Bishop Friðrekr, lived at Lækjamót for a fourth winter. But the following summer, they left, first to Norway, where they stayed a while at a certain harbor. Then a man who has already been mentioned, Héðinn of Svalbarð, came from Iceland and landed at the same harbor. Héðinn went up on land and into the forest to cut himself wood for a house. Þorvaldr noticed this; he called his slave, and together they went into the forest where Héðinn was. Þorvaldr had the slave kill Héðinn. When Þorvaldr returned to the ship, he told the bishop what he had done. The bishop said: “For this killing, we must part, for you are slow to give up manslaying.” After that, Bishop Friðrekr went to Saxony, where he ended his life in great holiness, receiving eternal mercy from Almighty God for his goodness and his steadfast labor.


9. Þorvaldr’s Later Life and Journey East

Þorvaldr lived for many years afterward. But because he was a man of strong character, courageous and steadfast in all things, and kept God’s commandments with perfect love and devotion, he considered that if he were to return again to his native land, he might not endure in all things as he ought, for the love of God, adversity, and the wrongdoings of his countrymen. For this reason, he resolved not to travel again to Iceland.

He then set out into the world, journeying all the way to Jerusalem to visit the holy places. He traveled throughout all of Greece and came to Constantinople. The Emperor himself received him with great honor and bestowed upon him many splendid gifts, for God’s mercy was with him, and his fame spread among all the people, wherever he went, such that he was respected and celebrated both by the lowly and the mighty, as a pillar and supporter of the true faith. He was also honored as a glorious confessor of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Emperor of Constantinople and all his nobles, and no less by all the bishops and abbots throughout all Greece and Syria.

He was especially esteemed in the eastern lands, where he was sent by the Emperor as a leader or governor set over all the princes in Russia and all of Gardariki (the lands of the Rus’ and Kievan Rus’). There Þorvaldr Koðránsson established a great monastery by the main church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and he endowed it with ample property. It was called ever after by his name—Þorvaldr’s Monastery. In that monastery, he ended his life and is buried there. The monastery stands beneath a high cliff called Dröfn.

10. The Timeline and Meeting with Olaf Tryggvason (Flateyjarbók variant)

When Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr came to Iceland, nine hundred and one years had passed since the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one hundred and seven years since the settlement of Iceland. Three years later, Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson built a church at Ás.

(From Flateyjarbók and AM. 62: Alternate 9th Chapter)

It is also said that after the bishop and Þorvaldr parted, Þorvaldr traveled widely. It is previously mentioned that Emperor Otto Christianized Denmark; Olaf Tryggvason traveled with him in the East, and was a great counselor to the emperor in converting the people. On this journey, it is said by some that Olaf met Þorvaldr Koðránsson, and since each had heard much of the other’s wisdom, fame, and deeds, they greeted each other as acquaintances, though they had not met before.

As they began to speak, King Olaf asked, “Are you Þorvaldr the Far-Traveler?”
He replied, “I have not traveled so widely—yet.”
The king said, “You are a noble and fortunate man. What faith do you hold?”
Þorvaldr answered, “I will gladly tell you: I have and keep the faith of the Christians.”
The king replied, “It seems likely that you serve your Lord well and kindle many hearts with love for Him. I am very curious to hear many things of faith that you can relate, first about the great miracles of Jesus Christ your God, then about different countries and unknown peoples, and finally about your own actions and brave undertakings.”

Þorvaldr replied, “As I understand that you earnestly wish to know the true things that I have seen and heard, I will gladly fulfill your wish, hoping in return that you will answer me as clearly when I ask you questions.” The king agreed to this. Then Þorvaldr told him many important and wondrous things, both about God and good men. The king found this very pleasing, and all those present found it the greatest entertainment.

When Þorvaldr told what had happened in Iceland while he and Bishop Friðrekr were there, the king asked closely who or how many had received the true faith from their words, or who had most readily accepted Christianity, or who had most resisted. Þorvaldr explained all of this in detail.

When the king had heard how diligent they had been in preaching the faith and how many hardships they had endured for God’s name, he said, “From what you have told me, I understand that these Icelanders you speak of must be tough and hardy men, and it will be difficult to convert them. Yet I believe that they will eventually receive it, and once they trust in the true God, I think they will all keep their faith steadfastly, whoever finally brings them onto the right path.”
Þorvaldr replied, “I have heard from some wise men that you will become king of Norway, and if so, I hope God will grant you the blessing to turn the Icelanders and many other northern peoples to the true faith.”

Þorvaldr then asked the king many things, and the king answered all well and wisely, so that as long as they were together, their joy was that each questioned or told the other something wise. They parted in the greatest friendship.

Þorvaldr then went east to Constantinople and received great honors from the Emperor. Later, he had a monastery built and endowed it with riches. In that same monastery, he ended his life in pure and exalted living.



Svadi And Stefni Þorgilsson Account:


The Tale of Svadi and Arnór Crone’s-Nose
Chapter 1
Great and manifold is the mercy of Almighty God in all things, and lofty is His judgment: He does not let any good deed go unnoticed, but calls forth loving kindness toward those who have not yet known how to perceive, understand, worship, and love their Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, as He has shown in many accounts, although we may recount only a few. Just as the manifestation of mercy and perfect Christian law in Iceland is shown, God in these accounts strengthens every good work for the benefit of those who do it, and frustrates and destroys the wickedness and cruelty of evil men, so that often they perish in the snares they intended for others.
Some time after the travels of Bishop Friðrekr and Þorvaldr Koðránsson, there was such famine in Iceland that many people died of hunger. At that time, in Skagafjörður, lived a powerful and very cruel man named Svadi, who later gave his name to the estate Svaðastaðir.
One morning he gathered many poor men and told them to dig a large and deep grave near his farm along the public road. The poor were glad if they could earn a little work and relieve their hunger. In the evening, after the grave was dug, Svadi led them into a small house, locked it, and said:
“Rejoice, for soon your misery will end. You shall stay here tonight, but tomorrow you will be killed and buried in the great grave you have dug.”
When they heard this grim sentence, they cried and wailed in deep sorrow throughout the night. At that time, Þorvarðr the Christian, son of Spak-Böðvarr, was traveling through the region on business. Early in the morning his path took him past the same house where the poor men were imprisoned. Hearing their lamentation, he asked what troubled them.
When he realized the truth, he said:
“We shall make a bargain, if you wish it. You shall believe in the true God whom I believe in, and do as I instruct. Then I will save you from here. Come to me up at Ás, and I will provide for all your needs.”
They gladly agreed. Þorvarðr took a torch from the door, and they hurried with joy to Ás to his farm.
When Svadi learned of this, he became very angry, armed himself and his men, and rode after the fugitives, intending to kill them. But his cruelty backfired: as he rode past the grave he had prepared for the innocent, he fell from his horse and died upon hitting the ground. In the same grave he had prepared for the helpless, he was buried—an unrepentant heathen—together with his dog and horse, according to ancient custom.
Þorvarðr at Ás had the priest with him baptize the poor men he had saved, teach them holy doctrine, and provide for them while the famine lasted.
Most say Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson was baptized by Bishop Friðrekr, though some claim he may have been baptized in England, bringing the sacrament with him to the church he built on his farm. His mother was Arnfríður, daughter of Sleitu-Björn Hróarsson. Sleitu-Björn’s mother was Gróa Hrafnsdóttir, daughter of Þorgils Gormsson, a nobleman from Sweden. Þorgils’ mother was Þóra, daughter of King Eiríkr of Uppsala. The mother of Herfinn Eiríksson was Helena, daughter of King Búrisláf from the lands east of the sea. Helena’s mother was Ingibjörg, sister of Dagstygg, a wealthy man.
Chapter 2
At that same time, a council of local chieftains was held. Due to the famine and widespread hunger, it was decreed that the poor and elderly should be abandoned without aid, even those disabled or helpless. Harsh winter winds and storms raged.
The greatest chieftain in the district was Arnór Crone’s-Nose, who lived at Miklabær in Óslandshlíð. Returning home from the council, his mother, daughter of Ref from Barðr, reproached him for agreeing to such cruel decisions. With wisdom and clear words, she reminded him how shameful it was to allow people to die—father, mother, or close relatives—without assistance.
“Even if you yourself do not commit such deeds,” she said, “you are not innocent or neutral in this crime, since you are chieftain and leader of others. If you allow your men to abandon their kin to death, even if you personally do nothing, you bear responsibility.”
Arnór took his mother’s advice to heart. Concerned about what he should do, he immediately ordered his men to gather all the elderly who had been left out and bring them to his home, where they were provided for with compassion.
The next day, he convened many farmers and addressed them:
“You know that we recently held a public council. I have since reflected on our collective duty and repudiated the inhumane measures we agreed upon. From now on, we shall show humanity and mercy, so that everyone helps their closest kin first—especially father and mother—and then others as able. Let us do all we can to preserve life, even if it means killing dogs so that men have food. No man shall abandon his father or mother if he can provide assistance; if he cannot, he shall bring them to me at Miklabær, and I will care for them. Those who refuse shall face punishment. Let us all uphold mercy and righteousness in our dealings.”
Þorvarðr Spak-Böðvarsson was present and said:
“It is now shown, Arnór, that the God you invoked has sent His holy spirit into your heart to begin this blessed humanity, which you have now manifested. If King Ólafur had heard these words, he would give thanks to God and rejoice in your eloquence. It is truly a great loss that we may not see or hear him in person.”
All present were pleased with his words, and the assembly concluded. Harsh winter winds gave way, and by the next morning the land was calm, with gentle southern winds and fine sun, bringing relief and nourishment to the animals. Everyone rejoiced at Arnór’s mercy, and soon Christianity was established throughout Iceland.
Arnór Crone’s-Nose was the son of Björn Þórðarson of Höfði. Björn’s mother was Þorgerður, daughter of Þórir Íma and Þorgerður, daughter of King Kjarval of Ireland. Höfða-Þórður was the son of Björn Byrðusmjör, son of Hróald Hrøks, son of Áslákr, son of Bjarnar Járnsíða, son of Ragnar Loðbrókar.



Stefnis þáttr Þorgilssonar – Full English Translation
1. Stefni comes to King Óláfr
A man named Stefni was the son of Þorgils Eilífsson, Helgason of Bjúlu, Ketilsson Flatnefs, and Bjarnarson Bunu. He was born at Kjalarnes and grew up there as a child.
While still young, Stefni traveled abroad and accepted the Christian faith in Denmark. He was a noble and virtuous man. Stefni came to Þorvaldr Koðránsson and traveled widely with him to examine holy sites and the customs of powerful men. Eventually, Stefni returned north to his homeland.
He met King Óláfr Tryggvason across the western sea and became his man. Stefni then traveled west with King Óláfr to Norway.
2. Stefni goes to Iceland to preach Christianity
Stefni was with King Óláfr, who often spoke with him because Stefni was wise and well-traveled. Stefni recounted the customs of prominent chieftains in foreign lands, including the journeys of Þorvaldr Koðránsson.
The king asked Stefni whether he wished to visit his relatives in Iceland and preach Christianity there. Stefni replied:
“It was difficult for most men to do what Þorvaldr did when he went to Iceland with Bishop Friðrekr. I am better suited in all respects to deliver this message.”
The king said:
“Since I have undertaken to spread Christianity in Norway, and have fully resolved in my heart that I will never cease until all the people believe rightly, I shall likewise labor diligently to lead the people under our rule, whether in Iceland or other Norse lands, to God. It is not fitting that Christians soil their faith by refusing trade and friendship with heathens as they do with brethren. Therefore I have considered sending you to Iceland to preach God’s faith, for you are well-born, steadfast in faith, and upright in morals.”
Stefni replied:
“I gladly wish to undertake your mission, whether to Iceland or elsewhere. Yet I fear that my journey will be of little use, for Icelanders—my own kin—are stubborn and slow to relinquish what they hold.”
Stefni prepared for his voyage, taking several learned men and companions provided by King Óláfr. Their journey went well, traveling both slowly and quickly as conditions allowed. Stefni landed at Gufuárós near the Althing and immediately began proclaiming God’s word.
When people realized he was Christian and on a holy mission, they received him cruelly, especially his own relatives. Stefni boldly preached to ten men west and south.
Seeing that no one heeded his words in many districts, as the southern lands and Westfjords were pagan, Stefni became angry and, with the help of his companions, destroyed temples, shrines, and idols. The heathens gathered to resist but could not prevent him.
That summer, the Althing decreed that anyone who defamed or harmed the gods would be guilty and outlawed. Stefni’s relatives—the sons of Ósvífr Helgason: Óttarsson, Bjarnarson, Ketilsson Flatnefs—accused him. They were named Þórólfr, Áskell, Torráðr, and Vandráðr. But his brother Óspakr refused to accuse him.
Stefni replied:
“You have set a grave precedent, and it will bring consequences. Yet soon, before many winters pass, great misfortune and unhappiness will come upon you because of this act.”
3. Stefni’s Ship
Stefni’s ship remained at Gufuárós over the winter. In spring, when the snow melted from the mountains, the ship set sail, enduring storms and rough weather. The heathens saw this and believed that the gods were angry at Stefni.
They composed this skaldic verse:
“Now Stefni’s stem moves, the current carries the hollow ship; wild weather from the mountains breaks everything. We think that it will have power: men in the lands will suffer; ice rages, yet the realm of the gods resounds thus.”
Shortly afterward, Stefni’s ship landed safely by the will of Almighty God, sustaining little or no damage.
4. Stefni returns from Iceland
That summer, Stefni returned from Iceland to meet King Óláfr, who had sent him the previous year. The king received him warmly. Stefni recounted all his journeys and the difficulties he had faced in Iceland, explaining that converting the Icelanders would be slow and laborious.
5. Death of Stefni
Stefni had been with King Óláfr Tryggvason and sent to Iceland as described. Afterward, he returned north. When news arrived in Norway that King Óláfr had been removed from power, Stefni grieved deeply, as did those close to the king.
Stefni could not remain in Norway after Óláfr’s death. He embarked on a pilgrimage toward Rome and traveled south. When he reached Denmark, he encountered Jarl Sigvaldi. Stefni recited a verse criticizing King Sveinn and King Tryggvason for betraying the land:
“It must be said, never should a monk venture: humiliated is the face of the villain, he whom King Sveinn betrayed from the land, and Tryggvason dragged to punishment.”
Jarl Sigvaldi took offense, perceived it as a personal insult, captured Stefni, and had him executed. This ended Stefni’s life.


Historia Rerum Norvegicarum Account: 

578 Historia Norvegicae, Book 9

According to this council, at a public assembly, the Christian religion was imposed on all: when the nobles, as agreed, had given their approval, the common people and citizens followed their opinion with both feet and hands. From the east to the Thing, all were washed in the sacred font. And so, the nuptial feast was celebrated with great pomp and display, the king himself being present.

Then he proceeded to the northern parts of Viken, where the pagan rites were abolished, and the Christian faith imposed with equal enthusiasm; punishments were dealt to those who resisted: some had their limbs broken, others were exiled, some lost their lives, and each suffered penalties according to the degree of their obstinacy, until all the provinces formerly held by his father Tryggvi and Harald Greycloak were cultivated with Christian rites and rituals. Chronicles record that all this was accomplished in that same summer and the following winter. The Flateyjarbók also reports other events here, to be explained below. We will follow the points of agreement everywhere, and point out any disagreements.
CHAPTER VI.

THE KING SENDS STEFNER THE ICELANDER TO PROMOTE THE FAITH IN ICELAND; HOW IT HAD ALREADY BEEN PROFESSED THERE, AND WITH WHAT RESULT

In the same summer, Olaf sent Stefner, an Icelander by nation, to Iceland to propagate the Christian faith there—though Stefner was somewhat reluctant—provided with supplies by certain learned and devout men and very well instructed. For the king had determined that he himself, being a Christian, should make his own countrymen partakers in this saving doctrine; for he had resolved not only to make all of Norway Christian, but also the inhabitants of those other lands who did business with Norwegians, lest Christians be infected by the contagion of pagans.

He arrived at the mouth of the Gufa river, close to the time of the general assembly of the Althing, and there openly began to preach the Christian faith; but by this he gained nothing but the hatred of the people, especially his own relatives, because of their customs. Then for the first time a law was passed condemning those who blasphemed the gods, and decreeing exile for those who insulted the divinities; relatives within the fourth degree or closer were required to accuse offenders, for they said that such sacred bonds of blood were dissolved by these blasphemies—a divorce of kinship, as they called it. Thus, relatives who considered someone unworthy of the family and to be expelled prosecuted them.

But Stefner was not moved by these things; with nine companions he traveled through the southern and western quarters, but when he saw his mission would not succeed, seized with zeal for the glory of God, he began to demolish temples and break idols. For such a great crime, not only privately but publicly accused, he was taken to court by four of his relatives: Rolf and Askell, Thorrad and Vandrad, the fifth Ospak did not join their suit. These were sons of Osvir, grandsons of Helgi, great-grandsons of Ottar, great-great-grandsons of Bjorn Austrami, and so on. Stefner’s father was Thorgils, son of Eilif, grandson of Helgi Biola, great-grandson of Ketill Flatnose.

Because of this act, or rather this accusation, Stefner was sentenced to exile; and now condemned, he turned to his relatives: “You have accused me and seen to it that I am condemned, but it will not be long before, while I remain unharmed, some great misfortune will befall you.”

The next spring, as the snows melted with the rain and heat of the sun, the rivers filled with water, and Stefner’s ship, anchored at the river’s mouth, was carried out to sea by the current. The pagans interpreted this miracle as an obvious sign of the anger of the gods and the wrath of Freyr, and mocked him in satirical verse; but shortly afterward, the ship was returned to the same shore, little or not at all damaged, and the pagan superstition was refuted by the will of God.

Stefner had been born in the southern quarter of Iceland, in the district of Kjalarnes, and had been sent abroad at a young age. In Denmark he was instructed in purer doctrine and baptized. Thereafter he joined his kinsman Thorvaldr Kodranarson (Thorvaldr the Wide-faring), who traveled widely in the Christian world, visiting holy places; he became his companion and fellow-traveler. Later, returning north, he went to Olaf Tryggvason in England (now Christian), and was held in great honor, and then accompanied him to Norway. Olaf, being a man of great experience, often questioned him about the customs and rites of foreign peoples he himself had not visited, and especially about his kinsman Thorvaldr Kodranarson, who, first of all, together with a Saxon bishop named Fridrek, had attempted to introduce the Christian faith into their homeland, though with almost no success. That posterity might not be deprived of a grateful memory of what efforts they made to convert the Icelanders to the true faith, let us recall a few things about them.

In the northern quarter of Iceland, in the district of Vatnsdal, at the farm called Gili, his parents lived: his mother was Jorun, his father Kodran, son of Eyjolf (nicknamed Arn, “Eagle”), grandson of Atli, great-grandson of Sitid, great-great-grandson of a certain Bardi of Al. Thorvaldr’s uncles were Atli Ramr (the “Strong”), whose wife was Thordis, daughter of the famous Thord of Hofdi, and Solmund, father of Gudmund, son of the celebrated athlete Vigabardi. Thorvaldr’s brother was called Ormr. Thorvaldr was raised by the seeress Thordis.

When he grew older he went abroad, soon learned good manners; from his love of learning the customs of various peoples, he immediately began to travel, and so acquired the surname “the Wide-faring.” Returning to the north, he was baptized in Saxony by a certain bishop named Fridrek, whom he brought back with him to their homeland to instruct the people in the Christian faith. They spent their first winter with his father Kodran at Gili farm, and won him, his wife, and all the household to Christ. Only Ormr, Thorvaldr’s brother, did not wish to be baptized at that time, but later confessed Christ.

The next spring they moved to the province of Víðidal, and lived at the farm Laxárvatn for four years. Meanwhile, they traveled widely through the island, diligently pursuing the work of religion. In the fourth year, Thorvaldr married Vigdis, daughter of Olaf of the farm Haukagil, who was also the niece of the poet Hallfred, and their wedding was celebrated there with a great crowd. Among the pagans, there were two famous berserks, both named Hauk, who increased the opposition with their magical incantations. These men were notorious enemies of the faith; but then they challenged the bishop to a contest. The point in dispute was to test the power of the gods each side worshipped. They used to walk through fire without harm, and thrust themselves upon swords and blades with impunity; nor did the bishop, trusting in the truth, avoid this contest, but seized the opportunity for the glory of God and the liberation of souls from the prince of darkness.

A fire was built along the middle of the floor, and those drinking there sat by it as was customary. When the fire was stoked up to a great blaze, the bishop approached and sprinkled holy water on it; when the berserks, swords drawn as usual, tried to walk through it, with great roaring and violence, they immediately fell, overcome by the flames, and before they could rise were dead; they were carried off and buried in a nearby cave, and to this day the farm retains the name Haukagil after them, as the stream running through the valley takes its name from them, for they were called Hauk.

Afterward, the bishop himself is said to have passed through the burning fire without even his clothes being singed, and many guests, moved by such a miracle, were won to Christ. Though the story may have been partly fabricated or embellished by monks, it nonetheless has some truth, as shown by the story of the berserks’ names. Nor is it at all to be doubted that the Christian faith in the North, as elsewhere, was at first planted by miracles, though perhaps not in the exact way the Flateyjarbók describes, being full of monks’ inventions about miracles. After this, the bishop and Thorvaldr traveled to the western parts of the island to preach the gospel, but their efforts there were entirely unsuccessful.

When they came to the famous farm Hvamm, the master of the house, Thorarinn, son of Nef, grandson of Thord Gellir, was away, and his wife Fridgerd, daughter of Thord of Hofdi, with her son Skeggi, first received them hospitably; but when the topic of Christ and worship to Him came up, she cursed them. The son, however, received all they said with whistling. There is a poem in which Thorvaldr complains of this insult. In that entire quarter, not one person was found who would give his name to Christ; but in the northern quarter, the following noblemen were baptized: first, Aunund, son of Thorgils Grenjadalr, of the farm Reykjadalur; second, Thorvard, son of Spak-Bodvar, of the farm Afi in the district Hjaltdalur; third, Hlein of Saurbaer in Eyjafjord. These and several others were washed in the holy font. There were, however, many in the northern quarter who, though they did not wish to be baptized, yet professed themselves Christians, and completely shunned the worship of idols, refusing to pay offerings in the pagan temples.

Hence the wrath of the pagans was chiefly directed against Bishop Fridrek, and soon against all those who followed him. Thorvard, son of Spak-Bodvar (that is, Bodvar the Wise), had a church built in his estate at Afi, sixteen years before Christianity was publicly received in Iceland (that is, in 994), and he received a priest from the bishop to conduct services. The next summer, Thorvaldr publicly invited all to the profession of the Christian faith at the general assembly; but the pagans were so inflamed with hatred against them that they hired poets to compose defamatory songs against him and the bishop. Among other things, a couplet was composed, saying the bishop had fathered nine children, all of whom Thorvaldr was the real father; but Thorvaldr, being a man of quick temper, immediately killed two of those who had made the joke. Meanwhile, the bishop was reading a book in his tent, and as he read, two drops of blood fell from above onto the page. Soon after, as Thorvaldr entered from the fresh killing, the bishop told him beforehand that he had just killed, or was about to kill, and when Thorvaldr confessed what had happened, the bishop rebuked him sharply for such rash acts.

Thorgeir's speech of sanction and prayer was received with the greatest applause from both sides, and it was resolved by consensus that no one should prevent anyone from worshipping Christ as devoutly as he wished. However, although most presented themselves for baptism more because of the law than from their own will, in a few years the remaining traces of paganism—exposing infants, secret idolatry, and eating horseflesh—were completely abolished, and by general agreement of nobles and commoners alike. The assembly having introduced Christianity was then dissolved; all pagans became either catechumens or were immediately baptized. The reason not all were baptized at once was that people from the eastern and northern quarters hesitated to wash in cold water, so most of them were initiated into the sacred mysteries in the hot springs at Laugar. Hjalti, son of Runolf the Priest, who the previous year had prosecuted him for blasphemy against the gods, presided over the rites of initiation, and, as he admitted him to the order of catechumens, said, “We teach the priest to chew garlic.” When they returned home, at every opportunity that same summer they devoted themselves to the Christian faith by baptism; nor was there anyone who continued to resist these sacraments. Thus, Christianity was accepted in Iceland, and then, though feeble in the early years, it made great progress, with the help of God Almighty, and never failed. There are, moreover, certain examples showing that the sacred doctrine, even before it was publicly established, was miraculously commended.


CHAPTER XXXII

HOW THE PREVIOUS SINGULAR CARE OF DIVINE GOODNESS IN IMBUING THE ICELANDERS WITH PURER SACRAMENTS IS SHOWN BY SEVERAL EXAMPLES. THE SUCCESS OF LEIF THE LUCKY IN CONVERTING GREENLAND IS APPENDED.

After the departure of Bishop Fridrek and Thorvaldr, son of Kodran, a dire famine afflicted the whole island. A group of beggars, persuaded by Thorvard Spak-Bodvarsson (that is, Thorvard the Wise, son of Bodvar), vowed to accept the Christian faith if they could be delivered from the tyranny of Svadi of Svadastadir in the province of Skagafjord. They were not only rescued from the immediate danger of death, but with God as their avenger, the wicked scheme turned miraculously back on its author.

For Svadi had ordered the beggars to cut turf for him near the public road by his farm, promising them a small wage and food. When their work was done, he shut them up in a separate house and announced that the next day he would kill them all and turn the house into their grave. Terrified by this cruel and impious sentence, the poor wretches spent the night in lamentation and weeping.

By chance, at dawn, Thorvard Spak-Bodvarsson was passing by the house, heard their cries, and entered. Learning of their impending death, he promised to deliver them, led them out of the house, and brought them to his own home, promising them food if they would devote themselves to the Christian faith. Eager to save their lives, they gladly accepted the condition.

When Svadi noticed the beggars had escaped, he took up arms with his household to pursue them and take vengeance on Thorvard, whom he thought had recklessly released them from prison and defied his authority. But as he rode furiously towards the house on horseback, he was suddenly thrown into a pit he himself had dug, and breathed out his wicked soul there, buried in the same pit according to pagan custom, along with his horse and dog. Of him it is truly said: "He fell into the pit he made."

Thorvard, having led the beggars to his house, arranged for them to be baptized by a priest whom he supported, and had them instructed in the principles of the Christian faith, generously maintaining them all while the famine lasted. Thorvard’s mother was Arnfrid, daughter of Slettu-Bjorn, one of the first settlers of Iceland, whose ancestors are listed in the Series of Danish Kings, Book III, Chapter 19.

This harsh famine and relentless severity of the weather is said to have lasted until a leading man, with his subjects, vowed to renounce the worship of idols and worship instead the God who created the sun, if milder rains and gentle winds should follow the wild winter’s cold. This man was Arnor of Kerlingarnes, son of Bjorn, grandson of Thord of Spakonufellshofdi, among the chief of Iceland’s earliest settlers, whose paternal line descended from Ragnar Lodbrok, King of Denmark. Thord’s wife was Thorgerd, Arnor’s grandmother, daughter of Thorer the Silent, by Thorgerd, daughter of Kjarval, King of Ireland.

The story goes like this: While famine, snow, and unremitting frost afflicted the island, threatening destruction everywhere, a provincial assembly was called, over which Arnor of Kerlingarnes presided. For the preservation of all, since individual survival could not be assured, it was resolved that all the old of both sexes, as well as the incurably ill, the crippled, and the completely useless, should be denied human aid, food, and shelter; nor should anyone be obliged to care for relatives or even parents; for with the food thus saved, others might survive.

When Arnor’s mother, who was the daughter of Refr of Bard, learned of this impious decree, she vehemently rebuked her son for allowing such a cruel and wicked law as provincial chief. For to take the lives of those who had given life to others was the greatest of crimes; public authority given to such a crime was a scandal. Even if he had not himself carried it out, nor intended to, still merely permitting such a plan of parricide, or not preventing it, was a crime detested by all nations, and a violation of nature itself.

Moved by these admonitions, Arnor at once sent out men to recall all the aged and infirm who had been cast out from each household, so as to anticipate their suffering or injury, and refreshed them all with necessary nourishment. Then, holding a general assembly, he ordered the previous sentence revoked, and commanded all to kill their dogs, which they were accustomed to keep in great numbers, and distribute the food to the poor; to reduce the number of horses in each household to two, and thus lighten the need for provisions; and strictly forbade anyone to abandon parents or kin, threatening punishment for transgressors. For those who had no means to support their dependents, he allowed them to bring them to himself for free maintenance at his own expense. These vows to worship the Maker of the world and the sun, abandoning all other gods, he added; and on the very next day, all cold and frost was dissolved by rain and mild weather, and the earth quickly brought forth grass in abundance for grazing. This, among the evident blessings of God, was noted as how He chose to manifest His immense goodness, power, and mercy to His ignorant people, to draw them to His worship, and to prepare them for the profession of the true faith by these signs.

A third example of the commendation of the faith is supplied by a certain Thorhall Knapp, a pagan who had long suffered from leprosy. He lived at his father’s farm of Knappstad, near a pagan temple where the people of the district met once a year to sacrifice solemnly to the gods. Once in a dream, he saw a man in royal robes, bearing a golden spear, riding a white horse, who entered his house and gently addressed him, assuring him there was no reason to fear, for he pitied him in his grave illness, and promised a cure. Soon he showed him the boundary that encircled the pastures and ordered him to show the place where he should build a temple to Almighty God, and traced the plan of it with his spear on the ground. He also said that he would know more about this God at the island’s annual assembly, and would be restored to such health that year that he could easily attend; finally, he ordered that on that very day he awoke, he should tear down the old pagan temple and use the materials to build a sacred house, and would regain his health day by day if he did so; and with these words, he departed.

Considering the vision not to be despised, he obeyed, and though his household were reluctant, he sent them that morning to demolish the pagan temple, and as the new house was built, gradually recovered his health. It is not clear who appeared to him in the dream; but since he appeared in royal robes, it is believed to have been an image sent by God of Olaf Tryggvason, whose royal embassy for the Christian faith he heard that same summer, and after being baptized with others, he soon recovered complete health.

At the same time, a woman named Thorhild, living at a nearby farm, skilled in forbidden arts, that very night had awakened all her household and ordered them to bring in all her cattle and herd them safely behind fences, so that nothing wandering there would ever be seen again. She realized that her neighbor Thorhall was resolved to destroy the famous temple which had been held in great veneration till then; then, she and her household fled northwards to the farm Siglufjörður, hoping that God would not allow them to meet anyone on the road. Her household obeyed her commands; all the cattle, except one mare, were brought in—this horse was later found dead in the pastures. This temple, first dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was built in the district of Fljót. Thorhall later became a devout follower of the Christian faith, a worshipper of the divine power, and lived out his life happily as a witness to the mercy of God, and died blessedly. And these are the things which the Flateyjarbók records as particular preludes of divine goodness in preparing that people soon to be imbued with the pure sacraments.

In the same summer in which Gizurr and Hjalti were sent to Iceland to promote the work of the faith, the king also sent Leif, son of Erik the Red, to Greenland, with a priest and other men of holy order, to accomplish the same among that people. While crossing the sea, they encountered some shipwrecked men clinging to planks, and rescued them all on board their own ship.

He brought them home, and for this he received the name “the Lucky.” (Certain old chronicles claim that he first discovered “Vinland the Good” on that voyage; the Flateyjarbók, however, varies this account and is inconsistent with itself, as we will show below.) When he returned home in the summer, his father was displeased that he had done two things which he considered equally serious: that he had rescued men from shipwreck, and that he had brought with him a dangerous man—meaning the priest. Nevertheless, at his son’s urging, he allowed himself to be persuaded to become a Christian and to be washed in holy baptism; by his example, all the Greenlanders also became Christians.


od would not allow them to meet anyone on the road. Her household obeyed her commands; all the cattle, except one mare, were brought in—this horse was later found dead in the pastures. This temple, first dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was built in the district of Fljót. Thorhall later became a devout follower of the Christian faith, a worshipper of the divine power, and lived out his life happily as a witness to the mercy of God, and died blessedly. And these are the things which the Flateyjarbók records as particular preludes of divine goodness in preparing that people soon to be imbued with the pure sacraments.

In the same summer in which Gizurr and Hjalti were sent to Iceland to promote the work of the faith, the king also sent Leif, son of Erik the Red, to Greenland, with a priest and other men of holy order, to accomplish the same among that people. While crossing the sea, they encountered some shipwrecked men clinging to planks, and rescued them all on board their own ship.

He brought them home, and for this he received the name “the Lucky.” (Certain old chronicles claim that he first discovered “Vinland the Good” on that voyage; the Flateyjarbók, however, varies this account and is inconsistent with itself, as we will show below.) When he returned home in the summer, his father was displeased that he had done two things which he considered equally serious: that he had rescued men from shipwreck, and that he had brought with him a dangerous man—meaning the priest. Nevertheless, at his son’s urging, he allowed himself to be persuaded to become a Christian and to be washed in holy baptism; by his example, all the Greenlanders also became Christians.