CHAPTER XI
About Thord Goddi and Thorbjorn Skrjup.
Online Medieval and Classical Library Release
#32
Thord Goddi was the name of a man who lived in
Salmon-river-Dale on the northern side of the river, and his house
was called Goddistead. He was a very wealthy man; he had no
children, and had bought the land he lived on. He was a neighbour
of Hrapp's, and was very often badly treated by him. Hoskuld looked
after him, so that he kept his dwelling in peace. Vigdis was the
name of his wife. She was daughter of Ingjald, son of Olaf Feilan,
and brother's daughter of Thord Yeller, and sister's daughter of
Thorolf Rednose of Sheepfell. This Thorolf was a great hero, and in
a very good position, and his kinsmen often went to him for
protection. Vigdis had married more for money than high station.
Thord had a thrall who had come to Iceland with him, named Asgaut.
He was a big man, and shapely of body; and though he was called a
thrall, yet few could be found his equal amongst those called
freemen, and he knew well how to serve his master. Thord had many
other thralls, though this one is the only one mentioned here.
Thorbjorn was the name of a man. He lived in Salmon-river-Dale,
next to Thord, up valley away from his homestead, and was called
Skrjup. He was very rich in chattels, mostly in gold and silver. He
was an huge man and of great strength. No squanderer of money on
common folk was he. Hoskuld, Dalakoll's son, deemed it a drawback
to his state that his house was worse built than he wished it
should be; so he bought a ship from a Shetland man. The ship lay up
in the mouth of the river Blanda. That ship he gets ready, and
makes it known that he is going abroad, leaving Jorunn to take care
of house and children. They now put out to sea, and all went well
with them; and they hove somewhat southwardly into Norway, making
Hordaland, where the market-town called Biorgvin was afterwards
built. Hoskuld put up his ship, and had there great strength of
kinsmen, though here they be not named. Hakon, the king, had then
his seat in the Wick. Hoskuld did not go to the king, as his
kinsfolk welcomed him with open arms. That winter all was quiet (in
Norway).
