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''Egil's Saga'' () is an Icelandic saga. The oldest transcript (a fragment) dates back to 1240 AD. The saga is centered on the life of Egill Skallagrímsson, also known as Egil Skallagrimsson,〔Thorsson, Örnólfur, et al.: ''The Sagas of Icelanders'': a selection, "Egil's Saga: Egils saga" trans: Bernard Scudder (Penguin Classics, 2000) Chapter 3〕 an Icelandic farmer, viking and skald. It is generally referred to as ''Egla'' by Icelandic scholars. The saga is the only source of information on the exploits of Egill whose life is not historically recorded. Stylistic and other similarities between ''Egil's Saga'' and ''Heimskringla'' have led many scholars to believe that they were the work of the same author, Snorri Sturluson. ==Synopsis== The saga covers a long period of time, starting in Norway around 850, with the life of Egill's grandfather Úlfr, called Kveldúlfr ("Evening Wolf") and his two sons, Þórólfr (e. Thorolf) and Egill's father Skalla-Grímr. Kveldúlfr is described as bigger and stronger than anyone else, gaining much land and property from viking raids. He was a very wise man, hamrammr (a shape-shifter) in battles and a shy recluse in the evenings. Extreme personal traits like these are seen in his son Skalla-Grímr and his grandson Egill as well. After Þórólfr's death, due to his broken allegiance to King Haraldr (although not Þórólfr's fault), Skalla-Grímr and his father Kveldúlfr flee Norway to settle in Iceland. Skalla-Grímr and Kveldúlfr have to flee to Iceland because of problems with King Harald Fairhair. It started when Skalla-Grímr went to Harald's court after his brother Thorolf's death, but wouldn't give his service to the King. After escaping from the King's Court, Skalla-Grímr and Kveldúlfr come upon a boat that the King had seized from Thorolf, and after killing everyone on the boat and taking it, they sent a poem to the King to taunt him. On the journey to Iceland after the visit to the King's court and the stealing of the boat, Kveldúlfr dies of illness.〔Thorsson, Örnólfur, et al.: ''The Sagas of Icelanders'': a selection, "Egil's Saga: Egils saga" trans: Bernard Scudder (Penguin Classics, 2000) Chapters 24, 25, 26〕 Skalla-Grímr settles in peace as a farmer and blacksmith at Borg, where his sons Egill and Þórólfr (named after his uncle) grow up. The dispute between King Harald and Þórólfr (Thorolf) began upon his return from his Viking expedition, when Þórólfr (Thorolf) went to serve King Harald. Þórolfr (Thorolf) served King Harald well as his governor of Northern Norway and was responsible for collecting tribute from the Saami. The king grew suspicious of Þórólfr (Thorolf) after the Hildiridarsons (Hraerek and Harek), the half brothers of Thorolf's close friend Bard (by then deceased) slander Þórolfr (Thorolf) by falsely claiming to the king that Þórolfr (Thorolf) was not giving him the full amount of tribute that he collected from the Saami. They also falsely claim that Thorolf and his men had planned on killing King Harald when they invited him to a banquet, but the farmers who were gathered got nervous and fled, hushing the entire plan. It was intended that when the king was drunk and sleeping, they would attack and kill him. Fearful of Thorolf's increasing power, King Harald went to Thorolf's hall at Sandness. After Þórólfr (Thorolf) refused to surrender, King Harald set the hall on fire. When the men ran out, King Harald killed Thorolf, causing him to fall at the king's feet. The story then follows the tale of Egill and Þórólfr (Thorolf) Skallagrimsson. Þórólfr (Thorolf) Skallagrimsson goes travelling in Norway where he stops to see Skalla-Grimr's friend Thorir the Hersir. It is here that Þórólfr (Thorolf) meets a young Eirik Blood-Axe (before he became king) who is fostering with Thorir. Þórólfr (Thorolf) makes friends with Eirik Blood-Axe by following the advice of Thorir and offering Eirik his boat when they notice Eirik admiring it.〔Thorsson, Örnólfur, et al.: '' The Sagas of Icelanders'': a selection, "Egil's Saga: Egils saga" trans: Bernard Scudder (Penguin Classics, 2000) Chapter 35.〕 When Eirik Blood-Axe becomes king, he sends an axe to Skalla-Grimr, which Skalla-Grimr takes as an insult due to an axe being a second-rate gift due to its non-ornamental use as opposed to a first-rate gift of a sword (swords weren't commonly used in battle at the time), and sends the axe back with a rude poem by way of Þórólfr (Thorolf). The poem served to enhance the gesture of returning the axe and blatantly escalate the conflict between Skalla-Grimr and Eirik Blood-Axe because while symbolically an axe may be destroyed, a poem cannot, making it a greater insult than solely returning the axe. 〔Thorsson, Örnólfur, et al.: ''The Sagas of Icelanders'': a selection, "Egil's Saga: Egils saga" trans: Bernard Scudder (Penguin Classics, 2000) Chapter 38.〕 Þórólfr (Thorolf) decides to throw the axe into the ocean and gives King Eirik Blood-Axe a boat saying it was from his father.〔Thorsson, Örnólfur, et al.: ''The Sagas of Icelanders'': a selection, "Egil's Saga: Egils saga" trans: Bernard Scudder (Penguin Classics, 2000) Chapter 40.〕 It is in this way that Þórólfr (Thorolf) manages to somewhat keep the peace between Skalla-Grimr and King Eirik Blood-Axe, and he even manages to keep the king from killing Egill. Later both Egill and Thorolf go to fight for King Athelstan in his war, and during the battle King Athelstan separates Þórólfr (Thorolf) and Egill despite their objections. After the battle, Þórólfr (Thorolf) is dead and Egill is given gifts by King Athelstan to honor Þórólfr (Thorolf).〔Thorsson, Örnólfur, et al.: ''The Sagas of Icelanders'': a selection, "Egil's Saga: Egils saga" trans: Bernard Scudder (Penguin Classics, 2000) Chapter 54〕 The story continues with the childhood of Egil, which foreshadows his future rebelliousness. Egil has shown an outstanding amount of aggression and strength since he was a young boy. At the age of three, Egil had the strength of a seven- or eight-year-old, and a mind of his own. He did not obey his father and did what it took to get what he wanted. When his father, Skallagrim, told his three-year-old son to stay home while he attended a party, because he behaves so poorly, Egil goes against his father and shows up at the party. Although Egill is stubborn, he has a gift for words. He speaks a verse to Yngvar and is rewarded with three shells and a duck's egg. At the age of seven, Egil gets involved with the local games, where he commits his first murder, Grim. Due to his short temper, Egill became upset when Grim displayed how much stronger he was than Egill and lashed out; hardly harming him, Egill was pinned down by Grim. Later, Thord and Egil took revenge on Grim, driving an axe through his head. The story goes on to tell the tales of Egil's voyages to Scandinavia and England and his personal vendetta against King Eric Bloodaxe. There are also vivid descriptions of his other fights and friendships, his relationship with his family (highlighted by his jealousy, as well as fondness for his older brother Þórólfr), his old age, and the fate of his own son Þorsteinn (who was baptized once Roman Catholicism came to Iceland) and his children, who had many children of their own. The saga ends around the year 1000 and spans many generations. As Egil grew up, his aggressive nature did not cease. Egil went to Atloy and was attending a feast with Bard, his men, and King Eirik. Eigil, with his gift for words, speaks a verse, mocking Bard and telling him he has played a bad trick on him and his men. After Bard failed at poisoning Egil, he was killed by Egil, who stabbed him with his sword. The act of killing Bard now puts Egil in a bad position with King Eirik. Eigil joins the army of King Athelstan, and when he composes a drapa in praise of the king, he is rewarded with two gold rings, along with an expensive cloak that the king himself had worn. After Haakon, King Eirik's brother, returns to Norway after his fosterage under King Athelstan in England, Eirik decides to leave Norway with his family. They arrive in England where Eirik is appointed by Athelstan to rule Northumbria. During this time, Egil's father Skallagrim passes away. Two years later, Egil sails to England intending to see King Athelstan, but winds up crossing paths with Eirik Blood-axe. Eirik is furious, but Arinbjorn convinces Eirik to not have Egil killed if he can compose a poem in his honor. Egil succeeds and Eirik allows him to leave on the condition that he never again returns to Eirik's sight. Egil makes his way to see King Athelstan, who is fostering Thorstein, a kinsman of Arinbjorn. While visiting word arrives from Norway that Thorstein's father passed away leaving him a large inheritance. Thorstein, Arinbjorn and Egil make plans to sail to Norway to stake Thorstein's claim. Before they leave King Athelstan convinces Egil to move to England and command his armies after their task is completed. After helping Thorstein claim his inheritance, Egil returns to Iceland and spends a few years with his family. During this time, both Kings Athelstan and Eirik Blood-axe pass away, leaving Eirik's brother Haakon ruler of Norway. Egil returns to Norway to claim lands won in a duel with Atli the Short on behalf of his wife Asgerd. Along the way Egil stays with Arinbjorn, whom he convinces to go to King Haakon on his behalf. Haakon denies Egil's claim, so Arinbjorn compensates Egil with forty marks of silver. Egil and Arinbjorn go raiding in Saxony and Frisia, after which they stay with Thorstein Throuson. King Haakon requests Thorstein to collect tribute in Varmland or be sentenced to outlawry. Egil goes in Thorstein's place. Egil travels with some of King Haakon's men to Varmland and fight many battles, Egil killing many times more foes than his companions. Egil lives to an old age. Arinbjorn becomes a close advisor to Harald Eiriksson, to whom Egil comoses a poem. Egil's son Bodvar dies in a shipwreck. Egil composes a poem in his honor. Egil's son Thorstein has many feuds with Steinar, son of Onund Sjondi, over land and cattle grazing. Egil becomes frail and blind. His one last wish was to travel to the Althing and toss silver he received from King Athelstan for the people to fight over. Since no one was able to accompany him, he wanders alone and allegedly concealed his silver treasure near Mosfellsbær, giving birth to the legend of silfur Egils ("Egill's Silver"). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Egil's Saga」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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