Ulf
01-21-2009, 11:00 PM
Originally written in Icelandic sometime between 1250 - 1300 A.D., although parts
may be based on a now lost 12th century saga. Author unknown.
Translation by W.G. Collingwood & J. Stefansson (Ulverston, 1901). This text is in
the PUBLIC DOMAIN.
1: Cormac's Fore-Elders.
Harald Fairhair was king of Norway when this tale begins. There was a chief in the
kingdom in those days and his name was Cormac; one of the Vik-folk by kindred, a
great man of high birth. He was the mightiest of champions, and had been with King
Harald in many battles.
He had a son called Ogmund, a very hopeful lad; big and sturdy even as a child; who
when he was grown of age and come to his full strength, took to sea-roving in summer
and served in the king's household in winter. So he earned for himself a good name
and great riches.
One summer he went roving about the British Isles and there he fell in with a man
named Asmund Ashenside, who also was a great champion and had worsted many vikings
and men of war. These two heard tell of one another and challenges passed between
them. They came together and fought. Asmund had the greater following, but he
withheld some of his men from the battle: and so for the length of four days they
fought, until many of Asmund's people were fallen, and at last he himself fled.
Ogmund won the victory and came home again with wealth and worship.
His father said that he could get no greater glory in war, - "And now," said he, "I
will find thee a wife. What sayest thou to Helga, daughter of Earl Frodi?"
"So be it," said Ogmund.
Upon this they set off to Earl Frodi's house, and were welcomed with all honour.
They made known their errand, and he took it kindly, although he feared that the
fight with Asmund was likely to bring trouble. Nevertheless this match was made, and
then they went their ways home. A feast was got ready for the wedding and to that
feast a very great company came together.
Helga the daughter of Earl Frodi had a nurse that was a wise woman, and she went
with her. Now Asmund the viking heard of this marriage, and set out to meet Ogmund.
He bade him fight, and Ogmund agreed.
Helga's nurse used to touch men when they went to fight: so she did with Ogmund
before he set out from home, and told him that he would not be hurt much.
Then they both went to the fighting holm and fought. The viking laid bare his side,
but the sword would not bite upon it. Then Ogmund whirled about his sword swiftly
and shifted it from hand to hand, and hewed Asmund's leg from under him: and three
marks of gold he took to let him go with his life.
may be based on a now lost 12th century saga. Author unknown.
Translation by W.G. Collingwood & J. Stefansson (Ulverston, 1901). This text is in
the PUBLIC DOMAIN.
1: Cormac's Fore-Elders.
Harald Fairhair was king of Norway when this tale begins. There was a chief in the
kingdom in those days and his name was Cormac; one of the Vik-folk by kindred, a
great man of high birth. He was the mightiest of champions, and had been with King
Harald in many battles.
He had a son called Ogmund, a very hopeful lad; big and sturdy even as a child; who
when he was grown of age and come to his full strength, took to sea-roving in summer
and served in the king's household in winter. So he earned for himself a good name
and great riches.
One summer he went roving about the British Isles and there he fell in with a man
named Asmund Ashenside, who also was a great champion and had worsted many vikings
and men of war. These two heard tell of one another and challenges passed between
them. They came together and fought. Asmund had the greater following, but he
withheld some of his men from the battle: and so for the length of four days they
fought, until many of Asmund's people were fallen, and at last he himself fled.
Ogmund won the victory and came home again with wealth and worship.
His father said that he could get no greater glory in war, - "And now," said he, "I
will find thee a wife. What sayest thou to Helga, daughter of Earl Frodi?"
"So be it," said Ogmund.
Upon this they set off to Earl Frodi's house, and were welcomed with all honour.
They made known their errand, and he took it kindly, although he feared that the
fight with Asmund was likely to bring trouble. Nevertheless this match was made, and
then they went their ways home. A feast was got ready for the wedding and to that
feast a very great company came together.
Helga the daughter of Earl Frodi had a nurse that was a wise woman, and she went
with her. Now Asmund the viking heard of this marriage, and set out to meet Ogmund.
He bade him fight, and Ogmund agreed.
Helga's nurse used to touch men when they went to fight: so she did with Ogmund
before he set out from home, and told him that he would not be hurt much.
Then they both went to the fighting holm and fought. The viking laid bare his side,
but the sword would not bite upon it. Then Ogmund whirled about his sword swiftly
and shifted it from hand to hand, and hewed Asmund's leg from under him: and three
marks of gold he took to let him go with his life.