Saga of Hávarður of Ísafjörður

The saga of Hávarðr of Ísafjörður (Icelandic: Hávarðar saga Ísfirðings) (listen^ⓘ) is one of the sagas of Icelanders. In its present form, the saga was probably written in the early 1300s.^[1]

It tells of Hávarðr, who had been a great Viking in his youth and was wounded in Scotland and has walked with a limp ever since. After gaining much popularity in the district for his sheep gathering skills and fights with the undead, Hávarðr's son Óláfr is killed by the jealous Þorbjörn. After a few years of inaction attributed to his old age, Hávarðr sets out to avenge his son with newly found vigour.

In a key scene of the saga, Hávarðr seeks revenge and with a group of men attempts to confront Þorbjörn. Instead of facing Hávarðr, Þorbjörn flees into the sea and swims away, but Hávarðr gives chase. Þorbjörn climbs up on a small island or rock formation and picks up a large rock to hurl at Hávarðr, who is climbing up after him. Then, Hávarðr is said to have thought of a different faith he had heard of when he was young abroad and swears that he will take this faith if he manages to survive. Þorbjörn then drops the slippery rock on himself and Hávarðr easily slays him.^[2]

• Durrenberger, E. Paul and Dorothy (1996) The saga of Hávarður of Ísafjörður (Middlesex : Hisarlik Press) ISBN 9781874312192

• Proverbs in Hávarðar saga Ísfirðings
• Full text and translations into many languages at the Icelandic Saga Database

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