Mikhail Gorbachev

Droplaugarsona saga (listen^ⓘ) is one of the Icelanders' sagas, probably written in the 13th century. The saga takes place near Lagarfljót in the east of Iceland about 1000 AD. ^[1]

It tells the story of Grim (Grímr) and Helge (Helgi), sons of the widow Droplaug, as grown men. Helge is killed by Helge Åsbjørnsson (Helgi Ásbjarnarson). Grim avenges his brother's death by killing Åsbjørnsson. These are the same brothers who also appear in Fljótsdæla saga. Some of the storyline of Droplaugarsona saga overlaps with that of Fljótsdæla saga, although details often differ. ^{[2] [3]}

The saga begins by introducing two brothers, Ketill Þrymr and Atli Grautr, sons of Þiðrandi, who are wealthy merchants from Húsastaðir in Skriðudalur, Iceland. They frequently travel overseas for trade.

One spring, Ketill prepares his ship in Reyðarfjörður and sails, arriving in Konungahella (likely modern-day Kungälv in Sweden or Norway) in the autumn. He then travels overland to Jamtaland (Jämtland in Sweden) with eleven men to visit Véþormr, a powerful chieftain and kinsman of Ketill, being the son of Rögnvaldr Ketilsson rauðr. Véþormr has three brothers: Grímr, Guttormr, and Ormarr, all renowned warriors who spend winters with Véþormr and summers raiding.

While staying with Véþormr, Ketill observes two unfamiliar women. The younger woman, named Arneiðr, works tirelessly but is ill-treated and often weeps. Ketill discovers she is the daughter of Ásbjörn Skerjablesi, former Jarl of the Suðreyjar (Southern Isles, i.e., Hebrides). Véþormr and his brothers had raided her father's estate, burning the men inside and selling other women into slavery, while taking Arneiðr and her mother Sigríðr captive. Guttormr now rules the islands.

Ketill offers to buy Arneiðr from Véþormr, who agrees to sell her for half a hundred silver for their friendship. During a later stop by the Vík (likely Viken again), Arneiðr asks Ketill to join her ashore, where she mysteriously finds a casket full of silver. Ketill offers to take her to her kinsmen with the treasure, but she chooses to remain with him.

Ketill returns to Reyðarfjörður, sets up his ship, and goes home to Húsastaðir. Soon after, Ormarr arrives in Reyðarfjörður, and Ketill invites him to stay. Grímr, another brother of Véþormr, arrives in Eyri (likely a port in Iceland) later that summer and settles at Búrfell in Grímsnes.

Ketill Þrymr eventually buys land west of Lagarfljót, establishing Arneiðarstaðir, where he settles. He also buys land for Ormarr at Ormarsstaðir. Ketill then acquires a goðorð (chieftaincy). His brother, Atli Grautr, also settles in Atlavík, east of the river near Hallormsstaðir.

Ketill marries Arneiðr, and they have a son named Þiðrandi. Ketill dies young, and Þiðrandi inherits his wealth and goðorð. Þiðrandi marries Yngveldur, daughter of Hávarr Spak-Bessi (Wise-Bessi) of Vallanes, and they have many children, including sons Ketill and Þorvaldr, and daughters Jóreiðr (who marries Síðu-Hallr), Hallkatla (who marries Geitir Lýtingsson of Krossavík in Vopnafjörður), and Gróa (who settles at Eyvindará and has a son named Bárðr).

Upon Þiðrandi's death, his sons Ketill and Þorvaldr inherit. Þorvaldr takes Arneiðarstaðir, while Ketill takes the goðorð and settles in Njarðvík, becoming a powerful chieftain. Þorvaldr marries Droplaug, daughter of Þorgrímr of Giljar in Jökulsdalur. They have two sons, Helgi (the elder) and Grímr (the younger), born a year apart. After Þorvaldr's early death, Droplaug raises her sons.

Helgi is described as large, handsome, strong, joyful, and boisterous, an excellent warrior who cares little for farming. Grímr is also large and strong but quiet, well-behaved, and a good farmer. Both excel in all skills and are unmatched among young men.

The saga then introduces other prominent figures: Bessi Össurarson of Bessastaðir; Hólmsteinn Bessa-son of Víðivellir (south), brother-in-law of Hrafnkell Goði; Hallsteinn Breiðdælski of Víðivellir (north); Þorgeirr of Hrafnkelsstaðir; Helgi Ásbjarnarson of Oddstaðir, a goðorðs-man who marries Droplaug Spak-Bessadóttir; Hrafnkell, Helgi Ásbjarnarson's nephew of Hafursá; Án Trúðr of Gunnlaugarstaðir; Össurr of Ás, brother-in-law of Helgi Ásbjarnarson; Hjarrandi of Öngulsá; and Björn Hvíti of Mýrar, also a son-in-law of Helgi Ásbjarnarson.

A significant event occurs when Droplaug, mother of Helgi and Grímr, travels to Bessastaðir to visit her mother Ingibjörg. On their return journey, Droplaug and two thralls, along with two oxen and a sled, fall through thin ice on the fjord near Oddstaðir and drown. This place is thereafter known as Þrælavík (Thrall Bay). Helgi Ásbjarnarson, upon learning of the incident, sells Oddstaðir and moves to Mjóvanes, hoping to forget Droplaug's death. He later marries Þórdís Todda, daughter of Brodd-Helgi.

The primary conflict is sparked by a slanderous remark made by Þorgrímr Tordýfill, a thrall of Þórir of Mýnes, suggesting that Droplaug (mother of Helgi and Grímr) had not been faithful to her husband. Helgi (then 13) and Grímr (12) are told of this insult by their mother. Though they initially act as if they didn't hear, they soon seek vengeance. Under the guise of hunting ptarmigans, they travel to Mýnes, find Þorgrímr, and Helgi kills him with a spear. Þórir, Þorgrímr's master, accepts the slaying without seeking recompense, stating that Þorgrímr was a thrall of Helgi Ásbjarnarson.

Droplaug, concerned for her sons, sends them to Krossavík to stay with Geitir. On their way, they accidentally walk sunwise around Spak-Bessi's heathen temple, causing a prolonged snowstorm. Bessi confronts them, believing their actions angered the gods, and they must formally declare the killing of Þorgrímr. They do so and proceed to Krossavík. At the spring assembly, Helgi Ásbjarnarson is paid compensation for Þorgrímr's death, but Helgi Droplaugarson remains unsatisfied, feeling the insult to his mother is unavenged.

Helgi Droplaugarson studies law with Þorkell Geitisson and frequently pursues legal actions against the þingmenn (assembly members) of Helgi Ásbjarnarson. Helgi and Grímr remain close to their mother. When Hallsteinn Breiðdælski (now a widower) marries Droplaug, Helgi Droplaugarson is displeased.

Grímr marries Helga, daughter of Ingjaldr of Tunga. Ingjaldr sells his land and buys half of Arneiðarstaðir, so Grímr and his father-in-law live together. Helgi Droplaugarson alternates between Krossavík and Grímr's farm.

Hrafnkell attempts to claim the goðorð from his kinsman Helgi Ásbjarnarson but fails. Hólmsteinn, who is related to Hrafnkell, advises Hrafnkell to seek help from Helgi Droplaugarson. Helgi Droplaugarson devises a plan: Hrafnkell is to visit Án Trúðr at Gunnlaugarstaðir, praise him lavishly, and then inquire if Án has ever been nominated to a court (dómr) for Helgi Ásbjarnarson's goðorð. If Án says no, Hrafnkell is to suggest Án give Helgi Ásbjarnarson a stallion in exchange for such an honor. Án follows this advice, and at the spring assembly, Helgi Ásbjarnarson nominates Án to a court, hiding him with a felt hat. Helgi Droplaugarson exposes Án's presence in the court, invalidating Helgi Ásbjarnarson's goðorð. A confrontation almost erupts, but Hólmsteinn mediates, and a settlement is reached: Hrafnkell and Helgi Ásbjarnarson will share the goðorð equally from then on, with Helgi Ásbjarnarson providing support to Hrafnkell.

A severe famine and cattle mortality strike. Þorgeirr of Hrafnkelsstaðir loses many animals. He buys ewes from Þórðr of Geirólfseyri, who has fathered a child with Helgi Ásbjarnarson. Þórðr refuses to return the sheep or compensate Þorgeirr, claiming protection from Helgi Ásbjarnarson. Helgi Droplaugarson takes up Þorgeirr's case, successfully suing Þórðr at the Alþingi (General Assembly) for stealing the ewes' milk yield. Þórðr is forced to pay a substantial fine, affirming Helgi's prowess in legal matters.

Helgi Droplaugarson spends a winter in Borgarfjörður with his friend Sveinungr of Bakki. Þorsteinn of Desjarmýri, a kinsman of Helgi Droplaugarson, has a wife named Þórdís who is having an affair with Björn of Snotrunes, foster-father of Helgi Ásbjarnarson. Þorsteinn asks Helgi to intervene. Helgi confronts Björn twice, urging him to cease his visits to Þórdís. When Björn refuses, Helgi kills him with a fatal blow and then hides the body in a skerry (a small rocky island) called Bjarnarsker.

Helgi Ásbjarnarson attempts to prosecute Helgi Droplaugarson for Björn's "murder" (as the body was hidden), but at the Alþingi, Sveinungr and two others swear an oath that Björn's body was properly buried, nullifying the murder charge. Helgi Droplaugarson is given authority to set the compensation for Björn's death and demands one hundred ounces of silver.

Some years later, Helgi Droplaugarson visits his mother Droplaug and stepfather Hallsteinn at Víðivellir. Droplaug convinces Hallsteinn to allow Helgi to stay for the winter, despite Hallsteinn's reluctance. One morning, Helgi, Droplaug, and Hallsteinn's thrall, Þorgils, have a private conversation. Shortly after, Þorgils kills Hallsteinn with Helgi Droplaugarson's axe. Helgi then kills Þorgils. The incident becomes unpopular, with rumors suggesting Helgi and Droplaug were involved in the murder. Helgi Ásbjarnarson takes up the case, prosecuting Helgi and Droplaug for Hallsteinn's murder at the Alþingi. Droplaug, taking her three-year-old son Herjólfr and her belongings, sails to the Faroe Islands and settles there.

Helgi Ásbjarnarson gains significant support at the Alþingi. A settlement is reached for Hallsteinn's death: Helgi Droplaugarson is to pay twelve hundred and five kúgildi (cows' worth) and be exiled from Iceland for three years, with a single night allowed indoors before his departure. If he fails to leave, he will be outlawed in Iceland between Smjörvatnsheiði and Lónsheiði.

Helgi Droplaugarson ignores the exile condition and lives as if he were still free, spending winters in Krossavík with Þorkell Geitisson and traveling freely to assemblies. Meanwhile, Hallsteinn's sons, Þóroddr and Þorkell (Eindriði having died), return to Iceland and show gratitude to Helgi Ásbjarnarson for pursuing their father's case by providing timber for a hall at Mjóvanes.

A past verbal altercation between Helgi Droplaugarson and Helgi Ásbjarnarson at an autumn assembly at Þinghöfði is recalled. Helgi Droplaugarson had stumbled while speaking law, and Helgi Ásbjarnarson smiled at his mistake. Helgi Droplaugarson retorted, stating that their next encounter would not see them both whole, threatening to pile stones upon Helgi Ásbjarnarson's head.

In a complex sequence of events, Flosi of Svínafell sends for Þorkell Geitisson to help outlaw Arnórr Örnólfsson. Helgi Droplaugarson feigns illness to avoid accompanying them, staying with Grímr. Instead, Helgi Droplaugarson sets out with Grímr, Þorkell and Gunnsteinn from Krossavík, and two housecarls (six men in total) to arrange a property division with Rannveig, a kinswoman, and her husband Þorgrímr Skinnhúfa in Miðbær. They stay overnight at Þorkell's farm at Torfastaðir, where Helgi has a premonition of his death, giving his belt and knife to his mistress Tófa Hlíðarsól. They then meet another Helgi at Straumr, bringing their number to seven.

They visit Gróa at Eyvindará, where Helgi has his sword sharpened. They continue to Norðurfjörður to Þorsteinn's farm. There, they meet Þorkell from Sauðarfjörður, who is going to Nes to collect linen. Helgi convinces Þorkell to accompany him over the mountains.

At Miðbær, Helgi arranges Rannveig's divorce from Þorgrímr Skinnhúfa, who is left with no clothes. Þorgrímr seeks out Þórarinn Moldoxi of Hof, who advises him to go to Helgi Ásbjarnarson. Þorgrímr conveys Helgi Ásbjarnarson's inaction regarding Droplaugarson's challenges and reveals Helgi Droplaugarson's travel plans. Helgi Ásbjarnarson, stirred to action, sends for his allies: Björn Hvíti, Hallsteinn's sons Þóroddr and Þorkell (to avenge their father), and Össurr from Ás. Along with his two Norwegian housecarls, Sigurðr Skarfur and Önundr, and Hjarrandi and Kári, they total eighteen men. They set an ambush for Helgi Droplaugarson at Knútusel in Eyvindardalur. Ígull and his son Þórðr of Skagafell are tasked with keeping watch for Helgi Droplaugarson's movements.

Helgi Droplaugarson dreams of being attacked by eighteen or twenty wolves, with one biting his jaw. He and his nine companions (including Þorkell) set out early from Fannardalur. Helgi describes his dream to Þorkell, confirming his premonition of an ambush. Despite warnings, Helgi insists on continuing as planned.

They arrive at Þórdís's farm (an old, ugly woman). When a man strikes Þórdís, Helgi condemns the act as foolish and pointless. The saga here abruptly ends mid-sentence.^[4]

• Full text and translations at the Icelandic Saga Database
• Proverbs in Droplaugarsona saga