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Egils saga


Egil's Saga or Egill's saga (Old Norse: Egils saga; About this sound listen ) is an Icelandic saga. The oldest manuscript (a fragment) dates back to 1240 AD. The saga is centered on the life of Egill Skallagrímsson (Anglicised as Egil Skallagrimsson), 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 Egil 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.

The saga covers a long period of time, starting in Norway around 850, with the life of Egil's grandfather Ulf (Úlfr) aka Kveldulf or "Evening Wolf", and his two sons Thorolf (Þórólfr) and Skallagrim (Skalla-Grímr, father of Egil Skallagrimsson).

The story goes on to tell the tales of Egil's voyages to Scandinavia and England and his personal vendetta against King Eirik 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 Thorolf), his old age, and the fate of his own son Thorstein (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.


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