Where is our Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, þingvellir, Iceland Clan Farm Assignments for Student Groups Brennu-Njáls

STUDENT GROUP 1 Farm A: Snæfellsnessýsla (near Helgafell í Helgafellssveit, Iceland) Location: N 65°2.49’ W 22°43.80’ #Persons traveling to the Alþingi: 120 Primary Resources: Eiderdown, Fish, Agriculture (hay, potatoes, hearty vegetables), Imports from Greenland Goals for clan at the Althing: ● Legal disputes to be heard o Flosi seeks justice for the attack and slaying of Hauskulde, the son he sent to foster with Njál ● Supplies to obtain that are not available in the clan region o Livestock: Sheep, Cows ● Goods to sell o Eiderdown, Imports from Greenland Roles: Flosi, son of Thord Ljot, son of Hall of the , brother of Freyspriest Side Thorkell & Mord Runolf of Dale, son of Kolbein, son of Egil Hroald, son of Auzur Wolf Aurpriest Verbrand, son of Hamond from Broadwater Haskuld, foster-son of Surt, son of Asbjorn Mord, son of Sigfus Njal (Lyting); Priest of , son of Gunnar Thorstein the fair Whiteness Modolf, son of Kettle Thorkell, Son of Sigfus Hatr the Wise Gunnar, son of Lambi Hroar from Hildigunna, niece of Flosi Glum, son of Hilldir the Hromundstede Lodmund, son of Wolf old Lambi, brother of Kettle Hall of the Side, son of Lambi, son of Steinvora, daughter of Thorstein Baudvar's son Kol, son of Thorstein Hall of the Side, wife of Throgrim the Showy Broadpaunch Flosi Ingialld, of the Springs

Saga Summary: (Chapter 114) Njal’s son, Hauskulde was attacked by a group of men (including the sons of Njal) and fought to his death. Flosi keeps his temper and wits and gathers support from other men as they prepare for travel to the Althingi. Flosi sets up events for an inquest to take place and justice to be served for Hauskulde.

Where is our Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, þingvellir, Iceland Clan Farm Assignments for Student Groups Brennu-Njáls Saga

STUDENT GROUP 2 Farm B: Strandasýsla (near Bassastađir, Iceland) Location: N 65°45.82’ W 21°41.10’ #Persons traveling to the Alþingi: 50 Primary Resources: Fish (Rotten Shark), Fish, Grazing/Livestock (Sheep, Cows) Goals for clan at the Althing: ● Legal disputes to be heard o Osvif has received the man’s price for his son Thorvald (200 pieces of silver) from Haskuld, no legal action will be taken at this time ● Supplies to obtain that are not available in the clan region o Imports from Europe ● Alliances to make o Save face among others after the death of Thorvald

Roles: Hallgerda, daughter of Hauskuld Swan the Wizard Hauskuld, son of Dalakoll Thiostoff, Hallgerda's man Hrut, brother of Hauskuld Thorwald, son of Osvif Osvif

Saga Summary: (Chapter 12) Hallgerda uses supplies for the household faster than Thorvald is accustomed. She demands her husband to fetch fish and meal (grain) from Bear Isles, and Thorvald strikes Hallgerda across the face, then takes a group of men to sail north and load a boat full of supplies. Thiostolf, Hallgerda’s foster-father, notices her wound and vows to avenge her. He provokes Thorvald, who stabs him with a fishing knife, and Thiostolf kills him in two swings of his axe. He presents the bloodied axe to Hallgerda, who sends him to the north for protection with Swan the Wizard. Osvif pursues Thiostolf, but is stopped by mystic-weather, so he rides back to Hauskuld for reparations for his son, 200 in silver.

Where is our Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, þingvellir, Iceland Clan Farm Assignments for Student Groups Brennu-Njáls Saga STUDENT GROUP 3 Farm C: Eyjafjarđarsýsla (near Hleiđrargarđur, Iceland) Location: N 65°25.62’ W 18°13.86’ #Persons traveling to the Alþingi: 50 Primary Resources: Grazing/Livestock (Sheep, Cows), Woodlands Goals for clan at the Althing: ● Legal disputes to be heard o Amund the Blind seeks atonement for the death of his father Hauskulde by Lyting of Samstede o Njál seeks support for Amund the Blind after he kills Lyting of Samstede in his booth ● Supplies to obtain that are not available in the clan region o Imports from Europe, Eiderdown ● Goods to Sell o Wood, Livestock Roles: Lyting of Samstede Haskuld, foster-son of Njal (Lyting); Priest Hallstein, brother of Lyting of Whiteness Hallgrim, brother of Lyting Njal Steinvora, wife of Lyting Amund the Blind Thorkel Foulmouth Skarphedinn, son of Njal (Rodny) Flosi, son of Thord Freyspriest Asgrim, son of Ellidagrim

Saga Summary: (Chapter 105) Amund the Blind asks for reparations from Lyting of Samstede for killing his father (Hauskulde – son of Njal), but Lyting said he already paid his grandfather and brothers. Amund wishes for money or sight to kill Lyting for settling the matter. Before he leaves Lyting’s booth, he is divinely given sight, takes an axe, and kills Lyting. He is then blind again. Njal settles atonement between Lyting’s kinsmen and Amund; however, there is a belief that the Amund receiving sight for revenge is the higher power’s will. Therefore Amund does not suffer at Law Rock. (Chapter 119) Skarphedinn and Thorkel Foulmouth trade barbs. Conversation gets heated and Thorkel threatens the sword he used to kill men in Sweden for Skarphedinn’s impudence. Skarphedinn threatens to take his axe and split Thorkel from head to chin. As Flosi has drummed up support at Athingi for factions to move against Njal and his sons for the killing Hauskulde, Asgrim tries to help Njal build support at the Althingi, even though Njal admits the situation seems hopeless. Honor requires him to attend the Athingi. Skarphedinn manages to insult most people from which they need support. Support is found in Gizur the White. Support is lost in Snorri, Haf, and Skafti.

Where is our Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, þingvellir, Iceland Clan Farm Assignments for Student Groups Brennu-Njáls Saga STUDENT GROUP 4 Farm D: Norđur-Múlasýsla (near Njarđvik, Iceland) Location: N 65°34.47’ W 18°53.55’ #Persons traveling to the Alþingi: 120 Primary Resources: Fish, Grazing/Livestock (Sheep, Cows), Woodlands, Imports from Europe (Norway, Denmark) Goals for clan at the Althing: ● Legal disputes to be heard o The general assembly discusses the change of leadership in Norway that leads to a change of faith. So too in Iceland there is discussion of a change in faith from Pagan to Christian. o Mord Valgard must take up the suit against Flosi for the manslaughter of Helgi, son of Njál ● Supplies to obtain that are not available in the clan region o Eiderdown, Imports from Greenland ● Goods to sell: o Imports from Europe, Wood, Livestock (Sheep/Cattle) Roles: Njal Rodny, mother of Einar of Thevara, brother Bergthora, wife of Njal Haskulde of Gudmund the Powerful Skarphedinn, son of Njal Thorhall, foster son of Mord, son of Valgard (Rodny) Njal (Asgrim) Thorhalla, daughter of Haskulde, son of Njal Thorleif Crow, Njal's Asgrim, wife of Helgi Helgi, son of Njal Kinsmen Astrid of Deepback Grim, son of Njal Thorgrim the Big, Njal's Helga, daughter of Njal Kari, son of Solmund Kinsmen Thorhilda, wife of Helga, daughter of Njal Hjallti, son of Skeggi Skarphedinn Thord, foster-son of Njal Asgrim, son of Thorgerda, daughter of (Kari) Ellidagrim Njal Amund the Blind Gizur the White Ingialld, of the Springs

Saga Summary: (Chapter 96) Discussion of the change of leadership in Norway leads to a change of faith (Pagan to Christian), and to a discussion in Iceland. Njial does not seem convinced of the change in faith. Hall is baptised. (Chapter 135) Kari had escaped the burning but had injury at Njal’s house. After seeking evidence with witnesses from neighbors and Thorhall the lawyer, Kari consults Gizmur the White. He encourages them to ride to Mord and convince him to prosecute Flosi by threatening Mord’s marriage. His wife, Thorkatla, is Gizmur’s daughter, and if Mord does not prosecute, she will leave him and return to her father. Mord is fond of Thorkatla and relents. Thorhall and Kari ride to the Thing with 20 men and prepare for the trial.

Where is our Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, þingvellir, Iceland Clan Farm Assignments for Student Groups Brennu-Njáls Saga STUDENT GROUP 5 Farm E: Austur-Skaftafellssýsla (near Breiđa, Iceland – Note: this settlement is now beneath the subsequent glacial advancement of Vatnajökull) Location: N 64°2.61’ W 16°24.02’ #Persons traveling to the Alþingi: 100 Primary Resources: (relative to geographic region) Imports from Europe Goals for clan at the Althing: ● Legal disputes to be heard o Arguments between the Christians and the Pagans about who would decide the laws as Lawspeaker o Mord Valgard must take up the suit against Flosi for the manslaughter of Helgi, son of Njál ● Supplies to obtain that are not available in the clan region o Livestock (Sheep/Cattle), Wood, Agriculture, Eiderdown ● Goods to sell o Imports from Europe Roles: Thorgeir priest of Lightwater Thorleif Crow, Njal's Kinsmen Thorkel Foulmouth Thorgrim the Big, Njal's Kinsmen Thorir, son of Helgi Hjallti, son of Skeggi Hall of the Side, son of Thorstein Hildiglum, son of Runolf Thorstein, seer of Baudvar's son the Wolf's Ride Thorgeir Craggeir,son of Thorir, heir of Skarphedinn' axe

Saga Summary: (Chapter 101) Christians and pagans set up their booths at the Thing. The two sides wrestled with whom would decide the laws as the Speaker of Laws. Both sides declare themselves free of the other group’s laws, and great uproar at Law Rock that no one can hear anything but the yelling. Thorgeir, the Godi of Lightwater, heathen Godi, placed a cloak over his head for an entire day and sat in silence. He makes both Christians and heathens swear to the laws he utters. They agree and proclaims Christianity the foundation of their law: removing the worship of false idols, banishing the eating of horse meat, making yuletide, Easter and Christmas holidays introduced into the calendar. The heathens feel betrayed, but consent as they agreed. (Chapter 122) A system of 12 judges is set up to decide atonement for the killing of Hauskulde at the Althingi. They disregard banishment and agree on three times the man-fine, or 600 pieces of silver to be awarded to Flosi. Snorri suggests that all of the judges supply the funds so that it can be paid at the Althingi, which they do. The Hall of Side announces this at the Law Rock and the funds are gathered. Njal adds a silk scarf and a pair of boots to the pile. Flosi is enraged by the scarf and the insults of Skarphedinn and refuses the money, leaving Hauskulde unatoned. No one would take back any money, so Gizur the White and Hjallti each took half in safe-keeping for the next Althingi. (Chapter 124) Hildiglum, son of Runolf Thorstein had a vision of a dark man on a horse with flaming firebrand naming Flosi as the culprit. He told his father who sent him to Hjallti with the tale. He had seen the Wolf’s-ride that portends a great event. (Chapter 134) Thorhall and Kari sought the advice of Gizur the White in the burning of Njal. Gizur sends Kari to Thorgeir Craggeir, Thorleif Crow, and Thorgrim the Big to ride to Mord’s house and convince him to take up the suit against Flosi for the burning of Njal’s family. Mord agrees so as not to lose his wife Thorkatla and gathers witnesses that he will take the suit at the Althingi. Kari rides with Thorhall who is footlame, but such a great lawyer he must ride. (Chapter 158) Kari makes a pilgrimage to Normandy for absolution and suffers great losses on his journey back to Iceland. He rides with the intent to test Flosi’s “Manhood” but instead reconciles. Flosi went abroad. He was late in setting out to sea in a ship that was sketchy and he was never seen again. Thus ends Brennu-Nial’s Saga.

SPECIAL ROLES: The Law Speaker: proclaims the laws of the Commonwealth out loud, chosen by the Lögrétta (the Legislative Assembly) for a three-year term and was the only paid employee of the Commonwealth, he must memorize the laws and had 3 years to recite all of them, but each summer he had to recite the procedural rules; At the Alþing, the Law Speaker was the most powerful person in the country, but in-between, he was officially powerless, although he enjoyed the esteem of his contemporaries because of his important role.

Where is our Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, þingvellir, Iceland Clan Farm Assignments for Student Groups Brennu-Njáls Saga STUDENT GROUP 6 Farm F: Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla (near Dyrhólmar, Iceland) Location: N 63°24.97’ W 19°9.41’ #Persons traveling to the Alþingi: 70 Primary Resources: (relative to geographic region) Agriculture (hay, potatoes, hearty vegetables), Imports from Greenland and Europe, Year Round Favorable Climate Goals for clan at the Althing: ● Legal disputes to be heard o Mistreatment of Njal’s sons (Hauskulde, Helgi, Grim) in Norway by Thrain o Discontent with the outcomes of the quarter courts and discussion to bring them to the Fifth Court of the Althingi o Kari, Asgrim, Thorhall and Gizur the White bring a lawsuit against Flosi for the burning of Njal’s family ● Alliances to build o Marriage bargain for Kari, son of Sigfus to Helga, daughter of Njal o Marriage bargain for Hauskulde, son of Njal to Hildigunna, daughter of Roles: Mord, son of Valgard Holmstin, son of Bersi the wise Thorkatla, daughter of Gizur the White, Thorkell the Allwise wife of Mord Thorwalld, brother of Thorkell the Hallbjorn the strong Allwise Oddny, wife of Hallbjorn, sister of Saurli Bjarni, son of Broddhelgi Broddhelgi's son Thorkel, son of Geiti Thorir, son of Hrafnkell

Saga Summary: (Chapter 90) Njal’s sons relate their bad treatment in Norway by Thrain. Skarphedinn insults Halgerda, and she insults everyone vowing he will regret his words. Kari is set to marry Njal’s daughter, Helga. (Chapter 102) Njal seeks to marry Hildigunna, Flosi’s niece, to Hauskulde his foster son. Hildigunna backs off from this contract, rather seeking a marriage of a man in the priesthood (a chieftan or a godi). Njal oversaw the Thing, and men were not happy with many of the outcomes of the quarter courts. Discussion of the quarterly Things is discussed in terms of a Fifth Court for mistrials as quarter courts seem ineffective. Njal made Hauskulde the Priest of Whiteness. Hauskulde becomes a godi and takes on Ossabaer property and marries Hildigunna. (Chapter 124) In the previous chapter is the plan of Flosi’s to kill every son of Njal and Njal himself. Hildiglum forsees a dark man on horseback with flames singing a verse that bodes ill of Flosi’s plans. This is an example of a “wolf’s- ride” that happens before major events. (Chapter 131) The burned bodies are collected and Kari brings Njal, Bergothora’s, and Skarphedinn’s bones back, as well as others, after the fire is out. Flosi and his men take off. Kari, Asgrim, Thorhall and Gizur the White plan to bring the lawsuit to the Thing.