Styrbiorn the Strong · Chapter
I: On King Olaf's Howe explained
Styrbiorn the Strong, son of the late King Olaf, refuses to join the sacrificial feast at Upsala and instead sits on his father's howe, demanding his inheritance from his uncle King Eric.
What happens
Styrbiorn the Strong, son of the late King Olaf, refuses to join the sacrificial feast at Upsala and instead sits on his father's howe, demanding his inheritance from his uncle King Eric. After a tense exchange, Styrbiorn is shamed into attending the feast but soon kills Aki, a member of the king's bodyguard, in a brawl. The next day, Styrbiorn returns to the howe, where he meets Queen Sigrid the Haughty; their conversation is charged with ambition and a strange foreboding as Sigrid senses the presence of the dead.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Shame
Styrbiorn's demand for his inheritance and his shame before King Eric after speaking rashly highlight the importance of honor and public standing.
Power and Ambition
Styrbiorn's fierce desire for his father's kingdom and his question to Sigrid about being a queen underscore the theme of ambition.
Fate and Prophecy
Sigrid's vision of something hidden in Fyrisfield and her sense of the dead presage future events and the role of fate.
Characters to notice
- Styrbiorn the Strong
Demands his inheritance from King Eric, kills Aki in a fit of rage, and later converses with Queen Sigrid on his father's howe.
- King Eric
King of Sweden, uncle to Styrbiorn, refuses to grant Styrbiorn his inheritance until he is sixteen, and tries to maintain order after the killing.
- Aki
Member of the king's bodyguard; taunts Styrbiorn and is killed by him in the hall.
- Queen Sigrid
Also called Sigrid the Haughty; meets Styrbiorn on the howe, speaks of seeing the dead, and shows a strange fear and ambition.
- Earl Wolf
Styrbiorn's foster-father, sent by King Eric to fetch Styrbiorn from the howe.
- King Olaf Biornson
Styrbiorn's father, deceased; his howe is the central setting of the chapter.
Key passages
“Seldom recovers Kings their dominions, but with hewing of swords.”
Kings rarely regain their kingdoms without violence.
Styrbiorn threatens his uncle King Eric, implying he will use force to claim his inheritance.
“Some devil drew the tongue out of my mouth to speak an ill word.”
An evil impulse made me say something wrong.
Styrbiorn apologizes to King Eric for his threatening words, showing his shame and respect for the king's authority.
“There be few men so strong as to hold down that bull.”
Few men are strong enough to control that bull.
Sigrid speaks metaphorically about Styrbiorn's fierce and uncontrollable nature.