# I: On King Olaf's Howe explained — Styrbiorn the Strong

> Chapter companion for Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/i-on-king-olaf-s-howe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters