# II: Thorgnyr the Lawman explained — Styrbiorn the Strong > Chapter companion for Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison. ## What happens King Eric returns from a guesting journey to learn that a Thing was summoned in his absence, where bonders proclaimed Lambi the White king of half Sweden in defiance of Styrbiorn. The King confronts Thorgnyr the Lawman, who admits he could not prevent the uproar and warns that Styrbiorn's stubbornness may undo them all. Despite his anger, King Eric reveals his love for Styrbiorn, while Thorgnyr cautions that the bonders will not endure being spur-ridden. ## Themes in this chapter ### Kingship and Legitimacy The bonders proclaim Lambi the White king in Styrbiorn's despite, challenging the hereditary right and royal authority, forcing King Eric to question who holds lordship in Sweden. ### Loyalty and Betrayal King Eric confronts Thorgnyr, suspecting disloyalty; Thorgnyr insists he acted in the King's interest, but the bonders' actions and Styrbiorn's defiance strain loyalties. ### Fate and Prophecy Thorgnyr warns that Styrbiorn's 'stout stomach shall likely undo both he himself and us,' and King Eric reflects that the ordering of things will lie in other men's hands as the Fates ordain. ## Character check-ins ### King Eric Returns from guesting to hear of the illegal Thing and the proclamation of Lambi the White; confronts Thorgnyr with anger and sorrow, admitting his love for Styrbiorn. ### Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson The old lawman, questioned by the King about the Thing; defends his actions but warns that Styrbiorn's stout stomach will undo them all. ### Styrbiorn the Strong Absent from the chapter but central to the conflict; his slaying of Aki and his claim to half the realm sparked the bonders' rebellion. ### Earl Wolf Brings the King news of the illegal Thing and the stoning; describes Thorgnyr's inaction during the tumult. ### Lambi Mentioned as the man proclaimed king by the bonders at the Thing, from Stocksound in Tenthland. ## Key lines > I forbid thee, on thy life, to fight with him in Sweden or the coasts thereof. But if ye hap together in the outlands or on the main seas, why, let it befall as Fate shall will. The King forbids Styrbiorn from fighting Lambi in Sweden but allows it elsewhere, leaving the outcome to fate. _King Eric sets a conditional prohibition, showing his authority and his deference to destiny._ > It agreeth i' the main, said he, with that which I knew hereof already. The King says the Earl's news matches what he already knew. _King Eric reveals he had prior intelligence, demonstrating his network of informants._ > I could have smoothed all, but by his row and ruckling was all upsy-turvy turned, and the Thing broke up in an uproar. Thorgnyr says he could have calmed the assembly, but Styrbiorn's loud and quarrelsome behavior caused chaos. _Thorgnyr blames Styrbiorn's aggression for the failure of the Thing._ > the Swede-folk will not abear to be spur-ridden The Swedish people will not tolerate being harshly ruled or driven like horses. _Thorgnyr warns that the bonders will resist oppressive kingship._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/ii-thorgnyr-the-lawman - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters