Styrbiorn the Strong · Chapter
VIII: The King and the Queen explained
Styrbiorn returns to Sweden and is warmly welcomed by King Eric, who arranges for him to be taken as co-king and proposes a marriage to Thyri, daughter of King Harald Gormson.
What happens
Styrbiorn returns to Sweden and is warmly welcomed by King Eric, who arranges for him to be taken as co-king and proposes a marriage to Thyri, daughter of King Harald Gormson. The chapter also depicts Styrbiorn's stay with Earl Strut-Harald in Skaney, his visit to Jomsburg, and the growing tension with Queen Sigrid, who greets him coldly.
Themes in this chapter
Kingship and Legitimacy
Styrbiorn is formally recognized as co-king alongside King Eric, and the marriage alliance with Thyri is pursued to solidify his claim.
Power and Ambition
Styrbiorn's growing influence and kingly bearing are noted by all, and King Harald Gormson's reluctant consent shows the weight of Styrbiorn's power.
Fate and Prophecy
Earl Strut-Harald prophesies that Styrbiorn will be great and of fair fame but short-lived, and Styrbiorn accepts his fate without concern for the number of his days.
Characters to notice
- Styrbiorn the Strong
Returns to Sweden, is welcomed by King Eric, and agrees to the proposed marriage with Thyri.
- King Eric
Welcomes Styrbiorn warmly, arranges for him to be co-king, and proposes the match with Thyri.
- Harald Gormson
Reluctantly agrees to send his daughter Thyri to Upsala for marriage with Styrbiorn.
- Thyri
Daughter of King Harald Gormson, proposed as a wife for Styrbiorn.
- Strut-Harald
Earl in Skaney who hosts Styrbiorn and gives him a prophetic farewell.
- Sigvaldi
Son of Strut-Harald, described as a fox, accompanies Styrbiorn to Jomsburg.
- Thorkell
Son of Strut-Harald, a man of war but little wit, sails with Styrbiorn.
- Palnatoki
Lord of Jomsburg who gathers with other Jomsburgers to meet Styrbiorn.
Key passages
“I would thou wert my son. For my sons, good though they be, I deem not good enough.”
Earl Strut-Harald tells Styrbiorn he wishes Styrbiorn were his own son, because his actual sons are not worthy enough.
Strut-Harald expresses admiration for Styrbiorn while criticizing his own sons.
“I think, Styrbiorn, that the first two of these will be thine. But I think thy life will be short.”
Strut-Harald predicts that Styrbiorn will achieve greatness and fair fame, but will die young.
A prophetic statement about Styrbiorn's fate.
“Three weeks hence hath a Thing been called whereat thou shalt be taken to King in Sweden, along with me, even as was thy father aforetime.”
King Eric informs Styrbiorn that a Thing will be held in three weeks to make him co-king, just as his father was.
Formal announcement of Styrbiorn's elevation to kingship.