# VIII: The King and the Queen explained — Styrbiorn the Strong

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/viii-the-king-and-the-queen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters