# XIII: The Sailing of the Fleet explained — Styrbiorn the Strong

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

## What happens

Styrbiorn reconciles with King Harald, marries Thyri, and gathers a massive fleet at Jomsburg. Despite omens—Palnatoki's broken leg and Styrbiorn's raven-winged helm—the host sails for Sweden to reclaim his inheritance from King Eric, who has crowned his infant son Olaf as joint king.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Shame

Styrbiorn's driving motivation is the shame of being replaced by an infant king; he stakes everything on reclaiming his honor through conquest.

### Fate and Prophecy

Omens abound: Palnatoki's broken leg, Styrbiorn's raven-winged helm (associated with Odin), and Thyri's earlier dream all foreshadow doom, yet Styrbiorn defiantly ignores them.

### Kingship and Legitimacy

The crowning of Olaf the Lap-King as joint ruler in Styrbiorn's stead challenges his birthright and legitimacy, sparking the conflict.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Palnatoki breaks Jomsburg's law for Styrbiorn, and King Harald is forced into loyalty under threat; Sigvaldi's reluctant obedience hints at hidden disloyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Styrbiorn the Strong

Resolute and fierce, he marries Thyri, forces King Harald to join his expedition, and insists on bringing Thyri into Jomsburg against its laws. He dons raven wings on his helm, a symbol of Odin, and dismisses omens as he sails to reclaim Sweden.

### Harald Gormson

Reconciled with Styrbiorn, he is compelled to sail with him in Ironbeak, kept close as a hostage. He shows outward amity but is effectively under Styrbiorn's control.

### Thyri

Married to Styrbiorn, she is brought to Jomsburg despite its ban on women. She appears brave and jolly, but Biorn recalls her ominous dream from two years prior.

### Palnatoki

Sick and injured (breaks his leg), he is persuaded to stay in Jomsburg while Sigvaldi sails in his stead. He reluctantly allows Thyri into the stronghold out of loyalty to Styrbiorn.

### Sigvaldi

Remains in Jomsburg as captain but is uneasy about Styrbiorn's raven-winged helm and the ill omens. He sails in Palnatoki's place, though his heart is not in it.

### Biorn Asbrandson

Styrbiorn's foster-brother, sent to Jomsburg to summon Palnatoki. He returns alone and later recalls Thyri's dream, sensing foreboding.

### Worm Grimkelson

An Icelander and chapman who arrives at Alaburg after a shipwreck. He brings news from Sweden that King Eric has crowned his infant son Olaf as joint king, replacing Styrbiorn.

## Key lines

> Never strive to match the sea

Do not fight against an unstoppable force.

_King Harald learns to yield to Styrbiorn's superior will._

> A doomed man's ice-hole is never frozen.

A man fated to die will always find a way to meet his end.

_Styrbiorn dismisses Sigvaldi's warnings about the raven wings, embracing his fatalistic resolve._

> Ne'er would the Jute-folk Yield gild to swift ships, Till by the land stood Sea-deer of Styrbiorn. Now must the Dane-lord Follow that hosting: Land-lorn and folk-lorn Drees he his weird now.

The Jutes never paid tribute to ships until Styrbiorn's fleet appeared; now the Danish king must follow that host, landless and peopleless, enduring his fate.

_A Danish stave lamenting how Styrbiorn's power has forced King Harald into submission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xiii-the-sailing-of-the-fleet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters