Styrbiorn the Strong · Chapter
King Eric's Hosting explained
King Eric receives news of Styrbiorn's approaching invasion and consults with Thorgnyr the Lawman, who advises him to call a Thing at Upsala, improve laws to win the bonders' loyalty, and prepare a hosting.
What happens
King Eric receives news of Styrbiorn's approaching invasion and consults with Thorgnyr the Lawman, who advises him to call a Thing at Upsala, improve laws to win the bonders' loyalty, and prepare a hosting. The King follows this counsel, and at the Thing he announces legal reforms that rally the people. As Styrbiorn's fleet approaches, Earl Wolf, Styrbiorn's foster-father, comes to King Eric seeking peace, but the King is resolute. Queen Sigrid proposes a stratagem using beasts of burden armed with pikes to disrupt Styrbiorn's advance, which the King accepts. The chapter ends with the King preparing for battle at Fyriswater.
Themes in this chapter
Kingship and Legitimacy
King Eric's authority is challenged by Styrbiorn's claim as a man of the same bloodline. The King's legal reforms at the Thing are a bid to secure loyalty and legitimize his rule.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Earl Wolf's visit to King Eric highlights tensions between kinship and loyalty. The King's cold reception underscores the theme of betrayal and broken trust.
Power and Ambition
Styrbiorn's ambition to reclaim the Swedish throne drives the conflict, while King Eric's iron resolve to defend his realm reflects the relentless pursuit of power.
Characters to notice
- King Eric
Consults with Thorgnyr, calls a Thing, reforms laws, and prepares for battle against Styrbiorn. He is resolute but appears joyless and driven by iron purpose.
- Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson
Advises King Eric to call a Thing, improve laws, and prepare a hosting. He observes the King's deep resolve and later presents Queen Sigrid's battle stratagem as his own.
- Queen Brynhild
Proposes a cunning plan to use beasts of burden armed with pikes to disrupt Styrbiorn's advance, and instructs Helgi to place Styrbiorn's prized ox in the front.
- Earl Wolf
Rides to King Eric seeking peace and warning of Styrbiorn's landing. He is rebuffed by the King, who refuses to bend.
- Helgi
Charged by Queen Sigrid with the task of placing Styrbiorn's little hairy ox among the baggage-beasts, but the plan fails because Moldi is in Jomsburg.
- Tosti
Skogul-Tosti, father of Queen Sigrid, arrives early at Upsala after riding from Arland without sleep or stay.
Key passages
“There be two ways at every turning.”
At every crossroads, there are two paths to choose from.
Thorgnyr suggests that King Eric has options beyond fighting or fleeing.
“I see but one.”
I only see one possible course of action.
King Eric's response reveals his rigid determination.
“That is because you do hold your head so high that you may not of your greatness see this other way.”
You are too proud and lofty to notice the alternative path.
Thorgnyr gently criticizes the King's pride.
“Stand or flee away? There is but one way for Kings.”
Is the choice to fight or retreat? For a king, there is only one honorable option.
King Eric asserts that a king must stand and fight, not flee.
“Many will blame me for this and say 'tis a poor game to play. But is it not all a poor game, Thorgnyr, that I have set mine hand to: to bear war against myself?”
Many will criticize me for this tactic, calling it dishonorable. But isn't this whole war against my own kin a miserable affair?
King Eric reflects on the moral cost of using the beast stratagem and the tragedy of fighting Styrbiorn.
