# XV: Fyrisfield explained — Styrbiorn the Strong

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

## What happens

The Battle of Fyrisfield unfolds as King Eric uses a cunning tactic—stampeding cattle and horses set afire—to break Styrbiorn's formation. Despite the Jomsburgers' ferocity and Styrbiorn's near-supernatural prowess, Eric's fresh reserves and a miraculous scree-fall from the mountain turn the tide. Styrbiorn's host is shattered; the Dane-King Harald Gormson defects; and Styrbiorn, with a handful of men, makes a last stand on a knoll. Queen Sigrid learns of the outcome from Thorgnyr, and later meets the victorious but somber King Eric.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Prophecy

Styrbiorn's declaration that he will either win or fall, and the miraculous scree-fall that decides the battle, underscore the theme of inescapable fate.

### Kingship and Legitimacy

The battle is a direct contest for the Swedish throne; Styrbiorn claims inheritance while King Eric defends his rule with cunning and fresh levies.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Sigvaldi's desertion contrasts with the steadfastness of Styrbiorn's men; Harald Gormson's escape during the chaos highlights shifting allegiances.

### Violence and Redemption

The brutal stampede, berserker onslaught, and final stand depict violence as both destructive and redemptive, with Styrbiorn's death as a tragic end.

## Character check-ins

### Styrbiorn the Strong

Leads the Jomsburgers with a raven-winged helm, fights without wound, slays champions, and makes a final stand on a knoll.

### King Eric

Commands the Swedish host, uses Queen Sigrid's tactic of stampeding beasts, and returns home victorious but heavy-hearted.

### Queen Sigrid

Waits anxiously for news, learns of the victory from Thorgnyr, and meets the victorious King Eric at dusk.

### Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson

Brings news of the battle's end to Queen Sigrid, describing the scree-fall and Styrbiorn's last stand.

### Harald Gormson

The Dane-King, kept under guard by Styrbiorn, escapes during the scree-fall and flees with his men.

### Biorn the Brisk

Styrbiorn's foster-brother, speaks Styrbiorn's battle speech to the host and fights beside him throughout.

### Helgi

Captain of King Eric's bodyguard, leads the shield-burg around the King.

### Valdimar of Holmgarth

Falls with a spear-thrust through the thigh; Styrbiorn bestrides him and beats back foes to save him.

## Key lines

> fire was set now among the tails of the horses and oxen so that in a moment they were all run wild with the terror and scathe of the fire, and stampeded all in a body against Styrbiorn’s host.

King Eric's men set fire to the tails of horses and oxen, causing them to panic and charge directly into Styrbiorn's army.

_Describes the tactical use of stampeding beasts to break the enemy formation._

> Styrbiorn fared all day through the battle where the work was briskest, and the raven’s wings that he bare aloft on his helm became a lodestar unto his own men and unto his enemies a sign of dule and undoing.

Styrbiorn moved through the fiercest fighting all day, his raven-winged helmet inspiring his men and foretelling doom for his foes.

_Highlights Styrbiorn's symbolic presence and near-mythical status in battle._

> in the nick of time to save us befell so great a wonder as you must have seen and heard, Queen, that the scree burst up on the fell, and that came all adown upon the host of Styrbiorn and slew him a great part of his folk

At the critical moment, a rockslide from the mountain crashed down onto Styrbiorn's army, killing many and turning the tide for King Eric.

_Thorgnyr recounts the miraculous scree-fall that decided the battle._

> the last I saw of him, he with a score were stood together back to back on a knoll of grass in the midst o’ the field there. They had stricken down their standard-shafts into the earth, and our folk were closing on them from all sides.

Thorgnyr reports that Styrbiorn and about twenty men made a final stand back-to-back on a grassy knoll, planting their banners as the enemy surrounded them.

_Describes Styrbiorn's heroic last stand._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xv-fyrisfield
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters