Short Tales
Þættir
Library
About this section
The texts in this section are short narratives known in Old Norse as þættir (singular þáttr). They are often called Íslendingaþættir (“Tales of Icelanders”) because many describe Icelanders travelling abroad and interacting with Scandinavian kings. The category also includes related short narratives about Greenlanders and other figures from the Norse world.
1
Auðunar þáttr vestfirska:
The Tale of Audun of the Westfjords
Auðunar þáttr vestfirska tells how a poor Icelander named Audun journeys abroad with a polar bear intended as a gift for King Svein Estridsson (Sveinn Ástríðarson) of Denmark (r. 1047-1076). The tale is most memorable for its exploration of generosity, loyalty, and the ideals of kingship in Norse society.
2
Brands þáttr Örva:
The Tale of Brand the Generous
In this brief account, King Harald Hardrada hears of an Icelander named Brand Vermundarson, who bears the nickname “the Generous”. The king is skeptical and decides to put his name to the test, to see if the nickname is indeed true.
3
Grænlendinga þáttr:
The Tale of the Greenlanders
Grænlendinga þáttr (a.k.a Einars þáttr Sokkasonar) follows the descendants of the Norse settlers in Greenland. The settlement has endured for a century, and its people seek a bishop, hoping for wise spiritual leadership. Their wish is granted, but what they receive instead is turmoil and death, as a chain of ill-fated decisions of the newly appointed bishop throws the community into conflict.
4
Haukdæla þáttr:
The Tale of the Haukdaelir
Haukdæla þáttr recounts the origins and legacy of the Haukdaelir clan, tracing their lineage from the early settler Ketilbjorn the Elder, who explored and claimed land in southern Iceland, down to prominent figures of later centuries. The tale emphasizes the rise of his descendants, especially Gizurr the White, a key proponent of Christianity in Iceland, and his son Bishop Isleif, the country’s first native bishop. The saga highlights the family’s influence through successive generations of bishops, chieftains, and scholars. It illustrates both the familial continuity and social prominence of the Haukdaelir across Iceland’s Christianization and early medieval period.
5
Þorvarðs þáttr krákunef:
The Tale of Thorvard Crow-Nose
Thorvard Crow-Nose sails to Norway to present King Harald Hardrada with a fine sail, only for the king to refuse it and later change his mind. The brief tale shows King Harald in an unusually negative light, portraying him as an impulsive and capricious king.
6
Ölkofra saga:
The Saga of Ale-Hood
Ölkofra saga (a.k.a. Ölkofra þáttr) recounts how a minor incident involving a poor farmer escalates into a feud with powerful men, driven through lawsuits and retaliation. The saga offers a satirical take on the Viking Age justice system in Iceland, showing how legal processes favor wealth and influence over fairness.
