Heiðarvíga saga

Heiðarvíga saga (listen^ⓘ) or The Story of the Heath-Slayings is one of the Icelanders' sagas. It is badly preserved; 12 leaves of the only surviving manuscript were destroyed along with their only copy in the fire of Copenhagen in 1728. The content of the destroyed portion is only known through a summary written from memory by Icelandic scholar Jón Grunnvíkingur (1705–1779). This is the only form in which the saga's contents survive today. The saga has been taken by some scholars as possibly among the oldest Icelanders' sagas.

Heiðarvíga saga from a copy of the University of Copenhagen.

The saga tells of the descendants of Egil Skallagrímsson and the long-standing disputes and conflicts which culminated in the battle and subsequent slayings on the heath, the eponymous Heath-Slayings (Heiðarvíg).^[1]

Preservation and sources

The Heiðarvíga saga is badly preserved; 12 leaves of the only surviving manuscript were destroyed, along with their only copy, in the fire of Copenhagen in 1728. The content of the lost portion is known only through a summary written from memory by Icelandic scholar Jón Grunnvíkingur (1705–1779). This summary is the sole surviving record of the saga’s contents. The saga was later translated into English in 1892 by William Morris and Eiríkr Magnússon, providing a key source for modern readers and preserving the narrative in a form accessible to a broader audience.^[2]

Plot summary

The saga narrates the escalating conflicts among the descendants of Egil Skallagrímsson, focusing on the protagonist Bardi Gudmundsson and his efforts to avenge his brother Hall’s death. These disputes lead to a climactic battle on the heath, known as the Heath-Slayings. The saga opens with Bardi, guided by his foster-father Thorarin, preparing for a journey to seek allies for his vengeance. Thorarin advises Bardi to attend a man-mote at Thing-ere to recruit companions, including key figures such as Haldor, Gefn’s-Odd, Thorgisl, Eric Wide-sight, Audolf, Summerlid, Thorliot, and Eyolf. Thorarin strategically selects men of valor and kinship ties to strengthen Bardi’s cause, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and martial prowess. The narrative details Bardi’s interactions with these men, his preparations, and the eventual confrontation with his adversaries, the sons of Thorgaut - Ketil, Thormod, and Gisli—on Goldmead. The battle results in significant losses, including the death of Gisli, sparking a pursuit and further skirmishes on the Heath. Thorarin’s strategic counsel continues to guide Bardi, leading to a truce declared by Thorgisl Arason and mediated by Snorri the Priest, though tensions persist. The saga concludes with legal settlements at the Althing, where losses are paired, and Bardi and his men are required to go abroad for three years. Bardi’s subsequent travels take him to Norway and Denmark, and later to Garthrealm, where he dies in battle as a member of the Varangian Guard.

Themes and significance

The Heiðarvíga saga explores themes common to the Icelanders’ sagas, including honor, vengeance, kinship, and the consequences of feuding. Its focus on Bardi’s strategic planning and the interplay of loyalty and betrayal among kin reflects the complex social dynamics of medieval Icelandic society. The saga’s emphasis on Thorarin’s cunning guidance and the detailed depiction of battle tactics highlight its value as a historical source for understanding Viking-era warfare and social organization. Additionally, the saga’s poetic elements, such as Eric Wide-sight’s battle verses, underscore the integration of skaldic poetry in preserving oral traditions.^[2]

Historical and literary context

As one of the potentially oldest Icelanders’ sagas, Heiðarvíga saga offers insight into the early development of the saga tradition. Its incomplete state underscores the challenges of preserving medieval manuscripts, yet its surviving summary and translation provide valuable glimpses into Iceland’s early history and literary culture. The saga’s detailed account of legal proceedings at the Althing and the role of prominent figures like Snorri the Priest reflect the importance of communal governance and conflict resolution in medieval Iceland. Its narrative also connects to broader Scandinavian history through Bardi’s eventual service in the Varangian Guard, linking Icelandic sagas to the wider Viking world.^[2]