20/12/2024, by aezcr

4. Now behave! More family squabbles and some politicking

Þorfinnr’s murder of his nephew in episode 3 is a reminder of the stresses of familial relationships around Christmas and how one might take out one’s frustrations a little too far. Families, Christmas and fighting remain linked in the saga. In chapter 54 we are told that Earl Haraldr had to pay compensation for killing a man called Þorkell and at the same time

‘it was also stipulated in the agreement that the relationship between the brothers Páll and Haraldr should be improved, and they should be both together at Christmas and all the major festivals’.

Here the feuding brothers are obliged to behave themselves and to come together for Christmas. It shows that there was, to some extent at least, an expectation that the proper thing to do was to be seen together over the festive period, with families and the avoidance of strife being familiar refrains. We never get to find out how that Christmas went as in the very next chapter Earl Haraldr died whilst making Christmas preparations (chapter 55).

Later in the saga we hear of another reconciliation made between Earl Rǫgnvaldr and Earl Erlendr ‘two nights before Christmas’ in which they agree to share out the Orkneys between them (chapter 94). Typically, peace did not last and later we learn that Earl Rǫgnvaldr spent Christmas on Damsay, even inviting the ever-fractious Sveinn Ásleifarson to come and stay with him as a means of bringing about a reconciliation (chapter 95). Christmas in the saga was a time for gatherings, for ale and feasting, but also it was a time for politicking.

Tune in tomorrow for episode 5! ‘Time to relax (and worry) with friends… plus some Christmas travel chaos’

Matthew Blake

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