key historical character medieval saga born grew iceland divided time home note held highest regard contemporary scandinavian rulers byzantine_empire known west note believed reached rank byzantine army return iceland recognition earned elegant importance literary context saga prominence son central characters work mentioned end tale sarcastic subject tale later end manuscripts early 14th century saga background saga saga people family saga written possibly woman author vast conception grand sweep saga action spans century alongside saga saga saga makes strongest claim saga literary greatness shaped continental literary traditions types saga characterisation highlights nobility physical appearance actions male characters tend live presented foreign courts stature aristocratic home iceland farmers outlets words smart clothes aspirations nobility saga slaves high born descended kings ireland saga feud saga feuds trivial local male protagonists splendid figures die heroic deaths women strong characters engineer action manuscripts saga survived printed versions based dated intact manuscript distinction narrative history exist time written develop dense plausible historical context details precision necessary narrative world local detailed stories individual exist confirmed comparison histories languages account family early life western quarter iceland born winter killing father courted foster brother preferred gave basis false engaged consequent hostilities foster brothers ended killing turn killed grew brother years senior mother exchanged homes renowned remarried time great countryside took running household left able spend time fond fond regarded foremost things abroad norway stayed king months eighteen years old asked father portion intended daughter set stepfather good followers welcomed wedding feast took place summer love grew summer returned goods laden ship white river brothers greeted brothers peace sons thing known money exchanged compensation agreement received good sword assembly sides thought gained esteem affairs travels abroad later travels abroad brother documented notable role departed iceland taking great deal money abroad reached norway autumn stayed winter king east soon highly thought norway arrivals guild meeting places noted better weapons early spring brothers prepared ship went east meet king king thought man high men man greatest mark come iceland boarded trade ship bound denmark departing king great friendship fine parting gifts note remained denmark regarded norway travelling constantinople spent years thought deeds try man went forefront saga records followers received likely influence held return iceland time death king rode ship men followers dressed scarlet rode band clothes fur king given scarlet cape gold grip woven gold helmet head red shield flank knight painted gold dagger hand custom foreign lands took quarters women paid followers right bear gold sword privileges court rank taken indicator held rank iceland recognition earned elegant return joyful took manor died years age children tales norse literature tale referred short narrative included episode larger saga tale narrative episode life taken 14th century contains saga according tale man called bull wounded neighbours farm animals damaged caused great deal trouble local farmer named saw bull damaging farm animal spear struck dead revenge killed year old son disgust wife fled eventually secured protection prominent leader lived christmas secured support sheltered wife cousin asked prosecution case accompanied nose large company men attended intended block prosecution force arms numbers realised outnumbered withdrew successfully outlawed passage iceland obtained aboard merchant vessel believed improper outlawed escape having ridden north drew sword struck blow right killing earned great deal honour men thought accomplishment man outlawed district venture hands enemies kill died reign norway recorded end tale sarcastic tale makes reference military prowess ironic contrast tale protagonist learned deaths men iceland elegant said warrior fallen victim spears said poor devil burst eating
Bolli Bollason