ISBN: 9781502843036

There lived a man in the south, before Thangbrand, Wilibald's son, preached the White Christ in Iceland. He was named Eric Brighteyes, Thorgrimur's son, and in those days there was no man… More...

There lived a man in the south, before Thangbrand, Wilibald's son, preached the White Christ in Iceland. He was named Eric Brighteyes, Thorgrimur's son, and in those days there was no man like him for strength, beauty and daring, for in all these things he was the first. But he was not the first in good-luck.Two women lived in the south, not far from where the Westman Islands stand above the sea. Gudruda the Fair was the name of the one, and Swanhild, called the Fatherless, Groa's daughter, was the other. They were half-sisters, and there were none like them in those days, for they were the fairest of all women, though they had nothing in common except their blood and hate.Now of Eric Brighteyes, of Gudruda the Fair and of Swanhild the Fatherless, there is a tale to tell.These two fair women saw the light in the self-same hour. But Eric Brighteyes was their elder by five years. The father of Eric was Thorgrimur Iron-Toe. He had been a mighty man; but in fighting with a Baresark,[1][2] who fell upon him as he came up from sowing his wheat, his foot was hewn from him, so that afterwards he went upon a wooden leg shod with iron. Still, he slew the Baresark, standing on one leg and leaning against a rock, and for that deed people honoured him much. Thorgrimur was a wealthy yeoman, slow to wrath, just, and rich in friends. Somewhat late in life he took to wife Saevuna, Thorod's daughter. She was the best of women, strong in mind and second- sighted, and she could cover herself in her hair. But these two never loved each other overmuch, and they had but one child, Eric, who was born when Saevuna was well on in years.The mother of Swanhild the Fatherless was Groa the Witch. She was a Finn, and it is told of her that the ship on which she sailed, trying to run under the lee of the Westman Isles in a great gale from the north-east, was dashed to pieces on a rock, and all those on board of her were caught in the net of Ran[3] and drowned, except Groa herself, who was saved by her magic art. This at the least is true, that, as Asmund the Priest rode down by the sea-shore on the morning after the gale, seeking for some strayed horses, he found a beautiful woman, who wore a purple cloak and a great girdle of gold, seated on a rock, combing her black hair and singing the while; and, at her feet, washing to and fro in a pool, was a dead man. He asked whence she came, and she answered:Out of the Swan's Bath.Next, he asked her where were her kin. But, pointing to the dead man, she said that this alone was left of them.Who was the man, then? said Asmund the Priest.She laughed again and sang this song:-Groa sails up from the Swan's Bath, Death Gods grip the Dead Man's hand. Look where lies her luckless husband, Bolder sea-king ne'er swung sword! Asmund, keep the kirtle-wearer, For last night the Norns were crying, And Groa thought they told of thee: Yea, told of thee and babes unborn.How knowest thou my name? asked Asmund.The sea-mews cried it as the ship sank, thine and others-and they shall be heard in story.Then that is the best of luck, quoth Asmund; but I think that thou art fey.[*][*] I.e. subject to supernatural presentiments, generally connected with approaching doom.Ay, she answered, fey and fair.True enough thou art fair. What shall we do with this dead man?Leave him in the arms of Ran. So may all husbands lie. Trade Books>Trade Paperback>Literature>Literature>Literature, CreateSpace Publishing Core >1<

ISBN: 9781502843036

Sir Henry Rider Haggard KBE (1856-1925) was an English writer of adventure fiction set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a pioneer of the lost world literary genre. He attend… More...

Sir Henry Rider Haggard KBE (1856-1925) was an English writer of adventure fiction set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a pioneer of the lost world literary genre. He attended Ipswich Grammar School and after failing his army entrance exam was sent to London to prepare for the entrance exam for the British Foreign Office which he never sat. In 1875 he travelled to South Africa to take up an unpaid position as assistant to the Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Natal, and a year later he was transferred to the staff of the Special Commissioner for the Transvaal, then in 1878 became Registrar of the High Court in the Transvaal. On his return to England in 1880 he married a friend of his sister and the couple travelled back to Africa, settling back in England in 1882. Haggard studied law and was called to the bar in 1884, but spent much of his time writing which he saw as being more profitable. In 1885 he published King Solomon's Mines which introduced the character Allan Quatermain, inspired by the adventurers Haggard had encountered in colonial Africa. The book was the first English adventure novel set in Africa and proved hugely popular, with a sequel, Allan Quatermain, appearing in 1887, followed by a whole series featuring the same character. Haggard's other popular titles include She (1887) and its sequel Ayesha, the former considered to be one of the classics of imaginative literature. Eric Brighteyes (1890) is an epic Viking adventure set in 10th century Iceland. The hero Eric Thorgrimursson, nicknamed Brighteyes, strives to win the hand of his beloved, Gudruda the Fair, but her father, a priest of the old Norse gods, is opposed to the match, believing Eric to be a man without prospects. Gudrida's half-sister, Swanhild, a sorceress, has designs of her own on Eric and she persuades the chieftan Ospakar Blacktooth to woo Gudrida, thus making the two men enemies and setting in motion a tale of battles, intrigues and treachery. Trade Books>Trade Paperback>Classics>Coll Classics>Coll Classics, CreateSpace Publishing Core >1<

2014, ISBN: 150284303X

[EAN: 9781502843036], Neubuch, [PU: Createspace, United States], Language: English Brand New Book ***** Print on Demand *****.This deftly crafted Viking tale depicts the terror, tragedy a… More...

[EAN: 9781502843036], Neubuch, [PU: Createspace, United States], Language: English Brand New Book ***** Print on Demand *****.This deftly crafted Viking tale depicts the terror, tragedy and vanity of life. The ill fated lovers, Eric and Gudruda the Fair, fall victim to the jealous Swanhild s sorcery. Eric and his thrall must overcome treachery, bloodthirsty foes, the open sea and blizzards as he battles to win his beloved Gudruda. Will the star-crossed lovers triumph over the fate of the Norns and the spite of Swanhild?<

ISBN: 9781502843036

Paperback, [PU: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform], This deftly crafted Viking tale depicts the terror, tragedy and vanity of life. The ill fated lovers, Eric and ""Gudruda the … More...

Paperback, [PU: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform], This deftly crafted Viking tale depicts the terror, tragedy and vanity of life. The ill fated lovers, Eric and ""Gudruda the Fair,"" fall victim to the jealous Swanhild's sorcery. Eric and his 'thrall' must overcome treachery, bloodthirsty foes, the open sea and blizzards as he battles to win his beloved Gudruda. Will the star-crossed lovers triumph over the fate of the Norns and the spite of Swanhild?, Adventure<

ISBN: 9781502843036

Paperback, [PU: Createspace], This deftly crafted Viking tale depicts the terror, tragedy and vanity of life. The ill fated lovers, Eric and ""Gudruda the Fair,"" fall victim to the jealo… More...

Paperback, [PU: Createspace], This deftly crafted Viking tale depicts the terror, tragedy and vanity of life. The ill fated lovers, Eric and ""Gudruda the Fair,"" fall victim to the jealous Swanhild's sorcery. Eric and his 'thrall' must overcome treachery, bloodthirsty foes, the open sea and blizzards as he battles to win his beloved Gudruda. Will the star-crossed lovers triumph over the fate of the Norns and the spite of Swan<