Read by Snævar Sölvi Sölvason

The Westfjords of Iceland are the remotest area of Iceland far up north. With only around 6000 inhabitants this part of Iceland is so original, wild and unwordly that it’s often been the place for folk tales. Also the Gisli Saga, a bloody-minded heroic epic takes places in this area. The tale is read by Snævar, who is a script writer and works as a temporary personnel in the local museum of Ísafjörður. He grew up in Bolungarvik, a nearby village. What he loves about this area is the familiar atmosphere.

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Transcript

During his last night Gisli went to his hiding place, accompanied by his wife and his foster daughter. But the women’s long overcoats left a trail in the hoar-frost on the ground. Some time later they heard voices, for Eyjolfur the Gray and his men had followed the trail. Gisli challenged them saying that he would not run away. The cowardly Eyjolfur pushed Helgi the Spy forward and Gisli killed him. Eyjolfur then tried to climb up the cliff in a different place, but Audur struck his arm with a club which caused him to fall down, unable to fight further. Gisli remarked: „I have known for a long time that I had a good wife, but not this good.“ Gisli moved to the top pf a large rock to defend himself. In the end Eyjolfur’s men were able to cut his stomach open with their spears so his innards fell out. Gisli wrapped his shirt around his stomach and tied his girdle and the lept down. As he landed he hewed one of his enemies in two from the head to waist before ending his life. His badly wounded adversaries reported that the last stroke of his sowers was no weaker than the first. All agreed that Gisli had been a brave man though good luck had not always been his fate.