egill skallagrímsson

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English - English
or Egill Skalla-Grímsson born 910, Borg, Ice. died 990 Icelandic poet. One of the greatest skaldic poets (see skaldic poetry), his adventurous life and verses are preserved in the Egils saga (1220?), attributed to his descendant Snorri Sturluson. In the saga Egill kills the son of King Erik Bloodax and places a curse on the king. He later falls into Erik's hands but saves his own life by composing in one night a long poem praising Erik, Hofuthlausn ( 948). After the death of two sons he composes the lament Sonatorrek ( 961)