Gripla - 20.12.2010, Blaðsíða 204

GRIPLA204
verse also stresses that Hallr holds his own against men. The ability with
law fits with Hallr’s eventual role in the confrontation at the Alþingi and
indeed the phrase sás kunni fylla lǫg (‘he who knew how to make laws’)
specifically points towards these events;9 that is as someone skilled in
making laws he would be a suitable choice as someone to speak those laws
that might be applicable to the Christians. According to the verse Hallr has
had to prove his ability and steadfastness (sén raun vas þess). Whether this
refers to the events of 999/1000 or another story for which we have no
preserved source in which Hallr had to prove his ability in legislating and
his steadfastness is hard to know. Few sources preserve details of feuds and
conflicts in which Hallr was actively involved other than as peacemaker
and mediator. It would seem unlikely, however, that the Christian chief-
tains would have seen Hallr as an appropriate representative for their cause
at the Alþingi in 999/1000 unless he had had to demonstrate his resilience,
ability and fortitude on one or more previous occasion. The phrase dýrr ...
himna harri relates to a specifically Christian God, granting understanding
to Hallr’s family. Thus the verse, albeit very briefly, suggests a two-fold
aspect to Hallr. He is a chieftain, but his power is given by a specifically
Christian God – again suggesting his importance in the conversion of
Iceland to Christianity.
Haukr’s verse also stresses the success of Hallr’s sons (something which
calls to mind Rǫgnvaldr’s prophecy). According to Landnámabók, he mar-
ries Jóreiðr the daughter of Þiðrandi: their children are Þorsteinn, Egill,
Þorvarðr, Yngvildr and Þorgerðr (ÍF I, II, 318). Further sons are named in
other sources, including Þiðrandi, Ljótr and Kolr10 and the list of Hallr’s
daughters varies considerably between texts. Þiðranda þáttr ok Þórhalls
(published in the Íslenzk fornrit series as Af Þiðranda ok dísunum) is a short
9 Under the verb fylla Cleasby (1957, 179) gives the meaning “to fill, complete, make up”and
specifically “fylla lög ok lof, to make laws". It seems therefore reasonable Haukr’s words
refer not merely to Hallr’s brilliance as a lawyer, but more specifically to a role in creating
or writing laws, perhaps as part of the lǫgrétta (‘law-council’) of which (as goði) he would
have been part.
10 In fact Landnámabók does mention Kolr, when describing a particular sword sent by
King Haraldr to Hrollaugr (ÍF I, 317): sverð þat átti síðar Kolr, son Síðu-Halls (‘that sword
which Kolr, son of Síðu-Hallr later owned’). When listing Hallr’s descendants, however,
Landnámabók overlooks him. It is possible of course that Kolr may have been a nick-name
for one of Hallr’s sons already mentioned.