Gripla - 01.01.1995, Page 132

130
GRIPLA
ok kann vera, ef hann vex upp hér, at margir menn elski hann
bæði fyrir fQður ok fpðurfQður, ok mun yðrum syni eigi auðvelt at
stíga til ríkis eptir yðr, ef hann stendr í móti. Nú veit ek enn, ef svá
væri útanlands við vaxit, þá mundi þat ráð fyrir gQrt, at eigi þyrfti
at hræðask landshQfðingi um sitt afspringi, ok mundi sveinn þessi
vera sendr í Qnnur lQnd til þeira hQfðingja, er enga vináttu ætti
honum at gjalda, ok mundi hann þá annathvárt meiddr eða svá
illa settr, at hann þyrfti eigi at hræðask. En ef þér vilið, þá bjóð-
umsk ek til þessar ferðar, ok mun ek svá sýst fá, at yðr líki.“ ... En
er jarl hafði þagat um stund, tók hann svá til orðs: „Eigi mun guð
vilja, at ek kaupi svá ríki mínum syni, at ek fyrirkoma þess manns
syni ok sonarsyni, er ek ætti bezt at gjalda.“
The quote is particularly illuminating because it not only shows that
Sturla was keenly aware that maiming could be used to neutralize a
powerful enemy but also leaves no doubt as to Sturla’s sentiments
about this measure. According to him, such things happened „abroad"
(in the northern isles?), and through the words of Hákon galinn he
thoroughly condemned the practice.
Sturla’s reluctance to deal with this issue cannot be coincidental, and
it is not inconceivable that this reluctance can be traced to the event
that took place in Reykjaholt in 1236. We are told that, prior to the
capture of Órækja and his men, Sturla Sighvatsson summoned Sturla
Þórðarson and informed him of his intention to force Órækja abroad.46
That this conversation was not quite as friendly as Sturla Þórðarson al-
leges, but had rather violent overtones, is indicated by the fact that
Sturla Sighvatsson seized Órækja’s sword, „Kettlingr,“ which his cou-
sin, Sturla, had held in his hands. That same sword was later taken
from Sturla’s dead body by Gizurr Þorvaldsson after the battle of Ör-
lygsstaðir in 1238, and, according to Sturla Þórðarson, it was returned
to Órækja the following year, when Órækja collected from Gizurr the
sword called „Kettlingr," that was taken when Órækja was maimed.47
The fact that Sturla took such great pains to trace the history of that
sword and to record its eventual restoration to Órækja shows beyond
46 ísl, p. 395.
47 ísl, pp. 436, 445.