The sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald the Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)

"The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald the Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)" by Snorri Sturluson is a historical account likely composed in the early 14th century. This saga explores the life and adventures of Olaf Tryggvason, the son of King Tryggvi Olafson, along with the tumultuous era of his contemporary, Harald Haardraade. The narrative delves into themes of power, loyalty, and the harsh realities of Viking life, focusing on the journeys of key characters such as Olaf, his mother Astrid, and the political machinations surrounding the Norwegian throne. The opening of the saga introduces a dramatic backdrop, detailing Astrid's flight with her newborn son, Olaf, following her husband's downfall at the hands of his enemies. As she navigates life in hiding, swathes of tension build between the factions chasing them, especially as King Tryggvi's foes, Harald and Gudrod, search for Astrid and her son. The narrative threads through a landscape of allegiances, betrayal, and the raw survival instincts of its characters, setting the stage for Olaf's eventual rise. This opening serves as a prologue to a saga steeped in Viking lore, touching upon themes of fate and the quest for identity amidst the chaos of conquest and foreign lands. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was elected twice as lawspeaker of the Icelandic parliament, the Althing. He is commonly thought to have authored or compiled portions of the Prose Edda, which is a major source for what is today known about Norse mythology and alliterative verse, and Heimskringla, a history of the Norse kings that begins with legendary material in Ynglinga saga and moves through to early medieval Scandinavian history. For stylistic and methodological reasons, Snorri is often taken to be the author of Egil's Saga. He was assassinated in 1241 by men claiming to be agents of the King of Norway.