Örnulf of the Fiords, an Icelandic Chieftain.
Sigurd the Strong, a Sea–King.
Gunnar Headman,1 a rich yeoman of Helgeland.
Dagny, Örnulf’s daughter.
Hiördis, his foster-daughter.
Kåre the Peasant, a Helgeland-man.
Egil, Gunnar’s son, four years old.
Örnulf’s six older sons.
Örnulf’s and Sigurd’s men.
Guests, house-carls, serving-maids, outlaws, etc.
The action takes place in the time of Erik Blood-axe (about A.D. 933) at, and in the neighbourhood of, Gunnar’s house on the island of Helgeland, in the north of Norway.
1 Failing to find a better equivalent for the Norwegian “Herse,” I have used the word “Headman” wherever it seemed necessary to give Gunnar a title or designation. He is generally spoken of as “Gunnar Herse” in the Norwegian text; but where it could be done without inconvenience, the designation has here been omitted.
Pronunciation of Names:
Helgeland = Helgheland;
Örnulf = Ornoolf;
Sigurd = Sigoord;
Gunnar = Goonar;
Thorolf = Toorolf;
Hiördis = Yordeess;
Kåre = Koarë;
Egil = Ayghil.
The letter ö as in German.
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/i/ibsen/henrik/vikings/frontmatter.html
Last updated Monday, November 5, 2012 at 16:37