Ölkofra þáttr

''Ölkofra þáttr'' (also known as ''Ölkofra saga''), the "Tale of Ölkofri" or the "Tale of Ale-Hood", is a þáttr, a minor Old Norse prose genre related to the sagas of Icelanders. Preserved in the 14th-century manuscript known as ''Möðruvallabók'' and other post-Reformation copies, the tale is a satire on the judicial system of the medieval Icelandic Commonwealth. It tells the story of an ale-brewer, named Þórhallr but known as Ölkofri or "Ale-Hood" for the hood that he habitually wears. Ölkofri accidentally sets fire to some valuable woodland belonging to six powerful Icelandic chieftains. These chieftains consequently file suit against him at the Althing in an effort to get him outlawed, but thanks to the efforts of men who unexpectedly come to his aid, Ölkofri manages to escape this fate.

On a side note, the main character's occupation - brewer and seller of ale at the Icelandic Alþing - provides some confirmation that barley was once grown in Iceland during the tail end of a warm phase known as the Medieval Warm Period. Grain could not be cultivated there as the climate cooled and growing seasons shrank.

Plot

The protagonist is Þórhallr, an aging, small, and ugly man from Þórhallsstaðir in Bláskógar. He is wealthy but not physically strong, though he's skilled with iron and wood. He earns his living by brewing and selling ale at the Althing, which makes him known to many powerful men, as they are his main customers. He's not considered generous, and because of his habit of wearing a hood at the assemblies, he earns the nickname Ölkofri ("Ale-Hood").

One autumn, Ölkofri goes into his own forest to make charcoal. He falls asleep while tending the charcoal pits, and a fire breaks out, quickly spreading from his woods to adjacent forests, including the "Chieftains' Wood" (''Goðaskógur''). This valuable woodland is jointly owned by six prominent chieftains: Snorri Goði, Guðmundur Eyjólfsson, Skafti the Lawspeaker, Þorkell Geitisson, Eyjólfur Þórðarson (son of Þórður Gellir), and Þorkell Trefill Rauða-Bjarnarson. They had acquired the forest for their use at the Althing. Ölkofri returns home, and news of the fire, now known as ''Sviðningur'', spreads. The chieftains, especially Skafti, realize the financial opportunity this presents. They send messages throughout the winter, agreeing to meet at the Althing to pursue a unified lawsuit against Ölkofri, with Skafti taking the lead as he is closest to the incident.

As spring approaches and the legal summonses are issued, Skafti rides with many men and summons Ölkofri for the forest fire, accusing him of outlawry-worthy damage (''skóggangur''). Ölkofri, initially boastful and loud-mouthed, claims Skafti won't be so aggressive if his friends show up at the Althing. Skafti, however, remains calm and leaves.

At the summer Althing, the six chieftains meet and decide to demand a significant financial compensation or, failing that, self-judgment from Ölkofri. Ölkofri arrives at the Althing to sell ale, but when he seeks help from his usual customers - his "friends" - they all refuse, stating they won't risk dealing with such powerful adversaries for his sake. His arrogance and confidence completely vanish as no one will offer him aid or even buy his ale.

In his desperation, Ölkofri approaches Þorsteinn Síðu-Hallsson, who also refuses him. However, Þorsteinn's brother-in-law, Broddi Bjarnason, a young man in his twenties, urges Þorsteinn to help Ölkofri, calling it a minor matter and worthy of a noble deed. Þorsteinn agrees to support Broddi's initiative. Broddi finds Ölkofri weeping outside the booth and brings him back, encouraging him to be strong.

Broddi then cleverly engineers a confrontation. He and Ölkofri approach Guðmundur and Skafti, who are discussing law in the ''Lögrétta'' (the Law Council enclosure). Ölkofri prostrates himself, pleading pitifully for their help, emphasizing his helplessness and their power. Skafti, amused, taunts Ölkofri about his earlier boasts and his current plight, reminding him how he refused Skafti's previous offer for a settlement. Ölkofri, playing his part, expresses deep regret and fear of the "fierce men" (the other chieftains) who will kill him if Guðmundur and Skafti don't intervene, declaring he'd be blessed if they judged his case and that he trusts his wealth with them.

Guðmundur, touched by Ölkofri's apparent distress, suggests to Skafti that Ölkofri doesn't deserve outlawry and that they should make him happy by allowing him to choose men for a settlement. Skafti, leading the prosecution, agrees to settle the matter themselves, stating that money, not outlawry, will be the outcome. They shake hands, and Ölkofri immediately names witnesses, including Broddi. Skafti publicly declares that the "prosecutor" (Ölkofri, in his feigned desperation) has requested them (Skafti and Guðmundur) to settle the case, and despite their prior agreement for self-judgment, they will now settle for money, effectively ending the outlawry threat.

However, Ölkofri then declares that he has not chosen them, but rather, as per the handshake, he can choose two men of his liking. A dispute arises over the interpretation of the handshake, but Broddi and his companions clearly confirm Ölkofri's version: he has the right to choose the arbitrators. Skafti, realizing Ölkofri's cunning, sarcastically asks what "wave" has washed over Ölkofri, noticing his renewed insolence, and asks who he will choose. Ölkofri, without hesitation, names Þorsteinn Hallsson and Broddi Bjarnason as his chosen arbitrators, claiming the case will be better handled by them than by Skafti and Guðmundur.

Skafti replies that their wisdom is such that they will undoubtedly impose a heavy penalty, given the severe nature of the damage. Ölkofri then joins Broddi's group, and they return to their booths.

The next day, the settlement is to be announced. Þorsteinn and Broddi consult, with Þorsteinn wanting to impose a higher penalty, but Broddi insists on a fair assessment and proposes that Þorsteinn announce the settlement himself. At Law Rock (''Lögberg''), after legal matters are concluded, Þorsteinn asks if the chieftains who brought the case against Ölkofri are present. He then announces the judgment: the damage to their forests is deemed minor and not very useful to them, yet because the matter was submitted to arbitration, some compensation is due. He rules that each of the six chieftains shall receive six ''ell'' (a measure of cloth) of ''vaðmál'' (woolen cloth). Broddi, prepared, throws a piece of cloth to each chieftain, calling it a "coward's tax."

Skafti immediately protests Broddi's hostile behavior and aggressive involvement in the case, suggesting that other matters might be easier to deal with. Broddi retaliates by alluding to Skafti's past humiliation when his relative Ormr extracted a "defamation fee" from him for a poem Skafti composed about Ormr's wife. Þorkell Trefill accuses Broddi of seeking Ölkofri's friendship or bribes, thereby making enemies of powerful men. Broddi responds by mocking Þorkell Trefill's earlier mishap with a horse at the spring assembly, where he was trapped beneath his cape.

Eyjólfur Þórðarson complains that Broddi has "pulled a bristle from their noses" (humiliated them) and that the gods are speaking against them. Broddi further taunts Eyjólfur by recalling a past incident where Eyjólfur stole oxen from Þorkell Eiríksson in Skagafjörður, fled, and transformed into a mare to escape, only to have the oxen returned by Guðdala-Starri, effectively stating that Eyjólfur's humiliation was well-deserved. Snorri Goði declares that further verbal sparring with Broddi is pointless and they will remember his enmity. Broddi counters by implying Snorri's honor is misplaced if he focuses on avenging Broddi rather than his own father. Þorkell Geitisson warns Broddi that his insolence will lead to his death. Broddi retorts by reminding Þorkell of his kinsman Brodd-Helgi's slaying and a past incident where Broddi's father marked Þorkell in Böðvarsdal, implying a past humiliation or injury.

The chieftains depart, returning to their booths without further discussion. Ölkofri is now out of the story.

The next day, Broddi approaches Þorkell Geitisson, apologizing for his harsh words the previous day, attributing them to youth and inexperience, and offers him a sword as a gift, inviting him to his home in the summer. Þorkell gratefully accepts, wishing to strengthen their kinship. Before the Althing concludes, Broddi encounters Guðmundur. Guðmundur asks Broddi which route he will take from the Althing. Broddi, understanding the challenge, states he will ride through Kjöl to Skagafjörður, then to Eyjafjörður, through Ljósavatnsskarð, to Mývatn, and finally over Möðrudalsheiði. Guðmundur tells him to make good on his words and ride Ljósavatnsskarð, implying he will block the path. Broddi taunts Guðmundur, saying he must be clumsy with his hands if he can't even guard the small gap between his own thighs, let alone Ljósavatnsskarð.

Þorkell Geitisson, hearing of this exchange, advises Broddi to take a different, safer route. Broddi refuses, stating he must honor his word to Guðmundur. Þorkell then offers to ride with Broddi, bringing their small retinues together. Broddi accepts this offer as an honor. Þorkell, Broddi, and Þorkell's brother-in-law Einar Eyjólfsson ride north together over Öxnadalsheiði, staying at Einar's home at Þverá. Einar escorts them with a large retinue as far as Skjálfandafljót. Þorkell and Broddi continue their journey to their homes in Vopnafjörður. That summer, Þorkell visits Broddi, receives generous gifts, and they maintain a strong, friendly kinship for the rest of their lives.

Critical reception

In ''Möðruvallabók'' the text is rubricated as ‘Ǫlkofra saga’ but has generally been considered as a ''þáttr'' in modern critical works on the text. Emily Lethbridge suggests that in treating the ''Ölkofra'' text as a ''þáttr'' critics "may well be implicitly perpetuating certain hierarchical value judgements founded on assumptions about the relative lengths and narrative value or complexity of sagas (longer, more sophisticated) and ''þættir'' (shorter, less sophisticated)."

Bibliography

Editions

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* Digitised at heimskringla.no
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* Edition in modern Icelandic spelling

Translations

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Secondary literature

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olkofra sags
Sagas of Icelanders
Þættir
Icelandic satire