Steinólfur was one of the Viking warriors who invaded England as part of Ragnar Lothbrok's Great Heathen Army and fought under Geirmund Hel-hide's company, the Hel-hides.
Biography[]
Early life[]
When he was young, Steinólfur was once a Wolf Clan warrior who left Kjotve the Cruel's clan due to their unethical actions and practices. Later, he found a new home at Avaldsnes and he later sworn an oath to the young Geirmund.[1]
Serving Geirmund[]
In 870, Steinólfur, his charge Skjalgi, and four more riders found Geirmund dragging his injured brother Hámund back from their hunting trip.[2] Once Skjalgi traveled back and returned with medical equipment, he aided Geirmund with his wounds and traveled with him back home. While providing aid, he inquired about why Geirmund saved his brother, but was responded with a stern reason of loyalty and family. When they returned home, he retracted his statement and congratulated Geirmund for saving his brother before entering the hall.[3]
After Geirmund's conversation with Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan in the hall, he ordered Steinólfur and Skjalgi to find a crew loyal to him while he found a ship.[4] Although they found a crew, Geirmund's father Hjorr Halfsson refused to give him a ship and his mother Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir pleaded for him not to leave. After Geirmund's argument with his family blew up,[5] Steinólfur and Skjalgi escorted Geirmund to his grandfather's grave first and then informed Guthrum about his inclusion. After the two met with Guthrum, Hámund visited briefly and gave them a sword for Geirmund. When Geirmund returned, Skjalgi gave him the sword before departing with Guthrum on his ship Wave Lover.[6]
Stopping in Jutland[]
While the jarls discussed their war plans at a stop in Jutland, Steinólfur stayed with his group especially when Geirmund had an intense argument with Rek, Guthrum's ship commander. Steinólfur stepped in to fight but Eskil, Rek's brother, broke up the altercation before it escalated. In the following two days, Steinólfur was training Skjalgi to fight while Geirmund bought them all shields. At the end of the day, Guthrum called for all his men to set sail.[7]
Traveling England[]
Aboard the Wave Lover, Steinólfur rowed through a tough storm along with Guthrum's men, Skjalgi, and Geirmund. When Rek accused Geirmund for their bad luck, Steinólfur and Skjalgi were shocked when Geirmund throw himself overboard to save them.[8] After Geirmund's sacrifice, both men continued under Guthrum's army. To their fortune, when they arrived at Readingum, they heard that Geirmund survived. They discussed the losses after the Battle of Ashdown as Geirmund told them, Eskil, and Guthrum about his journey and the arm ring Hnituðr.[9]
Within days, Steinólfur and Birna Gormsdóttir, a former shieldmaiden of the late jarl Osbern, resumed Skjalgi's training, while both Guthrum and Halfdan Ragnarsson went southward. However, Geirmund and the warriors at camp built defenses against a possible naval attack. Steinólfur helped fight the Saxons, who tried to attack by river, and held them off. Due to his correct intuition, Geirmund was offered a company of his own. Steinólfur and other Osbern's warriors like Birna, joined Geirmund's company.[10]
Following Geirmund's plan to capture Wælingford, Steinólfur and his fellow warriors took the stronghold effortlessly.[11] Under the company's new namesake of "the Hel-hides", Steinólfur and the Hel-hides joined Guthrum to fight the Saxons at Bedwyn, which ended in a victory.[12] After the Battle of Meretun, the Hel-hides followed Guthrum's leave of Wessex after truce with King Alfred was struck.[13]
Staying in Lunden[]
After leaving Wessex, the Hel-hides found themselves a temporary home in Lunden. However, Ubba Ragnarsson's warrior Krok Uxiblóð declared a blood-feud against Geirmund and fatally attacked Aslef for Geirmund's part in killing Ubba Ragnarsson's kinsman Fasti. When Geirmund told them he had to leave, Steinólfur, Skjalgi, Birna, Rafn, and Vetr agreed to join him on the run. After leaving Thorgrim in charge, the six warriors departed from Lunden.[14]
On the run, they all made their way to a Saxon village, where Geirmund realized there was an ambush set by Krok. Steinólfur and the other three warriors were told to scout as Geirmund and Birna went to the "blacksmith". When the fighting broke out, Steinólfur and Vetr took down three warriors before fleeing.[15] They all then found their way to Medeshamstede, which was constructed into a new monastery, and met with Abbot Torthred, an acquaintance of Geirmund. There, they built defenses in exchange for shelter and food. Yet, tensions emerged when they heard that the Danes invaded Mercia again.[16]
They all were notified that Torthred's sister Tova was taken by Krok. Luckily, Geirmund successfully rescued her from Krok's men. Afterwards, the monks left the Hel-hides after thanking them.[17] The Hel-hides tried to surprise Krok but were seen early and then made to flee. They all ran to a river nearby and happened to meet Eivor and her crew. After a brief argument, Geirmund challenged Krok to a holmgang, which he won. Krok's men tried to attack when Geirmund slew Krok, but Steinólfur, the Hel-hides, and Eivor's warriors killed them in response.[18]
Later, they all feasted and celebrated in Ravensthorpe when they saw Geirmund leave for Jorvik to meet his parents.[19] While their leader was away, the Hel-hides left for Grantebridge and reconvened with Thorgrim and their fellow Hel-hides. When Geirmund arrived, the Hel-hides were tasked to raid along the River Thames to distract Alfred. They agreed on the promise of land and ten pounds of silver for each of them.[20]
Fighting against the Saxons[]
Steinólfur fought alongside the Hel-hides as they conquered villages, but many were mostly defenseless. After their last village raid led to losing a soldier, the Hel-hides left to find Alfred's homeplace.[21] They arrived at Wanating and marched inside, only to find the location similarly abandoned but filled with food. After they feasted, Alfred's army came at Wanating and was 3,000 strong. The Hel-hides took some losses but won the fight.[22]
After sending Thorgrim and their other dead to Valhalla, they followed a trail of dead Vikings and saw four bandits. After interrogating the bandits, they learned Ubba Ragnarsson died and made their way to Wayland's Smithy. While Birna led the warriors forward, Steinólfur and Skjalgi accompanied Geirmund towards a mound, but they were told to wait outside. After some time, their leader came back as they headed to meet Guthrum.[23]
On their travels, the Hel-hides were met by Eskil and were told of the incoming battle at Chippenham. At Selwood, they made camp and readied themselves, but Rafn fell over ill due to his arm injury. While he gave Birna military control of the Hel-hides, Geirmund, Steinólfur, Skjalgi, Eskil, and Vetr stayed and treated Rafn. Performing an immediate amputation, Steinólfur and his company saved Rafn and then they, excluding Vetr and Rafn, all rode for battle.[24]
However, while riding to battle, the small company saw and tracked Alfred running from the battle to a different stronghold. Riding their way back to Selwood, they found a recovered Rafn and Vetr and then ventured to Chippenhamm. Once they arrived, the battle was finished. While the Vikings won, Guthrum isolated himself.[25] Nine days later, Geirmund learned of Guthrum's betrayal and confronted him. Fortunately, Steinólfur saw their leader come back with Hnituðr and was told that they were all moving forward from the war.[26]
Later life[]
Steinólfur and the Hel-hides continued to accompany Geirmund and their ventures gained them much renown and made the group's reputation famous across the seas.[27]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 3
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 2
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 3
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 4
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 5
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 6
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 7
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 8
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 13
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 14
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 15
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 16
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 17
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 18
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 19
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 20
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 21
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 22
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 23
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 25
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 26
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 27
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 28
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 29
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 30
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Chapter 31
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga — Epilogue
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