Geirmund the Noisy

Geirmund the Noisy (?-c. 978) was a viking adventurer of the 10th century. Around 975, he hosted Olaf the Peacock during the latter's second expedition to Norway. On his return home to Iceland Olaf brought Geirmund with him. and Geirmund fell in love with Olaf's daughter Thurid. Though Olaf was opposed to the match, Geirmund bribed Thorgerd to be his advocate, and Olaf relented. The marriage was an unhappy one, and after three years Geirmund decided to return home without leaving any money for the support of his ex-wife and daughter. Enraged, Thurid boarded his ship before he departed, stole his famous sword "Leg-Biter," and left their infant daughter Groa on the ship. Geirmund cursed the sword, and on his return to Norway he and all of his shipmates, including little Groa, were drowned. ["Lax." § 30 (Magnusson 112–114). The sword "Leg-Biter" would later be used by Bolli Thorleiksson to kill his cousin Kjartan Olafsson.]

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References

*Magnusson, Magnus and Hermann Palsson, transl. "Laxdaela Saga". Penguin Classics, 1969.