The Saga of Grettir: the Viking Antihero that met the Ghost of Haramsøy
- Marion Solheim
- Mar 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 9
The first written source about Haramsøy comes from the Icelandic saga Grettis saga, known in Old Norse as Grettis saga Ásmundssonar. It dates back to the early 14th century and is set in Iceland between the years 880 and 1050. It includes many (!) stories about the the remarkable hero Grettir Ásmundsson, including when he won over a Haramsøy ghost and robbed his grave. Also, he slayed a dusin bearserkers for Christmas.
Grettir Ásmundsson was originally from Iceland. He was a giant of a man who lived as an outlaw for a full twenty years. Already as a boy, Grettir was described as “fierce and unyielding”, and his saga involve both ordinary people and supernatural beings, such as berserkers, trolls, and revenants.
This Viking was pretty much somewhat of an antihero. Although his intentions were not necessarily evil, his hot temper often led to some… mishaps.
Grettir as an Outlaw
We’re not going to go through the whole saga (because it is darn long). But young Grettir became an outlaw on Iceland, meaning no one could help him, and he could be killed without consequence. Not a great starting point for a teenager.
Despite many attempts on his life, Grettir proves remarkably resilient. He survives as an outlaw for nearly twenty years, earning him legendary status.
The Trip to Haramsøya
As an outlaw, Grettir had to be real careful. His father Asmund pulled some strings in order to get him on board a ship that was about to leave Iceland. He managed to make the whole crew super annoyed and angry with his constant singing, laziness and rude remarks. It didn’t get better when a storm came upon them. Long story short, the ship took in water and the trip ended with a disastrous encounter with a hidden rock. The ship got totally wrecked, and the Vikings ended up on the shore of Haramsey. Today known as Haramsøy.
The lord of Haramsey was Torfinn, son of Kår the Old. Kår was dead, but he had haunted the land for quite some time. A mean old ghost, that is. He was haunting the whole island of Haramsøy!
Well, upon seeing Grettir’s crew in distress, Torfinn swiftly dispatched a vessel to rescue them, although much was lost. The crew spent a week recovering. Unlike his dad, Torfinn was a man of great joyance and hospitality. He tried to make Grettir feel welcome, yet Grettir preferred solitude, often wandering to other farms on the island.
Defeating the Ghost of Haramsøy
Grettir became friends with a farmer named Audun, who warned him about a fire on a nearby ness. It was rumored to be connected to Kår the Old's barrow. Audun advised against investigating, fearing Torfinn’s wrath. But Grettir just couldn’t help himself. He was drawn by curiosity and ambition.
Ignoring the warnings, Grettir ventured to the barrow. He broke it open and inside he discovered treasures piled high! But he was soon confronted by Kår the Old’s vengeful spirit. A fierce struggle started, showcasing Grettir's formidable strength. He was after all kind of a giant. They wrestled fiercely, until Grettir, driven by desperation and the supernatural nature of his foe, summoned all his power and defeated the barrow-dweller. By beheading the ghost, that is.
This is how the saga tells the tale:
“Then Grettir entered into the barrow, and right dark it was, and a smell there was therein none of the sweetest. Now he groped about to see how things were below; first he found horse-bones, and then he stumbled against the arm of a high-chair, and in that chair found a man sitting; great treasures of gold and silver were heaped together there, and a small chest was set under the feet of him full of silver; all these riches Grettir carried together to the rope; but as he went out through the barrow he was griped at right strongly; thereon he let go the treasure and rushed against the barrow-dweller, and now they set on one another unsparingly enough.
Everything in their way was kicked out of place, the barrow-wight setting on with hideous eagerness; Grettir gave back before him for a long time, till at last it came to this, that he saw it would not do to hoard his strength any more; now neither spared the other, and they were brought to where the horse-bones were, and thereabout they wrestled long. And now one, now the other, fell on his knee; but the end of the strife was, that the barrow-dweller fell over on his back with huge din. Then ran Audun from the holding of the rope, and deemed Grettir dead. But Grettir drew the sword, 'Jokul's gift,' and drave it at the neck of the barrow-bider so that it took off his head, and Grettir laid it at the thigh of him. Then he went to the rope with the treasure, and lo, Audun was clean gone, so he had to get up the rope by his hands; he had tied a line to the treasure, and therewith he now haled it up.”
Triumphant yet weary, Grettir returned to Torfinn's hall. He brought the huge treasure with him. Torfinn eyed him sharply, demanding to know the source of Grettir's newfound wealth. In response, Grettir sang of his adventure, demanding to be validated for his actions. It worked.
Want to know what Haramsøya is like today? Read about it here!
Yule at Haramsøy with Bearserk Visitors
It was December. Grettir sat on the shore, watching the waves crash against the rugged cliffs of Haramsey. The wind howled through the fjords, and the sky was heavy with dark clouds. He had been staying with Torfinn, who had welcomed him into his home. But tonight, there was an unease in the air. With good reason. Torfinn had left on a journey, and in his absence, a band of berserkers arrived at the farm. Their leader, a towering brute named Thorir Paunch, leered at the women, making crude jokes as his men laughed. They claimed they had been caught in a storm and needed shelter. The women dared not refuse. Everyone knew the berserkers were dangerous men, given to violence and cruelty.
Grettir watched them quietly, taking in every detail. He knew what kind of men these were; they were brutal warriors who had lost all sense of honor, fighting and taking what they pleased. Thorir made it clear what he wanted: he and his men would take the women for themselves. The farm was theirs for the night.
The women in the house were terrified of what was to come. Grettir, still playing the part of a gracious host, said to the berserkers, “Hand me your weapons and wet cloaks. There is no need for them indoors.” Thorir, amused by Grettir’s eagerness, said, “You are unlike the rest of the household. I think you could be useful to us.” “I do not trust all men equally,” Grettir replied. “But come, let’s eat and drink. You must be thirsty after your journey.”
The berserkers agreed, and Grettir fetched them ale. It was stronger than any they had tasted before. They drank greedily, laughing and boasting. As the night wore on, they grew sluggish and drunk. Grettir then spoke. “You must be tired. Would you like me to show you Torfinn’s finest sleeping quarters?”
The berserkers followed him to a sturdy outbuilding. As soon as they stepped inside, Grettir slipped out, slammed the door shut, and locked it tight. At first, the berserkers thought nothing of it, too drunk to realize they were trapped. But as time passed, they grew suspicious. They tried to break the door. It would not budge. Roaring with rage, they hurled themselves against it. They smashed through a wall and burst into the open, their eyes wild with fury.
At that very moment, Grettir attacked.
He drove his spear straight through Thorir’s chest. The force of the thrust sent the spearhead through his back and into another bearserk’s breast behind him. The two fell dead in an instant. The remaining berserkers, weaponless but frenzied, grabbed whatever they could - logs, stones, anything to fight back. But Grettir fought with relentless fury. He cut them down one by one, until six lay dead at his feet.
The last six berserkers fled toward the shore, taking refuge in the boats. Grettir pursued them, battling fiercely even as they struck at him with oars. By now, the house servants had gathered, but they dared not approach the fight.
By nightfall, Grettir had killed all but two of the berserkers, who fled into the freezing wilderness. Exhausted, he returned to the house, guided by the lights the mistress had lit in the high windows.
When he stepped inside, the woman met him at the door. “You have saved us from a shame we could never have undone,” she said. “You will be greatly rewarded.”
Grettir smiled. “I hope you will sleep peacefully tonight, free of berserkers.”
And so, Yule peace was restored to Haramsey.
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