Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Literature / TheTaleOfStyrbjorn

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Link to the picture did not work, replaced with link to the article page.


[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon." [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DR_279_Sj%C3%B6rup.jpg Runestone DR 279]] at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for a certain Ásbjörn.-] ]]

to:

[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon." [[http://en.[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DR_279_Sj%C3%B6rup.jpg org/wiki/Sjörup_Runestone Runestone DR 279]] at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for a certain Ásbjörn.-] ]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
fix red link to Notable Swedish Monarchs in main description


The Kingdom of UsefulNotes/{{Sweden}} is ruled jointly by the brothers [[Creator/NotableSwedishMonarchs Olaf and Erik]]. Olaf dies suddenly while his son Björn is still a child. When Björn is twelve years old, he asks his uncle Erik for his birthright – one half of the kingdom. But Erik puts him off, telling him to wait until he is sixteen.

to:

The Kingdom of UsefulNotes/{{Sweden}} is ruled jointly by the brothers [[Creator/NotableSwedishMonarchs [[UsefulNotes/NotableSwedishMonarchs Olaf and Erik]]. Olaf dies suddenly while his son Björn is still a child. When Björn is twelve years old, he asks his uncle Erik for his birthright – one half of the kingdom. But Erik puts him off, telling him to wait until he is sixteen.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


The Kingdom of UsefulNotes/{{Sweden}} is ruled jointly by the brothers [[NotableSwedishMonarchs Olaf and Erik]]. Olaf dies suddenly while his son Björn is still a child. When Björn is twelve years old, he asks his uncle Erik for his birthright – one half of the kingdom. But Erik puts him off, telling him to wait until he is sixteen.

to:

The Kingdom of UsefulNotes/{{Sweden}} is ruled jointly by the brothers [[NotableSwedishMonarchs [[Creator/NotableSwedishMonarchs Olaf and Erik]]. Olaf dies suddenly while his son Björn is still a child. When Björn is twelve years old, he asks his uncle Erik for his birthright – one half of the kingdom. But Erik puts him off, telling him to wait until he is sixteen.



----

to:

----
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* BurningTheShips: Styrbjorn orders his fleet burnt after sailing up the Fyris River to Uppsala, "because he believed his men would not be so quick to flee if there was no way of getting away from there."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[quoteright:200:[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DR_279_Sj%C3%B6rup.jpg http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SjrupRunestone_w200_6977.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon."-][[note]]From the inscription of runestone DR 279 at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for the champion Asbjörn.[[/note]]]]

The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]] and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ ''Literature/DanishHistory''.

to:

[[quoteright:200:[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DR_279_Sj%C3%B6rup.jpg http://static.[[quoteright:200:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SjrupRunestone_w200_6977.jpg]]]]
jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon."-][[note]]From the inscription of runestone DR 279 at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for the champion Asbjörn.[[/note]]]]

The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the
" [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DR_279_Sj%C3%B6rup.jpg Runestone DR 279]] at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for a certain Ásbjörn.-] ]]

"The Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes" (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] Book of Flatey]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]] and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ Grammaticus' ''Literature/DanishHistory''.



* AlliterativeName: Both the Norse original (''Styrbjörn Sterki'') and the English "Styrbjörn the Strong" have the alliteration.

to:

* AlliterativeName: Both the Norse original (''Styrbjörn Sterki'') and the English "Styrbjörn the Strong" have the alliteration.alliterate.



* HalfHumanHybrid: From the ''Saga of Orvar-Odd'' it can be learned that a ''finngálkn'' is a monster with the upper body of a human and the feet and tail of a dragon.

to:

* HalfHumanHybrid: From the ''Saga of Orvar-Odd'' ''Literature/TheSagaOfArrowOdd'' it can be learned that a ''finngálkn'' is a monster with the upper body of a human and the feet and tail of a dragon.



----

to:

----
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]] and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ ''Danish History''.

to:

The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]] and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ ''Danish History''.''Literature/DanishHistory''.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon."-][[hottip:*:From the inscription of runestone DR 279 at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for the champion Asbjörn.]]]]

to:

[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon."-][[hottip:*:From "-][[note]]From the inscription of runestone DR 279 at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for the champion Asbjörn.]]]]
[[/note]]]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


But Björn, who is unusually strong and proud, gets in all kinds of fights and even kills one of Erik’s courtiers. For his aggressive spirit, he is nicknamed Styrbjörn, or [[AlliterativeName Styrbjörn the Strong]] because of his strength. The Swedish farmers don’t like him and vote on an assembly that he is not fit be king. To appease him and get him out of the kingdom, Erik gives him 60 warships so he can go on [[HornyVikings viking cruises]].

to:

But Björn, who is unusually strong and proud, gets in all kinds of fights and even kills one of Erik’s courtiers. For his aggressive spirit, he is nicknamed Styrbjörn, or [[AlliterativeName Styrbjörn the Strong]] because of his strength. The Swedish farmers don’t like him and vote on an assembly that he is not fit to be king. To appease him and get him out of the kingdom, Erik gives him 60 warships so he can go on [[HornyVikings viking cruises]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* IdenticalGrandson: Inverted -- Thorgnyr, Lawspeaker of Sweden, is implied to be the father or grandfather of another Thorgnyr the Lawspeaker in Snorri Sturluson's ''Literature/{{Heimskringla}}''. Both Thorgnyrs are essentially the same character: An old and wise figure of authority that defends the rights of the farmers against the overbearance of the kings.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* TheDeterminator: Styrbjorn will not resign his birthright, no matter what the costs.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* HalfHumanHybrid: From the ''Saga of Orvar-Odd'' it can be learned that a ''finngalkn'' is a monster with the upper body of a human and the feet and tail of a dragon.

to:

* HalfHumanHybrid: From the ''Saga of Orvar-Odd'' it can be learned that a ''finngalkn'' ''finngálkn'' is a monster with the upper body of a human and the feet and tail of a dragon.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* HalfHumanHybrid: From the ''Saga of Orvar-Odd'' it can be learned that a ''finngalkn'' is a monster with the upper body of a human and the feet and tail of a dragon.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other Literature/{{Icelandic sagas}} and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ ''Danish History''.

to:

The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other Literature/{{Icelandic sagas}} [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic sagas]] and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ ''Danish History''.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[quoteright:200:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SjrupRunestone_w200_6977.jpg]]

to:

[[quoteright:200:http://static.[[quoteright:200:[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DR_279_Sj%C3%B6rup.jpg http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SjrupRunestone_w200_6977.jpg]]jpg]]]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:200:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/SjrupRunestone_w200_6977.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:200: [-"He did not flee at Uppsala, but slaughtered as long as he had a weapon."-][[hottip:*:From the inscription of runestone DR 279 at Sjörup, Sweden, erected c. 1000 AD for the champion Asbjörn.]]]]

The '''"Tale of Styrbjörn, Champion of the Swedes"''' (''Styrbjarnar þáttr Svíakappa'') is an [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Icelandic short tale]] found in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatey_Book Flatey Book]] (c. 1390). It is quite short and likely a condensed abstract of a saga which is unfortunately lost. The same story is referred to in various other Literature/{{Icelandic sagas}} and is also told somewhat differently in Saxo Grammaticus’ ''Danish History''.

The Kingdom of UsefulNotes/{{Sweden}} is ruled jointly by the brothers [[NotableSwedishMonarchs Olaf and Erik]]. Olaf dies suddenly while his son Björn is still a child. When Björn is twelve years old, he asks his uncle Erik for his birthright – one half of the kingdom. But Erik puts him off, telling him to wait until he is sixteen.

But Björn, who is unusually strong and proud, gets in all kinds of fights and even kills one of Erik’s courtiers. For his aggressive spirit, he is nicknamed Styrbjörn, or [[AlliterativeName Styrbjörn the Strong]] because of his strength. The Swedish farmers don’t like him and vote on an assembly that he is not fit be king. To appease him and get him out of the kingdom, Erik gives him 60 warships so he can go on [[HornyVikings viking cruises]].

Styrbjörn {{plunder}}s up and down the shores of the Baltic and finally defeats even the mighty [[Literature/SagaOfTheJomsvikings Jomsvikings]], forcing them to accept him as their chief. Next, he invades UsefulNotes/{{Denmark}}, until the Danes under their king Harald Bluetooth meet his demands – one, to give him the princess Thyra in marriage, two, to assist him with their entire fleet in three great battles, and three, to let him hand-pick one man from Denmark that must accompany him on his next campaign. When they agree, Styrbjörn, of course, chooses the king, Harald.

Now finally feeling powerful enough, Styrbjörn sets out with his massive army to Sweden, ready to challenge his uncle and take the kingdom by force. Who will win?

Fun fact: The Battle of Uppsala is attested on a handful of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fyrisvellir#Mentions_on_runestones 10th century runestones]] that were erected for fallen fighters.
----
!! "Tale of Styrbjörn" provides examples of the following tropes:

* AlliterativeName: Both the Norse original (''Styrbjörn Sterki'') and the English "Styrbjörn the Strong" have the alliteration.
* BattleEpic: About the Battle of Uppsala.
* BigBadassBattleSequence: The Battle of Uppsala.
* ContinuitySnarl: The ''Literature/SagaOfTheJomsvikings'' makes no mention of Styrbjörn and his rule over Jomsborg at all.
* LastStand: [[spoiler:Styrbjörn loses.]]
* RuleOfThree: Only the third day of battle brings the decision.
* SupernaturalAid: [[spoiler:King Erik]] receives the help of Odin.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The story introduces three retainers of King Erik named Helgi, Thorgisl and Thorir, seemingly implying that they will become important later. They are never mentioned again. Probably they had a part in the writer's source which was cut for length.
----

Top