Halfdan (son of Erik)

Also known as: Halfdan · Family: Swedes · Role: unknown · First appears: Book Six · Part 1

In Book Six · Part 1, after his father Erik Shrewd-spoken died, Halfdan governed in his place. Pressed by attacks from twelve Norwegian brothers, including Gerbiorn, Gunbiorn, Arinbiorn, Stenbiorn, Esbiorn, Thorbiorn and Biorn, he fled to Russia to seek aid from Fridleif (son of Frode). Fridleif granted his request and went to Norway in arms.

In Book Six · Part 3, Fridleif summoned Halfdan and Biorn (champion of Fridleif) and sailed around Norway; Amund put out his fleet against them. In Book Six · Part 10, Starkad left Ingild (son of Frode) and sought Halfdan’s fellowship. By Book Six · Part 12, Starkad had returned to Halfdan and entered his service in close friendship.

Relationship record

Life events

• Halfdan fled to Russia to ask Fridleif for aid against his Norwegian attackers.(Book Six · Part 1 · 📍 Russia)
  • With: Fridleif (son of Frode)
  • “alarmed by the many attacks of twelve brothers of Norwegian birth, and powerless to punish their violence, fled, hoping for reinforcements, to ask aid of Fridleif, then sojourning in Russia.”
• Fridleif granted Halfdan's request for aid and went to Norway in arms.(Book Six · Part 1 · 📍 Norway)
  • With: Fridleif (son of Frode)
  • “From him Fridleif heard the tidings of his father's death, and granting the aid he sought, went to Norway in armed array.”
• After learning of the envoys' deaths, Fridleif sailed around Norway with Halfdan and Biorn, and Amund put out his fleet.(Book Six · Part 3 · 📍 Frokasund)
  • With: Fridleif (son of Frode) Biorn (champion of Fridleif) Amund
  • “Fridleif heard news of this outrage, and summoning Halfdan and Biorn, sailed round Norway. Amund, equipped with his native defences, put out his fleet against him. The firth into which both fleets had mustered is called Frokasund.”
• Starkad forsook Ingild’s friendship and sought the fellowship of Halfdan.(Book Six · Part 10)
  • With: Starkad Ingild (son of Frode)
  • “Starkad was so disgusted at the excess of Ingild, that he forsook his friendship, and sought the fellowship of Halfdan, the King of Swedes, preferring work to idleness.”
• Starkad returned to Halfdan and entered his service.(Book Six · Part 12)
  • With: Starkad
  • “Starkad got as much pleasure from his words as from his works, and went back to Halfdan, embracing his service with the closest friendship”