Fridleif (son of Frode)

Also known as: Fridleif · Family: Danes · Role: king · First appears: Book Six · Part 1

In Book Six · Part 1, after composing an epitaph for Frode (son of Fridleif the Swift), Fridleif was crowned king of the Danes. While staying in Russia, he granted Halfdan (son of Erik)’s request for aid against his Norwegian attackers and went to Norway in arms. In Book Six · Part 2, he drove raiders into a stronghold, killed them all except Biorn (champion of Fridleif), whom he healed, and made Biorn his sworn colleague.

In Book Six · Part 3, Fridleif defeated Hiarn, who fled to Jutland and rallied another band; Fridleif later recognized him in disguise, challenged him, and killed him. He then sent to Amund for his daughter Frogertha in marriage. When he learned that his envoys had been killed, Fridleif sailed around Norway with Halfdan and Biorn, and Amund brought out his fleet. In Book Six · Part 4, Fridleif fought Amund by sea and land; when Ane challenged him, Biorn fought Ane instead. In Book Six · Part 5, Amund’s death freed Fridleif from his foe.

Fridleif later had a son, Olaf (son of Fridleif), and entrusted him, at three years old, to be reared. He reconciled Biorn and Ane, and gave Juritha, Olaf’s mother, in marriage to Ane, whom he made one of his warriors. Fridleif’s wife Frogertha bore a son, Frode (father of Ingild), who succeeded him after Fridleif died.