Erik Shrewd-spoken

Also known as: Eric / Erik / Shrewd-spoken · Family: Norwegians · Role: son of Ragnar the champion; Frode's counsellor · First appears: Book Five · Part 5

In Book Five · Part 5, Ragnar (father of Erik) was father to Erik and Roller, who had different mothers; Kraka was Roller’s mother and Erik’s stepmother. Gotar (king of Norway) named Erik Shrewd-spoken and gave him the ship Skroter. After Erik vowed with Roller to seek Frode (son of Fridleif the Swift), Ragnar revealed hidden treasures for the brothers to take. Erik ate the stronger portion of a meal and gained extraordinary knowledge and eloquence; Kraka urged him to help Roller, and the party sailed with her and Ragnar to Denmark.

When Odd (grandson of Fridleif) prepared a surprise attack, Erik’s spies reported his plans, and Erik sank Odd’s vessels; Odd and his crew were slain. Erik later revealed that Odd was the man he had killed, and Frode rewarded him with a bracelet. He faced Grep (eldest son of Westmar), who tried to spear him, then defeated Gotwar in a contest of words and won her wagered necklace. Erik also defeated and killed Westmar in a rope contest. Gunwar, Frode’s sister and Erik’s betrothed, warned him when Frode meant to throw a dagger at him; Frode missed, and Erik took the dagger’s sheath.

After Frode’s ship was wrecked, Erik and Roller rescued him from the sea. Erik returned Frode’s treasure and goods, and Frode gave him Gunwar in marriage and command over a hundred men. Gotar (king of Norway) later offered Erik his daughter Alfhild (daughter of Gotar) and the district of Lither, but Erik married Gunwar; when Gotar moved against him, Erik rejected peace. Erik fought and subdued enemies, and Frode made him king of the nations he had conquered. He later advised Frode to return home rather than face the Huns, and his counsel was followed. In Book Six · Part 1, Erik, then governor of Sweden, died of disease; his son Halfdan (son of Erik) governed in his stead.