or Egill Skalla-Grímsson
born 0441; 910, Borg, Ice.
died 990
Icelandic poet.
One of the greatest skaldic poets (see skaldic poetry ), his adventurous life and verses are preserved in the Egils saga (1220?), attributed to his descendant Snorri Sturluson . In the saga Egill kills the son of King Erik Bloodax and places a curse on the king. He later falls into Erik's hands but saves his own life by composing in one night a long poem praising Erik, Hofuthlausn ( 0441; 948). After the death of two sons he composes the lament Sonatorrek ( 0441; 961).