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Bersi Skáldtorfuson

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Bersi Skáldtorfuson

Bersi Skáldtorfuson was an Icelandic skald, active around the year 1000. He was a court poet to Earl Sveinn Hákonarson. During the Battle of Nesjar he was captured by King Óláfr Haraldsson's forces. In captivity he composed three of his four stanzas which have survived.

One lausavísa is attributed to Bersi in the surviving fragments of Óláfs saga helga by Styrmir Kárason. But the same stanza is attributed to Sigvatr Þórðarson in Heimskringla and to Óttarr svarti in other sagas on St. Óláfr. Styrmir's saga gives some information on Bersi's career in St. Óláfr's service and indicates that he died in 1030.

Bersi was at some point at the court of King Canute the Great where Sigvatr Þórðarson addressed him in verse after they had both received gifts from the king. Apart from being mentioned in the kings' sagas Bersi also has a minor role in Grettis saga, chapters 15, 23 & 24, where he asks Earl Sveinn to spare Grettir Ásmundarson's life.

Bersi's mother, Skáld-Torfa, was apparently also a poet but none of her works have come down to us.

References

Bersi Skáldtorfuson Wikipedia