The A to Z of the Vikings 28. This book provides a comprehensive work of reference for people interested in the Vikings, including entries on the main historical figures involved in this dramatic period, important battles and treaties, significant archaeological finds, and key works and sources of information on the period. It also summarizes the impact the Vikings had on the areas where they traveled and settled. There is a chronological table, detailed and annotated bibliographies for different themes and geographical locations, and an introduction discussing the major events and developments of the Viking age | 248 SIGURD THE STOUT d. 1014 The next part of Sigurd s story concerns his love affairs with Bryn-hild and Gudrun. After exchanging rings and vows of fidelity with the valkyrie Brynhild Sigurd traveled to the court of a king Giuki who had three sons Gunnar Hogni and Guttorm and one daughter Gudrun. Sigurd was given a love potion by Gudrun s mother which made him forget Brynhild and fall in love with Gudrun. They were married and Sigurd became blood brothers with Gunnar and Hogni. Gunnar then sought Sigurd s assistance to win the affections of Bryn-hild. Brynhild lived in a hall surrounded by a barrier of fire and swore that she would only marry the man who could ride through the flames. Gunnar was unable to do this but Sigurd agreed to pretend to be Gunnar and to win Brynhild for his blood brother. Brynhild and Gunnar were thus married and came to live at Giuki s court but Sigurd then remembered his love for Brynhild. His wife Gudrun and Brynhild quarreled over whose husband was the best and Gudrun revealed the deception to Brynhild. Brynhild in turn confronted Gunnar and said that she had slept with Sigurd she did not mention that he had in fact placed a sword between them . Thus incited to revenge Gunnar asked his brother Guttorm who was not a blood brother of Sigurd to kill Sigurd. Both Sigurd and Guttorm died in this confrontation. Shortly afterward Brynhild killed herself and asked to be burned on the pyre next to Sigurd with a sword placed between them. SIGURD THE POWERFUL ON SigurOr inn riki d. c. 870 . First Earl of Orkney c. 850-870 Sigurd was given the title by his brother Rognvald of More. He is said to have won the whole of Caithness and Sutherland in northeastern Scotland in alliance with Thorstein the Red the son of Aud the Deep-Minded. They also conquered further Scottish territory in Argyll Moray and Ross building a stronghold at Burghead. According to Orkneyinga Saga Sigurd killed a Scottish earl called Maelbrigte Tooth during one of these Scottish
