Styrbiorn the Strong

King Eric

Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn.

Palnatoki

Palnatoki is a loyal ally and foster-father figure to Styrbiorn, supporting him in his campaigns.

An

An is a close companion and fellow warrior who fights alongside Styrbiorn.

Thyri

Thyri is Styrbiorn's sister, and their relationship is marked by familial loyalty and tension.

Sigurd Cape

Sigurd Cape is a trusted follower and warrior in Styrbiorn's retinue.

Moldi

Moldi is a loyal follower and warrior who accompanies Styrbiorn on his adventures.

Earl Wolf

Earl Wolf is an enemy of Styrbiorn, fighting against him in battle.

Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson

Styrbiorn and Thorgnyr have limited direct interaction, but Thorgnyr is a respected figure in the realm.

Helgi

Helgi is a companion and fellow warrior who fights alongside Styrbiorn.

King Eric

Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn.

An

An is a close companion and fellow warrior who fights alongside Styrbiorn.

King Eric

Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn.

Styrbiorn the Strong

Protagonist; son of King Biorn the Old, exiled after slaying Aki, later becomes a Jomsviking leader and dies at Fyrisfield.

I: On King Olaf's Howe

Demands his inheritance from King Eric, kills Aki in a fit of rage, and later converses with Queen Sigrid on his father's howe.

I: On King Olaf's Howe

Also called Sigrid the Haughty; meets Styrbiorn on the howe, speaks of seeing the dead, and shows a strange fear and ambition.

II: Thorgnyr the Lawman

Absent from the chapter but central to the conflict; his slaying of Aki and his claim to half the realm sparked the bonders' rebellion.

III: Queen Sigrid the Haughty

Sigrid the Haughty, daughter of Tosti, initially refuses King Eric's suit when she thinks it is for Styrbiorn, then hesitates when he proposes for himself.

III: Queen Sigrid the Haughty

Styrbiorn is mentioned as the intended match for Sigrid, but she scorns him as 'no better than a cat's son.'

IV: Jomsburg

Arrives at Jomsburg with sixty ships, seeking to join Palnatoki's fellowship after proving his strength in battle.

V: Yule in Denmark

Visits King Harald in Denmark for Yule; jestingly provokes the king; grows close to Thyri but hesitates to pursue marriage.

VI: The Dane-King's Daughter

Feels power over King Harald, reacts angrily to being urged to leave, and departs with a threat.

VII: Eric and Styrbiorn

Returns early from exile with a fleet, plays ball aggressively, then voluntarily agrees to leave again.

VIII: The King and the Queen

Returns to Sweden, is welcomed by King Eric, and agrees to the proposed marriage with Thyri.

A Banquet in Upsala

The betrothed of Thyri, seated in the high seat opposite King Eric; becomes entranced by Queen Sigrid during the skald's song.

X: Broken Meats in Upsala

Sleeps tumultuously, has visions, and forces his way into Queen Sigrid's chamber, leading to his banishment.

XI: Jomsburg Seawalls

Stands on the seawall, brooding and despairing; confesses his loss and dishonor; casts away his sword.

XII: The Cowing of the Dane-King

Broods over his humiliation in Sweden, then leads the Jomsburgers to cow King Harald, demanding ships and Thyri's hand.

XIII: The Sailing of the Fleet

Resolute and fierce, he marries Thyri, forces King Harald to join his expedition, and insists on bringing Thyri into Jomsburg against its laws. He dons raven wings on his helm, a symbol of Odin, and dismisses omens as he sails to reclaim Sweden.

XV: Fyrisfield

Leads the Jomsburgers with a raven-winged helm, fights without wound, slays champions, and makes a final stand on a knoll.

XV: Fyrisfield

Waits anxiously for news, learns of the victory from Thorgnyr, and meets the victorious King Eric at dusk.

XVI: Valhalla

Implied to be the warrior presented by Skogul; Odin speaks of him as one chosen and loved best, despite his early death.