# Styrbiorn the Strong — Styrbiorn the Strong character guide > Styrbiorn the Strong in Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Styrbiorn, Sigrid, Queen Sigrid the Haughty, Sigrid the Haughty, Queen Sigrid, Styrbiorn withal, kinsman Styrbiorn **First appearance:** 0002-styrbiorn-the-strong ## Snapshot A fierce Viking claimant to the Swedish throne, Styrbiorn storms his way into queens' chambers and kings' counsels alike, driven by a hunger for what is rightfully his. ## Who they are Styrbiorn returns from Viking exploits abroad to find his uncle King Eric seated on the throne that should be his, and the insult festers. He is a man of deeds rather than words, whose stuttering speech belies a will of iron and a temper that terrifies even his own Jomsburgers. His night with Queen Sigrid—and his subsequent flight from her bed—sets in motion the feud that will define the saga's central conflict. ## Relationships ### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn. ### [Palnatoki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/palnatoki) _friendship_ Palnatoki is a loyal ally and foster-father figure to Styrbiorn, supporting him in his campaigns. ### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an) _friendship_ An is a close companion and fellow warrior who fights alongside Styrbiorn. ### [Thyri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/thyri) _family_ Thyri is Styrbiorn's sister, and their relationship is marked by familial loyalty and tension. ### [Sigurd Cape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/sigurd_cape) _friendship_ Sigurd Cape is a trusted follower and warrior in Styrbiorn's retinue. ### [Moldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/moldi) _friendship_ Moldi is a loyal follower and warrior who accompanies Styrbiorn on his adventures. ### [Earl Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/earl_wolf) _rivalry_ Earl Wolf is an enemy of Styrbiorn, fighting against him in battle. ### [Thorgnyr Thorgnyrson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/thorgnyr_thorgnyrson) _social_ Styrbiorn and Thorgnyr have limited direct interaction, but Thorgnyr is a respected figure in the realm. ### [Helgi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/helgi) _friendship_ Helgi is a companion and fellow warrior who fights alongside Styrbiorn. ### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn. ### [An](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/an) _friendship_ An is a close companion and fellow warrior who fights alongside Styrbiorn. ### [King Eric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/king_eric) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies and rivals for the Swedish throne, with Eric ultimately defeating and killing Styrbiorn. ## In the story ### [Styrbiorn the Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/iv-jomsburg) Arrives at Jomsburg with sixty ships, seeking to join Palnatoki's fellowship after proving his strength in battle. ### [V: Yule in Denmark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/ix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xv-fyrisfield) Waits anxiously for news, learns of the victory from Thorgnyr, and meets the victorious King Eric at dusk. ### [XVI: Valhalla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xvi-valhalla) Implied to be the warrior presented by Skogul; Odin speaks of him as one chosen and loved best, despite his early death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/styrbiorn_the_strong - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters