Death Compensation- Njal’s Saga

“A meeting was called and payment was awarded for the slaying of Thrain, and they all accepted compensation, according to law. After that a state of peace was declared and secured as well as possible. Njal paid the full amount readily. Things were then quiet for a while.” (Njal’s Saga, 161) Many heroes come and go, fight and die by the sword, and in the story of Njal, amongst them were some great heroes. Gunnar of Hlidarendi and Skarphedin. Both men were great fighters and won everlasting remembrance for their honor, and adept fighting skills. But as they fought by the sword, so did they die by it. Making enemies along the way, their death grew ever closer. Eventually to much was weighed upon them. Men held grudges and wanted a taste of revenge for their fallen comrades. Now it was their descision to make. Would they let revenge and anger take hold of them and slay a man, to ease their pain. Or would they request “compensatin” for the death.
Throughout the novel an event pops up, every once in a while. They call it the “Althing” or the “Thing” for short. The “Althing” was like a court of law. A place where allies and enemies would meet, where they could bring up a murder or an injustice done, and demand compensation for the loss of friends and families. This was the peaceful manner of dealing with their problems, although many, sometimes Gunnar, disapproved of this way. Maybe he thought it cowardly, and maybe he preferred revenge. Whatever his reason it eventually lead to his own death as compensation for the many killings he had made. Compensation kept the peace and revenge lead to your own death.