The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-02-07


former home rule granted by
Denmark to the island folk In 1874.
Bordering as the island does upon the
arctic circle, it would seem anoma-
lous indeed that the former home of
the free-necked, all-conquering vi
kings should be associated with aught
put human liberty, or that the re-
straints and expressions of autocratic
governments should be familiar things
n this little detached world. But Ice
land has had it's political struggles
nevertheless, and from the very be-
ginning of it's history it became the
refuge and sanctuary of a people
seeking safety and refuge from the
intolerable tyranny of a Norseman's
rule.
Iceland's story is really the story of
the Viking, says Christian Science
Monitor. In a minor degree it is as
ISOLATED with the mission of the Celt
and Anglo-Saxon in the early diffu-
sion of Christianity. In 1890 the Ice
landers actually celebrated the thou
sandth anniversary of the landing of
the first Christians.
One is apt to picture the Viking as
sea-rover making his warship fast
to that Of his enemy while the shouts
of the victor rise high above the clash
and clang of spear and battleax upon
shield and helmet. But war was not
really his occupation nor was the sea
his home. He only turned to the sea
for plumber and recreation when he
wearied of the pastoral life. If he
was man of wealth and influence, in
the old Morse country, he was certain
to possess many thralls or retainers,
to own great hall and possibly a
temple. In the center of the hall
would be a row of fires, and against
the wall the high seat or place of
honor, it's great pillars carved and
crowned with images of Thor, Odin
and Frigga. The Viking himself would
be magnifcently attired, his garments
bound with plates of gold, and his
sword, "Fire-of-the-Sea-Kin in a
jeweled scabbard by his side. On his
neck would doubtless be collar of
engraved gold, while his flowing cloak
would be edged with gold.
Such, also, was the early Icelander
in the early stages of his migration
from the old Morse home.
How Iceland Was Settled.
The Vikings peopled the remote is
land deliberately, as land where
freedom awaited them. Unlike other
lands it had no prehistoric history.
Fire-born, it had known not even the
prehistoric savage. Mans coming be-
gan, it may be said, with a woman's
whim, and Vikings VOW. Is it not all
told in "The Story of Harald Hair
fair" and by Snorri in "Heimskrin-
gla?" How Harald sent his messen-
gers to Gyda, daughter of Eric, King
Of Hordaland, with the request that
she become his wife. How to them
she replied that she would not, for the
taking to husband of king who had
no more realm to rule over than few
folk, did not appeal to the proud prfn-
cess. How Harald swore that he would
not cut his hair nor comb it until he
had gotten to himself all Norway
with the scat thereof and the dues"
How after years of strenuous effort
and warfare he brought all Norway
under a sway that was to be feared
wherever the Morse tongue was
spoken.
That was ten centuries ago, when
Harald introduced to Norway that
Capitalization and consolidation of
power which was to make of him a
tyrant and blight upon the ambitions
of the mobiles who felt the weight of
his sway. The freemen resisted as
long as they could. Beaten again and
again in fight, many of them with
drew from the land of their birth, pre-