American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-02-28

autonomy that u come
as a gift of the war to Ice
land merely follows upon a
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 f~ree-necked, a~ll-conquering VI
kings should be associated with aught
hut human liberty, or that the re-
straints and expressions of autocratic
governments should be familiar things
in this little detached world. But Ice
land has had its political struggles
nevertheless, and from the very be-
ginning of its 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 q minor degree 1t is as
sociated with the mission of the Celt
and Anglo-Saxon in the early dlffu-
sion of Christianity. In 1890 the Ice
landers actually celebrated the thou
sandth anniversary of the landing OF
he first Christians.
One is apt to picture the viking ms
a sea-rover making his warship fast
to that of his enemy while the shouts
Of the victor rise high above the CLASH
,nd 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 ne
wearied of the pastoral life. II he
was q man of wealth and influence, In
he old Morse country, he was certain
to possess many thralls or retaine7s
to own a great hall and possibly q
temple. In the center of the hall
would be a row of fires, and against
the wall the high seat or place OF
honor, its great pillars carved anc
crowned with images of Thor, OdlI
and Frigga. The viking himself would
be magnifcently attired, his garment
bound with plates Of gold, and MI
sword, "Flre-of-the-Sea-King In {
ieweled scabbard by his side. On hi
neck would doubtless be a collar o
engraved gold, while his flowing cloal
would be edged with gold.
Such, also, was the early lcelande
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 a land wher
freedom awaited them. Unlike othe
lands 1t had no prehistoric histor!
Fire-born, it had known not even tn
prehistoric savage. Mans coming b'
gan. II may be said, with a woman
whIm. and a Vikings vow. Is 1t not n
) told in "The Story Of Harnld Hal
fair" and by Snorri In "Heimskril
gla?" How Harald sent his messel
= gers to Gyda, daughter of Eric, Kin
of HordaIand, with the request this
she become his wife. How to the
, she replied that she would not, for u
: taking to husband of a king who ha
no more realm to rule over than a fe
? folk, did not appeal to the proud pr
cess. How Harald wore that he won
! not cut his hair nor comb 1t until
q had gotten to himself all Norwa
with the scat thereof and the dues
!, How after years of strenuous effo
and warfare he brought all Norwi
=, under a sway that was to be fear'
wherever the Morse tongue WI
spoken. How he solemnly bathed al
= cut his hair, held a feast, and wedd'
:. the exacting but now triumpha
Gyda, queen Of the world within h
. ken.
' That was ten centuries ago, VIII
= Harald introduced to Norway tn
; Capitalization and consolidation
= power which was TO make Of him
,, tyrant and a blight upon the ambitio
y OF the mobiles who felt the weight
y his sway. The freemen resisted
u long as they could. Beaten again a
i again in fight, many Of them vii
u drew from the land Of their birth, p
ferring exile with their accustom
liberties to a v~assalage which was
II outrage to the freedom.
AZ Discovered by Naddodd.
!, Thus began the incursions and
cursions Of the Vikings. The ia
haired warriors Of the North spre
40 themselves over many lands, even
far-oh Byzantium. For. centuries
o coast and river hamlsts Sf Englai