THE SCENE: Medieval north men must have loved to nit-pick the Norse Sagas, given how defensive this Saga author is about the historicity of his story.
THE TEXT: People say that this saga is true. Although it hasn’t been inscribed on tablets, wise men have nonetheless kept it in memory, along with many of the brave deeds of King Hrolf that aren’t included here. His heroic deeds will be slow to fade.
Concerning this saga. Like many others, it happens that not everyone tells it the same way. But there are many men and they travel widely, and one hears what another didn’t hear, yet both accounts may be true, if neither has quite gotten to the truth. People shouldn’t be surprised that men were once more outstanding in size and strength than they are now. It’s true that they could only reckon a few generations since the giants. Now the human race has become the same, since the lineages are all blended. It’s true that many smaller men could fall at one blow of a mighty man, since their weapons were so heavy that weaker men could hardly lift them from the ground. One may note that smaller men would not be able to stand if mighty men struck at them with great strength and sharp blades, which would smash everything even if the weapon didn’t bite.
I think it’s best for those who can’t improve the story not to find fault with it. Whether it’s true or not, let him have enjoyment from it who can, and let the others enjoy something that they like better.
– The Saga of Hrolf Gautreksson, 13th Century
