Egill Skalla-Grimsson was the son of Skalla-Grimur Kveld-Ulfsson and Bera Yngvarsdottir. They had four children, Thorolfur, two daughters and Egill. Thorolfur was born in the year 900 and Egill in 910. When Egill was a small child it was obvious that he would grow up to be like his father, i.e. become very ugly, with black hair, dark skin and become very strong and a great fighter. His brother Thorolfur was quite the opposite of Egill, i.e. very handsome and popular. Egill was envious of his brother from childhood.

When Egill was 17 years old he went abroad with his brother, Thorolfur, after having threatened and thus persuaded his brother to take him with him. Egill and Thorolfur later became very close friends in their viking-voyages and were very fond of each other. Egill was overwhelmed with sorrow when Thorolfur died in a battle where they both fought for king Adalsteinn of England against Olafur king of Scots.

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