Dictionary.net

A celebrated Icelandic skald of the 10th century, who did heroic and daring deeds as well as sung of them; he was a brave fighter and a reckless sea-rover. The story of his life, in "Egillsaga" or "Eigla", tells how he was a poet at three and killed his man at seven; and how he roamed in quest of adventure over northern Europe, in the wildest vicissitudes of fortune, and finally died blind at a good old age. It is reputed to belong to the 13th century, but contains several indis putably genuine compositions of Egill; including the song of "The Life (or Head) Redeemed", which placated King Ethelstan when resolved to put the rover to death; the lament for "His Son's Death"; the song in "Praise of Arinbjorn".