It tells the story of Hænsa-Þórir (Old Norse: Hœnsa-Þórir [-ˌθoːrez̠]; Icelandic: Hænsna-Þórir [-ˈθouːrɪr̥]; hænsn means "a hen"), a poor and unpopular man who acquires wealth as a merchant and manages to buy land.
A vendetta ensues in which Hænsa-Þórir is killed and beheaded; the neighbours then seal their differences with a marriage between their families.
The saga highlights aspects of Icelandic culture, such as hospitality to guests and travellers, (expected) generosity to one's neighbours, and the need to gather support of a chieftain in order to obtain justice.
[1] It has also been suggested that Hænsa-Þóris saga was written in response to a change in the law originating from King Magnus VI of Norway.
If he refused to sell the hay, he had to pay a fine, and if he resisted with force, his neighbours could attack him in turn without committing a crime.