Hǫfuðlausn (modern Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈhœːvʏðˌlœystn̥]) or ‘Head-ransom' is a skaldic poem attributed to Egill Skalla-Grímsson in praise of king Eirik Bloodaxe.
Earlier in the saga Egil goes as far as to construct a Nithing pole, a sign of disrespect in medieval Scandinavian society.
For this and other reasons King Eirik tells Egil not to expect any outcome other than death for his arrival in his court.
"[2] This argument along with it being considered scornful to kill during the night, convinces Eirik to delay his judgement until the next day.
The two remain enemies and Egil continues on his original journey to visit king Æthelstan of England.