[citation needed] The name Njáll is a Norse derivative of the Irish name Niall.
He is described as a kindly, wealthy, non-violent, and handsome man, but beardless, suffering from the peculiar condition of not growing any facial hair.
He was a great lawyer — supposedly unequalled in wisdom and predictive powers — and solved the problems of every man who came to him for counsel.
[3] After his sons became involved in a dispute, the farmstead at Bergþórshvoll was surrounded by a hundred men and put on fire.
[citation needed] By then, Njáll was an old man and was offered the chance to leave.