It's believed that "holmgang" was originally fought on small islands ("holmer"), without any spectators. Surrender was done by jumping in the water. If the loser was dead and the winner wet, when they were picked up later, the winner was considered guilty of murder, either having falsely surrendered (if the loser was dry), or having waded in to kill a man that had surrendered (if the loser was also wet). Theoretically, of course, the winner could have surrendered, had the other wade in to kill him, anyway, but still have won, in the end. However, wading in after a surrendering man would've been suicide, and was considered unlikely. This is only a theory, though; actual evidence is spotty. What we have good sources for, though, is that some men would challenge others, simply because they wanted a fight to the death, often arranging bets on who would win. To them, it was a no-lose situation. Either they lived, and walked away richer, or they died, and went to Valhalla. Several berserks were known for this, including the famous berserk, poet, and sorcerer (multi-talented) Egill Skallagrimson.
It's believed that "holmgang" was originally fought on small islands ("holmer"), without any spectators. Surrender was done by jumping in the water. If the loser was dead and the winner wet, when they were picked up later, the winner was considered guilty of murder, either having falsely surrendered (if the loser was dry), or having waded in to kill a man that had surrendered (if the loser was also wet).
Theoretically, of course, the winner could have surrendered, had the other wade in to kill him, anyway, but still have won, in the end. However, wading in after a surrendering man would've been suicide, and was considered unlikely.
This is only a theory, though; actual evidence is spotty.
What we have good sources for, though, is that some men would challenge others, simply because they wanted a fight to the death, often arranging bets on who would win. To them, it was a no-lose situation. Either they lived, and walked away richer, or they died, and went to Valhalla. Several berserks were known for this, including the famous berserk, poet, and sorcerer (multi-talented) Egill Skallagrimson.