The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki (Penguin Classics) Read online

  ‘Now is the time,’ said Hjalti, ‘for us to lead the forces of our king, that man who denies us nothing. Let us fulfil our solemn vows that we will defend the king who has become the most famous in all the northern lands. Let it be heard in every land how we repaid him for the weapons, armour and many other generous acts, because what faces us will not be a minor undertaking. We have for a long time, despite many clear indications, ignored what was coming. Now I have reason to suspect that momentous events, of the type that will long be remembered, are about to take place. Some might say that I perhaps speak from fear, but it may be that King Hrolf drinks for the last time with his champions and his retainers.

  ‘Rise now, all you champions,’ said Hjalti, ‘and be quick about parting from your mistresses. Other matters are staring you in the face. Prepare yourselves for what is about to happen. Up, all you champions! Everyone must arm himself at once.’

  Then Hromund the Hard leapt up, followed by Hrolf the Swift-Handed, Svipdag and Beygad, and Hvitserk the Bold. Haklang was the sixth, Hardrefil the seventh, Haki the Valiant the eighth, Vott the Arrogant the ninth and Storolf was the name of the tenth. Hjalti the Magnanimous was the eleventh and Bodvar Bjarki was the twelfth. Bodvar was so named because he drove out King Hrolf’s bullying and unjust berserkers. Some he killed and none of them was successful against him. In comparison to him, the berserkers, when put to the test, were like children. Nevertheless, they always considered themselves superior, and they continually plotted against Bodvar.

  Bodvar Bjarki immediately stood up. He put on his war gear and said that King Hrolf now badly needed brave men: ‘Heart and courage will be required of all those who choose to stand alongside King Hrolf, rather than to hide behind him.’

  Then King Hrolf sprang to his feet. Showing not a trace of fear, he began to speak, ‘Let us now down the finest drink that can be had. We do it before the battle, making us cheerful, and in this way we show what manner of men Hrolf’s champions are. Let us strive only to make our bravery so superior that it will never be forgotten, because gathered here are the finest and most courageous champions from all the surrounding lands. Tell Hjorvard and Skuld and their men that we will drink to our satisfaction before setting out to take the tribute.’

  The king’s orders were obeyed. Skuld answered, ‘King Hrolf, my brother, is unlike all others, and the loss of such men is a dreadful misfortune. Nevertheless, all now moves towards the same end.’ So highly was King Hrolf regarded that he was praised by both friends and enemies.

  33. The Great Battle

  After drinking for a while, King Hrolf leapt up from the high seat, and all his champions followed his example. They left the pleasing drink and immediately went outside, everyone, that is, except Bodvar Bjarki. He was nowhere to be seen, a fact that greatly perplexed the others. They thought it possible that Bodvar had been captured or killed.

  As soon as they went outside, a furious battle began. King Hrolf pushed forward with his standard. He was accompanied on both sides by his champions and by all the men of the stronghold. These latter were not few in number, even if they did not count for much in battle. Much was to be seen: massive blows struck helmets and mail coats while swords and spears flashed in the air. So numerous were the corpses that the ground was entirely covered with them.

  Hjalti the Magnanimous said, ‘Many mail coats are now slit open and many weapons are broken; helmets are smashed and brave knights are thrown from their mounts. Our king is in fine humour, for now he is as cheerful as when drinking deepest of his ale. He strikes alike with both hands, and in battle he is unlike other kings. To me he seems to have the strength of twelve men, so many brave men has he killed. Now King Hjorvard can see that the sword Skofnung cuts; it rings loudly within their skulls.’ The nature of Skofnung was such that it sang aloud when it struck bone.

  The battle now became so fierce that nothing could withstand King Hrolf and his champions. Skofnung in hand, King Hrolf fought in a way that seemed a marvel. His courage made a great impression on King Hjorvard’s army, whose men fell in heaps.

  Hjorvard and his men saw a great bear advancing in front of King Hrolf’s troop. The bear was always beside the king, and it killed more men with its paw than any five of the king’s champions did. Blows and missiles glanced off the animal, as it used its weight to crush King Hjorvard’s men and their horses. Between its teeth, it tore everything within reach, causing a palpable fear to spread through the ranks of King Hjorvard’s army.

  Hjalti looked around for his companion Bodvar but did not see him. He said to King Hrolf, ‘What does it mean when Bodvar looks to his own safety and does not stand beside the king? We thought him such a champion, which indeed he has often proven himself to be.’

  King Hrolf answered, ‘Bodvar will be where he serves us best, if it is he who decides. Look to your own pride and prowess and do not reproach him, because not one of you is his equal. I do not hold this disparity against any of you, because you are all the most courageous of champions.’

  Hjalti now ran back to the king’s chamber, where he found Bodvar sitting idle.78 Hjalti spoke, ‘How long shall we wait for this most famous of men? It is a major disgrace that you are not on your feet. You should be testing the strength of your arms, which are as strong as a bear’s. Get up now, Bodvar Bjarki, my master, otherwise I will burn down the house and you in it. There is dishonour in this conduct for such a champion as you. While the king endangers his life for us, you lose the renown that you have for so long enjoyed.’

  Then Bodvar stood up. He sighed deeply and said, ‘You need not try to frighten me, Hjalti, because I have not yet begun to be afraid, but now I am quite prepared to go. When I was young I fled from neither fire not steel. Fire have I seldom tested, although the passage of steel weapons is something that I have endured. Until now, I have survived both. You can in truth say that I wish to fight at my utmost level. King Hrolf has always called me a champion in front of his men. I have also many other things to repay. First there is our bond by marriage and the twelve estates that he gave me; and then there are the many valuable gifts. I killed the berserker Agnar, a man of no lesser rank than that of a king, and that deed is well remembered.’ Bodvar now recounted for Hjalti many of his remarkable feats, noting that he had killed many men. He asked Hjalti, therefore, to recognize that he went into battle without fear, adding, ‘Although I think that in this current battle we are grappling with something far stranger than either of us has ever experienced. But you, Hjalti, by disturbing me here, have not been as helpful to the king as you think you have. It was nearly decided which side had gained the victory. You have acted more out of ignorance than out of enmity to the king. Among the king’s champions there is no one except you whom I would have permitted to call me out, as you have done. Anyone else, except for the king himself, I would have killed. Now events will run their course, turning out as they will, and no action on our part will affect the outcome. In truth, I can tell you that in many ways I can now offer the king far less support than before you woke me.’

  Hjalti responded, ‘It is clear that my concern is for you and King Hrolf. Yet it is difficult to make the right decision when events develop as they have.’

  After Hjalti’s challenge, Bodvar stood up and went out to the battle. The bear was gone from King Hrolf’s force, and now the battle began to turn against the king. Queen Skuld, from where she sat in her black tent on the witch’s scaffold, had been unable to work any magic while the bear was in King Hrolf’s ranks.

  The situation then changed as much as when dark night follows a bright day. King Hrolf’s men now saw a hideous boar advancing from King Hjorvard’s force. In size it appeared to be no smaller than a three-year-old bull. Its colour was wolf-grey. An arrow shot out from each of its bristles and, in a monstrous way, it mowed down King Hrolf’s retainers in droves.

  Hewing with both hands, Bodvar Bjarki moved forcefully around. He thought of nothing else but to cause as much damage as possible before he fell. Men
fell dead across each other in front of him, until both his shoulders were covered with blood. Corpses were heaped high all around him, and he behaved as though overcome with madness. However many of Hjorvard’s and Skuld’s men he and Hrolf’s champions killed, their enemies’ ranks, remarkably, never diminished. It was as though Hrolf’s men were having no effect, and they thought they had never come upon so strange an occurrence.

  Bodvar said, ‘Deep are the ranks of Skuld’s army. I suspect that the dead are wandering about. They rise up again to fight against us, and it becomes difficult to fight with ghosts.79 As many limbs as we cleave, shields as we split, helmets and mail coats as we hew apart, and war leaders we cut down, the encounters with the dead are the grimmest. We lack the strength to combat such opponents. But where is that champion of King Hrolf who most questioned my courage and, until I answered him, repeatedly challenged me to enter the fight? I do not see him now, and it is not often that I criticize others.’

  Then Hjalti said, ‘You speak truthfully, and you are not a man to slander others. Here stands the man named Hjalti, but I still have some work to do. There is not much distance between us, and I could use the support of good men, foster brother, because all my armour has been hacked off me. Even though I believe that I am fighting to my limit, I am no longer able to avenge all the blows I have received. But now we must hold nothing back, if we are to be guests this evening in Valhalla.80 Certainly we have never come up against a marvel such as we now face, although we have long been forewarned about the events now occurring.’

  Bodvar said, ‘Listen to my words. I have fought in twelve pitched battles. Always I have been called fearless and have never given way to a berserker. It was I who encouraged King Hrolf to seek out King Adils in his home. We were met with deceit, but that was nothing compared to this foulness. My heart is now so gripped by these events that my eagerness to continue the fight has diminished. A short while ago, in the earlier clash, I was up against King Hjorvard. We were face to face, and neither of us threw insults at the other, although we exchanged blows for a time. He gave me a blow that I found heavy, while I, for my part, hacked off a hand and a foot. I landed another blow on his shoulder, slicing him down his side, for the length of his spine. His reaction was not even to sigh. It was as if he dozed for a time, and I thought him dead. Few men like him are to be found, for he fought afterward no less boldly than before, and I cannot say what it is that is driving him. Assembled here against us are many men, rich and powerful, pouring in from all directions, so that there is no defence. I do not recognize Odin among them, although I strongly suspect that this foul and unfaithful son of the evil one will be hovering in the background and causing us harm.81 If someone would only point him out to me I would squeeze him like a detestable puny mouse. That vile, poisonous creature would be shamelessly treated if I could just get my hands on him. Who would not have bitterness in his heart if he saw his liege lord as ill treated as we now see ours.’

  Hjalti answered, ‘It is not possible to bend fate, nor can one stand against nature.’ At this point they ceased their talk.

  34. The Death of King Hrolf Kraki

  King Hrolf defended himself well, fighting resolutely and with more courage than has been told of any man. He was attacked relentlessly, and a select company of King Hjorvard’s and Skuld’s warriors formed a ring around him. Skuld now entered into the fray. She fiercely incited her rabble to attack King Hrolf because she saw that the champions were no longer close beside him. Bodvar Bjarki sorely grieved that he was unable to assist his lord. The other champions felt the same regret. All of them were now as willing to die with King Hrolf as they had been to live with him, when they were in the full vigour of their youth.

  By now all of the king’s bodyguard had fallen. Not one of them was left standing, and most of the champions were mortally wounded.

  ‘And events turned out as expected,’ said Master Galterus.82 ‘Human strength cannot withstand such fiendish power, unless the strength of God is employed against it. That alone stood between you and victory, King Hrolf,’ said the Master; ‘you had no knowledge of your Creator.’

  Such a storm of enchantments now descended upon them that the champions began to fall, one across the other. King Hrolf managed to emerge from behind the shield wall, but he was nearly dead from exhaustion. There is no need to draw out the tale. King Hrolf fell gloriously, together with all his champions. They made so much of a slaughter there that words alone are inadequate to describe it. King Hjorvard and all his army fell, save only a few shirkers who, together with Skuld, were still on their feet.

  Skuld took all of King Hrolf’s realm under her power, but she ruled poorly and for only a short time. Elk-Frodi set out to avenge his brother Bodvar Bjarki as he had promised to do. He was joined by King Thorir Hound’s Foot, as is told in Elk-Frodi’s tale. The brothers were supported by a strong contingent sent from the Swedish kingdom by Queen Yrsa, and men say that Vogg served as the commander. All of these forces sailed for Denmark, and Skuld was taken by surprise. They seized and held her in such a way that she was prevented from working any witchcraft. They killed all of her rabble and tortured her in different ways. The kingdoms returned to the rule of King Hrolf’s daughters. When all this had been accomplished, everyone went home.

  A burial mound was raised for King Hrolf, and the sword Skofnung was laid in the mound with him. A mound was raised for each of the champions, and they likewise were buried with their weapons.

  And here ends the saga of King Hrolf Kraki and his champions.

  Notes

  The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki is an unusually rich cultural document. These notes are designed for the reader who wants additional information on sorcery and magic, the meaning of Old Norse terms and the relationship between Hrolf’s Saga and other medieval Scandinavian and English texts treating related characters and events.

  1. King Halfdan is known from several medieval sources. His name, meaning ‘Half-Dane’, corresponds to that of the Danish king Healfdene, who is mentioned in the Old English poem Bēowulf as the son of an early king called Beowulf the Dane, who is not to be confused with the epic’s hero, Beowulf. In the Latin Saga of the Skjoldungs Halfdan, identified as Frodi’s son, is slain by his brother, Ingialldus (Old Norse Ingjaldr), who corresponds to the Old English Ingeld.

  2. In Beowulf, Healfdene’s unnamed daughter marries the Swedish king Onela, who corresponds to Ali in Old Norse tradition. Ali, though not mentioned in Hrolf’s Saga, appears in other Scandinavian versions of these events.

  3. The genealogy of Halfdan and his sons was also recorded by the thirteenth-century Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in his History of the Danes. Old English literature attributes three sons to Healfdene: Heorogar, Hrothgar and Halga. Hrothgar, the king in Beowulf, and Halga clearly correspond to the Old Norse Hroar and Helgi. Heorogar, however, is not mentioned in the Scandinavian sources.

  4. Fosterage was the custom of having a child raised in another household in order to extend kinship bonds or to form political alliances.

  5. The term karl denotes a freeman. Depending on usage, it can mean a freeholding farmer, similar to an English yeoman, as here in the instance of Vifil. Later in the saga the term is used to denote lower social classes, particularly servants and poor farmers, unsuitable to marry into a king’s family.

  6. Vífill, meaning ‘beetle’, was a name commonly given to slaves or freedmen.

  7. Old Norse jarðhús means ‘earth house’ or ‘underground house’, i.e. some form of a dugout or perhaps originally a cave.

  8. Völur (sibyls or seeresses) and vísindamenn (soothsayers or wise men) were persons whose ‘wisdom’ or supernaturally obtained knowledge was derived from mastery of ancient lore, including songs, spells and incantations. Such people, especially women, often practised seiðr, a form of magic involving rituals and trances with many shamanistic elements. A characteristic of seiðr was that it allowed the practitioner to divine the future and to see into the hidden.
/>   9. Galdramenn (sorcerers) were magicians and wizards. Galdr was a type of magic based on spells, whether spoken, sung or carved in runes. It was distinct from the more shamanistic seiðr, which involved ecstatic trances. These ‘sorcerers’ should be differentiated from the soothsayers (wise men) mentioned earlier.

  10. Fylgjur (fetches) were usually conceived of as guardian spirits attached to individuals or families. They often appear in dreams or at the moment of death. Here they are more akin to the ‘sendings’ of later Icelandic folklore: malevolent spirits under the direct control of a master magician or sorcerer. They may be seen as shadows of the sorcerer himself.

  11. Hrani, which means ‘blusterer’, occasionally occurs as a personal name in thirteenth-century Iceland. It is also, as in chapter 26 of this saga, one of the many names used for the god Odin. Ham, meaning ‘shape’ or ‘skin’, can metaphorically be interpreted as ‘frame of mind’.

  12. A complex verse, meaning that the trunk of the tree, that is the father, has been taken away, leaving only limbs, that is the children.

  13. Heid is a völva who will practise seiðr. Heid is also the name of the Sibyl in the Eddic poem Völuspá, ‘The Sibyl’s Prophecy’.

  14. The seiðhjallr (trance platform) was a platform or scaffold, usually built of timber, on which the Sibyl would sit to perform her seiðr. The most complete description of a seiðr ceremony is found in The Saga of Eirik the Red, but it does not mention a seiðhjallr; instead, the Sibyl sits in the host’s high seat.

  15. The phrase is literally ‘wolves among the wolves’ (vargar með úlfum). Vargr (wolf) was a term applied to dangerous outlaws, who could be hunted down like wolves.

  16. Hroar thus takes an English wife. In Beowulf, Hroar’s equivalent Hrothgar is said to have married Wealhtheow, whose name suggests that she, like Ogn, was of foreign origin.