Description
Book SynopsisComposed in medieval Iceland,
Hrolf's Saga is one of the greatest of all mythic-legendary sagas, relating half-fantastical events that were said to have occurred in fifth-century Denmark. It tells of the exploits of King Hrolf and of his famous champions, including Bodvar Bjarki, the 'bear-warrior': a powerful figure whose might and bear-like nature are inspired by the same legendary heritage as Beowulf. Depicting a world of wizards, sorceresses and 'berserker' fighters - originally members of a cult of Odin - this is a compelling tale of ancient magic. A work of timeless power and beauty, it offers both a treasury of Icelandic prose and a masterful gathering of epic, cultic memory, traditional folk tale and myths from the Viking age and far earlier.
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Table of ContentsTranslated with an Introduction by Jesse L. ByockIntroduction
The Sagas of Ancient Times and Heroic Lays
Skjold and the Skjoldung Dynasty: The Legendary Past
Archaeology and the Legendary Hleidargard
The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki and Beowulf
Beowulf and Bodvar Bjarki: The Bear Warriors
Berserkers
Myth in the Saga
Christian Influence
Map: The World of The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki
Note on the Translation
The Saga
1. King Frodi Kills His Brother King Halfdan
2. The Search
3. The Boys Helgi and Hroar Revealed
4. The Death of King Frodi
5. King Helgi Rules Denmark and King Hroar Marries
6. King Helgi Attempts to Marry Queen Olof
7. King Helgi's Vengeance: The Girl Yrsa; The Ring
8. Jarl Hrok Claims King Hroar's Ring
9. Vengeance and King Hroar's Son Agnar
10. King Helgi and Queen Yrsa
11. The Elfin Woman and the Birth of Skuld
12. King Adils and King Helgi Meet
13. King Adils' Pride and Queen Yrsa's Displeasure
14. Svipdag and the Berserkers
15. Svipdag and His Brothers Join King Hrolf's Men
16. King Hrolf Tricks King Hjorvard
17. King Hring of Norway Marries Hvit
18. The Love of Bera and Bjorn
19. Bjorn Rejects Queen Hvit's Advances: The Curse
20. Bjorn's Transformation into a Bear and the Birth of Bodvar
21. Thorir Becomes King of the Gauts
22. Bodvar's Vengeance
23. Bodvar and His Brothers
24. King Hrolf's Champions
25. Bodvar Encourages King Hrolf to Recover His Inheritance
26. Three Strange Nights with Hrani
27. King Adils' Deceitful Welcome
28. King Adils Attempts to Defeat King Hrolf
29. Queen Yrsa Gives King Hrolf His Inheritance and More
30. King Adils is Conquered by Gold and King Hrolf Angers Hrani
31. Queen Skuld Incites King Hjorvard
32. Queen Skuld Attacks King Hrolf at Yule
33. The Great Battle
34. The Death of King Hrolf Kraki
Notes
Genealogical Tables: The Family of King Hrolf Kraki; The Family of Bodvar Bjarki; The Family of Svipdag
Equivalent Characters in Old Norse, Old English and Latin Accounts of King Hrolf Kraki
Glossary of Proper Names
