Hrothgar’s Saga

Part 1.  The German Cycle

 

             Shortly after the Beginning Odin, lord of the gods, had three ravens, Hugin (Thought), Munin (Memory) and Kambian (Conflict).  Hugin and Munin flew out each day and spied on man for Odin, Kambian he kept close by and man lived in peace.  A time came when Odin, listening to the tales that Hugin and Munin brought to him, was distracted, Kambian flew away to Midgard and whispered in the ears of men, war was born*.

*                This third raven of Odin’s does not appear in any other version of Norse mythology, Snorri, a contemporary of Grumpy certainly doesn’t mention it.  Has Grumpy misinterpreted one of his sources? Has he made it up? We can never know.

 

926      In this year fiery rays of light appeared in the northern sky.  Sihtric died and king Athelstan annexed the kingdom of Northumbria: he brought into submission all the kings in this island: first Hywel, king of the West Welsh, and Constantine, king of Scots, and Owain king of Gwent, and Ealdred Ealdulfing from Bamburgh.  They established a covenant of peace with pledges and oaths at a place called Eamont Bridge on 12 July: they forbade all idolatrous practices, and then separated in concord.

             Gilthor the Sailor is born in Denmark, the son of Starkadar Red Hair, son of Hrolf Fleet Foot, son of Orlief the Lost, son of Grim the Wise, son of Einar Farter, son of Hrothgar Long Thumb.

 

928      In this year William (Longsword) became duke of Normandy, and ruled fifteen years.

             Rosehild is born in Denmark.

 

945      In this year king Edmund ravaged all Strathclyde, and ceded it to Malcolm, king of Scots, on the condition that he would be his fellow worker both by sea and land.

             Gilthor travels abroad.

 

954      In this year the Northumbrians drove out Eric, and Eadred succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom.  Archbishop Wulfstan was restored to the bishopric of Dorchester.

             Gilthor and Rosehild marry.

 

957      Archbishop Odo separated king Eadwig and Aelfgyfu, because they were too closely related.  In this year the atheling¹ Edgar received the Mercian kingdom.  Hrothgar was born to Gilthor and Rosehild at Skolmor in Denmark.  When only a few weeks old he became ill and his parents feared that he would die.  He fought his illness and recovered, Gilthor said that he had a warrior's strength.

1.              Heir to the English throne.

 

958      Loftheana was born to Gilthor and Rosehild at Skolmor in Denmark.

 

959      Morrigan born in Jorvik².

2.              York.

 

965      King Edgar took Aelfthryth for his queen; she was the daughter of ealdorman Ordgar.  Hrothgar takes part in rough spear games with other boys and leads his team to many victories.

             Susan of Lytham Convent born.

 

969      King Edgar commanded all Thanet to be ravaged.  Hrothgar fell in a deep pit full of water and would have drowned if his friend Caden had not pulled him out.

 

The Host

 

971       Archbishop Oscytel passed away, who was first hallowed as the diocesan bishop of Dornwarana Ceaster³, and afterwards was hallowed to Jorvik, with the consent of king Eadred and all his councillors; he was bishop for twenty-two years.  He passed away on the eve of All Saints', ten nights before Martinmas, at Tamu⁴.  Abbot Thurkytel his kinsman accompanied the bishop's body to Bead's ford⁵, because he was abbot there at that time.

             In this year the Host first arrived in Ynglingaland⁶, they were led by Jarl⁷ Peat Iron-horns and in those days could only crew a single ship.

3.              Dorchester.

4.              Thame.

5.              Bedford.

6.              England.

7.              Title given to a Viking chieftain or the leader of a Herred in the Host.  See note 26.

 

972      The atheling Edmund passed away; his body lies at Raemsea⁸.

             In this year Ragnar Bear Odinsson was recruited to the Host, it is said that he brought a fine ship with him.

8.              Ramsey.

 

973      In this year Otto⁹ was elected king of the Saxons and Emperor of the Romans.

             Also in this year Edgar, ruler of the Ynglingalish¹⁰, by a great company was hallowed king in the old borough Acemannesceastre, called Bath, as by its other name it is known on that island.  Great joy was brought to all on that blessed day named Pentecost by men; a company of priests, a host of monks, wise ones gathered.  The winters had passed, nearly ten hundred, so many told from the Nativity of the renowned King, the guardian of light; and Edmund's son, with twenty nine winters lived in the world, in the thirtieth was hallowed king.

             Hrothgar, weary of life on his father’s farm at Skolmor, took his axe and his father’s war-board and set out to seek fame and fortune.  He learnt from traders that Harald Gormsson¹¹, king of Denmark, was making war on the Saxons.  Hrothgar joined the king’s army fighting the Emperor.

             Peat Iron-horns was taken and held captive by his enemies in this year, Ragnar Bear Odinson was acclaimed as the new leader of the Host.

9.              Otto II.

10.            The English.

11.            Harald Blue Tooth.

 

974      Though he fought valiantly Hrothgar could not save king Harald from defeat at the hands of Otto, Emperor of Germany.  After Otto seized Hedeby Harald made peace with the Emperor and agreed to strengthen the Christian church in Denmark. 

             Peat Iron-horns was released by his captors but was unable to take back the leadership of the Host.  He went with the Host when it attacked a Saxon burgh near Tone Bridge¹², here the Saxon defences were very strong so it was decided that they should batter the gate down with a tree trunk.  When they looked about them they could find nothing suitable, all the trees around them were of a scrawny sort.  Peat Iron-horns decided that he would get help from the enemy, he approached their fortress and taunted them to throw the biggest object they could at him and he would catch it.  The Saxons thought him to be mad but decided to have some fun.  Peat scorned the  rocks they hurled and abused them until they went for bigger and bigger missiles, eventually the Saxons hurled a massive tree trunk over their walls, Peat stepped aside from it and said that if that was the best they could do he would have to come inside and look for something himself.  With that the Host rushed to pick up the tree trunk and attack the Saxon gates with it, soon they broke down the barrier and slew the defenders of the burgh.

12.            Tonbridge.

 

975      Here ended earthly joys for Edgar, king of the Ynglingalish; he chose another light, bright and glad, gave up this weak, this transitory life.  The time is known, by all those who reckon the calendar rightly, as the month of July, when the young man went forth; on the eighteenth day Edgar went from life, ring-giver to men, and his son received the kingdom then, a child un-grown, prince of eorls, whose name was Edward.  And that victorious man, ten nights before from Britain departed, the bishop so good in inner nature, whose name was Cyneweard.

             Then in Mercia the Wielder's praise was felled to earth.  Of God's wise servants, many were dispersed, a great distress to those who bore a burning love for the Maker in their hearts.  The First One's might was greatly scorned, the Wielder of glories, the Ruler of the heavens, his rights violated.  And driven out also was Oslac from the land, the valiant warrior over the waves, the gannet's bath; the grey-haired man, wise, skilled in words, over the water's tumult, over the whale's country, deprived of home.

             And then was shown up in the skies that star in its setting, which men wise in spirit in the craft of science call a comet, wise truth-bearers.  The Ruler's wrath was throughout the peoples widely shown, hunger on earth; the Lord of heaven took it away again, the Prince of angels gave joy once more to men in this land, gave to the islanders the fruits of the earth.

             In this year Ulf the Dauntless left the Emperor Otto's service and joined the Host.

 

976      Early in this year the Host fought with their enemies at the Land of Nod¹³.  Gim the Spoon led the Host and set an ambush for the enemy who were led by Harold the Black, Gim accounted for many with his arrows and the Saracen, who was impervious to the blows of the enemy, slew great numbers.

             Also in this year the towns of Cobham, Lewes, Faern's burgh, Goedas' town and Staengas¹⁴ were ravaged by the Host.

             Jarl Ragnar Bear Odinsson leader of the Host took them on a great raid into Mercia.  Having sailed their ships up the river Maerse¹⁵ they turned south and surprised and captured a burgh from the Mercians.

13.            This place has never been identified and who the Host's enemies were is not clear.

14.            Cobham, Lewes, Farnborough, Godstone, Staines.

15.            The River Mersey.

 

How Hrothgar learns to read

 

977      There was that great meeting at Kirtlington after Easter, and bishop Sideman passed away in sudden death on April 30th.  He was the bishop of Defnas Scir¹⁶ and he wished that his body might rest in Cridiantun¹⁷, in his bishopric.  King Edward and Archbishop Dunstan commanded that he be accompanied to St. Mary's monastery in Abinga's town¹⁸, and so it was done.  He is buried worthily on the north side of St. Paul's chapel.

             In this year all the most senior counsellors of the Ynglingalish fell at Calne from an upper floor, except the holy archbishop Dunstan, who alone stood upon a beam; and some were very badly injured, and some did not come through it with their lives.

             Having been compelled to become a Christian by king Harald Hrothgar travelled to Germany to fight for the Emperor Otto.  Hrothgar was sent with other foreign mercenaries to defend the eastern frontier of the Empire against the pagan hordes.  While he was in the east Hrothgar was taught to read by a priest, his fellow warriors thought this was strange and called him Bokraeder¹⁹.

             In this year the Host laid waste the towns of Aesurest, Lienga's field, Andredescester, Hitchen, Brighthelmstone, Uingadsore, Shruw's burgh and Maergeate²⁰.

             Jarl Lief Earthshaker took the ship Bifrost up the river Ouse to attack the town of Lewes, a large amount of ale was taken from the Saxon's here.

             In this year Jarl Ragnar sent Saracen and the warriors that followed him into exile from the Host. Also in this year Morrigan²¹, after coming of age, joined the Host.

16.            Devonshire.

17.            Crediton.

18.            Abingdon.

19.            Literally book reader.

20.            Ashurst, Lingfields, Pevensey, Hitchen, Brighton, Windsor, Shrewsbury, Margate.

21.            Later to be known as Legbiter.

 

978      The Host descended upon Bremesgraefen²² and took away much food and ale making the newyear a poor one for the Mercians.

             King Edward of Ynglingaland was killed in the evening at the gap of Corfe on March 18th, he was stabbed, his foot tied to his stirrup and the horse driven off; he was buried at Uierham²³, with no kingly honours.  Nor among the Ynglingalish was any worse deed ever done than this, since they first sought the land of Britain.  Men murdered him, but God magnified him; he was in life an earthly king, he is now after death a heavenly saint.  His earthly kinsmen would not avenge him, but his heavenly Father has greatly avenged him.  The earthly killers would have destroyed his memory on earth, but the high Avenger has in heaven and earth greatly increased his memory.  Those who would not bow to his living body now humbly on their knees bow to his dead bones.  Now we may understand that the wisdom of men, their plans and counsel, are as nothing against God's purpose.

             Aethelred was hallowed king on the Sunday, the fortnight after Easter, at Kingston; and there were at his hallowing two archbishops and ten diocesan bishops.  The same year, a bloody cloud was seen many times, in the likeness of fire, most often manifested at midnight.  It was formed into manifold beams; when day broke, then it glided away.

             Soon after the hallowing of Aethelred the Host took their swords to the people of Aetwoeth and Stoertford²⁴, much distress was brought to the land of the Ynglingalish at this time.  Staenesaford and Graevased²⁵ also suffered from the attentions of the Host.

             At this time the Host consisted of the Herreds²⁶ Einheriar, Tone Bridge, Cantwaraburh, Eastern Burn, Norrovik, Troon, Armounderness, Plump's Town and Liver Lhin and the Lethangs²⁷ Brighthelmstone, Port Moth and Mann.

             In this year Vladimir became prince of Kiev.

 

The Host raids Manau

 

             Jarl Ragnar took a ship's crew of the Host to Manau²⁸ and there fought a number of battles against the local people and gaining much honour.  From there he sailed to Scaer burgh²⁹ and joined the rest of the Host as they fought off the defenders and pillaged the place.

22.         Bromsgrove.

23.         Wareham.

24.         Atworth and Bishop Stortford.

25.         Stanford-le-Hope and Gravesend.

26.         The name given to an experienced body of warriors in the Host.

27.         The name given to a new body of warriors in the Host.

28.         The Isle of Mann.

29.         Scarborough.

 

979      Ealdorman Aelfhere brought the holy king's body from Uierham, and accompanied it with great honour to Scarsftburg³⁰.

             The Mercians suffered the depredations of the Host and their town of Brumingasham³¹ was raised to the ground.

             The Host invaded the Isle of Manau, there taking the burgh of Rushden from the inhabitants.  They then held an Althing³² at Tynewald before burning the town of Raemsea³³ and moving to Peel.  There they built a strong burgh, defending it stoutly from all manner of engines of war; Thorgeir Havarsson³⁴ particularly distinguished himself there.  After fighting a battle on the western strand and burning the ships of the Manau people, the Host departed with great disagreement amongst its leaders.

             The Host returned to Ynglingaland's shores at Dubh Linn³⁵ where Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson of Amounderness said he could guide Ragnar to lands ripe for plunder.  The land there had already been ravaged by other raiders and the Host came away with little profit, Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson particularly felt the loss.

             In Norroway³⁶, jarl Hakon ruled in peace after defeating in the previous year the sons of Eirik Bloodaxe the king, late of Jorvik; also in Denmark king Harold Gormson ruled in peace.

30.            Shaftsbury.

31.            Birmingham.

32.            A meeting of freemen (Drengr) to decide matters of law.

33.            Ramsey on the Isle of Mann.

34.            See also the Chronicle of Cedric the Ststammererer.

35.            Blackpool.

36.            Norway.

 

Bjorn and Caradoc

 

980     Abbot Aethelgar was hallowed bishop on May 2nd to the bishopric at Selsey.  In this year a force of Vikingar ravaged Omtune³⁷ and most of the towns folk were slain or taken prisoner.  In the same year the islands of Thanet and Mona were harried; also in the same year Legacaestir Saetan³⁸ was harried by the Host.

             Bjorn Styrbjornsson, Sturaesman³⁹ of Wessex, led warriors of his Lethang to Bremesgraefen; they were Rollo Kilfyarsson, Thorkel, Erik Haraldsson the Archer and Owen Cynfawr.  They sailed in the Golden Fjord and lost one of their shields on the journey but eventually arrived safely.  Once there they fell in with Morrigan and the Mercians Caradoc, Frytha the Fair, Sven of Mercia and Skallagrim⁴⁰.  All these warriors fought hard for the Host and they were able to greatly improve their fortunes.  With such good gains the Host feasted well, they held sporting contests and sang merry songs.

             The towns of Norrovik and Cantwaraburh⁴¹ suffered from the attentions of the Host, they took much property away from those places.  After this Jarl Ragnar led the Host to the isle of Mon in Guined⁴² and there fought the forces of Stefe Ap Groom.  Bjorn Styrbjornsson again led Rollo Kilfyarsson, Thorkel, Erik Haraldsson the Archer and Owen Cynfawr to join Ragnar's Host. Caradoc, Morrigan, Euan the Stout, Skallagrim, Baradoc the Smutti, Frytha and Yr An Distaw the Well Man came from Mercia and fought with Bjorn under Ragnar.  Two of Ragnar's warriors were captured by the Wealsh⁴³ and tortured to death, this greatly angered him, he determined to show the foe no mercy and use any trick to defeat them.  In a fierce battle the Host drove the Wealsh from the field and burned their homes, no mercy was shown to any they caught.

 

Frytha captured

 

             Suth Seaxe⁴⁴ next suffered a visitation from the Host, Bjorn Styrbjornsson and Caradoc both led their Lethangs to that unhappy place.  Here Frytha the Fair was captured by the enemy and a rescue had to be made, the savagery of the Host knew no bounds when one of their own was in peril.  After Frytha's rescue a feast was made of the provisions taken from the unfortunate local people.

 

Frytha carried off again

 

             After this an Irish warrior called Throm Eirelandsson joined Bjorn's Herred and was welcomed heartily by all.  Secretly he had been sent by his chieftain to win the confidence of Bjorn and his warriors so that he could steel away Frytha.  When next Caradoc's Herred joined with Bjorn's, Throm kidnapped Frytha as she went about her morning toilet.  When her absence was noted a search was made and Yr An Distaw discovered tracks leading into the forest. Caradoc led the chase and the enraged warriors soon over took the traitor, by now he had rejoined his confederates and a sharp fight ensued.  Frytha was rescued, Throm captured and the remainder of the Irish put to flight or the sword.  Later Bjorn found it in his heart to forgive Throm and again accepted him as one of his warriors.

             The Host then sailed to Largs in Cuneningas⁴⁵ and there built a burgh on the coast which was strongly attacked by the Scots.  There was a great storm and many of the Host's tents were blown away by the wind, the wind was so great that some of the Host sought shelter in a midden.

             At this time Morrigan and Ulf the Dauntless spoke with a scribe in Jorvik.  Ulf the Dauntless carelessly told the scribe that he had taken his chief's seat covers to make his armour.  Afterwards he was afraid that his chief would hear of his theft and dispense with his services.  Morrigan was asked why she had joined the Host, she replied that she liked fighting.

             Strange omens were seen in this year.  Learned men said this was caused by the God's displeasure with the Pagan Guild of Barbarians and their evil Gods.  The Host held a great feast in Norrovik, said to be the best in the Northlands.

             In the same year Iceland suffered from a great famine.

37.            Southhampton.

38.            Cheshire.

39.            Title given to the leader of a Lethang in the Host or the leader of a Herred who has not yet been promoted to the rank of Jarl.

40.            In later years he was to be known as Baldpate.

41.            Norwich and Cantabury.

42.            Anglesey in Gwynedd in North Wales.

43.            Welsh.

44.            Sussex.

45.            Largs in Strathclyde.

 

981      In this year Eiric the Red settled in a land he called Greenland, by this he hoped to encourage others to live there.

             St.Petroc's, Padstow, was ravaged, and in the same year much harm was done everywhere along the Ynglingalish sea coast, in both Defnas Scir and West Wealas⁴⁶.  In this same year archbishop Aelfstan of Uintancaestir⁴⁷ passed away, and his body lies in the monastery in Abinga's town: Wulfgar received the episcopal see.  In the same year Womaer, abbot of Ghent, passed away.

             The Host descended upon Scar Burgh and there did great destruction to the fort built by those who fought under the White Boar banner.  The warriors of the White Boar were driven away from that place and refused to face the Host in open battle.

             In this year also Otto's Italian subjects rose up in revolt against their master's rule.  A large army was brought together, many warriors were equipped by the bishops of Germany.  Hrothgar Bokraeder joined them from the east. The Emperor Otto invaded Italy to crush the rebels.  There was much slaughter, rapine and pillaging and Hrothgar carried away a great mass of loot.  Hrothgar returned to Germany a rich man.

             In this year Haldor the Viking was held by the king's men of Lanceastir⁴⁸.

46.            Cornwall.

47.            Winchester.

48.            Lancaster.

 

982      In this year three Vikingar crews landed in Dorseatscir⁴⁹ and ravaged Portland.  The same year, there was a great fire in London, said to be caused by great fire breathing dragons.  In the same year, two eorldormen passed away, Ethelmar of Hamtun Scir⁵⁰ and Eadwine of Suthe Seaxe.  The body of Ethelmar rests in the new Minster of Uintancaestir, and Eadwines in the Abbey at Abinga's town.  The same year passed away two abbesses in Dorseatscir.

             In the same year the Emperor Otto went to Italy, there he met a great Host of Saracens⁵¹ up from the sea who had the intention of waging war upon the Christian inhabitants.  Hrothgar was again amongst the warriors of the Emperor and fought valiantly for him.  The Emperor fought against them, and there was a great slaughter on either side, but the Emperor had possession of the place of slaughter; he was however, hard pressed before he returned to Germany.  On his way home passed away his brother's son who was also called Otto⁵².  He was the son of Prince Liudolf and this Liudolf was the son of Otto the Elder by the daughter of king Edward⁵³.  Hrothgar again took booty back to Germany but not as much as the year before.

 

Ragnar stands down

 

             Ragnar Bear Odinsson stood down as leader of the Host this year, Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson was his successor and the warriors of his Herred Lief Tyrsson, Thorgill, Owen of Taff and Sandi the Carter were on his High Council⁵⁴.

             Thorgeir Havarsson Coalbrowskald⁵⁵ went as a mercenary captain to the strong burgh of Peckforton, taking with him Jorunn Havskilepadde.  Mudut Lhal, a warrior from the east, also came to the burgh of Peckforton.  He came alone but was expecting to be joined by other warriors from the east. Soon he was joined by Tehd the Waterer and Baggott, together they cleared out a nest of fell creatures but Mudut was laid low by poisoned arrows.  Many prayers were said over his body to drive out the evil infesting his body and he eventually recovered.

             Mudut Lhal met Thorgeir and Jorrun and they soon became good friends.  Thorgeir taught Mudut how warriors fought in the west and they fought many battles together.

49.            Dorset.

50.            Hampshire.

51.            Arabs, not to be confused with the followers of the warrior named Saracen.

52.            Otto I.

53.            Alfred the Great's son.

54.            Advisors to the leader of the Host and his chief officers with the rank of Jarl.

55.            In the Chronicle of Cedric the Stammmererer can be found an account of how Thorgeir gained his new nick-name.

 

983      In this year passed away eoldorman Alfhere and Alfric succeeded to the same eoldormanry and Pope Benedict passed away.

             In the spring of this year the Host went into Wealas and fought the inhabitants.  Caradoc of Mercia went out at night and set traps for the Wealsh warriors, but they were too wise in the ways of war to fall into them.  After this Caradoc often spoke of the wisdom of the Wealsh in this respect, a great quantity of mead and ale was provided to him to still his tongue.

             The Host then left Wealas but held the burgh of Beumaris against the Wealsh for thirteen weeks.  While exchanging insults with the Wealsh the warrior Orm shouted with such force that his teeth flew out of his mouth, he was greatly put out by the laughter of his foes.

             Jarl Bjorn Styrbjornsson held a feast in honour of Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson and his Host in his hall at Bristol.  It was discovered that the wine merchant had not brought sufficient to quench the thirst of such mighty warriors, nor had enough food been prepared to satisfy their hunger, what there was was found not to be to the liking of many.  There was much discontent amongst the Host about this, Caradoc led some warriors to take food from Italian traders that had set up in the town.  Jarl Bjorn Styrbjornsson lost face over this matter.

             In this year Matteyear, another warrior from the east, joined Mudut Lhal at Peckforton.  They then went with some young warriors to destroy a pack of evil creatures that were terrorising the burgh.  The young warriors were terrified that they might meet a ghoul and would jump with fright every time they heard a sound.  Matteyear scouted ahead and then Mudut Lhal would go and kill whatever creature he had found.  As they did this the young warriors would criticise them and complain that they were taking all the treasure they found.  Mudut and Matteyear decided to let them earn their own; when they next found an evil beast they pushed the young warriors forward, threatening to kill them if they retreated.  After their return from their quest the young warriors attacked Mudut and Matteyear but were no match for them, some died and the others fled to tend their wounds.

             In this year the Legacaestir Saetan fyrd defeated the Host under Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson.

             In this year Otto, the Emperor of the Romans, died.

 

984     The benevolent bishop Aethelwold passed away; and the hallowing of the succeeding bishop, Aeltheah, whose name was Godwin, was on October 19th; and he took the bishop's throne on the day of the two apostles, Simon and Jude, in Uintancaestir.

             Also in this year the jarl of the Isles died, and was cremated by a great boat-burning in Levik.

             Jarl Sven took the Host into Guined and took the strong place called Plas Coch from the Wealsh and held it for some time.  Here there was much talk of the Varangians⁵⁶ and some of them had their mettle tested, they were given the most dangerous tasks and called to display their skills.

             A Vikingar force from Shetland harried in Lancaestir Scire⁵⁷ at Aeccle's town⁵⁸ and faced the Host in battle.  The Host also fought a great battle against the Ynglingalish king Aethelred in Suthe Seaxe, said to be the greatest gathering of the Host seen until that time.  Shortly afterwards the High Council Jarl Thorgill took Odilia as his wife.

             Mudut Lhal descended into the depths below the burgh of Peckforton with Tehd the Waterer and the Giant Jarl.  They had with them others but found that when any fighting was to be done it was up to them.  This time it was Mudut's turn to scout ahead, there was no light whatsoever; when Mudut heard fell creatures moving in the dark he threw small stones and listened to the difference in their sound to detect them.  When he found the creatures he told Tehd and the Giant Jarl who would then destroy them.  When they came to a well lit cave Mudut left Tehd and the Giant Jarl to distract the evil creature they found there, he then crept up behind it.  When he was close enough he leapt onto the creatures back and held it's arms while the other two rushed up and slew it.

             Mudut Lhal left the burgh of Peckforton soon after this; he had been wounded too many times and was growing week.  He eventually reached Hengstdun but there he finally succumbed to his wounds.

 

How Hrothgar gets his sword Orcblender

 

             Tired of fighting battles for the Emperor Hrothgar took a ship to Ynglingaland.  While crossing the Muir Nicht⁵⁹ a great storm blew the ship off course.  The storm raged for fourteen days and nights, all aboard the ship were violently sick and half the crew were swept away.  When the storm eventually ceased the survivors found themselves near to land, it was very hot and there were great forests of tall trees.

             They beached their ship and searched for fresh water.  Having found water they made camp and fell asleep near their ship.  When they awoke they found that they were surrounded by near naked brown men who babbled at them in a strange tongue.  Weakened by hunger they were easily overcome and taken prisoner.  Hrothgar and the ships crew were made slaves and set to work in a quarry.  They soon learned that their captors called themselves Mayans⁶⁰ and that each day one of their captives was taken and sacrificed on an altar atop a high pyramid.  The prisoners made many attempts to escape but were always recaptured and returned to the quarry alive.

             Eventually Hrothgar's turn on the altar came.  He had prayed to the White God⁶¹ every day, as he had been taught, hoping that God would see fit to rescue him.  Nothing had happened and as he was led away to his doom Hrothgar renounced Christ; he called on Odin⁶² not to let him die in such a shameful manner.  Before the high priest could lay open Hrothgar's chest and pull forth his still beating heart, a great white bird snatched him from the altar.  With massive claws digging into his body the giant bird carried Hrothgar over the sea⁶³.

             As they flew the magical bird talked to Hrothgar, it told him that it was called Veaseatehn⁶⁴ and that Odin sent it to rescue him.  After a flight that seemed to last for ever the bird dropped Hrothgar at Hengstdun, the home of his sister, near the boarder of West Wealas.  Loftheana nursed her brother back to health⁶⁵.

             After hearing of his adventures Hengst, Loftheana's husband, gave Hrothgar the war gear of the warrior Mudut Lhal who had died of wounds he had received at Peckforton.  Amongst this was the sword Orcblender.

56.            Varangians were the Norse mercenaries in the service of the Byzantine Emperors, what they were doing in Wales with the Host is not clear. The most likely explanation is that these were ex-Varangians that had joined the Host.

57.            Lancashire.

58.            Great Eccleston.

59.            English Channel.

60.            These people today live in Southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. If this is true then Hrothgar was in the New World one year before Bjarni Hergolfsson had sighted Vinland.

61.            Norse name for the Christian God.

62.            Chief amongst the Norse Gods.

63.            Could this be the origin of the Mayan legends about the White Gods!

64.            This creature does not appear any where else in the Norse mythology.

65.            This part of Hrothgar's saga must be a fantasy to try and explain how Hrothgar returned from Central America. That he was there is strongly borne out by the details of the Mayan religious practices and Grumpy's knowledge of their name, a name which appears to have reached Europe over five hundred years before the Spanish discovered them. It is hard to understand why there isn't a more plausible explanation of Hrothgar's return, especially in the light of two future expeditions where he is clearly described as sailing there and back.

 

 

Part 2.  The Ulfhednar Cycle

 

How Hrothgar met Morrigan Legbiter

 

985      In this year Edwin was hallowed in Abinga's town.  Also ealdorman Aelfric was driven out of his lands by the king.  Also in this year Swein Forkbeard became king of Denmark.

             It was in the spring of this year that Thorgeir Havarsson Coalbrowskald, known as the Mercenary, formed an Ulfhednar band, serving under Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson of Dubh Linn.  He led the Valhalla Ulfhednar harrying down the Ribble River and at Hick's town, Ruffa's Ford and in the kingdom of West Seaxe⁶⁶.  In this campaign they killed the robber chieftain Black Bartolemy, routing his Host. At Healingastun⁶⁷ they took into their company a mercenary who was tattooed in the manner of the Rus of Sviarland.  In this season, many Danes from the Dane Law, in company with Thorgeir, Thorolf the Tall, Skarp-hedin and others made a strong assault on the citadel of Snottingaham⁶⁸, capturing it.

             Hrothgar wandered about Ynglingaland seeking his fortune.  At Hick's town he fell in with the Sturaesman Thorgeir and his Lethang, the Valhalla Ulfhednar.  Thorgeir recognized the sword Orcblender and other things belonging to Mudut Lhal, Mudut Lhal had been a friend of his at the burgh of Peckforton and he called on Hrothgar to explain himself.  Hrothgar did so and so unusual a tale had to be accepted as no-one would make such a story up and expect to be believed.  After being tested by Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson, now sometimes called the Great Jarl, Hrothgar was accepted as a Frihal⁶⁹ of the Host and joined with them in harrying the country.  It was here at Hick's town that the Thegn⁷⁰ Kjarten the Clean Shaven was wounded and carried off to be tended by the dread legionnaires!⁷¹

             At Har's well⁷² Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson's Host⁷³ was met by that of eorl Sihtorn.  As the two armies came together a great storm began.  The warriors fought in the rain, coming at each other time and again.  The ground was slippery and no one could stand well, eventually the Hosts parted, neither being able to say they had defeated the other, and each went its separate way.

             Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson's Host returned to the north but at Willanholch⁷⁴ eorl Sihtorn caught up with them and another battle was fought.  This time the warriors of Wessex threw hammers at the Host of Sven Gottfriedsson.  Hrothgar was wounded in the leg by one of these foul weapons but despite severe pain he continued to do his duty and fought on.  The battle was long and hard and Hrothgar was wounded again, he would have fallen but the press of bodies was too great to allow.  After much inconclusive fighting the two sides again parted company without having come to a conclusion.

             Later Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson sent Thorgeir the Mercenary to raid Denmark and his trusted man Thorgill to subdue Northumbria.  Hrothgar went with Thorgill to Berwick and here met Grimbold Hairy-breaks Jarl of Northumbria and his Thegn Ulf the Dauntless, all three became firm friends as they had all fought for the Emperor Otto in the past, they spent many hours around the camp fire drinking ale or mead and talking of old campaigns.  Hrothgar and Ulf the Dauntless swore always to fight together.

             When Thorgeir and Kveldulf the Bright⁷⁵ returned from Denmark they joined Thorgill in the north.  Kveldulf had also fought for the Emperor Otto and fell in happily with Grimbold Hairy-breaks and Ulf the Dauntless.  When they arrived a great celebration was held, much strong ale and mead was drunk and Hrothgar entertained them with acrobatics.

             Lindisfarne was raided and sacked, the mead there being taken and drunk.  Afterwards Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson came with more warriors and they attacked Bebbanburgh⁷⁶.  Here they fought for two days, on the first Hrothgar slew a Northumbrian eorl and three of his huscarls before the battle ended with the night.  On the second day Hrothgar, Grimbold Hairy-breaks, Ulf the Dauntless and others captured the Northumbrian's women and much booty besides.

             Whilst looting they were surrounded by their enemies and had to fight their way out of a very tight spot.  Hrothgar, armed only with a scramaseax⁷⁷ and with a woman over one shoulder, killed all who came near him and escaped with his prize.  When safe from any pursuit they stopped and celebrated their escape with a flask of strong mead that Ulf the Dauntless had found in the Northumbrian village.  There was more celebrating that night when they returned to the rest of the Host and it was here that Hrothgar first met the shield-maiden Morrigan, he was much smitten by her.

             When the Host returned south they sacked Rheged-dale⁷⁸ and Wilmslow.  At the latter place Morrigan was wounded by a spear thrust to her chest, she was wearing armour but it was of no avail to such a savage attack as she received.  The wound was painful but she survived to fight again.  In the same battle Hrothgar was struck on the head by an axe wielding opponent, his helmet protected him from serious injury but one of his teeth fell out.

             Near the end of the year a fair was held at Iver, Thorgeir's Valhalla Ulfhednar were there and when raiders tried to rob the merchants they beat them off and chase them away.

66.            Hixon, Rufford and in the kingdom of Wessex.

67.            Hillingdon.

68.            Nottingham.

69.            A full member of the Host but with no rights to speak or vote at things of the Host.

70.            Title given to an officer of the Host.

71.            It is not known who these were, Dr Mia Owpic, in her book "Late Roman Institutions And Their Survival Into Dark Age Britain", has speculated that they may have been some remnant of the Roman occupation of Britain.

72.            Harwell.

73.            Jarl Sven's Host, or the Host as it is often called, was by this time a major problem for the Saxons of the late tenth century.

74.            Little Aston in the West Midlands.

75.            Later to be known as Brittle Bones.

76.            Bamborough.

77.            A single edged knife used for every day work or combat.

78.            Rochdale.

 

How a shield is taken from the Mercians

 

986     In this year the king laid waste to the diocese of Rochester; and a great pestilence among cattle came first to Ynglingaland.   Hrothgar Bokraeder fought with Thorgeir's Valhalla Ulfhednar at Jorvik and afterwards announced his intention to take the shield-maiden Morrigan for his wife.  Hrothgar wished to find a special gift for Morrigan so he set off on a long voyage to the lands far to the west. Here he met a people called the Yakima⁷⁹ who had great skill with metal.  From them he got a bracelet of very fine workmanship and returned to Ynglingaland without mishap.

             Hrothgar rejoined Thorgeir's Valhalla Ulfhednar on campaign in Mercia.  There was a great battle near Staf's ford⁸⁰ on the river Canalus and, after much labour; a shield of great value was wrested from the Mercians.  Here, when they made camp, Thorolf the Tall used his long-axe to cut wood, he thought that the long shaft of the axe would make the task easier.  To his dismay the shaft snapped in two on the first stroke, he was greatly put out by his loss.

             Shortly after this Hrothgar, Brynjolf Odinfrostri, Gunnar and the Thegns Guthrothr Belly-Shaker⁸¹, Skarp-Hedin, and Thorolf the Tall went into West Seaxe where they fought a great battle at Frome.  The West Saxons numbered three to their one and the warriors of the Valhalla Ulfhednar had a bad time of it.  They killed or put to flight all their foes but only Brynjolf came away without a bad wound.  The fighting was very fierce in the streets of the town, which ran red with blood, and in the houses of the town’s folk.  Brynjolf slew the eorl Kim, a mighty warrior who was a foot taller and a foot wider than Brynjolf.  Believing that the battle was won and wishing to gain fame in the eyes of his men eorl Kim challenged Brynjolf to single combat; it was an ill decision for him.  Brynjolf slew him with ease and Kim's remaining followers died when they tried to avenge their lord.  This is how the skalds tell the tale of The Battle of Frome:

 

Six men went to Frome,

Warriors all, armed and ready,

From Valhalla they came,

Tough, strong and steady.

Hrothgar Bokraeder the far travelled,

Thorolf the Tall, big of heart,

Skarp-Hedin the swift blade,

All ready to play their part.

Brynjolf, knowing arts from far parts,

And Roth Belly-Shaker was there.

Berserk Gunnar ends this list,

Of six brave and fair.

At Frome they met the men of Wessex,

Drunk and merry in the Rose and Crown,

The Valhalla men laid down the challenge,

"Come out drunkards and defend your town."

"We'll meet you on glory field,

"First we'll finish our beer."

Valhalla's men had time to wait,

And to think should they fear.

Wessex men came out,

Led by the mighty Eorl Kim.

Armed with spear and sword,

And shield with iron rim.

Twenty-two of them there were,

Armed and ready for the fight.

"You out number us," called Hrothgar,

"Surely that's not right."

"It is a bit unfair," said Kim,

"You had better have one of mine."

He strode forward to his men,

"Aedric, join the Valhalla line."

Aedric joined the end of the shield-wall,

Roth Belly-Shaker held the other end.

The battle started, Roth swung his axe,

He hit a window and made it bend.

Valhalla's foemen came on forward,

Spears level, ready to thrust.

Confident in their numbers,

Intent on grinding Valhalla into dust.

Back and back Valhalla fell,

Down hill, along the crooked lane.

Aedric fought with half a heart,

Soon to die with a spears pain.

Saxon men with spears did prod,

When Thorolf tired of the play.

He threw his long axe at the foe,

And with sword and scram charged in to slay.

Bloody carnage he wrecked,

Foemen's blood flowed to the ground.

To many to fight alone,

Three spears his belly found.

More Wessex began to fall,

Kim was worried, his men in trouble.

Shields cleaved in two, spears broken,

He needed a plan on the double.

Kim looked for something lying about,

There it was, a bale of hay.

He held it up above his head,

Stepping forward he threw it into the fray.

Through the air it flew, straight and true,

Upon Saxon spears it landed!

Thegns with despair watched,

As Valhalla cleaved their shields iron banded.

In remorse mighty Kim wailed,

Many Saxon warriors the Vikings slew.

Broken up in disarray,

Saxon souls to the gods flew.

But the Wessex numbers were to great,

Gunnar fell a spear in his chest.

Many a foe fell to his axe,

A valiant warrior he did his best.

Then Roth, his axe grown heavy,

By many blows was beaten down.

His life blood flowing to the earth,

He knew he'd never leave this town.

Hrothgar's bloody axe had sent,

Many mighty thegns to Hel.

Slipping in Gunnar's blood he knew,

He'd lose his life as well.

Falling through a door,

Three spears his guts spilled.

He called out in anger,

"Gunnar, you bastard, you've got me killed."

When brave Hrothgar died,

Wessex were down to eight.

Skarp-Hedin and Brynjolf stood together,

Soon to be before Hel's gate.

In for the kill came Saxon thegns,

To slay the noble pair.

Skarp cut and thrust, killing two,

He said, "That's more fair."

But as he spoke a killing stroke,

Took off his noble head.

Down he fell upon the thegns,

A very fitting bed.

Brynjolf now stood alone,

"Stand back my men," Yelled Kim,

"Show some honour, and fight one on one,

"Wolfnoth, you may kill him."

Bold Wolfnoth stepped forward,

But eastern arts and western steel,

Drove Wolfnoth back in pain,

For him death was real.

Two more warriors followed,

Down Wolfnoth's path to the grave.

Now mighty kim had only two,

Brynjolf he would have to brave.

"I'll show you how it's done,"

In he stepped with a mighty swing.

Brynjolf's shield shattered with the blow,

His arm hung loose with the sting.

But Brynjolf's scram was in Kim's gut,

And he said "Your dead Kim!"

Pain in his eyes he could not believe,

That Brynjolf had done for him.

As the Saxon Eorl fell at his feet,

Brynjolf faced the last two.

In they charged all bold,

But they were all too few.

Soon they died and Brynjolf was,

The last to stand on that bloody field.

Far above the slaughter lane,

Black ravens flew and wheeled.

 

How Hrothgar got his scar

 

             Hrothgar, Morrigan and Ulf the Dauntless went with Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson into Guined to plunder the lands of the Wealsh Chieftain Stefe Ap Groom.  The Wealsh drove their cattle and sheep into the mountains and hid themselves in Criccieth Castle.  The Host of Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson laid siege to the castle for two days before finally breaking into it.  Hrothgar and Ulf the Dauntless saw the Wealsh Chieftain hiding behind his warriors and crept around behind him.  They charged him but Ulf the Dauntless was quickly knocked to the ground, Hrothgar wounded Stefe but before he could finish the Chieftain Glynn the Short rushed to his master’s aid.  Hrothgar was unable to free himself from the desperate clutches of the Wealsh Chief before Glynn's sword hit him in the face⁸².

             Hrothgar fell to the ground his blood pouring from him, unable to rise he expected death at any moment.  Before the vile dwarf could finish him Sven came to Hrothgar's rescue, brushing the small villain aside, he helped Hrothgar to his feet.  Morrigan, seeing her betrothed fallen, battled her way through the combatants like an avenging Valkyrie, kicking the short viper as she passed.  The castle was taken, though Stefe and Glynn escaped with some of their warriors.  Hrothgar recovered from his wound and was afterwards called by some "Scar Face".

 

Morrigan talks to a wizard

            

             The island of Bornholm in Denmark was attacked by Olaf Trygvason, returning north from king Valdemar in Holmgard.

             After this, Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson led many warriors to Denmark, including Thorgeir the Mercenary and Oleg the Rus.  While he was away a strange ship landed in Norfolk.  A hideous green creature accompanied by a wizard, a witch, two fools and seven giant hunting dogs came out of the ship.  Those warriors who had not gone with Sven went to see what it was all about.  The wizard cast a spell on the warriors and they fell out and fought each other, the fools riding the backs of the Giant Jarl and Hrafn the Red as though they were horses.  Though they fought all day none were hurt, they did but exhaust each other and would surely have died of it had not Morrigan saved them all.

             Morrigan spoke with the black wizard, who called himself Gaz, and persuaded him to go away and release the warriors from the spell.  Morrigan never liked to talk about what she said to Gaz and it has never become known how she made him remove the spell⁸³.

             The Host then went into Wealas and took the great burgh at Denbigh away from the Wealsh.  Hrothgar and Morrigan travelled there in the company of Halgerd Eiricsdotta and Brynjolf Odinsfrostri and their great hound.  There was a great deal of ale drunk after the taking of the burgh and some warriors fell to fighting amongst themselves over a woman's affections.

 

Hrothgar and Morrigan get married

 

             In the Autumn Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson of Dubh Linn held an Althing and afterward a great feast was held.  At this feast Hrothgar was raised to Drengr⁸⁴ of the Host and afterwards he and Morrigan were married.  As is the custom they exchanged gifts of great value, all who were there marvelled at their quality.  Thorgeir and other men of high rank and stature stood beside them as they were wed and the Celtic Chieftain, and Jarl of the Host, Caradoc gave them a sacred dagger of immense weight.  Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson bade them sit at the high table and there was much merry making and drinking of strong ales.  Here also was it that Thorgeir was made one of Sven's Jarls and the Valhalla Ulfhednar became a Herred.

             Olaf Trygvasson married Queen Geira of Wendland and settled in her country ruling it.  There he wintered.

             At the end of the year Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson expelled Jarl Bjorn Styrbjornsson and his followers from the Host. For some time before this Bjorn and his warriors had kept themselves apart from the Host, they only occasionally condescended to talk to the other followers of Sven.

79.            A tribe of North American Indians called the Yakima live in Washington State on the west coast of the USA. Either they originated in the east of the USA or the name refers to another tribe altogether. Also this visit is just after Bjarni Hergolfsson sighted Vinland.

80.            Stafford.

81.            Also known as Roth in the Chronicle of Cedric the Ststammerererer.

82.            Usually by short vipers.

83.            See Prof. Hugh Heffoe's book "Unexplained Phenomenon Throughout The Ages" for an analysis of this event.

84.            Free man or woman in the Host.

 

Kveldulf cuts his lip

 

987      In this year Hugh Capet was elected by the Frankish⁸⁵ nobles as their king.  In Denmark Swein Forkbeard became king.

             In this year Watchet was ravaged and the Vikingar were driven away from Jorvik, eorl Sihtorn was killed there by Thorgeir.  A poor feast was held in Mercia, there had been little plunder in this year.  Hrothgar, the Giant Jarl and the Thegn the Old Man of Mercia received gifts here as it was their name day.

             Thorgeir's Valhalla Ulfhednar and a Host from the Danelaw came together to sack Crewe.  The fyrds of Mercia and Rheged-dale were routed, whilst Crewe was being sacked and burnt Kveldulf's lip was nearly cut off by a Mercian fyrdsman.  Here also it was that Morrigan was given the name "Legbiter".  Hrothgar was fighting with a Mercian and neither had the upper hand, they rolled on the ground together each attempting to defeat the other.  As they did so Morrigan came upon them and assisted Hrothgar by biting his enemy's leg.

             At the end of spring this year, West Stow in East Engle⁸⁶ was laid waste by the pagans.  Eorl Aelfred the Bandy, fleeing in the Fens after defeat in battle, was slain by Kveldulf the huscarl wielding a long-axe.

 

Another raid into Guined

 

             After this Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson again led a raid into Guined, Stefe Ap Groom had been raiding in Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson's domain and had to be punished.  The Wealsh again hid in their castle of Criccieth, this time it took three days of hard fighting to drive the Wealsh out.  Stefe Ap Groom was captured but after listening to Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson speak for several hours he was set free, his lands though were divide into three parts and given to his disaffected sub-chiefs, Rig Baldric took the western cantreffs, Eggnoc took those in the east and Stefe retained the central cantreffs.

             A great store of plunder, food and ale was found in the castle and the Host of Sven celebrated late into the night.  Hrothgar drank much strong ale and mead; he conversed at great length with Ulf the Dauntless, Caradoc and Thorgeir before trying to sleep in the fire.

             After a further raid deeper into Guined the Host turned towards Mercia.  Near Lady Wolfas town⁸⁷ the fyrd of Mercia were mustering, thinking that they were up to no good, Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson sent the Giant Jarl with Caradoc, Skallagrim Bald-pate, Hrothgar and many warriors to persuade them not to attack his lands.  This they did but many Mercians were persuaded to go to Valhalla⁸⁸ instead!

             In this year Jarl Sven gave Jarl Thorgeir the charge of ensuring that the warriors of the Host were always ready for battle.

 

How Hrothgar was shot in the face

 

             Later a feast was held at Norrovik but the Host grew angry as there was little food, though the ale flowed freely.  Red Orm the Aged cut his hand open when he foolishly tried to take a scramaseax from a warrior by grasping its blade.  There was much discontent so Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson again led the Host into Guined where plunder had been plentiful in the past. The great army stormed and captured the castle of Denbigh but at Rudglann⁸⁹ they had a bad time.

             Kjartan was wounded early in the day and so took a station to the rear of the shield wall.  Olaf the Peacock fought the enemy's champion, a giant creature of seven feet in height and called the Mighty Hyak.  Olaf battled mightily and struck his foe many times before he fell, such a berserk rage had fallen upon Olaf that several strong warriors were needed to drag him back to the Host's ranks.  Thorgeir's Huscarls defending Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson were savagely attacked by a troll-beast and its kin; though they killed the creature and many of its kin they were all slain.  Their noble sacrifice enabled the Great Jarl to fight on.  Hrothgar, standing firm in the shield wall beside Ulla, was shot down by a hairy barrow-beast. The vile creature’s arrow hit Hrothgar in the face knocking him to the ground.  Morrigan and Kjarten carried Hrothgar away from the slaughter as the Host was slowly battered down.  The evil Hel⁹⁰ spawned creatures summoned by the Wealsh wizards were more than mortal flesh could stand.  The survivors of Thorgeir's Valhalla Ulfhednar formed a double shield wall and hacked their way out of the nightmare melee.  Morrigan and Kjarten carried the unconscious Hrothgar to safety, slipping away from the battle in the confusion.  Many others also escaped, alone and often without their weapons, they made their way back to Denbigh.

             Sven held an Althing to decide what to do next, everyone thought it a good idea to leave the Wealsh alone for a while, so they all went home to lick their wounds.

             During the remainder of the year, the Valhalla Ulfhednar raided various places in Ynglingaland until at Missenden a great battle was fought in the rain.  The Valhalla Ulfhednar were masters of the field.  To celebrate the change in their fortunes Hrothgar and Morrigan held a feast.

             At the winter Thingvollr⁹¹ of the Valhalla Ulfhednar Hrothgar became one of Jarl Thorgeir's Huscarls.

85.            French.

86.            East Anglia.

87.            Wolverhampton.

88.            The hall where those slain warriors selected by the Valkyries are taken to feast all night and fight all day.

89.            Ruddlan.

90.            Hel was the goddess of the underworld and the daughter of Loki.

91.            A small Althing on a hill (vollr).

 

Hrothgar visits Ireland

 

988     In this year Watchet was again ravaged, and Goda, the Devonshire thegn, was slain and many with him.  In this year died Archbishop Dunstan, and bishop Aethelgar succeeded to the archiepiscopal see after him, but lived for a short while afterwards, no more than a year and three months.

             Vladimir of Kiev brought Christian priests into his lands in this year.  During the spring Olaf Trygvasson, acting for king Burizlief of the Wends harried the coast of Skane and then ravaged Gotland before returning to Wendland.

             At the beginning of this year Sven, and all the Jarls that followed him, went with all their followers to Rheged-dale, the home of Ottar Haraldsson, Jarl of Hrafnsdale.  There they held a great feast, the best since the marriage of Hrothgar and Morrigan.  Here Jarl Thorgeir made Hrothgar one of his Thegns.  When the feasting was over, everyone returned to their homes to prepare for the coming campaign season.

             Hrothgar and Morrigan went north again to join Thorgeir and a Host from the Danelaw in pillaging Crewe for a second time.  Afterwards they went to Thegn Jorunn Haveskilpadde's place for a feast before returning to the south.

             Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson led a great raid into Ireland taking many great warriors from Ynglingaland and Wealas, Thorgeir led his Huscarls to Ireland and Hrothgar was among them, lesser warriors were left behind.  The Irish were so shocked by the arrival of the Vikingar that there was little fighting, the Host of Sven marched through Dubh Linn⁹² accepting the acclaim of the people who paid them to go away.  Hrothgar and Morrigan came away with many valuable books looted from monasteries.  It was here that Hrothgar first met Ulf-eirik Henricksson, an exile from the east; he had fallen out with Jarl Ragnar⁹³, the leader of the Herred Einheriar.  Ulf-eirik asked if he could join the Valhalla Ulfhednar but this was not allowed.

 

Battle against the Irish

 

             After this Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson held a great muster at Rheged-dale.  There was much feasting and merry making as old friends met again.  Sven then took half the Host to raid Suein's town⁹⁴, a day’s march away.  Hrothgar was left behind in charge of the newest warriors and a few from Cantware⁹⁵.  They were poorly armed, only Hrothgar and a Cantwareish warrior bearing mail, they did have a few bows though.  While Sven was away a large band of Irish raiders came upon Hrothgar and his warriors.  Hrothgar rushed his troop to some high ground near by to await the Irish onslaught.  There were many great warriors amongst the Irish, Michael O'Hay, Ritchie O'Gove, Christos the Robber and Black MacClegg, their fame was known all about the land.

             The Irish advanced boldly but they were pelted by arrows and other missiles, many a brave but rash hero fell to the deadly rain.  Ritchie O'Gove fell early on, not even bloodying his sword.  The survivors came on but were met by a determined foe, Michael O'Hay, mortally wounded by an arrow, charged bravely into the midst of his enemies and was hacked down.  Christos the Robber fell to Cantwareish spears and Black MacClegg was slain by Hrothgar himself.  With many dead and wounded the Irish broke and ran.

             Hrothgar led his warriors back to their camp, but as they crossed a bridge the raiders attacked again.  Taken by surprise they were driven off the bridge but fought their way to safety.  When Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson returned with his Host the raiders were finally driven off.  Hrothgar had tried to lead some of his warriors through the river that flowed under the bridge to get at the enemy from behind.  They would not follow him there though as they were afraid of getting cold and wet!

             Shortly after this, Jarl Thorgeir gave up the charge given him by Jarl Sven the previous year.  Jarl Sven then appointed Jarl Hrafn the Red to carry on the task set aside by Thorgeir.

 

Sigurd the Scared earns his name

 

             In the spring the Valhalla Ulfhednar held a Thingvollr on a bunyan⁹⁶.  While out hunting they came upon brigands, Sigurd the Scared shot at them with his bow but missed.  A brigand charged at him and Sigurd the Scared ran dropping his bow and arrows so that he could run faster.  One of the ruffians picked up Sigurd the Scared's bow and used it on the Valhalla Ulfhednar.  The brigands were eventually driven off but from this time he was known as Sigurd the Scared.

             In the summer the Holy Roman Emperor Otto⁹⁷, with his general Sihard, took his forces to Denmark to baptise king Harold, who had only taken primary oaths, and was returning to his pagan ways.  With the Emperor went king Burizlief his subject, and Olaf Trygvasson.  King Harold made his defence at the Daneverke, with jarl Hakon of Norroway guarding his flank to the east at Haithabu.  Oleg the Rus, who was quartering with the king sent for Jarl Thorgeir, hoping the Valhalla Ulfhednar would come to their aid.  Thorgeir joined jarl Bjarne of Funen, then sailed on to Haithabu where he met Oleg the Rus.  The only aid he had been able to muster was Jorunn Havskilepadde, Skallagrim Bald-pate and some Irish Celtic allies; this was all that could be spared by Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson from the Host. As they arrived at Haithabu there was a skirmish with some of the Emperor's troops before they got properly into port, here Thorgeir wounded Sihard.

             The Emperor now led a frontal assault all along the lines, but was driven off.  He then took most of his Host to ship and encircled the Dane's defence.  King Harold was forced to retreat, to Limfjord in the north, where he lost the ensuing battle.  Jarl Hakon and the Host at Haithabu escaped by ship and so were not present at the battle, nor were they present when Otto the Roman caught up with king Harold and the Danes forcing them all to accept full baptism.

             Jarl Hakon returned to Norroway, harrying in Gautland and winning victories on the way.  Thorgeir and his companions parted company with jarl Hakon before leaving Denmark.

 

Hrothgar joins Sigve Halvdansson Cerdinger

 

             Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson gathered his warriors in the north to put down a rebellion against his rule.  The rebels were very determined and it took three days to put them in their place.  After this the Valhalla Ulfhednar made a short raid in the south then returned to their homes, Hrothgar and Morrigan stayed and joined the Jarl of Cantware, Sigve Halvdansson Cerdinger, in raids along the Cantwareish coast.

             Jarl Sigve's ship was blown ashore and he was lost for several days with his crew.  Before they could make repairs and find the rest of the raiders, Hrothgar had led the remainder of the Vikingar to sack the monastery of St Ethelbert.

             When Jarl Sigve rejoined his warriors he had his old friend Magnus Magnusson with him.  At this time also Halgerd Eiricsdotta and Brynjolf Odinsfrostri joined Hrothgar and Morrigan with Jarl Sigve.  They made camp and celebrated the reunion of the old friends.  Afterwards they continued to raid the Cantwareish coast and saw a strange thing, a warrior from the Jomsvikings fought with a large Norman shield on his back and another held in his left hand in the normal manner.  They thought his very funny especially when the warrior tried to run away and fell over.

             They then made a foray into London where Hrothgar's finger was crushed by a berserker.

 

Hrothgar is possessed

 

             Hrothgar then left Jarl Sigve and went to join Jarl Caradoc.  Together they went into Guined and sacked the town of Harlech; there was much feasting and merry making at Harlech when the raiders had taken the place.  It is said that while at Harlech a spell was cast upon Hrothgar because he now went around the north fighting duels where ever he went.  He killed fifteen warriors before the blood madness left him.

             It was at this time that he single handedly took the ship "Viking" at Jorvik.  It was a fine vessel, painted blue with a gold stripe along the side.

 

The death of Script Slasher the Mighty

 

             Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson called an Althing at Denbigh and Jarl Thorgeir tried to unit the divided Viking boroughs of the Dane Law, but this was not yet successful.  After this, Sven sent Borgar Crag to raid the surrounding country.  Borgar and his warriors were surprised by Script Slasher the Mighty, who had many more warriors than expected.  A party of Danes were with Script Slasher but when they saw that the Valhalla Ulfhednar of Thorgeir was with Borgar they went away, preferring to fight another day.  Still out numbered Borgar attacked the foe. Hrothgar led Borgar Crag's huscarls and when Borgar was foully struck down by a blow to his back, Hrothgar took over and led Borgar's warriors on to avenge their chief.  The battle raged back and forth for hours until Hrothgar personally delivered the death blow to the enemy chief, Script Slasher the Mighty; many other warriors also had to strike this giant of a man before he finally fell.

             After this the Valhalla Ulfhednar went south for their annual raid on Iver before again holding a Thingvollr at the bunyan.  It was here that the berserk rage first descended upon Thorgeir and Gunnar, this caused much talk amongst the Valhalla Ulfhednar.

 

Hrothgar and Morrigan have a son

 

             At the end of the year, just before Yule, Morrigan Legbiter gave birth to Hrothgar's son.  They named him Thorfin Hrothgarsson.

92.            Dublin in Ireland, not to be confused with Dubh Linn (Blackpool).

93.            Ragnar led the Host before Sven.

94.            Swinton.

95.            Kent.

96.            This word has defied all translation attempts and is therefore printed in the original spelling.

97.            Otto III, Otto II had died in 983.

            

 

Hrothgar visits Jorvik

 

989     In this year ealdorman Byrhtnoth⁹⁸ drove Danish pirates from his lands.  Vladimir, Prince of Kiev was baptised.

             Early in this year Jarl Thorgeir again tried to unit the boroughs of the Danelaw.  Those allied to the High Jarl Sven Gottfriedsson of Dubh Linn agreed to put this to the vote of their Althing later in the year.

             Jarl Thorgeir summoned some of his warriors to Jorvik to aid eorl Thornis to defend the place from the ravages of the Norwegians.  Hrothgar, Sigurd the Scarred, Gunnar, Brynjolf Odinsfrostri, Snorri Pig Svensson, and Snotra answered the call with Halgerd Eiricsdotta and Morrigan Legbiter to aid the wounded.

             Hrothgar was at meat with his sword brothers from the Emperor Otto's army when the call came.  Not wishing to disobey the word of his sworn leader he set forth immediately in his ship "Viking" for Jorvik.  He had with him Morrigan and his son Thorfin Hrothgarsson.  The journey was long and arduous, Morrigan sat with Hrothgar at the steer board helping him to stay awake and guide the ship.  When they arrived at Jorvik all the town's folk were asleep and they slipped in unnoticed.

 

Battle commences

 

             The Norwegians were led by Eiric Red Chopper and had despoiled the lands around Jorvik for many years.  Eorl Thornis put on a mighty display of warriors in Jorvik and saw to it that word reached Eiric.  Eiric was not deterred by this flamboyant gesture and brought his warriors to Jorvik.  Thornis tried to parley with Eiric but he would have none of it and the armies prepared for battle.

             The Valhalla Ulfhednar of Thorgeir was placed on the left of the battle line, beside the warriors of Sturaesman Ulf-eirik's Lethang Jomsborg-elag, and fought against the Dagda.  The battle was fierce and the Dagda fought well, but Thorgeir's Valhalla Ulfhednar drove them back.  Hrothgar stayed close to Thorgeir and protected him from sly attacks by enemy spear wielders. 

THE SAGA

OF

HROTHGAR BOKRAEDER

Translated

By

Professor Liam O'Lot

 

Introduction

Vikings for all occasions, no tale too long

Manaraefan Herred

Very little is known of Grumpy Gunghosson's (1173-1260) personal life, he was a contemporary of Snorri Sturlsson (1179-1241) but it is not known if the two men knew each other. Grumpy seems to have been a great traveller and wandered extensively around Europe, on these travels he collected poems and stories which he wrote down. Grumpy also includes references to the greater events of the times he was writing about, at some time he must have had access to a copy of the Anglo Saxon Chronicle as parts of that document are copied word for word into Hrothgar's Saga. He appears to have had no interest in taking his work with him and lodged the finished poem or story with whoever he happened to be staying with at the time. Consequently his work has turned up all over Europe and its scale and scope was not appreciated until a few years ago.

Most of the stories and poems that have come to light in recent years concern the activities of a Danish adventurer in the late tenth century. Hrothgar's Saga is indeed amazing and, if true, must call into doubt many previously held beliefs about the course of many historical events. Sadly there is no way of verifying the stories, if anything they are repudiated by what is recorded elsewhere. Where the doubt lies is in the partisan nature of the other sources. Chronicles from the time concerned, such as the Anglo Saxon Chronical, were kept by the Church; they are hardly likely to record in any detail the activities of a minor Viking raider who was responsible for destroying many of their properties and an apostate pagan to boot. Snorri never left the Norse world and wrote mostly about events that occurred in Iceland though some of his heros did travel to England, Norway and further afield, as most of Hrothgar's adventures were in England it is perhaps not surprising that Snorri never came across him.

It is therefore possible that these stories are giving us, if not an unbiased view, a different view on the events of the day. If, on the other hand, they turn out to be fictitious then they may be enjoyed for that alone.

The Host that Hrothgar joined is one of the most unusual institutions to be discovered in the Dark Ages. Today equality of the sexes is taken for granted but this was not the case in the Tenth Century, it is therefor a surprise to scholars to learn of an organisation that accepts this modern premise. Within the Host women have the same rights in law as men and may speak for themselves in councils, some hold high ranking positions in the Host and others are described as warriors. Whether this was the last vestige of an older system or the birth of a new one is not known, only that this modern idea did not find acceptance outside the Host and died with it.

The latest document to come to light is Grumpy's "Other Edda"; this document is advice on how a warrior might live life. By today's lights some of the advice is rather odd or even questionable; it is certainly very enlightening as to the way a warrior lived in the tenth century.

If the prose are sometimes contradictory to "historical fact" then the poems are more so, they often contradict what is written in the saga. Hrothgar is himself "killed" in the "Battle of Frome" yet clearly went on to other adventures; it seems that Grumpy adjusts the facts with artistic licence.

Throughout the document that follows any rank or title which begins with a Capital letter is held by a member of the Host.

 

Professor Liam O'Lot studied at B’Jesus Collage, University of Dublin, where he read Books. While at Jesus he shared rooms with Hugh Heffoe and was for a time romantically linked with Mia Owpic. It was here that he first became interested in the works of Grumpy Gunghosson, he came across a reference to his work on a college news paper used to wrap chips he had bought from Paddy's Fish 'n Chip Bar. All would have been lost had he finished his chips before he got back to his rooms and disposed of the paper in the traditional manner; fortunately for the lovers of history Mia Owpic snatched them from him and used them to entice Liam into her bed. The next morning, while eating a breakfast of cold chips, Liam read the article in the paper and set off on the path to fame.

He is currently the Guiness Professor of Leaning at Margerene Collage, University of Dublin.

 

Pub. Apr 1985