Háleygjatal

Háleygjatal is a skaldic poem by Eyvindr Skáldaspillir written towards the end of the 10th century to establish the Hlaðir dynasty as the social equals of the Hárfagri dynasty[1]

The poem is only partially preserved in disjoint parts quoted in Skáldskaparmál, Heimskringla and two other manuscripts of kings' sagas. It appears to be a lesser imitation of Ynglingatal. Just like Ynglingatal it contains 27 generations (3 x 3 x 3), and some expressions appear to be borrowed from Ynglingatal. Moreover, it is composed in the same meter, kviðuháttr, and the theme seems to be to trace the lineage of the poet's patron to the gods.[2]

A part of the poem quoted in Ynglinga saga mentions Odin and Skaði.

Þann, skaldblœtr
skattfœri gat
ása niðr
vit járnviðju,
þá er þau meir
í Manheimum
skatna vinr
ok Skaði bygðu;
sævar beins
ok sonu marga
öndurdís
við Óðni gat. — Schultz's edition Archived 2005-12-31 at Bibliotheca Alexandrina
To Asa's son Queen Skade bore
Saeming, who dyed his shield in gore, --
The giant-queen of rock and snow,
Who loves to dwell on earth below,
The iron pine-tree's daughter, she
Sprung from the rocks that rib the sea,
To Odin bore full many a son,
Heroes of many a battle won. — Laing's adaptation

References

  1. ^ Steinsland, Gro (21 April 2011). "Origin Myths and Rulership. From the Viking Age Ruler to the Ruler of Medieval Historiography: Continuity, Transformations and Innovations". In Steinsland, Gro; Sigurðsson, Jón Viðar; Rekdal, Jan Erik; Beuermann, Ian (eds.). Ideology and Power in the Viking and Middle Ages: Scandinavia, Iceland, Ireland, Orkney and the Faeroes. Leiden: Brill Publishers. p. 33. ISBN 978-9004205062. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  2. ^ Poole, Russell (2012). "(introduction to) Eyvindr skáldaspillir Finnsson, Háleygjatál". Poetry from the Kings' Sagas I: From Mythical Times to c. 1035. Turnhout: Brepols. p. 195. ISBN 978-2-503-51896-1.