The Saga of King Hrolf KrakiComposed 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. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Agnar answered attack avenge battle bear bear's beast Beowulf Bera berserkers Beygad Bjarkamál Bjorn boar Bodvar Bjarki bone boys brothers called century Danish daughter Denmark drink Elk-Frodi farmer father feast fighting Finnmark fire folktale force Fyris Plains Gauts Halfdan hall Hjalti Hleidargard honour horses Hott Hrani Hroar and Helgi Hrok Hrolf's champions Hrolf's Saga Hvit Hvitserk Jarl Saevil killed King Adils King Frodi King Halfdan King Helgi King Hjorvard King Hring King Hroar King Hrolf Kraki king’s king's men kingdom land Lejre magic marries monster mother night Nordri Odin Old English Old Norse Prose Edda Queen Olof Queen Yrsa Regin retinue ring rode Saga of King Saxland Saxo Saxo Grammaticus Scandinavian seat seemed seiđr Signy Skjoldungs Skofnung Skuld Snorri Snorri Sturluson sorcery story Sviagris Svip Svipdag Sweden sword tale tell Thorir thought told treasure Uppsala victory Vifil Viking Age Vogg warriors weapons