Appendix A:

Starkad

 

Here is part of the Prologue from the U-version of Hervor's Saga (see Note on Translation). The story of Starkad comes right after the description of Gudmund, which can be found at the start of Chapter 6 of this translation. The H-version of Hervor's Saga, preserved in the Hauksbók manuscript, contains an abridged form of this prologue.

 

There was a man called Arngrim. He was a giant and a rock-dweller. He took Ama, Ymir's daughter from Ymisland, and made her his wife. Their son was Hergrim, who was called Half-Troll. He was sometimes with mountain-giants, and sometimes with men. He had the strength of a giant. He was all-knowing in the arcane arts and a great berserk. He went to Jotunheim and took Ogn Elfburst home with him, and made her his wife. Their son was called Grim. Before this, she had been promised to Starkad Ala-Warrior.

Now this man Starkad lived by the Alufoss Fall. He was descended from that race of giants called thurses, and was like them in strength and nature. He had eight arms. Storkvid was the name of his father. Ogn Elfburst was Starkad's betrothed, and Hergrim took her from him while Starkad was away, having gone north over the Elia Creeks, but when he came back, he challenged Hergrim to an island duel, to fight for the woman. They fought by Efsta Foss at Eid. Starkad had eight arms and wielded four swords at once. He had the victory there, and Hergrim fell. Ogn was watching their duel, and when Hergrim had fallen, Ogn stabbed herself with the sword. She did not want to marry Starkad. Starkad now seized all the wealth that Hergrim had owned and took his son, Grim, away with him too. He grew up with Starkad. Grim grew both big and strong, as he got older.

Alf was the king who ruled Alfheim. Alfhild was his daughter. Alfheim was between Gaut-Elfar and Raum-Elfar. One autumn a great disablot, or sacrifice to the goddesses, was made by King Alf, and Alfhild went to the sacrifices. She was fairer than any woman, and all the folk in Alfheim were more beautiful to see than other people at that time. But in the night, as she reddened the altar, Starkad Ala-Warrior took Alfhild away and brought her home with him. King Alf called on Thor then, to search after Alfhild, whereupon Thor killed Starkad, and let Alfhild go home to her father, and with her Grim, the son of Hergrim. And when Grim was twelve years old, he went raiding and became the greatest of warriors, and he married Bauggerd, the daughter of Alfhild and Starkad. Grim made a home for himself on the island of Bolm in Halogaland, and was afterwards called Ey-Grim "Island-Grim" Bolm. Their son was Arngrim Berserk, who later lived on Bolm and was the most excellent of warriors.