Helgi Hjorvarthsson
The hero who is named, avenges, sails and dies in this poem’s prose.
Overview
This Helgi is the son of Hjorvarth and Sigrlin; at first unnamed, he receives his name from a woman met on a hill. The prose calls that woman Svava and has her protect him repeatedly. Helgi kills Hrothmar for the ruin of his maternal homeland, then receives a mortal wound in battle with Alf under the shadow of Hethin’s vow. He is not identified here with other heroes of the same name.
Key facts
Receives a name
Stanzas 6–9 connect Helgi’s name with the woman he meets on a hill and with a sword.
Mortal wound
At the battle-place set by Alf, the prose says Helgi receives a mortal wound.
Relationships
- Hjorvarthfather of
The prose says Helgi is the son of Hjorvarth and Sigrlin.
- Sigrlinmother of
The prose says Helgi is the son of Hjorvarth and Sigrlin.
- Svavanames and protects
The prose links Helgi’s naming with Svava’s later protection.
- Svavadirects to the sword
The woman on the hill describes the sword at Sigarsholm; the prose calls her Svava.
- Hrothmarkills
Helgi goes out over the old wrong to his mother’s homeland, and the prose says he kills Hrothmar.
- Hatikills
The prose before the fleet episode says Helgi kills Hati.
- Hrimgerththreatens the fleet
In the night exchange, Hrimgerth joins Hati’s death to a threat against the fleet.
- Svavaprotects the fleet
The damaged passage links the riders who protect the fleet to the Svava named in the prose, within this witness.
- Svavaexchanges vows with
The prose says Helgi and Svava exchange vows and love one another.
- Alfsets the battle-place
Alf sets the battle-place, and Helgi receives a mortal wound in the ensuing fight.
- Svavaasks her to turn to Hethin
Mortally wounded Helgi asks Svava to prepare a bed for Hethin.
- Hethinvows vengeance for
Hethin makes vengeance for Helgi the condition of his return; the witness does not narrate whether it occurs.
Story appearances
- The Lay of Helgi HjorvarthssonSource-scoped figure in this lay
The hero who is named, avenges, sails and dies in this poem’s prose.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.