Knefröth

Overview

The lay calls Knefröth a keen-witted rider who delivers Atli’s invitation and promises of wealth at the feast. His errand moves the brothers from home, but this record does not equate him with Vingi or an unproven figure from another text.

Relationships

• Atlisends an envoy

  sends an envoy

• Gunnarinvites him to the hall

  invites him to the hall

• Hogniinvites him to the hall

  invites him to the hall

Story appearances

• The Lay of Atli: Ring, Serpents, and RevengeFigure in the Lay of Atli

  Atli’s envoy to Gunnar’s home; he brings lavish promises and invites the brothers through Myrkwood.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Atlakvitha en Grönlenzka, Opening prose and stanzas 1–46: invitation, warning, the brothers’ deaths, and Guthrun’s revenge.