Svava
The woman who exchanges vows with Helgi, guards his fleet, and answers his final request.
Overview
The prose calls Svava Eylimi’s daughter and identifies her with the woman who names and protects Helgi, though the verses do not fully prove that identification. She exchanges vows with Helgi while remaining at her father’s home. When the wounded Helgi asks her to turn to Hethin, she answers by invoking her own vow and refusing.
Key facts
Prose identification
The prose after stanza 9 says Svava, Eylimi’s daughter, names and protects Helgi.
Final answer
In stanza 42, Svava says she would not of her own will embrace an unrenowned man.
Relationships
- Helgi Hjorvarthssonnames and protects
The prose links Helgi’s naming with Svava’s later protection.
- Eylimifather of
The prose after stanza 9 calls Svava Eylimi’s daughter.
- Helgi Hjorvarthssondirects to the sword
The woman on the hill describes the sword at Sigarsholm; the prose calls her Svava.
- Helgi Hjorvarthssonprotects the fleet
The damaged passage links the riders who protect the fleet to the Svava named in the prose, within this witness.
- Helgi Hjorvarthssonexchanges vows with
The prose says Helgi and Svava exchange vows and love one another.
- Hethinvows to claim
At the toast, Hethin vows to have Svava; the vow is not a mutual love relationship.
- Helgi Hjorvarthssonasks her to turn to Hethin
Mortally wounded Helgi asks Svava to prepare a bed for Hethin.
- Hethinrefuses
Svava invokes her vow with Helgi and does not consent to turn to Hethin after Helgi’s death.
Story appearances
- The Lay of Helgi HjorvarthssonSource-scoped figure in this lay
The woman who exchanges vows with Helgi, guards his fleet, and answers his final request.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.