The First Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane

Chapters

1. 01

   The Norns Come to Helgi

   Borghild bears Helgi at Bralund; the Norns come to the infant and shape a life of strength and renown.

   Helgi HundingsbaneBorghildNorns
2. 02

   Sigmund Names Him

   Sigmund names his son Helgi, placing him within his own family and martial world.

   Helgi HundingsbaneSigmund
3. 03

   Helgi Kills Hunding

   At fifteen Helgi kills Hunding; the poem does not leave the act as a consequence-free victory.

   Helgi HundingsbaneHunding
4. 04

   Hunding's Sons Demand Requital and Fall

   Hunding's sons demand requital from Helgi; the poem then says he makes them fall, widening the cycle of blood-debt.

   Helgi HundingsbaneSons of Hunding
5. 05

   Sigrun Names the Imposed Pledge

   Sigrun tells Helgi that Hogni has pledged her to Hothbrodd, son of Granmar, and that she does not want to go.

   SigrunHogni, Sigrun's FatherHothbroddGranmarHelgi HundingsbaneLogafjoll
6. 06

   The Fleet Sets Out Through Storm

   Helgi sets out with Sinfjotli and the fleet; when danger rises at sea, the poem places Sigrun beside them in aid.

   Helgi HundingsbaneSinfjotliSigrun
7. 07

   Hothbrodd Musters Allies

   Hothbrodd learns of Helgi's movement and calls people to him; the conflict of houses and pledge becomes an approaching battlefield.

   HothbroddGranmarHelgi Hundingsbane
8. 08

   Recognition after Frekastein

   At unlocatable Frekastein, Sigrun recognizes Helgi's side as victorious and confirms Hothbrodd's fall. The lay ends with a bride-outcome, without rewriting away her earlier refusal.

   Helgi HundingsbaneSigrunHothbroddFrekastein

Ancient sources

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

• Anonymous, Poetic Edda, Helgakvitha Hundingsbana I, Bellows stanzas 1–58: Helgi's birth, Hunding and his sons, Sigrun's pledge, voyage, Hothbrodd, and the battle at Frekastein; stanzas 33–48 flyting are outside this story spine.