Vöggr,
Vogg,
Wigg or
Wigge was a young 6th centuryThe dating has never been a matter of controversy. It is inferred from the internal chronology of the sources themselves and the dating of
Hygelac's raid on
Frisia to c. 516. It is also supported by archaeological excavations of the barrows of
Eadgils and
Ohthere in
Sweden. For a discussion, see e.g.
Birger Nerman's
Det svenska rikets uppkomst (1925) (in Swedish). For presentations of the archaeological findings, see e.g. Elisabeth Klingmark's
Gamla Uppsala, Svenska kulturminnen 59, Riksantikvarieämbetet (in Swedish), or man in Scandinavian legend notable for giving
Hrólfr Kraki (
Hroðulf in
Beowulf) his cognomen
kraki, and for avenging his death.
Skáldskaparmál
In the
Skáldskaparmál by
Snorri Sturluson, Snorri relates that Hrólfr was the most renowned king in Denmark for valour, generosity and graciousness. One day a poor boy called
Vöggr arrived at the king's court at
Lejre and expressed his surprise that such a great king would look like a little pole (kraki). Hrólfr said that Vöggr had given him a name and gave Vöggr a golden ring in recompense. In gratitude Vöggr swore to Hrólfr to avenge him, should he be killed.
Hrólfr Kraki's saga
Hrólfr Kraki's saga tells that when Hrólfr Kraki went to the Swedish king Aðils (
Eadgils), queen
Yrsa (Hrólfr's mother) presented them a man named
Vöggr to entertain them. This Vöggr remarked that Hrólfr had the thin face of a pole ladder, a......
Read More