Valkyries (Valkyrjur)

A look at the Valkyries (Valkyrjur) of Old Norse myth, with an exploration of their characteristics and some thoughts on their symbolism and origin. Includes readings from excerpts of an original translation of Hrafnsmál.

Dr. Jackson Crawford is Instructor of Nordic Studies and Nordic Program Coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder (formerly UC Berkeley and UCLA). He is a historical linguist and an experienced teacher and translator of Old Norse, Modern Icelandic, and Norwegian.

Logos by Elizabeth Porter (snowbringer at gmail).

[JacksonCrawford]

Patreon supporter Brad G. points to a discrepancy between my description of Volund and his brothers' first encounter with their Valkyrie wives in Vǫlundarkviða (and the accompanying prose intro.), and the text of that poem (+prose) in the Poetic Edda itself. Here is my response, below:

I appreciate that you took the time to point out this discrepancy. Let me look directly at the source texts to make sure that I’m not, myself, conflating different versions of one story or taking inferences that make sense to me and reading them back into the source material (both of these always remain a danger, no matter how long you do this).

Vǫlundarkviða, prose intro.: “Snemma of morgin fundu þeir á vatnsstrǫndu konur þrjár, ok spunnu lín. Þar váru hjá þeim álptarhamir þeira. Þat váru valkyrjur. ... (their names are given) … Þeir hǫfðu þær heim til skála með sér. Fekk Egill Ǫlrúnar en Slagfiðr Svanhvítrar en Vǫlundr Alvitrar. Þau bjuggu sjau vetrar. Þá flugu þær at vitja víga ok kómu eigi aptr.”

Translation, fairly literal: “Early in the morning they (♂♂) found three women on the lakeshore, and (they) were spinning linen. Near them were their swan-skins. These were valkyries. … (their names are given) … They (♂♂) had them (♀♀) home with them to (their) hut/cabin/small house. Egil married Olrún and Slagfinn married Svanhvít and Volund married Alvitr. They (♂♀) dwelled (there) seven winters. Then they (♀♀) flew to witness battles and did not come back.”

I agree that the language here isn’t necessarily violent, but I have usually read “had (the women) home with them” as a forceful action that gives no information about the valkyries’ intent, and then read their flight later without ever returning, as implicit denial of their interest in the match.

Vǫlundarkviða, st. 1-3: I won’t transcribe these in their entirety, but it’s clear the prose intro. is written to summarize them. In st. 2 we read “Ein nam þeira / Egil at verja” (“One ♀ of them took Egil in her embrace”). To us this might look like she initiates it, but this is pretty conventional wording for a marriage, basically meaning “She became his wife.” In fact in my published translation I just rendered the men as the subjects in this stanza to elide the suspicion that the valkyries were kidnapping *them.* I could have worded it closer to the original, I think six years later, but as elsewhere in my published translation I often “unpacked” cultural knowledge into my English so I wouldn’t have to include footnotes or endnotes.

In st. 3 we see the valkyries were eager (“fýstusk”) to leave, again reflected in the prose intro. too.

I think I’ve always been more willing to read this as a forceful marriage because of what Volund later does to Bođvild, too. But that’s an injustice to the text, itself.

To my memory and a search today, I don’t see any mentions of Volund in Snorri’s Prose Edda. His story is told in a highly variant format (with some doubtlessly old elements) in Þiðreks saga af Bern, but to my memory and a search today, I don’t see any mention of his valkyrie-wife in that version either.

So you’re right, I might have invented the detail of taking the swan-skins somewhere in the 15-20 years since first reading this story. It’s good, and humbling, to be reminded that no matter how many times we might read these things, it’s always possible for something of our own imagination to creep in, and that same thing’s been happening to other transmitters of the myths and sagas for hundreds and thousands of years.

[Tina]

This video was wonderful. Your theory that the Valkyrjur were imagined as bewitching women who were the reason men would leave their wives and children because of a lust for battle makes sense to me. Certainly many women throughout history have been brokenhearted by their men leaving for battle with apparent eagerness; this might be one way to explain battle lust mythologically.

[logancaine]

He's extremely wise, wears a wide brim hat, uploads on Wednesday, and I can definitely hear a bird cawing in the background...
I'm really starting to think that Jackson Crawford is one of the many names of Odin. 🤔

[juliovelazquez]

I cannot convey in words how intriguing, ratifying, reaffirming and entertaining listening to your podcasts are for me. Thank You. I even found myself using "All the Best" as you do when saying "See you later" . . . lol
As i like to say . . .
May the HORSE be with You
(All the Best)
"Thor Bless"

[nickb-whistler]

The intro statement was fire! Been consuming your videos and books. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to craft!

[melissamybubbles]

You are not testing my patience as a viewer. This is fascinating.

[crochetcrochetjoyjoy]

How beautiful and evocative are the names of those valkyrjur: Olrun "noble rune/secret" and Svanhvit "swan white" and Alvitr "all wise." Just gorgeous.

Is that somewhat close, Dr Crawford?

[robertdonaldson]

I prefer the longer format videos. They go much deeper, giving a better understanding of content. Thank you for what you are providing the little guy unable to attend university.

[continentalbreakfast]

My favorite channel on youtube right now

[mnemonyss]

I love how you see through the variations in the legends and are able to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Freyja definitely has a role in selecting the dead. I absolutely love your videos and am so happy you exist. You've answered so many questions and have taught me so much about my ancestors. I would love to just sit down and talk to you about your passion and experiences. You are amazing :)

[kats]

What is the connection between the valkyries of the Norse world and the selkies of Scottish myth? The idea of stealing a magic-woman's animal skin in order to force her into marriage seems fairly specific so I wonder if these myths have similar roots or if there's some other reason for that commonality.
Fascinating video, as always, Dr. Crawford.

[swinhelm]

I like Old Norse as much as the next person, but when are we getting Bird Language lessons?

[kimbarator]

Marvelous exploration of this textual material, and a very compelling analysis !!

[mfsperring]

Excellent that your both you translations are available in audiobook. I'm looking forward to both.

[AsheOdinson]

I really enjoyed the longer runtime. I find your videos to be the most credible on these subjects and rely heavily on them for learning. So, the more indepth, the better.

[airwine]

you are truly a very interesting professor, your videos really give a good view of old norse mythology and culture ! thank you for setting up this channel!

[jenifehlberg]

I’m really enjoying your whole series you are putting out. So far you have answered so many questions. Thank you so much. 😊😊😊

[misstiffins]

Wow, this is just great, I learned so much. Thanks a million for all your work you out out for the masses!!!

[thetradesman]

Another Great video. Absolutely love learning these subjects. Reading the Sagas can be sooo confusing. The perspectives are ever changing. Thank you

[hansi]

@Jackson Crawford in 13:01 when you say "hami", which means skins in direct translation, you can also have an alternative translation, where "Ham" can translate to the word "disguise". In many tales of the Faroe islands, the word "ham" is understood as a disguise. For instance in "kópakonan", where seals were seen as dead people who went to the shore and placed down their seal-skin disguise on the shore.