Helgi Hiorvardsson

Helgi Hiorvardsson should not be confused with Helgi Hundingsbani, son of Sigmund and Borghild (Helgi Hundingsbani was also known as Helgi Sigmundarson).

This Helgi was a son of Hiorvard and Sigrlinn. Helgi was the hero of the 2nd heroic poem of the Poetic Edda, called poem of Helgi Hiorvardsson (Helgakvida Hiorvardssonar). The poem began with how his parents met.

Hiorvard ruled from his city, Glasilund, in Norway. Hiorvard had other wives and other sons. Alfhild was his first wife, and she was the mother of Hedin. Hedin would later play a role in Helgi's death in this poem.

Sigrlinn was Hiorvard's fourth wife. Helgi sent Atli, son of the earl, Idmund, to the court of King Svafnir of Svavaland, father of Sigrlinn. Through the advice of Franmar, the foster father of Sigrlinn, Svafnir refused the match between his daughter and Helgi. Franmar himself was the father of a daughter named Alof.

Atli was at a grave when a bird wisely advised the earl's son on how his king could win Sigrlinn as his bride, in return for temples, sanctuaries and fine cattle from the king.

Upon returning to his king with the news, Hiorvard decided to go with Atli, to personally court Svafnir's daughter. But on their journey, they only got as far as the mountain, and they saw that Svavaland have been attacked, the countryside was on fire and dust was in the air from the passing of horses' hooves. They made camp near a river, which Atli crossed alone, and found a huge bird sitting on top of a house. Atli killed this bird with his spear, and found both Sigrlinn and Alof inside the house. Note that this bird is not the same as the one which Atli encountered earlier, at the grave. Instead, this bird was Franmar, Alof's father; Franmar apparently could transform himself into a bird, and he was protecting his daughter and foster daughter from Hrodmar. Atli brought both women to Hiorvard.

Hrodmar was a suitor of Sigrlinn, and he was the one who had invaded Svavaland and killed Svafnir. With the king's death, Hiorvard was free to marry Sigrlinn, and Atli married Alof.

Hiorvard and Sigrlinn had a son who grew tall and strong, but for whatever reason, Helgi had never spoken a single word, and at that time, had no name.

Helgi was sitting on a burial mound when he encountered nine Valkyries. It was one of these Valkyries who gave the young prince his name. She told Helgi that she would have him as her husband in return for naming him, and for the first time, seeking one of the swords from Sigarsholm.

Svava was the name of this Valkyrie, and she was a daughter of King Eylimi. She protected Helgi while he fought in battle. Eventually, Svava swayed Helgi to confront Hrodmar, and avenge his grandfather's death. Hiorvard offered Helgi troops, and Atli was the hero's second-in-command. The poem does not give any details about how Helgi killed Hrodmar.

With ships moored at Hatafjord during the night, Atli encountered a troll-woman (or giantess) by the name of Hrimgerd, daughter of the giant Hati, with whom he traded insults (known as flytings). Apparently, Helgi had killed Hati, so Hrimgerd was definitely hostile towards the young hero. Hrimgerd would consider that she would be properly redressed, if Helgi were to sleep with her. In any case, the Valkyrie Svava was the one protecting Helgi's fleet from troll-woman's wrath. Eventually, Hrimgerd had forgotten the time, and when the sun dawned on the horizon, the troll-woman was turned into stone.

Helgi eventually met Svava's father, Eylimi, and they were pledged to one another, which involved the exchanging of rings, before a sacrifice of wild boar.

However, Hedin, Helgi's half-brother, lusted after Svava. Hedin was the son of Alfhild, Hiorvard's first wife. At Yule, Hedin met a troll-woman who was riding a wolf, with serpents that served as her reins. She wanted Hedin to sleep with her, but he rejected her, so the troll-woman cursed him.

Hedin challenged Helgi to a duel on an island at Sigarvoll. Helgi believed that he was destined to lose. And in the duel, Helgi was mortally wounded. Sadly no details about the duel were given.

Helgi sent for his bride, and the hero tried to persuade Svava that she had to go the victor, and marry Hedin, which she apparently refused.

The poem ended with Helgi and Svava later being reincarnated. In the second Eddaic poem of Helgakvida Hundingsbana, the story indicated that Helgi was reincarnated as Helgi son of Sigmund, and that Svava was reincarnated as Sigrun.