Rígsþula
The Lay of Ríg
Sången om Rig
48 stanzas (fragmentary)
Summary
A
Rígsþula tells how the god Ríg (identified with Heimdallr) walks among humans and creates the three social classes.
He visits Ái and Edda (great-grandparents), sleeps between them, and Edda bears Þræll (Thrall). The threshold rises with each visit: Karl (Freeman) is born to Afi and Amma, Jarl (Earl) to Faðir and Móðir.
Jarl's youngest son Konr ungr (the wordplay yields 'konungr', king) learns more rune-wisdom than his father and speaks with birds. A crow urges him to conquer the Danish realm. The poem breaks off incomplete.
The story
Fram gekk hann á gotu,fann á stað síðanlítt standandalíku dyrr,inn gekk hann,eldr var á golfi,sat þar hjónok hygðu at eldinum:
Forward he walked along the path,found then on the spota barely-standingdoor to the dwelling,in he went,fire was on the floor,there sat a coupleattending to the embers:
English translation: own translation.
Ái hét karl,Edda hét kona,þau við hrepptuþar er Rígr sat.Settusk niðrí sess meðal,vissi sjá goðvéfrgott at gera.
Ái was the man's name,Edda was the woman's name,they were astonishedas Rígr sat down.He sat himself downon the bench between them,and the god-wise oneknew well what to do.
English translation: own translation.
Tók Eddaþunna brauð,mör ok soðinn,mat úrvalinn,setti á borð,soðnar kálsíðr,þar af át hanní þrjár nætr.
Edda took outthin bread,coarse and boiled,no choice fare,set on the tableboiled sides of calf,from that he atefor three nights.
English translation: own translation.
Reisti sik Rígrok ráð kunni,lagðisk í miðjulína hvítu,setsk hjá á hliðhverr til annars;lá þar hannþrjár nætr.
Rígr rose upand was wise in counsel,laid himself in the middleof the white linen,settled at each sideone to the other;he lay therethree nights.
English translation: own translation.
Gekk þar ganganíu mánuðum liðnumEdda þá barn,var þat bolvirki;skutu þeir vatni,skyldu heita:Þræll hét hann,þann er þeir gáfu.
Then it came to pass,when nine months had passed,that Edda bore a child,it was a swarthy boy;they sprinkled him with water,he was to have a name:Þræll he was called,the name they gave him.
English translation: own translation.
Var þar á höndumhrukkur á húð,kroppinn fingurum,knarrar atli,þykkar keflur,þjónar á neðan,langir liðr,lítit er upp.
There were on the handswrinkles on the skin,knotted fingers,thick at the knuckles,heavy joints,drooping knees,long the back,little upward.
English translation: own translation.
Dökkr var á lit,daprt var á sjón,bar hann belg á baki,björkivirki.Gekk heim þaðangengr til vistarÞræll þar esþrumu nam at slá.
Dark was his complexion,dull was his gaze,he bore a bundle on his backof birch-wood.He walked home from there,he went to his labor,Þræll, wherethe pounding began.
English translation: own translation.
Kom þar gangandigenta frá marka,ljótt ok línlœt,lér á fótum;þeir gengu til skálarok þar sátu.Þír hét sú mærer þar mœtti honum.
There came walkinga girl from the forest,ugly and mud-stained,with loam on her feet;they walked to the halland sat down there.Þír was the name of the maidwho met him there.
English translation: own translation.
Settusk at sessi,svaf þar hjá honum,börn þeirra várublíð á orði;þeir óxu uppok þruðusk snemma;hétu þat þrælarþærs Þræll gat.
They sat together,she slept beside him,their children weremild in speech;they grew upand throve quickly;they were called thralls,those Þræll had fathered.
English translation: own translation.
Hétu þá Fjösngrok Fjosnir,Klúrr ok Kleggi,Kefsir, Fúlnir,Drumbr, Digraldi,Dröttr ok Hösvir,Lútr ok Leggjaldi;lögðu gerðar,
They were called Fjösngrand Fjosnir,Klúrr and Kleggi,Kefsir, Fúlnir,Drumbr, Digraldi,Dröttr and Hösvir,Lútr and Leggjaldi;they made the fences,
English translation: own translation.
Dökkr ok Ama,Digrnefia, Þírr,Örknefia, Ysja,Ok Ambátt,Eikintjasna,Totrughypja, Trönubeina;þaðan er kominnþræla kind.
Dökkr and Ama,Digrnefia, Þírr,Örknefia, Ysja,and Ambátt,Eikintjasna,Totrughypja, Trönubeina;from them has comethe kin of thralls.
English translation: own translation.
Gekk þaðan Rígrréttir stígar,kom hann at húsihallar meiri;hurð fann hanná hleri standandi,inn gekk hann,eldr var á golfi.
From there Rígr walkedthe straight paths,he came to a housea larger hall;a door he foundstanding on its hinges,in he went,fire was on the floor.
English translation: own translation.
Sat þar hjónok hugðu at verki;maðr tjaldar vegg,ok man snyrta;kona satok spann garn,skorin greinsneri um hendi.
There sat a coupleattending to their work;the man was working a beamand trimming planks;the woman satand spun yarn,a distaff cut at an angletwisted around her hand.
English translation: own translation.
Reisti sik Rígrréð hann til rúms,settisk í miðjusess meðal þeira;hin góða húsfreyjagalt í þat geymir,gerði dúkok dýrr mat.
Rígr rose up,he made his way to a seat,settled in the middleon the bench between them;the good housewifegave it good care,spread a clothand fine food.
English translation: own translation.
Bauð hón brauðumböknum úr hveiti,beikon steikt,birti í fat,soðinn svinrsettr á borð,ristar at rostureyr ok fiskr.
She offered breadbaked from wheat,roasted bacon,set in a dish,boiled porkplaced on the table,carved at the rackrush and fish.
English translation: own translation.
Reisti sik Rígrok ráð kunni,lagðisk í miðjulína hvítu;at hvórum hliðhjón sátu;lá þar hannþrjár nætr.
Rígr rose upand was wise in counsel,laid himself in the middleof the white linen;on each sidesat the couple;he lay therethree nights.
English translation: own translation.
Gekk þar ganganíu mánuðum liðnumAmma þá barn,rauðr ok lítr;skutu þeir vatni,skyldu heita:Karl hét hann,þann er þeir gáfu.
Then it came to pass,when nine months had passed,that Amma bore a child,ruddy and bright-eyed;they sprinkled him with water,he was to have a name:Karl he was called,the name they gave him.
English translation: own translation.
Óx hann þar uppok óxu meir;nam hann at temjatarfa ok plóga,húsa at geraok heygarðr slá,kart at keyraok köstum varpa.
He grew up thereand throve greatly;he learned to tameoxen and plow,to build housesand mow haycocks,to drive a cartand throw the bundles.
English translation: own translation.
Fengu þeir konuer þeim líkaði,kómu þeir til skálarok þar kynntusk;Snör hét sú mærer þar mœtti honum,bundno líniok björtu kyrtli.
They got a womanwho pleased them,they came to the halland became acquainted;Snör was the name of the maidwho met him there,with bound linenand a bright kirtle.
English translation: own translation.
Þeir bjuggu ok unðu,börn gáfu nafn,Halr ok Drengr,Hölðr, Þegn ok Smiðr,Breiðr ok Búi,Bondi, Bundinskegg,Segg ok Karl;sótti þórr þá.
They lived and prospered,gave the children names,Halr and Drengr,Hölðr, Þegn and Smiðr,Breiðr and Búi,Bondi, Bundinskegg,Segg and Karl;Þórr received them.
English translation: own translation.
Þær hétu svá:Snót ok Brúðr,Svanni, Svarri,Sprakki, Fljóð,Sprund ok Víf,Feima, Ristill;þaðan er kominnbónda kind.
They were named thus:Snót and Brúðr,Svanni, Svarri,Sprakki, Fljóð,Sprund and Víf,Feima, Ristill;from them has comethe kin of farmers.
English translation: own translation.
Gekk þaðan Rígrréttir stígar,kom hann at salsuðr á hlið;dyrr stóðu opnar,inn gekk hann,eldr var á golfi,eld sat hjón.
From there Rígr walkedthe straight paths,he came to a hallon the southern side;doors stood open,in he went,fire was on the floor,by the fire sat a couple.
English translation: own translation.
Sat þar hjónok hugðu at verkum:maðr sneri strengi,skjótr var hann til bogfimis;kona hugðisk,hvern er hon sá:lítt hon leit,linnar ermar.
There sat a coupleattending to their tasks:the man twisted a bowstring,quick was he at archery;the woman studiedwhat she saw:she smoothedher linen sleeves.
English translation: own translation.
Upp óx þarJarl í höllum,lindi nam þekkja,ljóma flaug hann,skjöld um hrista,skaft um beita,strengi knýja,stríða boga.
There Jarl grew upwithin the halls,he learned to know the linden-bark,lightning-swift he rode,he shook the shield,seasoned the shaft,drew tight the bowstring,bent the bow.
English translation: own translation.
Hestar nam ríða,hunda verpa,sverð um brugðit,sund um leika,þá kvam Rígr gangarennanda stíga,Rígr gangarúnar kenna.
He rode horses,he cast the hounds,he wielded the sword,he swam in play,then came Rígr walkingalong the running paths,Rígr walkingteaching him runes.
English translation: own translation.
Rígr kendi,rúnar seldi,son kveðsk eiga,sitt gaf nafn,ríki gaf honumok rúnar rénar,at byggva landok borgir gøra.
Rígr taught him,gave him runes,called him his own son,gave him his own name,gave him dominionand runes of power,to settle landand build strongholds.
English translation: own translation.
Síðan reið Jarlum skóga þykka,klyfjar brautok konur sótti,fór hann at höllum,hitti Hersir,son at öðrumsumum um gretti.
Then Jarl rodethrough thick forests,he broke through mountain passesand sought out women,he traveled to the halls,he met with chieftains,son after sonsome he greeted.
English translation: own translation.
Þá fór Jarltil Hersir heima,sat í höllok sá þar kómuHersir ok dóttirhans in hvítleita,Erna in snjalla,inni sveipandi.
Then Jarl traveledto the chieftain's homestead,sat in the halland saw them come,the chieftain and his daughterthe fair-haired one,Erna the quick-witted,moving within.
English translation: own translation.
Fingr váru tér,fönn var á hendi,brjóst var bjart,brún var hvítari snæ,Jarl þótti sújafn góð vera;biðr hann at eiga,bauð sér til handa.
Her fingers were slender,snow lay on her hand,her breast was bright,her brow was whiter than snow,Jarl thought shewas equally worthy;he asked to possess her,offered himself.
English translation: own translation.
Eignaðisk JarlErnu at kván,fóru þau til hallarok þar um byggðu;börn áttu þauok blíðu lífi,lifðu lengiok löngum unðu.
Jarl took Ernaas his wife,they traveled to the halland dwelt there;they had childrenand a blessed life,they lived longand long were content.
English translation: own translation.
Börn óx þar,Burr var einn þeira,Barn ok Jöðurr,Aðal ok Arfi,Mögr ok Niðr,Sonr ok Sveinn,Kundr ok Konr,kynstórr váru.
Children grew up there,Burr was one of them,Barn and Joðurr,Athal and Arfi,Mogr and Niðr,Son and Sveinn,Kundr and Konr,noble-born were they.
English translation: own translation.
Þeir nam at þrótastþróttar sínir,tamt gera dýr,tamið um keyra,sverð um brugðit,sund um leika,skalla skjöldu,skaft um beita.
They grew intotheir strengths and skills,they tamed wild beasts,they drove the tamed,they wielded swords,they swam in play,they hurled shields,they seasoned shafts.
English translation: own translation.
Konr ungr kunnirúnar rísnaok líknstafi,lifa máttu,egg deyfa,ægi lægja,önd stilla,orma temja.
Konr the young knewrunes of powerand healing-staves,he could restore life,blunt blades,calm the ocean's waves,still spirits,tame serpents.
English translation: own translation.
Jöfurr einirá at eigarúnar rísnarrénar þær er,Rígr at kalla,rúnar kunna,frœkinn maðrok fleiri kann.
Princes aloneshould possessthe powerful runesthe pure ones,to call themselves Rígr,to understand runes,the brave manknows still more.
English translation: own translation.
Konr ungr reiðum skóga þykka,fugl nam hlusta,fuglinn mælti;kráka satá kvistar einum,mælti þat Konr:hvat munt reið vera?
Konr the young rodethrough the thick forests,he listened to the birds,the birds spoke;a crow saton a single branch,Konr said this:what can your ride be?
English translation: own translation.
"Hvat munt, Konr,hér um vera?Hestar stýra,hjörva leika,ganga at Danr okDanpr bygðu,hallir þeir eruhæri en þínar."
'What are you doing, Konr,here for yourself?Steer horses,play with swords,march against Dan andDanpr who dwell there,their halls areloftier than yours.'
English translation: own translation.
"Þeir eiga góðargunnfanir margar,vel of görðarvíggjarðar þær;þar þú mundirþróttar auka,ef þú, Danr ok Danpr,dráp um heyrtir."
'They possess finebattle-banners many,well-appointedwar-enclosures these;there you mightincrease your strength,if you, of Dan and Danpr,heard of slaughter.'
English translation: own translation.
Konr ungr reiðat vígi snúðigr,lagðisk í líðok lét hann ganga,skaut á skjöldu,skafti fleygði,hjörvi veittiharm á líði.
Konr the young rodeto battle swiftly,he joined the ranksand let them go,he shot at shields,he flung the shaft,with sword he broughtharm upon the host.
English translation: own translation.
Rígsþula brotnarhér at fornum sið;Konr ungr kendikonungsleg dáð;Rígr gaf honumráð ok gæfu,ríki ok nafnrétt at heita.
Rígsþula breaks offhere in old fashion;Konr the young knewkingly deed;Rígr gave himcounsel and fortune,dominion and namerightly to bear.
English translation: own translation.
Sat Konr ungrok kunni rúnar,æ nam at rýnaok aldri þraut,lyfja nam hannok lífi gefa,egg deyfa,enda setja.
Konr the young satand knew the runes,he always ponderedand never tired,he learned healing artsand to give life,to blunt blades,to set limits.
English translation: own translation.
Gaf honum Rígrráðgjörð fleiri,kunnigr var hannkonungs dœmum,fleiri máttien faðir hans,kunnr ok ríkrí konungs heiti.
Rígr gave himmore counsel still,he was learnedin kingly judgments,he could do morethan his own father,known and mightyin the king's title.
English translation: own translation.
Þróttar aukaþorðu þeir Danr,Danpr ok aðrirdrengar snæfrir;Konr ungr þókunni meir,ríki fórok rúnar þær.
To increase their strengthdared they, Dan,Danpr and othervaliant warriors;yet Konr the youngknew still more,dominion cameand those runes.
English translation: own translation.
Réð hann fuglum,fugl nam hlusta,fuglinn mæltiok frétti hann þá,hvat þat þýddiok þarfir váru,hvers um gátugoðin sjálf.
He interpreted birds,he listened to the birds,the birds spokeand he questioned them,what it signifiedand what was needed,what the gods themselvesgave answer to.
English translation: own translation.
Konr ungr reiðum skógar þykkva,dýr nam veiða,dróttinn kallaðr;einn nam hann þaröllum meiri,afl ok ráðok allt kynni.
Konr the young rodethrough the thick forests,he hunted game,lord he was called;alone he stood theregreatest of all,strength and counseland all knowledge.
English translation: own translation.
Þá mælti Rígrok réð honum þat,"Far þú, Konr ungr,finna Dana,Danpr ok aðradrengi marga,reið þú at ríki,ráð þú þínu."
Then Rígr spokeand counseled him thus,'Go you, Konr the young,find the Danes,Danpr and othermany warriors,ride to dominion,rule your own.'
English translation: own translation.
Konr ungr fórkonungr at heita,nam at ríkjaskok ríki fá;Rígr var faðir,réð honum gæfu,ríkt nafn fékk hannok rúnar þær.
Konr the young went forthto bear the name konungr,he began to ruleand to gain dominion;Rígr was his father,who gave him fortune,a mighty name he receivedand those runes.
English translation: own translation.
Hér líkr Rígsþulaok er hon brotinn;kvæðit er gamaltok geymt at fornu,líf ok ríkiljóð of fara,konungr ungrok koma meiri.
Here Rígsþula endsand is broken off;the poem is ancientand preserved of old,life and dominionthe verses tell of,the young kingand greater ones to come.
English translation: own translation.
Key concepts
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Rígsþula is preserved in Codex Wormianus (AM 242 fol.), the only manuscript.
The poem's threefold structure (thrall, freeman, earl) mirrors a social model known from other Old Norse and Indo-European sources.
The wordplay Konr ungr = konungr (king) is deliberately constructed and shows the poem concerns the divine origin of kingship.
B What we think we know
Whether the poem reflects an Irish social model (via Viking contact) or an older Indo-European three-tier scheme is debated.
The identification of Ríg with Heimdallr is based on the prose preface, whose age and reliability are debated.
C What we do not know
The poem's ending is lost. What Konr ungr does after the crow's urging cannot be established with current evidence.
Sources and further reading
Primary sources
- Neckel, Gustav, och Hans Kuhn. 1983. Edda: Die Lieder des Codex Regius nebst verwandten Denkmälern. 5. uppl. Heidelberg: Winter.
Translations
- Bellows, Henry Adams (trans.). 1923. The Poetic Edda. New York: The American-Scandinavian Foundation. (PD)
- Larrington, Carolyne (trans.). 2014. The Poetic Edda. Rev. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Scholarly works
- Lindow, John. 2001. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Simek, Rudolf. 1993. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Translated by Angela Hall. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer.
- de Vries, Jan. 1956–1957. Altgermanische Religionsgeschichte. 2 vols. Berlin: de Gruyter.
- Turville-Petre, E. O. G. 1964. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
English translation: own translation.