Hrólf Kraki is one of the greatest Danish kings of the Scylding lineage. This is the 13th part of the story about him, the people around him and the many adventures they experienced. Halga SeaKing was the youngest of Halfdan's three children, but by far the largest, the strongest and the most influential. As a child, he and his brother Hróar escaped and lived in hiding from their uncle Ingjald, but when Halga was 13, they killed Ingjald and became kings of Denmark. Hróar became land-king while Halga became sea-king and won many battles. Halga was a great warrior and often went on expeditions both near and far, which gave him a mighty reputation and great wealth. After living as a sea-king for many years, he settled in the Scylding royal court Lejre and continued his life as a land-king. After a few years, his brother Hróarr sought him out and gave up his part of the kingdom. From then on, Halga was the sole king of Denmark. Halga SeaKing won back Jutland from the Saxons, whom he liked beating on accation. He killed the Swedish king Hodbrod, for which he was nicknamed Halga Hodbrodsbane. And he went on victorious campaigns to Russia. He was a mighty king and his career was magnificent... on a personal level, however, life became increasingly complicated for Halga. Source: Hrólfs saga kraka ok kappa hans, Saxo Ill.: The Scylding lineage, BFB

Just enjoyed a performance of Beowulf seated around an open fire in a reconstructed Saxon longhall, based on one discovered nearby at Cheddar, Somerse, Uk. It was performed by bard Lizzie Bryant in modern English in two acts. Managed to take some rather atmospheric photos with Venus and Saturn above the hall.

Fancy dropping in on Odin this weekend? Several place names in England and Scotland are believed to be derived from the name of the god Odin (Old Norse Óðinn) or his Anglo-Saxon counterpart, Woden (Old English Wōden). Here is a list of such places: England: Odin Mine: Located near Castleton in Derbyshire. Odin Sitch: Also near Castleton, Derbyshire. Wambrook: In Somerset, interpreted as "Woden's Brook." Wampool: In Hampshire, meaning "Woden's Pool." Wanborough: Found in both Wiltshire and Surrey, derived from "Wōdnes-beorg," meaning "Woden's Barrow." Wansdyke: An ancient earthwork in southern England, translating to "Woden's Dyke." Wanstead: In Essex, meaning "Woden's Stead." Wednesbury: Located in the West Midlands, translating to "Woden's Burgh." Wednesfield: Also in the West Midlands, meaning "Woden's Field." Wensley: In Derbyshire, interpreted as "Woden's Meadow." Wembury: In Devon, derived from "Woden's Hill" or "Woden's Barrow." Woden's Barrow: Also known as Adam's Grave or Walker's Hill, a barrow in Wiltshire. Woden Hill: Located in Hampshire, part of Bagshot Heath. Wonston: In Hampshire, meaning "Woden's Town." Woodbridge: In Suffolk, originally "Wodenbrycge," meaning "Woden's Bridge." Woodnesborough: In Kent, translating to "Woden's Burgh." Woodway House: Named after "Woden's Way." Wormshill: Derived from "Woden's Hill." Grimsdyke and Grim's Ditch: Ancient earthworks; "Grim" is another name associated with Woden. Scotland: Edin's Hall Broch: Located in Berwickshire, sometimes referred to as "Odin's Hall Broch" and originally "Wooden's (Woden's) Hall." Grim's Dyke: Another term used for the Antonine Wall. Woden Law: An Iron Age hillfort in the Cheviot Hills near the border with Northumberland, meaning "Woden Hill."

On the Viking trail. After Steepholm, (see earlier post) we then went on the trail of Ubba, (9th-century Viking and one of the commanders of the Great Heathen Army that invaded Anglo-Saxon England in the 860s). He has two potential burial spots one is near 'Bloody Corner' Bideford, Devon or on Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel. On Lundy two unusual graves were discovered and It has been suggested that they are the graves of Vikings, those owing to the discovery of possible Viking glass beads. A visitor to the island has also suggested that the remains are of Danish origin. After the battle of Kenwith Castle in 894 the raven standard was taken and (H)Ubba slain. It was Danish custom to remove their dead and Lundy was the nearest point

This little Island in the Bristol Channel, UK is where my personal Viking odyssey really began. The Vikings took refuge on Steep Holm during the summer of 914 and then carried out raids on the coast of Somerset at Watchet and Porlock, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. At the end of the 12th century, there was a small priory of Canons Regular of St Michael on the island. Since visiting there in 2022 i've made it my lifes mission to visit as many Viking 'territories' as possible......from small beginnings come epics!

With some famous people #amonamarth #saxon

From filming Amon Amarth's Saxons and Vikings

Just for fun, what's everyone's Genealogy? I myself have never done a DNA test, and I've thought about doing one to see what all pops up. However, I got a lot of family records, and of course my family living in different countries helps. As of now, my family is spread between 4 countries. Denmark, Sweden, Ireland and the United States. Though I've been told I have very distant family in Norway and Iceland. From my mom's side, from family and records, my family is of course Primarily Danish, and there's some North Germany in there, Swedish, and a little bit of Irish in there from certain family members. On my dad's side, it is Irish and Danish from my current living family. However based on last names, and down history we can find, we believe there's some Norman and Anglo-Saxon way down the line. But over the last 100 years in the family, Denmark and Ireland were places my family were around most, with some going back and forth from Sweden and Denmark, and my family that settled and stayed in Ireland on my mother's side. My dad's side had settled in Ireland quite a bit longer, with some of our records going back and forth from Ireland and Scandinavia for quite a while, with family from Denmark establishing themselves as early as 14th century if our records are correct. My dad was actually born and immigrated from Ireland which is kind of cool, because as much of a Dane as I am, since my mother's family immigrated from Denmark, I've always just known myself as a Danish American. I only met my dad in the last few years of my life and began learning all this information at least from his side of the family and it's pretty cool knowing and learning things about my family. All this information has made me want to get a DNA test and see what it says, and what I can piece together for a further back family tree. Though i may find out by blood im far less Danish than i think i am, which is a bit saddening lol, none the less, most of my family lives in Denmark, and I'll always stand by the good saying, Fuck Dig Jeg Er Dansker! 😁 Anyways show me some DNA tests and let's talk about some history!

Saxon Sword 2024