Norna-Gests þáttr

Categories: Norse sagas

Norna-Gests þáttr or the Story of Norna-Gest is a legendary saga about the Norse hero Norna-Gest. The story is inserted into the saga of Olaf Trygvasson in the Flatey Book and contains several poems from the Poetic Edda. It has certain similarities with Meleagros.

When he was born three Norns arrived and two of them gave him good gifts, whereas the third was angered and cursed him so that he would not live longer than would burn the candle by his cradle. The eldest Norn instantly extinguished the flame and asked his mother to hide it well.

When Norna-Gest had grown up he became the care-taker of the candle and he is said to have lived for 300 years. He took part in the battles of Sigurd the Völsung, spent time with Ragnar Lodbrok's son Björn Ironside and his brothers, with Starkad, with the Swedish king Sigurd Ring, with king Erik at Uppsala¹, with king Harald Fairhair and with king Hlodver (Ludvig) in Germany. Finally, he came to Olaf Trygvasson and was baptized.

When he felt that he had lived out his life, he took his candle, lit it and died as it burnt out.

External links

• The story in Old Norse
• The Story of Norna-Gest in English translation by George L. Hardman

Note

Note 1: Eiríkr at Uppsölum is almost a default name for the Swedish king. It could refer to Erik Refilsson, Erik Björnsson, Erik Anundsson or Eric the Victorious.