Asatru Folk Assembly - February 03, 2024


Atlakviða en Grönlenzku, a reading

Hosted by
Steve McNallen
Mentioned
King Gunnar Hogni Atle Kvitha Atlikvitha Hjalli Gyuki Otli William Håvgård Maurice Hewlett Jennifer Johnson Burgundian Boothlings Hyliskoth Forneslog Alakvitha Malhattar Gnithroth Treasures Brynhild Alicvita and 18 more
Oddrúnargrátr, a reading Atlamál En Grönlenzku, a reading

Episode Stats


Length

20 minutes

Words per minute

120.87

Word count

2,530

Sentence count

118

Harmful content

Misogyny

1

sentences flagged

Hate speech

34

sentences flagged


Summary

Summaries generated with gmurro/bart-large-finetuned-filtered-spotify-podcast-summ .

In the first half of the 14th century, the Danish scholar Finner Johnson claimed that the two poems in the Atlecvitha and the Arlamor were written in the Greenland settlement of Atli, and that they were the work of a Christian poet.

Transcript

Transcript generated with Whisper (turbo).
Misogyny classifications generated with MilaNLProc/bert-base-uncased-ear-misogyny .
Hate speech classifications generated with facebook/roberta-hate-speech-dynabench-r4-target .
Hosts, guests, and mentioned names generated with spaCy (en_core_web_sm), reconciled against Wikidata.
00:00:00.000 Atlikwitha in Grunlindska, the Greenland lay of Atli.
00:00:26.760 There are two Atli poems in the Curex Regis, the Atlecvitha, Lay of Atli, and the Arlamor, Ballad of Atli.
00:00:39.160 The poems are not preserved or quoted in any other old manuscript, but they were extensively used by the compilers of the Vlsunga Saga.
00:00:49.620 In the manuscript's superscription to each of these poems appears the word Greenland,
00:00:57.180 which has given rise to a large amount of arguments.
00:01:01.700 The scribe was by no means infallible,
00:01:05.360 and in this case his statement proves no more than that in the period around 1300
00:01:10.460 there was a tradition that these two poems originated in the Greenland settlement.
00:01:15.760 The two Atli poems deal with substantially the same material.
00:01:22.160 The visit of the sons of Gyuki to Atli's court, their deaths,
00:01:26.520 and the subsequent revenge of their sister Guthrun, Atli's wife, on her husband.
00:01:32.940 The shorter of the two, the Atla Kvitha, tells the story with little elaboration.
00:01:39.460 The Atla Mol, with about the same narrative basis, adds many details.
00:01:45.060 some of them apparently of the poet's invention,
00:01:48.840 and with a romantic, not to say sentimental, quality quite lacking in the Atla Kvitha.
00:01:55.820 Both poems are sharply distinguished from the rest of the collection by their metrical form,
00:02:02.180 which is the Malahatr, used regularly also in the Harbar Slioth,
00:02:09.200 employed consistently and smoothly in the Atlamal,
00:02:12.120 and with a considerable mixture of what appears to be Furnisslag lines in C. Introduction in the Atlecvitha.
00:02:20.980 It is altogether probable that both poems belong to the 11th century,
00:02:28.280 the shorter Atlecvitha being generally dated from the first quarter thereof,
00:02:32.340 and the longer Atlemal some 50 years or more later.
00:02:37.100 In each case, the poet was apparently a Christian,
00:02:40.020 In the Alamal, stanza 82, Guthrun expresses her readiness to die and go into another light.
00:02:47.700 And in the Alakvitha, there is frequent use of mythological names,
00:02:52.940 example Varhal, Hyliskoth,
00:02:56.540 with an evident lack of understanding of their relation to the older gods.
00:03:02.060 These facts fit the theory of a Greenland origin exceedingly well,
00:03:05.980 for the Greenland settlement grew rapidly after the first explorations of Eirik the Red,
00:03:11.500 which were in 982-985, and its most flourishing period was in the 11th century.
00:03:18.260 The internal evidence, particularly in the case of the Atlema,
00:03:22.560 points likewise to an origin remote from Iceland, Norway, and the Western Isles,
00:03:29.240 and the two poems are sufficiently alike so that despite the efforts of Finner Johnson
00:03:34.320 and others to separate them, assigning one to Greenland and the other to Norway or elsewhere.
00:03:41.920 It seems probable that the manuscript statement is correct in both instances,
00:03:47.300 and that the two Otley poems did actually originate in Greenland.
00:03:53.340 An interesting account of this Greenland settlement is given in William Håvgård's
00:03:58.500 Voyage of the Norsemen to America, published by the American Scandinavian Foundation in 1914.
00:04:05.840 And an extraordinarily vivid picture of the sufferings of the early settlers
00:04:10.220 appears in Maurice Hewlett's Torghils, taken from the Floamonaga saga.
00:04:18.280 And from the standpoint of narrative material,
00:04:21.440 there is little that is distinctively Norse in either the Atla Kvitha or the Atla Mall.
00:04:28.500 The story is the one outlined in the prose Drapnefrunga, largely based on these two poems,
00:04:36.960 representing almost exclusively the southern blending of the Attila and Burgundian legends,
00:04:43.420 as the introductory note to Grapispa.
00:04:47.040 In the Atlecvitha, indeed the word Burgundians is actually used.
00:04:53.020 Brynhild is not mentioned in either poem.
00:04:56.120 Sigrid's name appears but once in the Atlemall.
00:05:00.200 Thus, the material goes directly back to its South Germanic origins,
00:05:04.820 with little of the Norse making over which resulted in such extensive changes in most parts of the Sigrid's story.
00:05:12.320 The general atmosphere, on the other hand, particularly in the Atlemall, is essentially Norse.
00:05:19.100 As has been said, the Atalikvitha is materically in a chaotic state, the normal Malahatar lines being frequently interspersed with lines and even stanzas, which apparently are of the older Forneslog type.
00:05:35.960 How much of this confusion is due to faulty transmission is uncertain,
00:05:42.100 but it has been suggested that the composer of the Alakvitha made over in Malhattar an older Otli poem in Forneslog,
00:05:51.000 and this suggestion has much to recommend it.
00:05:54.880 That he worked on the basis of an older poem is indeed almost certain,
00:05:59.560 For an older oral prose tradition, a far larger amount of distinctively Norse traits would unquestionably have crept in
00:06:11.040 than are found in the material of the Atlikvitha.
00:06:15.200 As for the Atlamal, here again the poet seems to have used an older poem as his basis,
00:06:21.480 possibly the Atlikvitha itself, although in that case he must have had other material as well.
00:06:27.820 for there are frequent divergences in such materials and matters as proper names.
00:06:37.640 The translation of the Alicvita is rendered peculiarly difficult
00:06:43.540 by the irregularity of the meter,
00:06:47.820 by the evident faultiness of the transmission,
00:06:50.460 and above all by the exceptionally large number of words found nowhere else in Old Norse.
00:06:57.820 involving much guesswork as to their meaning.
00:07:01.800 The notes do not attempt to indicate all the varying suggestions made by editors and commentators
00:07:07.700 as to the reconstruction of defective stanzas and the probable meanings of obscure passages.
00:07:13.720 In cases which are purely or largely guesswork,
00:07:18.640 the notes merely point out the uncertainty without cataloging the proposed solutions.
00:07:24.640 Atle Kvitha in Grunlinska
00:07:30.880 Guthrun, Gyuki's daughter, avenged her brothers, as has become well known.
00:07:38.940 She slew first Atle's sons, and thereafter she slew Atle, 0.51
00:07:43.760 and burned the hall with his whole company. 0.69
00:07:47.700 Concerning this was the following poem made.
00:07:50.920 Atli sent of old Tugunar, a keen-witted rider, Caninfroth, did men call him.
00:08:01.340 To Gyuki's home came he, and to Gunar's dwelling, With benches round the hearth, and to the
00:08:07.420 beer so sweet.
00:08:09.560 Then the followers, hiding their falseness, all drank Their wine in the war-hall of the
00:08:18.040 Hun's wrath wary.
00:08:21.220 And Gnithroth spake loudly, his words were crafty, the hero from the south on the high
00:08:27.940 bench sitting, Now Watley has sent me to his errand to ride,
00:08:35.740 On my bit-champing steed through Mirkwood the secret,
00:08:40.760 To bid you, Gunnar, to his benches to come,
00:08:45.680 With helms round the hearth, And at least home seek.
00:08:50.700 Shields shall ye choose there, And shafts made of ash wood,
00:08:55.380 Gold-adorned helmets, And slaves out of Hunland,
00:09:00.080 Silver-gilt saddle-cloths, Shirts of bright scarlet,
00:09:05.000 With lances and spears too, And bit-champing steeds.
00:09:10.120 The field shall be given you of wide gnithith, With loud ringing lances and stems gold o'erlaid,
00:09:19.920 Treasures full huge in the home of Dump, And the mighty forest that Mirkwood is called.
00:09:30.220 His head turned Gunnar, and to Hogni he said, What doth thy counsel, young hero, when such
00:09:37.280 Such things we hear, No gold do I know on Gnitahe flying,
00:09:42.280 So fair the other its equal we have not.
00:09:45.720 We have seven halls, each of swords is full, And all of gold is the hilt of each.
00:09:52.500 My steed is the swiftest, my sword is sharpest, My bows adorned benches, my bernies are golden,
00:10:01.000 My harem is the brightest that came from Kiara's hall. 0.81
00:10:05.180 Mine own is better than all the Hun's treasure. 1.00
00:10:09.720 Hogni spake. 0.63
00:10:13.260 What seeks she to say, That she sends us a ring,
00:10:18.320 Woven with a wolf's hair?
00:10:20.960 Methinks it gives warning. 0.81
00:10:23.340 In the red ring a hair Of the heath-dweller found I.
00:10:27.480 Like shall our road be, if we ride on this journey.
00:10:32.520 Not eager were his comrades, nor the men of his kin,
00:10:36.620 The wise nor the wary, nor the warriors bold,
00:10:40.340 But Gunnar spake forth, as befitted a king,
00:10:44.600 Noble in the beard-hall, and bitter his scorn.
00:10:50.080 Stand forth, Fjornir, and hither on the floor,
00:10:54.140 The beakers all golden shalt thou bring to the warriors. 0.99
00:11:00.020 The wolves then shall rule, the wealth of the Nifrungs, 0.87
00:11:05.520 Wolves aged and grey-hued, if Gunnar is lost, 0.93
00:11:10.280 And black-coated bears with rinding teeth bite,
00:11:14.040 And make glad to dogs, if Gunnar returns not.
00:11:20.760 A following gallant fell forth with the ruler, yet they wept as their home with the hero
00:11:26.640 they left, and the little air of Hogni called out loudly,
00:11:32.180 Go safe now, ye wise ones, wherever ye will.
00:11:38.840 Then let the bold heroes, their bit-champing horses, on the mountains gallop and through
00:11:44.820 Markwood the secret. All Hoonland was shaken, Where the hard-souled ones rode, On the whip-fearers
00:11:52.840 Fared they, though fields that were green. Then they saw Otley's halls, and his watchtowers
00:12:00.780 high, And the walls so lofty stood the warriors of Boothley. The hall of the southrons, with
00:12:09.540 The seats was surrounded, With targets bound and shields full bright.
00:12:16.040 Mid weapons and lances did Atli his wine, In the war hall drink, without were his watchmen.
00:12:24.140 For Gunnar they waited, if forth he should go, With their ringing spears they would fight
00:12:30.100 with the ruler.
00:12:32.500 This their sister saw, As soon as her brothers had entered the hall.
00:12:38.100 Little ale had she drunk, Betrayed art thou Gunnar, what guard hast thou
00:12:43.820 Hero, gainst the plots of the Huns?
00:12:48.260 From the hall flee swiftly, Brother, t'were it far better to have come
00:12:54.020 In barony, with thy household hand To see Otli's home, and to sit in the saddle
00:13:00.100 All day neath the sun, that the sword Norns might weep For the death-pale warriors, and 0.65
00:13:07.480 the hunish shield-maids might shun not the sword, and send Atri himself to the din of 0.82
00:13:14.080 the snakes. 1.00
00:13:15.080 Now the din of the snakes for thee is destined. 1.00
00:13:20.520 Gunnar spake, too lawfully is it, sister, to summon the Nifrungs. 1.00
00:13:27.120 Long is it to come to the throng of our comrades, the heroes gallant from the hills of the Rhine. 1.00
00:13:36.240 King Gunnar they seized, and they set him in chains, the Burgundian's king, and fast
00:13:41.960 they bound him.
00:13:44.360 Hogni slew seven with swords so keen, and an eighth he flung in the fire hot.
00:13:49.900 A hero should fight with his foemen thus, as Hogni strove in Gunnar's behalf.
00:13:59.260 The leader, they asked, if his life he feigned, with gold would buy the king of the Goths. 0.92
00:14:06.220 Gunnar spake, first the heart of Hogni shall ye lay in my hands, and all bloody from the
00:14:15.960 breast of the bold one cuts, with keen biting sword from the son of the king. 0.87
00:14:25.380 They cut out the heart from the breast of Hjalli, on the platter they bore it and brought 0.89
00:14:30.360 to Gunnar. Then Gunnar spake forth the lord of the folk, 0.98
00:14:38.040 Here have I the heart of Hjalli the Treven, unlike to the heart of Hogni the valiant.
00:14:45.300 For it trembles still as it stands on the platter, twice more did it tremble in the
00:14:50.760 breast of the man. Then Hogni laughed when they cut out the heart
00:14:57.560 Of the living helmed hammerer, Tears he had not.
00:15:03.200 On the platter they bore it, And brought it to Gunnar. 0.96
00:15:07.320 Then Gunnar spake forth, The spear of the Nifrungs, 0.66
00:15:12.560 Here have I the heart of Hogni the valiant, Unlike the heart of Hjalli the creven,
00:15:18.680 Little it trembles as it lies on the platter, Still lest it tremble when it lay in his breast.
00:15:26.300 More distant, Otley, from all men's eyes, Shalt thou be as thou, from the gold. 0.81
00:15:34.960 To no one save me is the secret known, Of the Niflung's horde, now Hogni is dead.
00:15:42.420 Of old there were two, while we twain were alive, Now is none but I, for I only am living.
00:15:51.480 The swift Rhine shall hold the strife gold of heroes,
00:15:55.840 That once was the gods the wealth of the Niflungs.
00:15:58.980 In the depths of the waters the death-rings shall glitter, 1.00
00:16:04.380 And not shine on the hands of the hoonish men. 1.00
00:16:09.240 Otley spake, Ye shall bring the wagon, for now is he bound. 0.98
00:16:17.620 On the long main ground wrote Atli the Great, About him were warriors.
00:16:24.880 But Guthrin, akin to the gods of slaughter, Yielded not to her tears in the Hall of Tumult.
00:16:32.440 Guthrin spake, It shall go with thee, Atli, as with Gunnar thou heldest,
00:16:39.160 The oaths oftentimes, and of old make firm, By the sun in the south, by Sigtir's mountain,
00:16:47.420 the horse of the respire in the ring of Ul. In the chamber of bits, through the chieftain
00:16:54.040 great, the gold garter down to the place of death. By the warrior's host was the living
00:17:01.460 hero, cast in the din, or crawling about. Within were serpents, but soon did Gunnar,
00:17:10.300 With his hand in wrath on the harp-string smite, The strings resounded, so shall a hero,
00:17:18.000 A ring-breaker galled from his enemy's guard.
00:17:23.860 Then Otley rode on his earth-threading steed, Seeking his home from the slaughtered place,
00:17:31.540 The perclatter of hoofs of the steeds in the court, And the clashing of arms as they came
00:17:36.740 from the field.
00:17:39.420 Often came Guthrun to meeting with Atli, with the golden beaker as a gift to the monarch.
00:17:46.940 Thou mayst eat now, chieftain, within thy dwelling, blithely with Guthrun young beasts
00:17:52.460 fresh slaughtered. 0.99
00:17:55.320 The wine-heavy ale-cups of Atli resounded, when there in the hall the hoonish youths 0.99
00:18:00.920 clamoured, and the warriors bearded the brave ones entered. 0.94
00:18:08.640 Then came in the Shining One, And drink she bore him.
00:18:15.460 Unwilling and bitter Brought she food to the warrior,
00:18:19.880 Till in scorn to the white-faced Hotly did she speak. 0.97
00:18:24.940 Thou give her of swords Of thy sons the hearts, 0.92
00:18:28.600 All heavy with blood and honey Thou hast eaten.
00:18:32.360 Thou shalt stomach, thou hero, The flesh of the slain,
00:18:36.520 Who eateth thy feast, and to send to thy followers.
00:18:40.720 Thou shalt never call to thy knees again, Earp, or Eitel, when merry with ale.
00:18:48.760 Thou shalt never see in their seats again, The sharers of gold, their lances shaping,
00:18:55.640 Clipping the manes, or minding the steeds.
00:19:00.360 There was clamour on the benches, And the cry of men,
00:19:03.760 The clashing of weapons, and the weeping of the Huns.
00:19:07.200 Save for Guthrun alone, she wept not ever.
00:19:10.760 For her bare, fierce brothers were the boys so dear,
00:19:15.660 So young and so unhappy, whom withoutly she had.
00:19:20.660 Gold did she scotter, and swan-white one,
00:19:24.280 And the rings of red gold to the followers she gave.
00:19:28.900 The fate she let grow, and the shining wealth go,
00:19:32.920 For spared she the treasure of the temple itself.
00:19:37.920 Unwise, then, was Otli, he had drunk to the wildness.
00:19:42.120 No weapon did he have, and of Guthrin beware not.
00:19:46.380 Oft their play was better, when both in gladness
00:19:50.060 Each other embraced among princes all.
00:19:54.360 With her sword she gave blood for the bed to drink,
00:19:58.280 With her death-dealing hand and the hounds she loosed,
00:20:02.140 The thrall she awakened and the firebrand threw, In the door of the hall so vengeance
00:20:08.180 she had. 0.91
00:20:09.460 To the flames she gave all, who yet were within, And from Mirkaim she had come, From the murderer
00:20:17.720 of the Gunnar. 0.74
00:20:19.720 The timbers old fell, the temple was in flames, The dwelling of the Boothlings, and the shieldmaids 0.54
00:20:27.460 burned. They were slain in the house, in the hot flames they sank. 0.99
00:20:34.020 Now the tale is all told, nor in later time will the woman in Birney avenge so her brothers.
00:20:42.640 The fair one to three, of the kings of the folk, brought the doom of death ere herself
00:20:49.700 she died. Still more is told in the Greenland Ballad of Otley.