Shieldmaiden: The Story of Hervor

By Bard of Burgh Conan

The story of Hervor, a shieldmaiden of Old Norse lore. Hervor, tired of needlework, changes her name to Hervar, dresses as a man, and joins a group of Viking raiders. Like many of the Icelandic Sagas, the Hervarasaga is rambling and muddled, though containing much fine material. This version is a straightforward retelling of the main plot.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bard of Burgh Conan
• Release date: Jan 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463457337

Bard of Burgh Conan

Bard of Burgh Conan is the pen name Christopher Webster uses for his writing about his home town, Conisbrough. He was brought up in Conisbrough, went to Station Road School, and has lived at various times on Daylands Avenue, Roberts Avenue and Castle Avenue. The town, with its rich history and magnificent castle, has been an important influence in his life and has inspired some of his best work, hence his pen-name, Bard of Burgh Conan (from a medieval form of the town’s name). He read English at St David’s, Lampeter and Leeds University, and is now a teacher and writer. His first educational publication was Poetry Through Humour and Horror (Cassell, 1987). This was followed by many more educational publications including books for KS3 and GCSE English Language and Literature published by Hodder, and the best-selling 100 Literacy Hours (Scholastic, 1997/2005). He has also published several novels and some volumes of poetry under his own name. His writing about Conisbrough includes Crusader, The Abduction of Lady Alice, Richard of Conisbrough, The Poet and the Castle, Conisbrough Tales, Coal Dust Kisses and three books of short stories.

Book preview

Shieldmaiden

The Story of Hervor

Bard of Burgh Conan

Shieldmaiden: The Story of Hervor © Christopher Webster, aka Bard of Burgh Conan, 2013

All rights reserved by the author.

Introduction

There are three versions of this saga, known as R, H and U, the R version being closest to the lost 13th century original. These versions present us with the usual confused mix of names, places and events that we find in many of the Old Norse sagas. For example, there are actually two Hervors, the first Hervor was the daughter of Angantyr, and the second the daughter of Heidrek. They are linked by making Heidrek the son of the first Hervor, but there is more than a suspicion that they are simply different versions of the same person. Despite this confusion, the Hervara Saga contains many fine things: a magical fantasy tale consisting of dwarves, cursed swords, and funeral barrows, battles, riddles, death songs, folklore and fragments of history. I have selected some of the best known of the stories and woven them into a continous thread. I have also hinted at the poetry in the conversations between Hervor and Angantyr by writing them in alliterative verse. However, this is not set out as verse, as it is intended to blend into the simple prose style of the rest of the narrative. This version of the story of Hervor is but a fraction of the wealth of riches in the three Old Norse originals, and those who enjoy my story are encouraged to read further. There are many translations online, for example, here: http://www.germanicmythology.com/FORNALDARSAGAS/HervararSagaTunstall.html

Contents

Introduction

Hervor

Hervor in Howe

Hervor's Riddling Competition

Hervor Plays Hnefatafl

Hervor’s Happy Ending

Hervor

She was brought