The famous Sparlösa Runestone raised in the Geatish heartland, in Västergötland, mentions a great battle, the names Eric and Alrik and the father who resided in Uppsala. Possibly a memorial to Swedish royalty, who had won a great battle.
The Geats under their new king Hæþcyn captured the Swedish queen, but old king Ongenþeow saved her, at a hill fort called Hrefnesholt, although they lost her gold.[8] Ongenþeow killed Hæþcyn,[9] and besieged the Geats at Hrefnesholt.[10] The Geats were, however, rescued by Hygelac, Hæþcyn's brother,[11] who arrived the next day with reinforcements.[12] Having lost the battle, but rescued his queen, Ongenþeow and his warriors returned home:
The Geatish warriors Eofor and Wulf Wonreding fought together against the hoary king Ongenþeow.[16] Wulf hit Ongenþeow's head with his sword so that the old king bled over his hair, but the king hit back and wounded Wulf.[17] Then, Eofor retaliated by cutting through the Swedish king's shield and through his helmet,[18] giving Ongenþeow a death-blow.[19] Eofor took the Swedish king's helmet, sword and breastplate and carried them to Hygelac.[20] When they came home, Eofor and Wulf were richly awarded,[21] and Eofor was given Hygelac's daughter.[22] Because of this battle, Hygelac is referred to as Ongenþeow's slayer.[23]
The second war in Beowulf
In Sweden, both Ongenþeow and Ohthere were apparently dead as Onela was king, and Ohthere's two sons, Eanmund and Eadgils, sought refuge with Heardred, Hygelac's successor as king of the Geats.[24] This caused Onela to attack the Geats. During the battle, Eanmund was killed by Onela's champion Weohstan[25] and Heardred was killed as well.[26] Onela returned home and Beowulf became king of the Geats.[27]
Eadgils, however, survived and later, Beowulf helped him avenge Eanmund by slaying Onela,[28] an event which also appears in Scandinavian sources, as the Battle on the Ice of Lake Vänern (although no Geatish involvement is remembered or mentioned).
The foreboding of a third war in Beowulf
As Wiglaf sat beside the dead king Beowulf, he spoke of a new war with the Swedes that would surely come:
According to a Scandinavian legend written down in the 13th century, in the Ynglinga saga, a 7th-century Geatish king named Algaut was invited to his son-in-law, the Swedish king Ingjald, at Uppsala. During the night, he was burned to death together with a number of other invited kings. Ingjald then extended his rule to include the Geatish heartland in Västergötland, whereas the East Geats in Östergötland preserved their independence. The Geats and the other Scandinavians were later united by Ivar Vidfamne.
Sögubrot af nokkrum fornkonungum says that after Ivar's death, the kingdom was split between Harald Wartooth and Sigurd Hring. Harald ruled Denmark and the East Geats, whereas Sigurd Hring ruled Sweden and the West Geats. These and many sources describe how these two kings met in the legendary and enormous Battle of the Brávellir (c. 750), where Sigurd Hring was victorious and became the king of both Swedes, Geats and Danes. From this battle and onwards, all of Geatland is described as part of the Swedish kingdom.
In the 12th century, Geatish tribal independence was but a memory as the Danish chronicler Saxo Grammaticus noted in his Gesta Danorum (book 13) that the Geats had no say in the election of the king, only the Swedes. It says even more of their loss of independence that when the Law of the West Geats was put to paper, in the 13th century, the law stated that the election and the deposing of the king rested with the Swedes and not with the Geats.[30]
^The dating has never been a matter of controversy. It is inferred from the internal chronology of the sources themselves and the dating of Hygelac's raid on Frisia to c. 516. It is also supported by archaeological excavations of the barrows of Eadgils and Ohthere in Sweden. For a discussion, see e.g. Birger Nerman's Det svenska rikets uppkomst (1925) (in Swedish). For presentations of the archaeological findings, see e.g. Elisabeth Klingmark's Gamla Uppsala, Svenska kulturminnen 59, Riksantikvarieämbetet (in Swedish), or this English language presentation by the Swedish National Heritage Board 2007-08-24 at the Wayback Machine
^R.M. Liuzza (2000), "The Geatish-Swedish wars", Beowulf: A new verse translation, ISBN1-55111-189-6
^ abThe mentioning of water between Swedes and Geats has been much discussed, as Swedes and Geats shared a land border (Nerman 1925:117-119). However, a simple explanation is that if the mentioning of water is not merely poetic licence, people travelling between Götaland and the traditional Swedish heartland in eastern Svealand usually did so by water (ibid.). The border forests, Tiveden, Tylöskog and Kolmården effectively slowed down communication.
^Sveær egho konong at taka ok sva vrækæ ("it is the Swedes who have the right to elect king and to dethrone him").
^Swerikis rike är af hedna värld samman kommit, af swea och gotha land ("The kingdom of Sweden is from pagan times a union of Swedish and Geatish/Gothic lands") (Lundström, 1972:6).
Bibliography
Lundström, I. (1972). Viking, viking. Forntidsdröm och verklighet. Statens historiska museum, Stockholm. p. 6.
Nerman, B. (1925). Det svenska rikets uppkomst. Stockholm.
External links
Old English edition edited by James Albert Harrison and Robert Sharp
swedish, geatish, wars, swedish, geatish, wars, refer, semi, legendary, century, battles, between, swedes, geats, that, described, anglo, saxon, epic, beowulf, little, survived, such, battles, norse, sagas, later, 11th, century, 13th, century, wars, between, s. The Swedish Geatish wars refer to semi legendary 6th century 1 battles between Swedes and Geats that are described in the Anglo Saxon epic Beowulf 2 Little has survived of such battles in the Norse sagas 3 and later 11th century 13th century wars between Swedes and Geats notably involving the Geatish clans House of Stenkil and House of Sverker are referred to as Swedish civil wars The famous Sparlosa Runestone raised in the Geatish heartland in Vastergotland mentions a great battle the names Eric and Alrik and the father who resided in Uppsala Possibly a memorial to Swedish royalty who had won a great battle Contents 1 The first war in Beowulf 2 The second war in Beowulf 3 The foreboding of a third war in Beowulf 4 Aftermath 5 Notes 6 Bibliography 7 External linksThe first war in Beowulf Edit Vendel era helmet at the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities Vendel era sword from Valsgarde A Vendel era Spangenhelm at the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities The Anglo Saxon epic relates that the Swedes did not keep the peace when the Geatish king Hredel had died because the Swedish king Ongentheow s sons i e Ohthere and Onela had grown up and were eager to fight 4 THa waes synn and sacu Sweona and Geata ofer wid waeter wroht gemaene here nid hearda syddan Hredel swealt odde him Ongentheowes eaferan waeran frome fyrd hwate freode ne woldon ofer heafo healdan ac ymb Hreosna beorh eatolne inwit scear oft gefremedon 5 There was strife and struggle twixt Swede and Geat o er the width of waters 6 war arose hard battle horror when Hrethel died and Ongentheow s offspring grew strife keen bold nor brooked o er the seas 6 pact of peace but pushed their hosts to harass in hatred by Hreosnabeorh 7 The Geats under their new king Haethcyn captured the Swedish queen but old king Ongentheow saved her at a hill fort called Hrefnesholt although they lost her gold 8 Ongentheow killed Haethcyn 9 and besieged the Geats at Hrefnesholt 10 The Geats were however rescued by Hygelac Haethcyn s brother 11 who arrived the next day with reinforcements 12 Having lost the battle but rescued his queen Ongentheow and his warriors returned home Waes sio swat swadu Sweona and Geata wael raes wera wide gesy ne hu tha folc mid him faehde towehton Gewat him tha se goda mid his gaedelingum frod fela geomor faesten secean eorl Ongenthio ufor oncirde 13 The bloody swath of Swedes and Geats and the storm of their strife were seen afar how folk against folk the fight had wakened The ancient king with his atheling band sought his citadel sorrowing much Ongentheow earl went up to his burg 14 However the war was not over Hygelac the new king of the Geats attacked the Swedes THa waes aeht boden Sweona leodum segn Higelace Freodo wong thone ford ofereodon syddan Hredlingas to hagan thrungon 15 Yet after him came with slaughter for Swedes the standards of Hygelac o er peaceful plains in pride advancing till Hrethelings fought in the fenced town 14 The Geatish warriors Eofor and Wulf Wonreding fought together against the hoary king Ongentheow 16 Wulf hit Ongentheow s head with his sword so that the old king bled over his hair but the king hit back and wounded Wulf 17 Then Eofor retaliated by cutting through the Swedish king s shield and through his helmet 18 giving Ongentheow a death blow 19 Eofor took the Swedish king s helmet sword and breastplate and carried them to Hygelac 20 When they came home Eofor and Wulf were richly awarded 21 and Eofor was given Hygelac s daughter 22 Because of this battle Hygelac is referred to as Ongentheow s slayer 23 The second war in Beowulf EditIn Sweden both Ongentheow and Ohthere were apparently dead as Onela was king and Ohthere s two sons Eanmund and Eadgils sought refuge with Heardred Hygelac s successor as king of the Geats 24 This caused Onela to attack the Geats During the battle Eanmund was killed by Onela s champion Weohstan 25 and Heardred was killed as well 26 Onela returned home and Beowulf became king of the Geats 27 Eadgils however survived and later Beowulf helped him avenge Eanmund by slaying Onela 28 an event which also appears in Scandinavian sources as the Battle on the Ice of Lake Vanern although no Geatish involvement is remembered or mentioned The foreboding of a third war in Beowulf EditAs Wiglaf sat beside the dead king Beowulf he spoke of a new war with the Swedes that would surely come THaet ys sio faehdo and se feond scipe wael nid wera thaes the ic wen hafo the us secead to Sweona leode syddan hie gefricgead frean userne ealdor leasne thone the aer geheold wid hettendum hord and rice aefter haeleda hryre hwate Scylfingas folcred fremede odde furdur gen eorl scipe efnde 29 Such is the feud the foeman s rage death hate of men so I deem it sure that the Swedish folk will seek us home for this fall of their friends the fighting Scylfings when once they learn that our warrior leader lifeless lies who land and hoard ever defended from all his foes furthered his folk s weal finished his course a hardy hero 14 Aftermath EditMain article Consolidation of Sweden According to a Scandinavian legend written down in the 13th century in the Ynglinga saga a 7th century Geatish king named Algaut was invited to his son in law the Swedish king Ingjald at Uppsala During the night he was burned to death together with a number of other invited kings Ingjald then extended his rule to include the Geatish heartland in Vastergotland whereas the East Geats in Ostergotland preserved their independence The Geats and the other Scandinavians were later united by Ivar Vidfamne Sogubrot af nokkrum fornkonungum says that after Ivar s death the kingdom was split between Harald Wartooth and Sigurd Hring Harald ruled Denmark and the East Geats whereas Sigurd Hring ruled Sweden and the West Geats These and many sources describe how these two kings met in the legendary and enormous Battle of the Bravellir c 750 where Sigurd Hring was victorious and became the king of both Swedes Geats and Danes From this battle and onwards all of Geatland is described as part of the Swedish kingdom In the 12th century Geatish tribal independence was but a memory as the Danish chronicler Saxo Grammaticus noted in his Gesta Danorum book 13 that the Geats had no say in the election of the king only the Swedes It says even more of their loss of independence that when the Law of the West Geats was put to paper in the 13th century the law stated that the election and the deposing of the king rested with the Swedes and not with the Geats 30 In 1442 the law of the Swedish Norwegian and Danish king Christopher of Bavaria declared that the merging of Geatland into the Swedish kingdom took place in a distant pagan time 31 Notes Edit The dating has never been a matter of controversy It is inferred from the internal chronology of the sources themselves and the dating of Hygelac s raid on Frisia to c 516 It is also supported by archaeological excavations of the barrows of Eadgils and Ohthere in Sweden For a discussion see e g Birger Nerman s Det svenska rikets uppkomst 1925 in Swedish For presentations of the archaeological findings see e g Elisabeth Klingmark s Gamla Uppsala Svenska kulturminnen 59 Riksantikvarieambetet in Swedish or this English language presentation by the Swedish National Heritage Board Archived 2007 08 24 at the Wayback Machine R M Liuzza 2000 The Geatish Swedish wars Beowulf A new verse translation ISBN 1 55111 189 6 For discussions on remaining traditions see Solve Ongentheow Onela Battle of Bravellir and Battle on the Ice of Lake Vanern Lines 2473 2479 Lines 2473 2480 a b The mentioning of water between Swedes and Geats has been much discussed as Swedes and Geats shared a land border Nerman 1925 117 119 However a simple explanation is that if the mentioning of water is not merely poetic licence people travelling between Gotaland and the traditional Swedish heartland in eastern Svealand usually did so by water ibid The border forests Tiveden Tyloskog and Kolmarden effectively slowed down communication Modern English translation by Francis Barton Gummere Lines 2931 2936 Lines 2483 2485 2925 2931 Lines 2934 2942 Lines 2434 2435 Lines 2942 2946 Lines 2947 2952 a b c Gummere s translation Lines 2959 2962 Lines 2965 2966 Lines 2966 2977 Lines 2977 2982 Lines 2485 2490 2977 2982 Lines 2987 2990 Lines 2992 2997 Lines 2998 2999 Line 1969 Lines 2380 2391 Lines 2610 2617 Line 2389 Lines 2388 2391 Line 2392 2397 Lines 3000 3008 Sveaer egho konong at taka ok sva vraekae it is the Swedes who have the right to elect king and to dethrone him Swerikis rike ar af hedna varld samman kommit af swea och gotha land The kingdom of Sweden is from pagan times a union of Swedish and Geatish Gothic lands Lundstrom 1972 6 Bibliography EditLundstrom I 1972 Viking viking Forntidsdrom och verklighet Statens historiska museum Stockholm p 6 Nerman B 1925 Det svenska rikets uppkomst Stockholm External links EditOld English edition edited by James Albert Harrison and Robert SharpTranslations of Beowulf Modern English translation by Francis Barton Gummere Modern English translation by John Lesslie Hall Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Swedish Geatish wars amp oldid 1146563101, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
