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Rolf Krake (Hrolf Kraki) was a mythological king at Lejre on the isle of Zealand, Denmark, described in several old sagas and other documents such as the Leire chronicle and Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus. The content of the saga is also related by Snorre Sturlasson in his Ynglingasaga, as part of the now-lost saga of the Skoldungs (Shieldings).
Parentage
Rolf Krake's father is Helge, grandfather Halfdan, and mother Yrsa. Yrsa is Helge's
daughter with a Saxon queen, who is forced or
seduced by Helge into marrying him. In revenge, the queen tricks her daughter and her husband into having a liaison. After Yrsa
discovers that Helge is her father, she goes home to Saxony with her mother.
Kingship
Later, Yrsa is married to Adils (Eadgils), son of Ottar (Ohthere). Adils is the king of Svitjod (Sweorice or Sweden). Helge dies and is succeeded by his brother Roar since Rolf is still a young boy. After
Roar's death, Rolf Krake becomes the king of the Danes. Many heroes come to advise and fight for Rolf, most notably Bodvar Bjarke. (Bodvar means "battle".) Twelve in particular were recognized as
his best men. This article omits the stories that are told about them. Not long after Rolf becomes king, Adils requests his
assistance in battle against his uncle, Ale (Onela). As Rolf sends his twelve companions, led by Bodvar Bjarke, Ale is defeated
and Adils gains the kingdom.
But when Adils refuses to pay Rolf's men the expected tributes for their help, Rolf Krake sets off to Ubsola (ancient Uppsala, possibly placed in the county of Uppland, Sweden). His mother Yrsa helps him and give him a horn filled with
gold and jewels and a famous ring called
Sweagris. Also, Rolf is joined by a young man named Vögg (Wig) who gives him the nickname Krake. With the treasure given
them by Yrsa, Rolf and his men set off over Fyrisvallarna (the Fyris Wolds). When Adils sends his men after them, Rolf
spills out the gold to occupy the greedy pursuers with treasure collecting instead of hunting Rolf and his men, and so he gets
away.
(Incidentally, the meaning of "Krake" is unclear. It might simply be "tiny", or it might be a kind of primitive ladder
consisting of a conifer trunk with the stubs of its branches. In either case, it could indicate that Rolf is physically
unimpressive, especially compared to some of his twelve companions---or it could be applied ironically to someone of unusually
great size.)
Death by burning
Finally, after a long and peaceful reign, Rolf is burnt to death by his brother-in-law
Hjorvard, possibly a jarl or subking of Skĺne (Scania). In this battle all Rolf's men
are killed but Vögg. Vögg pretends to swear loyalty to Hjorvard, but as he accepts the new king's sword, he stabs Hjorvard to
death as revenge for the killing of Rolf Krake. With Rolf ends the rule of the Skoldung dynasty.
Origins of the myth
The Rolf Krake saga has several interesting similarities to that of Beowulf. The
character names given in parentheses here are the Anglo-Saxon names from Beowulf of characters who seem to correspond to
those in Rolf's story. However, the alignment is not definite. See Origins for Beowulf and Rolf Krake.
The myth of Rolf ruling over a golden age and surrounded by legendary heroes may be compared to the myths of King Arthur and the Round Table
and to those of Charlemagne and his twelve paladins in the chansons de geste.
A modern version
The American writer Poul Anderson used this story in his novel
Hrolf Kraki's Saga. Anderson's story begins in earlier generations and differs in some events from the account given
here. The book was well received by many fantasy fans. However, it has been criticized on the grounds that its frequent
explanations, especially of the characters' feelings and motives, are incompatible with the saga traditions.
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