Auðr the Deep-Minded

Auðr the Deep-Minded (Old Norse: "Auðr in djúpúðga") was a Scandinavian princess, the daughter of Ivar Vidfamne, and the mother of Harald Wartooth, who appears in "Sögubrot", "Hversu Noregr byggdist" and in the "Lay of Hyndla". She would have lived sometime during the 7th and 8th centuries.

She was given to a Hrœrekr slöngvanbaugi, the king of Zealand, but would rather have his brother Helgi the Sharp. Ivar Vidfamne solved the problem by telling Hrœrekr that Auðr was unfaithful with Helgi. The ruse was successful and Hrærekr slew his brother Helgi, after which it was easy for Ivar to attack Hrœrekr and to kill him as well.

Auðr fled to Garðaríki with her son Harald Wartooth, and married its king Ráðbarðr with whom she later had the son Randver. Her father king Ivar was upset that his daughter had married without his consent. Although, he was old he departed to Garðaríki with a large leidang. One night, as they were harboured in the Gulf of Finland, he had a strange dream, and so he asked his foster-father Hörð. His foster-father was standing on a high cliff during the conversation and told Ivar that the dream foretold the death of Ivar and the end of his evil deeds. Ivar was so angry by these words that he threw himself down into the sea, whereupon also Hörð did the same thing.

As the throne of Sweden and Denmark was vacant, Auðr's son Harald Wartooth departed to Scania to claim his inheritance, with the help of his stepfather Ráðbarðr.

References

Henrikson, Alf. (1998) "Den Stora mytologiska uppslagsboken". ISBN 91-37-11-11346-1