- Hálfs saga ok Hálfsrekka
"Hálfs saga ok Hálfsrekka" ("The Saga of Half & His Heroes") or "Hálfssaga" is a
legendary saga composed in the early14th century [http://runeberg.org/nfbj/0583.html The article "Half" in "Nordisk familjebok" (1909).] ] . It is about Halfr (Proto-Norse : "Haþuwulafr", meaning "battle-wulf" [http://runeberg.org/nfbj/0583.html The article "Half" in "Nordisk familjebok" (1909).] ] ) who was one ofNorway 's most famous legendarysea-king s.His champions had to submit to harsh rules. When Half had spent 18 years of free-booting, he returned to
Hordaland , where Half's step-father Asmund had ruled in his stead. Asmund invited Halfr and half of his warband to a banquet and swore Halfr his loyalty. However, Asmund put them to the sword or burnt them to death inside his hall. Only two warriors survived and managed to escape, Utsten and Hrok the Black.Utsten and Hrok united with
Sölve of Njardey and they avenged Half and the slain warriors. Then they appointed Half's son Hjor to be the king of Hordaland.It is known for its great diversity in content, ranging from
folklore toheroic poetry . Some of the poetry is of considerable age [http://runeberg.org/nfbj/0583.html The article "Half" in "Nordisk familjebok" (1909).] ] suggesting a long time of oral transmission prior to its being put to paper. One of his champions is also mentioned in "Hyndluljóð " [http://runeberg.org/nfbj/0583.html The article "Half" in "Nordisk familjebok" (1909).] ] ("Instein").Notes
External links
* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/oldheathen/057.php The saga in English translation by Tunstall, at Northvegr]
* [http://www.snerpa.is/net/forn/halfs.htm The saga in Old Norse]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.