Valland

In Norse legend Valland is the name the part of Europe which is inhabited by Celtic and Romance speaking peoples. [ [http://runeberg.org/svetym/1174.html The entry "Valnöt" in "Svensk etymologisk ordbok" by Elof Hellquist (1922).] ] The element "Val-" is derived from Walha, originally believed to have been the Germanic name for the Celtic Volcae.

Mythological context

In the genealogy section of "Flateyjarbók", there are two kings of Valland named Auði and Kjárr, who may have been a late reflection of Julius Caesar and the Roman Emperors in Norse mythology [http://www.carlaz.com/phd/cea_phd_chap2.pdf Anderson, Carl Edlund. (1999). "Formation and Resolution of Ideological Contrast in the Early History of Scandinavia". Ph.D. thesis, University of Cambridge, Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic (Faculty of English). p. 44.] ] :

Kjárr and his daughter Ölrún also appear in the "Völundarkviða", where she is a Valkyrie who marries the hero Egil:

Legendary and historical context

In the "Heimskringla" by Snorri Sturluson, Valland is mentioned several times as the Old Norse name for Gaul. It was the country where Rollo carved out Normandy::Rolf Ganger went afterwards over sea to the West to the Hebrides, or Sudreys; and at last farther west to Valland, where he plundered and subdued for himself a great earldom, which he peopled with Northmen, from which that land is called Normandy. [ [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/heim/003_05.php Harald Harfager's Saga at Northvegr.] ]

In "Hrómundar saga Gripssonar", the hero Hrómund slays an undead witch-king named Þráinn who had been the king of Valland.

Notes and references