Jormunrek

Also known as: Jormunrek the Mighty · Family: Goths · Role: king · First appears: Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild

In Chapter XLI, Jormunrek sends Bikki with a message to Jonakr to woo Swanhild for him, and she is sent away with his company. After Bikki accuses Randver and Swanhild of betraying him, Jormunrek orders his son hanged. Seeing that Randver has plucked a hawk, he recognizes the sign of lost honour and orders him released, but too late. He then follows Bikki’s counsel and orders Swanhild to die; in Chapter XLII, Gudrun says Jormunrek had her trampled under horses.

In Chapter XLIII, Hamdir and Sorli attack Jormunrek: Hamdir cuts off his hands and Sorli his feet. In the Lay of Hamdir, their assault is told again, with his hands and feet cast into the fire; the lay also tells how they later fall fighting the Goths.