Bikki

Family: Goths · Role: counsellor · First appears: Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild

In Chapter XLI, Bikki serves Jormunrek as counsellor. He accuses Randver and Swanhild of betraying the king, and urges Jormunrek to avenge himself. Before the king can save Randver, Bikki has him put to death; Jormunrek then follows his counsel and orders Swanhild killed. When horses will not trample her while her eyes are open, Bikki orders a bag drawn over her head, and she dies beneath their feet.

The Whetting of Gudrun tells how Bikki counselled Randver to take Swanhild, and how, after Bikki told Jormunrek, the king had Randver hanged and Swanhild trampled by horses.

Relationship record

Life events

• Bikki accuses Randver and Swanhild of betraying Jormunrek.(Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild)
  • With: Jormunrek Randver Swanhild
  • “So they came aland and go unto the king, and Bikki said unto him, ‘Meet and right it is, lord, that thou shouldst know what is befallen, though hard it be to tell of, for the tale must be concerning thy beguiling, whereas thy son has gotten to him the full love of Swanhild, nor is she other than his harlot; but thou, let not the deed be unavenged.’”
• Before the king's word can save him, Bikki has wrought his will and Randver is dead.(Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild)
  • With: Randver
  • “But in that while had Bikki wrought his will, and Randver was dead-slain.”
• Jormunrek follows Bikki's counsel and orders Swanhild's death.(Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild)
  • With: Jormunrek Swanhild
  • “‘Against none hast thou more wrongs to avenge thee of than against Swanhild; let her die a shameful death.’ ‘Yea,’ said the king, ‘we will do after thy counsel.’”
• Swanhild is trampled to death after Bikki orders a bag drawn over her head.(Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild)
  • With: Swanhild
  • “So she was bound in the gate of the burg, and horses were driven at her to tread her down; but when she opened her eyes wide, then the horses durst not trample her; so when Bikki beheld that, he bade draw a bag over the head of her; and they did so, and therewith she lost her life.”
• In the Whetting of Gudrun, Bikki counsels Randver to take Swanhild, and the young folk agree.(Edda · The Whetting of Gudrun)
  • With: Randver Swanhild
  • “and gave such counsel to Randver, the king's son, as that he should take her; and with that counsel were the young folk well content.”
• In the Whetting of Gudrun, after Bikki tells the king, Jormunrek has Randver hanged and Swanhild trampled by horses.(Edda · The Whetting of Gudrun)
  • With: Jormunrek Randver Swanhild
  • “Then Bikki told the king, and the king let hang Randver, but bade Swanhild be trodden under horses' feet.”

Chapter XLI · Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild

• employer: Jormunrek “Thou shalt fare on an errand of mine to King Jonakr, with my counsellor Bikki,”
• enemies with Randver “But in that while had Bikki wrought his will, and Randver was dead-slain.”
• enemies with Swanhild “Against none hast thou more wrongs to avenge thee of than against Swanhild; let her die a shameful death.”

Edda · The Whetting of Gudrun

• employer: Jormunrek “Now Bikki was a man of his”

⭐ Constellation map → · 📖 Read the original → · 🗂 Character index → · 🕰 Chronicle → · 📍 Places →

Extracted from the original text of The Story of the Volsungs. Made with Rho MD.