Halfdan (son of Borgar)

Also known as: Halfdan · Family: Danes · Role: champion · First appears: Book Seven · Part 14

In Book Seven · Part 14, Borgar and Drota had a son, Halfdan, who was thought stupid in his early youth but later became renowned for his deeds and qualities. As a stripling, he killed a champion who struck him with a buffet; in a later battle he was badly wounded and remained feeble for some time. In Book Seven · Part 15, he fashioned an oak into a club and killed twelve champions single-handed. His mother gave him his grandfather’s swords, Lyusing and Hwyting, and he went to Russia, where he offered help to Alver’s opponents and was received with great honour. Over successive days he fought growing numbers of men, laying low eleven attackers at once on the eighth.

In Book Seven · Part 15, Halfdan dealt his brother Hildiger a deadly wound with a sword wrapped in rags. Hildiger died while excusing himself for declaring their brotherhood so late, and Halfdan condemned him for it. In Book Seven · Part 16, Halfdan killed Gurid’s bridegroom and massacred most of the guests; afterward, he took Gurid to wife. They had a son, Harald Hyldetand, whom Halfdan named Harald. In Zealand, Wesete slew Halfdan in battle.