Svava

Role: daughter of Eylimi and Valkyria · First appears: Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 1

In the Lay of Helgi Hiorvard’s Son, Svava, daughter of Eylimi (father of Svava) and a Valkyria, gave Helgi Hiorvard's son his name and often protected him in battle. When he came to Eylimi (father of Svava) and demanded Svava, they married and loved each other ardently. On a Yule-eve, Hedin vowed to possess Svava, his brother Helgi’s beloved.

Mortally wounded, Helgi asked Svava to prepare a couch for Hedin and embrace him, but after Helgi’s death she refused to clasp an unknown prince. The lay says that Helgi and Svava were born again; in the Second Lay of Helgi Hundingcide, Sigrun is identified as Svava regenerated.

Relationship record

Life events

• Svava gave Hiorvard and Sigrlinn’s son the name Helgi.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 1)
  • With: Helgi Hiorvard's son
  • “It was she who gave Helgi that name”
• Helgi demanded Svava from Eylimi, and they were united.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 2)
  • With: Helgi Hiorvard's son Eylimi (father of Svava)
  • “He came to King Eylimi and demanded his daughter Svava. Helgi and Svava were united, and loved each other ardently.”
• Hedin vowed to possess Svava, his brother Helgi’s beloved.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 2)
  • With: Hedin Helgi Hiorvard's son
  • “Hedin bound himself by a vow to possess Svava, the beloved of his brother Helgi;”
• Helgi, mortally wounded, asked Svava to prepare a couch for Hedin and embrace him.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 2)
  • With: Helgi Hiorvard's son
  • “I pray thee, Svava!--weep not, my wife!--if thou wilt my voice obey, that for Hedin thou a couch prepare, and the young prince in thy arms clasp.”
• Svava refused to embrace Hedin after Helgi’s death.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 2)
  • With: Hedin
  • “I would not gladly, after my king's departure, an unknown prince clasp in my arms.”
• Helgi and Svava were said to be born again.(Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 2)
  • With: Helgi Hiorvard's son
  • “Helgi and Svava were, it is said, born again.”

Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 1

• parent: Eylimi (father of Svava) “There was a king named Eylimi; Svava was his daughter; she was a Valkyria and rode through air and water.”
• protégé: Helgi Hiorvard's son (Svava gave Helgi his name and repeatedly protected him.) “It was she who gave Helgi that name, and afterwards often protected him in battle.”
• admirer: Helgi Hiorvard's son “I will not accept it, unless I have thee also.”

Elder Edda · The Lay of Helgi Hiorvard's Son · Part 2

• married with Helgi Hiorvard's son “Helgi and Svava were united, and loved each other ardently.”
• parent: Eylimi (father of Svava) “He came to King Eylimi and demanded his daughter Svava.”
• admirer: Hedin “Hedin bound himself by a vow to possess Svava, the beloved of his brother Helgi;”

Elder Edda · The Second Lay of Helgi Hundingcide · Part 1

• with Sigrun (Sigrun is described as Svava regenerated.) “She was Svava regenerated.”

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