The Battle of Bravellir has to be one of the most enigmatic and spectacular battles of Norse legend. Countless ancient champions and even the mighty Woden himself are said to of been present. With the historians unsure if such a battle even took place, the magnitude of the events that unfold, assure us something phenomenal must of occurred in the pagan North.
As with many an ancient event, each version has slight variations, for the sake of easy reading, I will try to avoid pointing them out in every instance, and go with what feels “right”. If what is written here does inspire your interest in this battle of champions, many of the accounts are available online.
The setting for the battle is the ancient north just before the “Viking age” and is recorded in many a saga and most famously by the early Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. From Saxo’s work we are told that the first to record the heroic events of that day were none other than the legendary Starkaddr, who himself played a vital role in the days proceedings.
The battle itself was between the ageing and blind King of the Danes Harald Hildetann (wartooth) and his subordinate and nephew Sigurd (Hakon) Hring, King of Sweden and Vastergotland. In his younger days Harald had reunited the territory of his Grandfather Ivar Vidfamne, with help from none other than Woden himself. As this powerful King began to age, he started to fear that without noble death in battle he would be denied entry into Valholl. Legend has it that he summoned King Hring and proposed to him the plan of a mighty battle, that if Hring won, he would become king of all of Haralds lands. It was agreed by both parties that the unprecedented battle would take place in 7 years, enough time for both Kings to amass an army worthy of the occasion, and get ready the supplies needed for such an endeavour.
Given his motives, it is quite clear that Harald never expected to leave the field of battle that day, and this is something that is worth noting, when we deal with the slurs upon the most Noble and Glorious Woden.
The account by Saxo Grammaticus starts with a huge list of heroes and champions from all over the northern realms from Ireland to the eastern Slavic kingdoms. This list alone is over 1200 words in length. I would highly recommend checking this list out here, as it is always prudent to remember and acknowledge the deeds of heroes.
The historic accounts place the number of combatants at two hundred thousand, including not only Champions, but petty Kings, with Freemen making up the largest number. Again it appears these troops were amassed from all over the Northern lands, as Champions and Kings brought with them their own personal huscarls.
Given the phenomenal size of the armies involved, each king had amassed 2500 ships in the 7 years of preparation, to take them to the agreed field of battle. The location of the battle is commonly agreed to be around the Lake Bråviken in Sweden, which would make sense since it has access to the sea. There is though some that believe it to be Lake Åsnen, which would be a more central point between the kingdoms. Wherever the battle took place, it was King hring, that arrived first due to favourable weather, with Harald’s armies being held up for a few days due to unfavourable conditions.
As the Danes began to to arrive upon the battlefield, Hring told his forces to hold, until Harald had organised his troops. Given Haralds blindness, it was down to his trusted and loyal companion Brun to organise Harald’s lines. Using the “wedge” formation said to of been taught to Harald by Woden. Brun placed the Shield Maiden Wisna , who was considered “knowledgeable beyond all others in the things of war” and the Danish standard bearer in the centre. Hakon “Cut cheek” on the left and Hetha on the right. Hrings armies were already organised, With Oli, ( who had seven kings in his retinue) Wivil and Regnald the Russian in the centre. On the left flank was Laesi (Hun conqueror) with Ung on the right.
With everything in order, A deafening silence overcame the hordes of warriors as the magnitude of events was realised, then all at once the Lurs were ordered to ring out, marking the start of war. The earth itself must of trembled as these immeasurable armies charged to battle. Glorious battle cries of champions and freemen all looking to secure the immortality of their name, rang out, the sky became black with javelins and arrows alike. As these uncountable met in mortal combat, the sound of the clashing of Iron and steel could have been heard in Asgard itself.
As men fell to sword and spear, the greatest of the champions showed their metal. Roa, Gnepie and Gardar tested their luck against the mighty Starkaddr, who was fighting on the side of Hring, but all were sent to Valhalla by his sword. Next it was the noble Hakon who tried his hand at the ageing champion, and although delivering a wound by which Starkaddr’s lung was left protruding, he to was sent to the ranks of the Einherjar. Staraddr also engaged Wisna, who delivered to Starkaddr a blow that cleft his chin, so that he had to hold in place by biting his own beard, before losing her arm and standard to him. Veiborg the shieldmaiden, cut down the hero Soti, this most proficient shield maiden was eventually vanquished by the arrows of Thorkill of telemark.
Ubbi “the Frisian” the foremost champion of the Danes was also making his presence known. Slaying 25 champions, among them three princess of Sweden and putting many more down injured, Ubbi threatened to bring a premature end to the war. The Swedish forces began scattering as this mighty champion lay waste to all that came within striking distance. Hring sent forth Starkaddr to deal with Ubbi before all was lost. As the two legends clashed, it was Starkaddr that came of worse. Although causing a serious injury to Ubbi, Starkaddr received 6 in return, before the sheer mass of bodies and sway of war separated them. Ubbi now seemed invincible, even the mighty Starkaddr could not stop his carnage. With none willing to meet this most powerful champion in hand to hand combat, he was brought down by arrows. Such was his determination and grit, it is told that it took 144 arrows to deliver this most glorious hero into the eager arms of Valkyrie.
With Ubbi slain the Swedes began to gain ground, Harald upon seeing such glory in battle, rose aloft on his chariot, and although blinded ordered Brun his charioteer and companion to ride him into the fray.
Harald despite his hindrance put to the earth many an opponent, but the tide of battle was still turning against him. He called upon Brun to tell him how Hring’s army was arranged, when Brun told him “in the shape of a wedge”, Harald went silent. Harald himself had only learned of this tactic from the mighty Woden, as he conversed more with Brun, it struck him that “Brun” was none of other than Woden himself. Then Woden taking the club of Harald, struck him ending his life and ultimately the war. Hring upon hearing of Haralds death pleaded with the Danes for unity, his speech was received well and thus the greatest war of the North came to an end.
After the victory, Hring ordered that the body of Harald be found, so he could send it ahead of the others who had died and secure their place among the Einherjar. Such was the mass of bodies it took all day to find Haralds body, then at once Hring built a huge pyre, and ordered that all men throw into it their valuable possessions, from illustrious weaponry to gold, in honour of the famous and noble king Harald Hildetann.
Sigurd Hring became king of Sweden and Denmark, he left Denmark in the hands of Hetha the Shield maiden and Hring was succeeded upon his death by his legendary son Ragnar Lodbrok.
And there is my simple write up on the battle of Bravellir. As stated at the beginning of this piece, some historians doubt such a battle even took place, and if it did, it has been severely exaggerated. But I ask you, even if Ubbi was brought down by 14 arrows and not 144, is his bravery any the less? Over time all things can be magnified, as the memory of something merges with its profound impact. What occurs in the physical is only part of the power of an action. Some actions resound so loudly in the mind that they cannot help but be magnified by it. Whatever occurred on those northern plains we will never know for sure, but its memory was so great that its legend still lives and with it the names of many heroes.
Before I leave this piece, I feel it necessary to deal with the apparent “treachery of Woden”. In many of the texts, all written by Christians, it is clear that they portray Woden as taking pleasure in “braining” Harald. They use language such as “Brun’s face relaxed into something of a smile” as he is said to of told Harald of Hrings formation. Brun is called treacherous and Harald is said to plead with him to give him one last victory. All of this makes little sense, given the reasoning for this war. It is clear that Harald did not intend to leave that field of battle, and with so many champions amassing, this was a war of glory and fame, not of hatred or conquest. Am I to believe an old and blind King, desperate for glorious death, pleaded with Woden for victory over his nephew? To what end?
It seems to me, Woden far from being “treacherous” gave Harald exactly what he asked for. As his charioteer he steered him into battle, helping him amass a tally worthy of the Einherjar. Every seeker of fame and glory had been given ample time to prove their worth. Whether they left the field alive or dead their deeds were all noted and remembered for posterity. Such heroes I am sure even with Woden’s assistance would not of yielded, thus would of fought to the last. Woden therefore far from doing evil, clearly showed mercy, and respect for their bravery by bringing the slaughter to an end.
An excellent tale.