Háleygjatal

Háleygjatal is a skaldic poem by Eyvindr skáldaspillir made in honour of Haakon Sigurdsson and his ancestors, in the end of the 10th century.

The poem is only partially preserved in disjoint parts quoted in Skáldskaparmál, Heimskringla and two other manuscripts of kings' sagas. It appears to be a lesser imitation of Ynglingatal. Just like Ynglingatal it contains 27 generations (3 x 3 x 3), and some expressions appear to be borrowed from Ynglingatal. Moreover, it is composed in the same meter, kviðuháttr, and the theme seems to be to trace the lineage of the poet's patron to the gods.

A part of the poem quoted in Ynglinga saga mentions Odin and Skaði.

Þann, skaldblœtr! skattfœri gat ása niðr vit járnviðju, þá er þau meir í Manheimum skatna vinr ok Skaði bygðu; sævar beins ok sonu marga öndurdís við Óðni gat. — Schultz's edition

To Asa's son Queen Skade bore Saeming, who dyed his shield in gore, -- The giant-queen of rock and snow, Who loves to dwell on earth below, The iron pine-tree's daughter, she Sprung from the rocks that rib the sea, To Odin bore full many a son, Heroes of many a battle won. — Laing's adaptation

References

• Háleygjatal in Old Norse from heimskringla.no
• Lindow, John (2001). Handbook of Norse mythology. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio. ISBN 1-57607-217-7.
• Two editions of the poem in the original language
• Hans Hägerdal: Ynglingatal. Nya perspektiv på en kanske gammal text