[3] Valhǫll: Lit. ‘slain-hall, the hall of the slain’, which Óðinn mans with the einherjar (see Note to l. 5), and which plays a similar role in this poem and in Eyv Hák, where it is named at sts 1/6 and 9/7. There is thus valuable evidence for the concept in some of the earliest poetry. As described in the eddic Grí 8-10, 23 (and SnE 2005, 32-4), Valhǫll is a vast building with 540 doors, roofed with spears and shields and furnished with mail-shirts; see also Simek (1993, 346-8).
References
- Bibliography
- SnE 2005 = Snorri Sturluson. 2005. Edda: Prologue and Gylfaginning. Ed. Anthony Faulkes. 2nd edn. University College London: Viking Society for Northern Research.
- Simek, Rudolf. 1993. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Trans. Angela Hall. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer.
- Internal references
- R. D. Fulk 2012, ‘ Eyvindr skáldaspillir Finnsson, Hákonarmál’ in Diana Whaley (ed.), Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 1: From Mythical Times to c. 1035. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 1. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 171. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1187> (accessed 26 April 2024)
- Not published: do not cite ()