Bragi Rdr 12III/2 — sal ‘of the hall’
Þá má sókn á Svǫlnis
salpenningi kenna.
Ræs gǫfumk reiðar mána
Ragnarr ok fjǫl sagna.
Þá sókn má kenna á Svǫlnis salpenningi. Ragnarr gǫfumk mána reiðar Ræs ok fjǫl sagna.
That attack can be recognised on the penny of the hall of Svǫlnir <= Óðinn> [(lit. ‘hall-penny of Svǫlnir’) = Valhǫll > SHIELD]. Ragnarr gave me a moon of the chariot of Rær <sea-king> [SHIP > SHIELD] and a multitude of stories.
notes
[1-2] á Svǫlnis salpenningi ‘on the penny of the hall of Svǫlnir <= Óðinn> [(lit. ‘hall-penny of Svǫlnir’) = Valhǫll > SHIELD]’: The understanding of this inverted kenning depends on one’s knowledge of an Old Norse mythological ‘fact’, that Valhǫll, Óðinn’s hall, was roofed with shields, as is recorded in Gylf (SnE 2005, 7), where it is stated that the shields were gilded. Cf. the similar shield-kenning Sváfnis salnæfrar ‘the hall-shingles of Sváfnir <= Óðinn>’ in Þhorn Harkv 11/3I. Viking-Age shields were round, and often painted in bright colours, hence the appropriateness of the coin analogy. The reference to Valhǫll may also be intentionally pointed in this narrative of a valkyrie-like woman, possibly aided by Óðinn, sending a group of warriors to their deaths.
kennings
- Svǫlnis sal — of the hall of Svǫlnir <= Óðinn>. [= Valhǫll]
- Svǫlnis salpenningi. — the penny of the hall of Svǫlnir <= Óðinn>. [SHIELD]