Heimskringla Hákon in Valhalla

King Hákon went out onto his warship, then had his wound bandaged, but
it bled so much that it could not be stopped. And as the day passed, the king
grew weak. Then he said that he wants to go north to Alreksstaðir to his
residence. But when they got north to Konungahella, they came to land.
The king was then nearly dead. Then he called his friends and told them the
arrangements he wished to make for the kingdom. The only child he had was
a daughter, who was called Þóra, and no son. He bade them send word to
Eiríkr’s sons that they should be kings over the country, but he asked them
to treat his friends and kinsmen kindly.

‘And even if it be granted me to live,’ he says, ‘I will still go from this
country to be among Christian people and atone for what I have done to
offend God, but if I die here in a heathen place, then give me whatever burial
you think best.’

And soon after King Hákon died there on the slab of rock where he had
been born. King Hákon was lamented so much that both friends
and enemies wept for his death and declared that never again would such
a king come to Norway. His friends moved his body north to Sæheimr in
Norðr-Hǫrðaland and raised a great mound there and laid the king in it
with all his arms and his best attire, but no other goods. They spoke over
his burial as the custom of heathen people was, directed him to Valhǫll.
Eyvindr skáldaspillir composed a poem about the fall of King Hákon,
telling also about his reception there. This is called Hákonarmál, and this
is how it begins:

1. Gǫndul and Skǫgul
Gautatýr* sent
to choose among kings,
which of Yngvi’s race
was to go with Óðinn
and dwell in Valhǫll.

2. They found that Bjǫrn’s brother,
battle-shirt donning,
the mighty monarch
had marched with his standard;
strife-poles stooped
and the spear quivered;
then the strife was started.

3. He called on Háleygir
as on Holmrygir,
the jarls’ sole slayer,
and advanced to battle.
Freehanded, he had a fine
following of Norwegians,
the scourge of island-Danes;
he stood in brass helmet.

4. He threw off his armour;
the army’s chief his mail-coat
flung on the field
before the battle.
With men he made merry;
he must defend his country;
the king with glad spirit
stood in golden helmet.

5. So the sword pierced
from the sovereign’s hand
Váfuðr’s weeds, as if
through water moving;
spears were clashing,
shields were smashed.
Swords resounded
on skulls of warriors.

6. Trampled were targes
by the Týr of neck-rings
with hard limbs of hilts,
as were heads of Norwegians.
Clamour came to the islands;
the kings reddened
bright banks of shields
with blood of warriors.

7. Wound-blazes burned
in bloody gashes,
langobards lowered
over lives of men,
the wound-sea resounded
on the swords’ headland,
the arrows’ flow falling
on the foreshore of Storð.

8. Rednesses blended under
the rim’s heaven.
Skǫgul’s storms battered
clouds of the shield-rims.
Spear-waves thundered
in storm of Óðinn.
Many men sank in
the sword’s current.

9. Then with swords unsheathed
sat the princes,
with shields broken
and battered armour,
That host was not
in good heart, going
the way to Valhǫll.

10. Gǫndul said this,
on spear-shaft leaning:
‘The gods have gained forces
now that Hokon,
his great host with him,
home they have bidden.’

11. The war-leader heard
the words of the valkyries,
mighty, horse-mounted.
They showed their wisdom,
wearing helmets, sitting,
and held their shields before them.

12. ‘Why did you settle,’ said Hokon,
‘the war thus, Spear-Skǫgul?
We were worthy of gain from the gods.’
‘We were the cause,’ said Skǫgul,
‘that you won the field,
and your foemen fled.’

13. ‘We must ride now,’
said the mighty Skǫgul,
‘the green lands of the gods,
to say to Óðinn
that a king is coming
to see him in person.’

14. ‘Hermóðr and Bragi,’
Hroptatýr* called,
‘go to greet the ruler!
For a king is coming,
who is called a hero,
here to our hall.’

15. The king spoke then,
come from the battle,
he stood all soaked in blood:
‘Great ill-will
Óðinn seems to show us.
We fear his hatred.’

16. ‘The truce of all the einherjar
you shall enjoy;
accept ale from the Æsir!
Jarls’ enemy,
you have in here
eight brothers,’ said Bragi.

17. ‘Our fighting gear,’
the good king said,
‘we will hold on to ourselves.
Helmet and corselet
will be kept fast.
It is right to have all at the ready.’

18. Then it was made clear
how this king had
well honoured holy places,
when Hokon was
hailed in welcome
by all the gods and powers.

19. On a blessed day
will be born that king
who has such a heart.
his age
will always be
given out as good.

20. Ravaged will be
The realms of men
by Fenrisúlfr unfettered,
before his equal
on the empty path
so fine a king will come.

21. Cattle die,
kinsmen die,
land and fief lie ruined;
since Hokon went
among heathen gods,
enslaved are many peoples.


- Heimskringla, Hákonar saga góða, Chapter 32


("Gǫndul and Skǫgul are listed among names of ‘Óðinn’s maids’ (valkyries) in Skáldskaparmál (Skáldsk 115). Gautatýr: Týr (god) of the Gautar, Óðinn." - Footnote included with translation)

("Hroptatýr: a name for Óðinn (Gylf 22)." - Footnote included with translation)