THE SCENE: This short tale offers a glimpse of medieval Scandinavian attitudes towards the female warrior, or “shield-maiden”, particularly when she was not at war.
THE TEXT: The man was called Thvari and was called Bryn-Thvari. He lived a short distance from the king’s residence. He had been a great viking in the previous part of his life, and when he was raiding, he met a “shield-maiden” who was called Brynhild. She was the daughter of King Agnar of Noatun. They fought one another and Brynhild was wounded, to the point where she was unable to fight. Thvari took her under his care, and much property with her. He nursed her back to health, but after that she was bent and twisted and thus she was called “Baga-Brynhild” [Brynhild the crooked]. Thvari married her, and she sat on the bridal bench with a helmet and chainmail, but they loved each other dearly. Thvari left off plundering and settled down, and they had two sons.
– The Saga of Bosi and Herraud, 14th Century AD
