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THE BLOOD
AXE
Story of Viking Kings Knut & Olav
By Eileen H. Beer See
Other
Medieval Novels Only lightly fictionalized to humanize history, the story is based on fact,
geological discovery, and accepted legend, and little needing any embellishment.
The Blood Axe did exist. It belonged to Olav and later his son Magnus the Good. The savage battle at Holy River was only one of many in the interlaced
destinies of Danish King Knut the Great and the Norwegian King Olav Haraldson
(Saint Olav posthumously) in the latter years of the Viking era. As lifelong
rivals, they clashed sword and axe time and again in their contest for
power.
"…And on the third evening they came, hundreds of Knut’s sleek sea-dragons, easing over the rim of the horizon, silhouetted before the fading pastels sunset in the west. To the two men on bone-chilling watch for Olav at the mouth of the Holy River, the Danish armada at first seemed like a swarm of angry black hornets skimming the sea. The mighty enemy fleet drew closer, prows dipping and rising with the waves, their sails fat before the mast and thrumming in the wind. More than a thousand warships. It was an awesome sight, striking terror in the hearts of even these two intrepid warriors who had never before known the meaning of the word fear…" Packed with colorful insights into life and thought as it was in the political and religious transitional period of 995-1035 A.D., this epic tale touches on Evangelical zeal, pagan rites, violet sea and land battles, folk medicine, conjugal love and tender liaisons, heroism and treachery, honor, loyalty, and treason, joy and suffering. . . Detail from the prow of the Oseberg Ship (Norway).
About Eileen BeerEileene Harrison Beer has been a student
and aficionada of all things Nordic since the 1960s when she lived there for
several years. Her first book, Scandinavian Design: Objects of a Life Style, is
a definitive text on the applied arts of the five countries called Scandinavia.
Research concerning the antiquities led her deeper into Nordic history. She
became absorbed with the fascinating relationship of Knut and Olav, and for
three years immersed herself in research of their story, then doing yet another
pilgrimage to trace the footsteps of the two royal protagonists throughout
Scandinavia and Great Britain. The author lives in Utah. Her late husband was Dr.
David C. Beer. They have traveled in twenty-six countries and Mrs. Beer calls
Norway her second home.
The aging woman whispered, "What I will show you is Hel, the ancient Blood-Axe, so named by the Nordic man-God Odin. It brings the favor of the gods and was welded with their magical power to ensure victory against overwhelming odds. Under the leadership of righteous kings possessing this Axe, our forefathers enjoyed peace. But after King Fjolnir became an irresponsible ruler, Odin became infuriated and caused the enchanted axe to be taken from him. "To keep it safe, Odin entrusted the axe to a trusted sorceress, who swore an oath to pass it down to her successor, and she to hers, and so on through the ages, and it was only to be given to such leaders of our people who would unite them into a strong nation—proud, valiant, and independent. "The ruler who possesses Hel, the Blood-axe of Odin, and uses it well will be a hero before men and gods. And the greatest leader is yet to come, so say my magic runestones. He will be a man who will embrace his country as a lover embraces his women." Auslaag asked, " How was it to be determined who would be given the axe of Odin?" "Odin spoke these words," Ulve whispered again. "He said ‘those who will in truth be the noblest kings of the north will be born into this world bearing a small brown skin mark, round in shape, over the heart.’ Even so, the axe is not to be given until they have first proven their courage and their wisdom as leaders of men." Ulve was a sorceress and for the past two months had received this daily visitor, a young widow called Auslaag, who lived nearby. She had lost her husband and both of her children from a contagion which she alone had survived; now she wanted to dedicate her life to healing. Ulve was overjoyed to find, at last, an apprentice to learn her arts and take her place when her days where ended, for that was her sacred obligation to the gods and to her people. To Ulve’s intense relief, Auslaag had proved to be an apt and enthusiastic pupil, and a self-reliant woman of innate wisdom and common sense. Now had come the day when Ulve revealed to her successor a secret responsibility the younger sorceress must assume. . . .
Related Internet Sites: www.sp.uconn.edu/~wwwmedev/medstud.html |
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