Bragi Boddason: The Skald of Gods and Men

Bragi Boddason, a name resonating through the halls of Viking history, was a renowned skaldic poet of the 9th century. His verses painted vivid pictures of legendary heroes and mighty kings, cementing his place as a master of the spoken word. But the story of Bragi goes deeper, blurring the lines between mortal man and divine being. Was this celebrated skald merely a talented mortal, or did he ascend to godhood, becoming the very Bragi who entertained the warriors of Valhalla?

The Mortal Skald: Bragi Boddason

Skaldic poetry, a complex and intricate art form, flourished in the Viking Age. Skalds, the practitioners of this craft, held esteemed positions in the courts of powerful rulers. Their words immortalized the deeds of kings, warriors, and even the gods themselves. Bragi Boddason, also known as Bragi the Old, stands out as a prominent figure among these skalds.

Born into a family of poets, Bragi’s lineage speaks to his inherent talent. His marriage to Loptheona, daughter of the renowned skald Erpr lutandi, further solidified his connection to the world of poetry. Erpr served the Swedish king Eysteinn Beli, a figure intricately linked to the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok. Bragi’s own work included tributes to Ragnar, placing him within the circle of this iconic Viking leader. His descendants, including Gunnlaugr Ormstunga (Serpent Tongue), carried on the family tradition, further solidifying Bragi's legacy in the world of skaldic poetry.

Historical accounts place Bragi in service to several powerful figures, including Ragnar Lodbrok, Eysteinn Beli, and Bjorn at Haugi (likely the son of Bjorn Ironside). This suggests an active career spanning from approximately 835 to 900 AD. While tales of his encounters with trolls and changelings likely belong to the realm of fiction, his existence as a historical figure is well-documented.

Unfortunately, much of Bragi's work is lost to time. Fragments of the Ragnarsdrapa, a poem celebrating the exploits of Ragnar Lodbrok, offer a glimpse into his skill. The poem describes scenes depicted on a decorated shield gifted to Bragi by Ragnar himself. Other surviving fragments, preserved by the Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson, hint at a wider repertoire. These include verses recounting the vengeance of Hamdir and Sorli, the eternal battle between Hedinn and Hogni, Thor's near-capture of the Midgard Serpent, and the goddess Gefjun's creation of Zealand.

An intriguing anecdote from Egils Saga tells of Bragi composing a poem to ransom his own life after angering King Bjorn. This act of poetic redemption was later emulated by the saga’s hero, Egil Skallagrimsson, highlighting the power of skaldic verse in the Viking Age.

The Divine Skald: Bragi of Valhalla

Adding a layer of mystique to the story of Bragi Boddason is the existence of Bragi, the god of poetry in Norse mythology. Could these two Bragis be one and the same?

In the grand hall of Valhalla, Odin’s domain for fallen warriors, Bragi held a special place. He welcomed the brave dead, composing poems in their honor and recounting their heroic deeds to the assembled Einherjar. The earliest reference to this divine Bragi appears in the Eiriksmal from 954 AD, where he questions Odin about the death of King Erik Bloodaxe. This timeline aligns with the possible lifespan of Bragi Boddason, raising the intriguing possibility that the mortal skald ascended to Valhalla upon his death, transforming into the divine poet.

While individual warriors were not typically deified, Bragi's depiction among the gods suggests a unique form of apotheosis. His marriage to Idun, the goddess who guarded the apples of immortality, further solidifies his place within the divine realm. The gods sometimes offered marriage as a form of appeasement or alliance, as seen with the giantess Skadi. Bragi's union with Idun could have been a similar arrangement, elevating him to godhood.

The Lokasenna, a story of Loki's insults to the gods, offers further insights into Bragi's role. He acts as a gatekeeper, attempting to bar Loki's entry to a feast. This suggests a role similar to a court skald, maintaining order and decorum. Loki's subsequent insults, calling Bragi a coward, might reflect a perception of him as lesser among the gods, perhaps because his skill lay in words rather than martial prowess. Loki's accusation against Idun, referencing the embrace of her brother's killer, possibly alludes to a lost story involving Bragi, further deepening the mystery surrounding his divine status.

The God of Poetry?

Despite his place among the gods, evidence of Bragi's worship as a god of poetry is scarce. He is never invoked for inspiration in surviving poems. Instead, Odin, associated with the Mead of Poetry, seems to hold a more prominent role as a source of poetic inspiration. This magical mead, crafted from the blood of the wise being Kvasir, was stolen by Odin and brought to Asgard. Some of the mead, spilled or expelled by Odin during his flight, is believed to be the source of human skaldic talent.

The Apotheosis of a Skald

The most compelling narrative suggests that Bragi Boddason’s exceptional skill led to his elevation to Valhalla upon his death. There, he became the skald of the Einherjar, eventually marrying Idun and solidifying his position among the gods. While the exact nature of his divinity remains ambiguous, the intertwining of Bragi the mortal skald and Bragi the divine poet creates a captivating story that continues to intrigue us today. The legend of Bragi serves as a testament to the power of poetry in the Viking world, blurring the boundaries between mortal achievement and divine recognition. He represents the enduring legacy of the skalds, whose words could not only immortalize heroes but potentially elevate mortals to the realm of the gods.