9 citations1 sources

The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Asmund

The Danish History, > Books I-Ix > War.

attestation: Asmund's huge ship Gnod was built high so he could shoot down on enemy craft.

"Saxo tells of Asmund's huge ship (Gnod), built high that he might shoot down on the enemy's craft"

attestation: A barrow-ghost could rise, slay, and eat vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit.

"The buried "barrow-ghost" was formidable; he could rise and slay and eat, vampire-like, as in the tale of Asmund and Aswit"

relationship: Asmund was the son of Swipdag and fought Hadding to avenge his father's death

"Asmund, the son of Swipdag, fought with Hadding to avenge his father"
attestation: Asmund was so grief-stricken by his son's death that he longed for death and fought recklessly with sword in each hand and no shield

"his soul longed for death, and loathed the light of day"
attribution: Asmund accused Hadding of relying on sorcery rather than martial prowess in combat

"thou trustest that he can be rent by spells; thou trustest more in words than rigour, and puttest thy strength in thy great resource"
attestation: Asmund wounded Hadding's foot as he was dying, leaving Hadding with a permanent limp

"while his life flickered in the socket he wounded the foot of his slayer, and by this short instant of revenge he memorized his fall, punishing the other with an incurable limp"
attestation: Asmund was buried with royal honours at Upsala

"Asmund's body was buried in solemn state at Upsala and attended with royal obsequies"

attestation: Asmund son of Alf of Hethmark and Aswid son of Biorn of Wik swore an oath to be buried together

"whichever of them lived longest should be buried with him who died. For their fellowship and love were so strong"
attestation: Asmund recounted his ordeal in verse, repeating the refrain that every live man fades among the dead

"Why stand ye aghast, who see me colourless? Surely every live man fades among the dead"