The Gesta Danorum (Books I-IX) on Uffe

The Danish History, > Books I-Ix > Customary Law.

• attestation: Uffe fought the Prince of Saxony and his Champion by challenge.

  "Uffe v. Prince of Saxony and Champion, by challenge"

The Danish History, > Book One.

• attestation: Uffe, son of Asmund, counter-invaded Denmark rather than defend Sweden against Hadding

  "Asmund's son, named Uffe, shrinking from a conflict, transported his army into Denmark, thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy than to guard his own"

• attestation: Uffe employed a counter-invasion strategy, attacking Denmark while Hadding was occupied in Sweden

  "thinking it better to assail the house of his enemy than to guard his own, and deeming it a timely method of repelling his wrongs to retaliate upon his foe what he was suffering at his hands"

• attestation: The supernatural voice prophesied that Uffe would be killed by showers of lances for his rebellion against Hadding

  "He shall be buried and transpierced under showers of lances, and shall fall lifeless in atonement for his insolent attempt"

• attestation: Uffe offered his beautiful daughter as reward to whoever would slay Hadding

  "Uffe, who had a marvellously fair daughter, decreed that the man who slew Hadding should have her"

• attestation: Uffe lured Hadding to Upsala under pretence of a meeting, then had his Danish escort massacred at a treacherous banquet

  "Hadding, after leaving him, was bidden by Uffe to Upsala on pretence of a interview; but lost all his escort by treachery"

• attestation: An executioner stationed at the door beheaded each Dane as they tried to exit

  "they found one awaiting them, who mowed off the head of each of them with his sword as it was thrust out of the door"

The Danish History, > Book Four.

• attestation: Uffe surpassed all in stature but was thought utterly foolish, keeping perpetual silence from his earliest years

  "This Uffe surpassed all of his age in stature, but in his early youth was supposed to have so dull and foolish a spirit as to be useless for all affairs"

• attestation: The supposedly mute Uffe suddenly spoke, declaring he would fight not just the Saxon prince but any second champion the prince chose

  "he had made up his mind to fight not only the son of their king, but also, at the same time, whatsoever man the prince should elect as his comrade out of the bravest of their nation"

• attribution: Uffe explained he had been satisfied with his father's protection and only spoke when Denmark's wisdom was challenged by a foreigner

  "He replied that he had been hitherto satisfied with the protection of his father, that he had not needed the use of his own voice"

• attribution: Uffe chose to fight two opponents to erase the disgrace of Athisl's two-on-one death

  "he had desired this mode of combat in order that the death of King Athisl, which, having been caused by two men, was a standing reproach to the Danes, might be balanced by the exploit of one"

• attestation: Uffe's chest was so massive he split every mail-coat offered to him; even his father's had to be cut and buckled on the shielded side

  "he split the narrow links of the mail-coats by the mighty girth of his chest, nor could any be found large enough to hold him"

• attestation: Uffe shattered every sword offered to him by shaking; Wermund had buried an extraordinary sword called Skrep that could cleave anything

  "Uffe, grasping the hilt, shattered them one after the other into flinders by shaking them"

• attestation: The duel was held on an island in the river Eider; Uffe fought alone against the Saxon prince and his champion

  "It is fast encompassed by the waters of the river Eider, which roll between, and forbid any approach save by ship"

• attestation: Uffe clove the champion through with a single blow of Skrep, the sound reaching blind Wermund's ears

  "Uffe clove him through with the first stroke of his blade. The sound revived Wermund, who said that he heard the sword of his son"

• attestation: Uffe turned Skrep's other edge forward for the second blow and cut through the Saxon prince's body

  "he turned the other edge of his sword to the front, fearing that the thin side of his blade was too frail for his strength, and smote with a piercing stroke through the prince's body"

• attestation: Uffe took over governance of both Denmark and Saxony, earned the name 'the Gentle' for his forbearing spirit, and was also called Olaf

  "the realm of Saxony was transferred to the Danes, and Uffe, after his father, undertook its government"

• attestation: Uffe was succeeded by his son Dan, who won foreign trophies but was puffed up with pride and squandered his father's goods on luxuries

  "Uffe was succeeded by his son DAN, who carried his arms against foreigners, and increased his sovereignty with many a trophy; but he tarnished the brightness of the glory he had won"