The Poetic Edda on Karl

The > Volume I > Introductory Note

• attestation: The stanza describes an act of creation involving Karl.

  "23. Home did they bring | the bride for Karl, In goatskins clad, | and keys she bore; Snör was her name, | 'neath the veil she sat; A home they made ready, | and rings exchanged,"

• attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Karl.

  "23. Home did they bring | the bride for Karl, In goatskins clad, | and keys she bore; Snör was her name, | 'neath the veil she sat; A home they made ready, | and rings exchanged,"

• attestation: The stanza describes cosmological elements involving Karl.

  "21. A son bore Amma, | with water they sprinkled him, Karl they named him; | in a cloth she wrapped him, He was ruddy of face, | and flashing his eyes."

The > Volume I > Notes

• attestation: Karl means 'Yeoman' in the social class system of the Rigsthula

  "Karl ("Yeoman")"

• attestation: Snor means 'Daughter-in-Law' and was Karl's wife, driven to his home in a wagon as a mark of social status

  "Bring: the word literally means "drove in a wagon"—a mark of the bride's social status. Snör: "Daughter-in-Law.""

• attestation: The twelve sons of Karl include Hal (Man), Dreng (The Strong), Thegn (Freeman), Smith (Craftsman), Bondi (Yeoman), and Segg (Man)

  "The names mean: Hal, "Man"; Dreng, "The Strong"; Holth, "The Holder of Land"; Thegn, "Freeman"; Smith, "Craftsman"; Breith, "The Broad-Shouldered"; Bondi, "Yeoman"; Bundinskeggi, "With Beard Bound""

• attestation: The ten daughters of Karl include Snot (Worthy Woman), Bruth (Bride), Svanni (The Slender), and Vif (Wife)

  "The names mean: Snot, "Worthy Woman"; Bruth, "Bride"; Svanni, "The Slender"; Svarri, "The Proud"; Sprakki, "The Fair"; Fljoth, "Woman" (?); Sprund, "The Proud"; Vif, "Wife"; Feima, "The Bashful"; Ristil, "The Graceful.""