Hyndluljóð
Translations
in English
Old Norse Poetry
I
Overview of Hyndluljóð
Hyndlujóð (“The Lay of Hyndla”) centers on the goddess Freyja and the giantess Hyndla, whom Freyja compels to recount the ancestry of her protégé, Óttar. The poem combines mythological narrative with genealogical material, linking legendary figures to the heroic past.
The poem is told in a the form of a dialogue in which Hyndla recites a series of lineages, tracing Óttar’s descent through notable families and heroes. Alongside these genealogies, it includes references to well-known figures and events from Norse tradition, weaving together myth and history. In this way, Hyndlujóð reflects the importance of ancestry and inherited status in Old Norse society.
Hyndlujóð is often included among the poems of the Poetic Edda, though it is not preserved in the principal Eddic manuscript, the Codex Regius. Rather, it’s chiefly preserved in Flateyjarbók. The poem stands out for its emphasis on genealogy and its blending of mythological and heroic material, offering insight into how lineage and identity were understood in the medieval North.
The translations on this page are presented for comparative and educational study, preserving several historically important English editions of Hyndlujóð in a single accessible resource.
Themes of Hyndluljóð
- Ancestry and lineage
- identity and legitimacy
II
Read Hyndluljóð in English
Hyndluljóð has been translated into English many times, with each edition reflecting different scholarly and literary priorities. Some translators aim for close philological accuracy, while others emphasize poetic rhythm, readability, or reconstruction of Old Norse verse forms.
No single translation captures every aspect of the original Old Norse text. Reading multiple versions alongside one another can provide a broader understanding of the poem, its ambiguities, and the interpretive choices made by different translators.
Where available, original commentary, editorial notes, and Old Norse texts have been preserved alongside the translations.
The translations presented below were selected for their historical influence, distinctive translation styles, and continuing importance in modern English readings of Hyndluljóð.
Hyndluljóð -
Modern English Translation (in the works.)
— a clear and accessible modern rendering.
Hyndluljóð -
English Translation (1928) by Lee M. Hollander
— metrically influenced translation balancing poetic form and philological accuracy.
Hyndluljóð -
English Translation (1923) by Henry Adams Bellows
— influential academic translation widely read throughout the twentieth century.
Hyndluljóð -
English Translation (1908) by Olive Bray.
— dual-language literary edition with Old Norse text, commentary, and editorial notes.
Hyndlulióð - The Lay of Hyndla
English Translation (1866) by Benjamin Thorpe.
— early philological prose translation foundational to later English editions.
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Other Old Norse Poems
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