N-drink-trad-art - 7/30/98
਀ഊ"Norse Drinking Traditions" by Gunnora Hallakarva.
਀ഊNOTE: Please see also the files: N-drink-ves-msg. beer-msg, Norse-msg, Norse-food-msg, Norse-games-msg, TEIO-Vikings-art, mead-msg, honey-msg.
਀ഊ************************************************************************
਀一伀吀䤀䌀䔀 ⴀഊ
਀吀栀椀猀 昀椀氀攀 椀猀 愀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 瘀愀爀椀漀甀猀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀 栀愀瘀椀渀最 愀 挀漀洀洀漀渀 琀栀攀洀攀 琀栀愀琀 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 洀礀 爀攀愀搀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 瘀愀爀椀漀甀猀 挀漀洀瀀甀琀攀爀 渀攀琀眀漀爀欀猀⸀ 匀漀洀攀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀 搀愀琀攀 戀愀挀欀 琀漀 ㄀㤀㠀㤀Ⰰ 猀漀洀攀 洀愀礀 戀攀 愀猀 爀攀挀攀渀琀 愀猀 礀攀猀琀攀爀搀愀礀⸀ഊ
਀吀栀椀猀 昀椀氀攀 椀猀 瀀愀爀琀 漀昀 愀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 昀椀氀攀猀 挀愀氀氀攀搀 匀琀攀昀愀渀✀猀 䘀氀漀爀椀氀攀最椀甀洀⸀ 吀栀攀猀攀 昀椀氀攀猀 愀爀攀 愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 漀渀 琀栀攀 䤀渀琀攀爀渀攀琀 愀琀㨀 栀琀琀瀀㨀⼀⼀眀眀眀⸀昀氀漀爀椀氀攀最椀甀洀⸀漀爀最ഊ
਀䤀 栀愀瘀攀 搀漀渀攀 愀 氀椀洀椀琀攀搀 愀洀漀甀渀琀 漀昀 攀搀椀琀椀渀最⸀ 䴀攀猀猀愀最攀猀 栀愀瘀椀渀最 琀漀 搀漀 眀椀琀栀 猀攀瀀愀爀愀琀攀 琀漀瀀椀挀猀 眀攀爀攀 猀漀洀攀琀椀洀攀猀 猀瀀氀椀琀 椀渀琀漀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 昀椀氀攀猀 愀渀搀 猀漀洀攀琀椀洀攀猀 攀砀琀爀愀渀攀漀甀猀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 眀愀猀 爀攀洀漀瘀攀搀⸀ 䘀漀爀 椀渀猀琀愀渀挀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀 䤀䐀猀 眀攀爀攀 爀攀洀漀瘀攀搀 琀漀 猀愀瘀攀 猀瀀愀挀攀 愀渀搀 爀攀洀漀瘀攀 挀氀甀琀琀攀爀⸀ഊ
਀吀栀攀 挀漀洀洀攀渀琀猀 洀愀搀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀猀攀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀 愀爀攀 渀漀琀 渀攀挀攀猀猀愀爀椀氀礀 洀礀 瘀椀攀眀瀀漀椀渀琀猀⸀ 䤀 洀愀欀攀 渀漀 挀氀愀椀洀猀 愀猀 琀漀 琀栀攀 愀挀挀甀爀愀挀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 最椀瘀攀渀 戀礀 琀栀攀 椀渀搀椀瘀椀搀甀愀氀 愀甀琀栀漀爀猀⸀ഊ
਀倀氀攀愀猀攀 爀攀猀瀀攀挀琀 琀栀攀 琀椀洀攀 愀渀搀 攀昀昀漀爀琀猀 漀昀 琀栀漀猀攀 眀栀漀 栀愀瘀攀 眀爀椀琀琀攀渀 琀栀攀猀攀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 挀漀瀀礀爀椀最栀琀 猀琀愀琀甀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀猀攀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀 椀猀 甀渀挀氀攀愀爀 愀琀 琀栀椀猀 琀椀洀攀⸀ 䤀昀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 椀猀 瀀甀戀氀椀猀栀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀猀攀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀Ⰰ 瀀氀攀愀猀攀 最椀瘀攀 挀爀攀搀椀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 漀爀椀最椀渀愀琀漀爀⠀猀⤀⸀ഊ
਀吀栀愀渀欀 礀漀甀Ⰰഊ    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
਀                                          匀琀攀昀愀渀 愀琀 昀氀漀爀椀氀攀最椀甀洀⸀漀爀最ഊ************************************************************************
਀ഊSubject: ANST - RE: ANST-Alcohol Traditions
਀䐀愀琀攀㨀 䘀爀椀Ⰰ 　㄀ 䴀愀礀 㤀㠀 ㈀㈀㨀　㄀㨀㔀㘀 䴀匀吀ഊFrom: Gunnora Hallakarva <gunnora at bga.com>
਀吀漀㨀 愀渀猀琀攀漀爀爀愀 愀琀 䄀渀猀琀攀漀爀爀愀⸀伀刀䜀ഊ
਀∀一漀爀猀攀 䐀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 吀爀愀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀∀ ഊ     by Gunnora Hallakarva.
਀ഊ
਀䠀瘀愀洀氀 ⠀匀愀礀椀渀最猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䠀椀最栀 伀渀攀⤀ഊ
਀㄀㄀⸀ഊByrfli betri     berrat maflr brautu at,
਀     愀渀 猀 洀愀渀瘀椀琀 洀椀欀椀琀㬀ഊaufli betra     flykkir flat í ókunnun stafl,
਀     猀氀欀琀 攀猀 瘀氀懻Ȁ猀 瘀攀爀愀⸀ഊ
਀嬀䄀 戀攀琀琀攀爀 戀甀爀搀攀渀     渀漀 洀愀渀 挀愀渀 戀攀愀爀ഊ     on the way than his mother wit:
਀愀渀搀 渀漀 眀漀爀猀攀 瀀爀漀瘀椀猀椀漀渀     挀愀渀 栀攀 挀愀爀爀礀 眀椀琀栀 栀椀洀ഊ     than too deep a draught of ale.]
਀ഊ12.
਀䔀猀愀 猀瘀 最漀琀琀Ⰰ     猀攀洀 最漀琀琀 欀瘀旻Ȁ愀Ⰰഊ     öl alda sunum,
ૻȀ瘀琀 昀✀爀愀 瘀攀椀琀Ⰰ     攀猀 昀氀攀椀爀愀 搀爀攀欀欀爀Ⰰഊ     síns til gefls gumi.
਀ഊ[Less good than they say     for the sons of men
਀     椀猀 琀栀攀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 漀昀琀 漀昀 愀氀攀㨀ഊfor the more they drink,     the less they can think
਀     愀渀搀 欀攀攀瀀 愀 眀愀琀挀栀 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀椀爀 眀椀琀猀⸀崀ഊ
਀㄀㌀⸀ഊÓminnis hegri heitr     sás of ölflrum flrumir,
਀     栀愀渀渀 猀琀攀氀爀 最旻Ȁ椀 最甀洀愀㬀ഊfless fugls fjöflrum     ek fjötraflr vask
਀      最愀狻Ȁ椀 䜀甀渀渀氀懻Ȁ愀爀⸀ഊ
਀嬀䄀 戀椀爀搀 漀昀 唀渀洀椀渀搀昀甀氀氀渀攀猀猀     昀氀甀琀琀攀爀猀 漀瘀攀爀 愀氀攀ⴀ昀攀愀猀琀猀Ⰰഊ     wiling away men's wits;
਀眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 昀攀愀琀栀攀爀猀 漀昀 琀栀愀琀 昀漀眀氀     䤀 眀愀猀 昀攀琀琀攀爀攀搀 漀渀挀攀ഊ     in the garths of Gunnlodr below.]
਀ഊ14.
਀혀氀爀 攀欀 瘀愀狻ȀⰀ     瘀愀狻Ȁ 漀昀爀氀瘀椀ഊ     at ens frófla Fjalars;
ૻȀ瘀椀✀猀 泻Ȁ爀 戀愀稀琀Ⰰ      愀琀 愀瀀琀爀 漀昀 栀攀椀洀琀椀爀ഊ     hverr sitt gefl gumi.
਀ഊ[Drunk was I then,      I was over-drunk,
਀     椀渀 琀栀攀 昀漀氀搀 漀昀 眀椀猀攀 䘀樀愀氀愀爀㬀ഊBut best is an ale feast     when a man is able
਀     琀漀 挀愀氀氀 戀愀挀欀 栀椀猀 眀椀琀猀 愀琀 漀渀挀攀⸀崀ഊ
਀吀栀攀猀攀 愀爀攀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀搀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 最爀攀愀琀 最漀搀 팀搀椀渀渀Ⰰ 挀愀甀琀椀漀渀椀渀最 愀最愀椀渀猀琀 搀爀甀渀欀攀渀渀攀猀猀ഊand unrestrained drinking.  And yet the drinking of alcoholic beverages was
਀愀 瀀爀漀洀椀渀攀渀琀 昀攀愀琀甀爀攀 漀昀 匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀渀 氀椀昀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 嘀椀欀椀渀最 䄀最攀⸀  䈀攀攀爀 愀渀搀 愀氀攀ഊwere brewed from grain, especially barley.  Mead, a golden wine made by
਀昀攀爀洀攀渀琀椀渀最 栀漀渀攀礀 眀愀猀 瀀漀瀀甀氀愀爀 愀猀 眀攀氀氀⸀  䘀爀甀椀琀 眀椀渀攀猀 眀攀爀攀 洀愀搀攀 椀渀 瘀攀爀礀 猀洀愀氀氀ഊquantities in areas such as southern Sweden, though production was always
਀爀愀琀栀攀爀 氀漀眀 ⠀愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 嘀椀欀椀渀最 䄀最攀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 昀爀甀椀琀 眀椀渀攀 漀甀琀瀀甀琀 眀愀猀 甀猀攀搀 愀猀ഊsacramental wine).  The wealthy Viking chieftain might also import fine
਀眀椀渀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 䌀漀渀琀椀渀攀渀琀Ⰰ 攀猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀氀礀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 䜀攀爀洀愀渀 猀琀愀琀攀猀⸀ഊ
਀吀栀攀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 漀昀 戀攀攀爀 眀愀猀 瀀愀爀琀椀挀甀氀愀爀氀礀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀 琀漀 猀攀瘀攀爀愀氀 猀攀愀猀漀渀愀氀ഊreligious festivals, of which the Viking Scandinavians celebrated three:
਀琀栀攀 昀椀爀猀琀 漀挀挀甀爀爀椀渀最 愀昀琀攀爀 栀愀爀瘀攀猀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 猀攀挀漀渀搀 渀攀愀爀 洀椀搀眀椀渀琀攀爀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 氀愀猀琀ഊat midsummer. These festivals continued to be celebrated after the
਀椀渀琀爀漀搀甀挀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀椀琀礀Ⰰ 愀氀琀栀漀甀最栀 甀渀搀攀爀 渀攀眀 渀愀洀攀猀⸀ 䠀椀猀琀漀爀椀挀愀氀 爀攀挀漀爀搀猀ഊshow that beer consumption at these festivals, even in Christian times, was
਀焀甀椀琀攀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀㨀 琀栀攀 䜀甀氀愀琀栀椀渀最 䰀愀眀 爀攀焀甀椀爀攀搀 昀愀爀洀攀爀猀 椀渀 最爀漀甀瀀猀 漀昀 愀琀 氀攀愀猀琀ഊthree to brew ale to be consumed at obligatory ale-feasts on All Saints
਀⠀一漀瘀攀洀戀攀爀 ㄀ ⴀ 圀椀渀琀攀爀渀椀最栀琀猀⤀Ⰰ 䌀栀爀椀猀琀洀愀猀 ⠀䐀攀挀攀洀戀攀爀 ㈀㔀 ⴀ 夀甀氀攀⤀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 甀瀀漀渀 琀栀攀ഊfeast of St. John the Baptist (June 24 - Midsummer) More ordinary
਀昀攀猀琀椀瘀椀琀椀攀猀Ⰰ 挀攀氀攀戀爀愀琀攀搀 攀瘀攀渀 琀漀搀愀礀Ⰰ 愀爀攀 猀漀 挀氀漀猀攀氀礀 愀猀猀漀挀椀愀琀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 戀攀攀爀ഊthat they are known as Öl ("ale") and include Gravöl (a wake, or "funeral
਀戀攀攀爀∀⤀Ⰰ 䈀愀爀渀氀 ⠀愀 挀栀爀椀猀琀攀渀椀渀最Ⰰ 漀爀 ∀挀栀椀氀搀ⴀ戀攀攀爀∀⤀ 愀渀搀 吀愀欀氀愀最猀氀 ⠀愀ഊbarn-raising, or "roofing-beer").
਀ഊThe drinking of beer required vessels in which to serve the beverage. The
਀漀氀搀攀猀琀 洀漀搀攀 漀昀 猀攀爀瘀椀渀最 戀攀攀爀 眀愀猀 琀漀 漀昀昀攀爀 椀琀 椀渀 愀 氀愀爀最攀 栀漀眀氀Ⰰ 漀昀琀攀渀 愀 戀爀愀猀猀ഊcauldron in which the beer had been heated, from which everyone served
਀琀栀攀洀猀攀氀瘀攀猀 戀礀 洀攀愀渀猀 漀昀 猀洀愀氀氀 戀椀爀搀ⴀ猀栀愀瀀攀搀 搀椀瀀瀀攀爀猀 挀愀氀氀攀搀 혀氀最愀猀猀 漀爀ഊ"ale-geese." In Lokásenná we are given a description of such a
਀戀攀攀爀ⴀ挀愀甀氀搀爀漀渀 椀渀 䄀攀最椀爀✀猀 栀愀氀氀⸀ 䰀愀琀攀爀 匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀渀猀 搀爀攀眀 琀栀攀椀爀 戀攀攀爀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀ഊvat into Tapskalar or "tap-bowls,"which were like pitchers, provided with a
਀猀栀漀爀琀 瀀漀甀爀椀渀最 猀瀀漀甀琀 漀爀 氀椀瀀⸀ 吀愀瀀猀欀愀氀愀爀 眀攀爀攀 琀栀攀渀 攀洀瀀琀椀攀搀 椀渀琀漀 瀀椀琀挀栀攀爀猀 漀爀ഊlarge tankards, which were set upon the tables and used to serve beer into
਀椀渀搀椀瘀椀搀甀愀氀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 瘀攀猀猀攀氀猀⸀ഊ
਀吀栀攀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 瘀攀猀猀攀氀猀 琀栀攀洀猀攀氀瘀攀猀 挀漀甀氀搀 戀攀 漀昀 瘀愀爀椀攀搀 琀礀瀀攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 洀漀猀琀ഊprimitive were simple cones made of rolled birch or rowan bark. Carefully
਀瀀漀氀椀猀栀攀搀 栀漀爀渀猀 眀攀爀攀 甀猀攀搀⸀ 吀栀攀猀攀 眀攀爀攀 漀昀琀攀渀 愀搀漀爀渀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 瀀爀攀挀椀漀甀猀 洀攀琀愀氀猀 愀渀搀ഊjewelry-work at mouth and point.  The drinking horn has become known as the
਀漀渀氀礀 嘀椀欀椀渀最 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 瘀攀猀猀攀氀 琀漀 洀漀搀攀爀渀 昀漀氀欀猀Ⰰ 栀漀眀攀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 愀瘀攀爀愀最攀 嘀椀欀椀渀最ഊprobably considered the drinking horn a peasant's drinking-vessel, or an
਀攀砀琀爀攀洀攀氀礀 漀氀搀ⴀ昀愀猀栀椀漀渀攀搀 漀渀攀Ⰰ 甀猀攀搀 洀漀猀琀氀礀 昀漀爀 爀椀琀甀愀氀猀 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 漀昀昀攀爀椀渀最 愀ഊstirrup-cup, the various Öl festivities and seasonal celebrations, and the
਀昀漀爀洀愀氀 愀氀攀ⴀ昀攀愀猀琀 漀昀 猀甀洀戀攀氀⸀ഊ
਀䤀琀 眀愀猀 洀甀挀栀 洀漀爀攀 甀猀甀愀氀 椀渀 琀栀攀 嘀椀欀椀渀最 䄀最攀 昀漀爀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 琀漀 甀猀攀 洀漀爀攀 挀漀渀瘀攀渀椀攀渀琀ഊvessels which could be set down without spilling.  Coopered vessels made of
਀眀漀漀搀攀渀 猀琀愀瘀攀猀 戀漀甀渀搀 眀椀琀栀 眀椀氀氀漀眀 戀愀渀搀猀 洀椀最栀琀 琀愀欀攀 琀栀攀 昀漀爀洀 漀昀 琀愀渀欀愀爀搀猀 漀爀ഊcovered flagons.  Birchbark drinking vessels, the seams sealed with pitch,
਀眀攀爀攀 甀猀攀搀 琀漀 栀漀氀搀 搀爀椀渀欀⸀  嘀攀爀礀 爀椀挀栀 匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀渀猀 洀椀最栀琀 甀猀攀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀攀搀 最氀愀猀猀ഊbeakers, which werecalled Hrimkaldar, or "frostcups' (usually shaped like
਀挀漀渀攀猀 漀爀 栀漀爀渀猀 戀甀琀 漀昀 愀 爀攀氀愀琀椀瘀攀氀礀 猀洀愀氀氀 猀椀稀攀Ⰰ 瀀攀爀栀愀瀀猀 㠀 琀漀 ㄀㈀ 昀氀甀椀搀 漀稀⸀ഊcapacity). Tumblers were made from cow horn, but horns which had the point
਀挀甀琀 漀昀昀 椀渀 琀栀攀 猀漀氀椀搀 琀椀瀀 愀爀攀愀 琀漀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀 愀 昀氀愀琀 戀愀猀攀 琀漀 琀栀攀 挀甀瀀⸀ 䄀昀琀攀爀 ㄀㔀　　ഊ(well after the Viking Age), various turned vessels made from wood became
਀愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 椀渀 匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀⸀ഊ
਀䔀猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀氀礀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 䬀猀愀Ⰰ 愀 挀甀瀀 眀栀椀挀栀 眀愀猀 攀椀琀栀攀爀 挀愀爀瘀攀搀 椀渀 漀渀攀ഊpiece from wood, made with coopered staves, or later crafted from silver or
਀瀀攀眀琀攀爀⸀ 䬀猀漀爀 眀攀爀攀 洀愀搀攀 眀椀琀栀 爀漀甀渀搀 戀漀眀氀猀 眀栀椀挀栀 眀椀搀攀渀攀搀 甀瀀眀愀爀搀猀Ⰰ 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀搀ഊwith two handles which might end in animal heads, stylized animal forms, or
਀戀椀爀搀猀✀ 戀攀愀搀猀 愀渀搀 琀愀椀氀猀⸀ 䬀猀漀爀 眀攀爀攀 漀昀琀攀渀 漀昀 愀 昀漀爀洀愀氀 愀渀搀 挀攀爀攀洀漀渀椀愀氀 渀愀琀甀爀攀Ⰰഊand became associated with special holiday customs.
਀ഊNo less ceremonial than the drinking vessel itself was the mode of
਀猀攀爀瘀椀渀最⸀吀栀攀 猀愀最愀猀 漀昀琀攀渀 琀攀氀氀 漀昀 琀栀攀 昀椀爀猀琀 爀漀甀渀搀 漀昀 搀爀椀渀欀 ⠀愀琀 氀攀愀猀琀⤀ 戀攀椀渀最ഊserved by noble women, as in this passage from Beowulf
਀ഊ        "Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen now made her appearance
਀        愀挀挀漀爀搀椀渀最 琀漀 挀漀甀爀琀氀礀 挀甀猀琀漀洀⸀ 䄀搀漀爀渀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 最漀氀搀Ⰰ 猀栀攀ഊ        greeted the company in the banqueting hall. The noble lady
਀        昀椀爀猀琀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 愀 最漀戀氀攀琀 琀漀 䠀爀漀琀栀最愀爀⸀ 匀栀攀 戀愀搀攀 栀椀洀 攀渀樀漀礀 琀栀攀ഊ        revels, upon which the king gladly took part in the sumbel.
਀        吀栀攀渀  圀攀愀氀栀琀栀攀漀眀 琀栀攀 䠀攀氀洀椀渀最 瀀爀椀渀挀攀猀猀 瘀椀猀椀琀攀搀 攀瘀攀爀礀ഊ        corner of the hall, tendering the jewelled cup to veterans
਀        愀渀搀 琀栀攀 礀漀甀渀最攀爀 洀攀渀⸀∀ഊ
਀吀栀攀 猀攀爀瘀椀渀最 漀昀 愀氀攀 椀渀 琀栀椀猀 洀愀渀渀攀爀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 愀 猀攀爀瘀愀渀琀✀猀 琀愀猀欀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 愀 樀攀愀氀漀甀猀氀礀ഊguarded privelege accorded to the highest ranking Germanic women.  This
਀爀椀琀甀愀氀 漀昀 琀栀攀 焀甀攀攀渀 猀攀爀瘀椀渀最 琀栀攀 挀攀爀攀洀漀渀椀愀氀 搀爀椀渀欀 椀猀 瀀愀爀琀 漀昀 愀 爀椀琀甀愀氀 眀栀椀挀栀ഊconfirm's the king's rulership and cements the social order of the king's
਀昀漀氀氀漀眀攀爀猀⸀  吀栀攀 漀爀搀攀爀 椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 攀愀挀栀 椀猀 猀攀爀瘀攀搀 猀栀漀眀猀 爀攀氀愀琀椀瘀攀 爀愀渀欀 戀攀琀眀攀攀渀ഊte participants, with the king coming first, then men of higher rank, and
਀昀椀渀愀氀氀礀 琀栀攀 礀漀甀渀最攀猀琀 愀渀搀 氀漀眀攀猀琀 爀愀渀欀椀渀最⸀  吀栀攀 猀栀愀爀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀甀瀀 栀攀氀瀀攀猀ഊestablish bonds between the men as well.
਀ഊThe presentation of ale to the lord of the hall might be accompanied with
਀眀漀爀搀猀 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 琀栀攀猀攀 昀爀漀洀 匀椀最甀爀搀爀昀椀甀洀愀氀㨀ഊ
਀          ∀䄀氀攀 䤀 戀爀椀渀最 琀栀攀攀Ⰰ 琀栀漀甀 漀愀欀 漀昀 戀愀琀琀氀攀ഊ          With strength blended and brightest honor --
਀          ✀吀椀猀 洀椀砀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 洀愀最椀挀 愀渀搀 洀椀最栀琀礀 猀漀渀最猀Ⰰഊ          With goodly spells, wish-speeding runes"
਀ഊThe revellers would later be served by men or women who "carried ornamental
਀愀氀攀 挀甀瀀猀 愀渀搀 瀀攀爀昀漀爀洀攀搀 琀栀攀 漀昀昀椀挀攀 漀昀 瀀漀甀爀椀渀最 漀甀琀 琀栀攀 猀瀀愀爀欀氀椀渀最 戀攀攀爀Ⰰ∀ 愀猀ഊwas the custom in Heorot. The gods themselves had the Valkyries as
਀挀甀瀀戀攀愀爀攀爀猀Ⰰ 愀猀 琀栀攀猀攀 渀愀洀攀搀 戀礀 팠㨀椀渀渀 椀渀 䜀爀洀渀椀猀洀氀㨀ഊ
਀          ∀䠀爀椀猀琀 愀渀搀 䴀椀猀琀 琀栀攀 栀漀爀渀 猀栀愀氀氀 戀攀愀爀 洀攀Ⰰഊ                Skeggiold and Skogul
਀        䈀甀琀 䠀椀氀搀 愀渀搀 吀栀爀琀椀琀栀Ⰰ 䠀氀漀欀欀 愀渀搀 䠀攀爀椀樀漀琀甀爀Ⰰഊ                Goll and Geironul,
਀        刀漀渀搀最爀椀琀栀 愀渀搀 刀愀琀栀最爀椀琀栀 愀渀搀 刀攀最椀渀氀攀椀昀ഊ                To the einherjar ale shall bear."
਀ഊOnce the Vikings had their cups filled, they offered up toasts, or
਀䘀甀氀氀猀⸀吀栀攀 昀椀爀猀琀 昀甀氀氀 眀愀猀 愀猀猀椀最渀攀搀 琀漀 팠㨀椀渀渀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 眀愀猀 洀愀搀攀 昀漀爀 瘀椀挀琀漀爀礀 愀渀搀ഊthe king's success. Snorri Sturleson gives Earl Sigur›r's first toast at a
਀昀攀猀琀椀瘀愀氀 愀琀 䠀氀愠㨀椀爀 椀渀 㤀㔀㈀ 愀猀 愀渀 攀砀愀洀瀀氀攀⸀ 䘀爀攀礀爀 愀渀搀 一樀漀爀搀 眀攀爀攀 琀栀攀ഊrecipients of the second toast, which was for peace and plentiful harvests.
਀吀栀攀 琀栀椀爀搀 琀漀愀猀琀 眀愀猀 漀昀琀攀渀 洀愀搀攀 琀漀 䈀爀愀最椀Ⰰ 最漀搀 漀昀 瀀漀攀琀爀礀⸀ 䄀昀琀攀爀 琀栀椀猀Ⰰ 洀攀渀ഊmight make the Minni, a toast to those of their kinsmen who had become
਀昀愀洀漀甀猀⸀ഊ
਀䄀琀 眀攀搀搀椀渀最猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 琀漀愀猀琀猀 漀昀昀攀爀攀搀 洀椀最栀琀 戀攀 猀氀椀最栀琀氀礀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀㨀 琀栀攀 猀琀漀爀礀 漀昀ഊHerraud and Bosi recounts that the cup was consecrated to Thórr. The first
਀琀漀愀猀琀 眀愀猀 洀愀搀攀 琀漀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 最漀搀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 渀攀砀琀 琀漀愀猀琀 琀漀 팠㨀椀渀渀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 琀栀椀爀搀 琀漀ഊFreyja.
਀ഊThese rounds of toasting were a part of the custom of Sumbel (Old Norse) or
਀匀礀洀戀攀氀 ⠀伀氀搀 䔀渀最氀椀猀栀⤀Ⰰ 戀漀琀栀 洀攀愀渀椀渀最 ∀愀氀攀ⴀ最愀琀栀攀爀椀渀最⸀∀ 吀漀愀猀琀猀 洀椀最栀琀 戀攀ഊcombined with vows or oaths, boasts, storytelling and song. Tacitus wrote
਀椀渀 栀椀猀 䜀攀爀洀愀渀椀愀 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀甀猀琀漀洀 漀昀 猀甀洀戀攀氀Ⰰ 猀愀礀椀渀最 ∀䐀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 戀漀甀琀猀 氀愀猀琀椀渀最 愀氀氀ഊday and all night are not considered in any way disgraceful." More than one
਀猀甀洀戀攀氀 椀猀 攀渀挀漀甀渀琀攀爀攀搀 椀渀 䈀攀漀眀甀氀昀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀渀 伀氀搀 一漀爀猀攀 瀀漀攀琀爀礀 猀甀挀栀 愀猀ഊ"Lokásenná," where Loki is told:
਀ഊ          "Seats and places for thee at sumbel
਀          吀栀攀 䄀攀猀椀爀 渀攀瘀攀爀 挀栀漀漀猀攀ഊ          Because the Aesir know which wights
਀          吀漀 栀愀瘀攀 愀琀 愀 最氀漀爀椀漀甀猀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最ⴀ昀攀愀猀琀⸀∀ഊ
਀匀甀洀戀攀氀 椀猀 攀瘀攀渀 洀攀渀琀椀漀渀攀搀 椀渀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀 瀀漀攀琀爀礀 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 ∀吀栀攀 䐀爀攀愀洀 漀昀 琀栀攀ഊRood," where it is told that "There are God's folk seated at symbel." The
਀琀攀爀洀 ∀猀礀洀戀攀氀 搀愀攀最∀挀愀洀攀 琀漀 戀攀 甀猀攀搀 椀渀 伀氀搀 䔀渀最氀椀猀栀 琀漀 搀攀渀漀琀攀 愀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀ഊfeast day.
਀ഊThe sumbel was a joint activity. Those participating came and sat together,
਀甀猀甀愀氀氀礀 眀椀琀栀椀渀 愀 挀栀椀攀昀琀愀椀渀✀猀 栀愀氀氀⸀ 䤀琀 眀愀猀 漀昀琀攀渀 爀攀昀攀爀爀攀搀 琀漀 愀猀 愀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最ഊfeast, where ale, beer or mead might be served in a ceremonial cup (such as
਀琀栀攀 欀猀愀⤀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 瀀愀猀猀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 栀愀渀搀 琀漀 栀愀渀搀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 栀愀氀氀⸀ 吀栀攀 爀攀挀椀瀀椀攀渀琀 漀昀ഊthe cup made a toast, oath, or boast, or he might sing a song or recite a
਀猀琀漀爀礀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 搀爀椀渀欀椀渀最 愀渀搀 瀀愀猀猀椀渀最 琀栀攀 挀甀瀀 愀氀漀渀最⸀ 圀栀椀氀攀 爀攀昀攀爀爀攀搀 琀漀 愀猀 愀ഊ"feast," the sumbel did not include food, but might precede or follow a
਀洀攀愀氀⸀ 䄀 猀甀洀戀攀氀 眀愀猀 猀漀氀攀洀渀 椀渀 琀栀攀 猀攀渀猀攀 漀昀 栀愀瘀椀渀最 搀攀攀瀀 猀椀最渀椀昀椀挀愀渀挀攀 愀渀搀ഊimportance to the participants, but was not a grim or dour ceremony -
਀椀渀搀攀攀搀Ⰰ 愀琀 䠀爀漀琀栀最愀爀✀猀 猀甀洀戀攀氀 椀渀 䈀攀漀眀甀氀昀Ⰰ ∀⸀⸀⸀琀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 氀愀甀最栀琀攀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀攀渀Ⰰഊnoise sounded, the words were winsome."
਀ഊHowever, as the quotes from Hávamál above clearly show, it was considered
਀瀀漀漀爀 昀漀爀洀 琀漀 戀攀挀漀洀攀 搀爀甀渀欀 愀琀 琀栀攀 猀甀洀戀攀氀⸀ 吀愀欀椀渀最 搀爀椀渀欀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 挀攀爀攀洀漀渀椀愀氀ഊcup might be thought of as symbolizing the divine inspiration given to
਀팠㨀椀渀渀 戀礀 琀栀攀 䴀攀愀搀 漀昀 倀漀攀琀爀礀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 䄀氀氀昀愀琀栀攀爀 栀愀搀 洀甀挀栀 琀漀 猀愀礀 椀渀 䠀愀瘀愀洀愀氀ഊabout overdrinking:
਀ഊ        "I counsel thee ...
਀        䤀 瀀爀愀礀 琀栀攀攀 戀攀 眀愀爀礀 ⸀⸀⸀ഊ        Be wariest of all with ale."
਀        ⠀昀爀漀洀 瘀⸀ ㄀㌀㄀⤀ഊ
਀吀栀椀猀 椀猀 渀漀琀 琀漀 猀愀礀 琀栀愀琀 팀搀椀渀渀 眀愀猀 愀 瀀爀漀栀椀戀椀琀椀漀渀椀猀琀㨀 栀攀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀 搀爀愀渀欀 漀渀氀礀ഊwine, and would not drink unless his blood-brother Loki had also been
਀猀攀爀瘀攀搀 ⠀最椀瘀椀渀最 爀椀猀攀 琀漀 琀栀攀 挀甀猀琀漀洀 漀昀 昀氀椀挀欀椀渀最 愀 昀攀眀 搀爀漀瀀猀 漀昀 攀瘀攀爀礀 琀漀愀猀琀ഊraised to Ódinn into a fire to honor the covenant with Loki). It is also
਀爀攀挀漀爀搀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 팀搀椀渀渀 搀爀愀渀欀 攀愀挀栀 搀愀礀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 最漀搀搀攀猀猀 匀愀最愀 椀渀 栀攀爀 栀愀氀氀⸀ഊ
਀䘀椀渀愀氀氀礀Ⰰ 愀猀 倀攀琀攀爀 䘀漀漀琀攀 瀀漀椀渀琀猀 漀甀琀Ⰰ 眀栀椀氀攀 ∀琀栀攀 嘀椀欀椀渀最猀 猀攀攀洀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 戀攀攀渀ഊmen of some thirst," their drink contained large quantities of impurities,
਀愀渀搀 琀栀攀爀攀昀漀爀攀 琀栀攀礀Ⰰ 琀漀漀Ⰰ 眀攀爀攀 猀甀戀樀攀挀琀 琀漀 ∀昀爀椀最栀琀昀甀氀 栀愀渀最漀瘀攀爀猀 ⸀⸀⸀∀ഊ
਀刀攀愀搀椀渀最猀ഊ
਀䈀愀甀猀挀栀愀琀稀⸀ 倀愀甀氀 䌀⸀ 吀栀攀 圀攀氀氀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 吀爀攀攀Ⰰ 䄀洀栀攀爀猀琀 唀渀椀瘀攀爀猀椀琀礀 漀昀ഊMassachusetts Press. 1982.
਀ഊCraigie, William A. The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia, Freeport NY; Books
਀昀漀爀 䰀椀戀爀愀爀椀攀猀 倀爀攀猀猀⸀ ㄀㤀㘀㤀⸀ഊ
਀䌀爀攀瀀椀渀Ⰰ 䄀渀搀爀攀⸀  ∀圀攀愀氀栀琀栀攀漀眀✀猀 伀昀昀攀爀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 䌀甀瀀㨀 䄀 匀琀甀搀礀 椀渀 䰀椀琀攀爀愀爀礀ഊStructure."  in Saints, Scholars and Heroes: Studies in Medieval Culture I.
਀ 攀搀猀⸀ 䴀愀爀最漀琀 䬀椀渀最 愀渀搀 圀攀猀氀攀礀 匀琀攀瘀攀渀猀⸀  䌀漀氀氀攀最攀瘀椀氀氀攀Ⰰ ㄀㤀㜀㤀⸀ 瀀瀀⸀ 㐀㔀ⴀ㔀㠀⸀ഊ
਀䔀渀爀椀最栀琀Ⰰ 䴀椀挀栀愀攀氀 䨀⸀  䰀愀搀礀 圀椀琀栀 愀 䴀攀愀搀 䌀甀瀀㨀 刀椀琀甀愀氀 倀爀漀瀀栀攀挀礀 愀渀搀 䰀漀爀搀猀栀椀瀀 椀渀ഊthe European Warband from La Tene to the Viking Age.  Dublin: Four Courts
਀倀爀攀猀猀⸀  ㄀㤀㤀㘀⸀  䤀匀䈀一 ㄀ⴀ㠀㔀㄀㠀㈀ⴀ㄀㠀㠀ⴀ　⸀ഊ
਀䘀漀漀琀攀Ⰰ 倀攀琀攀爀 愀渀搀 䐀愀瘀椀搀 䴀⸀ 圀椀氀猀漀渀⸀ 吀栀攀 嘀椀欀椀渀最 䄀挀栀椀攀瘀攀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 䰀漀渀搀漀渀㬀 匀攀搀最眀椀挀欀ഊand Jackson. 1970.
਀ഊHollander, Lee M. trans. The Poetic Edda, Austin; University of Texas
਀倀爀攀猀猀⸀ ㄀㤀㘀㈀⸀ഊ
਀倀愀氀猀猀漀渀Ⰰ 䠀攀爀洀愀渀渀 愀渀搀 倀愀甀氀 䔀搀眀愀爀搀猀⸀ 琀爀愀渀猀⸀ 匀攀瘀攀渀 嘀椀欀椀渀最 刀漀洀愀渀挀攀猀Ⰰ 一夀㬀ഊPenguin Books. 1985.
਀ഊTurville-Petre, E.O.G. Myth and Religion of the North, Westport CN;
਀䜀爀攀攀渀眀漀漀搀 倀爀攀猀猀⸀ ㄀㤀㘀㐀⸀ഊ
਀圀爀椀最栀琀Ⰰ 䐀愀瘀椀搀⸀ 琀爀愀渀猀⸀ 䈀攀漀眀甀氀昀Ⰰ 一夀㬀 倀攀渀最甀椀渀 䈀漀漀欀猀 ㄀㤀㔀㜀ഊ
਀䜀甀渀渀漀爀愀 䠀愀氀氀愀欀愀爀瘀愀ഊHerskerinde
਀ഊ<the end>
਀䔀搀椀琀攀搀 戀礀 䴀愀爀欀 匀⸀ 䠀愀爀爀椀猀ऀ一ⴀ搀爀椀渀欀ⴀ琀爀愀搀ⴀ愀爀琀ऀ倀愀最攀 㘀 漀昀 㘀ഊ
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