Halfdan: Encyclopedia II - Halfdan - Traditions of Harold Fródi and Halfdan possibly related or confused with the above

Halfdan - Traditions of Harold Fródi and Halfdan possibly related or confused with the above

A similar story is told in the Gesta Danorum (Book 7) of two brother kings named Harold and Fródi in which the envious Fródi has his brother Harold killed by treachery. Harold leaves two sons behind named Harald and Halfdan, and the story of their vegeance on their uncle Fródi for killing their father Harald is almost identical to that found in Norse texts about Hróar and Helgi's vengeance on their uncle Fródi for killing their father Halfdan.

The Chronicon Lethrense indeed says that some call Halfdan's son Ro (that is Róar/Hrothgar) Halfdan instead.

As to this second Halfdan, Saxo has much to say about him, including his slaying of Siward king of Sweden and his battles against Erik son of his uncle Fródi by Signe, this Erik now the rightful king of Sweden. After many battles Halfdan gained the upper hand, Erik was bound with chains and left in a wild place for beasts to consume, and Halfdan became king of both Denmark and Sweden. Saxo relates further warlike exploits. Finally, this Halfdan died childless and left his kingdom to his friend King Ungvin of Götaland (see Geatish kings).

It is likely that more than one Halfdan has been confused with one another and with other kings, not to speak of simple invention by story tellers.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Traditions of Harold Fródi and Halfdan possibly related or confused with the above", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki