https://doi.org/10.31261/SPiP.2009.05.04
The article discusses mixing historical and fictional elements in the Saga of the Jomsvikings. The legend of the Jomsvikings has been preserved in various medieval Scandinavian sources. It is likely that from the beginning there were two different versions of the story, from which the authors of both the royal sagas and the preserved versions of the Jómsvíkinga saga drew. Among researchers today, there is a consensus that this story is a literary fiction, but it is based on historical events and the people who participated in them. In this context, the events described in the saga are significant: the founding of Jomsborg, the battle of Hjörungavag, and the battle of Svoldr. If Jomsborg ever existed, it would be difficult to attribute its creation to Harald Bluetooth, who would have had to possess a much greater military and economic potential. The Danish king maintained close relations with the Obodrites, which may have influenced the later tradition that presented him as the founder of Jomsborg. The Saga of the Jomsvikings links the battle at Hjörungavag to Sweyn Forkbeard, who sent the legendary warriors to Norway to exact revenge. Sweyn may have had reasons to attack the Norwegians. The jarl Hakon, who ruled them, was once under his father Harald's rule, and perhaps Sweyn also wanted to bring him under his control. Regardless of the actual reasons for the battle, it took place around 987, by the time Sweyn Forkbeard had taken power in Denmark. Although analyzing the sagas, one might get the impression that after the battle at Hjörungavag, the Jomsvikings ceased to exist as a group; individual authors mention them again when describing the fight at Svoldr. This is primarily due to the person of Jarl Sigvaldi, who was involved in the plot against Olaf Tryggvason. Another example of mixing historical and fictional elements is the designation of Jomsvikings as Slavs, mainly seen in skaldic poems. This could have resulted from associating them with Jomsborg, located in Vindland — the land of the Slavs — and hiring this group by Slavic rulers. It is not impossible that the Jomsvikings also included Slavs. The fact that The Saga of the Jomsvikings mixes historical reality with fiction is also evident in the example of its two main characters: Thorkell the Tall and King Burislav. Thorkell is known from other, much more reliable sources, mainly Anglo-Saxon. He was undoubtedly from the highest Danish elite, and at one point became one of the closest associates of Canute the Great, having previously supported his father Sweyn in the conquest of England. His position and fame made Thorkell an ideal candidate for one of the Jomsvikings. Burysława postrzegano pod wpływem pamięci o różnych historycznych osobach. It is possible that among them, the Obodrite prince Mściwoj should be mentioned, mainly because of his contacts with Harald Sinozęby. One should also consider Mieszko I and Bolesław the Brave. The first one maintained close ties with the Empire, while in the sagas, Bury sław appears as an ally of Emperor Otto fighting against Harald Sinozęby. Chrobry was the most famous of the three, and his name became almost synonymous with Slavic ruler in Scandinavian accounts.
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Vol. 1 (2009)
Published: 2009-12-31
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