Anglo-Saxon kingdom genealogy
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The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle documents the ancient history of England. From it, lists of kings can be drawn up, which shed light on the origins of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
In relation to Odin and the Ása-faith of ancient Northern Europe, the following table of the list of kings might be of interest (summarized from Thor Heyerdahl's book, The search for Odin). The Winchester manuscript lists the genealogy of the West Saxon kingdom (Wessex) in England up to King Alfred the Great and was written in the late 9th century. He was followed by the grandson Adalstein (also known as Ethelstane), who fostered Harald Fairhair's son Håkon Adalsteinsfostre. The Canterbury manuscript lists the genealogy of the Northumbrian kingdom.
| The Younger Edda | The Winchester manuscript | The Canterbury manuscript |
|---|---|---|
| Tror (Thor) | ||
| Loride (Hloride) | ||
| Henrede | ||
| Vingethor (Vingthor) | ||
| Vingener (Vingner) | ||
| Moda (Mode) | ||
| Magi (Magne) | ||
| Kesfet | ||
| Bedvig | ||
| Atra (Annan) | ||
| Itrman | ||
| Heremod (Hermod) | ||
| Skjaldun (Skjold) | ||
| Bjaf (Bjar) | ||
| Jat or Gaut | Geats | |
| Gudolf | Godwulf | |
| Fjarlaf (Fridleif) | Finn | |
| Vodin (Odin) | Woden | Woden |
| Balder | Beldeg | Beldeg |
| Brand | Brand | Brand |
| Frjodigar (Frode) | Frithugar | Benoc |
| Freovin | Freawine | Aloc |
| Uvigg | Wig | Angenwit |
| Gevis (Gave) | Gewis | Ingui |
| Esla | Esa | |
| Elesa | Eoppa | |
| Cerdic | Ida | |
| Cynric | ... | |
| ... |
According to Thor Heyerdahl, Snorri Sturluson's list in the Younger Edda could not have been a copy of the 300-year older Anglo-Saxon chronicles: he would not have ended the genealogy when he did but copied the complete list. Hence, he states in The search for Odin that this can be viewed as evidence for Odin in fact being a historical person, fathering a series of Anglo-Saxon kings who later conquered England and formed new kingdoms there.
This view is also held by Saxo Grammaticus, who in Gesta Danorum tells the tale of Balder and his father Odin and a love affair involving the Swedish chief Höder. Saxo states, "Odin has convinced half of Europe that he is a God."
References
- The Winchester Manuscript, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, MS. 173, ff. 1-32.
- The Bilingual Canterbury Epitome, British Museum, MS. Cotton Domitian A viii, ff. 30-70.
External links
- Genealogy lists: http://www.chalkwell-windsurfing.fsnet.co.uk/anglo-saxon.html