CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN THE ELDER EDDA HEROIC LAYS

[Blue/red fonts indicate conflicting variants of events]

OF HELGI HUNDINGSBANE & SIGRÚN THE VALKYRIE

Helgi goes in disguise as Hamal to spy on the Hundings’ hall [Helgakviða II 1-4]

Hunding goes in search of Helgi, who hides as a bondswoman [Helgakviða II P1b]

Helgi slays King Hunding at age 15 [Helgakviða I 10 / II P1c]

The Valkyrie Sigrún reveals herself to Helgi on the next day [Helgakviða II P2, 5-12]

Hunding’s sons seek weregild, but Helgi refuses them [Helgakviða I 11-12]

Hothbrod is promised Sigrún by her father Hogni [Helgakviða II P3]

Helgi slays four of Hunding’s sons at Logafjoll [Helgakviða I 13-14]

Valkyries appear at the battle, among whom is Sigrún [Helgakviða I 15ff]

Sigrún professes her love for Helgi [Helgakviða II P3,13ff]

Sigrún urges Helgi to fight Hothbrod [Helgakviða I 19-20 / II 15]

Helgi goes to war with Hothbrod, sailing with a mighty fleet [Helgakviða I 22ff]

A great storm arises, but the Valkyries protect the fleet [Helgakviða II P4a]

Sinfjötli taunts Gothmund before the battle [Helgakviða I 33ff / II 22ff]

At the Battle of Freka Stone Helgi defeats Hothbrod [Helgakviða I 55ff / II P4b]

Sigrún gloats over Hothbrod & Helgi consoles her after the battle [Helgakviða II 17ff]

Sigrún and Helgi wed and have sons (not named or numbered) [Helgakviða II P6a]

Dag, brother to Sigrún and only surviving son of Hogni, slays Helgi [Helgakviða II P6a]

Sigrún laments and curses Dag [Helgakviða II 29ff]

Helgi, in Valhalla, curses Hunding [Helgakviða II 38]

Helgi rises from his burial mound to visit Sigrún one last time [Helgakviða II P8a, 39ff]

Sigrún dies of grief and sorrow [Helgakviða II P8c]

OF SINFJOTLI’S DEATH

Sinfjötli slays Gunnar over their courting of the same woman [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla]

Sigmund pays Gunnar’s weregild, but Borghild poisons Sinfjötli [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla]

OF SIGURD’S BIRTH & SIGMUND’S DEATH

Sigmund leaves Borghild in Denmark, traveling south to Frankland [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla]

Sigmund marries Hjordís, who then gives birth to Sigurd [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla]

Sigmund falls in battle with the sons of Hunding [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla; cf. the Helgi lays]

OF SIGURD’S YOUTH

Hjordis, taken captive by Álf, later becomes his wife [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla]

Sigurd is raised in Hjálprek’s hall [Frá Dauða Sinfjötla]

Sigurd visits his uncle Grípir’s hall, where his future is foretold [Grípisspá 1ff]

Sigurd choses Grani from among Hjálprek’s studs [Reginsmál P1]

OF ANDVARI’S GOLD

Odin, Honir and Loki come to Andvari’s Falls [Reginsmál P1]

Loki kills Otr with a stone, making a bag from its skin [Reginsmál P1]

Odin, Honir and Loki seek lodging at Hreithmar’s hall that evening [Reginsmál P1]

Hreithmar demands ransom for their lives (as weregild for Otr) [Reginsmál P1]

Loki sent to acquire Andvari’s gold [Reginsmál P1]

Loki captures Andvari (in Pike’s form) using Rán’s net [Reginsmál P1]

Loki takes Andvari’s gold, including the ring Andvaranuat [Reginsmál P2]

Andvari curses the gold [Reginsmál 5]

The cursed gold given to Hreithmar [Reginsmál P3]

Loki prophecies ill fate from the gold [Reginsmál 6,8]

Fáfnir slays Hreithmar for the gold [Reginsmál P4]

Hreithmar demands vengeance of his daughters [Reginsmál 10-11]

Fáfnir refuses Regin his share of the gold [Reginsmál P5]

Fáfnir retires to Gnitaheith and transforms into a dragon (has Fear-Helm) [Reginsmál P7]

OF REGIN & SIGURD

Regin comes to Hjálprek’s hall, where Sigurd is [Reginsmál P1]

Regin undertakes Sigurd’s fosterage [Reginsmál P1]

Regin tells Sigurd of his ancestry [Reginsmál P1] and of Andvari’s gold [Reginsmál P6] Regin forges Gram,

with which Sigurd cleaves Regin’s anvil [Reginsmál P7]

Regin urges Sigurd to slay Fáfnir, but Sigurd demurs [Reginsmál P7,15]

SIGURD & THE SONS OF HUNDING

Hjalprek gives Sigurd a fleet with which to avenge his father’s death [Reginsmál P8]

A (magic-induced) storm rages up against them [Reginsmál P8]

Odin in the guise of Hnikar questions them and calms the storm [Reginsmál P9]

Sigurd slays Lyngvi, Hunding’s son, and his brothers (either 2 or 3) [Reginsmál P10]

Sigurd returns to Hjálprek’s hall [Reginsmál P11]

THE DEATH OF FÁFNIR

Regin again urges Sigurd to slay Fáfnir [Reginsmál P11]

Sigurd and Regin travel to Gnitaheath [Fáfnismál P1]

There they find the path Fáfnir takes to get water [Fáfnismál P1]

Sigurd digs a trench across the path and hides therein [Fáfnismál P1]

As Fáfnir emerges he spews out venom, which drips on Sigurd’s head [Fáfnismál P1]

Sigurd thrusts his sword into Fáfnir’s heart as he crawls over the trench [Fáfnismál P1]

Sigurd and Fáfnir converse for some time before the dragon dies [Fáfnismál 2-15]

Regin returns from hiding, claiming partial credit for the kill [Fáfnismál P3, 23ff]

Regin cuts out Fáfnir’s heart and drinks his blood [Fáfnismál P4]

Regin directs Sigurd to roast the dragon’s heart [Fáfnismál 31]

Sigurd burns his finger on the roasting meat and puts it in his mouth [Fáfnismál [P5]

Sigurd comprehends the speech of the birds nearby [Fáfnismál P5]

The birds advise Sigurd to slay Regin and eat the heart himself [Fáfnismál 32ff]

Sigurd does as the birds’ advised, also drinking down their blood [Fáfnismál P6]

Some birds advise Sigurd to seek out Guthrún, others Brynhild [Fáfnismál 40ff]

Sigurd rides to Fáfnir’s lair, taking the Fear-Helm and many treasures [Fáfnismál P7]

Sigurd rides to Gjúki’s hall (before meeting Brynhild) [Grípisspá 13-14]

SIGURD & BRYNHILD

Sigurd rides to Hindarfjoll, where a tower stands surrounded by fire [Sigrdrifumál P1]

Sigurd enters and wakes the sleeping Brynhild by removing her armor [Sigrdrifumál P1]

Brynhild gives her name as Sigrdrifa (“Victory-Bringer”) [Sigrdrifumál P3]

Brynhild tells how she was punished by Odin, and of her vow [Sigrdrifumál P3]

Brynhild teaches Sigurd magic Runes [Sigrdrifumál 6ff/22ff]

Brynhild warns Sigurd of the perils of choosing her [Sigrdrifumál 20]

Sigurd plights his troth to Brynhild [Sigrdrifumál 21]

Sigurd rides to the hall of Heimir, foster-father to Brynhild [Grípisspá 19]

Sigurd pays Brynhild’s marriage price [Grípisspá 27-31]

SIGURD & THE GJÚKINGS

Sigurd seeks out Gjúki, taking oaths with his two sons [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 1]

Sigurd beguilded by Grimhild to forget Brynhild [Grípisspá 31-33]

Sigurd plighted to Guthrún [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 2]

Sigurd rides with the Gjúkungs to Atli’s court to win Brynhild [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 35ff]

Gunnar and Hogni with Sigurd successfully besiege Atli’s city [Oddrúnargrátr 16-17]

Brynhild given to Gunnar by Atli, she accepts thinking he is Sigurd [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 35-39]

Sigurd woos Brynhild in Gunnar’s form at Hindarfjoll [Grípisspá 35-39]

Sigurd sleeps with Brynhild three nights [Grípisspá 41; Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 4]

A dual wedding of Sigurd-Guthrún & Gunnar-Brynhild is held [Grípisspá 43]

Sigurd remembers his former oaths to Brynhild [Grípisspá 45a]

BRYNHILD’S REVENGE & SIGURD’S DEATH

Brynhild plots revenge for her betrayal [Grípisspá 45b-50]

Brynhild vows to have Sigurd no matter the cost [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 6-7]

Gunnar incited to murder by Brynhild [Brot af Sigurðarkviðu 1-3; Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 10-12]

Gunnar and Hogni grow jealous of Sigurd’s wealth and fame [Guðrúnarkviða II 3]

Gunnar consults Hogni, the Rhinegold discussed, Brynhild blamed [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 14ff]

Guthorm prompted to the task [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 20]

Guthorm slays Sigurd in his bed [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 21ff]

Sigurd pulls the sword from his heart and slays Guthorm with it [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 22-23]

Sigurd comforts Guthrún with his final words [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 24-28]

Guthorm slays Sigurd in the forest [Brot af Sigurðarkviðu 5; Guðrúnarkviða II 3]

Sigurd slays Guthorm in return [Guðrúnarkviða II 7]

Birds prophecy the Gjúkings’ doom [Brot af Sigurðarkviðu 5]

Grani runs to Guthrún, by which she knows Sigurd is dead [Guðrúnarkviða II 4-5]

Guthrún confronts her brothers; Hogni repents and confesses the crime [Guðrúnarkviða II 7-8]

Guthrún goes to Sigurd’s body in the woods, but will not weep [Guðrúnarkviða II 11]

GUTHRÚN’S SORROW & BRYNHILD’S DEATH

Guthrún is consoled by relatives until she breaks down weeping [Guðrúnarkviða I 1-15]

Guthrún curses her brothers [Guðrúnarkviða I 17-21; Guðrúnarkviða II 9]

Brynhild blamed, but she in turn blames Atli [Guðrúnarkviða I 22-24]

Brynhild mocks at Sigurd’s death while Guthrún laments [Brot af Sigurðarkviða 8-11; hin Skamma 30ff]

Gunnar sleeps poorly, wracked by guilt [Brot af Sigurðarkviðu 12-13]

Brynhild laments and curses the Gjúkungs [Brot af Sigurðarkviðu 14ff; Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 33ff]

Brynhild stabs herself to death [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 38ff]

With her dying words, Brynhild prophecies the downfall of the Gjúkings [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 52ff]

Brynhild requests to be burnt together with Sigurd on the same funeral pyre [Sigurðarkviða hin Skamma 64-69]

Sigurd and Brynhild are burned on two separate funeral pyres [Helreið Brynhildar P1]

Brynhild fares to Hel in a wagon, where she is questioned by a giantess [Helreið Brynhildar]

OF GUTHRÚN AND ATLI

Guthrún travels to Denmark, staying 3½ years with Sigurd’s stepfather Hálf [Guðrúnarkviða II 14]

Gunnar and Hogni take Sigurd’s gold hoard [Dráp Niflunga]

Gunnar marries Glaumvor and Hogni weds Kostbera [Dráp Niflunga; Atlamál 6]

Atli holds the Gjúkings responsible for Brynhild’s death [Dráp Niflunga]

The Gjúkungs offer untold riches to Atli as weregild, but he won’t accept it [Oddrúnargrátr 19]

Grímhild fetches Guthrún from Denmark to be given as recompense to Atli [Guðrúnarkviða II 17-19]

Atli sends emissaries to the Gjúkings with bridal gifts for Guthrún [Guðrúnarkviða II 20ff]

Grímhild gives Guthrún a potion of forgetfulness before she’ll consent to wed Atli [Guðrúnarkviða II 22ff]

Guthrún given her bridal dowry (and Sigurd’s wealth?) [Guðrúnarkviða II 26]

Guthrún betrothed to Atli as reconciliation for the death of Brynhild [Dráp Niflunga]

Guthrún bears two children to Atli, these being Erp and Eitil [Dráp Niflunga]

Atli wakes with bad dreams, which Gudrún interprets cryptically [Guðrúnarkviða II 38ff]

Atli’s first wife Herkja accuses Gudrún of adultery [Guðrúnarkviða III P1,2]

Gudrún pleads innocence and undertakes the ordeal by boiling water [Guðrúnarkviða III 3ff]

Herkja fails the ordeal and is tossed in a bog [Guðrúnarkviða III 9-10]

THE FALL OF THE GJÚKINGS & GUTHRÚN’S REVENGE

Gunnar seeks Oddrún’s hand, but Atli denies him [Dráp Niflunga; Oddrúnargrátr 19ff]

Gunnar and Oddrún initiate an illicit affair [Oddrúnargrátr 21ff]

Atli’s spies report the affair, refusing Gunnar’s offered bribes [Oddrúnargrátr 23-24]

Atli invites Gunner and Hogni to his hall [Dráp Niflunga; Atlakviða 1ff; Atlamál 2, 5-8]

Guthrún sends Andvari’s ring as warning to Hogni [Dráp Niflunga; Atlakviða 8]

Guthrún sends a message in runes as warning to Hogni [Atlamál 9-12]

Gunnar and Hogni accept Atli’s invitation to visit [Dráp Niflunga; Atlakviða 9ff]

Guthrún asks her sons to intercede on her brothers’ behalf, but they refuse [Dráp Niflunga]

The Gjúkings are attacked as they arrive at Atli’s hall; Hogni slays Vingi [Atlamál 35ff]

Guthrún, seeing their plight, draws sword and joins the fray [Atlamál 46ff]

Gunnar and Hogni are captured [Atlakviða 14ff]

Gunnar refuses to give up the Rhinegold [Atlakviða 28-29]

Atli cuts out Hogni’s heart and casts Gunnar into a dungeon [Dráp Niflung; Oddrúnargrátr 26; Atlakviða 22ff]

Vilmund is said to be Hogni’s slayer [Oddrúnargrátr 7]

Gunnar lulls the serpents with a harp, but is stung by one in the liver [Dráp Niflunga]

Gunnar plays a harp to summon Oddrún, but Atli’s serpent-mother bites him [Oddrúnargrátr 27ff]

Guthrún prepares a feast for Atli of their children’s flesh [Atlakviða 36ff; Atlamál 70ff]

Atli slain by Guthrún and his hall set ablaze [Atlakviða 44-45]

Atli slain by Guthrún and Hniflung [Atlamál 98]

THE DEATH OF SVANHILD

Guthrún casts herself into the sea, washing up in the realm of Jónakr [Guðrúnarhvöt P1,13]

Guthrún weds Jónakr and bears him three sons [Guðrúnarhvöt P1,14]

Svanhild weds Jormunrek [Guðrúnarhvöt P1]

Bikki entices Randver and Svanhild into an illicit affair, then informs Jormunrek [Guðrúnarhvöt P1]

Randver is hanged and Svanhild torn asunder by horses [Guðrúnarhvöt P1,2,16]

Guthrún incites her sons to vengeance [Guðrúnarhvöt 2; Hamðismál 3ff]

Hamthir protests, but gives in and with Sörli makes the attempt [Guðrúnarhvöt 3-8; Hamðismál 6ff]

Hamthir and Sorli meet and slay their half-brother Erp on the road [Hamðismál 25ff]

Hamthir and Sorli wound Jormunrek, but are slain in the process [Hamðismál 25ff]