Norna-Gests þáttr
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Norna-Gests þáttr or the Story of Norna-Gest is a legendary saga about the Norse hero Norna-Gest. The story is inserted into the Saga of Óláfr Tryggvason in the Flatey Book and contains several poems from the Poetic Edda. It has certain similarities with Meleagros.
When he was born three Norns arrived and two of them gave him good gifts, whereas the third was angered and cursed him so that he would not live longer than would burn the candle by his cradle. The eldest Norn instantly extinguished the flame and asked his mother to hide it well.
When Norna-Gest had grown up he became the care-taker of the candle and he is said to have lived for 300 years. He took part in the battles of Sigurd the Völsung, spent time with Ragnar Lodbrok's son Björn Ironside and his brothers, with Starkad, with the Swedish king Sigurd Ring, with king Erik at Uppsala1, with king Harald Fairhair and with King Hlodver2 in Germany. Finally, he came to Óláfr Tryggvason and was baptized.
According to legend, when King Olav tried to convert the Norse to Christianity, he brought Norna-Gest to his court, and lit the candle that the third norn, Skuld, had prophesied about. In accordance with the prophecy, when the candle failed, Norna-Gest died.
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- Note 1: Eiríkr at Uppsölum is almost a default name for the Swedish king. It could refer to Erik Refilsson, Erik Björnsson, Erik Anundsson or Eric the Victorious.
- Note 2: Hlodver of Germany probably refers either to Louis the German or Louis II, Holy Roman Emperor.
