Hervörs

Hervörs is a character who appears in the Hervarar saga, an Old Norse legendary saga that blends myth and history. The saga tells the story of a cursed sword, Tyrfing, and the lineage of its owners. Hervör is the daughter of Angantyr and the sister of Heiðrek.

The most significant part of Hervör's story involves her quest to obtain the sword Tyrfing from her deceased father's tomb. Angantyr had died in battle, and his dying wish was for his daughters to wear the sword. Hervör, a strong-willed and adventurous woman, dresses as a man and travels to the burial mound. She confronts her father's ghost and demands the sword. After a terrifying encounter, her father's spirit relents and gives her Tyrfing.

Hervör then marries the Swedish king Gudmund. Together, they have a son named Heidrek Ulfham. The saga follows the exploits of Heidrek and the sword Tyrfing through several generations, emphasizing the sword's destructive power and the fate of those who wield it. Hervör's bravery and determination in retrieving Tyrfing highlight her as a prominent female figure in Norse sagas, demonstrating agency and a willingness to defy the norms of her time. Her story serves as a crucial link in the saga's narrative, connecting the ancient past to later events.