HuldaHrokkinskinna

HuldaHrokkinskinna is a medieval Icelandic skaldic poem that survives in a handful of fifteenth‑century vellum manuscripts held in the National Library of Iceland. The work is usually attributed to a female poet who, according to tradition, carried the epithet “Hrokkinskinna,” meaning “skinning with the strength of Hrokkinn,” a reference to the heroic figure of the same name in earlier sagas.

The poet’s identity remains uncertain and scholarly debate has focused on whether HuldaHrokkinskinna was a real historical figure or a pseudonymous author. Some 20th‑century scholars suggested that the name may reflect a literary device employed by contemporary poets to honor former skalds, rather than identifying a woman. More recent research, however, has highlighted linguistic features in the poem that align with other works attributed to female authors of the early Icelandic sagas, thereby supporting the possibility of a genuine female contributor.

The poem itself follows the characteristic alliterative, kenned structure of saga poetry. It chronicles a series of epic battles and heroic deeds associated with the legendary figure Hrokkinn, weaving praise for his courage with moral reflections on fate and leadership. The diction is notable for its blend of hard, harsh images and softer, pastoral motifs—a combination that has led scholars to view the text as a contrast between martial valor and the humane side of the hero.

Historically, HuldaHrokkinskinna occupies an important place in the study of women’s roles in medieval Icelandic literature. Its presence demonstrates that female voices were not entirely absent from the predominantly male tradition of skaldic poetry and provides a rare example of a woman’s perspective in public literary production during the early modern period.

Today, the manuscript editions and modern translations of HuldaHrokkinskinna remain key resources for scholars of Old Norse literature, offering insight into the stylistic conventions of skaldic composition and the broader cultural landscape of medieval Scandinavia.