Hyndluljóð

Hyndluljóð, or The Lay of Hyndla, is an Old Norse poem that is part of the Poetic Edda. It is preserved in the medieval Icelandic manuscript tradition, most notably in the Icelandic codex known as Codex Regius, and it exists in later manuscript copies as well. Scholars generally date its composition to the early medieval period, though the exact age is uncertain and it reflects a blend of mythic and heroic traditions.

The poem is framed as a dialogue in which Hyndla, a figure often interpreted as a giantess or seid-woman, engages with a male speaker. The central content consists of genealogical lists and genealogical lore, presenting the lineages of notable figures and linking mortal noble birth to divine ancestry. The work functions as a repository of traditional knowledge about kinship, heroism, and royal descent, illustrating how noble status was perceived in terms of bloodlines that trace back to legendary and divine forebears.

Language and scholarly study: Hyndluljóð is written in Old Norse and employs the poetic devices and composite naming characteristic of eddic poetry. It has been a focus of scholarly discussion regarding its date, sources, and its role in preserving genealogical material that intersects myth, saga, and poetry. The poem is often studied together with other eddic texts to understand Norse ideas about lineage, legitimacy, and the relationship between gods and heroic families.