Rígþula

Rígþula is a poem in Old Norse, found in the Poetic Edda, that describes the origin of the social classes in Norse society. The poem is attributed to the god Heimdall, who is said to have visited the human world in disguise as Ríg. During his travels, Ríg stays with three different couples, fathering a son with each. These sons represent the ancestors of the three main social classes: thrall, the unfree laborers; karl, the free farmers and craftsmen; and jarl, the noble and ruling class.

The poem details the characteristics and destinies of each lineage. The descendants of Ái and Edda, the thralls, are described as dark and physically strong, destined for servitude. The descendants of Karl and Snør, the karls, are described as red-haired and robust, becoming the backbone of society. The descendants of Jarl and Erna, the jarls, are fair-haired and noble, destined for leadership and warrior prowess. Rígþula thus provides a mythological framework for the hierarchical social structure of Viking Age Scandinavia. The poem offers insights into Norse cosmology, social values, and the perceived natural order of their world.