hrðar

hrðar is a term that appears in Old Norse literature, specifically in the context of the Eddic poem Hávamál. It is generally understood to refer to a specific group of people or a tribe. The exact identity and location of the hrðar have been a subject of scholarly debate.

The primary mention of hrðar is in stanza 11 of the Hávamál, where Odin, disguised as Vegtam, recounts his travels and experiences. He speaks of receiving hospitality and learning wisdom from various people. In this context, he states he was in Hreiðmar's hall and later mentions the hrðar, implying they were a distinct group he encountered.

Some scholars suggest that hrðar might be related to the Hreiðgotaland mentioned in other Norse texts, possibly indicating a connection to Gothic peoples. Others propose a connection to the Hæruli, a Germanic tribe known to have existed in the early centuries CE. Linguistic analysis of the word "hrðar" offers clues, but no definitive consensus has been reached.

The limited number of occurrences in Old Norse sources makes it challenging to precisely define the hrðar. Their mention in the Hávamál serves more to illustrate Odin's wide-ranging journeys and his interactions with diverse peoples of the ancient world than to provide a detailed ethnographic account. Despite the ambiguity, the hrðar remain a point of interest for those studying early Germanic and Scandinavian history and mythology.