Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 7596
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Olsen , Alexandra H.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: The Valkyrie Reflex in "Havelok the Dane"
  • Source: Old English Newsletter 29, 3 (Spring 1996):
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Conference Paper Abstract
  • Subject (See Also): Goldeborw (Literary Figure) Havelok the Dane, Middle English Poem Literature- Verse Valkyries (Mythological Figures) Women in Literature
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: British Isles
  • Century: 14
  • Primary Evidence:
  • Illustrations:
  • Table:
  • Abstract: It has often been noted that "Havelok the Dane" resembles "Beowulf" and works of the Scandinavian tradition more than it resembles courtly romances, primarily because of the nature of the hero and of the action in the poem. If we look at the figure of the heroine, Goldeborw, we perceive a further similarity: Goldeborw is described not as a heroine of courtly romance but as what Helen Damico defines as a literary figure based on the valkyrie brides of Germanic legend. She is adorned with gold by her name itself, wise in thought and counsel, and brave, travelling on a dangerous mission with Havelok and Grim's sons. She receives a message from the angel and is clearly like the valkyries, a chosen maiden. Finally, her unforgiving attitude toward Godrich is reminiscent of the valkyrie in her negative aspect, a fierce battle-demon. I apply the techniques used by Damico and argue that "Havelok" indeed bears the stamp of the earlier tradition even though we categorize it as romance [Reproduced by permission of Robert Schicler, the “Abstracts of Papers in Anglo-Saxon Studies” editor, and the editors of the “Old English Newsletter.”].
  • Related Resources:
  • Author's Affiliation: University of Denver
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 1996.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 00301973