So Vikings fought duels. The duals were one manner of redressing wrongs or insults. The other was, off course, straight up revenge. Interestingly, to right a wrong or set everything back to an even keel once an insult was cast or a wrong undertaken, a greater degree of 'insult' was expected. Hence, insulting someone could quickly escalate into a deadly family feud, clan feud or worse. The duel, or einvigi, was an accepted method of redressing the wrongs and had the bonus of limiting the escalation of violence.
Ullr, associated with skis, bows, shields and other stuff, may also be called upon in duals and is the only(?) god so associated. Ullr is perhaps descended from the Germanic word Wulpuz, meaning glory or honor. So this makes sense.
Anyway, one of the earliest known runic inscriptions come from the Thorsberg Chape. This little dab of metal's (from a scabbard) inscription relates to a 'servant of Ullr' or some such on on sid while the other side has an inscription that relates the person is 'not ill-famous' or not of ill fame not dishonored.
In mentionin this odd manner of stating that someone is not something, Steve surmised that it is perhaps a way to remind others that they may have negated attribute.
So by saying Wulfy is not of ill fame is to remind others that they are of ill fame (or have no fame or are dishonored or have no honor yet).
Oh and apparently Ullr was never called upon in the duel that we know of) but sheer strength, luck and ability were depended upon in einvigi.
here, here and here
Ullr, associated with skis, bows, shields and other stuff, may also be called upon in duals and is the only(?) god so associated. Ullr is perhaps descended from the Germanic word Wulpuz, meaning glory or honor. So this makes sense.
Anyway, one of the earliest known runic inscriptions come from the Thorsberg Chape. This little dab of metal's (from a scabbard) inscription relates to a 'servant of Ullr' or some such on on sid while the other side has an inscription that relates the person is 'not ill-famous' or not of ill fame not dishonored.
In mentionin this odd manner of stating that someone is not something, Steve surmised that it is perhaps a way to remind others that they may have negated attribute.
So by saying Wulfy is not of ill fame is to remind others that they are of ill fame (or have no fame or are dishonored or have no honor yet).
Oh and apparently Ullr was never called upon in the duel that we know of) but sheer strength, luck and ability were depended upon in einvigi.
here, here and here
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