Egill Skallagrímsson engaging in holmgang with Berg-Önundr, painting by Johannes Flintoe
Holmgang (Old Norse: holmganga, Icelandic: hólmganga, Danish and Norwegian: holmgang, Swedish: holmgång) is a duel practiced by early medieval Scandinavians. It was a legally recognized way to settle disputes.
The name holmgang (literally "holm-going") may derive from the combatants' dueling on a small island, or holm, as they do in the saga of Egill Skallagrímsson, alternatively figuratively in reference to an arena.
At least in theory, anyone offended could challenge the other party to holmgang regardless of their differences in social status. This could be a matter of honor, ownership or property, demand of restitution or debt, legal disagreement or intention to help a wife or relative or avenge a friend.
Holmgangs were fought 3–7 days after the challenge. If the person challenged did not turn up for the holmgang, the other man was considered just in his challenge. If the offended party did not turn up for the holmgang, they were deemed niðingr, and could have been sentenced to outlawry. In effect, if someone was unwilling or unable to defend their claim, they had no honor. Sometimes a capable warrior volunteered to fight in the place of a clearly outclassed friend.
Holmgang (Old Norse: holmganga, Icelandic: hólmganga, Danish and Norwegian: holmgang, Swedish: holmgång) is a duel practiced by early medieval Scandinavians...
scolding (see nīþ) and thus a legal reason to challenge the accuser in holmgang. If holmgang was refused by the accused, he could be outlawed (full outlawry)...
thralls. In retaliation, Erik killed Eyjolf as well as Hrfan the Dueller (Holmgang-Hrafn). Kinsmen of Eyjolf sought legal prosecution and Erik was later banished...
with a feat of strength, which often took the form of a ritual duel, or holmgang, with a Jomsviking. Once admitted, the Jomsvikings required adherence to...
judicial duel and older pre-Christian practices such as the Viking Age holmgang. In medieval society, judicial duels were fought by knights and squires...
practices in early medieval Norway of determining the outcome of a case was a holmgang, which was a duel between the accuser and the accused. The winner was considered...
warfare between a father and his son are the main theme. Single combat Holmgang Fagles, Robert; Homer (1969). The Iliad. St. Martin's Press. pp. 217–220...
a first king and eponymous anchestor of Nórway. After a fierce duell (Holmgang) where none is able to overcome the other, Hrolf and Nór become friends;...
editions of the debate program Holmgang. He also hosted the Norwegian version of Jeopardy! for a period, parallel to hosting Holmgang, but quit in April 1997...
Stiklestad Battle of Remich Sack of Santiago de Compostela Kormáks saga, holmgang of Kormák and Bersi Anglo-Saxon warfare Gothic and Vandal warfare Norman...
1014: Gunnlaugr Ormstunga and Hrafn Önundarson fought the last recorded Holmgang (Viking duel) in Iceland that ended in a draw. 1022: Tmutarakan' Prince...
Scandinavia, the practice survived throughout the Viking Age in the form of the holmgang. An unusual variant, the marital duel, involved combat between a husband...
crater of the volcano Hekla. Amleth and Fjölnir engage naked in a fierce Holmgang until Fjölnir is beheaded and Amleth is simultaneously stabbed. As he dies...
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