Auðr the Deep-Minded

Who is Auðr the Deep-Minded?

Auðr the Deep-Minded was a Norse princess, the daughter of Ivar Vidfamne, and the mother of Harald Wartooth, who appears in Sögubrot, Hversu Noregr byggdist and in the Lay of Hyndla. She would have lived during the 7th or 8th century.

She was given to a Hrœrekr slöngvanbaugi, the king of Zealand, but would rather have his brother Helgi the Sharp. Ivar Vidfamne solved the problem by telling Hrœrekr that Auðr was unfaithful with Helgi. The ruse was successful and Hrærekr slew his brother Helgi, after which it was easy for Ivar to attack Hrœrekr and to kill him as well.

Auðr fled to Garðaríki with her son Harald Wartooth, and married its king Ráðbarðr with whom she later had the son Randver. Her father king Ivar was upset that his daughter had married without his consent. Although he was old, he departed to Garðaríki with a large leidang. One night, as they were harboured in the Gulf of Finland, he had a strange dream, and so he asked his foster-father Hörð. His foster-father was standing on a high cliff during the conversation and told Ivar that the dream foretold the death of Ivar and the end of his evil deeds. Ivar was so angry by these words that he threw himself down into the sea, whereupon also Hörð did the same thing.