Holmgang and Einvigi: The Viking Single Combat

Sources
Kormáks saga
US/CA: amzn.to/3dKvgTA
UK/EU: amzn.to/3xXqDfJ
Egils Saga
US/CA: norse-combat-s...
UK/EU: amzn.to/3r8JD7o
Svarfdælasaga
Ljosvetninga saga
Hrolf Gautrekssons saga
US/CA: amzn.to/3Ce5rog
UK/EU: amzn.to/3SzE7X0
Hálfs saga ok Hálfsrekka
(German Edition) amzn.to/3RhMy8m
Hednalagen
Saga of Gunnlaug Worm Tounge
US/CA: The Saga of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue
UK/EU: amzn.to/3xVmrgs
Njals saga
US/CA: amzn.to/3CdAvV9
UK/EU: amzn.to/3SEaxj0
Eyrbyggja saga
US/CA: amzn.to/3CeDTiD
UK/EU: amzn.to/3RlItjo
Grettis Saga
US/CA: amzn.to/3UGRYN8
UK/EU: amzn.to/3SEbsQu
Holmgang (hólmganga in Old Norse and modern Icelandic, holmgång in Swedish, holmgang in Danish and Norwegian bokmål and nynorsk) 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.
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.

[@DJJinxC2006]

Imagine being able to throw these leaders in a ring and get them to fight it out with each other, the world would be such a more peaceful place to live in.

[@Magneticlaw]

Instead of an actual shield, many of today's leaders use a lack of accountability as their shield, and honor has become as rare as owl's teeth. 🦉

[@native_earth916]

Was literally my first thought.

[@DJJinxC2006]

@@Magneticlaw Yeah, like a man's word meant everything when it came to honour, I agree, honour in most of its forms has gone down the pan.

[@dingolightfoot8823]

🤣 lmfao 😂 agreed

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot8006]

I always liked the line from Troy: "Imagine a king who fights his own battles! Wouldn't that be a sight?"

[@bobhead6243]

Great chat , If only things had not changed , there might not be so much trouble in Society today , Be Well my Friend , Strength , Honour and Respect .

[@hjalmarolethorchristensen9761]

Hallo my north brother and greetings from Skandinavia Denmark 🇩🇰 the lands of the gods 👃take care Viking

[@dseelenmagie8811]

Agreed... society would be in a better state of community if REAL consequences were possible.

[@flokivilgerdarson9934]

In England, some of us do believe in what we call rough justice, generally it is a fist fight to uphold our honour if insulted or to protect our families or to step in to protect someone from being bullied. I have stepped in on a number of occasions to protect my daughters, I take an attack on their wellbeing as a direct insult to myself for they would be challenging me as well as harming my family. Not quite holmgang but something similar.

[@wesleyredmond3464]

Most people are good! I like hearing someone with a platform say that 💯 We need more like minded people coming together in society.

[@anubisswift]

Yet another fantastic in-depth look at a relatively unknown topic. Keep it up thor! May the honor you show to these great men invigorate your own mma adventures.

[@christopherpaulson9481]

Thank you for all the history you keep sharing with us. I have learned more from you about my culture than I ever did growing up in a Norwegian settlement in Texas.

[@sadstrangelittleman0]

Go to the island, holmgang, may have referred to the ox-hide itself being the proverbial island, as spilling ones blood on the hide was the condition of loss, at least in the one saga.

[@sadstrangelittleman0]

From what i recall, when your third shield breaks you must then remain on the hide for the remainder of the fight, and the first whose blood is spilled on the hide is the loser, even if they mortally wounded their opponent.

[@tommymayfield814]

My sons are Nordic and i thought i would learn so i could teach them. You seem to know a lot about history so i think you are a good resource.

[@margomaloney6016]

Thank you - LOTS of information here! Great presentation! :)

[@northmanjourneys]

Solid info in this one . Great job deep diving into the sources, always thought it was a super interesting concept from the sagas

[@lokiodinsson666]

Enjoyed this hugely. Hearing someone knowledgeably talk about things I've researched many time and hearing it with a lot more detail is glorious.

[@jasoncrisp3640]

Great video dude. Love learning about your culture.

[@llk6101]

This makes so much sense. As you said, we need to remember our history because some principles really worked . Very interesting information -thank you

[@stansdad1]

Another badass video. Keep spreading the facts

[@thelonewanderer69]

I'm so happy that someone feels the same on such topics. Thank you for your educational video, I will read all these sagas.

[@anthonyyoung9810]

Sounds like a much better system than the current one we reside under currently! Sköl!!

[@letsdothis9063]

Wow. Its so crazy how similar this concept is to the "code" that we lived by growing up. It's pretty much exactly how we operated when we were younger. Of course, if anyone else jumped in, it became a free for all. I was super lucky. I did lose one "fair" fight (there was a little more to it). I had a good friend that looked and acted goofy, but he was a super talented boxer. I was a kickboxer (i even one a tournament when i was about 16 yrs old), but i couldn't land anything on Tony. He was just on another level. I even got lucky against a much bigger dude that could have smashed me, when he started a fight with one of my buddies. Im almost 40 now and i have no interest in pushing my luck any further. But yeah, if two guys had a problem, we would all meet up and let them fight it out. We did our best to keep it fair.

[@kariannecrysler640]

I have my doubts about our western way of handling criminal activity. I genuinely appreciate your educating of not just what & how, but when & why.

[@robertsimpson7424]

It's history like this that makes me question whether or not our current laws are really better.

[@toonvdwielen596]

As i read And didn't experience Native Americans practised this too To avoid many good young men die over a few stolen horses or stuff, Leaders would fight one on one (Our leaders hide in the deepest bunkers and let others take the sharpnel and radiation!)

[@Ruralronin]

Yes! I have been waiting for this video! I just started posting my sparring post in the ground! Ready to get to work!

[@AgeCobra]

It is a lot like a drag race and racing for pink slips .

[@jp16k92]

Actually, there was a duel in France in the 1960s between two French politicians. To the first blood.

[@jamesvandemark2086]

Traditions such as this, and the later Code Duello, encouraged polite and circumspect relations between gentlemen......... Reminds me of long ago "playground rules".

[@llechatton]

I think the name comes from making an island for the combatants, not necessarily a literal island. Their cloaks are their island. The ring is the island. All spectators treat the combatants as if the fighters are on an island.

[@magnusjonsson2883]

It's pronounced "Ain" (as in aint) "wee' as in "we" and "i" as in "Inn' "Einvígi" Ein means "one" and Vígi is the act of killing. Have a good day and greetings from Iceland.

[@kennethpogue718]

Thats one thing Seattle, Washington still gets right. Mutual Combat State. 1 of 2 on the US i believe. Texas may be the other. They have knife fights in parts Texas, under a mutual combat rule of course.

[@genosukesama3717]

Though a powerful wealthy person could also afford the best warrior to fight for them for the right price.

[@harry554]

Love your vids

[@MEANLILSHT]

Think about how great it would be today. Gang member does drive by. Whole neighborhood comes out and kills everyone in car. Few weeks attrition takes care of problem. And stops next guy from thinking it was a good idea.

[@grahamturner1290]

May I recommend the Tyrkir vs. Ulf Viking Combat videos on the Northworthy Sagas and Stories channel here on KZbin. ⚔️

[@zoolkhan]

btw the measurement unit "elle" means the lenght of a male lower arm bone. If we assume they talk about the blade lenght then you could add the grip to the lenght and would have a regular viking one hander sword. So basically ellbow to hand (perhaps fingertips as that is easier to measure using the own arm) If it varies, then it varies because the guy who measured the elle was shorter or larger then the other guy. There were no norm-institutes back then. Measurements were used with what was at hand. (literally) A foot was a human foot. even in modern german elle describes one of the bones of the lower arm, not sure about swedish/norwegian.

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

Fun fact, a "holme" is an island to small to feed a goat.

[@alinfixo8846]

A colleague told me that in Somalia there is no prison, criminals and those who do serious things are executed on the spot...😱😱😱😁

[@bobbyg5154]

This reminds me of the South American tribe where the two combatants would stand in front of each other and take turns clubbing each other in the head until one gave up or fell out.

[@bryanrodriguez9226]

Ahh yes techno techno I love this

[@savannakougar5209]

Far Superior to this time's justice system where corruption often guarantees injustice

[@spartan-s013]

Nope, the last of legal duel wasn't made in england but in France

[@alfonseklyne9027]

Could you do a video on glima?

[@michaelstewart2791]

Egils favorite weapon was the halberd

[@escape1777]

How about Hamburg Holmgang?

[@Mr.Skeleton.]

2:55 that word you said reminds me of "blood Chess" which would be badass 🤨

[@aksel_5537]

Tiösnublót

[@mattiaswennerhult9451]

I guess devious people don't like it when their own life is on the stakes. So, probably only a pretty righteous one would call for a holmgång. We use the word holmgång still in Sweden. It is used in a broad way to describe someone that partook in a fight or even a sports event that turned out to be rough.

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

Wait, this is similar that other cultures have,🤨😏😲🤯😳 like I said I only had books and a limited source back in the 70's I stayed out of trouble but yet I got into it somehow 🤷‍♀️. Even in my older age somehow trouble still tries to find me.🤦🏻‍♀️🤷‍♀️😳🤨😱

[@thodangodwar]

👍

[@rlspluto5811]

This has nothing relevant to the video but I want to ask something first I'm black and I love vikings so much I feel like a viking is it disrespectful? I feel like I was a viking in my old life I respect every warrior that is why I'm asking if it's disrespectful

[@danielpowell9891]

Your Valor, Virtue and Honor is all that counts. The answer to the question would you rely on you when it really matters is all that counts. look up Bjorn Bullhansen. He will tell you that to be a Vkiking is a way of life and a mindset.

[@rlspluto5811]

@@danielpowell9891 thank you brother much appreciated

[@greensword3880]

@@rlspluto5811 you’re not Scandinavian bro but if you feel affinity with what the Vikings represent that’s no different to me admiring samurai and their principles

[@Phill2112]

Nothing you said is disrespectful or rude. Feeling a connection to another culture or people, is perfectly normal. I became fascinated about Asian philosophy and warrior culture at a young age. I've only started to look into my actual ancestors here of late.

[@rlspluto5811]

@@Phill2112 much appreciated

[@NihilIslands]

What about Tallion law?! In these disputes how common, did it exist?! How did it affect holmgang?!

[@Monster-ej4se]

Every man should be able to handle his own problems not call other men to solve them for him

[@crazynorwegian-rz3im]

til valhall

[@soldierx345]

Hey, my surname is Holm.

[@DJJinxC2006]

What better way is there for two men to sort their differences out, in the ring?

[@DJJinxC2006]

@Wat Well, evidently, it's past talking.

[@DJJinxC2006]

@Wat Indeed.

[@Shifty51991]

Hell parts of America kinda have this today. Mutual Combat law. Cops will literally stand by and act as a ref(if they are there) if two people who both agree to fight (fists only)

[@hattorihanzo2275]

Is there any evidence police act as referees during mutual combat? Mutual combat is used as a defense argument and when police have no interest in arresting people (shocking in an era of rampant revenue generation).

[@KillYour_TV]

Really good and interesting information. Thanks 👌🏻

[@AgeCobra]

I would win vs you me being a bit smaller .

[@lisbetsoda4874]

I get that you wanted to defend your honour yourself against slander rather than getting the law involved but if you had to fight until death that could be abused by the stronger party. Sort of like tje wild west where the fastest, best shooter won, regardless of who was right.

[@peropero2307]

i woldnit say ppl are bad they aew just cowrds and its not theyr foult. I was in ur FB group man and woman has the sam hands....

[@4_am]

So just a dueling society.

[@kurtbogle2973]

Slander is the norm in the USA. Lies and caricature assassination. Spoiled people trying to ruin people they can't control.

[@harmondaniels5108]

Anyone here who owns a nice mansion?

[@alfonseklyne9027]

Dude I agree if your gonna poke the bear some times you get a swipe and to act like you don't understand why the shut your mouth haha.

[@Jaska8000]

Do I get it right: Saying he is homosexual equals saying: "i doel to you till a fight!".

[@Rami-ll2bq]

firstly, I love this shit, but you said Vikings were better people than today? I understand you might try to counter balance the complete bs that vikings were marauding uncivilised people but I been studying humans, and I tell you, I bet you the vikings were exactly like us today. some were bullies, some had honour , some were cowards and other were good at politics. Different values but same people as us today. I bet you if you were going to write about a holmgang, I think you pick the heroic one, I would.

[@finnwraith5319]

I always wondered if there was there any Norse version of gladiator fights. Did the Norse enjoy watching men fight each other like the Roman's did at the coloseum or how people today watch things like boxing or MMA fights

[@knutkarstensen3114]

​@Brandon Letzco You are thinking of what we call sports. All basic individual sports is eather hunting, tracking, or fighting oriented in some way. Most team sports to. The only real exceptions are hyper modern sports that requires modern equipment that has little to no military applications. People want to watch fights for the same reasons they watch sports

[@aleksandervaldal]

@@knutkarstensen3114 yes, only opposite. Fighting are older than sports

[@knutkarstensen3114]

@@aleksandervaldal Absolutely 👌

[@adudewatchingyoutubevids]

Everyone enjoys watching and participating in a good fight.

[@webo1521]

There was Holmgang in Mount and Blade viking mod, there also is Berserker in a village who challenges everyone to Einvigi and of course he is always winning and all possesions of him enemies go to him. Im suprised how accurate this game is

[@AedelFakhrie]

When you said "it might sounds barbaric today". I am thinking this is just fair! I agree with you about free speech nowadays which is so much asshole who didnt respect others, talking shit about other religion and nationality or even a person. Maan, the more I know about ancient culture, the more I think "well, they are fine actually'' until modern west make new standard about "'being civilized''. Well I mean, not all things that we might see it bad because its "barbaric", its actually sometimes have a great function in the community. At in the end, its just my perspective for now. Anyway, great video as always! Cheers!

[@deborahcorso940]

I think that you are an excellent ambassador for using a critical analysis of history as a lens to understanding the modern world. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insights on this platform. ✨

[@ROTN1810]

Great video! You pretty much answered the questions I’ve posted about Holmgang on your Q&A #4 post. I really appreciate the info you’ve given here. Thanks man!

[@673AWSF]

I’ve stopped watching that Vikings show, and just fuck with your videos now instead.

[@sherryball960]

The Vikings were far more honorable than the men in today’s society. Admittedly, they weren’t kind to their slaves, but they most often treated their equals with respect and dignity. All in all, they were quite a decent society. Thank you so much for bringing these things to light for us. Destroying the negative myths is the greatest thing you can do for your ancestors. As an aside, why did you cut your hair? Was it a ritual reason or to assimilate into US society with greater ease. I have wondered if the length of a man’s hair has some symbolism among your ancestors. I apologize if I’ve intruded on your privacy with my question.

[@Metalmenace_]

Where do you get this information?

[@dmhq-administration]

Ah, whatever happened to the good old days? 🤔🤣

[@heaven-earth108]

'Holm'('холм') means 'hill' in russian/slavic ...wich has more sense, to be closer to heaven thus to higher spirits and to the judging, masculine pronciple. yet being close to water corelates to spirit realm aswell.

[@andreatrenka5689]

Wow! In Hungarian holm = halom but, means the same as in Russian. Probably for the same reason.

[@SupremePumper]

Kan ikk vente med at se den her (bliver dog først efter arbejde 😥)

[@kurtbogle2973]

Life is backwards today. I have helped people all my life. I'm a good person yet I haven't a friend on this orb. I remember the old people, they had values and principles. They cared for and took care of each other. I don't see those values anymore, anywhere. Humanity had degraded to beings of want. It seems that, that's all there is to them. Get out of their way or get hurt. We have reached the end of our rope though. All they have to do is continue to with their waring and bombing of this planet and it will all end in a big fireball. I can see it coming but no one seems to care. GOOD LUCK IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY!

[@zekun4741]

"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split" -Conan the Barbarian, Tower of the Elephant

[@agingerbeard]

Lots of deep bogs where I come from. Natural law isn't dead... just quieter now.

[@heatherordonez1490]

I suppose it wouldn't have mattered where you fought in England, Iceland and Greenland considering they were islands...

[@tuathadesidhe1530]

... So very interesting about the looking backwards between the legs - my youngest son although he was very smart was unable to talk at all until he was 5.5 years old - he used to spend extended periods of time in that position, or upside down on his head on the couch.

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

Also I'm finally caught up. I'm a lot of things, bipolar and weird but I'm not racist, opinionated but I was raised with strict parents who survived the great depression and knew how to survive anything, and didn't take kind to bad mouthing good people Etc etc so when I was growing up no one got offended by anything and all of a sudden it's omg.

[@patton6421]

I challenge you all to Hólmgsnga offer wtf has happened during our lifespans. including yo daddy's

[@kurtbogle2973]

Being condemned and thought of as a no good person is easier today! All you have to do is disagree. Think about it for a minute. Humanity has changed. Honor ,and Integrity are rare. What ever serves me to get me what I want. These are the rules people are using today. Are we still Human?

[@yngvihommersand]

Next time you are in Iceland l can show you the Allthing holmgang place and escort you arouns the oldest parliament in the western world

[@Indo-European-lad]

This is off topic but me and my family are going to kill a goat for the winter nights do you have any input on a ritualistic way we can kill it for a blot.

[@soderlund3610]

Vi ses nästa holmgång

[@harrydawe6585]

You F### with the bull you get the horns❗

[@hellswrath9750]

Great content⚔️💪🤘💪⚔️

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video

[@justinbl6817]

This was very interesting

[@jameshitchens9045]

The Holmgang sounds more fair than today's legal system in The U.S. where you are guilty of an offense just because one says you are and you have to prove your innocence

[@bulbatyr2159]

Bro, you are so great in putting it in words. the way to look at things, understand freedom, understand where things come from.

[@michaelstewart2791]

The halberd couldn’t be used in holmgang I guess cuz of the rules of weapon length so I guess what they mean is it’s his favorite in battle

[@zoolkhan]

sweden has definetely more "holms" than norway/england/iceland together. (Shäregarden archipelago or the many lakes, all norway has is fish, oil and fjords) So my bet is, the word originated more in the swedish area. I have the word "holm" even amongst the surenames of my relatives here in finland.

[@soderlund3610]

Funny that Sweden have the most islands in the world. Finland is nr 2 and Norway nr 3

[@sanderson9338]

@@soderlund3610 Finland is 3rd Norway is 2nd

[@soderlund3610]

@@sanderson9338 Strange, most sites say Sweden ~221.800, Finland ~188.000 and Norway ~55.000 🤔

[@zoolkhan]

@@sanderson9338 lol. Lets dickfight about it.

[@raiser2059]

Hello! How can I get your norse Calendar? Sadly, Switzerland isn’t in the list of countries where you ship… but I really want it and I’m ready to pay some extra for the shipping.

[@Ruralronin]

His shop. He should have a link in the description.

[@raiser2059]

Yes, you’re right, but sadly I can not order it from where I live…

[@norsemagicandbeliefs8134]

I can have shipping to Switzerland set up. Check back later in the week :)

[@raiser2059]

Wow! I’m so happy I can’t even describe it! THANK YOU!

[@cpullic]

Spot on 👌🏼🍻

[@Prickly_Caramel]

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗