Germanic boar helmet

Warriors wearing boar-crested helmets on a Torslunda plate, dated to between the 6th and 8th century CE.

Germanic boar helmets or boar crested helmets are attested in archaeological finds from England, Denmark and Sweden, dating to Vendel and Anglo-Saxon periods, and Old English and Old Norse written sources. They consist of helmets decorated with either a boar crest or other boar imagery that was believed to offer protection in battle to the wearer. They have also been proposed to be a costume for the ritual transformation into a boar, similar to berserkers, and to be associated with Freyr.

Context

Roman, Celtic and Baltic

Gundestrup cauldron depiction, dating to between 200 BCE and 300 CE

The boar was an important symbol in prehistoric Europe, where, according to the archaeologist Jennifer Foster, it was "venerated, eulogised, hunted and eaten ... for millennia, until its virtual extinction in recent historical time."^[1] Anglo-Saxon and Vendel era boar symbols are preceded by a thousand years of similar iconography, coming after La Tène examples in the fourth century BCE, Gaulish specimens three centuries later, and Roman boars in the fourth century CE.^[2] The boar is said to have been sacred to a mother goddess figure among linguistically Celtic communities in Iron Age Europe,^[3] while the Roman historian Tacitus, writing around the first century CE, suggested that the Baltic Aesti wore boar symbols in battle to invoke her protection.^[4][5] Four legions, including the twentieth that was stationed in Britain,^[6][2] also adopted the boar as their emblem. The sole unequivocal depictions of boar-crested helmets outside of Germanic sources are on interior plate E of the Gundestrup cauldron, dating to the La Tène period or early Roman Iron Age, which is commonly believed to be Celtic in origin but also has elements suggesting Thracian origin.^[7]

Germanic

Boars had a prominent role for the Germanic peoples and were closely associated with battle. The boar's snout formation was a wedge formation first attested in the 4th century CE, used by the Germanic peoples and named due to its appearance. The formation was also used in the medieval period, as attested in sources such as Knýtlinga saga and Ólafs saga Tryggvasonar. In Gesta Danorum, Book VII, the formation is taught by Odin to Harald Wartooth, who was named due to the tusks he grew to replace two of his teeth that fell out while he was young.^[8]

In mythological sources, the boar Saehrimnir is killed each day to feed the einherjar, while Gullinbursti and Hildisvíni are owned by the gods Freyr and Freyja respectively.^[9] Both Freyr and Freyja share names with swine, with boars referred to as Vaningi, a name for Freyr, and Freyja as Sýr (sow).^[10] In a ritual context, swine are often sacrificed and eaten during blóts (in particular the sonarblót), and are central in some forms of heitstrenging, where the boar is described as being holy. Scholars have proposed the sonarblót was devoted to Freyr, while in the U and H manuscripts of Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, the link between the god and Heitstrenging is explicit.^[11][12] Guldgubbar finds include figures of swine and their ritual deposition has been linked with Vanir worship.^[13]

Boar symbolism and religious practice is closely associated with Sweden, a cultic centre for Freyr, and where it has been suggested to have been a totemic animal. Both the Swedish Yngling royal family and families of Icelandic settlers that can be traced back to Sweden are described as specifically worshiping Freyr and owning boars.^[14] A number of Germanic names feature as an element in names related to jǫfurr (derived from Proto-Germanic: *eburaR, wild boar) such as Jǫfurfǫst and Jǫfurbjǫrn, attested in Swedish runic inscriptions, and Eofor, a Geat in Beowulf.^[15] In later sources, jǫfurr the meaning of 'boar' and has been predominantly replaced by 'ruler' or 'prince'.^[16] This transition has been proposed due to the association between boar helmets and nobility.^[17]

Despite the numerous associations between boars and the Vanir, Freyr and Freyja, it is to be noted that the boar also has symbolism in its own right and is not always linked with the gods.^[18][19][20]

Archeological record

Helmets and fragments

Both boar-crested helmets and crest fragments dating to the Anglo-Saxon period have been discovered in England such as the Benty Grange helmet found in Derbyshire, dating to the 7th century CE. Boars also feature on the eyebrow terminals of the Sutton Hoo Helmet which shares features both with other Anglo-Saxon and Vendel era helmets, and has been suggested to have been made in Sweden.^[21] It has been proposed that a post-Roman introduction of a Germanic tradition from the European mainland, rather than the continuation of a tradition in Britain through 400 years of Roman rule, resulted in the return to prominence in the Anglo-Saxon period.^[19][22]

The Benty Grange boar has been suggested to have originally been fitted with boar bristles which would form an accentuated dorsal crest, a motif that has been suggested to point towards the animal's aggression and ferocity, consistent with martial associations.^[23][24] It has also been proposed that the golden decoration of the boar represents Freyr's boar Gullinbursti who has golden bristles, however there is no direct evidence that this story was known in England at the time of construction.^[25][26]

• 
  Horncastle boar crest fragment
• 
  Wollaston Helmet
• 
  Benty Grange helmet
• 
  Guilden Morden boar crest fragment

Images

Unlike those found in England, no Scandinavian helmets have yet been discovered with boar crests, however plates depicting them have been found in Sweden, dating to the Vendel era. The Vendel I helmet, dated to approximately 650 CE has plates showing a rider accompanied by a bird of prey with a boar-crested helmet. Similarly, the Valsgärde 7 helmet has a plate depicting two warriors carrying spears and wearing boar-crested helmets, a motif that bears a strong resemblance to one of the 6th century Torslunda plates.^[3][27] It has been suggested that the helmets depicted on these plates are of an older style than the helmets that the plates are decorating.^[28]

Literary attestations

See also: Sutton Hoo helmet § Beowulf

Replica of the Sutton Hoo helmet showing the gilded boar terminals on the eyebrows.^{[note 1]}

Old English

Beowulf

Boar helmets are referenced in the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf five times.^{[29][30][31][32][33]} In three cases they appear to feature freestanding boars atop the helmets,^{[22][34][35][36]} like the Guilden Morden example. Such is the case when Grendel's mother seeks vengeance for the death of her son.^[37]

Com þa to Heorote, ðær Hring-Dene geond þæt sæld swæfun. Þa ðær sona wearð edhwyrft eorlum, siþðan inne fealh Grendles modor. Wæs se gryre læssa efne swa micle, swa bið mægþa cræft, wiggryre wifes be wæpnedmen, þonne heoru bunden, hamere geþruen, sweord swate fah swin ofer helme ecgum dyhtig andweard scireð. Ða wæs on healle heardecg togen sweord ofer setlum, sidrand manig hafen handa fæst; helm ne gemunde, byrnan side, þa hine se broga angeat.

She came to Heorot. There, inside the hall, Danes lay asleep, earls who would soon endure a great reversal, once Grendel's mother attacked and entered. Her onslaught was less only by as much as an amazon warrior's strength is less than an armed man's when the hefted sword, its hammered edge and gleaming blade slathered in blood, razed the sturdy boar-ridge off a helmet. Then in the hall, hard-honed swords were grabbed from the bench, many a broad shield lifted and braced; there was little thought of helmets or woven mail when they woke in terror.

—Old English text[38]

—Heaney Translation[39]

In another case, Hrōðgār laments the death of his advisor by Grendel's mother:

Ne frín þú æfter saélum, sorh is geníwod Denigea léodum, déad is Æschere Yrmenláfes yldra bróþor mín rúnwita ond mín raédbora eaxlgestealla, ðonne we on orlege hafelan weredon, þonne hniton feþan, eoferas cnysedan, swylc eorl scolde wesan aérgód swylc Æschere wæs.	Ask not for news of happy hours! Sorrow is come anew upon the people of the Danes. Dead is Æschere, the elder son of Yrmenlaf; my counsels were his and his wisdom mine, at my right hand he stood when on fatal field we fended our lives, as the ranks clashed in battle and the boar-crests rang. Such should a good man be, of noble birth long tried in deeds, even as was Æschere!
—Old English text[40]	—Tolkien Translation[41]

In two instances, boars are referred to in the plural, such as when Beowulf and his men leave their ship as "[b]oar-shapes flashed above their cheek-guards" (Old English: eoforlic scionon ofer hleorbergan)^[42][43] These references may refer instead boars like those on the eyebrows of the Sutton Hoo helmet, as opposed to crests.^{[35][36][44][45]}

Elene

In the poem Elene, the word eoforcumbol appears twice and has been translated as "boar-crest on a helmet" or "boar-banner". In this context, it is presented both as a symbol of protection, and as a heathen symbol that is contrasted with the Christian cross.^[46]

Old Norse

Vendel I helmet, dating to c.650 CE^[47]

In Old Norse sources, helmets may be associated with boars, in particular those of the Yngling royal house. The Swedish king Aðils owned the helmets Hildisvín ('Battle-swine')^[48] and Hildigǫltr ('Battle-boar'),^[49] the former of which was inherited from another Yngling, his parental uncle Áli.^[50] Hildigǫltr is also listed as a heiti for a helmet in Nafnaþulur, and is attested in the skaldic poetry of Háttatal:^[51][52]

Holt felr hildigelti heila bæs, ok deilir gulls í gelmis stalli gunnseið, skörungr, reiðir.	The outstanding one covers the hill of the dwelling of the brain (his cranium) with a battle boar (helmet) and the distributor of gold brandishes the battle fish (sword) in the hawk's perch (hand).
—Old Norse text[53]	—Faulkes translation[54]

The heiti valgǫltr is also used in Hrafnsmál as part of a battle kenning:^[52]

Feldi folks valdi fyrst ens gollbyrsta velti valgaltar Vígfús þanns hétu; slíta þar síðan sôrum benskárar brôð af bǫð-Nirði, Bjarnar arfnytja.	First the Folk-wielder Felled there the feller Of fight-boar gold-bristled, Vigfus men hight him. The wound-mews thereafter There were they tearing Full meat of fight-god, Biorn's heirship wearer.
—Old Norse text[55]	—Morris translation[56]

It has been further proposed that the helmet heiti valhrímnir and hallhrímnir refer to swine through the component -hrimnir, a heiti for swine attested in Nafnaþulur also found as a suffix in the name Sæhrímnir.^[51][57]

Function of imagery

Boar imagery on Anglo-Saxon helmets is associated explicitly with protection in Beowulf where the poet describes the figures on helmets kept watch over the warriors wearing them.^[58] It has been proposed that the figures have an apotropaic role and that cutting them off will result in the death of the warrior. In the latter case, the boar and warrior appear to be regarded as a singular entity with a shared life.^[59]

It has also been proposed that, similar to úlfheðnar and berserkers, putting on a boar-helmet may be akin to shape-changing, allowing the wearer to take on qualities of the animal, in addition to its appearance. Consistent with this is a helmet plate from Vendel grave XIV in Uppland that depicts two warriors with bird-crest helmets, one of which also has boar tusks, suggesting it is the armour that makes them a representation of the animal. People in medieval Germanic literature can be referred to as boars such as Ragnar Loðbrók in his eponymous saga. In the case of Kjalnesinga saga, a warrior is specifically described as having boar-like teeth when fighting. While úlfheðnar and berserkers are frequently in service to kings, they are commonly portrayed negatively, instead of as noble heroes, and lacking control over their actions. On the other hand, identification or comparison with a wild boar is positive and closely associated with the warrior elite. The distinction has been suggested to result from bears and wolves being predatory, while boars, though fierce and often fighting to the death when cornered, forage rather than hunt.^[60][61]

Notes

1. The impression of design 4 on the top left corner of the replica cheek guard is actually upside down.

See also

• Boar's tusk helmet

Citations

1. Foster 1977b, p. 1.
2. Frank 2008, p. 78.
3. Foster 1977b, p. 5.
4. Tacitus 1868, p. 31.
5. Tacitus 1886, p. 25.
6. Foster 1977b, pp. 15, 19, 26.
7. Kovárová 2011, pp. 164–165.
8. Kovárová 2011, pp. 153, 158–161.
9. Simek 2007, pp. 122, 147, 273.
10. Simek 2007, pp. 309, 351.
11. Simek 2007, p. 298.
12. Kovárová 2011, p. 196.
13. McKinnell 2005, p. 60.
14. Kovárová 2011, pp. 203–212.
15. Kovárová 2011, pp. 113–117.
16. Kovárová 2011, pp. 118–119.
17. Sundqvist 2000, p. 141.
18. Kovárová 2011, pp. 212.
19. Foster 1977b, p. 27.
20. Frank 2008, pp. 80, 86.
21. Kovárová 2011, p. 181.
22. Chaney 1970, pp. 123–124.
23. Museums Sheffield boar on replica.
24. Aldhouse-Green 1992, p. 152.
25. Bruce-Mitford 1974, p. 238.
26. Kovárová 2011, p. 174.
27. Kovárová 2011, pp. 176–177.
28. Hatto 1957, p. 159.
29. Foster 1977a, p. 167.
30. Klaeber 1922, ll. 303–306, 1110–1112, 1286, 1327–1328, 1448–1454.
31. Hatto 1957, pp. 155–156.
32. Speake 1980, p. 80.
33. Bateman 1861, p. 33.
34. Klaeber 1922, ll. 1110–1112, 1286, 1327–1328.
35. Cramp 1957, pp. 62–63.
36. Davidson 1968, p. 354.
37. Stiegemann, Kroker & Walter 2013, p. 189.
38. Klaeber 1922, ll. 1279–1291.
39. Heaney 2000, pp. 89–91.
40. Klaeber 1922, ll. 1326–1328.
41. Tolkien 2014, p. 51.
42. Klaeber 1922, ll. 303–306, 1448–1454.
43. Heaney 2000, pp. 21–23.
44. Chaney 1970, p. 123.
45. Bruce-Mitford 1972, p. 122.
46. Kovárová 2011, pp. 182–183.
47. Kovárová 2011, p. 176.
48. Newton 1993, p. 42.
49. Byock 1999, p. 105.
50. Kovárová 2011, pp. 203–204.
51. Sturluson.
52. Kovárová 2011, p. 179.
53. Sturluson 2007, p. 5.
54. Sturluson 1987, p. 168.
55. Trefilsson.
56. Morris & Eirikr 2019.
57. Kovárová 2011, pp. 107–108, 179.
58. Klaeber 1922, ll. 303–306.
59. Kovárová 2011, pp. 181–182.
60. Kovárová 2011, pp. 153–156.
61. Hatto 1957, p. 156.

Bibliography

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