Sniolvs kvæði

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Sniolvs kvæði (Sniolv's poem) is a faroese ballad (kvæði) containing 9 subsections (tættir). It was first collected 1781-1782 by Jens Christian Svabo. The longest version consists of 447 verses, making it one of the longest kvæði ever collected.[1][2]

History

Sniolvs kvæði was first collected 1781-1782, by Jens Christian Svabo. Svabo's collection only consisted of 4 tættir compared to 9 usually attributed to this ballad. Later, another version of Sniolvs kvæði was collected; the collection consisted of 7 tættir.[2] Finally, the two final tættir of Hildardalsstríð (Also known as striðið í Hildardal or Hildars tattur) and Risin á Blálandi were collected under version C by Johannes Clemensen in the Sandoyarbók ballad collection.[3][4]

While it is unknown whether Sniolvs kvæði is of recent or medieval origin, it has been concluded that some tættir are of later origin. For instance, the 4 tættir in Svabo's original collection are thought to be of older origin as Savbo seemed sure he had collected the entire ballad. It is argued that the 5 other tættir were composed after the collection of the 4 original tættir.[2]

Synopsis

Rána táttur

Rána táttur is most often cited as the first táttur of Sniolvs kvæði. It begins Sniolvs kvæði with Hildibrand asking out Silkieik, the daughter of the king of Uppland. However, the troll Ráni gets Silkieik first and threatened to make Silkieik his concubine. Silkieik, fearing troll Ráni, seaks help from her brother Sniolv. However, Silkieik's father says Sniolvs is too young to fight. Because Sniolvs can not fight, Hildibrand saves Silkieik by slaying troll Ráni. Hildibrand gets married with Silkieik but receives the harbinger that his son, Grímur will die under his sword. The táttur ends with Hildibrand throwing his sword into the sea in an attempt to stop Grímur's fate.[5]

Sniolvs táttur

Sniolvs táttur (sometimes known as Sniálvs táttur)[6] begins with Silkieik's Brother Sniolvs (referred to as Sniálvur of Uppland) seeking a wife . Sniolvs asks his mother for advice on find a wife. Though Sniolvs is told that there are many fair women in Uppland, none meet Sniolvs' standards. Soon, Adalín, the daughter of Duke of Brunswick, is introduced to Sniolvs. Sniolvs is quite satisfied with the fair Adalín, but he is warned that he isn't enough to win Adalín over. Sniolvs takes the challenge and vows to win Adalín over. Sniolvs builds a fleet of ships from Gold and Silver, sailing to Brunswick to hopefully woo the fair Adalín. However, Sniolvs quickly encounters a threat. Sjúrður, the son of the Duke attempts to fight Sniolvs, but quickly realizes that Sniolvs in unstoppable. The Duke is warned of the unstoppable Sniolvs. The scene cuts to Sniolvs marching into the Duke's Court to demand the Duke's daughter. The Duke initially refuses, but eventually capitulates to Sniolvs' threat of death. When Sniolvs is brought to Adalín, they fall in love at first sight. The couple goes back to uppland and celebrate with gold and riches. However, their love is short lived. A ominous dream alludes to the fate of Sniolvs and Adalín by the sword of Ásmundur, setting the foundation for the next táttur, Ásmundar táttur[5]



References

  1. "CCF 91-I Ba-I". Snar (The Faroese educational portal) (in Faroese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  2. Conroy, Patricia (1978-12-31). "Sniolvs kvæði. The Growth of a Ballad Cycle". Fróðskaparrit - Faroese Scientific Journal: 33–53. doi:10.18602/fsj.v26i.499. ISSN 2445-6144.
  3. "CCF 91 Ca-I". Snar.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  4. Conroy, Patricia (1986–87). ""Sandoyarbók": A Faroese Ballad Collection, its Collector and the Community". Fróðskaparrit (34–35): 23–41.
  5. "CCF 91-I Ba-I". Snar.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  6. "Sumbiar Dansifelag". www.sumba.fo (in Danish). Retrieved 2026-05-26.