Bragi Boddason

Bragi Boddason was a 9th century poet and skald who served in the court of numerous Norse leaders, including Ragnar Lothbrok. In the 870s, he served in the court of King Hjorr Halfsson.

Biography

Around 854, Bragi was one of the first people to admit that the son Hjorr and Ljufvina had been raising and died in his third winter was not theirs, but a thrall's. By 870, Bragi was one of many witnesses when Hjorr's sons Geirmund Hel-hide and Hámund Hel-hide return barely alive from their hunting expedition. Six days after the Hel-hide boys returned, Bragi attended the feast welcoming jarl Guthrum and talked with Geirmund about the upcoming war in England and how one must face their fate. Before Geirmund left him, the skald states to Geirmund to meet him at his grandfather Half's mound. Geirmund accepts the invitation.

The following day, Bragi was met by Geirmund as he set up a game for him to play. Within the game, the skald figured out the boy was going with Guthrum as he recounted Half's life to him. After speaking about Half being betrayed, he gifted a bronze seax to Geirmund as a weapon to use in the shadows. Before Geirmund left, Bragi stated his last good-bye as he intended to leave for his homeland.

Legacy

The bronze seax Bragi gave to Geirmund proved useful in two occasions, by saving him from persecution from Fasti and to win a fight against King Guthrum, who was using the ring Hnituðr.

Behind the scenes

In The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One the Raven Clan skald Bragi is implied to be the historical Bragi Boddason due to a reference to having spent time in Ragnar Lothbrok's court. However, since Bragi Boddason had already appeared as a separate character in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga these must be two separate individuals.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga