Wuldar

By: Steve Anthonijsz

 

Old Norse:          UllR; Ulinn; VullR; VollR

Anglo-Saxon:          Wuldor (?[1])

Gothic:          Vulþus; Wulþus (?[2])

 

Saxo Grammaticus:          Ollerus (Book III); Rollerus (Book V)

 

 

Tracing information about Wuldar can seem much more difficult than many of our other gods. His name is mentioned only twice in the Snorra Edda (Gylfaginning 31 and Skaldskaparmál 4). He is only mentioned three times in the SæmundR Edda[3]. The only surviving source available to us that tells us any of the myths involving Wuldar were written by a Roman historian of Danish birth, Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum (History of the Danes).

 References in Eddiac poetry, supported by place-name evidence, suggest that Wuldar held a higher place in the faith of our ancestors than his absence from the myths would seem to indicate. In Atlakviða in groenlenzca 30, for example, an oath ring is referred to as “Wuldar’s ring”.

An interesting mystery regarding Wuldar is the number of times his name is mentioned in a text reading “Wuldar and all the gods,”- despite the rarity of his being mentioned at all- which seems unique to his lore. Couple this with the fact that there are place names in Scandinavia with names such as “Ullklettur” (Wuldar’s cliff) next to a place called “Goðaklettur” (the gods’ cliff); “Ullarfoss” (Wuldar’s waterfall) is near “Goðafoss) (the gods’ waterfall); and so one. Perhaps “Wuldar and all the gods” meant something a bit more than meets the eye…

 

Wuldar’s relationship to the other gods is quite unique. His mother, Sibba, is one of the Wanen, whilst his father, Egil[4], is an Alp. His stepfather, Donar, is one of the Ensi. As Weland’s (Thiazi) brother, Wuldar is the uncle of Scata. He tends to be a loner, gliding along snow-skates in the forests, and hunting his prey with a bow. Saxo tells us that he appears to mankind “through the fire”, which is echoed in Grímnismál 42[5]. Similarly, many associate his magnificence (the ON name “UllR” means ‘glory’) with the Aurora Borealis. He is often considered to be the patron of hunters and of single combat (martial arts).

 

 

The first time that Wuldar appears in the myths he is a boy. Accompanying his father, Egil, and Slagfinn they leave the Wolfdales (where Egil and Slagfinn had been previously exiled after their conflicts with the Ensi) together. Wuldar was apparently born in the Wolfdales. Egil raises his son in the skills of the Alpâ, including skiing and archery[6].

 

The next time we see Wuldar he is a young adult. He lives with his parents and his half-brother, Swipdag[7]. Wuldar follows his half-brother to protect him during his excursion to find Frûâ[8]. They find Frûâ and her brother, Frô, imprisoned by witchcraft and held in Ëzanheim by Beli’s clan. Wuldar and Swipdag manage to rescue Frûâ, but Frô refuses to accompany them. They bring her back to Egil’s home, where Frûâ is finally released from the spell that had restrained her.

 

 

Reconciliation between the Ensi and Ivaldi’s family occurs.

 

Wuldar assists Donar, Swipdag, Frûâ and Garta at the battle in Gymir’s hall[9].

 

War between the Ensi and the Wanen breaks out. The Alpâ support the Wanen. Wuldar fights as the hero of the Wanen against his (later?) stepfather, Donar[10], the hero of the Ensi. The Wanen win the war, exiling Wuotan. Desiring a god that had no particular vocation in the government of the worlds, Wuldar was chosen to replace Wuotan as king. This change in authority brought about no significant changes in religion, but did change the demands of sacrifice[11].

 

Ten years later, the Ëzanen have expanded and rallied their armies. Wuotan returns to Ensigart to warn the gods of the oncoming attack, and leads the counterattack of the gods. In gratitude to Wuotan, the Wanen ask him to return to Ensigart as king. Another peace compact was made[12]. The transfer of rulership was amiable.

 

We are not told of Wuldar’s fate at Götterdämmerung (Godotuom)…

 

 

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