Goði Ölvir of Egg
1021 ᛦ
Ölvir of Egg, who lived in the early 11th century and died in 1021, was a goði in the region of Trondheim, Norway. Since this story takes place 20 years after Olaf Tryggvason was deposed, Christianization was all but complete in Norway. The Norwegians still remaining faithful to the Æsir did so in secrecy, as they would be tortured and killed if they were discovered.
King Olaf II of Norway, often referred to as “Saint Olaf,” began to hear rumors of Ásatrú gatherings in Ölvir’s region of Trondheim. As the goði of the area, Ölvir was sent to appear before the king and explain himself on two separate occasions. Both times, he carefully convinced Olaf that these were not Ásatrú gatherings, but simply great feasts and secular community events. Olaf appeared convinced, but told some of his spies to keep an eye on Trondheim and Ölvir.
Olaf’s spies later informed him that an Austra gathering was being prepared in Trondheim, and the king had heard enough. He set out with five ships and 300 men towards Trondheim. They arrived in the dark, and successfully ambushed Ölvir and all of his folk brave enough to have kept their troth to the Æsir. Ölvir and many of his people were tortured and killed, stamping out Ásatrú for the next 900 years.
Ölvir’s story is inspiring in a way different than those of Rauðr the Strong or King Radbod of Frisia. Ölvir unfortunately had to hide his people’s love and worship of the Æsir, and he had to lie to Olaf for the good of his folk. Since our folk have always been a noble people, we do not like to be dishonest or hear that our heroes have ever been dishonest. However, it’s important to remember that the Hávamál tells us to repay kindness with kindness, but to also repay treachery with treachery.
Ölvir was not deceiving a friend, or even a good man, but a despotic king pushing a foreign faith on his own subjects. Ölvir lied for the good of his Folk, and for their dedication to the Æsir, and would then go right back to being proudly Ásatrú and officiating rituals for his community. His piety and devotion never wavered, and even when hiding his Ásatrú from the murderous king, he adhered to advice given to us by the All-Father.
Let this tale be an inspiring one to all of our folk, so that we may be Ásatrú even when it’s inconvenient!
Hail Ölvir of Egg!
Hail the Asatru Folk Assembly!