Skald

[from Old Norse skald]

The skalds were court poets composing skaldic verse in praise of chieftains of the Scandinavian lands. Skaldic verse was devised in Norway in the 9th century. It is not easy to understand because of the complexity of the syntax and of the numerous metaphors known as kennings alluding to specific myths. The skaldic poets wrote in short, eight-line strophes and used a complicated system of alliteration, as well as internal rhyme and consonance.

An ancient Scandinavian poet or historiographer. Synonym: bard.

The skaldic verse differs fundamentally from the traditional Germanic and Eddic forms in that the syllables are strictly counted and the lines must end in a given form.