Bodvar Bjarki

[ bawth-vahr byahr-kee ]

noun

, Scandinavian Legend.

1. the greatest of Rolf Kraki's heroes, often fighting in the likeness of a bear: probably identical with Beowulf.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bodvar Bjarki¹

< Old Norse Bǫthvar, equivalent to bǫth battle + herr master; Bjarki, ultimately diminutive from base of bjǫrn bear ²

Example Sentences

King Rolf could not go himself by reason of a war that he had against the Saxons; but he sent to Adils his twelve Berserks, of whom were Bödvar Bjarki, Hjalti Stoutheart, Whiteserk Bold, Vött, Vidseti, and the brothers Svipdag and Beigud.

From Project Gutenberg

The already quoted Saga of Hrolf Krake gives us another example, where Bödvar Bjarki, in the shape of a huge bear, fights desperately with the enemy, which has surrounded the hall of his king, whilst his human body lies drunkenly beside the embers within.

From Project Gutenberg