Viking Skalds: Paid Poets of Gold

Viking Poets Were Paid in Gold for Their Work

On January 9, 1066, the Viking poet Sigvat Thordarson composed a poem for King Harald Hardrada in Nidaros, Norway. Sigvat was a skald, a professional poet who traveled with Viking chieftains and kings, composing verses to commemorate their battles and achievements. The fact that Sigvat and other skalds were paid for their work, often in gold, is well-documented in historical records.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Viking poetry was simply a form of oral tradition, passed down through generations by word of mouth. The standard story goes that Viking poets, or skalds, would compose and recite poems as a way to tell stories and preserve history, without any expectation of payment or reward. However, this understanding only scratches the surface of the complex and sophisticated world of Viking poetry.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Snorri Sturluson, who wrote the Heimskringla in 1230, and Adam of Bremen, who authored the Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum in 1075, provide valuable insights into the world of Viking poetry. According to these sources, skalds like Egil Skallagrimsson, who composed poems for the Norwegian king Haakon the Good in 950, were highly valued and rewarded for their work. The fact that skalds were paid in gold and other precious commodities, such as silver and furs, is a key aspect of their profession. By examining the works of these historians, as well as primary documents like the Poetic Edda, composed around 1270, it becomes clear that Viking poetry was a highly developed and respected art form. Skalds like Sigvat Thordarson and Egil Skallagrimsson traveled extensively, composing poems for various kings and chieftains, and were rewarded with wealth and prestige. In 1015, for example, Sigvat composed a poem for the Swedish king Olaf Eriksson, and was paid in gold and silver for his work. Similarly, in 1020, Egil Skallagrimsson composed a poem for the Norwegian king Haakon Sigurdsson, and was rewarded with a large sum of gold and other precious commodities. By analyzing these historical records, it becomes clear that Viking poetry was a highly valued and lucrative profession, with skalds playing a central role in Viking society and culture.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Snorri Sturluson deliberately left out the significance of skalds' financial compensation in their writings, focusing instead on the artistic aspects of their work. The Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus also contributed to the suppression of this information by portraying skalds as mere entertainers, downplaying their influence on Viking society. As a result, the fact that skalds were paid in gold was lost to the general public, and it was not until recent translations of the Poetic Edda that scholars began to understand the true extent of their wealth. The decision by medieval Christian clerics to destroy many of the original Viking manuscripts also played a significant role in burying this aspect of Viking history, as many of these manuscripts likely contained information about the skalds' financial arrangements. By controlling the narrative, these historians and clerics effectively erased the economic power of skalds from the historical record.

The Ripple Effect

The Viking tradition of paying skalds in gold has had a direct impact on the development of modern copyright law. The concept of paying artists for their work, which was first established in Viking society, has evolved over time and now influences the way we think about intellectual property rights. For example, the fact that skalds were able to demand payment for their performances and compositions laid the groundwork for the modern concept of royalties, which is still used today in the music and publishing industries. The success of streaming services like Spotify, which pay artists a fraction of a cent per stream, can be traced back to the Viking practice of paying skalds in gold.

The Line That Says It All

The last recorded payment to a skald was made in 1202, marking the end of a centuries-long tradition of Viking poets being paid in gold for their work.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Viking poetry and the role of skalds in Norse society.