Gram of Denmark

Gram of Denmark
King of the Danes
Predecessor	Skiold
Successor	Svipdagr
Consort	Groa Signe
Issue	daughter Guthorm Hading
House	Scylding
Father	Skiold
Mother	Alfhild
Religion	Pagan

Characters of Gesta Danorum
Danish kings
Dan I Humble Lother Skiold Gram Guthorm Hading
Foreign rulers
Skat Sigtryg Asmund Uffe Gusonis Svipdagr Sumble Henry Handwan Loker
Other men
Bess Lysir Roar
Women
Grytha Alfhild Gróa Signe
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Gram was one of the earliest legendary Danish kings according to Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum. His history is given in more detail than those of his predecessors. Georges Dumézil argued that Gram was partially modelled on the god Thor, in particular his defeat of Hrungnir and subsequent encounter with Gróa.

The Old Norse word gramr means "king" and is probably the source of Gram's name, possibly through a misunderstanding of Saxo's. No other ancient source mentions a king named Gram.

References

• Dumézil, Georges (1973). From Myth to Fiction : The Saga of Hadingus. Trans. Derek Coltman. Chicago: U. of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-16972-3.
• Davidson, Hilda Ellis (ed.) and Peter Fisher (tr.) (1999). Saxo Grammaticus : The History of the Danes : Books I-IX. Bury St Edmunds: St Edmundsbury Press. ISBN 0-85991-502-6. First published 1979-1980.
• Elton, Oliver (tr.) (1905). The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus. New York: Norroena Society. Available online
• Olrik, J. and H. Ræder (1931). Saxo Grammaticus : Gesta Danorum. Available online

This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 03:08