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Hollander: Gautrekssaga and Hrólfssaga. 133
The names Hrosskell and Hrossþjófr.
The Hrosskell-Hrossþjóf episode of the Hrólfssaga has
all the appearance of being invented1) ad hoc, without any
basis of popular tradition. Possibly, we may have to start
from a name Hrosskell (suggested by the names Hrossbjorn
and Ketill in the Vatsdælasaga?)2). It is worthy of note
that the form of the name is not the regular one, Hrokkel,
as the etymology of it is evidently Hrócfkell > Hropkell >
Hrotkell > Hrokkell3) = ’glory-helm’. Cf. the analogous for-
mations O.N. Hródgeirr, Ags. Hródgár; Hródulf, O.N. Hrólf
etc. etc.
Hrosskell = ’horse-helmet’, on the other hand, scarcely
was a fitting man’s name. I conjecture that, in casting
about for a suitable name for the leader of the uniformly
unpopular and abhorred berserks, the author hit upon the
similar Hrosspjóf4) ’horse-thief’ which, in its turn, may
have suggested the whole story 5).
As to already existing connotations, they were, of
course, abundant. We remember, in this connection, the
’úkvedinsord’ merarson. In the Helgakvida Hjörvardssonar,
the skessa Hrimgerd seems to appear in the shape of a
mare, desiring intercourse with Atli and Helgi. Cf. also
the theriomorphic myths alluded to in Hyndluljód 40, Gyl-
faginning ch. 42. We need scarcely think of the Longo-
bards (on account of their horse-leather leggins)6) being
*) Of. Detter, I. e. xli.
a) author, 1. e,
*) Noreen 122, 8; 180, 2e.
*) On names in -pjóf see Bugge, Ark. f. n. Fil. ii (1890) p. 225. Saxos
liostiophus Phinnicus, identified with the Hrosspjôf of the Hyndluljóct,
Bugge, Studier over de nordiske Gude- og Heltesagns Oprindelse, p. 139,
does not concern us here.
s) hardly, as Detter 1. c. suggests, to explain the name.
*) Kaufim&nn, Zfdphil. 40/391.
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