Heymaey Skald in the heat of battle
Skald (Skellige jargon: skjald)[1] is a musical keeper of lore on Skellige and in Kaedwen. Partially bard and partially soldier, these individuals help armies with morale and tend to sing about heroic deeds, both from the past and present. These men recount the sagas and the deeds not only of the ancestors but often also compose new sagas out of the feats and exploits of contemporary heroes and monarchs[2] to add to their people's collective history.[3]
As they are also skilled and powerful warriors, many jarls, seemingly those from Clan Heymaey in particular,[4] find it prudent to have a skald among soldiers. As for instruments, it appears they favor bagpipes while lute is on second place.[5]
Notable skalds
- Hrafnir
- Draig Bon-Dhu
- Eyvind [4]
- Geir Golden Lips [4]
Notable skaldic poems
- Song of the battle of Hochebuz ‒ written and played by Skelliger skalds in honor of Queen Calanthe