DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR KING GUTHROTH

On May 9th we remember and honour King Guthroth of Guthbrands Dale.

According to Snorri Sturlusson's 'Heimskringla', King Guthroth was one of 5 kings who ruled in the Upplands of Norway during the reign of Olaf the bastard. Olaf was going through Norway converting people by force and blackmail.

Olaf sent word to the 5 kings that he wanted to travel through their regions. So the still Heathen kings came together to discuss this visit and what it meant.

They quickly came to the conclusion that a visit from Olaf couldn't possibly be good. And yet 4 of the 5 grew fearful and wanted to just go along with Olaf and whatever he had planned. But one, one bold man, stood and gave a stirring speech that rallied the other 4... that one noble king was none other than Guthroth.

With the kings finally united, word went out across the land to rally the landowners to stand against Olaf. And yet, just as the menfolk were gathering for war one treacherous "man" went to Olaf and told him of the 5 kings' plan.

Olaf, with his retinue, quickly marched on the Upplands and by the light of Mani, rowed boats across a lake and right up to the village where the kings were staying and surrounded their hall. As Sunna rose the kings awoke and realized the dire situation they were in.

Rather than fight a futile battle that would have seen their families harmed the kings surrendered to Olaf.

Olaf, being the forgiving xtian he was, quickly had one kings eyes plucked out, banished 3 other kings, and took all their lands and property. But for King Guthroth he saved something special... for his eloquent speech that had rallied the Upplands against Olaf, Guthroth had his tongue cut out. Never to be able to utter another word again.

Guthroth knew the risk and yet he stood when others only wanted to sit. He rallied the fearful and inspired them to stand firm against the tyranny of Olaf and his one God faith.

For his courage and willingness to sacrifice everything for his folk we honour King Guthroth. For his willingness to stand when others sat we raise a horn up to Guthroth's memory.

From his tale we see clearly that one bold man can truly change what may, at first sight, seem already finished. We today are again faced with belief systems that would see us silenced, see our tongues removed. Belief systems that would happily see our folk and our Gods erased from the world and our glorious history scrubbed from the record. Now is our time! Now is when we need to be bold! Now is when we need to stand tall as Guthorth did and rally those around us!

Hail the Bold!

Hail King Guthroth!