Hagbard

Hagbard is a figure in Norse mythology, primarily known from the Skáldskaparmál section of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda and the Völsunga saga. He is a legendary sea-king and warrior, famed for his ill-fated love affair with Signy, the daughter of King Siggeir.

According to the sagas, Hagbard and Signy fell deeply in love. Their families, however, were enemies, forbidding their union. Despite the animosity between their kin, Hagbard and Signy continued to meet in secret. Hagbard's attempts to disguise himself and visit Signy undetected ultimately failed, and he was captured.

Hagbard was sentenced to be hanged for his transgressions. Before his execution, he requested a final wish: that his cloak be hung on the gallows to test whether his comrades would attempt to rescue him, believing he was already dead.

Signy, upon seeing the cloak raised as a signal of Hagbard's imminent execution, set her own house ablaze and perished within, choosing death over a life without her beloved Hagbard. Hagbard, seeing the smoke, understood Signy's actions and went willingly to his death, affirming their eternal bond.

The story of Hagbard and Signy is often presented as a tragic tale of forbidden love and unwavering devotion, comparable to the story of Romeo and Juliet. It highlights themes of honor, loyalty, and the consequences of familial conflict. The tale also serves as an example of the tragic heroes and heroines found in Norse sagas.