Skalds (or Scalds)

Skalds (Or Scalds)

were the poets, reciters, and singers, and also the historiographers, of the ancient Scandinavians. Like the Celtic bards, they went before the heroes to battle with inspiring war cry, and observed the warriors' deeds, recounted them in song, and transmitted their fame to succeeding generations. As the insurers of posthumous fame and as divinely inspired wise men and prophets, they were in high esteem at the courts of princes. They were known throughout Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and the north of Germany. The legends of the Edda, preserved for us by Snorre Sturleson, were the work of these Skalds.