Nina Steen-Knudsen, 1985
'Ladyhawke'
Acrylic, 206 x 190 cm
The Norse mythology:
In the Norse mythology birds of prey are found in the ash tree Yggdrasil, whose branches spreads over all the world. In the top of the tree live a wise eagle. Between its eyes sits the hawk Vedrfolner ; "he who is bleached by weather and wind". At the roots lie the snake Nidhug, gnawing at the roots. The squirrel Ratatosk run up and down the trunk, bringing gossip between the eagle and the snake.
Saga's:
In the saga of Rolf Krake, meant to have lived in the 6th
century, Rolf march with an army to king Adils in Sweden. Adils
cheated Rolf and his berserks for their pay for help in a fight
with a Norwegian king. Rolf brought a falcon. Arriving at
Adils’ castle Rolf order the Swedish lads to take good care
of their animals. One of the lads let the falcon into a cage to
thirty of Adils, hoping to get it killed. Rolf's visit at Adils
develops dramatically and Rolf and his berserks have to flee. When
Rolf on his way to the stables go to pick up his hawk, he find it
- in the cage - along with thirty dead falcons: It has killed
Adils. To Rolf this is a good sign.
Another source tell that Rolf and his berserks
each carried a falcon at their shoulders during the visit:
'Their haufdu Hauka sina a oxlom.' 'Rolf Krakes Saga', chapt. XL
In the saga of Oluf Skotskonung, it is said: "Early one morning the King rode to hunt along with his hawks and dogs and his men. When the hawks was released they stroke two black cocks in a single strike".
"That var einn dag snemma, at Kongur reid ut med Hauka sina oc Hunda oc med honom menn hanns. Enn er their fleigto Haukanom, tha drap Konungs Haukur i einnu rensli tvo orra." 'Olof Haraldsons Saga', chapt. 90
BORCH'S
FALCONRY - English