# Ingvar

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Semi-legendary Swedish king

"Ingvar" may also refer to [Ingvar of Kiev](/source/Ingvar_of_Kiev) and to [Ingvar the Far-Travelled](/source/Ingvar_the_Far-Travelled).

For the nickel-iron alloy, see [Invar](/source/Invar). For the name, see [Ingvar (name)](/source/Ingvar_(name)).

Ingvar Legendary King of Sweden Predecessor Sölve Successor Anund Died early 7th century House House of Yngling Father Eysteinn

**Ingvar** or **Yngvar** ([Old Norse](/source/Old_Norse_language): *Yngvarr* [\[ˈyŋɡwɑrː\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA), d. early 7th century) was the son of [Östen](/source/%C3%96sten) and reclaimed the Swedish throne for the [House of Yngling](/source/House_of_Yngling) after the Swedes had rebelled against [Sölve](/source/S%C3%B6lve).[1] He is reported to have fallen in battle in [Estonia](/source/Ancient_Estonia) and been buried there. Although the account of Ingvar is semi-legendary, the discovery of two [boat grave](/source/Boat_grave) sites in [Salme](/source/Salme_ships), modern [Estonia](/source/Estonia) has confirmed that a similar historic event took place in the 8th century.

## *Ynglinga saga*

[Snorri Sturluson](/source/Snorri_Sturluson) relates in his *[Ynglinga saga](/source/Ynglinga_saga)* that King Ingvar, Östen's son, was a great warrior who often spent time patrolling the shores of his kingdom fighting Danes and Estonian vikings (*Víkingr frá Esthland*). King Ingvar finally came to a peace agreement with the Danes and could take care of the [Estonian vikings](/source/Estonian_vikings).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

He consequently started pillaging in [Estonia](/source/Ancient_Estonia) in retribution, and one summer he arrived at a place called Stein (see also [Sveigder](/source/Sveigder)). The Estonians (*sýslu kind*) assembled a great army in the interior and attacked King Ingvar in a great battle. The Estonian forces were too powerful and Ingvar fell and the Swedish forces retreated. Ingvar was buried in a mound at a place called *Stone* or *[Hill fort](/source/Hill_fort)* (*at Steini*) on the shores of [Saaremaa](/source/Saaremaa) (*Aðalsýsla*).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## *Ynglingatal*

Snorri then quotes a stanza from [Þjóðólfr of Hvinir](/source/%C3%9Ej%C3%B3%C3%B0%C3%B3lfr_of_Hvinir)'s *[Ynglingatal](/source/Ynglingatal)*:

Þat stǫkk upp, at Yngvari Sýslu kind of sóit hafði. Ok Ljósham við lagar hjarta herr eistneskr at hilmi vá. Ok austmarr jǫfri sœnskum Gymis ljóð at gamni kveðr.[2]

- Translation: 'Word spread quickly, that the people of Sýsla had slain Yngvarr. And an Estonian force attacked the ruler, Ljóshamr ('the Light-skinned'), at the heart of the water [ISLAND]. And the Baltic sea sings the songs of Gymir <sea-giant> to the delight of the Swedish ruler.'[2]

## Other sources

The *[Historia Norwegiæ](/source/Historia_Norwegi%C3%A6)* presents a Latin summary of *Ynglingatal*, older than Snorri's quotation (continuing after [Eysteinn](/source/Eysteinn)):

Hujus filius Ynguar, qui cognominatus est canutus, in expeditione occisus est in quadam insula Baltici maris, quæ ab indigenis Eysysla[3] vocatur. Iste ergo genuit Broutonund, quem Sigwardus frater suus [...].[4] His son Yngvar, nicknamed the Hoary, was killed by the inhabitants while campaigning on an island in the Baltic called Ösel. Yngvar bred Braut-Ånund, whose brother, Sigurd, [...][5]

*[Ynglingatal](/source/Ynglingatal)* only mentions the location *Sysla* (area paying tribute), *[Historia Norwegiae](/source/Historia_Norvegi%C3%A6)* only mentions that he died during a campaign on the island *Eycilla*, i.e. *Eysysla* ([Ösel](/source/OEsel)). In addition to his son [Anund](/source/Anund) (Broutonund), it also adds second son named Sigvard.

*[Thorsteins saga Víkingssonar](/source/Thorsteins_saga_V%C3%ADkingssonar)* skips Ingvar's generation and makes his father [Östen](/source/%C3%96sten) the father of [Anund](/source/Anund) and grandfather of [Ingjald](/source/Ingjald). It adds a second son to Östen named Olaf, who was the king of [Fjordane](/source/Fjordane) in [Norway](/source/Norway).

## Archaeology

In 2008–2010, the [ship burial](/source/Ship_burial) of two ships were discovered in [Salme](/source/Salme%2C_Estonia), [Estonia](/source/Estonia), the [Salme ships](/source/Salme_ships). Remains from at least 42 individuals were discovered in the two ships.[6] Most of them belonged to 30–40 years old males who had been killed in [battle](/source/Battle).[7][8] [Isotope analysis](/source/Isotope_analysis) of some of the teeth, combined with the design of the buried artifacts, suggest that the men came from central [Sweden](/source/Sweden).[9] The smaller ship contained the skeletal remains of 7 individuals. There were at least 36 individuals buried in four layers in the large ship.[10] In samples from the 7th century Salme defined Y-chromosome haplogroup [R1a1a1b](/source/Haplogroup_R1a), [N1a1a1a1a1a1a](/source/Haplogroup_N-M231), [I1-M253](/source/Haplogroup_I-M253) and mtDNA haplogroup T2b5a, V, J2a1a1a2, H10e, K1c1h, W6a, U3b1b.[11] The DNA analysis showed that four of the men were brothers and they were related to a fifth man, perhaps an uncle.[12]

The ships were [clinker-built](/source/Clinker_(boat_building)) and archaeologists have estimated their time of construction to be AD 650–700 in [Scandinavia](/source/Scandinavia). There are signs indicating they had been repaired and patched for decades before making their final voyage. One of the ships is 11.5 metres (38 ft) long and 2 metres (7 ft) wide. It did not have mast or sails, and they would have been rowed for short distances along the Baltic coast, or between islands,[13] or straight across the Baltic, as rowing longer distances has proved perfectly feasible time and again in modern times. This is also indicated by the Old Norse word for distance across water "vikusjö, vikja" the distance to row before changing rowers, a distance of about 4.2 nautical miles (7.8 km; 4.8 mi).

The second ship was 17–17.5 metres (56–57 ft) long and 3 metres (10 ft) wide. This larger ship had a keel for sailing[14] which would arguable make it the oldest viking sailing ship found so far, possibly redefining the beginning of the viking age (for comparison see [Oseberg Ship](/source/Oseberg_Ship), [Gokstad ship](/source/Gokstad_ship) and [Gjellestad ship burial](/source/Gjellestad_ship_burial)).

According to a confirmed interpretation offered by Jüri Peets, the lead archaeologist at the site, the ships and the dead are of [Scandinavian](/source/Scandinavia) origin, from Mälar region in Sweden, where similarly decorated sword hilts have been found; osteological analysis also indicates Mälar region and several men have been found to relatives.[14]

According to one scenario, a war party of [Scandinavians](/source/Scandinavia) attempted to carry out a raid against the [Oeselians](/source/Oeselians) ([Estonian](/source/Estonians) inhabitants of the island of Saaremaa), but were attacked by Oeselian ships. The sides of the two ships contain numerous embedded arrowheads, some of which are of the three-pointed type used to carry burning materials to set enemy ships aflame. After losing too many [oarsmen](/source/Oarsman) to the Estonian [archers](/source/Archery), the raiders pulled their ships aground and tried to defend themselves behind them. It appears that after the battle, the Oeselians allowed either the survivors or some other group of Scandinavians to ritually bury their dead. The burial is unusual because the ships were not covered with earth mounds. The site was eventually forgotten by the local inhabitants after it had become overblown by sand and covered with vegetation.[7] The raid-hypothesis has led to a questioning of when the [Viking Age](/source/Viking_Age) began exactly. The Salme event took place 50–100 years earlier than the infamous [Lindisfarne](/source/Lindisfarne#Vikings) Viking raid in England in the summer of AD 793.[13]

The original interpretation was called into question after the second, larger, ship was uncovered in 2010. It is likely that the human remains in it belonged to individuals of noble birth, as evidenced by the large number of expensive bronze sword-hilts and the complete lack of weaponry associated with commoners. The presence of dogs and hawks used for falconry indicates that the original purpose of the trip to Estonia may have been [leisure](/source/Leisure) or [diplomacy](/source/Diplomacy).[10] Peets suggests that the men may have come on a voyage from Sweden to forge an alliance or establish kinship ties when unknown parties set upon them.[9]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Abrégé_de_lhistoire_de_Suède_1844_p._37_1-0)** [*Abrégé de l'histoire de Suède*](https://books.google.com/books?id=zyjd8FUi2NYC&pg=PA37) (in French). Arthus Bertrand. 1844. p. 37. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-skp_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-skp_2-1) Marold, Edith (2012). ["Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, Ynglingatal"](https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=4400). In Whaley, Diana (ed.). *Poetry from the Kings' Sagas 1: From Mythical Times to c. 1035*. [Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages](/source/Skaldic_Poetry_of_the_Scandinavian_Middle_Ages) 1. Turnhout: Brepols. p. 16. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-2-503-51896-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-2-503-51896-1).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: publisher location ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_publisher_location))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Storm corrects the name to *Eysysla* instead of *Eycilla* in his edition.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Storm, Gustav (editor) (1880). *Monumenta historica Norwegiæ: Latinske kildeskrifter til Norges historie i middelalderen*, Monumenta Historica Norwegiae (Kristiania: Brøgger), p. 101.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Ekrem, Inger (editor), Lars Boje Mortensen (editor) and Peter Fisher (translator) (2003). *Historia Norwegie*. Museum Tusculanum Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [87-7289-813-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/87-7289-813-5), p. 79.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Marek Strandberg. ["Arheoloog: Eesti ala elanikud surid 536. aasta paiku massiliselt nälga"](http://arvamus.postimees.ee/1171034/arheoloog-eesti-ala-elanikud-surid-536-aasta-paiku-massiliselt-nalga). *[Postimees](/source/Postimees)* 17. märts 2013. (in Estonian)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ekspress.ee_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ekspress.ee_7-1) [Scandinavians were defeated in a battle in Saaremaa](http://www.ekspress.ee/news/paevauudised/ajalugu/skandinaavlased-said-saaremaal-suures-lahingus-tappa.d?id=32908835) (in Estonian)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Salme muinaslaevast leiti haruldane luukamm (fotod).](http://www.saartehaal.ee/index.php?content=artiklid&sub=41&artid=26711&sec=1) Saarte Hääl, 26 Jul 2011.(in Estonian)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-usatoday.com_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-usatoday.com_9-1) [*Ancient ships of death: Were they on a mission of politics or plunder?*](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/07/27/ancient-ships-death-were-they-mission-politics-plunder/87586278/) USA Today. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Arheoloogia-aasta_parimad_palad_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Arheoloogia-aasta_parimad_palad_10-1) [Arheoloogia-aasta parimad palad.](http://www.postimees.ee/600144/arheoloogia-aasta-parimad-palad/) *[Postimees](/source/Postimees)*, 17 Oct 2011. (in Estonian)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Margaryan2019_11-0)** *Ashot Margaryan* et al. [Population genomics of the Viking world](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2688-8), 2020 ([bioRxiv](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/703405v1))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [The Vikings Were More Complicated Than You Might Think](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/science/vikings-DNA.html?surface=most-popular&fellback=false&req_id=981298180&algo=bandit-all-surfaces&imp_id=876962199&action=click&module=Most%20Popular&pgtype=Homepage), Sept. 16, 2020

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Archaeology:_The_First_Vikings_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Archaeology:_The_First_Vikings_13-1) Archaeology: *The First Vikings*

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-1) Price, T. Douglas; Peets, Jüri; Allmäe, Raili; Maldre, Liina; [Oras, Ester](/source/Ester_Oras) (August 2016). ["Isotopic provenancing of the Salme ship burials in Pre-Viking Age Estonia"](https://doi.org/10.15184%2Faqy.2016.106). *Antiquity*. **90** (352): 1022–1037. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.15184/aqy.2016.106](https://doi.org/10.15184%2Faqy.2016.106). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0003-598X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0003-598X). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [55103783](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:55103783).

## External links

- Oliver Rand: [Salme muinaslaevade leiukoht Rootsi kuninga surmaloosse selgust ei too](http://www.meiemaa.ee/index.php?content=artiklid&sub=1&artid=38597) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110720125405/http://www.meiemaa.ee/index.php?content=artiklid&sub=1&artid=38597) 20 July 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Meie Maa, 25 September 2010.

## Primary sources

- [Ynglingatal](/source/Ynglingatal)

- [Ynglinga saga](/source/Ynglinga_saga) (part of the [Heimskringla](/source/Heimskringla))

- [Historia Norwegiae](/source/Historia_Norvegiae)

- [Thorsteins saga Víkingssonar](/source/Thorsteins_saga_V%C3%ADkingssonar)

## Secondary sources

Nerman, B. *Det svenska rikets uppkomst*. Stockholm, 1925.

Ingvar House of Yngling Preceded by Sölve Legendary king of Sweden Succeeded by Anund

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