Nine Noble Virtues

The Nine Noble Virtues are a list of ideals that were codified in the 1970’s by the Odinic Rite.They are: honour, courage, industriousness, fidelity, discipline, self-reliance, truth, hospitality, and perseverance. They used the Havamal to create some simple ideas of what they felt were the most important traits for Asatruar to have. The Havamal are said to be the words of Odin himself; mostly, it is advice for how a person should live their lives. Our ancestors may not have made a list like this, but the values of the Nine Noble are some that they would have held as important.

The Knighthood within the SCA is based on the code of chivalry, which has its own list of virtues. They are, in some cases, very much based on the values of a Christian society. This means that for those of us who either are not Christian mundanely, or wish to stay true to a persona who is non-Christian, the code doesn’t quite fit. Nearly every culture has some sort of behavioral ideal. In many cultures, these ideals line up with the warrior elite or the nobility. In Japan, the code of Bushido; the Koreans had Hwarang, and so on. I have seen these codes used by some members of the Chivalry, and I appreciate the flavour it adds to our Dream. For me, the Nine Noble Virtues and the words of the Havamal are the closest to a code for an Úlfheðinn, which is the closest the ancient Norse had to a warrior elite.

One of the biggest criticism of the Nine Noble Virtues as a whole is the idea that they are just an attempt by former Christians to make their new religion fit better into their culture and mindset. While there may be some validity to these arguments, it is difficult to say that this was the main reason for the creation of the list. Realistically, the list makes it easier for many people to meditate and think on these aspects individually instead of the whole of the text, for better or worse. I don’t think it matters if they were originally plagued by a need for something similar to Christianity: not everything the Christians have done is bad. While to me personally it's important not only to read the whole of the Havamal, but also to analyze it for yourself, lest you fall into the practice of dogmatically following what your “elders” tell you, it's also important to have the interpretations of those who came before you. Take the knowledge of your forebears and add to it.

The Nine, the text they were derived from, and my thoughts.

1. Honour:

"An ill tempered, unhappy man

Ridicules all he hears,

Makes fun of others, refusing always

To see the faults in himself" Havamal-verse 22

Honour, of all the virtues, is the most difficult to define. By its very nature, it incorporates many aspects of the others, and yet stands alone. Honour is your name, your reputation. It is the aggregate of everything you do, meaning that to lack the other virtues will hurt your honour. If you are dishonest, craven, discourteous... you will not be viewed as an honourable person.

For our ancestors, nothing was more important than your reputation. You were known by your deeds and actions. Oaths were sacred, and to break one was condemnable. To swear an oath was to make words concrete, and the deeds that followed your oath would forever be part of your tale, whether good or bad.

2. Courage:

"Silence becomes the Son of a prince,

To be silent but brave in battle:

It befits a man to be merry and glad

Until the day of his death," Havamal-verse 15

"The coward believes he will live forever

If he holds back in the battle,

But in old age he shall have no peace

Though spears have spared his limbs" Havamal-Verse 16

"The generous and bold have the best lives,

Are seldom beset by cares,

But the base man sees bogies everywhere

And the miser pines for presents." Havamal - Verse 48

Each of these verses, to me, speak of different kinds of courage, each important in its own way and each showing the type of people our ancestors were. In verse 15, he speaks of battle, but in passing. The main point is that one should face each day happily, bravely stepping out against its challenges. This is the courage that most of us need in the modern sense. The bravery that allows us to move on through the mundanities of life. The strength of character that allows us to live in this modern, corrupt world without losing our sense of self. Verse 48 continues in this same vein. If you live your life bravely and boldly, the little concerns will not drag you down. Basically the All-Father himself is telling us not to sweat the small stuff.

Verse 16 is one of my favourite verses of the whole Havamal. It speaks to me that there is no point in the fear; no matter what, you must face your destiny. In battle, it means you'll die one day, whether it's this day or many years from now. In life, it means that quite often, no matter how we try and avoid a problem or take the easy way out, it will come back to us. You can only plug the holes in the dam for so long.

3. Industriousness:

"A small hut of one's own is better,

A man is his master at home:

A couple of goats and a corded roof

Still are better than begging." Havamal - Verse 36

Our ancestors were a people who lived in a land that was harsh, unforgiving, and huge. To survive in these circumstances meant to work hard, and they not only survived, they thrived: working to build cities, and a culture that traveled the majority of the known world.

This verse speaks, as much about self reliance (see below) as it does about industriousness. Basically, work hard so that you may have things, but do not depend on others. Anything that you earn yourself is worth more than charity. It was worked for, and in many cases bled for: that gives it value. When you look at your own home, a hearth built for your family through your own endeavours, you know that you have the right to be the master in this place.

4. Fidelity:

"With presents friends should please each other,

With a shield or a costly coat:

Mutual giving makes for friendship

So long as life goes well," Havamal - Verse 41

"A man should be loyal through life to friends,

And return gift for gift,

Laugh when they laugh,but with lies repay

A false foe who lies." Havamal - Verse 42

"A man should be loyal through life to friends,

To them and to friends of theirs,

But nenever shall a man make offer

Of friendship to his foes." Havamal - Verse 43

"Young and alone on a long road,

Once I lost my way:

Rich I felt when I found a another;

Man rejoices in man." Havamal - Verse 47

"The young fir that falls and rots

Having neither needles nor bark,

So is the fate of the friendless man:

Why should he live long?" Havamal - Verse 50

Fidelity, loyalty: the All-Father speaks at great length about loyalty to friends and family. While self-reliance is a virtue, the importance of community was never taken away. The ancestors were a social people, and with that interaction came the question of loyalty.

Loyalty at the time was not just to your immediate family, but to the community as a whole. When everyone worked together for the betterment of the whole, it was important to know that people were not going to betray the interests of the town. In battle, being able to depend on your brethren is the difference between victory and a rout. These are active examples of how loyalty was important to our ancestors. In a less concrete way, loyalty also ties into the virtue of honesty by being true to your word: when you swear to a friend or lord, you keep your oath.

5. Discipline:

"Less good than belief would have it

Is mead for the sons of men:

A man knows less the more he drinks,

Becomes a befuddled fool," Havamal - Verse 12

"Cattle die, kindred die,

Every man is mortal:

But the good name never dies

Of one who has done well" Havamal - Verse 76

When we are trying to build ourselves, and create our world, discipline is what allows us to build the habits that keep us going. Along with perseverance and honour, discipline builds our name. It's the foundation for our actions. Choosing a hard road because it's for the best is discipline; sticking on that road when it no longer seems worth it is perseverance. Without the discipline to stick to our training, we will never improve.

Discipline is also about knowing when enough is enough. Whether it's drinking or tongue wagging, discipline is what helps us not to make fools of ourselves. We know when it's time to be still, and having the control to actually do it: that's what discipline is about.

6. Self Reliance:

"A small hut of one's own is better,

A man is his master at home:

His heart bleeds in the beggar who must

Ask at each meal for meat." Havamal - Verse 37

The ability to survive without anyone else is the truest expression of freedom. Self reliance is important because it means that you’ve achieved the success that will allow you to genuinely improve yourself, and to help others. It is a hierarchy of needs: if you are struggling to get the basics, you can never reach greatness. Worse still, if you are begging just to get through, you haven’t reached the point where you can improve on the parts of your character that need work.

At first look, this is a selfish virtue: “I am self reliant, I need no one, BLARGH!” The reality of it is, self-reliance is also the first step towards hospitality. Once you have provided for yourself, you can begin to help others grow and provide for themselves. It’s like your friendly flight attendant says: “If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask first, and then assist the other person.” You can’t help anyone if you’re gasping for air.

7. Truth:

"To ask well, to answer rightly,

Are the marks of a wise man:

Men must speak of men's deeds,

What happens may not be hidden." Havamal - Verse 28

"To a false friend the footpath winds

Though his house be on the highway.

To a sure friend there is a short cut,

Though he live a long way off." havamal - Verse 34

Truth is such an abstract concept/virtue. Of course it has to do with being honest, not lying, not obscuring the facts, but it’s so much more. That’s the easy answer, the surface. These qualities may be found in many people. The second part of Truth works with courage. It means being true: to your beliefs, to yourself, in the eyes of the gods and our ancestors. When everything is stacked against you and it would be easier to kneel and give in, Truth lets you stand tall and stick to your convictions.

Queen Sigrid was true to herself and her blood when she told Olaf Oathbreaker that she wouldn’t marry him if he intended to force her to convert. Many ancestors whose names have been forgotten faced a harder choice: death or conversion. The mass graves left behind by the Oathbreaker are a testament to their convictions.

8. Hospitality:

"Fire is needed by the newcomer

Whose knees are frozen numb;

Meat and clean linen a man needs

Who has fared across the fells," Havamal-Verse 3

"A guest should be courteous

When he comes to the table

And sit in wary silence,

His ears attentive,his eyes alert:

So he protects himself," Havamal-Verse 7

"The wise guest has his way of dealing

With those who taunt him at table:

He smiles through the meal,not seeming to hear

The twaddle talked by his foes" Havamal - verse 31

To our ancestors, hospitality meant actual travelers, and while this meaning is still important, it isn’t the only type of hospitality that can be included in our modern lives. A friend who has lost everything because of layoffs or some other tragedy may need hospitality while he gets himself to the point where he’s self-reliant once more. Hospitality is founded in compassion and community; it’s what allows a community to thrive. Think of a herd: they turn their horns out, putting the weakest in the center, leaving none to be picked off by the predators.

There is a big difference between hospitality and charity. Charity is a crutch, a gift; Hospitality is a leg up, a stepping stone to better places. The difference in my eyes is that in charity, the person might not be actively working towards the solution to their hardship, and when you give charity, it might be abstract: you give money instead of food. By offering hospitality, you’re helping someone continue their journey. You may give them food and shelter so they can continue.

There’s also another side to hospitality: your guest has rules to follow as well. The Havamal speaks at length about how not to take advantage of your host, and how one should act in the home of someone who has done you a kindness. Heeding this advice is crucial if you'd like to be offered hospitality once again, as your reputation as a guest will follow you.

9. Perseverance:

"It is always better to be alive,

The living can keep a cow.

Fire, I saw, warming a wealthy man,

With a cold corpse at his door." Havamal - Verse 70

The ability to trudge on through anything: perseverance. When every muscle aches, when your lungs are screaming, you keep putting one foot in front of the other. Each step brings you closer to your goal. As long as your legs keep pushing, you will reach it.

Verse 70 tells us it’s always better to be alive; as long as we’re alive, we can improve our situation. It’s when we die, when we quit, when we stop moving forward that we fail. To me, it’s the virtue I hold in highest regard. It embodies strength of character and hope. I sincerely believe that with those two things, you can get anywhere.

This is my code of behavior. It’s what I seek to embody in my actions and my thoughts. I am not perfect, so I don’t always succeed, but I wake up each day with the idea to do better than I did the day before.

I think, for the most part, the Nine Noble are compatible with the Society ideals of what a Knight should be. They aren’t exactly the same, but I personally don’t see any contradictions.

What do you think? Are they similar? Or are both codes altogether different? What other codes do you follow, or have seen? I’d love to hear different opinions and points of view.

WHO ARE YOU!

In retrospect, this should have been my first post, but I am more of a concrete person so I started with my armour.

So to fix this, please allow me to introduce myself...

Mundanely, I am a Pagan 30-year-old, a Daddy, and father of three. I was initially introduced to the SCA in 2007, and had the chance to dabble in it for a little bit, but realistically, I didn’t become heavily involved until I introduced my girlfriend into it last year, and it became a mutual passion. For me, finding the SCA was a homecoming. It was an incredible moment where I finally found a group of people that “fit” me. I was lucky enough to have been introduced to it by chance, and I haven’t looked back since.

I am primarily devoted to heavy combat within the SCA. I have always been into contact sports, and to me, fighting is the ultimate expression because it goes beyond being an analogue for war, and directly into being a fight. Everytime I step onto the field, it’s a little piece of Valhalla to me. The path I have taken so far has allowed me to compete in three tourneys: each experience taught me plenty. More important than any of the tourneys (at least to me) has been the practices. I try to get in armour at least once a week, and I have the habit of annoying my opponent with questions and requesting an analysis of my form between each match. I sincerely believe the best way to grow and improve is to understand what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong.

Off the field, my biggest interpretation of the Dream is working as a herald. I get the chance to sit with people that are trying to find themselves: not the person society has taught them they must be, but the person that they feel they should’ve been. And I get to help look for ways to achieve that! As a herald, you get to help them find and bring their personas to life. To me, the flying banners and painted shields are part of what makes the veil draw thin. They help transport you to the place beyond mundanity. If I am not on the field, you can almost always find me at Herald’s Point, looking for ways to help out.

Despite having two major interests within Society, I find that being well-rounded as a person is crucial for personal growth. Therefore, I’ve found amusement and learning in other skills as well. One of my most entertaining learning experiences focused on leatherworking: I thoroughly enjoyed making armour and belts, and it even became a bit of a profitable enterprise for a short length of time. I am now focusing on learning how to do more of the artistic things, such as tooling the leather. Next on my project list is a tooled leather scabbard for my seax, based on findings from York, and I’m currently trying my hand at writing poetry in alliterative verse, the style that would’ve been appropriate for my persona.

That is me in so many words. What I personally find much more interesting is my persona.

It is 944: the second siege of Constantinople by the Rus is happening, and the Rus control large swathes of the northlands. Rurik Ulfhamar, having fought ardently in the first siege, used his share of the spoils to purchase a ship, and with that his freedom.  During the first war, he found that he was Úlfhéðinn, a wolf skin-changer. On the field of battle, he fights with their fierceness; off the field, he gathers his friends and family around him. They form a pack, the crew of the ship, and a mercenary unit when other work is lean.

Ulfhamar is a small farmstead along the river between the Baltic Sea and Holmgård. It is here that the pack live and work during peaceful times, and spend their winter months waiting for the summer raids.

These are the basics of my persona and the blog, as it is my hope to further develop the first through the introspective discourse written in the latter.

This is a chronicle and a motivational tool to help me keep my path as far researching and bringing my persona to life. Event reports, research on aspects of Viking and Úlfhéðinn life & culture, armour that I am making, workouts & trainings, and any other thoughts that need working out. I have found that it’s harder to not to do something when in my mind I’ve formed a commitment to write about it.

We raise a horn to the Einherjar

Yesterday was the Feast of the Einherjar, the day when we raise our horns to the honoured dead. This is a very significant day to me in particular, and is one of the few days that the organized Asatruar groups hold that I keep. It is also Veteran’s Day, a day to celebrate warriors of all stripes: those who serve this country, and those that fight on Vigrid Plain.

The Einherjar are the warriors that have died in battle, chosen first by the Valkyries to go to Asgard, and then by Odin to go to Valhalla. Once there, they are said to spend their days fighting in practice for the Ragnarok, and their nights with all their wounds healed in merry making, and feasting in Odin’s great hall. A warrior’s afterlife.

What makes this combination of purposes so important to me? I fully believe that there is no greater honour and privilege than serving in defense of one’s nation, except perhaps serving in defense of one’s beliefs. My own recent ancestors served in the military, and they did so with pride, fighting in some cases for the freedom of our homeland that was lost so many years ago, and in some cases fighting for the new home that has gifted us so much. So I raise the horn to their glory and their spirits. All our ancestors were warriors, and fought to survive in a time that was more difficult and more fierce. They fought to give us the example of how to live our lives now, how warriors should comport themselves. They fought, and in many cases towards the end of the “Viking” age,  they gave their lives for their beliefs. So I raise a horn to their bravery in the face of martyrdom, and I pour a libation so they know they are not forgotten.

To honour my ancestors, I called my family around me, and we feasted together. Good, hearty food that filled our bellies, and drinks that warmed our bodies. As we ate, I raised my drink to the sky and gave a silent thanks to those who fight still, and a silent prayer to those who once fought that I might have the strength of their conviction. When the food had been cleared away and my libation poured, I called my children to me, and began a tale. I told them of Odin All-Father, of his helpers Huginn and Muninn, of his wolves Freki and Geri. I told them of the Einherjar and the honoured dead. Then we howled and greeted the moon.

Art by Pablo Fernandez http://thebastardson.deviantart.com/

The Road so far...

My development as a fighter thus far can be split roughly into four different sections.

The beginning: 2007, when I had no idea what I was doing or who I was going to be. We will call this The Loaner Kit. During this time, I was lucky enough to have his Grace, Duke Mittion, take the time to train me and loan me gear from his own armoury so I could fight. Loaner gear is (by definition) ugly, uncomfortable, or both. Still, I think I got off luckier than most. The only bad piece was the helm because I was so much smaller than it.

As far as I am concerned, every kit and every fight should teach you something so you can improve. The Loaner Kit is what I was wearing when I first saw Old Asgard fight. This is what made me lean towards a Norse-inspired persona. I also realized the importance of shoulder protection, and my dislike of basket hilts.

The Loaner Kit (2007)

Helm rustbucket- Large helm with egg crate padding. No matter what I did, I couldn't get all the rust off, and it had a huge gap that was unsafe against low thrusts.

Gorget-A dog collar gorget gift from Alda. Made from smurf blubber and leather.

Ancient leather breastplate- Simple leather breastplate with spaulders.

Gorgeous Stainless Steel Gothic Cross Cuisses and knees from Icefalcon. They were pretty shiny, blocked all hits, and heavy.

Splint vambraces and elbow cop.

Ratty old gambeson- plenty of waaagh

Basket Hilt Sword

Windrider Rectangle shield

The second step in my fighting career came 5 years later. I had left Trimaris and  completely lost the SCA. I had no way to get back into it while I was in Aethelmarc. It was a sad thing that I had just learned about fighting and couldn't find a way to get in armour. Finally, my exile from the field ended with my return to Trimaris. I cobbled together what I could, and borrowed the rest to start fighting again. This left me with a set that had me fighting my armour almost as much as my opponent. Sir Gõcauo was the one that gave me that advice, and I put it to work quickly to improve my kit.  Most of this kit has been put into the household loaner stuff so that others can get started.

My first real kit taught me that the heaviest leather you can buy doesn't necessarily make the best armour. The breastplate kept me from being able to effectively move my arms across my chest, which hampered me greatly. I also learned that I like my thighs, and they need something to protect them. My leatherworking started to improve and I could do more ambitious projects, but I still had a lot to learn, like how to bake wax-hardened pieces so they weren't covered in excess wax.

The Begining (2012)

Loaner Helm- Spun Top with camail sprayed silver.

Leather Gorget- gift from Augustine.

Silver Dragon breastplate- Fantasy inspired, heavy, stiff, couldn't cross arms. Dyed black with spaulders.

Floating knees and chain mail drape- The chain mail wasn't even steel, just aluminum. This made it light enough so as to be worthless

Bazubands- They were my first attempt at wax hardening. They protected well, but they were extremely difficult to get on and off.

Sweatshirt

Basket Hilt

Small Center Strapped Round

I became a fighter authorized and ready to go, but the time had come to stop borrowing and stand on my own feet. Thanks to my lovely lady Braenna, I was able to replace the hardest piece of my armour: the helm. As a gift, she bought me a spangen/barbute mix that looks amazing and deadly. It may be a little too good of a helm, as I miss shots that others tell me should have been good. The other windfall that helped me fall into my kit was a sale from a fighter getting out of the game. I got a huge lot for a small price and was able to replace my arms and legs with something that I liked much more. I was now a fully armoured fighter in my own right. I was still struggling with pieces, but at least I could go to an event and compete without bothering others for their gear.

It was now time to start putting lessons learned into making the kit a good one that I was comfortable with.

Authorized Fighter (Early 2013)

Half Barbute/Half Spangen. Awesome helm, exactly what I want. Dark colour, plenty of rivets to give it accents and a face plate.

Leather Gorget

Silver Dragon Breastplate, with chain mail underneath.

Leather cuisses and MS knees with wings. Finally some decent thigh protection

Leather vambraces, MS elbows with wings: good mobility, comfortable, but a little heavy

Black Gambeson.

Basket Hilt

Center Strapped Round

To that end, the first change I made came as a gift from a good friend, Vikarr, for getting him into the SCA. He gave me a Zoombang shirt, this allowed me to get rid of the clunky leather breastplate. It made me leaner and meaner, I could move and not feel so encumbered. This helped my endurance and my defense. Next change was fighting style: I moved to the axe and sword. This style is overlooked in SCA combat because of how slow the axe is. To me, the axe is a both a utility and defensive weapon. It is my primary block as well as entanglement. It gives the threat of another attack, which also keeps my opponent on their toes. To top it all off, to me it just feels like the fighting style an assault trooper would use. The final change that made my current kit was completely cosmetic. I replaced the knees with ones without wings. By hiding them beneath my Rus pants, my visible armour consists only of chain mail, helm, and vambraces. From what I've seen in my research, this is getting very close to what a Norse warrior of the late 10th early 11th century should look like, with the obvious changes for SCA safety.

Issues with the kit as it stands: The gauntlets were cheap, and so they don't move with my hands. This makes changing my grip on the axe difficult, something that would make the fighting style more effective. Visually, the fans on the elbow cops detract from the lightly armoured appearance. I would like to replace those with small fanless cops that would be less visible while wearing a tunic.

Current (End of 2013)

Barbute/ Spangen

Leather Gorget

Zoombang and Chainmail Shirt- butted galvanized chain

Leather Cuisses and Asgard knees- hiddden under grey Rus pants

Leather vambraces and MS Elbows

Leather Gauntlets

Red Tunic and grey fighting pants. Finally got period boots

Large Axe with head spike

Viking Sword with fixtures.

It's been a long time since I sat here and looked back on the changes my armour has gone through. It's astonishing to me how much it has changed in just a year. I have carefully made choices based on resources, and what I want the final product to look like, and it has started to get me where I want to be. The journey isn't done. I still have changes to make and things to learn, but I am happy with what has come so far.