HoW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NoRSE RELIGION? Stefan Brink ligion that the pagan religion that was supposed to have been in nce all over pre-Christian Scandinavia and Iceland was rather homogencous. Due to the lack of written sources, ic becomes difficul to say whether the ‘religion’ — or rather mythology, eschatology, and cule practice, which medieval sources refer to as forn O ‘ne often gets the impression from handbooks on Old Norse culeureand 4 ‘pure’ Old Norse teligion, uncorroded by Christianity since Scandinavia did not exist in a cultural vacuum.' What we read in the handbooks is based almost cr Stusluson’s representation and ion in his Edda of the pre-Ch religion of Teeland, together with the ambiguous mythical and eschat world we Find represented in the Poetic Edda and in the Grammaticus presents in his Gesta Danorum. This stanceis more orless presented without reflection in early scholarship, but the bias of the foundation is more In the textual sources we find a — Porr, Odin, Freyr, Baldr, Loki, i, Heimdallr,Ulle, Brag, Freyja, Frigg, Gefjon, 1dunn, ct cetera — and of how the gods acted and were characterized as individuals Since the sources are Old Icelandic (Saxo's work appears to have been b the same sources) one might assume that thisSei Brink Icelandic. However, evidence for the existence of this apparently Old Icelandic religious world salso found in other parts of Scandinavia, and an assumption that icis confined to Iceland i, as is well known, inaccurate. Some of the stories and mythical themes preserved in Iceland are also depicted on picture and runic ‘stones, and alluded to in runic inscriptions in eastern Scandinavia during the Viking Age. One such case isthe famous story of Pérr fishing for the Midgards- ‘ormr, a story that is told in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrdpa, the eddic poem Hymiskvi Gplfaginning in Snorra Edda, as well as being depicted on the ‘Altuna runestone in Uppland, Sweden, on the Horum stone in Thy, Denmark, and on a picture stone from Gosforth in England. “There is one important source that can qualify ourpiew of the pagan religion in early Scandinavia and that is place-name evidence. The problem with place names is that they represent only a fraction of the names once in use, although taken together the ones we know of represent a large body of evidence thar provides clues to which gods and goddesses were worshipped and where. Place hhames therefore provide a means of discriminating between written sources. ‘Another advantage with names is that they are unbiased; no individual deter- mined which names should be coined, and no one had the power to control the naming process, The names therefore represent the beliefs and actions of the ‘general population, with no hidden agenda or deliberate program. The othei advantage wich plac hat they provide a spatial dimeision to che dis- cussion, which makes it possible to use geography in the study of religion. “The study of place names relaced to the pre-Christian religion of Scandinavia thas oscillated in intensity over the last two centuries. The field was very highly esteemed in the nineteenth century and in the beginning of the twentieth cen- tury,‘ witha decline in interest from the 1950s, due to the contemporary critique of the romantic and nationalistic research agenda of earlier scholars and the lack ‘of source criticism in earlier research. This trend was very strongand changed the > See Preben Meulengracht Sorensen, ‘Tho Towa Norwegian University Pres, Insticue for samme Stcinsland, Norron religion pp. 199-202. Wekuleirforsening, Seti A, 9 (Oslo: Aschehoug, 19 | both groundbreaking w: HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? 107 direction of historical research in general in Germany and Scandinavia, especi during the 1960s The los extravaganees early Scholars alowed thems rd interpreting, reconstructing, and evaluating sources led toa backlash against the stadyof placenames in celation vo pagan religion Today theres definitly anew trend of focussing on pagan religion in Scandinavia,® and young scholars have dated again so age in cach which nce 1950+ and 19601 wa considrd to be controversial” No doubs the major research project Vagar till Midgard in Lundhassbo ben imporantinsopporingaistends ne ‘Animportant, butin many cases misleading contribution wasby Jan de Veies.” In the second volume of his Aligermanische Religionsgeschichte he presented several distribution maps with namesof godsand goddessesin Scandinavian place names, such as Odinn, Pérr, Ulr/Ullinn, Njordr, Freyr, and Freyja.’ Unforeu- nately de Vries missed many names and, more problematically, mapped a lot of names har did nothave atheophoricbackground or were very doubefuls the latter nymic research on Scandinavian pagan religion, a short article by Lars Helberg in 1986 on pagan place names in the province of Uppland, Sweden." This programmatic article was later followed up by two symposia, in 1987 (‘Old Norse and Finnish Religions and Cultie Place-names' in curning point was * New handbooks ae popping up likes Simek, Religion und Mytholgider German * See for example Joran Sahlgen's reviews in Namn och bygd, 25 $4, ae oe bye, 25 (1937), 183-84, and 46 ° Lars Hellber,Hedendomens spit upplindska ora irshifi(1986), 40-71. rnamnssillcaptsi Uppal108 Sion Brink land) and in 1990 (the 16th NORNA symposium ‘Sakrale navne! in 'enmark)."" Shortly chereafter came three Stand der Forschung articles the three doyens of Scandinavian onomastics a that time, Profestors jorsten Andersson (Sweden),'John Kousgird Sorensen (Denmark), andJorn Sandnes (Norway)* which represented the new attitude in the field. The most important modern workin the field, however, camein 2001 with a PhD thesisby Per Vikstrand on the sacral place names in the Lake Milaren region, a seminal work, which isthe obvious landmark for future research inthis field." In the present study I have chosen to analyse theophoric place names con- taining the names of the gods/goddesses Freyr, Odin, Pérr, Ullr/Ullina, *Niather/Njor¥r, and Tyr. In order not to drown in problems I have lefe out Freyja since there are particular linguistic difficulties involved in determining whether place names contain the name of the goddess or a word frey (< ‘rai referring to "(good) growth’! AsI stated above, but must emphasize again, the ‘names presented here are the ones that am as certain as Ican be are cheophori and they represent only a fragment of what once existed. Apart from the names discussed here, here are many other place names that arc also theophorie, namely settlement names with no medieval name evidence and minor names,offieldsand natural features, which also nearly alwayslack older written forms. Such namesare 2 shore historical overview of rescarch, se Lennart Elmeviky'Fornnordiska och svenska ortnarnn Sage och ed (19 Oresnamen Ostsandinavient, in Der der Ubergangepoche von der Spatantike zum I Hauck, Abhandhange ingbinde zum Reallesikon der germanischen Alrertumskunde, 5 (Berlin: de 508-0. rd Sorensen, ‘Haupteypen sakraler Orinamen Sidskandinaviens’ in Der by Hauck, pp. 228-40, " Vikserand, Gucdernas later "The name ofthe goddess has even been thought to be unatested in place names stance presented by Elmevik in Hyllningshrf til Las Heller, ed. by Svante Seandberg, Nomina Germanica,22 (Uppsala Upprala University Press 1995), pp. 107-15, HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? 109 ‘extremely interesting ro analyse and have a huge potential, bc the collection and analysis of material is overwhelmingly time consuming.’ that the spatial distribution of these later names corresponds closely ro the names nce they emphasize rather than contradict the spatial pattern ‘ow in the Appendix. The theoph ‘names formed using the name ofthe god Freyr are indi- ‘ated by the ge sland, Fraysbof, Frsakir, Frese) For S have included thirey-cight ‘certain’ Fros- names, and for Norway twenty-two ‘names, but here a larger proportion are uncertain. In Denmark we only have one “certain” mame with the god Freyr, namely the district name of Fros Herred on Jutland. Thi resents, of course, a considerable imbalance across Scandinavia. ‘Thisuncven distribution is actually even more pronounced. The Freyr names are very much concentrated in two regions: the first region — and by far the most im- ‘portant one — has its core around Lake Milaren in central Sweden, with names running along the eastern coast to the north and to the south, and to eastern ‘Vistergotland. The second region isaround Viken in Norway. Significantly, Frey ‘names are orally ackingin Trondelag, Nordland/Troms,and Rogaland. They are very rareinall Norway. and the few cases we have here are problematic and more ot less uncertain. We can also sce that the Freyr names are practically absent — apart fro Denmark and southern Sweden, We therefore get avery has a documented cue in the old Svea- ‘eannot be described Froshovin Trogstad, Ostk Froryshofue 1342). Also the three names t Froisi(Fresli 1669), tFreysland (Fross- anndt 1592), and tFreysakr (Frossagger 1592) in N. Land, Opland, look fairly ‘secure’, occurring more oress together ina small distrie, although alllack old name forms. An interesting but problematic name in Norway, which has been used as parallel in connection with the famous name Njardarleg, isthe farm name Fritlog in Sokndal in Rogaland, western Norway, reconstructed as tFrayile." This ° For importante see especially Vikstrand, Gdarmas plat See for examp gamle norske anaen Nanda Dybwad, 1905): and NSZ, p. Abbreviations a the end ofthe Appendix,Figure 1. The distribution of theophoric place names in Scandi containing the name ofthe god Freye (open circles are unes "ame was once used for a law __ HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? mn Feconstruction isnot obvious when we consult the fairly young the name: 00s, Fretlonn 1500s, Fotland, Frottlannd hhad a special role, presumably ina communal cule."” This ‘considered uncertain, in Uppland we have a ame of Frésthult (frostolpe 1314), containing the word OSw colps,referringoa minor district in theanciche ‘naval organization, the ledung. The distince pattern of Freyr names found in the old Svea-dominated area of ‘astern Sweden seems to corroborate the evidence of Old Norse literature. where Freyr is often called a soiagod (‘god of the Sviar’ Heaustleng, which names the Swedes as allar ony. ‘Theophoric place names with the name Ons- of Odens- In may material Ihave i forty-nine in present-day Sweden, c forway, and eleven in Denmark. ‘These names havea more even distribution than the Freyr names: they are found ‘more or less in all them ia with che exception, once again, of western Norway. For Sweden che majority of the Odinn names are again to be found around Lake Milare over Gataland do northern Swed Dalarna and Jémeland. The distribution of Odin names in Denmark is «ven. The exception is therefore western Norway (sce Fig 2).Figure 2, The distribution of theophoric place names in Scandinavia containing the name of the god Odinn (open circles are uncertain) HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? 13 Many of the names found in Norway are uncertain to some degree. Most cer- ‘ain are Onsike in Viler, Ostfold (Odensakr RB); the two, obviously connected, Onse the parish and Onso the hundred in Qstfold; and the lost tOdbinssal, very probably to be understood as the predecessor of Huseby in Onso. A parallel to _ thelacter name isa lost tOdhinssalrin Trondelag. In Denmark we have a couple ‘of very interesting names, especially three ODa (Wonsild, Onsild, and five ODa Othenswe (Odense, Oens, Va J-which Seem very secure. Tn Sweden we again Rave several fairly certain names, such as Onsicke in Hagunda, Uppland (i Odhenseke 1409) and Odensicke on Selaén, ‘Sodermanland (odhinseke 1365), seven Odenslund(a), five Odensvi, et noteworthy that there are ewo OSw Odbenssalrin Sweden asin Norway, one in Halland (Onsala) and one in Jimeland (Odensala). The Odensala in Arling. hhundra, Uppland should not be counced among these names, since it is a con rupted form of OSw Opinsharg'the cult site (bgrgr) dedicated to Odinn’. Notable the many Odinn names referring to topographical features, such as lakes, slands,and mountains orhills(Odensholmen, Onsjo, Onsberga, Odens Talla, interesting case are names referring to rapids, such as Ocdensfors in Tierp, Uppland, and ?Odensfors in Gullberg, Oscergotland. Difficult to inter. and assess, however, ae the many Odensland/Onsland found especially as jor names in Uppland.” «evidence with examples evenly spread all over Scandi fact che ease, but with some exceptions. Again the Dorr names are in central eastern Sweden, where found inthe province of Uppland. Bérr namesare se southern Scandinavia (southern Sweden and Denmai sway we again find the majority of Pérr names around Viken. In western Norway there is an ocea- sional name of rather uncertain background; in Trondelag these theophoric ‘names are missing altogether. Ik would come as no surprise if after closer analysis, western Norway also turned out tolack Pérr names. Itisalso noticeable that there are regional differences on asmallerscale.So for example western Viseergotland, Dalsland, Virmland, western Vastmanland, and Nirke lack Pére names; western ® See Kare Hod, Huseby gurders gamle navn: Huseby-Tesah, Hi Huseby: ns’ in site for mamnegransking: drmelding 1985 (Oslo: U io, 1985), pp. 119-325 Sef Brink "Hus, in Reallecitow dr germaniscen dlerumbunde, el by ‘Metnrich Beck and others, 2nd rev. dn (Belin: de Gruyter, 1968-),xv (2000), 277, ‘These names willbe discussed by Per Viksrand in a forthcoming atciT he tion of theophoric place names in Scandinavia name of the god Pérr (open circles are unc the problematic Norwegian Totland names (+), HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? us and northern Jutland likewise. The most plentifal occurrences are to be found around Oslo, in Uppland, and in southern Sédermanland. In Norway the majority ofthe Pérr names are ON Pérshof there are ten inal, all found in the south-cast part of Norway (Qsefold, Akersh: ‘Hedmark, and Opland) i Pirsnes. There are some very probles Totland, all found in western Norwa Fjordane). The reason foran ident let forms point in the direction ofthe - The other Totland cases teen forms, and they do not help us very much. The except Sogn and Fjordane (i Pothlandi BK, Thodlande 1563), which has an 3m with Poth-, not Pors...The Totland name in Daviken needs to be borne in mind in any discussion OF these names, and suggests it would be unwise to assume automaticaly chat all instances of Torland are survivals of an older “Thirsland. For Sweden, the overwhelmingly most frequent name containing Pérr as an element is Torslund| interrelated to Torsiker are Torsdng in Dalarna (< Thorsvanger) and Torsvalen in Valbo, Gistrkland(< Thorsvalder). There is one Torsv in Teogd, vshugle in Uppsala, Uppland, where the second element is the ‘mound’ probably ‘grave mound’). We may also note che famous agen on Gotland and the town name Tershilla in Sdermanland, which is a corrupe form of Thorsharg (in thorshargi 1288). In southern Scandinavia there isa Torsee in Villand, and a Torsager on Djursland, Jur The place-name evidence m:: ne Sin Brin Nea ferent typeof god fom the picrre we get from Snorti and from Old Norse poetry, a has been noted by several scholars * ose elsiv god inthe pagan Scandinavian pantheon s Uli known inOld rie of the seat Witter god, although he is nota central figure in Stories ofthe gods. The place names containing his name ine avery — differene picture. One gets the impression thae Ullr must have been a maj 4 HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? * Trondelag rotally Sweden or Denmark have any Ulleiin Girdby on Oland,aname creak ih Sfeney-sren Norwegian names consining Uk ot are uncertain’, such as Ulreng in Skedsmo, Akershus (Vilerengh RB) — one would deme a8 ane in place ame With ~ngh meadow” ws re ed clement — and as many a cight instances of Ulle\ing i in Oslo (a Ullaruale 1309), + Uda Figure 4. The d ‘theophorc place names in Scandinavia containing the name ofthe gods Ullr (+) and *Ullinn (+) (open ci incertain); also ‘the even more problematic Norwegian Ullleland nam: ion gechch "en Ull/Ullinn and O:/ Odin mayrr i For Sweden we have an astonishing ewenty-thre instances of Ullevi, ‘making © _Ulle he god by far che mos frequently connecred. toavi(‘pagan culesite’). There sxe five Ullunda,ewo Ullerke, and one Ultuna, the latet firm ot «chickens Taya the dstree called Uler iter in Uppsala, Uppland. As in Norway we alt haves couple of instances of Ullarvin, There ar also some elusive mane such as Ulbolsta, a parish district in Ullrikers hundred diseice, Uppland (de Dyabolsad 1316), Ulberstaa parish district anda hundred district in Skarkindh, abolstap 1367, af vllabolstadh 1371, jllaboolstadhe 1375), 'shundred district, Uppland (i Vllastempne ish district, Hanekind’s hundred dist and Uilekalvin Higby parish district, wundred (vllacalfF1337,iwllakalfive 1384), which seems to contain bat how these names are to be interpreted isa matter of debate* In Norway we seem to have place-namte @vidence For d f the cule of the god ON. ‘Niort, and in Sweden evidence of the cule ofthe, z sloven place namesin Norway containing the name ofthe god Njgrbe""The sg septefthese are the two Nordrhein Loiten, Hedmack (a Nerdthofue 1370) andin Ringerike, Buskerud (Nierdarhof sokn RB).Thenin addition wehanc tne instances of Njardarbeim and four of Njardarland. The Narlunda, five Nierdbavi,chree Nilberg 1 Norderén.” OF Particular interes is Nadie in Spings, Stockholm (narthavalf 14s) 2 (Sw form of Nierdbasa the same may be the case for Nala on Sean 1-02; Anders Hulegied, ‘Njbrde’ in Reallexihon, ‘by Beck and other, xxt (200 and Thorsten Andersson, Theophore Namen in i 5) 444, lens kulominder, pp. 50-56, iudarnas pla, p. 98. des HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? ny names probably Sodermanland (nerddestum 1334, nerdistom 1411), and these denoted some kind of standing idol connected to *‘Niztper. The distribution oe the Njird-names in Sweden isdistinct and regional. These names occur in cent «astern Sweden, with the sole exception of Norderén in Jametland. Denmark has ‘only a few uncertain names that may contain the name of the god/goddess Nizrth:oncis Nerum close co Copenhagen on Sjelland (Niartharum 1 others are the two Nerd on Fyn, which, according to John Kousgird Sorensen is corruption of Niertharhogh. f ai. god Tyr (< Pr-Germ. *Tiwaz, ef, Lat. reden has no examples of in Scandinavian place names is highly uneven. this god's name in any place name to my knowled, scholarship that the name of the large forest th: Vastergitland and Natke, Tiveden (< Taper), had = clement, but thisis impossible. Instead it may very well contain the related word shere godsand deities dwell ‘ON plut. var’ gods’ giving the meaning ‘the fo In Norway there is one place name coming T namely Tysnes (Tysnes 1330, Tysniess BK), a pai ON Njrdarlin Hordaland” The other place name disc Tislauan in Melhus, Southern Trondchg (Tisle NR 1559), Since we do no to draw definite name of che go Tyislegshencea par mn, the name of another "Tiwa-). Although he adduces some unskricand Old Greek, this suggestion must be considered sum up, in Norway we have one, perhaps rwo igthe cule of che god Tye. n sakraler Oresnamen Sidskandinavien’p.235, ce huleminder, p23.lement.”” There are sig jvc Tie (< Tisvitb), Four Tasbjerg, and three Tishej. The most well-known name is probably Tiss on Sjelland (Tisoe 1452), with a couple of parallels denoting a small lake which must have been dedicated to the god. Tisse has become one of the most important sites for understanding Viking-Age society in Scandinavia, thanksto the extensive archacological excava~ tons there.”* There can be no doubt that the cule ofthe god Tyr, connected to war and legal matters, was extensive in Denmark. Ie is however notable that Tye ‘names arelackingin Fyn, Langeland, Lolland, and Falster, makinga strange lacuna in the distribution in the middle of Denmark (see Fig. 5 ‘These are the gods and goddesses that we find in the Scandinavian place-name corpus (with the exception of Freyja, which I have not discussed). There are afew place names which have been assumed to contain the names of other gods and saddesses known from Old Norse literature, such s Baldr, Forse, Vidar, rig, and the otherwise unknown *Fillinn, ‘The name of the god Baldr is evidently nonexistent in Swedish place names, ‘but has been assumed in a couple of Danish and Norwegian place names. Danish ones, Baldersbet and Bollesager.are not conclusive, with only the for rngcandidare in my opinion. Among the few Norwegian namesincon: only Ballesholin Nes, Hedmark (a Balldrshole 1356, but a Baldissole 1358) idrsnes 1342, af Baldazncse 4B, Bollisnes uncertain is Basberg in Sema, » Unfortunately the older same have Baldrs-as the Denmark and Norway = See Bente Holmberg, "Den hedenske John Kousgird Sorensen pi tesindagen 6 "Navnescudierudg af last Jorgensen, "En storgied ra vikingeid ved Tiss, Sjlland: En forclobig, plat, centrale figor: Sambsillstrakturen ‘Compare Borolv Helland, ‘Sosile og sakrale utrykk i stadnamn: Freistnad pi ct ‘emaisering\ in Ortnamm isprik ach ramble ed by Strandberg pp. 125-82 (p. 131), ion of cheop! containing the name of the god Tyr (ope12 Sf nk indicating the existence of cule of the god Baldr, but the evidence i fragile and inconclusive. ‘The lose farm Forsetlund in Onso, Ostfold, Norway (i Fosettelundi RB, Forséttelund Ta80) has a very interesting name in an intriguing local context, of pagan cult Iehasbeen assumed, wid % istelement name is the name of the god Forseti, hence the name was ON Forsetalundr.” Older forms of the name support such an interpretation. IF this s correcta name is the only evidence in the Scandinavian place-name material — to my knowledge — ofacultof the god Forseti Thiselusive god is mentioned by Snort as Baldr’s son, and in Grimnismal 15 he is said to reside in Glitnir, a hall made of gold and silver, where he sits and mediates in legal disputes. The legal aspect of this god is also referred co in his name, which means ‘one who leads legal meeting athing.* Inand around che parish of Vang — the old Ridabu in Hedmatk (cast of Lake ‘Mjosa) — we have what is for Norway a unique ‘sacral landscape’, judging by the place names: Disen, dker, Vang, Tersbov, and Vidarsbov. This place-name milieu hasbeen observed and discussed fora long ime. Unfortunately theevidenceis not asclear as it appears from the present-day forms. The name Vidarshov has been understood as an ON Vidarshof, evidencing the cult of Vidarr, the son O3inn begot with the giantess Grid, killer of his father’s killer at Ragnarok. The older forms ofthis place nameare, unfortunately, norall that old — no medieval forms are known: Wirishaugh c. 1550, Wiersogh 1578, Virso 1574-97. From this it seems rather adventurous (to put i mildly) to reconstruct an ON Vidarshof. Instead the name seems to be an older ON Virishangr, containing a man’s name or perhaps Virfir, known from V¢lup. and haugr (grave mound’), Such ‘name has at east afew Swedish parallels, with aman's nameas the fist clement and the word OSw hegher burial mou! second, often referring toagrand grave mound, for example Hiles (< Hildishogh 1310) in Uppland seferring to the grave mound Hilleshigen.” The usual explan: the name Torshovisalso questionable. Older forms of the name, such as Torseg 1520 and Torsogh 1578, 1593, actually point inthe same direction as Vidarshov, to an ON Barshaugr of Périshaugr, the laccer containing the man’s name Péri. Although there ate Mattias Tveitane, Forset in Realesson, ed, by Beck and others, (198), 343-45. ™ Compare the tide of leeland’s president, Forse Islands. Karin Callsendotf, Oronamn i Uppland (Stackholm; AWE/Geber, 1986), p.34 HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? ns parallels co the first clement being a man’s name, one cannot rule out the possi- bility that we have here the names ofthe gods Pérr and Vidarr, while the second both names looks like -haugr ‘burial mound’ Icis impossible to be er ease, due to the lack of old (medieval) forms of the names. The goddess Frigg, Odinn’s wife according to the Poetic Edda and to Snort, does not occur very frequently in Old Norsliterature, and the sameis true for the toponymic material: we only have knowledge of her cult ‘names. These are Friggeriker a parish and hamlet in Gi Falbygden, famous for it ancient monument in figieraker 1311, in friggiaraker 1323, iggerakers sokn 1423); and the lost farm name tFriggjarsetr in Hegra, northern Trondelag, Nor- way (af Fryggioserre 4B). The Swedish name has normally been seen asa definite instanceof thename ofthe goddess Frigg, The earlier ame formscorrespond well with the expected Friggiar-, and the second element of the compound, the word ‘thr ‘arable and’), gives the place namea main element thatis semantically plausi- ble. However, since chis may be a unique case, Lennart Elmevik has presented a incerpretation.”* He sees the word ON fridgerd (‘making peace, conciliation’) in che firseclement ofthe name. The name has, in hisopinion, gone ridger ds look: iqgiusetr, indicating a woman's name “Friggja, or perhaps an otherwise unknown weak variant of the ‘goddess name Frigg, The Norwegian name is problematic and a connection with he name of the goddess Frigg can certainly not be taken forgranted. “Finally we wg of the god{?) Fillinn. inthe central part lement district of Vige in Gudbrandsdalen, Opland, Norway, we have row: Ullinsyn, which also is the vicarage in the parish (a ygin 1345, i Lyghine 1360, a Lyghini lcnsorcr 1446): there are hence three Elmevik, ‘Hime och Frggeriker, Nam ach bygd, 83 (1995), 67-77 edenste kuleminder,p-207.po Sin Brink HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? Ls related names, ON Ullinsin, Ljgin and Filinsin, which could be parts of an original, subsequently divided *Vin. Magnus Olsen, who first drew arcention eq these names, considered that one of chem, Uiinsin, rm name contain. ing the name ofthe god Ulin. There can be no doubs that he is right. gin seems to haveas the frst clement jes witha pa Njgrde/"Nizeber, Tyr, and probably Freyja, There are s of a cult of Baldr, Forseti, and Frigg. The evidence indicate chat there wasan actual cule ofall of che; some indi 1g oF my analysis of the place-name mat cules seem to have been distin al in many cases. |_Sweden and Denmark, around Viken and in Trondelag in Norway, but strangely in Norway. Pérehadaculein Sweden, Denmark, and Vi tarcog < presbee Hrred on Jutland. Ullrhas a areas, the Svea region in east ‘Trondelaghas no names and we has no evidence of acule of Neither appears in Old Norse literature, only in place names, but at leat Ullinn, che evidence seems plausible and has never been question “ structed *Fillinn isin Olsen's opinion from a Pr-Germ, “Filfin ¢nand the Viken region in Norway, Norway has some uncertain ones. Germ. ela “arable land and he considered the god to bea hypostasis of Fee In suppore of tumption Olsen points to the probably related name pi Finnish god Pellonpekko. To unt — according to the place iame does not occur in Swedish place names. In Norway we find ‘Tyenames in western Norway and possibly in Teondelag Thisisastrongindication chat the pagan ‘religion’ in early Scandinavia was never }ogencous. There were obviously regional cules of certain gods and goddesses, had adistinee regi che Svea-dominated area in Sweden nin Norway. The cult of Conclusion This spatial and toponymical exercise has revealed heya as suggested by Old Ne the toponymic material According pla andeeven fewer goddesses were the objects ofan * Olen, Hedenske kulominder pp. 103-30.126 Scan Bronk Appendix Theophoric Place Names in Scandinavia” Freyr Norway sti, Vanse hd, Ver-Agder 1394) 2rosvik, Ullensvang hd, Hordaland (Frysuig 1500s) (af Feysin 22. ?Froiset, Veo, More (Froserter 1500s) Sweden 1.21 Freshogaena Uppsala, Uppland (freshoguna 2. Fréslunds, sn, Lagunda hd, Uppland (De fo 3. Fos, Tllinge sn, Asunds hd, Uppland (fro 2 Anulyed and eked fom the medieval regi Medes’ at SOFL, Uppal Olsen, eden hulminder Kousgied Sorensen Hany rales OnsnamenSidskandine ‘gud Tyr’ and Vikstrand, Gudarmas pla, HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? wy 4: Festhole sn, Simeuna hd, Uppland (De fostolpe 1314) rslundum 1356) - Danderyds sh, Uppland (Frvk 1369, fridewik 1424) resbobergh 135 ésshammar, Arboga lf. Akerbo hd, Vistmanland (oshamat 1291) rev, Kolbacks sn, Snevringe hd, Vistnanland (in froswi 1331 Frosvi, Romfarcuna se, Norsbo hd, Vist: Selebo hd, Sodermanland (i fiayslutam S620, frslunds 1314) inds, Overselé sn Selebo hd, Sodermanland™ frosundum 1346) hd, Sodermanland (frostuna 13 vik, Oppeby sn, Kinda hd, Ostergadand (foswy 1307) Frost, Rystads sn, Akerbo hd, Otergtland (in Fropstadhum 1354, in Frosathumn 1354) Viola a tenis sn, Méckelby hd, Oh rove sm, Vadsbo hi, Vistergdtland (Frew Froslunds, Sunnersbergs sn, Killands hd, Vistergicland (Foslwnde 1470s) 2. tFrélunds, Kikindsh 94) 33, Fredaberg sn, Vadsbo 39, Sundsvall, Medelpad (i fowerther 1535) 37. Frosand, Bj sa, Angermanland 1 1500, i fsland 1519) 38, Fron, land and sn, Jmtland (De frase Fros Herre, hd, yland(Frosheree 1231) ie is very difficult to determine which Friddanda in Overselaé patch (Frddunda or Kilfibdunda) older Forms in medieval documents are tbe ientied with1s Sif Brink Njgrdr/*Nizrper Norway 1. Nexdrum, Fechd, Akershus (i Nizedarini 1363) 2.Nordethow, Loiten hd, Hedmatk (a Nerdshofue 1370) 3.Nordethov, sn and hd, Buskerud (ON Njardarhof, NSZ p. 234) 44 Narland, Narbo hd, Rogaland (Nordelandh, 1520) 7. Neland, Eresfjotd, Neset hd, Mere (Nondlandz sokn 4B) 8. 2Nardo, Strida hd, STrondelag (i Niedole 48) 9. Naum, Rygge hd, Ostfld (af Nerdheimam 1320) 0. Nal, Brunlanes hd, Vestfold (Nasardhcim RB) arcim, Suldal, Rogaland (Netena, Nerem 1567, Nesimb 1602, Neri 1610) rei, Fcberg hd, Hordaland (Niardhuims kn 1326) 13. Neem, Slt hd, Mare (af Nerdhcime 4) Sweden 1. Nordetén, so, Jameland 2. Nattuna sn, Linghundra hd, Uppland 5. Nasa, Spinga sn, Sollentuna hd, Uppland 4. Nislunda, Eker sn, Fireneuna hd, Uppland 5. Narlunda, Badelunda sn, Siende hd, Vastanlind 6. Naslund, Gsinge sn, Dag hd, Sodermanland 7. Nislunds, Husby-Oppunds sa, Oppunds hd, Sdermanland 1. Naberga,Tysebergasn, Rin hd, Sodermanland 9. Naberga, Svarta so, Ron hd, Siermanland 10, Naav, Kedcklinge so, Hardemo hd, Nike 11, Nalberg. Hardemo sm and hd, Nitke (Natby),Drothems sn, Hammarkinds hd, Ostergland ssn Hanckinds hd, Oeergland 16, Mjidevi, Hogstads sn, Géstrings hd, Ostergétdand 17 Nallsa, Vetere a, Selebo hd, Sidermanland (nerddestum 1334, nevdiszom 1411) Denmark |. Neerum, Copenhagen, Sjlland (Niatharum 1186) 2.NeraN, Py Nath Soy * See Vikstand, Gudarnas plate, p. 98, supplement with Nata * See Kousghsd Sorensen, ‘Hauperypensakrler Ortsnamen Sidskandinavcns HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? ny Odinn Norway 1. Onsker, Verh, Onl (Odensakr RB) 2.Onso, hd. Ostold (ON Oins0y, sce NG 1.309) 3.100in 7.2Osland,Kirkebo hd, Soge og Fordane (a Odenslande 1322) §.2Odand, Kinn hd, Sogn og Fjordane (Odenalande BK; Odhenslandh 1500s) 9. Onsdien, Buviken hd. Trondclag (af Odinayn 10. Onsoien, Byneset hd, 8. Trondelg (Otthenso 1500s) 11, 1Odinssl,Betstad ha, N. Trondelag (sce NSL p.240) 3. Ons, Tierp, Uppland ‘4 Onslunds Tensa sm, Norunda hd, Uppland (pu vllam Odinslande 1302) 5-Odensland, Soderby-Karl sn, Lyhundra hd, Uppland (jo 6, Odenslunda, Frese sn, Vallencuna hd, Uppland (de 1409) 7.4Odensholmen,*Ostra Ryd sn, Danderyds kl, Upplan 8. Odensholmen, Sk 24Odinssalic, Sala sn, Overtjrbo hd, 1Oddensvi, sn, Akesbo hd, Vistmanl ‘Onsholmen lst sn, Scnde hd, Vist POnsj, Fagerta, Vistmanland (ons 14, 10dens6, probably in Munktocps sn odinzo 1485) 15, Odensv Viby sn, Grimstens hd, Orcbro, Natke (i odhinswi 1385) 1Odenslunda,Aspo sn, Selebo hd, Sadermanland (Onthinalundum 1486, Onsayo 1539) rertinge hd, Vastmanland (aff odisi,iodinzoo, 20, Odensbergs, Gry 21, Odensicke, Yeerseld sn, Slebo hd, Sodermanland (in 22, 1Odenso, probably in Roni hd, Sidermanland ( oden for, Vietakos- 130 Sein Brink 26.?Odenstad,Gilbergasn and hd, Varmland innan Odinstadum 1355,Jodhenstadhus 27. Ons6n, land, Segerstads sn, Grums hd, Varmland (een 08 ok heer Odhinsba 148 28, Vingsginde, Ora sn, Dalarna (odensgerdhe 1539) 29. Odensla, Ostersund, Jamdand (i odhinsal 1410, jodisall 1430) 30. Oden, Barnarps sn, Teta hd, Smalund (odhensioo, odhenssoo 1394, i Odhenso 1456) 31. Odenso, sn, Sunnerbo hd, Smalan (i odhinaredha sokn 1389, Odhensoryth 1413) 32, Odenslands, Vedenlvs sn, Kinnevaldshd, Smiland (i dhenddandom 1406) 38. Odensvi sn, S. Thus hd, Smiland (i Odenszwij 1358, in odhinsw 1371) 34 Odensv, Hogyby sn, Handbéeds hd, Smiland (in Ochensw 1351) 35. 1Odensd, probably a small island in Emin, Hogsby sn, Handbrds hd, Smaland (raque insulam Odensoo 1344) ‘36, Odns alla, a well in Akatorp, Gudhems sn and hd, Vistegédand (wih odhens kyaldu 1287) 37. Odensiker, sa, Vadsbo hd, Vastergidand (Othensaker 1292, odhensaker 1313) 38.Onso island in Lake Vanern, Tors s, Vadsbo hd, Visrergadand (insole dct ochenso 1371) 45. Onsala sn, Five hd, Halland (de Ochansale 1300, aff Otensele 1403, 1 Odensle 1490) 46, Ons, Vapno 0 Sondrums sne, Halmstads hd, Halland (in Oothenso 1377, Odhinsye 1399) 47. Onslunds.sn, ngestads hd, Skine (aff Othenslunde 1401, Othinslunds 1430) 48. PO salle kill’ boundary mark in H63¢, Hr sn, Frsts hd, Skine aff Onssallekille 1517) in Othens H. 1351, 1 Odensharade 1351, in 100 Vib, in othinshaet 1330) 9. Onsbjerg sn, Sanso (Othensberg 1424) “© Many thanks vo Dr Peder Gammetoi The Name Research Section, Dept. of Scandina vian Research, University of Copenhagen for help with identifications and written records. HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? Br 10. Odense, Fyn (Oshenesuuigensem 988, OASVI 101835, Odansucc.1075, Othense, Othensa 1123) 11 Onsved,Skuldelev sn, Horns hd, Sjalland (Othense 1085, Othansweth 1320) Pore Norway 1. $Towshoy,Troguad hd, Onfld (i povofobsrghom RB) 2 Tories, Borge hd, Ost (borsnes 1400) 3. FToe(< Torshof in Tones, Borge hd, Onl (Toe 15005) 16, Totland, Alversund hd, Hordaland (af bonlande 1175, orland 1427, Thotland 1463, ‘Torland 1490) 7. Torsnes,Jondal hd, Hordaland (porn 5 Toland, Hosanger hd, Hordaland 6.Todand, Masiorden hd, Honda 7 Todland, Davikea hd, Sogn og Focdane Sweden 1. Torshuge, Uppsala, Uppland (i Torvighom 1415,chorshuglaland 1418, orsughlum 1430, jorsughlum 1440, cen wreet nest sancti pederskyckia Aff ocala bags lggandes tors bakka 1483 2-Torsunds, Tiesp sn, Us 3. Torslund, Almunge sn, Nirdinghundra hd, Uppland 4. FTorsbro, Ramsta sn, Hagunds hd, Uppland (toby 1d (orlunds 1544)132 12 Torlunda, Singa sn, Firencuna hd, Uppland (Thorslundam 1257), 13 Torsunda, Husby-Lyhundea sa, Lyhundra hd, Upplan 19 Torker sn, Rnd hd, Sodermanland (De borske 20. rTorsholmen, (island in the lake Biven) Helgcsa sn (Thordsholm 1447, Torsholmen 1480, Tosholmen 1502) 21. Torsha, rown, Sodermanland (chorsharchum 1252, thorhargy 1279, inthorsharg 1288) 22. Tors island in Biven) Ludgo s, Ron hd, Sdermanland (women 147 23. Torsberga, Stenkvista sn, O-Rekaene hd, Sodermanlan isinge hd, Sodermanland (©. Ryds sn, Skirkinds hd, thorsydhe 28. Torslund, 0. Stenby sn, Ostkinds hd, Ostopitland (thorlundh 13 29, ?Torsnis,O, Eneby sn, Nowoping, Ostergicland (choorsnas 1453) 30, ?Torsns,V. Har sn, Viotka hd, Ostergtland (¢Toesnes 1488) j thooydhe 1376, | Thorslunde 1412) 32. Tonikes,H 33. Tosburgen, 38, Torso, O. Torsis sn, Konga hd, Smiland (in Torso, parochia Thorsas 1348) 39, Outta Torss sn, Konga hd, Smaland (i Thorssa sok 1403, i rorsas 1474) thorsrydh 1424) Vasergoland (jn thors 06 lo and Spicon) Killands 1. Vadsbo a, Vistergidand (de vosve 1293, n thors 1309, thors 131 HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? 13 47. Tome, loep sn, Marks hd, Vistergiland 48 Torsis, Bruns sn, Redvags hd, Vastergtland (i Torsiese 1540) 49. Toslands, sn, V. Hisings hd, Bohusln ( Porsandum 1388, Thorlanda RB c 1400) 38, thorsang 1336, Thorsunge 1387, Thorsange 1368, 54. Torso, Gunnarps sn, Halland (jtorsidh, corsid 1455) 55, ?Tony, (small ake) Ensovs sn, Toners} hd, Halland (Thoreso 1452) 536. Toro Solberga and Ors snr, Vemmenhogs hd, Skine (de Thorsyo 1349, horse 1428) 57. Torsck,Fjalkestad sn, Villands hd, Skane (y Thorsseeghe 1551) Denmark 1. Torslunde Sjelland (Torsunds 1308) 2. Torslunde, olla (Torsund 1200) 3. Tosslund, Fyn (Thorslinde 1315) 4: Torsager,Djuesland, Judand 5. Tonbjerg Schlesvig Ulle Norway 2Uovet,Eksberg hd, Ostold(VUepe 2, Ullaroy,Skjeberg hd, Osefold (larry 3. Ulleen, Aker hd, Akers 4. Ulleval Aker hd, Akershus (a Ulaeuale 1309) eng, Skedsmo hd, Aksu 13, ?Ulleland, 0. Eker hd, Buskerud (Wllakinddh 1430) land, Fesberg hd, Buskerud (Vllelannd 1500s) Ullevken, Sem hd, Vestfold Uleberg,Brunlancs hd, Ves-. © 134 Sif Brin HOW UNIFORM WAS THE OLD NORSE RELIGION? 135 23, 2Ulland, Hitter hd, Ves-Agder (Vlelan 24, {Ulleland, Narbo hd, Rogaland (Uilelnd 25, 2Ullenes, Rennese hd, Rogal 26,1Ulland, Samnanger hd, Hordl 27. 2Ulleland, olden hd, More (or Vllarlande 1324) Sweden 1.1 Ulland(s) Kungahusby so, Teogd, Uppland (jwllelund 1457) 2 Ullbolsta,Jombil sn, Ullerikershd, Uppland (de vlabos 3, Ullunda, Tilinge sn, Asunda hd, Uppland (i Vlalunde 1353) 4 Ub, Tilinge sn, Asunda hd, Uppland (Vilabro 1444, jolabro 1445) 5. Ulletker, hd, Uppsala, Uppland (varakir 1298) gland (vlerwi 1278, ler 1293) inds hd, Vastergodand (de wllsio 1314, vlasio 1406) in wilawi, in llawy 1346) hd), Smiland (Wau 1350) in labeled 1316) 46, Ullv, Leksands sn, Dalarna (jvilevi 1450) rg. Njarunds, Medelpad(llcbergghe 1472, lleberg 1500, Wllebirgh 1502, ivlleberg, 1515) 48.1 Ulli, Hacks so, Jameland Ullinn Norway 10, Ullsedmma,Lislena so, Trogdshd, Uppland (i Vilstempne 141 ea Ullerdker, Simrana sn and hd, Uppland (llerakyr 1346, jVlarakt 1: 4.1Ullinsvin (Vige viearage), Vige hd Opland (aViinsin 1354, a Vlinsini 1356) 5. Ullensaker,N. Land, Opland (Vilinssakars sokn 1337) 6. Ultker, Hemsedal hd, Buskerud (Vilsack 1500s, Vlensagger 153, Vlendtzagger 1604) 7.Ullenwvang sn and hd, Hordaland (Ulinvangs 1309) 4. Ulleland, Forde hd, Sogn of Fjordane (i Ulinslande BK) ‘Ullev, Overima s, Oknebo hd, Sodermanland 15. Ullevi,Sorunds sn, Sotholans hd, SBdermanland (wilaut 1400. \llawy 1452) ‘Ulli, Gasinge sn, Daga hd, Sodeemanland ( Abbreviations a Aa Basford. by. A Mh (Oop 1852) [1430-405] vg ‘ory afin, by PA. Munch (Oso: pa) 1843) [1360 Goh Goche ha andre dir (hed, her) i landsfamlng Mre Mile Fsian ML Mile Low German NG Nene Gardnarn,19 vols (Oe: Cammeomees, pace ee NSL Arable Sides Semin Soe Ode 30, Ulla, V.Stenby sn, Aska hd, Ostergdan 231, Ulinis, Orberga sn, Dals hd, Os ops Old Danish (cF Ulavison beeween Rinkeby 1, Nath (Ulleyiharmpa