Domalde

Lore & Background

Domalde was the son of Visbur and a legendary Swedish king of the Yngling dynasty. According to Snorri Sturluson, his stepmother cursed him with ósgæssa, or 'ill-luck,' and his rule was marked by bad crops and starvation. The first autumn, the Swedes sacrificed oxen at the temple at Uppsala, but the next harvest was not better. The second autumn, they sacrificed men, but the following crops were even worse.

Reader's Guide

Domalde's significance lies in the stark illustration of the sacred bond between a king and the land's fertility in Norse tradition. The belief that the king's luck directly affected the harvest led to his sacrifice when all other offerings failed. The account, preserved in Snorri Sturluson's Ynglinga saga (1225) and the earlier Ynglingatal (9th century), shows how desperate communities might turn against their leader. The Historia Norwegiæ also summarizes the tale. Domalde's story underscores the precarious nature of kingship in pre-Christian Scandinavia, where a ruler could be held accountable for natural disasters. His son Domar succeeded him and enjoyed a prosperous reign, contrasting with Domalde's tragic end.

Did You Know?

• Domalde was cursed by his stepmother with ósgæssa, meaning 'ill-luck'.
• The Swedes first sacrificed oxen, then men, before finally sacrificing Domalde himself.
• His blood was sprinkled on the statues of the gods at Gamla Uppsala.
• Domalde's son Domar succeeded him and his reign was prosperous.