After a standard feud between two males, a ghost was created to torment the individuals on Hleiðrargarðs farm. Thus, the Hleiðrargarðs-Skotta and her legendary haunting began, some say it even escalated in her beginning a plague, killing each cattle and males.
Round 1740 to 1770 there lived within the northern a part of Iceland, at Árgerð a farmer named Sigurður Björnsson. Folks considered him as a smart man, though, it’s stated that after, in early summer season of 1764, he went west below the Glacier to commerce fish and acquired into hassle of the ghostly variety. .
Learn extra: Take a look at all ghost tales from Iceland
He met a sure man, typically stated to be Reverend Benedikt Pálsson in Miklagarðu, that he disagreed with about enterprise and a quarrel arose between them, escalating right into a combat. Sigurður was robust and forceful in his dealings, and he threw the opposite below him and gave him some blows. When the person stood up, he swore an oath towards Sigurður and stated he would repay him earlier than the yr was out earlier than he left.
The Creation of The Hleiðrargarðs-Skotta
Since then they have been nice enemies and fought a combat nobody was profitable. As soon as Sigurður acquired the higher hand over the priest, and the priest took it very badly, and subsequently as soon as set out west to Hjarðarholt to go to his brother Gunnar. He was often called probably the most expert in magic within the nation at the moment. Benedikt advised him every thing about his dealings with Sigurður Björnsson and requested for his assist. Gunnar promised him this, and after that Benedikt rode dwelling.
Within the spring Sigurður moved to Hleiðrargarður, for he bore the priest’s oppression badly. That spring somebody got here to the clergymen window at Mikligarður and referred to as the priest exterior. Gunnar, his brother, had woke up a ghost three nights after she had died. She stated he had signed her with the cross and given her the sacrament earlier than she left dwelling. She stated she was 25 years outdated, however that it had been fated for her to reside 100 years if all had gone as destined. She instantly requested him what she ought to do. He stated: “Go to Hleiðrargarður and kill Sigurður Björnsson.”
Fylgur/Fylgja: The Previous Norse Ghost
There have been many various kinds of ghosts in Norse mythology and that the vikings believed in. One in every of them was the Fylgjur or Fylgja ghost, or Attending Spirits that we will discover traces again in Iceland for the reason that twelfth century. These have been initially a ghost of a really bodily substance that interacted with the actual world as in the event that they have been part of it nonetheless.
Learn Additionally: Take a look at the Irish Fetch ghost, that has an enormous resemblance to the norse Fylgja.
Fylgja connected themselves to folks that they haunted. They may additionally connect themselves to buildings and even whole cities. Many tales additionally discuss it being a generational haunting the place the ghost decides to hang-out the entire descendants of the unique individual it cursed. Most frequently the feminine line of the household. Maybe due to its origin as a feminine spirit.
Within the Fylgjur tales from the center ages, the spirits could possibly be a helpful one, nearly like a messenger to assist with the individual’s path of life, some kind of totem animal or guiding spirit. However when the folklorist of Iceland began amassing outdated oral tales from farmers within the seventeenth century, the Fylgjur ghosts had drastically modified from its pagan outdated norse roots, all through time, non secular perception and superstition.
One factor that actually modified was the Fylgjur’s objective of haunting the dwelling, and it was hardly ever to be of any assist. Many tales discuss how they have been wronged and it induced their loss of life. They then got here again to take revenge and have been harmful, even lethal.
Feminine Icelandic Ghosts
One of many in style names for the feminine ghosts was Skotta that actually means to dangle, like hair or a tail. This comes from the normal Icelandic headwear girls wore along with the Faldbúningur attire worn for the reason that seventeenth century. Besides the ghosts are stated to have the headgear on backwards so it streams behind her like a tail.
Skotta falls below the Previous Norse Mythology of a Fylgja, that have been supernatural spirits that adopted or latched onto individuals. They could possibly be animals, they could possibly be goddesses or are available in goals.
However the tales of the Fylga advanced and after we examine Skotta, they weren’t like totem animals or somebody coming along with your prophecy like within the outdated sagas. Icelandic ghosts are sometimes described as being not like apparitions, however in actual flesh that interacted with the dwelling. And after we examine Skotta, the feminine model, she was extremely harmful and likewise lethal.
The Haunting of The Hleiðrargarðs-Skotta
Right now there lived at Krýnastadir, the following farm to Hleiðrargarður, a person named Hallur, referred to as Hallur the Sturdy; he was second-sighted and had typically seen ghosts and handled them. It’s stated that one night within the autumn following the summer season when Sigurður got here again from the dried-fish journey, Hallur was standing exterior in his farmyard. Then Hallur noticed a ghost within the form of a lady coming alongside the street; she was small of stature, in a purple bodice and a brown skirt that solely reached to her knees, with a tasselless cap and brief clothes. When the woman noticed Hallur, she meant to show apart, however he stepped in her manner and requested who she was. She stated her identify had been Sigríður Árnadóttir or Sigga. He requested the place she got here from and the place she was going. She stated: “To Hleiðrargarður.” “What are you to do there?” “To kill Sigurður Björnsson,” she stated. In some variations Hallur struck her throughout the cheek in order that she tumbled down. She then ran on her manner, and sparks flew from her steps.
He was a person of nice stature and really expert in magic, however he was additionally a fantastic enemy of his neighbor Sigurður. Hallur later stated that Skotta wouldn’t have gone farther had he been a higher good friend of Sigurður.
Hleiðargarður is the closest farm to Sandhólar. Someday, throughout a winter vigil at Sandhólar, a display window was positioned over the mattress of an outdated lady who was within the rest room. The outdated lady vaguely hears what’s being stated on the window and asks who’s exterior and she or he hears it stated: “Sigga. Sigga” – and is requested on the similar time: “The place is Hleiðargarður?” The outdated lady says that it’s the subsequent farm up the hill after which she takes the display off in order that she will see this Sigga. The moonlight was exterior and the outdated lady noticed that she was sitting by the window and was squinting on the moon.
That very same night Sigurður lay in his mattress, and it so occurred that there was a window above it. The opposite individuals within the sleeping-room have been awake. Sigurður all of a sudden sprang to his toes and requested: “Who referred to as me?” He was advised that nobody had referred to as him. He lay down in his mattress once more and fell asleep, however sprang up once more as quickly as he had slept and stated that absolutely somebody had now referred to as him. He was advised once more that it was not so. When he had lain a short time, individuals noticed him look out the window and heard him say: “Ah! So that’s how it’s?”
He went then to the door of the sleeping-room, lifted the open door with one hand, and turned himself apart on the doorway, and other people heard him say loudly: “If there’s anybody right here who needs to seek out Sigurður Björnsson, there he’s,” and on the similar time he pointed together with his different hand at a foster-boy or shepard, Hjálmar, who was sitting and carding wool on the bench reverse the doorway.
Instantly the boy was flung off the bench and onto the ground; he rolled about there with commotion and contortions as if he have been being strangled. Then Sigurður demanded a whip and flogged the boy throughout; then he calmed down a little bit and was laid up into mattress once more. His physique appeared then swollen and bruised; he suffered such matches three or 4 instances that night time, and step by step from then on till early within the winter, when in a single such match the boy died. His corpse appeared tremendously swollen and bloated, with plainly seen black finger-marks of the ghost.
After this the ghost adopted Sigurður and his youngsters and even all of the individuals of Hleiðrargarður. She preferred to stroll round Hleiðarður with lighted torches searching for him, however for some years Sigurður prevented her. However he was by no means with the frequent individuals after she got here to him. He was typically seen within the summers alone strolling across the discipline.
Usually second-sighted males noticed this woman who was referred to as the Hleiðrargarð-Skotta, named after her cap from which the tail stood up from her head. She was most frequently seen peering up over some beam, particularly in individuals’s doorways, and a cat was stated to flee there on the similar time. Sigurður at all times defended himself towards her, however she killed his livestock little by little. Even the sheep at neighboring farms have been taken and have been so bruised and blue and fully unfit to eat. She was credited with killing one man, Sigurður of Nes, a great farmer; he fell into epilepsy and died of it.
Binding the Skotta
When her violence started to develop so fierce, a beggar from below the Glacier got here into the district, named Pétur and generally referred to as Glacier-Pétur. He was very expert in sorcery, however at all times used his artwork properly. Pétur stated he would assist him towards this satan, and one night time he went away, took the ghost with him, and sure it to a fantastic earth-fast stone in a spot between Strjúgsá and Vallir in Saurbær parish, which known as Varmhagi. There the ghost may do no hurt for a very long time, however its wailing was typically heard at night time, and males couldn’t go close to the place; they might then be struck with nausea, dizziness, and confusion, even in shiny daylight. This was stated to have been the start of the plague in Eyjafjörður.
There may be additionally a model that tells {that a} sure Jón in Kræklingahlíð promised to bind Skotta if he would marry Sigurður’s daughter. Sigurður promised so, and Skotta was sure in Varmhagi. In Varmhagi there have been two grazing homes, one from Saurbær and the opposite from Háls. Whereas Skotta was sure, cattle have been killed within the grazing homes one after the opposite till every thing was lifeless.
Males say that Sigurður didn’t fulfill his promise to Jón, and subsequently Jón loosened Skotta once more. Others say that her bonds should have come free of themselves, however some say that she remains to be sure as at first when Jón or Pétur sure her.
Between the years 1806 and 1810 the priest in Saurbær, named Reverend Sigurður, constructed a sheep-house not removed from this place, for the grazing there was good. The primary night time sheep have been housed on this constructing, one ewe was killed, and extra afterward; individuals discovered on the sheep the identical look and indicators as on those who the ghost had beforehand harmed, and they also started to suppose that its bonds had begun to loosen. However regardless of the case, illness and loss of life within the sheep started to unfold step by step all through Eyjafjörður, and it was referred to as a plague, however for a very long time now it has been instilled in folks that it can’t have been brought on by the ghost.
It’s stated that after a shepherd-girl from Háls went looking for sheep. She didn’t come dwelling as ordinary. A search was made for her, and she or he was ultimately discovered up within the mountains. She was then all blue and bloody, however nonetheless alive. She was requested how she had been handled. She stated {that a} lady had led her there. She described this lady so that every one knew it was Skotta. Afterwards she died.
Skotta Catches Sigurður
It’s stated by some that Sigurður saved a overlaying over himself in order that Skotta didn’t acknowledge him. As soon as he was within the buying and selling city and was on his manner dwelling once more. Somebody then referred to as him by his full identify. Skotta was current and heard it. She then leapt onto the horse behind him and broke his again. Some say that Sigurður thus misplaced his life.
It’s stated that she follows the household of Hleiðrargarður, and a few imagine they nonetheless see her, however she is alleged to have tremendously pale. Some say that ghosts develop in energy through the first third of their lifetime, stay regular within the second, and fade within the third, after which die away after they have reached 100 or 120 years. So maybe they’re lastly free from her now?
Latest Posts
-
The Hleiðrargarðs-Skotta and the Ghostly Plague
After a standard feud between two males, a ghost was created to torment the individuals on Hleiðrargarðs farm. Thus, the Hleiðrargarðs-Skotta and her legendary haunting began, some say it even escalated in her beginning a plague, killing each cattle and males.
-
The Ghosts of the Britannia Adelphi Resort: Shadows in Liverpool
The present Britannia Adelphi Resort is the third constructing right here used as a lodge, and stuffed with ghosts in accordance with rumours. From the darkish basement to the haunted suites within the higher flooring, this Liverpool lodge is usually dubbed Britain’s most haunted one.
-
The Skotta of Ábær From the Bone
Hidden away in a bone for years, the ghost and Skotta of Ábær was despatched on a mission to harass a farmer in northern Iceland. Nevertheless, they misplaced management of her, and have since been haunting all of them.
-
Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen Haunting the Previous City in Bern
Stated to be sad with the destiny of town he as soon as led, the ghost of Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen is alleged to be haunting the outdated metropolis in Bern, across the Nydegg Church the place his monument is positioned.
-
Munkholmen: Trondheim’s Island of Chains, Prayers, and Stressed Lifeless
The little island Munkholmen exterior of Trondheim in Norway has had many haunted rumors for a very long time. From an outdated Viking execution place to a state jail, who remains to be lingering there of their afterlife?
-
The Curse of the Hítardals-Skotta
After outdated mates conflict after falling out, a curse is put upon the opposite. For generations, the Hítardals-Skotta is alleged to have haunted their household and village, generally even stated to be behind their deaths.
-
The Haunted Underground of Bern
Have you ever ever observed the underground world of the outdated city in Bern? Now fancy cafes and outlets, there are additionally tales of secret passageways, hideouts and ghosts beneath the cobbled stoned metropolis.
- The Ghost From the Mounds of Finnbogastaðir
Buried within the mounds of the Icelandic panorama, a murdered shepherd got here again from the lifeless as a Draugr or maybe a Haugbúi ghost to hang-out the individuals dwelling at Finnbogastaðir farm.
-
Kindlifresserbrunnen and the Ghosts of the Discarded Youngsters Beneath Bern
Across the terrifying statue of the Kindlifressenbrunnen devouring youngsters, younger ghosts are stated to hang-out like a misty night time. Stated to be the undesirable infants taken out of town by means of the underground tunnels, they return to the scene of the crime.
-
The Ghost of the Deep: The Legend of Blåmannen at Blaafarveværket
The haunting of the Blue man, or Blåmannen on the cobalt mine, Blaafarveværket in Norway has been advised for ages now. What actually lies contained in the darkness of the mines?
-
Móhúsa-Skotta and her Haunting Companions within the Chilly Winter Nights
After dying a chilly winter night time, a younger woman died and rose because the terrifying ghost now often called Móhúsa-Skotta. Collectively together with her companions she was stated to be behind horrible accidents, and even deaths.
-
The Haunting of the Frick Stairs: Bern’s Processions of Dying and Ghosts of Murderesses
There may be not a single ghost story in regards to the Frick Stairs in Bern, there’s a plethora. Tales of girls murdering their youngsters and horrible funeral processions that left the spectators in shock is alleged to have walked up and down the steps for hundreds of years.
References:
Ísmús | Missagnir og viðaukar um Hleiðrargarðsskottu
Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og æfintýri/Draugasögur/Hleiðrargarðs-Skotta – Wikiheimild
Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og æfintýri/Draugasögur/Hleiðargarðs-Sigga – Wikiheimild
