Editing Gesta Danorum (section)

=== Overview ===
==== Book 1 ====
The first book is mostly Saxo's original work, sharing little with other primary works, but taking some inspiration from Ancient Greek epics. It very briefly covers the rule of the eponymous founder of the Danish nation, [[Dan_(king)|Dan]], but also his brother [[Angul (mythology)|Angul]], his sons [[Humblus|Humble]] and [[Lotherus|Lother]], and Dan's grandson, [[Skjöldr|Skiold]], whose son, [[Gram of Denmark|Gram]] is the first Danish king to be given some detail, his reign revolves around conquering Sweden and Finland, only to die in a battle. Most of the book deals with the adventures of [[Hadingus|Hading]], the son of Gram and [[Finnish people|Finnish]] princess, [[Signe (Finnish princess)|Signe]]. Here the adventure concerns the loss of Denmark to the Swedes as well as Hading's attempts to reclaim it with the help of giants and Odin. The book concludes with Hading's suicide after hearing of his friend's death.

==== Book 2 ====
Book 2 follows adventures of Hading's descendants, who perform cunning raids across the [[Baltic Sea]] and far as England, while encountering many supernatural events and being forced to solve disputes via [[single combat]]. This book includes the stories of kings [[Halga|Helge]] and [[Hrólfr Kraki|Rolf Krake]], which are also told in ''[[Hrólfs saga kraka]]''.

==== Book 3 ====
Book 3 begins with the story of a Swedish prince, [[Höðr|Hother]], in an alternate version of the story of Höðr and the death of the god [[Baldr]] (here presented as a false god named Balderus). Hother eventually does become King in Denmark after the deaths of Rolf Krake and his usurper [[Heoroweard|Hiartuar]].

The second half of the book introduces [[Amleth]], as a grandson of the Danish king [[Hrœrekr Ringslinger|Rorik]]. Amleth's father was murdered by his uncle, the governor of [[Jylland]]. Amleth pretends to be a fool in fear of his uncle who has married his mother. He is sent to Britain by his uncle to be put to death, but secretly rewrites the death warrant and instead marries the daughter of the king. Then he returns to Denmark and kills his uncle. This story was later told by Shakespeare as ''[[Hamlet]]''.

==== Book 4 ====
After killing his uncle and securing the support of his people in doing so, Amleth returns to Britain. His father-in-law sends him to woo (on the King's behalf) the Scottish Queen [[Hermuthruda|Hermutrude]], who is famous for murdering all her suitors. However, Hermutrude refuses to marry the King and instead marries Amleth, making the King into Amleth's enemy. Amleth is killed by the new King of Denmark, [[Wihtlæg|Wiglek]], who then marries Hermutrude. Many subsequent kings follow.

==== Book 5 ====
Book 5 covers the life of just a single king, [[Frotho III]], and focuses on his empire-building and the exploits of his brilliant Norwegian advisor, [[Erick the Eloquent]] (later King of Sweden). Ultimately Frotho ends up ruling over Britain, Scandinavia, the Slavs, and the Huns. Other tales from Norse legend are included in this book, within Frotho's lifetime, including the story of [[Hjaðningavíg|Hedin and Hogni]] and the story of [[Hjalmar and Ingeborg|Hialmar]] and [[Örvar-Oddr|Arrow-Odd]]. Saxo says that it was during Frotho's reign that [[Jesus]] came to Earth, and there was [[Fróði's Peace|uninterrupted peace around the world]]. Frotho is eventually killed by a sorceress in the form of a sea-cow.

==== Book 6 ====
Follows the adventurers of the legendary hero, [[Starkad]] who is disappointed in the decadent ways of Frothi III's descendants.

==== Book 7 ====
Is a collection of short and unrelated love stories, many of these ventures feature [[shieldmaiden]]s.

==== Book 8 ====
Covers the famous [[Battle of Brávellir]], between [[Harald Wartooth]] and [[Sigurd Ring]]. Danish involvement in the [[Saxon wars]] against [[Charlemagne]],  voyages to [[Bjarmaland|Biarmia]], and the death of Starkad.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Malm |first=Mats |date=1992 |title=The otherworld journeys of the eighth book of Gesta Danorum |url=https://www.torrossa.com/en/resources/an/4966665 |journal=The Otherworld Journeys of the Eighth Book of Gesta Danorum |language=en |pages=159–173}}</ref>

==== Book 9 ====
The book deals with [[Ragnar Lothbrok]] and his rising empire, he appoints many of his sons to govern parts of his empire all the way from [[Scotland]] to [[Scythia]].
{{Kings of Gesta Danorum family tree}}