Editing Tyrfing (section)

==Versions and ambiguities==

There are three known medieval written versions of the so-called "Hervarvar Saga", the R, U and H versions. The versions themselves are composite of other known and unknown stories from a range of time periods. The above is based on the later H version of the tale, seen in the translation by [[Nora Kershaw Chadwick]] and a modern version by Martyn Whittock.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Whittock |first=Martyn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YbdTDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Tyrfing+Cycle%22&pg=PT183 |title=Tales of Valhalla |date=2018-09-04 |publisher=Pegasus Books |isbn=978-1-68177-912-6 |language=en}}</ref> For links to source text in English translation and [[Old Norse]] and for general commentary see [[Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks]].

The versions differ in terms of names, and various details but most especially Tyrfing's curse, which is only lightly alluded to in the oldest version. The identity of the "three evil deeds" is also ambiguous. [[Christopher Tolkien]] argues that the evil deeds ought to refer to kinslaying - Heidrek killing his brother Angantyr, Heidrek killing his father in law King Harold, and Angantyr slaying his half brother Hlod. However, this is complicated by the fact that in the oldest R version, Tyrfing was not clearly used to kill Hlod, and was definitely not used to kill Angantyr. Indeed, Heidrek only slew Harold to save his son. Further, in this oldest version Tyrfing did not accomplish the death of Svafrlami. Thus, Tolkien argues that the curse is a later elaboration, noting though the conflict with the "Awakening of Angantyr" in which the sword is clearly described as cursed.

The curse on Tyrfing is comparable to that placed on the ring [[Andvaranaut]] in the [[Völsung Cycle]].