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18.12.2019

Beyla

Beyla is one of Freyr's servants along with her husband, Byggvir, in Norse mythology. Beyla is mentioned in stanzas 55, 66, and the prose introduction to the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna. Since this is the only mention of Beyla, scholars have turned to the etymology of Beyla's name for additional information about her. However, the meaning of her name is unclear and her name has been proposed as related to "cow," "bean," or "bee."

Lokasenna

In the prose introduction to Lokasenna, Beyla and Byggvir are cited as attending In stanza 55 of Lokasenna, after his verses with Sif, Loki accuses Beyla of being filthy but the reason for this is unclear.

Stanza 55:

Beyla is a character from Norse mythology who serves alongside her husband, Byggvir, in the retinue of the god Freyr. She is mentioned in stanzas 55, 66, and the prose introduction to the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna. As Beyla's appearances in mythology are limited, scholars have turned to the etymology of her name for clues about her nature. However, the exact meaning of her name remains unclear, and it has been suggested that it may be related to "cow," "bean," or "bee."

In the prose introduction to Lokasenna, Beyla and Byggvir are noted as attendees. In stanza 55 of Lokasenna, during a confrontation involving Loki and Sif, Loki accuses Beyla of being unclean, but the specific reason for this accusation is not explicitly stated.

Here is stanza 55 with Beyla's words:

Beyla said:

"The mountains shake,
and I believe
that Hlorrithi is on his way from home;
he will quiet down
the one who stirs up strife
among all the gods and men."

 

Beyla

Stanza 56:

Loci qvaþ:

«Þegi þv, Beyla!

þv ert Byggviss qven

oc meini blandin mioc;

okynian meira

coma meþ asa sonom,

a/ll ertv, deigia! dritin.»

Loki spake:

"Be silent, Beyla!

thou art Byggvir's wife,

And deep art thou steeped in sin;

A greater shame

to the gods came ne'er,

Befouled thou art with thy filth."

In relation to Loki's comments in Lokasenna, proposals have been made that Beyla and her husband are personifications of agriculture associated with Freyr: Beyla as the manure that softens the earth and develops the seed, Byggvir as the refuse of the mill, chaff.

Beyla

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