Byggvir is a figure in Norse mythology. The only surviving mention of Byggvir appears in the prose beginning of Lokasenna, and stanzas 55 through 56 of the same poem, where he is referred to as one of Freyr's servants and as the husband of Beyla.
Bygg is the Old Norse word for barley. Subsequently, Byggvir is often identified with this etymology of his name and connections have been placed with the mentioning of Byggvir's described involvement with mill-grinding as being potential references to barley processing. Comparisons to the Anglo-Saxon figure of Beowa (Old English "barley") have been put forth.
Lokasenna
In Lokasenna, Loki is depicted as degrading Byggvir for being of slight stature and as a gossiper:
Stanza 43:
Byggvir is a character from Norse mythology, and his sole surviving mention is found in the prose introduction of Lokasenna and stanzas 55 through 56 of the same poem. He is described as one of Freyr's servants and the husband of Beyla. The Old Norse word "bygg" means barley, and because of this etymology, Byggvir is often associated with barley. Some connections have been made between Byggvir's involvement in mill-grinding and the processing of barley. There have been comparisons drawn between Byggvir and the Anglo-Saxon figure Beowa, which means "barley" in Old English. In Lokasenna, Loki is portrayed as belittling Byggvir, making fun of his small stature, and accusing him of being a gossip. Here is stanza 43 with Byggvir's words: Byggvir said: "Had I birth so famous This stanza reflects Byggvir's assertiveness and his response to Loki's taunts. |
Stanza 44:
Loci qvaþ: «Hvat er þat iþ litla, er ec þat la/ggra sec oc snapvist snapir; at eyrom Freys mvnðv e vera oc vnd kvernom klaca.» | Loki spake: "What little creature goes crawling there, Snuffling and snapping about? At Freyr's ears ever wilt thou be found, Or muttering hard at the mill." |
Stanza 45:
Beyggvir qvaþ: «Beyggvir ec heíti, enn mic braþan qveþa goð a/ll oc gvmar: þvi em ec her hroðvgr, at drecca Hroptz megir allir a/l saman.» | Byggvir spake: "Byggvir my name, and nimble am I, As gods and men do grant; And here am I proud that the children of Hropt Together all drink ale." |
Stanza 46:
Loci qvaþ: «Þegi þv, Byggvir! þv kvnnir aldregi deila meþ monnom mat; oc þic i fletz strá finna ne mattv, þa er vago verar.» | Loki spake: "Be silent, Byggvir! thou never couldst set Their shares of the meat for men; Hid in straw on the floor, they found thee not When heroes were fain to fight." |
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.