! Assembly of The Elder Troth - Day of Rememberance for Guthroth !

Contacts Database

The Assembly of The Elder Troth would like to welcome you to our website. Please click on the links to the left to enter the relevant area of our site.

Just as with many organisations and faiths, the Assembly of The Elder Troth too has special days and events which are celebrated by many Asatruar. The links below provide a list of months and the events that you will find occur during those months. We hope you find the information both informative and useful.

From Living Asatru: A handbook of Simple Celebrations by Stephen A. McNallen, 1993.
Edited and adapted by Rurik Grimnisson, Shope and Steersman of the A.E.T. Inc.1996.

Day of Remembrance for Guthroth

May 9th (Suggested)

Olaf the Stout, king of Norway and later Saint Olaf, made enemies throughout his country both by his religious intolerance and his grasping for power. Indeed, this was the typical pattern throughout Scandinavia, where kings welcomed Christianity, as a way of imposing their royal will on formerly free countrymen. Olaf converted Asafolk by the tested methods of murder and maiming, all the while subverting the rights of the local kings, whose dispersed authority was in conflict with his vision of centralised kingly control.

It was only to be expected, then, that some of the regional kings would object. Five rulers from the Uppland district came together to debate what could be done. The arguments went back and forth, with some advising submission and others calling for immediate action against Olaf. Stalemate prevailed until Guthroth, king in the Dales, spoke: "It's strange to me that you can't make a decision in this matter. We are five kings, each as well born as Olaf, yet you are thoroughly afraid of him. Not long ago we helped him in his fight against Earl Svein, and it is with our support that he took power in this country. If he now begrudges each of us the little power we have left, and tyrannises and oppresses us, then I for one say I will never be a slave to him. You are not men if you are afraid to cut off his ventures into our lands. We shall never be free men while Olaf is alive".

Guthroth's words carried the day, and the kings conspired to oppose the tyrant. Tragically, a traitor carried word of the plot to Olaf, who moved against them and captured them all. Guthroth's fate was to have his tongue cut out, presumably because of his persuasive use of it in convincing his fellows to act.

Thus was silenced another voice for Asatru and freedom. Though all this took place a thousand years ago, the matter isn't ended - because we remember Guthroth, and honour him while opposing the evils of Olaf.

Foil the tyrant's intent, and honour Guthroth, by the following:

Call up an Asa-person. Use your tongue in a way Olaf forever forbade to Guthroth - participate in Asatru!
Call, or write, your representatives in Parliament, attend a local town meeting. Once again, let your tongue (or its proxy, the pen) take part in the preservation of liberty.
Meditate on the rune ansuz.
Read aloud from the sagas or Eddas.

HOME | Calendar Home | Top Of Page

Page maintained by Schmitt Services

Last Update: Friday, February 9, 2007