Learnings: Mannjafnadr: A War of Words

The mannjafnadr, or "the measure of a man", was a duel of words fought between an accuser and the man he had accused. If one man accused another of doing something wrong, the defendant could demand a mannjafnadr to defend his honour.
The mannjafnadr was a boasting contest. The two men, in front of witnesses, would each brag about their deeds and exploits. If one of them lied about his deeds or showed a lack of confidence, he lost the contest. This was considered proof that he was dishonourable or at fault.
The mannjafnadr was not only for mortals. In , Thor, the god of Thunder, found himself in a boasting contest with a ferryman who refused to carry him across a fjord. Little did Thor know that the ferryman was in fact his father, Odin, in disguise. This made for an exciting war of words.
Category:Discovery Tour: Viking Age