Saxo Frøger’s Blessing

8. i. He was succeeded by Frothi, surnamed ‘the Active’, an epithet
he confirmed by his bodily and mental endurance; after dealing
destruction on ten Norwegian generals, he reached the island which
later took his name, to make his final attack on the king himself. This
monarch, Frøger, had achieved a double distinction: he was remarkable
 both for his spectacular militancy and wealth, adorned his
sovereignty with athletic prowess, and was rich in prizes for
gymnastics as well as the distinctions of authority. Some say that
his father was Odin and, when the immortal gods were requested to
confer a blessing on him, he received the privilege of insuperability
except by one who during a contest could catch up in his hand the
dust lying beneath Frøger’s feet. Learning about such a god-given
power, Frothi invited him to a duel, since he desired to outwit this
divine patronage. First then, pretending inexperience, he begged to
be given a lesson in combat declaring he knew that Frøger was well
versed in knowledge of its skills.

8.2. Delighted to find his foe deferring to his professional standing,
even asking a favour, Frøger pronounced him wise to submit his
youthful mind to an old man’s experience; from his scar-free face and
brow unscored by any weapon marks he could see that he must have
scant acquaintance with this exercise. He marked out on the ground
two squares opposite one another, each side measuring one cubit,
intending to begin with instruction on how to use these positions.
When these had been drawn, each man took up his allocated station.
Frothi then asked Frøger if he would change places and arms.
Consent was easily obtained; his opponent’s shining armour excited
Frøger, for Frothi wore a gold-hilted sword, a gleaming breastplate to
match, and a dazzling helmet of the same kind. Frothi snatched some
dust from the place Frøger had vacated, believing this presaged his
victory. The prophecy proved reliable: he cut down Frøger at once
and thus by a slight trick gained supreme fame for his intrepidity.
Where no man had ever been permitted to win by his strength,
cunning prevailed.


- Gesta Danorum, Book IV