The Prose Edda 2.52

"There the metaphors coincide; and he who interprets the language of poesy learns to distinguish which king is meant; for it is correct to call the Emperor of Constantinople King of Greeks, and similarly to call the king who rules over the land of Jerusalem King of Jerusalem, and also to call the Emperor of Rome King of Rome, and to call him King of Angles who governs England. But that periphrasis which was cited but now, which called Christ King of Men, may be had by, every king. It is proper to periphrase all kings by calling them Land-Rulers, or Land-Warders, or Land-Attackers, or Leader of Henchmen, or Warder of the People.

Thus sang Eyvindr Skald-Despoiler:

Who filled the ravens From life was reft By the Earth-Rulers At Ögló.

And as Glúmr Geirason sang:

The Prince beneath the helmet Reddened the sword hone-hollowed On the Geats: there the Land-Warder Was found in the grinding spear-din.

As Thjódólfr sang:

'T is my wish that the glorious Leader Of Henchmen, the Glad-hearted, Should leave his sons the heritage And the sod of his fair freehold.

As Einarr sang:

The valiant-souled Earth-Warder On his stern head the helm bears; The bard before heroes telleth The fame of the King of Hördland.

It is right also to call him King of Kings, under whom are tributary kings. An emperor is highest of kings, and next under him is that king who reigns over a nation; and each of these is equal to the other in the periphrases made of them in poesy. Next to them are those men who are called earls or tributary kings: and they are equal in periphrasis with a king, save that one may not term them kings of nations. And thus sang Arnórr Earl's Skald concerning Earl Thorfinnr:

Let the men hear how the Earl's King, Hardy of mind, the sea sought: The overwhelming Ruler Failed not to thwart the ocean.

Next to these in the figures of poesy are those men who are called chiefs: one may periphrase them as one might a king or an earl, calling them Dispensers of Gold, Wealth Munificent, Men of the Standards, and Captains of the Host, or Van-Leaders of the Array or of Battle; since each king of a nation, who rules over many lands, appoints tributary kings and earls in joint authority with himself, to administer the laws of the land and defend it from attack in those parts which lie far removed from the king. And in those parts they shall be equal with the king's self in giving judgment and meting punishment. Now there are many districts in one land; and it is the practice of kings to appoint justiciars over as many districts as one chooses to give into their hands. These justiciars are called chiefs or landed men in the Danish tongue, reeves in Saxony, and barons in England. They are also to be righteous judges and faithful warriors over the land which is entrusted to them for governance. If the king is not near, then a standard shall be borne before them in battle; and then they are quite as lawful war-captains as kings or earls.

"Next under them are those men who are called franklins: they are those freeholders who are of honorable kindred, and possessed of full rights. One may periphrase them by calling them Wealth-Givers, and Protectors, and Reconcilers of Men; headmen also may have these titles.

"Kings and earls have as their following the men called henchmen and house-carles; landed-men also have in their service those who are called henchmen in Denmark and Sweden, and house-carles in Norway, and these men swear oaths of service to them, even as henchmen do to kings. The house-carles of kings were often called henchmen in the old heathen time.

Thus sang Thorvaldr Blending Skald:

Hail, King, swift in the onset! And thy sturdy house-carles with thee! In their mouths men have my verses, Made for a song of praising.

King Haraldr Sigurdarson composed this:

The man full mighty waiteth The filling of the King's seat; Oft, I find, to the Earl's heels Throngs my host of house-carles.

Henchmen and house-carles may be periphrased by calling them House-Guard, or Wage-Band, or Men of Honor: thus sang Sigvatr:

I learned the Warrior's Wage-Band On the water fought that battle Newly: 't is not the smallest Snow-shower of Shields I tell of.

And thus also:

When on the Steed of Cables The clashing steel was meeting, 'T was not as when a maid bears The Chief's mead to the Honor-Winners.

The service-fee which headmen give is called wages and gifts; thus sang Óttarr the Swarthy:

I needs must use the Breaker Of the Battle-Glow of good men; Here is the watch war-doughty Of the Wise King assembled.

Earls and chiefs and henchmen are periphrased by calling them Counsellors or Speech-Friends or Seat-Mates of the King, as Hallfredr sang:

The Counsellor battle-mighty Of the Prince, whom boldness pleases, Lets the feud-fiery weeds of Högni, Hammer-beaten, clash upon him.

As Snaebjörn sang:

The Speech-Friend of Kings letteth The long-hulled steer-rope's Race-Horse Steady the swordlike steel beak Of the ship against the stern wave.

Thus sang Arnórr:

My young sons do bear for my sake Grave sorrow for the slaughter Of the Earl, destroyed by murder, The Bench-Mate of our Monarch.

King's Counsel-Friend, as Hallfredr sang:

In council 't was determined That the King's Friend, wise in counsel, Should wed the Land, sole Daughter Of Ónarr, greenly wooded.

One should periphrase men by their kindred; as Kormákr sang:

Let the son of Haraldr's true friend Give ear, and hearken to me: I raise my song, the Yeast-Stream Of Sýr's snow-covered Monsters.

He called the Earl True Friend of the King, and Hákon, Son of Earl Sigurdr. And Thjódólfr sang thus concerning Haraldr:

About Ólafr's sire Waxed the steel-knife-storm's ire, That of wightness each deed Is worthy fame's meed.

And again:

Jarizleifr could espy Where the king passed by: The brave, sainted lord's kin Stoutly praise did win.

And again he sang:

Breath-bereft is he Who o'er all bore the gree,— Of chiefs kinsman mild, Haraldr's brother's child.

Arnórr also sang thus in Rögnvaldr's Song of Praise:

Heiti's war-good kinsman Made wedlock-kindred with me: The earl's strong tie of marriage Made honor to us rendered.

And again, concerning Earl Thorfinnr, he sang:

The thin-made swords bit keenly Old Rögnvaldr's kin, to southward Of Man, where rushed the strong hosts Under the sheltering shield-rims.

And he sang further:

O God, guard the glorious Kin-Betterer of great Turf-Einarr From harm; I pray, show mercy To him whom faithful chiefs love.

And Einarr Tinkling-Scale sang:

The House-Prop of the Kindred Of Hilditönn shall not lack Hardihood more munificent; I am bound to maintain praises.