Norsery Rhymes, Northern Mythology from A to Z Bruni - (Disguised Odin), The Brown Cloaked, and Bushy Eyebrowed Well here we are another Thor’s Day and another 20 min sketch of a Norse (and Germanic, sometimes Celtic) mythological characters. Sorry for the two week late’d-ness. This week it’s Bruni / Brunn. Odin in disguise. Odin’s name as “The Brown One”, or the “Brown Cloaked One”. Also know as “the one with the Bushy Eyebrows”.
This disguise, originally seen as an old cloaked soldier, then messenger, then chariot driver, would change in appearance as the need arose. It’s primary use was during the reign of Harald the Danish King, who fought with his two gold hilted swords and possibly a battle mace. When Harald was young and on his way to claim his throne of Denmark, his ship was beset by storms that offered no advance. Harald cried out praise for Odin, encouraging his ship mates. When an old soldier in a brown cloak appeared beside him on the deck. The new stranger cleared the storm and calmed the waters, letting them go steadily on to shore.
Harald after claiming his kingdom, prayed and offered sacrifices to Odin for one of his upcoming battles. Odin appeared before him again wearing the same face, and cloak but as an advisor this time. Odin gave Harald a magical helm and red cloak that would prevent him from being defeated in combat. Then either on a separate occasion with more prayer and sacrifice, or the same one, Odin comes and teaches Harald a special battle wedge formation that can pierce any shield wall. This however comes at a price. Harald must live up to his bravery, and dedicate the men slain in his battle to Odin to fill his armies in Valhalla for Ragnarok.
As time passes Harald battle become fewer and fewer, and decades of peace reign. Eventually Harald gives Sweden to his Nephew Sigurd Ring to rule as Harald’s Vassal. Eventually the peace is broken when invaders arrive in Denmark and having been chased off make their retreat to Sweden. Harald realizing that these must be Sigurd’s men sends his old friend Bruni to tell Sigurd to appear at Harald’s castle for trial on treason.
Bruni was however Odin in disguise under a brown hooded cloak, either because the real Bruni had been killed, or because Odin had been Bruni all along. Bruni appears in Sigurd’s court and stated Harald’s command. Sigurd claims he has always been a king, as paid no taxes, only giving yearly gifts, and that he will swear by Odin and fight for his kingdom. Bruni surprisingly states his approval of this, and as he is a know and welcome person in court, stays, being given food, and drink and gifts. Bruni/Odin in his turn offers up a tactic to Sigurd to use in battle.
Bruni delivers Sigurd’s message of war and the kings decide to let all their men and ships com in for a single glorious battle to determine who will be King. In some stories this takes an undisclosed amount of time, and in others it is several years.
Come time for battle the two armies meet. They fight for some time. With heroes rising and falling on both sides. Harald, who has a keen eye in his now elderly age, recognizes Sigurd using the battle wedge that Odin taught him. Including enough details to make him believe that Odin himself taught Sigurd this. As he did Harald a long time ago. While still riding through the battle Sigurd turns to Bruni who is driving Harald’s chariot, recognizing him as Odin. He pleads with him to help him in this battle. But Odin’s mind is made up. Harald had kept peace when Odin asked for War, and had made no prayers or sacrifices for some time. Not with the battle with the pirates, or for this battle now. While Sigurd had obviously made prayer and sacrifice to Odin for this battle, and was far more willing to provide soldier for Odin’s army for some time to come. Odin tiring of Harald’s pleading takes the war mace Harald had in the chariot and strikes him across the head. Harald falling to the ground. Odin finishes him with one, or both, of Harald’s own sword(s). Giving the battle and thus the kingdom to Sigurd Ring.
Some people consider this story as a sign of Odin’s fickleness. I honestly think it’s a tale about Odin’s consistency. Keep to your prayers and sacrifices, keep your promises to him, and you will live to a ripe old age, before someone new will replace you, or Odin claims you for Valhalla.