Viking Oath Rings: What are they?

There is much new-age misinformation online about oath rings in Viking culture. However, according to the historical written texts, there are certainly connections to arm rings and oaths. There are about 10 examples in the historical sources about Old Norse "baugr"(arm rings) being used while swearing some kind of oath. It could have been an oath to a chieftain or king, a peace treaty, marriages, legal settings and more. This article goes over those exact sources to show the real history.

Oath Rings in Norse Mythology & Legend

Although mainly coming from the historical sources, there is 1 clear example of an oath ring being used in a Norse mythological/legendary text.

In the Atlakviða poem, Guðrún recounts how Atli swore oaths on sacred objects, including Ullr’s ring. This act reflects the Vikings belief in using objects like the Norse oath ring to invoke divine authority, ensuring the promise was honored.

Guthrun spake:
32. "It shall go with thee, Atli, | as with Gunnar thou heldest
The oaths ofttimes sworn, | and of old made firm,
By the sun in the south, | by Sigtyr's mountain,
By the horse of the rest-bed, | and the ring of Ull."

-Atlakviða

Although sometimes thought to be based on real events, Beowulf is generally considered to be a legendary source. Beowulf frequently refers to kings as ring-givers. These leaders distributed arm rings to loyal warriors as both a reward and a means of securing loyalty. Swearing an oath on these rings was a sacred act, reinforcing bonds between a king and his followers as you will see in later sources.

"He beot ne aleh, beagas dælde, sinc æt symle."

"[King Hrothgar] did not leave unfulfilled his oath: arm-rings he dealt out, and treasure at the ale-feast."

-Beowulf verses 80-81

Historical Uses of Viking Oath Rings

Other than the mythological and legendary sources, there are many accounts of real historical events that have to do with swearing oaths on an arm ring.

Úlfljót’s Law: The Legal Oath Ring

One of the most detailed accounts comes from Icelandic law, where oath rings were part of the legal system. According to Úlfljót’s Law:

"A ring of two ounces or more [the stallahringr] should lie on the altar of every main temple. Every man who needed to perform legal acts before the court must first swear an oath on this ring and mention two or more witnesses. ‘I name witnesses,’ he must say, ‘that I swear the oath on the ring, a lawful oath. So help me Freyr and Njörðr and the Almighty Áss..'" 

-Landnámabók

This ritual solidified legal proceedings, making promises binding in both the mortal and divine realms. Such practices are a testament to the Viking oath ring’s role in maintaining societal order.

Eyrbyggja Saga: Oaths on the Temple Ring

In the Eyrbyggja Saga, a 500-gram silver arm ring was placed on a pedestal in the temple. Men swore oaths on this sacred object, and the chieftain or goði must wear this ring at public assemblies.

"There he let build a temple, and a mighty house it was. There was a door in the side-wall and nearer to one end thereof. Within the door stood the pillars of the high-seat, and nails were therein; they were called the Gods' nails. Therewithin was there a great frith-place. But off the inmost house was there another house, of that fashion whereof now is the choir of a church, and there stood a stall in the midst of the floor in the fashion of an altar, and thereon lay a ring without a join that weighed twenty ounces, and on that must men swear all oaths; and that ring must the chief have on his arm at all man-motes(things)."

-Eyrbyggja Saga

Loyalty Oaths

In Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus, arm rings appear as tokens of loyalty between the King and his men. A young man named Wigg receives a pair of arm rings from King Hrólfr Kraki as a reward. In return, Wigg vows to avenge the king if he is ever slain:

“Nor was Wigg heedless to repay the kindness; for he promised, uttering a strict vow, that, if it befell Hrólfr to perish by the sword, he would himself take vengeance on his slayers.”

-Gesta Danorum, Saxo Grammaticus

This aspect of using arm rings to form a loyal bond between a cheiftain or king and his men is also told about in many other sources including Skaldic poems. For example, the poet Þjóðólfr Arnórsson refers to King Haraldr as snjóllum hrings ("giver of rings") in his poem about Harald Hardrada. In Heimskringla, other kings are similarly celebrated for bestowing rings to their men and are portrayed as generous kings who share their wealth.

Viking Oath Rings Abroad

In 9th-century England, the Danish Viking leader Guthrum swore an oath on a holy bracelet during a treaty with King Alfred the Great. This historical moment underscores how oath rings transcended cultural boundaries, symbolizing trust and binding agreements. 

Another source accounting for viking peace treaties on their travels and settlements comes in the "Rus Primary Chronicle." In the year 911 the Rus Vikings, traveling eastward, carried their traditions with them. They swore oaths by their weapons, arm rings and gods when forging treaties with the Byzantines.

"Thus the Emperors Leo and Alexander made peace with Oleg,
and after agreeing upon the tribute and mutually binding themselves
by oath, they kissed the cross, and invited Oleg and his men to swear
an oath likewise. According to the religion of the Russes, the latter
swore by their weapons, rings and by their god Perun, as well as by Volos,
the god of cattle, and thus confirmed the treaty."

-The Rus Primary Chronicle

Other Germanic Oath Rings

The Viking oath ring was not unique to Scandinavia. Similar traditions existed across the Germanic world, highlighting a shared cultural practice.

Among the Christianized Saxons, arm rings remained significant. For example, in "The Deeds of the Saxons" by Widukind, King Konrad I used an arm ring to designate Henry the Fowler as his successor, blending pagan traditions with newer Christian customs of the time.

Additionally we have a rather late source from the Saxon Kingdom(modern day Germany). A text from 11th-century Southern Germany, Rudolieb, describes arm rings used in marriage ceremonies. Couples exchanged arm rings, which were placed on the hilt of a sword during the vows:

“With the rings upon their arms, and their hands joined upon the sword-hilt, the couple then spoke their vows.”

-Rudolieb

The Significance of Oath Rings

What made the Norse oath ring so important in Viking culture? Swearing on a Viking oath ring invoked the gods, making the promise or words spoken in a legal setting spiritually binding. The act of giving or receiving an oath ring was also a way to solidify alliances, whether in political agreements or personal relationships. Oath rings, often made from silver or gold, symbolized the wealth and prestige of the wearer, further emphasizing the importance of the promises associated with them. 

So to answer the question shortly, Yes! The Vikings and also other Germanic peoples did associate rings and arm rings with oaths. Although the term "Oath Ring" was not coined until more modern times, early scholars of Norse history saw the connection and used this to inspire future studies in archeology.