Stepney Green
Medieval Icelandic Sagas
The Saga of Hervor and King Heidrek the Wise
13th century, Old Norse.
They exchange clothes and Odin, as Gestumblindi, goes off to ask the king riddles.
King Heidrek the Wise has two ways of dealing with wrongdoers in his kingdom. Either they can submit to the judgment of his twelve wise and impartial judges or, if they feel their case to be hopeless, they can ask him riddles in the hope of finding one that he cannot guess and so be let off.
Gestumblindi has been summoned to appear before king Heidrek; he has committed many offenses and does not fancy his chances with the judges. So he prays to Odin for help. There is a knock at the door. Gestumblindi opens it.
'Who are you?' asks Gestumblindi.
'Gestumblindi,' comes the reply.
They exchange clothes and Odin, as Gestumblindi, goes off to ask the king riddles.