House of Yngling
The Ynglings (Norway) or Scylfings (Sweden) were the oldest known Scandinavian dynasty. They are known from early Scandinavian sources, especially Heimskringla, and from Beowulf. They make up a large part of the Mythological kings of Sweden as well as the Semi-legendary kings of Sweden.
In the Scandinavian sources they are the descendants of Njord the Rich of Noatun, father to Yngvi-Frey of Vanaheim.
The first kings in the line are probably mythical, whereas others have probably existed in real life. Especially, Egil, Ottar, Ale and Adils are mentioned in several sources and are very likely to have been real kings. Those kings probably named themselves skilfingar, a name that appears both in Beowulf and in Scandinavian sources. The name Yngling was attributed fairly late, and by a Norwegian branch of the dynasty.
The connection between the Norwegian kings and the Scylfings was probably a way of glorifying the Norwegian kings by connecting them to an illustrious but extinct dynasty.
Kings of Sweden
Intermediary
Kings of Norway
See also
