Skald

or Scald, an ancient Scandinavian poet. The skald composed songs and poems, and on public occasions sang and recited them. While the skald corresponded in some measure to the bard of the Britons, the word designates specifically those poets whose art required a learned education; that is, a thorough knowledge of the construction of verse. The chief aim of the skald was to celebrate the deeds of some living prince or warrior. A skillful skald was therefore in demand and was well rewarded for his labor. Few complete skaldic poems have been preserved. Many fragments, however, are extant. Some of them are to be found in the Younger Edda and others in the sagas. See Saga; Edda