Palnatoke (died c. 985) was a legendary Danish hero and chieftain of the island of Funen. Mentioned in the Norse saga, Palnatoke founded the Brotherhood of the Jomsvikings and etablished its code of conduct.
Biography[]
During the 10th century, as Styrbjörn the Strong was looking for allies to fight against his uncle, King Eric the Victorious, he decided to sail to the fortress of the Jomsvikings, Jomsborg.[1] Once there, he defied Palnatoke in a duel and bested him, becoming the new ruler of the Jomsvikings, with Palnatoke as his second-in-command.[2]
Palnatoke and his men later followed Styrbjörn as they sailed to Jutland to meet the Danish king Harald Bluetooth.[3] Although Styrbjörn secured an alliance with the king by offering his sister Gyrid's hand in marriage, Harald refused to support the prince's campaign against his uncle. Consequently, Palnatoke and the Jomsvikings helped Styrbjörn to defeat Harald's army, forcing the king to join their cause.[4]
While sailing across Lake Mälaren, Palnatoke stood by Styrbjörn and Harald's side as the latter two discussed the ornate dagger in Harald's possession. Spotting a palisade that prevented their ships from sailing through, the group discussed their next course of action, with Palnatoke and Harald suggesting to either sail around the palisade, which would delay their arrival, or retreat. However, Styrbjörn ordered his men to abandon their ships and make the rest of the journey on foot.[5]
After setting up camp in the Mirkwood for the night, Palnatoke went to sleep and awoke the next morning to find Harald and his army gone. He subsequently informed Styrbjörn that the Danish king had abandoned them.[5] While the two discussed their next steps, they were interrupted by the shieldmaiden Thyra Haraldsdottir, Harald's illegitimate daughter, who sought to join their cause. Palnatoke and Styrbjörn nearly dismissed her, but Thyra's hatred of her father and her reasoning convinced them to let her stay.[6]
When their army came under attack by a raiding party led by Östen Jorundsson, Palnatoke told Thyra to stay in the camp after she insisted that she help Styrbjörn, and went to rally the Jomsvikings to fight back. However, while trekking through the dark forest, Palnatoke was ambushed by the Hidden One Thorvald Hjaltason, who had been sent by King Eric to help Östen hinder Styrbjörn's march to Uppsala. Surviving Thorvald's initial assassination attempt, Palnatoke fought the Hidden One and, though he initially held the upper hand, he was eventually slain after Thorvald stunned him with his axe.[6]
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (mentioned only)
References[]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan – Chapter Thirteen
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan – Chapter Twenty
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan – Chapter Twenty-Nine
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods – Chapter One
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods – Chapter Thirteen
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods – Chapter Sixteen