Norwegian legend

The legend of Borni

Long, long ago – more than a thousand years, they say, three princesses lived in fair, green Ireland far in the western seas, and they were named Sunniva, Borni and Ingeborg. These were dark times, for greedy and ruthless warlords threatened the coasts and the hinterland. They wanted the pretty princesses for themselves to do as they pleased with them. But the innocent maidens were devout Christians and would rather die than fall into the hands of heathens. So they set out to sea with their maids, each a boat of their own, with no sail and no oars; trusting in their Lord God and destiny.

Powerful winds and currents took them far away from home to unfamiliar waters, and during a terrible storm they prayed to God that if He in his everlasting mercy would save them, they would each build a church to glorify Him. The storm scattered the boats, and they were shipwrecked at three different places on the coast of Norway.

Borni’s boat went aground at the island Kinn, and when Borni saw the island she despaired. How could she build a church here? Wherever she looked, there was rock and raging sea.

Then one day, almost overcome with misery, she met a troll. “I can build your church,” he said, “but in return I want your hand in marriage.” Borni begged him to relent, but no. Then he said, leering: “However, if you can guess my name before I complete the church, I will leave you be.” In order to fulfill her promise to God, Borni agreed.

The troll immediately began building the church and a day came when the church was near completion. He was high on the roof, laying the tiles of the bell tower in the early morning when Borni walked by, deep in contemplation. Then suddenly she remembered something the islanders had told her: “If you wish to know the trolls, go to the cleft of Kinn and listen to their song.”

So she went west, climbed the long, steep and stony slope between the sheer mountainsides, and hidden by the boulders at the top, she heard a voice sing: “Hey now and ho now, today we shall make merry! For Weathervane will fetch his bride at noon and we must hurry!”

And Borni, full of hope, rushed, stumbled, fell and ran back to the almost completed church and shouted at the top of her voice: “Weathervane! Take care so you don’t fall down!”

Weathervane, utterly confused hearing his name called out so unexpectedly, lost his footing and clinging to the bell tower, dragged it with him over the edge and fell to his death.

Borni never married, not even by her own choice. And the bell tower was never replaced.