The
Ynglings were the oldest known Scandinavian dynasty. It can refer to the following
clansSome early kings were probably mythical, whereas others 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.
In the Scandinavian sources they are the descendants of Yngvi-Frey of Vanaheim. Yngling means descendant of Frey, and in the Gesta Danorum of Saxo Grammaticus they are called the sons of Frey.
Several of these kings appear in Beowulf Eadgils (Adils), Onela (Ale) and Ohthere (Ottar Vendelkråka), but here they are called Scylfings (see the Beowulf section below). Snorri Sturluson hints at a less divine origin in Skáldskaparmál for this dynasty One war-king was named Skelfir; and his house is called the House of Skilfings his kindred is in the Eastern Region (Sweden is the eastern part of Scandinavia, and the Swedish kings could be called east kings).
