"What about the Norwegian name Audun? I have
just seen in the index to the Vadstena diary that its Latin form is Odhinus.
Could it be... or is it totally unrelated?
Respondeo:
There is an Old Icelandic character called Aušun, who had a polar bear. His
name is quite different from Old Icelandic Óšin. I would think there is no
relation.
Bill."
Of course you are right, Bill. It is just a transcription thing, committed
by a Swedish scribe, to whom this name would be foreign, anyway (I don't think
there are any Auduns in Sweden, particularly).
I remember the polar bear story now. He took it abroad, didn't he and made
pots of money out of it? Probably well-earned... I wouldn't want to be cooped up
on a small Viking ship with a polar bear, having seen too many David
Attenborough films.
Lena