Egil, brother of Volund

The name is from Proto-Germanic *Agilaz,[1] and the same legend is reflected in Old English Ægil [ˈæɡil] of the Franks Casket and Alamannic Aigil of the Pforzen buckle.

The Proto-Germanic form of the legend may only be guessed at, but it appears likely that Egil was a renowned archer who defended a keep together with his wife Aliruna, against numerous attackers.

The testimony of the Pforzen buckle is uncertain beyond naming Aigil and Ailrun, possibly adding that they fought a battle at the Ilz river.

In the Völundarkviða, Egil is a son of a Finn king, his elder brother being Slagfiðr, his younger one Völund.

In the Thidreks saga, Egil acts as a masterly archer, once he is forced by king Nidung to shoot an apple from the head of his son.

A panel of the Franks Casket showing Ægil and his wife enclosed in the keep at right, with Ægil shooting arrows against attacking troops. The name Ægili is written with runes above the archer.