Eidsborg

Norwegian Nynorsk

Alternative forms

• Esberg (Danicized, 18th century spelling)

Etymology

Uncertain. From Middle Norwegian Æiðsburg (attested in 1350), from Old Norse *Eiðsborg. By surface analysis, eid (“isthmus”) + borg (“castle”), which makes no sense, because the village has no isthmus, castle, or any ancient fortifications (like bygdeborg). The first part can also mean an oath, but it doesn’t commonly occur in Norwegian place names. Although there is a legend about Eidsborg’s ancient female ruler, Åse Stålekleiv, who fought a war against own sister, Gullborg, there are no sources, which do mention any fortifications used in this war (if the war really did occur at all), and none of the supposed battles took their place in Eidsborg itself.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛɪdsborɡ/ (newer pronunciation, now much common)
• IPA^(key): /ɛsːpor/ (dialectal) (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this pronunciation?)

Proper noun

Eidsborg

1. A village in Tokke, Telemark, Norway, known for its old church, museum, traditional knives, sharpener stone production and the Vindlaus Loft. The farms in the area are Kleppo, Vindlaus, Bjåen, Espeli and Lofthus.

Derived terms

• Eidsborgtjønna