A H AN D BOO K O F

NO RSE MYTHO LOGY

KA RL MORTENSEN DOCT O R OF PH I L OSO PHY UN IV E RS ITY O F CO P EN H AGEN ; A DJU NCT A T TH E CA TH E DRA L S CH OO L ( ROYAL GYM NASIUM) A T O DENSE

TRAN SL A TED F ROM TH E DANISH

I A . CL N TON CROWEL L ASS OCIATE PR OF ESSOR KN B ROW N UNIV ERS ITY

N EW YORK W TH OMAS Y . CRO ELL COMPAN Y

P UB LI SH E RS

A U TH OR ’S P RE F A CE

TH IS p o pular pre s entati o n o f th e myth s and s aga s w h ich to o k shap e he re in th e N o rth but wh o s e fo undati o n i s co mmo n pro perty o f all th e p e o ple w h o s pe ak a

Go - Ge e s e e thic rmanic languag , fir t app ar d in 1898 and h as bee n u se d s ince th en in th e s tudy o f N o r s e Myth o l o gy in th e high s ch o o l s and unive rs iti e s o f all th e S candina P e o o e vian c o untries . S ince ro f s s r Cr w ll h as th o ught that th e little b o o k might al s o achieve a m o de s t s ucc es s in th e y o unges t but rich es t and m o st p o we r ful branch which

“ - s o frOm our o mOn . o t I e h a gr wn c m m , hav witho ut h e s itati on ac cepte d h is friendly pro a i o s p o s al to transl te t int Engli h . I find gre at s atis facti o n 111 h av ri g my w o rk put

’ into th e w o rlds mo st compre hens ive lan guage and place d b efo re s tude nts in th e e es e e e s o Unit d Stat , wh r I hav many s e e s o n e es fe l frie nd , wh r ma y r lativ and l ow - countrymen have fo und a h om e and a iii ’ i v A UTH OR S PREPA OE

e o o w e futur , and t ward which c untry No rtherners lo o k with th e deepes t admira tio n and respe ct fo r th e mighty fo rces which are s eeking to co ntro l mate rial things and to break new ground in th e infinite realms o f h e e t intell ct . I s ince re ly thank Pro fes so r Crowell fo r h i s e e e e o f Da s e int llig nt r nd ring my ni h t xt, s ince o n acco unt o f th e nature o f th e sub

ce h - e o h a s e j t and t e half p o tic f rm , it call d f o r patie nt wo rk and fo r unc o mm o n ins ight .

I wo uld likewise thank th e Thoma s Y . Crowell Company o f N ew Yo rk for their ess to s th e o o willingn publi h b k . It i s my ea rne s t ho pe that th e American s tudent into who se hands th e book may fall will b e able to map from it Ethé advantage which th e translato r h as had in mind and to feel awake ned {in {hiigri {s ome o f th e l ove fo r our o e s om o m mo s ld t c m n e rial , which h as inspired th é author i n h i s ta sk .

K ARL M R E O T NSEN .

ODEN S E , DEN M A RK

r 1 Dec emb e , 1 9 2 . TRA NSL A TOR ’S PREFA CE

Th e o Dr Mo e ’ e id a f tran slating . rt ns en s N o rdis k My th o log i s ugges ted its elf whe n my atte nti o n w a s call e d to th e b o ok by P ro fes s o r E Mo k f L e . g o ipzig . e e e to th e o r w h o I am chi fly ind bt d auth , h as read th e trans lati o n o f all th e pro se and

o e e o s o s c mm nt d up n unu ual p int , all with e o e h i s c o n fri ndly and c rdial inte r s t . With s ent I have tran slate d th e illu s trative stro h es o th e e o to p fr m Ic landic , acc rding th e e o f B Si mo ns th e ermani s ti s ch e t xt . j in G

’ H z li th ek f H andb b o o r o s o . , having c n ultati n ’ ' Ge ring s Vo lls tcindig es War ter buch de r E dd a th e Ge s o o f Ge , rman tran lati n ring, th e D s o f G es sin th e E s o f ani h j g , and ngli h e s o me unpubli sh e d s el e ctio n s by my fri nd , th e e Dr A S o s o e e e b e lat . drian c tt , m tim m m r en o f th e B r own Univers ity faculty . Wh h o e e s aw t e w o rk w as practically c mpl t , I

’ Olive B ray s m o re re ce nt tran slati o n and H He r Dr . w as slightly influenced by it . . ’ Vi TRA NSLA TOR S PREFA CE manns son o f C o rnell Unive r s ity h as rea d my s o e s a o e o s su es tr ph , m king c rr cti n and g g o s fo r h i s e es en ti n . I thank him int r t and r nt c o u a eme P o es s o A . g , and I thank r f r H e s e o f B e fo r e s u l r rlin many h lpful hint . I have al s o been a s s iste d in many ways by A M m e e E . o e . . y wif , Carri Cr w ll , ’ P II ch ofield s s o o es s o . S r f r W . tran lati n ’ o f S Oph us B ug g e s Th e H ome of th e E ddi e P o ems h as be e n m o s t valu able fo r re fe r f es e th e o s e . ence , p cially in e matt r p lling A . C . C . I DEN E I PROV C , R . . ,

a nua r 1 91 . J y, 3 CONT E NT S

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

FIRST SE CTI ON CHA PT ER I How THE W RL WA S R . O D C EATED

II TH E G S T R L F . OD AND HEI I E

III R G R K . A NA O

SE CON D SE CTI ON

I MM P PUL R B L F . CO ON O A E IE

II . CHIEF GODS AND MYTHS OF THE GODS 9 5

1 15

Fre y a nd Nj o rth 129

He imda ll and B aldur 134

14 6 viii CON TEN TS

THIRD SE CTI ON PAGE FORMS OF WORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS LIF E 153

F O UR TH

HERO SAGAS

Th e Vo lsung s

Th e He lg i Sag as

Vo lund th e Smith

Th e Hj ath ni ng ar

Be ow ulf

CONCLUS ION

INDE" G E NE RA L I N TROD U CT I ON

1 B “ o se h . y N r myth ol ogy w e mean t e info rmati o n w e have co nce rning th e re li g io us co nceptio n s and usages o f o ur heath en

o e e s e e o f w o r f r fath r , th ir faith and mann r s th e o s s o e e e s hiping g d , and al th ir l g nd and s o s o th e o e e Th e im ng ab ut g ds and h ro s . portati on o f Chris tianity dro v e out th e o ld e e e s o r e o es o f h ath n faith , but r mnant m m ri it l ong endured in th e sup e rstiti o u s idea s o f th e o o eo e e e b e e c mm n p pl , and can v n trac d o u r o n in w day . There h as n e ve r bee n fo und o n earth a tribe o f p eo pl e which did no t h ave s o me o f e o th e o e h e e kind r ligi n , but l w r t plan o f civilizati o n o n which th e p eo pl e a re

o th e e es s l e s a re f und, rud r and l p a ing o Re o s c o nse th eir religi u s ideas . ligi n qu ently change and d e vel o p acco rding a s n o o e s o rw . O e e e civilizati n g f ard can , th r o e e o th e o o f r , l arn much by kn wing myth l gy o f a e s e s o s us s e th e rac , inc it h w what tag 2 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

p eople in questio n have attained in intel e e e o e e l ctual d v l pm nt, what th y regard as high es t and mo s t imp o rtant in life and e e e s d ath , and what th y r gard a goo d o r

evil . — S un- w orship and N atur e- w orsh ip We c an eas ily per c e ive that a b el ief in c ounsel ing and c ontr oll ing g o ds pr esu pposes a far hig her c iv il iz ati on than savag e peopl e in th e i r e ar l ier h is or o e Rel ous ea r o e l t y p ss ss . ig i id s p ce d part y fr om s oul el ef el ef i n th e c ont nu e l fe o f b i , b i i d i th e soul and ar tl fr om th e el ef t at natur e , p y b i h i s s omet n l n eo l e m ster ous b e hi g ivi g , p p d by y i ing s w hic h c ontr ol r eg ul ar and i r r eg ul ar c hang es in natur e upon w hich man fe el s h im l n en uc e n s ar e o ften d esi s e f depe d t. S h b i g g n e h e r eek w or D m n T ese na at d by t G d e o s . h tu r e - demons make thems elves pl ainly know n t r ou th e r oar n of th e stor m th e r l n h g h i g , ipp i g ’ o f th e w ater or th e w n s entl e l a w th , i d g p y i

h r e - o B ut r aces in th e c l o o e t e t e t ps . hi dh d p r i od o f th e ir de v el opment c annot h ol d fast to a fr m Demons t er e el ef in l fe a art o o es . b i i p b di , h for e ar e t ou t o f in o l form—as men o r , h g h b di y easts A t th e same t me man feel s h i s el b . i h p l ess ness and pow erl essness in th e pr esence of n m er ou for ces h e i s N atu r e a d its y st i s , r om te t en offer n s and su l c at ons p p d , h , by i g pp i i to g ain fr iendl y r el ati ons w ith th ese pow ers w hic h h e w ith h i s o w n str eng th c annot over m I w e e n to find th e rst erm co e . n this b g i fi g GEN ERA L INTR ODUC TI ON 3 o f divine w o rs hip w hi c h is c apabl e o f s ub se ue nt e e l o ment s nc e e e r nc r eas n d o q d v p , i v i i g ma n i s en to th e s n l e e mon W h e i g iv i g d . ith t a dv anc e o f c ivil i z a ti o n th e r e i s d e v el ope d in th e pl ac e o f th e b el i e f i n d e mo ns a b el i e f in mig h ty o s w h o a re t o u t o f as e aut ful and er g d , h g h b i p f uman fo r ms e et h .

Greek and N o rs e M th o l o — ith h e y g y . VV t m o re dev el o ped h e ath e n peo pl e the re is always an exact c o rres p o ndence b etween th e e o f th e o th e e o f th e natur c untry , charact r

eo e e e o s e e T e e p pl , and th ir r ligi u b li f . h r i s e e o e s s o so b e , th r f r , a triking di tincti n al ee G ee o s e o o Th e tw n r k and N r myth l gy . G ee i s e s e th e o r k bright and pl a ant, lik c un try itself ; th e go d s a re th o ught o f a s great and be autiful human fo rm s w h o a re ex o e not e e a s o s o e t ll d m r ly g d , with ff ring and o s s o as s e G ee s w r hip , but al in pir d r k arti ts o e s o e s o f s e s s o s and p t , pr duc r tatu and ng , th e e qual o f which th e w o rld h a s s carcely o o o s e en . N rs e myth l g y a s w e kn o w it fro m th e e s e o s o f th e e e a e i on lat t p ri d h ath n g s , th e o o e se o s c ntrary, m r dark and ri u , and wh e n it lays th e s e rio us a s ide it o ften b e c om es rude in its j es ting . No rseme n fe lt ’ th e lack of tal ent fo r th e s culpto r s and ' 4 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

’ o e e painte r s art, alth ugh th y w re really cle ve r in carving wo o d ; the ir idol s we re as a rule merely clum sy w o oden images em b ellish ed o s s T e e o s in vari u way . h ir r ligi u

on th e o e h as e o faith , th r hand , call d f rth p o e try which in its way i s by no me ans ’ inferio r to th e Greek ; and our fo refathe rs view o f death and particularly the ir te ach o R o o e w e ing ab ut agnar k , c nc rning which s s e e b e e e e hall p ak lat r , can rightly pr f rr d ’ to th e Greeks faith in a mise rable shadow e e f e H e s lif in a r alm o d ath ( ad ) . Wh We T each N 0 73 6 M th o l — F or y y og y . u s No rs e mytho l o gy h as in any case th e ad vantage o f being th e re ligio n o f our ow n fo e e s o w e e to o r fath r , and thr ugh it l arn kn w e o T s i s e ess that r ligi n . hi n c ary if w e w i sh to unde rs tand aright th e histo ry and p o etry o f our antiquity and to co mpreh e nd what go o d characte ris tics and what faults Chri s ti anity e nco unte re d whe n it w as pro claime d h F l i s e es s to t e o . in N rth ina ly, it n c ary kn ow th e m o s t imp o rtant p o ints o f th e he athen faith o f o ur fathe r s in o rde r to appreciate and enj oy many o f th e wo rds f our es oe s T i s es e r o b t p t . his p cially t ue GENERAL INTR OD UC TI ON 5

e e l ens h l a e c r Gruntv i c o nc rning O c g and g , w h o no t o nly have emb o die d large pa rts o f th e N o r se myth ol o gy in inde pendent p o e tic

“ ” “ a Th e o s o f h o E l wo rks ( s G d t e N rth , ar

” “ H o S e e o th e o o f th e ak n , c n fr m C nflict ” N o rns and A es ir ) but al s o o fte n b o rro w fro m it in the ir o th e r w o rk s te rm s and fig ures which w e o ught to b e abl e to unde r To o to th e of th e s tand . p int antiquity ’ o to o ur e s e N rth and fath r faith , lif , and ’ achi evements w a s o ne o f th e p oet s princi pal m e an s o f awak ening th e slumbe ring na ti onal feeling at th e beginning o f o ur cen

r tu y . I n n h N h —I i s Ol d e st h abita ts o f t e ort . t

o s s w as o ur es o s w h o s e v p ibl e that it anc t r , e ral th o u s and years b e fo re th e Chris tian h e era e S t e s o e a . , inhabit d candinavia , in t n g L earn e d inve stigatio n s hav e in every ca s e pro ved as m o st pro babl e and rea s o nabl e e o e o f th e o e a e o e o e that p pl br nz g , b th b f r h 1 h e n 0 . d to t a d e t e e 0 0 B C . e o e aft r y ar , b l ng s e e a th e o e o f th e o a e am rac s N rthm n ir n g , s o that our h e ath e n e r a stre tches o ve r a

Space o f at l ea st tw o th o us and ye ars . We s e e o e s ee o o o th e mu t, th r f r , k inf rmati n ab ut 6 N ORSE MYTH OL O GY o ldes t religio us idea s o f th e No rth in pr e s o aeo o th e s e e in hi t ric arch l gy, ci nc which ve stig ates and throws light up o n every s e f e t pe ci s o r lic preserve d fro m antiqui y. H e re it i s es p ecially burial rites and th e placing in grave s o f obj e cts supp o sed to b e o ffe rings which have myth ol o gical sig nifi

08 1109 .

— B FI G. l R un a rr w s . . o d o

a I n th e r ema ns o f th e earl est stone a e th e . i i g , r efuse ea s no u r al l ac es a e een dis c ov h p , b i p h v b er e d ; b u t fr om th e l atest stone ag e h ave een foun a r eat num er of r a es r oun b d g b g v , d and l on arr o e l r l c am er F w s s u c a s s . g b , p h h b ( ig “ ” 1 and stone c ests in w c o es w er e h , hi h b di l aid unburned and suppl ie d w ith th e nec essar y m l ements w i c s ow s a el ef in a cont n i p , h h h b i i u ed l fe after eat B urne l a e n r em i d h . d p c s a d nants of pyr es in th e g raves s eem to indicate GE NE RAL INTR ODUC TI ON 7 o ffe r n s to o r fo r th e e ad a nd ew n in th e i g d , h s to nes a r e o fte n fo u nd c e r ta i n s au c e r - l ik e d e ress o ns w e el s a nd c ro ss es w c most l el p i , h , hi h ik y n n F i h a v e r el ig i o us s ig ific a ce ( g . b I n th e r o nz e a e w c end s some h un . b g , hi h e rs efo r e th e rt o f C r st men l o n d r ed y a b bi h h i , g h ne e pr eserve d bur i al r ites from t e sto ag .

2 —L n a r r w FI G. . B s o g o .

B o es w er e no t urne b ut w er e l ac e in di b d , p d r aise d mounds i n a tig htly c l os e d sto ne s e tting o r i n t f oll o w e ru n o f s L ater c es s o t s o a . h h d k k , ow e er th e urn n o f o es ecame mor e h v , b i g b di b and mo r e c ommo n ; ash es w er e pr ese rv e d in s tone v ess el s o r most o ften in cl ay u r ns w i thi n th e mo und s ; many times use w as mad e o f ol d moun s fr om th e tone a e Th e r eatest num d s g . g b er o f ou r ar r ow s c onta n t er efo r e to m s b i , h , b fro m th e r o nz e a e F s 5 Th e r easo n b g ( ig . fo r thi s c h ang e in th e mode o f b ur i al s eems to 8 N ORS E MYTH OL O GY b e th e r se of new eas a ou l fe after ea i id b t i d th . A t fir st peo pl e b el i eve d in a c ontinu ed l ife of th e o l ater t e urne th e o to set b dy , h y b d b dy fr e h oul L ew se i th e stone e men e t e s . ik i n ag e os te in th e r a es s ac r c al fts an d p i d g v ifi i g i , h d omel w r ou t o ec ts for u se o r o r nament s y g h bj . F or decor ation ar e use d now al so hooked c r osses

— m r a rn FI G 3 . S e u c ra C a e s o r C . . p l h l h b , i and tr efo l F 8 T ese em l ms w ose s s . e i ( ig h b , h s n c anc e i s not now n ar e fou n u se as ig ifi k , d d “ ” s acr e d tokens ( r el ig i ous s ymb ol s ) among all

I n o - E u r o ean eo l es d p p p . e Th e ron a e e ns r o a l s omet me in . i g b g i p b b y i th e fourt c entu I n er anc en t mes h ry v y i t i , e en th e N orth men h ad en o e c ommer c al r e v , j y d i l ati ons w t n r F r om a out th e i h As i a a d G eec e . b ’ time o f Chr ist s bi r th th er e b eg ins a strong Ro m an n uence w c amon ot er t n s es i fl , hi h , g h hi g , g iv

10 N URSE MYTH OLO GY

e s e r ee e e languag hav g adually b n d v l o ped . It i s als o probable that th e No rthme n had th e s ame heathen religio n in all th e main

I — n w i au er - De ress ns W ee s and F G. 4 . St e t S c e o h lik p io , h l Cr sses o . p o ints ; even in th e wo rship o f th e go ds there h a s been but little diffe rence in th e f di ferent provinces . GENE R AL INTR ODUC TI ON 1 1

— o th i c - Ge rma ni c R a c c We e e o G . may v n g

s e e fo r b e es s e a t p farth r back , it can tabli h d s o e Ge s in many way that N rthm n , rman , and Engli shmen al s o we re o nce o ne gre at

e i s s e th e Go rac , which u ually call d thic

er s Go - Ge r m e G manic , and thi thic anic rac

I —O F G . m h B z . 5 a k Co flins r t e r n e A f o o g e . h a s again a c o mm o n o rigin with m o s t o f th e E o e eo e h e es . t G e s ur p an p pl ( g . e r k ) , and th e s f P e s with inhabitant o r ia and India .

— ' I nd o E IM O n - Ve e pea s . \ mu s t th e n pictur “ ” to o urs e lves a primitive pe o pl e wh o se o n e o f o e w e o e e e rigi al plac ab d cann t d t rmin , but fro m which thes e re late d peo ple s hav e o o e o s ee e o e T s thr ugh l ng p ri d b n d ev l p d . hi primitive peo pl e as a matte r o f c o urs e had e e o s e s i s o e c rtain r ligi u id a , and it pr babl 12 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY that w e may b e able to find traces o f th e o e i n h e G ee riginal divin faith t Indian , r k , and N o r s e myth olo gy ; and this i s actually h e Th e s s w h o are o e t ca s e . ling ui t ccupi d with compariso ns betwe e n th e language s o f th e diffe re nt Indo - E uro pe an ra ces have

FI G 6 — r a M un w rn . G e t U s . . v o d i h

ee e t o es s s o s b n abl tabli h many uch p int , but here w e mu s t b e c ontent with bringing o f f rward a ew e xample s . z r Th e e fo r th e o s A es . e g n ral name g d as h e o en A es i r i s w , among t N rthm , , which h e A ns er o e d eve lo pe d fr om t e o ld r . C rr sponding fo rms ar e fo und in mo st o f th e re

e s Th e H e e - Go d w as late d languag . av n D dus th e calle d among th e Indians y , by 4 GEN /511- L I 3

s h R s - e e s Z c . y t e o n Ju it r T h e G e u a . r k , b m p ( l e I ma nie p e o ple b e li ev e d i n a g o d w h o m th e y a ll e 1 m “ h le th e m i s to I II th e c d , i und N o r s e r e ligi o n th e n a m e Ty 'r ( pre s e rv e d in

Da n T i r s d a E n T s y 1 11 h e o ld e a . t . g , g . u d ) e s t N o rs e l a ng u a ge th i s w o r d mu s t h a ve

‘ 1 b n n In ll h e s e e s 1111 e e T i w a . t a t nam d o ubtedl y s pri ng fro m a c o mm o n b a s a l

“ ” fo w h s e s th e b r h o ne o r rm , ich ignifi ig t ” th e s n o ne o s e e ly hini g , and which c n qu nt may h ave d es ignate d th e g o d o f th e h e ave n h n o r t e s u .

z r i n Th o — ll y s th e I n T Od ; . G1 a d u a a / , , d o L u r Ope a ns s c a tte re d a nd in th e c o u rs e o f tim e s ettl e d i n di ffe rent. regi o n s w ith

e a l y ffe r l e th ev e to h e r gr t di ing c imat , gav t i o d o f e e m y e h e s o to g h av n an pit t , acc rding th e n atu re o f th e c o unt r y in w h ich th e v had

l Th e Go h - Ge e o l e ll e s ett ed . t ic rmanic p p ca d h im no w b y th e o r n l n e no w igi a am , “ ” th n o r Th o na r an th e bl o o ne ana ( wing ,

“ ” th e th und e ring o ne and it w a s no t l o ng b e fo re th ey fo rgo t that th e s e nam e s w e re — ’ o nl y app endage s to th e o l d h eave n g o d s n e N o w h ey e e e a s m n y o s am . t num rat d a g d

‘ w s e a e R a us e i s to vo ic e d S i n o ld e I ta g e s o f th l a ng u g . 1 4 N OR S E M YTH OL OGY a s h e e e e e s h s o s e o t r w r nam , and t u ar , am ng o e h s b el ef th e h e e e s th r t ing , i in t r diviniti , h Th T r T o . e Ge s s y , Odin , and r ( rman aid

Do th e o w e e Wo dan and nar . In N rth hav littl e o r n o thing o f th e w o r ship o f Ty r ; F e h o s e r y takes t e place o f thi s g o d . ) G n

F I — M un s . G 7. Ro w G r a e . of v o d quently new divinitie s and new rel igi o u s i de a s s ee m to hav e ari s en am o ng ou r fo re

’ fath ers acc o rding to th e rule that th e g o d s e pi th et o r ti tl e i s s epa ra ted fr o m h is h ame a nd th en des ig na tes a n i nd epend ent per s o n l b ein i e s i s l bl e to a a g . S nc thi app ica o d o ne c an e s l e s o e g , a i y imagin that m thing s imil ar can b e th e ca s e with many o the r po ints in myth o l o gy . 15

‘ u o l l /z s —l l ut d e c c o m a r ( mm n I / . a ir t p i s o n a ls o b e twe e n th e h e ath e n fa ith s o f th e

‘ l ud o - l l u r o pe a n pe o ple s h o w s th a t ma n y s in g le p o i nt s in th e i r r e lig io us (m y th s ) c o r re

' e M y h s a o N Y) " M- tu e a re fo n S p nd . t b ut a u d

b o a s o e Th a m o ng th Indi n and N rthm n . e

' F l u S — ( na t I e tO I l o r F I G 9 — JI e fo I | g .

‘ Hook e d ( I o s s

e s o d o th e ns G ee s high t g am ng India , r k , and o u r fo r e fath e r s a l ik e i s a r m e d with a s ure s tr il< ing mi s s i le in h is capacit y o f th e th un

d e r - o d w h e h e s h e e es e e l l y g , t r thi r pr nt d p ain

a s a e b o l l - f s thund r t ( ightning la h ) , a ham

m r o r b e . . a clu — Ow s a r a nd T a c itus B e s id e s th i s w e kn o w b u t little w ith c e rtainty ab o ut pa r ticu l a r po ints in th e m y th o l o g y o f th e o ld e s t

Go th i c - Ge rm anic pe o pl e ; and s o it is a ls o w ith r e ga rd to th e re ligi o n o f th e N o rth e rn p e o ple in th e firs t c e nturi es o f th e C h ris tian 1 6 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY e r a fo r e h e e no i e e o s , th y av l ft wr tt n r c rd e e e s o e o f b ehind th e m . W hav alr ady p k n

i e s what w e can l e arn fro m anc nt find .

FI O — 1 m G. l . A ta r r th e I r A e f o on g .

A o th e T e o s e a s h ol e th e b ut ut n , tak n a w , R o man histo rian s Cae s ar and Tacitus give

20 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

s h o e n es e e s o o n reached al o t e N rth r rac , wh r th ey were scratched upo n objects in c om mon us as o s s s e o s e, c mb , cla p , w ap n , and r o s H e e e o drinking o sacrificial h rn . r b l ng th e afo rementi oned go lden h o rn s fro m Gal b s o e T ese e e le u in s uth rn Jutland . h w r fo und in 1639 and 1734 and had a value in our m o ney o f about kro ner At th e very beginning o f our century they were s tolen on account o f the ir e e e e o e so w e no gr at valu and m lt d v r, w must co ntent o urselves with drawings and ca sts of these s plendid m o numents of an ti uit e bee s al q y, which may hav n a acrifici T e cons s e o f o s o o o en gift . h y i t d tw m th g ld ho rns of ve ry fine go ld with an o uter ca sing o f - fittin r s i e s e of o o n tight g ing l k wi g ld, which there we re engraved figure s and o r naments and e w ee ese e e , b t n th again th r e F were rai s d figures firmly solde red ( igs . 11 Many attempts have been made to e re es o l re es e o s int rp t th e pict ria pr ntati n , e e which ea sily have a r ligi ous s ignificanc . o rs ur reno e aeo o s w a s W aae, o . wn d arch l gi t , o f th e o pinio n th at one ho rn represe nte d life e th e s e e s th e o e e al in h ll ( rp nt ) , th r lif in V GEN ER A L I N TR OD UC TI ON 2 1

th e s s o e e i s o l halla ( tar ) , which h w v r wh l y A o th e e o s o f uncertain . l ng upp rm t ring o ne h o rn o ne may read in th e primitive N o rs e language

e k h lew a as tiR h o ltin a P. o taw id o g g h rna ,

’ i s : L ze te s t H o s s o n o r f o that I , g , lt ( , r m

r H o e th e o . lt) , mad h n — R - n o e e en e une S to es . S m what lat r m b gan to us e es fo r s o s on o e s run in cripti n b wld r , which w e re place d in o r o ftenes t up o n o o r e s e e e a s e o s grave m unds l wh r , m m rial

h e e S - s es a re fo r t e d part d . uch run e to n o De o S e e f und in nmark , N rway, and w d n o ffe e es us D e s o fr m di r nt ag , but with an nly fro m e p o ch s be tw een 800 and th e o es e e o e e e o th e e e ld t th r f r v n fr m h ath n time .

Rune - s to nes g i ve th e ea r li es t a nd s u res t co n tri buti on to o ur k no w l edg e of A es i r - fa ith i n th e N o r th .

Th o r o n R ne - s t ne - n th e l av e n u o s . O G dru s o e o o 900 o s p t n fr m ab ut , which c ntain th e o es D s s o w e l ng t ani h runic in cripti n ,

1 S ome young er s tone s f rom B o r nholm a nd a s i ng l e o ne r m S k a a ne nee no t b e ment ne e re f o d io d h . 22 N ORSE' MYTH OL OCY

e f e th e e o o e s r ad, a t r m m rial w rds th m e lve s th e following

May Th o r c o nse crate thes e runes "

On another Danish rune - s to ne th e invo ca o o s es th e o e e o fo r on ti n c mpri wh l m m rial , th e margin of th e sto ne i s engrave d

May Th o r co ns ecrate this mo nument "

Such a place co nse crated o r dedicate d to th e o s i s e V o r Vi e g d call d a 6 , which nam i e s i e e n . s w e have pr s rved Od n e ( e . Odin v n o h G e s o e e a d V . t e ) ib rg On lav ndrup t n , i s se o e th e e A e th e which rai d v r Chi ftain ll , “ ’ latte r i s called Vierne s h o n o rable s erv ” on so e - s o e ant, and a uth Jutland run t n ’ Chieftain Odink ar s daughter calls herself

i - ri V A sf d . — Th or th e Chi ef Go d Only on the se tw o s to nes i s th e name o f th e g o d o f thunde r e ess e on o e s w e find en xpr ly giv n , but th r “ ray ed e o s e o s o o ed g tr f il , quatr f il ( h k r s F i i s cro s ses o hamme r ( g . which an e vidence o f th e fact that Th o r a t this time w as th e c hi ef g o d of th e D anes ; and thi s s ame thing w e can e s tablish in many

24 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY o e s for th es o f h th r way , and e r t t e N o rth als o . This i s shown by th e many co mpound

’ pers o n and place name s in which Th o r s i th s e e T e s e e . . o s e nam fir t m mb r ( g h r t inn , Th r r F o rb e . b e e e g ) inally, it can mpha siz d that when th e Go thic - Ge rmanic p eo pl e trans lated th e Latin n a me s fo r th e days o f th e ee th e L w k , in fifth day, which in atin ’ i s e e s di es o o i e call d Jupit r day ( J s ) , th y

e Th o rs trans lated Jupite r by Th o r (Ic l . D n T r r Donn rs ta r da Ge . e . da a . o s g , g , g ) in n F r T o e e T o d a d e . O y g th r with h r, F e e e es e o s e Odin and r y w r p cially w r hip d , and some evidences o f this fact a r e fo und

- t o e s o e s . o e e w as no up n run t n Odin , h w v r, unde rsto o d as th e mighty s upreme g o d o H e i s s o re amo ng th e commo n pe ple . p resented o nly in No rwegian - Icelandic po e w as o th e Ge e o e try, and it am ng rmanic p pl dwelling s o uthward that Odin - w o rship playe d an imp ortant p a rt at an e arly o peri d . —T o ew I nd . f 5 . cel a e e are e e e h r , th r f r , but ’ details known to u s o f o ur fo refathers r e lig i on at th e beginning o f Viking time s . B ut fro m ab out th e ye ar 900 and later w e

26 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

ses h e e o f th e o th e pri t cr ati n o w rld, e r la o o f o s to men e e ti n g d in lif and d ath , and finally th e do wnfall o f th e go d s and o f th e o R a o e w rld at gnar k , afte r which th re shall co me a new heaven and a new e arth where men a re judged after the ir uprightnes s and o o o no t fo r e e g d c nduct, and th ir brav ry o e al n .

in Ch i e o d — A n s o Od . f G e sential p int w e o to o e e e i s a s o e which ught n t h r , t uch d o e o e Odi n in th i s o etr i s c on up n b f r , that p y oei o ed o as th e ch i e o d e o e o f f g , b f r wh m th e o e s o o s o esses s th r , b th g d and g dd , mu t

b ow .

w e now o o s s to e If , in what f ll w , wi h mak a co here nt pre s e ntati o n o f th e religio n a s w e o e - e e e find it in N rw gian Ic landic lit ratur , w e mu s t in th e firs t place rememb e r w ell that De nmark and Swe den hardly had th e s e e e a s ol e e e am faith , vi w d a wh , v n if s the re a r e p o ints o f co nfo rmity in e s sential . It appe ars am o ng o the r things fro m th e myths o f th e go ds which Saxo h a s pres ented to u s in th e firs t b o o ks o f h i s L atin hi s to ry o f De o s e s th e nmark , that vari u d tail in te achings ab o ut th e go ds a re told o the rwis e GEN ERAL I N TR OD UC TI ON 27

e e De n e l h r ( in nmark ) tha in Ic and , and that w e have traditi o n s to which n o thing in

e o es o s e B u i n Ic land c rr p nd and vic e v rs a . t th e e e th e o e o is e es e n xt plac c nt nti n mad , p

th e o e o l s B e cially by N rw gian phil o gi t ugg , that a great many things in myth o l ogical

o e r o o a h th e e s p t y , thr ugh c nt ct wit C lt and o e s in th e V e e o s e ee th r iking xp diti n , hav b n s o fl e e s n es tr ngly in u nc d by Chri tia ity, y ,

- e ven by Jewi s h and Graec o R o ma n ide a s .

A s s ew o e e im gain t thi vi , h w v r , many and p o rtant o bj ecti o ns a re rais e d ; b ut no o ne can de ny that Chri s tianity c a n and mus t hav e had in any ca s e s o me influence up o n l th e late r d evel o pm ent o f N o rs e myth o o gy . F o b e s o l e o e m inally, it cann t tr ng y n ugh ph as i z e d that m o s t o f th e myth s and h e ro s aga s which a re re to ld in what fo ll ows mu s t no t b e unders to o d a s di rec t tes tim o ny c o n ’ e o u r e s e e e e ll a r e c rning fath r b li f , but g n ra y o nly a p o etically inte rprete d and m o difi e d

th e e fo r i s o s p o rtrayal , mat rial which m t c e rta inly de rived fro m th e belie f o f th e pe o pl e .

' Th e r efo re i t is N o r u eg ia n- I c e l a ndic ni n th olog g s uch as devel oped i n Vik i ng times 28 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

and s o on afte rw a r ds (800- 1100) w h i ch w e k no w bes t a nd i t is a ll w e k now c o nne c t ,

edl . W s s ee s h e o a y e mu t fir t , t n, fr m wh t s o s e e e s o e e urce w d riv thi kn wl dg . 6 Ed di e Po ems and S cal di c La s —Th e . y o lde s t and m o s t impo rtant s ource s a r e th e old o e — el o e s i s cu s N rw gian Ic andic p m . It tomary to di s ting u ish between th e s o - calle d E ddi e P o e s th e L s m and S caldic ay . Th e E ddi e P o eni s prese rv e d in an I ce l andi c manus cript and wrongly call e d th e E ld e r E dda we re co mp o s e d in th e afo re e o e e o in th e e of s on m nti n d p ri d, tim tran iti and o f co nflict b etween paganis m and T r o f o n o Christianity . hey a e unkn w auth r ship and treat partly do ctrine s o f th e go ds and th e he ath en view o f life in c o nne cte d o th e e e s s o f o s f rm , and partly diff r nt aga g d and h e ro es which in th e N o rth ar e us ually o o Th e given a myth lo gical backgr und . mo s t imp o rtant o f th e E ddi e p o ems will b e e in h o o s m ntio ned t e f ll wing page . Th e S ca ldi c L ays c o me fr om auth o rs e s e o Th e o es who se nam are m nti n ed . ld t and bes t a r e fro m th e s ame p e ri o d a s th e E ddi P o s o few o f e e e em , but nly a th m hav GEN ERA L I N TR OD UC TI ON 29

— a th o ro ughly mytho lo gica l c o nte nt chi e fly

“ ” th e s e o e s e th e s hi ld p m , tr ating myth which a re picto rially re pre s ente d o n th e

“ e s o f th e s e l s th e S o o f fi ld hi d , and ng ” Prai s e to th e Chi eftain wh o s e lineage i s o h e o s th e o e traced up t t g d . On th r hand e o e oe se s th y all c ntain in th ir p tic paraphra ,

th e s o - e K c nnin a r l s o s to m call d g , a lu i n y th ol o g y o r l egenda ry his to ry which presup p o s es that th e myth o r s aga in qu e s ti o n i s h e th o s kn own to t e h eare r . Wh n e gall w

“ b e a e o e th e o o can c ll d by a p t c l , windy ’ ” s e e o f S s e o o th e b e a rer t d igny brid gr m , mu s t in o rde r to unde rs tand th e expres s i o n kn o w w ell th e l e gend o f H a g b a rth and

’ S igny and H ag b a rth s death o n th e gal

o s l w . F ro m Ice land came likewi se tw o impo rt ant primary s o urce s o f N o rs e myth o l o gy ’ o s e e S no r ri E th e in pr , nam ly s dda and f h o S o t e V s s . aga l ung — 7. Snorr i (d . S no r ri S turl a s on

’ w a s Iceland s m o s t imp o rtant pro se auth o r

h is s o and withal a clever S cald . In hi t rical “ ” s e e e H eimsk r in l a h e s e e s ma t rpi c , g , u d pecially fo r matte rs c o nc e rning th e earlie s t 30 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

e old S c s a s o o s for h i s de tim , caldi lay pr f s o e efo e h e e a cripti n , and th r r acquir d ccu rate and intimate knowle dge o f the ir c on te nt : and a s a S cald h e o f ne ce s s ity c o m pl ete ly unde rs to o d th e s ubstance and nature f h e o e s e s H e h e c on o t p tical paraphra . t n c e iv ed th e plan o f co mmitting h i s knowl e e to e e o e h e o o se dg writing, and th r f r c mp d h i s E T o i s o s o s e d e dda . his w rd m t cl ly “ ” “ fined a s P o e tics o r H andb o o k fo r ” Th e o e Scalds . b o k falls into thr e main Th l in in ‘ D s o s . e s G a n e divi i n fir t, g f g g , ’ lusi o n o f G lfi e a es th e o o f y , r l t s t ry a king G lfiw h o o e e e o y , j urn y d fo rth to l arn ab ut th e o e o f th e A e s H e s s e p w r ir . di gui d him self a s a wayfare r and came to a great hall in which we re many p eo ple and three chief s w h o s at e h i s se one tain , ach in high at, e th e T h high r than o th e r . hes e e ques tio ne d o th e o o e o s h e ab ut all myth l gical r lati n , and

e e e e s e s to h i s e r c iv d cl ar an w r all inquiri s . Within this framewo rk Snor ri take s o cea s ion to present a gene ral view o f th e wh o le o of th e o s o o d ctrine g d , particularly f ll wing old p o em s which b e frequently cites in evi e He o s e e o f th E d nce . menti ns v ral e ddie GEN ERAL I N TR OD UC TI ON 3 1

o e s s es e e s o s o e p m till pr rv d , but al m which w d o no t o no w o o e s o e e kn w fr m any th r urc . l Th e s e o s e o S I-calds k a a rni a l re c nd cti n , p , vi ews and e xplain s th e diffe rent p o e tic paraphra se s Wh ere these allud e to th e d o ctrin e o f th e g o d s o r to traditio nal h is o r th e s o r o s e s o t y, myth traditi n in qu ti n ar e re c o unte d and a numbe r o f s caldic i v e rs es are eite d a s pa s s ages in evid ence . 2 Th e se o H a tta ta l third cti n , finally , , which i s th e le a s t imp o rtant fo r th e my th o l o i s o f th e g y , a practical applicati n o o e o eo s e S no r r i h a s o o s e f r g ing th ry , inc c mp d e o f e s es i n ffe e e e s a numb r v r di r nt m t r , mak ing u s e o f th e paraphra s es which h e h a s e e e e e xplain d in what pr c d d . In th e intro ductio n to th e wh o le and in th e arrange ment o f th e mate rial o ne ea s ily feels that S no r ri h as s o ught to bring ab o ut — c oh e rence in th e o ld traditi on s p erhap s inv oluntarily und e r influence o f h i s Chris — tian faith and trie s to co in hi sto ry o ut o f s s s s e i s e o myth and aga , inc Odin mad int

. e e se e o a princ v r d in magic , dw lling rigi

1 P e t c P r a se o r L a n a e etr o i h olog y g u g of Po y . ’ Enumera t n o r Ta e Me ter s io l of . 32 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

A s w h o e e e o h e nally in ia , but lat r wand r d t t o e e h e e e th es o o f N rth , wh r b cam e anc t r th e kings o f th e realm and w as wo rs hipe d s Snorri es th s e ew a a g od . advanc e am vi a ls o in th e firs t part o f th e H eims k ring la th e s e - e Yn lin a S , call d g g aga , which c o ntains imp o rtant but ob scure myth ol o g i o cal info rmati n . Th e S aga o f th e Vo l s ungs co ntains a c on nected pro se ve r s io n o f th e S aga s o f th e o s s e e r e V l ung and Nib lung , an amplifi d narrati o n of th e E ddie H e ro - P oems ; but e e as G l a inni n i s e h r , in g f g g , it appar nt that th e unknown auth o r had fo r h i s au th o rit o e s no o s y p m w l t . B ut in th e o the r pieces o f Icelandic pro s e lite rature als o the re a r e give n h e re and the re imp o rtant details abo ut th e heathen o s o f th o its or s T s w r hip e g ds and f m . hi applies b o th to th e H eims k ring la (th e at tempt o f th e tw o Olafs to intro duce Chris ti anity into No rway) and to not a few o f th e - s s T e e r s o family aga . h r a e al found mythical - hero ic sagas in th e style o f th e

” Th e R un W r H st r th e S ca n na a n o d o ld , i o y of di vi Ra es c .

34 N ORSE MYTH OLOGY o ften pre served one o r an othe r heathen e reminis cenc . A e e e o e o h is s alr ady r mark d ab v , S ax in e s o th e s e o o s o f h i s anci nt hi t ry, fir t nin b k o s e e s o s o e e a w rk , r t ll and w rk in t g th r num b e r of s s o th e o s e o e s aga ab ut g d , h r , and s h i s o w as s e king . In w rk, which fini h d in th e e of th 13th e h e h as b ginning e c ntury, made us e o f b oth Danish and Icelandic r Th e e traditio n fo its fo undatio n . anci nt his to ry h a s extra o rdinary myth o l o gical im o e as so e s b e se p rtanc , but a urc it mu t u d h S o es th e with t e gre ates t cautio n . ax giv s ame histo rical inte rpreta tio n to th e wh o le that h e do e s to any part and th e refo re h e h a s alte re d and re arrange d myths and s aga s e e e ee e e Th e wh n coh r nce s m d to d mand it . o ld go ds are interpre ted a s might b e ex e e e o o s o s p ct d fro m a r ligi us auth r . Old ng ar e o e o e fo e ft n qu t d, but un rtunat ly in a e o e L r m d le d atin ve rs ion .

N OTE —Canon A am o f B r emen w h o l v e d , i d c ontem or aneo usl w t S en E s tr id s on ma e p y i h v d , d a L atin a c c ount o f th e hi sto r y of th e A r c h s o o f H am ur in w c h e al so tell s o f th e bi h p b g , hi h a an s m o f th e N o r t r n c ou ntr e f fo r p g i h e i s . O eig n sour c es w hi ch c an th r ow l ig ht upon th e GEN ERAL I N TR OD UC TI ON 35

i nte r re l a ti o n o f myths a mo ng th e Go thi c - Ge r ma ni c pe o ple c a n b e na me d th e His to ry o f th e “ Go t s w r i tten b Jo rd a ne s a nd th e H s to r h , y , i y ’ f h e L o mb a r s b l a n us D a c o nus F i o t . d , y i i na ll t e re a r e fo u n m o r ta nt c o ntr b ut o ns y , h d i p i i o n thi s po i nt i n Old Ge r ma n a nd A ng l o - S axo n o etr w c i s no w urel e at en ne w p y , hi h p y h h , Ch r i sti an w i th a b a ckg r o und o f h e ath en id e as r e o ns I n E n l a n a r e fo u n no t a a nd exp ss i . g d d fe w pi c to r i a l r e pr es enta ti o ns w i th h al f- h eath en c o nte nt o f w c h s e e r a l w ll b e use i n w at , hi v i d h ll w s fo o . FIRS T S E C TION

MYTH OL OGY I N C ON NE CTED F OR M A CCORD

I N G T O NOR W E GI A N - ICEL A NDI C S OU RCES

I . H OW TH E W OR L D W A S CR E A TE D

1 . - - r Th e F og Country and th e Fire Wo l d . L o e s e o h e s e N i l ng y ar b f re t e arth exi t d , f h ii n e e th e s o f e w a s cr at d . In mid t it lay th e el H o e r elmi r o ten i ce w l g , fr m which o e o o s s e s E li o a ar c ld v n m u tr am , g , had e o th e the ir o rigin . Niflh im lay t ward o s o e w s a e n rth , but uthward th re a plac

l e M us ell e e w a s h o t ca l d p , wh r it light and , o e efo e im as s gl wing and burning , and th r r p abl e fo r any o ne w h o had not h i s h o me

’ e A M s e o s at S ur t a s th re . t u p ll s b undary e e e o f th o a d f nd r e c untry, with flaming swo rd in h i s hand ; it w a s h e w h o at th e de structio n o f th e wo rld w as to l ead in th e battl e agains t th e go ds and s et th e e arth on

r M e ee th e fo - o fie . idway b tw n g c untry and 36 H OW TH E WOR LD WAS CREA TED 37

th e fire - o l h e e w a s l w r d t r a yawning gu f, inn n G u g ag ap. 2 Th e P m t e G ant Ymi —Th e . ri i iv i r . e wav s o f th e v en o m o u s s tre am s s o o n fr o ze to i c e

a nd th e o s o o s o o e s e to o s p i n u vap r c nd n d fr t , w hich w a s met by th e warm air fro m Mus e ll F o o p . r m this c ntact came int o being

th e e T uai r h e e e th e primitiv giant , and b cam a e s o o f th e e o f s a s o nc t r rac giant , b th h eave n and earth al s o w ere afte rward c o n

s r e o h is o e h e t uct d fr m b dy . Once wh n w a s a sl e ep h e fell ih to a p e rs pirati o n and fro m und e r h i s l e ft arm came fo rth a man a nd a w oman ; but it w a s even m o re w o n d e r ful that o ne o f h i s fe e t beg o t a s o n with

th e oth e r . This s o n again had a s o n by

e B e r elni i r nam g . ’ — Th e Co w A u th uni la ; B o r s S o ns Th e c o nge al e d v e n o m ou s s tre ams c o ntinu e d to s e o ut f o s f o s th e c o w A u nd r t, and r m thi

th unz l a s o o fo F o h e r t d rth . r m udde rs the re

e o s e s o f l o cam f ur tr am mi k , fr m which Y ot h is o s e e th ow mir g n uri hm nt, whil e c

e s e e th e s l o s - c ov h r lf liv d by licking a t , fr t

e h e v h e e r d s to n e s . On t firs t d a s e licke d th m

’ th ere cam e fo rth toward eve ning a man s 38 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

’ th e e s e th e hair , n xt day a man h ad , and

h i th e o le s o o e e H e t rd day wh man t d th r . w a s e B u rn w a s nam d , and fair, tall , and t o o o L e h e s o n mighty o l k up n . at r had a

e B o r w h o e th e B o l by nam , marri d giant

’ th o rn s e R os tl a T e s o s e e daught r . h ir n w r i ili Od n V Ye . , , and Th e wh o le sto ry o f th e cre atio n i s to l d

’ “ ” e in S no r r i s E i s men xplicitly dda , but tio ned al s o in th e beginning o f th e o ld

’ o e Vo lus a th e o a s P o e p m , p , V lv r ph cy

s r 3 V .

’ Tw a s th e e nn n time w en m r e b g i i g of h Y i liv d , o r i w th e r e w a s no s a nd no r s e a. n b llo s c ool ; e a r th w a s fou nd now h er e ne ith er h e a ven a bove ;

i n u n a u r a s w as n w er e a g u lf w a s G n g b t g s o h .

—B ’ now Heaven and E arth . o s s o s 3 . r n Y l e h im S o b o o to o k mir and ki l d . much l d flo we d fro m h i s w o und th at all h i s pro geny w a s o e th e e e o o f dr wn d in it, with xc pti n ’ hi s o s on B e r elmi r h i s e w h o s n s g and wif ,

‘ s ave d th em s elves fro m th e stre ams o f bl o o d

o o r e e - e e e in a b at tr trunk, and lat r b cam h e s f f B ut t e anc to rs o a new race o giants . ’ ’ B o s s o s o o th e s o o r n t k g iant b dy, br ug ht it H OW TH E WOR LD WA S CREA TED 39

ut o th e s o f th e f o int mid t yawning gul , and

e e f o fo rm d h eav n and earth r m it . In o ne o f th e E ddie p o em s w e g e t m o re e xact info rmati o n as to h ow this cam e to

C HI N N 4 0 .

’ F r om Ymi r s fle s h th e e a r th w a s s h a pe d

a nd r m h is th e s e a f o blood , th e m unta ns r m h i s ne s tre e s r m h i s a r o i f o bo f o h i , a nd r m h i s s ku th e s k y f o ll .

And f rom h i s e ye - l a s h es th e ki ndly g od s ma d e M t a r t fo r th e s ns men i hg h o of , a nd f rom h i s b r a i n w e r e th e fo rb idding a cloud s a l l s h ped .

Th e he aven w as made fa s t o ve r th e earth by fo ur co rn ers ; unde r each o f th es e s at a dwarf w h o bo re th e sam e nam e a s th e c o r ne r o f th e e Th s s e o u arth . e park that w nt t o M s e th e s o s o f B o r e e fr m u p ll , n plac d very

e e in th e sk o e th e s o wh r y v r yawning gulf, that th ey s h o uld illuminate th e w o rld . N o w

w a s th e s un o o s s it , m n , and tar which had

’ th eir places and c o urs e s app o inte d fo r m en s

o o o f e h e c mputati n tim , while t lightning

e ee o Th s w nt fr ly ar und . e earth w a s ph er 4 0 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

o m ou o o e h e ical in f r , and t ar und it fl w d t e s ea o o e o h s gr at , al ng wh s c as t t e giant o e for se e e — unh ini btain d land ttl m nt Jo t e , ‘ ’ H ’ B u n G s o e . t e w e e iant m midway b t n, Odi and h i s o e s o s M r br th r c n tructed ithga th , ’ h e dged ab o ut with th e primitive giant s eye l s e s e e men e e to e e w e a h ; th r , w r hav th ir d ll

- e ing plac .

M ARK — T€I ’In l M t ar t l R . s e a e to E ik i hg h , pp i d th e w orl o f men a ear amon th e Got s A n d , pp g h ,

l - on and er mans I n a Dan s all a o S a s G . g x , i h b d ou r dea d L or d b eg s l eave to r etur n to Mid elh em d j .

4 Da and Ni h t —I n o tunh eim e e . y g J th r dwe lt me anwhile a man w h o w a s name d

N o r w h o a e th e e , and had daught r by nam o f N Sh e w a s s e a t. dark and warthy, lik all h r w as e to D ellin e family . Nat marri d g , ’ o f B o s e sh e s on r rac , and with him had a , Da w h o w as so e e h i s g , light and hand m lik e no o o e s on fath r . Odin w t o k m th r and and s et e in e e o e e th m up h av n , v r which th y

- o s were to drive e ve ry tw enty f ur h o ur . es s th e s ee H rim acvi Nat driv fir t with t d f , fro m wh o s e bit fo am flie s do wn o ver th e

i e o o e arth ; this s what w e call d w . F ll wing

4 2 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY b o dies dete rmine chro nol o gy and th e di s of h e e e o o vi io ns t y ar . Of s a s ns , o nly tw Th e e o f e i s e a re named . fath r Wint r call d Vinds o a l S e i s s on o f S vasuth , but umm r a , ’ ‘ h e t mild . — ‘ 6 . Wind and Rainb ow H ra es ue l o " g , b dy ’ ’ e s o e i s e e s o w h o d tr y r, a giant in agl f rm , s its to ward th e n o rth at th e e nd o f he ave n and with th e blu s tering stro kes o f h i s wings s ends o ut gale s o ve r land and pe o pl e with ou h se e e se t t e wind it lf ev r b ing e n . B e twee n heaven and e arth go es th e tri c o lo red bridge th e rainb ow which i s calle d

B i - r o r A e r e e th e o s f o s t s b o . Ov r this rid g d — to the ir place o f a s s e mbly in h e aven with h e e o o f T o w h o es s o e t e xc pti n h r, tak a h rt r

o h e e ro ute by f rding t e stre ams b n ath it . If h e s o e o e h i s o A se h uld driv v r with wag n , b r o w ould bre ak and take fire ; but this s no t e R o e hall happ n until agnar k, wh n ’ Surt rides ove r it at th e h e ad o f Mus pell s s o At th e e n o h h e ns . d f t e bridge up in t o s of e en e s H ini da ll w h o m untain h av dw ll e , guards th e bridge again st th e m o untain s giant .

Dw arfs nd El ves - I n o to 7. a additi n H OW THE WOR LD WAS CREA TED 4 3

s o s e e e e s o e e giant and g d , th r w r al cr at d o e s o e s the r living b ing , am ng th m dwarf and e lves . D w a r s e e s e es f w r mall , ugly cr atur , but o s se s s e e s s o e p d gr at agacity and kill . S m f h o e e s o es o e s t e e . th m dw lt in t n , th r in arth A o to th e E ddie P o e s e e e cc rding m , th y w r cre ated fro m th e bl o o d and b o nes o f tw o s o th e o s s e giant wh m g d had lain , whil S no r ri relates that th ey had come into exis tence like maggo ts in th e flesh o f th e s e e Y o s i s o laught r d mir . N thing di tinct t ld o f th e e o o f th e E lve T e e e cr ati n s . h y w r s o s e o o s men kindly di p d t ward g d and , and s o e e e e e s S no rri w r call d light lv , but in e es a re s o e o e w h o dark lv al m nti n d , o s o n came to b e regarde d as evil s pirits .

8 Th e Wo l - T ee d th — . an e N rn h r d r o s . I n t e

s o f th e o s o o e e e th e mid t w rld t d a gr at tr ,

’ ’ a sh Y - dr s il i e a s o se . s g g ( Odin h r , . Odin o s th o o gall w ) , at e f t o f which th e g o ds had e e o f s T th ir plac a s embly . his a sh i s th e larges t and b es t o f all tre es : th e branche s s pre ad th e mselve s o ve r th e wh o le w o rld s e o e e e and ri high up v r h av n . Th e tre e h as ee o o s thr main r t . 44 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

In an Eddie Poem it i s s aid of these

GBI M N . 3

Three roo ts stretch out i n three di rections under th e a sh of Yg g - d ra si l He] es un er one un er th e s ec n th e r s t liv d , d o d f o an s g i t , u r th t r th ra e men nde e hi d e c of .

Snorri relates that one ro o t s tands among h A s th e se o o th e o s t e e ir, c nd am ng fr t h N iflh eim Un s t e o e . giant , and third v r er th s o o o th e o d e la t r t, up n which drag n N i th h o s th e e H o er elrni r i s g g gnaw , w ll g U e th e o o o th e os fo und . nd r r t am ng fr t ’ s es M i s giant li imir s well , in which all w d om and unders tanding are concealed . It i s o e th e Mimi r w h o s h i s wn d by giant , dip drink fr o m it e ve ry mo rning with th e ll rh o rn t e e on f Gj a a . Odin had o pl dg e o h i s e yes to him fo r a single draught from th e o f s o U e th e e w ll wi d m . nd r w o rld ’ tree s third r o o t there i s a ve ry s acre d ’ s i s e Ur th s Well He e pring, which call d . r ’ i s th e o s sse e e g d a mbly pl ace , wh re they d e e e e o e lib rat v ry day and h ld th ir c ourt. B th e e e e i s a s y w ll th r plendid hall , in H OW TH E WORLD WAS CREATED 4 5 which th e N o rns o r F ate s have the ir dwell T es e e e e o ing . h d lib rat ab ut d es tinie s in

th e o th e e s es w rld . In e lat r Ic landic o urc

ee a re e : Ur th Ve r th a ndi thr nam d , , and S k uld es o e a re men , but at tim many m r tio ne d no o f th e e f o s now , w rac o g d and o f th e o f e e s race lv .

Th e No rn s s prinkl e th e wo rld - tree e ve ry ’ e o Urth s e day with wat r fr m w ll , that it e s th e may thrive and co ntinue fr h . In e w ll tw s s are e o e o wan nurtur d , and fr m th m h f h Th e e t e swan s o t e e arth pr o ce e d . wat r in th e w ell i s s o pure that eve rything which e i s m o istened in it be comes c o mpl etely whit .

Of th e a sh - tree th ere i s s till to b e to ld that in its branches liv es a very cl ev e r

e e e w ee o se e es s s . U agl , b t n wh y it a hawk p and d own am o ng th e branche s darts a s e R a ta to k s e quirr l , s , and carrie hat ful e h i w o rds betw e n t e e agle and N thh o g g . A o ee e een th e e s gain , f ur d r run b tw branch e at th e e es o f th e e e and l av tr , and in Hv erg elmir th ere a re s o many s erp e nts that no o ne o e can c unt th m . — 9 . M en ar e Cre ate d I t chanced o ne tim e that th e s on s o f B o r w e re walking al o ng 46 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

h e e e e o t b ach , wh re th y f und tw o trees . They pulle d them up by th e roo ts and fas h i oned tw o n e s o e a man huma b ing fr m th m , Th s f h e s o s e and a wo man . e fir t o t n gav e s o e th se o e s th m ul and lif ; e c nd, und r tand th e o e o f o o h e ing and p w r m ti n ; t third , e e A e s s ee s . vi ag , p ch , h aring, and ight ft r that they gave them clothing and names . Th e man they called A s k and th e wo ma n E mbla o e es e all th e in , and fr m th m d c nd s o f M e o th e habitant ithgarth , and th ref re o e e e s e wh l human ra ce . In s om v r es insert d ’ th e P o e in Volva s r ph cy , in which th e cre o f i s n ati n o man arrated , th e three go ds are a e di n H aeni r and L oth a r e c ll d O , whil th e sons o f B or are in eve ry o th er ca se n n e Th n e a d . e o ow am d Odin, Vili V g ds built fo r themselves in th e mids t o f th e th o a s e e e As ar . w rld ca tl , which th y call d g i e nd o e d e Odin marr d Frigg, a fr m th m s e h e o s th of A s r c nd t g d o r e race e i . With

or a s on T or . J th, Odin had , h

R M AR —Th e el ef in s acre rees at w ose E K . b i d t h ro ot spr ing s ri se and w her e wi se w omen have their dw ell ing i s very anc ient and is often men

i n n - l e t o ed amo g th e Gothic Germanic peop . H OW TH E WORLD WA S CREA TED 4 7

B ug g e is o f th e o pini o n th a t th e d o c tr i ne o f th e w o r ld - tr e e is infl ue nce d by th e ide a o f th e n C r s t an Cr oss i r e r esente e . . o h i i ; this s p d , g

E ng lis h s tone - cross es fr om th e earl iest Ch r is

— r a d A s h T r FI G 15 . b ss n ee . o . ti an times in a form w hi c h r eminds o ne o f Yg g d rasil F i I t i oss l e b ut far fro m . s ( g p ib , c e r ta n t at B u e i s r t s nce th e o os te i , h g g ig h , i pp i ew is ust as l aus l e vi j p ib . 48 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

I I . TH E GOD S A N D TH E I R L I F E

1 Th e Gold en A e —A e o . g ft r an acc unt ’ h as been give n in th e Vo lva s P ro phecy of h o o s h be n o f e t e c nditi n at t e gin ing tim , th e p o em co ntinues :

Vsp. 4

’ Ea r th e s ns B o r ea rt s su r ace r a se ly o of h f i d , w h o M t a r h w n r u a they i hg th t e o d o s s h pe d . Th e sun s hone fr om th e s outh o n th e stone s g round e a s ea r e er s th n w th g rown w ith g r en h b .

7

Th e A es m I a - field ir et on d , w h o s anctua ry and templ e erecte d hig h forg es they pl a c e d r i c h tr ea sur es w r oug ht ; ma e tong s they s hape d and tools they d .

8

T e a e a t r au ts i n c urt w ere u h y pl y d d g h o , joyf l , the y i n no W i s e h a d a l ac k of g old unt t ree c ame th e ant ma s il h , g i id , m r m un e m of reatest t Jt . g ig h , f o o h i

Th e o e A e o f th e o s e o f in G ld n g g d , tim A a o e e n t s o . s n c nc , did o la t very l ng warning that “ sin w as to come into th e

50 N ORSE MYTHOL OGY ever y r espect l ooke d as a c hieftain oug ht and w h o w as a tall and er an some man W h v y h d . it h im th e A es r sent th e er w se M m r and i v y i i i , th e Vanir g ave for h im th e w isest man i n their num er K c asi r H oen r ec ame fo rt w t a b , . i b h i h note c efta n for Mimi r a e h im a vi c e d hi i , g v d a n ll n r B ut if h e as a m ag i st a da g e s . w d itte d to th e c ourt o r in other ass embl ies w h er e Mimir w as not r esent and w en one or anot er diffi p , h h cult matter w as l a efo r e h im h e al w a s an id b , y “ ” w er L e r e i o th e Van r s ed : t othe s d c ide t. S i s oon c onc e ive d a suspi c ion th at th e A esir h ad u e t em in th e e c an e of osta es w er e d p d h x h g h g , h for e t e took M m r e e a e h im and sent h y i i , b h d d , i h A r n ano nte th e ea h s head to t e es i . Odi i d h d w th me c nal er s s o t at it c oul not d e i di i h b , h d c a and r onounce ma c son s o er it s o y , p d g i g v , that it s poke and r eveal ed to h im many s ecr et matter s . Th e V anir were verse d in mag ic to a pec ul iar r ee F r e a th e rst w h o r act ce en deg . yj a w s fi p i d ch antments amon th e A es r a k n of ma c g i , i d g i r e al ent amon th e Van r N or t w as th e p v g i . j h father o f th e tw o c hil dr en mentione d in union h i ster ut amon h e A es r mar r a e w ith s s i ; b g t i , i g or en b etw een suc h near r el atives w as f bidd .

’ Th e Volva s Prophecy relates that th e T e e o cca sion for th e conflict w a s this . h r in e came a woman ve rse d mag ic , by nam Sh e Gollo ei o th e V n to A s . g , fr m a ir garth es th e caused n othing but calamiti , and THE GODS AN D THEI R LI F E 5 1

A es o e s h e r T s e es ir r lv d to lay . hey rai d h er o n a spe ar and burned h e r up o n a e sh e w as o ee es pyr , but b rn again thr tim Th e re and burned anew . Vanir claimed ess no ee e e dr , but agr m nt w as reach d :

VS 2 P . 4

Odin hur led and shot a g a i ns t th e w ar r io rs ; t a t w a s th e w a r th e rs t i n th e w r h , fi o ld ; s a tter e w a s th e w a th e c a s t e th e s h d ll of l of g od , th e w a r e a n r c u tre a th e fie lik V i o ld d ld .

We o urselves can now draw th e inference that th e A esir had to c o nclude p eace ; th e o e e s o o f s nor o e s e p m t ll n thing thi , d it t ll h ow h e o s o t s e e t g d g their ca tl r built .

Sno r r i says th at th ey c ontr acte d w ith a g i ant b uilder for thi s w o rk ; h e w as all o w e d to h a v e h l onl o f h is o rse ua th il a ri n w as t e h e p y h S f , a d to c om l ete th e w or in one w nter I f h e p k i . t c as tl e w as n s e on th e rs t d a o f summer fi i h d fi y , h e s h oul d h ave F reyj a and th e sun and mo on r h i l n Th e A r m e as r e w a d fo r s b u i di g . es i ad ’ t es e ter ms u on L o s a c e and th e ant h p ki dvi , g i made th e g o ds tak e sol emn o ath that th ey w oul d e h im fr ee c on uc t Th e w o r a anc e g iv d . k dv d r a l and w en i near e com l et on th e pid y , h t d p i A esi r w er e pr o v ok e d w ith L oki and w anted to l im if h e n n r me s ay h did ot c o tr ive a e dy . L o re w an ous fo r h is l fe and e rc e e ki g xi i , p iv d that all d epended upon depr iving th e g i ant o f 52 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY h i s tant th e o rs e H e t er efor r ans s a s s . e t i , h h forme msel f ino a mar e w c ent ce d hi , hi h i d S v ath ilfar i nto th e w o o s aw a fr m h e o r i d y o t w k . When th e bu il der s aw that h i s u nder taking c oul not b e acc om l s e at th e r t t me h e d p i h d ig h i , b ec ame fur i ous ; so th e g o ds h ad to c all upon T o r H e so on w as t er e and t en th e h am h . h , h 1 mer Mj ol ni r flew into th e ai r : h e b ec ame th e one not S 01 and M an w h o a th e r ew ar d , i , p id r h o r Th e r st l ow w a su c a h i s fo t e w k . fi b s h th t ” ll n m ll f h e mar e s ku burst i to s a pi ec es . O t ’ w as after w ar orn a foal w c ec ame n s d b , hi h b Odi

h - fo l i n r r enow ne s tee t e e t ote S e i . d d , ig h d p

While S norri obvi o u sly delights in Thor and th e s tre ngth with which h e cru shes th e ’ o o th e o s P o e e e p r giant, in V lva r ph cy th r i s s erio usnes s and alarm in th e p o rtrayal fo r h o s o e e t e g d have c mmitt d murd r, and n e o ne o f s ow the r c mes a w state affair , which i s intro duced with tre achery and ih fidelity

VS P . 26

T r a ne u t t er e fie w t w r a t ho lo fo g h h , ll d i h h ; h e s e m s ts en h e a rns u t n ldo i w h e l s c h hi g s .

B r e w ere at s and w r s a nd w s ok n o h o d vo , m a m ma all s ol e n p cts betw een the de .

i s s e e s s e h e o e Odin di qui t d at thi , inc f r s ees that th e happin e ss Of th e go ds now i s

1 h u er T e b ild . TH E GODS AN D TII EI R LI F E 53

s h e e s fo r is to o e . pa t, and f ar what c m e o e o h e h a s G all a rh o rn S eiz d with f r b ding , j

’ e M s e e e s o ne c o nc aled at imir w ll , and pl dg o f h i s eyes to th e wi s e giant fo r a s ingl e o draught fro m th e fo untain f wi s d om .

H e re w e mu s t pau s e fo r a time to give a p o rtrayal o f th e individual go d s and g o d

ess e s e e o to men. d , with th ir r lati n “ A nd A s n u T 3 e si a . en s . r y j r h aid Gang

K lfi re h A e r . G a t e s l e ri (i e . ing y ) Which i ’ in wh o m it i s man s duty to believ e ? H ar an swe rs : T w el ve a r e th e A es i r of th e r a ce

o o ds T e s Ja fnh ar : Th e A s n ur f g . h n aid y j a r e no t les s h o ly and th ey a re no t l es s c c

e T e s Th rith i : in i h pa bl . h n aid Od s t e ” r n l t h i r g ea tes t a d o des o f t e A es . We have b e en to ld befo re h ow S no rr i h as bro ught a certain syste m into th e e o h e o H e t aching ab ut t g ds . particularly attach es gre at valu e to th e intr o ducti o n o f th e numbers three and twelv e into h is

es e o A o e e e pr ntati n . lth ugh th re w r d o ubt le ss v e ry few o f th ese go d s and go dde s s es

o o ur o e e s e s e wh m f r fath r r ally w o r hip d , 54 N ORSE MYTH OLOGY they are s o o ften met in late r po etry that w e mu s t begin with a sho rt acco unt o f them o ow Sno rri a s o s e o s e all , f ll ing cl ly as p s ibl . 4 Odin i s th e e s o e s h e . e gr at t and ld t o f t A e s o e s s o e e ir, and g v rn all thing ; h w v r m h e o e o s re e se e ighty t th r g d a , th y all rv

e e F ri i s h i him as childr n th ir fathe r . g g s e sh e o e th e e o f wif , and kn ws xactly fat e e et o es no t o e se v ry man , but y d ccupy h r lf o i s e “ A ll with divinati n . Odin call d ” e e s h e i s e o f th e o s fath r, b cau e fath r all g d , ” i s e s “ Valfath i r e a se but call d al o , b c u all th ose ar e h i s ch o sen s o ns w h o fall o n th e f H e e e e fie ld o battle . giv s th m plac s in Valh alla Vi n o l e e e are and g f, and th r th y e E inh er r i s so e Go d call d j a . Odin al call d of h e H e h a s o e es t ang d , and many m r nam , which can b e re ad in th e E ddi e P o em imni s l Gr ma .

Th or i s o e o s o th e o e 5 . f r m t am ng th r

A e sir : h e i s called A s a - Th o r and Ak a Th o r i s th e s o e s o f o , and tr ng t all g ds and men Hi s o i s e Th r th h im o r . kingd m call d u e Th ruth van ar h i s o e i s e g , but ab d call d B ils ki rni r h e e e r five . In t hall th r a e hun e o o o s i s th e est dr d and f rty r m , and it larg THE GODS AN D T II EIR LI F E 55

w e l T o h a s w o h o u s e that a s ev r bui t . h r t

s e h es e w h is go at ; wh n e driv , th y dra

h i e A k - Th r H h as o e s a o . e wag n , and call d b eside s three w o nde rful trea s ure s : o ne is th e e M o lni r th e o s s hamm r j , which fr t giant and m ountain giants re co gniz e wh en h e o e s— i s no t s o s e e e c m and that trang , ith r , fo r it h a s cru sh ed many a skull o f th eir e s s e e th e s e fath r and kin m n ; n xt , tr ngth e— e h e s o h is girdl wh n put it ab ut him , o e s e s o o g dlik tr ngth grow tw f ld ; finally , th e ir o n mitten s fo r gras ping th e hamme r s N o o ne i s o e e s e o haft . s w ll v r d in kn wl edge o f th e pa s t that h e can r ec o unt all o f ’ T h o r s mighty deeds .

6 A o e s o n o f i s B al u . . n th r Odin d r Of him th e re i s o nly go o d to tell ; h e i s th e bes t o f all and all prais e him . H e i s s o fair and shining in vi s age that light c o m es

o e i s s o e fr m him , and th re a plant whit ’ that it h a s bee n compared to th e go d s ey e “ ’ ” la sh es and called B aldur s br ow ; it is th e es o f B i s th e whit t all plants . aldur s es o s e o e o s o f wi t, m t l qu nt and graci u all th e A e s T l a r it o o s . s ecu ir hi p y f ll w him , o e e o e o f h i s e s o s h w v r , that n n d ci i n h old . 56 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

e i e B r i th a lik His dw lling s in heav n in e b , and in this place the re can b e n o thing im e pur . N r h n t s en N o t . 7. j o dwell in heav in a u H e gove rns th e c ours e o f th e wind and calms th e sea and fire ; to him shall men h h He i s o t e sea t e se . call , up n and in cha s o rich in land and go o ds that h e can give o s e h sk H as r ichly of these to th w o a . e w r e e as w e e ally bo rn in Vanah im, but hav e e o e th e V e h im as a h ard b f r , anir gav A H w a s hostage to th e go ds in sgarth . e o k thi e o f married t S a , a daught r a giant, Thi i Sk ath i e e e to az z . much pr f rr d live Th r mh eim o th e o s up in y , am ng m untain , i o h . wh e re h er fathe r had s farm Nj rth , n h e o a o s e to th e o t c ntrary , w s m t attach d o f h e e o e r ee to vicinity t s a . S th y ag d s e e e s T m e tay alt rnat ly, nin day in hry h im and the n nine in N o atun ; but when Nj o rth came back fro m th e m ountain s h e s aid : o s to me a re th e o s e t Odi u m untain , and y e e e no o o e s I tarri d th r t l ng , nly nin night ; and th e howling o f th e wolves methinks i s evil compared with th e s inging o f th e swans . B ut Sk ath i answered abo ut N oa

58 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY i s to call up o n h er in everything which o e h e s e s h s c nce rns lo v . S e h r lf had a u a e Od o sh e e band man nam d , wh m d arly o e h e o s o o h er s e ou on l v d, but f r k and t t o o e e sh e e e a l ng j urn y, whil r mained ‘ b hind ee H er e e e r e d o sh e w ping . t ars w r g ld ; o e th e o s o en B ri sin ani en wn d c tly rnam t g , e e o e sh e i s e M en la th ‘ wh r f r call d g , glad in ’ h er e e s n o . o e e ad rnment Of th r pith t , G f ,

‘ Va na di s M a rdal th e o ne s o e , and , hining v r ’ e th e sea may b e empha s iz d . 9 T r i s th e o s o eo s . y m t hardy and c urag u A H i s s e es e among th e es ir . e ma t r p cially o f o o fo r s e so vict ry in c mbat, and thi r a n A s brave men sh o uld call up o n him . a o o o f h i s e th e o f th e pr f brav ry , chaining F o b e e h e enris W lf can cit d , in which T r i s e e o e e l o s t h i s right hand . y th r f r call d th e one - e od no one s h im hand d g , but call th e re co nciler o f men. B ra i f h s 10. i s o d o t e g g caldic art, and Ith un h o a s th e a h e i s married to , w gu rd p ple s which th e go ds eat whe n they grow l A e s e o o o d . ft rward th y gr w y ung again , and so it will continue until Ragnaro k . 11 Heimdall i a e th e e o d h e . s c ll d whit g ; TH E GODS AN D THEI R LI F E 59

ll s i s o . e s a s s e great and h ly Nin maid , i t r , He i s s o e Gullinta nni b o re him . al call d ,

f r h i a r o f o h is o s e i s o s teeth e g ld , and h r llt A s e o e o e h e e u o . call d G p m nti n d ab v , dwell s in th e m o untain s o f he aven at th e

e f e o f th e A e s a s e nd o th e bridg ir , car h f th e o s He take r o f t e bridge and o g d .

e e s es s s e e s e es n d l l p than a bird , a hun dre d ro s ts (mile s ) befo re him ju s t a s w ell a h as s e by night s by day , and uch acut hearing that h e h ears th e gra s s growing h h h in t e field and t e w o o l up o n t e sh ee p .

His o i s ll rh F i h rn call ed Gj a a o rn ( g . 16 which so unds s o l o ud that it can be e o e o s h is s o i s h ard v r all w rld , and w rd ’ H o th ‘ e e u . call d f , h ad 1 A e — 2 Ot e s . . h r ir We can furthe r men

’ o s s o n H o th r th e s e ti n Odin blind , , il nt o d Vi th a r w h o is e s o s e g ; , n xt tr nge t aft r T o Va li s on o f Ri n h r ; , Odin and d ; and ’ s o T o s s e s o Ull o f Yd ali r h al h r t p n , , w o i s unrivaled as an arch er and s n ow - skate r and o o d to o s o g call up n in ingl e c mbat . F o rs eti i s th e nam e o f th e s on o f B aldur

F r om a n Eng li sh s tone c r os s : H e imd a ll r e pres e nti ng Ch r i s t ? 6 0 N ORSE MYTH OL OCY

e o f N e w h o o s and Nanna , daught r p, wn e e th e litni r th o d in h av n hall G , and is e g

— m r n F I G 16 . H e a w t H . . i d ll i h o THE GODS AN D THEI R LI F E 6 1

o f s e w h o s ts ff ju tic , adju all di icult mat

ters that ari se .

’ In Helg ol and ( F ositi s l and) a divinity F o s iti w as w o rs hipe d w hen th e Chr i sti an mis s i ona ri es a r r e a nd h e is ta en fo r th e sa me iv d , k h F rs e f h o n H e h ad a re a t as t e o ti o t e N rs eme . g templ e ; no o ne w as all o w e d to tou c h h is h er d o f c attl e o r ot er r o er t and fr om h is sacr e h p p y , d w ell one m ra w onl in s l enc e ig ht d y i .

— A e s 13 L o ki . I n th e e f h e . numb r o t ir w e can al s o c o unt th e one wh om some call ’ th o s o s o e o f e s th o e g d cca i n r quarr l , e rig inato r o f all fraud and th e dis grace o f go ds n H i s e L o ki o r L o t me . e and call d , p , and i s s o n o f th e giant P a rh a uti and th e giant L o i s s o e s s L aufey . ki hand m e and fair in countenanc e but evil in characte r and o f e H i e v ery chang abl e mien . e s gift d with e o great ing nuity and cunning, and alth ugh h e cau s e d th e A es ir th e greate st mi sfo r es h e o s a s o e h is tun , c uld ju t ft n with shrewdness invent m e an s o f es cap e fro m ’ L o e w as S i n f es . s e di ficulti ki wif nam d g y ,

e s on N a ri o r N a r . th ir , fi ’ 14 Lo ki s Offs in —B u L o o e . pr g t ki had th r o unh eim e o children . In J t liv d a w man by 62 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY

A n r both a and h er L o name g , with ki had r o f s : th e o F enri r th e ser ter ible f pring w lf , i r h rm n H i e M th a t s o a d cl . S e w as p nt g , nc it pr o phes ied that these children should cause es th e o s s th e M great c alamiti , g d ca t ith garth serpe nt out into th e deep o ce an o e e e e e w rld , wh r it gr w gr at and encircl d h Hel as o n o t e whole earth . w ca s t d w int Niflh eim e e sh e eca e e en f th e , wh r b m qu o e rw o th e A es r o th e und rld , but i br ught up o e o e W e h h i s w lf at th ir h m . h n e grew up e e e e o e e vil natur b cam fairly kn wn , and th r o e e eso t Th e s f r th y r lved o bind him . fir t s h e s h e th e tw o chain bur t wit ase . Only e e Glei ni r o o third f tt r, p , c uld h ld, and that, to w a f th ’s be sure , s made o e n o i se of a cat aw th e e o f o th e o s o a p , b ard a w man , r ot f o th e s e s of e th e e m untain , in w a b ar , br ath o f fish th e s o f Th e a , and pittle a bird . w olf w as not willing that th e sle nde r and insignificant fette r should b e placed up o n s e h e s s e e T r him , inc u p ct d fraud , until y put h is right hand a s a pledge int o th e ’ o s e o l m n t r s m uth . A l th e go ds laughe d e th e e o i e wh n fett r b und h s limbs tog ther, e e n T r h o s h i xc pti g y ; e had l t s right hand . TH E GODS AN D TII EIR LI F E 6 3

— “ i Th e A s n u . VVh c h a re th e A s n 15 . y j r y

‘ ’ ur o es s e s ? Il a r a s w e s F r i i s th e j , g dd n r , g g ” m e S h e h a s e e s upre e o n . a v ry magnific nt

e i s e F e ns a l . H o w dw lling , which call d e e w e e o o h er F e a v r, hav t ld ab ut and r yj o e A o e o ess i s S a a S o k ab v . n th r g dd g , in k va bek ; Ej r i s th e bes t phys ician ; Gefj o n i s e sh e i s s e e o s e a maid n , and rv d by all th w h o die as maidens ; an othe r maide n i s F lla w h o h a s e a u , s tr aming hair with ’ o e e - - sh e i s F s g ld n h ad band , rigg hand maid and kn ows h er s ecret plan s . We can

e e o Va r th e o e ss o f o furth r m nti n , g dd pr m sos w h o s e s to th e ee e s i , li t n agr m nt which n o e e o e me and w m n make with ach th r , whil e sh e al so av enges e very infringem ent o f e l L n th m ; and a s o S j o fn and of .

- Va lky rs . N o w th o s e w o me n mu s t b e nam e d w h o a re call e d Va lky rj ur and s erve e V s e s e to at tabl in alhalla . Odin nd th m “ ” e e e e o o s e th e s v ry battl ; th y ch lain , and e o o f th i hav c ntr l o e strife and ts res ult . Th ere a r e many m enti oned with diffe rent ” e s o f e “ e nam , all which m an battl and “ f ” tumult o war . 16 L f in V l — . i e a h all a Valhall a i s thatch e d 64 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY with go lden shie lds and h as fiv e hundre d o o o s T o o f ese and f rty d r . hr ugh e ach th eight hundred Einh e rj ar can g o at one e s o h o e tim . Out ide f Valhalla lies t e gr v i r o o la s i . G s , wh e fo liage s shining g ld ’ Odin s h e roes live fro m th e flesh which th e b o ar S aeh rini ni r yields them ; they — drink bes ide th e m ead which flows fr om h e s o f h o H i h r n e th e t e udd r t e g at e t u , whil ’ go at feeds on th e l eaves from Valhalla s tree . E e e th e Einh er ar e v ry day, wh n j awak , they put on their armor and g o out up o n th e o to s e o e B ut c urt fight again t ach th r . th e en se e fall ri again , and all r turn at e e o o s e o c e to th e v ning, j y u and r c n il d, drink ’ ing bout in Odin s hall . Thus it reads in th e E ddie P o em o f Vafth ruth ni r °

A V ETH . 4 1

’ Al l Ei nh erjar at Odin s c ourt contend tog ether every day ; th e s l a in they c hoos e and r ide from th e fray ; it t s ereu n in ea ce t et er . , h po p og h

B ut it i s only th e brave dying in a rms w h o g o to Odin ; th o se dying o f dise a se g o o t h l d wn o t e shadow re alm of H e .

6 6 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

L o th e o o o f e . Th e o s ki, riginat r all vil g d e e s e u On s inflict t rribl puni hm nt p him, a

— ’ m I G l . L s uni s ent. F . 7 oki P h THE GODS AN D THEI R LI F E 6 7

’ with h is o w n s o n s inte s tine s they bind him

s o ee s o es set o e e fa t t thr t n up n dg , and fix o s e h i Me a p o i s no u s rpent o ver s fac e . an whil e h is faithful wife S ig yn s tands by him and catch es th e p o is o n in a bowl ; but eve ry time it i s fill e d and sh e mu s t e mpty its o e s L o e s e e c nt nt , ki writh in t rribl pain , i 1 s o that th e e arth trembles (F g . 7 This i s e o f e e s e B al r ally but littl advantag , inc ’ s e H el . s dur mu t r main with Odin s wain ,

H e ri no th e o f th e e - o ess er , gain d d ath g dd p ’ miss i o n fo r B aldur s re turn in ca s e every th i ng in th e w o rld sh o uld weep ove r h is

e . w a s o e o o d ath It d n ; nly a giant w man , Th o kk o e o in o o , wh m th y f und a gl my “ o e o ee m untain cav rn , w uld w p with dry ” e s e e o e H el e h b t ar , wh r f r k pt what s e ad . B ut it i s comm only th o ught that it w as L oki ’ w h o had take n on thi s giant w oman s fo rm o e to s et o n o h is o in rd r a cr w up n w rk . 19 N s n — a tro d . N o . w evil really bre aks o o s e e r l , and gr at crimes a e c ommitted in

1 F r m a n E n s st ne c r s s Th e tu re o g li h o o . pi c i s c o m ’ mo nl un e rs t to r e r e s ent L s un s ment s nc e y d ood p oki p i h , i “ ” L i s s a to s th e un e h n Cf. t e w o oki id ig ify bo d d vil . t ’ fo reg oi ng fig ures a nd th e rema rk o n B ug g e s i nte rpre i “ m ” I r . H m tat on. ( nt od o e of th e Eddi e Poe s ) 68 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY th e e e men e e s wo rld ; p rjur d , murd r r , and se ducers mus t wade through heavy s tream s “ ” o o n N as trond e - s o e int a hall , d ath h r , far o h n o h e fr m t e su . I ts do o r turns t ward t o o s o s th e o e n rth , p i n drip in at l uv r, and th e e i s e ’ c iling plaited with serp nt s backs . Mo ral c o rruptio n increa ses in a frightful de gree

Vsr . 4 5

’ B rothers w ill fig ht tog ether and become each other s a ne b , ’ s i ster s c hildren w ill viol ate kinship; i t i s e i n th e w r a u te r s er us vil o ld, d l y io , no ma n w s are a n t er ill p o h .

Then co mes finally th e fe arful encounter between th e warrio r go ds and th e evil pow er in h e o s t e arth , in which all g o to destru o B ut th o o of th e o ti n . e c nclus i n c nflict e s o ne o s n m an nly that a w e arth , with g d a d men in e o s s s e . purifi d f rm , ari R A GN A R OK 6 9

I I I . R A GN A R OK

Th Enem e th s A ssem l e —I n 1 . e i s o f e Go d b th e la s t p e ri o d s o f th e w o rld cam e first th e

‘ ’ F ini bulvetr e te frightful , gr at win r , which

is repeate d three tim es . Wh en th e de cid

o e s e th e o - ee ing m m nt draw n ar , w rld tr trembl es alth o ugh it s till remain s s tanding ; ’ He s o e th e s all in l kingd m tak fright , dwarf , o th e o s e e i s gr an in m untain , and th r a s otunh eim e th e o s o cra hing in J , whil g d h ld th e ir la s t a s sembly and H eimdall se nd s th e calling to ne s o f th e Gjall arh o rn o ut o ve r th e o F e s s h i s s w rld . nrir bur t chain , and th e Mithgarth serpent writh e s in giant wrath and la sh es th e se a into to wering

es o th e e s o es H r ni wav . Fr m a t c m y with ’ th e s N a l a r o f e e s s hip g f , built d ad m n nail ; ’ h h s e from t e n o rth s ail He l s s o n s o ve r t e a , with L o ki in c ommand ; and S urt rides on o th e s o o th e fr m uth , with flaming sw rd , at

’ e o T h e e h ad f Mu spell s s o ns . h e n t bridg ’ o f th e A es ir fall s unde r th e h o rs e s h o o fs

e e i s on fir e o es o h and h av n e . F nrir g f rt 70 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY with yawning m o uth ; h is uppe r j aw touches he aven while h i s l owe r j aw drags al ong th e ’ e e s s ou o th e o s e s arth . Fir purt t fr m m n t r eyes and n o s trils when Odin meets him in battl e o nly to b e swallowed up by th e terri He L o bl e abys s . imdall fights with ki ; ’ Frey and Surt beco me each o the r s d e o e s tr y r s . 2 Th or Fi h ts w ith th e Mith arth Ser . — g g pent Th e la s t incident in th e c onflict i s T ’ o r s e h o r s vict y o ver th e Mithgarth rpent . Th e mighty g od o f heaven and e ar th crushe s with h is hamme r th e he ad o f h is deadly fe e ; but o nly nine s teps does h e o e on e o re h e s e t th e e t t tt r , b f inks d ad o ar h , o e th s r e ’ o on ch k d by e e p nt s p is .

VSP . 55

Then c omes th e g reat s on of Hl oth yn ; 1 th ere yaw ns acros s th e a i r th e Gi rdle of th e earth 2 r e i t ur ts oi o n i t .s ew s fi sp , p s p ’ O s so es t meet h e w rm din n g o o t o .

56

’ S tr ikes w ith w rath Mithg arth s defender ; r m a ll men w ill fors a ke th e i ho e . ’ N ine feet g oes Fjorg yn s so n m w e r m th e sna e w h o ears no s a e . bo d , f o k , f h

1 2 ’ N o t in S i mon s text. M ithg a r th S erpent . j RA GN AROK 71

— FI G 18 . t ar . Vi h . 72 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

o w th e sun o s th e e s s N gr w dark , arth ink o h e sea th e s s o int t , e cl ar tar fall fr m e n e e o es fire h ave , and v rything g up in and ’ T s i R a n - r ok th e o s s s e . a flam hi s g , g d cri i , th e la s t destiny by which th e go ds o f Val halla are o ve rtaken . ’ 3 Snorri s Version — nor i renar rates . S r th e Ragnaro k myth s with de tailed d e s crip h Th e w as tio n s o f all t e incidents . e battl o on th e Vi rith i s f ught plain g , which a r st e T r s hundred a s on very s ide . y fight th e Hel o Garni sun o o with h und , and m n r e h o s i s a e swall ow d by t e w lve , and it h fir o h e e B ut S urt w o hurl s e ve r t arth . ’ th e e Vi th ar s s e son within tim , , Odin il nt , h as av enged th e death o f th e F ath e r o f th e Go ds ; h e step s with h i s heavy sh o e on th e o ’s e aw s s h i s th e w lf und r j , gra p with s hand e aw e s e s th e mon upp r j , and aft rward t ar ’ ster s m o uth a sunder (Fig .

Re enerati on—B u th e o i s 4 . g t d wnfall o e e s Th e o nly tempo rary and n t v rla ting . ’ Vo lva s Pro ph ecy continues with its charm

‘ Fr m a n t ne ss of. Fi . 1 o n E g li s h s o cro ; g 7.

74 N ORSE MYTH OLOGY

5 Th e N ew Generati on—N o s norr . r doe S i know h ow to info rm us w h o th e great ruler i h e o h i s . t o On c ntrary e tells , n harm ny h o e E ddi o h of wit an th r e lay, ab ut t e rise ’ h ne o m n Ho ddmi i r s t e w race f e . In m o e tw o e s o s L i Li th r as i r e e gr v p r n , f and f , w r hiding during th e burning o f th e w o rld ; they receive d m o rning dew fo r no uri sh e om e es e all th e fu m nt, and fr th m d c nd o e T o l o ture races f m n. hr ugh an o d s ng ‘ w e e o eo e A l - r o th oll elf l arn , m r v r, that f , ’ i th e sun e o e th e o l e . e . sw a glanc , , b f r w lf h er ea s e l ows , b r a daughte r . Th e m a id n ’ i s to drive in h er mo ther s course when th e o s are ea g d d d . SE COND S E C TION

OUL D M ON A N D O S S , E S , G DS

I M O U L A R B E L I E F R . COM ON P P (L OW E M YT H OL OG Y )

1 L o er M th ol o —I h e . w y g y t a s b een p oint d out in th e Gene ral Intro ductio n that th e

o s o f s o e - e o s th e w r hip ul s and natur d m n , o es o o o f e e e o h a s ld t f undati n h ath n r ligi n , e e s es s o o f s e s o s e s yi ld d a ucc i n up r titi u id a , which hav e held ve ry l ong in th e mind s o f th e p e o pl e and o f which w e find evide nt e ur Th e e traces ven in o day . s am ba s al e s e e o e e e o id a r app ar am ng all h ath n p pl e, alth o ugh in d etail s th e be lief may hav e d e v el o e d e s e p in a v ry di tinct mann r . We find h e re a marked c o nfo rmity among all th e

Go - Ge eo es w s n w thic rmanic p pl , and e hall o bring fo rward s o m e o f th e chief p o ints

o s s o - e l ow e r m th o l o e fr m thi call d y g y , ind pendent o f th e m o re deve l o pe d national re 75 76 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY lig i on which in th e main acquire s its char acter fro m th o se mo st highly devel o pe d in th o e c mmunity . 2 N i h tmare — e . . o e e s g Our f r fath r , lik o e e e e o e o o ne o f th e th r h ath n p pl , f und ’ plaines t pro o fs o f th e s o ul s inde p endence o f th e bo dy and its ability to take a hand in th e affairs o f living men in th e night e e a e e o e mar and dr am , s th y lack d all th r s f e o se s T e me an o xplaining th thing . h y the re fo re to o k it fo r grante d that they were s s s th e o o f s or pirit , u ually in f rm animal men T o th s es o r e e . hr ugh e mall t crack r v h i h m r s s th s e e one i ce t e n g a e lip to e l ping , and to rments and tr o ubles him so s adly that h e beco mes ill o r that it cau s es h is i s e a s O es s e de ath . It f lt an ppr ing w ight upo n th e bre a s t o r th r e at ; th e mare ” “ ” “ tre ad s or rides th e s leeping o ne fr om h i s legs up to h i s bo dy and thru sts h is ’ to ngue into th e victim s thro at to hinde r Th e o e eo him fro m crying out. N rth rn p pl e have clung to this ve ry day to the ir “ ” be lief in th e mare as a supernatural fe e e e s o e male b ing, and many l g nd ab ut it hav ” se A “ e s out o b th ari n . mar can lip nly y e C OMMON P OPULA R B ELI EF 77 s ame way that it came in ; if o ne s to ps up i Th e s e n h o e s . t e p ning, it caught am thi g n e i e happens if o e nam s ts nam .

I n th e Yng l ing a S ag a it i s tol d o f K ing Va n l a ndi w h o h a d e tr a e h is F nn s r e , b y d i i h b id , D r i a t a t h e in un s ment fo r t at h ad e en f , h p i h h b “ ” kill ed by a mar e w ith w hi c h th e mag ic a r ts f h e F nns h ad to rmente h im H e e c ame o t i d . b s u enl sl e e and l a o w n to r es t b ut w en dd y py y d , h “ ” h e h ad s l ept a l ittl e h e c r i e d th at a mar e ’ w r ea n h im Th e n s men astene to as t di g . ki g h d h is ass stance b ut w en t e tu rne to h is i , h h y d “ ” ea th e mare tr o u o n h i s l e s so t at h d , d p g h t e w er e near l ro en and if t e w ent to h y y b k , h y th e l e s s h e w as r ec tl o c c u e at th e ea g , di y pi d h d ; n s th e n w as actu all tor tur e to ea a d o ki g y d d th .

3 D eams —Th e r eams . r part that d play

h o o s o s e s i s o in t e p pular c n ci u n s well kn wn . ’ In o ur fath ers p o etry e v e ry gre at event i s es e b e s o e pr ag d y dr am , thr ugh which fat in

s i e B o me way s rev eal d to men. aldur had e e s e o e h is e e vil dr am b f r fat ful d ath , and in th e Icelandic saga s and o ur Danish folk s o s w e ee o s ng m t dreams at ev ery turn . S ul ’ can eve n in o ne s lifetim e fo rs ake th e b o dy e e a s s e s and wand r far and wid , it tran pir e s S s o i e h l in dr am . uch a ul s call d in t e o d

‘ ’ ‘ ’ e h u r o o r s o o languag g , th ught ul ; it t o k 78 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY o n th e o s e o s of e s s e m t vari d f rm b a t , app ar o s o e a s e o or ing m t ft n a b ar, a w lf, an e agle . A man dreamed that h e w as go ing out fro m one of h i s buildings and the re h e s aw s ome w o lves come running from th e s outh in up o n th e fie ld ; there were e ightee n

h - x n e in all and a S e fo w as running o ah ad . When h e w as awake ne d h e knew immedi ‘ ’ e e e e manna h u i r e s a t ly that th y w r g , m n ’ s o o e . o uls , which b de d an appr aching battl ’ “ ” Th e h o ly B ish o p Jo hn s s o ul w a s o fte n o ccupied with what be lo nge d to th e divine se e o e o e th e B s o e s ee rvic , b th b f r i h p f ll a l p h o and befo re e aw ke . — Draumr - Draug r Fro m th e same ro ot as “ ” th e w o rd dream ( Old N orse draumr ) i s h old o drau r e now als o t e w rd g , which m ans a s e e now h as th e s e e so ul sp ct r, am m aning a s h r Th e o o s e ug . ( c mm n ba al m aning “ ” T e e o b to e ss s ee e . o seems t e pr , qu z h r f re “ th e o lde r language u sed als o th e ve rb to ” dream in a pe culiar co ns truction ; for ex “ ” e s h as o e e e me ampl , thi man ft n dr am d o riginally h a s o fte n to rtured me a s “ ” mare while I sl ept ; l ater = h as o ften pres ented himself to me in dreams . ) COJI JI ON P OP ULA R B ELI EF 79

4 F o m S ft n —A e e o n i s . r hi i g kindr d r lati

’ pres ente d by o u r fath ers wides pread b e ’ o h i i n h o s r m t i . t e s e s e . li f in f f g , ul ability e th e o s s e o e o to le av b dy and a um an th r f rm , h ani r th e Yn lin a S i s o . In g g aga it t ld “ o h e e h is o ab ut Odin , that chang d f rm ; th e bo dy lay th e re a s if h e avy with Sl eep o r

e h e s e w a s th e o o f d ad , but him lf in f rm a o r e s fish o r o e bird b a t , w rm , and w nt in a ’ twinkling o n h is o w n o r an o th er s e rrand ” F e h s o to distant c o untries . r yja a a falc n ’ o o r o th e V s flew s s cl ak f rm , alkyr in wan h s o e es th e o o f fo rm , t e giant ft n t in f rm es eagl . — H amr am and B e rs erk Men w h o had a p eculiar aptitude fo r changing fo rm we re “ ” V e h a mra mi r s o o . I e call d , tr ng in f rm mu s t certainly r egard th e fury o f th e B e r se as th e s e e o W o s rk in am cat g ry . arri r w h o in th e h eat o f battl e we re attacked by wild and brutal fre nzy w ere calle d B e rs er ki r o r l h th inn i e men h U e . . w o s f , wear fur o f b ear o r w olf skin ; but th e o riginal b e lief w a s r e ally that they w ent abo ut in th e

o o f e s o r o s f rm b ar w lve . h s —B 5 . G o ts ut it is e s pe cially th e s oul s 80 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

” f h e “ o e o t e d ad tha t haunt . Olde r N rs literature abo unds in evide nces o f a belief o s s T e os o e e o h e in gh t . h y m t ft n r turn t t e e e th e es o r dw lling th y had whil in fl h , they m ove ab o ut preferably in th e vicinity o f buri al l e h s their p ace . Fr quently t e spirit o s o o e e e e e cca i n nly vil wh n th y r app ar, and th e s urviving mu s t withs tand dange ro us o s e e are o e c nflict with th m , until th y pr p rly “ ” to e s i e o e in o f put r t, . . l dg d a m und o

e - u s o h aped p t nes .

Th e r enow ne I c el an c ef n la P aa d dic hi tai , O f , at H ar th a rh o l t h ad man s er ants One d a j , y v . y th e man w h o took c ar e o f th e far r ow hor ned c attl e c ame and aske d to b e r el ease d fr om that r h e w o l r er d o some n el e w o as at t s . k , u d h hi g Ol af thoug ht that h e sh oul d per for m th e w or k t at w as en to h im b ut th e man refer r e h g iv , p d e ano er l a e for m elf l af t en to se k th p c hi s . O h w ent w t h im at e en n to th e cow sta l e i h v i g b , w a l on w a fr om th e far m ar to w hic h as g y y d , h u f h e tr ou l e Th e fel investig ate t e c a se o t b . l ow r ec e ive d or der s to bind th e c r eatur es fast l r em in H e now w ent in at after O af d ove th . h e oo r b ut nstantl rus e ac nto h i s t d , i y h d b k i ’ master s arms b efor e th e l atter coul d l ook ab out h l af as s en w h h e acts so aw w ar l . im. O k th y k d y “ H e answ ers Hr a i s stan n in th e s ta l e , p di g b do or and i s g r eping for me ; b ut I have h ad r l n w t h im H ra w as an enoug h of w est i g i h . p

82 N ORS E MYTH OLOGY

’ th e F o De o A bel s air . r m nmark w e kn w

’ hunt at S chley and Valdema r s at Gurre ; o e s e o A as aar ds rei N rw gian t ll ab ut g . h e d r —F 6 T e D a a e Con ured . o e e . j r m b li f in s o uls th e ide a quite naturally devel o ped that th e s oul s o f th e dead could also b e e b ack to e s e ao call d arth again t th ir will , o o th e s e s o f en ne n c rding t wi h m . O can co jure th em up when o ne kno ws th e right e h e E i o o charm s to us . In t dd e S ng ab ut ’ B s D e s es o t th e aldur r am , Odin rid d wn o e o to th e e o f o e e s s und rw rld grav a pr ph t , chants p o tent va lg aldi r or ch a rm s o ve r th e e w h o e s e s o s e s “ th e d ad, th n t p f rth and p ak ” - i e o . S v da th e e o o e d ath w rd p g , h r in an th r

’ Eddi Po e o e t i s o e m , g s o h m the r Gro a s e s h er o t to h i s e grav and call f r h aid . H r var c o njures up h e r fathe r A ng antyr fro m th e to mb on S ams o and compels him to de e u th e s o T r in B e e i s c on liv r p w rd y / g . li f jurati o n i s ve ry ancie nt and comm o n to all eo e s o ur o o f es p pl u ing gr up languag . It s eem s a s if our o lder poe try especially h as o e s o s o f f e e s c ntain d magic ng di f r nt kind , o o e s s o e fo r am ng th r m thi s use . COMMON P OP ULAR B ELI EF 8 3

- . e 7 Funeral s and F uneral or Grave F asts .

—E e o th e e s es o ur o e v n fr m e arli t tim , f r fathers to ok particular ca re fo r th e burial f h T e e em th e necessa o t e dead . h y gav th es fo r e o e e s o e e s ri th ir c ntinu d lif , m tim s es s o e s fo r u se s o e imply n ec ary bj ct , m t o e s imes Spl endid impl em ents and rnam nt . We can trace a di stinct d eve l o pme nt fro m

th e grave - find s o f th e Sto ne and B ro nze

A ges to th e m o o r - finds o f th e Iro n A g e and th e s s o s B ut s o buried hip f Viking time . al fro m his to ric times w e have go o d e vidence ’ o f our e s s o s e s fath r burial cu t m . W mu t ’ ‘ ’ e s th e er bl e e s a s und r tand fi, fun ral f a t, a kind of o ffering to th e departe d at which p eo pl e o riginally th ought o f th e spirit a s pre s e nt and h o n o re d it by re galing th em — s elves with m e at and drink a cu s t o m which i s faithfully prese rved at th e burial

e s s o f th e o o eo " A th fu f a t c mm n p ple . t e n eral fe a s ts th e h e ir fo r th e first time o ccu pie d th e hig h s eat o f th e d ece a s e d and com pl etely as sumed h is dig nity ; then w as “ ” bro ught fo r w ard al so th e B ragi cup o ve r e e e o es which th y mad th ir v ows . ( C erem ni 84 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY o f th e Jomsviking ar and S vein Tiug us k e g s - P S o o as th e o w as not e th e l ng b dy buri d , o T e e o e e s ul rema ined near by . h r f r th y remov ed it fro m th e h o use a s s o o n as : po s s e e e th e s e d a e ibl , pr f rably am y that d ath 2 F e r i o e e n b a r . ccurred . irs t they r nd r d a j g Th ey appro ache d th e d e ad pe rs o n fro m b e

s e e h o o ut o se th e hind , tr tch d t e b dy and cl d

e es e th e f e w s o e e . y , aft r which ac a c v r d T e th e o w as e m a o h n b dy plac d m und , o r s s e lying itting, and richly uppli d with e s e o s unna r o implem nt and w ap n . G fr m

Hlith arendi laughed and s ang in th e to mb . Wh en th e son H og ni s e iz es h i s ren owne d ’ fathe r s s pear to unde rtake bl o o d - ve nge e th e o e o f th e e s s w h o anc , m th r d ad a k o h e H o ah ventures to t uch t e w ap o n . gni sw e r s : I intend to take it to my fathe r s o that h e can have it with him a t Valhalla

e h e o - s o P e o and xhibit it at t e w ap n h w . pl e us ually ch o s e o pe n and nicely s ituate d

e s o n o a s o r s r burial plac m unt in hill , o in o e s s B u h o es f r t . t criminals and trolls w

1 Jo msb u r V k n s a nd S e n Tw ib ea r d ear n g i i g v i , ly ki g De ma r h m l a n . S ee e H e i k ri n of k t s g . a Last ser ce to ea vi d d . C OMMON P OP ULA R B ELI EF 8 5

“ pec ially did evil a s gh o s ts we re put to ” r Th e o o re s t o r bu n ed . m und and m nu ment upo n it a re called in th e o ld language 1 K m l B auta rs tei na r e o s o es u b . (m m rial t n w ith o ut inscripti o n s ) and rune sto n es have be en dis cus s ed abo v e . 8 Wo sh o f th e Dead —I t i s ffi to . r ip di cult s ay d efinitely wh eth e r th e re w as am ong our fo refathe rs a c o mpl ete sy s te m o f ances to r i o s o f th e e th e e . cult , . , w r hip d ad in family ; but there a r e many w h o maintain that this u sage prevaile d fro m a v e ry ancient time a Th e o e all thr o ugh th e h e ath en g e . f r fath ers o f th e race were c o n s idere d th e fam

’ il s o e o o y natural pr t ct rs in th e s pirit w rld , and many pa s s ages in th e o ld liter ature re late ab o ut o ffe rings to th e de ad eithe r in o r e - o o r - o s o r at grav m unds family m und , o S e w a s up o n adjacent m untain s . acrific e o e rim e h i s e mad t a man nam d G aft r d ath ,

e se o f h i s o S no rri b cau p pularity , and plainly unders to o d F rey a s an e arthly prince w h o late r w a s w o r shipe d a s a g o d .

9 T ansm a on o f S o l s —T e e i s s o . r ig r ti u h r al much that go e s to Sh o w that o ur h e ath en

‘ ‘ ’ ‘ ’ m t r mea ns ter o r er B a u tar fro ba u a th fig h h o . 8 6 N ORS E MYTHOL OGY fo refathers had a wides pre ad belief in th e tr an mi r ti on ouls Th e s o o f th e s g a of s . ul decease d could take its ab o de in a new o e T ose b rn child and live an o ther lif . h human be ings thu s re bo rn are called in ‘ ’ h l s es endr b o rni r o t e o d o a . urc , b rn gain ’ H el i H o rv arth s s on th a k r g , j , and e V l y vafa e e end rbo rni r th e o e S w r . Of e r n wn d

’ ‘ H el i Hundin s B e a ose i e e g , g an , pr p c “ in th e Elder E dda relates : Th e belief prevailed in ancient times that peo ple h e e endrbo rni r now i s e old cam , but it call d ’ A o H el i e s l . s w iv ta k l o ab ut g and S igrun , ” e e o it w as s aid that they w r b rn again . S w as e th e O o o f eo aint Olaf , aft r pini n p l e one o o a o p , b rn again fr m traditi nal h s o Ol a Gei rs tath a al w h o r e i t rical king, f f, c eiv d s e To th e e e e e acrific . b li f in b ing bo rn again w as pe rhaps attache d o rigin ally th e cu s to m o f naming a child after one decea sed in o rde r that th e o ne co nce rne d might b e b o rn again in th e littl e child w h o ’ e s th e e s o s e b ar dead p r n nam .

1 Inde end ent S oul s —I n th o s e 0. p e c ur of time new religio us ideas were devel oped C O MMON P OP ULA R B ELI EF 8 7

o s o - e e e e e i nde fr m ul b li f ; nam ly , a b li f in pend ent s upe r na tu ra l s o u l - b ei ng s wh o s e life and activity a r e no t d epend ent up o n h t e particular human b o dy . F l u r — A s o o th e b e a . y g j . tran iti n fr m lie f in s o ul s and th e w o rs hip o f s o ul s in th e es o to s e s o Simpl t f rm , up rnatural ul

’ e s o s o ur e s th e b ing , f rm fath r faith in s Th e s i s s o ul as a guardian pirit . oul

’ ‘ ’ s l a e o th e e man fy g j , att ndant , fr m cradl o th e s e o s e th e t e grav , and inc it can f r ak o on new o i s s o b dy and put a f rm , it al

h ni i n e th e e a . call d a g j Originally , th n ,

l a i s e th e s e a s h a r fy g j quit am y , which in e s o r o o its o w n dr am in waking c nditi n , in ’ o r o e s o es s e e s e an th r f rm , can manif t it lf p ci a lly as a warning o f gre at e vents o r o f ’ e T o s ee o e s ow n n e ar appro aching d ath . n

l i s s e i s e fy g j a a certain ign that d ath n ar . This feature i s pres erv e d in th e s upe r s titi on o f th e pres ent time where th e vis i o n

’ o f o n e s s elf o r an oth e r a s a c o rp se o r a s o ccupie d with a co rp s e i s regarde d a s a

e - l r h e d ath warning . F y g j u appear in t s e e a s ma nna h a i r o e e s am mann r g , ft n t in ’ o m o o e s o animal f r , acc rding t a p r n s char 88 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

e e men o f o e acte r . Gr at chi ftains and n t ” had “ s tr o ng fylgjur which walke d in fro nt o f e o b e s e e o th m , but which c uld n by nly f s e e e s o s a ew p cially gift d p r n .

1 When Thorstein Ux afot w as a b oy of seven ears h e onc e c ame u c l r us n nto th e y , q i k y hi g i r o om as c l r en ar e w ont to d o and fell on , hi d , h o or W se ol d e t s aw i n u r o ut t e fl . i G j t a d b st l au n S o th e l ad w ent to h im and as e g hi g . k d w h h is fall n e ar e o h im l l e y i g app d t s o aug h ab . “ ” “ Well s a th e ol d man ecause I saw it , id , b as ou not s ee it W en ou enter e th e y did . h y d ’ r o om a w hite b ear s c ub foll ow e d y ou and r an b efor e you on th e fl o or ; b u t w hen it s et eyes on me it sto e and w en ou t en c ame h u r pp d , h y h ” ’ r in in fell o r t I t w as T or ste n s y g you ve i . h i l a and e c oncl u e from t at t at h e fy g j , G j t d d h h w a no of or nar or n s t di y ig i .

n h e F l u r a Wome . T e s b . y g j s e n xt t p in th e devel o pment o f th e belief in tutelary o esse s i s s one e o e g dd thi , that can l nd an th r h i s l P o e e s o s or o s e fy g j a . w rful p r n , th o fo r e s e o o o e b e kn wn th ir e p cial g d f rtun , sto w the ir fylgjur up o n tho se wh o m they s o e F e e ese e o o wi h t h lp . ylgjur h r r mbl g d e s e s h e old luck, and b id hamingja t lan e s s s h o er guag u e al o , in t e same sense , th

1 Oxfoot.

90 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY deve lo pe d that one c ould ch ang e his fylg j a to h er i th hi l Th e old e a g et w s be i ef . chi ft in Hall l et himself b e baptized by Tang b rand on c onditi o n that th e archangel Micha el h h i sh ould fo r t e future b e s fylgj a .

Th e s cal H al r ed u on h is eat - b ed on d, f , p d h b oar d h is s hip did not w ish to h av e th e c om an of h i f l o er nto th e ne t l fe T en p y s y g j a v i x i . h th e eo l e saw a w oman w al n al on th e s p p ki g g hip, h ands ome to l ook upon and dr ess ed in a c oat of ma il ; sh e w ent over th e w aves w ith th e same n r n r eadi ess as if sh e w er e w alking on th e g ou d . ’ “ I t w as H al fr ed s f l a - w oman or fetc y g j , h , fr om w om h e now h ad fr ee msel f A n h d hi . oth er man to w hom sh e appl ie d did not w ish to a e h er e t er b ut nall s h e w as acc e te h v , i h , fi y p d ’ th e oet s son and in t s w a r ema ne in by p , hi y i d h e fam l t i y . — Dream- Wo men A s e se ee d . a b ing t fr th e l a i s s o e Dis S a dis o r fy g j al call d , p ,

Dr o um- K ona w h o es h er e e to , mak app aranc e men h e e o s h h lp . S th n cl ely resembl es t e No rn s and Valkyrs w h o are als o plainly ’ e s e as Di i r w h o o s om d ignat d s , up n Odin c m s o e and umm n h ro e s h o me to Valhalla .

11 N orns and Val k — h o . yrs T e co ncepti n o f fate - wo m en and battl e - wo men a s per s o e e s h s e e h e nal , divin b ing a dev l op d fro m t C O MMON P OP ULAR B E LI EF 9 1

s o ul - belie f am o ng all th e Gothic - Ge r manic eo e o V s e es e p pl , but N rn s and alkyr r pr nt a o o e Th e s di stinctly N rth e rn devel pm nt . fir t o i s o o o o se e th e w rd f und nly am ng N r m n ,

o ther with A ngl o - S ax o n s a s well ; o n th e ‘ o e Wu r d o se U s th r hand (N r , rth pinning as a name fo r in ex o rabl e fate i s o e e eo e f und am ong all racially r lat d p pl .

’ o ur s e e e e a re o s In father b li f th r many N rn , “ ” o o e w h o e - e s g d and vil , wind fat thr ad ’ and fix man s life fr o m th e cradle to th e e grav . “ ” Va lk rs are th e o o f B e y N rn s attl , but am ong o ur peopl e th ey have rec eived their characte r fro m Odin faith and th e teaching o T e e e ab ut Valhalla . h y s rv at tabl e in “ ” V o o s e th e h e alhalla and they ch s lain , t ’ Va l s o e a e , at Odin c mmand , wh n s w ll

e quipp ed shi eld - maid e ns they take part in h A t e co nflict and d etermin e its co urs e . ’ se ri es o f pretty myth s ab out Odin s divine

maid s h as ari s en in No rwe gian - Ice landic “ o o o e Th Dar rath myth l gy and p try . ( e ” 1 ’ o N l H a k o na rm l S ng in j a s S aga ; a . )

‘ ‘ ’ Weaving Song of th e tw e lve Va lkyr s : a B attl e S ong : 92 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

Th e Valkyr s appe ar o fte n with half h n e s e e o e uma natur , inc th y c ntract marriag e oes th e e e with e arthly h r , until battl natur s uddenly awake ns in the m and drive s the m away fro m h e arth and h o me into th e

f o A s an- maid ens e tumult o c nflict . s w th y o ss th e o A es e fly far acr c untry . t tim th y lay o ff th e swan fo rm in o rde r to bathe ; i s s o e h e but if this t l n by a man , t maid mu st fo llo w him and give h im h er l ov e

se o on H e o - s (cf . cti n r S aga ) . 12 Witch es —I n th e E ddi o H . e S ng ava ma l; Odin enumerates in a Special section th s o s h i se i s e magic ng e s able to u . In th it s ays HA V . 155

1 T s I n w th e tent I f I s ee w tc es hi k o , h , i h hu rr y th r oug h th e a i r ; I s o a r r ang e th a t ( th ey ) g o depr ive d t e r o w n s a e r me e t ow n . of h i h p , of h i ho

Our fo refathers had then a wide spre ad

e e s o e so - e s ec b li f al in vil ul b ing , p uliar s o s o f th e es o f th e h ul witch e arth , w o after e o e e e e s men d ath c ntinu th ir vil d aling with . Such evil s pirits are designated by vario us

1 Li F a m- t. r r er id s .

9 4 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY mus t b e carried o n in o rde r to insure ex i stence s a re o o f . Ordinarily giant th ught , e e o e in s o s o e th r f r , wild and di mal f rm , c rr spo nding to th e elements by which they a re s urrounde d ; but giant w o men may after all

‘ b e e h s o e s o e e e v ry and m , that th y v n e i h e h e o awaken lo v n t e br a sts o f t g ds . ’ Nj orth w as marrie d to th e giant Th i az z i s

’ k ath i F e s e o fo r daughte r S , and r y aff cti n Ge e o f G mi r i s e e rth , daught r y , tr at d in one f h es f h E d i o s To o t e fin t o t e d e S ng . what i s to ld ab o ut giants in th e firs t sec o e s o e e s ti n , w will add me individual xampl ’ o th e s o fr m giant w rld . 14 A e ir and Ran— h o s s e . g T e fo rem t a

i s A e i r o r H l er w h o o to giant g , , acc rding 1 no rri h s h i Hle a s e on se . H e S , dw lling y i s indee d a giant but h e i s o n terms o f os th e o s fo r om h e h pitality with g d , wh es e s w a s o ne o f arrang gr at banquet . It at these that L oki t o o k o cca s ion to p o ur o ut h i s om o th o o e es ven up n e g ds and g dd ss . ’ Th s a r e A e e s e billow e call d gir s daught r . Hi s e i s e R an sh e e s wif nam d , and catch s e e m n h r n t h hipwr ck d e in e e , with which s e

1 I s an H er now Laes i n th e K a tte a t. l d of l , o g CHI EF GODS A N D MYTHS 9 5

s th s T o R an may cruelly pur ue e eafare r . c o me all w h o s uffe r d e ath up o n th e s ea by accid e nt ; acc o rding to th e te s tim o ny o f a c e rtain saga it i s th e Sign o f a go o d re cep o th e o e f Ra n e th o e ti n at h m o , wh n e dr wn d man o btain s l e ave to turn back to take part in th e fun e ral fe a s t which i s h eld fo r

’ L o o o e R s ne t to th e him . ki b rr w d an catch

A ndva ri w h o th e o o f e dwarf , in f rm a pik w a s e darting aro und in a wat rfall .

A o e o e o e sea - i i H mi r n th r m r vi l nt g ant s y , at wh o se home Th o r s o ught th e gre at kettle o f e e in which w Shall t ll a late r paragraph .

I I S . CH I E F GOD S A N D M YT H S OF TH E GOD (TH OR )

h i f O n nd T — 1 Wo s o a o . A e . r p di h r tt nti on h a s already bee n calle d in th e general in tro ducti on to th e fact that Th o r w as th e ’ N o rs eman s real chief divinity fro m a ve ry e e h i s “ th e anci nt tim , and that name ” Thundere r de s ignates o nly a s ingle side o f th e God o f H e aven ; but h e w as late r e s o o to b e e e e e so l und r t d an ind p nd nt, p r na 9 6 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

o s i s o be ing . Odin w r hip far y unger and made its way n o rth from a Ge rmanic peo l e e o th e c on p e dw lling farth r s uth . In s ci ousnes s o f th e o o eo e c once c mm n p pl , p tio ns o f Tho r as th e s upreme g od were n ever supe rsede d ; but Odin faith rece ived full and ple a sing devel opment in No rse e n oe Ic la dic p try . — Th o r as Ch i ef God Thor w as at one time th e chie f divinity with all th e Go thic e eo e N ot o o e s th e e e G rmanic p pl s . nly d g n ral o ccurrence o f th e symbo l of th e hammer e ess o s s h b ar witn t thi , but al o t e fact that h e i s e th e s e o f er s e plac d by id Jupit , inc ’ ’ e e e T Jupiter s day i s r nd r d by ho r s day .

A n old L ow - German baptismal fo rmula b e gins a s fo llows

“ Do you renounce th e dev il and all o fferings to th e devil ” and all th e w o rks o f th e devil ? ’ I reno unce all th e devil s wo rks and wo rds Th unar and Wo den and S aa mo t and all th e ” T o s o s e e e r ll which are w r hip d h r .

” T o “ axno h e one h r, Odin , and S t (t arme d with th e sw o rd) are precisely th e

98 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

’ ’ 2 Mith arth s K ee er — v s . g p . Th e Vo l a Pro phe cy in its d es cription o f Ragnar o k th e e se e o n e 70 s T o a s in v r cit d pag call h r, ’ 1 “ ” M K ee e eurr Veurr r e s V . ithgarth p r, , ‘ ’ e to th e D sh o vi e to o s e e lat d ani w rd , c n crat , ‘ ’ to Ve s es o e o and , Sanctuary , ignifi pr t ct r o se o M i s e and c n crat r, and ithgarth c rtainly th e o f e s e oe s land human b ing . Oth r p t call h im F ri end of H uman K i nd o r Defender o th e Ra ce h e o es a s o s f , and ccupi imilar p i t o e en o th e s w h o o s i n v am ng go d , c n tantly s e ek pro te ctio n thro ugh h i s s tre ngth even n o r F e i s ese T e e o e h e if Odi r y pr nt . h r f r

8 e A s a - bra r th e o s o e o f call d g , m t pr min nt A s T o i o s e o e o e ir . h r s c n crato r and pr t ct r o f all human life ; h e there by b eco mes th e pro te cting divinity no t m e rely o f th e indi man so o f th e o e th e vidual , but al h m and H i s h e f o n s e . e t e o d o tat gr at g civilizati , with th e s tro nges t and mightie s t p owers at h i s c o th e — th e e mmand , lightning hamm r , th e o — s es i . e e . thund rb lt which cru h and S plinte rs whate ve r o ffers re s istance (des o late nature in giant fo rm s ) but which als o

- o brings with it fruit pr ducing rain .

1 e nd er Or De f . CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 9 9

3 c — C a ac te s s o f Th o . Pe s . h r ri ti r o pl e m o t o fte n picture Th o r to th em s e lv es a s a s tro ng

le - e e o midd ag d man , rar ly a y ung man , but in b o th ca s es h e h a s a gl o wing re d be ard . H e i s trem e nd o us ly s tro ng ; h i s flaming

l e i s e o to e o ne g anc n ugh t rrify any , and h e is e h is e dr adful in wrath , but und r o rdinary circums tances h e i s gracio us and h h i s . W e e o mild h n , in wag n drawn by l i e - o s es o e th e sk s i s g at , driv v r y , thi in flames and th e m o untain s tre mbl e o r burs t

’ th e e s Th o e Dan in thund r cra sh . e m d rn ‘ ’ ‘ i s h T o rd e a e ea s T o - ru m , thund r, m n h r ’ e th e o e D s o th e bling, lik ld r ani h f rm ; S e e s s a as ka th e o e c o n w d y , w rd b ing a ‘ ’ o o f s - ek f A s tracti n a a, driving o . ’ To Th o r s nam e th e re are attach ed a e o f o r e o s numb r myth s divin traditi n , and o f th es e w e shall now re co unt th e m o s t im o p rtant .

’ 4 Th e Go d s T easu es — o . r r Of th e rigin ’ o f th e o s e s es S no rri e es th e g d tr a ur , r lat fo llo wing : L oki had o nce fro m malice cut ’ o ff th e o f T o s i W h e hair h r wife S f. n T o e e e o f h to h r b cam awar it , e wanted

’ cru sh eve ry bo ne in L oki s b o dy ; but th e 100 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY latte r pro mi s e d to g et go lden hair from th e e es fo r Sif o dark lv in c mpe n s atio n . H e e e o e to th e s h e appli d th r f r dwarf , w o are e th e s o s o f I va ldi e on call d n , and th y up h i s e e fo r S if th e s e d mand mad hair , p ar

un h i r e e e th e s G g which Odin r c iv d , and hip S ki th bl ath ni r which co uld s ail ove r b o th se a and land but c o uld als o b e fo lded to e e e a o s e o ne g th r and carri d in p uch , in ca T F e e e e e e . s o o s pr f rr d hi g d hip r y r c ived . A fte r that L o ki wage re d with a dwarf

’ B r o k s h i s e th e e s , taking h ad that latt r bro the r S indri co uld not c o mplete three o o e s e s B o e h e equally g d tr a ur . r k pli d t e o s S o e o b ll w and indri f rg d , and alth ugh L oki in th e fo rm o f a g adfly thre e times s tung th e one plying th e bell ows and fo rce d

o s o o e no i h st nd him t t p a m m nt, S indri tw t a ing fini she d th e three gre at pieces o f w ork th e o Gulli nburs ti th e Drau ni r b ar , ring p , and th e hamme r Mj olni r L o ki with h i s s s o s e o s h e ting acc mpli h d nly thi , that t hammer handle remaine d a little to o sh o rt Th e e w a s to b e s e e A s wag r ttl d in garth . T o o o th e e n h e h r t k hamm r , Odi t ring , and e th e b e ar e Fr y , aft r which these three go ds

102 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

TH K V R . 12

Wr t r ew F r e a a nd s h e ume o h g yj , f d , ’ a l l th e A e s r s a tr em e t er e r m i h ll bl d h f o , “ th e re bu r s ts th a t g r ea t B r i s ing a c h a in ; T u k no w st me to b e m s t ma d fo r men ho o , ” I r w t o h m if d ive ith h ee t Jotun e i .

‘ ’ Th e A es A s n ur o esses a s ir and y j , g dd , semble d fo r de liberation at th e co urt to conside r h ow th e hamme r co uld b e r e H e s o e s th o e gaine d . imdall lv e pr bl m “ L et us bind bridal lin en abo ut Tho r and give him th e gre a t B ri sing a o rnament to n e s s e h i s e put o ; k y hall rattl at girdl , ’ o e s e s o h i s ees w m n garm nt fall ab ut kn , ’ h e ad and brea s t b e de cked in wo man s ” s T o s s o h fa hio n . h r mu t ubmit t t e hard ne es s fo r th e s e o ss es c ity, giant will tak p s io n of A s garth if h e do es not regain th e h L L f ’ e . o au e s s o n s o es ses amm r ki , y , al dr ’ o e s o es s o a s to o o T r in w m n cl th , f ll w h o a s h i s maid upo n th e s trange bridal j o ur ne y .

S n w ere th e a ts r en mew a r oo g o d iv ho d , u r r e to th e tr a ces t e mu s t r un w e h i d , h y ll ; m unta ns u r s t e a r t u rne w t fire o i b , h b d i h , ’ O n s s o n r ve nt J un e m di d o i o ot h i .

1 ec a e N kl c . CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 103

In J o tunh e im th e re i s prepare d a s pl en

e s T o i s ill e did bridal f a t, but h r adapt d

’ h e s A t s h is to to t e brid part . fir t ability e s e e e at and drink awak n amaz m nt, nay, e o Th r m e th e alm o s t t rr r , in y ; and wh n e h e ve to s s h is e brid gr o o m lifts t il ki brid , h e darts back te rr o r - s tricke n th e l ength ’ o f th e fo r F e s e es ar e s hall , r yja y harp and r Th e b e s shin e lik e fie . artful rid maid m ean time c omfo rt s him with a s s urance that th e

’ go ddes s s appe tite and pie rcing glance s were due o nly to h er ye arning fo r th e e o o s e sh e e e e e no r brid gr m , inc had n ith r at n sl ept in eight days .

TH RK V . 30

’ Th e n quoth Th rym th e g i a nts c hi e f B e a r i n th e h a mme r to bl e s s th e b r id e " ’ Mj o l ni r pl a c e o n th e ma i d en s k ne e s

e s s a nd i n u s th e a n Va r r bl jo by h d of .

N ow co me s th e h our o f reparati o n and

’ ve ngeance fo r A s garth s mighty g o d

3 1

’ L a u e H r r t s e a r t w t n h i s re a s t g h d lo i hi h i hi b ,

w e n h e a r " e a r te th e a mm e r e r c e e h , h d h d , h p iv d ; ’ Th r m h e s e w r s t th e ants c e y l fi , g i hi f , ’ a nd th e a nt s r a e a l l h e c r us e g i c h d . 104 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

Th e wretche d s iste r o f th e giant had begge d fo r a bridal gift ; Sh e re ce ive d a

e - o s e f o hamm r bl w in t ad o g lden rings .

A fte r this th e thunde r - g o d re turned to A S h i s e o garth with r co vered weap n .

Th e s ame th eme i s tr eated i n a j esting man ner in th e anc i ent Danish b all ad ab out To r of H avs aa r d To r o f H avs aar d r es o er r een g . g id v g me ow nd l o e h i ol en mm r L o e a d s a s s s g d ha e . kk L oj emand (j ester ) puts on th e fe ath er cl o ak ‘ ’ and s ee s out th e Toss e reve fool s c ount k g , i h , w h o h as hidd en th e h ammer and w ill not g ive “ i t b ack unl ess h e g ets Jomfru F r edens b or g ” M Peac ec as tl e w all h oo h h ( iss ) ith t e g ds s e as . A fter t s Tor and L o e as in th e E d di e hi , kk , ’ S on must ut on w omen s cl ot es and r oc ee g , p h p d ’ ’ h T e r eve l an Tor s a et te in th e to t e oss g s d . pp i — anc i ent b all a d i s qu ite astonishing h e ate a w h ol e e x and thir ty h ams ; no w onder that h e w as thi r sty after th at " B ut w h en th e h ammer w as r ou t in it w as e ent t at h e coul b g h , vid h d u se it and th e Toss e r eve w t all h i s tr e , g i h ib e r e crus e Th e all a en s t us : w h d . b d d h

L e s a t s c ra t ma n okk id hi , f y , h e did c ons id er i t w e ll N ow w e w a r e to o u r o w n an ill f l d, r h a s e me a w w a s th e b ide b co ido .

’ 6 H mir s K ettl e —T o o ne e r e . y h r tim , e s th e L a o f H to o to th e lat y ymir, had g “ giant Hymir fo r a great ke ttle which w as

1 06 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

“ graphic picture o f h ow th e E arth - E u ’ e e , o e eel circl r lik a wildly fl und ring , gaz es

FI — ’ G. 19 . T r s F s n ho i hi g . CHI EF GODS AN D MYTH S 107

d efiantly fro m th e d epth s bel ow up at th e

’ ” f h s S w h o i s o Cle ave r o t e Giant kull , nly

waiting to give him th e fatal bl o w (cf . F ig . S no rri T o h i s o e s e In , h r in g dlik tr ngth breaks thro ug h th e plank s o f th e bo at until h e h e gets a fo o ting o n th e bo tto m o f t e s a . A S th e giant h a s hindered him in h i s pur o s e T o s h is e e th e p , h r hurl hamm r aft r se rpent and cha stis es th e giant with a b ox on th e ear e h e frightful , aft r which e o Th e o em o n th e hims lf wades a sh re . p o th e r hand h as th e m b o th turn back to s a s ou T o h ow e e e e t. g th r , ju t th y w nt h r, e e no now o th e e e v r, may t btain k ttl until h e can furth er pro ve h i s s trength by crus h ’ th e s e T no t ing giant beak r . hat d o es bre ak until th e g o d hurls it again s t th e ’ o e s ow n e h e es wn r Skull , aft r which snatch th e e e es o th e o k ttl and carri it fr m c urt , ’ s e th e s o s s h e pur u d by giant h t , which s e s h i s cru h with hammer . Hrun nir —T 7. g . h e myth o f Th o r and H rung ni r h as been ve ry widespread and o h p pular, and t e S calds o fte n alluded to it ; but in connected fo rm it i s prese rv e d 108 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY o norri e e T o w a s nly in S . Onc wh n h r in th e E s o e to s th e o s a t in rd r cru h tr ll , Odin s e ate d himse lf up o n S leipnir and r o de to o e H e h e me t th e H run J tunh im . re giant g ni r w h o o s e h i s ee ull aaci , b a t d that s t d G f ’ a s e e n s o e w far b tt r tha Odin . Odin r d to A s th e o o e back garth , but giant f ll w d him h o s N ow e ve n into t e dwelling o f th e g d . w as o e e o e e h i s drink b rn b f r him , but wh n o s e o e to o o th e o s b a ting b c m arr gant, g d e o T o w h o e e call d up n h r, quickly app ar d and w a s on th e p o int o f cr ushing th e Th e e w as g iant . e latt r intimat d that it o nly a s light h o no r to slay a defe ns ele s s fo e ; h e mu s t rathe r meet him in a duel at h e o e e e H run ni r o e t fr nti r, wh r g w uld th n s o S app ear with shield and grind t ne . uch a challe nge Th o r did not all ow to b e o f fered e th e e s s twic , and giant w nt away ati e A s e for th e o s fid . h lp him ther giant now o o f e r a sts built a champi n clay, nin e ra st o e ee th e high , and thr e s br ad b tw n H a M okk rk l s o e s . e w s e a h uld r call d fi, and ’ h e had a m a re s heart in h i s brea s t ; H rung ’ s e w a - o o e At nir h art s a three c rne red s t n . th e app o inted time Th o r made h i s appe ar

110 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY not ow e er et com l etel l oose for T or , h v , g p y , h tol Gr oa t at h er us an Orvandi l w as c om d h h b d , , in ome r esentl T or h ad or ne h im on h is g h p y . h b b ac k in a b asket over th e po isonous str eams on th e r etur n ou rne fr om otunh eim ne o f j y J . O h i s to es ow e er w as fr oz en off and T or h ad , h v , , h c ast i u to ea en and m e it nto a s tar t p h v ad i . B ut Gr o a b ec ame so j oyful at this informati on t at sh e for ot h er w tc r aft h g i h c .

h —L 8 Geirr ot . o e a . ki had o nce b en c ught th e Gei rro th to o se o h e by giant , wh c urt h ad fro m curio s ity betaken himse lf in ’ o o o e to e ee Frigg s falc n cl ak . In rd r g t fr h e had to pro mise to bring Tho r to Geir r o th without h i s hammer or h i s s trength ‘ e s th e a L o as e s b lt . In thi rtful ki w a ily s es s on th e T o s e th e ucc ful , but way h r vi it d ’ es ith r o h in s G a s e . e giant rith , V m th r S s tructed him ab o ut Ge i rr oth and lent him

h er s e - e h er on o es at parting tr ngth b lt, ir gl v , and h er f T o o s taf . h r came firs t to a bro k ’ I n which one o f th e giant s daughters had o s o e H e s e h er cca i n d an inundati o n . l w and esca pe d to land by drawing himself ’ o o ash ei rroth up int a m untain . In G s hall t e e w as o n a e h r nly o e ch ir, and it w nt up quickly as far as th e ceiling wh en Thor CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 1 1 1

s e H e es se s eate d him lf upo n it . e th n pr d

’ again s t it with Grith s s taff and pu sh e d h is e e e w a s with all might, aft r which th r ’ e e o fo r th e s d au h h ard a gr at r ar, giant g te rs had b een und e r th e chair and lay e no o h e o o th re w with br ken backs . On t fl r e e w a s e e fire e s e th r kindl d a gr at , b id which e o o e s e s ei r ro th en p ple to k th ir at . G th s e ize d a gl owing iro n wedge and ca s t it at T o w h o th o e h r , caught it with e b rrow d o es e th e se gl v , aft r which giant hid him lf in e o e o T o t rr r b hind a mighty ir n pillar . h r now hurl e d th e w e dge with s uch fo rce that it pie rced thro ugh th e pillar and Gei rr o th s o e o ut o h e n h al , and w nt thr ugh t wall o t e Th o f Oppo s ite Side . e main s o urce this myth i s th e o s e S Th o rs dra a b cur caldic lay p , i s e o no r r i which r t ld by S .

’ Th s J e U r h —I n i 9 o ou n to t a t . n o rr . r r y g S ’ i s als o fo und th e late adv enture o f Th o r s o e to Ut a rth o i s th j urn y g , which pr bably e s T s e e e b e t known . hi tal attain d gr at cel e b rity afte r Oeh l ens ch l aeg e r made use o f it “ ’ a s th e s s fo r h i s o e T o s o e ba i p m , h r J urn y ” 1 “ to o tunh eim th e o o to Go s J , intr ducti n d

1 e s i l un e m To rs R j e t Jot h i . 1 12 N ORSE MYTHOL OGY

” 1 ’ f S no rri s o a o n o th e N o rth . l ng cc u t is a free and fanciful trans fo rmati o n o f a wh ole s eries o f Th o r - myths now fo r th e mo s t s part lo t .

a T o e s Th ialfi Ro skv a o . h r g t and fr m h e E t e p as ant ( gil ) . Th e ee t S th e o es b . m ting wi h krymir ( gl v , ’ - T o s e s . lunch bag, h r hamm r thru t t arth al o ki th e es th e c . U g ( e ating t t and e T o s o th sea rac . h r drink fr m e , s th M se lift e ithgarth rpent, and E i A e es es . e wr tl with lli , . Old g ) . Th i e o e nd d . e o ptical illusi o n s r m v d a T o s es t e e h r wi h o take veng anc , but o s s with ut ucce s .

10 Al vi s —A e s . n entirely charact ri tic but not very trans parent myth lies als o at th e s s o f th e E ddi o f A l i s A s ba i e S ng o v . lvi i s a w h o o it e e e dwarf , with ut s b ing vid nt e e o e o o h a s e e e th e wh r f r and fr m wh m , r c iv d ’ o se o f T o s e H o pr mi h r daught r . e n w c o es to e h er i s e sse h m tak , but addr d w it s o o s T o Th s c rnful w rd by h r . e dwarf doe not kno w him and a sks him to mind h i s

1 N or en u r d s G de .

1 14 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

It w as e s pecially difficult to eradicate th e faith in th e pr o te cting and co n secrating f T o h i e Th e virtue o h r and s hamm r . Sign o f th e hammer and th e s ig n o f th e cro ss

- 20. F ure T r FI G. ig of ho

e e o se ee e e e e e w r c nfu d, ind d w r v n plac d s ide by s ide as s acred symbo l s in Chris es F i o tian church ( g . In N rway, s e to sa th e o o eo e s trang y , c mm n p pl tran ’ fe rred no t a few o f Th o r s qualitie s to ’ F o th e o e e s S aint Olaf . r m N rw gian p a ant s CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 1 15

K r ed e ing Olaf, with flaming b ard and

’ th e s o e e s e fo e with ax in hand , rc r r bitt r , to th e red - b e arded thunde r - g o d with th e ’ e w h o s e s th e s hamm r, cru h giant and ’ o s s ls i s l e no t e l m untain giant kul , a ap n ar y s o gre at a s o ne at th e firs t glance might B ut th e s es s think . with Chri tian pri t , Th o r and Odin naturally s to o d as th e wo rs t am ong all th e evil b e ings o f th e h e ath en days ; fo r th e m Chri s t and Th o r a r s o o e a inc ompatible as g d and evil . It i s this contra s t which Oeh l ens ch l a eg er brings o ut in th e fam o u s co nclu s i o n o f th e “ ” third act o f Hak o n Jarl

L AF H e e s e e e i s O . av n will trik th with t flam es "

HA K ON T o s e th e o ss . h r Shall plint r cr with h is hammer "

OD I N

1 Wo sh of O in —To e e T r . r ip d g th r with y and Th o r a s we ll a s th e go ddess Frija ’ ‘ h e e o e Mo e E Odin i s ( t b l v d , th r arth ) , a t s c o mm o n Ge rmanic divini y, and thi can ’ s o o o T s o b e proved al by phil l gy . yr riginal 1 16 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY s ignificance as th e ancient g o d o f h e ave n i s th e o o e e o s e th e , in N rth , c mpl t ly b cur d ; s o urce s re late n o thing particular ab o ut him beyo nd that which i s s tate d in th e fo re ’ “ s a s es th e one go ing . Odin n me ignifi o th e e o e e i s e bl wing, and r lati n h r quit th e s ame a s in th e ca s e o f Th o r ; a s ingle s ide o f th e g o d o f he aven i s th o ught o f a s a p ers o n and an indepe ndent divinity . ’ s o s i s as w e e e r e Odin w r hip , hav alr ady e s o e o th e o e n mark d , m what y ung in N rth r land s ; but s ince it pe rme ate s all N o rse e o e w e s now o o e Ic landic p try , mu t l k a littl ’ mo re clo s ely at Odin s divinity and th e s r myth which a e attached to him . ’ 2 Odin s A ea ance and Su r oundin . pp r r g s .

i s o o f a s o ld one - e e Odin th ught an , tall , y d man o e o with a l ng b ard , br ad hat , and an

e e o r r t - ol o e o h i s ampl blu pa i c r d cl ak . On a rm h e ea s th e Dr au ni r o n h i s w r ring p , Sh oulde rs s it th e ravens H ug inn and Mun ‘ ’ ‘ ’ T o Me o h i inn , h ught and m ry, and at s ee li e th e tw o o es Ge F r e i f t w lv , ri and k , ’ ’ ‘ G ee ‘ E e r dy and ag r . Ordinarily h e i s e th e s e Gun nir arm d with p ar g , and rides upo n Sleipnir (h e h as many o ther ho rses

118 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY o e s s o h e e o r o fo r th r way al gain d inf mati n, th e ravens fly every m o rning o ut o ver all th e wo rld and bring tidings back with e e e e e i s— e s es h is th m , and in h av n th r b id castl e Valas kj alf o r Va lh alla - also a place Hli th sk a l s e o r s se j f, a ca tl imply a high at, from which Odin can l o o k out o ve r th e o o wh le w rld . We have already he ard what sacrifice Odin w as obliged to make in o rder to increas e h i s kn owl edg e at th e time wh e n h e had to pl edge one o f h i s eyes to o btain ’ o M s e o f s o a drink fr m imir w ll wi d m .

fth ru h nir - I n h dd 4 Va t . t e E i o s . e S ng o Va th ruth ni r n i s es e as ab ut f , Odi d crib d th e o s o e o d o f s o n m t pr min nt G Wi d m . Odi i s speaking with F rigg ; h e h as a des ire to s th e se afth r uth nir to e s vi it wi giant V , t t h i s s F e agacity . rigg advi s s him to remain o e s e s at h m , but Odin an w r

VA F TH R . 3

I a e urne e mu c a ttem te muc h v jo y d h , p d h , I h a ve tes te d oft th e pow ers ; ’ thi s I w i s h to know h ow Va fth ru th ni r s u s e ma b e ho hold y .

’ He e s o e s es d part , acc mpani d by Frigg b t ’ s es o es h l ant s wi h , and c m to t e g hall , CHI EF GODS A N D MYTHS 1 19

e e e th e e o f W e e h e wh r , und r nam and r r , h e o o es o f s o challenges t e latt r t a c nt t wi d m .

F s o f a ll s s e s th e ir t Odin , tanding, an w r ’ giant s ques tion ab o ut th e s tee ds o f d ay and th e o e I n e e e n night, b undary riv r fig b tw th e o e s o f o s s th e c untri g d and giant , and i i h T o a f h h r plain V g r t . hen qu th V t rut ni

VA F T H R . 19

’ W se now t u a rt u e s t a s s to th e a nt s i ho , oh g , p g i b enc h and l et us ta lk o n th e s e a t tog e th e r " Wa er o ur ea s s a w e tw o i n th e a g h d h ll h ll , m u es t u n o u r w s . oh g , po i do

A fter that th e s ong rehears es a numb e r o f th e main p o ints o f th e b elie f in th e go ds in

’ ques ti o n s o n Odin s part ; but th e giant e e e s es o s e th e n v r h itat ab ut an an w r , until o d a s s “ W h sa B al g k him , at did Odin y in ’ dur s e a r be fo re h e w as b o rne up o n th e “ ” pyre I Then Va fth ruth ni r unde rstands

o h e h a s e s with wh m engag d in c o nte t .

N o man n w s t s w a t t u i n e a r a s k o hi , h ho ly d y ’ d i d s t s a y i n th y s on s e a r Wi th f a te d lips I u tter e d a nc i e nt lo r e and h w n a th e s of t e do f ll of g od . 120 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

_Th er e w as onc e a n name 5 , Grimnir , ki g by H r auth un w h o h ad tw o s ons A uar and Gei r g , , g r o th of w om th e r st w as ten th e s econ , h fi , d nter ol d T ese tw o r ow e ou w eig ht w i s . h d t ith a o at to fish b ut th e w n r ov e t em off o er b , i d d h v th e s ea and in th e ar ness o f th e n t t e , d k ig h h y r tr n e u on a for e n or e H er e a w e e s a d d p ig s h . man an d w oman met them and c ar ed for them u r n th e w nter Th e eas ant th e man d i g i . p ( ) to ok c har g e of Geir r oth and g ave h im g oo d l l h i f r efer r e A nar I n c ounse e s w e . , w hi i p d g th e s r n t e w ent aw a i n a oat b ut th e p i g h y y b , peas ant w hisper e d something fir st to h i s fo ster ’ s on W en th e o s c ame to t e r fat er s an . h b y h i h c or n r oun Gei r r oth s r an u c l as or e h i g g d , p g q i k y h , t rus t th e oat out a a n and c all e o ut to h i s h b g i , d “ ” r ot er To th e Tr oll s w th t ee " after w c b h , i h hi h th e oat a a n r o e out u on th e s e a w l e b g i d v p , hi Gei r r oth w ent up to th e r oyal c as tl e and l ater m l tr o r n e Th e foster b ec a e an il u s i us p i c . ar ents w er e ow e er not oor eo l e b ut p , h v , p p p , n F r N t e w er e s tt n one n a d . ow as Odi ig g , h y i i g me in Hl t s al f n tau nte h i s w fe on ti i h kj , Odi d i c c ount of A nar and h i s fo rtune to w c sh e a g , hi h answ er e t at Gei r r oth w as to b e su r e a n d h , , ki g , b u t h e w as s o nig g ar dly ab out fo o d that h e tor n i n m n ame n me te d h s g uests i c as e too a y c . Odi e cl ar e t s to b e u ntru e as n ee it w as d d hi , i d d , w a er e u on h is o n on and s et out i n or er g d p pi i , d o n r nt h m t er for msel f B ut t i qu i e i o t e a t hi . F r ig g s ent h er maid to K ing Gei rr oth and w ar ne d h im ag a inst a man ver s e d in mag ic w h o w as to c ome to h i s c ou rt and w h o c oul d b e know n s at o id not are to t by thi , th d g s d d bi e

122 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

‘ ’ e e S B e S a a i s o d r d inking nch , and g d ubt es s a e fo r F o l nam rigg , acc rding to which th e i s l s o to th e s s e a myth an al u i n un t, ’ p o etic expre s s io n fo r th e sun- go d s me et

F e th e sun e e d a ing with rigg, wh n v ry y Sinks below th e h o ri z on westward into th e

sea .

F ri a F r ea th e o s e e ew j , in N r languag , gr o F one o f th e few e e l e int rigg, G rmanic f ma e s b o i diviniti that can e p nted out. Origi nally sh e w a s married to th e g o d o f he ave n Tiw aR e s e h e , but wh n Odin upplant d him came into po s s es s i o n o f h i s maid and h i s F i e . e o e n o se o o wif urth rm r , N r myth l gy, sh e i s e o s e F r e a fo r r adily c nfu d with yj , which re a s on it i s difficult to de te rmine o e s h e o ne o th o e which myth c nc rn t r e th r . i s o s e F e ‘ th e R It m t lik ly that r yja , uling ’ One w as o e f h , nly an epith t o t e que e n o f he ave n and w a s late r made into a new e e th e h e divin b ing . Of o ther names of t

ee o f th e o s b e o r h qu n g d can menti ned Jo t ,

F o r n Hl o th n F a e s o j g y , y rid y m an rigi ’ F s s a s th e o s nally rigg day , ju t c n tellati o n o w a s s l e F ’s e Ori n fir t ca l d rigg , but lat r ’ F - e s S e e . r yja , pinning wh l CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 123

—P o e s Gef on. on so i 7. j r bably G fj al ’ o o ne f F es o riginally fr m o rigg s nam . In th e E ddie S o ng L o k a s e nna ( th e L o ki Quar l s s Ge f o n o s h e r e ) , Odin ay that j kn w t h h e d e stiny o f t e w o rld a s w ell a s e hims lf . ’ F r e e o o e e i s no rri s a c a b tt r kn wn , h w v r , S f e o n l K G lfi c o unt o G fj n a d Gy fi. ing y in Sweden gave h er a s much land a s sh e co uld in n o o h e pl o w ab out o e day with f ur xen . S bro ught h er fo ur giant so n s and tran s o e e o o o e s e f rm d th m int pl w x n , but thi t am o ed s o ee h e w a o o s e e pl w d p that t land s l n d , wh ereup o n th e o xen dre w it o ut wes tward h i n o t e s ea . ow e Ze int It s call d aland , and th e h e adlands c o rresp o nd to th e inl ets o f th e s ea e e e in e which r main d b hind Sw den , e e th e e e wh r land had b n .

Th e M ea f th e c l — 8 . h d o S a d s . T e myth abo ut Odin acquiring th e Mea d of th e S c o lds h as e th e o , bri fly , f ll owing c o ntent S c alds hip (p o etry) i s re pres ente d a s an in s piring drink ; h e w h o partakes o f it i s w a S cald . It a s ke pt at th e h ome o f th e s e e Gunnl o th e giant , wh r guard d it . Odin

es h is o es mak way thr ugh all hindranc , ’ s Gunnl o th s e o e s er gain a ff cti n , and g t p 124 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

s s o to e o th He en mi i n nj y e drink . th car ri es it up to th e uppe r w o rld and g ives o men it t . In th e o ldest and purest fo rm th e myth

e s th e E ddi e o e H av amal : app ar in p m , Th e man mu s t b e gifte d in s pee ch w h o wishes to kn ow much and to attain any th o T s e . i e . thing in w rld hi I ( . Odin) pro ve d at th e h ome o f th e giants ; it w as not by keeping s ilent that I made pro gre s s ’ u tun ’s in S t g s hall . I allowe d th e auge r mo uth to break me a path betw een th e gray s o es Th e a s e e o e t n . gi nt w r going b th o v r e so w as n e and und r, it by o m an s without ” e dang r .

H 0 A V. 1 5

Gunnl o th g a ve me o n th e g olden s eat a d r ink of th e pr ec iou s mea d ; ill r etu r n I l a ter l e t h er h ave ( fo r h e r fa i thfu l h e a rt ) fo r h er tr u e m n o bl d i d .

H e r w e - a ne ea u t h a e I mu c en e ll g i d b y v h joy d , littl e i s l a c ki ng to th e w i s e ; S ince Oth re r i r i s no w c ome u p ’ r m s a e to ve g e of en bod .

126 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY w as r ow ne w l e on a s a l n art and d d hi i i g p y , w en h i w fe r e e a out it t e sl ew h er h s i g i v d b h y . Th e s on S uttun w ante to ta e en eanc e , g , d k v g for h is ar ents b ut a r ee to acc e t th e mea p , g d p d o f th e S c al s as com ensat on and s et h is d p i , au ter Gunnl oth to ar it w t n th e d g h , , g u d i hi m unta n o i . W en O n set out to a n th e mea h e 0 . h di g i d c ame first to a fiel d w her e nine sl aves w er e mow ’ ’ i n r ass t ese w eI e R an i s S uttun s r ot g g ; h g , g b h ’ r men n fir ed to w et t e r s c t es e s . O o e di h h i y h , and th e Whetstone w as s o exc ell ent th at they all w nt to b u it Th e od t en cast it u nto a ed y . g h p i th e ai r b ut all w er e so ea er to r as it t at , g g p h ll e ea ot er i n h tem After they ki d c h h t e at pt . t at O n w h o c all e mself B olverk r o h di , d hi , p pose d to B ang i th at h e c arr y on th e w ork of th e sl a es w t t s as r ew ar t at h e r ec e e v i h hi d , h iv ’ r u of uttun mea To s B au i a d a g ht S g s d . thi g r e ag e d . W en th e t me for w ork w as at an end d . h i ’ Suttun ow e er r efuse to ful ll h i s r ot er s g , h v , d fi b h r om se b ut B ol verk t us too a anta e o f p i , h k dv g th e fr au d : h e g ave B aug i an ang er and made h im b or e into th e mountain w h er e th e dr ink w as n I t w as not l on efor e B an ecl ar e hidde . g b g i d d that th e hol e w as thr oug h ; b ut w h en B ol verk l ew h e ot c s in h i s fac e and th e cr aft b , g hip , y B aug i h ad to b or e ag ain until th e c hips flew nw r N ow B ol verk r oc ee e nto th e i a d . p d d i moun a n i n th e for m of a s er ent w on Gunn t i p , ’ l oth s l o e and r ec e v e th e r om se of a r nk v , i d p i d i o f th e mead for e ac h of th e thr ee nig hts h e w as r r ne en in t r ee r au ts ot the e . He d ai d th h d g h b h CHI EF GODS AN D MY THS 127

’ th e k ettl e and th e v es s el s a nd fle w i n a n e ag l e s fo rm to w a r A s ar t d g h . e uttun sc o e r e t s a nd u rs ue h im . S g di v d hi p d , ’ l ke w se i n e a l e s fo r m W e n e re w ne a r i i g . h th y d to Asg a r th th e g o ds s et o ut th e i r v es sel s o th a t O n m t s t o ut th e mea nto it b u t th e di ig h pi d i , g i ant w as cl ose upon h im a nd s o me o f th e me a d en w ent th e w r o n w a t s w c th e o d s th g y ; hi , hi h g no t c oll ec t ec ame th e o r t on o f th e did , b p i r n h e r l s r hyms te s a d t poo S c a d . M A RK —Otll r eri r w as er a s at rst th e RE . p h p fi h h l lf name for t e mead o f t e S ca ds itse .

“ ” 9 R nes — Th e o ld o run s es . u w rld ignifi

s e s e e . w as no t o e o e my t ry , cr cy It l ng b f r — th e run e s th em selves at firs t ce rtain o f e e o f e — e e e e e th m , lat r all th m w r int rpr t d a s s s th e magic ign , and faith in mighty runes h a s l o ng b een maintain e d in p o pular

e o e r old D s b eli f and in p t y (cf . ani h bal N o h s . o e e t s o e lad ) w nd r, th n , that e di c v ry o f es w a s e e run s a crib d to Odin hims lf . This i s dis tinctly to ld in seve ral E ddi e s o s th e e e i s ffi to ng , but r al m aning di cult s o e di c v r .

n i s e so th e o d o f s o ce Odi th n al g all r ry , e e o e h e i s e ald rs a th ur ‘ F a wh r f r call d g f , ’ e o f M i S o h e s th r ag c ng , and by t e lat r Chri tian church in th e No rth w as regarded as 128 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY th e w o rs t o f th e evil be ings wh o m th e heathen w o rship d . I n th e H eimsk r ing l a an a cc ount is g iven o f h ow O n as an ol d one - e e man w t h i s di , y d , i h r o a h at came to K n Ol af Tr v ason w en b d , i g yg g h l r w as at fea t at c ou r H e tal e th e atte a s t. k d l ong and shr ew dly w ith th e king and w as s u r r isin l w ell ac u a nte w t ol d tr a t ons p g y q i d i h di i , w ith w hic h h e enterta ine d th e king e v en after ne A h i s e ar ur e th e l atter h ad g o to b ed . t d p t h e g ave th e stew ar d fat h or se - s houl ders to r o ast n I n d ue t me ow e er th e ol d fo r h e . t ki g i , h v , ’ n ece t on w as sco er e ma s d p i di v d .

“ 10 Odin as God of B attl e — A o o f . s g d war and battle Odin ente rs into th e life o f H e m n ar i s h is o h e o s s . e . W w rk ; ar u e it es s e s s e o e incit king and arl again t ach th r . Th e o s a r e e warri r driv n by a highe r spirit . This h e fos te rs by teaching h i s favo rite s new e s o f o e h e m an c nqu ring , and him self mmg l es in th e battl e to he lp them o r bring

e to se H Hilde ann l th m him lf ( arald t ) . A l o s e w h o die s e o to H e th in arm b l ng him . e s o o es o gath r nly n bl ab ut him , s o that there can s till b e her o es when th e la s t gre at ” e i s battl at hand .

V th e V s E inh er r Of alhalla , alkyr and j a o h as e ee an acc unt alr ady b n give n .

180 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY w a s th e I n va e o ne s e F e i s g s . In any ca r y o riginally a variatio n of th e g o d of light H i and h e aven . e himse lf s calle d Th e S One Go d o f th e Wo l e hining , r d , and Chi f o f th o H es A h i e G ds . e liv in lfh eim ; s ‘ ’ o i s e Gullinburs ti o e s es b ar call d , g ld n bri tl ,

’ ‘ h i s e S ki rmr M e f B att ndant , ak r o right ’ e ss h i s o sses s o o f as es n , and e in p i n tre ur which o nly th e m o st pro minent g od can

ow n.

’ A cco rding to th e Volva s Pro phecy h e e R a nar o k rt T e e c o nt nds in g with S u . h r

’ h i s e B eli B l ond Des tro er B elt e call d s y . i s brothe r o f th e giantess Gerth and one o f

h es o f th e E ddi e o e s ki rmis mal t e fin t p m , S , ’ ’1 ’ ‘ r Journe e s F e s Ski nir s y , d al with r y fo e l ove r G rth . ’ — ’ 2 Sk irnir s Journe . S i s e s . y kirnir Fr y attendant but al s o h i s frie nd fro m yo uth

e e o e h e i s e s o e to up . Wh r f r quit accu t m d

’ h o One e s o e be ing t e g d s co nfidant . tim m as o F e fo r h e s e e thing w tr ubling r y , at d himself apart with o ut wishing to s peak one h b e e with any . S at i th n bad Skirnir

1 n a th e t t e F o r S ki rm te se I dic ted by i l s of n u d . CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 13 1 a s ce rtain what had awakened th e s trong

’ o s F e s e e g d wrath , and r y an w r d :

S K M . 6

’ I n Gymi r s c ou rt I s a w w a lking a ma id e n d e a r to me ; h e r a r ms s hone a nd f r om them l h th e a i r a nd a l t e s ea .

7

A ma id d ea rer to me th a n ma id to a ny man youthfu l in ea rly d a ys ; of A es i r a nd of e lve s thi s no o ne Wi shes a w s u b e to et e r th t e ho ld g h .

In th e pro s e intro ducti o n to th e p oem it i s re late d that F rey had se ate d himself in Hlith skjalf and had l o o ke d o ut o ve r all th e

o H s o s e e s o th e w rld . e had al ca t y up n fair

f h i r Ge e o t e G m . rth , daught r giant y S kirnir o ffe rs now to ride to J otunh eim a s s o fo r h i e o e th e a uit r s fri nd , pr vid d latte r will l end him th e stee d which will h ea r o s s e o th e him m t af ly thr ugh dark , fl e s th e s o aming magic fir , and w rd which s s se o s wing it lf again s t giants and tr ll . T s i s o e e e o s hi d n , and aft r a dang r u and intricate ride th e swift Skirnir s tand s in

’ mi r s o e s o e Gy hall in c nv r ati n with G rth . 132 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

With o ut circuml o cuti on h e tell s h i s e rrand ; s h e o s es h er e e o e es fir t pr mi l ev n g ld n appl , e th e Drau nir o e sh e n xt, ring p , pr vid d that l F r H e i o e e wi l give rey h e l ove . s h w v r “ e s e o n o s o es fo r o i s e r fu d b th c r , g ld ch ap ’ in Gymi r s co urt ; I have th e di s p o s iti o n o f ’ my father s we alth Then Skirnir re s o rts to threats : h e will s trike h er fathe r d own and slay h er with th e rune - writte n sw o rd ; with th e mag i c wand h e will subdue h er and s end h er as bo o ty to th e cruel troll e o e o f th e r o p pl unde w rld .

SE M . 33

Wr t w t t ee i s O n w r t th e m st ex o h i h h di , o h o cellent s of g od , th ee s ha ll F re y ha te ; Most evil ma id " ( thou ) w h o h a s t a tta ined ’ r u s w r a th e g ods fe o c io th .

34

He a r e ants ear r st- ants y g i , h , f o g i , ’ e uttun s s ns y , S g o , ( ye g ods to o ) h ow I r h o w I en fo bid , d y to th e ma id th e joy of men ma th e ea su r e men to th e id pl of .

Th h o e e th e maid w can r j ct e bright , ’ beaming go d s affe cti o n shall b e puni shed

134 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY

o th e s e s s and h av e ab ut ame charact ri tic . h e f e s e a r e o l s o F e T m o s t o th f und a in r yja . Tacitu s m entio ns in co nne cti o n with a N o rth German tribe a female divinity e s s e th e o s e N rthu , and with thi nam N r wo rd N j a rth exactly agree s as a ma s culine U o on s th e o e w a s h e r fo rm . p n i land in c an e o e o se e o s acr d gr v , with a c n crat d wag n th e es o s which o nly pri t might t uch . In thi a o o s th e o ess w g n drawn by c w , g dd in s o l emn pro c es s io n and amid th e exultatio n o f th e e o e w as l ed o on e s s p pl ab ut f tal day . T e e e o e e B e o e th e h n p ac and j y pr vail d . f r o ess w a s e to th e e e h e g dd tak n back t mpl , t o th e e s th e h er wag n , garm nt , and divinity se e e s e in th e s e a e lf w r wa h d acr d l k .

M AR Th e tal o RE K . e ab ut H er th a and h er w or ship at L ej r e ( in Zeal and ) is onl y a l ate tr aditi on w hic h i s founde d on a pervers i on o f ’ Tac tus a c count and oes not el on amon i , d b g g th e eat en el efs h h b i .

H E I M DA L L A N D B A L DuR

1 Heimdall i e o . s a pur ly N rs e divinity and mus t acco rding to h i s name and pe culi ariti es b e e F e e o , lik r y , a manif statio n f CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 135

h o d o f e e e s o e t e g h av n and light , p rhap m r e th e o d o f th e o r e d th e d finitely g m rning , day ’s gl eam which sh ow s its e lf at th e h o riz o n imm ediately be fo re th e ris ing o f th e n Th e e “ h h s s u . name m ans e w o light ” th e o His s e e e ull o w rld t d i s call d G t pp. A n acc o unt h as been given ab o ve o f h i s ’ e e o e Th e o s dw lling and mpl ym nt . V lva Pro ph ecy begins with th e fo llo wing words

Vs r . 1

He a r me a l l e n r e y holy ki d d , ’ re a te r a nd sma e r H e m a s s ns " g ll , i d ll o

’ That men a re h e re calle d H e imdall s s ons i s no t n ece s sarily an o utco me o f an ancient o on f o c ncepti o He imdall as s upreme g d . This expres s io n co mes rather fro m an E d dic s o ng which i s s o mewhat o lde r than th e ’ Vo s P o e th e o d e lva r ph cy, in which g , und r th e e o f B i i s e e s e e a s th e an nam g , r pr nt d cesto r f h e l s s es o f s o e o t e diffe r nt c a ci ty . 2 Ri i s e o e s . g a C ltic w rd which m an e L h d o r . o a o t e se o princ king ng g wi g , s trong and active th o ugh advanced in e s e e o e e s y ar , wand r d al ng gr n path until h e came to th e hut in which great grand 136 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

er o e A 6 E dda fath and grandm th r, and , He o o o e e . a s e dw lt t k ituati n with th m, gav e oo e o o o f e th m g d advic , and part k th ir e e e nd o H e e a e h avy co ars br ad a s up . r m in d there three nights and s o ught res t betw ee n e B u o e s E th m . t nine m nth s aft rward dda o e w a s e e b r a child , which baptiz d with wat r

h Th r el H e and rece ived t e name a l . had a o s o a e furr wed kin , l ng hands , an ugly f c , e s o ee s s o o thick fing r , l ng h l , and a t ping back ; bu t h e b e came gre at and stro ng and o L e h e e T capable fo r w rk . at r marri d hir , ” “ o th e tw o es e e a thrall , and fr m d c nd d all h t e Thralls . Rig wandered farther al ong th e ro ad and came to a hall which grandfathe r and o e A e Amma o e grandm th r, f and , wn d

RI GS T H 1 . 5

Th e c u e s a t t er e w er e u s w t t r w r k o pl h , b y i h h e i o ’ th e ma n w a s h ew ing th er e w ood fo r a w e a ver s b e a m ° h i s e a r w a s tr mm e a r e c o n h i s r w b d i d , fo lo k b o

s rt w a s c s e tt n a c e s t w a s i n th e fl r . hi lo fi i g , h oo

' Th e w man s a t t e r e tu rn n h e r di sta fi o h , i g , o u t h er a rm s m a e r e a th e c t s tretc he d , d dy lo h ; a w a s o n h e r e a e r c e o n h er r ea st c oif h d , k hi f b ,

a s at h er nec c a s s u n h er s u ers . a scarf w k , l p po ho ld

138 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

- B ut afte rwards m o the r b o re a son w h o w a s s e e l s e Ja r . waddl d in ilk, baptiz d , and nam d “ L e e h i s s h i s ee s ight w r curl , bright ch k , ’ ” e e s h i s s e es sharp a s a s rp nt hining y . o o e s Jarl fro m childh d had practic in arm . Ri e to es e g cam him , taught him run , call d E rn s on e e es . a him , and gav him gr at rich e e h i s fe e a b cam wi , and th y had m ny valiant s o s o f o th e o es as K an ma i n , wh m y ung t w g ’ ‘K on th e Yo e e K 0 m m r th e o ( ung, h nc g , w rd fo r H e w a s a gl orio us he ro and vie d with or s urpa ss e d Jarl b o th in arms s e es s F h e s et o ut fo r and in hr wdn . inally adve nture in o rde r to gain cele brity and a De Th e o e o s s s fair bride in nmark . p m c n i t

e e o f o e e e s o et w e h r inc mpl t fragm nt nly, y hear th a t

RI GS TH . 38

Th e s a t h e s k h e sw un h i s s e h f hoo , g hi ld,

i s stee h e u r e h e r ew h i s sw r h d g d , d o d ;

s tr e h e a w a k e th e e h e r e ene if did , fi ld dd d,

a rr r s h e e e a ne an in w a r . w io f ll d, g i d l d

Th e L ay o f B ig c ontains undo ubte dly a gl orificatio n o f kingly p ower and i s sup po sed to have been co mp osed in N o rway CHI EF GODS AN D M YTHS 1 31)

in prai s e o f an abs o lute king (H arald H a r fa g ri ? —Th B e 3 B al u . e th . o f d r myth aldur,

o s s e o f th e s i s s o m t di put d all myth , al o B i s o o dis tinctly N rth e rn . aldur c mm nly

e s o o to e se e F e und r t d hav ari n , lik r y and H e o e o e t o f imdall , fr m an mb dim n an f h l f e e o riginal epith et o t e o d g o d o h av n . B e o n th e o s th e ugg , c ntrary, maintain that th e o ries ab o ut B aldur a r e fo rm e d fro m a combinati o n o f Iri sh l egend s ab o ut Chris t

s e s o o e e Ro es and mi und r t d Gr k and man tal .

T s e o e e o e s e diffi hi vi w, h w v r, enc unt r gr at culti es s o o o s o to h as , and tr ng pp iti n it

s e . S e e o o ari n ( Intr ducti n . ) Tw o B al r M t s —B 4 . du y h es ides allu s i o ns

s e e E ddi e s o s w e th e B in v ral ng , find aldur

o s o s no r ri o myth in vari u f rm in S and S ax . B oth in Denmark and e ls ewhe re in th e

o e - e s a r N rth , plac nam e fo und and l o cal tra diti o ns a r e o e e B which c nn ct d with aldur . “ ’ ” Th e plant - nam e B aldur s brow als o i s an e e e o f th e in s o d vid nc faith thi g . Th e s ubs tance o f th e myth i s th e s ame ’ ’ in S no rri s and S ax o s represe ntatio n s '

‘ Ha r a F a i rh a i r n N rw a 0- ld , ki g of o y , 8 6 9 33 . 14 0 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

B aldur i s a s o n o f Odin and F rigg ; h e i s e e s lain by H o th but i s av nge d by h i s br o th r . “ ” H o th s ignifies co mbat and agre es cl o s ely

th e o H o th erus S o w h o h ow with f rm in ax , , e e s th e e o e B o a s th e v r, call av nging br th r , e s S o th e c on Vali o f Ic landic s o urce . In ax es s o th e e s K t t turn up n princ s Nanna , ing ’ Gev ar s e w h o i s o e th e daught r , l v d by 1 S e H o th er e th e e hi lding , whil with Ic land ’ er s sh e i s th e o d B s e H o g aldur wif , and th i s h i s l o e S a o e e ar e b ind br th r . In x th r prese rve d indis tinct traits o f th e Valkyrs (th e three F o res t Maids ) and o f th e mur dero ns swo rd which i s kept by th e giant Miming We mus t als o remark tha t as B i s e e e e s on o f h e aldur v rywh r a Odin , t info rmatio n ab o ut him mu s t at all eve nts b e later than th e ri se o f Odin faith and i s the refo re of c omparatively l ate develo p ment . ’ B aldur s Dreams —I n o 5 . additi n to all w e have alluded to conce rning B aldur in th e prece ding sectio n w e will now re

1 ‘ ’ S e n s I ce . s k o ldun a r l it . s ns S hi ldi g , l j g , o of kjold , ‘ ’ ‘ ’ a m r m s H ea e n c e to me an nc e s k . t n s p i , g h ki g of m Den a r k w er e meant.

14 2 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY

e - e o th e s o not fun ral pyr up n it, but hip c uld e T e e s e a es se e to b e m o v d . h y th n nt m ng r Jo tunh eim fo r a so rce re ss w h o w a s named H rr okin Sh e e o a o y . cam riding up n w lf F o B er and had a viper fo r a bridle . ur s s e e to th e o es e e rk w r guard w lv , but th y c o uld no t ho ld them until th ey had thrown e o n H rr okin e to th e b ow o f th m d w . y w nt th e ship and pushed it o ut with th e firs t thru s t,s o that fire we nt out fro m th e rollers th e o e A t a and wh le co untry tr mbled . th t T o e e o s e th e a e h r b cam wr th , gra p d h mm r, e to s h er e th e and want d cru h h ad , but all go ds united in s aving h er by the ir inter

’ e ss o N ow B s o s o e c i n . aldur b dy w a b rn out o th e s e h i up n hip . Wh n s wife Nanna s aw s h er o e o and thi , heart br k fr m grief sh e w a s laid upo n th e pyre with h er h us T o band . h r next stepped fo rward and con secr ated th e e h e A pyr with t e hamm r . dwarf ran befo re h i s feet and Tho r in h i s r e e o th e fir e e e h w a s ag kick d him int , wh r e M burned . any go ds and giants were es e th e e h pr nt at fun ral . Odin laid t e ring ’ Drau nir o n B s e s ’ p aldur br a t, and th e go d s h o se w as led out h i s r with all trappings . CHI EF GODS AN D MY TH S 14 3

’ — ’ - A e B s Hermoth s Hel R e . 7. id ft r aldur

’ e s s o n H e rmo th th e S f to dk d ath , Odin , wi t, ’ it up o n hims e lf at F rigg s requ es t to ride

s r B H e d own to H el to b eg relea e fo aldur . s addle d S leipnir and ro de nine nights and days thro ugh dark and deep dal es ; h e no s e e b e o e l h e c o uld t a hand f r him , unti came to th e riv e r Gj o ll and o ut up o n Gj a l B e w a s o e e lar ridg , which c v r d with bright

M o th uth w a s th e e o f th e g old . g nam maid w h o e th e e S h e s s watch d bridg . a k him fo r h i s name and race and s ays that th e day befo re the re ro de fiv e co mpanies o f

“ e men o e th e e no t es s d ad v r bridg , but l d o es th e bridge res o und und e r y o u al o n e ; yo u have no t th e col o r o f d e ad men ; why d o y ou ride hith e r upo n th e H el - ro ad ? H er mo th a sk s if sh e h as se en B aldur ; sh e answe rs in th e affirmative and sh ow s him “ th e way : down to wards th e n o rth go e s th e ” H el - o N H m e . ow er o th s e r ad rid farth r,

’ h e o es to H e s e e He di s until c m l grat d gat .

o s o h is o s e s s m unt fr m h r , gird him fa t , o s es th e s s h e m unt again , giv him pur , and t h o rs e leap s o ve r with o ut to uching th e gate

T e H erm h n h at all . h n o t rides o to t e hall 144 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY

oe s He e h i s and g in . se s bro the r B aldur s th e s e e itting in high at, but r mains the re o ver night before h e dis charges h i s commis s o A h i s e B i n . t d parture aldur s ends g ifts — to Odin H ow th e tes t o f weeping failed h as e e o alr ady b en t ld .

Th e Death - Realm - Th 8 . . e narra tive ab o ut

’ Hermoth s H el - ride deviates widely fr o m ’ Sno r ri s des cripti o n s in vari o us places o f th e e f h e o s f r alm o death and t g dde s o de ath , but co ntains certainly an o lder and m ore e Hel e s “ th e on o riginal co nc ption . m an c ” l n h e i s ee e s c ea ing o e . S a qu n and dw ll in s plendid h alls which a re deco rated like a r o s e on e for th e o o s ar e yal ca tl arth , fl r s trewn and th e benches co vered with car De men p ets and expen s ive mate rials . ad (but ne ithe r th o se dead o f di s e ase no r coward s ) rid e to H el in warlike ho s ts and e e e es h is e all quipp d , and th ir king tak plac h e i e fo r o n t e high s at which s pr pared him . C o nceptio ns o f H el a s a pla ce o f punish me nt are not at all definitely indicate d in th e o es o e et on th e o a ld t p try , y c ntrary “ N ifl - H el i s name d to which men die from ” H l Th e e e . e o ldes t b li f see ms to have com

14 6 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

L OK I

1 Lo i — . n f . k We have ow remaining one o th e m o s t e nig matic figures within th e circle o f o s e o s th one w h o e th e N r g d , e b ars e nam

A s a - L oki o i s o e e o e , alth ugh it ft n r c rd d that h e o e o e to th e o f s riginally b l ng d race giant . Many explanatio ns have b ee n given of th e e o f th e e s a s o f m aning nam , and ju t many th e o e o f th e o d e rigin and m aning g hims lf . “ It i s m o s t pro babl e that L o ki s ig nifies th e ” o ne o s to end cl ing, bringing an , and in o rde r to unders tand h i s nature w e will e h i s o h e b gin with ow n w rds in t ol d lay , Th e L oki Quarrel

L o x . 9

D st r emem er O n w en w e in e a r a s o b , di , h ly d y did ming l e blood tog eth er ? Ta ste a l e ou ne e r w u o u w e y v o ld , y vo d , ’ w r r n to t unl es s t e e bo e bo h .

’ L o ki i s acc o rdingly Odin s fo s te r - bro ther and in th e m o s t intimate and co rdial rela tio n to th e chie f divinity p o s s ible b etwee n ’ n H h as s o o f s tw o me . e al many Odin o e es h i s e e i s s at n bl qualiti , but t mp r uch th CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 14 7 h e is no t capabl e o f ex ercis ing th em in th e H e h a s e s e e s right way . s n and und r tand e e e e s s e se es ing lik Odin , but th y xpr th m lv e s He in bitte r malice and fraudul nt act . i s as s o e s as s th e tr ng in m rit in fault , but ’ e o o e o o s latt r gain m re and m r c ntr l . Odin

o s e - o e A s a - L o s e e o e f t r br th r , ki , mu t th r f r b e co m e finally th e w o rs t ene my o f go ds and men w h o s o R o e co m , al at agnar k tak s a manding p o s iti o n am ong th e evil p owe rs th es o H e e h e i s e o e in e d tructi n . nc nd w d in th e l ate r myth ol o gical p oe try with o ne e o e W A n rb o th a evil trait aft r an th r . ith g h e e e s th e o s e h e b g t frightful tri , and inc ’ a s o o s o s B s e i s l cca i n aldur d ath , it with a c e rtain right that h e h a s bee n call e d th e ” “ e o f th e o — u th e s s o f h i s d vil N rth . O ba i

e o th e s o e e - od L o r lati n with t rming h av n g , ki might pr o pe rly b e re gard ed al so as th e g od o f fire fo r s o , and thi a s tr ng argument may b e o th o e f und in e narrative s ab ut him . Fir i s th e e e o o f th e e b n fact r human rac , but s o its e ess e T L o b e al m rcil en my . hus ki o es th e O o f He c m pp s ite o imdall , and with h im h e fights th e la s t battle at th e cris i s o f th e o s s a h e o s S i g d , ju t s e pr vi u ly at n 14 8 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY g as ten had fo ught with him for F reyja ’s e e B s e n cklac , ri ingam n . 2 S eiz ure of Ith un — n . O e time th e three A es r H oe L o a e ed i , Odin , nir, and ki , tr v l fro m home o ver fields and deso late land s

e e e o no o o . F s wh r th y c uld find f d ir t, down a e e o e of o e o f in vall y, th y f und a h rd x n , which they killed o ne and so ught to co ok it o ver a fire ; but th e fle s h w ould not b e

o e er e o e . c m tend , h owev r much they c o k d it This w as caused by an eagl e which w as s ee o e e itting in a tr ab v th m , and which s aid it mus t have its full share o f th e o x s h Th e o s ho uld t e co oking s ucceed . g d o se s e th e e w as pr mi d thi , but wh n m at coo ked th e e agle to ok bo th thigh and sh o ul d er for h i s I n e s e o s part . xa p rati n at thi , L s h im r d h e r o d oki thru t at with a o , but t remaine d fa s t in h is bo dy and L oki w as i n unable to l oo se h s h old on th e o ther e d . ’ Th e eagle flew rapidly and high ; L oki s limbs we re almos t to rn from him befo re h h Thi i e yielded . It w as t e giant az z in ’ eagle s fo rm w h o had bo rne him away . F or h is freedo m h e w as now o blige d to promise to e ntice away Ithun with th e

150 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY pro ceede d to A sgarth to take v enge ance fo r h er Me e o e e . e to c fath r anwhil , r c n il h er th e o s o e e to o h r t o o se , g d ff r d all w e o ch fo r herself a husband fro m th eir numbe r : but sh e w as to ch o o se acco rding to th e feet o e fo h o e sh n al n , r t e b dy and h ad e w as o t o e to h e o s e all w d see . S ch e th n a man with e so e ee th e e e v ry hand m f t, in b li f that it B o w as o e o e . aldur , but it pr v d t b Nj rth T e e e heir experience h as alr ady be en r lat d . Sk ath i w as even now not s atisfied and de manded that th e go ds sh o uld make h e r N n a s e o o s laugh . o o e w abl t d thi but L o os o es s sh e o no t ki , at wh e want n j t c uld ee s e o s A s o e k p ri u . additi nal p nalty Odin ’ ( o r Tho r) took h er fathe r s eyes and cast e e e e e e e th m upward to h av n , wh r they w r s o e o s tran f rm d int star . —L o ’ o s 4 L k i S co ffs t th e Go d s . s . o a ki w r t ’ o ffe se w a s h e se B s n s thi , that cau d aldur e as e e see h e e d ath ; but w hav n , had tim e o e H e and again defied th e go ds b f r . o ffere d them th e gre ates t disdain at th e fe a s t which th e sea - giant A egir in s tituted for th e A esir and fo r which Th o r had e H All brought th e great k ttl e from ymir . CHI EF GODS AN D MYTHS 15 1 th e go ds and go ddes s es w e re pre s e nt with th e e e o o f T o L o s o o o xc pti n h r, and ki al t k ’ th e e s A e s tw o ser s part in f a t . gir vant e e s fo r e s e s s r ceiv d much prai e th ir wiftn , but L o ki w a s pro v o ke d at thi s and s truck o ne o f e e e w i h e w as th m d ad , aft r h ch h o e o ut. S o e e er s w driv n m tim aft ward , e e h e e e to th e now b e v r, r turn d hall and o s o th e o s o ess es th e gan t c ff at g d and g dd , s o e s s th e e fir t with m ck ry and arca m , latt r with ven o mo u s w o rds in which h e charge d e o e s o th m with a lack o f cha stity . S m ught

to e o e s e o e . qui t him , th r r t rt d , but all in vain H e sto o d th e re in th e mid s t o f th e hall as ’ h e A es s e o s e e T o b e s e t ir vil c n ci nc . ur , h e exagge rate d s tro ngly ; but the re w as a o f h e s e e o e grain truth in all aid , and th r f r

- A t th ey all s at th e re w ell nigh di s tracted .

’ s Sif T o s e e th e o e o f la t , h r wif , b cam e bj ct h i tfin n T o s s o . T e e e o c g h n th y call d h r, and th e strong g o d s to o d th ere in th e hall brandishing h i s s trength - hamm e r ; three es L o e e to e Vin th o r tim ki v ntur d d fy g , but when th e latte r th e fo urth tim e thre ate n ed e h e fled him with d ath , 152 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

L o x 64 .

’ I s e e re A e s r s e e re A es r s s ns pok b fo i , pok b fo i o , th a t w hi c h my mind did pr ompt me ; b u t e r e t ee a ne s a I o o u t b fo h lo , h ll g e I n w t a u s str e s inc k o h t tho do t ik .

Such i s th e main c o ntent o f th e E dda ’ f L L o enna s o ng o oki s Quarrel ( k as ) .

154 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY that h is function s we re o f a religious e Th e s o f h i natur . in tituti n O t e Go thi s o n es e o e o kn w p cially fr m Ic land, fr m which c o untry a s us ual w e g et th e bes t info rma ti o n ; but s imilar co nditio n s pr o bably pr e o o th se vaile d thr ugh ut e No rth . In any ca w e mee t th e w o rd Go de up o n a few Dani sh — e - s o es ou o ne th e run t n with additio n , ” “ Th e e h o e ho no r d s rvant Of t e h ly places . A n actual priestly Ofii ce like that a mo ng th e E s o r th e G s o ur o e gyptian aul , f r e A th i dr i s men fathers hardly kn w . ti one d on a Danish rune - s to ne o n th e hill s o f S at (th e village S all o v near R o s kilde ) . “ T s o e S e e W s e - hi w rd m an s p ak r, i man , but it i s no t p o s s ible to dete rmine what i s e e e e s es o r ally m ant h r by thi d ignati n , and ll p e rhaps it h as no re ligio us me aning at a . Tem l es — h e m i 2. p Originally t e G r an c p eo ple s ce rtainly had no building s fo r their r e o s se es o s e th e o s ligi u rvic , but w r hip d g d h s e l s e o es in t e o pen air , e p cial y in acr d gr v such a s Tacitus des cribe s in h i s Ge rma ni B ut w a s no t o e o e th e o e a . it l ng b f r wh l l e es race Of peo ple le arne d to bui d t mpl , e Th e probably fro m a fo re ign m o d l . WORSHI P A N D RELI GI OUS LI F E 155 temple o f h e ath en antiquity in th e N o rth w as e H o o r H o r Th e s o call d f g . la t w rd “ ” e s i n e e o e b ut e r m an g n ral a h ly plac , p haps s ignifies th e e s pe cial templ e Of a g o d Th H o e e s s . e s e s e o d e f w r larg quar , cca s i o nall o o s es b th e s e y r und , h u , uilt in am s tyl e and o f th e s ame kind o f mate rial a s th e o o e o s es e e c mm n dw lling h u , v ry n a rly

h - h T e like t e guild halls Of t e chie ftain s . h y e e s e s fac d w t and a t , and had a circular re cess at o ne end in which th e image s Of h o e o s s es th e t e g d s w re set up . In m t ca e e w a s o f o o o s e t mpl w d , c mparing in iz e es in De s ur with villag church nmark , and o e a e e Th s s s r und d by f nc . e fir t Chri tian immediately tran s fo rmed th e H o f into a e th e es Of o l e e church , aft r imag id atry w r

th e l w a s o e e put away and p ace c ns crat d . It i s n eedl ess to s ay that th ey empl o ye d all th e s ple nd o r a nd art which th e tim es al

o e . Go s e o e e s l w d ld and ilv r, w v n carp t , and carve d c o lumn s were hardly lacking in H o f e th H o f o r any . Oft n e w as built in s e e by a acr d gro v .

I nte o Of h H — 3 . ri r t e ot Ju s t in s id e th e d o o r Of th e H o f sto o d th e p o s ts o f th e high 156 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY se e e e e s at , in which w r fix d gr at nail , but th e e o f es i s not o A h e m aning th e kn wn . t t o ppo s ite end (th e K arri mding o r apse ) s o o th e es of th e o s o t d imag g d , and in fr nt Of them or under them th e s ple ndidly o e e tall one f th e I ce rnam nt d S , which O laudie s agas co mpares with th e Christian

U o its o - o e e e s e altar . p n ir n c v r d upp r id burne d th e sacre d fire which mus t neve r b e e s e e s th e O e xtingui h d , and th re al o lay p n s ilve r o r go ld ring upo n which all o ath s s b e s o Th e a s o s e e mu t w rn . ring w m i t n d h e o o o f th e o n es e in t bl d victim , and all f tiv o cca s i o ns th e Gothi had to we ar it up on h i s U o th s o o e arm . p n e S tall t d also a larg c opp er b owl with a s prinkle r ( h lautbo lli h t tt in h e o h e o o f and au e ) . In t b wl t bl d o — — th e victim animal o r man w as caught and s e o e o s w h o e e e e prinkl d v r th e w r pr s nt . Th e S s o e s th e o e o tall al , p rhap wh le int ri r Of th e e e w a s e e e Th e t mpl . r dd n d with it . statues o f th e go ds we re mo st Often clumsy e s e o o o s h urth o th imag carv d fr m w d ( g , me aning ‘ carved and were s et up on th e Stall o r up o n a pe des tal and dre s s ed in acco rdance with th e festa l co s tume Of th e

158 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

f or l e r n o th e Jarl h ad a av ab oppo tu ity t fig ht. K ing Ol af Tr ug g v as on w ent w ith h is army 1 z to N orth maer and c hr isti ani e d th e peopl e . 1 A fterw ar s h e s a l e to Hl ath i r h ad th e H o f d i d , r o en ow n and too all th e o o s and all b k d , k g d th e c ostly o rnaments from th e Hof and fr om h H e too fr om th e oor a l r e ol t e g ods . k d a g g d r n w c H a on Jar l h ad h ad ma e and after i g hi h k d , use th e tem l e to b e se on fir e Th e that c a d p t . s ame king al so pr o c eeded h ars hly ag ainst th e n o f Tr on el H w ent n o e r H Of peasa ts d ag . e i t th i at Mor e acc om an e a few r eta ner s and , p i d by i “ e nts B ut w en th e n came w er e th e p asa . h ki g h o s w er e T or w as s tt n t er e and w as th e g d , h i i g h most onor e o f all th e o s e c o r ate w t h d g d , d d i h

ol and s l er Th e n l fte h i s ol - in g d i v . ki g i d g d l a ax w c h e h ad in h i s an and s tr uc id , hi h h d , k at Thor so th at th e l atter fell dow n fr om th e ’ Stall T en th e n m n s r an forw ar . h ki g s e p g d ” a nd t ru ow h e r h st d n t othe g o ds . S o rtl efor e t s at an encounter at Mo r e h y b hi , , w h er e th e peasants h ad invited h im to take part in th e sa cr c e K n Ol af r onounce th e fol ifi , i g p d l ow ing c har acter isti c w or ds “ We h ave then ag r ee d th at w e sh oul d meet r r B ut h e e at Mo e and mak e a g r eat sacr ific e . if I j o in w ith y ou in sac r ific ing I sh all h ave instituted as g r eat a sacr ific e as w as ever know n — A nd for t s and sol ely w ith human b eing s . hi sacr ifice I s h all not sel ect s er fs o r w r etc h ed men b ut on th e c ontr ar s all ma e m c oi c e , y h k y h s o as to r o e for th e o s th e c ef men p vid g d hi ,

1 N o w N r m r e and La e o d o d . WORSHI P AN D RELI GI OUS LI F E 159 a nd fo r thi s I ch o os e Orm Lyg r a fr o m Me 1 1 th alh us S t rk ar fr o m G msa K r , y i , a fr o m ” Gr n t etc . I t i ne e l y i g , s d ess to say th at th e c hi e fta ins named w h o h ad no men fo r arme d r es istanc e h as tened to mak e peace and r econ c i l I atio n w t th e n i h ki g .

5 Ch ef cr — . i S a ifices I n th e c o urse o f th e year th e N o rthm e n c elebrate d thre e pri n ci al s e s th e e s e p acrific , midwint r, umm r, and es s e Th harv t acrific s . e firs t s acrifice w a s ’ o ur e s e e s es w as Ob fath r gr at t f tival , and s e e in o r F e T rv d January bruary . hey s acrific e d the n fo r go o d luck and go o d

o s th e o e o th e cr p in c ming y ar , and up n ‘ ’ 2 s o na r - o ltr o r s o e g , acrificial b ar , th y laid th eir vows c o nce rning th e great deed s they wish e d to acc o mpli sh in th e c o urs e o f “ th A e th e e e o es th e e ye ar . ft r c r m ni with

’ s o o e e e o r e th e es victim bl d w r p rf m d , fl h w a s o o e th e o w as r n th e c k d ; br th d u k , and flesh to ge ther with th e vital parts w as e th e Of dis tributed to b e aten . In middl e th e fl o o r in th e t empl e the re w as kindle d Th e fire o e th e e e . a , v r which k ttl hung be akers had to b e carried around th e fire

1 m N OW M elhu s a nd Gje s e . z L a r e c ce a r s na r ts e me a ns sw ne . g , hoi bo ; o i lf i 160 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY no doubt th e c o ns ecrated fire up o n th e — Stall and with th e viands we re ble s sed in — commem o ratio n o f diffe rent go ds cer tainl o f T o F e o y h r, Odin , and r y, alth ugh ” E e Snorri g ives a diffe rent a ccount . v ry p e a s ant w h o takes part in th e s acrifice brings h i s co ntributio n to th e fe a st ; but a w h o h i s o n e se o s chieftain , at w exp n , h ld one Of th ese s acrifices gains great pres tige e e th r by . N i n l cr e —A e e o 6 at o a S a ific . rt . t a c ain p ri d Of th e year th e midwinter sacrifice w as Obs e rved with es pecial s ol emnity in th e F o r whole kingdo m or large p a rts Of it . s so e es es fo r s e thi , al , t mpl and plac acrific we re fo und in different parts Of th e king d om in De a R s e e se ( nm rk, at ing t d , Od n , e h e e s or o and Vib o rg) . W g et t b t inf mati n on s o o U s e e e thi p int fr m p ala , wh r a gr at s acrifice to Frey w as h eld eve ry ninth ye ar . A ll h o i i i e h l t e men S v a veld . . t e o e fr m , wh S e sh o o e es o e w di c mm nw alth , r rted thith r , e e s e and th y h ld an a sembly, fair, and mark t h e Of B e e de at t same time . A dam r m n s es th e U sa a s e w a s crib p l acrific , which “ o bserved even in his time : The re is held

162 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

‘ n ti l ri ttar to o to in us e d w as g a g a f , g ’ h e o e s e e en v e stigate . T m n w r tak in a

e e e e o e ve ry Si mpl mann r, ith r fr m accid ntal e o r o s circum stances during th e s acrific , m t

O o s s o o e ften , by drawing l t with mall w d n

s s o th e e e s s s s e e tick , up n which n c ary ign w r B es e s th e e s e o s made . id cl ar and impl f rm se o s a s e s o s u d in public w r hip , m ny up r titi u idea s w e re de e ply ro oted in th e co ns ci o u s e ss o f th e eo e w e e e e n p pl , and hav fr qu ntly e e o to es e call d att nti n th . H e re w e sh o uld als o re me mbe r that our info rmati o n deals o nly with th e la s t cen ri e f i s o e a th e tu s o paganism . It pr babl th t c hief characteristics Of th e fo rm s o f w or s hip which w e have sketch ed ab ove have e e o fo r eo e s a much arli r rigin , a p pl alway a dhe re s with great fid elity to th e religio us s T u age s inh erite d fro m its fo refathers . hat many m o re things than w e have b een abl e to relate sh o uld have take n place at th e s acrifices and in th e daily wo rship i s per e l n Th s s f ct y atural . e aga give an abundance o f info rmati o n ab o ut th e religio us custo ms h o n e o s o s e . . e th e T in c rtain cca i n , g wh n g s s e w as to b e o se e h e (a mbly) c n crat d, at t WORSHI P AN D RELI GI OUS LI F E 1 6 3 h o lm a u a o e du e ls th e g g and th r , and at

s o Of os e - o e o o E e in tituti n f t r br th rh d . v ry impo rtant act o f th e individual as w ell a s o f th e o w a s e e es c mmunity , in h ath n tim

o e e o s e e o e s acc mpani d by r ligi u c r m ni which , e e s e e e o f e e g n rally p aking, w r v ry anci nt B s o . es es s es rigin id thi witch , wizard , and s o rceres s e s played a v ery promine nt part h e o r o e es ses in t e daily lif . In N way pr ph t

( s ibyl s ) o r wand e ring fo rtun e - tell e rs en o j oyed fo r a time great reputati n . FOURTH SE CTION

HERO S AGAS

1 Th Hero S a a —Th e e o s s s . e g h r aga tand s o s e midway betwe en myth and hi t ry , inc h en o e o Of e it rests on t e he ath c nc pti n lif , o f e e e e but al s o make s u se human xp ri nc , frequently eve n o f real pers o ns and events s h f o e e Th e a t e bas is O a p e tic pr s ntati o n . h e o s o e e o e to b e e e r aga ught, th r f r , r gard d a s n eithe r pure myth ol o gy nor as pure s o i s e oe o o s on hi t ry . It fr e p tical c mp iti which mus t b e judged fro m a p o e tica l s o o e n o a tandp int, but fr m which w e l ar t ’ great e xtent our fo refath e rs who le view Of e e I n o t e er lif and th ir ide als . N r h rn lit a ture w e find an unu sually rich and e x

e s e s - o e Th e t n iv aga p try o f p o pular o rigin . s s e e not as r e e aga w r , with ou kindr d farth r s o th R o e o e uth and with e man p o ple , w rk d o e o e - oe s th e o v r int gr at art p m , and N rth ern p oetry therefo re Often mi ss ed th e cle ar 164

16 6 N ORSE M YTH OL OGY

TH E V OL S U N G S

’

2 Si urth s F or efath er s . i i w as . g S g g ’ n o i H e Odin s fo ster s o and a n te d k ng . s s o ne o h e o s s e w a lain by wh m m t tru t d , ’ h i ee o e L e and that w as s qu n s br th r . at r

i r e e fo r h i s e h s s on R eri to o k v eng anc d ath . ’ Reri r s s o n Vo ls un ten s o s o g had n , am ng e S i mund a e S i n w h o th m g , and daught r g y , w as e to K i ei r V ol marri d ing S g g . In ’ s u s s s th e o - ee n g hall tand br ad family tr , wh o s e branches o ve r shado w th e who le ’ o s e A t S e s s e h u . igny s bridal f a t a trang Old man s teps fo rward and thru s ts a mighty sw o rd into th e tree ; th e o ne w h o i s e to u i o e S e abl draw it o t s t hav it . igg ir t e s o o S ri it with ut avail , and nly ig mund h a s th e ee e s e e th e fo r e n d d tr ngth . S inc m r d o es no t wi s h to giv e up th e swo rd to h is

o e - in- l aw h e e s o br th r , d part in ill hum r, h aving firs t invite d Vol s ung and h is s o ns s h i s o s e T e e e to a fea t at h u . h y mak th ir e e o e a re e app aranc and , alth ugh th y warn d ' e flee Vo s i s b e s to . y S igny, th y r fu e l ung sl e h is s o s are a e to ain, whil n ch in d a HER O SA GA S 16 7

’ s o e s o o ut th e o o s e e pri n r bl ck in w d , wh r

’ nine o f the m a r e e ate n up by S igge ir s

’ o f s S o n h o e s . t e m th r in a w l kin igmund ,

’ o th e r hand ; i s freed with S igny s h elp and

e s m e e h e o es r main any y ars hidd n in t f r t . S igny c o m e s to him the re in th e fo rm o f a s trange w o man and bec o m es th e m o th e r o f s on S in o tli w h o o e e h i s a fj , , t g th r with e b s K S e h i s o s e fath r, urn ing igg ir in h u . S igny v o luntarily s eek s d e ath in th e flam e s wh e n sh e h a s taken v enge ance fo r h e r fam

S s o n o f Vo s e ily . igmund , l ung , aft r that

e s to h is e n e e h e b e r turn nativ la d , wh r H e s B o r c o m es a fam o u s king . e marri g h ild w h o o s o s h er s e s o , with p i n kill t p n S o l o s e o th e e e s a infj t i , wh b dy fath r b ar way

h i s H s o ff B o in s arm . e ca ts rghild and s o o e m es H o r di s e o f n aft r arri j , daught r K E l imi i s s e th e e x ing y , but lain aft r pi ra ti o n o f a sh o rt time by h i s e nemy L n i H undin ’ n v s s o . y g , g ’ H o s e h er s s e e s j rdi , aft r hu band d ath , b ar h e r fam o u s s o n S igurd and i s take n und e r th e o e o o f th e V A l s on Of pr t cti n iking f,

e i r d K H a l r h w h o e s h e r . S u ing j p , marri g i s b ro ug h t up a t th e h o me of K ing Hj al 16 8 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

r ek a nd h is s o ns but th e s kill ul s mi th p , f

R e in b m i o te - th er g ec o es h s f s r fa . ’ 3 Hreith mar s S ons —T e n . h re w a s a ma Of th e race o f dwarfs w h o w as calle d H r i th m r H e s F ni r e a . e s o a had thr e n , f ,

Otr R e in Th e - s e o s on w h o , and g c nd , in th e o o f an o e fish w as s f rm tt r caught , lain L o e e th e e w as o n o by ki o nc , wh n latt r a j ur ne Hoe H reith mar y with nir and Odin . de mande d in reparatio n th e o tter skin o e e o T s L o e es c v r d with g ld . hi ki pr par at th e o se Of th e A ndva ri w h o ro h u dwarf , p no unces a curs e on b o th th e go ld trea sure its o H reith mar not and wner . S ince will share th e go ld with h i s s on s h e i s s lain by F w h o e e Re afnir, aft r that driv s gin away and in th e fo rm o f a m o n s tro us drago n lies do wn to bro o d o ve r th e treas ure on th e ni e Re h as e e e e e G ta h ath . gin m anwhil nt r d th e e o f K H al rek s s e s rvic ing j p a a mith , and th ere h e tell s S ig urth th e his to ry Of h i s He o es o e e th e e es family . f rg t g th r pi c ’ Of th e s o Of V o s s s on w rd Sigmund, l ung , fo r Sig urth and incites th e l atte r to slay F Si urth o s es s e t afnir . g pr mi thi , but y ’ e t e e s h s e e wish s o av ng fir t i fath r s d ath .

1 70 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

o es o f th e s Th o f th e v ic bird . e chirping birds info rms him that Reg in h as evil in h i s he art and advi ses him to slay him and to o ss ess o o f h e o e e e take p i n t wh l tr asur . Si u rth o o s th e e fe s Re g f ll w advic , ll gin , and ’ “ ” take s th e drago n s te rro r helme t and th e e s e h e o a s o h is o s e tr a ur , which l d up n h r r ni e h e s F i G a e e . , and th n rid farth r ( g N ow h e h a ea rned hi name i ur th s s , S g , ’ 1 F ni r s B n af a e .

On h is w a h e c omes to a mounta n sur y i , r oun e am n fir e b ut Gr an ear s h im d d by fl i g , i b n r me t r ou h e am W t n u on u h a d h g h t fl es . i hi p h mounta n l e a l ee n fo r m i n full r m r t e i i s s pi g a o . When h e tu rns th e h el met b ac k h e se es th at it i w oman H e c uts th e c o at Of ma l as un er s a . i d h e sl e n w o m n w I t i s th e and t epi g a a akes .

V l r i r d ri a w o m O n h as ut to sl ee . a ky S g f , h di p p Sig u rth and sh e ar e b etr oth e d and h e r ides aw a y .

Th e G ukun s and th e N ib el un s . 5 . j g g Do wn in th e Rhine co untry w a s dwe lling ki Hi s e w a s at that time K ing Gj u . wif

rimhi ld e e e e named G , and th ir childr n w r

Gunna r H o ni Gutto r m d au h , g , and , and a g

“ ” r uth r n TO es e G s Si te G u . th jukung

1 ‘ ’ I l F ni a ni e Of F a n r ee . a s b S a r . f , l y f i HER O SA GAS 1 71

e e s s e o s e - o e o o gurth cam , tabli h d f t r br th rh d th e tw o e e s o s e G l with ld r n , and aft r rimhi d had give n him a p o tio n to cau s e fo rgetful es s e o e s e to G o e n b tr th d him lf uthrun . S m time a fte r that Gunnar wi sh e d to su e fo r th e V B o s e s l e w a s alkyr rynhild , wh ca t s o e e s i u rth e o urr und d by flam . S g a c m anie d o n h is o e e Gun p him j urn y, and wh n

’ nar s h o rs e did no t dare to g o thro ugh th e ’ es S i u rth s s e Gunna r s o m flam , g a um d f r o e G o th e fire Th e Val and f rc d rani thr ugh . o to a e e e o f e w a s to kyr , acc rding d cr fat , marry th e o ne w h o sh o uld acc omplish th e

h fir i ur h s e h e r ride thro ugh t e e . S g t har d

o d s o e ee e . c uch , but a rawn w rd lay b tw n th m

’ B r nh ild b eca m a te r th a t Gu nna r s b ride y e f ,

' h i h m r ri e th r n a l e S ig ur t a d Gu u . 6 Si ur th Sl a n —I w a s no t o b e . g i t l ng fo re the re w a s s trife b etw ee n th e tw o

o B e e G u th e w men . rynhild b grudg d uthr n glo riou s h ero as hu sband fo r wh o m sh e e IVh e n h erself had co nce iv d affe ctio n . Guthrun o ne day imprud ently b o a s ted o f ’ h er husband s s up e ri o rity and w a s telling h o w h e e e e B th e e had d c iv d rynhild , latt r burs t o ut in wrath and injure d prid e and 1 72 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY s h e th en induc ed Gunnar and his broth ers to s la i r th y S g u . Th e m o re particular circums tances Of th e e a r e o s o murd r vari u ly t ld , but co mmo n to all th e s ources i s th e thrill ing des criptio n ’ o f Guth run s gre at grie f and B rynhild ’s e e e s s o i s wild , r v ng ful ati facti n , which , o e e o e e se ee sh e on h w v r , nly pr t n Ind d , c fides in Gunnar that S ig urth h as fully kept h i s faith with h i s fo ste r - bro thers but tha t sh e on acc o unt o f h er s lighte d affe cti o n h as b een m o st ho s tile o f all to ward th e o ne sh e l o e th e o s sh e now es h er v s m t , and induc h e o s husband to s lay t e hero tre ach r u ly . A sh s e e fter that e kill h rs lf .

Th e earl iest history of th e Vol sung s is know n onl fr om N or t er n s ou r c es b ut i n ener al th e y h , g N or se and th e Ger man vers ions of th e S ag a of th e Vol sun s E ddi e S on s and Vol sun a Sa a g ( g g g , and th e German art - oem th e N el un enl e o f p , ib g i d th e b eg inning Of th e thir teenth c entury ) ag r ee as far as w e a e escr e W t th e Germans h v d ib d . i h th e her o is name d Si eg fri ed and h i s w ife E ri em h ild B ut fr om t at o n h e N el un enl e . h p i t t ib g i d c ontinues w ith th e a c count Of h ow K r i emh il d takes veng eance upon h er br other s for h er h u s ’ an s eat w l e th e N ors e r a t on foll ow s b d d h , hi t di i o er l ne th i s .

1 74 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY — 8 Guth run- J n k r o a . Th h . e later fo rm o f t e

’ s aga h as h er r es cued i n K ing Jona -k r s c o ntr h e h u y . S e marri s t e king and be c o mes th e o e Of S c rli H amdi r E r m th r , , and p. These three br o th ers fall in battle agains t K Jo rmunrek E a c w h o h as ing ( rman ri ) , e s s r u nhil had th ir i te S a d slain . In th e Nib elung enli ed nothing i s kno wn Of s e e e o e of th s H ow thi lat r d v l pm nt e aga . e e o th e e e s in th e s v r, am ng chi f charact r la t part o f th e po em the re are intro duce d E tz el and Di e tri ch ofB ern (A ttila and Theo do ric o f Ve o th e e r ea s fre r na ) , and latt app r quently in Dani sh fo lk - songs which s ing Of th e S to ry Of th e Vo l sungs in clo se c onnec o tio n with Ge rman traditi n .

I c el andic poetr y h as c er tainly preserved th e Ol est for m of th e S ur S a a b ut it is of for d ig d g , e i n o r n now n to a e r ow n u amon th e g ig i , k h v g p g n i n h r Of h e s t c entur Si F r a ks t e c ou s e t ix h y . ’ r o r n i O cur e H e i s un ou te l g a d s ig i s b s . d b d y ’ — one Of po etry s fr eely formed ideal fig ur es b ut i n r el at on to actual stor c al e ents I n th e i hi i v . ‘ ear 4 37 th e B ur un an n Gund ah ari fell y g di ki g . w t l ar e num er s o f h is eo l e in a attl e i h g b p p , b ag a inst an army Of H uns w hic h h ad mar c hed on to o r m I n 4 53 A tt l a n of th Hun el e W s . e s c i , ki g , brated h is w edding w ith a young w oman named HER O SA GAS 1 75

H l a b ut e s u enl ur n th e fe as t. i d , di d dd y d i g Th es e tw o oc c u r r enc es unite in fo r ming th e a a H l a is th e s s te r Of th e B ur un an s g . i d i g di n w h o ta es en eanc e on A tt l a for h er ki g , k v g up i ’ e b roth er s d ath .

TH E B E L GI S A GA S

’ Hel H orvarth s on nd Svafa —I n 9 . g i j S a N o rs e p o etry there appear b e s ides th e

’ i r h c o mm o n Ge rmanic hero S g u t , F afnir s B e tw o e o es o f th e H el i w h o an , h r name g e n e o h hav o parall ls am ng t e Germans . H elg i w as a s on o f Hj o rv a r th in h i s mar ri a e i rlinn He w as g with S g . taciturn and n e One e h e did o t an swe r to any nam . tim w a s s o b ill e h e s aw e itting up n a , wh n nin Th e Valkyrs co me riding toward him .

os e o f e w v afa w h o b e m t b autiful th m as S , s t owe d o n him th e nam e H elg i and eu c ourag ed him to warlike dee ds by giving him go o d we ap o ns and pro mi s ing him h er o e H el i no w e o me e ex l v . g p rf r d gr at l o its e h e e o e to S va fa p , aft r which mad l v ’ h er e h e o se to at fath r s h o u se . S pr mi d b e to e o e e faithful him , and th y l v d ach o e e th r d arly . 176 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

h in —I 10 Het . o . t s happened at one time H el i w as on e e o e that g an xp diti n , whil S v a fa e e o e h e r e r main d at h m with fath r, o sh e w as a V A t h s e alth ugh alkyr . t e am ’ time H elg i s half- bro the r H e thin w as liv ing at h o me with K ing Hj o rv arth in N o r s E v e H e d r iv . s w as way On Chri tma , thin ing h o me al o ne fro m th e w o o d and met on th e way a witch w h o a s riding o n a w o lf h O e e and had vipe rs fo r re ins . S e ff r d H e h er o a e h e e e thin c mp ny, but wh n d clin d sh e s “ You e to for it aid , will hav pay that ” at th e B ragi cup" In th e evening they 1 o e o s th e o s e o had t mak v w , and ch n b ar ’ r H eth in s a o e w as l ed fo th . mind w s s b e h e o t v a fa wild red that e mad v ws o win S , ’ h i s o e s o on e h e h ad br th r l ved e . Wh n r e o e e h is se ses h e e e e so s o e c v r d n , r p nt d r ly that h e r o de o ff on wild ro a ds to th e s o uth e until h e met h i s bro th r . ’ 1 1 Hel i s Death —H el i e e e h i s . g g r c iv d “ e no mess age with great calmness . Sur ly ” o n o s h i es He a e c uld e cape s d tiny . had o e o Of h is s e e e for w as f r b ding p dy d ath , it ce rtainly h i s ow n fylg j a h i s bro ther h ad

1 e a S e bove .

178 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY named H ogni h i s da ughte r w as th e Valkyr

S i run o h er f e s e , to b e g , wh m ath r wi h d e e to K H o th br o dd s on giv n in marriag ing , Of r nm r B u S s e s G a a . t igrun di dain d thi ’ o se H el i H undin s B e fo r man and ch g , g an , h er e o o H el i e e out o brid gr m . g th n w nt int th e h o s Of ranmar w h o battle with t e s n G , ’ e s were aided by S igrun s fa th r and bro ther . He co nque re d and sl ew th em all with th e e e o o f Da s on Of H o w h o xc pti n g , gni , had l to make a v ow Of l o ya ty to him . Sigrun wept much wh e n H elg i brought h e r th e

’ n Of h er s e s e s sh e ew s kin m n d ath , but till h e o T e e w a s marrie d to t e h r . h y liv d in 1 happy unio n on th e S eva fields and had many children . ’ Hel i s Death —H el i o e e 13 . g g , h w v r, did Da O e e sa e to not live to b e Old . g ff r d crific fo h i s e Odin to gain vengeance r fath r, and e H e e s o Odin lent him h i s s p ar . th n ught

- - e out h i s bro ther in l aw and sl ew him . Wh n h i h e e es s e sh e h e brings s s is te r t d ath m ag , i s kindle d with great wrath at h is faithl ess o P s e for all th e se c nduct . uni hm nt fal o ath s h e h as sworn to H elg i shall now

1 m I eel . S e a o l lu : S e a f fj f , H ER O SA GAS 179

o e e : h is s s no t o e e v rtak him hip hall pr c d , if th e wind b e eve r s o fair ; h is h o rs e shall no t e e o es s e h is run , v n if f pur u him hard ; s o s l no t e e s s s s o w rd ha l bit , unl it ing ab ut

“ ’ h i s o n e e o H el i s w h ad . Only th n w uld g e b e e e o o u e e o u d ath av ng d up n y , w r y a o out th e o e s o o o s w lf in f r t, with ut g d and o o no o o — o with ut j y , and with f d nly car ” ca s ses fo r n o uris hm ent . Dag s eeks to co mfo rt h er and Offe rs e e S e e s e e h avy ind mnity . igrun r j ct v ry i e o es e sh e r e th ng , but b c m calmer wh n s h e l e e o m ember t fa l n h r .

H EL G H o 36 . .

Thu s h a d H e lg i put in te rr or a l l h i s e s t e r n re to o fo , h i ki d d , as f r om th e w olf impe tu ou s ru n a r m th e m unta n u Of ea r ts . g o f o o i , f ll f

Thus h a d H elg i su rpas s e d th e b a ttl e - chi e fs a s n s a e a sh es th e t rn obly h p d do ho , o r th e young s tag d as h e d w i th d ew

th at to w er s a bove a l l oth er b e a s ts .

14 Hel i in th e Tomb —Th e o s o o f . g c nclu i n

’ s se o o f H el i Hund in s B e thi c nd lay g , g an , 180 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY tells ab o ut th e me e ting o f S igrun and H elg i h Hel i o e in t e to mb . g r de to Valhalla aft r e e o e e e e o n in b ing nt mb d h r b l w, and Odi v ited him to d elib erate with him abo ut all ’ A t e e a e things . v ning Sigrun s m id w nt ’ o Hel i s o T e e sh e s aw th e e o t g t mb . h r h r o e th e Of men c m riding at e h ad many , and it w as s ome tim e befo re sh e co uld believe “ h er ow n e yes : I s it o nly de ceit ? I think e f h I s ee R agnaro k o r a rid o t e dead . u s s With sharp p o ints y o pur yo ur s tee d . H as le ave to return b een grante d to th e “ ” h ero I H elg i calms h er and sh e h astens to S igrun .

HEL . E 4 1 G U .

o out Oh S run r m S e a - e G , ig , f o v f ll , ’ if th e peopl e s pr inc e yo u fa in w ou ld find th e ma r ks Of b a ttl e bleed ; th e c hi efta in beg g e d Of you

n - r s ou w u s em th a t th e w ou d d op y o ld t .

Sigrun goes into th e m ound to Helg i and s ays

’ N ow I m so g l a d at Our meeting e th e ra en us aw s O n lik v o h k of di , w en t e esc r th e s a n w a rm fles h h y d y l i , h,

r w et w t d ew th e r ea d a erce e . o i h , b k of y p iv

182 N ORS E MYTH OL OGY

TO this B elg i answe rs

4 7

N ow nothing I s ay i s unhoped for a te o r e a r a t S e a - e l ly v f ll , ’ s nce in th e a rms Of me th e e es s o ne t u t s ee i lif l , ho l l p, ’ w te i n th e m un Oh H n s ma " hi o d, og i id

4 8

’ TI S t me fo r me to r e th e r e ene w a s i id dd d y , to c a us e th e f a llow s te e d to tr ea d th e a i ry tra ck ; 1 2 o - r n e r e S a lg o fni r may w a k e th e vict r th o g .

H el i n g i thereupo n rides away with h s me . Th e fo ll owing evening S igru n wanders abo ut th e to mb to wait fo r h er de ad h us Th e i s ee band . maid k ping watch and s ays :

N ow w ere c me so h e anne o if pl d, ’ ’ S ig m und s s o n from Odin s h a ll ; ’ Of th e n s c m n I s a th e es r w ki g o i g , y, hop g o s nce u n a sh - m s th e e a es s i t i po li b g l , h u rt Of re ams a ll pe opl e h as ten to t e c o d .

5 0

’ B e not s t u t es s t at t u a r s t a ne o ho g h l h ho f lo , w e a n to th e a e Of eat if of ki g , bod d h ; mor e mig hty g r ow a t nig ht tim e a l l

- n d a g hos t like foes than i n th e s hini g y.

1 n Coc k i n Va lh a ll a ( Ger i g ) . 2 h Ei h r a r T e n e j . HER O SA GA S 183

H el i e no t th e o s e Of g cam , and in c ur a f Th e l o ng time S igrun died fro m grie . s am e pre tty them e i s tre ate d in th e Danish

“ ” 1 fo - s o F ae s teman e o r lk ng den i Grav n , ” “ A E s age 0 g l e .

V OL U N D TH E S M I T H

15 Vol un and h i s B o th e s —Th s s . d r r e aga o f Vo lund Vo lundr Va l a nd Vele nt Wi e ( , , , l nt a re o o th e r a etc . e G , ) f und am ng all manic p eo ple and hav e in all pro bability e e o e to th R o s wand r d fr m th m e man . In th e s aga Of Th e o d o ric o f Ve ro na a s e cti o n

’ i s fo und which rec ounts all o f Vo lund s An e E s o e es life . anci nt ngli h p m giv a 2 Th e s ingle epis o de o f h is his to ry . Old N o rs e p o em Vo lunda rk ui th a likewise treats e e s e s e o o eh l n m r ly a ingl cti n , up n which O e “ s ch l aeg er h as c omp o s e d h i s Vaul undur s ’ S ag a f A s ee s o s S l a th Finni h king had thr n , g fi, E il V o l n u d . T e u o g , and h y went o t up n s s e n e e ki and hunt d gam e . O e tim th y cam e

1 Th e B r e r m in h r a id g oo t e G ve . ’ Lament De r of o . 184 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

1 to Uludal er and e se es o se s , built th m lv h u 2 e e a e lu r th r by a lake which w s call d U j a . E arly one m o rning they fo und o n th e sh o re e e o en w h o e e s fl x T e thr w m w r pinning a . h y

e e s - w r Valkyr , and their swan g arments lay be s e Th o e id them . e br th rs to ok them h o me with them to b e their wives : E gil to o k Cl r un Sla fith oo S uanh uit and o , g t k , V lund, A l itr u .

VR V. 4

L ater they sat seven w inter s tog ether b ut i n th e e th t e ne t r u ut ig h h y pi d h o g ho , a nd i n th e ninth the y needs must par t ; th e ma idens long e d fo r th e dark w ood " vi r un o ra c ce w ar Al t yo g t p ti .

They we re seized by the ir Valkyr - nature e which drove th em irres istibly into battl . om th e Th e bro th ers came h o me fr hunt, but fo und th e room s empty h owe ver much they sought : VR V 6 .

E a stw ar d str ode Eg il fo r Ol run fi fo r w anw h i te and s outhw ar d Sl a g th S , s a t B ut Vol und a lone i n Wolfda l e .

1 e Va ll eys Of th e Wolf ( Wolfda l ) . 2 W - L a e olf k . 3 “ Th e h ea venly you ng ma id ens i s sug g este d l i tr A v .

186 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

VR V 1 . 9

’ T e re s ne N i th u th s s w r a t h i s r e h ho o d g i dl , th a t w hi c h I w h ette d s killfu lly a s I w a s a ble ( a nd I ha r dene d i t a s mo s t fitting s eeme d ) t s s n n sw r rne fa r r m me fo r a e hi hi i g o d , bo f o y .

H e s a t h e s e t no t uncea s n eat h i s ammer , l p , i g b h , h i s a r h e ed r t s ee fo r N ith uth t pli ig h p dily .

1 Reven e —N o a e e e o 7. g r w s v ng anc l ng e Th e tw o s o s Of th o s delay d . n e avarici u king s to le in up o n S a ev arstath to g et go ld fo r e s es o o e and th m elv , but V lund utwitt d s e e T e s s h e o e e l w th m . h ir kull c v r d with s ilve r and se nt them to N ith uth fo r drink ing- cups ; o f their eye s h e fa shio ne d j ewel s fo r th e ee Of e ee e s qu n , and th ir t th a br a t

fo r h er B o h v il o e e t d . rnam nt daught r, A sh o rt time afte rwards B o th vild bro ke a co s tly ring which h er fath e r had given h er Sh e e not o ess to h er . dar d c nf him mis fo rtune and appe ale d to Volund to h ave th e e e He e e e h er damag repa ir d . r c iv d kindly and pro mis e d to repair th e ring ; but after h e had brought h er to a se at and stu efie d h er s o r h e di s p with tr ng d ink, ’ h o n o red th e king s daughte r as a climax HER O SA GAS 18 7

i A h s to h s te rribl e rev enge . t t e am e time h is s kill w as put to a go o d tes t ; h e had made him s elf a fe athe r cl o ak so as to fly away fro m th e is land

VK V . 3 1

L a u n un r s e i n a i r g hi g Vol d o , w e e n B o th vi ld a s s e r m th e s e pi g p d f o i l .

Th e c o nclus io n Of th e p oe m i s incom ’ s o s s o o plete and o b cure . V lund gift cca s i n ’ e h e s o e e disturbanc in t king c urt . N ith r th e king no r th e que en can sl eep ; they e e s o e tremble in f v r and dis tru t e ach th r . It seems that Volund had flo wn hithe r to th e ca stl e and with s co rnful wo rd s de h o h e se N ith uth s crib e d t e tr ubl e had cau d . an swe re d VK v. 39

Y u s e no w r w c w u r e e me w r s e o pok o d hi h o ld g i v o , I w no t un ame t e e m r e ill , Vol d , bl h o ; no ma n i s th e r e s o ta ll a s to ta k e th e e f rom th y ho rs e tr n t a t h e m t s t t ee w n no r yet s o s o g h ig h hoo h do , u th er e w h ere you s oa r a g a ins t th e c lo d s .

un r s e i n a i r L a ug hi ng Vol d o , en bu t joyl es s N ith u th s a t th e r e th . 188 N ORSE MYTHOL OGY

Th e s o ng e nds with Nith uth having h i s e c e sh e o s th e s or daught r all d, and c nfirm t y — o f what h as happened F ro m o ther so urces w e kn ow tha t th e child Of Vo lund and B oth v ild w as s o n Witi e h e a e s a , g ; pp ar v e ry co mmo nly i n o ur Danish fo lk - s o ngs

’ e h e f i drik V rl n s on t e o V e a d . und r nam , s

TH E H JA TH N I N GA R 1

1 Th Peac Of Fr oth i — l 8 e e . W a . e h ave re ady menti o ned th e myth telling h ow th e end o f th e Go e A e o s o h e ld n g , cca i ne d by t s e e ee th e A es h e a truggl b tw n ir and t V nir, w a s pre pare d in vario us ways : th e three a s o e to A s a a i s th e gi nt maid c m g rth , th t , Valkyrs ( o r N o rn s ) w h o give w a rning o f th e co ming battl e This tran s ition from th e o riginal peaceful c o nditio n Of happine ss and inno cence to time s Of warfare i s pic tured in s eve ral mythical and semi - he ro ic p o ems in th e wo rks o f S axo and o f I ce laudi e auth o rs . S a xo thu s gives an acco unt Of th e pro s

1 a th nin s Or th e Hj g .

190 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

6

H ere s a no o ne u rt th e t er h ll h o h , r e a re h i s a rm o r an h i s ea t p p h pl d h, o r s tr e w t th e s a r sw r ik i h h p o d, t u h i s r t er find i n n s ho g h b o h bo d .

F o r all that th e king wo uld not gi ve them “ th e ee es Yo s no ee b e n dful r t . u mu t t sl p ’ yo nd th e ho ur when th e cucko o s n o te ” s o unds o ve r th e hall F enj a and Menj a re buke d him fo r h i s folly ; they to ld h im that they we re mighty and ancie nt giant e s ses w h o alre ady had o cca s io ned great s o in th e o N o e e di c rd w rld . w they w r grinding w ar and public calamity for th e “ kingdo m : F rothi shall lo se th e thro ne o f 1 ’ 2 H l ei th r Yrsa s on s e a e , but s hall lat r t k h f l n vengeance for t e murder o H a fda .

GBOTT . 23

Th e ma ens r un a e t e r stren th id g o d, ppli d h i g w ere young i n g i ant pow er ; th e es s th e c a s n e pol hook , i g f ll, a n a nd then bur st th e he a vy block a sunder and tw i .

n rn m n - ed 1 Th e B ri si o a e t . o 9 . g Odin l v ‘ h e w as h i s rithla h i s b e Freyja . ( S f ,

1 N ow L e re in Zea an j , l d . 1 r - K rak i H olf . HER O S A GAS 19 1

’ e o se e is o s e l ov d , c n qu ntly c nfu d with One sh e e to s o e Frigg . ) day cam a t n wh e re there live d fo ur dwarfs w h o h ad e e s o e e e o f o prepar d a v ry hand m n cklac g ld . Th e go ddes s w ould have been glad to gain s th e s e a e s ste thi , but dwarf d m nd d and in i d that h e r l ove s h o uld b e th e price ; s o th e o rnament w as d e arly b ought befo re sh e h M e th e c ould call it er ow n. eanwhil crafty L oki had learned o f th e matte r and im e e h i s o e o m e diat ly impart d kn wledg t Odin . Th e latte r commanded him to s e ize th e o rnam ent fro m F reyja and bring it to him ; and s w as o e not o t s o e thi d n , but with u m ffi o e o et th e e e di culty . In rd r t g n cklac back Freyja had to pro mise to make dis c o rd betw e en tw o kings w h o we re s o mighty that e e s s er e e e s tw lv king v d und r th m , and thi o fl w a s to s T e c n ict la t fo reve r . hen b gan

th H h nin - o i e h B e t e . e at S . j g t rm , . attl H a th ni n B t le —H f N o r a t . e o j g thin , king i e a H Of h way, carr d way ild , daughter t e D s H o w h o w s ani h king gni , at that tim e a o n e e e th e e a warlik exp diti o n . Wh n latt r ’ e r e s o e Heth in s e r tu n d h rtly aft r plund ring, h e e out h is ee s e th e e fitt d fl t, pur u d thi f, 192 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

n o e o o a a d v rt k him . It w s in vain that Hild so ught to e ffe ct a reconciliatio n b e t e h er er h er o e w en fath and l v r , altho ugh sh e Offere d h er fathe r in amends a co stly e Th e e e a H o in necklac . battl b g n ; g and He s ew o e e e a s a thin l e ach th r, and th r w gre t E H slaug hter on bo th sides . ve ry night ild with h er enchantments aw o ke th e fallen e a Th e o o o heroes to lif ag in . f ll wing m rn e n o ing th e strife wo uld begin an w , a d s it n Ra o w as to conti ue until gnar k .

This S ag a Of th e Hj ath ning s w ander e d in V n t mes o E n l an and th e N et erl an s iki g i t g d h d , r o l r F r om th e w her e it soon b ecame ve y p pu a . n i e me now n i n German N etherl a ds t b ca k y , w her e at ab out th e same time as th e N ib el ung en l ie d ( about 1200) ther e w as c ompos e d a g r eat 1 r - oem u r n on th e as s of t s N orth h e o p , G d u , b i hi ern me the .

B E OWUL F

Th La of B eow ulf —Th e sa as Of 20. e y g B eo ac o n to th e O on Of o st wulf, c rdi g pini m s h o s h ad h e r h ome and o rI m in c lar , t i g

1 r Or K ud un.

194 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

’ 21 Grend el s M th er — . o . Th e Danes r e o e B u h ’ j ic . t t e fo llowing night th e troll s mo er o es to a e e h er so n h s th c m v ng . S e uc c eeds in a fE sch re dragging way e , K ing ’ H h e T e B rot gar s b st friend . h n eow ulf re s o e s th e e D es Gea s to lv , with unit d an and t , s th e o in h is o n o e T i s vi it tr ll w h us . his in a s a i s o ee mighty w mp , which s d p that

B eowulf need s fully tw enty- fo ur h o urs to c o e e h i e s A th e o o m h e mpl t s wand ring . t b tt finds Grendel and h i s mo the r in a light and a r a e A o e e e u i y c v . wild c nflict imm diat ly s es e en h o e B eo u b twe t e m th r and wulf, but h i s sword does not bite up on th e invulner a ble - o He e e s a troll w man . th n tak up giant s wo rd which i s hanging in th e cav e and h o H o h as ea fe lls t e m nster . r thga r m n whil e believed him de ad and h as marched h i i e e o e away with s army . There s th r f r gre at rej o icing when h e returns a s victo r to h s f h e t e urface o t e arth . 22 N s B eow ow e s s a a . . fifty y ar pa w y ulf h as l ong s ince r eturn ed to h is co untry and h s e i T e h i s Old a e a b eco m ts king . h n in g h is a a mighty dragon beg ins to ravage l nd , and now h e must once m o re equip himself HER O SA GAS 19 5

s e H e s ee s el th e fo r trif . ucc d in f ling

o s o o e s h e s e e x drag n , but n aft rward him lf h i pires fro m s w o unds . Into th e chief action o f this p oem the re i s s trewn a numb e r Of war - adve ntures and battle - pictu res which w e sh all here p ass o ve r .

B es ides th e individual s aga - cycles bri efly e e e — o s e e tr ated h r , th e which hav play d an e s pecially pr o minent rOle in p o pul a r beli ef

o e - e e i s o e and p try, th r f und a rich vari ty o f - o o - s o e o half myth l gical , half hi t rical h r s s To o es e w e e th e aga . kn w th mus t r ad s e o o Of S o s o th e I ce fir t nin b ks ax , and al f e w laudie s ag a s . B y way o xample e may 1 name th e Dani sh S ikli ng e S aga (H ag ba rd a nd S ig ne ) ; th e tal es ab out S kj o ld (and th e S h o ldun a r H r o l K r c hi Ra j g ) , f , and g na r L o th br ok ; th e S aga Of H e rvo r and H e th r k Of Orua ro dd th e j e , that ; and finally S s o f S ta rk a th o r S ta erk o dder w h o ag a , h as been cel ebrated in th e songs of all th e r peo pl e o f th e No th .

1 ‘ ’ I ce S ik l in a r th e S ik l in s a r a ra c e . l . g , g , oy l CONCLUSION

SI N CE w e have bro ught out in th e fore g o ing th e chie f po ints Of our fo refa thers ’ belief w e shall now cast a glance in c on elus io n upon th e co nce ptio n Of life among th e o e o f h e N rth rn pe ple o t pagan ag e , which h as s tamped it se lf upo n the ir mytholog y oe s i ese e and p try, pa rticularly a it s pr nt d ‘ th e e o e H avamal Th e S a in r n wn d lay , ying h n ’ e n Of t E a e e i . . e x lt d O , . Odi Th e go ds a re r eally mo re excellent than ’ men but s uffe r from th e latter s faults and Men r t e e in h e weaknesses . a e o b liev t g o ds and s acrifice to them ; but these in n mus t o e men w h o o e s o o tur pr t ct , th rwi e s n “ learn to be lieve in troll - beings o r in their ” h o o w n s trength . Th e w le char acter Of th e ’ No rseman s life i s permeate d with belief e i l T i s e ef h im in in v tab e fate . h b li g ives ’ e quipo ise even in life s severest trials and e h im t a e oln s s prepar s o wait d ath w ith co e . 196

198 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY — s hall be s lain o r tre ate d with mag nanim Th e o erne o es not s o ff e th e ity . N rth r d c lik o r e e e h e S uthe n r , v n t e highly cultivat d G ee at th e a e e o w h o es h e r k, f ll n h r li in t s e o One s b e t d in du t b f re him . mu t s ea fas t ri endshi ncom r omisin i n enmit f p, u p g y . E thica l idea s are exp res sed with all p ossi ble clearnes s

HAV. 4 3

r m h e a r en TO h i s f i end a an s a ll b f i d, h im and to h i s r en to f i d, b u t Of h i s fo e s hou ld no man ’ b e th e ri en s r en f d f i d.

K now ou a e a r en one w m ou w e trust if y h v f i d, ho y ll a nd w u et o r m h im o ld g g o d f o , i n thoug hts you s ha ll commune w i th h im and g ifts exc an e h g , ar oft to s t h im f e vi i .

I f you have another w hom you ill trust e u e r m h im y t w o ld g t g ood f o , fa i r you s h a ll s pe a k w ith h im but fa lse intend a nd e e re a w t es d c it p y i h li .

B ut respe ct fo r friendship can also make a very pretty expression : C ON CL USI ON 19 9

HA V 34 .

’ A long deto ur tis to a n ill fr i end thoug h h e dw e ll by th e hig hw a y ; b ut to th e g ood f r i end s tra ig ht pa ths extend u h o ne a e tra e e fa r tho g h v v l d .

One mus t b e faithful to hi s lord; to de ce iv e him i s th e gre ates t piece o f tre achery ; yet at th e sam e time men mus t prese rve their indepe ndence and n eve r s ubmit to T e s on b ith i n injus tice . h n mu t e e fa ful l o ve th e e o e ee , faithful in r lati n b tw n man a nd o T s i s o e e w man . hi p rtray d with gr at fo rce ; but th e j oy Of l o ve i s only sh o rt live d and Often le ads th e h ero and h is e to ee o Th e brid m t a tragic d wnfall . s o es o in a e i s o e e r tr ng t b nd hum n lif , h w v , not o e mil rid T s ti e e a e . l v , but rath r f y p hi i s s acred and invi olable bo th amo ng go d s and men and deve l o ps a firm co nviction a s to th e s o Of o o - e e e ju tificati n bl d v ng anc , and thi s i s e xtend e d to embrace th e wh ol e fam Men s a o oo e ily . l y in c ld bl d until th ir e e e e s es are s te s r v ng ful d ir atia d , but thi mu s t b e Ob s er ve d : the y stand by th e act and e i o se e e a ct o f tak ts c n qu nc s . If an killing i s o e e i s e e e s c nc al d, it murd r, and murd r r , 200 N ORSE MYTH OL OGY

e e s and se e s r h p rjur r , duc r a e punishe d in t e S e Ha on N as trand h “ De h rpent ll , t e at ” o Sh re . Naturally enough th e he ro p oems have given us s trongly ide alized hero types and e e e s n e s c or f mal charact r , which by o m an res po nd i h eve ry ca se with th e real ities amo ng th e fo rem os t characte rs Of all peo l e I n cci l r n h h p . fle b e s t e g t s tands as t e fo un dation Of ch a ra cter and inv o lves much th a t. i s harsh and crude ; but th e many bright s f h r ides O t e picture a e equally prominent . I n e arlier times these were ov erestimat ed ; but w e mus t not g o to th e Oppo s ite ex e e s e o b e o to o se es tr m , inc it w uld wr ng ur lv and th e life of o ur fo re fathe rs s imply to emphas ize th e crudities a s they are de s cribe d by Chris tian writers in th e c oun s e h e o a s o d tries vi it d by t N rm n . We sh ul mea s ure by a historical standard and not judge ancient times s olely by th e s tandard o s h e se f h Of th e pre sent . S al o in t ca o t e gen e ral life - truths as expre s se d in th e Hav T e a re O e s e . e rec amal h y ft n mall , d licat “ ” ommend ati ons a s to th e go lden mean in e th e o e e s s daily lif , and wh l matt r mack

EDDI C POEMS

F ROM W H I CH TH E ILL USTRATIVE STROPH ES TRA NSLATED F OR TH I S B OOK ARE TAK EN

I . POEM S OF TH E GODS .

‘ ’ ’ ‘ ’ Vo lus pa Th e Volva s o r S ibyl s ’ P r e oph cy .

‘ ’ ‘ H dva mdl Ha n Th e S a n s of H ar th e Ex ( ) , yi g , ’ a lte d One .

‘ Vafth r uth ni s mdl Th e S aying s of ’ f h ru h i r Va t t n .

‘ ’ m r mn r Gmmms d l G i mm Th e S a i n s Gri i . ( ) , y g of

i r n md l S k m Th e S a n s S k rni r S k is ( . ) yi g of i ’ ’ a s F or S k i r ni s Sk rn r s J urne . l o , i i o y

‘ ’ L o k a s enn Th Lo uarre a e ki Q l .

‘ ’ h r h rk h m T ms k vi th a T v. T e L a Of Th r y ( ) y y .

‘ ’ Ri s th Th a i g ula e L y Of R g .

H P E ERO O M S .

‘ ’ Vo lund a r k vi th Th e L a Of Vo un a Won . ( ) , y l d

‘ H e l a k vi th a H undi n s ba ni H e l Th e g g ( g . ’ ’ L ay of H elg i H undi ng s B ane or S l a yer Of 4 5 9 ( Hundi ng j ; 0 c c C ‘ ‘ i ‘ ' Gr ettas on r eti The I O i n h e g r 5G . G tt S o g ( T S ong of th e Mr g l e Mi l l ) I N D E "

Th e numbers r er to th s ef e pag e .

a e a nd E se 9 1 18 3 . B a rr 133 . A g l , , i , m B em n 4 60 B a n Of r e 3 1 . 126 A d a , , g i , . B a u ta r tei na r A e 136 . s 85 , , . 5 0 B e A e r 9 4 105 1 . 130. g i , , , li , ’ B e w u 2 A e s r 12 fl 19 19 5 . i , . o lf , B e r elmi r 3 38 A fe 136 . . , g , 7,

- B A k a T r 5 4 . e r s e r 79 14 2 . ho , k , , l H a l rek s s o n 16 B es tl a 8 A f . 3 . j p , 7 , m 13 B i r s t 4 2 A e 5 7 0. . lfh i , , f o , r o h l l 4 B i l k r ni r 4 A l f t o , 7 . s i , 5 .

l l - a t e r 3 B l t 5 A 5 . 1 . f h , o , 7 v h 4 B ol th o r A l s i t , 1 . n, 38 . A s 1 12 B o l verk 126 lvi , . , . i r 8 4 B o Al v t 1 . r 38 4 , , , 9 . ma 3 B r Am 1 6 . 16 , o g hild , 7. 68 B o h vil r An a r 9 5 1 . t d 186 dv i , , , . A r b o th a 6 2 14 B u 4 0 n . s 1 . g , , 7 o , 4 B r a v a k 1 . 5 8 8 A r 3 . , g i , , A s e r 4 2 B r e i th a bli k 5 5 . b o , . ,

A s a - T r 4 B ri s i n a men 8 4 5 . 5 101 1 ho , g , , , A s a r 6 0 t 4 100 102 12 19 . g h , , , , 7, 14 9 8 8 B r 0 1 . 1 0. , ok , A s k 4 B r nz e a e 8 6 3 . , . o g , A s r B r 1 0 n u 5 3 63 102 . n 7 . y j , , , y hild , B u h l i At 1 3 t 173 . li , 7 . , Att a B uth l in s 1 4 1 3 . il , 7 . g , 7 A uth uml a B u e S o h u s 2 4 , 37. g g , p , 7, 7. B u r 38 . i ,

m - B a u r 55 1 19 139 B u r a cu st s 69 83 8 5 . ld , , 77, , i l o , , 14 4 . ’ B a u r s r w 5 5 139 Caes a r 15 16 ld b o , , . , , . ’ B a ur s Dre am 82 4 Ce ts 2 ld , , 1 0 l , 7. 204 IN DE"

Da 4 0 178 . F r e a 4 9 5 1 57 79 10 g , , yj , , , , , Da ns k e Tu n e den 12 1 133 14 8 190 g , , 9 . , , , .

De n 4 0 Fu a 63 . lli g , . ll ,

Dem ns 2 F l ur 8 - 90 6 o , . y g j , 7 , 17 .

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Dre a ms - Gefn 5 8 , 77 78 , 9 0. , . B r a Ge i r ro th 1 10 119 if , 77. , , . er 1 Due G 1 6 . s 16 3 1 . l , , 77 i ,

- Dw a r s 4 3 1 Gert 9 4 130 133 . f , , 9 1 . h , ,

D aus 12 G sts 79 . y , . ho , ants 9 3 Gi , .

E a 4 G n 125 . dd , 13 . illi g , m i E d di e ems 202 Gi l 73 . po , . ,

E 184 G nnun a a 37. g il , . i g g p,

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Em a 4 6 Gl ei ni r 62 . bl , . p , ’

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E r 1 Gu ta ea t 169 . p, 7 i h h ,

E l imi 16 Go l l ve i 50. y , 7. g , h Go t i , 15 3 .

- F a n r 168 169 Gra n 170. f i , . i , Gree k M t F a rb au i 6 3 . t , 1 . y holog y ,

- F en a 189 Gren e 19 3 19 4 . j , . d l , m F enr r F enr s w 58 62 Gr 170. i , i olf , , , i hild , m r 6 9 . Gri ni , 120. Gr i mni s ma l 4 F ensal , 63 . , 5 .

i mb r Gr t 1 10. F u l vet , 68 . i h ,

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- ll t 129 133, 160. Gu op, 59 .

206 I N DE"

enni n a r N fl m K g , 29 . i h ei , 36 , 62.

K va s i r , 50, 125. N i flh el , 14 4 . m l N m r K u b 56 85 . t a e 6 , , ig h , 7 .

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Li fth r a si r 74 . N r t 4 9 56 9 4 13 4 , jo h , , , , 3, 1

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k L o 6 1 65 - 6 r L t 5 1 7 N ns 4 5 49 9 0 188 . o i , p , , , , o , , , ,

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M t a rt 4 0 4 1 4 6 . i hg h , , , M t a r t s er ent 6 2 70 Ra na r 4 26 4 2 69 7 i hg h p , , , g ok, , , , ,

105 . 72 . o lni r 2 0 09 a M 5 55 0 1 R n 4 . j , , , 1 , . , 9 k k rk l fi a a Mo e a , 108 . R t tos k , 4 5 .

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a l a r 6 9 . Runes 17 127. N g f , , ,

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d 0 a r fie . a r o n 6 2 0. S c c 59 N s t , 7, i , 1 a ri mni r N a t, 4 0. S eh , 6 4 .

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o fn T r 22 - 24 0 - S 6 3 . 9 5 10 j , ho , , 7 , 7, 1 1 k a th i 4 4 S , 5 6 , 9 , 130, 14 9 . 1 15 , 1 2 . h r l S a s 28 30. T a e l 1 36 . k ld , , , k a ld k a r ma l S s a . Th ri h i p , 3 1 t , 5 3 . k i n a cc i 4 r u m S 1 . T t e 4 5 . f , h hh i ,

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S 14 0 19 5 . Th u lr 154 kjold , , , . r m r 2 S 1 1 . Ti Ti w a R u 13 . k y i , , ,

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m r 38 4 3. k n s 24 2 . 37 Vi i g , , 7 Y i , , ,

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4 79 . Ving olf , 5 .

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t a r 59 1 10. Vi h , ,

h a r Vith r ik 18 8 . Vit g , ,