Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas
Norsemen landing in Iceland
Oscar Wergeland
Printed by Ballantyne & Co. Limited Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London
The prime importance of the rude fragments of poetry preserved in early Icelandic literature will now be disputed by none, but there has been until recent times an extraordinary indifference to the wealth of religious tradition and mythical lore which they contain.
The introduction of Christianity into the North brought with it the influence of the Classical races, and this eventually supplanted the native genius, so that the alien mythology and literature of Greece and Rome have formed an increasing part of the mental equipment of the northern peoples in proportion as the native literature and tradition have been neglected.
Undoubtedly Northern mythology has exercised a deep influence upon our customs, laws, and language, and there has been, therefore, a great unconscious inspiration flowing from these into English literature. The most distinctive traits of this mythology are a peculiar grim humour, to be found in the religion of no other race, and a dark thread of tragedy which runs throughout the whole woof, and these characteristics, touching both extremes, are writ large over English literature.
But of conscious influence, compared with the rich draught of Hellenic inspiration, there is little to be found, and if we turn to modern art the difference is even more apparent.
H. A. Guerber
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Myths of the Norsemen
Contents
List of Illustrations
Introduction
Chapter I: The Beginning
Myths of Creation
Ymir and Audhumla
Odin, Vili, and Ve
The Creation of the Earth
Mani and Sol
Dwarfs and Elves
The Creation of Man
The Tree Yggdrasil
The Bridge Bifröst
The Vanas
Chapter II: Odin
The Father of Gods and Men
Odin’s Personal Appearance
Valhalla
The Feast of the Heroes
Sleipnir
The Wild Hunt
The Pied Piper
Bishop Hatto
Irmin
Mimir’s Well
Odin and Vafthrudnir
Invention of Runes
Geirrod and Agnar
May-Day Festivals
The Historical Odin
Chapter III: Frigga
The Queen of the Gods
The Stolen Gold
Odin Outwitted
Fulla
Gna
Lofn, Vjofn, and Syn
Gefjon
Eira, Vara, Vör and Snotra
Holda
The Discovery of Flax
Tannhäuser
Eástre, the Goddess of Spring
Bertha, the White Lady
Chapter IV: Thor
The Thunderer
Thor’s Hammer
Thor’s Family
Sif, the Golden-haired
Thor’s Journey to Jötun-heim
Utgard-loki
Thor and Hrungnir
Groa, the Sorceress
Thor and Thrym
Thor and Geirrod
The Worship of Thor
Chapter V: Tyr
The God of War
Tyr’s Sword
The Story of Fenris
Chapter VI: Bragi
The Origin of Poetry
The Quest of the Draught
The Rape of the Draught
The God of Music
Worship of Bragi
Chapter VII: Idun
The Apples of Youth
The Story of Thiassi
The Return of Idun
The Goddess of Spring
Idun Falls to the Nether World
Chapter VIII: Niörd
A Hostage with the Gods
The God of Summer
Skadi, Goddess of Winter
The Parting of Niörd and Skadi
The Worship of Niörd
Chapter IX: Frey
The God of Fairyland
The Wooing of Gerda
The historical Frey
Worship of Frey
The Yule Feast
How the Sea became salt
Chapter X: Freya
The Goddess of Love
Queen of the Valkyrs
Freya and Odur
Freya’s Necklace
Story of Ottar and Angantyr
The Husbands of Freya
Worship of Freya
Chapter XI: Uller
The God of Winter
Worship of Uller
Chapter XII: Forseti
The God of Justice and Truth
The Story of Heligoland
Chapter XIII: Heimdall
The Watchman of the Gods
The Guardian of the Rainbow
Loki and Freya
Heimdall’s Names
Chapter XIV: Hermod
The Nimble God
Hermod and the Soothsayer
Chapter XV: Vidar
The Silent God
Vidar’s Shoe
The Norn’s Prophecy
Chapter XVI: Vali
The Wooing of Rinda
The Birth of Vali
Worship of Vali
Chapter XVII: The Norns
The Three Fates
The Norns’ Web
Other Guardian Spirits
The Story of Nornagesta
The Vala
Chapter XVIII: The Valkyrs
The Battle Maidens
The Cloud Steeds
Choosers of the Slain
Their Numbers and Duties
Wayland and the Valkyrs
Brunhild
Chapter XIX: Hel
Loki’s Offspring
Hel’s Kingdom in Nifl-heim
Ideas of the Future Life
Pestilence and Famine
Chapter XX: Ægir
The God of the Sea
The Goddess Ran
The Waves
Ægir’s Brewing Kettle
Thor and Hymir
Unloved Divinities
Other Divinities of the Sea
River Nymphs
Legends of the Lorelei
Chapter XXI: Balder
The Best Loved
Balder’s Dream
The Vala’s Prophecy
The Gods at Play
The Death of Balder
Hermod’s Errand
The Funeral Pyre
Hermod’s Quest
The Condition of Balder’s Release
The Return of Hermod
Vali the Avenger
The Signification of the Story
The Worship of Balder
Chapter XXII: Loki
The Spirit of Evil
Loki’s Character
Sigyn
Skrymsli and the Peasant’s Child
The Giant Architect
Loki’s last Crime
Ægir’s Banquet
The Pursuit of Loki
Loki’s Punishment
Loki’s Day
Chapter XXIII: The Giants
Jötun-heim
Origin of the Mountains
The First Gods
The Giant in Love
The Giant and the Church Bells
The Giants’ Ship
Princess Ilse
The Giantess’s Plaything
Chapter XXIV: The Dwarfs
Little Men
The Tarnkappe
The Legend of Kallundborg
The Magic of the Dwarfs
The Passing of the Dwarfs
Changelings
The Peaks of the Trolls
A Conjecture
Chapter XXV: The Elves
The Realm of Faery
The Elf-dance
The Will-o’-the-wisps
Oberon and Titania
Alf-blot
Images on Doorposts
Chapter XXVI: The Sigurd Saga
The Beginning of the Story
The Volsunga Saga
Sigi
Rerir
Volsung
The Wedding of Signy
The Sword in the Branstock
Sigmund
Siggeir’s Treachery
Signy’s Sons
Sinfiotli
The Werewolves
Sigmund and Sinfiotli taken by Siggeir
Sigmund’s Vengeance
Helgi
The Death of Sinfiotli
Hiordis
Elf, the Viking
The Birth of Sigurd
The Treasure of the Dwarf King
Sigurd’s Sword
The Fight with the Dragon
The Sleeping Warrior Maiden
The Fostering of Aslaug
The Niblungs
Gunnar’s Stratagem
The Coming of Brunhild
The Quarrel of the Queens
The Death of Sigurd
The Flight of Gudrun
Atli, King of the Huns
Burial of the Niblung Treasure
The Treachery of Atli
The Last of the Niblungs
Swanhild
Interpretation of the Saga
Chapter XXVII: The Story of Frithiof
Bishop Tegnér
Birth of Viking
The Game of Ball
The Blood Feud
Thorsten and Belé
Birth of Frithiof and Ingeborg
Frithiof’s Love for Ingeborg
Helgé and Halfdan
Frithiof’s Suit
Sigurd Ring a Suitor
At Balder’s Shrine
Frithiof Banished
Atlé’s Challenge
Frithiof’s Home-coming
Frithiof an Exile
At the Court of Sigurd Ring
Frithiof’s Loyalty
Betrothal of Frithiof and Ingeborg
Chapter XXVIII: The Twilight of the Gods
The Decline of the Gods
The Fimbul-winter
The Wolves Let Loose
Heimdall Gives the Alarm
The Terrors of the Sea
The Terrors of the Underworld
The Great Battle
The Devouring Fire
Regeneration
A New Heaven
One too Mighty to Name
Chapter XXIX: Greek and Northern Mythologies
Comparative Mythology
The Beginning of Things
Cosmogony
The Phenomena of the Sky
Jupiter and Odin
The Creation of Man
Norns and Fates
Myths of the Seasons
Frigga and Juno
Musical Myths
Thor and the Greek Gods
Idun and Eurydice
Skadi and Diana
Frey and Apollo
Freya and Venus
Odur and Adonis
Rinda and Danae
Myths of the Sea
Balder and Apollo
Ragnarok and the Deluge
Giants and Titans
The Volsunga Saga
Brunhild
Sun Myths
Index to Poetical Quotations
Glossary and Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z
Told Through the Ages
Uniform with “Myths of the Norsemen”
Ready September 1909
Table of Contents
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Revision History
External References
Corrections
