E
Edda. The literal meaning of the word is great-grandmother, but the term is usually applied to the mythological collection of poems discovered by Brynjolf Sveinsson in the year 1643. He, led by a fanciful and erroneous suggestion, gave to the book which he found the name Sæmundar Edda, Edda of Sæmund. This is the so-called Elder Edda. The Younger Edda, is a name applied to a work written by Snorre Sturleson, and contains old mythological lore and the old artificial rules for verse-making. The ancients applied the name Edda only to this work of Snorre. The Elder Edda was never so called. And it is also uncertain whether Snorre himself knew his work by the name of Edda. In the Rigsmal (Lay of Rig) Edda is the progenitrix of the race of thralls.
Egdir. An eagle that appears at Ragnarok. Egder.
Egill. The father of Thjalfe; a giant dwelling near the sea. Thor left his goats with him when on his way to the giant Hymer to get a vessel in which to brew ale.
Eikthyrnir. A hart that stands over Odin's hall (Valhal). From his antlers drops water from which rivers flow. Eikthyrner.
Einheri; plural Einherjar. The only (ein) or great champions; the heroes who have fallen in battle and been admitted into Valhal. Einherje.
Eir. [The word signifies peace, clemency]. An attendant of Menglod, and the most skillful of all in the healing art. Eir.
Eistla. One of Heimdal's nine mothers. Eistla.
Eldhrimnir. The kettle in which the boar Sæhrimner is cooked in Valhal. Eldhrimner.
Eldir. The fire-producer; a servant of Æger. Elder.
Elivagar. The ice-waves; poisonous cold streams that flow out of Niflheim. Elivagar.
Embla. The first woman. The gods found two lifeless trees, the ask (ash) and the embla; of the ash they made man, of the embla, woman.
Eyrgjafa. One of Heimdal's nine mothers. Eyrgjafa.