Name: THRYM
Norse name: Þrym
Known for: using Thor’s hammer as ransom to demand Freyja as his wife
Lineage: king of the frost giants
Married to: unknown
Name: SKRYMIR
Norse name: Skrymir
Known for: his giant glove that Thor and his men slept in
Lineage: giant king of Jotunheim
Married to: unknown
Name: VALKYRIES
Norse name: Valkyrja
Known for: carrying wounded soldiers to Valhalla
Lineage: unknown
Married to: some did marry
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Below I list the works I consulted. I tip my hat with admiration to Kevin Crossley-Holland, whose lyricism is unrivaled.
The quote “Cattle die” in “Odin’s Quest” is from the first section of the poem “Hávamál,” as translated in Abram (2011: page 104).
References
Abram, Christopher. Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2011.
Brancaleoni, Greta, Elena Nikitenkova, Luigi Grassi, and Vidje Hansen. “Seasonal Affective Disorder and Latitude of Living.” Epidemiologia e Psichiatra Sociale 18, no. 4 (2009): 336-343.
Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist (trans.). The Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturluson. New York and London: Oxford University Press, 1916. Available at: http://books.google.com/books?id=Ls2F5i6_LeYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=prose+edda%23v=onepage&q=&f=false#v=onepage&q&f=false.
Brown, Nancy Marie. Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths. New York: MacMillan, 2012.
Byock, Jesse (trans.). The Prose Edda. London: Penguin Books, 2006.
Chisholm, James Allen. “The Eddas: The Keys to the Mysteries of the North.” http://www.heathengods.com/library/poetic_edda/ChisholmEdda.pdf (accessed November 3, 2013).
Conover, David O. “Adaptive Significance of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in a Fish.” American Naturalist (1984): 297-313.
Crossley-Holland, Kevin. The Norse Myths. New York: Pantheon, 1980.
Davidson, Hilda Roderick Ellis. Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. London: Penguin, 1964. Partially available at: http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Northern-Europe-Ellis-Davidson/dp/0140136274 and at http://www.faqs.org/faqs/nordic-faq/part2_NORDEN/section-3.html.
Dennis, Andrew, Peter Foote, and Richard Perkins (trans.). Laws of Early Iceland. Grágás II. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 2000.
Dronke, Ursula (ed. & trans.). The Poetic Edda. Vol. I, Heroic Poems. Oxford, UK: Clarendon, 1969.
Dronke, Ursula (ed. & trans.). The Poetic Edda. Vol. II, Mythological Poems. Oxford, UK: Clarendon, 1997.
Dumézil, Georges. Gods of the Ancient Northmen. Ed. Einar Haugen. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973.
Einarsdóttir, Katrín Sif. “The Role of Horses in the Old Norse Sources: Transcending Worlds, Mortality and Reality.” Doctoral dissertation, University of Iceland (2013).
Faulkes, Anthony (ed. & trans.). Edda by Snorri Sturluson. London: Orion House, 1987.
Grimes, Heilan Yvette. The Norse Myths. Boston: Hollow Earth Publishing, 2010.
Helgason, Agnar, Sigrun Sigurðardottir, Jayne Nicholson, Bryan Sykes, Emmeline W. Hill, Daniel G. Bradley, Vidar Bosnes, Jeffery R. Gulcher, Ryk Ward, and Kári Stefánsson. “Estimating Scandinavian and Gaelic Ancestry in the Male Settlers of Iceland.” American Journal of Human Genetics 67, no. 3 (2000): 697-717.
Hewitt, Julia Cuervo. Voices Out of Africa in the Twentieth-Century Spanish Caribbean Literature. Cranbury, NJ: Rosemont Publishing & Printing Corp, 2009.
Hollander, Lee M. (trans.) The Poetic Edda. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1962.
Hollander, Lee M. (trans.). The Poetic Edda: Translated With an Introduction and Explanatory Notes, (2nd ed., rev.). Austin: University of Texas Press, 2010.
Huntford, Roland. Two Planks and a Passion: The Dramatic History of Skiing. London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2008.
Jesch, Judith. Women in the Viking Age. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Boydell & Brewer Ltd., 1991.
Jones, Gwyn. A History of the Vikings. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Larrington, Carolyne (trans.). The Poetic Edda. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1996.
McDonald, Russell Andrew, and Angus A. Somerville (eds.). The Viking Age: A Reader. Vol. 14. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2010.
McKinnell, John. “Myth as Therapy: The Usefulness of Prymskvida.” Medium Ævum 69, no. 1 (2000): 1-20.
Munch, Peter Andreas. Norse Mythology: Legends of Gods and Heroes, In the Revision of Magnus Olsen. (original, 1927). Translated from the Norwegian by Sigurd Bernhard Hustvedt. New York: The American-Scandinavian Foundation, 1963.
Policansky, David. “Sex Change in Plants and Animals.” Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 13 (1982): 471-495.
Sawyer, Peter Hayes (ed.). The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Shojaei, Bahador, Reza Kheirandish, and Mohammad Hasanzade. “Monocephalus Tetrapus Dibrachius in a Calf.” Comparative Clinical Pathology 19, no. 5 (2010): 511-513.
Sørensen, Preben Meulengracht. “Þórr’s Fishing Expedition” [Hymiskviða] [tf. Kirsten Williams], in The Poetic Edda: Essays on Old Norse Mythology, eds. Paul Acker and Carolyne Larrington. New York and London: Routledge, 2002: 119-138.
Spence, Lewis. An Introduction to Mythology. New York: Cosimo, Inc., 2004.
Tarqum, Steven, and Norman Rosenthal. “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” Psychiatry 5, no. 5 (2008): 31-33.
Varner, Gary R. Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning, and Mythology of Holy Wells & Waters. New York: Algora Publishing, 2009.
INDEX
Boldface indicates illustrations.
A
Aesir gods
banquet 16.1, 16.2
clashes with Vanir gods 3.1, 3.2, 7.1
council 6.1, 6.2, 8.1
definition
list
mistreatment of Gullveig (witch)
revenge on Loki 16.1, 16.2
survivors of Ragnarok (final great battle)
Afi the Grandpa 8.1, 8.2
Ai the Great Grandpa
Alfheim 2.1, 2.2, 14.1
Alfrigg (dwarf) 9.1, 9.2
Amma the Grandma 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
Andhrimnir (cook)
Angrboda (frost giantess)
Apples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3
Asgard (world of the Aesir gods) 2.1
bridge to Midgard 2.1, 2.2
construction
location 2.1
wall repair 7.1, 7.2
Yggdrasil roots
Ash trees 2.1, 2.2
see also Yggdrasil (ash tree)
Ask (man)
Astronomy 1.1, 1.2
Audhumla (sweet-tempered cow) 1.1, 1.2
Aurora borealis 14.1
Austri (dwarf)
B
Balder (Aesir god) 15.1, 15.2
in assembly of gods
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
death 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, aft.1
held prisoner by Hel
invulnerability
nightmares
Skadi’s desire for
surviving Ragnarok (final great battle)
Baugi (giant) 17.1, 17.2
Beauty, woes of 9.1, 9.2
Bedstraw 15.1, 15.2
Bergelmir (frost giant)
Berling (dwarf) 9.1, 9.2
Berserkers 3.1, 3.2
Bifrost (flaming bridge) 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2
Blikjandabol (Hel’s curtains)
Bodn (crock) 17.1, 17.2
Bor, sons of 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 18.1, aft.1
see also Odin
Bragi (god of poetry) 17.1, 17.2, aft.1
Brahe, Tycho
Brisingamen (necklace) 9.1, 9.2, 10.1
Brokk (dwarf)
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
&nbs
p; metalwork 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 10.1, 14.1, aft.1
Brud the Bride
Buri (god) 1.1, 1.2, bm2.1, bm2.2
C
Clouds, creation of
Copernicus, Nicolaus
Cosmos
destruction 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4
Coyote (Native American prankster)
Creation
D
Dark elves 2.1, 4.1, 5.1
Day (giant) 1.1, 1.2
Denmark
bedstraw
history
kings
Old Norse
Dragons 2.1, 2.2
Draupnir (gold ring) 6.1, 6.2, 14.1, aft.1
Dreng the Strong
Dvalinn (dwarf) 6.1, 9.1, 9.2
Dwarfs 1.1, 2.1
E
Eagle (eater of the gods’ meal) 12.1, 12.2
Eagle (on Yggdrasil) 2.1, 2.2
Edda the Great Grandma 8.1, 8.2
Eddic poetry 17.1, aft.1
Eldhrimnir (cauldron)
Eldir (servant)
Elli (giantess) 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
Embla (woman)
Erzulie Fréda Dahomey (voodoo spirit of love)
F
Fadir the Father
Farbauti (giant)
Fenrir (wolf) fm1.1
as captive 5.1, 5.2, 18.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
as Loki’s child 5.1, 5.2, 18.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 5.1, 5.2, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
Fimafeng (servant)
Fire giants 2.1, 18.1
Fjalar (cock)
Fjalar (dwarf) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Folkvang (heavenly field)
Forseti (Aesir god)
Freki (wolf)
Frey (god) fm1.1, 14.1
in assembly of gods
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
Gullinbursti (golden-bristled boar) 6.1, 8.1
love for Gerd 14.1, 14.2, 14.3
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2
sent by Vanir to Asgard 3.1, 14.1
Skidbladnir (ship)
sword 13.1, 14.1
Freyja (goddess) fm1.1
beauty 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 12.1
Brisingamen (necklace) 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 10.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
desired by mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2
falcon-feather cloak 9.1, 10.1, 12.1, 12.2
gathering fallen human warriors
search for Od 9.1, 9.2
sent by Vanir to Asgard 3.1, 9.1
shame
Thor’s hammer
Frigg (Odin’s wife) fm1.1
assistance in childbirth 15.1, 15.2
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
as goddess of love
as head goddess 15.1, 15.2
inconsistencies
as mother 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5
Frost giants
battles with sons of Bor
creation 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
home in Jotunheim 2.1, 4.1, 14.1
Kvasir’s poetry
theft of Thor’s hammer 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
Fulnir the Stinker
G
Galar (dwarf) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Galilei, Galileo
Garm (Hel’s hound) 2.1, 5.1, 18.1, 18.2
Gerd (giantess) fm1.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
Frey’s love for 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4
inconsistencies
Geri (wolf)
Gersemi
Gilling (giant) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3
Ginnungagap (vast emptiness) 1.1, 1.2
Gjallarhorn (Heimdall’s horn) 8.1, 8.2, 13.1, 18.1, aft.1
Gladsheim (Aesir court) 2.1, 7.1, 10.1, 12.1
Gleipnir (chain)
Grer (dwarf) 9.1, 9.2
Gullinbursti (golden-bristled boar) 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 8.1, 14.1
Gullinkambi (cock)
Gulltopp (Heimdall’s horse)
Gullveig (witch)
Gungnir (Odin’s spear)
as gift from Loki 6.1, 6.2
making of
piercing Odin
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
runes 4.1, 6.1, 6.2
Gunnlod (giantess) 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4
Gymir (giant) 14.1, 14.2
H
Hair 6.1, 6.2
Hati Hrodvitnisson (wolf) 1.1, 18.1
Heidrun (goat) 2.1, 2.2, 3.1
Heimdall (Aesir god)
in assembly of gods 4.1, 7.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
children 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
Gjallarhorn (horn) 8.1, 8.2, 13.1, aft.1
as guard of Asgard 7.1, 8.1, 13.1
Hofud (sword)
power of nine
Ragnarok (final great battle) 8.1, 18.1, 18.2
Thor’s hammer
Hel (monster) fm1.1
Balder’s death
Balder’s imprisonment 5.1, 5.2
banishment to Niflheim
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
death of Odin’s sons
presiding over realm of the dead 2.1, 5.1, 5.2
Hermes (Greek god)
Hermod (Odin’s son) 15.1, aft.1
Hildisvini (Freyja’s boar)
Hlidskjalf (Odin’s high seat) 2.1, 4.1, 12.1, 14.1, 14.2
Hnoss
Hod (Aesir god) 15.1
in assembly of gods
Balder’s death 15.1, 15.2, 15.3
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
character
death
surviving Ragnarok (final great battle)
Hoenir (god) 3.1, 12.1, 18.1
Hofud (sword)
Horses 7.1, 7.2
Hrimfaxi (horse)
Hugi (giant) 11.1, 11.2
Huginn (Odin’s raven) 4.1, 4.2
Humans
creation
destinies 2.1, 2.2
destruction of cosmos 18.1, 18.2
fate of fallen warriors 3.1, 3.2
fragility
home in Midgard 1.1, 1.2, 2.1
origin of peasant 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
origin of rich and royal people 8.1, 8.2
origin of slaves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
survivors of Ragnarok (final great battle)
in Valhalla
Hungr (Hel’s dish)
Hvergelmir (spring)
Hymir (giant)
I
Iceland
environment itr.1, 18.1, 18.2
founders 8.1, 18.1
history
horses
medieval women’s hair
Norse migration to 18.1, 18.2
poetry and song itr.1, 17.1, 17.2
sagas 3.1, 3.2, aft.1, aft.2, aft.3
Idunn fm1.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
marriage 17.1, 17.2
J
Jarl the Earl
Jarngreip (Thor’s iron gloves)
Jormungand (serpent) fm1.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
in Icelandic manuscript aft.1
as Loki’s child 5.1, 5.2
as monster serpent 5.1, 5.2, 11.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 5.1, 18.1, 18.2
Jotunheim 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 5.1
K
Karl the Free Man 8.1, 8.2
Kepler, Johannes
Kings, origins 8.1, 8.2
Kleggi the Horsefly
Kor (Hel’s couch)
Kumba the Stupid
Kvasir (god)
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
creation
death
knowledge 16.1, 17.1
poetry 17.1, 17.2
sent by Vanir to Asgard
trapping Loki
L
La (sense)
Language
Laufey (goddess)
Lif (human) 18.1, 18.2
Lifthrasir (human) 18.1, 18.2
Lodur
Logi (giant) 11.1, 11.2
Loki fm1.1
at Aesir banquet
Aesir’s revenge on 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4
Asgard wall repair
Balder’s death 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 in cast of characters 184, bm2.1
death of Odin’s sons
Freyja and her necklace 9.1, 9.2, 9.3
house in the mountains
hunting giants with Thor 11.1, 11.2
Idunn’s apples 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 13.1
inconsistencies aft.1, aft.2, aft.3
insulting Aesir gods
monstrous children
as Odin’s blood brother 5.1, 16.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 8.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3
shape-shifting 5.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1, 9.2, 13.1, 16.1, 16.2
spearing eagle 12.1, 12.2
telling jokes 13.1, 13.2
Thor and his hammer 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
as trickster 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
vengeance 15.1, 16.1
M
Magni (Thor’s son)
Mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
Megingjord (Thor’s belt)
Midgard 2.1
bridge to Asgard 2.1, 2.2
creation
humans 1.1, 1.2, 2.1
Midnight sun
Mimir (god) 3.1
in cast of characters bm2.1, bm2.2
guarding Mimisbrunn (well)
Ragnarok (final great battle)
sent by Aesir to Vanaheim
wisdom
Mimisbrunn (well) 4.1, 8.1, 18.1
Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer)
forging of
as gift from dwarfs 6.1, 6.2
magical powers 6.1, 7.1, 11.1
Ragnarok (final great battle) 18.1, 18.2
stolen by frost giants 10.1, 10.2
wounding giants 11.1, 11.2
Modi (Thor’s son)
Modir the Mother
Moon
astronomy 1.1, 1.2
creation 1.1, 1.2
desired by mason (rock giant) 7.1, 7.2
Ragnarok (final great battle)
Muninn (Odin’s raven) 4.1, 4.2
Muspell (south) 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2
N
Naglfar (boat)
Names
Nari (Loki’s son) 16.1, 16.2