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    Tales of Valhalla

    Page 23
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      6For modern translations of these, see: Snorri Sturluson, Edda, ed. and trans. A. Faulkes (London: Everyman, 1987) – often known as the Prose Edda – and The Poetic Edda, trans. C. Larrington (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996).

      7For an accessible overview, see: M. L. Colish, Medieval Foundations of the Western Intellectual Tradition, 400–1400 (New Haven, CT, and London: Yale University Press, 1997), ch. 8: ‘Varieties of Germanic literature: Old Norse, Old High German, and Old English’.

      8See: G. Nordal, Tools of Literacy: The Role of Skaldic Verse in Icelandic Textual Culture of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2001), p. 58.

      9For an overview of the Norse saga literature, see: M. Clunies Ross, The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Norse-Icelandic Saga (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010).

      10J. Jesch, ‘The Norse gods in England and the Isle of Man’, in D. Anlezark (ed.), Myths, Legends, and Heroes: Essays on Old Norse and Old English Literature in Honour of John McKinnell (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2011), pp. 18–19.

      11M. Osborn, ‘The ravens on the Lejre Throne’, in M. D. J. Bintley and T. J. T. Williams (eds), Representing Beasts in Early Medieval England and Scandinavia (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer, 2015), p. 104; A. Andrén, K. Jennbert and C. Raudvere (eds), Old Norse Religion in Long-term Perspectives: Origins, Changes, and Interactions: An International Conference in Lund, Sweden, June 3–7, 2004 (Lund: Nordic Academic Press, 2006), p. 128.

      12Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index, https://inpress.lib.uiowa.edu/feminae/DetailsPage.aspx?Feminae_ID=31944 (accessed 17 March 2017).

      13L. Hedeager, Iron Age Myth and Materiality: An Archaeology of Scandinavia AD 400–1000 (Abingdon: Routledge, 2011), Figure 4.21, p. 76.

      14P. Parker, The Northmen’s Fury: A History of the Viking World (London: Vintage, 2015), p. 130.

      15See: J. D. Richards, ‘The Scandinavian presence’, in J. Hunter and I. Ralston (eds), The Archaeology of Britain: An Introduction from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Industrial Revolution (London: Routledge, 1999), p. 200; J. Jesch, ‘Speaking like a Viking: Language and cultural interaction in the Irish Sea region’, in S. E. Harding, D. Griffiths and E. Royles (eds), In Search of Vikings: Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Scandinavian Heritage of North-west England (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2015), p. 58.

      16Anglo-Saxon Chronicle annal for 878, D. Whitelock (ed.), English Historical Documents, Volume I, c.500–1042 (London: Eyre Methuen, 1979), p. 195. Referring to this event, the later Annals of St Neots (early twelfth century) records the tradition that the banner fluttered prior to a victory but hung down before a defeat.

      Chapter 2: The impact of Christianity on Norse mythology

      17P. Meulengracht Sørensen, ‘Religions old and new’, in P. Sawyer (ed.), The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997), p. 206.

      18See: J. Lindow, Handbook of Norse Mythology (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC Clio, 2001), p. 10.

      19A. Faulkes, ‘Pagan sympathy: Attitudes to heathendom in the Prologue to Snorra Edda’, in R. J. Glendinning and H. Bessason (eds), Edda: A Collection of Essays (Winnipeg, MB: University of Manitoba Press, 2014), p. 285.

      20In the same way, many experts have argued that the Norse mythological scenes found on stone crosses in Britain represent the use of Norse pagan motifs to communicate a Christian message. See: J. Jesch, ‘The Norse gods in England and the Isle of Man’, in D. Anlezark (ed.), Myths, Legends, and Heroes: Essays on Old Norse and Old English Literature in Honour of John McKinnell (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2011), p. 12.

      21He states: ‘Now there shall be told more of the underlying stories from which those kennings just listed have originated’, M. Clunies Ross, ‘Quellen zur germanischen Religionsgeschichte’, in H. Beck, D. Ellmers and K. Schier (eds), Germanische Religionsgeschichte (Berlin and New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1992), p. 647.

      22It has been argued that the Icelandic material ‘may give a picture of pagan mythology that is rather too systematic and learned’. A. Mills, Mythology (Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2006), p. 233.

      23Adam of Bremen, History of the Archbishops of Hamburg-Bremen, trans. F. J. Tschan (New York: Columbia University Press, 2002), Bk IV, p. 207.

      24Tacitus, Germania, trans. M. Hutton and W. Peterson, rev. R. M. Ogilvie, E. H. Warmington and M. Winterbottom (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914), p. 144.

      25See: A. A. Somerville and R. A. McDonald, The Vikings and Their Age (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2013), ch. 2: ‘Society and religion in the Viking Age: Conversion’.

      Select Bibliography

      The selection of myths and legends freely retold in this book can also be found, academically translated from Old Norse in the context of other traditions, stories and accounts, in these translations.

      The Poetic Edda, trans. C. Larrington (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996).

      The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, trans. J. L. Byock (London: Penguin, 1998).

      The Saga of the Volsungs, trans. J. L. Byock (London: Penguin, 1999).

      Sturluson, Snorri, Edda, ed. and trans. A. Faulkes (London: Everyman, 1987). Often known as the Prose Edda.

      Sturluson, Snorri, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, trans. L. M. Hollander (Austin TX: University of Texas Press, 2007).

      ‘The Vinland Sagas’, trans. K. Kunz, in J. Smiley et al., The Sagas of Icelanders (London: Penguin, 2000).

      Index

      Page numbers listed correspond to the print edition of this book. You can use your device’s search function to locate particular terms in the text.

      Adam of Bremen, 3, 14

      Adils, King, 112–12, 235–9, 243–5

      Aegir, 100, 139–41, 152

      Æsir (gods)

      and Baldr’s death, 71–9

      deaths at Ragnarok, 170–1

      galdrasmithir (‘magic makers’), 211

      and loss of Idunn, 81–4

      occupy Scandinavia, 290–10

      ordering of, 35–8

      and origins of poetry, 85–8

      relations with giants, 89–90, 167

      set up home, 164

      trick builder, 57–60

      visit Aegir, 100

      war with Vanir, 81, 85, 166–7, 206, 208–9

      Agnar (son of King Hraudung), 124–5

      Agnar (son of Princess Ogn), 234–5

      Agnar-the-younger, 123, 126, 129

      Alf, King, 192

      Alvig the Wise, 203

      Andvari, 105–6, 109, 194

      Angantyr, 221

      Angantyr (junior), 223–4

      Angantyr II, King, 224–7

      Anglo-Saxon beliefs, 9

      Ardre VIII stone, 56

      Arngrim, 220–1

      Asaland, 206–9

      Asvid, 118

      Asyniur (goddesses), 49–52

      Atli Budlason, King (Attila the Hun), 108, 110

      Audhumla (the ancient cow), 163

      Augustus, Emperor, 111

      Aun, King, 215–16

      Aurvandil the Bold, 94

      Baldr, 33, 36, 38, 49, 84, 127, 148–9, 168, 171–2, 178

      his death, 69–79, 149, 169

      Baldr’s Dream, 7

      Barnstock (tree), 184

      Baugi, 87

      Beowulf, 229

      Bera, 239–41

      Beyla, 146, 151

      Bifrost (bridge), 19, 28, 30, 33, 54, 128, 175

      Bjarkamál, 228

      Bjarney island, 257

      Bjarni Herjolfsson, 249–52

      Bjorn, 239–40

      Blainn, 99

      Bodvar Bjarki, 229–30, 241–7

      Bolthor, 117

      Bolverk, 116

      Book of Genesis, 12

      Borghild, 189, 191

      Bragi, 37, 128, 146–8

      Brimir, see Ymir

      Brisingamen (Brising’s necklace), 50, 156–7

      Brokk, 101–3

      Brynhild, 108–10

      Bur, sons of, 163


      Byggvir, 146, 150

      Christianity, and Norse mythology, 11–16, 20–1, 55, 162, 230

      Codex Regius, 6–7, 11, 162

      Codex Trajectinus, 6

      Codex Upsaliensis, 6

      Codex Wormianus, 6, 29–30

      Dain, 34, 118, 201, 219

      Dainsleif (King Hogni’s sword), 201

      Deor, 199

      Domaldi, King of the Svear, 214–15

      Draupnir (ring), 102

      Durin, 165, 219–20

      Dvalin, 34, 118, 165, 218–20

      dwarfs, 27, 32, 45, 50, 55, 60, 74, 218

      origins of, 99, 164–5

      and origins of poetry, 85–6

      plural of, 99

      earthquakes, 152

      effeminacy, 131

      Egill, 141–2

      Egill’s Saga, 15

      Eikthyrnir (deer), 127

      Eir, 51

      Eitri, 101–2

      Eldir, 146–7

      Elk-Frodi, 240–2, 247

      Emund, King of Novgorod, 203

      Eric the Red, 250–2, 254–5, 257

      Eric the Red’s Saga, 248–9

      euhemerism, 13, 206

      Eulogy on the House, 48

      Eyfura, Princess, 218, 221

      Eystein Meyla, King of Norway, 205

      Fafnir, 98–9, 104, 106–10, 182, 193–8, 203

      fates, three, 165–6

      Fenrir (wolf), 21, 37, 53, 90, 128, 144, 146–7, 149–51, 169

      binding of, 44–7, 54

      and Ragnarok, 171, 175–8

      First Grammatical Treatise, 6

      flyting, 130–1

      fornyrðislag (poetic metre), 162

      Freydis Ericsdottir, 250, 257, 259, 261–2

      Freyia, 36–7, 49–50, 74, 83, 100, 127, 206, 214

      and builder’s bargain, 57–9

      equated with Gullveig, 166

      given to giants, 167

      and Hrungir’s visit to Valhalla, 91–2

      and Loki’s insults, 146, 149

      and recovery of Idunn, 83

      and seithr (magic), 209, 212

      Thor impersonates to retrieve hammer, 50, 153–60

      Freyr, 36–7, 45, 48, 74, 100, 127, 171, 176, 206–10

      establishes Swedish royal line, 54, 207, 213–14

      and Gerd, 53–4

      known as Yngvi, 213–14

      and Loki’s insults, 146, 149–50

      rules over the Svear, 213–14

      his ship Skidbladnir, 60, 101, 103, 128

      worshipped in Uppsala, 15

      Frigg, 27, 35, 49, 52, 100, 168, 171, 184, 208

      and Baldr’s death, 71–4

      falcon attribute, 95

      and Loki’s insults, 146, 148–9

      rivalry with Odin, 122, 125–7

      her treasure-casket, 51

      Frodi, King of Denmark, 111–12, 218, 221

      Frodi (brother of Halfdan), 230–2

      Fulla, 51

      Garðaríki (Kiev-Rus), 206, 209

      Garm (dog), 128, 169–71, 176

      Geats, the, 185, 225–6, 229

      Gefion, 51, 148

      Geirrod, King, 95–7, 115, 122–6, 129

      Gellir, 230

      Gerd, 48, 53–4

      Gesta Danorum, 199, 218

      Gialp, 96

      giants (jötnar), 89–90, 98–9

      Gilling, 85–6

      Gimle, palace of, 34–5

      Giuki, King, 108

      Gizur Grytingalidi, King, 225–7

      Gna, 52

      goats, Thor’s, 35, 60–1, 67, 139, 142, 158

      gold, 98–113

      ‘Aegir’s fire’, 100

      Fafnir’s hoard, 197–8

      ‘Fafnir’s home’, 106–8

      ‘Frodi’s flour’, 111–12

      ‘Glasir’s leaves’, 101

      guarded by dragons, 106

      ‘Kraki’s seed’, 112–13

      ‘Niflung’s treasure’, 108–11

      ‘otter-payment’, 104–6

      ‘Sif’s hair’, 101

      ‘speech of giants’, 85

      Golden Hilt (King Hrolf’s sword), 243

      Gondul, 168

      Gosforth (Cumbria), 9

      Gothorm, 109

      Goths and the Huns, battle of the, 225–7

      Goti, King of Gotland, 204

      Gram (Sigurd’s sword), 195–6

      Grani (Sigurd’s horse), 193

      Granmar, 190

      Great Witchingham (Norfolk), 131

      Greenland, settlement of, 250–1

      Grid, 96–7

      Grithir, 195

      Groa, 94

      Gudmund, King of Glaesisvellir, 223

      Gudrid Thorbjornsdottir, 249–51, 254–7, 259–61

      Gudrun, 108, 110–11

      Gullfaxi (Hrungir’s horse), 91, 93–4

      Gunn, 168

      Gunnar, 108–10

      Gunnlod, 86–7, 116

      Gylfi, King (‘The Wanderer’), 21–6, 28, 31, 210

      Habrok (hawk), 128

      Haenir, 80–1, 104, 165, 172, 194, 206, 208

      Haki and Hekja, 257

      Halfdan the Old, 200, 202–3

      Halfdan (brother of Frodi), 230–1

      Halton (Lancashire), 9

      Harald Fairhair, King of Norway, 207

      Hati Hrodvitnisson (wolf), 28, 174, 174

      Hauksbok, 162

      Hedin Hiarrandason King, 200–1

      Heid (Gullveig), 166

      Heidrek, 223–6

      Heidrun (goat), 127

      Heimdall (Rig), 29–30, 37–40, 50, 74, 127, 150, 157, 167, 170, 176–7

      Heimskringla, 5, 48, 205

      Hel (child of Loki), 42–4

      Helgi (son of Halfdan), 231–6, 243

      Helgi (son of Sigmund), 189–90

      Helgi and Finnbogi, 261–2

      Helgi Hundingsbane, 49

      Helluland, 249, 252–3, 257

      Hercules, 15

      Herjolf, 250

      Hermod the Bold, 73–5

      Hervarar Saga, 217

      Hervor, 223–4, 226

      Hiadnings’ battle, 199, 202

      Hialprek, King, 106

      Hiarrand, 200

      Hild, 108, 168, 199–202

      Hjalmar, 221–3

      Hjalti (Hott), 229, 242–4, 246–7

      Hjordis, 191–2

      Hjorvard, King of Öland, 238, 246–7

      Hjorvard (son of Agantyr), 221–2

      Hlin, 52

      Hljod, 184

      Hlod, 224–6

      Hnoss, 49–50

      Hod, 37–8, 69–70, 72, 79, 168, 172, 178

      Hodbrodd, King, 190

      Hofund, 223

      Hogni, King, 200–1

      Hogni (brother of Gudrun), 108–10

      Hønen Runestone, 4

      Hott, see Hjalti

      Hrafnkell’s Saga, 15

      Hraudung, King, 123–4

      Hreidmar, 104–6, 194

      Hrimnir, 184

      Hring, King, 239–41

      Hringhorni (ship), 73

      Hroar, 231–2, 234

      Hrod, 142

      Hrok, 234

      Hrolf Kraki, King, 98, 112–13, 228–30, 235–6, 238–9, 242–7

      Hrungir, 90–3

      Hrym, 170, 175–6

      Hugin and Munin (Odin’s ravens), 8, 53, 74, 127, 211

      Humli, King of the Huns, 225–7

      Huns, kingdom of the, 183–4

      Hvit, Queen, 239–41

      Hymir, 56, 67–8, 139, 141–5, 149

      Hyrrokin, 73–4

      Iarnsaxa, 94

      Idunn, 37, 80–3, 100, 146, 148, 150

      Ingeborg, Princess, 221–3

      Ionakr, King, 110

      Iord, 52

      Iormunrekk the Great, King, 111

      Jormungand, see Midgard serpent

      kennings, 5–6, 12–14, 16, 19, 42, 69, 80–1

      Kensington Runestone, 4

      Kirk Andreas (Isle of Man), 9

      Kvasir, 76, 85–6

      Landnámabók (Book of Settlements), 230

      L’A
    nse aux Meadows, 3–4, 249

      Leif Ericsson, 249–54, 262

      Leifthrasir, 178

      Life, 178

      List of Rig, The, 6, 29

      ljodahattr (song-metre), 114–15

      Lodur, 165

      Lofn, 51

      Loki, 41–3

      and Baldr’s death, 69–70, 75–6, 149, 169

      captured by Geirrod, 95–7

      his children, 43–4, 56

      contrasted with Thor, 42

      and Freyia, 50–1

      helps retrieve Thor’s hammer, 153–60

      insults Æsir, 140, 146–52

      journeys with Thor, 55–6, 60–6

      kills Aegir’s slave, 100

      and ‘otter-payment’, 104–6, 194

      his punishment, 76–8, 152, 169

      and Ragnarok, 176–7

      and recovery of Idunn, 81–4

      and ‘Sif’s hair’, 101–3

      tricks builder, 58–60

      Lyngvi, King, 191–2, 195–6

      Magni, 93–4, 133, 138, 178

      Markland, 250, 252–3, 257, 260

      Mars (Roman god), 15

      Megingjorth (Thor’s magical belt), 62

      Mercury (Roman god), 15

      metalworking, 31

      Midgard serpent (Jormungand), 9, 42–4, 56

      disguised as cat, 65–6

      and Ragnarok, 170–2, 175–6, 178

      and Thor’s fishing expedition, 67–8

      Mim, beheaded by Vanir, 170

      Mimir, 32, 168, 172, 206, 208, 211

      Mimir’s Well, 32, 168, 176

      Miollnir (Thor’s hammer), 36, 55, 59, 61–3, 74, 93, 95, 145, 151

      retrieved, 153–60

      mistletoe, 72

      Modgud, 74–7

      Modi, 178

      Mokkurkalfi (giant of clay), 92–3

      Motsognir, 165, 219

      Naglfar (ship), 170, 175

      Nann Nepsdaughter, 74

      Narfi, 43, 77, 152

      Nidhogg (dragon), 32–4, 128, 169, 172, 177

      Niflungs, the, 108–11

      Niord, 36, 45, 84, 127, 146, 149, 158, 183, 206, 209, 213

      Nordri, King of Northumbria, 232, 234

      norns, 33, 189, 197

      Norse (the term), 1

      nuthatches, speech of, 197

      Od, 49–50, 59, 91, 167

      Odin

      and Baldr’s death, 73–4, 78–9

      battle of insults with Thor, 130–8

      chief among Æsir, 35

      and children of Loki, 43–4

      and Christianity, 13, 20–1

      death at Ragnarok, 176–7, 212–13

      and Fenrir the wolf, 9, 42, 44–5, 47, 54, 171, 176–7

      gives name to Wednesday, 9

      and governance of Asgard, 31

      and Hrungir’s horse, 93–4

      and Hrungir’s visit to Valhalla, 90–2

     


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