Myths of the Norsemen
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Victorian mythology and folklore retelling

Myths of the Norsemen from the Eddas and Sagas

H. A. Guerber1908
Introductorycomplete

A detailed and engaging retelling of Norse mythology, focusing on the gods of Asgard (Odin, Thor, Loki), their heroic deeds, the creation of the world, and the prophecy of Ragnarök. Based on original Norse sources like the Elder and Younger Eddas, as well as the Germanic sagas, it aims to present these narratives for a general audience with literary and historical notes.

Also known asNorthern Mythology
This edition1908
EditionGeorge G. Harrap & Co., London
Comparative MythologyNorse mythologyGermanic MythologyCreation MythsClassical mythologyClassical heroesNorse mythology studiesritual documentationGermanic/Norse

Contents330 chapters

  1. 01Myths of the Norsemen
  2. 02From the Eddas and Sagas By H. A. Guerber Author of “The Myths of Greece and Rome” etc.
  3. 03London George G. Harrap & Company 15 York Street Covent Garden 1909
  4. 04Contents
  5. 05List of Illustrations
  6. 06Introduction
  7. 07Chapter I: The Beginning
  8. 08Myths of Creation
  9. 09Ymir and Audhumla
  10. 10Odin, Vili, and Ve
  11. 11The Creation of the Earth
  12. 12Mani and Sol
  13. 13Dwarfs and Elves
  14. 14The Creation of Man
  15. 15The Tree Yggdrasil
  16. 16The Bridge Bifröst
  17. 17The Vanas
  18. 18Chapter II: Odin
  19. 19The Father of Gods and Men
  20. 20Odin’s Personal Appearance
  21. 21Valhalla
  22. 22The Feast of the Heroes
  23. 23Sleipnir
  24. 24The Wild Hunt
  25. 25The Pied Piper
  26. 26Bishop Hatto
  27. 27Irmin
  28. 28Mimir’s Well
  29. 29Odin and Vafthrudnir
  30. 30Invention of Runes
  31. 31Geirrod and Agnar
  32. 32May-Day Festivals
  33. 33The Historical Odin
  34. 34Chapter III: Frigga
  35. 35The Queen of the Gods
  36. 36The Stolen Gold
  37. 37Odin Outwitted
  38. 38Fulla
  39. 39Gna
  40. 40Lofn, Vjofn, and Syn
  41. 41Gefjon
  42. 42Eira, Vara, Vör and Snotra
  43. 43Holda
  44. 44The Discovery of Flax
  45. 45Tannhäuser
  46. 46Eástre, the Goddess of Spring
  47. 47Bertha, the White Lady
  48. 48Chapter IV: Thor
  49. 49The Thunderer
  50. 50Thor’s Hammer
  51. 51Thor’s Family
  52. 52Sif, the Golden-haired
  53. 53Thor’s Journey to Jötun-heim
  54. 54Utgard-loki
  55. 55Thor and Hrungnir
  56. 56Groa, the Sorceress
  57. 57Thor and Thrym
  58. 58Thor and Geirrod
  59. 59The Worship of Thor
  60. 60Chapter V: Tyr
  61. 61The God of War
  62. 62Tyr’s Sword
  63. 63The Story of Fenris
  64. 64Chapter VI: Bragi
  65. 65The Origin of Poetry
  66. 66The Quest of the Draught
  67. 67The Rape of the Draught
  68. 68The God of Music
  69. 69Worship of Bragi
  70. 70Chapter VII: Idun
  71. 71The Apples of Youth
  72. 72The Story of Thiassi
  73. 73The Return of Idun
  74. 74The Goddess of Spring
  75. 75Idun Falls to the Nether World
  76. 76Chapter VIII: Niörd
  77. 77A Hostage with the Gods
  78. 78The God of Summer
  79. 79Skadi, Goddess of Winter
  80. 80The Parting of Niörd and Skadi
  81. 81The Worship of Niörd
  82. 82Chapter IX: Frey
  83. 83The God of Fairyland
  84. 84The Wooing of Gerda
  85. 85The historical Frey
  86. 86Worship of Frey
  87. 87The Yule Feast
  88. 88How the Sea became salt
  89. 89Chapter X: Freya
  90. 90The Goddess of Love
  91. 91Queen of the Valkyrs
  92. 92Freya and Odur
  93. 93Freya’s Necklace
  94. 94Story of Ottar and Angantyr
  95. 95The Husbands of Freya
  96. 96Worship of Freya
  97. 97Chorus of Witches.
  98. 98Chapter XI: Uller
  99. 99The God of Winter
  100. 100Worship of Uller
  101. 101Chapter XII: Forseti
  102. 102The God of Justice and Truth
  103. 103The Story of Heligoland
  104. 104Chapter XIII: Heimdall
  105. 105The Watchman of the Gods
  106. 106The Guardian of the Rainbow
  107. 107Loki and Freya
  108. 108Heimdall’s Names
  109. 109Chapter XIV: Hermod
  110. 110The Nimble God
  111. 111Hermod and the Soothsayer
  112. 112Chapter XV: Vidar
  113. 113The Silent God
  114. 114Vidar’s Shoe
  115. 115The Norn’s Prophecy
  116. 116Chapter XVI: Vali
  117. 117The Wooing of Rinda
  118. 118The Birth of Vali
  119. 119Worship of Vali
  120. 120Chapter XVII: The Norns
  121. 121The Three Fates
  122. 122The Norns’ Web
  123. 123Other Guardian Spirits
  124. 124The Story of Nornagesta
  125. 125The Vala
  126. 126Chapter XVIII: The Valkyrs
  127. 127The Battle Maidens
  128. 128The Cloud Steeds
  129. 129Choosers of the Slain
  130. 130Their Numbers and Duties
  131. 131Wayland and the Valkyrs
  132. 132Brunhild
  133. 133Chapter XIX: Hel
  134. 134Loki’s Offspring
  135. 135Hel’s Kingdom in Nifl-heim
  136. 136Ideas of the Future Life
  137. 137Pestilence and Famine
  138. 138Chapter XX: Ægir
  139. 139The God of the Sea
  140. 140The Goddess Ran
  141. 141The Waves
  142. 142Ægir’s Brewing Kettle
  143. 143Thor and Hymir
  144. 144Unloved Divinities
  145. 145Other Divinities of the Sea
  146. 146River Nymphs
  147. 147Legends of the Lorelei
  148. 148Chapter XXI: Balder
  149. 149The Best Loved
  150. 150Balder’s Dream
  151. 151The Vala’s Prophecy
  152. 152The Gods at Play
  153. 153The Death of Balder
  154. 154Hermod’s Errand
  155. 155The Funeral Pyre
  156. 156Hermod’s Quest
  157. 157The Condition of Balder’s Release
  158. 158The Return of Hermod
  159. 159Vali the Avenger
  160. 160The Signification of the Story
  161. 161The Worship of Balder
  162. 162Chapter XXII: Loki
  163. 163The Spirit of Evil
  164. 164Loki’s Character
  165. 165Sigyn
  166. 166Skrymsli and the Peasant’s Child
  167. 167The Giant Architect
  168. 168Loki’s last Crime
  169. 169Ægir’s Banquet
  170. 170The Pursuit of Loki
  171. 171Loki’s Punishment
  172. 172Loki’s Day
  173. 173Chapter XXIII: The Giants
  174. 174Jötun-heim
  175. 175Origin of the Mountains
  176. 176The First Gods
  177. 177The Giant in Love
  178. 178The Giant and the Church Bells
  179. 179The Giants’ Ship
  180. 180Princess Ilse
  181. 181The Giantess’s Plaything
  182. 182Chapter XXIV: The Dwarfs
  183. 183Little Men
  184. 184The Tarnkappe
  185. 185The Legend of Kallundborg
  186. 186The Magic of the Dwarfs
  187. 187The Passing of the Dwarfs
  188. 188Changelings
  189. 189The Peaks of the Trolls
  190. 190A Conjecture
  191. 191Chapter XXV: The Elves
  192. 192The Realm of Faery
  193. 193The Elf-dance
  194. 194The Will-o’-the-wisps
  195. 195Oberon and Titania
  196. 196Alf-blot
  197. 197Images on Doorposts
  198. 198Chapter XXVI: The Sigurd Saga
  199. 199The Beginning of the Story
  200. 200The Volsunga Saga
  201. 201Sigi
  202. 202Rerir
  203. 203Volsung
  204. 204The Wedding of Signy
  205. 205The Sword in the Branstock
  206. 206Sigmund
  207. 207Siggeir’s Treachery
  208. 208Signy’s Sons
  209. 209Sinfiotli
  210. 210The Werewolves
  211. 211Sigmund and Sinfiotli taken by Siggeir
  212. 212Sigmund’s Vengeance
  213. 213Helgi
  214. 214The Death of Sinfiotli
  215. 215Hiordis
  216. 216Elf, the Viking
  217. 217The Birth of Sigurd
  218. 218The Treasure of the Dwarf King
  219. 219Sigurd’s Sword
  220. 220The Fight with the Dragon
  221. 221The Sleeping Warrior Maiden
  222. 222The Fostering of Aslaug
  223. 223The Niblungs
  224. 224Gunnar’s Stratagem
  225. 225The Coming of Brunhild
  226. 226The Quarrel of the Queens
  227. 227The Death of Sigurd
  228. 228The Flight of Gudrun
  229. 229Atli, King of the Huns
  230. 230Burial of the Niblung Treasure
  231. 231The Treachery of Atli
  232. 232The Last of the Niblungs
  233. 233Swanhild
  234. 234Interpretation of the Saga
  235. 235Chapter XXVII: The Story of Frithiof
  236. 236Bishop Tegnér
  237. 237Birth of Viking
  238. 238The Game of Ball
  239. 239The Blood Feud
  240. 240Thorsten and Belé
  241. 241Birth of Frithiof and Ingeborg
  242. 242Frithiof’s Love for Ingeborg
  243. 243Helgé and Halfdan
  244. 244Frithiof’s Suit
  245. 245Sigurd Ring a Suitor
  246. 246At Balder’s Shrine
  247. 247Frithiof Banished
  248. 248Atlé’s Challenge
  249. 249Frithiof’s Home-coming
  250. 250Frithiof an Exile
  251. 251At the Court of Sigurd Ring
  252. 252Frithiof’s Loyalty
  253. 253Betrothal of Frithiof and Ingeborg
  254. 254Chapter XXVIII: The Twilight of the Gods
  255. 255The Decline of the Gods
  256. 256The Fimbul-winter
  257. 257The Wolves Let Loose
  258. 258Heimdall Gives the Alarm
  259. 259The Terrors of the Sea
  260. 260The Terrors of the Underworld
  261. 261The Great Battle
  262. 262The Devouring Fire
  263. 263Regeneration
  264. 264A New Heaven
  265. 265One too Mighty to Name
  266. 266Chapter XXIX: Greek and Northern Mythologies
  267. 267Comparative Mythology
  268. 268The Beginning of Things
  269. 269Cosmogony
  270. 270The Phenomena of the Sky
  271. 271Jupiter and Odin
  272. 272The Creation of Man
  273. 273Norns and Fates
  274. 274Myths of the Seasons
  275. 275Frigga and Juno
  276. 276Musical Myths
  277. 277Thor and the Greek Gods
  278. 278Idun and Eurydice
  279. 279Skadi and Diana
  280. 280Frey and Apollo
  281. 281Freya and Venus
  282. 282Odur and Adonis
  283. 283Rinda and Danae
  284. 284Myths of the Sea
  285. 285Balder and Apollo
  286. 286Ragnarok and the Deluge
  287. 287Giants and Titans
  288. 288The Volsunga Saga
  289. 289Brunhild
  290. 290Sun Myths
  291. 291Index to Poetical Quotations
  292. 292Glossary and Index
  293. 293A
  294. 294B
  295. 295C
  296. 296D
  297. 297E
  298. 298F
  299. 299G
  300. 300H
  301. 301I
  302. 302J
  303. 303K
  304. 304L
  305. 305M
  306. 306N
  307. 307O
  308. 308P
  309. 309Q
  310. 310R
  311. 311S
  312. 312T
  313. 313U
  314. 314V
  315. 315W
  316. 316Y
  317. 317Z
  318. 318Told Through the Ages
  319. 319Uniform with “Myths of the Norsemen”
  320. 320Ready September 1909
  321. 321Table of Contents
  322. 322Colophon
  323. 323Availability
  324. 324Encoding
  325. 325Revision History
  326. 326External References
  327. 327Corrections
  328. 328THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
  329. 329"Cover"
  330. 330Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas

Influences & Sources

Prose Edda

Prose Edda

1220

The Golden Bough

The Golden Bough

1890

Works Influenced by This

Prose Edda

Prose Edda

1220

By the Same Author

Myths of Greece and Rome

Myths of Greece and Rome

1897

Intermediate

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