CHAPTER IV.—continued.

MARITIME EXPEDITIONS OF THE NORTHMEN DURING THE PAGAN TIMES.

SECTION II.

IN THE ORKNEYS, THE HEBRIDES, ICELAND, GREENLAND, NORTH AMERICA, RUSSIA, ETC.

795–1026.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT IN THE ORKNEYS.—SUCCESSION OF JARLS, ROGNEVALD, SIGURD, HALLAD, EINAR, SIGURD II., ETC.—DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION OF ICELAND.—DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION OF GREENLAND.—ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF NORTH AMERICA.—STATEMENT OF FACTS CONNECTED WITH IT.—FOUNDATION OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE BY THE SCANDINAVIAN RURIC.

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888. Establishment of a Government in the 1 Orkneys by Harald Harfagre; Sigurd, the first Jarl

889–892. Able Administration of Sigurd; he is 2 succeeded by Einar

893–936. Administration of Einar 4

936–943. Of Arnkel and Erlend, the Sons of Einar 5

946–980. Succession of Jarls 5

980–1014. Sigurd, the next Jarl, compelled to 6 embrace Christianity; Legend

Piratical Depredations on the 8 neighbouring Islands

861, &c. Iceland Discovered by the Norwegian 9 Naddod, who is followed by other Navigators

874. Iceland first colonised by Ingulf; Fate 10 of Jorleif

884. Other Colonists, especially Thorolf, the 11 Priest of Thor; Manner in which he established the new Colony

874–936. Progress of the new Colonies 13

Formation of a Northern Code 14

930. Internal Economy of this important 15 Island; the great Chief of the Law

Circumstances which led to the Discovery 16 of Greenland by Eric the Red

Christianity Introduced into Greenland 17 by Leif, the Son of Eric

1001. Alleged Discovery of North America by 17 Biarn, a Descendant of Ingulf

The newly-discovered Country visited by 18 Leif, the Son of Eric

Remarks on this Relation 19

1004–1008. Voyage of Thorwald, who dies in the 19 Country called Vinland

1009. Thorfin, a Norwegian Chief, makes the 20 first Attempt at Colonisation

1026–1121. The Country visited by other People, 21 especially by the Missionaries

The Balance of Evidence decidedly in 22 favour of the alleged Discovery of the American Continent many Ages before Columbus

862. A Scandinavian Dynasty founded in Russia 23 by Ruric

Circumstances connected with that 24 memorable Event; how far probable

861, 862. Novogrod the Seat of the new Dynasty 25

The Domination of the Strangers extended 26 to Kief; two Governments

882. Evils arising from the Creation of two 27 States; Kief subdued by the Regent of Novogrod

Maritime Expeditions of the Northmen 27 into Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Greece, &c.

CHAP. V.

COSMOGONY AND RELIGION OF SCANDINAVIA.

INTRODUCTION.

THE TWO EDDAS, THE ELDER AND THE YOUNGER, THE POETIC AND THE PROSE.—CONTENTS OF THE FORMER.—DIVISION INTO CLASSES. 1. THE MYSTICAL. 2. THE MYTHIC-DIDACTIC. 3. THE PURELY MYTHOLOGICAL. 4. THE MYTHIC-HISTORICAL.—POEMS OF EACH CLASS.—THE PROSE EDDA.—SNORRO STURLESON.

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Religion of the Pagan Northmen an 30 interesting Subject of Inquiry

The Two Eddas 30

I. Sæmund, reputed Compiler of the 31 Poetic Edda; its slow Publication

Poems included in the Elder Edda 31 divisible into four Classes

1. The Mystic Class:—

The Voluspa 32

The Grougaldor 32

The Magic of Odin similar in many 33 Respects to that of Zoroaster

2. The Mytho-didactic Class:—

The Vafthrudnis-mâl 34

Grimnis-mâl 34

Other Pieces of this Class 36

The Hava-mâl 36

3. The purely Mythologic Class:—

The Hymis-guida 37

The Hamars-heimt 37

The Rafna-galdur Odins 37

The Skirnirs-for 37

The Vegtams-Quida 38

Undoubted Antiquity of the preceding 38 Poems

4. The Mytho-historical Class 38

II. The Prose or Younger Edda, usually 39 ascribed to Snorro Sturleson

Some Account of that celebrated Man 40

Sources from which he drew 42

SECTION I.

THE SCANDINAVIAN UNIVERSE, ITS WORLDS, AND THEIR INHABITANTS IN GENERAL, WITH THE PHYSICAL INTERPRETATION.

CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE.—YMER.—THE GIANTS.—THE GODS.—OTHER BEINGS.—THE NINE WORLDS, WITH THEIR POSITION AND PHYSICAL INTERPRETATION.—THE TWELVE HOUSES OF ASGARD.—SWARTALFAHEIM.—INHABITANTS OF THE NINE WORLDS.—THE ASER.—THE VEVER, ETC.

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Progress of Creation according to that 43 venerable Authority, the Elder Edda

The Waters of Nifleheim flow into the 43 Abyss and freeze

But they are thawed by the Fires of 44 Muspelheim

To the Operation of Cold and Heat on the 44 Waters of Nifleheim must be ascribed the Origin of this visible Universe

Generation of Ymer, the Patriarch of the 44 Frost Giants

Creation of the Cow Andumbla, which 45 calls Burè into Existence

From this new Being, half Deity, half 45 Giant, arose Odin, Vilè, and Vè

Ymer destroyed, and the Universe formed 45 from his Body

Affinities between the Scandinavian and 46 other Systems of Mythology

The Cow, as a Symbol, very generally 47 diffused

Physical Interpretation of the Mythos 47

Physical Interpretation of another 48 Mythos, the Destruction of Ymer and his Offspring

Notions concerning a Supreme, Eternal 49 Being entertained by the Scandinavians

Creation of other Beings, especially the 50 Dwarfs

Creation of Man 51

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THE NINE WORLDS.

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GIMLÈ AND MUSPELHEIM 53

MIDGARD AND UTGARD 53

ASGARD 55

Divine Residences in Asgard:—

1. Ydale 56

2. Alfheim 57

3. Valaskialf 57

4. Soequabeck 58

5. Gladsheim 58

6. Thrymheim 58

7. Breidablik 59

8. Himmelbierg 60

9. Folkvangur 60

10. Glitner 61

11. Noatun 61

12. Landvide 61

Residences of Odin 62

Diversions of the Einheriar 62

Ascent of slain Heroes from Earth to 63 Heaven

Bloodthirsty Character of the Odinists 63

SWARTALFAHEIM 64

Residences of the Alfs or Elves 64

Their Nature according to Thorlacius 64

Origin of the Word 65

Universality of the Word 66

Traditions still rife respecting them 67

Scandinavian Dwarfs 69

Two Legends respecting them 70

Their wondrous Manufactures at the 70 Instance of Loke

Physical Interpretation 72

THORSTON AND THE DWARF 73

HELHEIM AND NIFLEHEIM 74

THE YGGDRASIL 75

Explanation of this Mythos 77

Races which inhabited the Scandinavian 78 Universe

Were the Aser Gods, or Mortals only, or 79 deified Mortals?

Some Reasons for the Inference that Odin 80 and his Followers really existed

Hypothesis of two Odins, how far 81 reconcileable with Facts

Did Odin, in his own Case, inculcate the 82 Doctrine of Metempsychosis?

Conclusion that Odin and his Companions 82 actually existed on Earth; but how account for the divine Attributes claimed by them? still more, how account for the extraordinary Diffusion of their Worship?

Their Policy in the North 83

Two distinct Systems of Religion 84 evidently prevalent in the North,—the Native and the Foreign,—that of Thor, and that of Odin

And also two distinct Systems of Magic 85

Another Argument for this Distinction 86

Progress of Odin and his Companions 88 towards Deification

Geographical Position of the Aser and 89 Vanir led to their celestial Location

The Union of two Systems—the Native and 91 the Foreign, the Finnish and the Gothic—every where discernible in the Eddas

SECTION II.

CHIEF MYTHOLOGICAL PERSONAGES OF SCANDINAVIA.

ODIN, THOR, AND LOKE.—THEIR CHARACTERS PHYSICALLY INTERPRETED.—THEIR WIVES AND OFFSPRING.—THE THREE DEMON CHILDREN OF LOKE.—INFLUENCE OF THIS DEITY OVER THE FATE OF THE UNIVERSE.—HE IS PRESENT IN EVERY GREAT MYTHOS.—RAPE OF IDUNA.—THOR’S VISITS TO JOTUNHEIM.—THOR AND THE GIANT HYMIR.—THOR AND THE GIANT THRYM.—NIVOD, FREYR, FREYA.—EXPEDITION OF SKIRNIR-ÆGIR AND RAN.—OTHER DEITIES.—BALDER.—PUNISHMENT OF LOKE.—RAGNAROK.—RECOGNITION OF A GREAT FIRST CAUSE BY THE PAGAN SCANDINAVIANS.

ODIN, THOR, LOKE.

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Wives and Sons of ODIN 92

His Functions, Abodes, and Ministers 93

The three Valkyrs 93

Legend of Odin and Sterkodder 94

This Legend furnishes another Proof of 95 the Fact that Odin was a foreign Deity

THOR, his Superiority over Odin in the 96 more ancient System of the North, and his three Treasures

Mythical Interpretation 97

Thor peculiarly worshipped in Norway 97

The Giants, the everlasting Enemies of 98 Thor

This Article of popular Belief 98 essentially Celtic

LOKE 99

His Description 100

His Offspring three:—

1. The Great Serpent 101

2. Hela, Queen of Death 101

3. The Wolf Fenris 102

Manner in which the last-named Demon was 102 bound by the Gods

Loke originally the same with 103 Utgardelok, and the Personification of Evil in the Celtic Creed

Mythological Fables in which Loke is 104 concerned

RAPE OF IDUNA.

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Odin, Hoenir, and Loke visit Utgard 105

Loke compelled to promise that he will 105 deliver Iduna into the Power of Thiasse

He performs his Promise 106

Consequent Wrath of the Gods, who compel 106 him to restore her

Interpretation of this Mythos 107

THOR’S VISITS TO UTGARD.

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Loke, taken by the Giants, is compelled 108 to promise that he will bring Thor without Belt or Hammer

Thor accordingly undertakes the Journey; 109 his Punishment of Geyruth, and the Daughters of that Giant

Second Journey of Thor to Utgard, 110 accompanied by Loke

Adventure in the Cottage 110

Dreary Wastes through which the 111 Travellers passed

Adventure in the desert Heath 112

Adventures in Utgard itself 113

THOR AND THE GIANT HYMIR.

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Banquet of the Sea-god Ægir 114

Thor and Tyr proceed to Giant-land to 114 steal a Caldron

Adventures at the House of Hymir 115

Physical Meaning of this Mythos 116

The same Adventures paraphrased by the 117 Danish Poet Ohlenschlager

THOR AND THE GIANT THRYM.

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Thor loses Miölner 124

Loke discovers the Thief, who is the 125 Giant Thrym

Thrym will not restore it, unless he 125 have Freya to Wife

When Freya refuses, Thor is persuaded to 126 assume Female Apparel, and go to Jotunheim

Adventures there 127

Metrical Version of this Legend 128

Magnussen’s Interpretation 129

_Sif_, the Wife of Thor 131

NIORD, FREYR, FREYA.

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_Niord_, Lord of the Vaner, and a God 132

His second Wife is Skada, from whom he 133 separates

_Freyr_, the Son of Niord, in love with 133 a Giant Maiden

Skirnir, his Attendant, goes to 134 Jotunheim and wins her

Metrical Version of Skirnir’s Expedition 135

_Freya_, the Daughter of Niord, and the 136 Goddess of Love

Her Functions and Authority in Asgard 140

ÆGIR AND RAN.

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_Ægir_, the God of the Deep, more 141 clement than _Ran_, his Queen

Another Feast given by the Sea-god, in 142 which Loke is abusive

OTHER DEITIES.

Page The Nornies 143 Night and Day 143 The Giant of Winter 144

BALDER.

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His Fate connected with that of the 145 Universe; his Dreams, and consequent Anxiety of the Gods

Interpretation of the Mythos 146

PUNISHMENT OF LOKE.

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He is bound, like Prometheus, to the 146 Flinty Rock; Poison; Fidelity of his Wife

RAGNAROK, THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS.

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Account of that great Consummation 147 extracted from the Prose Edda

Corroborated by the Voluspa 150

SECTION III.

INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO DENMARK AND SWEDEN.

OBSCURE EFFORTS OF THE ANGLO-SAXON MISSIONARIES TO CHRISTIANISE FRISIA AND DENMARK.—VICTORIES OF CHARLEMAGNE PREPARE THE WAY FOR A WIDER DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIANITY.—FEALTY OF HARALD KLAK.—MISSIONARIES SENT INTO THE NORTH.—ST. ANSCAR.—CREATION OF AN ARCHBISHOPRIC.—ST. REMBERT.—SUCCEEDING ARCHBISHOPS.—FLUCTUATIONS IN THE STATE OF THE NEW RELIGION.—ITS ULTIMATE ESTABLISHMENT IN THE KINGDOMS OF THE NORTH.

A. D. Page

Early Efforts of the Anglo-Saxon 151 Missionaries to Christianise the North; very little effected in the Eighth Century

822. But in the Ninth there is more Success 152

826–830. _St. Anscar_, Monk of Corbey 153

He repairs first to Denmark, and next to 154 Sweden

His Reception by the Swedish King, and 155 his Return to Germany

830–852. He is made Archbishop of Hamburg, with 155 the Primacy over the North

Difficulties of his Position 156

852. He goes Ambassador to the North; 157 Opposition to him in Sweden

853–865. But that Opposition he overcomes through 158 the royal Aid

865–889. _St. Rembert_, his Biographer and 160 Successor

_Adalgar_, his Coadjutor 160

889–936. _Adalgar_ and _Hoger_, in succession 161 Archbishops of Bremen, have no great Zeal for the Cause

But _Unnus_ has; his Success 161

936–988. Progress of Christianity in Denmark 162 under _Adalrag_; Erection of four Episcopal Sees

988–1026. Pontificate of _Libentis_ 163