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T E U T O N I C M YT H O LO GY .

JACOB

GRI MM .

TRAN S L A T E D F R OM TH E F OU R TH E D ITI ON

W I TH

N OT E S A N D A P P E N D IX

J A ME S S TE V E N STALLY B RA SS .

V OL . I .

L ON D ON : G E OR G E B E LL AN D S ON S , Y OR K S T R E E T,

C OV E NT G A RDE N .

1 88 2 .
P ro fe sso r M A X M OL L E R ,
M A . .
,
&c .
, &c .
,

gfi i s y o rfi

RE S P E C T F U L L Y D E D I CA T E D

B Y P E RM I S S I O N .
T RA N S L A T OR S P R E F A CE

.

I TH I NK Sc an din avian P aganism t o us h ere is more int ere sting


, ,

th an a nyoth e r It is for one th ing th e l a te st ; it c ontinue d in


.
, ,

th e s e re gion s of Europ e till th e e l e v en th c e n tury ; 8 0 0 y e ars ago


th e N orwe g ia n s we re still w orsh ipp e rs of Od in It is in t ere sting .

al s o a s th e c re e d of our fath e rs th e me n wh o s e blood still run s in


our v e in s wh om d ou btl e ss w e st ill re s e mbl e in so man y w a ys
,
.

Th e re is an oth e r p oin t of in tere st in th e s e Sc andin avian


myt h ol ogie s th a t th e y h a v e b e e n p re s erve d so w ell — CARLYL E S

.
,

EEE Q7 WORS HI P 3 ’
.

Wh at M r . Carlyl e s ays of th e S c an din a vian


will of c ours e apply
t o all T e ut onic tradition so far a s it ca n b e re c ov e re d ; an d it wa s
,

th e t ask of Grimm in his Deutsche My thologie t o s uppl e me n t th e


S ca nd in avian myth ol ogy ( of wh ich th a nks t o th e Ic e l a n d ers w e
, ,

h appe n t o k now most) with all th a t can b e gl e an e d from oth e r


s ource s H igh D utch a nd Lo w Dutch an d buil d it up in to a wh ol e
,
- -
,
.

A n d ind eed t o p rov e th a t it wa s on e c onne ct e d wh ol e ; for stran ge ,

a s it s e e ms t o u s forty y e a rs a go it w a s st ill c on s id e re d n e c e ss ary t o


,

p rov e it .

J a c ob Grimm w asp e rh aps th e fi rst man wh o command e d a wide


e n ough v ie w of th e W h ol e fi e l d of T e ut on ic l an g uag e s a n d lit e rat ure

t o b e abl e to b rin g int o a fo cu s th e sc a tte re d fa cts wh ich sh ow the


p re v al e n ce of one syst e m of th ought amon g all th e Te ut onic n ation s
from Ic e l a n d t o the D anub e I n th is h e w a s mat e riall y a id e d by
.

his ma st e ry of th e t rue p rin cipl e s of Ph il ol ogy wh ich h e wa s the ,

fi rst t o e stabl ish on a fi rm sc ie n tific b a s is a n d wh ich e nabl e d him ,

t o tra c e a w ord w ith c e rtitud e th rough th e stran g e st disguis e s .

Th e Comp arativ e M yth ol ogy o f all na tion s h as mad e gre a t


strid e s s in c e G rimm fi rst w rote his b ook b ut a s a st ore h ou s e of fa cts
w ith in his sp e cial p rovin c e of Teutonic M yth ol ogy an d a s a cl ue t o ,

th e d e riv a tion an d s ig nific an c e of th e N a mes of p e rs on s an d th ings


Tra nsla tor s P refa ce

vi .

in th e v arious v ersion s of a myth it h as n e ve r b e en sup ers e de d ,

a n d p e rh a ps it n e v e r can b e N ot th a t h e c o.
n fi n e s h ims e l f t o th e

Teut oni c fi e l d ; h e c omp are s it at e ve ry p oin t with th e cla ssic al


mythu s a n d th e w id e circl e of Sl avic L e ttic and occ a sion ally of ,

Ugric Celtic an d Orie n t al tradition


, ,
S till a mong his D eutsch .
,

kindre d h e is most at h ome ; an d E tymol ogy is his fort e B ut th e n .

e tymol ogy in hi s h an d s is tran sfi gure d from rand om gue ssin g in t o

scientific fa ct .

There is n o on e t o wh om Folk l ore is more inde bte d th an to -

Grimm N ot t o men tion th e l ovin g c are with wh ich h e h unte d up


.

his Kind er a n d H a us ma rehen from all ov e r G e rman y h e d eli ghts


-
,

t o d e t e ct in man y a n urs e ry t al e an d p op ul ar c ust om of t o d ayth e


- -

b elie fs and h abits of our fore fath ers th ous and s of y e ars ago It is .

imp ossibl e at t ime s t o forb e ar a s mil e at th e p atriotic z e al with


whi ch h e hun ts th e trail of h is Ge rman god s an d h eroe s th e gl e e
with which h e b ags a n ew godd e ss elf or swan maid and his , ,
-

indi gn ation at anyp oa ch ing Ce l t or Sl a v w h o h as sp irit e d a wa y a


myth ic b eing that w a s G erman b orn and b re d : Y e h ave tak e n
awa y mygod s an d wh a t h a v e I more
,

Th e pre s e n t t ran sl ation of the D eutsche M y thologie will lik e th e ,

l a st (fourth) e dition of th e origin al b e p ubl ish e d in three v ol ume s;,

t he first tw o o f which an d p art of th e th ird will c ont ain th e t ran s


, ,

l ation of Grimm s t e xt and th e re main de r of th e th ird v ol ume will


c on sist of his ow n A pp e ndix an d a Suppl e men t .

Th e auth or s s e c on d an d th ird e dition s ( 1 8 4 4 a n d 1 8 5 4 ) w e re


e a ch p ublish e d in 2 v ols a cc omp an ie d by a n A P P E N D I X c on s istin


.
, g ,

fi rst of a sh ort tre atis e on th e A nglo Sax on Genea logies an d s e c on dly


,
-
, ,

of a l arg e c oll e ction o f t h e Sup erstitions of v ariou s T e u t o nic n at ion s .

Thi sA pp endix will form a p art of our V ol III A ft er G rimm s . .


d e ath h is h e irs en tru st e d t o P rof E H M e y e r of B e rlin th e t a sk


. . .
, ,

of b rin gin g out a fourth e dition and in cl u di ng in it s uch a d d ition al


matter a s th e auth or h ad c oll e ct e d in hi s n ot e b ooks for fut ure use -


.

I f Grimm h ad liv e d t o fi nish his gre at D iction ary wh ich e n gro ss e d ,

th e l att er y e ars of his l ife 1 he w oul d n o d oubt h av e in c orp ora te d


, , ,

1 H eus e d t o say,
h e h ad a b ook read yt o run out of ea ch of his ten fi n gers,
b ut h e was no l on ger free .
Tra nsla tor s P refa ce

. vii

th e p ith of th e s e l at er j ottings in th e t e xt of his b obk rej e cting ,

much th a t wa s irre l e v ant or pl e ona stic Th e Ge rman e dit or n ot .


,

fe elin g h ims e l f at lib erty t o s e l e ct a n d rej e ct th re w th e wh ol e of ,

thi s p osthumous ma tte r int o his th ird v ol ume ( wh ere it o ccupie s


3 70 p ag e s ) me rely arrang ing th e it e ms a cc ording t o th e ord e r of
,

s ubj e cts in th e b ook an d numb e ring e ach by th e p ag e which it


,

illustrat e s T h is is th e SU PP L E M E NT so fre que ntly re fe rre d t o in


.

th e b ook und e r t h e form


,
see I h a v e al re a d y in troduc e d
a fe w e xt ra c ts fro m it in th e F o ot n ot e s e sp e c ia lly wh e re it a pp e a re d
-
,

to c on t ra dict or ma t e rially to c on firm t h e a ut h or s Op inion e


, ,

p re ss e d in th e t e xt B ut in th e p re s e n t E nglish e dition it isin te n de d


.

t o digest th is Suppl e me n t sel e ctin g th e mo st v al uabl e p arts an d


, ,

a dd in g orig in al a rt icl e s by th e e dit or h ims e l f a n d b yoth e r ge n tl e me n

wh o h av e d e v o te d sp e cial a tte n tion t o ind ivid ual b ran ch e s of th e


scien ce of Folk kn owl e dg e A full cl a ss ifi e d B ibli ography an d an
- .

a ccura t e a n d d e t aile d I n d e x t o th e wh ol e w ork w ill a cc omp a n y the

b ook It is h op e d by this me ans t o re n d e r th e E nglish E dit ion a s


.

c ompl e te and s e rvic e abl e as p ossibl e .

G rimm s P ref a ce t o th e e dition of 1 8 4 4 givin g a vig orous re


sumé of th e b ook and of th e wh ol e subj e ct will a s in th e Ge rman


, , ,

a cc omp an y V ol II Th ere is so much in it wh ich implie s th e


. .
,

re a de r s a cqu ain t an c e with e v e ry p art of th e b ook th at I h a v e fe lt


b ound to k e e p it wh e re I fi nd it in th e origin al .

Th e on tion s or alte rations I h av e v e nture d to mak e in


ly a ddi

th e t e xt are the foll owing

1 The b ook b ristl e s w ith quot ation s in v arious l an guag e s for


.
,

th e most p a rt untran sl at e d A n ordin ary Ge rman re ad er might


.

fi nd th e Old an d th e M id dl e H igh Ge rma n ab out a s in t elligibl e as


an ordin ary E ngl ish man d oe s A ngl o Sa x on a n d Ch au c e r re sp ec -

tively B ut wh e n it c ome s t o mak in g out a w ord or p ass age in


.

Old Nors e Greek an d e v e n Sl a vic I mu st s upp os e th e auth or t o


, , ,

h av e writt en for a mu ch more limite d a nd l earne d publ ic th an th at


which I h op e will fi n d th is E ngl ish e dition sufficie ntly re adable
, , .

I h ave th ere fore tra nsla ted a gre at many word s and s e nt e nc e s ,
Tra nsla tor s P ref ace

v iii .

wh ere th e intere st and e v en the argument of the p aragraph de


, ,

p en d e d on th e re a der s und erst anding th e q uot ations To h ave



.

tran sl at e d a ll th at is n ot E nglish woul d h av e swe ll e d th e s ize of


th e b ook too mu ch . A p art from such tran sl ation anya d ditions of ,

myown are always pl a c e d in square b ra ck e ts e xc e pt a fe w



n ot e s which b ear th e s igna t ure TRANS .

2 F or th e s ak e of cl e arn e ss I h a ve divid e d s ome of th e ch apt ers


.
,

n t o s mall e r s e ction s with h e a di ngs of th e ir own


( XII .t o XVI )
. i .


3 I h av e c ons ult e d th e Engl ish re ad e r s c on v e ni e n c e by sub
.

stituting th e w a n d ce wh ich h e is a ccu st ome d to see in A ngl o


,

S ax on w ord s for Grimm s o a n d a as wee g in ste ad of velg


’ ’

, ,

I .

h av e als o us e d the w ord s Dutch M id D utch in a wid er s e n s e



, .

compreh e nding all th e T e utonic dial e cts of the N e th erl and s in st e ad ,

of c oining th e awkw ard a dj e ctiv e Ne th erlandish


One w ord on th e titl e of t h e b ook Ought n ot .Deutsohe
M yth ol ogie to b e tran sl at e d Germa n rath er th an Teutonic M yth
,

ol ogy ? I am b oun d to a dmit th at t he auth or aime d at b uil ding


up a D eutsch myth ol ogy a s d istinct from th e S c an din a vian an d
, ,

th at h e e xpre ssly discl aims th e in te ntion of giving a c ompl e t e


a cc ount of th e l a tt e r b e c aus e its fuln e ss w ould h a v e th rown the
,

more me agre re main s of th e D eu tsch int o th e sh ad e A t th e s ame .

time h e n e ce ss arily draws so much up on the rich er remains of the


Nors e myth ol ogy th at it forms quite a s ubstan tiv e p ortion of his
,

b ook th ough not e xh austiv e a s re g ard s th e N ors e syst e m its el f


,
.

B ut wh a t d oe s Grimm me an by D eutsch ? To tran sl at e it by


Germa n w oul d b e at l e ast as misl e adin g in th e oth e r dire ction It .

woul d not amongst us b e ge nerally un derstood to include— wh at h e


e xp re ssl yin t e n d s it t o in cl ud e —th e N e th e rl an d s an d E ngl a n d for
th e E ngl ish are s imply a b ran ch of th e Low German ra c e wh ich

h app e ne d t o cross th e se a I h ave th e refore thought th at for the


.
,

English car th e more compreh ens ive titl e was truer t o the fa cts on
th e wh ol e th an th e more l imit e d on e w oul d h av e b e en .
CH A PTER I .

I N TROD U CTI ON .
1

F rom th e w e ste rnmost sh ore of A s ia Ch ristianity h a d turn e d at ,

on c e t o t h e opp os it e on e of E u ro p e Th e wid e s oil of th e c on tin e n t .

wh ich h ad giv e n it b irth c oul d n ot su pply it l on g with n ou rish


f

me n t ; ne ith e r did it strik e d e e p root in th e n orth o f A fric a .

E urop e s oon b e ca me a n d re maine d its p rop e r d w e lling pl a ce a nd


, ,
-

h ome .

It is w orthy of n otic e th a t th e d ire ction in wh ich th e n e w faith


,

w ork e d its w ay from S outh t o N orth is c on trary t o th e curre n t of


, ,

migration wh ich w as th e n d riv in g th e n a tion s from th e E a st a n d


N orth t o th e W e st an d Sou th A s Sp iritu al l ight p e n e tra te d from .

th e on e qu art e r l ife its e l f w a s t o b e re in v ig ora t e d from th e oth e r


,
.

1
In b ook th at d eal s so mu ch w i th H e a th e n ism, th e mean i n g of th e t e rm
a
ough t n ot t o b e p a ss e d o v e r Th e G re e ks a n d Roman s h ad n o sp e ci a l n ame for
.

n a t i on s of an ot h e r fa ith (for
d Ba p o c w e re n ot u s e d in th a t s e n s e )
b ut wi th t h e J e w s a nd C h ristian s of t h e N T a re con t ra st e d é duo s, EHue a ,
’ ’
.

e dmxo l, Lat
gen tes, gen ti les U lp h ilas u s e s th e pl thi udos, a n d b yp re fe re n ce in

. .

t h e ge n a ft e r a pron oun , th é i t h iu d o, s umai t hiu d o (gramm 4 , 4 4 1 ,


. wh i l e .

thiudiskds t ra n sl a t e s e dmx c A s i t w a s ma i n l yt h e G re e k re l i g i on

fi g Gal 2 , 14 . .

th at st ood opp os e d t o th e J u d ae o C h rist ian , th e w ord E AMv a ls o a ssume d t h e


-
"

me a n i n g e dw x é g, a n d w e me e t w i t h éq mx é s= é dmx é g wh i ch t h e G oth w oul d



~

st i ll h av e re n d e re d thiudiskds, as h e d oe s ren d e r E hh nve g thiudds, J oh n 7, 3 5


"
.

1 2, 20 1 C or 1 , 24 1 2, 1 3 o n l yin 1 Cor l , 2 2 h e p re fe rs K ré kos Th i s


m
. . . . .

"
E m i; gen t i l i s b e ars a ls o th e me an i n g of gian t, w h i ch h as d e v e l op e d i ts e l f
ou t of more th an on e n a ti on a l n ame ( H un , A v a r, T ch u d i) so t h e H e ll e n i c
w a lls came t o b e h ea t h e n i sh , gi ga n t i c (se e ch X V I I I ) I n Old H i gh G erman ,. .

N otke r st i ll u s e s t h e pl diete for g e n t i l e s ( Graff 5 ,


. I n th e mean w hil e
p agus h ad e x p a n d e d it s n a rro w me an in g of ne w; in t o t h e w id e r o n e of a g e r,
camp u s , i n w h ich s e n s e i t st i ll li v e s on in It p a e s e , F r p a s
y w h i l e p a ga n us . .

b e ga n t o p ush o ut gen tilis, w h ich w a s l a ps i n g in t o th e s e n s e of n ob i l i s A ll t h e .

Ro ma n ce l an gu ag e s h av e t h e i r p aga n o, p a yen , &c , n a y, i t h as p e n e t rat e d in t o .

B oh e m p oha n , P ol p oga n in, L i t h p agon a s [b u t Ru ss p oga n = un cle an ]


. . . Th e . .

G oth i c hai thi camp us e arl y d e v e l op e d an a dj haithn s a gre st i s , camp e st ris .

p aga n us ( U lp h in M a rk 7, 2 6 re n d e rs e hh nmg b y th e Old H G h e i d a


’ ’
. . .

a n a dj hei d a u , M id H G a n d D u t ch h e i d e h ei den A S h ae f5 herein E n gl h e a t h


. . . . .
, ,
. .

hea then , Old N ors e h e i ei heiein n S w e d an d D a n u se hedn ing Th e O H G . . . . .

w o rd re t a i n s i ts a dj n a ti ue a n d forms its e n pl h e id an é ro Our p re s e n t


.
g , . . .

h e i d e , ge n h e id e n (for h e i d e n , ge n h e id e n s) i s e rron e ous b u t curre n t e v e r s i n ce


.
.
,

L uth er F ull con fi rma t i on i s a fford e d byMid Lat a grestis p agan us, e g in
. . . .

t h e p a ss ag e q uo t e d i n ch I V from V it a S A g i li . an d th e W i l d e h e i d e n in
.

o ur H e l d e n b u ch is a n e vi d e n t pl e on a s m se e S uppl e me n t
( ) .

1
2 I N TROD U C TI ON .

Th e worn ou t e mp ire of th e R oman s


b oth its int e rior con saw

v ulse d ,
a n d its fron tie r ov e rst e p t Y e t by t h e s a me migh ty .
,

d octrin e w hich h a d j ust ov e rth rown h e r a n cie n t g od s s ubj uga t e d ,

Rome w as abl e to s ub d ue h e r c on qu erors a n e w B ythis me an s th e .

fl ood tid e Of in v a s ion w a s g ra d ually ch e ck e d t h e n e wly c o n v e rt e d


-
,

l an d s b e g a n to ga th e r stre n gth a nd t o turn th eir arms a ga in st th e


h e ath e n l e ft in th e ir rea r .

Sl owly st e p by st e p H e ath e n d om g a v e w a y t o Ch rist e n d om


, , .

Fiv e h un d re d y e a rs a ft e r Ch rist but fe w n a tion s Of E urop e b e l ie v e d


,

in hi m ; a ft e r a th ou s a n d y e ars t h e maj ority did a n d th o s e th e ,

mo st imp ort an t ye t n ot all (se e Suppl )


, .

F rom Gre e c e a n d It al yth e Ch ristia n faith p a ss e d in t o G aul fi rst


Of a ll in th e s e c on d a n d third c e n turie s
,
A b ou t th e y e ar 3 0 0 Or .
,

s oon a fte r w e fi n d h e re an d th e re a ch ristia n amon g th e G e rma n s


,

on t h e Rh in e e sp e cia lly th e A l a ma nn i ; a n d a b ou t th e s ame t ime


,

a mon g t h e G oth s
1
i
or a l ittl e e a rl e r Th e G oth s w e re th e fi rst .

Te u tonic p e opl e amongst wh om ch ristianity gain e d a fi rm footing ;


this occurre d in th e cours e Of th e fourth c e n tury th e W e st goth s ,
-

l e a ding th e w aya n d th e E a st goths foll owing ; a n d afte r th e m th e


-

V a nd a ls Ge p id ae an d Rugii we re c on v e rt e d All th e s e ra c e s h e ld
, .

by th e A ria n d octrin e Th e B urgun dian s in Gaul b e ca me Ca th oli c


.

a t th e b e g in ni n g o f th e fi fth c e n t ury th e n A ria n u n d er t h e ir ,

Vis ig oth rul e rs a n d Ca th ol ic again at th e c omme n c e me n t Of th e


,

s ixth ce n tury Th e Sue v i in Sp a in w e re a t fi rst Ca th ol ic th en


.

A ria n (a b ou t u n til in th e s ixth c e n tu ry th e y with a ll th e ,

W e st goth s w e n t ov e r l ik e wis e t o th e Ca th olic ch urch N ot till th e


-
, .

e n d Of th e fi fth o r th e b e ginn in g Of th e s ixth did ch rist ia n ity

t h e F ran ks s oon a ft e r th a t th e A l a ma nn i a n d a ft e r th e m th e
, ,

La ngob ard i Th e B a v arian s w e re c onv e rt e d in th e s e v e n th a n d


.

e ighth c e n turie s th e F risia n s H e ss ia n s a n d Th u ringia n s 111 th e


, ,

e igh t h th e Sa x on s a b ou t th e nin t h
, .

Ch ristia n ity h a d e arly fou n d e n t ra n c e in t o B ritain but w a s ,

ch e ck e d by th e irruption Of th e h e a th e n A ngl o S a x on s T oward s -


.

t h e cl os e Of th e s ixth a n d in th e c ours e Of th e s e v e n th c e n tury th e y ,

a ls o w e n t o ve r t o th e n e w fa ith .

Th e D an e s b e c ame ch rist ia n s in th e t e n th c e n t ury t h e N orw e ,

gia n s at th e b e ginning of th e e l e v e nth th e Swe d e s n ot c ompl e te ly ,

1
Walt z s

U lfil a, p . 35 .
I NTROD U C TI ON . 3

t ill th e s e c on d h al f Of th e s ame c e ntu ry A b ou t th e s ame time .

christian ity ma de its w ayt o Ic e l an d .

Of t h e Sl av ic n a tion s t h e S ou th Sl a v s we re th e fi rst t o a d opt


t h e ch rist ia n fa ith : th e Care nta n i an d u n d e r H e ra cliu s ( d 6 4 0 )
,
.

th e Croa t ia n s t h e n 1 5 0 y e ars a fte r th e forme r th e M orav ia n s in


, , ,

t h e e ighth a n d n in th c e nturie s A mon g th e N orth Sl av s th e


.
,

Ob otritae in th e n in th B oh e mian s a n d P ol e s in t h e t e n th S orbs


,
1
,

in th e e l e v e n th a n d R u ss ia n s at th e e n d Of th e t e n th
,
.

Th e n th e H u ng arian s at th e b e ginnin g Of th e e l e v e n th Li ,

v onia n s a n d Le t t on s in t h e tw e l fth E sth on ia n s a n d Fir m s in th e


,

t w e l fth an d th irt e e nth L ithuanian s n ot e v e n till th e c omme n ce me n t


,

Of th e fi ft ee n th .

A ll th e s e d a ta a re only t o b e t ak e n a s t rue in th e main ; th e y


n e ith e r e xcl u d e s ome e arl ie r c on v e rs ion s n or a l on g e r a n d l a t e r ,

a dh e re n c e t o h e a th e n is m in li mit e d are a s Re mot e n e ss a n d in d e


.

p e n d e n ce might p ro t e ct t h e t im e h o n ou re d re l igio n Of a t rib e


-
,

A p ost a t e s t oo w ou l d Oft e n a tt e mpt a t l e a st a p a rtial re a ction .

Ch ristia nity w oul d some t ime s l e a d c aptiv e th e min d s Of th e rich


a n d g re a t ,
by wh os e e x ampl e th e c ommon p e opl e w ere c arrie d
a w a y ; s ome tim e s it a ffe ct e d fi rst th e p oor a n d l owly .

W h e n Chlodow ig ( Cl ovis ) re c e iv e d b a ptis m an d th e Sali a n ,

F ran ks foll ow e d his l e ad in div id uals out Of a ll th e F ra n k ish trib e s


,

h ad al re a d y se t t h e e x ampl e I n te rc ou rs e with B urgun dian s an d


.

W e st g oths h a d in cline d th e m t o th e A ria n d octrin e wh il e th e


-
,

Ca th ol ic fou n d a dh e re n ts in oth e r p a rts Of G aul H e re t h e tw o .

c ame int o c ollis ion One s ist e r Of Ch lod ow ig Lanthild h a d b e c ome


.
, ,

a n Aria n ch rist ia n b e fore h is c on v e rs ion t h e oth er Alb ofi e d h a d , , ,

re ma in e d a h e a t h e n ; t h e l a tt e r w a s n ow b a pt ize d w ith h im a n d ,

th e forme r w as als o w on o v e r t o t h e Ca th ol ic c ommu nion 2


B ut .

e v e n in th e s ixth a n d s e v e n th c e n tu rie s h e a t h e n is m w a s n ot y et

u p root e d in c e rt ain di st ricts Of th e F ra n k ish k ing d om N e u stria .

1 F ou rt e e n B oh e mi an p ri n ce s b a pt iz e d 8 4 5 ; see Pa la cky 1, 1 10 Th e .

M idd l e N orth sl a v s —Riad e ri, Tole n zi, Kycin i, Circip an i still h e ath e n in th e
- fi

la tt e r h al f Of t h e 1 l th ce n t ury; se e H e lmolll 1, 2 1 2 3 ( an .Th e .

Rugia n s n ot t i ll 1 16 8 H e l m 2 , 12 1 3
. . .

2
bap tiza ta e st A lbo fi e dis . Lan th ild is chrisma ta e st , Gre g Tur 2 , . .

S o amo n g th e G ot h s , chrisma tion is a d mi n i st e re d t o S igib e rt s w i fe B run e



31
ch i l d 4 , a n d t o I n un d s h usb an d H e rmin ich ild ( 5 , 3 8 , w h o a ss ume s t h e

( g
n e w n a me Of J oann e s Th e Ari a n s a pp e ar t o h av e re-bap tized con v e rts fro m
.

C ath ol i ci sm ; I n gu nd h e rs e l f was comp e ll e d b y h e r gran d mot h e r-moth e r in


law G oisuin t h a e b a p t izare kat h olicos, Eugip p ii v it a


u t reb a t iza re t ur
p R .

S e v e rini , cap 8
. .
4 I N TROD U C TI ON .

h ad h e ath e n inh ab itan ts on th e L oire an d Se ine B urgund y in th e ,

V osge s A u stra s ia in th e A rde nn e s ; a n d h e a th e n s s ee m still t o


,

h a ve b e e n l iving in th e pre s e n t Fl a nd e rs e sp e cially n orthw ard s ,

t oward s Frie sl and 1


. V e stige s Of h e ath e nis m l ing e re d on amon g th e
F risia n s in t o th e nin th c e n tury a mon g th e S a x on s in t o th e t e n th
, ,

a n d in l ik e ma nn e r a mon g th e N orma n s a n d S w e d e s in t o th e

l v t
e e e n h an d w e f t l th 2
H e re a n d th e re a mon g th e n orth e rn Sl a v s
.

id ol a try w a s n ot e xtin ct in th e tw e l fth c e n tury a n d n ot u niv e rs a lly ,

so a mon g th e Fin n s a n d Lith u an ia n s in t h e s ixt e e n th an d s e v e n

n a y th e re mot e st L a pl an d e rs cli n g t o it st ill


3
t e e nt h ,
.

Ch ristia n ity w a s n ot p op u l ar It c a me from ab roa d it a ime d a t


.
,

suppl an ting th e time h on oure d indige nou s god s wh om th e country


re v e re d a n d l o v e d Th e s e g od s an d th e ir w orsh ip w e re p art a n d
.

p arc e l Of th e p e opl e s tra d ition s cu st oms a n d c on stitution Th e ir


, .

n a me s h a d th e ir roo ts in th e p e opl e s l a nguag e a n d w e re h a ll ow e d


by a n tiqu ity ; k in gs an d p rin c e s tra ce d th e ir l in e a ge b ack t o


in div id ua l g o d s ; fore sts mou n t ain s l a k e s h a d re c e iv e d a l ivin g
, ,

c on s e cra tion from th e ir p re s e n c e All this th e p e opl e w a s now t o


.

re n ou n c e a n d wh a t is e ls e wh e re c omme n d e d a s t ruth a n d l oy a lty

w a s d e n ou n c e d a n d p e rs e cu t e d b yth e h e ral d s Of th e n e w fa ith a s a


sin a n d a c rime . Th e s ou rc e a n d s e a t Of all s a cre d l ore w a s
shift e d a wa y t o far Off re gion s for e v e r a n d only a faint e r b orrow e d
-
,

gl ory c ou l d h e n c e forth b e sh e d on pl a ce s in on e s n a tiv e l an d ’


.

Th e n e w fa ith c a me in e sc ort e d by a fore ign l a ngua g e which ,

th e miss ion a rie s imp art e d t o th e ir discipl e s a n d th u s e x alt e d in t o a


s a cre d l an gu age which e xclu d e d th e sligh te d moth er ton gue from
,
-

a l mo st a ll sh ar e in p ub l ic w orship T his d oe s n ot a pply t o th e


.

G re e k — sp e ak in g cou n trie s which c oul d foll ow th e origin al t e xt O f


,

t h e ch ristia n re v e l a t ion b u t it d oe s t o th e far wid e r a re a ov e r


,

which th e L a tin ch urch l an gu age w a s sp rea d e v e n a mon g


-
,

R oma n ce p opu l a tion s wh os e ordin ary dial e ct w as rap idly e man e i


,

p a ting its e l f from th e ru l e s Of a n cie n t L a tin S till more vi ol e n t .

w a s th e c on t ra st in t h e re main in g k ing d oms .

Th e c on v e rt e rs Of t h e h e a th e n st e rn ly d e v ou t a bst e miou s , , ,

mortifyin g th e fl e sh occ a sion ally p e d d lin g h e a d st ron g a n d in


, , ,

1
A u th ori t i e s gi v e n in Oh I V —C on f le x F rision um, e d Ga up p , p xx iv,
. . . . .

1 9, 4 7 .H ea th e n i sm l a st e d t h e l on g e st b e t w e e n L aub a ch a n d t h e W e s e r .

2
F orn man n a sogur 4 , 1 1 6 7, 1 5 1 . .

3
W e d e k i n d s n ot e s 2 , 2 75 , 2 76 Rh e sa d ainos , p 3 3 3 Th e L i th u an ian s

. . .

p rop e r con v ert ed 1 3 8 7, th e Samogits 14 1 3 .


I NTROD U C TI ON . 5

sl av ish s ubj e ction t o d ista n t R ome c oul d n ot fa il in man y w ays t o ,

Offe n d th e n a t ion a l fe e l in g N ot on ly t h e ru d e bl ood y s a c rific e s


.
,

b ut th e s e n s uou s pl e a s ure l ov in g s id e Of h e a th e nis m w a s t o th e m


-

a n a b omin a t ion ( se e Su pp l ) A n d wh a t th e ir w ord s or th e ir


.

w on d e r w ork ing gifts c oul d n ot e ffe ct w as Ofte n t o be e x e cu te d


-
,

a ga in st Ob d ura t e p a ga n s by pl a c in g fi re a n d sw ord in th e h a n d s O f

ch ristia n p ros e lyte s .

Th e triu mph Of Ch rist ia n ity w a s th a t Of a mil d s impl e sp iritu a l , ,

d o ct rin e ov e r s e n s u ou s c ru e l b a rb a rizin g P ag an is m
, ,
I n e xch a ng e .

for p ea c e Of sp irit a n d th e p romis e Of h e a v e n a man g av e h is ,

e arth ly j oys a n d th e me mory o f h is a n c e st ors M a n y foll ow e d t h e .

inn e r p rompt in g Of th e ir sp irit o th e rs th e e x ampl e Of th e crow d , ,

a n d n ot a fe w th e p re ss ure Of irre s ist ibl e forc e .

A lth ou gh e xp irin g h e a th e n is m is st udiou sly th rown in t o t h e


sh ad e by th e n a rra t ors th e re b re aks ou t at t ime s a t ou ch in g
,

l ame n t ov e r th e l o ss Of th e an cie n t g od s or a n e xcu s abl e p rot e st ,

a g a in st inn o v a t ion s imp o s e d from w ith ou t


( se e Suppl )
1
.

Th e miss ion arie s d id n ot d is d ain t o w ork u p on th e s e n s e s Of th e


h e ath e n by a nyth ing th a t c ou l d imp a rt a high e r d ignity to th e
Ch rist ia n c ultu s a s c omp are d w ith th e p a g a n : by wh it e rob e s for
s u bj e cts Of b a ptis m by curta in s p e a ls of b e lls (se e Suppl ) th e
, , ,

i
l ghting Of ta p e rs a n d th e b u rn in g Of in c e n s e ?
It w a s a ls o a w is e
or p ol it ic me a s ure t o p re s e rv e ma n y h e a th e n s it e s a n d t e mpl e s by

s imply t urn in g th e m wh e n s u ita bl e in t o Ch ris tian on e s a n d


, , ,

a ss ign in g t o th e m a n o th e r a n d e qu a lly s a c re d me a n in g T he .

h e a th e n god s e v e n th ough re p re s e n t e d a s fe e b l e in c omp aris on w ith


,

th e t rue G od w e re n ot a lw a ys p icture d as p o w e rl e ss in th e ms e l v e s ;
,

th e y w e re p e rv e rt e d in t o h ostil e mal ignan t p ow e rs in t o d e mon s , ,

s orc e re rs a n d gia nts wh o h a d t o b e p ut d ow n bu t w e re n e v e r


, ,

th e le ss c re d it e d with a c e rt a in misch ie v ou s a ctiv ity a n d in flu e n c e .

H e re a n d th e re a h e a th e n t ra dition or a s u p e rstit iou s c u st om l iv e d


on by me re ly ch a n gin g t h e n a me s a n d a pply in g t o Ch rist M a ry , ,

a n d th e s a in ts w h a t h a d forme rly b e e n re l a t e d a n d b e l ie v e d Of id ol s

a n p rie sts
( s ee S u pp l ) O
. n t h e o t h e r h a n d t h e p ie ty O f c h rist i ,

s u pp re ss e d an d d e stroy e d a multitu d e Of h e ath e n monu me n ts ,

p oe ms a nd b e l ie fs w h os e a nn ih il a tion h ist ory ca n h ardly c e a s e t o


,

1
F orn man n a so g ur 1, 3 1 - 3 5 . Lax d a la, e p . 1 70 . Kra lod w orsky ruk o p is,

2
G re g . Tur 2 , 3 1
. . F oru m . sog . l ,
2 60 . 2 , 20 0 .
6 I NTROD U C TI ON .

l ame nt th ough t h e s e ntime n t wh ich d e priv e d us Of th e m is not t o


,

b e b l a me d Th e p ra ctic e Of a p u re Ch ristia n ity th e e xtin ction Of


.
,

a ll t ra c e Of h e a th e n is m w a s Of in fi n it e ly more c on c e rn th a n t h e

a d v a n t ag e th a t migh t s ome d a y a cc rue t o hist ory from th e ir l on ge r

p re s e rv a tion B on ifa c e a n d W illibrord in fe ll in g th e s a cre d oak


.
, ,

in p oll u tin g th e s a cre d sp rin g a n d th e imag e b re ak in g Ca l v in ists ,


-

l ong a fte r th e m th ou gh t on ly Of th e id ol at ry th a t w a s p ra ctis e d by


,

s u ch me an s ( se e Su pp l ) A s th o s e p ion e ers p urge d th e ir fl oor a .

fi rst time it is n ot t o b e d e n ie d th a t th e Re forma tion e ra dica t e d


,

a ft e rg rowth s Of h e a th e n is m a n d l oo s ing th e b u rd e n Of th e R omish ,

b a n re n d e re d our fa ith a t o n c e fre e r more in wa rd a n d more


, ,

d ome stic . G od is n e ar u s e v e rywh e re a n d c on s e cra t e s for u s e v e ry ,

cou n t ry from wh ich t h e fix in g Of ou r g a z e b e y on d th e Al ps w ou l d


,

a l ie n a t e u s .

P rob ably s ome s e cts an d p artie s n on c on formity h e re a n d th e re ,


-

a mon g th e h e a th e n th e ms e l v e s n a y in in div idu a l min d s a p re c o ci , ,

ou s e l e v a t ion Of s e n t ime n t a n d mora ls c a me h a l f w ay t o me e t ,


-

th e in t rod u ction Of Ch ristia n ity a s a ft e rw a rd s it s p u rific a t ion ,

S u pp l ) It i re ma rk a b l e th a t Old N ors e l e g e n d o cc a s ion ally


( se e s .

me n tion s c e rtain me n w h o tu rn in g a w a y in u tt e r disg ust a n d d oubt ,

from th e h e a th e n faith pl a c e d th e ir re l ia n c e on th e ir ow n stre n gth


,

a n d v irt u e Th u s in th e SOla r h ot? 1 7 w e re a d of V é b ogi a n d


.

R ad e y a sik bau trfi Ou in th e ms e l v e s th e y tru ste d Of k in g H ak on


,

m 1 3 5 ) k on fi n gr g e rir se m a llir a Orir he ir se m t rfi a a


( F
'

o rn . so g .
, ,

matt s inn 0 k me gin th e k in g d oe s l ik e all oth e rs w h o tru st in th e ir


ow n migh t a n d ma in Of B a rOr (ib id 2 1 5 1 ) e k trfi i e kki a sku rOgOO .


,

e Or fi a n d r h e fi e k bv i l e n gi t ru a t a matt min n Ok me gin


,
I tru st n ot ,

in id ols a n d fi e n d s I h a v e this l on g wh il e &c Of H iOrle ifr v ild i


.
, ,

a ldr i b lOt a w ou l d n e v e r s a c rific e ( L a n d u 1 of H allr a n d



.
, ,

Th Orir gOOlau s s v ild u e igi b lOt a Ok t rfI Ou a matt s inn ( La n d n 1



.
, ,

1 1 ) Of k ing H rOlfT ( F ornm sog l 9 8 ) e kki e r be ss ge tit a t H rOlfr


. .
,

k onfi ngr Ok k a pp a r h a n s h a fi n okkurn tima blOt at gOO h e l d r t rfi Ou ,

a matt sinn o k me gin it is n ot th ou gh t th a t k in g H a n d his ch am



.
,

p ion s h av e a t a nytime &c ; of Orv arodd r ( Forn a ld sog 2 1 6 5 ; of ,


. . .
,
.

5 0 5 ) e kki v a n dist b lOtum ]) vi h a nn trfi Oi a matt s inn 0 k me gin ,

e k t rfi i a sialfa n mik This is th e mood th a t ’


o f F inn b ogi ( p 2 72 ) . .

still fi n d s u tt e ra n ce in a D a n ish folk s on g ( D V 4 th ough -


. .
,

w ith ou t a re fe re n c e t o re l igion
I N TROD U C TI ON . 7

Forst t roe r j e g mit god e svard .

Og sa a min g ode h e st ,

D e rn ast t roe r j e g min e d a n n e sve nn e


'

J e g t roe r mig s e l f alle rb e dst ;

an d s e n time n t b e s ide s wh ich striv e s t o e l e v a t e an d


it is Ch ristian ,

c on s e c ra te th e inn e r ma n ( se e Su ppl ) .

lVe ma ya ssu me th a t e v e n if P a g a n is m c ou l d h av e l iv e d a n d
, ,

l u xu ria t e d a wh il e l onge r a n d b rought out in sh arp e r re lie f a n d


,

more sp on t an e ou sly s ome c h ara ct e ristics Of th e n at ion s th a t o b e y e d


it ye t it b ore with in its e l f a g e rm of d is org a n is a t ion an d disrup
,

tion wh ich e v e n w ith ou t th e in t e rv e n tion Of Ch ristia n t e a ch ing


, , ,

w oul d h a v e sh a tt e re d a nd diss ol v e d it 1
I l ik e n h e a th e n is m t o a .

st range pl an t wh os e b rill ia n t fragran t bl o ss om w e re gard with


w on d e r ; Ch ristian ity t o th e crop of n ourish ing grain th a t c ov e rs
w ide e xp an s e s To th e h e a th e n t oo w a s ge rmin atin g th e true G od
.
,

wh o t o th e Ch ristian s h a d ma ture d int o fruit .

A t th e time wh e n Ch ristian ity b e g an t o p re ss forw ard man y Of ,

th e h e a th e n s e e m t o h a v e e n t e rt ain e d t h e n otion wh ich th e mis ,

sion a rie s d id a ll in th e ir p ow e r t o re s ist of c omb in in g th e n e w ,

d octrin e w ith th e ir an c ie n t fa ith an d e v e n Of fu s in g th e m in t o on e


,
.

Of N o rse me n a s w e ll a s Of A ngl o Sa x on s w e are t ol d th a t s ome -


,

b e l ie v e d a t the sa me ti me in Ch rist a n d in h e a th e n g od s or a t l e a st ,

c on tinu e d t o in v ok e th e l a tt e r in p articul ar c a s e s in wh ich th e y

Old N ors e s ag a s an d son gs h a v e remarkab le p ass age s in wh ich t h e g od s


1

are coars e l y d e ri d e d A g ood d ea l in Loka se nn a an d H a rb a rd s s on g ma y



.

p a ss for rough j ok in g wh i ch st i ll le av e s t h e h o l i e st t h i n gs un sh ak en (se e


,

S u pp l ) . B ut fa i th h a s ce rt ain l y grow n fa in t e r, w h e n a d a ri n g p o e t ca n com


p are OOinn an d Fre yj a t o d ogs ( F ornm sog 2 , 2 0 7 I sle nd sog 1 , 1 1 e d n o v .

. . . . . . .

3 72 . N ia lss 16 0 )
. w h e n an ot h e r ca lls t h e g od s ran ge yg ( sq ui n t e ye d , un fa i r) -

a n d rok in d ust a ( F o rn m sog 2 Wh e n we come t o F re yr I s h a ll q uot e a


. .
, ,

st oryman i fe stl yt e n d i n g t o l e ss e n t h e re v ere n ce for h im ; b ut h ere is a p as


s a ge from Os w a l d 2 9 13 d in got d e r i st e in j un g e r t or ( fool ) ich wil gloub en ,

a n d e n a lt e n I f w e h a d a l i st Of old an d fav ou ri t e d ogs n a mes, I b e li e v e w e


’ ’
-
.

s h ou ld fi n d t h a t th e d e si gna ti on s o f s e v e ra l d e itie s w e re b e st ow e d up on t h e
b rut e b y w ay o f d e gra d at i o n V i lk s a g a , cap 2 3 0 2 3 5 , h a s h a n d d d o w n
. . . .

Thor (b ut cf e d n ov cap 2 63 ) an d P e ron , o n e b e i n g t h e O N , t h e th e r t h e


. . .
, .

S l a v n a me in t h e S l o v a k fo rm P arom P e run ch V II I W i t h t h e S a x on . .

h e rd s me n or h u n t e rs Thun a r w a s d o ub tl e ss in u se for d ogs , as p e rh a ps D onn er


i s t o t h i s d ay On e s ort o f d og i s call e d byth e P ol e s Grzmila s ( L i n d e 1 , 779a
. .

2, b yth e B oh e mi a n s H i‘mi tes ( J un gm 1 , 75 9 ) Th un d e r, F ore st -t h un d e r


. .

I n H e l bl i n g 4 , 4 4 1 se q I fi n d a d og U u n soh (n ot VVun sch ) S imi l a r t o t h is i s



. .

t h e t ran s fe re n ce Of n a t i on a l n ame s t o d ogs : t h e B o h e mi a n B odrok i s a d og s


n a me , b ut s i gn ifi e s a n Ob o trit e (J un gm 1 , 1 5 0 ) S cimr in t h e N ialssaga s e e ms


.

t o me an a S ame , S ab me = Lap p H e lb lin g 4 , 4 5 8 h a s a F ra nk ( se e S upp l ) .


8 I NTROD U C TI ON .

h a d forme rly p rov e d h e lp ful t o th e m S O e v e n by Ch ristian s much


.

l a te r th e Old d e itie s s ee m t o h a v e be e n n ame d a nd th e ir aid


,

in v ok e d in e n ch an t me n ts a n d sp e lls La n d n amab Ok 3 12 s a ys Of
.
,

H e lgi : h a nn t rfi Oi a K rist e n 1 9 6 h é t h a r ma Th O r t il saefara Ok



,

h a rOra a Ok a lls b e ss e r h onum bOtti me stu v a rOa


,
h e b e l ie v e d in
Ch rist a n d ye t h e c all e d u p on Th or in v oya ge s a n d d ifficult ie s
, ,

&c H e n c e th e p oe ts t oo t ra n s fe rre d h e a th e n e pith e ts t o Ch rist


.
.

'

B e d a 1 1 5 re l a t e s Of Re d w ald an E a st A n gl ian k in g in th e b e gin


, ,
-

ing of th e 7th c e n tury : re die n s d omum a b ux ore su a a qu ibu sd a m ,

e rv e rsis d oct orib us se d uctu s e st a tqu e a sin ce rit a t e fi d e i d e p rav a tu s


p , ,

h a b uit p ost e riora p ej ora p rioribu s ita ut in more m a ntiqu orum


,

S ama rita n orum e t Ch rist o s e rv ire vid e re tur e t diis quib u s an t e a


,

se rvie b a t a tque in e od e m fan o e t a lt are h ab e b at in sacrifi ciu m


,

Ch risti e t a rulam a d v ictima s d a e mon iorum (se e Su ppl ) Th is



.

h e lps t o e xpl ain th e re l a ps e s in t o p ag an is m .

Th e hist ory Of h e a th e n d octrin e s a n d id e a s is e a s ie r t o writ e ,

a cc ord in g a s p a rt icu l a r ra c e s re main e d l on g e r ou ts id e th e p al e Of

b aptis m Our more in timate a cqu ain ta n c e with th e Gre e k an d


.

R oma n re l igion re sts up on w ritings w h ich e x iste d b e fore th e ris e Of


Ch ristian ity ; w e are Oft e n e r a t fau lt for in formation a s t o t h e
a lt e re d s h a p e w h ic h th a t re l igion h ad a ss u me d a mon g th e c ommon

p e opl e in G re e ce and Italy during th e fi rst c e n turie s Of our e ra .

R e s e arch h a s ye t t o p e n e tra te e v e n d e e p er th an it h a s d on e into


, ,

t h e Old Ce ltic fa ith ; w e mu st n ot sh rin k from re c ogn izin g an d e x


a min in C e lt ic m o n u m n ts n d c u st m s n g r u n d n w cc u p i d
g e a o o o o o e

byG e rma n s L e o s imp ortant d isc ov e ry on th e re al b e arings of th e


.

M al b e rg gl o ss ary mayl e ad t o mu ch Th e re l igion Of th e Sl a v s a n d


.

Lithu a nian s w ou l d b e far more a ccurat e ly k n own t o u s if th e s e ,

n a t ion s in th e c e n t urie s imme dia t e ly foll owin g th e ir c on v e rs ion


, ,

h a d more c are fully p re s e rv e d th e me mory Of th e ir an t iquitie s ; a s it


is mu ch sc att e re d d e t ail on ly w a n ts c oll e ctin g a n d tra d ition s st ill
, ,

a l iv e in ma n y districts a fford rich ma t e rial On th e Finn ish .

myth ol ogy w e p o ss e ss s ome wh at full e r informa tion .

G e rman y h ol d s a middl e pl a c e p e culiar t o h e rs e l f a n d n ot u n


,

fa v ourab l e W h il e th e c onv e rs ion Of G au l an d th a t Of Slavlan d


.

w e re e a ch a s a wh ol e d e c id e d an d fi n ish e d in th e c ou rs e Of a v e ry
fe w c e nt urie s th e T e u t on ic ra c e s fors ook t h e fa ith Of th e ir fa th e rs
,

v e ry gra d ually an d sl owly from th e 4 th t o th e 1 1 th ce n tu ry ,


,

R ema in s Of th e ir l anguag e t oo h av e b e e n p re s e rv e d more fully an d


10 I NTROD U C TI ON .

c oming t o th escu e w oul d p rob ably h av e p erish e d in N orw a y


re , ,

Sw e d e n a n d D e n mark .

TO a ss ail th e ge n uine n e ss Of th e N ors e myth ol ogy is a s mu ch as


t o c a st d oub t on th e g e nu in e ne ss an d in d e p e n d e n c e Of t h e N o rs e
l a ngu age T h at it h as b e e n h and e d d own to us b oth in a cl e a re r
.

a nd a n Ob sc u re r s h a p e t h rough Ol d e r a n d more mod e rn a u th orit ie s


, ,

mak e s it all th e e a s ie r t o stud y it from man y s ide s a n d more


h ist oric ally .

J u st a s l ittl e can w e fail t o p erc e iv e th e k in sh ip an d cl os e con


n e x ion Of th e N ors e myth ol ogy w ith th e re st Of T e u t on ic myth ol o gy .

I h a v e u nd e rta k en t o c oll e ct an d se t forth all th at can n ow b e


k n ow n Of Ge rman h eath e n is m an d th a t e xcl u s iv e ly Of th e c ompl e t e
,

s yst e m Of N ors e myth ol ogy B y s u ch l imitation I h op e t o gain


.

cl e arn e ss a n d sp a c e an d t d sh arp e n our v is ion for a crit icis m Of


,

t h e Old Ge rma n faith so fa r a s it st a n d s Opp os e d t o th e N ors e or


, ,

a l oo f from it ; so th a t w e n e e d o n ly c on c e rn ou rs e l v e s w ith -th e

l att e r wh ere in s ubst an ce or te n d e n cy it c oincide s w ith th a t Of


,

inl a n d G e rman y .

The a n tiquity orig in al ity an d affi n ity of th e Ge rman a nd N ors e


,

myth ologie s re st on th e foll owing groun d s


1 Th e un d isp ut e d an d v e ry cl os e a ffi nity Of sp e e ch b e twe e n th e
.

t w o ra c e s a n d t h e n ow irre fut ably d e mon stra t e d id e n tit y Of form


,

in th e ir Ol d e st p oe try It is imp oss ibl e th a t n at ion s sp e ak ing


.

l a ngu ag e s wh ich h ad spru ng from th e s a me sto ck ,w h o s e s ongs all


w ore th e b a dge of a n all ite ra tion e ith e r u nk n ow n or quit e d iffe re n tly
a ppl ie d by t h e ir n e ighb ou rs sh oul d h a v e d iffe re d ma t e ria lly in th e ir
,

re l ig iou s b e l ie f A ll it e ration s e e ms t o g iv e pl a c e t o Ch ristian


.

rhy me fi rst in Upp e r G e rma n y a n d th e n in Sa x ony pre cise ly


, , ,

b e ca u s e it h a d b ee n t h e ch ara ct eristic of h e ath e n s on gs th e n still


e x isting W ith ou t p rej udic e to th e ir origin al a ffi n ity it is quit e
.
,

tru e th a t th e G e rman an d th e N ors e d ial e cts an d p oe t rie s h a v e


th e ir p e cul iaritie s Of form an d fi nish bu t it w oul d s e e m in cre dibl e
th a t th e on e rac e sh ou l d h av e h a d god s a nd th e oth e r n on e or th a t ,

th e chie f d iv in itie s Of th e t wo sh ou l d h a v e b e e n re ally d iffe re n t


from on e a n oth e r Th e re w e re mark e d d iffe re n c e s n o d ou b t b ut
.
,

n ot oth e rwis e t h a n in th e ir l a n g u a g e ; a n d a s t h e G o thic A n glo ,

S a x on a n d Old H igh G e rma n d ial e cts h a v e th e ir s e v e ra l p oin ts O f


s up e riority ov e r th e Old Nors e so mayth e faith Of in l an d G e rman y
,

h a v e in ma n y p oin ts it s cl aims t o d istin ction an d ind iv id ual ity .


I N TROD U C TI ON . 11

2 . j oin t p oss e ss ion by all Te u tonic t ongue s o f man y te rms


Th e , ,

re l a t in g t o re l ig iou s w ors h ip I f w e a re a bl e t o p rod u c e a w o rd


.

u s e d b y t h e G oths in t h e 4 th c e n t u ry by t h e A l a ma n n i in th e ,

8 th in e x a ctly th e s a me form a n d s e n s e a s it c on t inue s t o b e ar in


,

t h e N ors e a uth orit ie s of t h e 12 th or 1 3 th c e ntu ry th e a ffi nity Of ,

t h e G e rma n fa ith w ith th e N ors e a nd t h e a n t iqu ity Of th e l a tt e r , ,

a re th e re by v in d ic a t e d .

3 The id e n t ity Of I n vth ic n ot ion s a n d n ome n cl at ure w h ich


.
,

e v e r a n d a n on b re aks ou t : th u s th e a gre e me n t Of th e C H G . . .

I nu Sp illi O S a x mu d sp e lli w ith th e Edd ie mu sp e ll Of t h e C H G


,
. .
, ,
. . .

it is A Sa x id e s w ith th e Edd ie d is or Of th e A S a x b rosinga me n e


, . .
, , _
. .

w ith th e Edd ie brisinga me n a fford s p e rfe ctly c on cl us iv e e v id e n c e ,


.

4 Th e p re cis e ly s imil a r w a yin w h ich b oth th e re a n d h e re th e


.

re l ig iou s myth u s t a ck s its e l f on t o t h e h e roic l e g e n d A s th e .

G oth ic F rank ish an d N ors e ge n e a l ogie s all r un in t o on e a n oth e r


, ,

w e can sc a rc e ly d e ny t h e c onn e x ion Of t h e v e il e d myths a ls o wh ich


st and in th e b a ckgroun d .

5 Th e mi ngl in g Of t h e myth ic e l e me n t w ith n ame s Of pl a n ts


.

a n d c on st e ll a t ion s This is a n un e ffa c e d v e stig e of th e p rime v al


.

in tima t e u n ion b e tw e e n re lig iou s w orsh ip a n d n a ture .

6 Th e gra d ua l t ran s formation Of th e g od s in t o d e v ils Of th e


.
,

w is e w ome n in t o w itch e s Of th e w orsh ip in to s up e rstitiou s cu st oms


,
.

Th e n a me s Of th e g od s h a v e foun d a l a st l urk in g pl a c e in disg uis e d -

ej a c u l a t ion s oa ths curs e s p rot e sta t io s


,
n
,
1
Th e re is s ome a n al ogy
,
.

b e tw e e n this an d th e tran s fer Of h e a th e n myth s from g od d e ss e s


a n d g o d s t o M a ry a n d th e s a in ts from e l v e s t o a n g e ls H e a th e n ,
.

fe stiv a ls a n d cu st oms w e re t ra n s forme d in t o ch ristia n S p ots which ,

h ea th e nis m h ad al re a d y c on s e cra t e d w e re s ome time s re t ain e d for


ch urch e s a n d c ourts Of j u stic e Th e p op u l ar re l igion o f th e Ga th o .

l ie s p artic ul a rly in th e a d ora tion Of s ain ts in cl u d e s a g ood ma ny


, ,

a n d Oft e n g ra c e ful a n d pl e a s in g re l ics Of p a g a n is m se e S upp l


( ) .

7 Th e e v id e n t d e p os it from god myths wh ich is fou n d t o t his


.
-
,

d ay in v a riou s folk t a l e s nu rs e ry t al e s g a me s s a ws c u rs e s ill


-
,
-
, , , ,

u n d e rst ood n ame s Of d a ys a n d mon th s a n d id io ma t ic p h ra s e s ,


.

8 Th e u n d e n ia bl e in t e rmixture o f th e Old re l ig ious d octrin e


w ith th e syste m Of law ; for t h e l a tt e r e v e n a fte r th e a doption O f ,

1
C on f . our

d onn e r ! h amme r ! t h e S e rv le l e !

.

lado th e Lat .

p ol !
a ed e
p ol me h e cle I me ca st o r me d iusfi d ius, &c
r

.
12 I NTROD U C TI ON .

th e ne w fa ith w oul d
,
n ot p art w ith c e rtain Old forms an d s g s
u a e

( see Supp l ) .

In v e ll ing th e s e c ompl e x re l a tion s it a pp e a rs ind isp e n s a bl e


u n ra ,

n ot t o ov e rl ook t h e myth ol ogie s of n e ighb ourin g n a t ion s e sp e c ia lly ,

Of t h e Ce lts S l a v s ,
Lith ua n ia n s a n d Finn s w h e re v e r th e y a fford
, ,

con firma tion or e lu c ida tion T his e xte n s ion Of our sc op e w oul d
.

fi n d a mpl e re a s on an d j u stific a tion in th e me re c on t a ct (so fruit ful


in ma n y w a ys ) of th e l a ngua g e s of th os e n a t ion al itie s with Te u
t onic on e s p articul arly Oi th e Ce ltic w ith Old F ra nk ish Of th e
, ,

Fin nish an d Lith ua n ia n w ith G othic a n d Of th e Sl a v ic w ith H igh


,

G e rman . B ut a ls o th e myth s an d s up e rstition s Of th e s e v e ry


n a t ion s a re p e c u l ia rly a d a pt e d t o th ro w l igh t on t h e c ours e t ak e n

by our d ome stic h e ath e n is m in it s dura tion a n d d e c a d e n c e .

A ga in st th e e rror wh ich h a s so fre qu e n tly d on e d ama g e t o th e


stud y Of th e N ors e an d Gre e k myth ol ogie s I me an th e man ia Of ,

foisting me t a p h ys ic a l or a st ron omi c a l s olu tion s on bu t h a l f d is -

c ov e re d h istori ca l d a ta I a m su ffic ie n tly gu ard e d by th e in c ompl e t e


,

n e ss a n d l oo s e c onn e x ion Of a ll th a t h a s b e e n p re s e rv e d MyObj e ct .

is faith fully a n d s imply t o c oll e ct wh a t th e d ist ort ion s e arly


,

in t rod u c e d b yth e n a t ion s th e ms e l v e s a n d a fte rward s th e sc orn a n d


,

a v e rs ion Of Ch rist ia n s h a v e l e ft re ma in in g Of h e a th e n is m ; a n d t o

e n l ist fe ll ow l a b ou re rs in t h e sl ow t a sk Of s e c u rin g a more s ol id


-

st ore Of fa cts w ith ou t w h ich a g e ne ra l v ie w of th e s ubstan ce and


,

w orth of our myth ol ogy is n ot to b e attaine d ( see Suppl ) .


CH A PT E R II .

G OD .

In T e ut onic t on gue s th e Sup re me B e in g h as a lwa ys with


a ll

on e c on s e n t b e e n c all e d by t h e g e n e ra l n a me G od Th e d ia l e ctic .

v arie tie s are : Goth gud A S OS 0 F ris god O H G cot O


. . . . . .
.
,
. .
, , , ,

N ors e god Sw e d D an gud M H G got M L G god ; a n d h e re


. .
,
. .
, . . .

th e re is a grammatic a l re mark t o mak e Th ou gh all t h e d ial e cts .


,

e v e n th e N ors e u se t h e w ord a s ma scul in e (h e n c e in O H G th e ace


,
. . . .

s ing cota n I d o n ot k n ow Of a M H G g ote n ) ye t in G oth ic a n d


.
. .
,

O N ors e it l a ck s th e n om s in g t e rmina tion s r) Of a ma sc n ou n


.
. .
-
,
-
.
,

a n d th e G o t hic ge n s in g is forme d gu d s w ith ou t th e c onn e ct in g


. . .

v ow e l i agre e ing th e re in w ith th e th re e irre g ge n itiv e s ma n s


,
.
,

fa d rs b rOOrs N ow a s C H G h a s th e s a me th ree g e n itive s irre g


,
.
, . . . .
,

ma n fa tar p ru od ar w e sh ou l d h a v e e xp e ct e d th e ge n cot t o b e a r
, , ,
.

th e m c omp a n y an d I d o n ot d oubt it s h avi n g e x iste d th ou gh I


, ,

h a v e n owh e re me t w ith it only with t h e re g c ot e s a s ind e e d , .


,

mann e s a n d fate re s a ls o occ ur It is more l ik e ly th a t th e s a n ct ity .

Of t h e n a me h a d p re s e rv e d t h e Ol d e st form inv iola t e t h a n t h a t fre ,

que n t u se h a d w orn it d ow n 1
Th e s ame re a s on p re s e rv e d th e .

O H G sp e ll ing cot ( Gramm 1


. . . th e M D ut god ( 1 . a nd , . .
,

p e rha ps t h e Lat v oc ativ e d eu s ( 1 . M ore ov e r G od a n d , ,

oth e r n ame s Of divin e b e ing s rej e ct e v e ry art icl e (4 3 8 3 3 94 4 0 4 ,


. . .

4 24 . th e y are t oo fi rmly e st abl ish e d a s p rop e r n ou n s t o


n e e d a n ys u ch distin ct ion Th e d er got in M S 2 2 6 0 a is s a id Of a
. .
, .

h ea th e n d e ity .

On th e ra dic al me a ning Of th e w ord G od w e h a v e n ot ye t


a rriv e d a t c e rt a in ty ;
3
it is n ot imme d ia t e ly c onn e ct e d w ith t h e a dj .

1
Th e d rift Of th e s e re mark s s ee ms t o b e th is Th e w o rd , t h o ugh u s e d a s a
mas c , h as a n e u t form ; i s t his a n a rch ai s m, p oi n t i n g t o a t i me w h e n th e
. .

w ord w a s rea ll y n e ut e r ; or a me re irre g ul a ri t y d ue t o a b tritio n , t h e w ord


h a vi n g a l w a ys b e e n ma s c l— T R A N S . .

2
S a x o d oe s n ot in fle ct Th or U h l an d p 19 8 . .

3 Th e S l a v
n h is con n e ct ed w i t h t h e S a n skr bh aga fe l icitas bh akt a
. . ,

d e vo t u s, a n d bh aj cole re ; p e rh a ps als o w i t h t h e Ob s cure b ah ts in t h e G o t h .

a n d b ah t s min i st e r, cult or ; con f p 2 0 n ot e on b o h at di v e s Of 6 6 69 , ( le ns


, g ,
. . .

w e s h all h av e t o sp e a k in ch IX . .
14 G OD .

O O A S Od C H G M H G

d G th d O N O c t gn ot a s ‘

s r u o
g oo o g , g g .
, , , ,
. .
,
. . . . .
, ,

t h e diffe re n c e of v owe l s h ows ; w e sh ou l d fi rst h a v e t o sh ow a n


in t e rme dia cy Of th e gra d a tion s gid a ga d a n d g a d a gOd wh ich , ,

d oe s t a k e pl a c e in s ome oth e r ca s e s a n d c e rta in ly G od is c a ll e d th e


G ood 1
It is still farth e r re mov e d from th e n a tion al n a me Of th e
.

G oth s w h o c all e d th e ms e l v e s G u tan s ( O R G K u zu n O N G ot a r)


,
. .
, . .
,

an d w h o mu st b e d ist in gu ish e d from O N G autar (A S G e at a s . . . .


,

O H G K fi z a G oth G a ut Os
. . . .

Th e w ord G od h a s l on g b e e n c omp are d with t h e P e rs K kod d .

m am p
( B o pp c o p g r ,
I f t h e l a tt e
. r b e a s h a s b e e,
n s u pp os e d
.
, ,

a v iol e n t c on tra ct ion Of th e Z e n d q v a d at a (a se da tu s in cre a tu s , ,

San skr sva d ata c on f D é va d a t ta 6 6 680 7 9 9 M it ra d a tt a H M OBOT OQ


. , .
, ,

Srid a tta) th e n ou r T e u t onic w ord mu st h a v e b e e n origi n ally a com


,
.

p ou n d a n d on e with a v e ry ap t me a ning a s th e Se rv ia n s a ls o
, ,

a dd re ss G od a s sa moz a z d an i b O zh e I s e l f c re a t e d G o d V uk 74 1 -
.

Th e O H G cot forms th e fi rst h al f Of man y p rop e r n ame s as


. . .
,

Cot a dio , Cot a scalh , Cot a frit , Cotah ra m ,


Cot akisal, Cot ap e rah t,
Cot alin t b ut ,
n ot so me aning ; th a t we ca n in fe r an yth ing as t o its
th e y a re forme d lik e I rma n dio H iltiscalh Sikufrit a n d mayj ust a s , , ,

w e ll c arry th e ge n e ral n otion of th e D iv ine B e ing a s a more de fi nit e


on e W h e n cot forms th e l a st syll abl e th e c omp oun d can only
.
,

sta nd for a god n ot a ma n a s in l rmin cot H e llicot , , , .

I n d e riv a tiv e s U lp h ilas xch ang e s th e TH for a D wh ich e x e ,

pl ain s th e t e n uis in O H G th u s gud a faurh ts god fe aring) Luk e . .


.
- -

2 2 5 gagu d e i ( g od l in e ss ) Tit 1 1 th ough th e d a t s ing is inva ri


, , .
, . .

a bly
gu iia
?
L ik e w i s e in sp e a k in g Of m a n y g o d s wh i ch t o Ch rist ia n s ,

w oul d me a n id ols h e sp e lls gu d a u s in g it a s a n e u t e r J oh n 1 0


, , , ,

34 5 Th e A S god h a s a n e u t pl god u wh e n id ols are me a n t


-
. . . . .
,

( cod e x o n . 2 7 . I n l ik e m a nn e r t h e C H G an d . . .

M H G c omp oun d ap eot ap teot ( fa ls e god ) is c ommon ly n e ut e r an d


. .
, ,

forms it s pl ap cotir wh e th e r th e M H G

. d er ap tgot in G e o . .

.

3 2 5 4 3 3 0 2 can b e c orre ct is que stion a bl e


. we h a v e t ak e n t o ,

386 2: dya dbs a t yr) cf; 6 0 6 69 , M ark 10 , 18 , L uke 1 8 , 19 , whi ch in G othic


1
0 1

is re n d e re d mi h v a sh u n bi e igs a lj a a i n s GuO, b ut in A S , n is n an ma n
‘ ’

god b u t on G o d an a G od i s t h e giv e r of a ll go od , a n d h ims e lf t h e h i gh e st



.

good , s ummu m b on um Th us P l at o n a me s h im T o dya ddv . .

2
I n G ot h ic th e rul e i s t o ch a n ge T H i n t o D b e fore a v ow e l in in fl e ct i o n ,
a s, fa lls fe d i s , fa d a , fa O ; hau biO, -dis, -d a , -5
, Th e p e cul ia ri ty Of g ull i s .

t ha t i t re tain s TH th rou gh out th e s i ng , guO, gulls , ga , guO th ough in pl .

a n d in d e riv a t iv e s it falls un d e r rul e a g a in — TR A N S .


G OD . 15

u s ing a b ott
g as a ma sc
th rough ou t ye t our pl go tter its el f .
, .

ca n only b e e xpl ain e d a s orig in ally n e u t e r s in c e t h e t rue G oc l is , _


_ _ _

o n e a n d ca n h a v e n o pl ura l
,
a n d th e O H G c ot a M H G g ot e ,
. .
, . .

c on t ain so fa r a con t ra d ict ion I n U 1p h a fgud s I s on ly a n a dj a n d . .


,

d e n ot e s I mp iu s Sk 4 4 22 a fgud e i imp ie ta s Rom e iw a



.
.
, ,

h e t ra n sl a t e s by ga liuga (fi gme n t a ) 1 Cor 5 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 8 or by , .


, .
,
.
,

lo v by ga liugé st a Os 1 Cor
’ ‘

li u a u d a 1 C o r 1 0 2 0 a nd e t O e
g a gg ,
.
, ,
.

A n oth e r N H G e xp re ss ion gOtze I h a v e d iscu ss e d G ra mm


8 10
, . . .
, .

3 6 94 ; Luth e r h a s in D e u t 1 2 3 die gOtzen ih re r gOtter mak in g


’ '

,
.
, ,

olu m n E r Albe ru s fa b 2 3 t h e gotz is a d e mig od (


1
g o t ze id z I . se e . .
,

S upp l ) Th e O N l a ngu age d ist inguish e d th e n e u t god id ol um


. . . .

from th e ma sc gud d e u s Sn orri 1 1 9 s a ys Of Sif i t h arfagra goO


‘ ’
. .
,

th e fairh a ire d god I d o n ot k n ow if a h e a th e n w oul d h a v e s aid it .

I n curs e s a n d e xcl ama tion s our p e opl e from fe a r Of d e s e cra tin g , ,

th e n a me Of G od re s ort t o s ome alte ra t ion of it p ote w e tt e r


,

ot z t a u s e n d ! o r isote t au s e n d ! Iaote w un d e r ! in st e a d Of G o tt e s ;
p ,

bu t I c a nn ot tra c e th e cu st om b a ck t o our a n cie n t sp e e ch Th e .

s imil ar ch ange Of th e Fr die u into bieu bleu g en s e e ms t o b e a i g


. , ,

Ol d e r ( se e Supp l ) .

Some re mark a bl e u s e s Of th e w ord Go d in our Ol d e r sp e e ch a nd


th a t Of th e c ommon p e opl e may a ls o h av e a c onne xion with _

h e ath e n n otion s .

/
T h u s it is th rown in a s it w e re t o int e n s ify a p ers ona l p ron oun J , ,

( se e S u pp l ) P oe m s i n . M H G h a v e by w a y O f g iv in g a h e a rty . .
,

w e lc ome : gote u nd e mir w illekome n ; Trist 5 0 4 F rib Trist 4 97 . . . . .

1
Writ e rs of th e 1 6 - 1 7th st at ue ( S tiele r s ays from
ce n urie t s u se Olgo tze for

a n a ll e g ori ca l re p re s e n t a t i on Of t h e a p o stl e s a sl e e p on t h e M oun t Of Oli v e s ,

61 Oil) H a n s S a ch s fre que n tl y h a s d e n OlgOt ze n t rag e n for d o i n g h ou s e


.
‘ ’

d rud g e ry I 5 5 2 81 I II 3 2 4 4 91 I V 3 3 71 9 9 Th e O H G coz .
3 ) a

simp uviu m N iu na e ( J uve n al 6


. . .
, , , . .
, . . .
,

w hich G ra ff w oul d id e n tify w i th ,

ze w a s a v e ss e l a n d b e l on gs t o giozan = fun d e re
'

g Ot , ,
.

2
S u ch a fe a r mayaris e from t w o ca us e s a h ol yn a me mu st n ot b e ab u s e d .
,

o r an u n h o l ydre a d e d n ame e g t h a t Of t h e d e vi l h a s t o b e s oft e n e d d o w n b y ,


. .
, ,

mod i fyi n g i ts form se e Ch a p XXXII I h o w t h e p e opl e call formi da b l e a n ima ls .


,

b ya n o t h e r n ame a n d for D on n e r p re fe r t o sayd o nn e rw e tt e r ( Da n t o rd e nv e ir


, .

for Th urs d a y) d onne rw e t tst e in ( w e tt e rst e i n or w e t z st e i n


, d onn e rke i1 d onn e r ,

w a s ch e d umme r I n F orn m sOg w e h a v e Od din e r for OOih n ; p er


. . .
,

h a ps W uo tan sh e e r ( VVOd e n s h ost ) w a s p urp ose l y ch an g e d in t o M ut e sh e e r ;


w h e t h e r P h ol i n t o F a lan t i s w orth con sid e ri n g , .

3
S an gb ie u ( s a n d e D i e u) corbie u ( corps d e D ) v e rt ub l e u ( v e rt u d e D )
morb l e u ( mort d e g
, .
,

) ) p arb l e u (p ar D v e rt uguie u v e rt ugo i ( v e rt u d e .


O , t

morguoi ( mort d e D ) &c As e a rl a s Re n a rt 18 1 77 p or la ch a r b i e u S O


th e E n gl co ck s b on e s Od s b on e s
.
’ y .
,

Od s w ou n ds zo uIld s &c

.

C onf We b e r
’ ’ ’ ’
,

.
.

, , , , .

me t r rom 3 2 8 4
. .
, .
16 G OD .

gote sult ir willek ome n sin , iure m la n d e un d e mir (ye sh all b e


w e lc ome t o G od y our c oun try a n d me ) ; Trist , ,
. 5 18 6 got alré st
.
,

d ar n ach mir w e st w ille kome n ; P arz 3 0 5 2 7 ,


.
,
. w is willek ome n
mir un d ; F ra ugot
e n d 1 28 ,
1 3 sit mi r gote w ilk o me n ; E ilh. .
1
.

T rist . 2 4 8 reh te got w ilkome n mi r D ie t r 5 2 0 0


. N u sit ou ch . .

mir got w ilkome n ; D ie t r 5 8 0 3 sit w ille k ome n got u n d oue h mir ; . .

D ie tr . 4 6 19 n u w is mir got w ilkome n ; Osw alt 2 0 8 4 0 6 1 1 6 3


. . . .

1 2 68 . 1 3 93 . 2 1 8 9 du . s olt grOz w ille kome n sin de mch e n got ri

un d e mir
L a n z 1 0 8 2 wis mir u n de ou ch got . . w ilkome n ; Ls 1 .
,

5 14 O cc a sion ally g ot e sta n d s a l on e : diu n aht si gote w ille kome n


.

I w 74 0 0 e xpl ain e d in th e n ot e p 4 1 3 a s d e v ot e d t o God thou gh ‘ ’


.
, , .
, ,

it only me an s t o nigh t b e ( th ou ) w e lc ome Upp e r Ge rmany h a s ’


-
.

t o th is d a y re t ain e d th e gree tin g gottw ilch e gottw illke m g ott i , ,

kum skolku om ( St ald 1 4 6 7 S ch m 2



,
I d o n ot fi n d it in .
,
. .
,

R oman c e p oe ms ; but th e Sa x on L atin s ong Of th e l 0 th c e n tury -

on Ott o I a n d h is b roth e r H e in ric


. h h a s : sid w ilicomo b éthiu god a
e n d e mi Th e Su p re me B e ing is c on c e iv e d a s omn ip re s e n t a n d is
.
,

e xp e ct e d a s mu ch a s th e h ost h ims e l f t o t a k e t h e n e w c ome r u n d e r


, ,
-

h is p ro t e ct ion ; so t h e Slov é ny say t o th e arriv in g g ue st b Ogh t e ‘

v sp rimi G o d re c e iv e y G od

2
a n d w e t o th e p a rt in g gu e st
'

,
ou !

guid e k e e p bl e ss you ! W e c a ll it c omme n d in g or c ommittin g


, ,

o ne t o G od M H G g o t e e rg e b e n E r 3 5 9 8
,
. I c omp are w ith th e s e
.
,
. .

t h e H a il ! c all e d out t o on e w h o arriv e s or d e p a rts (h e ill v e r bu !


See m 6 7 . w ith wh ich are als o a ss ociate d th e n a me s Of h e lp ful

god s : h eill bu farir h e ill bu d sgniom ser l fare th ou w e ll be th ou , ,

w e ll by ( th e aid Of) th e A synior ; S eem h e ill scaltu A gn a rr .


,

a llz bic h e il a n b iOr v e ra t y r v e ra I S eem 4 0 . .

I n th e s a me w ay t h e n ame Of th e omn iscie n t G od e mph a s iz e s


a n a ss ura n c e o f k n owl e d g e or ig n ora n c e : d a z w e iz got u n d e i ch ;

Trist 4 1 5 1 d e n sch a t z w e iz n u n ie man w a n ( e xc e pt) got un d e


. .

mi n ; N ib 2 3 0 8 Th is c omfort abl e c omb in a tion Of I with God


.
,

h as for it s c ou n t e rp art th e Opp rob riou s on e Of a thou w ith d evi l ch , .

XXXIII H e re t OO th e got al on e is e n ough : in ge n ve t min s org


. .

u t a n gu d Sv e n ska v is or 2 7 Th a t we a re fully j u stifi e d in , .

1 Th e e mi ssion of a nd b e t w e e n th e tw o d at iv e s is arch a ic, con f . Z e itsch r .

f d
. . 2 , 190
a . .

2
B u e w a z rim , gralva V e n u ! F raue n d 1 9 2 , 20
g p i
co n f 1 77, 14 s . . .

3 h ie h ae rt u n s a n d e r n ie ma n d a n got un d e diu wa ltvoge llin sE cke 96 .

n e me n b e vi n d e d a z w a n e r u n d ich u n d e in kle in e z v oge llin , d a s ma c w ol


i
W a yth e sp yon me n
lt s pl s p iv

t ri u w sin h 4 0 1 5 B ird r a cy
ge e a ,
. . .
18 GOD .

s e ntime n t th at imp u te s t o God a p rop e n s ity t o g aze at huma n


,

b e au ty or to d o wh a t e ve r me n d o : got mOht e s e lb e gern e selben d ie


s e lb e n j un cfrouw e n Fre g m 2 2 gott mOh t in (him i e th e .


3
.
,
. .

mu sic ia n) gern e itte ren in sin e n h ime lkoere n ; Trist 76 4 9 d e n sla c . .

scolte got s e lb e h a b e n geseli en ( s h ou l d h a v e s e e n t h a t st rok e


) R0 1 .

1 9 8 1 8 K a rl 72 o t s e l b e mOh t e z gern e selten T rist 6 8 6 9 i


, .
g . e n . .

p un e iz (d ia d e m) d a z in got s e l b e r moli te seli en ; F re ue n d 8 4 1 6


, .
, .

zz d e n g e l molt ten li ce ren in d e n n iu n k oe re n ; l Ville h



i d

g e st r te n a .

230 27 ,si mOh t e n ach b e tw inge n mit e ( might n igh c omp e l


.

w ith al ) e in e s e ng e ls ge d a n c d a z e r v il lih t e ein en w a n e d urch si ,

i on li imele toete ( fa il from h e a v e n for h e r) ; I w 6 5 0 0 (imit a t e d by .

Ott ocar 1 66 ) ich w e iz d a z w ol d az sin got n ich t uerd ru zze M S


i
.
, .

2 ,
ir li ar ge lich d e m g ol d e als e z got wu n schen sold e ; M S 2 ,
.

si n sw e rt d a t ge in c ( gin g w e n t ) a n s in e r h an t d a t got s e l v e , ,

urd cli d e mere ( w oul d a sk t o k n ow ) w e d e r ritt e r w ere d e ye n ge le ,

muost e n l a ch e n d at h e yis sus k un de ma ch e n H a u pts z e it sch r 3


,
.
,

24 T his h il arity Of th e a tte n d an t gu a rd ian a ng e ls ( ch XXVIII )


.
-
.

o r v alkii rs mu st b e t h ough t Of in c o nn e x ion w ith t h e l a ugh in g Of

gh osts ( ch XXXI ) I n H art man n s E re c w h e n En ite s w hit e h and s


. .

,

g roome d ( be gie nge n) a h ors e it s ays 3 5 5 u n d w eere d a z got him , ,

erd e rite ich w ee n in ge n u oct e d a mit e Ob e r solli en ma rsta ller li coto


, , , .

This v ie w Of a symp athizing b l ith e an d gra c iou s god is p a rt icu l arly , ,

e xp re ss e d in th e s u b st li u ldi O N li lli : OOin s h lli


y ; Seem 4 7
a
g .
, . . . .

U lla r h ylli Ok a llra gOOa ; S ee m .

On th e o th e r h a n d Of th e p rimit iv e
s e n suou s re p re s e n ta tion Of
,

a n a n ry a venging d e ity (se e Su pp l )


g th e mo st strik in g e x ample ,

w ill b e t re a t e d Of p re s e n tly in Oh VIII u n d e r D on a r t hu n d e r 1 .


, , .

Th e id e a re c u rs s e v e ra l t ime s in t h e Edd a a n d e ls e wh e re : reid r e r

b er OOin n ,
reid r e r be r A sa bragr ; Seem . OOin n f
o rei d r ; See m .

rei d v a rO pa F re yj a o c fn a sa Oi ; Ste m 71 — sh e w a s
.
b
. w rot h ,

C hre st ien : j a la fist D e x d e se ma i n n ue p or n a ture fe re muscr t ou t le mon t i


, ,

orroit u s e r s e l e 1a v oloit con tre fe re q u e j a n e n p orroit a ch i e f t re re ; n o D e x


p , , ,

s i l se n v oloit p en e r mi p orroit cc cu i t a ss e n er qu e j a un e t e ll e fe i st p or p e i n e

, , , , ,

q u e il i m e i st ( se e S u pp l ) .

P i a cu l a irce d e fn n L iv Q2 9 d e s ira tos h ab e am ( 111 immortale s h omin


1
,
.
,
. o

i b u s irasci e t succe n se re con sue v e run t Cic p ro Ro s e 1 6 A n d Ta ci t us on t h i s ,


. . .

v e rys ubj e ct Of th e G e rman s p rop itiin e an ira ti d ii G e r m 5 ira d e i H i st 4 ,


. .
,
.
,

infen si B a t a vi s dii H i st 5 2 5 A n d in t h e M id A ge s : t u odium D e


'

26 .
,
.
, . .

o mn iumqu e s an ct orum h a b ea s ! V i t a M e in w e rci ca p 1 3 95 cre b re sce n ,


. .

tib u s j a mj amque cott id ie D e i j u st o j u d i ci o in p o p ul o d ive rsis ca lamita tibus e t


flage llis qui d e ss e t in quo De u s Offen sus e sse t v e l qu i b us p la cari ,

p oss e t op e rib us Pertz 2 5 4 7 ,


.
GOD . 19

a nd s norte d or p an te d , a s t h e an r g y w ol f in Re inh . X LII sp irtl e s ou t

n reio ord in F o rn m mi

h is b e a rd .
gu Oi . sog . 2 29 2 3 1
,
. .
g OOa gre

m a ) is a n n oun c e d ; Egilss 3 5 2 a t gre mi a


( d e o ru ir . .

goO ( Offe nd e re
d e o s) ; F orn ald sog 2 69 w a s imo go d d bolga n ; H e l 1 5 7 1 9
'

. .
.
, .
.
,
.

th a n w ird id iu w ald an d gra m mah t ig mdd a g; H e l 4 1 1 6 (e ls e w h e re ,


.
,

d iu See ld e or th e w orl d e a rth isgra m)


,
e in zorn ec got in d a z ge b O
,
t ,
.

b a d e th e m a z u ns hie su Oh t e n mit ir h e r ; P a rz 4 3 2 8 hie ist


( ) d ,
.
,
.

g e sch e h e n gote s rd ehe Re inh 9 75 got w il v e rv ii e re n sin e n zorn . .


,

C sw 71 7 . ich w ee n e d a z got rocche d a s e lb e s in e u a n d en ( wre a k h is


v e nge a nc e ) Gu d r 8 4 5 4 d a z riu w e got ! ( G od ru e it) T rist
.
,
. .

12 1 3 1 d a z e z
g
.o t imm e r r i u w e ’ T rist 1 1 70 4 Th e L e x B aj uv . . . .

6 2 in forb iddi n g Su n d a y l a b our s a ys : quia t a l is c a u s a v it a n d a


, , ,

e st qu a e D e u m a d i ra cun dia m p rovoca t e t e x in d e flage lla mu r in


, ,

frugibu s e t p e nu riam p a t imu r H ow c oa rs e w e re th e e xp re ss ion s -


.

still u s e d in t h e 1 7th c e n tury 1 A n a b us e t h a t p utte th G o d o n


h is mettle a n d mak e th h im to h ol d st rict an d p it il e ss in quis itio n
, ,

th at v e rily h e sh all for s av in g Of his h on our s mit e th e re into w ith


, ,

his fi sts a n d ag a in t o run up on the s p e a rs Of a n offe n d e d

j e al ous G od A w ick e d ma n w a s in t h e M id A g e s c all e d gote leid e .


,

l oa th e d by G od On e form of imp re c at ion w as t o c on s ign a man


.

t o G od s h a tre d : 0 2 in gotes h a z ! T rist 5 44 9 fi z strich e t ( sh e e r



. .

)
O ff b al d e in gotee ha z T rist 1 4 5 79 n u v a rt d e n gotee ha z a ls a m . .

e in b oe sw ih t v on mir h in I Frau e n d 1 0 9 1 2 mich h i t d e r gotes .


,
.

ha z b e st a n d e n K 1 5 1 8 iuch h at re h t e gotee ha z ( al fou l w e a th e r


. . .
,

th e d e vil &c ) d ah e r g e s e n d e t b e ide


,
. I w 6 104 sO I nue z e ich . .

h ab e n gotes ho z A lt d w 3 2 12 v are t h e n a n god es h a z ! lVigge rt


. .
,
.

2 4 7 n u mue z e e r g e winn e n gotee h a z ; Roth 6 1 1


,
. I n l ik e man n e r - .

t h e M LG god sa t h e bb e ! H uy ?
. d Op S t 2 3 5 0 Re in a e rt 3 1 9 6 . .
,
.

B ut wh a t d e s e rv e s p art ic ul a r n ot ic e th is formul a in go t e s h a z or

, , ,

in ace w ith out p re p os


gote s h az v arn st rich e n h a s a p e rfe ct



. .
,

p a rall e l in an oth e r wh ich s ubst itut e s for G od th e su n a n d so h e igh ,

t e n s th e h e a th e nish c ol ouring ir s u lt farn d er sunn en ha z P arz .

2 4 7 2 6 v a r d e r sa nn en ha z !
,
. U np rin t e d p oe ms Of Riie dige r 4 6 .

h e b e dich d e r eu n uch ha z Er 93 n u z iuh e in von mir d e r eun u ch . .

ha z H e lmb r 1 79 9 si h ie z e n in st rich e n in d e r su n n e n ha z ; Eracl


. . .

1 100 h ie z in d e r su n n en ha z h in v arn ; F re ue n d 3 75 2 6
. A ma n .
,
.

so c urs e d d oe s n ot d e s e rv e t o h a v e th e su n sh in e o n him k ind ly .

1
H a rt man n on b e n e d ict ion s , N ii rn b 1 680 , p 1 5 8 , 1 8 0 . . .

S e ri ous i ll n e ss or d i st re ss i s h a b it uall yca ll e d d e r go tes sla c, strOke



1 ’
.
20 GOD .

Th e Van d al Gize rich st e ps into his sh ip and l e av e s it to th e w ind s ,

where th e y sh a ll d riv e it t o or a mong wh a t p eopl e h e sh all fall ,

th at God is a ngrywith ecb oils 6 96 59 dip yw ra i P rocop d e b e ll o ,



f
. .

Va n d 1 5 .
, .

Su ch h ostil e a ttitude b re e d s n ow and th e n a rebellious sp irit in


me n wh ich b re a ks out in p rome th e an d e fi an c e a n d th re ats or e v e n
, ,

t ak e s a v iol e nt p ra ctic al turn (se e Suppl ) H erod otus 4 94 s a ys Of .


,

t h e Th ra cia n s : o fi ro e o i a fi ro l Op rjix e s tea l 7rp Os Bp ovrrjv re [ca l'


.

d rp whv T o ge z o vre q d 5 ofi a v
p

cwre th e fi a t 7 3 96 3
’ i
I f
'

s
'
a a 7 1)
p 9 9 , .

t h e god d e ni e d th e a ss ist an c e p ra y e d for his sta t ue w a s fl un g in t o ,

th e riv e r by th e p e opl e imme rs e d in w at e r o r b e a te n I n th e , , .

C aroli n gian roma n c e s w e re p e a t e d ly c ome up on th e in cid e n t Of


Ch arl e s threa ten ing th e D eity th a t if h e d e n y h is aid h e w ill th ro w , ,

d own h is alt ars a nd mak e t h e ch urch e s w ith all t h e ir p rie sts t o


,

c e a s e from th e l a n d Of t h e Fra n ks ; e g Fe rabr 1 2 1 1 1 4 2 8 &c . . .


, , .

S O d a me B re id e t oo threa ten s t o un cov e r th e alt ar a n d bre a k t h e


h oly re l ics Ore n d e l 2 3 9 5 a n d M arsilie s a ct ually a ft er l os in g th e ,

b a ttl e h a s th e h ou s e s Of his g od s p ulle d d own ; R0 1 2 4 6 3 0 I f


,
.
,
.

th e v inta g e fa il e d th e st a tu e Of U rb a n w a s th row n int o a b a th or


,

1
th e riv e r Th e A rc adian s w oul d sc ourg e th e ir P an with squills
.

( me lM t a t s) wh e n th e y ret urn e d b ootl e ss from th e ch a s e (Th e ocr 7


, .
,

Th e Gree ks imp u t e d t o th e ir g od s n ot onl y a ng e r and h ate ,

b ut e n v y l ov e of mischie f veue o i s

, ,
.

E P I TH E TS OF G OD ( se e In our mode rn sp e e ch : d e r liebe ,

liebste, gn cidige, grosse, gute 2


a ll ma chtige In l d e r t ongu e h é rre

, . our o

got d e r guote Re in h 1 2 96 . . Gu t e frau 2 76 ,


h é rro th e gdd o H e l
. .

frO min th e god o ; 1 4 3 7



78 , 3 9 0 6
.
, .
,
.
gnoe d eger t re h tin Re inh .

1 3 0 9 — F re q
. . th e ri ch G o d : thie ri heo Ch rist ; H el 1 .
, 2 . rilci

g od ; H el1 95 9 ri ki d rOh t in
. H e l 1 14 , 22 d e r ri ehe got v on
,
. . .

hime le ; R oth 4 9 71 got d er ri ch e ; N ib 1 793 , 3


. Trist 2 4 9 2 . . . . .

d urch d e n ri chen got v on hime l M orolt 3 5 2 6 d e r ri ehe got mich .

ie ge sa ch w ib e list Vd — Cot a lma htico cot he ila c W e ss o


. .
; ,

Wh e n l igh tn in g stri k e s o ur p e opl e say I f God can b urn we can b uil d


1
, ,

a gain E ttn ers h eb amme p 1 6 , . .

Wh e re G od i s t h e re is gra ce a nd p ea ce ; of a s ole mn sp ot it is sa i d
2
,

H e re d we lls d e r li e b e G o tt ! A n d t o d riv e d e n l ie b e n G o tt from a p e rs on s



,

room ( L e ss i n g 1 mean s t o di stu rb a s oli t aryin his s a n ct um


, ,
.

OH G rikhi d iv e s p ot e n s a ls o b e a t u s a n d d iv e s is n ea r a k in to D iv us
3
.
, , ,
a s Dis D itis sp ri n gs out Of divi t
,
F rom t h e S l a v bogh isd e ri v e d boghd t ( d iv e s ) . .
,

L i th bogota s comp are Op s in Op s ( Ru ss u b Oghiy) Op ule nt us wi th Op s th e


.
,
-
.
-
, ,
B on a Dea C on f Die fe nb ce lt 1 19 6
. . . .
, .
G OD . 21

b ru nn ma hlig d roh tin ; H e l 2 2 fre e ee lmihtig ; Ceed m


. Ge be t . .
, . . .

se oelmih tiga w e a ld e n d ; Th orp e s an a l 8 3 mann O



1 9 10 1
, .
, . . .

miltisto (largissimus) ; W e ssobr G eb vil miller Ch rist ; Cod p al . . . .

3 5 0 5 6 — Th e A S h a s fre q : e ce d ry h t e n ee t e rnus ; Cee d m 2 4 6



, . .
, .
,

B e ow w itig god , s a p ie n s
. 3 3 82
B e ow . 3555 . 4 65 5 . A ls o : .

1 3 64 , 2 1 0 5 Cee d m 1 8 2 , 2 4 witig d ryh te n ; B e ow 3 1 0 1 3 6 79


. . . . .

Cee d m 1 79 , 8 w itig w uld orcyning ; Cee d m 2 4 2 , 3 0


. Wa lta nt got ;. . .

H il d . wa ldind inger got ; R oth . 2 13 . 5 23 . 1 0 09 . 23 3 2 . 4 031 .

wa lta nt K rist : OV 2 5 9 1 .
,
. G udr 2 2 4 3 . .
( S) wea ld end
A Ceedm .

9, 2 5 . wul d re s wea ld end ; B eow 4 . .h e ofn e s w e ald e n d ; Ceedm .

1 7, 1 5 . b e od a wea ld end . fee d e r a lwea ld a ; B e ow 6 3 0 ( OS) . .

wa ld a nd ; H e l 4 , 5 . . wa ld a nd god 3 , 1 7 . wa ld a nd d roh tin


1 19
, . a lowa ld o 4, 8 . Th is e p ith e t is n ot found
5 , 20 . 8, 2 . 6 9, 2 3 .

in th e E dd a . Th e n ot ion Of wiel d in g d omi n ari re g e re is furth e r , ,

a pplie d t o th e Sup re me B e in g in th e ph ra s e es wa lten P arz 5 6 8 1 , .


, .

E n 72 9 9 M D ut god w ouds !

. . 1 0 16 5 . 1 3 2 25 . SO our gottwa lt s . .

H uyd St 2, 5 4 8 Our in

. Op . blund e r ; . a ce . das w alt G ott I is a

A gric ol a 5 9 6 Pra e t w eltb 2 5 0 —God is o cc a s ion ally c a ll e d th e


. . .
, .

Old d e r a lte Gott le bt n och i e t h e s a me a s e v e r A S ea ld me t od _ ,


. . . . . .

M H G h at got sin a lt ge mii e te Wh 6 6 2 0 d e r a ld e got ; R oth


. .
,
. .


44 0 1 p op ul d e r a lte Va te r
. I n a Se rvi an s on g ( V uk 2 2 4 4
.

.
, .

M on t e n e gro b Ogh is n ame d sta ri krvn ik t h e Old bl ood


‘ ’

b
sh e dd er kill e r ; an d in Fraue nl ob M S 2 2 1 4 d e r a lte frie d e l
,
.
,

n t ury p oe ts s ome t ime s u se t h e La t


( sw e e th e a rt
) Th e 1 3 th c e . .

e p ith e t a ltissimus W h 2 1 6 5 4 34 2 3 G e o 90 4 0 1 with w hi ch


,
.
, .
, . .
,

mayb e c omp are d th e M H G d iu hOhste ha n t P arz 4 84 6 4 8 7 2 0 .


, .
,
.
, .

5 68 8 , W h 1 3 4 7 1 5 0 1 4 a nd th e C H G zi w altan teru henti


. .
,
.
, . .
,

OV 2 5 9 1 — Th e a ll w ie l d ing G od is a t th e s ame t ime the all


.
, .
-

s eein g all k n ow ing all re me mb erin g ; h e n c e it is s aid Of fort una te


,
-
,
-

me n th a t God sa w th e m an d Of u n fortun at e th a t G od f orgot th e m


, , ,

( C H G ) h esa h tih kot !


. 0 t s fe lice m ! N B o e t h 1 4 5 ( M H G ) : . . . .

g esa c h i n g o t l h a
ppy h e ! Al t d bl 1 3 4 7 s O z m ir got erga z . .
, .

Troj kr 14 0 72
. . . sO h at got min uergezzen N ib . w ie gar
2 2 5 6, 3 .

iuw e r got v e rga z (h ow u tte rly G o d forg ot you ) I w 6 2 5 4 got min . .

v e rga z ; Eck e 2 0 9 got h ee te


. 9 24 3 ge need e sin v e rge zz e n ; Trist . .

l ich e r tre h tin ,


w ie ve rgee ze d uie min sOC
l T rist 1 2 4 8 3 For oth er . .

e x ampl e s se e , Gra mm 4 , 1 75 — G od by re g ardin g g uard s : d a z si


. .
, ,

got ie me r sehouwe ! Iw . 794 . O . E ngl . G od you see ! G od keep


y ou in his sight !
G U I) .

A mong
s ubst an tiv e e p ith e ts are s e v e ral wh ich God h as in com
mon w ith e a rthly rule rs (se e S uppl ) z— Gothic f ranj a OS f rdh o . .
,

f ro A S f red wh ich n ame I sh all tre a t Of more fully by an d by



.
, .

— OH G . tru hti n , MHG . trehti n, OS . d rohtin AS d ryhten, ON


, . .

( lrdtti n n — C H G he riro M H G hérre w h ich h ow e v e r wh e n u s e d



. . .
, , ,

o f G od is n e v e r c o n t ra ct e d in t o he r a n
, ymore th a n D ominu s in t o ,

th e Roma n c e d o mnu s d on — Con sp ic u ou s a b ov e all is t h e n ame ,

F a ther ( f Od r ( See m 4 6 8 8
Supp l ) I n th e E d d a
'
b
al
3“
se e .
Sn , . .
.

'

3 11. herf a d ir hery


. a
f a d ir va l a d i r a re a ppl ie d t o QOin n a s
f , ,

t h e fa th e r of a ll g od s me n a n d c re a t e d th ings S uch c omp oun d s , .

a re n ot fo un d in th e oth e r d ial e cts t h e y ma


yh a ve s ou nde d h e a th e n ,

ish ; th ough th e A S c ould use f ee d er alw e ald a De o w 6 3 0 an d t h e .


, .
,

id e a Of G od a s F a th e r b e c ame more fa miliar t o th e Ch rist ia n s th an


t o h e ath e n s Th e OH G a lt fa t ar
m
. gra n d fat h e r O i 3 6 A S .
z
, . .
,
. .

e ald fee d e r B e ow 74 3 1 8 8 3 I ,
w h ere s e e n a pplie d t o God
. .
, .

As th e G re e ks c oupl e d t og e th e r Z aire 7ra 7 77p e sp in th e v o c Z e i)



, . .

m irep a n d th e R oman s J up it e r D ie sp ite r D isp ite r M a rs p a te r l


, , , , ,

a s w e ll a s A flfl ’lm A a ud m T e rr a ma ter so t h e L e tt on e b e st ow
p p » , ,

on a l most e v ery g od d e ss t h e e p ith e t ma hte ma hmin a ma ter ,


z
,

mat e rcula (B iit t ne r 2 44 B e rg man n o n w h ich w e s h all h a ve .

more t o say h e re aft e r TO all a pp e a ran c e fat h e r G oth fa dr is .


, .

c onn e ct e d w ith fabs l ord a s p a t er 7rarrrjp is w ith wdrt s mic l g Lith ,



,
-
, .

p a t s— Th e A S meotod metod Cee d m 2 2 3 14 e ald me tod B e ow.


, ,
.
,
.
, .

1 8 8 3 $ 65 me t od B e ow 3 2 2 2 OS metod H e l 4 1 3 1 5 1 7 6 6 1 9
.
,
. . .
,
.
, .
,
.
, ,

a n e x p re ss ion w h ich l ik e w is e a pp e a rs in t h e E d d a miOtu d r See m


, .

22 6 b
s e e ms t o s ig nify Cre a to r a s v e rb ally it b e a rs th e s e n s e o f ,

me n s o r mod e ra t or fi nitor Th e full me an ing Of me t od w ill n ot b e


, , .

d iscl os e d t ill w e h a v e a more e x a ct k n o wl e dg e Of t h e re l a t ion


,

b e t w e e n th e G oth mit a n ( t o me t e) a n d mait a n ( to cu t) th e C H G.


,
.

meza n a nd me iz an ; in t he Lat metiri an d mete rs b e s id e s t h e re .


,

b e ing n o shifting Of c on s on an t (d for t) th e qu a n tity is in v e rt e d , .

Th e ON mici n or a pp e a rs t o b e als o s e ct or me ss or in S n orri 1 0 4


’ ‘

.
.
,

1 0 5 t h e w ol f s h e ad w ith w hich H e imd a ll w a s k ill e d is c all e d


miotuOr H e imOallar a n d th e s w ord is ma n s miOtuOr ; so in


‘ ’ ‘ ’

ma nn a miOtuOr ( se e Su ppl ) In MHG



F o rn ald sOg p 44 1

. . . . .
,

tOO t h e p oe ts u se me zz a n of e xqu is it e s ymme try in c re at in g : d O


,

sin ( W u n sc h s ) g e w alt ir b il d e ma z ; Troj 1 9 6 2 6


go t s e l b i n . .

p ate r Cat o 1 3 4
1
Jane b ut wh a t can D issun ap it e r me an in th e re mark
ab l e co nj uri n g sp e ll C a t o 1 6 0 -
2
,
GOD . 23

ri ch e n fro nd e n w a s d O e r ir lip als ebene ma z M isc 2, 1 8 6 e r S ul


, . .

re h te l a ng e mezzan d e r a n si sO eben e ma z, d a z e r a n si z e r w e rl t e
'

ze ,

n ic mi c h v oll e m w un sch e w e d e r d e s n och d e s ve rga z M S 1 154 .


,
1'

g ot d e r w as in froid e n d O , er d ich als e ben e ma z ; M S 1 2 2 " .


,

w er k u n de in sO ge me zz e n , Tit . 1 30 . 1 . a nd e r s d e nn e got u n s
ma z d O e r z e w e rk e fi b e r mich ge sa z P a rz 5 18
, , .
,
21 e in b il d e
.

me z z e n is t h e re fore t h e s a me th ing a s e in b il d e schafi e n


’ ‘ ’

to c re a t e ( Troj o r giesen t o c a st mould ( W alth 4 5


.
, .
,

25 . M S 1 1 95 .
,
11
. 2 ,
a nd in S uch e nw irt 2 4 , 1 5 4 it s ays :
got h e t gegozzen {i f ir v e 1 ir mii n d e l rOt u nd w iz ir k e l wh ich
‘ ’
°

th row s a s ig n ific a n t l igh t on th e G othic t rib al n a me Gd uts A S ,


. .

Geat C H G K dz ( see — A S se i.
p p en d c re a t or C H G seef o .
, , .
,

seep hio M H G schep f ee re W h 1 3 N H G sC


,
. hOpf er — S ome Of , .
, . . .

t h e s e n ame s can b e strun g t oge th e r or th e y ca n b e int e n s ifi e d b y ,

c omp os ition : d rohtin god H e l 2 1 3 wa ld a n d f rci min H e l 14 8 , . . .


,
.
,

14 15 3 8
.
f red d r h ten B e ow 6 2 1 8 6
y , . liff— red C e
e d m 2 9 1 0 8 ,
. . .
, .
, .
,

1 8 1 9 5 3 2 4 0 3 3 B e ow 4
.
,
Th e e a rthly cu n in g w ith a p re fix ca n
.
,
. . .

b e u s e d of G od : wu ld orcgning k ing Of gl ory Cee d m 1 0 3 2 hera n , , .


,
.

ca n ing H e l 3 1 2 ,
1 8 4 1 4 5 1 1 a n d sy non y mou sly with th e s e
.
, , .
,
.
,
.
,

rod ora w ea rd Cee d m 1 1 2 or th e e p ic a mpl ific a t ion irmin got


,
.
, .
,
-

oba n a a b heva n e, H il d got . uon h i mele N ib 2 0 9 0 , 4 2 1 1 4 , 1 2 1 3 2 , 1


,
. . . .

213 6 1 ,
.

Of s u ch ( ep ic f ormula s
b e a u t ifu l sp e c im e n s a ll O f se e Suppl ) , ,

on e t e n ou r ca n b e c it e d from th e p oe ts
, e sp e c ia lly t h e R oma n c e : ,

t h e y a re mostly b orrow e d from G od s d w e ll ing pl a ce h is c re a tiv e ’


-
,

p ow e r h is omnip ote n ce omniscie n ce an d tru th — D io s a qu e l qu e


, , ,

e st a e n a l to Cid 8 0 0 2 3 5 2 2 4 6 5 , qui la a mon t e l se in t ce l . . .

ma in t (ab ide s ) Re n 2 6 0 1 8 qu i main t cl fi rmame n t B e rt e


,
. .
,

12 9 1 4 9
. d e r h Oh O siz e t u nd e n id e riu s ih e t N p s 1 1 2 5
.
qu i ,
. .
,
.

h au t s ie t e t d e l oin g mire Re n 1 1 68 7 qui h au t s ie t e t l oin s ,


. .

v oit B erte 44 1 8 1 Gu it e cl 2 1 3 9 d e r ii b e r d e r bl au e n d e ck e
, ,
. .
,
.

s it zt M e l an d e r J ocose ria 1 4 3 9
,
co t a lmah t ico d ii h imil int i , .
,

e rd a gaw ora h t O s ( wrou gh t e st h e a v e n a n d e a rth ) l Ve ssob r G e b ce l , . .

s e nh or qu i 10 mon a c re a t F e ra b r 775 qu i t ot le mon t forma


, ,
. .
,

B e rt e 1 4 3 qu e fe zit n u e yt e dia Fe ra br 3 9 9 7 p e r a yce l se nh or qu e


'

. . .
,

fe t z ce l e roz ad a ( sky a n d d e w ) F e rab r 2 9 94 44 1 2 qui fist c ie l e t , . . .

rouse e B e rt e 2 8 6 6 1 1 1 1 3 9 1 71 1 88 A imo u 8 76
,
.
qui fe is me r
. . . . . .

s al e e Be rte 6 7 qui fist e t me r e t o nd e M é on 3 4 6 0


,
. de s hant , ,
.

d a z me r g e s al ze n h at P arz 5 14 1 5 qui fa it c ourre la n ue B e rt e ,


.
,
.
,
136 .
( 183 s ) p ve a r S
c
q e l
eh nyupi
c éra q u i fa i
ft t-

o n e r R e n . Z eu .
, .

1 6 6 5 8 1 778 0 .
p e r qui 1i s ol e us raie B e rte 1 3 8 1
. d e r hime l un d ,
. .

e rd e ge b Ot un d die me rgrie z e n z e lt ( c oun ts th e se a s an d s or p e bbl e s ) -


, ,

M ar 1 8 . d e r d e r ste rn e z al we iz W h 4 66 3 0
. d e r die st e rn e h at , .
, .

g e z a lt P arz 62 9 2 0
,
d e r u n s a
g p
. d e s m a n e n (,
m oo n s ) sc .h in W h

,
.

4 76 1 , q u i fa i
.t c r o it re e t le s v in s e t le s bl e z F e rab r d e r , .

mir z e le b e n e ge rie t (pl anne d) N ib 2 0 9 1 4 K 1 4 84 d e r mir z e ,


. . . .

le be ne ge b Ot ( b a de ) R oth 2 1 5 5 1 7 4 0 5 2 d e r un s d az l e b e n
, . . . .

O M M n h e re die mi O mm
g e b t ar 2 4, ( D u t ) b i
. d e .
g h e b t ( G.r a . .

4 , d ie mi gh e wroch t e El e ge st 345 4 5 1 9 96 q u i t ot , . . .

a a b aill ie r ( ov e rs e e) B e rt e 3 5 qui t ot a a gard er B e rt e 7 ,


.
,
.

que t otz n os a j u tgie r F e rab r 3 0 8 6 94 1 72 7 th e man ,


. . . .

cu nn ie s forw ard O t H el 1 5 2 5 qui sor t os h ome s pne t e t v au t


, .
,
.
,

M éon 4 5 d o minu s qui omn ia p ot e st D oeu m Of 12 64 in W e nk 3


,
.
, . .

no 15 1
. wid e r d e n n ie man ve rmac A : H e in r 1 3 5 5 d er alle r
.
, . .

w und er h at g e walt P arz 4 3 9 d e r gi t und e n imt (giv e s an d , .


,
.

t ak e s ) P arz 7 9 d e r w e in e n un d l a ch e n ge sch uof Wh 2 5 8 1 9


,
. .
, .
, .

d e r b e id iu krump u n cl e sle ht ge scuOf (b oth c rook e d and pl ain) ,

P arz 2 64 25 d e r a n e s ih e t all e ge t ouge n ( s e cre ts) Diu t 3 5 2


.
, .
, .
, .

d e r d urch ellin h e rze n sih t Frid 3 5 5 d e r in d iu h e rz e sih t W h , . .


, .

30 29 ,
d e r ie d az guote ge rie t ( aye t h e g ood d e vis e d) Gre g 2 993
.
, . .

th er suntilOso man ( s inl e ss ) 0 iii 2 1 4 d e m nie v oll e r ge n ad e n , . .


, .

z e ra n
( t e ar w a st e ) E r 2 4 9 0 , q u i o n q u e s m e m e n t i , ( n u n q u a m . .

me ntitus) B e rt e 8 2 96 12 0 1 4 6 M eon 3 8 icil die u qui n e


, . . . .
, .

me nt e t qu i fist tot quan qu e me r s e rre Re n 1 9 3 3 8 e r mik skOp


, ,
. .

Ok Ollu ree Or F orn m so 1 3 O ll O ib id 8 1 07


g S ,e r O u r ee r . er .
, . .
, .
, .

sO lin a h e fOi sk ap e t ib id 1 24 2 h et a b ann se m sOlin a skap aOi , .


, .
,

La n d n p 1 3 9 . . .

I f in s ome of th e p re c e d ing n ame s e p ith e ts and ph ra s es d e scrip


, ,

tiv e Of G od unmist a k abl e tra c e s Of H e ath e n is m p re d omin a t e wh il e


, ,

o th e rs h a v e b a re ly a n in kl in g Of it th e foll owin g e xp re ss ion s a re ,

still more in disputably c on n e ct e d w ith th e h e ath e n w ay of


th ink in g .

I n th e Nors e myth ol ogy th e n otion Of a De u s Div us if n ot Of , , ,

th e u pp e rmost a n d e l d e st ye t O f a s e c on d a ry ran k w h ich s ucc e e d e d , ,

t o p ow e r l at e r is e xp re ss e d by th e w ord d e pl ce sir ( se e S upp l )


, , . .

L a n d d e ( Egilss pp 3 6 5 6 ) is p atrium n ume n w h y it T h or th e . .


-
,

ch ie f god Of th e N orth is d e s ig nate d th ough a s and a llmd ttlei 623 is , ,

g iv e n to OOinn (Land n 4 d smegin is d iv in e p ow e r : th e v e x .


,
1

26 GOD .

we bs erv e th a t th e E trusca n re l igion an d p erh aps als o th e Roman


O ,

a n d t h e G re e k s upp o s e d a c ircl e Of twe lve s up e rior b e in gs cl o s e ly


,

b oun d toge t he r a n d k n ow n b yth e n ame Of dii consen tes or comp lices


( se e Suppl ) e x a ctly a s th e E d d a u s e s the e xpre ss ion s hop t a nd bon d
,
,

l it e rally me an ing v in c ul a for th o s e h igh n umin a ( See m 24 ,


.
"

Sn 1 76 a n d a ls o th e s in g hap t a n d ba n d for a n in divid ua l od


. .

g .

S m T h u gh hap tba n d u n in th e M e rs e b urg p oe m c a n n o t


( ee . o

w ith c e rt ain ty b e t ak e n t o me a n th e s a me thing ( th e c omp ou n d


s e e ms h e re t o d e n ot e me re b odily ch ain s) it is p oss ibl e th a t d e us ,

e w I b in d ; t h a t s a me

a n d 820 9 a re re fe rab l e t o O a n s a y ok e is th e

,

s ame thing a s th e b ra c e a nd b an d Of all th ings n e ith er ca n w e


d is re g ard th e fa ct th a t twelve is l ik e w is e t h e n u mb e r Of th e N ors e :

i
ae s r c on See m 3 : ee sir or bvi liOi Of th e set k in dre d
f b
. .

S ome oth e r a pp e ll a tion s may b e a dd e d in supp ort I n th e .

e arl ie st p e riod of our l a ngu a g e th e n e u t ra gin me a n t c on s il iu m , . .

N ow th e plural Of th is a s u s e d in t h e E d d a d e note s in a sp e c ial,


,
:

mann e r th e pl ural ity Of t h e g ods (se e Su ppl ) Regin are th e .

p ow e rs th a t c on s ult t oge th e r an d d ire ct th e w orl d an d th e e xp re s .

s ion s bliO regin h oll re gin (k ind me rciful god s) up p re gin ginregin
1
, , ,

( sup e ree p ote state s) h a v e e n tire ly this t e ch nic al me an ing Ra gn a .

(
roler G oth ra in O ri vis d im ss d k ss f g d s ) s ig n ifi e s th e

g q . n e , ar n e O o

e n d Of th e w orl d t h e s e tting Of t h e d ivin e lumin arie s


,
S ee m . .

b
8 9 h a s rOgn ir Ok regin c oupl e d t og e th e r rOgnir ( cf b e in g
'

.
,

u s e d t o d ist in gu is h t h e in d iv id ua l ragin eis (ra gu n e is


:
ma sc .

Th e s e ON regin w oul d b e G oth ragin a a s th e h Op t a n d b On d are


. .
,

G othi c h a fta a n d b an d a all n e ut — Th e s ame h e a th e n c on c e ption ,

p e e ps ou t in th e OS rega n giscap u rega n ogiscap u H el 79 1 3 1 0 3


.
, ,
.
,
.
,

3 e qu iv al e n t t o fa tum d e stin y t h e d e cre e an d c oun s e l Of th e god s


, , , ,

an d sy n on y mou s w ith wu rd isca u H e l 1 0 3 7 from wa rd fa tu m


g p , .
, , ,
.

A n d a g ain in metod ogiscap u H e l 66 1 9 1 4 7 1 1 W e h av e s e e n ,


.
, .
,
.

th a t metod l ik e wis e is a n ame for th e Sup re me B e in g wh ich t h e ,

ch ristian p oe t Of th e H e li an d h as v e nt ure d to re t ain from th e

Th e b l ith e , h a pp ygod s ; w h e n p e ople st e pp e d a l on g in st a t e l yg org e ou s


1

a tt ire me n th o ugh t th a t gods h a d app ea re d : me n n h ugOu a t ( e sir v acri bar


,

k omn ir Lan d n 3 , 10 Th e V Ols s aga c 2 6 s a ys Of S igurO b h


’ ‘
a t y cc a t
, . .
gg . .

h e rfa ri cinn af goOunum, I th i n k t h a t h e re ri d e s o n e of th e g od s S O in P arz



. .

3 6, 18 a ld a w i u n d ma n v e r a ch s i n e h i h e lt sO w un n e clich , i r
p j g e sa c e n n e ,

gote im solten sin ge lich ( d e cl a re d , th e ysa w n e v e r a h e ro so W i n s ome , t h e ir g o d s


must b e l i k e h im) Th e mo re re a s on i s t h e re for myn o t e on S i e gfri e d ( Ch
. .

XV ) , Of wh om th e N ib 8 4 , 4 says d e r d ort 3 6 hérlichen gat ( se e S uppl )


. .
G OD . 27

h e ath e n p oe try B ut t h e s e ge n pl urals rega n o me t od o aga in p oin t


. .
,

t o th e pl urality of t h e b in d ing g od s .


Th e c oll e ct ion Of A ug u st in e s l e tt e rs c on t a in s ( cap in th e .

a lte rca tio w it h P a sce n tius a G o th ic or p e rh a ps a V a n d a l formul a ,

sihora a rmen th e me a n in g Of wh ich is s imply mi t e e k é o o v 1 E v e n


, p n .

if it b e a n in t e rp ola t ion a n d w ritt e n in th e fi fth or s ixth c e n t ury


, ,

in st e a d O f a t th e e n d Of th e fourt h it is n e v e rth e l e ss re ma rk a bl e ,

th a t sihora sh oul d b e e mpl oy e d in it for G od a nd L o rd U lp h ila s .

w oul d h av e s aid : franj a a rmai Th e inf a rrn é ri if n ot a mist a k e . .


,

for a rms might d o d uty a s a n imp e ra t iv e at t h e s a me t ime th e re


is a Finn a n d E sth w ord a rmo s ign ifyin g g ra t ia mis e ric ord ia B ut


. .
,
.

si h ora it s e e ms ca n o nly b e e xpl a in e d a s T e ut o n ic a n d mu st h a v e


, , ,

b e e n al re a d y in h e ath e n time s an e pith e t Of G od d eriv e d from h is


v ict oriou s might (se e Suppl ) Goth sigis ON sigr OH G sigu . .
,
.
,
.
,

A S sige v ict oria t riu mp h u s


. OOin n is style d sigrgod sigtgr
,
.
, ,

h i H l
'

szg f o d ur ; a n d t h e C h rist ia n p o e ts t ra n s fe r t o G o d sigid ro t n e ,


.

4 7, 13 . 1 14 , 1 9 . sigid rgh t en , Ceed m . 33 ,


21 . 4 8, 20 .

s gmetod B e ow 3 5 44 vigsigor, Deow 3 1 0 8 e ls e w h e re sigora d rgh ten ,


?
i ,
. . .

sigoraf red , sigora wea ld en d sigoragod , sigora cg


/ n ing It is e v e n p os ,
.

s ibl e th a t from th at a n c ie n t sihora sp ran g th e titl e sira si re st ill ,

c urre n t in T e u t on ic an d R oman c e l a nguage s 3


.

Th e g od s b e in g re p re s e n t e d a s sup eri a n d up p regin as d w e lling ,

on h igh in th e sky u h imi n u


p, p o n t h e m oun t a in h e ight (as an s)
, , , ,

it w a s n a t ura l th a t in div id u a l g od s sh ould h av e c e rt ain p articul a r


moun ta ins an d a bod es a ss ig n e d t h e m .

Th us from a mere c on s id e ra tion Of th e genera l n a mes for God


,

a n d g od s w e h a v e Obt a in e d re s ults w h ich c omp e l u s t o a cc e pt a n


,

in t ima t e c onne x ion b e tw e e n e xp re ss io n s in our l an gu ag e a n d con


ce t ion s p rop e r t o our h e ath e n is m m e gra c i

p Th e e a n d G o d t h .
,

ou s a n d th e an gry G od th e frO h O (l ord ) a n d th e fa th e r th e b e h ol d


, ,

ing c re a t ing me a s uring c a sting th e imag e s of an s fa st e n in g b an d


, , , , , , ,

Th e Tch e re misse s a ls o p ra y j uma sirla ga, a n d th e Tch uva sh e s t ora


1 ‘ ’ ‘

sirlag i e , G od h a ve me rcy ; G J M ull e rs s a ml ru ss ge ec h 3, 35 9 Th e



. . . .
, . . . .

M ord u in s sa y w h e n it th un d e rs p a sh a n gui P orguin i p as, h a v e me rcy, god


P orguin i G e org i d e s cri pt i on 1 , 6 4 .

2
d e n s i g h at go t in s i n e r ha nt, M S .

3
G Ot t a n z 1 8 3 3 , p p 4 7 1 2
. D i e z h ow e v e r ra i s e s d oub ts , Roman g ram
. .
-
. . .

1, 4 1 .
28 GOD .

a nd ra gin all l e ad b oth individually and w ith all th e more w e ight


, ,

c olle ctiv e ly in to th e p ath t o b e trod I sh all t a k e up all th e thre a d s


,
.

ag a in but I wish fi rst to d e t e rmin e the n a t ure a n d be arin gs Of th e


,

c ultus .
CH A PTER III .

W ORSH IP .

Th e s impl e st ma n e xp re ss e d hi s re v e re n c e for
a ction s by wh ich 1

t he g od s (see S upp l ) an d k e pt up a p e rma n e n t c onn e x ion w ith ,

th e m w e re P raye r an d Sa crific e S a crific e is a p ray e r Offere d up


, .

w ith g ifts A n d wh e re v e r th e re w a s o cc a s ion for p raye r th e re w a s


.
,

a ls o for s a crific e ( se e Supp l ) .

PRAY E R — W h e n w e c on s id e r th e w ord e mpl oy e d by U lp hila s


t o e xp re ss a d ora t ion w e a t o n c e c ome u p on a c orre sp ond e n c e w ith ,
'
th e N ors e ph ra s e ol ogy ag ain F or Wp o a x vveco th e G oth e qu iv al e n t . .

is i n veita inv ait in vit um M att 8 2


, 9 18 , Mk 5 6 15 19 , .
, .
, . .
, .
,
.

Lu 4 7 8
.
,
J oh n 9 3 8 1 2 2 0 1 Cor 14 2 5 ; an d on c e for
-
.
,
.
, . .
,

ew vrd C M k 9 1 5 ( se e S u ppl ) W h e th e r in u s in g th is w ord



Oua t ,
.
,
.

th e e x a ct s e n s e Of wp oo mivno nsw a s c aught mayb e d oubt e d if only , ,

b e c au s e it is inv ariably foll ow e d by an a ce in st e ad of th e Gre e k ,

d at .I n M od Gre e k p op ul ar s on gs wp oo x vve iv is u s e d of a v an
.
,

q uis h e d e n e m y s a c t O f fa lli n g t o t h e g rou n



d i n t ok e n O f s u rre n d e r .

W e d o n ot k n ow by wh a t g e sture inveita n w a s a cc omp an ie d ,

w h e th e r a b ow ing of th e h e a d a motion Of th e h a nd or a b e n d ing , ,

Of th e k n e e A s w e re ad 1 Cor 1 4 2 5 : d riu san d s a n a a n d a


.
,
.
,

vle iz n
( a n tlit z
) in v e it iO gu O a s u ppl ia n t p ro st ra t io n l ik e r
'

; 7 oa
z
, p
x zim yo i q is n ot a t v aria n c e w ith th e s e n s e Of t h e w ord A n OS . .

giw itan A S ge w ita n me a n s a bire ; c oul d in v e it an a ls o h av e signi


, .
,

fi e d me re ly going up to a pp roa ch ing ? P aul D ia c 1 8 t w ic e u s e s ,


. .
,

a cced ere F rav e itan is v indicare


. N ow le t us c omp are th e ON vi ta . .

in cl in are 2 whi ch B iOrn quot e s un d e r v e it a n d sp ell s e rron e ou sly I


, , , ,

V e reh run g , O H G éra , G oth prob a rz a Th e O H G éron is n ot mere l y



1
. . . . . . . . .

ou r e h re n , t o h on ou r, b u t a ls o v e re h re n , re v e re ri ( as re ve re n t ia is a d o ra t i on ,

cu lt u s ) A S weorOia n O S giwerth dn
. . Al l t h a t come s fro m t h e g od s or con
, . . .

ce rn s t h e m i s holy , fo
r w h i ch th e Ol d e st T e u t onic w ord is G o th veihs C H G . . . . .

w ih bu t on l ya fe w Of th e O H G d ocume n ts u se t h is w ord , t h e re st p re fe rrin g . . .

hei tuo, h as o nlykelo g, A S kalig, O N hei lagr On t h e co n n e xi on of w ih


. . . . .

w i th t h e s ub st wih , more h e rea ft e r F rdn d e n ot e s h ol y in t h e s en s e Of


. .

d omi n i cus .

2
Cl ea sb yVigfusson giv e s n o meanin g like in cli n are , e i th e r un d er vita to
-

fi n e , o r und e r vita t o w it — T RA N S
’ ’
. .
30 W ORS H I P .

th in k v ita F rom it is d eriv e d veita ( G oth vai tj an


, .
v e ita h e iOr .
,

h o nore m p e rage re ; v eita tiOir s a cra p e rage re ; veitsla e p ulum , , ,

G oth vaitil ? 1 .

Th e G o th bid a p re c e s bidg a n p re c a ri rog are


.
orare are u s e d , , , ,

both in a s e c ul a r a n d a s p iritua l s e n s e Th e s a me with OH G . .

p eta a n d p itta n ; b u t from p et a is d e riv e d a p etdn a d orare c on st ru e d


'
' ’

with a ce of t h e p e rs on w h om : G I 1 7 62
.
ii 14 6 3 n id a r .
, . .
,
.

falla n j oh mih bé tdn O ii 4 8 6 9 9 7 iii


T 46 2 60
'

-
. .
, ,
. . . .
, .
,

1 p etOta in a n D iu t 1

B ut béton can a ls o e xp re ss a sp i ri

. .
, ,

t ual orare T 3 4 1 2 3 beto ma n c ultore s 0 II 1 4 68 I n


.
-
, , , , .
,
. .
, .

M H G I fi n d beten a l w ays foll ow e d by th e p re p a n ( se e Suppl )


'

.
. .

b et e n a n d iu a bgot B arl 72 4 a n e in b il d e b et e n ib id 9 8 1 5 ,
.
,
.
, .
,
.

sO mu oz si ie me r mO n ach g ot e sin min a n e bet sh e mu st a ft e r G o d


'

b e my( Obj e ct of) a d o ra tion B e n 1 4 6 Ou r bitten a sk beten pray , . .


, ,

a n beten a d ore a re d istin ct from o n e a n o th e r a s bitte re qu e st is from


, ,

gebet p ra y e r Th e OS bed cin is n ot foll owe d by a cc b ut b y p re p


'

. .
, .

te : b ed On t e minu n b arma H e l 3 3 7 8 a n d th is Of its e l f w oul d , .


, .

s ugg e st wh a t I c onj e ct ure d in my Gramm 2 2 5 th a t bidj an origin .


, ,

a lly c on t a in e d th e p h ys ic a l n ot ion Of
j acé re p roste rni wh ich aga in , ,

is th e on ly e xpl an a tion Of Goth b a d i m Ot o v a b e d a n d a ls o Of .


,

2—
t h e Old b a d u A S b e a d O c re de s strage s
, Th e A S N e w T e st
.
, . . .

tra n sl at e s a d orare by ge ead med a n i e t o h umb l e on e s e l f Th e



- -
. . .
, ,

M H G fléheri wh e n it s ign ifi e s s uppl ic are g ov e rn s th e d a t : g ot e


.
, ,
.

flé h e n A e gid 3 0 ,
d e n g ot e n vlé h e n P arz 2 1 6
. Wh 1 26 3 0
.
, .
, . .
, .

Tiirl W h 7l bu t in th e s e n s e Of d e mulce re s ol ari t h e ace P a rz


a
. . .
, , ,

1 1 9 2 3 4 2 1 2 5 N ib 4 99 8 ( se e Su ppl )
, .
,
3
It is th e G oth j ald iha n
. .
,
.
,

A n OH G fleh dn v ov e re I on ly k n ow from N

fove re c on s ol ari ,
. . .

1 78 a n d h e sp e lls it flehdn : t e n (a cc que m) w ir fl e


cap 8 E th.
,
.
,
.

h ot on W e say z u g ott flehen bu t g ott a nflehen —Th e Goth


.

,
’ ’
. .

a i htrdn wp o o e oxe a da i wp oo a t re iv e xp re ss e s b e ggin g ra th e r t h an


-
,

a sk in g or p r a y in g Th e OH G di cea n OS thiggia n is b oth . .


, .
, ,

p re c ari a n d imp e trare wh il e A S fi iega n ON b iggj a is in v ariab ly ,


.
, ,

1 B opp , C omp gram p . . . 1 2 8 , id e n i t fie s in v e it a w ith t h e Z en d n iva é dh a yé mi


In v oco .

2
Wh a t me a n i n g of th e S l a v mo l i t i rogare , molitise ora re
w a s th e ph ys i ca l .
,

B oh I n odlit i se P ol mOdli c sie ? Th e S l ov e n mo l i t i st i ll mea n s p orrigere ,


.
,
. .

co n f L i t h
. meld ziu rog o, in f melst i, a n d ma l d a ora t i o
. P russ ma d l a , con f . . . .

G oth mablja n loqui ma ble in s l o qu e l a wh ich i s n e xt d oor t o oratio


.
, ,
.

3
I w 3 3 1 5 vlé ge te go t b u t in t h e Ol d e st M S vlé h e t e g ot e
. . .
P RA YER . 31

impe t rare ,
a ccip e re ,
th a t a sk ing h a s p a ss e d ov e r in t o e ffe c tu al
so

a sk in g ge tt in g (se e Suppl )
, .

A no th e r e xp re ss ion for p ra y e r is p e cu liar t o t h e N ors e a n d A S .

d ial e cts a n d fore ig n t o a ll th e re st : ON bo n or bee n S w e d D an


,
.
, . .

bon A S be n ge n b é n e f Cee d m 1 5 2 2 6 in Ch a uc e r bon e E n gl


’ ‘

. . . .
, , , , , , .

boon ; from it béri ct sup p le x bé risietn s uppl ic a re


,
La stly th e Ic e l , . .

S w e d dgrlea D a n d grlce w hich l ik e th e La t c ol e re is u s e d a l ik e Of


.
,
.
, .

w ors h ip a n d Of till ag e s e e ms to b e a re c e n t upsta rt u n k n ow n t o , ,

t h e ON l a ng uag e . .

On t h e form a n d mann e r Of h e a th e n p ra y e r w e l a ck in forma


t ion I me re ly c onj e cture th a t it w a s a cc omp an ie d by a looki ng up
to hea ven ben d ing of the bodg ( Of which bidj an g a v e a h in t) f old i ng
, .
,

o ha n d s bowing o
f f kn ees uncov ri ng of the hea d Th e s e g e sture s
, ,
e .

grow out of a c rud e chil dl ik e n oti i n Of a n tiqu ity th a t t h e h uma n ,

s uppl ian t p re s e nts an d s ub mits h ims e l f t o t h e mighty god h is


c on qu eror a s a d ef enseless victi m (se e S uppl ) P re c a ri d e os coe lum
, .

n e su s ieere is a tt e st e d by T a c it u s hims e l f G e rm 1 0 G e n u fle c
g p , . .

t e re is in Goth ic lenussj a n th e s uppl ic a re Of th e R oma n s w a s fle x o ,

c orp ore a d ora re Fa ll ing d ow n a n d b owing w e re cust oms Of th e


.

Ch rist ia n s t oo ; th u s in H e l 4 7 6 4 8 1 6 1 4 4 24 w e h a ve : t e .
,
.
,
.
,

b e d u h niga n 5 8 1 2 : te d roh tin e h nigan 1 76 8 : t e b e d u f a lla n


.
, .
, .

1 4 5 3 : gih n ég a n hn i obed a
,
I n th e S Ola rliOO is t h e re ma rk a bl e .

e xp re ss ion : h e nn i e c la u t t o h e r ( th e su n) I b o w e d S eem 1 2 6 , ,
.

from li tta in cl in a re fall a a kn é Ok lfi t a V il k s a g a cap 6. nu , . . .

stra n lc kon gs tt ir si nn legg 0 k meelti Ok ser i lep t id up p ( st rok e d , , ,

h e r le g a n d sp ok e a n d l ooks up t o t h e sky ) Vilk s a ga cap 6 1


, , , . . .

S O t h e s a g a Of S t Ol a f t e lls h ow t h e me n b o we d b e fore th e st a t ue
.

o f Th or lutu bv i skrimsli F oru m sOg 4 2 4 7


, f ell ti l ia rd a r fyrir ,
. .
, .

likn e ski (fell t o e a rth b e fore t h e l ik e n e ss) F ornm sog 2 1 0 8 . . .


,
.

Th e L a ng ob ard s are st a t e d in th e D ial G re gorii M 3 2 8 t o h a v e . .


,

a d ore d su bmissis cervicibus a d ivin e ly h on ou re d g oa t s h e a d I n th e



.

M id dl e A g e s p e opl e c on t inu e d t o bow t o l ife l e ss Obj e cts byw ayOf ,

bl e ss ing th e m s u ch a s a l ov e d c oun try th e roa d th e y h a d t ra v e rs e d


, , ,

or th e d ay
1
L a tin w rit e rs Of th e t ime a s L amb e rt e xp re ss u rg e n t
.
, ,

e n t re a ty by p ed ibus p rovolvi ; th e a tt it u d e w a s u s e d n o t only t o

1
D e m st i g e n igen , I w 5 83 7 d e m w e g e n iLg
$
e n , P a rz 3 75 , 2 6
. d e m la n d e . . .

n ige n , T ri st 1 1 5 3 2 n i e n in d a z l a n t , W i a l 4 0 18 n i e n in e lli u la n t I w
g .
g .
g . .
,
.

7 75 5 in d ie w e rlt n ige n , F ra ucn d


. d e n st i g e n un d w e g e n s e g e n .

t uon, I w 35 7 (se e S uppl )


. .
32 W ORS HI P .

G od but to , whom on e w ish e d to h on our : n eig im Of d en fuoz


all ,

M orolt hie v ie l sie Of sin e n vu oz I w 8 1 3 0 ou ch n ig e ich ir , . .

un z Of d e n fuoz M S 1 v all e fii r Si (fall b e fore h er) u nd nige


, .
, ,

Of ir fuoz M S 1 , b ute n s ich ( bo w e d ) w ein e nd e Of sine n v uoz


.
, ,

Gre g 3 5 5 n e ig im n id e r Of d ie h an t D ie t r
. . Th e s e p a ss age s Sh ow , .

th at p e opl e fe ll b e fore th e fe e t a n d a t th e fe e t Of him w ho w as t o ,

b e re v e re n c e d w il t fall e n t e min un fOtun b e d os t e minun b arma ,


,

H el 3 3 7. s ich b Ot z e t al ( b ow e d t o th e groun d) ge in s in e u fii e ze n


, .

n ie d e r Wh 4 6 3 A n O B Oh s on g h as sie lela ni eti b Ohu t o



, .
, . .
,

b ow b e fore Go d K o niginh h s 72 b ut th e s ame h a s a ls o th e un


,
. .

‘’

T e ut onic se biti w celo p i e d e b Ohy t o b e a t on e s b row b e fore G od ? ,


’ ’

Un c ov erin g th e h e ad ( se e Suppl ) c erta inly w a s from Of Old a tok e n .

Of re sp e ct with our a n c e st ors w h ich l ik e b owing w a s Sh own t o , , ,

d e ity a s w e ll as t o k ings a n d ch ie fs P e rh aps th e p rie sts at l e a st .


,

th os e Of th e G oths forme d an e xc e ption t o this a s th e ir n ame p il e


, ,

ati is th u s a cc oun t e d for by J orn a n d e s qu ia o ertis ca i ti bus ti a ris


p p ,

lit ab a n t wh il e t h e re st Of th e p e opl e st ood un c ov e re d


, In a .

s urv iv al Of h e a th e nish h arv e st c ust oms w e sh all fi n d this un c ov er -

ing furth e r e st abl ish e d ch VII I n Nic ol ai M agn i d e G ow


'

. .
,

registrum sup e rstit ion um


( of 1 4 1 5 ) i t is s a id : I n s up e r h odie
in ve n iun tur h omin e s qui cu m n ov il unium p rimo vid e rint flex is ,

gen i bus ad oran t v e l d ep osito eap utio v e l p ileo in clin a t o c a p it e ,

h on oran t alloque nd o e t suscip ie n d o 3


A n A S l e g e n d of CuOb e rh t . .

re l at e s h ow th a t s a in t w a s w on t t o go d ow n t o th e se a a t

1
F i a l in s i n e fuazi, 0 I II 10 , 2 7 a n s in e fu e ze , K arl 1 4 h
. . T h e C h ris . .

t i an s in t h e M id A ge s call ed i t ven ie fa llen , Parz 4 6 0 , 1 0 Karl 10 4 3 B erth


. . . . .

1 73 . K srch r 2 9 5 8 3 0 5 5 . K n e eli n g a n d k i ss in g t h e groun d , t o Ob t a in ab so


. .

lut ion d a e r Of s i n e r v e n i e la c ( lay) , B a rl 3 66 , 2 1 d e n a n g e r ma z mit d e r l a n g en . .

v en i e, F rib Tri st 0 9 5 ve ie n s och e n , S 1 , 3 M orolt 2 8 Troj


. 2 n . u M . 2 h 2
. . . . .

9300 .t e rra e osculation ibu s, q ua s venia s a pp ellan t, Pe z b i b l a scet 8 , 44 0 gie . . . .

ze k irch e n u n d b a n e kt e ( p ro stra t e d z e g o t e s i n i u glid e r mit v e ni e n un d g eb e t,

C od k olocz 18 0
. . .

2
Th e t e b e l o b itn aya , b ea t i n g Of th e fore h e a d I n pre s e n t i n g a p e t i tion , w as
p roh ib i t e d I n Russ i a byC a th e rin e 11 C onf p ronis v ultib us a d orare , H elmold . .

1 38 .

3
Wh a t e ls e I h a v e col le ct e d ab ou t th i s p ra ctice , mayb e in s e rt e d h e re
e leva to a ca i te
p p ileo alloquitur se n iore m, Die tm M e rse b p 8 24 ( an . . . .

su bla ta cy d a re surge n s in clin at h o n e st e , Ru od lie b Od ofre d us in I .

s ecund o l oco d i ge st d e p o st ul an d o : Or Si gn ori , hic colligiI n us argu me n tum,


.

q uod ali quis q uan d o v en ie t coram magistratu d e b e t ei re vereri, qu od e st con t ra


F e rra rie n se s, qui, s i e sse n t cora m D eo, n on ea tra heren t s i b i cap ellum ve l bi/rretwm
d e cap i te, n e c fle x is ge ni b us p ost ulare n t P i lleus i n cap i te e st , I se n grimus 1 1 3 9 . .

oster la cha e
p ( in s a l ut i n g ) , M eon 4 2 6 1 gelitpfet d e n h uot , M s H 3 , 3 3 0 , . . .

s i n e u hu ot e r a bena m, hi emi t ere t e r in a lsO, Wiga l 143 6 e r zdch d urch sin . .

h iib sch e it d e n huot ge zoge n lich e n a b e , Troj 1 775 d O st uon t e r Of ge swin d e . .


34 W ORS H I P .

v e rb duga with th e s e n s e p rOp itium e ss e : biO cc Ottari oll gOO d uga


( 1 C t p ray all
. See m
,
b i a bfi d isir d uga Seem 1 9 5
. .
, .
2

D uga me a n s t o h e lp c on f Gra mm 4 6 8 7,
Th e re is b e auty in th e
. .
, .

ON p ra ye r: b i om h e rj afOOr i ha gom sitj a (roge mus d e um in


.

a nimis s e d e re n ostris) See m j ust a s Christian s pra y th e H oly


, .

G h ost t o d e sc e n d : in herzen u nse n sd e i 0 iv 5 3 0 ( se e Suppl )



. . .
, ,

Christian s a t p ra y e r or c onfe ss ion l ook e d t owa rd th e E a st an d ,

lift e d up th e ir arms ( B in gh am lib x i cap 7 e d h al 3 and . . .


, . .
,

so w e re a d in th e K ristinb alk r Of th e Old G ula th ing law : v e r skulu m


luta a ustr, oc bi h elga K rist s firs Ok friOar w e must b ow
a t il e ns ,

e a st a n d p ray th e h oly Ch rist for pl e n ty a n d p e a c e ( c on f Sy n t ag ma


, .

d c b a pt ismo p 6 5 ) in th e W alth arius 1 1 5 9 c on t ra ori enta lem


.

p rostratus corp ore p art e m p re catur in A S formul a s : ed stwea rd .

ic st an d e ; a nd in Troj 9 2 9 8 9 6 4 2 : ké re t iu ch ge n Orien t

. . Th e .

h e a th e n s on th e c on trary in p raying an d s a crific ing l ook e d N orth


, , ,

wa rd s : h orfa ( turn) i n ord r F ornm S og 1 1 1 3 4 l e it (l ook e d ) i


'

. . .
, ,

n ord r See m,
b e t e n g eg e n mittern a cht K e isersp erg omeiss
.
,

An d th e N orth w a s l ook e d u p on by th e Christia n s a s th e u nbl e ss e d


h eath e n qu art e r on whi ch I h a v e g iv e n d e t a ils in RA 8 0 8 it w a s
,
.

u nl uck y t o mak e a th row t oward th e n orth RA 5 7 in th e L omb ard , .

b oun dary tre a tie s th e n orth e rn tra ct is styl e d null a ora RA 5 44


-
,

. .

Th e s e Opp os it e v ie ws must s e rv e t o e xpl ain a p a ss ag e in th e Roman


d e R e n art wh e re th e fox p ra ys christia nlg an d th e w ol f h ea then ly
, , ,

1
Re inh fuchs p x 1i
. . .

A S t h e e xp re ss ion s for a sk ing an d for Obt ain in g pp 3 0 3 1 are ,


.
, ,

id e nt ic al a p ray e r w a s th ought t o b e th e more e ffe ctua l th e more


, ,

pe ople it w as u tte re d by
o t e n w old e SO man e g e m mu n d e
g
sin g e n ad e n ih t v e rs a g e n W igal 445 8 . . .

d ie j un cvrouw e n b it t e n a ll e got ,

nu ist er S Ogn eed e c u nt S O guot

unt S O re ine ge muot ,

d az mer k und e
e r ni e

S O ma n e g e m sii e z e n mund e

b e te lich iu di n c v e rs age n . I w 535 1 . .

1 A t th e ab re n un tiat io h ad to fa ce th e s un s e t , w ith wrin kl e d brow (fron t e


on e
cap e ra ta ) , e xp re ss i n g an ge r an d h a tre d ; b ut a t th e con fe ss i on of fa i t h , t o fa ce
t he s unri s e , wi th e ye s a n d h an d s ra i s e d t o h ea v e n B i n gh am lib x i cap 7 . . . .

C onf J Oh Olavii syu t d e b apt ismo, pp 6 4 -5


. . . . .
S A RI FI CE
C . 35

mII nde S O royt


in ( to th e n un s) wi re n de ,

so w e s S i god b ad e n ,

of syt mit vliz e dad e n ,

h e id in humme r inkOnd e
d e m rOse nrOte n mfi nde
b e d e lich e r d in g e v e rs ag e n .

Ge d . von d er vrouw e n sp e rw e re , Cod . b e rol 1 84 5 4 .


,
1
. H ence
he lf en s ing en M S 1 , ,
. 2, Con f . c e n to n ov e ll e

SA C RI FI C E — Th e
w ord opf er a s a crific e w as introd uc e d in t o , ,

G e rman by ch ristianity b e ing d e riv e d from th e Lat afi ero ofi erre ?


. .
,

The A S v e ry p rop e rly h a s onl y th e v e rb ofi ria n an d it s d e riv a t iv e


.

I n C H G from Opf a rdn opf orOn th e re p roc e e d e d



ofi u ng ( obl a t io)
'
. .
, ,

a ls o a s ubst o fa r M H G O h ern a n d o her a n d from G e rman y


3
p p p .
, .

th e e xp re ss ion s e e ms t o h a v e sp re ad to n e ighb ouring n a t ion s ON ,


.

of r Sw e d D a n of er L ith ap p i era L e tt up p uris Esth ohw er F in


,
. .
, .
,
.
,
.
,
.

uhri B Oh of era P ol ofi a ra Sl ov e n of er
,
. E v e rywh ere th e original

,
.
, . .

h e ath e n t e rms di s app e are d ( see S uppl ) .

Th e Ol d e st t e rm a n d on e uni v e rs all y sp re ad for th e n otion t o , ,

worsh ip ( God) by s ac rific e w a s bldta n (w e d o n ot k n ow if th e ,


Goth p re t w a s baiblOt or blO


. taid a) .I in cline t o atta ch t o it th e
full S e n s e Of th e G k Orie w 4 ( se e Su ppl ) U lp h ilas saw a s ye t n o . .

obj e ct ion t o t ran sl a t ing by it o efle a da t a n d h a r e fi e w M k 7 7


p ,
.
, .

M ock pie ty h yp ocrisy w as b ran d e d in th e M id A ge s lik e w is e bystrong


1 -
, ,
.
,

ph ras e ol ogy: e r w il gote die fii eze a bezzen ( eat t h e fe e t Off) Ls 3 4 2 1 Fragm , .
,
. .

28 a
M on es an z 3 2 2 un s e rm H e rrgott d ie fue ss abb e iss e n wol len (b i t e off )
. .
, .
,

S ch me lle r 2 2 3 1 d e n h e i l i ge n d ie fuss a b b e t e n w oll e n ( p ra yth e s a i n ts fe e t o ff



.
,

th em) S imp li c 1 4 1 7 h e rrgottb e isse r H Ofe r 2 4 8 h err ottfi sle r (fiiszle r)


, . .
, .
, ,
.
,

S ch mi d 1 9 3 h e ili ge n fre sse rin 1 0 e h e n p 6 2


,
. S O t h e I ta mangiap ara d iso , , . .
,

Fr ma n g e ur d e cruce fi x B Oh P ol licio bra zek ( lick e r Of s a i n ts )


. A sham , . . .

s ain t is in diffe re n tl yt e rme d kap eltrete temp eltrete temp elrinne M on e s sch ausp , , ,
.

p 12 3 1 3 7 (se e S uppl )
. . .

N ot from op e ra ri wh ich in t h a t s e n s e w as unknown t o t h e ch urch th e


2
, ,

Roman ce l a n gua g e s l i ke wis e usi n g It ofi erire S p ofrecer Fr ofi rir n e v e r .


,
.
,
.
,

Op e rare Ob rar ou vre r ; t h e s a me t e ch n ica l s e n s e a d h e re s t o afi erta ofren da


, , , ,

ofi ra n d e F rom Ob l a t a come t h e S p oblea F r ou blie a n d p e rh a ps t h e M H G


. .
,
.
,
.

oblei u n l e ss i t is from e ul og ia Ob la ia F m ff a n d Ofi e rta a re forme d th e


'

, g r o O r e , .

We l ofi ryd I r oifrion a ifrion ofi ra il L a stl y th e d eriva t i on from ferre


.
, .
, ,
'

.
, ,
Offe rre is con fi rme d b t h e G e rma n p h rase e in Op fe r bringen d a rbringen

y
, ,
.

3
Op ha r Op fer could h ard l yb e t h e G ot h aibr 86 u in w h ich n e i t h e r th e
v ow e l n or th e con sonan t agre e s Th e We l a bert G
, . > c ,

ae l i oba irt I r iodba irt . .


,
.
,
.
,

( s acrificium) p rob a bl yb el on g a ls o t o Offerta .

Wh e n S ozome n hist cool 6 3 7 in a n arrat iv e Of A th an aric use s wp vu iu


4
. .
,
oo x e

xa l Gri w th e G oth ic would b e invei ta n j a h bldta n


e , .
3 6 WORSH I P .

Lu 2 .
,
he
con strue s it w ith an a ce Of th e p e rs on : blOtan
37 ; .

frauj an is t o h im S imply D e um c ol e re with a pp are nt ly n o th ought ,

F or l a rp e i a Rom 1 2 1 h e pu ts bldtin a ssus



of a bl oody s a c rific e . .
, , ,

a n d for 95 0 0 6 8 759 J oh n 9 3 1 guOblostreis



Th e l a tte r p re su pp os e s a , . .

s ubst bldstr ( cu ltu s Obl atio) Of wh ich th e S is e xpl a ine d in


.
, ,

Gramm 2 2 0 8 Usblcitein s (n a p d /d t no t s) 2 Cor 8 4 impl ie s a v e rb


.
,
.
-
.
,

u sbldtj a n t o impl ore Cae d mon u s e s th e A S blOta n p re t blé ot . . .


,

on bldta n p re t o nb lé o t Of th e J e wish s a c rific e a n d foll o ws t h e m u


.
p , ,

w ith a ce of th in g an d d at Of p ers on : blOtan s unu ( filium s a cri


. .

fi care) 1 73 5 o nblé ot b ee t lac G od e


, ( Obtulit h ostiam D e o) 1 77 2 1
. .

I n ZElfre d s Oro s iu s w e h a v e th e s ame bldta n p re t blOtt e



I d e riv e . .

from it blétsia n l a t e r ble SSian t o bl e ss Th e OH G p la osa n p re t


, ,
. .
, .

pl ie z an d p lu ozta app ears on ly in gl o ss e s an d re n d e rs l ib are lit are


, , , ,

v ictimare immol are G1 H ra b 9 5 9


b “
9 6 0 966 D iu t 1 2 4 5
8
. .
, , .
, ,

N O c a s e c on stru ction is found but a n acc Of th e th ing may


-
,
.

b e infe rre d from p artic ka p lOzaniu immol at a A s ubst p lu osta r . . .

sa crifi ciu m blu osta r Is 3 82 G1 e mm 4 1 1 G1 j un 2 0 9


, T 56 4
, . . . . . . . . .
,
.

9 5 , 1 02 ; p lu osta rhi i s id olium G1 e mm 4 0 2


1
p loa zhi is fa num
‘ ’
. .
, .
,

p lu ostra ri sacrifi ca t or ib id 4 0 5 It is pl ain th at h e re th e w ord h as , . .

more Of l ook an d w a s n ot a t th at time u s e d Of ch ristian


a h e a th e n ,

w orsh ip ; w ith th e th in g th e w ord s for it s oon d ie out B ut it s , .

u niv e rs a l u se in N ors e h e a th e n d om l e a v e s n o d oub t re ma in in g th a t ,

it w as e qu ally in v og ue amon g G oths A l amann i S a x on s b e fore , , ,

t h e ir c on v e rs ion t o c h ristian ity Th e ON v erb blOta p re t b lé t a n d . .


,
.

blOta Oi t ak e s li k e t h e G othic a n a ce of th e Obj e ct w orsh ipp e d ;


, , ,
.

th u s G ra ga s 2 1 70 in th e formul a of th e trygd amal : sva v illa se m


,
0
, ,

k m kior soekia h e iOn ir me nn ho


( a s wi d e ly a s) rist n ir e nn ki r f blo ta ,

( fa n a colun t ) an d in th e Ed d a : Th Or blOta , mik bldta blOta d i OOin


; , .

S ee m . mean ing is sa crifi cio v e n e 14 1 3


,
1 65 2 2
; a lways th e
ra ri S O th a t in G oth a n d ON th e v e rb b rin gs out more th e id ea
. . .

Of t h e p e rs on in O H G a n d A S more th a t Of th e t hing,
But . . .

e v e n th e O D a n v e rs ion o f t h e OT u s e s blothe immol a re blod hma d h


. . .
,

Th e G1 H rab 9 5 4a b ach a , p ldsta r, is in comple t e in G1 K e r 4 5 Diu t


1
. . . . . .

1 , 1 6 6 a i t st an d s b a ch a sa crifi cat p loa sta r p loa zi t, or zép a r p loe i t , SO t h a t i t i s ‘

. ,

ni ea n t t o t ra n sl a t e o n l y th e La t v e rb , n ot t h e s ub st b a ch a (Ba q ) Or p e r . . .

h aps a b e tt e r read i n g is b ach a t for b a cch at ur, a n d t h e me an i n g is n on


’ ‘

s a cr: fi cat .

2
Lan d n 1 , 2 blOt aOi h rafn a bri a , w orshipp e d t hre e ra v e n s , w h o w e re
. .

g oin g to Sh ow li im t h e road ; S O, in See 14 1 , a bird d eman d s t h a t cow s b e


m 3
.

s a crifi ce d t o h im ; th e vi ctim i ts e l f i s ON blo t, an d w e a re t o ld occa si on all y .

fe ck a t blOti, a k blOt i mi klu , offe re d a s acrifi ce , a grea t s acrifi ce , Lan d n .


S A RI FI C CE .
37

m M d 7 1 1 8 2 2 1 5 24 9

1ib amina b lote lsa h oloca u s


,
t u ol b e ch s e pp 1 ,
. . . . . .

ls
A o t h e O S w e d U p la n d sla g a t t h
.
e v e ry b e g inn in g o
.
f t h e ch u rch ,

ba lkr h as : eengin S k al a ff uOu


g m blotes w ith d at
,
. of p e r on, s imply ing
a n a ce of thing— Th e true d eriva t ion of th e w ord I d o n ot k n ow
. th e .
1

A t all e v e n ts it is n ot t o b e l ook e d for in b lOO s a ng uis a s th e d is ,

a gre e in g c on s on a n ts of th e t w o G oth ic w ord s pl ain ly S h o w ; e qu ally

d iv e rg e n t are th e C H G p luoza n a nd p luot fro m on e a n oth e r ; .

be s id e s th e w orshi p so d e s ign at e d w a s n ot n e c e ss arily bl ood y


,
A .

re mark a bl e p a ss ag e in t h e L iv on ia n rhy min g ch ronicl e 4 6 8 3 t e lls Of

th e Sa me it s ( S ch amaits, Sa mogits)

ir bluotehirl d e r warf zu o h an t
S in lOz na ch ir al d e n Sit e ,

z uo h an t er bluotete a ll e s mite
e in q ue k .

H e re ,
no mal is s a crific e d I fa n cy th e p oe t re taine d
.
d oubt ,
an a ni .

a t e rm wh ich h a d p e n e t ra t e d from S c a n d in a via t o L ith uan ia w ith

out u n d e rst a n d in g it h ims e l f ; for bluotkirl is me re ly th e O Sw e d . .

b lOtkarl h ea th e n p rie st ; th e t e rm is fore ign t o t h e L ith u a nia n


,

?
l a n g u ag e
A fe w more th e s e g e n eral t erms for s a crific e mu st b e a dd e d
of

— C H G a n theiz h ostia v ict ime D iu t 1 2 4 0 2 4 6


( se e ( )
2
.
,
. .
, , ,

a n d a s v e rbs b oth a n th eizdn an d i n h eiza n ( immol a re


258 .
, ) ,

D iu t 1 2 4 6 2 5 8 — OH G
.
, . . . i n sa kén (litare) G1 H rab , . . in sa leét p im

(d e libor) ,
ib id . 95 9 “
to w hich a dd t h e B a v aria n st ap fsa ké n ,
RA . 92 7 ; j ust so th e A S . on secga n , Cod . e x on . 1 71 3 2 , . 2 5 7, 2 3 .

onsecga n t O tib re (d e v o t e as s a crific e) ,


Ceed m . 1 72 , 30 . tib e r
on soegd e , 90 , 2 9 . 1 0 8, 1 7 . tife r on seege, PS . lac on seege

Cod . e x on . 2 54, 1 9 2 5 7, 2 9 ; 130


. egd e,
onsc Cee d m 1 0 7 2 1 .
, . 1 1 3,
15 . Cod . x on e . 1 68 2 8 gi l d
, . onsoegd e, Cee d m . 1 72 , 11 . an d

egd n es
on sc ( o bl a t io) .
-
AS inh e iz an a nd on se cga n are forme d
w ith the p re fix a nd sopp are ntly is a th e O H G i n eiha n p im
.

or) , H ra b 9 6 0 an
( d lib w h ich w oul d y ie l d G oth d d ilea n ; it is
2
e .
,
a .

1
L e tt e r for l e tt er it agre e s
wi h (IJAOLOO OJ li h u p , b urn , w h ch is a l o e x t '
I g t i s
p ss
re e d i n Hi m an d t h e Lat su ffi o ; b ut , if t h e id ea o f b u rn - O ffe r n was . t i g
i g i ll
or na
y t i
con a n e d in b lOt an , mu h a e got ob cure d e rye a r y it st v s v l .

E e n in M H G t h e w ord
v eem t o h a e a re a d y b e come e s s v l xt i t i t
2
. nc ;
ma y u r e
s viv st i l l in e rm re fe rr n to ace , as blotzgrab e n t
blotzgart e n in s i g pl ,

H e e n , con f th e h ra e blotzen miisse n , t o h a e t o for o ut ( acr ce ) mon e y


ss p ‘
.

s v k s ifi .

s
A n old knife o r word a o is ca e d blotz ( se e S u l ) ls ll pp .
38 W ORS HI P .

from th is OH G ine ihh an which I think Graff 1 1 2 8 h as misread


.
, ,

ire ih a n th a t a l at e r n eihha n immol are lib are Gra ff ( 2 1 0 1 5 ) s ee ms


, , ,

t o h a v e ris e n by a ph aere s is ( Gra mm 2 a s n eb e n from in ebe n ; .


,

c onf cich On ( dic are vindicare) G rafl 1 1 2 7 To this pl ac e als o


.
.
, , ,

b el ongs th e OH G p if ela ha n (lib are immol are) Diut 1 2 4 5 2 4 8


'

.
, .
,
. .

—All this strictly d e n ot e s only th e on s ayin g d e dic ation con se -


, ,

c ration of th e Offe rin g ; an d it foll ows from th e t erminol ogy a t l e ast


th a t p articul ar obj e cts w e re s e l e ct e d b e fore h and for sa crifi ce 1
.

Th u s a n theiz is e ls e wh ere s imply a v ow v otum s ol emn p romis e , , ,

i n theiza n v ov e re ; h e n c e a ls o th e A S on se cgan h a s d e t e rmin ativ e .

s ubstan tiv e s a dd e d to it .

I n th e s a me s e n s e biud a n (Offe rre ) s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n in u se


v e ry e arly A S lac bebeod a n Cee d m 1 73 9 ON bodn ( obl atio)
, .
, .
, . . .

F rom th is biud an I d e riv e bin d s ( me n s a) ON biodr ( d iscu s ) A S , .


, .

beod (me n s a l an x ) OH G p i ot from it s h av ing originally s ig nifi e d


, ,
.
,

t h e h oly t abl e of Offe rin gs th e a ltar , .

Th e G oth f ullaf a hj a n (with d at of p e rs ) p rop to pl e a s e giv e


. . . .
,

s atis fa ction is u s e d for h airp e ile w Lu 4 8 (see


,
— I n Mk 1 , .
, .
,


4 4 Lu 5 1 4 a tba ira n a dfe rre wp oo q
. .
, bep e w is u s e d of s a crific e an d , ,

in A S th e s ubst bring b yits e l f me an s obl a t io ; so W ol fra m in


. .

P arz 4 5 1 s ays : Si brdhten Op fe r vil ir got e n an d F un dgr II 2 5


.
, , . .

e in lam z op p h e re brd hte I t is re mark a bl e th a t th e G o th sa lj a n .


-
.
,

w h ich e ls e wh e re is intran s itiv e a n d me an s div e rte re ma n e re [p ut ,

up l odg e J oh n 1 3 9 4 0 ] is in Lu 1 9
, ,
M k 1 4 12
,
.1 Cor 1 0 .
, . .
, . .
,

2 0 2 8 u s e d t ran s itiv e ly for Qua l ity an d 0 66 m a nd h un sla sa lj a n


.
, ,
'
J ohn 1 6 2 stan d s for h a rp e ia v Wp oa cbep e w wh ich b rin gs it up t o
, ,

th e me anin g Of OH G an d A S s e ll an ON s e lj a tra d e re t o h an d . .
,
.
, ,

o v e r p oss ib ly b e c au s e t h e s ol e mn p re s e n t a tion in cl u d e d a p e rs on a l
,

a pp roa c h Th e OH G p iga nga n ( Ob ire ) is o cc a sion ally a ppl ie d to


. .

w orsh ip : p iga n c (ritu s) D iut 1 a fgo d a boga nga n La comble t , .


, ,

1 1 1 — Gild a n helta u a mong it s man y me a n ings h a s als o t o d o


'

,
.
, , ,

w ith w orsh ip an d s a crific e it w as from t he Old s acrificial b a n que ts


th at our guild s t ook th e ir n ame OS w aldan d e s ( God s ) geld H el . .

, .

3 ,
1 th a t geld lé stia n H e l 1 6 5
. A S brynegield h ol o , .
, . .
,

cau stu m Cee d m 1 75 6 1 77 1 8 gild on se cgan 1 72 1 1 A b el s



. .
, , , , , , .

Offe rin g is a gi eld 60 5 d e ofolgield idololatria B e d a 3 3 0


, , Cod . , , , . .

S O th e O B oh obieca ti obie t ( K oniginh h s 72 ) is st rictlyop fer verheissen,


1 . . . .

to p romise or d e v ot e an Offerin g .
SA RI FI E
C C 39

e x on . 24 5 ,
29 . 2 5 1, 2 4
x on 2 4 3 2 3 C HG . hee Oe ngield Co d , . e .
, . .

h e id a nkelt sacrile gium : g ot e ir gelt b ringe nt W a rn 2 9 0 6 O ffe r


'

, . .

u n cghé lsta r sacrifi ciu m I S 3 95 d h in b lOstar iro ghelstro Is 3 8 2


’ '

. . .
, , , .

— P e c uli ar t o th e A S d ial e ct is th e g e n e ral t e rm lac ne ut oft e n .


, .
,

re n d e re d more d e fi n it e by v e rbs c on t ainin g t h e n ot ion of s a c rific e :

o n blé ot b eet ld c g od e Ceed m 1 77 2 6 d ryh tn e ld c broht on 60 2 ,


.
, .
, , .

ld c b e b e od a n 1 73 9 lac onsae gd e 1 0 7 2 1 1 1 3 1 5
, ,
on g a n ld c
.
, , .
, .
,

9 0 1 9 ( see Supp l )
,
Th e w ord s ee ms t o b e of th e s ame roo t a s th e
.

Goth ma sc l aiks ( salt at io) C H G l eih ( l u d u s modu s ) ON le ikr


. .
,
.
, , .
,

a n d t o h a v e s ig nifi e d a t fi rst th e d a n c e a n d pl a y th a t a cc omp a nie d a


1
,
i
s a crifice th e n gradually th e g ft its e l f T h a t th e re w as pl a ying .

a n d Sin g in g a t s a c rific e s is sh ow n b y t h e p a ss a g e s qu ot e d fu rth e r

on from G re g ory s d ia l ogue s a n d A d am o f B re me n


, .

Th e foll o wing e xp re ss ion s I re g ard a s more d e fi n it e (see Supp l ) .

U lp h in Rom 1 1 1 6 re n d e rs d w a p xfi th e Offe ring of fi rstfru it s at


. .
, ,

a s a c rific e d e lib a tio by uf a rshaf ts wh ich I d e riv e n ot from sk ap an


, , , ,

bu t from S k ah a n ( S h a v e ) rad e re Sin c e ( in a p xa t w e re th e fi rst


'

cl ipp ings of h a ir Off th e v ictim s fore h e ad OdySS 14 4 22 3 4 4 6 ’

,
.
, .
,
.

I f w e e xpl a in it from sk ap an th is w ord mu st h a v e p a ss e d from it s ,

me an ing of c re are in to th a t of fa c e re immol are — Th e G oth vitdd ,


. .

is le x th e OH G wizdt ( Graff 1 1 1 1 2
,
F un d gr 1 . b oth lex , . .
,

a n d e u ch arist ie th e F ris vita t in v aria bly t h e l a tt e r a l on e ; j u st a s


, .

z a kO n in S e rv h a s b oth me a n ings [bu t in R u ss on ly th a t o f le x ]


. . .

— U l h t ra n sl a t e s Quo ta by G oth hu nsl M a tt 9 1 3 M k 9 4 9


p . .
,
.
, . .
, .

'
Lu 2 24 th e n a g ain Aa rp e i cw Wp o o cbep e w in J oh n 1 6 2 byha nsla

.
, ,

s alj an wh e re th e re fe re n c e is e xp re ssly t o k ill ing A n d Bvo i a o rfip i ov


,
.

is c all e d hunsla sta Os M a tt 5 2 3 4 Lu 1 1 1 B ut th e c orre , .


,
-
. .
, .

sp on ding A S hi tsel E n gl housel a ll ows of b e ing a ppl ie d t o a


.
, .
,

Ch rist ian s acrame n t an d d e n ot e s t h e e u ch arist hi tselgong t h e , ,

p artak in g Of it huselfmt t he s a cre d v e ss e l Of s a crific e c on f Cee d m


,
. .

2 60 5 hw, selfatu li alegu for th e s a c re d v e ss e ls of J e r us al e m Lik e .

wis e th e ON husl in the N orw a n d Sw e d l aws is u s e d in a


. . .

ch ristian n e v e r in a h e a th e n s e n s e N o ha nsa l is foun d in OH G ;


, .
.

n e ith er can I g ue ss th e root of th e w ord — Tw ic e h ow e v e r U lp h , ,


.

S e rv p rilog offe rin g, w h a t is l aid b e fore , p ri lozhi ti t o offe r S lo v e n da r,



1 .
.

da rin a , d a ri tva Oé p o v [R u s s d a rn sv ia t u y e 3 6> a


p ie a
p m ean s the .
' ’

e uch a ri st ] T h e S lov e n a ldov, b lood l e ss o ffe ri n g , se ems n ot t o b e S lavrc, i t


.

re s e mb l e s H un g a ldoza t byzhrtva ( K op itar s



e va za is re n d e re d in O S l a v
. . . .

Gl a gol in Russ b y zhertva [in zh ariti t o roast, b urn ? or zhrati d e vour,


. .

zh é ra gl utt on P] .
40 W ORS H I P .

re n de rs Quo ta by sdud s pl S aud e is M k 1 2 3 3 Rom 1 2 1 I sup , .


,
.
, . .
, .

s upp os e h e th ough t of th e s a crific e a s th a t of an animal sl aug h te re d


a n d b oil e d ; th e root s ee ms t o b e s i a n t o s e e th e a n d th e ON h a s ,
.

d m i i
p b bly b c s e ts fl e sh s b l e i d 1
I n Ep h 5 2 w e

sa u r a r a r o a e a u , o . .
,

h a v e hunsl j ah san d s id e by S id e for r p m (top az; te a l d uo la v a n d


-
, .
-
,

in Ske ir 3 7, 8 ga salj an d s sik h u n sl j ah S auO— Th e C H G sep a r is


. . .

a ls o a s a c rific e in th e s e n s e o f h ostia v ictime H y mn 1 0 , 2 1 2 , 2 , , . . .

G1 H rab ( see Su ppl ) W e c oul d ma tch


D iut 2 4 0 2 72
“ “
5 . . . . .

it with a G oth tibr if w e might v e n ture o n s uch an e me n d a tion of


.
,

th e unique d ibr Odi p o v M a tt 5 2 3 ( c on f Gra mm 1 ,


M ycon .
, . .
,

j e cture th a t our G e rman un gezief er ( ve rmin) formerly ungeziber


2
, ,

a n d th e O F r a toivre a ls o b e l o n g t o th is roo t h a s g oo d re a s on s in
. .
,

its fa v our To t h is d ayin F ran con ia a n d Th uringia zi ef e r gezi ef er


.
, ,

(in s e cts) n ot onl y de s ign a te p oult ry b ut s ome time s in cl ude e ve n ,

goa ts and swin e ( Re inw al d h e nn e b id 1 4 9 2 5 2 c on f Seh m 4 . .


,
.
, . . .
,

W ha t s e e ms t o mak e aga in st myVie w is th a t th e A S tiber ,


. .

c ann ot e v e n b e re strict e d t o a n imals a t all Cee d m 90 2 9 1 0 8 5 ,


.
,
.
, .

1 72 , 3 2 0 4 6 3 0 1 1 S ige tiber 2 0 3 1 2 S igortif er Co d


.
, .
,
.
, ,
.
,
.

25 7 3 0 ; on t h e c on t rary in 6 0 9 it is Ca in s Offe ring of



e x on .
, , ,

grain th a t is c a ll e d ti ber in dist in ction from A b e l s gield an d in ,


B ut this might b e a l a t e r
b
fElfr gl 6 2 w e fi n d w in tif er lib a tio
. .
,
.

c onfus ion ; or our un ge zie fe r mayh av e e xt e n d e d t o w e e d s a nd con ,

s e qu e n tly z ep ar its e l f w oul d in cl ud e an yth in g fit for s a crifice in


pl ants a n d tre e s 3 M e anwhil e th e re is a ls o t o b e c on s id e re d th e
.

ON taf n victima an d e sc a fe rarum —L a stly I w ill me n tion a


.
, .
,

t e rm p e culiar t o th e ON l ang uage and c e rt ainly h e ath e n : fOrn .


, ,

fe m victima h ostia f orn a immol are or in st e ad o f it f r irnf cera



.
, , , , ,

c on f F orn m sOg 1 9 7 2 76 t his fOrn a at t h e s a me t ime a cc ordin g


. . .
, ,
.
,

t o B iOrn me an in g e l e v are t oll e re


, A S f cirn p orou s p orcaste r ,
. .
,

1 Rom 1 2 , 1 . p re s e n t your b odie s a living sauii was s carce l y a h a ppy


.

comb in at i on , i f S auOs con v e e d t h e n ot i on of s ome th i n g b o i l e d C a n n o th i n g


y
he mad e o f S OOj an s a t i a re s oot h e ( Mi lt on s th e s oo t h e st s h e p h erd
’ ’
s w e e t e st ,
G ot h SOtista ) P Grim m s law of ch an ge in mute s h a s manye x ce pt i on s p at e r
.

fa th e r fee d e r v a t e r ( 4 st ag e s in st e a d o f 3 SO mat er) s e ss e l a s e ttl e , an d s a tt e l ,

a s ad d l e , b ot h from s i t sa t t re u true , but tri n k e n d ri n k &C — TRA N S , . .

2
Ti tur 5 1 9 8 , ungezibere st a n d s fo r mon st e r b u t wh a t can ungezibele me an
.

i n L a n z 5 0 2 8 vor grOz e m un ge zib e le ? ni b e le ?


.

3
C ee d m 9 , 2 ba se o tid ge w at Ofe r ti ber sce a can midd an geard e s Th i s
. .

p assage , wh os e me an i n g Th orp e h i ms e lf did n ot ri gh tl y s e iz e , I u n d e rstan d


t hu s : A S t i me p a ss e d on ov e r ( G od s) gi ft of t h is earth Th e inf sce a can (e l a b i )

. .

d e p e n d s on ge w at so in J u d i th a n a l 14 0 , 5 ge wit on on fle am scea can , b e gan .

a n d still more fre q


t o fle e ge witon g an gan . .
42 W ORS H I P .

g ame k ill e d th e e ne my c on qu e re d (se e S upp l ) a fi rstling of th e c attl e


, ,

b orn or g rain h arv e st e d t h e gift b e st owin


g god h a d a fi rst righ t t o
-
, ,

a p art of th e foo d d rin k produ c e th e s oils of w a r or of th e ch s


, ; p , a e

( e s a me id e a on which tith e s t o th e church we re a ft e rward s


t h
groun d e d) I f on th e c ontrary a famin e a fa il ure of crops a
.
,
s
,

p e stil e n c e h a d se t in a mon g a p e opl e th e y h a st e n e d t o p re s e n t ,

prop itia t ory gifts ( se e Suppl ) Th e s e Sin-offe rin gs h a v e by th e ir .

n at ure a n o cc a s ion a l and fi tful ch ara ct e r wh il e th o s e p e rforme d t o ,

t h e p rop itiou s d e ityre a dily p a ss int o p e riodic ally re c urring fe stiv a ls .

Th e re is a th ird S p e cie s of s a crific e by wh ich on e s e e ks t o k now ,

th e iss u e of a n e n t erp ris e ; an d t o se c ure th e aid of t h e god t o wh om


it is p re s e n t e d (se e S u pp l ) D iv in a tion h ow e v e r c oul d a ls o b e
.

p ra cti s e d w ith out s acrific e s B e s id e s th e s e th re e th e re w e re sp e cial


.
-

s a crific e s for p articul ar o cc as ion s s uch as c oron ation s b irths , , ,

w e ddings an d fu ne ra ls wh ic h w e re als o for th e mo st p art c oupl e d


,
:

with s ol emn b a n que ts .

A s th e g od s S h ow fav our more th an an g er an d as me n are ,


e

t c
Of e n e r h e e rfu l t h d b t h i i s an d e rrors th an k

f
a n Opp r e sse y e r S n ,

Offe rings w e re th e e arl ie st a n d c ommon e s t s i n Offe rin gs th e more ,


-

ra re and imp re ss iv e W h at e v er in th e w orl d of pl ants can b e l aid


.

b e fore th e g od s is gay inn o ce n t b ut als o l e ss imp os in g an d e ffe ctiv e


, ,

t h an an an imal s a crific e : Th e st re ami n g bl ood the l ife S p ilt ou t “

s e e ms t o h a v e a strong e r b in din g a n d a t oning p ow e r A nimal


'

s a crific e s a re n a tural t o th e warrior th e h un t er th e h e rd s man


:

, ,
-
,

whil e th e hu sb an dman w il l Offer up grain a n d fl ow ers .

Th e g re a t ann iv e rs a rie s of th e h e a th e n c oin c id e with p o


p ul ar a ss embl ie s a n d a SS iz e s I n th e Yn glinga s aga cap 8 th e y
1 -
. .

are S p e ci fie d t h u s bfi Skyldi blOta i mOti v e tri (t ow ards wint e r) til


ars e nn at mi um v e t ri blOta til grOOrar it bri a a t sumri bat


, , ,

v a r sigrblO t ( for v ict ory) I n th e Ol afs h e lg a s ag a cap 1 0 4 ( F ornm


. . .
.

sOg 4 2 3 7)
.
,
e n ba t e r S i5 r be irra (it is t h e ir c u st om) a t h a fa b lO t ,

a h aust um ( au tumn ) Ok fag ne ba v e tri an na t blOt h afa be ir a t ,

mi um v e tri e n hit b ri a at s umri ba fagn a be ir sumari ; c on f e d


, ,
r
. .

h ol m cap 1 1 5 ( se e Su ppl )
. . Th e A u tu mn s a crific e w a s Offe re d t o
. . .

w e lc ome th e w int e r; a n d til ars (p ro a nn on a e ub e rt at e )


:

t h e M id
win t er s a crific e til grOOrar (p ro fera citate ) th e Summer on e t o :

w e lcome th e summer a n d t il S igrs ( p ro Vi ct oria) H al fdan t he Old


, .

1
RA 24 5 74 5 8 2 1 -5
. . . .
S A RI FI E
C C 43

h el d gre at midwinter s ac rific e for th e l ong d urat ion of h is l ife a n d


a

k ing dom Sn 1 90 B ut th e grea t g e n e ral blOt h e l d a t Ups al e v e ry


,
. .

winte r incl ud e d s a crific e s t il ars Ok friOar ok S igrs F orn m sOg 4 ,



. .
,

Th e formul a s ome time s run s t il i rbOtar (y e ar s in c re a s e )


’ ’
154
‘ °

. .
,

or t il friOa r Ok v e tra rfars gO



Os ( good w in t e rtime ) I n a st rik in g .

p a ss ag e o f th e G utalagh p 1 0 8 the grea t n ation al s a c rific e s are , .


,

d istin g uish e d from t h e s mall e r Offe rin gs of c a ttl e foo d a n d d rin k ,


fi ri b a nn t ima oc l e n g i e p tir s ib a n t robu me nn a h ult 0 0 a
h aug a vi ok sta f g arb a 0 0 a h a ib in gub blOta bu b air sgn um oc
,
-
,
.

d gd rum s inum oc fi lejp i mib ma ti oc mun dga ti ba t gie rbu b a ir


, ,

e p tir v e n t ro S inn i Lan d alt h afbi S ir hogstu blOta n mib f ulki


.
,

e ll a r h afbi h ue r bribiun r S ir
g E n sm O ri b in g h a fbu m in dr i .

blOta n me d fi lefi i ma ti o c munga ti sum h ait a sujp n a u ta r : bi e t


, ,

b air sulf a a llir s ama n .


E a ster fi res M a gd a g fi res M idsummer fi res with th eir nume rou s


-
,
-
,
-
,

c e remonie s c arry u s b a ck t o h e ath e n s ac rific e s ; e sp e cially s u ch


,

c ust oms a s rub b in g th e s a cre d fl ame run ning through th e gl owin g ,

e mb ers th row in g fl ow e rs in t o th e fi re b akin g a n d di st rib u t in g l a rg e


, ,

l oav e s or c ak e s a nd th e c ircul ar d an c e D an c es p a ss e d int o pl ays


,
.

a n d d ra ma t ic re p re s e n t a t ion s ( se e ch XIII d ra w in g th e Sh ip ch .
, , .

XXIII a nd th e w itch d an c e s ch XXXIV)


, Afze lius 1 3 -
, .
,

d e scrib e s a s a crific ial pl a y st ill p e rforme d in p arts of G othlan d ,

a ct e d by y oun g fe ll ows in d isguis e w h o b l a ck e n a n d roug e t h e ir ,

fa c e s (see ch XVII sub fi ne ) .On e wrapt in fur sits in a ch air a s


, .
, ,

t h e victim h ol ding in his mou th a b u n ch Of st ra w st a lks out fi n e


,
-
,

which re ach a s far as h is e ars an d h a v e th e a pp e ara n c e of sow


b ristl e s : by th is is me an t th e b oar s a crific e d a t Y ul e wh ich in ,

E ngl and is d e ck e d with l aure l a nd ros e mary ( ch X ) j ust a s th e .


,

d e vil s offe rin g is with rue ros e mary a nd ora n g e ch XXXIII


( ) , . .

Th e gre a t s a crific ial fe a st of th e a n c ie n t S a x on s w a s on Oct 1 an d .


,

is t ra c e d t o a vict ory g a ine d o v e r th e Th urin g ia n s in 5 3 4 se e ch


( .

VI) ; in d oc ume n ts of th e M id A g e s th is h igh fe stiv al stills b ears .

th e n a me o f t h e gemein woche or c o mmon w e e k see ch XI I I Z isa


( ) .
, ,

VVii rd tw e in dipl ma unt 1 rae f I l l V S ch e ffe rs H altau s p 1 4 2


g p . . .
-
.
. .

c onf H Ofers Ostr wb 1 3 0 6 A n oth e r ch ronicl e pl a c e s it on S e pt


. . .
, .
.

2 5 ( B e e fr or 1 . Zisa s d ay w a s c e l e b ra t e d on S e pt 2 9 S t
. .
,

.
, .

M ich a e l s on th e 2 8 th ; so th a t t h e h ol din g of a ha rvest o rin mu st


fi g
-

he int e nd e d all th rough — I n a ddition t o t h e g re a t fe st iv a ls th e y


,

a ls o s a c rific e d on sp e c ia l o cc a s ion s p art ic ul arly wh e n fa min e or ,


44 W ORS HI P .

d is ea s e w a s rife s ome time s for l on g life : blOta t il langlifi Land n ‘ ’

,
.

3 4 ; or for fa v ou r ( th ockasae ld) with th e p e opl e :


, G rimr e r ,

b lOt inn v a r d auOr ( s a crific e d wh e n d e a d ) fur th okka sae ld ok kallaOr ,

k amb a n La n d n 1 1 4 ’

, Thi s e p ith e t ka mba n must re fer t o


,
.

t re s a c rifi ce of th e d e a d man S b ody I c on n e ct it with th e C H G ’


.

i chim id a fun u s M id D u t k i m ba u come re D iu t 2 c on f


p p ,
. .
,
.
,
.

n ot e t o A n d r 4 . .

H uma n S a crifi ces are from th e ir n ature a n d origin e xp ia tiv e ;


s ome gre a t d is as t e r s ome h e in ous crime can only b e p urg e d an d
,

bl ott e d out b y hu man bl ood With all n ation s of a n tiquity th e y .

w e re a n Old e st ab l ish e d c u stom t he foll owing e v id e n c e s pl a c e it


1
,

b e yon d a d oubt for G e rman y (se e Suppl ) Ta c G e rm D e oru m . . .

ma x ime M e rcurium colun t cui c e rtis die bu s hu ma n is quoqu e hostiis ,

litare fa s h ab e n t G e rm 3 9 : st a t o t e mp ore in s il v am coe un t


. .
,

bli ce ( in t h e p e opl e s n a me m
)

ca esogu e
p u h o i n e c e l e b ra n t b ar b a ri
rit u s h orre n d a p rimord ia Ta c A n n 1 6 1 : lu c is p rop inqu is b a r . . .
,

b a rae a ra e a pu d quas tribun os a c p rimorum ordinu m centuri ones


,

ma cta vera n t Tao A n n 1 3 5 7 : se d b e ll um H e rmund uris p ro s


. . .
,

p e rum Ca ttis e x itiosius fuit quia vict ore s dive rs e m a cie m M arti ac
, ,

M e rc urio sacra ve re quo v ot o e qu i viri cu n e t a v ie ta occi dion i


, , ,

d a n tur I sid ori ch ron G oth a e ra 44 6 : quorum (re gum G oth i


. .
,

c orum) un us Ra d agaisus I t aliam b e ll i fe rita t e aggre d itur ,

p rorn itt e n m Christian oru m diis su is lita re Si v in ce re t


s sa nguin e , .

J orn a n d e s cap 5 : que m M arte m G oth i s e mp e r a sp errima p lacave re


.

cul tura n a m victima e eju s mortes fuere ca p toru m opin an t e s b e llor


, ,

u m p rae su le m a p tius h u ma n i sa ngui n is e ffu s ion e p la can d u m ?

Oros iu s 7 3 7 of Rad agaisus wh om h e c alls a Scythia n but


, , ,

mak e s h im l e a d G oths t o It aly : qu i (ut mos e st b arbaris


h uj usmodi g e n e ris) sa nguin em diis su is p rop i na re d evovera t 3
.

1 La saulx d ie suh n op fe r d er G rie ch e n u


. Romer, Wurzburg 18 4 1 . pp .

8— 13 .

C on f C ee s 6 , 1 7 on th e w orsh ip Of a rs a mon g t h e Ga uls


G a ll M
2
. . de B . .

a n d P rocop d e B G o th 3 , 14 on t h e S l a e n s a n d A n t e s : 496 61; p e v y v ’

. . . a
p e va T o v
p rns Onp t o vp ydv a rra vrco u KU p LO V p o vo v a e u vo yifo vo w e iva t , Ka i 9v o vo w

j
Ti s a O T a r
' '

Boa s r e Ka i le b e t a a rra vra a hh erre t v a v ro cs e u 7r0 0 lu 77877 6


a ur a) .

da z/a rc s f it) , 7) V O O O) a h o um 77 6 5 woh e p o v Ra di o ra né uo w, e n a yye hho w a t p e p , 7711


’ ’
' °

Ot a cj yw mcn , Hv o ia v 7 03 0 6 03 a url 7 779


v fi s a v rik a n j
ou o e w , O ta
¢ v o ure g O
y s

m

9 K i o io vr ri
p i v T m 179 Or) 7 179 Quo ta s a vro w
-
v o v crw err p
e a a t
p o
! w a a

e w ui o da t
j .

3
Of h im A u gu st n e sa ys, in s e rmo 1 0 5 , cap 10 : Rh a d agaysus re x G o th
i .

O rum Roma e J ovi sa crifi ca ba t q uot die, n un tiab at urque i


i
u b qu e , q u od a sacrifi ciis n on d e siste re t .
S A C RI FI C E . 45

P roc op ius de b ell o G oth 2 , 1 5 . of the Thulite s ,


i . e. Sc an dinav ian s
'
9 vo ua i 3 6 évOeh exca 7 a 7 a lep ela d ura i Sva/yiéo va e 631) 3 6
’ ’
n Ka . . 7
' ’
lep e rwu 5 dh h w it v 9 p 69 Ovn ep i Oo p i
’ ’

a b
g co t 7 x
'
rov a) W 60 7 w, e v cc
'
w o cfia a w ro
"
p o v vr p di r o v. l
yp e 7
93 A p e e 9vo vo w ,

67 6 2 96511 J Ov voul o vc é ué y l Ib id 2, 1 4 th e
'
a I T n w ro v f
e va t . .
,
of

H e ruli 9e d m Out l
§
é l
’ ’ l
7r o 7t z v T t va vouv o vre s a y, oi s r
ea
'
Z é Odk e c e w a c
'
9 p c6 77 w v 9 v0 ih dovce o 9a e OO t ov
’ ’
ew
'

ta i 9

a I JT O c . Ib id .

2 25 , ,
of th e a re a d
l y c onv e rt e d F ranks at th e ir p a ss age Of th e P O
é m h a Boue z/o e 3 6 s oi d l fyv v a i

T fi yb p
? f e c zi a

d v f
yy o c, o 76
'
r
ea .

IC CL ? 7 631! T67 9co v , o


p é v ra i39a
iisrre '
l é p e
'
. vo v 76 ea l a il
r /7 631}
.

i

b/
rel. o r t et ra 69 7 51! wora ubv d a p o 9 i v e a 7 0 13 bb
e n

O bra r X w n a vo l r i
l
o i B i fi a oc r el a
-
7 o vu.
p p yp p e
yye f o vc T es, T e ,,
'
.

. 71 0 3
77 9

w9p a37reo v

wa h a ceic 365779 ( bvh eio v ova t , 9 v 0 i a t 9 7 6 X ebue vo c


'
'

b e
'
It a l til l
. er
. mix OO t a i6 p e vov7 6 s
'

.

, ra iir
y 7 6 7 d ? [t a r/T e lex? wo eo ziue vo e .

Sid oniu s A p olli naris 8 , 6 of th e S a x on s : mos e st re me at uris


d e cimum que mque cap torum p er a e quale s e t cru ciarias p oe n a s ,

plus ob h oc tristi qu od sup e rstitioso ritu n eca re Cap itul d e p artib . . .

Sa x on 9 : S i quis h omine m di a b ol o sa crifi ca veri t e t in hostia m, more


.

p a
ga n oru m d a emon ibus obtulerit
, . Le x F rision u m, a dditio sap . t it .

42 qui fa num e ffre ge rit i mmola tu r diis, qu orum t e mpl a



v iolavit cte d only th e F risia n s tran s Laub a chi wh o
t h e law a ffe ,

re main e d h e a th e n s l on g e r W h a t S trab o re l at e s of th e Cimb ri an d .


,

D ie t mar of th e North me n will b e c it e d l a t e r Ep ist B onif 2 5 ( e d ,


. . . .

l Vii rd tw ) h oc quo qu e in t e r a lia c rimin a agi in p a rtibu s ill is


.

d ix isti quod qui d a m e x fi d elibus a d i mmola n d u m p a gan is sua


,

venun d en t ma n ci ia
p ma st e rs w e re a ll ow e d t o s ell Sl av e s a n d ,

Ch rist ia n s s ol d th e m t o h e a th e n s for s a c rific e Th e c apt iv e p rin c e .

Gra e cu s A v ar d e ( a) Su e vis p ecuelis more lit atu s ( ch XIII t h e .


,

g od d e ss Zisa
)
1
For e v id e n c e s of h uma n s a crific e a mong th e N ors e
.
,

see M ull er s sagabibl 2 5 6 0 3 9 3 A s a rul e th e v ictims w e re



. . .
, , ,

c aptiv e e ne mie s p urch a s e d sl av e s or gre a t crimin als ; th e s ac rific e


,

of w ome n a n d ch il d re n by th e Fra n ks on c ro ss in g a riv e r re min d s

t a Ba m i a

of th e Gre e k O h uits of w a r th e fi rst p ris on e r


2
p t e fi rst fr ,

A d a m of B re me n d e Situ Da n iae cap 2 4 , o f th e L ith ua n i an s d racon e


1 .

a d oran t cum v olu cribus, q ui bus e t iam vi vos li ta n t homi n es, quo s a me rca t orrb us
cmun t , d ilige n t e r o mn in o p rob a t os, n e macul am i n corp ore h ab ea n t .

2
H e n ce in our ow n folk t al e s , t h e first t o cross t h e b ri d g e , t h e fi rst t o -

e n t e r t h e n e w b u i l din g or t h e coun t ry p ay s w i t h his l ife , w h i ch mean t , fa ll s a ,

s acri fice J orn an d e s cap 2 5 , of th e H un s a d S cyth ia m prop eran t, e t qua n tos


. .

cu n q ue p rius i n i ngressa Sey tha rum h ab ue re , lita vere Vi ctori ne .


46 W ORS HI P .

t ak e n ,
w as s upp os e d t o
b ring l uck I n folk t al e s w e fi n d trac e s Of .
-

th e immol ation of chi ld ren ; th e y are kill e d a s a c ure for l e p rosy ,

th e y are w all e d up in b as e me nts ( ch XXXV XXXVI e n d) an d . .


,

a fe a t ure th at p art ic ul a rly p oin ts t o a p rimit ive s a c rificia l rit e is ,

th at t oys an d v ict uals are h an d e d in t o th e chil d wh il e th e roofi ng in ,


-

is c ompl e t e d A mon g th e Gre e ks an d R oma n s l ik e wis e t h e vi ctims


.

fell a mid n ois e and flut e pl a yin g th a t th e ir c rie s might b e d rown e d


-
, ,

a n d th e t e ars of ch ildre n a re stifle d w ith c a re ss e s n e fle b ilis h o st ia ,

immole tur E xtraordin ary e v e n ts might d emand t h e d e ath of


kings s on s a n d d aught ers n ay of k ings th e ms e l v e s Th oro Offe rs

, , .

up his son t o th e g o d s ; W orm mon d an 2 8 5 Kin g Oe n the Old . .

s a c rific e d n ine sons o n e a fte r th e oth e r to 0 5 mfor h is l ong life ;


Yngl s ag a cap 2 9
. A n d th e S w e d e s in a grie v ou s famine wh e n
. .
,

oth e r gre a t s a crific e s p rov e d unav ailing offe re d u


p th e ir own king ,

D Omaldi ; ib id cap 1 8 . . .

A n ima l fi w ere mainly th ank Offe rings b ut s ome time s


sa cri ces -
,

a ls o e xp ia t ory a n d a s s u ch th e y n ot s e l d om by w a yOf mit ig a tion


, , ,

t ook th e pl ac e o f a p re v ious huma n s a crific e I w ill n ow quote th e .

e v id e n c e s (see Supp l ) H e rcule m e t M art e m concessis a n ima libus


.

pl a c e n t Tac G e rm 9 ; i e w ith a nimals s uit a bl e for th e p urp os e


,
. . . .
,

(H ist 5 con ce ssum me anin g s a c rum a s again st p rofanum


‘ ’
.
,

a n d only th os e a n imals w e re s uita bl e wh os e fl e sh c oul d b e e a t e n ,

byme n It w oul d h av e b e e n unb e c oming to offe r food t o th e god


.
,

which th e sacrifi cer hims e l f w oul d h av e di s da in e d A t the s ame .

t ime th e s e s a crific e s app e ar to b e als o b an que ts ; an app oint e d


p ortion of th e sl aught e re d b e a st is pl a c e d b e fore t he god th e re st is ,

cut up d ist ribut e d an d c on s ume d in th e a ss e mbly


,
Th e p e opl e .

th u s b e c ame p art a k ers in t h e h oly Offe ring and t h e god is re garde d ,

a s fe a st in g w ith th e m at th e ir me al ( see Suppl ) A t gre at s a cri .

fi ce s th e kings w e re e xp e cte d t o t a s t e e a ch kind of food an d d own ,

t o l at e time s t h e h ous e sp irits a n d d w arfs h ad th e ir p ortion se t


-

a s id e for t h e m by th e s u p e rstit iou s p e opl e — Qu a d ragin t a ru st ic i a

Lan gob ardis c a pt i ca rn es i mmola titia s come d e re comp elle b an tur ,

G re g M d ial 3 2 7 wh ich mean s n o more th an th a t th e h e a th e n


. . .
,

L an gob ard s p ermitt e d or e xp e cte d th e c aptiv e christian s to Sh are


th e ir s a crificial fe a st 1
Th e s e immolatitiae c arne s a nd h ostiae im
.
‘ ’ ‘

1
I do n ot kn o w h o w co mp ellere ca n be s t
of en e d d own t o

p ermittin g or

e xp e ct in g — TRA N S .
S A RI F I C CE . 47

molatitia e qua s stulti h omine s j ux ta e ccle sI as ritu p aga no faciun t


,

a re a ls o me n t ion e d in B on ifacii e p ist 2 5 a n d 5 5 e d Wurd tw .


,
. .

I n th e e arlie st p e riod th e H orse s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n th e ,

fa v ourit e a nimal for sa crific e ; th e re is n o d oubt th a t b e fore th e


int rod uct ion o f Ch rist ia n ity its fl e sh w a s univ e rs ally e a t e n Th e re .

w as n oth ing in th e w ays of th e h e a th e n so Offe n s iv e t o th e n e w .

c onv e rts a s th e ir n ot g iv ing up th e sl aught e r of h ors e s ( hrossa sld trj


,
-

an d t h e e a t in g of h orse fle sh ; c onf N ialss ca p 1 0 6 Th e Ch ristian . . . .

N orth men re vile d t h e S w e d e s a s hross oeturn a r Forum sOg 2 -


. .
,

3 09 . Fagrsk p 6 3 K ing H ak on wh om h is s ubj e cts s u sp e ct e d o f


. . .
,

Ch rist ian ity w as c all e d up on at h an n Skyldi e t a hrossa sld tr S a ga


,

H ak gOOa cap 1 8
. F rom Tac arm 1 3 5 7 w e l e arn th a t t h e H e r
. . . .
,

mun d uri s a crific e d th e h orses Of t h e d e fe a t e d Ca tt i A S l a t e a s th e .

t ime of B onifa c e ( Ep ist e d Wiird tw 2 5 8 7 Se rr 1 2 1 . . . . . .

th e Th uringian s are strictly e nj oin e d t o a bst ain from h orse fle sh .

A gath ias b e ars w it n e ss t o th e p ra ctic e o f th e A l aman n i : im ro vs


t a ei rra [t vp ia x a
ea l Bi a s [Ca t a 7t 7

p o i} v 7 6 9 ( b e h ea ding)
'
7 6 r a 7 0
.
, p . .
,

6 7 n96 t d §o va w e d b onn 2 8 5 — H e re w e mu st n ot ov e rl ook th e


, .
,
.

cutting 017 of th e h ea d wh ich w a s n ot c on s ume d w ith th e re st b u t , ,

c on s e cra te d by w ay of e min e n ce t o th e god W h e n Ceecina on .


,

a pp roa ch in g th e sc e n e Of V arus s o v e rth ro w

saw horses h ea d s ,

fa ste n e d to th e st e ms of t re e s ( e q uorum artus Simul trun cis a rborum ,

a n tefi a a ora Ta c ar m 1 th e s e w e re n o oth e r th a n th e Roman


,
. .
,

h ors e s wh ich th e G e rman s h ad s e ize d in th e b a ttl e a n d Offe re d up


,

t o th e ir g od s (see S uppl )
2
A Simil ar immol at i dii segu i a bscissu m .

cap ut me e ts u s in S a x o gra m p 75 in th e N orth th e y fix e d it on . .

th e n e id stange ( nibstOng st ak e o f e n v y ) wh ich g av e th e p ow e r t o


b e w itch an e ne my Egilss p 3 8 9 I n a H e ss ian kin d e rmarch e n , . . .

e h av e s urv iv in g b u t n o l onge r un d e rst ood a re min isc e n c e


( n o
. 8 9 ) w , ,

1
I n t er ce t era agreste m ca ba llup le rosque m aliquan t os co me d e re a d un x isti,
j
e t domesticum h oc n e q u aqua m fi e ri d e in ce p s s i n a s
. A n d in p rimis d e v ol a t i li .

bus, id e st gra culi s e t cornicul is a tq u e cicon iis, q ua e omn in o cav e n d a e s un t a b


e su Ch ristia n o rum e t i a m e t fi b ri e t le p ore s e t eq. u i si lva ti ci mult o a mp lius
vi tand i A gain , H ieronymus ad v J ov lib 2 ( e d b a sil 1 5 5 3 2 , 75 ) S ar
. . . . . . .

ma t a e , Qua d i , Va n d a l i e t in n ume ra bile sal i ac g e n t e s equorum e t vulp irmi ca rnib us


d e le cta n t ur Ott o frising 6 , 1 0 a ud ia t , q uod P e ce n a ti (th e w i l d P e sch e n ee re ,
. .

N ib 12 80 , 2 ) e t h i qui P a l on e s vocan tur ( t h e V a lw e n , N ib 1 2 79 , 2


. Tit . . .

crudis e t immu n d is ca rn ib us, u t ot e eq u in i s e t t in is u sq u e h od ie


p ca

v e scun t ur R0 1 98 , 2 0 of th e h ea t h e n : sic ezzen t d iu ros Wit ch e s als o a re


. . .

ch a rg e d w i th e a t in g h orse fle sh ( se e S upp l ) .

1
A lso in t h a t p ass ag e of J orn and e s a bout M ars : h u ic tra ncis susp e n d e

b an t ur exuvia e .
48 WORSHI P .

of myst e rious me aning of a su sp e n d e d horse s hea d 1 —B ut on


th e

.

h ors e sa crifi ce s among th e h e a th e n N ors e w e h av e furth er informa


-

tion of p e cu l iar v al ue T h e S t Olaf S s aga cap 1 1 3 ( e d h ol m 2 . .


, . . .
,

s ays : bat fylgOi Oh be irri sOgn a t bar v acri d rep it n a u t Ok ,

h ross t il arb Ot ar ( foll ow e d t h e


°
s ayin g th a t th e re w e re S l ain n e a t an d
h ors e for h arv e st b oot) A t ail p ie c e at th e v e ry e nd of th e
-
.
-

H e rvararsaga me n t io n s a S imil ar s a c rific e Offe re d by t h e a p o st at e


S w e d e s at th e e l e ct ion Of k in g Sv ein ( s e c on d h al f of l 1 th c e n t ury)
be f ml id h oss e itt a i
b gti Ok h Oggvit i sun d r, Ok skip t til
'

v ar r
.a e t r n ,


d ts ,
en rio uOu b b lOOin u blOttre kOstuOu 1 9a alli r Sviar krist ni
.
ok

h Ofust blOt ; t h e n w a s le d forw ard a h ors e in t o th e Thin g an d h e w e d ,

in s un d e r an d d iv id e d for e at in g an d th e y re d d e n e d with th e bl ood


, ,

th e b lOt tre e &c F orn ald 1 5 12 Die tmar M e rs e b urg s



-
, . . sOg .
, . of

d e sc ription gre a t N ors e (strictly D an ish ) s acrificial rit e


of th e ,

wh ich h ow e v e r w as e xtin ct a h un d re d y ears b e fore h is time ,

e v id e n tly c on t a in s c irc u mst an c e s e x a gg e ra t e d le e n d w ise a n d d is


g
t orte d ; h e s a ys 1 9 : Se d q uia e go d e h ostiis ( N orth man n orum)
,

mira aud iv i h a e c in disc u ss a p ra e te rire n ol o e st unus in h is


,
.

p artib us l oc us c ap ut istiu s re g ni Le d e run nomin e in p ag o qui


, , ,

S e l on 2
d icitur ubi p o st n ovem ann OS me n s e J a nua rio p ost h o c
, ,

t e mp u s quo n os th e Op h an ia m d omini ce lebramus omne s con ,

v e n e run t e t ib i diis suisme t lx x x x e t ix h omin es e t t ot id e m egu os


,
. .
, ,

cum ca n ibu s e t g all is p ro accip itrib u s Oblatis immol a n t p ro c e rt o , , ,

ut p ra e dix i p u t a n te s h os e isd e m e rg a in fe ro s se rvit uros e t c ommiss a


, ,

c rimin a a p ud e osd e m p la caturos quam b e n e re x n ost e r ( H e in rich I . .

a n 9 3 1) fe c
. it qu i cos a t am e x e c ran d o ritu p roh ibuit I— A g ran d
,

fe stiv e s a crific e c oming on c e in n in e y e a rs an d c ost in g a c on s id e r


, ,

a bl e n u mb e r o f a n imals — in t his t h e re is n o th in g in c re d ibl e J u st .

a s th e n a me h e c a t omb li v e d on w h e n t h e re w a s n oth in g l ik e th a t ,

n umb e r s a c rific e d S O h e re t h e l e g e n d w a s l ik e ly t o k e e p t o a high


,

s oun ding n umb e r ; t h e h orror Of th e h uman v ictims p e rh aps it


th re w in b odily B ut t h e re a s on all e ge d for th e a nimal s a c rific e
.

is e vid e n tly wid e of th e ma rk ; it mix e s up w h a t w as d on e

G re gory th e G rea t
1
( e p ist . 7, 5 ) mon ish e s B run ich ild
ad tot ak e p re
ca u t i on s w i th h e r F ran ks ,
ut de an imalium cap i ti bus sa crifi cia sa cril e ga n on

e x hi b ea nt .

S é lon for S élon d , ON S ee lun dr, a ft e rw ard s S iolan d , S e e l a n d , i e , Z e a


2
. . .

l an d Lé d e rOn , th e Sa x d at of L é d e ra , ON H leiOra, aft erw ard s L é th ra


. . . . ,

L e ire ; con f G o th h le ibra tab ern aculum


. . .
50 W ORSH I P .

Th e bla ck or a nd wh ich are n ot t o b e k ill e d for th e h ous e


bla ck cow,

h ol d (Sup erst — w e re th e y s a cre d s a crificial b e a sts ? V al


. .

S up li t a fre e p e a s an t o n th e S aml an d c oa st ( S amogit ia or S e mi


,

g al ia) s a crific e d a bla ck bu ll with strang e c e re mon ie s


,

1
I will a dd .

a fe w e x ampl e s from th e N ors e D uring a fa min e in S w e d e n u n d e r


.

k ing D 6maldi pa e fi tfio (in stitut e d) Sv iar b16t st6r at U p p solum it ,

fy rst a h a ust (a u tu mn ) bl6tu 6 u be ir ga m am a n d t h e o x e n p rov ing

in s uffi c ie n t th e y gra d u ally w e n t up t o high er an d h igh e r k in d s ;


,

Y ugl s aga c 1 8 a k k h a nn t il h ofs ( t e mpl e ) F 0k


.
p g,
e . .
re yss ,

le iddi b ag at w ea n ga mla n ( a n old ox ) ok maelti sva : Fre y r n fi , ,

x a b e nn a ; e n u x a num b ra sva v iii a t h an n q va 6 v i6


g e f e k b e r u , ,

ok fell n i6 r d au E Sr ( d e alt t h e ox s u ch a bl ow th a t h e g av e a gro an ,

a n d fe ll d o wn d e a d) I sle n d seg 2 3 48 c onf V igaglumssaga cap . .


,
. .
, .

9 A t a formal d ue l th e vi ctor sl e w a bull with th e s ame w e a p on s


th at h ad v an q uish e d h is foe : pa var leiddr fram grd cmngr mikill 0 k
.

a ma ll v ar bat k a ll a t blé m a u t ba t Sk ldi se h oggv a e r sigr h e fdi


y
g , ,

t l d f rth a b u ll mickl e a n d old it w a s c a ll e d bl 6t n e a t


( h e n w a s e o ,
-
,

tha t sh ou l d h e h e w w h o v ict ory h ad) Egilss p 5 0 6 c onf K ormak s ,


. . . .

s aga p 2 1 4 8 —S a crifi ce of Cows S ee m 1 4 1 F ornm sog 2 1 3 8


.
-
.
, . . . .
, .

— Th e G reek éx a T é/ Lfi n a s t h e n ame sh ows 1 0 0 ox e n) c on s ist e d a t


( ,

fi rst of a l arge numb e r of n e at b ut v ery s oon of oth e r b e a sts als o


,
,
.

Th e I nd ian s t oo h a d s a c rific e s of a hun d re d H ol zmann 3 ,

B oe rs P igs (se e S upp l )


,
I n th e Salic Law t it 2 a high e r
.
,
.
,

c omp os it ion is se t on t h e mefa les sa crious or ooteous th an on any


' ’

o th e r This s e e ms a rel ic of th e a n c ie n t s a crific e s of th e h e a th e n


.

Franks e ls e w h yth e t e rm se erions? T rue th e re is n o v a st diffe r /


,

e n c e b e tw e e n 7 0 0 a n d 6 0 0 d e n ( 1 7 a n d 1 5 bu t of a n imals .

so se t a p art for h oly u se th e re mu st h a ve b e e n a grea t n u mb e r in

h e a th e n time s so th a t th e p ric e p e r h e ad did n ot n e e d to b e h igh


, .

Prob ably th e y w e re s e l e ct e d imme diat e ly a fte r b irth a nd mark e d , ,

a n d th e n re a re d w ith t h e re st t ill th e t ime of sa crifi cin — I n


g
F rank ish an d A l ama n n ic d ocume n ts th e re oft e n o cc urs t h e w ord
risceng u s u ally for p orc e ll u s b ut s ome t ime s for a g nu s o cc a s ion ally
'

f , , ,

in t h e more limit e d s e ns e of p orcinus an d agn inus; th e w ord mayby


1B e rl in mon a t sch r 1 8 0 2 8 22 5 conf Lu cas Da vid 1 , 1 1 8 -1 2 2


. . .
,
. . .

2
I n man y d istri cts o f G e rma n y an d F ran ce , t h e b ut ch ers a t a se t t ime of
th e ye ar l e a d t hrou gh th e st re e ts a fa tted ox d e ck e d w ith fl ow e rs an d ri b b on s ,
a ccomp a n i e d b yd rum a n d fi fe , an d coll e ct drin k -mon e y l n H oll a n d th e y ca ll .

th e ox bold er, a n d h an g gil d e d a ppl e s o n h is h orn s , w hi l e a b ut ch e r w a lks in


fron t with t h e a x e ( b eil) A ll th is s e ems a reli c of s ome old s acrifi ci al rit e
. .
SA RI FI E C C . 51

it s orig in xp re ss re ce n s n at us
e n ow l iv e s only in —
n e w b orn, but it
1
,

t h e s e n s e of p orc e ll us ( frischl ing) H ow are w e t o e xpl ain th e n .


,

th a t th is OR G f risei ng in s e v e ral writ e rs tra n sl a t e s p re cis e ly th e


.

La t h ostia victima h olocau stu m ( N otk e r cap 8 p s 1 5 4 2 6 6


.
, ,
.
, .
, .
, .

3 3 1 3 9, 8 4 1 , 1 0 4 3 1 2 2 2 5 0 , 2 1
,
. . .
, . . . 1 1 5 , 1 7 Gst e rfriscing p s 2 0
.
, .
,

3 . l a mp unka w e mmit kake p a n e rdu friscing i e l amb unbl e mi sh e d


, . .

g iv e n t o e arth a s acrific e H ymn 7


xc e pt a s a re minisc e n c e of , ,
e

h e ath e nis m ? Th e J e wish p a sch al l a mb w oul d n ot s ugg e st it for in ,

friscing th e id e a of p orc e ll u s w as p re d ominant — I n th e N orth t he ,



e xp ia t ory b oa r son a rgoltr o ffe re d t o Fre y r w a s a p e riodic a l s a c ri
'

, , ,

fi ce ; a n d S we d e n h a s c on t inu e d d own t o mod e rn t ime s th e p ra ctic e


of b a k in g l oa v e s a n d c a k e s on Y ul e e v e in th e sh a p e of a b oar -
.

This gold en bristled b oar h as l e ft his tra ck in in l and Ge rmany t oo


-
.

A cc o d g t o p op ul ar b e l ief in Th urin g ia wh oe v e r on Ch rist ma s


r in 2
,

e v e abst ain s from all food t ill s upp e rt ime w ill ge t s ight of a y oung ,

gold en p ig i e in ol d e n t ime s it w as b rought up l a st a t th e e v e n


,
. .

in g b a n q u e t A Lau t e rb a ch ord in an c e (w e isth u m) of 1 5 8 9 d e c re e d


.

( 3 , th a t u n t o a c ourt h ol d e n th e d ay of th e Thre e k ings -


,

th e re fore in Yul e t ime th e h ol d e rs of farm st e ad s (hub n e r) ,


-

sh oul d furnish a cl e a n goldf erch (gol d h og) ge l d e d wh il e ye t un d e r -

milk ; it w a s le d round th e b e n ch e s a n d n o d oubt sl aught e re d ,

a ft e rw a rd s
3
S 0 a mon g th e We lsh th e swin e offe re d t o th e god s
.
,

1 D ucan ge sub v E cca rd Fr or 2 , 6 77 D orows d e n km I 2 , 5 5


.
Lacom . . . . . .

b le t 1, 3 27 Gra ff 3 , 8 3 3 S ch me ller wt b 1, 6 1 9
. . . .

2
G ut ge se lls b eitr zur ge sch d e s d e uts ch en alte rth ums, M e in in ge n 1 8 3 4 ,
. .

P 13 8 .

3
This p a ssa g e from th e La ute rb ordi n I can n ow ma t ch b yan ot h e r from . .

t h os e of V inkb u ch in th e Alamann coun t ry It says 1 , 4 3 6 : th e p rov ost sh a ll .

p ick out in t h e con v e n t a swine worth 7 schi lling pfen nig an d a s s oon ash arve st ,

b e g in s , le t it in t o t h e con v e n t cre w yard , w h e re i t mu st b e a l low e d g en e rou s


fare a n d fre e a cce ss t o t h e corn t h e re i t isl e ft t i ll th e Th urs d a ya ft e r S t A d olf s .

d ay w h e n i t is sl augh t e re d a nd div id e d , h a l f t o t h e farm b a il i ff, h alf t o t h e


, .
-

p a rish ; on t h e same d ay t h ere is a ls o a dist ribut i on of bread a n d ch e e s e t o


the a ris h — Th e p ri ce of s e v e n s h i ll i n gs t a ll i e s w it h th e s e v e n a n d a h a lf
.

fi xe b y t h e L a ut e rb ordin , an d i s a h i gh on e , fa r e x ce e d in cr t h e o rd i n ary
it w as a n arran ge me nt I ong con t in u e d
. .

v al ue ( conf G ott a n z 18 2 7, pp 3 3 6
.
'

. . .

an d oft e n e mpl o y e d in t h e s e ordin an ce s , an d on e w e ll s u i t e d t o a b e a st s e l e ct e d


for s a cri fi ce Th e L a ut e rb ach goldferch , lik e t h a t of V inkb uch i s d ol e d out
. ,

an d con s u me d a t a fe st iv e me a l t h e a ss iz e i tse l f is n a me d aft e r it ( 3 , 3 70 )


a t V in kb u ch t h e h e a th e n is h n ame on l h a s b e e n forg ott e n o r s u pp re ss e d
y
A ss ure d l y s u ch a ss iz e fe a sts w e re h e l d in o th e r p a rts o f G e rman y t o o
- St .

A d olf w a s a b is h o p of S t ras zb u rg his d ay falls on A ug ust 2 9 or 3 0 ( Co nr v ,


.

D an kr n a me n b p . a n d t h e a ss iz e t h e re fore in t h e b e ginn i n g o f S e pt e mb e r
. .

S w i n e are sl a ugh t e re d for th e h ouse h o l d w h e n w in t e r s e ts in , in N ov or D e c . .

a nd as b oth of t h e s e b t ll d hl h tm n a t, t h ere mig h t lin g e r in


y u r n s a re c a e s c ac o
52 WORSHIP .

b e came d e stine d for th e K ing



on e s tabl e It is th e swin ea lggld en .

,

eo or ire nh e ard of th e A n gl o S a x on s a nd of it s e x a ct re l a tion t o


f -
,

t h e w orsh ip of F r6h o ( Fre yr) w e h av e t o trea t more in d e ta il by


a n d by Th e Gre e ks s a crific e d swin e to D emet er ( Ce re s) wh o a s
.
,

N e rthu s st an d s v e ry n e ar t o Ni6 r5 r Fre yr a nd Fre yj a , .

Ra ms Goa ts ( se e — A s friscin c ame t o me an victima so


, g ,

c onv e rs ely a n ame for a nimal s acrific e G oth s au5 s s e e ms t o h a v e , .


,

give n ris e t o th e ON n ame for th e a nimal its elf sa n d r w e th e r


.
,
z .

Th is sp e cie s of s a crific e w as th e re fore n ot rare th ough it is s e l do m ,

e xp re ssly me n t ion e d p rob ably a s b e ing of s ma ll v al ue


, On ly th e .

s ag a H akon ar g65 a cap 1 6 informs us bar var cc d re p inn (k ill e d)


.

a llskon ar sma li ok sva b ross ,


S mali ( nfiKa ) d e n ot e s p rin cip ally .

sh ee p a ls o more ge n e rally th e s mall b e a sts of th e fl ock a s opp os e d


,

t o o x e n an d h ors e s a n d a s all s k on ar (omnis g e n eris ) is h e re



.

a dd e d it s e e ms t o i n cl ud e g oa ts
,
Th e s a c rific e of h e goa ts ( h irc os ) .
-

is sp ok e n of in th e a b ov e qu ot e d Ep ist B ouif 8 2 I n th e S w e d ish


-
. . .

s up erstition th e w at er sprit e b e fore it w ill t e a ch any on e to pl a y


,
-
,

t h e h arp re quire s t h e s a c rific e of a bla ck la mb


, Sv e nska folkv 2 .
,

1 28 G re g ory th e G re a t sp e a ks on c e of she goa ts b e ing s a crific e d ;


.
-

h e s ays t h e La ng ob ard s offe r t o th e d e vil i e t o on e of th e ir g od s , . .


, ,

ca ut ca ra e
p p h oc e i p e r circuitu m curre nt e s c armin e n e fa n d o
, , ,

d e dica nt e s D ial 3 2 8 This h e a d o f a sh e g oa t ( or h e goa t w a s


.
,
.
- -

re are d a l oft a n d th e p e opl e b ow e d b e fore it


,
Th e ha llowing of a .

h e goa t a mon g th e a n cie n t Pruss ia n s is w e ll k n ow n ( Lu c D a v id 1


-
.
,

87 ,
Th e Sl a v on ia n god Trigla v is re p re s e n t e d with th re e
g oats h e a d s ( H au k a s zbj rka I f th a t L ang ob ardic c arme n
’ ’ ‘

n e fa n d um h a d b e e n p re s e rv e d w e c oul d j u dg e more e x a ctly of th e ,

rit e th a n from t h e re p ort o f th e h oly fa th e r w h o v ie w e d i t with ,

h o stil e e y e s .

A b out oth e r s a crificial b e a sts w e c ann ot b e c ert ain for of D ie t ,

mar s d ogs a n d h awks an d c ocks h ard ly an ybut th e l a st a re t o b e



,

d e p e n d e d on ( se e Suppl ) B ut e v e n th e n wh a t o f d ome stic p oul try


.
, ,

fo wls ge e s e p ig e on s
,
Th e d ov e w a s a J e wish a n d ch ristia n
,

s ls
t hi a o a re fe re n ce t o h e a h e n acri ce an A S n ame for N ov is e
t s re y fi s . . xp ssl
blo tmon e if Th e comm on man a t h is ye ar y a u h e r n
. e up a fe a and l sl g t i g g ts st ,

s end me a an d a u age t o h is n e h b our ( con f md u chli, S a d e r 2


s t
s s s ig s . t l ,

w h ch may b e a ur
i a o f th e common
s viv l a cr ce a n d d i r b u on o f e h ifi s st i t i fl s .

It s re ma r ab e h a in S e r a t oo , at th e o e mn b urn n of t h e b a d n ya k ,
k l t t vi s l i
I
g
w hi ch I e ac y s x tl l i k
e th e y l
u e log ( ch ,
F ire ) , a whole swi ne is roa e d , an d . XX s st
t
o f e n a sucking ig a on
p l g t ’
w i h it ; V uk s on e n e ro , 10 3 4 M t g pp . .
S A RI FI
C CE . 53

s a crific e th e Gree ks offe re d c ocks to A skl e p ios a n d in T ouraine a


, ,

white c ock u s e d t o b e s a crific e d t o St Christ oph e r for th e c ure o f a .

b ad fi ng e r ( H e n ri Estie nn e cap 3 8 Of g ame d oubtl e ss on ly


.
, ,

th os e fit t o e at w e re fit t o s a crific e st ags roe s wil d b oars b u t n e v e r


, , , ,

b e ars w ol v e s or fox e s w h o th e ms e l v e s p oss e ss a gh ostly b e ing an d


, , ,

re c e iv e a k in d of w orsh ip Y e t on e might s upp os e th a t for e xp ia t ion


.

u ne a t abl e b e a sts e qu all y w ith me n might b e offe re d j ust a s sl av e s


, , ,

a n d a ls o h oun d s a n d fa lc on s foll ow e d th e b urn t b od y of th e ir


ma st er H e re w e must fi rst of all pl a c e A d am of B re me n s d e scrip

.

t ion(4 2 7) of th e g re at s a crific e at Ups al a by th e s id e o f D ie t mar s


— Sol e t quoqu e p ost n ove m


a cc t
oun of th a t a t H le th ra ( se e p 4 8 ) z .

a nn os c ommun is o mni um S ve Cn iae p rovinciarum sole nnita s


ce le b ra ri a d q u am n ull i p ra e st at ur immun it a s
,
re g e s e t p opu l i ,

o mn e s e t sin uli sua d on a a d U b sola m t ran smit tun t e t qu od omn i


g , ,

p oe n a crud elius e st ill i qui j am ind ue runt ch ristianitat e m a b ill is


,

ce re monii s se re d imu n t S acrifi cium ita que t a l e e st : e x omn i


.

a n i ma n te qu od ma sculi nu m e st n overn cap ila o ffe run t ur ; q uoru m


,

s a nguine d eo s t al e s p la cari mos e st Corp ora a ut e m susp en d un tur


.

in lucum qui p rox imus e st t e mpl o Is e nim l u c us t am s a c e r e st


.

ge ntilibus u t singulae arb ore s ej us e x morte ve l t ab o immolat orum


,

d ivin ae cre d a ntu r I bi e tiam ca n es qui p e n d e n t cum h omin ibus


.
, ,

quorum c orp ora mix tim s usp e n s a n arravit mihi q uid a m christian
orum se sep tua gi nta d uo vidisse Ce t e rum n a e n ia e q uae in
.
,

ej usmod i ri tib us lib a toriis fi e ri s ol e n t multip lice s s u n t e t inh on e sta e


, ,

id e oque me l iu s re tice n d ae — Th e n umb e r n in e is p romin e n t in th is


.

S w e dish s a c rificial fe a st e x a ctly a s in th e D a n ish b ut h e re a ls o a ll


,

is c on c e iv e d in th e sp irit o f l e g e nd First th e hea d s of v ict ims


.
,

s e e m th e e ss e ntial th ing ag ain as a mon g th e Franks a nd Lan gob ard s


,

th e n th e d ogs c ome in s upp ort of thos e Hle thra b oun d s a nd h awks ,

but a t t h e s a me time re min d us of th e old j udic ial c ustom of h an g in g


up w ol v e s or d ogs by th e s id e of c rimin a ls ( RA 6 85 Th a t only .

t h e ma le se x of e v e ry l iving c re ature is h e re t o b e s a crifi c e d is in ,

strik ing a cc ord with a n e p is od e in th e Reinardus which w as ,

c omp o s e d l e ss th an a c e ntury a ft er A d am a nd in its ground w ork ,

might w e ll b e c on t e mp orary w ith him A t t h e w e d din g o f a k ing .


,

th e ma les of all qu adrup e d s a n d b ird s w e re t o h a v e b e e n sla ugh tered ,

b ut t h e c ock a n d g an d e r h ad ma d e th e ir e sc a p e It l ooks t o me .

l ik e a l ege nd of th e ol d e n t ime wh ich still c irc ul at e d in th e 1 1 1 2 t h


,
-

c e nt urie s a nd wh ich e v e n a n urs e ry tal e ( N o 2 7 th e Town


,
-
.
,
54 WORSH I P .

mus ician s) k nows s ome thi ng of 1 A nyh ow in h e ath en t ime s ma le .


,

a n i ma ls s e e m t o b e in sp e c ia l d e ma n d for sa crifi ce 2 A s for k illin g .

(
o n e of e v e ry sp e c ie s a n d e v e n A a thia s s ze a l d xxa d - m

g r v
a p ia d oe s
n ot c o me up t o t h a t) it w oul d b e s u ch a st u p e n d ou s a ffa ir th a t it s
, ,
.

a ct u al e x e c u t ion c oul d n e v e r h a v e b e e n c on c e iv a bl e
; it ca n on ly
h a v e e x ist e d in p op ul a r tradition It is s ome th ing lik e th e old .

M irror of S a x on y an d th a t of Swab ia a ss uring u s th a t e v e ry livin g


c re ature pre s en t at a d e e d of rapin e wh e th er o x e n h ors e s c ats , , , ,

d ogs fo wls g e e s e swine or me n h ad t o b e b e h e a d e d a s w e ll a s t h e


, , , , ,

(
a ctu a l d e l in qu e n t in re a l fa ct on ly wh e n th e y w e re his p rop e rty 3 , );
or l ik e th e Edd a re l at in g h ow oa ths w e re e x a ct e d of a ll a n imals

a n d pl an ts a n d a ll b e in gs w e re re q uire d t o w e e p
, Th e c re a t ure s .

b e l on ging t o a man h is d ome s tic an imals h av e t o s uffe r with him


, ,

in c a s e of c re ma tion s a crific e or p u nish me n t


,
.

Ne xt t o th e k in d stre ss w as u n doubte dly l a id on th e c ol our of


,

th e a n imal whi le b e in g c on s id e re d th e most fav ourabl e


,
Whi te .

h ors e s a re oft e n sp ok e n of ( Ta o G e rm 1 0 W e isth 3 3 0 1 3 1 1 . . . .


,
. .

e v e n so fa r b a ck as th e P e rs ian s ( H e rod 1 Th e friscing .


,

of s a c rific e w a s p rob a bly of a sp otl e ss wh it e ; a n d in l a t e r law

re c ord s sn ow white p igs a re p ron ou n c e d inv iol ab l e


4
-
Th e V otiaks .

s a crific e d a red st allion th e Tch e re misse s a whi te W h e n un d er


,
.

th e old G e rman la w d u n or p i ed c a ttl e w e re ofte n re qu ire d in p ay


me n t o f fi n e s a n d tith e s th is migh t h av e s ome c on n e x ion w ith
,

sa crifi ce s ; for witch c raft a ls o a nimals of a p artic ul ar h u e w ere


5
,

re quis it e . Th e w a t e r sp rit e d e mand e d a bla ck l a mb an d t h e h uld re s


-
,

h av e a bla ck l amb an d bla ck cat offere d up t o th e m (A sb 1 . .

S a x o Gram p 1 6 s a ys ; re m divin am fa c e re f nrois h ostn s ; d o e s


. .

th a t me an bla ck b e asts — W e may s upp o s e th at c attl e w ere

1 Or w ill an tra ce this in cid en t in th e Re ynard t o th e w ord s of th e


yone
V ulga t e in M a tt 2 2 4 : t auri me i e t a lt i lia occi s a s u n t v e n it e a d n up tia s
.
, ,

w h i ch me re l y d e s crib e th e pre p ara t i o n s for t h e w e dd i n g fe a st ? A n y h i n t -

a b ou t ma l e s i s j u st w h a t t h e p a ss a g e l acks .

2
Th e G re e ks offe re d ma le a n i ma ls t o g od s fema le t o g o d d e ss e s I 1 3 10 3 , , .
,

a white ma le l a mb t o H e l i os ( su n ) a b la ck ewe l a mb t o Gé ( e art h )


,
T h e .

L i thu anian s sa crifi ce d t o th e ir e arth god Z emien nik u triusque s e x u s d ome st i ca


a n i ma l i a H au pt s ze it sch r 1 1 4 1

. .
,
3
Re ysch e r a n d Wi l d a ze itsch r fur d e u ts ch e s re ch t 5 1 7 1 8 .
, , .

4
RA 26 1 5 9 4
. . We isth 3 4 1 4 6 6 9 con f V i rg A e n 8 8 2 : ca nd ida
. .
,
. . . . . .
,

cum foe t u con col or a lbo su s a n d t h e U mb rian trif ap ruf rufru ut e p eiu ( tre s
a p ros rub ro s a u t p ice o s) A ufre ch t u n d Kirchh u mb r sp rach d 2 2 78 9
-
.
,
. . .
,

5 RA 5 8 7 6 6 7
. . We isth 1 4 9 8 3 4 3 0 White a n i ma ls h at e ful to th e
. .
, .
, .

g ods Te ttau an d T emme p re u ss sag 4 2 . . .


SA RI FI C CE . 55

a rla n d ed
-
an d a d orned p a ss ag e in th e for E dd a s a crific e A
g
.

re q uire s gold horne d c ows See m 1 4 1 a n d in t h e v ill ag e of F ie n stad t



- .
,

i n M a n s fe l d a c o a l bl a ck o x w i th a w -h it e st a r a n d wh i t e fe e t a n d ,

a li e g oa t w ith gi ld ed horn s w e re imp o s e d a s d ue s


l
- T h e re are in di .

c atio ns th a t th e a ni mals b e fore b e ing sl aught ere d w e re le d roun d , ,

t
wi hin th e c ircl e o f t h e a ss e m bly— th at is h ow I e xpl ain th e
lea ding roun d the ben ches a n d p er ci rcu i ta m curre re pp 5 1 5 2 , ,
.
,

p e rh aps a s among th e Gre e ks a n d R oman s t o giv e th e m th e


, ,

( se e Suppl ) P rob ably


2
a pp e a ra n c e of goin g volu n ta ri ly t o d e ath .

c are h ad to b e t ak e n als o th a t th e vict im sh oul d n ot h av e b e e n u s e d


in t h e service of ma n e g th at th e c x h a d n e v e r d ra wn pl ough or
,
. .
, ,

w aggon For s uch c olts an d b ullo cks a re re quire d in our an c ie n t


.

law re c ord s at a formal t ra n s fe r of l a n d or th e pl oughin g t o d e a th


-
,

of re mov e rs of l an d marks .

On t h e a ctu al p roc e d ure in a s a crific e w e h a v e sc arc e ly a ny ,

in forma t ion e xc e pt from N ors e au th oritie s W hil e th e an imal .

l aid d ow n its life on th e s a crificial st on e all th e stre aming bl ood ,

( ON hla n i) w a s c aught e ith e r in a h oll ow d ug for th e p urp os e or


.
,

in v e ss e ls W ith th is g ore th e y s me are d th e s a cre d v e ss e ls an d


.

3
ut e n s il s a n d sp rinkl e d th e p artic ip an ts
,
A pp are n tly div in at ion .

w as p e rforme d by me a n s of th e bl ood p e rh a ps a p art of it w a s ,

mix e d with ale or me ad a n d d run k I n th e N orth th e bl oo d ,


.

b owls (hlautbolla r blCtbolla r) d o n ot s e e m t o h av e b e e n l arge ;


,

s ome n a tion s h ad big c aul dron s ma d e for t h e p urp os e ( se e S upp l ) .

Th e S w e de s w e re t a un t e d by Ola fr T rygg v a s on w ith s ittin g at h o me


a n d l ick in g th e ir s a c rific ia l p ots a t sitj a h e ima 0 k sle ik a blo
j

t ,

bolla s in a F orn m sog 2 3 0 9 A c aul d ron of t h e Cimbri is n ot ic e d



. . .
, ,

in S t ra b o 7 2 : 5590 9 3 6 7 1 7 6611 K i/i co v Bi ny


'

,
o fi vva i T o w a ro v {in
.
'
,

va a i s vfi o vv
'

r ule f vva i flv


y a vroiv

a va v a re vo
p n ap nx ok o n p oa d vre es ‘

l€
p € La b n oh eo rp t
xes,

Ke vxe ia ove s, ‘
xa
p rra o va i ba rrrida s
s ég
' '
6 7TL7T€7TO
p

1
N e ue mi tth . d es th ur . sa ch s v ere ins V . . 2, 13 1, conf . II . 1 0 , 2 92 . 0d .

3 , 3 82
f B m

l8
’ ’

ow
p p yw p e w ay, e v v e rc
on o v,
'

co av e

o v 77 /a e » a m
m o vu m urro
"
dop a-

nu { y ) y
v p

v ,

my T Ol sym p e fw, xp vo o v Kep a crw arep i xe va s


’ ’ '

. r

Oc e ingu Skyldi t ortyna h v arki fé n e monn u m, n e ma sralft g e n g i i b urt .

Ey rb s aga , p 10 A nd n on e s h oul d th ey kill ( t ortima n e it h e r be ast n or


. . .

man , un l e ss of i ts e lf it ran a tilt .

3
S aga H akon a r g o ba , cap 1 6 E yrb s a g a 10 ra uC h o r in , re dd e n e d
g . . . . .

th e ( st on e ) a lta r, F o rn ald sog 1 , 4 13 st alla a ta rioba b lo bi, 1 , 4 5 4 5 2 7


. . . . .

S ae m 1 14 b riod u d u blobin u bldttré, F 0 1 n ald sog 1 , 5 12 t h e Grk a rp a m3


. . . .

Bwp cfi n e p txe e w conf E x od


'
. . .
56 WORS H I P .

’ ' '
é vo rro de s 2
'
n nu { p x
Z i e va t ,
a a a k fco fi v
xo va a i y
-
r v
p ,
'
70 9 a ixua k a)
'

j

T O LS St d 7 0 5 a T a ro rre O o v a vvfiv rwv él
fi br 8
-
ei s x a ra a r xra o a i
' '
g p
'

p
‘ ‘ ’
.

'
bro vs fi yo v x o fi v, ba o y dyc ixo v

i
’ ’
e 7r a. '1 ij p k bpo e wv e ix o a t
‘ '

[C a a e
p x
f
a

82: d va fld flp a v, 7311 d va fi d a a (n,a d vrt s) vvrep rre fl ) ? 7 0 0 K é B n r o s '

era as7 0 0 n p oxe ouevo v a lf



e h a t a o véa e i éfca a rov a e v e wp w fi evra
’ ’ ’
a a ro q
'

l y v i va e rro voilvro

1
sis 7 51)p ic a ri
'
jp a , p /re a
ar
" '
. A n oth e r c aul d ron of

t he Sue v i, in th e Life of St Col umb an


. : Sun t e t e ni m inibi vicin ae

n a tion e s Su e vorum quo cu m morare tur , et in t e r h abit at ore s illius


l oci p rogre d ere tur re p e rit e os sacrifi cium p rofanum lita re v ell e
, ,

v a sque mag num qu od v ulgo cup a m v ocan t quod viginti e t se x


, ,

modio s ampl ia s minusv e cap ieb a t cerevisia p len um in me dic h ab e ,

b an t p os itum A d qu od vir D e i a cc e ss it e t sciscitatur quid d e ill o


.
,

fi e ri ve lle n t ? Ill i a iu nt : d e o suo W Od a n O q ue m M e rcurium ,

v o can t alii se v e ll e li ta re ,
J on a s B obbie n sis vita Col umb (from .
,
.

t h e fi rst h al f of th e 7th c e n t M abillon an n B e ne d 2 H e re . . .


,

w e are e xp re ssly t ol d th a t t h e c aul d ron w a s fill e d with a le a n d n ot ,

th at th e b l ood Of a v ictim w as mix e d w ith it unl e ss th e n arrativ e


is in c ompl e t e it mayh a v e me an t On ly a d rin k Offerin g
,
-
.

Us ually th e c aul d ron s e rv e d to c ook i e b oil th e v ictim s fl e sh ; ,


. .
,

it n e v er w a s roa st e d Thus H erod ot us 4 6 1 d e scrib e s a b oili ng


.
,

( éxlf e w ) Of th e s a crific e in th e grea t c a ul dron Of th e Scyth ian s



.

F rom th is seething a cc ording t o my c onj e ct ure th e ra m w as c a ll e d


, ,

sa up s a n d th os e w h o t ook p a rt in th e s a c rific e su dn a u ta r ( p art ak e rs


,

o f th e s od d e n
) Gutalag p 1 0 8 th e b oilings th e c auldron s an d p ots
, .
,

Of w itch e s in l at e r t ime s mayb e c onn e ct e d w ith th is 2


Th e distri .

b u tion of th e p ie c e s among th e p e opl e w a s p rob ably un d e rt ak e n by


a p rie st ; o n gre a t h ol id a ys th e fe a st w as h el d th e re a n d th e n i n
3

t h e a ss e mbly on oth e r o cc a s ion s e a ch p e rs on might d oubtl e ss t a k e


,

1
C imbri h ad this cust om th at t h eir w omen marchin g wit h
Th e ysayth e ,

t h e m w e re a ccomp an ied by pri e st e ss proph e t ess e s grayh a i re d wh i t e rob e d -


,
-
,
-
,

w it h a l i n e n s carf b uckl e d o v e r t h e sh oul d e r w ea ri n g a b ra z e n gird l e an d , ,

b a re foo t e d th e s e me t t h e p ri s on e rs in t h e ca mp s wo rd in h an d an d h a vin g
-
, ,

cro w n e d t h e m le d t h e m t o a b ra ss ba sin as l a rge a s 30 a mp h orae ( 1 80 g a ls )


,

a n d t h e yh a d a l ad d e r w hi ch th e p ri e st e ss mo un t e d a n d st a n din g o v e r th e
, ,

b a s i n cut t h e th roa t of each a s h e w a s h and e d up


, With th e b l ood t h a t gu sh e d .

in t o t h e b as i n th e ymad e a p rop h e cy

.
,

Th e t rolds t o o a kin d Of e l v e s h a v e a copp er kettle in t h e N orw s ag a


2
, , .
,

F aye 1 1 t h e ch rist ian s lon g b e li e v e d in a Sa turn i dolium an d in a la rge ,

ca u ldron in h e ll ( ch audiere M eon 3 2 8 4 , ,

Th e yals o a t e t h e stron g b roth a n d t h e fa t s w immi n g at th e t op


3
Th e .

h e a th e n Offer t h e ir kin g H ak on on hi s refu s i n g t h e fl e sh drecha sob i t a nd eta


, ,

floti t Sa ga H akonar gOOa cap 1 8 conf F orum $ 63 1 0 3 8 1 . . . . .


, .
58 WORS HI P .

ri bb on s TO th is d ay at a fruit gath e ring in H olst ein fi ve or six


.
,
-
,

a ppl e s are l e ft h angin g on e a ch t re e a n d th e n th e n e xt c rop w ill th riv e .


,

M ore st rik in g e x ampl e s Of th is c u st om will be giv e n l a t e r in tre a t ,

ing of ind ivid ual g o d s B ut j ust a s t ame a nd e a ta bl e a nima ls .


,

w e re e sp e cially a vail abl e for s acrific e so are f ruit trees (frugife ra e ,


-

a rb ore s Ta c G e rm
, . a n d gra i ns a n d a t a forma l t ran s fe r of

l an d b ough s c ov e re d with l e a v e s appl e s or nuts are u s e d a s e arn e st


, ,

Th e M H G p oe t ( F un dgr II 2 5 ) d e scrib e s Cain s


Of th e b arg ain . . .
,

s acrifice in th e w ord s e in e g arb e r n am e r w olt e sie Op p h e re n mi t ,

ch eren j o ch mit a gen en a sh e a f h e t ook h e w oul d Offer it w ith e ars ,


.

a n d e k e w ith sp ik e s a formul a e xpre ss ing a t on c e th e upp e r p art


o r b eard
( a ri st
~
a
) a n d t h e wh ole , e a r a n d st a lk ( S p ic a ) a s w e ll . .

U n d e r this h e ad w e a ls o p ut th e crown ing Of the d iv ine image Of a ,

s a cre d tree or a s a crific e d an ima l with f olia ge or flowers n ot th e


fain t e st t ra c e Of th is a pp ea rs in th e Nors e s ag a s a nd as littl e in ou r ,

Ol d e st d oc ume n ts From l at e r t ime s a nd s urviv in g folk t al e s I can


.
-

bri ng forw ard a fe w th ings On A sc e n s ion d ayt h e g irls in more


.

th an on e p art Of G e rman y twin e ga rla n ds of wh it e a nd re d fl ow ers ,

a n d h a n g th e m u in t h e d w ellin r oo m o r o v er th e c a ttl e in t h e
p g
stabl e w h e re th e y re main till re pl a c e d by fre sh one s th e n e xt y e ar
,
1
.

A t th e v illag e Of Q ue st e n b e rg in t h e H arz on th e thi rd d ay in ,

W h its untide th e l a d s c arry a n oa k up th e c a stl e h ill wh ich


,
-

o v e rlooks t h e wh ol e district a n d wh e n th e y h av e se t it u p right


.

, , ,

fast e n t o it a l arg e ga rla n d Of b ran ch e s of t re e s pl ait e d t og e th e r ,

a n d a s big a s a c a rt w h e e l Th e y all sh out th e queste (i e garl a nd)


. . .


h angs an d th e n th e y d an ce round th e tre e on th e h il l t op b oth
,

tre e an d g arl a n d are re n e w e d e v e ry y e ar 2 N ot far from th e .

M e is ne r moun t ain in H e ss e st a n d s a h igh p re c ipice with a c av e rn


o p e n in g u n d e r it wh ich g oe s by th e n a me Of th e H oll ow S ton e
,
,
.

I n t o th is c a v e rn e v e ry E a ste r M on d a y th e youth s and maid e n s of


t h e n e igh b ou ring v ill ag e s c arry n osega y s a n d th e n d ra w s ome ,
.

c ooling w a ter N0 one w ill v e n ture d own unl e ss h e h a s fl owe rs


.
,

with him Th e l an d s in s ome H e ss ia n t own sh ips h av e t o p aya


3
.

bun ch of ma g/lowers ( lil ie s Of t h e v a ll e y) e v e ry y e ar for re n t 4 I n


f
.

all th e s e e x a mpl e s wh ich ca n e asily b e multipli e d a h e a th e n


, ,

1
B ra gur V I 1 , 1 2 6 . .

2
Ot ma rs v olkss a g en , pp 12 8 -9 Wh at is t old Of th e origin . . Of th e cu st om
s e ems to b e fi ct i on .

3
Wigan d s arch iv 6 , 3 1 7 .

4
Wi gands arch i v 6 , 3 1 8 Casselsch e s w och e nbl 1 8 15 , p . . .
M I NN IE-D RI N K I N G . 59

p ractic e s ee ms to h av e b ee n tran s fe rre d to ch ristian fe stiv als an d


1
o ffe rings .

A s it w a s a p rimitiv e an d wid e sp re ad c ust om a t a b anq ue t to


se t a s id e a p art Of th e ood for th e h ous e h ol d g od s a nd p artic ul arly
f ,

t o pl a c e a d ish of broth b e fore B e rh t a a n d H ul d a t h e g o d s w e re ,

a ls o inv it e d to sh are th e fe stiv e d rink Th e d rin k e r b e fore t a k in g .


,

a nyh ims e l f w oul d p our s ome ou t o f his v e ss e l for th e o d o r h ou s e


, g
sp rite as th e Lithuanian s wh e n th e y d rank b e e r sp ilt s ome Of it
, , ,

o n t h e grou n d for th e ir e a rth g odd e ss Z e m n e le Comp are w ith


2
y -
.

th is th e N orw e gian s ag a s of Th or w h o app e ars a t w e ddi ngs wh e n ,

inv it e d a n d t a k e s up an d e mpt ie s h ug e c a sks Of ale


,
I will n ow .
-

turn on c e more t o th a t a cc oun t Of the Sue v ic a le tu b ( cup a) in J ona s -

( se e p a n d u se it t o e xpl a in th e h e a th e n p ra cti c e Of min n e


.

d rinki ng wh ich is far from b e in g e xt in ct u nd e r christianity


,
H e re .

als o b oth n a me a n d c u st om app e ar common t o a ll th e T e u t on ic

ra c e s .

The G oth ic ma n ( pl munum p re t mun d a) s ign ifi e d I th in k ;


.
, .

m m m m n k me I re me mb e r
g a a n l
(p g a u n u p re t ga u n d a
) I b,
e thi .
, .

From th e s ame v e rb is d e riv e d th e OH G minn a min ia a mor .


,

min n dn min i on a mare t o re me mb er a l ov e d on e I n th e ON



. .
,

l anguage w e h a v e th e s ame ma n munu m a n d als o mi nn i me moria , , ,

min na re c ordari but th e s e c on d ary me ani ng Of a mor w a s n e v er


,

d e v e l op e d .

It w as customary to h on our an abs e n t or d e c ea s e d on e by


ma k ing me n t ion Of h im a t th e a ss e mbly or th e ba n qu e t a n d '

d raining a g obl e t t o h is me mory : this g obl e t th is d ra ught w as ,

c all e d in ON er/ i d rgckj a or a g a in min n i ( e rfi


.
,
fune ral fe a st) .

A t gran d s a c rific e s a n d ban que ts th e go d or th e g o d s w e re


re me mb e re d a n d th e ir min n i d run k : minn is— Ol (ale ) S eem 1 1 9 b

.
, ,

( Opp o s e d t o Om inn is Ol) min n is h orn minn is full ( c u p ful )


,
fOrO -
,
-
.

minni morg Ok Skyldi h orn dre ckia i min ni h v e rt ( th e y g av e man y


,

a m a n d e a ch h a d t o d rink a h orn t o th e
.
,
u m gO lf gan g a a t
mi nn om Ollum Egilss 2 0 6 2 5 3 minn iOl sign od as om Ol a fs h e lga


. . .
, , .

1
B e s id e cattl e an d gra in , o th e r v alua ble s w e re Ofl ere d t o p a rt icul a r g od s
'

an d in sp e cial cas e s , a s e v e n in ch rist i a n t i me s v o ag e rs a t se a e


y g , w oul d vo w . .

a silver shi
p t o t h e i r ch urch a s a v o t iv e g ift ; in S w e d i s h fo lk s on gs , Offra e n -

gryta af ma lm ( v e s s e l Of me ta l ) A rv idss 2 , 1 1 6 e n gryta a f bla n ka ste ma lm ( of


, .

si l ve r) A hlqvists Ol an d I I 1 , 2 1 4 als o a rt i cl e s Of cl o th i n g, e g red shoes


. . . .

2
I n t h e Te n t lan gua g e s I k n o w Of n o t e ch n ica l t e rm like t h e Gk o n e vdw,

. .

Ae ifi w , La t l i b o, for d rin k-Offe ri n gs ( se e S upp l )


. .
60 WORS H I P .

s aga (e d h ol m ) 1 1 3 s ig na is th e G e rman s e gn en to bl e ss c ous e


. . .

cra t e sign a f u ll OOn i ThOr OOins f ull NiarOar f ull Fre ys f a ll


.
, .
, ,

d re cka S ag a H akon ar g65 a cap


, I n t h e H e rra uOs s a ga cap .
-
.

1 1 Th Or s OOin s a n d F re y a s minn e is d run k


’ ’ ’
, , A t th e b uria l Of a .

k ing th e re w a s b rought up a g ob l e t c a ll e d B ra gaf u ll (fun e ra l toa s t


cu
p ) b e fore wh ich e v e ry on e st ood up t ook a s ol e mn vow an d
, , ,

e mpt ie d it Y u l s a g a ca
g p 4 0 ; oth e r p a ss a g e s h av e braga rf u ll
, . .
,

S eem . F orn ald sog 1 3 4 5 4 1 7 5 1 5 The g obl e t w a s a ls o


. .
, . . .

c all e d minnisveig ( swig d ra ught) S eem A ft e r c on v e rs ion


, , .

th e y d id n ot giv e up t he cu st om b ut d ran k th e mi nn e of Christ , ,

M ary a n d th e s ain ts : K rists minn i M ich a els minn i F orum sog


, , ,
. .

1 1 6 2 7 14 8 I n th e F oru m sog 1 0 , 1 78 1 S t M artin d e man d s Of


. .
, .
,
. .
,

Ol af th a t his minni b e p rop os e d in st e ad Of th os e Of Th Or OOin a nd , ,

t h e o th e r as e s .

The oth e r ra c e s w e re j u st a s l ittl e w e a n e d from th e p ra ctic e ;


o nly wh e re t h e t e rm minn e h a d ch a ng e d its me a ning it is t ra n s ,

l a t e d by th e La t amor in st e ad Of me moria ; n ot a bly a s e arly a s in


1
.

Liutp ra n d h ist 6 7 ( M ura t ori II 1 ,


a n d Liut r h ist Ott 1 2 :
.
, p .
,
. . .

dia boli in a morem v inum b ib e re Liutp r a nt ap od 2 70 : a moris . . .


,

sa lu tisgu e me i c au s a b ib it o Liutp r le g 6 5 : p ot e s in a more bea ti . . .

J oha nnis p ree cursoris H e re t h e B a pt ist is me a n t n ot th e E v an.


,

g e li s t ; b ut in t h e F e l F a b e r e v agat it is d ist in ctly t h e


. .

l a tte r I n Eck eh ard c a su s S G all i P ertz 2 8 4 : a more que ut


.
.
, , ,

moris e st osc ul a to e t e p oto la e tab un di d isce d unt I n th e Rudlieb


, ,
.

2 , 1 62
vinum Gerdr ud is a more quod h a ustum
p ost p oscit ,

a rtici a t n os t re s p o st re mo b a sia fi nge n s


p p , ,

qu and o v al e dix it p ost nos ge mit e t b e n e d ix it .

I n th e so c all e d Lib e r occul tus a cc ordi ng t o th e M un ch e n M S


-
,
.
, at

th e d e scription Of a scu ffl e :
h uj u s a d e dictu m n ull u s pl us p e rcutit ictum ,

more m p oscun t Gertru dis a morem


se d p e r cla .

In th e P e re grin u s a 1 3 th c e n t L a tin p oe m v 3 3 5 ( Ley


,
se r 2 1 1 4 ) .
, .

e t rog a t u t p o t e n t s a n ct a e Gertrudis a more ,

ut p osse nt omni p rosp e rit a te frui .

Th e 1 2 th cen t p oe m V o n d e m ge loub e n 1 0 0 1 s ays Of th e in stit ut ion o f


1 .

t h e L ord s S u pp er, wh os e cup is a ls o a d ri n k Of re me mb ra n ce t o C h ri st i an s :


d e n cof n a m e r mit d e m w in e , u n d e segen te d ari nn e e i n V i l gu ot e mi nn e C onf . .

loving cup , T h om s A L c

82 .
M I N N E - D RI NKI N G . 61

A t E re k

s d e p arture : d er w irt n e ig im an d e n fuoz, ze h an d truog
h e il e s ge w inn e sa nt Ge rtrud e minn e E r 4 0 1 5 The

or im d 6 ze ,
. .

a rme d c h amp ion trano sa n t J oha nnes segen Er 8 6 5 1 H agen e




.
, .
,

whil e k ill ing E tzel s ch il d s ays N ib 1 8 9 7 3 ’

, ,
.
,

a n t rink e n w ir d ie min n e un d e g e lt e n skii n ege s wi n ,

iz mac a n d e rs n ih t g e s in
w an trin kt u nd geltet E zeln w in H e lbl 6 1 60 14 8 6 .
,
. . .

H ere th e v e ry w ord gelten re c alls th e me aning it h a d a cquire d in


c onn e x ion w ith s a crific ing ; c on f S e h m 2 4 0 Si d Ozuct e n di s u ert . .
,
.

un d e sca n ct e n e in e min n e ( d re w th e ir sw ord s a n d p oure d ou t a

H e rz E rn st in H offm fun dgr 1 2 3 0 3 5


.
min n e sch e nk e n
. .
, ,
.
,

B e rth ol d 2 76 7 s an t J oha nnis minne g e b e n Osw al d 6 1 1 1 1 2 7


- .
,
. .

1 22 5 ( se e Suppl ) N O d oubt th e s ame th ing th a t w a s a fte rw ard s


.

c all e d e ine n e h re n w e in sch e n k e n ; for e ve n in our Ol d e r sp e e ch



e ra e re d e not e d v e re h run g re v e re n c e sh ow n t o h igh e r a n d l o v e d


‘ ‘

, ,

b eings .

I n th e M id A ge s th e n it w a s t w o s a in ts in p articul ar th a t h a d
.
,

minn e d run k in h on our Of th e m J ohn th e e v a nge l ist an d Gertrud e ,


.

J oh n is s aid to h av e d run k p ois one d win e w ith out h urt h e n c e ,

a d rink c on s e c ra t e d t o h im p re v e n t e d all d a n g e r Of p ois on in g .

G e rtrud e re v ere d J oh n ab ov e all s aints and th e re fore h e r me mory ,

s e e ms t o h a v e b ee n l ink e d w ith his B ut sh e w as als o e st e e me d a s .

a p e a c e ma k e r a n d in t h e La tin arius metricus Of a c e rt a in A n d re a s


,

re ctor sch olarum sh e is in v ok e d :

O p ia Gerd rudis, qua e p a c is commod a cud is


b ella que con cludis n os c a e li me rgito ludis !
,

A cl e rk p ra y e d h e r d aily d a ss sie ih m sch ue ffe h e rb erg guot t o


,

,

fi nd h im l odging g ood ; an d in a M S of th e 1 5 th c e n t w e a re . .

informe d : aliqui dicun t quo d qu an d o a nima e g re ss a e st tun c p rima


, ,

n oct e p e rn oct a bit cu m b e a t a Gerd ru d e s e cu n d a n o ct e cum a rc h ,

a n e l is se d t e rt ia n oct e v a d it sicut d iffi nitum e st d e e a T h is


g , .

rema rk a bl e st a t e me n t w ill b e foun d furt h e r o n t o a pply t o F re y a ,

of wh om a s w e ll a s Of H ul d a a n d B e rh t a G e rtru d e re min d s u s t h e
, ,

more a s sh e w a s re p re s e nt e d sp inn ing B oth J oh n s a n d G e r


, .

trud e s minn e u s e d e sp e c ia lly t o b e d runk by p arting frie n d s


t ra v e ll ers a nd l ov ers Of p e a c e a s th e p ass ag e s qu ot e d h a v e sh own


,
.

1 k n ow of n o ol d e r t e st imon y t o G e rt rud e s minn e ( wh ich p re sup



p os e s J oh n s ) th an th at in B ud l ic h in l ate r c e nt urie s w e fi nd
62 WORSH I P .

pl e n ty Of th e m : d e r b rahte mir s an t J oha ns s ege n Ls 3 3 3 6 .


, .
,
.

s an t J oha ns segen trink e n Ls 2 2 6 2 ich d ah t an s ant J oha n s , .


, .

min n e Ls 2 2 6 4 ,
v arn ( to fare) mit s an t Gertrude min n e
.
,
.
,

A mgb 3 3 h
s e tz s an t J oha ns z e b urg e n mir d a z d u k ome st
. .
,

ge su n t h e rw id e r sch ie r H atzl s an t J oha nnes n a men ,


.

t rink e n A lt d bl ,
s an t Gertrude min ne Cod kolocz 72
. .

, . . .

trin k e n s an t J oha n nes segen u n d sch e id e n von d e m l an de M orolt , .

3 1 03 . d iz ist san ct e J oha ns minn e Cod p al 3 6 4 1 5 8 S J oha n s ,


. .
,
. .

segen t rink e n , A n sh e l m 3 4 1 6 J Oh ans s e ge n Fisch art ge sch kl


, .
, . .

99 h
. Simp liciss 2 .
,

Th os e Sue vi th e n wh om Col umb an w a s a pp ro a ch ing were p rO , ,

b ably d rink ing Wuota n s minn e J on a s re l ate s h ow th e s aint bl e w ’

th e w h ol e v e ss e l t o p ie c e s an d sp oilt th e ir pl e a s ure : man ife st o


d a tur int e lli gi d ia bolum in e o v a s e fuiss e occultatu m qui p e r p ro
, ,

fa n um lit a tore m cap e re t an ima s sacrifi ca n tium S o by Liutp ra n d s



.

d evil wh os e minn e is d run k w e may supp os e a h e a th e n god t o


, ,

h a ve b e e n me an t gef a p riggj a sdld a Ol OOni (giv e th re e t un s of


'

t o OOin n) , F oru m sog 2 , 1 6


'

a le
gef a Th Or Ok Offni Ol, Ok signa
'

. . .

f ull as um ibid 1 2 8 0 d re cka


, .
,
. min ni Th Ors Ok OOin s, ib id 3 1 9 1 .
, .

A s th e N orth ma d e th e S ign Of Th or s h amme r ch ristian s us e d th e


c ross for th e bl e ss ing (s e gnu n g) Of th e cup ; c onf p oculum signa re .


,

Wa lth e r 22 5 p re cis e ly th e Nors e sign a full


.
, .

M in n e d rin k ing e v e n a s a re l ig iou s rite a pp are n tly e x ists to


-
, ,

th is d ay in s ome p a rts Of G ermany A t Otb erge n a vill a ge Of .


,

H il d e sh e im on D e c 2 7 e v e ry ye ar a ch al ic e Of w ine is h all owe d by


, .

t h e p rie st a nd h an d e d t o t h e c ongre g a tion in t h e ch urch to d rin k


,

a s J oha nn is segen ( bl e ss in g ; it is n ot d on e in a n
) yOf th e n eigh '

b ouring pl a c e s I n Sw e d e n an d Norw a y w e fi nd a t Cand l e ma s a


.

d rieka eld borgs skdl drinki n g a t oast ( se e Sup e rst k, S w e d , . .

1
Th oma s i n s d e p ocu l o S J Oh an n is v u lg o J Oh ann istrunk , L i ps 1 6 75. . .

S ch e ffe rs B a lt e u s p 1 6 5 Ob e rl i n s vb J Oh an n is mi nn un d t run k S ch me lle r


. . . . .

2, 5 93 H a n nov mag 1 8 3 0 1 71 6
. Le d e b urs a rch iv
. . On G ert rud e
,
-
.

e sp e c , H uy Clign e t t s h i d r 3 9 2 4 1 1 H offm h ora e b e lg



. d op S t 2 , 3 4 3 5 . .
-
. .
-
. .
,
.

H an ka s B oh e m gl oss e s 79 b 1 3 2 21

2, 4 1 8 -
A n tiqvariske an nale r 1 , 3 1 3
. . .

re n d e r J Oh an ni s amor b yswa ta mi n a ( h ol y A n d in t h a t S lov e n ic d ocu


me n t t h e F re ysinge r M S ( Kop itar s Gla golita xx x vii , con f xl iii ) i s t h e
,

. .

combin a t io n d a kla n ya mse , i mo d limse , im i tchesti ich p iyem, i Ob ie ti n a sh e


im n e se m ( ut ge n ufi e ct amu s e t p re ce mur e is e t h on ore s coru m b ib amus e t Ob l i
a t ion e s n o st ra s i ll i s fe ra mu s) ; tchest i s h on or, cul t us, our Old era ; b u t
g
I a ls o fi n d sla va ( fame , gl ory) u se d in th e s e n s e of mi n n e , an d in a S e rvi a n
s on g ( Vuk , 1 n o 9 4 ) w i n e i s d run k za sl a v e b o zh ye to t h e gl oryof God I n
.

.

th e F i n n i s h myth o l o gyi s me n t i o n e d a n U kkon ma lj a , b o w l Of U k ko ma lj a


S we d Skal , st rictl ys cut e ll a, p otat io in me moriam ve l sa ni tate m
. .
M IN N
E D RI N KI N G
-
. 63

N OW th at fill e d w ith b e e r (p 75 ) w a s a h all ow e d


S ue v ic cup a .

sa crifi cia l ca uld ron li k e th a t wh ich th e Cimb ri s e n t t o th e e mp e ror


,

1
A ug ustu s Of th e S cyth ian c aul dron w e h av e a lre ad y sp ok e n
.
,

p 75 ; a n d w e k n ow wh a t p art th e c aul d ron pl ays in t h e H y


. mis
qvi5 a an d a t th e god s j udg me n t on th e seizure of the ca u ld ron ( by

Th or from gi an t H y mir) N or ou ght w e t o ov e rl ook th e ON . .

p rop e r n a me s A sketill Th drketill (a bbre v Th orkel) A S Oscgtcl ,


. .

( K e mbl e 2 3 0 2 ) th e y p oint t o k e ttl e s c on s e crate d to th e as an d


,

t o Th or .

Our k n owl e dge Of h e ath e n a n tiq uit ie s will g ain b oth by th e


stud y Of th e s e drin king us a ge s wh ich h av e l a ste d int o l at e r time s ,

a nd a ls o of th e sh a p e s giv e n t o ba ked mea ts wh ich e ith e r re ta in e d ,

t h e a ctual forms of a n cie n t id ols or w ere a cc omp an ie d by s a crific ia l ,

Obs e rva n c e s A h ist ory Of G e rman cak e s an d b re ad rolls might


.
-

c ont ain s ome u ne xp e ct e d d iscl os ure s Thus th e I n dicul sup erstit . . .

2 6 n ame s simula cra d e consp a rsa f a rina B ak e d fi g ure s Of an imals .

s ee m t o h av e re pre s e nt e d animals th at w e re re v ere n c e d or th e ,

ri
a tt b ut e s Of a
g o d 2
F rom a st rik in g
. p a ss ag e in t h e F rid th io fssaga

a bl ot ba ked
( for n ald so g .2 8 6 ) it a pp e ar. s th ,
a t t h e h ea th e n a t a d i s
i mages of gods a n d smea red th e m with oil : sfi tu k on ur v iii e ldin n

Ok b ok u5 n m m m fi kum m ’

goO in e n s u a r s u rfiu ,
O k b e rO u e i? d w o en ,

sa t by th e fi re an d b a k e d th e g od s w h il e s ome an oin t e d th e m w ith ,

cl oths B yFriObiof s fault a b ak e d B al dr falls in t o th e fi re th e fat


.

bl aze s up an d th e h ou s e is b urn t d ow n A cc ording t o V oe tiu s d e


,
.

1 2 2 on th e d ay Of Pa ul s c onv e rs ion th e y pl a c e d a

sup e rstit 3 .
,

figure Of straw b e fore th e h e arth on wh ich th e y w ere b ak ing an d ,

if it b rought a fi n e b right d ay th e y a n oin t e d it with b u tte r ; oth e r ,

wis e th e y k ick e d it from th e h e arth s meare d it with d irt a nd , ,

th re w it in th e w ate r .

M u ch th e re fore th a t is n ot e a sy t o e xpl ain in p opul ar Offerings


a n d rit e s a s th e c ol our Of a n imals ( p
,
l e adi ng th e b oar rou n d .

( p. fl o w e rs ( p m inn e d ri n k in
. g ( p e v e n t h e sh ap e -
.

Of c a k e s is a re minisc e n c e of th e s a crific e s of h e ath e nis m ( see


,

Supp l )

1
v
.

erre ml /a v n o
A

EeBa o rw Ba p o u
A A

rbv ie p co ra -
p
ro v n ap
-9
a vro rs
I"

Aq
l
ra , th e most
l

s acre d l dron theyh ad S t rabo V I I 2


ca u , . .

B ak i n g in th e sh a p e of a boa r mu st h a v e b e e n much more W i d e l ysp rea d


2

th an in th e N orth alon e se e b e l ow F rOs b oar ; e v e n in Fran ce t h e y b ake d


. ,

cochelins for N e w Y e ar s d a
y M e m d e l ac ce lt 4 4 29

, .

. .
,
.
64 W ORSH I P .

B e s ide p ray ers and s a c rifice s one e ss en tial fe at ure of th e ,

h e ath e n cultus re main s t o b e b rought out : th e solemn ca rrying


a bout of divin e i mages Th e di vinity w a s n ot t o re main root e d t o
.

on e sp ot b ut a t v a riou s t ime s t o b e st ow its p re s e n c e on th e e n t ire


,

c omp a ss Of th e l an d (se e ch XIV) S O N e rth us rode in st a te (in . .

v e h e b a tur p op uli s) a n d B e re cy nth ia ( ch XIII ) SO F rot ra v e ll e d out


,
.
,

in sp rin g so t h e s a c re d s hip th e s a cre d pl ough w a s c a rrie d roun d


, ,

h ure of th e un k n ow n G othic i
( ch . XIII Is is ) T e. fig go d r o d e in t s

w a ggon ( ch VI ) . F e tch in g ih th e Summe r or M ay c a rrying out


.
-
,
-

W int e r an d D eath are fou n d e d on a similai‘ vie w H ol d a B e rh t a


, .
,

a n d t h e l ik e b e ings all mak e th e ir c irc uit a t st at e d s e a s on s t o th e ,

h e a th e n s j oy a nd th e ch ristia n s te rror ; e v e n th e march of


’ ’

W uotan s h ost may b e S O int e rp re te d ( c onf ch XXXI Frau



. . .

G au d e n ) .W h e n FrOh ad c e a s e d t o app e ar Die trich w ith th e her ,

(b o a r
) a n d D i e t r ich B e r n st ill sh ow e d th e ms e l ve s ( ch X XXXI ) . .

o r t h e sO n argOltr ( a t on e me n t b oar) w a s c on ve y e d t o t h e h e roe s


b an que t ( ch X ) an d th e b oa r le d roun d th e b e n ch e s (p
.
,
.

A mon g p ubl ic l e g a l Obs e rv an c e s th e p rogre ss Of a n e wly e l e cte d ,

k in g al on g th e h ighw a ys th e s ol e mn l ust ra tion of roa d s t h e b e a ting


, ,

Of b oun d s a t w h ich in Ol d e n t ime s g od s ima g e s a n d p rie sts ca n


h ardly h av e b e e n w an ting are all th e s ame k in d o f thing A fter, .

th e c on v e rs ion th e ch urch p e rma n e ntly s an ction e d s u ch p ro c e ss ion s


, ,

e xc e pt th a t th e M a d on n a a n d s a in ts ima g e s w e re c a rrie d p art ie n


larlywh e n d rought b ad c rops p e stil e n c e or w ar h a d se t in so as t o


, , ,

b ring b a ck rain ( ch XX) fe rtili ty Of s oil h e ali ng an d v ict ory s a cre d


.
, ,

imag e s w e re e v e n c arrie d t o h e lp in p uttin g out a fi re Th e I ud icul . .

m a cro qu od p er ca m

a a n iar XXVIII t e lls d si u l os orta n t on
p g . e p p ,

wh ich B e c ard 1 4 3 7 giv e s a n imp ort a n t p a ss age from th e ma n u script


,

Vit a M arcsvidis ( n ot M a rcsvidis) statuimus ut a nn ua tim s e c un d a


fe ria p e n t e c oste s p at ron um e ccl e s ia e in p arochiis v e stris longo
a mbita ci rcu m f e ren t e s e t d o m o s v e st ra s l u st ra n t e s e t p ro gen tiliti o ,

a mba rva li in la cry mis e t v aria d e votion e vos ips o s ma ct e tis e t a d


re fe ction e m p a up e rum e lee mosy n am comp orte tis e t in h ac c urti ,

rn o t n t s s u p r r l iq u i s v i ilii s t n t ib u s s ole n n ise t is u t


p e c a e e e a
g e c a ,

r ae di ct o m a n e d e t e rmin a t um a v ob is a mbi tu m p ia lu stra t ion e com


p
p le n t e s a d m o n a st e riu m c u m h o n o r e d e b it o re p ort e tis C on fi d o .

a ut e m d e p a t ron i h uj us mis e ric ordia qu od sic a b ea ggra d e terra e ,

semin a u beriusp roven i a n t, e t va ri a c a eris i n cle men tia e cessen t Th e


'

R oma n amb arv al ie w e re p u rifi ca t ion s Of fi el ds ,


an d s a crific e s w e re
CH APTER I V .

TEM PLE S .

In our inquirie s on th e Sa cre d d w e ll in g- pl a c e s Of th e g od s ,


it
w ill b e s afe st t o b e gin a sb e fore with e xp re ssion s which p re c e d e d th e
, ,

christia n t erms t e mpl e an d ch urch and w e re s uppl a nt e d by th e m ,

Th e G oth ic a lhs fe m tran sl a t e s th e J e w ish Christian


.
-
no tion s Of

va é s (M att 2 7 5 5 1 .
, . . M k 14 5 8 1 5 2 9
.
, .
, . Lu 1 9 2 1 .
, . . 2 Cor 6 , .

1 6) and iep é v ( M k . 1 1 1 6 2 7 1 2 3 5 1 4 , 4 9 Lu 2 2 7 4 6 4 , 9
. . .
, . . .
, . . .

1 8 , 1 0 1 9, 4 5 . J oh n . 7, 1 4 2 8 8, 20 5 9
. 10 . TO th e G oth . .
,

it w oul d b e a time h all ow e d w ord for it sh are s t h e a n omaly Of


-
,

s e v e ral s u ch n oun s forming it s ge n a lhs d at a lh in ste ad Of a lh ais


,
.
, .
, ,

On c e on ly J oh n 1 8 2 0 gu dhus st an d s for iep o v th e s impl e



a lh ai .
, , ,

h us n e v e r h a s th e s e n s e Of d omu s wh ich is re n de re d ra zn Why , .

sh oul d U lp hila s d is dain t o a pply th e h eath e n n a me t o th e christian


thing wh e n th e e qually h e ath e n t e mplum a nd ya os w e re foun d
,

quit e inoffe n s iv e for christian u se


P oss ibly th e s ame w ord a pp e ars e v e n e arlie r n ame ly in T a cit us ,

Ge rm 4 3 : a pud N ah arvalos an tiqua e religion is l u cu s ost e n ditur ;


.

p r a e sid e t s a c e rd o s m u l ie b ri orn a t u se d d e o s i nt e rp reta t io n e ro ma n a ,

Ca st ore m P olluce mque me mora n t E a vis numini, n omen A lcis .

n ull a s imul a c ra , n ull u m p e re rin a e su p e rstitionis v e stig ium U t


g .

fra tre s t ame n , ut j uve n e s v e n e ra n tur— Th is a lc is is e ith e r its e l f th e .

mm , g e n Of a lte (a s fal e is Of falx) wh ich p e rfe ctly c orre sp on d s


or a .
,

t o t h e G oth ic a lbs A p air Of h e roic b roth e rs w a s worsh ipp e d


.
,

w ith out a ny st at ue s in a s a cre d grov e ; th e n ame can h ardly b e


,

a sc rib e d t o them it is th e a b od e of t h e div inity th at is c all e d a lso


1
.
,

m
Nu e is h e e th e s acre d w ood or e v e s o e t bl t
h r n m n o a e re e in it 2
, .

U n l e ss it w e re d a t pl Of a l cus [or a lca a lucrj ] A We n d ich olz, B oh e m



1 . .
. .

h ol e c, w h ich h as b ee n a dd u ce d i s n ot t o t h e p oi n t for i t mea ns st rictl ya b al d


,

nake d w re t ch , a b e gga r b o y ,
P ol g ol e c, Ru ss gh oli ak B e s i d e s , t h e N a h arva li . .

a n d t h e o th e r L
ygian n a ti on s ca n s carce l yh a v e b e e n S l av s .

2
I am n ot con v in ce d th a t n umen ca n re fe r t o t h e pl ace Th e pl a i n s e n s e
s e e ms t o b e th e d ivi nityh as th at virt u e ( wh i ch th e G e mi n i h a v e ) an d th e
.
,

n a me A l ci s or Of A lx , or if d a t p l , t h e A l ca e , A l ci M ayn ot A l ci s b e conn
’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’
. .
,
.

w i th a M st re n gth , s afe guard , an d th e d at a h k i p oin t in g t o a n om a re ri t


'
” : '
.

I d e fe nd , or e v e n C ae sar s al ce s an d Pa usani a s s a h k a i e lks l—TRA N S


.

’ ’
.
TEMPL ES . 67

F our c e nturie s after Ulp hila s t o the trib e s of Upp er


or fi ve ,

G erman y th e ir w ord a la h mu st h av e h a d an Old fa sh ione d h e a th e n -

ish s ound but w e k n ow it w a s still th e re p re s e rv e d in c omp os it ion


, ,

w it h p rop e r n ame s Of pl a c e s a n d p e rs on s (se e Suppl ) : A lah olf ,

A lah t ac A lah h ilt Al ah gund A lah trfi t ; A lah sta t in p ag o H a ssorum


, , ,

ch ann a t t ra d ful d n o 4 0 4 Ala h d orp in M ula t


( A D
. . S w e . . . .

ib id 4 76 Th e n a me s A la hsta t A la hd orf ma yh a v e
( A D
. . n o . . .
,

b ee n b orne by man y pl ac e s wh e re a h e a th e n t e mpl e a h allow e d pl a c e ,

Of j u st ic e or a h ou s e Of th e k in g st ood
,
F or n o t on ly th e fa num but .
, ,

t h e fol k mot e a n d th e roy al re s id e n c e w e re re g ard e d a s c on s e c ra t e d


-
, ,

Or in t h e l a ng uag e of t he M id Ag
,
es a s f rdno ( se t a p art t o t h e .
,

frO l ord) Alstidi a k ing s p fal z ( p a l a tiu m) in Th urin gia Oft e n



.
, ,

me ntion e d in Die tmar Of M e rs e b urg w a s in O H G a la hsteti n om , .


,
.

alah st a t A mon g th e Sa x on s wh o w e re c on v e rt e d l a t e r th e w ord


.
, ,

k e pt its e l f al iv e l onge r The p oe t of th e H el ian d us e s a la h ma sc . .

e x a ctly a s U lp hila s d oe s alh s ( 3 2 0 2 2 6 2 1 4 9 3 2 14 1 1 5 9 , . .


, .
, .
, .
,
.

15 .1 2 9 22 13 0 19 ,
157 s el d ome r god es hits 1 5 5 8 1 3 0
.
,
.
, , .
,

Cee d m 2 0 2 2 2 a lh n ( l a lh h al ig ue
'
1 8 or t h a t h é la ga hit s 3 1 9
, , ,
. .
, .

h oly t e mpl e) 2 5 8 1 1 ea lhsted e ( p al atium ae d e s regia) ,


I II , .

An d r 164 2 I w oul d re a d e ald e ea lhsted a s ( d e l ub ra ) for e olh st e d a s



. ,

c onf th e prop er n ame s E a lhstd n in K e mbl e 1 2 8 8 2 9 6 an d E a lh


.
, .

he a rd 1 29 2 qua s i st on e h ard rock h a rd which p oss ibly l e a d s u s t o


,
-
,
-
,

t h e p rimary me a ning Of th e w ord 1 The w ord is w a n tin g in ON . .

d o cume nts e ls e it must h a v e h a d th e form a lr ge n a ls


, , . .

Of a no th er p rimitive word t he G oth ic frag me n ts furnish no

e x ampl e th e OH G , . w ih (ne mu s) ,
D iut 1 , 4 92 .

O S ax wih ma sc
. . .

( t e mpl um H
) el 3 , ,
15 . 1 4, 8 . 115 4 , . 1 1 9, 1 7 . 1 2 7, 1 0 .

1 2 9, 2 3 . 1 3 0, 1 7
f rid uwih He l 1 5 1 9 ; AS
. 1 5 4, 2 2 . 1 6 9, 1 ; , .
, .

wih w ige s or weoh w e os a ls o ma sc : w i e s id ol i Ceed m 2 2 8 1 2


,
g ( ) , .
, .
, .

bisne w ig w ur5 igean (h oc id ol um c ol e re ) Ceedm 2 2 8 24 c onf ,


.
, . .

w igw e oriiing ( c u ltu s id olorum) B e ow 3 5 0 w e oh w e or5 ing Cod , . . .

e x on 2 5 3 14 wihgild (c ult u s id ol ) Ceed m 22 7 5


.
, . w e ob e dd ( a re ) , .
, .
,

for w e oh b e d d w ih be d d Cee d m 1 2 7 8 w e os (id ol a) for w e oh a s


, , .
, .
, ,

Cod e x o n 3 4 1 2 8 —The a lt e rn a tion Of i a n d co in t h e A S ind ic a t e s


. .
, . .

a sh ort v ow e l a n d in sp it e o f t h e re a s on s I h a v e urg e d in G ra mm 1 .
,

4 6 2 th e s ame s e e ms t o b e true Of t he ON ve wh ich in th e s in a s


,
g .
, ,

Th e re is h ow e v e r a n oun H ard , t h e n a me Of ma n lan ding -p lace s in th e


1
y
s outh of E ngl an d , as Crackn or H ard , &C —TR AN S . .
68 T MPL ES
E .

Ve d e not e s
, p articul ar god ; b ut h a s a d oubl e p l n ame ly a ma sc
on e , , .

vea r dii id ol a a n d a n e ut ve l o c a s a c ra
, G u talag 6 1 0 8 1 1 1
, . . .
,

h a it a a h ult e ba h aug a a vi e ba st afgarba (in v o c are lucos aut tumulos , ,

id ol a aut l o c a p ali s circumse p ta ) trfi a a h ul t a h aug a vi o c st a i , ,

g arb a h a n st an dr i vi ( st a t in l oco s a cro) I n th at c a s e w e h a v e .

h e re a s in al ah a t e rm alt e rn ating b e t w e e n n e mu s t e mpl um fan um


, , , , ,

id ol um n ume n it s root b e in g d oubtl e ss t h e G oth ic v e ih a ( I h all ow )


, , ,

v aih v aih u m OH G w ih u w e ih w ih um from wh ich als o c ome s


, ,
.
, , ,

t h e a dj v e ih s s a c e r OH G w ih ; an d w e saw on p 4 1 th a t w ih a n
.
, . .

w as a ppl ie d t o s a c rific e s an d w orship I n L a pp ish vi is s aid t o .


,

me an S il v a .

Stil l more d e c is ive is a th ird h e a th e n w ord w h ich b e c ome s ,

S p e cia lly imp ort an t t o our c ours e Of in qu iry Th e OH G h a ru c . .

masc pl b arug a st an d s in t e gl oss e s b ot h for fa n um H rab 9 6 3


.
,
h .
,
1
, .
1
.

for d e l ub rum H rab 95 9 for l u cu s H rab 96 9


,
J un 212 .
3
.
, .
1
, . .

Diut 1 a n d for n e mu s D iut 1 4 9 2 Th e l a st gl o ss 31


. .
, ,
.
, ,

n e mu s p la n t a vit
in full run s th u s , f orst flan zOt a e d o ( or) z
,

ha ru c e d o wih S O th a t h aruc l ik e w ih in cl ud e s o n t h e on e
,
.
, ,

h an d th e n otion Of t e mpl um fan um a n d on th e oth e r t h a t of w ood , , ,

grov e l u cu s 1
It is re ma rk ab l e th at th e Le x Rip u ar h a s p re s e rv e d
, . .
,

e v id e n tly from h e a th e n t ime s h a ra hus t o d e s ig n a t e a pl a c e Of ,

j udgme n t wh ich w a s origin ally a w ood (RA 79 4


, A S h ea rg . . .

ma sc p l h e argas (fan um) B e d a 2 1 3 3 3 0 Oro s iu s 3 9 p 1 0 9


.
, .
, , .
,
.
, ,
. .

h ea rgtree f (fa n i t ab ula tum) B e ow 3 4 9 ae t h ea rge K e mb l e 1 2 8 2 , . .


, , ,
.

ON h orgr ma sc pl h Orga r ( d e l u b rum a t t ime s id ol um s imul a c rum)


'

. . .
, , ,
,

S ee m 3 6 4 2 9 l 1 1 4 1 4 1 ; e sp e c ially w orth n otic e is S ee m 1 1 4


.
1 1 a a b ’ 1
.

h orgr hla 5 in n ste in om griot a t gle ri or5 it ro5 it i n yio n a ut a b l o 5 i , ,

(h p ave n w ith ston e s grit ma d e s mooth re dd e n e d an e w with n e a t s



.
, ,

b l ood) S ome time s h Orgr is c oup l e d w ith hof ( fan um t e ctum) 3 6


'

1
.
, ,

1 4 1 in w hich c a s e t h e forme r is t h e h oly pl a c e a mid st w ood s an d


3
,

rocks t h e b uilt t e mpl e a ul a ; c on f ha ma rr Ok ho rgr F oru m sog


, , .
, . .

5 2 3 9 TO b oth e xp re ss ion s b e l ongs t h e n otion Of t h e pl a c e a s w e ll


,
.

An d in on e pl a ce h araga ara e
1
E ls e w h e re t h e h ea th e n t e rm for a lt ar z .
,

Gk Bmp dg w as G ot h biuds OH G p iot A S beod stri ctl y a t ab l e ( p


,
.
, .
,
.
,
.

l i k ew i se th e G oth ba di OH G p etti A S bed bedd ( le ctus p 3 0 ) ge ts t o me an


.
, .
, .
, , .

a ra a re ol a fa n um, con f A S wih bed , weoh bed


, ,
weobed a ft e rw ard s d i st o rt e d i n t o. .
, ,

weofed ( ara , a lt are ) , OH G kotap etti (g od s b e d , le ct us, p u l vi n ar t e mpl i ) G ra ff



-
.
,

wi h w h ch com are B run h d bed a n d th e like ,


t i p il s ls o th e Lat le ctist e r

3, 5 1 a .

n um
i A d a are S K a n , uo d u o leotus d icit ur, lt i li i q v lg L an g reg 1 239 25 5
‘ ’
. .
. . ,

( A D 1 1 6 0 5 ) ( se e S u l )
. .
-
pp .
G ROVE S .

as th a t o f th e nume n an d th e image its e l f ( se e S upp l ) H aruc s e e ms .

u n c on n e ct e d w it h t h e O La t b aruga a ru a bull of s c fic h c
g .
a ri e w e n e
.
, , ,

h arusp e x arus p e x Th e Gk rep e voq h owe v e r a ls o me a n s th e s ac re d
, .

g rov e I I 8 4 8 2 3 1 4 8 rep e l/0 9 rda o v l l 2 0 1 8 4


,
.
, .
, .

, , .

L astly sy n on y mous w ith h aruc is th e OH G p a ro ge n p araw e s


, .
, .
,

A S bea ro ge n b e a rw e s w hich b e t ok e n l u c u s 1 a nd a rb or a s a c re d
.
, .
,
,

grov e or a tree ; ee t b e arw e K e mb l e 1 2 5 5 ON ba rr (a rb or) , .


, . .
,

S ee m 1 0 9 ; ba rri ( n e mus) 8 6b 8 7
1

qui a d ara s sa crifi ca t d e z a


1
.
.
z

d e mo p a ra w e (al z a t h e mo w e ) p loa zit Diut 1 1 5 0 ara or rath e r


;
.
, .
, ,

th e pl arae h e re st an d s for t e mpl um se e S upp l


.
,
( ) .

V Te mp le th e n me a n s a ls o w ood W ha t w e fi g ure t o ours e lv e s as .

a b uil t a n d w all e d h o u s e
"

re s ol v e s its e l f th e fa rth e r b a ck w e
,
go ,
,

in t o a h oly pl a c e un t ou ch e d by h uma n h an d e mb ow e re d a n d
,

sh ut in by s e l f grown tre e s Th e re d w ells t h e d eity v e ili ng h is


-
.
,

form in ru stling fol iag e of th e b ou ghs


; th e re is t he sp o t wh e re
t h e h u nt e r h a s t o p re s e n t t o h im th e g a me h e h a s k ill e d a nd th
e ,

h e rd s me n his h ors e s a n d o x e n a n d ra ms

Wh a t a writ e r Of th e s e c ond c e n t ury s a ys on th e cult us Of the


Ce lts w ill h ol d g ood Of th e T e u t on ic an d a ll t h e k in dre d n at ion s
,

K eN ro i O éBo vcn a év A la d a /
'

i d
,
Bé A i ds k eh rucOv 5 .1m , m) Op fi s r '

M a x imu s Tyrius ( diss 8 e d Re iske 1 .


Comp a re Lasicz 4 6
,
.
, .

d e os n emora in cole re p e rsuasu m h a b e n t ( Samogit a e ) H a bit arunt .

d i qu oqu e sglva s ( H au pts z e it sch r 1 .


,

I a m n ot main tain in g th a t th is fore st w orsh ip e xh au sts all th e -

c on c eption s our an c e st ors h ad forme d Of d e ity a n d its d w e ll ing


pl a c e ; it w as on ly th e p rin c ip al on e H ere an d th e re a god may .

h a un t a mount ain— t op a c a v e o f th e rock a riv e r ; b ut th e gran d


, ,

g e n e ra l w ors hip Of th e p e opl e h as i ts s e at in th e grove A n d n o .

wh e re c oul d it h av e fou nd a worthie r (se e Sup p l ) .

A t a t ime w h e n rud e b e g inn ings w e re all th a t th e re w a s of th e


b uil d e r s art th e h uman min d mu st h a ve b ee n rou s e d t o a h igh e r

d e v otion by th e s ig h t Of l ofty t re e s u n d e r an Op e n sk y th an it could t/ ,

fe e l in s id e th e stu n t e d st ruct ure s re are d byu n sk il ful h a n d s Whe n .

l ong afte rw ard s th e arch it e cture p e cul iar to th e T e uton s re a ch e d it s

1
To th e L at lucus w oul d corre sp on d a G oth lauh s, an d th i s i s con fi rme d
. .

b y th e OH G ldh, A S leah . Th e E n gl lea , leg h a s a cq ui re d t h e me an i n g


. . .

o f me a d o w , fi e l d ; a ls o th e S l a v lug, B oh la te , i s a t o n ce grov e , gl a d e , a n d
. .

me ad o w N o t onl y th e wood , b ut w ood e d me a d ows w e re s a cre d to g od s ( se e


.

S u ppl )
0 T MP L SE E .

p e rfe ction d id it n ot in itsb ol d e st cre ation s still aim at re p roducing


,

t h e s oarin g t re e s o f th e fore st ? W oul d n ot th e ab ortion of


mis e rably c arve d or ch is e ll e d ima ge s lag far b eh in d th e form o f th e
od wh ich th e y ou th ful imag in a t ion of a n t iquity p ict ure d t o its e l f
g ,

t h ron e d on th e b ow e ry s ummit o f a s a cre d t ree ? I n th e sw e e p

Of p rime v a l fore sts th e s ou l o f ma n fou n d


1
a n d un d e r th e sh a d e ,

its e lf fil l e d with th e n e arn e ss Of s ovra n d e itie s Th e migh ty .

in fl ue n c e th a t a fore st l ife h a d from th e fi rst on t h e wh ol e b e ing


Of o ur n a t ion is a tt e st e d by th e
,
march fe ll owsh ips ; ma rka t h e ‘ -

w ord from w h ich th e y t ook th eir n a me d e n ot e d fi rst a fore st an d , ,

a ft e rw ard s a b oun d a ry .

Th e e arl ie st t e st imon ie s t o t h e fore st cultu s of th e G e rma n s are -

furnish e d by T a cit us G erm 9 : c e te rum n e c cohib e re p arie tibu s


. .

d e o s n e que in ullam h uman i oris sp e cie m a d simulare e x mag ni


,

tu d in e coe le sti u m a rb it ra n tu r . I / acos a c n emora consecra n t, d e oru m


que n o min ibus a dp e lla nt s e cre tu m illu d quod s ol a re ve re n tia v ide n t .
2

G e rm 3 9 of t h e S e mn on e s ; St a t o t e mp ore in silva m augurii s


.
,

p a trum e t p risca f ormid ine sa cra m omn e s ej us d e m s a ng uin is


3

p op ul i le gation ibus coeunt e st e t alia luco reveren tia n e mo nis i


. .

vin c ul o ligatus in gre dit ur u t min o r e t p ot e st a t e m n umin is p ra e se


,

fe re n s si forte p rol apsu s e st att oll i e t in s urge re h aud li cit a m


.
,

p e r h umum e volv un tur 4 0 : e st in in s ul a oc e ani ca stum


1 ‘

cap . .

1 Wald e s
kleo, h lea (umb ra , umbracul um) H el 3 3 , 2 2 73 , 2 3 A S kleo,
, . . .

ON h lie, OH G liwa , Graff 2 , 2 9 6 , M H G lie, liewe


. . . .

2
Ru od olf Of F uld ( T 8 6 3 ) h as in corp ora t e d t h e W h ol e p a ss ag e , with a fe w
a lt e ra t i on s , in h is t rea t i s e D e t ra n sla tion e A le x an d ri ( P e rt z 2 , p erhaps
from s ome in t e rme d i a t e s ource Ta citus s w ord s mu st b e t ak e n as th ey st a n d

. .

I n his d ay G e rman y p oss e ss e d n o ma st e rs w h o cou l d bu i l d t e mpl e s or ch i s e l


statue s ; so t h e grov e wa s th e d w e lli n g Of t he go d s , an d a sa cre d symb ol d id
i nst ead of a st at ue M os e r 3 0 tak e s t h e pass age t o me an , th a t t h e d ivin i ty
.
'

common t o th e w h o l e n at i on w a s w orsh i pp e d u n s e e n , so a s n ot t o g iv e on e d is

t rict t h e a d va n ta g e Of o sse ssin g t h e t e mpl e b u t t h a t s e p ara t e g od s d id h a v e


th e i r i mage s mad e T i s V ie w i s t oo p ol i t i ca l, a n d a ls o i ll sui te d to th e i s ol at ion
.
-

Of t ri b e s in t h os e t ime s N O d ou b t, a re gion w h i ch i n cl ud e d a g od s h i ll w ou l d

.

a cq ui re t h e more re n own a n d s acre d n e ss , a s sp ots l i k e Rh e t ra a n d L ore t o did

from con t ain i n g th e S l a vic s an ct ua ryor a M ad on n a th a t did n ot p re v e n t th e


same w orsh i p from Ob tai n in g s ea ts e ls e wh e re With th e w ord s Of Taci tus .

co mp a re w h a t h e s a s in H i s t 2 78 e st J u d ae am i n t e r S y ria mqu e Carme lus,


y ,
.

ita v ocan t mon t e m d e umqu e , n e c s i mul a crum d e o aut t e mp li un , sic t ra did e re


maj ore s , a ra t an t um e t reveren ti a a n d in D i a l d e Ora t 1 2 n emora v e ro e t . .

l uci e t secretum ipsum I n Ta ci t us s e cre tum se ce ssus, s e cl us i on , n ot arcanum


. .

3
Th i s h e x a me t e r i s n ot a q uota ti on , i t i s t h e a u th or s own

.

4
Wh oe v e r is e n gage d in a h ol y offi ce , an d stan d s in th e pre s en ce an d p re
cin ct s of t h e
god , must n ot st umbl e , a n d if h e fa lls t o th e groun d , h e forfe i ts
h is p rivil e ge S O h e wh o in h ol y comb a t sink s t o t h e ea rth , may n ot se t
.
G ROVES .
71

ne mus d icatumque in
,
eo v eh ic ul um v e st e con te ctu m cap . 43
a p ud N ah a rv alos a n tiqua e religion is lucus ost e n ditur

ma mini no me n A lcis ,
nu ll a s imul acra . cap 7 e ffi gie s e t
s igna ( i e . .

e ffi
g ia ta s ig n a ) quae d am d e tra cta e lu cis in p roe lium fe runt ; with
wh ich c onn e ct a p a ss a ge in H ist 4 2 2 : in d e d e p romp t ee silvis .
,

lucisque fe rarum imagin e s ut cuique g e n t i in ire p roe lium mos e st


, .

A nn 2 . 1 2 : Ca e s ar t ran sgre ssus V isurgim in d iciO p e rfuga e


,

cogn oscit d e le ct unI ab A rminio l oc um p ugn a c c onv e n iss e e t ,

al ia s n a t ion e s in si lva m H e rculi sa cra m A n n 4 73 : mox . .


,

con p e rtum a tran sfugis n on ge n t o s t oma n orum ap ud lu cu m


, ,

que m B ad uh e n n ae v ocant p ugna in p ost e rum e xtra ct a con ,

fe ctos th ough it d oe s n ot a pp e ar th a t this grov e w a s a con


secra te d o e n
1
A nn 1 6 1 : lu cis p rop in quis ba rba ra e a ra e a p ud
. .
, ,

qua s trib unos mactav e ran t c onf 2 2 5 : p rop in quo luco d e fossam .
,

V aria na e le gionis a qui lam modi c o p rae sidio se rvari H ist 4 14 . .


,
°

Civ ilis p rimore s g e n tis sa cru m in n emus voca tos Th e s e .

e xp re ss ion s can b e ma tch e d by oth e rs from Cl aud ian three


c e nt urie s l a t e r Con s : Stilich 1 2 88
,
.
,

U t p rocul H e rcyn iae p er v ast a sile ntia s il v a e


v e nari t ut o lice a t lucosq u e v e tu st a ,

re l igion e tru c e s e t robora n umin is insta r ,

ba rba rici n ostra e fe rian t imp un e bip e nn e s .

D e b ell o G e t 5 4 5 .

H cria n tes h is a d de d eos N on somn ia n ob is .


,

n e c volu cre s se d cla ra p al a m vox e di ta luco est


,

rump e o mn e s A l aric e mora s , ,

It is n ot pure n atu re w orsh ip th a t w e are t ol d Of h ere but T a citus


-

c oul d h a v e h ad n o e ye for th e more s G e rmanorum if th e ir mo st ‘


,

e ss e n tia l fe a t ure h a d e sc a p e d h im G od s d w e ll in th e s e grov e s ; n o


.

ima e s (s imul a cra in h uma n form) are me n tion e d by name a s b e ing


g
,

set u p n o t e mpl e w a lls a re re are d 2


, B ut s a cre d v e ss els a nd a lt a rs .

h i ms e l f o n h is le gs , b ut must fi n is h th e fi h t on h is kn e e s , Dan ske vis er


g
so in ce rt a i n pl a ce s a st ra n g e r s ca rriage , 1 t 0 ve rt urn e d , must n o t b e se t u p ri gh t

i1
a ga i n , RA 554 Wh a t i s fab l e d Of an id ol ca ll e d S omp a r a t G orlit z ( n e ue
. .

l aus i t z monat ssch r 1 8 0 5 , p 1 - 1 8 ) h as e vid e n tl y b e en sp un out Of t h i s p assa ge


. . .

in Ta c , t h e S enI n on es a re pl a ce d in t h e L a u s i t z co un t ry, a s t h e y h a d b e e n
.

pre vi ousl yb yA v e n tin ( F1 ankf 15 80 , p w h o on l yp uts a ki n g S ch wab I n


.

t h e pl a ce o f S omp a r .

1 B a d uh e nn a
, p e rh aps th e name of a pl ace , li k e Ard ue nn a M ullenh off .

a dd s B a d vi nn a, P a t un n a H a upts z e it sch r
( .

2
B risson ius d e re gn o P e rs 2 , 2 8 ; P e rs a e d iis s uis n ull a t e mpla vel alte ri a
.

con stit uun t, n ul l a s imul acra a ft e r H e rod ot l , 1 3 1



.
72 T E MPL ES .

sta n d in th e fore st h e ad s of animals (fe rarum imagin e s) h ang on


,

th e b oughs Of tre e s Th e re d iv in e w orsh ip is p e rforme d and


.

s a crific e Offere d th e re is th e folk mot e an d th e a ss ize e v e rywh e re a


,
-
,

s a cre d aw e and re minisc e n c e of a n t iquity H a v e n ot w e h e re .

a la h,
wih p a ro ha ru c fa ith fully p ortra y e d ?
, , H OW c oul d s u ch
te ch nic al t erms unl e ss th e y d e scrib e d an orga n iz ed n ation al
,

worsh ip p re side d ov er by p rie sts h av e sp ru ng up in th e l anguage , ,

a n d li v e d

D uring ma n y c e nt urie s d own t o th e in trod u ct ion Of c hristia nity


, ,

th is cust om e n d ure d Of v e n e ratin g d eityin s a cre d w ood s an d tre e s


, .

I w ill h e re in s ert th e d e t aile d n arra tiv e giv e n by Wilibald


(T78 6) in th e Vit a B on ifa cii ( Canisius II 1 2 4 2 P e rtz 2 3 4 3) Of .
, .
,

t h e h ol y oak Of G e is mar on th e E d d er n e ar Fritzlar in H e ss e 1


) , .

The e v e n t fall s b e twe e n th e y e ars 72 5 a n d 73 1 Is aute m ( B oni .

facius) a d Ob s e ss e s a n t e e a H e ssorum me t a s cu m c on s e n s u

Carli d u c is (i e of C h arl e s M art el ) re dii t


. . tu m v e ro H e ssoru m j am .

multi cath olica fi d e sub diti ac se p tiformis sp iritus gratia con fi rma t i
ma n us imp osition e m a cce p e runt e t al ii quid em n on dum a nimo , ,

con fort ati in te meratae fi d e i d ocu me n t a in t egre p e rcip ere re n u e ru nt


, ,

a l ii e t ia m lin uis e t fa u cib u s clan culo a li i v e ro a p e rt e sa cr fica ba n t


g i , ,

al ii v e ro a u sp ic ia e t d iv in a tion e s p ra e stigia a tque in ca n ta t ion e s ,

o cc u lt e a l ii q uid e m manif e st e e x e rce b a n t a lii qu ipp e a u sp ic ia e t


, ,

au guria in te n d e b a n t d ive rsosq u e sa crifica n di ri tus in colu e run t al ii


, ,

e tia m qu ib u s me n s san ior in e ra t omni a bj e cta ge n tili t atis p ro


, ,

h a n a t ione n ihil h oru m commise run t q u orum con sultu a tque


p .

c on sil io a rborem qu an da m mira c ma gn itu d in is qu a e p risco P aga n ,

orum voca bu lo a p p e ll a tur robu r J ovis in l o c o q ui d icitur G a e sme re , , ,

s e rv is D e i s e cu m a stan tibu s s uccide re te nt avit cumqu e me n tis


,
.

con st an tia con fortatus a rb ore m succidisse t mag na quipp e a d e ra t ,

Cop ia P a ga n orum qui e t in imicu m d eoru m sn oru m int ra se d il ig e n


,

t iss ime d e votab an t se d a d mod icum qu ide m a rb ore p ra e cisa


,

con fe stim i mmen sa roboris moles div in o d e sup er fla t u e x agit a t a , ,

a lm it u m con fra cto c ul min e corru it e t q u a s i s u p e ri n u tu s s ol a t io -


p , ,

in qua tuor e t iam p art e s d isrup t a e st e t qu a tu or inge n tis magnitu ,

di n is ae qual i l on g itu d in e t run ci ab squ e fra trum l ab ore a st an tium ,

a p p aru e ru n t quo VI SO prius d e vot an te s P a g an i e t ia m v e rs a v ic e


.

b e ne diction e m D omin o p ristina abj e ct a male d ictione cre d e nte s


, ,

1
A sh ort e r a ccoun t Of th e same in th e ann alis t S ax o, p . 13 3 .
74 TEMPL ES .

circul ar da n c e) roun d an old oa k 1 I n a th ick e t n e ar th e vill age of .

Wormel n P a d erb orn st and s a holy oa k t o wh ich th e inh ab ita nts


, , ,

o f W orme l n a n d Cal e nbe rg still ma k e a s ol e mn p ro c e ss ion e v e ry


2
ye ar .

I am in cl in e d t o tra ce b a ck to h e ath enis m th e prop er n ame Of


H oly Wood so c ommon in n e a rly all pa rts of G e rma ny It is not .

l ik e ly th at from a ch ristia n church si tua te d in a w ood th e w ood ,

its e l f w oul d b e n ame d h oly ; an d in su ch fore sts a s a rul e th e re is ,

n ot a ch u rch t o b e fou n d S till l e ss can th e n ame b e e xpl a in e d by


.

t h e roy a l b a n fore sts Of th e M id A ge s ; on th e c on t rary th e s e


-
.
,

fore sts th e ms e l v e s a pp e ar t o h a v e S p run g out o f h e a th e n g rov e s ,

a n d th e k in g s righ t s e e ms t o h a v e t ak e n t h e pl a c e of th e cultu s

wh ich fi rst with dre w th e h oly w ood from th e c ommon use of the
p e opl e I n s uch fore sts too th e re us e d t o b e s an ctuarie s for crimi
.

n als, RA 8 86 - 9 . .

An Old
cc ou n t Of a b a ttl e b e tw ee n Frank s and S a x on s at
a

N ot teln in th e y e ar 779 ( P e rtz 2 3 77) in forms us th at a b adly , ,

w ound e d Sa x on h a d hims e l f s e cre tly c onv e ye d from h is c astl e in to a


h oly w ood H ic v e ro (Luib e rtus) mag no cu m me rore se in c a strum
re cep it E x qu o p o st al iqu ot die s mul ie r e grotum h ume ris cl am in
.

sy lva m Syth e ri gua e fuit thega thon sa cra n oct e p crtavit


,
Vul n era ,
.

ibid e m l a v a n s e x t e rrita cl a more e ffugit


,
U bi mult a la mentatione .

a nimam e x p ira vit Th e strang e e xp re ss ion th e gath on is e xpl ain e d


.

by r cvya fi év (th e good) a n ame for th e h igh e st divinity ( su mmus


’ ’

e t p rin c e ps omn ium d e orum) w h ich th e ch ron icl e r b orro w e d from ,

M ac rob iu s s s omn S e ip 1 2 an d mayh av e ch os e n purp os e ly to



. .
, , ,

a v oid n a min g a w e ll k n o wn h e a th e n god ( se e Supp l ) Syth e ri


-
.
,

t h e n a me Of th e w ood s e e ms t o b e t h e s a me a s Sun d e ri ( s ou th e rn)


, ,

a n ame giv e n t o fore sts in more th a n on e d ist rict e g a S un d e rnh a rt ,


. .

in F ran c on ia ( H ofe rs urk p Did th is h e ath e n h op e for h e al


. .

ing on th e s acre d s oil ? or d id h e w ish t o d ie th e re ?


Th e fore st c all e d D at h itlige holt is me n t ion e d by a d o cume n t
in K in d linge r s M unst b e itr 3 6 3 8 I n th e c oun ty of H oy a th e re

. .
.
,

stood a H eiligen loh ( P e rtz 2 -A l on g list Of A ls a tian ,

d oc ume n ts in S ch Op flin all ud e t o th e h oly fore st n e ar H age n au ; n o .

cum fore st o h ei ligen m in a t o in comita tu


2 1 8 (A D 1 0 6 5 ) . .
f orst n o

G e rh ard i comi tis in p ag o N ortcow e no 23 8 in syl v a . .

1 We ddige n s w e stph al mag ’


. . 3 , 71 2 .

Sp ilcke rs b e it rag e 2, 1 2 1
'

2 .
G ROVES .
75

prae d iu
'

heiligeforst . no . 2 73 m Loub ach in sa cro ne more


s it a m . no . 29 7 u ta nt ur p a scuis in sa cra si lva . no . 3 17
in silva sa cra . no . 4 0 2 ( 12 1 5 ) in sa cra si lva . no . 800
m in kOn ige sbrii cke n in heiligenf orst
con ve n tu .
( 1 3 0 4)
no . 82 9
n e mu s n ost rum e t imp e rii dict um heili vorst no 8 5 1 (13 10)
g . .

p e c ora in fore st a stra qu ae d icitur no , d e r heilige f orst p a sc e re e t ,

t e ne re n o 1 0 76
. . p orc o s t e mp ore glan di um nutrie nd os in
silva sa cra Th e a lte rn ating w ord s forst sil v a n e mus a re e n ough ‘ ’
.
, , ,

t o sh ow t h e s ig nific an c e of th e t e rm Th e n ame O f t h e w e ll k n ow n .
-

D reieich ( D rie ich ah i) is p rob a bly t o b e e xpl ain e d by th e h e at h e n


w orsh ip Of th re e oaks a roy al b an fore st e x ist e d th e re a l ong time -
,

a n d its ch art e r ( I 4 9 8 ) is on e of th e most p rimi t iv e


°
'

.
,

Th e e xpre ss all u s ion t o Th uring ia a n d Sa x o ny is re mark abl e in


th e foll owin g l in e s Of a p oe m th a t s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n c omp os e d
s oon aft er th e y e ar 1 2 0 0 Re inh F 3 02 th e w ol f s e e s a goat on a
, . .

t re e a nd e xcl aims
,

ich s ih e e in Ob e z h a nge n I se e a fruit h anging , ,

e z h abe h ar Od e b orst ; Th a t it h as h air or b ristl e s ;


in e in e m heiligen vorste I n a nyh oly fore st
z e D urin ge n n och z e Sa chs e n Of T h uring ia n or Of Sax on y
e nkun d e n ih t ge w ah se n Th ere c oul d n ot gro w
b e zz e r Oh e z fi f ri s e B e tt e r frui t on b ough
. .

Th e a ll us ion is su re ly t o s a c rific e d a n imals or fi rst fruits of th e ,

ch a s e h un g up on t h e t re e s of a s a c re d w oo d
,
Eith er th e st ory is
b a s e d on a more an cie n t original or mayn ot th e p oe t h av e h eard ,

t ell from s ome wh e re Of h e a th e nish d oings going on in his ow n d ay


a mong Sa x on s a n d Th urin g ia n s (se e Suppl ) .

A nd in oth er p oe ms Of th e M id A g e s th e s acre dn e ss Of th e .

a n c ie n t fore st s still e x e rts a n aft e r in flue n ce I n A l e x 5 1 93 w e -


. .

re a d d e r ed ele wa ll f rdne a n d w e h a v e in kl in gs n ow a n d ag ain ,

if n ot of s a c rific e s Offe re d t o s a cre d t ree s ye t Of a l a st in g ind e struc ,

tibl e aw e and th e fan cy th a t gh ostly b eings h aun t p art icul ar tre e s


,
.

Th u s in Ls 2 5 75 mis fortun e lik e a d e mon sa t on a tree ; an d in


,
.
, , , ,

A ltd w 3 1 6 1 it is s a id Of a hollow tree :


. .
,

d a s int h e il ig e n inn e Th ere are s aints in there


,
.
,


d ie h oere nt all e r l int e b e t 1
Th a t h e ar all p e opl e s p ray ers.

(se e S uppl ) .

1
From th e no tion Of a fore st t emple th e tran s it ion is e asyt o payi n g div in e
h on ours to a singl e t re e F e stus h as :
. d elubrum fustis d e li brat us ( st a ff Wi t h
76 T M PL SE E .

Still more un mi
stak ab ly d oe s t his fore st c ultus p re v ail in th e
North p rote cte d byt h e long e r d uration Of h e ath e nis m Th e gre at
,
.

s a crific e a t L ed era d e scrib e d b yD ie tmar (se e p 4 8) w as p e rforme d .

in th e isl an d which from it s e v e n n ow magnific e n t b e e ch w ood s


,
-
,

b ore th e n a me of See lu n d r se a grov e an d w a s th e fi n e st grov e in all ,


-
,

S c a n din av ia The S w e d e s in li k e mann e r s ol e mn iz e d th e ir fe st iv al


.

Of s a crific e in a g rov e n e ar Ups a l a ; A d a m Of B re me n says Of th e

a nimals s a crifi ce d : Corp ora susp e n d u n tu r in lu cu m q ui p rox imus

e st t e mpl o ; is e n im l uc u s t a m sa cer e st g e n t ib u s u t sin gula e ,

a rbores ej u s e x mort e v e l t ab o immola t orum d i vin a e cre d a n t ur Of .

H lo5 r H e i5 re ksson w e are t ol d in th e H e rvararsaga cap 1 6 .

t h a t h e w a s b orn w ith arms a nd h ors e in th e


( fo rn ald s og 1. .
,

holywood ( a mork hinn i h e lgu) I n t h e grov e Gla sislu nd r a b ird .

s its on th e b ough s a n d d e man d s sa crifi ces a te mpl e a nd g ol d h orn e d ,


-

c ow s See m 1 4 0 1 Th e s a cre d tre e s of t h e Edd a Yygd ra sil a nd


,
.
-
.
,

M i ma meid r S eem 1 0 9 h ardly n e e d re mi n di ng Of



2
. .
, ,

L a stly th e agre e me n t Of th e Sl av P ru ss ian Fin nish and Ce ltic


, , ,

p ag an is ms throws light u p on our ow n a n d t e n d s t o c on firm it . .

D ie tmar Of M e rs e b urg ( P e rtz 5 8 1 2 ) affi rms Of th e h e ath e n t e mpl e ,

a t Rie d e go st : q u a m un di u e s lva a b in colis in ta cta e t venera bilis


q y
circumd a t ma gn a ; (ib id 8 1 6 ) h e re l a t e s h ow h is an c e st or W ib e rt
.

a b ou t t h e y e ar 1 0 0 8 root e d u
p a g rov e of th e S l a v s : lucum Z ut i
b ure dictum ab a ccolis u t d eu m in omn ib u s hon ora tu m e t ab a e v o
, ,

a n t iq u o nunq ua m viola tu m ra dicitus e rue n s san cto martyri , ,

R omano in e O e ccle siam con strux it Z utibure is for S v e t i b or .

h oly fore st from b or ( fi r) p in e —


, b arre n ; a M e rs eb urg d ocu me n t Of ,

1 0 1 2 a l re a d y me n tion s a n

e ccl e s ia in S cutib ure Z e itsch r f ‘
, . .

a rc h iv k u n d e 1 1 6 2 A n ON s a g a ( F orum sog 1 1 3 8 2 ) n a me s a
, , , . . .
,

bldtlu nd r ( s a c rificia l g rov e ) a t St reela c all e d B Oku H elmold 1 1


, , ,

s ays Of th e Sl av s : u sque h odie p rofe cto in t e r illos cum c e te ra ,

b ark p e e l e d Off) quem v e n erab an tur p ro d e o N ame s giv en t o p art icul ar tree s .

a re a t t h e s ame t i me n a me s o f g od d e sse s e g ON H lin Gn a It i s wort h yOf ,


. . .
,
.

n ot i ce t h a t t h e h e a t h e n i d ea Of d ivi n e fig ure s o n t re e s h a s cre pt i n t o chri sti a n


,

l eg en d s so d e e pl yroot e d w a s tre e w orsh i p among t h e p e opl e I re fe r d oub t ers


, .

t o t h e st ory Of t h e Ty rol e s e i ma g e Of g ra ce w h i ch gre w up in a fore st t re e ,

( D e u ts ch e s a ge n n o 3 4 8 ) I n C a ri n th ia you fi n d M a d onn a figu re s fix e d on th e


,
.

tre e s in gl oomygrov e s ( S art ori s re i s e 2 Of li k e i mp ort s e e m to b e t h e ,

d e s cri pt i o n s o f w on d e rful ma i d e n s s i tt i n g i n s i d e h o ll ow t re e s or p e rch e d on t h e ,


b o ugh s ( M arie n kin d h a u smarch e n n o 3 Ro ma n ce d e la in fa n tin a se e ch
'

,
. .
,
.

XV I ) M ad on n a in th e w ood M ar l ege n d 1 77 M an yoaks w i th M ad onna s


.
, . . .

in N orman d y B osqu e t 1 9 6 7
,
-
.
G ROVE S .

o mn ia c ommunia s in t cu m n ostris s ol us p roh ib e tur a cce ssus lu corum ,

a c fo n tium q uo s a utu ma n t p ollui Ch rist ia n orum a cce ssu


,
A s on g .

in th e K onig inh of M S p 72 sp e aks of the grov e (ha in B oh h ai. .


,
.
,

h ag P ol ga y Sl ov e n gaj ; c on f g aiu s gah aj us Le x R oth 3 2 4


,
.
,
. .
, , .
,

k ah e ius Le x B aj uv 2 1 6 ) from w h ic h t h e ch ris t ia n s sc a re d a w ay


, .
,

t h e h oly sp arrow 1 Th e E sth sa llo Finn sa lo me a n s a h ol y w o od


. .
,
.
,

e sp e c ia ll y a me a d o w w ith th ick un d e rw ood th e n a t ion al god Th a ra


p il a is d e scrib e d by H e nry th e L e tt on ( ad an n in con fi nio . .

W ironi a e e ra t mons e t silva p u lcherrima in qu O d ice ba n t in dige nae ,

magn m e m Osilie n sium n atum qu i Th arap ila v ocatur e t d e


u d u 2
,

l oc o ill o in Osiliam v ol a ss e —in t h e form of a b ird ? ( se e Su p pl ) , .

To th e Old P ru ssian s R amove w a s t h e most s a c re d sp o t in th e l an d


, ,

a n d a s e a t o f t h e g od s th e re stood th eir image s on a holyoa k h un g


w ith cl oths NO u n c on s e c rat e d p e rs on w a s allo w e d to se t foot in
.

th e fore st n o t re e t o b e fe ll e d n ot a b ou gh t o b e inj ure d n ot a


, , ,

b e ast t o b e sl ain Th e re w e re ma n y su ch s a cre d grov e s in oth e r


.

3
p arts Of P russ ia a nd Lithu a n ia .

Th e V it a S Ge rma ni A u t isiod ore n sis ( b 3 78 d 4 4 8) w ritt e n


. .
,
.

by Con stan tius as e arly a s 4 73 c on t ain s a striki ng n arra tiv e of a


ea rtree w hich sto od in th e mid d l e Of A ux e rre a n d w a s h on ou re d
p
b yth e h e a th e n 4
A s t h e B urg un di a n s d id n ot e n t e r G a u l till th e
.

b eg inn ing Of th e 5 th c e n tury t h ere is n ot l ik e ly t o b e a mixture in ,

it of Ge rma n t ra d it ion B ut e v e n if t h e st ory is p ure ly Ce ltic it


.
,

d e s e rv e s a pl a c e h e re b e c a us e it s h ows h ow w id e ly t h e c u st om
,

p re v a il e d Of h angin g th e h e a d s Of s a c rificial b e a sts on tre e s 5


EO .

t e mp ore ( b e fore 4 0 0) t e rrit orium A u tisiod ore n sis u rb is v is it a tion e


p rop ria gub ern ab at G e rma n us C ui mos e ra t tirun culorum p ot ius .

ind ustriis ind ulg e re q uam ch ristia n a e re l ig ion i o p e ra m d are


,
is .

e rg o a ss id ue v e n a t u i in vigilan s fe ra rum c op iam in sid iis a tqu e art is

stre n uit a te fre qu e n t iss ime cap ieb a t E ra t au t e m a rbor p i rus i n .

1 B rze t islav b urn t d o w n th e h ea t h e n groves a n d trees Of t h e B oh e mian s in


1 09 3 , P e l z e l Th e P ol e s ca ll e d a s a cre d g ro v e rok a n d u roczy sko, co n f .

R uss rOslI t ch a , grov e [ro o t rek rok


. fa ri, fa t um rOsh tch a i s from rost i ra st i ,

g ro w] On t h rea t Of h o st i l e i n va s i on , t h e y cut rod s ( w ici e ) from t h e grov e ,


.

a n d s e n t t h e m rou nd t o s ummo n t h e i r n e i g h b o u rs Mi cki e w i cz 1, 5 6 . .

2 C o n f Tu ru id in F o ru m so b ut on S l a v n a t i ons con f S ch i e f

.
p g 1 1, 3 8 5 . . .

n e r o n Ge st reu 3 2 9 .

3
J Oh V o i gts ge sch P re uss e n s 1 , 5 9 5 — 5 9 7
. . .

4
A ct a san ct or B o ll a n d J ul y3 1 p 20 2
. con f L e g e n d a a ure a, ca p
. 10 2 , . . . .

5
H ui e ( M a rt i ) p ra e d a e p rimo rd i a v o ve b a n t ur, h u i c truncis sa sp endeba n tur .

ex uvia e, J orn an d e s ca p 5 . .
78 TEMP L ES .

urbe med ia moenitate grat issima : a d cuj u


,
a s ra musculosj erdrum ab

e O d e p re h e nsarum cap ita p ro a d miration e v e n a tion is n imia e d ep en

d eba nt Q ue m celebris ej us d e m civit atis A mator e p iscop us h is


.

fre que n s comp elle b a t e loquiis : d e sin e qu a e so vir h on ora torum , ,


.
~

spl e n didiss ime h ae c j ocularia quae Christianis Offens a P a ganis v ero


, , ,

imitand a s un t e x e rce re h oc o p us id olola tria e cult ura e st n on ch ris


, .
,

tian ae e legan tissima e d iscip lin a e Et lic e t h oe inde sine nt éi v ir d e o


’ '
.

dignus p erage re t ill e t ame m n ull o mod o ad mon , e nti se a d q uie sce re

v oluit au t Ob e d ire vir a ut e m do mini it e rum a tqu e it e ru m e um h ort a


.

b atur ut n on s olum a c on s ue tudin e mal e arrep t a d isce de re t ve rum


, ,

e t ia m e t ip sam a rborem n e Ch ristia n is Offe n d iculum e ss e t ra dici


, ,

t us e x stirp are t se d ill e n ullat e nus aure m p lacidam a ppl ic are voluit
.

a d mon e nti I n h uj us e rg o p e rsua sionis t e mp ore q mod e m d ie Ge r


. .

manu s e x urb e in prae dia sui j uris disce ssit t un c b e atus A mator .

Op p ortunita t e m op p e rie n s sa crilega m a rborem cum ca udi cibus a b

scid it e t n e aliq
,
u a ej us incre d uli s e ss e t me moria igni co n cre man

d am ill ic o d e p ut avit oscilla ) ave ro quae tan quam t roph ae a cuj u s


1
.
,

d a m ce rtami nis umbra m d ep e nd e n tia ost e n tab a n t longius a c iv ita tis ,

t erminis proj i ci p rae cip it P rotin us v ero fa ma gre ssus s uo s a d .

a ure s G e rma ni re torque n s dictis an imum in ce n dit a tqu e iraim suis , ,

su a sion ibus e x agge ra n s fe roce m e ffe cit ita ut O bli tus s a nct ae ,

re ligionis c uj us j a m fue ra t ritu a tque mune re in signitus m


,
ort e m ,

b e atiss imo viro mi n itare t .

A p oe m of H e rricus comp os e d ab out 8 76 giv e s a fulle r descrip


t ion of th e idol at rou s p e artre e
alto q u e e t l a t o st ab a t gra tissima qu on d am

urb e p irus me dia p op ul o sp e ct a b il is omn i ,

n o n qu ia p e n d e n t um fla v e b at h on ore p irorum ,

n e c q uia p e rp e t uae ve rn a b a t mun ere fron d is:

1 V irg G e org 2 , 3 8 8 t ibique ( B acch e ) oscilla ex a lta susp en d unt mollia


. .

p i nu I n th e st ory, h owe v er i t i s n ot ma sks th a t are h un g up , b ut rea l h e ad s


.
,

O f b ea sts ; a re t h e fe ra rum ima gi n e s in Ta c H i st 4 2 2 n e ce ss ari l yI ma ge s ? . .


,

D oe s Os ci ll a mean cap i t a o scillan t ia ? It app e ars t h a t w h e n th e yh un g u p th e


h e a d s , th e ypropp e d op e n t h e mou th w it h a st ick , con f I se n gr 6 4 5 Re mard us . . .

3 , 29 3 (se e S u pp l ) N a i l in g b i rd s Of p re yto the ga te o f a b urg o r b arn I S w e ll


.

k now n , a n d i s p ra ct is e d t o t h i s d ay H a n gi n g u p h ors e s h ea d s w a s me n t i on e d
.

.

on p 4 7 Th e Grimn ismal 1 0 t e lls u s, in 0 5 in s ma n s i on t h e re h un g a wol f



. .

ou tside the d oor a n d o v er t h a t a n ea gle


,
w e re th e s e me re s i mu l acra an d I n s i gn i a ?
Wit e ch in d s ays , th e S a x ons , w h e n s acri fi ci n g, se t up a n eagle over the ga te : A d
orie n tale m p ort a m p on un t a qu ilam, a ra mq u e Vict oriae con strue n te s t h i s eagl e
s e ems t o h a ve b e e n h e r e mb l em A dog h un g up o v e r th e th re s h old 13 a ls o .

me n t i on e d Lex A l a m 10 2
, . . .
B UI L D I NG S . 79

se d d ep re nsaru m p ass im cap i ta a lta f era ru m


a rboris obscoen a e p a tulis ha eren tia ra mis
p ra e b e b ant v a no p lausum sp ecta cula v ulgo .

h orre b a n t ill ic t rep idi ramal ia cervi


e t d irum fre nd e n tis ap ri fe ra sp ic ul a d e n t e s
, , ,

a crib us e x itium me dita n t e s fort e molossis .

tun e quoque S ic v ariis ar b os in dut a trop a eis


fund e b a t rudibus l a scivi se min a ris us .

I t w as n ot the l aughter O f th e multitud e th at offe n d e d th e ch ristia n


p rie sts ; th e y saw in th e p ra ctic e a p erforman c e h ow e v e r d ege n e ,

ra t e a nd di mme d O f he a th e n sa crifi ce s
1
.
,

Thus fa r w e h ave d w e lt on th e e vide n c e s wh ich go t o p rov e


h
th a t t e O l d e st w o rsh p Of our a nce st ors w a s conn e ct e d with s a cre d
i

fore sts a nd tre e s .

A t th e s ame t ime it c an n ot b e d oubt e d t h a t e ve n in th e e arlie st


,

time s th ere w e re te mp l e s built for s ingl e d e itie s an d p erh a ps rud e ,

imag e s se t up in s id e th e m I n th e l aps e of ce n t urie s th e Old fore st


.

w orship mayh a v e d e cl ine d and b e en s up e rs e d e d by th e stru ct ure


of t empl e s more w ith s ome pop ul a t ion s a n d l e ss w ith o th ers
, In .

fa ct w e c ome a cro ss a go od ma n y st a t e me n ts so in d e fi n ite or in com


,

p le te th at it is imp oss ibl e t o g a th e r from th e m w ith a nyc e rt a in ty


,

wh e th e r th e e xp re ssions use d b e tok e n th e a ncie n t cultus or on e


d e p arting from it .

Th e most w e ighty a n d s ig nific an t p a ss ag e s re l a t ing t o th is p art


of th e s ubj e ct s e e m t o b e t h e foll owin g se e S uppl
( ) .

Ta c G e rm 4 0 d e scrib e s th e s a c re d grov e a n d th e w orsh ip Of


. .

M oth e r E arth ; wh e n th e p rie st in fe st iv al t ime h as c arrie d th e


g od d e ss round a mo ng th e p e opl e h e re st ore s h e r to h er s an ct uary
,

sa tiata m conv e rsa t ione mortalium d e e m tem le re dd it


p .

Ta c arm 1 5 1 : Cae s ar a v id a s l e g ion e s la tior


p op ula tio
. .
,
q u o ,

fore t qua tuor in cune OS d isp e rtit u i u a int a mill ium S p a t ium
,
q q gn ,

fe rro flammisque p e rvast at ; n on s e x u s n on a e t a s mi seration e m ,

1
B e ne d ict foun d a t M on t e ca ss i n o ve tust issimum fa n um, in quo e x
St .

a n t i q uo more
ge n tilium a st u lt o rust i can o p op ul o A p oll o coleb at ur, circumqua qu-e
.

e n i m I n cult um d ae moni orum luci succrevera n t in q ui b u s a d h u c e od e m t e mp ore


,
I n fi d e li u m i n s a n a mult it ud o sacrifi ciis sa crile is in su d a b at G re g M a
g g d ia logi . . .

2, 8 . Th e s e w e re n ot G e rman h ea th e n s , b ut it p rov e s t h e cust om t o h a v e b e en


t h e more umve rsal
.

.
80 T MP L S
E E .

a ttulit : p rofan a Simul e t sa cra , e t celeberrimum ill is g en t ib us -

t e mplu m quod Ta nf a n a e v ocab an t s ol o a e quan tur Th e n a tion t o


,
1
, .

wh ich this t empl e b e l onge d w e re th e M ars i a nd p erh aps s ome


n e igh b ourin g on e s ( se e S u ppl ) .

Vit a S E uge n di abb a tis Ju re n sis ( l circ a u ct ore mon a ch o


" ‘

. .

Con d ate sce n si ip siu s d iscip ulo (in A ct is sa n ct or B oll an d J a n 1 p . . .


, .

5 0 a n d in M ab illon a ct a B e n sec 1 p
, , S a n ctu s igitur . .
,
.

famul u s Ch risti E uge n d us s ie u t b e a torum p a t rum R oman i e t,

L up icin i in re l igion e discip ul u s ita e tiam n at alibu s ac p rovin cia ,

e x t it it in dig e n a a tqu e con civis ort us n e mp e e st h aud l on g e a v i c o


.

cu i vetusta
p aga n i ta s ob ce le b rit at e m clau sura mqu e fortissima m
sup ersti ti osissi mi temp li G alli c a l in gu a I sa rn od ori , id e st, fe rre i o stii
in d idit n ome n : quO n un c q u oqu e in l o c o, d elu bris e x p art e j am
d irutis s a c ra tiss ime mica n t c o e l e stis re g n i c ul min a d ic a t a Ch risti
,

c ol is ; a tqu e inib i p a te r san ct issima e p rolis j udicio p ont ifi cali


p l e bis qu e t e st im o n io e x t it it in p re sb yt e rii d ig n it a t e s a c e rd o s I f .

E uge n d us w a s b orn a b ou t th e mid d l e o f t h e 5 th c e n tury a n d his ,

fath e r a l re a dy w a s a p rie st o f th e ch rist ian ch urch wh ich h a d b e e n


e re ct e d o n th e s it e of t h e h e a th e n t e mpl e h e a th e n is m ca n a t th e ,

l at e st h a v e l inge re d th ere on l yin th e e arlier h al f of th at c e n t ury ,

a t wh os e c omme n c e me n t t h e W e st G o ths p a ss e d th rou gh It a ly in t o

G a ul Ga llica l ing ua h e re s e e ms t o b e th e G e rman sp ok e n b yth e


.

in v a din g n a t ion s in c on t ra d istin ction t o t h e R oman a ; th e n a me Of


,

t h e pl a c e is a l mo st p ure G oth ic e isarn a d a ii ri still more e x a ctly it


'

, ,

migh t b e B urgun d ian isarn o d ori 2


H a d e ith e r W e st G ot h s or
,
.

B urg un d ia n s or p e rh aps e v e n s ome A la ma nn s th at h a d p e n e t ra te d


,

so fa fou n d e d t e t e
r ,
h mpl e in f
th e a st e ss e s a d d e e s o
n n fi l f t h e J ura ? 3

Th e n ame is w e ll s u it e d t o t h e st re ngth of th e p os it ion a n d Of th e


b uil d in g w h ich th e christian s in p art re t aine d (se e S u pp l )
,
.

A Con stit utio Child e b e rti I Of a b ou t 5 5 4 ( P e rtz 3 c on t ain s ,

t h e foll ow in g : P rae cip ie n t e s u t qu icun qu e a d mon iti d e agro suo


, ,

u bicu mqu e fue rin t simu la cra con stru cta ve l i d ola d a emoni d ed i ca ta

1 A n in s cri pt ion fou n d in N e ap ol i ta n t errit ory, b ut su pp os e d b y Ore lli


2 0 5 3 t o h a v e b e e n ma d e b yLigoriu s, h as Ta mfa n a e s a cru m ( Gud ii i n s cri pt .

a n ti q p l v 1 1, d e W a l p 1 8 8 )
. . . th e w ord i s ce rta i n l y G e rma n , a n d forme d lik e
.

H lud a n a , S i g an a ( S e quan a ) , Liu t an a ( Lu gd un um ) , Rab an a ( Ra v e n n a ) , &c .

Y e t t h e C e lt i c forms a ls o are n o t fa r re mov e d , I r i ara n , W e l h aiarn , . .

A rmor u arn ( fe rrum)


. I r d o ra s, W e l d or ( p ort a)
. h ae arn d or i ron gat e ,
.

q uot e d in Davie ss B ri t Myt h Ol pp 12 0 , 5 60



. . . .

3
F ro n ti e r moun t ai n s h e l d s a cre d a n d ma d e pl a ce s Of s acrifi ce b y s ome
n a t i ons Ri tt e rs e rd k un d e 1 , a ufl 2 , 79 vol 2 , p 9 0 3 . . . .
82 T MP L S
E E .

A uciam, ub i era nt temp la f a n a ti ca a d ecurioni bus culta .


( AD
. .

A nd e sagin a is A n se nn e , A u c ia wa s a f er t ward s c all e d la


B re sl e B riselle
,
.

B eda h ist e ccl 2 1 3 re l at e s h ow th e North umb rian k ing


,
. .
, ,

E a d win e b aptiz e d 6 2 7 sl a in 6 3 3 re s ol v e d aft e r ma ture c on s ult a tion


, , ,

w ith me n of u n d erst an din g t o a d opt c h ristian ity an d w a s e sp e cially ,

ma de t o w a v e r in h is a n cie n t faith b yCoifi ( Coe fi ) h is chie f h e a t h e n


p rie st h ims el f : Cumqu e a p ra e fato p on tifi ce s a crorum su oru m
u t q uis a ra s e t f a n a id oloru m cum sep tis guibus erd u t ci r
q a e re re ,

cu md a ta p rimu s p rofa n are d eb e re t ? re sp on d it : e go quis e n im e a .


,

qu ae p er stultitiam c e lu i nun c a d e x e mpl um omnium ap tiu s qu am


,

ips e p e r sap ie n tiam mihi a D eo v e ro d on a tam d e stru am ?


A ccin ctu s e rg o gl ad io a cce p it lan ce am in ma n u e t a sc e n d e n s
e miss a rium re gis aw fu l a n d imp rop e r things for a
(a ll th re e u n l
h e a th e n p rie st) p e rgeb a t ad id ola ,
quod a sp icie ns v ulg u s ae sti .

mab a t e um in s an ire n e c d istulit ill e mox ut ap p rop inqu ab at a d


. .

a n u m p rofa n a re illu d inj e ct a in e O l a n c e a qu a m t e n e b a t mult um


f , , ,

u a visu s d e a gn ition e v e ri D e i c ul tu s j ussit s o c iis d e st ru e re a c


q g e ,

succe nd e re f a nu m cu m omni bu s sep tis s uis ost e n d itur a ut e m l o c u s .

ill e quon d am i d oloru m n on l ong e ab E bora co a d orie n t e m ultra


a mu e m D orow e n tion e m e t voca tur h odie G od mun d in ga h am u b i ,

p ontife x ips e insp iran t e D e e v ero p olluit a c d e strux it e as qu a s


, , ,

1
ips e sa cra ve ra t ara s ,
.

Vita S B e rtu ffi B ob b ie n sis (1 6 4 0 ) in A cta B en e d se c 2 p


.
'
. .
,
.

1 6 4 : A d qu a nd am v ill a m I ria e fl uvio a dj a ce n t e m a cc e ss it ub i ,

a n um u odd a m a rboribus con si tum vid e n sa lla t um i n e m e i a d movit


f q g ,

con ge st is in modum p ira e l iguis I d v e ro ce rne n t e s f a n i c ult ore s


.

M e rove um p p re h e n sum d iuque fustib us ca e sum e t ictibus con


a

t u sum in fluviu m ill ud d e me rge re con ant ur — Th e I ria run s int o .

the P O v e n t occurs among L omba rd s


t he e .

W alafridi Strab on is vit a S G all i (T6 4 0) ctis B en e d se c 2


. in a . .

p 2 1 9 2 2 0 : V e n erunt (S Columb anus e t G allus) in fra p art e s


.
,
.

Ale man n ia e a d flu vium qui Lind imacus v o ca tur j u xt a que m a d


, ,

s up eriora t e n d e n t e s p e rve n erunt Turicinum cumqu e p e r lit tus .

a mb u l an t e s v e n isse n t a d c ap u t lacu s ip siu s in l oc u m q ui Tu cconia ,

d icitur p lacuit illis l oci qualitas a d inh ab it and um


,
p orro h omin e s .

1
T h e A S t ran sl a t i on re n d e rs arae b ywigbed (se e p
. .
fana b y hea rga s .
,

i do l a b ydeofolgi ld, s e pt a on ce b yhega s (h e d ge s ) , an d th e ot h er t i me bygetymbro .

Th e sp e a r h url e d at t h e hea rg gav e th e s i g na l for its d e moli t ion .


B U IL D IN G S . 83

ib id e m co mman e nte s crud e le s e ra n t et imp ii ,


si mula cra colen tes,

id ola fi
sa cri ciis ven e ra n tes, Ob e r a n e
t s a u g u ria e t d ivin a t ion e s e t
s v
mult a q ua e c on t raria s unt cultu i d ivin o sup e rstitiosa se cta n te s .

S a n ct i ig it ur h omin e s cum coe p isse n t in t e r illos h ab it are d o ce b a n t ,

e os a d orare P e t re m e t Filium e t S iritu m s an ctum e t c u st odire


p ,

fi d e i ve rita t e m B e a t us qu oqu e Gall u s s an cti v iri di sc ip ul u s z e l o


.

i a tis a rma t u s a n a in q uib u s d a emon iis sa cri ca ba n t ig n i su c


p e t f , fi ,

ce n d it e t q u a ecumq u e in v e nit Obl a t a d e me rsit in la cu nr — H e re

foll o w s an imp ort a n t p a ss ag e wh ich will b e qu ot e d furth e r on ; it


s ays e xp re ssly cumque ej us d e m temp li sole mn ita s age re tur .

J on a e B obbie n sis v it a S Columb an i ( l 6 1 5 ) cap 1 7 in act .


‘ ‘

. . .

B e n e d 2 12 1 3 : Cumque j am multoru m mon a ch orum s o cie t a t e


.
,
.

d e nsare t ur coe p it c og it are u t p otiore m l ocum in e a d e m e re mo


, ,

( i
. e . V o sa g o s a lt u) q u a e re re t qu o m o n a st e riu m con stru e re t
,
i n .

v e n it q u e ca strum fi rmissimo mu n i mi n e Oli m fuiss e cu ltu m a s u p ra ,

d ict o l oc o dist an s pl us minu s o ctO millib us qu e m p risc a t e mp ora ,

Lux ovium n un cup ab ant i bique a gua e ca lid a e cultu e x imio con stru
,

ct a e h a b e b a n t ur ibi i magin a m lap id ea rum d e n sita s v ic in a s a ltu s


.

d e n sab a t 1
qua s c ultu misera bili ritugue p rof a n o vetusta P a ga norum
,

t emp ora h onorab ant —Th is B urgundia n pl a c e th e n ( Lu x e uil in


.

F ra n c h e Comt e n e ar V e s oul ) c on t ain e d Old R oman th e rma e


,

a d orn e d w ith st a t ue s H a d th e B urgu n d ian s e ttl e rs c onn e ct e d


.

th e ir ow n w orsh ip w ith t h e s e ? Th e s ame c astru m is S p ok e n of


in th e
Vit a S A gil i Re sb a ce n sis ( l
.
‘ ‘

in A ct a B e n . se c . 2 ,
p . 3 17
Ca strum mque int ra v a st a e re mi s e pt a qua e V o sagus d icitur
na , ,

fue rat f a n a tico rum cu ltui Ol im d edica tum se d t un c a d s ol u m u squ e ,

diru tum quod h uj us s a ltus in cola e qu a mq uam ig not o p ra e sagio


, , ,

Lux oviu m [qu lux ov ium n omin av e re


. A ch urch is t h e n b uilt .

on th e h e a th e n s it e : u t ubi Ol im p rop hecn o ri tu v e t e re s colu e ru n t


,

a n a ibi Ch rist i fi e re n t ur ara e e t e ri e re n t ur v e x il l a h ab it a culum


f , g g ,

D e O milit a n t ium quO a d v e rs u s a eria s p ot e st at e s d imicare n t s up e rn i


,

R e gis tirone s p 3 1 9 : I ngre ssique ( A gilus cum E u st a s io) h uj us


. .

itine ris v ia m j uv a n te Ch rist o W a ra scos p ra e d ica t ori a cc e l e ra n t


, , ,

q u i a
grestiu m j a n is d ece p t i q u o s v ulg i f a u n as v oc a n t ge n
,
t iliu m ,

1
mu lt it ud e o f stat ue s ma de t h e a dj oini n g w ood thicker 2 M ust w e n ot
Th e .

s uppl ya n a ce cop ia m or sp e cie m aft e r imag l a p i d vi ci n a s alt u s d e n saba t


e vi d e n tl
.

ymea n s crowded th e adj oinin g p art o f t h e w ood


‘ ( S O in Ovi d : d e nsa e
. .

folii s b uxi TR A N S ]
.
84 TEMPL S E .

quoque e rrore se d ucti in p erfi diam d eve nerant Fotini seu B on osi , ,

v iru s infe cti quos e rrore d ep ul so matri e ccl e s iae re con cil iatos v e ro s
, , ,

Ch risti fe ce re s e rv o s .

Vit a S Willibrordi . in A ct a B e n e d se c 3 p 6 0 9 . .
, .

P e rv e nit in con fi n io F re son um e t D an orum a d qu an d am in s ul a m ,

qu a e a qu od am d e o suO F os it e ab a ccoli s t e rra e F osite sland app el


l atur quia in e a ej u s d e m d e i f a n a fu e re con stru cta Qui l ocu s a
,
.

p ag an is t an t a ve n e rat ion e h ab eb a tur ut n il in e o v e l a nimaliu m ,

ibi p a sce ntium v e l a li arum qu aru mlib e t re rum ge n tilium quisquam


t ang ere au d eb at, n e c e tiam a font e qui ibi e b ulli e b at a quam h aurire
ni s i t ace nS p rae su me b at .

Vita S W ill e h a di (T
. in P e rtz 2 ,
3 81 : U nd e con tigit, u t

quid am discip uloru m j


e u s, d iv in o co mp un cti ard ore , f a na i n morem

ge n ti liu m circumgua gu e erecta coe p isse n t e v e rt e re et ad n ih i u l m ,

p ro ut p ot e ran t re d ig e re , qu o fa ct o b arb ari qui a dhu c ,


fort e

p e rst it e ra n t fu rore n imio


, su cce nsi, irru e run t s up e r e o s re p e n t e m cu

imp e tu ,
v ole n t e s e os fun d it us in t e rime re ,
ibiqu e D e i famulum
fustib u s ca e sum mult is a d mod um p lagis a ffe ce re — T h is h a pp e n e d
in th e F ris ian p agu s Th riant a (D re nt e ) b e fore 779 .

i ia ) P ag an os
Vit a Lu dge ri (b egin nin g Of th e 9th c e nt ) ( I n F r s .

a sp e rrimos mitigavit ut su a illum d elu bra d e stru e re c ora m ,

oculis p a t e re nt ur I nv e n t um in j a nis auru m e t a rge n t um p lurimum


.

A lbricus in a e ra rium re gis in tulit a ccip ie n s e t ips e p rae cip ie n t e ,

C a ro l e ortio n e m e x ill o — Con f t h e p a ss ag e c it e d p 4 5 from th e


p . .

Le x Frisionum .

F olcuin i g e st a abb . Lob ie nsium ( c irc . in P e rtz 6 , 5 5 E st


l oc u s in t ra t e rmin os p a g i qu e m
,
v e te re s, a l oc o ub i sup erstiti osa

m Jlf a rti F a n um M i di t —Th i s


ge f
n ti li ta s a nu sa cra vera t, a rt n se x e ru u .

is F a ma rs in H a in a ult, n ot far from V al e n cie nn e s .

In all p rob ab il ity th e s an ctu ary Of Tan fan a which G e rmanicu s


d e mol ish e d in A D . 1 4 w as n ot a me re grov e but ,
a re a l b u il d in g ,

o th e rw is e T a c itus w oul d h ardly h av e c all e d th e d e stru ction Of it a


l e v e ll in g t o th e grou n d D urin g th e n e xt th re e or four c e n turie s
we a re w ith o u t a n yn otic e s Of h e a th e n t e mpl e s in G e rma n y I II .

t h e 5 th 6 th 7th a n d 8 th c e n t urie s a s I h av e s h o wn w e c ome


, , , , ,

u p on ca stra temp la f a n a amo n g B urgun dia n s Fra nks L omb a rd s


, , , , ,

A la mann s A n gl o S a x on s a n d Fris ia n s
,
- B yf a nu m ( wh e n c e fa n a
,
.

t icu s) s e e ms Oft e n t o h a v e b e e n un d e rst ood a b u il ding Of s mall e r


B U IL D INGS .
85

e xt e n t by temp lum on e of l arge r t he I n diculus sup erstit xxx i


,
and . .

4 h a s: d e ca su lis (h uts) i e j a n is ( se e Suppl ) I a dmit th a t ,


. . .

some Of th e a uth oritie s c it e d l e a v e it d ou bt ful wh e th e r G erman


h e ath e n t e mpl e s b e int e n d e d th e y might b e R oman on e s wh ich ,

h ad b ee n l e ft st an din g ; in wh ich c a s e th e re is room for a tw ofol d


hyp oth e s is : th at th e d omin an t G e rman n at ion h a d all ow e d c e rt ain
c ommu n itie s in th e ir mid st t o k ee p up t h e R oman Gall ic c ul tu s or -
,

th at th e y th e ms el v e s h a d t ak e n p oss e ss ion Of R oman b uil din gs for


1
th e e x e rcis e of th e ir ow n reli gion ( se e Su ppl ) N O t h orough .

in v e stig a t ion h a s ye t b e e n ma d e Of th e st a t e of rel igion amon g th e


G auls imme d iat e ly b e fore a n d aft er th e irrupt ion Of th e G e rma n s
s id e by s id e w ith the c on v e rts th ere w e re still n o d oub t s ome , ,

h e ath e n G auls ; it is d ifficul t th ere fore t o pron oun c e for e ith er


hyp oth e s is c a s e s of b oth kin d s mayh a v e co e x ist e d SO much for
,
-
.

th e d oubt ful a uth oritie s but it is not a ll of th e m th a t l e av e u s in


a n yd oubt I f th e Tanfan a t e mpl e c oul d b e b uil t by G e rman s w e
. ,

can s upp os e th e s a me Of th e Ala ma n n t h e S a x on a n d th e F ris ian ,

t e mpl e s ; an d wh a t w a s d on e in th e fi rst c e ntury is still more li k e ly ,

t o h av e b e e n d on e in t h e 2 md 3 rd a n d 4 th , , .

B ui lt Temp les mu st in e arly t ime s h av e b ee n n ame d in a v arie ty


of w a ys ( se e S uppl H A O rium ;
)
2
: C G S S O N h of a ul a a t . . . .
, ,

C H G ha lla t e mpl um ( H y mn 2 4 A S h ea l ON h ell ( c on f h allr


'

. . .
, , ,
. .
,

l ap is G oth h allu s) ;— OH G sa l ON sa lr A S sele OS seli aul a ;


, . .
, .
, .
,
.
,

A S reced d omu s b a s ili c a ( Cee dm 1 4 5 1 1 1 5 0 1 6 2 1 9


.
, , OS .
,
.
,
.
,
.

ra ku d ( H e l 1 1 4 1 7 1 3 0 2 0 1 44 4 1 5 5
.
,
a n Obscu re w ord n ot
.
, .
, .
,

foun d in th e oth e r dial e cts — C H G p etap i tr d e l ub rum ( D iu t 1


.
, .

1
vul gar t ook Roman fort ifi cat ion s for d e vi l s dike s it w a s n at ura l
A s the

,

t o a ss oci a t e w i th Roma n ca st e ll a t h e n ot i on Of i d ol a t ry Rup e rt us T u itie n sis .

( t 1 1 3 5 ) in h is a ccoun t of t h e fi re Of 1 1 28 tha t l e v e ll e d s uch a ca st e ll um a t


D e u z w h i ch h ad b e e n a d apt e d t o ch ri st i an w orsh i p in forms u s t h a t s ome
, ,

t h ough t i t w as b u ilt byJ ul i us C a e s ar oth e rs byC onst an t i us an d C on st an t i n e ,


.

I n t h e e mp e ro r Ott o s t ime S t M a rya pp e a rs b yn i g h t t o archb i s h op H e rib e i t



.


s urge e t Tuitie n se castrum p e te ns l ocum in e od e m mund ari p rae cip e ibique
, , ,

mon a st e ri um D e o mihique e t omn i bus s an ct i s const i t ue u t ubi q u on d am , ,

h ab itavit e cca t um e t cu ltus da emonum ib i j u st it i a re g n e t et me mori a


p
s a n ct oru m w i t h mo re of t h e l i k e I n the V i ta H erib e rti cap 1 5 Ce n t t h e

,

, , . . .

fan u m a t C ol o gn e a bo v e p 8 1 ,
. .

Th e a syl um t h a t a t ri um an d t e mpl e Offe re d w it h i n t h e ir p re ci n cts is in


2

ON grid a sta ilr C H G fridhof OS vri thob H e l 1 5 1 2 9


.
, . M H G vron e , .
, .
, ,
. .

vrlthof N ib 1 79 5 2 n ot a t a ll o ur frie d h of b on n w i th fre i fre e ] con f


, .
,
[ u t c , .
, ,
.

G oth fre idj a n OS fridon p arce re ) Tha t th e con st i t ut i on Of th e Old


G e rman s a nct uarie s w as st il l (or th e most p a rt h eath e n is h is di s cuss e d i n RA
.
, . .

.
,

8 86 9 2 .
86 T MPL S
E E .

wh ich w e re t p eta hits, min ore s e ccl e s iae


a f erward s adde d
'

-
to

( G1 . sle tst . 2 1 3 2) , a n d chirihh d , A S cyri ce Th e M H G p oe ts l ik e . . .

t o u se betehi ts Of h e ath e n t e mpl e pp os e d ch rist ian church


'

a as O to a

(E n . 2 6 9 5 B arl 3 3 9,
. . A th is D 9 3 . H e rb 9 5 2 W igal . . .

83 08 . P a ss . 3 5 6 73 , . Tit . so in M N e thl bed eh d s (M aerl


. .
'

1 3 26 3,
,
. mu ch coun trie s d o n ot a s th e Ca th ol ics in th e ir ow n
a ll ow t o P rot e st an ts a c h u rc h b ut o n ly a b e t h au s p ra ying h ou s e , ,
-

( se e S u ppl ) 0 iv 3 3 3 3 .h a s th e p e riph ra s e
.
gotes h i ts a.n d ii 4 , ,
.
,

5 2 d ruhti n es hi ts N otke r cap 1 7 mak e s n o sc rupl e Of tran sl a ting


. .

t h e La t ta nis by chi lechon j u st a s b ish op d o e s d u ty for h e a th e n


. ,

p rie st a s w e ll I n th e e a rl ie st time s temp le w a s re t ain ed Is 3 8 2


.
,
. .

3 95 T . . D iu t 1 .
,

Th e hu t w h ich w e are t o p ictu re t o o urs e l v e s un d e r th e t e rm


fan um or p ur (A S b fi r b ow e r) w a s most l ik e ly c on stru ct e d of l ogs
. .
,

a n d tw igs roun d t h e s a cre d t ree a w ood e n t e mpl e Of th e godd e ss

Z isa w ill fi n d a pl a c e in ch XIII W ith h all a an d s ome oth er . .

n ame s w e a re c omp e ll e d t o th in k ra th e r o f a st on e b uil din g .

W e se e all th e christian t ea ch e rs e age r to layth e ax e to th e


s a cre d tre e s of th e h e ath e n a nd fi re un d e r th e ir te mpl e s It w oul d , .

a l most s e e m th a t th e p oor p e opl e s c on s e n t w a s n e v e r a sk e d a n d


th e ris in g s mok e w as t h e fi rst th in g th at a n n ou n c e d t o th e m th e


b rok e n p ow e r Of th e ir god s B ut on a cl os er stud y of th e d e tails in .

t h e l e ss high fl ow n n arra tiv e s it c ome s ou t th a t th e h e a th e n w e re


-
,

n ot SO t ame a n d s impl e n or th e ch rist ian s S O re ckl e ss B onifa c e ,


.

re s ol v e d on h e win g d ow n th e Th un d e r oak a ft e r t a k in g c ouns e l w ith -

t h e al re a d y c on v e rt e d H e ss ian s an d in th e ir p re s e n c e S O t oo th e ,
.

T h uringian p rin c e ss might n ot h a v e d are d t o sit S O immov ab l e on


h e r p al fre y a n d g iv e th e ord e r t o fi re t h e F ra nk ish t e mpl e h a d n ot ,

h e r e sc ort b e e n n ume ro us e n ough t o mak e h e a d a g ain st th e h e a th e n .

Th a t th e s e did mak e an arme d re s ista n c e a pp e ars from Ra de gund s


re qu e st a ft e r t h e fan e w a s b u rn t d own u t in t er se p op ul i p a c e m
, ,

fi rmare n t .

most of th e c a s e s it is e xp re ssly st at e d th at a c h urch w a s


In
e e ct e d on th e s it e of th e h ea th e n t re e or t e mpl e I n th is w ayth e
2
r .

A ct nm in ill o betap d re ( th e ch urch a t F ul d a ) p ub l i ce Tra d F ul d e d


1
,
. . .

S ch an n at n o 1 9 3 in bed ebur, La comb l n o 4 12 ( A D


. . in bedebure , E rh ard . . . .

p 14 8 (A D
. betbur, M e ye r Z ii rch ort sn 9 1 7
. . . . .

S ulp S e v e rus ( e d A mst. p 4 5 8 : N am ubi fan a d e st rux erat


. . .

( Mart i nus) , sta tim ibi a ut ecclesia sa ut mona steria con stru eba t D i e tmar Of M e rse b . .

7, 5 2 , p 8 5 9 ( sp ea k i n g Of B i s h op Re in b e rn on Sl a v t errit ory, A D 10 15 )
. . . .
T M PL E S
E . 87

p eopl e s h ab its Of th ink ing w e re c on s ulte d and th e y c ould b el ie v e



,

th at th e Old s a cre d n e ss h ad n ot d e p art e d from th e pl a c e b ut h en c e ,

forth flow e d from th e p re s e n c e Of th e true G od ( se e Supp l ) .

A t t h e s a me t ime w e h e re p e rc e iv e th e re a s on Of t h e al most
e n t ire a bs e n c e o f h e a th e n mon u me n ts or th e ir re ma in s n ot on ly ,

in G e rmany p rop e r b ut in th e N orth wh e re c e rt ainly s u ch


, ,

t e mpl e s e x ist e d a n d more pl e n t ifully conf in ch aps VI X XVI


,
. . . . .

th e t e mpl e a t Sigtti n b e e r 1 B ald rsh aga an d th e N orn a s t e mpl e


, , .

E ith e r th e s e w e re l e v e ll e d with th e groun d t o mak e room for a


ch ristian ch urch or th e ir w a lls a n d h alls w e re w ork e d in t o th e n e w
,

bu ild ing W e mayb e Sl ow t o form a nyh igh Op inion Of th e b uil d


.

ing art a mong th e h e ath e n G e rma n s ye t th e y mu st h av e u n d e rst ood


,

h ow t o a rra ng e c on s id e ra bl e ma ss e s Of st on e a n d b ind th e m fi rmly ,

tog e th er We h av e e v ide n c e Of th is in t h e gra v e moun d s an d pl a c e s


.
-

Of s a c rific e still p re s e rv e d in S c a n d in a v ia p artly als o in F rie sl a n d


,

a n d S a x on y from wh ich s ome imp ort a n t in fe r


,
e n c e s migh t b e d ra wn

w ith re g ard t o th e Old h e a th e n s e rv ic e s b ut th e s e I e xcl ud e from


,

myp re s e n t in v e st ig at ion .

Th e re s ults are th e s e th e e arl ie st s ea t Of h e a th e n w orsh ip w a s


in g rov e s wh e th e r on moun t ain or in pl e a s an t me a d ; th e re th e fi rst
,

t e mpl e s w e re a fte rw ard s b uil t a n d th ere als o w e re th e trib un als Of


,

th e n at ion .

Fan a id olorum d e st ruen s in cen dit , e t mare d a emonib uscultum, immissis q uat uor
lap idib us s a cro ch rismat e p e run ct is e t a q ua p urg an s b e n e d i ct a, n ov e m D omin o
,

la n t at io n e m e d ux it — Ou th e co n v e rs ion Of th e P a n t h eon in t o a
p .

ch urch , se e M assma n n s B re diu s 4 76



.
CH A PTER V .

PRIE ST S .

most g en era l t e rm for on e w h o is c all e d t o th e imme diat e


Th e
s e rv ic e of d e ity ( minist e r d e orum Tac G e rm 1 0) is on e d e riv e d ,
. .

from th e n ame of d e ity its e l f F rom th e G oth gu5 ( d e us) isforme d . .

th e n gagud ei ( pie ta s e bo eBe t a )



th e j ad ( god ly p iu s e t a
.
ga gu d s , , ,
.

I n OH G a nd M H G I fi n d p ius t ran sl at e d e rhaf t st rictly re ve re n s


,
.
.
, ,

b ut als o u s e d for ve n e ra n d us ou r f romm h as on ly l a t e ly a cquire d


this me an in g th e M H G vrum b ein g S imply abl e e xc ell e n t Th e
,
.
,
.

God s e rv in g p iou s man is in Goth gu dj a ( lep stie M att 8 4


-
,
27 1 .
,
.
, , ,
.

63 . M k 10 34 .
, . 14 , 61 . Lu 1 , 5 . . 20, 1 . J o 1 8, 1 9. .

e e zie) M k 1 0 3 3
j inon ( iep a re zie w) ( px p

22 .
f
1 9, 6 j . u a rgu d a d i ,
.
gu d ,

Lu 1 8 .
gudj in a ssus ( iep a re ia ) Lu 1 9 ( se e Suppl )
,
. .
,
. .

T h a t t h e s e w e re h e ath e n e xp re ss ion s follows from th e a cc ord an c e


of th e ON godi ( p ont ife x ) hof s godi ( fan i an tist e s) E gilss 75 4
.
, , . .

Fre ys godi N ialss cap 9 6 1 1 7 Forum sog 2 2 0 6 godord


’ ‘

. . .
, . . .
,
.

( s a c e rdotium) A II a d dition al argume n t is found in th e dis app ear


.

a n c e of t h e w ord from t h e oth e r dia l e cts j ust a s our a l a h dis ,

a pp e are d th ou gh t h e Got h s h a d foun d a lh s un obj e ction a bl e


, Only .

a fa in t v e stige a pp e a rs in th e OH G cotin e by wh ich tribunus is .

glo ss e d D iut 1 1 8 7 ( Goth gudiggs — N ow a s U lp h ilas1 a ss ociate s


, .
, .

g dj a a n d sinista (n p e o Bzirep os e l d e r ma n of st an d ing p rie st ) a


u
, , , ,

re ma rk abl e s e n t e n c e in A mm M a rc e ll 2 8 5 informs u s t h a t t h e . .
, ,

h igh p rie st of th e B urgun dian s w a s c all e d sinisto : N am sa cerd os


omn iu m ma x i mus a p ud B ur undios v ocat ur sinistus e t e st
g p e rp e tu ,

Ob n ox iu s d iscrimin ib us n ull is ut re ge s
2
us , Th e c on n e x ion of .

p rie sts with the n ob ility I h av e discuss e d in RA 2 6 7 8 (se e Suppl ) “


.
-
.

M ore d e cid e d ly h e a th e n a re th e OH G n ame s for a p rie st .

p a ra w
ha ruga ri Diut 1 and a ri Diu t 1 1 5 0
, ( e
, .
b ing de riv e d
, , .
,
2

from h aru e a n d mm th e w ord s for t e mpl e giv e n on p 68 9 a n d , .


-
,

S tri ctl yt h e E van g e l i st th e t ran slat or h ad n o Ch oice —T RA N S . .

F ’r t h e s e n s e o f p e rp e t ui tyatt ach in g t o sin in comp os it ion se e G ramm


2 5 a 4 -o
- f .
, .

I f h a rue me an t w ood or rock , and ha ru a ri p rie st , th e are


3
veryl ik e th e
g ’ y
Ir. an d G a e l ea rn , ca i rn a nd ca irnea c p rie st O B rie n
,
.
77a
. .
90 P RI E STS .

e p iscop u s , ) O . I . 4, 4 . a nd th e H e l . 1 5 0, 2 4 biscop . L at e r
on ,p ri ester ( from p re sbyt e r foll ow in g t h e id ea Of
ld er an d s up e rior)
, e ,

a nd p f a e m n ame s most g e n e ra lly u s e d


fi ( p a p a ) c a e t o b e t h e
; AS .

p reost E ngl p ri est F r p restre p retre ; in V e ld e k p rest e r rh y me s


, .
,
.
, ,

w ith mest e r E n 9 0 0 2 , . .

W he n Cae s a r b e ll Gall 6 2 1 s a ys Of the G ermans : Ne que


, . .
, ,

d ruid e s h a b e n t qui re b us div inis p ra e sin t n e que sacrifi cii s st ud e n t , ,

—th e st at e me n t n e e d n ot b e se t d own as a mist ak e or a s c on tra


,

d ictin g wh a t T a c it u s t ell s us of t h e G e rma n p rie sts an d s a crific e s .

Caes ar is a ll al on g d ra w ing a c on tra st b e tw e e n th e m a n d th e G auls .

H e h ad d e scrib e d th e l a tt e r 6 1 6 a s e xc e ss iv e ly a ddict e d t o ,

s a crific e s a n d h is n on stude re sacrifi ciis must in t he conn e x ion


me an n o more th an to ma k e a sp arin g use of s a crific e s A s l ittl e .

did th e re p re v a il amon g t h e G e rma n s th e el ab ora t e ly fi ni sh e d


D rui d syste m Of th e G a uls ; bu t th e y di d n ot w an t for p rie sts or
-

s acrific e s Of th eir o wn .

Th e G e rma n p ri ests a s w e h a v e al re ady g ath ere d from a c urs ory


,

re vie w Of th e ir t itl e s w e re e mpl oy e d in th e w orsh ip Of th e g od s


,

a n d in j ud g in g th e p e opl e I n ca mp aig n s d isc ipli ne is e n t ru st e d .


,

t o th e m a l on e n ot t o th e g e n e rals th e wh ol e w ar b e in g c arrie d on
, ,

a s it w e re in th e p re s e n c e Of t h e d e ity : Ce t e ru m n e qu e a nima d

v ert ere n e que vin cire n e c v e rb erare quid e m n is i sa cerd otibus p er


missum n on q ua si in p oe n am n e c d uc is j u ssu se d v e lut d eo
, , ,

imp e ra n t e que m a d e ss e b e lla nt ibu s cre d unt G e rm 7 ( se e Suppl )


,
.
,
. .

Th e s u cc e e d in g w ord s mu st als o re fe r t o th e p rie sts it is th e y th a t ,

t a ke th e e ffi gie s e t s ig n a from th e s a cre d grov e an d c arry th e m


in t o b attl e W e l e arn from cap 1 0 th a t th e sa cerd os civita tis
. .
,

s up erint e n d s th e div ina tion by rod s wh e n e v e r it is d on e for th e ,

n a t ion . I f t h e o cc a s ion b e n ot a p ub l ic o n e th e p a te rf a mili a s ,

h ims e l f can d ire ct th e ma tt e r an d th e prie st n e e d n ot b e c a ll e d in ,

a re ma rk a bl e l imit a t ion of th e p rie stl yp o w e r a nd a S ig n h ow fa r t h e ,

righ ts Of th e fre e ma n e xt e n d e d in st rictly p riv at e l ife on th e s ame

p rin cipl e I s upp os e th a t in v e ry e arly time s c ov e n an t t ransac


, ,
.

t ion s c oul d b e s e ttl e d b e tw e e n th e p artie s with ou t th e inte rve n ,

tion of th e j u dge ( RA A g a in wh e n th e di v in ation w a s by


.
,

th e n e igh in g Of th e w hit e st ee d s main t ain e d by th e sta t e p riests ,

a cc omp a n ie d t h e s a cre d ca r a n d a cc re dit e d th e t ra n s a ct ion Th e p ri est


,
.

a l on e may t ou ch t h e car of N e rth u s by h im h e r a pp roa chin g ,

p re s e n c e is p erc e iv e d h e a tt en d s h er ful l Of re v e re n c e and l e ad s


, ,
PRI ESTS . 91

h er b a ck l ast to h e r sa n ctuary cap 4 0 Segimund th e son Of


at , . .
,

S e ge st e s wh om Ta c An n 1 5 7 c alls s a c e rd o s h a d b e e n n ot a
,
. .
, ,

G e rma n b ut a R oman p rie st ( a p ud a ra m Ub iorum) a n d aft e r t e aring ,

u p th e a l ie n Ch a pl e t ( v itt a s rup e ra t) h ad fle d to his h ome ,


.

Th e s e fe w in cid en ta l n otic e s Of p rie sts giv e u s anyth ing b ut a


c ompl e t e v ie w Of th e ir fun ction s ( se e Suppl ) On th e m d oub tl e ss .

d e v ol v e d a ls o th e p e rforman c e Of p ubl ic p ra y e rs th e sl a y in g of ,

v ictims th e c on s e cra tion Of th e k ings a n d of c orps e s p erh aps Of


, ,
.

marriag e s t oo th e ad minist e rin g of oa ths a n d man y o th e r d uti


, ,

Of th e ir a tt ire th e ir in s ign ia a n d gra d a tion s w e h e ar n othin g a t


, ,

all ; o n c e T a c itu s cap 4 3 S p e a ks Of a s a c e rd o s mu liebri orn a tu b u t


.
,

giv e s n o d e t ails N o d oubt th e p rie sts forme d a s ep a ra t e p ossibly


.
,

a h e re dit a ry ord e r th ough n ot SO p ow e rful a n d in fl ue n t ia l a s in


,

G a ul . P rob a bly b e s id e th a t s a c erd o s civ ita tis th e re w e re h igh e r


, ,

a n d l ow e r o n e s Only on e is c it e d by n ame t h e Ca ttian i e


.
, ,
. .

H e ss ian L ib e s in S tra b o (A ffine rdiv Xdrrw v iep e zie) w h o w ith


, ,

oth e r G e rman p ris on e rs w a s d ra gg e d t o R ome in t h e p omp a of

G e rman icu s Of h im T a c itu s ( so far a s w e st ill h a v e him) is


.

s il e n t 1 J orn an d e ss st ate men t is w orth y Of n otic e th a t th e G oth ic


.

p rie sts w ere t erme d p ilea ti in d istin ct ion from th e re st of th e p e opl e ,

th e cap illa ti a nd th a t d uring s a crific e th e y h a d th e h e a d c ov e re d


,

w ith a h at c onf RA 2 71 ( se e Suppl ) C 5inn is c alle d Si5 h 6ttr


. . .
,

b road h a t .

Th e s ucc e e ding p e riod d ow n t o th e introd uction of ch risti ,

a nity sc arc e ly y ie l d s a ny informa tion on th e c on dition Of th e


,

p rie sth ood in c on tin en t a l G e rma ny ; th e ir e xist e n c e w e infe r from


th a t of te mpl e s a n d s a crific e s A fa ct of s ome imp ort an c e h a s b e e n .

p re s e rv e d by B e d a H ist cool 2 1 3 a h e a th e n p rie st Of th e A ngl o


, . .
,

Sa x on s w a s forb idd e n t o c arry a rms or t o rid e a mal e h ors e N on


e nim licue ra t p on tifi ce m s a crorum v e l a rma
,
f re vel p ra etergua m
er ,

i n egu a eguita re Can th is h a v e a nyc on n e x ion with t h e re g ul a t ion


.

wh ich it is true ca n b e e quall y e xpl ain e d from th e B ibl e th at


, , ,

c hristian cl e rgy me n wh e n riding ab out th e c oun try sh oul d b e


, ,

moun t e d on a sses an d colts n ot h ors e s (RA 8 6 F e stu s als o , .

re ma rks : E u o vehi fla mini d ia l i n on lice b a t n e si lon ius digre


g g , ,

d e re tur s a cra n e gle ge re n tur ( see Supp l t s m ss


,
) Th e ra n i ion of .

1
L ibe s migh t be L p ei , Leb, O N Le ifr,. . G oth L a i b s ?
. A var
. l e ct . h as A rBvs

.
92 P RI STS
E .

l ife w ou l d s e e m t o h a v e b e en quite a d missibl e I sh all tryels e


, .

wh e re to S h o w in d e t ail h ow a g ood de al in th e ge st ure s a nd atti


,

t ud e s p re sc rib e d for c e rtain l e ga l tran s a ction s s a v ours Of p rie stly


c ere mon y a t s a c rific e an d p raye r ( see Suppl ) It is n ot unlik e ly .
,

a s h e a th e n s a c re d pl a c e s w e re t urn e d in t o ch ristia n on e s th a t it ,

w a s als o t h ou ght d e s ira bl e amon gst a n e wly c on v e rt e d p e opl e t o


a tt ra ct th e ir forme r p rie sts t o th e s e rv ic e Of th e n e w re li gion .

Th e y w e re th e most c ultiv ate d p ortion of th e p e opl e th e most ,

c ap abl e of c omp re h en ding th e ch ristian d octrine an d re c ommen din g


it t o th e ir c ou n tryme n F rom th e ra nks Of th e h e a th e n p rie sth ood
.

w oul d th ere fore pro c e ed b oth th e bitt ere st fe e s and th e warme st


.

1
p artizan s Of inn ov a tion Th e c oll e ction of th e L e tt e rs Of B on ifa c e
.

h a s a p a ss ag e l a me n tin g th e c on fus ion of christian an d h e a th e n


rit e s in t o w hich fool ish or re ckl e ss a n d guilty p rie sts h a d s u ffe re d
,

th e ms e l v e s t o fall 2
T h is might h av e b e en d on e in bl a me l e ss ign or

a n c e or from d e l ib e ra t e p urp o s e b ut sc a rc e ly by any me n e xc e pt ,

su ch a s we re p re v iously fami liar with h e ath e nis m .

E v e n th e Nors e p rie sth ood is b ut v e ry imp e rfe ctly d e l in e at e d in


th e E dd a s a n d s ag as A n ot e w orthy p a ss ag e in th e Y n glin gasaga
.

cap 2 w h ich re g a rd s t h e A s e s a lt og e th e r a s c ol oni sts from A s ia


.
,

a n d th e ir re s id e nce A sg a rd a s a gre a t pl a c e of s a c rific e ma k e s th e ,

tw e l ve p rin cip al A s e s sa crifi cia l p riests (h ofgo5 ar) skyld u b eir retia
fyrir blOtum ok d Omu m mann a i milli ( th e y h a d t o adv is e a b out
s a crific e s an d d ooms ) an d it add s th at th e y h ad b e en n ame d d ia r ,

rdttn a r do mini i ugh it b e b ut


( di v i) a n d d ( ) Th i s re p re s e n t a t on th o .
,

a c onj e ct ure Of S n orri s sh ows th e h igh e stima t ion in wh ich th e


p rie stly ord er st ood so th at god s th e ms e l v e s w e re pl a c e d at th e


,

h e ad Of s a crific e s a nd j ud gmen ts B ut w e n e e d n ot th ere fore con .

foun d d iar a n d d rOttnar with re a l h uman p rie sts .

.
J ust a s th e C a th oli c cl e rgyfurn i sh e d a s we ll th e props as th e opp on en ts Of
1

t h e Re forma t i on Th e n o t ab l e e x a mpl e of a h ea th e n p ri e st a bj uri n g his an ci e n t


.

fa i th an d e v e n p u tt i n g fort h h is h an d t o d e st royt h e t e mpl e h e h a d on ce h e l d


,

s acre d h a s b e e n qu ot e d from B e d a on p 8 2 Th is pri e st w as an E ngl i sh n ot


, . . ,

a B ri t i s h o n e t h ou gh B e d a e vi d e n tl
, yfor th e me re p urp os e of more e x a ctl y
,

markin g h is st a t i on d e s i g n at e s h im bya G a eli c w ord Coifi (ch oibi ch oibh idh


, , ,

cuimhi se e J a mi e s on s u ppl e me n t sub


, ,
v coivie arch d ruid ) Coifi i s n ot a . .
,
.

prop e r n ame e ve n in G a e l i c an d it i s incre d i b l e th at E ad wi n e kin g of N or


,

t h u mb ria s h oul d h a v e a d o pt e d t h e B rit i sh re ligion an d ma in t ain e d a B ritis h ,


p rie st .

2
Ed Wurdt w
8 2 S e rr 14 0
. Pro sacrile gisitaqu e p re sbyte ris, ut scrip sisti,
. . .

qui t auros e t h ircos diis p a gan orum immolab a n t , man d ucant e s sa crifi cia mor
t u orum . mod o v e ro in co gn i t um e ss e , u t rum b a pt iza nt e s t rin ita t e m
d ix isse nt an n on , &c —C onn e ct with t his th e p re sb yt e r J ovi macta ns, E p 2 5
. . .
94 P RI E STS .

l t s
re a e Of H ara l d af e r t h is b apt is m : D e l ubra d iruit ,
ma rios
victi

p roscrip sit fla minium ab rogavit , . B y victimarii h e mu st me an


blOtme n n by fl a me n s t h e p rie sts
,
lls u s on p 1 0 4 th a t a t . He te .
,

th e g re a t Ups al a s a cri fic e s th e re w e re e na cte d e ffoe min ati c orp or um


mo tus sce n iciqu e mimorum p lausus a c moll ia nolarum c re p it a cul a ;
, ,

Gre e k a n tiquity h a s als o s ome thin g t o t e ll of ch orus e s a n d d an c e s


of p rie sts .

On th e cl othing of t h e Nors e p rie sts I h a v e n ot c ome a c ro ss ,

an
y in forma t ion W a s t h e re a c on n e x ion b e tw e e n th e m a n d th e
.

p oe ts ? B ragi th e god of s ong h a s n oth ing t o d o w ith s a crific e s ;


t t h e p oe tic a rt w a s th ought a s a cre d h all ow e d th in g : O5 inn
y e

sp ok e in v e rs e h e an d h is hofgoela r are styl e d li oda smi dir ( s ong


,

s mith s) Yngl s a ga cap 6 Ca n skd ld ( p oe ta but n e u t ) b e th e


,
. . .
,
.

s ame a s th e rare OH G sga lto ( s a c e r) D iut 1 1 8 3 G 1 ke r 6 9 . .


, . . .
,

sca ld o E v e n Of c h ristian min stre ls s oon aft e r th e c on v e rs ion on e


.

th ing a nd an oth er is t ol d th at h a s als o c ome d own t o u s ab out ,

h eath e n Sk al d s .

P oe try b ord e rs so cl os e ly on d ivin at ion th e R oman v ate s is ,

al ik e s on gst e r a n d s ooths a y e r an d s o oths a yin g w a s c e rt ain ly a ,

prie stly fun ction A mm M arc e ll 1 4 9 me n tion s A l amann ian


. . .
,

i ces a n d A a thia s 2 6 ,a d v re t q or o p ok d m
a us
p g xp n y

f
.
, ,

U lp h il as a v oid s u sing a G oth ic w ord for t h e fre que n tly o cc ur


m dame for th e fe m
'
rin g a ,
h e in v a ria bly p uts p ra Ii fé tu s, an d .

fi raufé t e is Lu 2 , 3 6 why n ot v e it a a an d v e ita O Th e


7r 0
p ¢ p
rt 9 ,
.
g g
C H G a n d A S v e rsion s a re b ol d e r for on c e
. .
,
an d g iv e w izago, wi tega .
1

Wa s th e p rie st wh e n c on du cting augu rie s an d au spic e s a ve it aga


, ,

c onf inv e it an p 2 9 Th e ON t erm is sp dma dr (sp ae man ) a n d for


.
, .
.
.
-
,

p roph e t e ss sp dkon a ( sp a e w oma n A S w it ege stre) S u ch divine rs -


,
. . .

w e re M imir an d Grip ir I n Old Fre n ch p oe ms th e y are d evin .

d vini d ivin a t ore s) hi ch o cc a s ion ally c ome s t o me a n p oe ts


( i ,
w ,

un s d evin s qui d e v oir d ire e st e sp rove z M é on 4 1 4 5


,
cc d ie n t li , , .

d evin Re n 73 83 so Tristr 1 22 9 li con tor die n t ( see Supp l )


,
. . .

We h av e n ow t o sp e ak of th e p roph e t e ss e s a n d p rie st e ss e s of
a n tiq uity— Th e mu n diu m ( w a rd s hi p ) in wh ich a d a ught e r a s ist e r , ,

a w ife st ood app e a rs in th e Old h e a th e n t ime n ot t o h a v e e xcl ud e d


,

1
Th e i is b e come ci in our w e iss age r, M H G w issage for w izege ; e qu a ll y .

e rron e ou s i s o ur ve rb w e iss a e n , M H G w issa e n , I w 3 0 9 7 ( OH G w iza On , A S


g g g . . . .

w ite gI an ) .
P RI ST S S S E E E .
95

th e m from h oly Offic e s s uch a s sacrifi cmg ( se e Supp l ) or from a


, ,

g ood d e a l Of in fl ue n c e o v e r th e p e opl e T a citus a ft e r t ellin g u s .


,

h ow mightily th e G e rman w ome n w rought u p on t h e v al our Of th e ir


w a rriors a n d th a t th e R oman s for g re a t e r s e c urity d e ma n d e d n obl e
,

maid e n s from p artic ul ar n at ion s a d d s I ne sse q uin e t ia m sa n ct um ,

e t p rovi d um ( fe min is) p ut a nt n e c a u t consili a e arum a sp e rn a n t ur


1
, ,

a ut res n s a n e ligun t A n d b e fore t h a t Cae s ar 1 5 0 Q u od a p u d


p o g .
, .

G e rma no s e a c on s u e tud o e ss e t u t ma tres f a m e orum sortibus e t ,


.

va ti cin a ti on ibus d e e la ra re n t u t rum p roe lium committi e x usu e ss e t


, ,

neem e ; e a s it a d ic e re : n on e ss e fa s G e rma n o s s up e ra re si a n t e

n ov e m lun am p roe lio con t e n disse n t (se e S uppl ) .

W hil e h ist ory h a s n ot p re s e rv e d th e n ame of on e Ge rman v at e s


'

it h a s th os e Of s e v e ra l p rop h e t e ss e s Tac G e rm 8 : V idimu s sub . . .

div o V e sp a s ian o Veled a m ( a s a p ris on e r in his triumph) d iu a p ud


l s u min is loco h ab it a m H i st 4 6 1 E vi rgo n a tionis
p e ro q u e n : a . .
,

B ructe rae la te i mp e rita ba t v e t e re a p ud G e rman o s more quo


, , ,

l s u f m in a rumf a tid i ca s e t a uge sce nt e sup e rstition e arb it ran t u r


p e ra q e e ,

d ea s Tun cque Veled a e au ct orit a s a d ole vit ; n am p rosp e ra s ‘


.

G e rman is re s e t e x cidium le gionum p ra e dix e ra t I n 4 6 5 wh e n .


, ,

t h e p e opl e of Col og n e w e re ma kin g an all ian c e w ith th e T e n ct e ri


th e y mad e th e Offe r : A rbitrum h ab ebimus Civ ile m e t Veled a m
a p u d q u o s p a ct a san cie n tur Sic le nitis T e n ct e ris l e ga t i a d Civil e m
.
,

e t V e le d a m miss i cum d on is c u n e t a e x v ol un t a t e A grip p in e n siu m


,

p e rp e trav e re .S e d c oram a di re allo quiqu e Veled a m n e g a tum , .

A rceb an tur a sp e ctu quo v e n e ra tionis pl us in e sse t


,
Ips a edita in .

turre d e l e ct us e p rOp in quis con sulta resp onsa gue u t in t e rn unt iu s


nu mi nis p ortab a t . 5, 22 : P rae t oriam t rire me m flumin e Lup p ia
d onu m Veled a e t ra x e re . 5 , 2 5 ; Veled a m p rop in qu osque mon e b at .

H e r c a ptiv ity w a s p rob ably re a e d


l ost ch apt e rs of th e fi fth
l t in th e
b ook 2
.This V e l e d a h ad b e e n p re c e d e d b y oth e rs : S e d e t Oli m
A u rini a m (h ard ly a t ra n sl at ion Of a n y T e utonic n ame s uch a s th e ,

ON G ul lve ig g ol d cup ; s ome h a v e gue ss e d A lirun a Olrfi n


.
,
-
, ,

A lb run a) e t comp lure s al ias v e n e ra ti s un t n on a d ula tion e n e c ,

t amquam fa ce re n t d ea s G e rm 8 A l a te r on e n ame d Ga nna is


,
. .
, ,

1 A Wil d force of p h an t asy, an d th e st at e calle d clai rv oyan ce , h a ve s h ow n


t h ems e l v e s p ree min e n tl yin w ome n .

2
S t a t i us s i l y I 4 , 9 0 : Ca p t iva e qu e p rece s V e leda e ; h e s can s th e fi rst
. .

t w o s yll ab l e s as sh ort , w h i ch s e e ms more corre ct t h a n D i o s E ch a



da Z e uss 4 3 6 .

t h i n ks B el e Oa , B e l iOa

Vi lida G ra ff h as a I I p ro p lVa llodu 1 , 8 0 0


. I w oul d . . .

s ugg e st th e G oth i c fe m n a me Va la d a marca in J orn an d e scap 48 , a nd th e Th ur


. .

ing i an n a me Of a pl ace lVa lad a in Pe rtz I 3 0 8 . .


96 P RI E STS .

c ite d by D io Ca ssiu s 6 7 5 ;1 a nd in th e y e ar 5 77 Gunth cramnus , ,

c on sult e d a w oman h ab e n te m sp iritum p hi tonis ut ci qua e ora nt ,

e ve n tura n a rrare t Gre g Tur 5 1 4 in A imoin 3 2 2 sh e is muli


( , er . .
, ,

h
p y t i i 7rv9e3vco a a
) One much l at er still Thiota w h o h a d
-
on ssa e , . . .
, ,

c ome t o M e n t z out Of A l a ma nn ia is n otic e d in th e A nnals of Ful da , ,

a nn o 8 4 7 ( P e rt z 1 A s Ca ss an d ra fore t ol d th e fall Of T roy , ,

our p roph e t e ss e s p re d ict t h e e n d of t h e w orl d v


( infra) an d .

T a citus A n n 1 4 3 2 sp ea ks Of B ritish d ruid e ss e s in th e s e word s :


.
,

F e min ae in furore t urb at ae a d esse eee iti u m can e b a nt ; ce n t . 1 4, 3 0 .

B ut w e h av e th e s ubl ime st e x ampl e b e fore us in t h e V Olusp a ( se e


S upp l )
Th os e grayh aire d b are foot e d Cimb rian p rie st e ss e s in S trab o ( v , .

s upra p 5 5 ) in wh ite rob e an d l in e n d oubl e t b e girt with b raze n


,
.
,

cl asps s lau gh t e ring th e p ris on ers Of w ar an d p roph e sy in g from


,

(
I dvva al fi va ) ji Ke hrmf} de t dfo vo a
1
n a p de vo s

i ip) B e h fida v
‘ ‘ '

p
. l a er l r eu r
'
.

con f t h e ma c n a me Ga n n a scusi n A n n 1 1 , 1 8 1 9
. s . th e fe m Ga n n a , d a t G an . . . .

n a n e , in a L oth r u rk , a s a e a s 70 9 , D on Calme t , e d 1 728 , t om 1


. . l t re u e . . . p v sp .

2 65 .

2
Tra d ion , w hich H ub e r u Th oma Of
it s u ich , ri a e e cre a ryt o t h e t s s L tt p v t s t
l t l ti
E e c or P a a n e , a ccord n t o his b oo D e Tungris e t Eburoni bu s 1 5 4 1, p ro i g k
fe e t o h a e re ce e d from an a n
ss s v iv ua ry oan B e r e r o u t of a n Old b ook tiq J . g
( ib e o ve tu stissimis ch aract e rib u s d e scrip t o) , an d wh ich h e i e in h is rea e
l ll gv s t ti s
D e H e id e lb e rga e a n t iquitatibus, re a e a s fo ow Qu e em ore V e e d a V ir o l t ll s t p ll g
B ruch t e ri s imp e rit ab at , vota la uae d am, cui n ome n J e ttha , e u m co e m, q ll
ubi n u n c e st a rx H e de ber en et J ettha e collis e a m n un c n ome n
i l g sis ti
h ab e , in h ab itab a t, ve tust issimu mqu e p ha n um in cole b at , cuj us fra me n a a dh u c
t g t
p
n u er d mu , d um come
vi i a a n u F r d e ricu fac u e e c or e gre giam d omum
s s p l ti s i s t s l t
con st ru x it , qua m n o e m e u a m a e l an H a e c mu e r va ticiniis in clyta , e t
v l pp l t . li
u v n e ra b ilior fo re , ra re in co n s ect u m h omin um t r od ie n s, vole n t ib us con
q o e p p
si lium a b e a p t
e e re , d e fen estra , n on p rodeu nte vu ltu, res p on deba t E t in e r ce e ra . t t
ra e d ix it , u t in con d it is v e rsib us can e b a t , suo co a fa e s e d a um, u t fu ur ll i ti s s t t is
p
t e m or b u
p i re giis i r , s uo n om n a m re ce n se b a t , in h abit a re t u r e t t e mp lis
v is q s i ti
ce le b e rrimis orn are t ur S e d u t an d e m fab ulosae a n t iquita ti vale d icamus u be
. t , l t
a d scrib e re ua e b e r d e n fe ci mor e ip sius J etthae con tin eb at
q is li i E re a li t . g ss
q u on d am amoe n issimo e m ore p ha n um u t d ea mb ula tion e re cre are t ur, p ro gre
t p ,

d ie b at ur u a mon e , d on ec p e rv e n it in ocum, qu o mon e


j xt t s t s i t n ra con va lle m l
d e c i n an e t mu
l t o ci p l
sca t urie b a n ti u ch e rr mi fon e , qu b u
lt i s l s
t s i sv t e h e me n e r

ll i ll i s
i a coe p it d e le cta ri, e t assid e n s e x bib e b a t, cI mI e cce u a fa me ica cu m
l p l
ca tulis e silv a p rorup it , qu ae co n sp ect a m mulie re m n e qui cqu am d
iv s v o in oca n ~

t e m dila n ia t e t frusta tim d isce rp sit , u a e ca u suo fon i n ome n d e d , v oca t urqu e
q s t it
i pp i h d i in um d e m l m b m
l i o e ni ta t e m oc o mn b u
i s s
q u e n o e r f on s u p o ru O a
t
no u .

It i s s l t
w il t i g
or h w h e ryns ttl t e h ow mu ch in h i ma yb e ge n i u n e
t s
carce
y o e
t iti
ra d on a n d h ow much t h e e rud
,
iti t i st
on of t h e 1 6 t h ce n ury fo e d in , t o t h e

gl fi t
ori ca ion o f t h e n e w p l i l g
a a ce a t H e d e b e r g v
H e idb e r ) th e e ry Wi n d ow
l w ou d e e m t o h a e b e e n co e d from V e e d a
l s v pi l s t t g h ou h

on t h e h il ow e r,

B ry l si s p
n hi d t oo re d e k s g
u on h e r ro c , an d h a s a h igh tower ( V Ols a a cap 2 0 ,
: ,
.

2 4 , 2 5 ; con f M englbO, CH G M an iklat a . it ’ “

n v g s
on th e ro ck , w h n i e ir in
.
at

h er k n e e s ( S eem 1 1 0 I f th e e n ch an tre ss s n ame w e re H ei da i n st ead O f



. .

J e tth a i t woul d suit t h e localitv b e tt e r and p e rh aps b e an e ch o of th e ON


, ,
.

H cior

.
98 P RI ESTS .

stand s h ere for v olvu or th e cl aim of the Ol d e r form Va la maybe


,

a ss e rte d ; t o e a ch of th e m w oul d c orre sp on d an OH G W al a w a o r .

VVala wh ich s ugg e sts th e W alad a ab ov e b e in g only d e riv e d in a


, ,

differe nt w ay I n th e s ag a E iriks rau5 a w e c ome u p on Th orbiOrg


'

.
,

th e littl e V al a ( Ed da S eem H a fu 3
.
— H eidr is th e n a me n ot
.
,

only Of t h e v ol v a in th e E dd a ( S ee m 4 1
n 1 1
c o 1 8 ) bu t als o of the
f .
1
,
.
1

o n e in th e Orvarod ssaga ( c on f S aga b ibl 3 — H n dla c a n icul a


.
y ( .

) ,

is a p roph e te ss th a t rid e s on w ol v e s a n d d w e lls in a c a v e — I gue ss


,

a ls o th a t th e v irg in s Thorgerdr a n d I rp a (F orum sO 2 10 8 3


g 10 0 . .
, .
,
.

1 1 1 34—
, 7 14 2
. . to wh om all bu t d iv in e h onours w e re p aid ,

a n d th e titl e Of h Orga b rfi 5 r (n ymph a lu corum) a n d e v e n t h e n a me

of gut? (nume n) w a s a cc ord e d N ia lss ca p 8 9 are n ot t o b e e xcl ud e d


,
. .
,

from thi s c ircl e SO in th e va lkyrs b e s id e th e ir godh ood th e re


.
, ,

re s id e s s ome wha t Of th e prie stly cg th e ir v irginity ( se e ch X VI


, . .

a nd S uppl
).

W e sh all re turn to th e s e gl e g and wis e women (a nd th ey


’ ‘ ’

h ave oth er name s b e side s ) w ho in a cc ordan c e with a d e e ply


, ,

mark e d fe a t ure of our myth ology t re sp a ss on th e s up e rhuman


,
.

H e re w e h ad t o se t forth th e ir c onn ex ion with s acrific e divination ,

a n d th e p rie sth ood .


C HA PTE R VI .

G OD S .

N ow I th in k w e are fully p re p are d for th e in quiry wh e th e r


, , ,

re al g od s ca n b e cl a ime d for G e rman y in th e Ol d e st t ime A ll th e .

b ra n ch e s of o ur l an gu age h a v e the s ame g e n e ra l n ame for d e ity ,

a n d h a v e re t a in e d it to th e p re s e n t d a y a ll o r a t a n
yra t e most of ,

th e m so far as th e d e ficie n cy of d ocu me n ts a ll ows th e ch ain of


,

e v id e n c e t o b e c ompl e t e d sh o w th e s a me or b ut sligh tly v ary in g


,

t e rms for th e h e a th e n n otion s of w orsh ip sa crifice t e mple s and , ,

p rie sth ood A b ov e all th e re s h in e s forth an u nmist ak able an al ogy


.

b e tw e e n th e Old N ors e te rmin ology and th e re main s man y ce n ,

t urie s Ol d e r Of th e oth e r dia l e cts : t h e N ors e eesir b lOta h5 rgr


, , , ,

o5 i w e re k n ow n l on g b e fore a n d w ith th e s a me me a nin gs t o th e


g , ,

G oths A lama nn s Franks a n d S a x on s


, ,
A n d th is id e n tity or
.

s imila rity e xt en d s b e yon d th e w ord s t o th e cu stoms th e mse l v e s


in s a cre d grov e s th e e arli e st h uma n a n d a nimal v ict ims w e re
Offe re d p rie sts c on d u ct e d sa crific e s a n d divin at ion s
, wise w ome n ,

e nj oy e d all b ut di v in e au th ority .

Th e p roof furnish e d by th e s a me n e ss of l an guag e is of its e l f


s ufficie n t a n d d e cis iv e W h e n th e s e v e ral d ivis ion s Of a n ation
.

sp e a k on e a n d th e s ame l an guage th e n so l on g a s th e y are l e ft to


, ,

t h eir own n ature a nd a re n ot e xp os e d to v iol e n t in fl ue n c e s from


w ith out th e y a lw ays h av e th e s a me k ind Of b e l ief and w orsh ip
,
.

Th e T e ut onic ra c e lie s mid w a y b e tw e e n Ce lts Sl av s Lith u , ,

a nia n s Finn s
,
a ll Of th e m p op ul a t ion s th a t a ck n owl e dge g od s
, ,

a nd p ra ct is e a s e ttl e d w orsh ip Th e Sl a v n a t ion s sp re ad ov e r


.
,

wid ely dist an t re gion s h a v e th e ir p rin c ip al gods in c ommon ; h ow


,

sh oul d it b e oth e rw is e in T e ut on d om
A s for d e ma n din g p roofs Of th e genu in eness of Nors e myth ol ogy ,

w e h av e re ally got p a st th a t n ow All c rit ic ism c rip p l e s a n d a nn i


.

hilat e s its e l f th a t s e ts out w ith d e n yin g or d oub t ing wh a t is t re a


,

s ure d up in s ong a n d st ory b orn al iv e a n d prop aga t e d amongst a n


e n t ire p e opl e a n d wh ich l ie s b e fore our e y e s
,
Crit ic is m ca n b ut .

c oll e ct a n d arrang e it an d unfol d th e mat e rials in th e ir h ist oric a l


,

s e qu e n c e .
100 GOD S .

Th e n th e o nly que stion th at can fairly b e rais e d is : W h e th er ,

th e god s Of th e N orth n o l ong e r d isp u t abl e h ol d g ood for th e re st


, ,

Of T e ut on d om ? To say ye a t o th e que stion a s a wh ol e s e e ms


.
, ,

from th e fore going re sults Of our i n qui ry a lt og e th e r re a s on a bl e ,

a n d al most n e c e ss a ry .

A n e g ativ e a n swe r if it k n e w wh at it w as ab out , w oul d tryt o


,

maintain th at th e circl e of Nors e god s in substa n ce w ere forme rly


, , ,

c ommon to all G erman y bu t by th e e arl ier c on v ers ion w ere e x tin


,

g u is h e d a n d a nn ih il a t e d h e re B u t a m ult it u d e
. Of e xc e pt ion s a nd

surviving v e stige s w oul d gre a tly limit th e a ss e rtion an d ma t erially ,

al t e r wh a t migh t b e mad e out of th e re ma in d e r .

I n th e me an wh il e a d e nial h a s b ee n a tt e mpte d of quite a n oth e r


k ind an d th e O pinion uph e l d th a t th os e divinitie s h a v e n e v er
, ,

e x ist e d a t all in G e rma n y p rop e r a n d th a t its e arl ie st in h abit an ts ,

k ne w n oth ing b e tter th a n a gross worship of n a ture without gods .

Th is v ie w drawing a fun d ame n tal di stinction b e tw ee n G e rman


,

a n d S c a n din a v ia n h e a th e n is m a n d mis app re h e n din g all t h e cl ue s


,

w hich d iscov e r th e ms e l v e s t o unp rej ud ic e d in quiry a s i nfall ib l e


e v id e n c e Of t h e u nity Of tw o b ran ch e s of a n a t ion l a ys S p e cia l stre ss ,

u p on a fe w st a t e me n ts on t h e n a ture Of t h e h e a th e n fa ith d a t ing ,

from a b out t h e s ixth c e n t ury an d o nw ard s Th e s e for th e most .

p art p roc e e d from th e lips Of ze al ou s ch ristian s wh o did n ot a t all ,

conc e rn th e ms el v e s t o un d erst and or faith fully p ortra y th e p aganis m


th e y w e re a ss ail ing wh os e purp os e w a s rath er t o se t up a w arn ing
,

a ga in st t h e gross e r ma n ife st a tion s of its c u ltu s a s a d e t e st a bl e ab o

min ation I t w ill b e d e sirable t o gl an c e ov er th e p rinc ip al p a ss age s


.

in th e ir uniformity a n d on e s id e d n e ss I -
.

A ga thia s (1 b e fore °

h ims e l f a n e wly c on vert e d Gre e k wh o ,

c oul d only k n ow fro m ch ristianly c ol oure d re p orts wh at h e h ad


h e ard a b out t h e d ist an t A la ma nn s th us e x hibits the A l aman nic ,

worsh ip a s Opp os e d to t h e Fra nk ish : det/Sp a re ycip rw a {Ad a x ovra t


f
r

i h dcpo vs
'
Ka i p flp a
ei n o ra
p éiv tea -

Ka i ( d
p p yy
a f as
r
, ea l re tire es eio vre
r
p
fie -
ta s
p am . Th e n foll ow th e w ord s quot e d on p 4 7 ab out
2 8, 4 . .

th e ir e quin e s a crific e s .

B ut h is c on tra st t o the Fran ks b re aks d ow n a t on c e w h e n ,

w e h e ar al most e x actly t he s ame a cc oun t Of them from th e l ips o f


th e ir fi rst historian Gre gory : Se d h ae c ge n e ratio fana ticis s e mp e r
cultibus v is a e st Obs e qu ium
p ra e buisse n e c p rorsus agn ove re D e u m ,
'
,

sibi u e silvarum a tqu e a u arum a v ium b e stiarum u e e t a liorum


q q q ,
10 2 G OD S .

c ommon p eopl e but with d rawn from all re gul ating guidanc e by
,

h e a th e n p rie sts c oul d n ot fail s oon t o b e c ome v ulg arize d a nd t o


, ,

a pp e a r a s t h e mere d re gs Of a n Ol d e r fa ith w h ich fa it h w e h a v e n o ,

righ t t o me a s ure by t h e m A S w e d o n ot fail t o re c og n is e in th e


.

d e v ils a n d w itch e s of more mo d e rn t ime s t h e h igh e r p ure r fa n c ie s Of


a nt iqu ity disguis e d j u st a s l ittl e ough t w e t o fe e l an sc pl b t
, y r u e a o u

tra cing b a ck t h e p agan p ra ctice s in que stion to th e un troubl e d foun


t ainh e a d of t h e Ol d e n t ime P rohib ition s a n d p re a ch ings k e p t st rictly
.

t o th e p ra ct ic al s id e Of th e ma tte r a n d th e ir v e ry p u rp os e w as t o p u t,

d own th e s e l a st h a t e ful re mn an ts of t he fals e re l ig ion A s e nt e n c e .

in C nut s A S l a ws ( S ch mid 1, 5 0) sh ows th a t foun t ain a n d tree



.
,

w orship d oe s n ot e xcl ud e a d ora tion Of th e god s th e ms e l v e s


H ae 5 e n scip e b iti bee t man d e ofolgild w e or5 ige bee t is bee t ma n
, , ,

w e or5 ige h ee 5 e n e g od a s a nd s un na n O5 5 e mOna n fy , re 0 5 5 e fl65 wae ,

t e r w ylla s O5 5 e stan a s O5 5 e ee n ige s cynn e s w ud utre ow a


,
c onf .

H o mil 1 3 6 6 .
,
Ju st SO it is s aid Of Ol a f th e S aint Forum sog 5
.
,
. .
,

2 3 9 th at h e a b ol ish e d th e h e a th e n sacrifi ce s a n d go d s : Ok morg


,
.

Onnur ( man y oth e r) blOtSk ap a r sk rimsl b ee5 i h a mra Ok h Orga


, ,

SkO a V ot h Ok tré 0 k 6 11 Onn ur b lO t b ee 5 i m e i ri Ok min ni


g , ,
.

B ut w e can c on c e iv e Of a n oth e r re a s on too w hyon su ch occ a ,

s ion s th e h e a th e n god s p e rh aps still unforgott e n are p a ss e d ov e r in


, ,

s il e n c e : ch ristian p rie sts a void e d utte ring th e ir n ame s or d e scrib ing


th e ir w ors h ip minu t ely It wa s th ough t a dvis abl e to in cl ud e th e m
.

all u n d e r t h e g e n e ra l t itl e Of d e mon s or d e v ils a n d u tt e rly u p ro ot ,

th eir infl ue n ce by l aying an int e rdict on wh a te v er ye t remain e d


Of th e ir w orsh ip Th e M e rs eb urg p oe ms Sh ow h ow b y w ay of
. ,

e xc e p tion th e n a me s of c e rt ain g o d s w e re st ill ab l e t o tran s mit


,

th e ms elv e s in formul a s of c onj uring .

P ictu re s Of h e a th e nis m in its d eb a s eme n t an d d e c ay h ave n o


righ t t o b e pl a c e d 0 11 a l e v e l w ith th e re p ort of it g iv e n by T a c it us

from fi ve t o e igh t c e nt urie s b e fore wh e n it w a s ye t in th e ful ne ss ,

of its st re n gth I f th e a d ora t ion Of tre e s an d riv e rs st ill l ing e rin g


.

in th e h a b its O f t h e p e o pl e n o l on g e r b e a r s w i t n e ss t o t h e e x i st e n c e

O f g o d s i s i
,
t n ot l ou d ly e n ou g h p ro cl a im e d i n t h o s e i m p e rf e ct an d

ct v
d e fe i e S e k tch s
e b ya R o m a n st r a n g e r ? W h e n h e e xp re ssly t e lls
u s of a d eus t e rra e d itus Of h e roe s a n d d e sc e n d a n ts o f t h e g o d
,

t s of t h e god w h o r l s i w ( l t d i m r a n t e )
) p e
(p lu r e s d eo or o ,
u e n a r v e u eo ,

o f t h e n a me s o f odg s (d eor u nm o m i n i b u s) w h i c h t h e p e opl e t ran s

fe rre d t o s ac re d grov e s of th e p rie st w h o c a n n o t gb e i n a d iv ti n a i o n


,
-
G OD S .
103

w ith out inv oki ng th e god s (p recatus d eos) and wh o re gard s h ims e l f
a s a s e rva n t of t h e g od s ( minist ros d eoru m) Of a regn a tor omn i um ,

d eus Of th e god s of Ge rman y ( Ge rmaniae d eos in a sp e ctu H ist 5


,
,
.
,

o f th e diis p a triis t o w h om th e c apt ure d s ign a R oman a w e re

h ung up (A n n 1 W h e n h e d istinguish e s b e tw ee n p enetra les


.
,

G ermania c d eos or dii p ena tes ( An n 2 1 0 1 1 commu nes d i i .


,
.
,

( H ist 4 . a n d
,
conj g
u a tes dii
( G e rm 1 8 ) wh e n h e e v e n d ist in .

u is h s in div i d u a l god s a nd t rie s t o s uit th e m w ith R oman n a m es


g e , ,

a n d a ct ually n ame s ( in t e rp re ta tion e R oman a ) a M a rs M e rc uriu s , ,

H e rc ul e s Ca st or a nd P oll ux Is is n ay h a s p re s e rv e d th e G erman
, , , ,

a pp ell a t ion s Of t h e d e u s t e rra e dit a s a n d Of h is son a n d Of a g od d e ss , ,

th e t e rra mate r ; h ow is it p o ss ibl e t o d e n y th at a t th a t time th e


G erma n s w orsh ipp e d v e ritabl e g od s ? H ow is it p o ss ibl e wh e n w e ,

t ak e into a cc oun t all th e re st th at w e k now of th e l anguage th e ,

l ib e rty th e man ners an d Virtu e s Of th e Germani t o main t ain th e


, , ,

n ot ion th a t s un k in a st ol id fe t ish is m th e y c a st th e ms e l v e s d ow n
, ,

b e fore l ogs and p ud dl e s an d p aid t o th e m th e ir s impl e adoration ?


,

Th e Op in ion Of Caes ar 1 wh o k n e w th e G e rman s more s up e r ,

fi cially th an T a c itus a h und re d an d fi ft y y e ars l at e r c an n ot b e ,

a ll o w e d t o d e roga t e from th e truth H e w an ts t o c ont ra st our .

a n c e st ors w ith th e Gauls with wh om h e h ad h a d more famil iar ,

c onv e rs e ; b ut th e p e rsoni fi ca tions Of th e sun fi re an d th e moon , , ,

t o wh ich h e l imits th e sum t ot al Of th e ir g od s will h ard ly b ear e v e n


,

a forc e d in te rp re tatio R oma n a I f in th e pl a c e Of sun a nd moon



.

w e p ut A p oll o an d Dian a th e y a t on c e c on t ra d ict th a t d e e ply ro ote d


,

p e c uliarity of th e Te utonic w ayOf th ink ing w hich c on c e iv e s of th e ,

su n a s a fe mal e a n d Of th e mo on a s a ma l e b e ing w hi ch c oul d n ot


, ,

h a v e e sc ap e d th e Obs e rv at ion of th e R oman if it h a d p e n e trate d ,

d e ep e r A n d V ulc an s imil a r t o th e N ors e L ok i but on e of th os e


.
, ,

d ivinitie s of wh om th e re is l ea st tra c e t o b e foun d in th e re st of


Te utondom ha d c e rta inly l e ss foun d at ion th an th e e qu all y vis ibl e
,

an d h e lp ful d e it ie s of th e n ourish in g e arth a n d Of th


e quick e n in g , ,

fi sh t e e min g sh ip s ust ain ing w a t er


-
,
-
I ca n on ly l ook up on Cee sar s .

st a te me n ts as a h al f true a nd rough c a st Op inion which in th e fa c e


-
, ,

of th e more d e t a il e d t e st imon y Of T a c it s h
u a rdly a v a ils t o c a st a ,

D e orum nume ro e os s o l os d ucun t q uos ce rnunt e t q uorum O ibus a p e rt e


1
, , p
van ur S olem ct Vu lca n um e t L u n a m
j
p t
l G 6, 2 1
, re liqu o s n e fa ma q u i d e m acce p e run t
. .
C ompare W i th t hi s B G 4 7 w h e re th e U si p e t e s a n d Te n chth e ri
.
. .
,
sayt o un i s S u e v i s con ce d e re
, u
b u s n o di v q ui d e m i mmorta les
pares ess e p ossmt .
1 04 G OD S .

d oubt god s much l e ss to prove a b are worship of e l eme nts


on oth e r
'

a mo n g t h e G e rma ni .

All th e a cc oun ts th at v ouch for th e e arly e x ist e n c e of in d ivid ual


god s n e c e ss arily t e stify a t th e s ame t ime t o th e ir gre a t nu mber and
,

th eir mutua l re l ation ship Wh e n Proc opius a scrib e s a wol f/9 ee av


.

(fum e s t o th e H e rul i th is g re a t h ost must als o b e good for th e


‘ ’

G oths j ust th o s e of wh om w e k n ow th e fe w e st p articul ars a n d for


, ,

all th e G e rma n s t og e th e r J orn an d e s w o ul d h av e us b e l ie v e th a t


.

Dice n e us w as th e fi rst t o mak e th e G oth s a cquain t e d w ith god s ,

ca p 1 1 : E l e g it e x e is t u n c n ob ilissimos p rud e n t iore s v iros q uo s


.
,

th eologiam instrue n s nu min a qua ed a m e t sa cella v e n e rari sua sit ;


h e re e vid en tly w e see th e rul er w h o p romot e d th e s e rvic e Of
p articul ar god s B ut th at J orn and e s h ims e l f cre dite d his Goths
.

with unmistak ably n a tiv e god s is plain from cap 1 0 : Un de e t ,


.

s ac erd ot e s G oth orum aliqui illi qui p ii vocaba ntur s ubito p atefactis
, ,

p ortis cum cith aris e t ve stibus candidis Ob viam s un t e gre ss i p a tern is


diis ut s ib i p rop itii M ace d on e s re p elle re n t v oc e suppl ici mod ul an t e s
, .

Th e fa ct h e re me n tion e d ma ye v e n h a v e b ee n t ot ally a l ie n t o t h e
re a l G o ths but a n yh o w w e g a th e r from it th e Op inion Of J orn a n d e s
, .

A nd if w e als o w an t e vid e n c e ab ou t a ra c e l ying quit e a t th e


Opp os it e e xtre mi ty of G e rma n y on e th a t cl un g w it h gre a t fi d e l ity ,

t o th e ir Old e st abli sh e d faith w e h av e it in t h e Le x Frision um


-
, ,

a dd it t it 1 3 wh e re t h e s ubj e ct is th e p e n alty O II t e mpl e b re a k e rs


. .
,
-

I mmola t ur diis quorum t e mpl a violavit .

We h av e n ow arriv e d at t h e following re sultf I n th e fi rst


c e nt ury of our e ra th e rel igion of th e Ge rma ns re st e d mainly u p on
god s ; a th ou s a nd or tw e l v e h un dre d y e ars l at e r a mon g th e n orth e rn ,

s e ction of th e ra c e wh ich w a s th e l ast t o e xch ange th e fa ith Of its


,

fa th e rs for a n e w on e t h e Old syst e m of god s is p re s e rv e d th e most


,

p e rfe ctly L ink e d by l anguag e and u nbrok e n t ra dition to eith e r


.

e xtre mity Of h e a th e n is m b ot h its fi rst a pp e a ra n c e in h ist ory a n d its


,

fall st a nd s c e n tra l G e rma n y from th e fi fth to t h e ninth c e n tury


,
.

D uring t his p e riod th e fi gure s Of th e h e a th e n g od s in t h e fe e bl e ,

a n d h o stil e li ght th ro wn u p on th e m by th e re p orts o f re c e n t con

v e rts c ome b efore u s fa d e d a n d in d istin ct b ut still alw ays a s god s


, , .

I must h e re re p e a t th a t T a citu s k now s n o simula crum of


,

G erman g od s n o imag e moul d e d in h uman sh ap e ; wh at h e h a d


1
,

1
Grk . dya hp a , s ignum sta tue G oth
,
. ma n leika C H G ma n a lihho, ON
, . .

likneski (see S uppl ) can th e Slov e n malik


. .
, id ol, h a v e sp rung from man le ika i!
106 G OD S .

t e rms wh os e me aning v arie s p ass ing from th at Of t empl e to th at of ,

imag e j ust a s w e saw th e me an in g of grov e mix e d up w ith t h a t of


,

n u me n I f a s is p oss ib l e th a t w ord a la h originall y me a nt ro ck or


.
, ,

stone ( p it might e a s ily l ik e ha ruc a n d wih me lt in t o th e


.
, ,

s e n s e of a lt a r a n d st a tue of ara fa num idolum I n th is w ayth e , , , .

C H G a bout a bcuti ( Ab g ott fals e god ) d oe s s ig nify b oth fana and


.
, ,

1
id ol a or stat ua e D iut 1 4 9 7 5 1 3 5 1 5 ,
j ust as our gdtze is at
.
,
1 2 2

o n c e th e fa ls e god a n d his ima g e a n d his t empl e (see a b ov e p 1 5 ,


. .

G ramm 3 . I d olum mu st h av e h ad a s imil ar amb ig uity


, ,

Wh e re it is n ot e xp re ssly d ist inguish e d from d e l ub rum fanum a nd ,

t e mpl um I n g e n e ral ph ra s e s su c h a s idol a c ol e re idol a ad orare


.
, ,

id ol a d e strue re w e c an n ot b e s ure th at image s are me a n t for j u st


, ,

a s Oft e n a n d w ith t h e s a me me an in g w e h av e a d orare fa n a d e s ,

t rue re fa n a Look at th e foll owing p h ra s e s t ak e n from C H G


. .

gl oss e s a bcu ti w ih ero st e tiO fan a e x celsorum D iut 1 5 15 a bcut , , .


,
2
.

in h e ilagem st e tim fan a in e xc els is Diut 1 2 1 3 ste inin u ve iha n


, , .
,
2
.

in t i a bouti titulos e t st at ua s Diut 1


,
a lia ra in t i ma n a lih un ,
.
,

1
in ti b arug a a ra s e t st a t ua s e t lucos Diut 1 5 1 3
, f
a god a b e g an , .
,
1
.

g an a Lacombl a rch 1 1 1 — Sa x o Gram Oft e n u s e s simula cra for


,
. .
,
. .

id ols pp 2 4 9 3 2 0 1 5 7
,
. Th e st at e me n t in A ribonis v it a S
,
- - -
. .

Emme ra mmi ( A ct a s an ct S e pt 6 4 83 ) tra did e re t e g e nti . .


,

S a x on um gua e tot id olorum cultor ex isti t is und e niabl e e v id e n c e


th a t th e h e a th en S a x on s in th e 8 th c e n t ury s e rv e d ma nyf a lse gods


(Arib o b ish op of Fre isinge n in th e y e ars 76 4
,
Th e v it a
Le b uini w ritt e n by H ucb ald b e tw e e n 9 1 8 9 76 s a ys of th e an cie n t
,
-
,

S a x on s ( P ort z 2 3 6 1 2 ) I nse rvire i d olorum cultibus


,
-

n umi n ibus suis v ot a s ol v e n s ac sa crifi cia simula cra qu a e

d e os e ss e p uta tis quo sque v e n e ran d o c olitis ,


H e re n o d oub t .
, ,

st atue s mu st b e me ant ( se e S uppl ) .

I n a fe w in st an c e s w e fi nd t h e n obl e r d e s ign ation d eus still


e mpl oy e d a s it h a d b e e n by T a c it u s : Cumque id e m re x ( E a d win e
,

in 6 2 5 ) gra t ia s age re t di is su is p ro n a t a sibi fi lia B e d a 2 9 , , .

Th e foll ow ing p a ss ag e s t e stify t o v is ibl e re p re s e n t a tion s of god s


th e y d o n ot c on d e sc en d to de scribe th em a n d w e are c ont e nt t o ,

p ick up hin ts by th e w ay .

Th e v e ry e a rlie st e v id e n c e t ak e s u s al read y in t o th e l att er h al f


Of t h e 4 th c e n t ury b ut it is on e Of t h e most re ma rk ab l e
, S oz ome n .
,

H ist cool 6 3 7 me n tion s th e ma n ifol d d ang e rs t h at b e s e t U lp hilas


. .
, ,

a mong th e h e at h e n G oths : W hil e th e b arb a rian s w e re


ye t h e a th e n s
I M AG E S . 107

(in 7 631! B a
p fi dp w v éMt nI/ucdi s 9p na x e v6vrwv) — 5a vm& 39 h e re
means in h ea th e n fa s hion a n d Hp na x e zie w (t o w orsh ip) is p re s e ntly
,

d e sc rib e d more minute ly w h e n th e p e rs e c ut ion ,


of th e Christ ian s
by A th a naric is re l a t e d— A th a n aric h av ing (e v id e n tly
, se t th e sta tue

on a waggon ( fé a vo v e c
’ '

)

O f t h e G oth ic d e ity d
p p p a ud gnq e a rdi e)
‘ '

ord e re d it t o b e c arrie d roun d t o t h e d w e llings Of th os e s usp e ct e d

Of ch rist iani ty ; if th e y re fus e d t o fall d ow n a n d s a c rific e


( 7rp oo icv
'

veiv Ka i 0 15e w ) th e ir h ou s e s w e re t o be fi re d ov e r th e ir h e a d s
, By .

dp p dp a fa is un d e rst ood a c ov e re d c arriag e is n ot t h is e x actly th e


vehi culu m veste con tectum in w h ich t h e g od d e ss h e rs e l f un s ee n w a s
, , ,

c arrie d ab out ( Tac G erm 4 0) . Is it n ot th e vayu in wh ic h Freyr


.

a nd h is p rie st e ss sa t wh e n in h oly d a,
ys h e j ourn e y e d roun d a mong
th e S w e d ish p eopl e ( F oru m n 2 74 Th e p e opl e u s e d t o
. .
,

c arry ab ou t covered i magesof god s ov er th e fi el d s by which fe rtil ity ,

w a s b e st ow e d u p on th e m 1
E v e n th e ka rrdschen in our p oe ms of
.

th e M id A g e s w ith Sara c e n g od s in th e m a nd th e ca rroccio Of t h e


.
, ,

L omb ard citie s (RA 2 6 3 5 ) s e e m t o b e n oth ing but a l at e re minis


.
-

c e n c e of th e s e p rimit iv e god s w aggon s of h e a th e nis m Th e Ro man



-
.
,

G re e k and I n d ia n g od s t oo w e re n ot w ith out s uch c arriag e s .

W h at Gre g ory Of T ou rs t ells u s ( 2 2 9 3 1 ) of th e b aptis m Of ,


-

Chlod ovich ( Cl o vis ) a nd th e e v e n ts t h at p re c e d e d it is e v id e ntly ,

t ouch e d up an d th e sp e e ch e s of th e que e n e sp e cially I t ak e to be


,

fictitious ; ye t h e w oul d h ardly h av e p ut th e m in h er mouth if it


w e re ge n e rally k nown th at th e F ra nks h ad n o god s or sta tue s at all .

Ch rothil d ( Cl ot il d a) sp e aks th us t o h e r h u sb an d wh om sh e is try ,

ing t o p re p oss e ss in fa v our Of b a pt is m : N ihil s un t dii gu as coli tis ,

i q s ib i q aliis p o t e runt subv e n ire ; s u n t e n im a ut e x


q u n e u e n e u e

lap id e a ut e x lign a a u t e x meta lla aliquo sculp ti n omina v e ro qua e , ,

e is indidist is h omin e s fue re n on d ii


,
H e re sh e b rings up Sa turn us
,
.

a n d J up i ter w ith argume n ts d raw n from cl a ss ic al myth ol ogy ;


,

a n d th e n : Q uid M a rs M ercuriusqu e p otuere ? qui p otins s un t


magicis artibus p ra e diti qu am d iv ini numinis p ote ntia m h ab u ere .

S e d ill e mag is c ol i d e b e t qui c o el um e t t e rra m mare e t omn ia q uae ,

in e is s un t v e rb o e x n on e x ta ntibus p ro cre a vit &c


,
S e d cu m h ae c ,
.

re g in a d ice re t n ullat e n u s a d c re d e n d um re g is a n imu s move b at ur


, ,

se d d ice b a t : Deoru m n ostroru m j ussion e c une t a cre an tur ac p ro

1
D e simu la cra q uod p e r camp o s p ort an t ( I n die sup e rst it cap 2 8 ) on e v it a . . .

S M a rt in i cap 9 ( S urius 6 , 2 5 2 )
. .
Qui a e ssct h ae c Ga llorum rusticis consu e
t ud o, simu la cra da emonum, ca ndid a tecta vela min e, I n ise ra p er agros s uos cir
cumfe rre d e me n t i a .
1 08 G OD S .

d onut ; d e us v ero v e st er n ih il p o ss e manifesta tur e t quod ,


magis e st,

n e c d e d eoru m genere esse p roba tu r ( th at s oun d s G e rma n e nou gh !)


W h en th e ir l ittle b oyd ie s c eiving christian
s oon a fte r re b aptism ,

Chlodovich re marks : Si in n omine d eorum meorum p ue r fuisse t


d ica tus V ix isse t u tique n un c a ut e m quia in n omine d e i ve stri
, ,

b ap tiza tus e st v iv e re omnin o n on p ot uit —SO d e t a ile d a rep ort of


,
.

Chlod o vich s h e a th e nis m sc a rc e ly a h un dre d y e ars a ft e r th e e ve n t


, ,

a n d from t he mou th of a w e ll instruct e d prie st w oul d b e a b s urd if , ,

th e re w ere no truth a t th e b ottom o f it Wh e n once Gregory h a d .

h a t in n a me s of god s in th e pl a c e of th e F ra nkish in wh ich


p u t is L (
h e s imply follow e d t h e v ie ws a n d fa sh ion Of h is t ime) h e w oul d as ,

a ma tte r of c ours e go on t o s urro un d th o s e n a me s with th e a ppro

ria t e L a t in myth s ; a n d it is n ot t o b e o v e rl ook e d th a t t h e four


p ,

d e itie s n a me d a re all g od s of th e d ays of th e we e k th e v e ry kind ,

w h ich it w a s quit e c ust omary t o id e nt ify w ith n ativ e god s I .

th in k mys e l f e ntitl e d th e re fore t o quote the p a ss age a s p roving at


,

l e ast th e e x ist e n c e of image s of god s among th e Franks (see Sup p l ) .

The n arra tiv e of a n inc ide nt from th e e arly p art of t h e 7th


c e ntury c on c e rn s A laman nia Col umb an and St Gall us in 6 1 2
. .

c ame upon a s e at of id ol a try a t B re ge nz on the L ak e of Constan c e


Tres e rg o imagines a erea s et d ea ura ta s sup e rstitiosa gen ti lita s
ibi cole bat quibu s mag is qu am Cre at ori mundi v ot a re d d e n d a
,

cre d e b a t . SO s ays t h e Vita S G alli ( P e i tz 2 7) writte n in th e


.
,

c ours e of th e ne xt ( 8 th) c e n tury A more de t ail e d a ccoun t is giv e n


.

byWala frid Strab o in h is Vit a S G all i (a cta B e n e d sec 2 p 2 3 3 )


. . . . .

Egre ssi d e n av ic ul a orat orium in h on ore S A ure l iae con structum .

a die run t . Post ora tione m cum p er gyrum oculis cun e t a


,

l u stra s sen t p lacuit ill is qualita s e t s itus locorum d ein d e ora tione
, ,

r m iss a c irca ora t orium ma n siuucula s s ibi fece run t R e p e re run t


p a e .

a ut e m in t e mpl e tres i magi nes a erea s d ea ura ta s p a rieti afi xa s} qu a s

p opul us d imisso a lta ris s a cri cultu a dorab at e t obla tis sa cri/
, ,
i ciis ,

dic e re con sue vit : isti s un t d ii veteres e t a n tiqui h aj a s loci tutores ,

uoru m s ol a t io e t n o s e t n ostra p e rd ura n t u squ e in p ra e s e n s


q .

Cumque ej u s d e m t e mp l i sole mn ita s age re tur v e nit mult itu d o n on ,

I n in ima p romisc ui s e x us e t ae t a t is n on t a n tum p ropt e r fe stivit a tis


,

h onore m v e rum e tiam a d vid e n dos p e regrin os quos cognove ra n t


, ,

S O th e n in a ch urch re all y ch ri sti an , th e s e Old h ea th en gods images had



1
,

b e e n let in to the wa ll, p robab l yt o con ci l i a t e th e p eopl e, wh o we re st i ll a tta ch e d


t o th e m ? Th e re a re s e v e ra l l a t e r i n st an ce s of t h i s p ra ct i ce , con f Le d e bur s

.

archi v 14, 3 6 3 3 78
. Th iir mi tth V I 2 , 1 3 (se e S uppl )
. . . . . .
1 10 e ons .

l a cum p otamicum ibique a W illimaro p re sbyte ro h on orifi ce suscep ti,


,

s e pt e m d ie s cum g audio p erma nse runt Qui a s an ctis inte rrogat us .


,

si scire t l o c um in s olitu d in e illorum p ro p o s it o con ruu m ost e nd it


g ,

e is l o c um j ocun d issimum a d inh a b ita n d um n omin e B ri a n tium


g .

I bique re p e rie n t e s temp lu m ol im ch rist ia n a e re l igioni d e dica tum ,

n un c au t e m d emon um i magin ibus p ollutum mun d a n d o e t con se ,

cra n d o in p ristin u m re stitu e run t st a t um a tqu e p ro st a t uis q u a s ,

ej ecerunt s a nct a e A ure lia e re l iq uia s ib id e m colloca ve run t — B yt his


, .

a cc oun t als o th e t e mpl e is fi rst of all ch ristia n a n d aft e rw a rd s


'

o cc u p ie d by th e h e a th e n (A la ma n ns) th e re fore n ot a n old R oma n ,

on e . T h a t Wod en s st at ue w as on e of th os e id ol a v a na th a t w e re

b rok e n t o p ie c e s may al most be infe rre d from J ona ss a cc ount of


,

t he b e e r sacrifi ce offe re d t o him Ra tp ert s c a n til en a S Galli h as



-
. .

on ly th e v a g ue w ord s :

Ca stra d e Ture gum a dn a vigan t Tuccon ium ,

D oc e n t fi d e m ge nte m J ove m lin quunt a rd entem


, .

T his J up it e r on fi re from wh om th e p eopl e a p ost atize d may v e ry


, ,

w e ll b e D on a r (Th un ar Th or) b ut h is st a tue is n ot allud e d t o


, , .

A cc ord in g to A rx (on P e rtz 2 E cke h ard us IV quot e s J onis


, .


e t N ep tuni id ol a but I c annot fi n d t h e p a ss a g e ; c onf p 1 22
, . .

E rmold us N ige llus on N e pt un e I t is pl a in th a t th e th re e st a t ue s


.

h av e to d o w ith th e id ol a try on L Con st an c e n ot w ith th at on L .


, .

Z urich ; a n d if M ercury J up it er an d Ne ptun e st ood th e re t oge th e r


, ,

th e fi rst t w o at all e v e n ts mayb e e a s ily appl ie d t o Ge rma n d e itie s .

I n ch VII I wil l imp art myc onj e ct ure a b ou t N e pt un e


.
,
B ut I th in k .

w e may c on cl ud e from all th is th at our tres i magin es h a v e a b e tt e r


,

cl aim t o a G e rman orig in th an th os e imagines lap id ea e of th e


,

Lu vx o ia n fo re st c it e d on,
p 83 1
. .

1
Tw o n arra tiv e s
b y G re g oryo f Tours on st a t ue s of Dian a in th e Tre v e s
coun t ry a n d of M e rcurya n d M a rs in t h e s ou th of G a u l , t h ough t h e ye x cl u d e
,

a ll t h ough t o f G e rman d e i t i e s , y e t o fi e r st ri k in g comp a ris o n s H i st 8 , 1 5


'

. .

D e i n d e t e rri t orium Tre ve rica e urbis e x p e tii, e t in qu o n un c e st i s mon te


h a bita culum, qu od ce rn itis, p rop rio l ab ore con struxi re p e ri t ame n h ic D ia n a e
simu la crum, q u od p op u l u s h ie in cre d ulus q u as i d eum ad ora ba t column a m e t i am .

st a t u i , in qu a cu m gra n d i cru cia tu s i n e u ll o p e d um st a b a m t e gmi n e .

V e rum ub i a d me mu lt it ud o v icin arum civit a tum confi u ere coe p it, p ra e d ica b am
i n i h i l e ss e D i a n a m, n ih i l simu la cra , n ih il qu e q ua e e is vid e b a tur e x e rce ri
j g
u t e r,

cu lt ura i nd i gna e t i am e ss e i psa , qua e i n t er p ocula lux uriasque p roflu as can t i ca


r o fe re b an t , se d p ot ius d eo omn ip ot e n t i, q u i coe l um fe ci t ac t e rra m, d ign u m
p
s i t sa crifi cium l and i s i mp e nd e re orab am e t iam saep ius, ut simu la cra d omi n us
.

d i ru t o d ign a re tu r p op u l um ab h o c e rro re d i s cu te re Fle x it d omi n i mi s e ri


.

cord i a me n t e m rustica m, u t in clin a re t a u re m s ua m in v e rb a ori s me i, u t s ci l i ce t

re lict is i d olis d omi n um se qu e re t ur, ( e t ) t u n c con v oca t is quib u sd a m e x e is


si mula crum h oc immensum, q uod e l id e re p rop ria v irt ut e n on p ot e ra m, cu m
I MA E SG . 1 11

The ch ie f a uth ority for imag e s of god s among th e Sa x on s is th e


fa mou s p a ss age in W id e kin d of Corve i ( 1 w h e re h e rel a te s ,

th e ir v ict ory ov e r th e Thuringian s on th e R Un strut ( circ . .

u t maj orum me moria p rod it : M a ne a ut e m fa ct o a d orie n tale m


‘ ’

p orta m (of c a stl e S chid unge n) p onu n t a quilam a ra mque victoria e ,

con stru e n t e s s e c und um e rrore m p a te rn um s a c ra su a p rop ria v e n e r


, ,

a t io n e v e n e ra t i s un t n omin e M a rte m efi gie cola mn a rn m imit a n t e s


, ,

H ei cnlem l oc o S ol e m que m Grae ci a pp e ll an t Ap ollin em — This


'

,
.

imp ort a n t w it n e ss will h av e to b e c a ll e d up ag ain in more th an on e


c on n e x ion .

To t h e Corve i a nnals at y e ar 1 1 4 5 wh e re t h e Ere sburg is


, ,

sp ok e n of th e foll owi ng is a dde d b ya 1 2 th c e n t ury h a nd ( P e rtz


,

5 8 n ot e ) H e c e ad e m E re sb urg e st c orrupt o vocab ulo d ict a quam


, ,

e t J ul iu s Ce s ar R oma n o imp e rio sub e git quan do e t A risp oli s ,

n ome n h ab uit a b e o q ui A ris Gre c a d e signation e ac M a rs ips e

d ictus e st L a tin o fa mine D uobns siquid e m id olis h e c d e dit a fui t


.
,

id e st A ms qui u rbis men i i s i nserta s qua s i d omin a t or d omin a n t ium


, , ,

et E rmis qui e t M ercuri us me rcimon ii s in siste n tibus cole b at ur in


,

fore n sibus— A cc ordi ng to thi s , a st atue of M a rs s e e ms to h av e s tood


.

on t ow n w all
th e -
.

Th a t th e Fris ian te mpl e s c on t aine d image s of g od s th e re s ee ms ,

t o b e s u ffic ie n t e v id e n c e It is t rue th e p a ss age ab out F os it e ( p


.
, .

84 ) me n t ion s only fan a d e i w e are t ol d th a t W ilibrord l aid viol e n t


h an d s on th e s a cre d foun t ain n ot th a t h e d e molish e d an yimage
,
.

e oru m a d u t orio
j p osse m e rue re ; j am e n i m reli qua sigillorum ( th e s ma ll e r
fi ure s ) q ua e facili ora st an t , ips e con fre ge ra m Con ve n ie ntib us au te m mul ti s
g
.

a h a n c D i a nae sta tua m, mi ss is funi b us t rah ere co e p erun t, se d n i h i l l a b or e orum


p rofi ce re p ot e ra t Th e n ca me p raye rs ; e gre ssusque p ost ora tion e m a d op e rario s
.

v e ni , ad preh e n sumque fume m ut p rimo ictu tra h e re co ep imus, p rot in us simu la


crum rui t i n terra in , confra ctumq ue cu m ma lleis ferrei s i n p u lverem redegi So .

ima g e s w e n t t o th e groun d , w h o s e con t e mpl a t i on w e s h oul d t h i n k v e ry in


st ruct ive n ow Th i s Di an a w as p rob a b l y a mi xt ure of Roman an d G a ll ic
.

wors h i p ; t h e re are in s cript i on s o f a D ia n a a rd ui nn a ( B o u qu e t 2 , — Th e


s e con d p a ssa ge st an d s in Mi rac 2, 5 : E ra t a ut e m h a ud p ro cul a ce ll ul a ,
.

quam se p ulch ru m, martyris ( J uliani Arve rn e nsis) h a e c mat ron a con stru xe rat
( in vi co B riva t e n si) , gra nde de lubrum, ub i in column a a ltissima simu la chrn m
M a rtisAl ercuriiqae cole ba tur Cumque d e l ub ri illi u sfe sta a ge n tilib us a ge re n tur
.

a c mort ui mort uis t h u ra d e fe rre n t , me d i o e v u lg o commov e n tur


p u e ri d u o in
s can d al um, n uda’ toque un u s gl ad i o a lt e rum a pp e t i t t rucid a nd um Th e b oy .

run s t o t h e s a i n t s ce ll , a n d i s s a v e d Qua rta a u t e m d ie , cum ge n tilitas v e ll e t


.

i t e rum d i ls e xh ibe re liba mina , th e ch ri st i a n p ri e sts o ffe r a fe rv e n t p ra ye r to t h e


ma rtyr, a vi ol e n t th u n d e rst orm a ri s e s , th e h e a th e n s a re t e rri fi e d : Re ce d e n t e
a ut e m t e mp e st a t e , g e n t i l e s b a t iza t i, sta tua s q u a s colue ra n t con rin en tes, in
p f g
la cum vi co a mn ique p rox i mu m p roj ecern n t — S oo n a ft e r t h i s , th e B urg und i an s
.

s e ttl e d 1 D th e d i st ri ct Th e st a t ue s b rok e n d ow n , crush e d t o’ p o wd e 1 , a nd fl un g


. .

i n t o th e l ake , e v e rybit th e s a nre as in th a t st oryof Ra tp e rt s .


1 12 e ons.

On t h e the r h and th e Vita B onifacii ( P e rtz 2


o ,
in d e sc rib in g ,

t h e h ea th e n re a ction u n d e r K in g Ré db o d ( c irc us e s th is .

l angua e : J am p ars e ccle siarum Christi qu a e Fra n corum p rius


g
,

subj e ct a e ra t imp e rio v a sta t a e ra t ac d e structa id olor um q uo que


, ,

cult ura e x structis d e lubrorum fanis lugub rit er re n ov ata A nd if it .

sh oul d b e th ough t th a t id olorum h ere is e quival e n t t o d e orum th e ,

Vita Willeh adi ( P e rtz 2 3 8 0 ) s ays more d e fi nit e ly : I nsanum e ss e


,

e t va n u m a lap id i bus a u x il ium p e t e re e t a simu la cris mu tis ci surd is

sub sid ii sp e rare s ol at ium Qu o aud ito ge n s fe ra e t id ololatriis


.
,

n imium d e dita st rid e b a n t d e nt ib us in e ur n d ic e n t e s n on d eb e re , ,

r of n u m longius v iv e re imo re u m e ss e mort is q ui t am sacrile gia


p a , ,

c on tra d eos suos invictissimos p roferre p ra e sumsisse t e loquia — Th e .

e v e n t b e l on gs t o th e middl e of th e 8 th c e n t ury a n d th e n a rra t or ,

A n skar ( 1 8 6 5 ) c ome s a h u n d re d y e ars l a t e r ; still w e are n ot


'

w arrant e d in l ook ing u p on his w ord s as mere fl ourish e s A n d I .

a m n ot s ure th a t w e h a v e a righ t t o t a k e for e mpty ph ra s e s w h a t is ,

s aid in a Vita S G oari (1 . wh ich w a s not w ritt e n till 8 3 9


Coe p it ge n tili b us p e r circuit um ( i e in Rip uaria) simula crornm


. .
,

cult ui d e ditis e t v a n a id olorum sup e rstitionis d e cep tis v e rb u m ,

salutis annu n tia re (A ct a B e n e d se c 2 p . S uch b iograph ie s


.
,
.

a re u s ually b a s e d on ol d e r me morials .

Th e Frisian s a re in e v e ry s e n s e the p oin t of t rans ition t o th e


S c andinav ia n s ; c on s id erin g th e multifariou s int e rcours e b e tw e e n
th e s e tw o a dj oin in g n ation s n oth ing can b e more natural th an to
,

s upp os e th at th e Fris ia n s als o h ad in c ommon with th e ir n eighb ours


t h e h ab it of t e mpl e a n d image w orsh ip E ve n Fose te s t e mpl e in ’
.

H e l igol and I can h ardly imagin e d e stitu te of image s .

S ome fa cil ity in c arv in g fi gure s ou t of w ood or chis e ll ing th e m


ou t of st on e is n o mo re th a n w e sh oul d h a v e e xp e ct e d from th os e

s ig n a an d e ffi gie s in T a citu s an d th e art migh t go on imp roving up


,

to a c e rt ain st ag e S t on e w e ap on s an d oth e r impl e me n ts th a t w e


.

fi nd in b arrows t e st ify t o a n ot un sk il ful h a n dli n g of diffic ult


ma t erials Th a t n ot a s ingl e image of a T e u tonic god h as e sc ap e d
.

t h e d e struct iv e h an d of t ime a n d th e z e al of th e ch rist ian s n e e d ,

s urpris e us l e ss th an th e t ot al dis app e aran c e of th e h e a th e n t empl e s .

W h y e v e n in th e North wh ere th e numb e r of image s w a s gre at e r


, , ,

a n d th e ir d e stru ction o cc urre d mu ch l a t e r th e re is n ot on e p re s e rv e d ;


,

a ll th e Le th ria n a ll th e U p salia n id ols are cl e an g on e


,
Th e t e ch n ic al .

t erm in th e N orse w as slea rdgod ( Fornm sog 2 73 from sk era



'

. .
,
1 14 cons .

p rob ably Th or sat i n the midd le on his car A lt og e th e r th e .

p ortraiture s of Th or s e e m t o h a v e b e e n th os e most in v ogue at l e a st ,

in Norw a y 1
On e t e mpl e in wh ich ma n y skurdgo5 w e re w or
.

s hipp e d but Th or most of all is d e scrib e d in F orum sog 2 1 5 3 an d


, , . .
,

1 5 9, an d h is sta tue 1 ,
2 95 . 3 0 2 6 ; in 2 44 w e re a d : Th 6rr sat i
-
,

mi dj u ok va r mest tign a5 r ,
h ann var mikill ok allr gulli bwinn ole
f ( e x auro e t arg e n t o con fe ct us) ; c onf Ol a fs h elga s aga e d
sil ri .
,
.

H ol m cap 1 1 8 9 w h e re a l arg e sta n din g figure o f Th or is d e scrib e d ;


. .
-
,

an d F orr rm so 4 2 4 5 e d Ch rist p 2 6 y Isl


'

F i
'

g . re r g. orr a
] f
si l,ri ,
. . . .
, .

sog 1 1 3 4 Lan du 3 2 On e man c arrie d a sta tuette of Th or


'

. . . .
, ,

c arve d in wh al e b one (likn e ski Th 6rs a t termge rt) in hi s p ock e t so ,

a s t o w orship h im s e c re tly wh e n l ivin g amon g ch ristian s F ornm , , .

57 Th 6r s fi gure wa s c arv e d on th e on d ve gis p ill ars



sog 2 .
,
.
-
,

E yrbygg p 8 Lan d n ama b 2 1 2 ; an d on th e p rows of ships


. . . .
, ,

Fornm sog 2 3 24 A fig ure of Th orge rfi r h olgabrfi iir with rin gs


'

. . .
, ,

o f g ol d roun d th e a rm t o which p e opl e k n e e l F ornm so


g 2 , , . .
,

1
F i n n M agn u se n , bid rag t il n ordisk arch ae ol o gic, pp 1 13 - 15 9 . .

2
Th e re is a n ot h e r t h i n g t o n ot i ce in t h is p a ss a g e T h e figure of Th orge rfi r .

ben t i ts h a n d up , w h e n s ome on e t ri e d t o s n at ch a ring off i ts a rm, an d t h e


g od d e ss was n ot d i sp os e d t o le t h im h av e it Th e same man th e n brough t a .

lo t of mon ey, l a i d it at th e fi gure s fe e t, fe ll on h is k n e e s an d sh e d t e ars , t h e n


ros e up an d on ce more g rasp e d a t th e rin g, wh i ch n ow the figure let go Th e .

s ame i s t ol d in th e F oere yingasaga, cap 2 3 , p 10 3 I re gard i t a s a ge nui ne . . .

t ra i t of h ea th e n an tiqui ty, li ke oth e rs wh i ch aft e rw ard s p a ss e d i n t o ch ri sti an


folk t al e s of t h e M id A g e s (se e S uppl )
-
Of more t h an o n e i mag e o f gra ce w e
. .

a re t o l d t h a t i t d ropt a ri ng of i tsfi nger or a shoe ofi i ts foot a s a g i ft t o t h o s e


"

w h o p raye d b e fore i t A fi g ure of C h ri st gav e i ts s h oe s t o a p oor ma n ( N i col a i


.

ab ba t is p e re grin atio, e d We rla uff p a n d a s a i n t s ima g e it s g ol d sl i pp e rs



. .

( M on e s a n z 7, 5 8 4 . A rch iv d e s H e n n e b v e re i ns , pp 70 ,
. A fig ure of
. . .

M arya ccepts a ri n g th at i s p re s en t e d to i t, a n d b e n d s h e r fi n ger as a s i gn th a t


sh e w i ll k e e p it ( M eon n ou v re cu eil 2, 2 96 7 M a e rl 2 , Th e t w o
.
-
. .

V i rgin st ori e s in M eon a n d M a e rlan t , th ough on e a t b ott om, h a v e v e ryd i ffe r


-

e n t t urn s g iv e n th e m I n th e l a tt e r, a youn g man a t a game of b a ll p ul ls t h e


.

ri n g off h is fi n g e r, a n d p u ts i t on t h e h an d of a M a d onn a in th e fo rme r, t h e


t h i s b x i n g in t h e C o l o ss e um at Rome , an d p u ts his ri n g on t h e fi n g e r of a
y o u o

h e a th e n st a t ue , wh i ch b e n d s th e fi n g e r B o t h figure s n o w h ol d th e man t o his .

e n g a g e me n t B ut th e 0 F re n ch p oe m mak e s t h e a fii ict e d youth b rin g a n


. .

i mage of M a ryto b ear on th e h e at h en on e , t he M aryt a k e s th e ri n g 0 11 th e


o th e r fig u re , a n d re st ore s i t t o t h e y ou t h C on f K’aise rch r 1 3 14 2 13 26 5 . . . . .

13 3 23 . F ord u ni S cot i ch ron i con l , 4 0 7 ( W S cott s min str 2 , re l a t e s . .

t h i s fab l e a s an e v e n t of th e 1 1th cen t ury: a n ob l e man pl ayi n g at b all S l i ps h is


ri n g on t h e fi n g e r of a b ro k e n st a t u e of V e n u s , a n d on l yg e ts i t b ack w i th t h e
h e lp o f a pri e st P a lumb us w h o u n d e rst a n d s mag i c We se e th e st ory h ad .

spre ad a t an earl yt ime , b ut i t i s old Te ut on i c in i ts ori gi n und eu ts ch , svi d a ’


.

sl i p for urd e uts ch ] E ve n in a p a i n t in g of M ary, th e i n fan t in h e rlap h and s h e r


.

a ca sk e t t o g iv e t o a s uppl i a n t, Cod p al 3 4 1 fol S i mi l arl y, st a t u e s turn . . .

the f a ce a wa y ,
s tre tch ou t th e a rm t o p ro tect,
t h e yp s ea k, la ugh, weep , ea t a n d wa lls

t h us a figure of Ch ri st t urn s i ts e l f a w ay( Ls 3 , 78 a n o th e r b e g i n s t o ea t . .

a n d grow b i gg e r ( K in d e rm l e g e n d en n o t o w e e p , t o b e ckon , t o run a way


. .
I M AG E S . 1 15

F re y

s f
sta tue o ( F reyr ma rk a s r a f silf ri) V a tn sd p 4 4 5 0
silve r,
; , . . .

c arrie d a b out i n a w aggon in Sw e d e n Fornm s tig 2 73 7 Th e ,


. .
,
-
.

J o msvikinga saga t e lls of a t e mpl e on Gautla n d ( I o f Gothland) in .


,

w h ich w e re a hu nd red gods Fornm sog 1 1 4 0 t ruly a d e nsita s , . .


,

imagin um a s J on a s h as it ( se e p S a x o Gra m 3 2 7 me n tion s



.
, .

a s imul a crum guercu f a ctum c arv e d in oak ? or an oaktre e ,

w orshipp e d a s d ivin e C? ( se e Supp l ) .

N ot only th ree but o cc a s ion all y two fi gures sid e by s id e are ,

me n tione d p artic ul arly th os e o f Wu ota n a n d D on a r or of M a rs a nd


,

M ercurius a s w e se e from th e p a ss ag e s c it e d Fig ure s of F reyr


,
.

a nd Th or t og e th e r a n d of Frigg and F re yj a o cc ur in M ull e r s


, ,

sagabibl 1 9 2 .Name s of pl a c e s als o ofte n in dic ate s uch j oin t


,
.

w orsh ip of t wo d ivinitie s e g in H e ss e t h e D on ne rse ich e ( T h or s ,


. .

oak) st ood cl os e by th e V Vod an sbe rg a n d e xpl ore rs w oul d d o w e ll


t o a tt e n d t o th e p oin t .

B ut n e ith e r th e all eg e d n umb e r of th e st atue s n or th e ir d e scrip ,

t ion s in th e s aga s can p a ss for h ist oric al ; wh a t th e y d o p rov e is ,

th at st atue s th e re w e re Th e y app e ar mostly t o h av e b e e n h e w n .

out of w ood s ome p e rh a ps w e re p ain t e d cl oth e d an d ov e rl a id wit h


, , ,

s il v e r or g ol d ; but n o d oubt st on e ima ge s w e re als o to b e met w ith ,

a n d s ma ll e r on e s of c opp e r or iv ory
1
.

I h ave p ut off unt il n ow th e me ntion of a p e culiar t erm for


st atue w ith wh ich s ome striking acc ounts of h e a th e n id ols c onn e ct
,

th e ms el v e s .

OH G gl oss e s h av e th e w ord i rma n si i li pyramid e s M on s 3 6 0



. . .
, ,

irma nsuli pyramid e s D oc i rma nsul c ol oss u s



a va ri i n , , ,
.
, ,

a lt iss ima c ol umn a Fl ore n t B las 8 6 c ol oss us e st irmi nsul


,
. . .
,

G1 Schle tst 1 8 1 2 8 1
. Th e l it e ral me an in g s e e ms t o b e st at ue
.
, .
,
.
,

to j udg e by th e sy non y m a va rd wh ich in G1 J un 2 2 6 is u s e d for ,


. .

( De uts ch e s ag e n Te tta us, p re u ss s age n , pp 2 1 1 5 I n Re inb ot s



347 ,
no . . . .
-

i
G e org th e d o l A p oll o is fl ogge d with rod s b ya ch l d , and force d t o w a l k a way i
( 3 25 8 wh ch re min d s on e of th e god P e run , w h om, a ccord n g t o mon k
i i
N e st or, V l a d m r th e A p ost o l c cau s e d t o b e s courg e d w th rod s
i i i
I n an I n d a n i . i
storyI find a st at ue th a t e a ts th e food se t b e fore it, Pol e r 2 , 3 0 2 -3 A n t qu t y i . i i
th e n d id n ot re ga rd th e s e ma ge s a lt oge th e r as l um ps of d e ad ma tt er, but a s
i
i
pe n e t rat ed byth e l fe of th e d i ini ty Th e Gre e ks t oo h a e st or e s of stat ue s v . v i
t h a t mo e sh a k e th e l an ce , fall on th e r kn e ss , cl os e t h e r e ye s (Ka ra p é o u g) ,
v ,
i i
bl e e d a n d s w e a t , wh ch ma yh a e b e e n s ugg e st e d b yth e a tt t ud e s of a n c e n t
i v i i
imag e s b u t o f a st a t ue ma k n g a mo e me n t o f t h e h a n d , b e n d n g a fi n g e r, I i v i
h a e n owh e re re a d , s ig n fi ca n t a s th e p o s t o n o f t h e a rrrrs in mag e s o f g o d s
v i ii i
wa s h e l d t o b e Th a t th e g od s t h e ms e l e s Xe ip a t we p e xo vo w o e r t h os e w h om v v

.

t h e yw sh t o prot e ct, occurs a s e arlyas in H ome r


i .

1
F nn Magn use n ibid 13 2 -7
i . .
116 G OD S .

st a t ue a nd . imag o
It w a s n ot yet e xtin ct in th e 1 2 th c e n tury as
.
,

a p p e ars from t wo pl a c e s in t h e K a is e rch ron ik n e a r t h e b e ginn in g ,

o f th e p oe m a n d v e ry l ik e l
y th e re are more of th e m it is s aid of
,

M erc u ry ( M a ss ma nn 1 2 9)
fi f e inir grmensd le Up on an yrme nsul
stuon t e in abgot un ge hiure S tood an id ol h ug e , ,

d e n b ie ze n sie ir koufma n H im th e y c all e d th e ir


.

me rch ant .

A g ain of J ul iu s Cae s ar ( M a ssm 6 2 4 ) .

Rdme re in unge trfrw e lich e Roma n s h im u n truly sl e w ,

sluoge n , On an yrm th e y b urie d him . .

frf e in iryrmen sul sie in b egruob e n .

A n d of Simon M ag us 24 ( M a ssm 4 4 3 2 )
C
.

frf e ine yrmensul e r st e ic y m


, e n sul h e cl imb ed On an r ,

d az lan t volc im all e s amt n e ic Th e l a nd folk t o h im all b ow e d


.
- .

Th at is ,
w ors hipp e d him as a god N ay in W olfra m s Titurel l a st .
,

ch a pte r ,
wh e re t h e gre at p ill a rs of th e ( ch ristian ) t e mpl e of th e
Gra il are d e scrib e d inst e ad of inn e re n s e ul
,
o f th e p rint ed ‘ ’

t e xt ( H ah n th e H an ov e r M S more c orre ctly re ad s irmensr fi l . .

F urth e r in th e Fra n k ish a nn als a d a n n 772 it is rep e at e d ly


,
.

st ate d th at Ch arl e s th e Grea t in h is c on qu e st of th e Sax on s


,

d e st roy e d a ch ie f s e a t of th e ir h e a th e n s up e rst it ion n ot fa r from ,

H e re sb urg in W e stp h a l ia an d t h at it w a s c a ll e d Irmin sul


1
,
A nn . .

P e ta v : D omnu s re x K arolus p e rre x it in Sax onia m e t conqui sivit


.

E risb urgo e t p e rve n it a d l ocum qui d icitur E rmensul e t succe n d it


, ,

e a l o c a ( P e rtz 1 A nn Laure sh : Fuit re x Ca rlu s h ostilit e r


,
. .

in S a x onia e t d e strux it f a n u m e orum q uod v oca tur I rmi nsul ( P e rtz


,

1 ,
Th e s ame in th e Ch ron M oissia c e xc e pt th e sp e ll ing H ir . .
,

minsul ( P ertz 1 a n d in A n n
, Que dlin b &c ( P e rtz 5 . .
,
.
,

A nn J uv av e n se s : K arolus i d olum S a x on oru m combu ssit quod


.
,

d iceb ant I rmin sul ( P e rtz 1 E inh ard i F uld a nn a l e s : K arolus


, .

S a x onia m b e ll o aggre ssus E re sb urgum c a strum c e p it e t id olum S ax


, ,

on u m quod v o cab a t ur I rmi n su l d e st ruit ( P e rt z 1


'

A n n Ra t ,
.

b on : Ca rol us in S a x on ia con que sivit E re sburc e t I rminsul ( P e rt z 1


.
,

A nn Lau riS S K arl u s in Sa x onia c a st rum A e re sburg e x p ugn at


.
,

a n um e t lucum c oru m a mosum I rmi nsul s u b v e rt it


f f ( P e rtz 1 ,

1
N ow S ta d tb erg e n , con f th e e xtra ct from Die t mar ; b ut st ro n g rea s on s
.

in cl i n e u s t o p u sh th e p i ll ar ( s e ul e ) s ome 1 5 mi l e s d e e p e r i n t o th e Os n i n g
fore st Closte rme ie r E gge ste rst e in , pp 2 6 7 E re sb urg, H oroh us in p a g o H e ss i
.
-

S ax on ico S a rach o 73 5 3 5 0 C on f M a ssma nn s E gge sterst p 3 1



. . . . . .
1 18 G OD S .

(
see Suppl ) H e re w a s a gre at w ood e n p ill ar e re ct e d an d w e r
.
,

s h ipp e d u nd e r th e op e n sky its n a me s ignifi e s un iv e rs al all s u st ain ,


-

ing p ill ar Th is in t e rpre t ation app e ars faultl e ss wh e n w e tak e


.
,

with it oth e r w ord s in w hich th e me an ing is int e n s ifi e d by


c omp os ition with irmin I n th e H il d e b ran d s l ie d i rmingot is th e .
,

s up re me god t h e god of all n ot a p e cul iar o ne agre ein g in s e ns e


, , ,

w ith thiodgod th e ( wh ol e ) p e opl e s god forme d by an oth e r stre ng


,

th e ning p re fix H el 3 3 1 8 5 2 1 2 9 9 6 i rmin ma n a n e l e va te d
, .
,
.
, .
, .
,

e xp re ss ion for ma n H e l 3 8 2 4 107 13 152 1 1


, i rmin thiod
.
, .
,
.
,
.
,

th e h uman ra c e H e l 8 7 1 3 a n d in H ild eb r ,
1
I n th e s a me w ayI
.
,
.

e xpl a in p rop e r n a me s c omp ou n d e d w it h irma n irmi n ( G ra mm 2 , .


,

A n d irma nsul irmi nsul is t h e gre a t high div in e l y h on oure d


, , ,

st atu e th a t it w a s d e dic a te d to anyone god is n ot t o b e found in ,

t h e t e rm its e l f — I n lik e mann e r th e A S h as eormencgn ge n us


h uma n u m) B e ow 3 0 9 , Cod Ex on 3 3 3 3 . eormen ru n d


g .
(t e rra ) . .
,
.
,

B e ow 1 71 1 ( a n d s in gul arly in a n a dj form : ofer e alne grmen n e


. . .

eormen strg — ON
g rund Cod Ex on 2 4 3
,
. nd .
( p rog e n ie s ) ,
. .

i ormu ngru n d ( t e rra ) i drmunga n d r ( a ngu is ma x imu s ) i ormunrelcr


' '

, ,

( t a u ru s m a x im u s ) F ro m a ll t hi s m a y b e g a th e re d t h e h igh my
. t hi c
a n t iqu ity o f th e s e a pp ell a t ion s a n d th e ir d iffus ion a mon g a ll ,

b ra nch e s of th e T e uton ic ra c e ; for n e ith e r t o th e G oth s can th e y


h av e b e e n strange a s th e ir famous k ing s n a me E rma n a ri cus
,

( A ir m a n a re ik s O N I tirm u n re k r) s h
,
ow s ; a n d b e y
. on d a d oubt t h e

H ermun d uri a re p rop erly E rmund uri ( Gra mm 2 th e H b e ing .


,

oft e n p re fix e d t o all s u ch forms .

N ow wh at e ve r mayb e th e p rob abl e me aning of th e w ord irma n ,

i drmu n eormen t o wh ich I sh all re turn in d ue t ime on e thing is


, , ,

e vid e n t t h a t th e Irma n p illa r h a d s ome c onn e x ion w hich c on t in ue d


,
-
,

t o b e fe lt d o wn t o a l at e p e riod M e rc ury or H e rme s to ,

w h om Gre e k a n tiquity rais e d s imil ar p osts a n d p ill ars which w ere ,

th ems e l v e s c all e d H erma e a n ame which s ugge sts our Te utonic one ,
.

Th e S a x on s may h a v e k nown nrore a b out this ; th e F ra nks in ,

Upp e r G ermany from th e 8th t o t h e 1 3 th c e nt ury c onn e ct e d w ith


, ,

i rma n srel i rminsul th e g e n era l n otion of a h e a th e n ima ge se t up on


a p ill ar Prob ably Ruodolf a ss ocia te d w ith h is tru ncus ligni th e


.

1
Th e S l av me , B oh e m ra me n so, is with t ran sp osit i on th e La t a rmus ,
. ra .
.

OH G ara m, a n d me an s b oth a rm a n d sh oul d e r ; in t h e S l ov e n comp ou n d


.
.

ra me n v e l i k , v a l d e ma gn u s , i t i n t e n s i fi e s e x a ctl yl i k e irman
- d o s th i s p e l nt t o
e
a n a ffi n i t yb e t w ee n irma n an d a rm ? A rmi ni us t oo is worth ce n srd e rmg con f .

S ch affa rik 1, 4 2 7 .
I MAG E S . 1 19

th ought o f a ch oic e a nd h all ow e d t ree st e m (w ith or w ith ou t a -


, ,

g od s imag e

ra th e r th a n of a p ill ar h e w n in to sh ap e by th e h a n d

of man ; t h is fits in t oo w ith th e w orsh ipp in g sub dive w ith t h e ,

w ord l ucu s us e d by s ome of the ch ronicl e rs a n d w ith th e s implic ity ,

of th e e arl ie st fore st w orship A s th e ima g e me lts in t o th e n o tion


- .

of t re e so d oe s th e t ree p a ss int o th a t of ima g e ; a n d ou r W e st


,

ph alian I rme n p ill a r most n aturally s ugg e sts th e id e a of th a t


-
,

T h or s oak in H e ss e ; th e e v a ng el ists c onv e rt e d b oth of th e m in to



-

ch urch e s of St P e t er I susp e ct an in timat e c onn e x ion b e tw e e n


. .

t h e I rman p ill ars a n d th e Rola nd p illa rs e re ct e d in th e l a t e r M id


- -
.

A g e s e sp e c ially in N ortlr G e rma n y ; th e re w e re in Sw e d e n Thor s


p illa rs and a mong t h e A ngl o S a x onsE thelstd n p illa rs ( Lap p e nb e rg


- -
,

1, Th ere ye t re main s t o be g iv e n a n a cc ount of a s a cre d p ost


in Ne ustria a s c on t ain e d in th e Vit a W alarici a bb a t is Leuce n e n sis
,

s a id t o h av e b e e n comp os e d in th e 8 th ce n tury : Et j uxt a


rip am ip siu s fluminis slip s e ra t magn u s diversis imagi n i busfi gu ra tus , ,

a tqu e ibi in t erra m magn a v irtu t e immissus q ui n imi o ca ltu morem ,

g en ti li um a rusticis cole b at ur W alaricus c aus e s th e log t o b e


.

th rown d ow n : e t his quid e m rusticis h abitan tibus in l ocis n on


p a rv um t am moe re re nr qu am e t stup ore rn o nib u s p ra ebuit Se d m .

un diq u e illi s ce rtatim con curre n tib us cum armis e t fustibu s in dign e ,

h oc fe rcnt e s in vice m ut inj uriam d ei sui vin d icare nt ( A ct a B e n e d


,
.

Th e pl a c e w a s c all e d A ugusta ( b ourg d A ngst



se c 2 pp 8 4
.
,
.
,

n e ar t h e t own of E u) a n d a ch urch w a s b uilt on th e sp ot


,
.

th ink I h av e n ow sh ow n th a t in ancie n t G erman y th ere w e re


I ,

god s a nd st at ue s It w ill furth e r b e n e e d ful t o c ons id er h ow


.
,

an tiquity w e n t t o w ork in id en t ifyin g fore ig n n ame s of g od s w ith

Ge rman a nd c on v e rs e ly Ge rman w ith fore ig n


,
.

Th e R oman s in th e ir d e script ion s c are d a gre a t d e al more t o


mak e th e ms e l v e s p artially u n d e rst ood by a free transl ation th an , ,

by p re s e rv ing b arb arous v oc abl e s t o d o a s e rv ic e t o p oste rity A t,


.

t h e s ame t ime th e y di d n ot go arb itrarily t o w ork but e vid e n tly ,

w ith c are .

Cae s ar s S ol Luna and Vu lca n are p e rh aps wh at s a tisfi e s us


l e ast ; b ut T a citus s e e ms n ev e r to use t h e n ame s of R oman d e itie s ,

e xc e pt a d v is e d ly a n d w ith re fl e ct ion Of t h e g od s h e n a me s on ly .
,

M ercurya n d M a rs ( Ge rm 9 A n n 1 3 5 7 H ist 4 6 4 ) of d e ifi e d
. . .
,
. .
,

h e roe s H ercules Ca stor and P ollux ( Ge rm 9


, ,
of g od d e ss e s .
, ,
120 G OD S

I sis (G e rm . ma ter by h e r G erman name ( Germ


th e term .

a n d th e ma ter d eum
( Ge rm I n c omp a tibl e d e itie s such as .
,

A p oll o or B a cchu s are n e v e r c omp are d W h at strik e s us most is


,
.
,

th e abs e n c e of J upit e r a nd th e d istin ction giv e n t o M crea ry w h o


, ,

w as bu t a d e ity of th e s e c on d ran k w ith th e R oma n s a me re god ,

o f me rch a n ts b ut h e re st an d s ou t t h e fore most o f all :


,
D e orum
ma x ime M e rcurium colun t : t o him alon e d o h uman s a crific e s fa ll ,

wh il e M ars a nd H e rcu l e s c ont e n t th e ms e l v e s with b e a sts Th is .

p romin en c e of M ercury is p rob ably to b e e xpl ain e d by th e fa ct ,

th a t this od w orsh ipp e d by th e G a uls l ik e w is e a s th e ir ch ie f


was
g
d iv inity ,
a n d w a s th e mo st fre qu e n tly p ort ray e d ( d eu m max ime

M e rcuriu m colun t h uj us sun t pl urima s imul a cra Ca e s B Gall 6


, ,
. . .
,

1 7) ; a n d th a t th e l ooks of t h e R oman s wh e n dire ct e d toward s


1
,

G erma ny still saw G aul in th e fore groun d ; b e s id e s it mayh av e


, ,

b ee n Gallic informants th at se t th e Ge rman divinity b e fore th em in


t his l igh t Obs erve too th e G aul ish j u xt ap os ition of M a rs an d
.

M ercurius in st a t ue s a s T a c it u s n a me s th e G e rman

on e s t og e th e r ( Ann 1 3 Th e e miss ion of J up it er is ob viou sly


.
,

a cc oun t e d for by h is w orsh ip y ie l din g th e p re c e d e n c e to th a t of


,

M e rcury in th e s e n a tion s wh ich Ta citus k n e w b e st w e sh all see as ,

w e go on th at th e n orth e rn a n d remot er b ran ch e s on th e c on trary


,

re s e rve d th e ir h igh e st v e n e ra t ion for th e th un d e r od O n I sis a n d


g
-
.

H ercules I sh all e xp re ss my v ie ws furth e r on Wh om w e are t o .

un d e rst a n d by th e Dioscuri is h ard t o gue ss ; most l ik e l y t w o s on s


,

of W od e n an d if w e go by th e st a t e me n ts of th e E dd a th e b roth e rs
, ,

B al dr an d H e rm65 r w oul d b e th e most fittin g .

This ad apt a tion of cl a ss ic al n ame s t o G erman g ods b e c ame


u niv e rs ally sp re a d a n d is p re s e rve d w ith st rict u n a n imity by th e
,

L atin w rite rs of th e succ e e ding c e n turie s ; on c e se t in circu l ation ,

i t re maine d curre n t a nd in t ell igibl e for l on g a ge s .

Th e G othic hist orian n ame s bu t one god a fte r th e R oman fa sh ion ,

a n d th a t is M a rs: Q ue m G othi s e mp e r a sp e rrima l v re c ult u ra


p aca e

a n d e s cap
( J or n w ith wh ich th e S cythian A re s so e arly a s in
.
,

H e rodo tu s 4 6 2 3 mayb e c omp are d


,
-
, .

P aul us D ia c onus wind s up his a cc ount of W od an w ith th e .

e xpre ss ann ou n c e me n t ( 1 W od an s an e que m a dj e ct a li te ra


, ,

G w od an d ix e runt ips e e st qui a p ud R oman os M ercurius d icitur e t


, ,

1
S ch e p fli n , Als ill 1 , 4 3 5 6 0 e sp on a fa n um of M e rcurya t E be rmun st e r
. . .

1, 5 8 .C onf H umme l , bibl d euts ch alte rth p 2 2 9 Cre uzer, altrom cul tur am
. . . . . . .

Obe rrh e in, pp 4 8 , 9 8 . .


122 G OD S .

S a x o G rammaticus th ough h e writ e s in L atin av oid s applying


, ,

t h e Roman n a me s of g od s h e us e s Othinus or Oth in n e v e r , ,

M e rcurI u s I n st e ad ; ye t on c e in ste a d of h is u s u al Th or (pp 4 1 , .


,

h e h a s J up iter p 2 3 6 a n d mall e u s J ori a lis ; Ma rs on p 3 6


,
.
, .

s e e ms to stan d for Othin n ot for Tyr, w h o is n e v e r all ud e d to in ,

S a x o E rmold us Nige llus c itin g t h e id ols of th e N ormanni s ays 4 9


.
, , ,

a t for G od ( th e F a th e r) t h e y w orsh ipp e d N e tu n e


( P e rtz 2 t h
, p ,

a n d for Ch rist J up iter ; I s upp os e Ne ptun e mu st h e re me an 0 5 m ,

a n d J up it e r T h or th e s a me n ame s re c ur 4 6 9 1 0 0 4 5 3 5 ,
. .
-
.

M e l is S t ok e a s l a t e a s th e b e ginning of th e 1 4 th c e n tury still


-
, ,

re me mb e rs th a t t h e h e a th e n F risia n s w orsh ipp e d M ercu ry 1 1 6


( , .

1 7) I c an n ot in d ic at e th e L a tin auth ority fre rn wh ich n o d oub t h e


1
d re w th is .

I f th e s upp os ition b e a ll ow e d an d it s e e ms b oth a j ustifi abl e ,

a n d al most a n e c e ss ary on e th a t from th e fi rst c e n t ury a n d d u rin g , ,

t h e six or e ight s u cc e e d ing on e s th e re w e n t on an unint e rrupt e d ,

tran s fe r of th e ab ov e me n tion e d an d a fe w s imil ar L atin n ame s of


-

g od s t o d ome stic d eitie s of G aul a nd G e rman y an d w as famili ar ,

t o all th e e d u c at e d ; w e obt ain by th is alon e th e s ol ut ion of a


re mark abl e ph e n ome n on th at h a s n e v e r y e t b e e n s at is fa ct orily

e xpl a in e d : th e e arly d iffus ion o v e r h alf E urop e of t h e h e a th e n


n ome n cl a ture o f th e d a y s of the week .

Th e s e n a me s a re a p ie c e of e vid e n c e fa v ourabl e t o G e rman


h e ath e n is m a n d n ot t o b e dis re gard e d
,
.

2 —
Th e matt e r s e e ms t o me t o st a n d th u s From Egypt th rough .
,

th e A l e x an d rian s th e w e e k of s e v e n d ays ,
wh ich in
W e st e rn A s ia w a s v ery an cie n t c ame in to v ogu e among th e R oman s , ,

b ut t h e pl a n e tary n ome n cl a ture of th e d a y s of th e w e e k a pp are n tly


not till l a te r U n d er J uliu s Ca e s ar o ccurs th e e arlie st men tion
.

of d ie s S a tu rni in c onn e ction with th e J e wish s abb ath Tibull 1



.
, ,

Th e n fih i o v n a sp a in J ustin M art a p ol og 1 6 7
’ ’ c
3 18
, . E p noi) . .
,
.

bp oBi mq fiuép a in Cl e m A l e x strom 7 1 2



and A g Th e in stitu tion . . .
, .

fully c arrie d out n ot l ong b e fore D ie Ca ssiu s 3 7 1 8 ab ou t th e cl os e


, , ,

1 p oe ts imp art n o such informa tion ; th e y on l y troub l e th e ir


Our M H G .

h e ad s a b ou t S ara ce n g od s amon g wh o m i t i s t rue J up i t e r a n d A p o ll o ma k e


,

th e ir a pp e aran ce too I n R0 1 9 7 7 are n a me d M a rs J ovin us Sa turn us


. .
, , ,
.

I can h e re use on l y th e b e gi nn i n g n o t th e con cl us i on w h i ch w ou l d b e


2
, ,

more u s e fu l for my i n v e sti ga t i on of a l e a rn e d p ap e r b y J uli us H are on th e ,


n a me s o f t h e d a s o f t h e w e e k ( Ph i l o l og M N C n f I d e l e rs
y u s o v o .
,
. .

h a n db d e r ch ron o l 2 1 77 1 8 0 an d Le tron n e ob s e rv a t i on s sur le s re p res e n ta


. .
,
-
, ,
t i ons z odi a cal e s p 99 ,
. .
G OD S or TH E W EE K .
1 23

o f th e 2 m d e c n t ur y 1
T h e R o m a n s h a d p re v i ou sly .
h a d a w e e k of

n ine d a ys n u n d in a e n e v e
,
n d in a e C h r ist ia n ity h a d a d o pt
z e d f rom .

t h e J e ws th e h eb d orn a s a n d n e w i t c oul d n ot e a s ily g u ard t h e ,

ch urch aga in st th e idol a trous n ame s of d ays e ith e r ( se e S up pl ) .

B ut th e s e n ame s t og e th e r w ith th e in st itut ion of t h e w e e k h a d ,


,

p a ss e d on frorn R ome t o Gaul a nd G e rmany s oone r th an th e ,

ch ristian re ligion did I n all th e R oman c e c ountrie s th e pl a n e t ary .

n a me s h a v e l a st e d t o this d a y (mo stly in a v e ry a b ridg e d form) ,

e xc e pt for th e fi rst d a y a n d th e s e v e n th : in st e a d of di e s s ol is th e y

ch ose d ie s d om in ic a ( L o rd s d a y) It d om e n ic a S p d om i n g o F r

,
.
,
.
,
.

d iman ch e a nd for d ie s S a t urn i th e y k e pt th e J e wish sa bba tum It ,


.

s ab b at o Sp s ab a do F r s ame di
,
. s abb a ti d ie s ) B ut th e
,
.
.

h e a th e n n ame s of e v e n th e s e tw o d a ys c on tinu e d in p op ul ar use


l ong afte r : Ecc e e n i m d ies solis a d e st sic e nim b arb arie s vocitare ,

die m d omin icu m c on s ue t a e st Gre g Tur 3 1 5 , . .


,
.

U nh app ily a k nowl e dg e of th e G oth ic n ame s o f d ays is d e nie d


Th e sa bba te d a gs sa bba td d a gs wh ich alon e o ccurs in U lp h il a s

us .
, , ,

p rov e s n oth ing a sw e h av e j ust s ee n aga in st a pl a n e t ary d e s ig n a tion


, ,

of th e re ma ining six or fi v e d a ys A sun n 6n s d ags a mé nin s .


,

d ags mayb e g ue ss e d th e oth e r four for us t h e most imp ort an t I , ,

d o n ot v e nt ure t o s ugge st Th eir p re s erva tion w oul d h a v e b e e n of .

t he v e ry h igh e st v al ue to our in qu iry .

OLD H I G H G E RM I sa uni i n d ag O v 5 22 G1 bl a s 76 . .

,
. .
,
. . .
1
.

La combl a rch 1 6 — II md n in t a c ( with ou t auth ority for


. .
,
. .
,

manitag man otag in Gra ff , 5 3 5 8 h a v e n o re fe re n c e ; man e tag ,

in N otk e r p s 4 7 — III d ie s M art is p rob Z iuwes t ac a mong


,
.
,
.
,
.

A lamann s; in th e 1 1 th c e nt Ci es d ac Gl b la s p rob diffe re n t .


, . . .

a mong B a v a ria n s an d L omb a rd s — IV d ie s M e rcurii p e rh a ps st ill . .


,

Wuota nes tac ? our abstra ct t e rm d iu mi tta wecha a l re ad y in N p s ,


. .

1 —
93 a n d
,
m i ttw oc h a l
G bl a s 76 V die s J e v is D ona res t a c Ton iris
,
. .
1
. .
, ,

t ac N p s 8 0 1 d onresta c Gl bl a s 76
,
. .
,
B urca rd v on W orms 1 9 5 :
.
1
,
. .
1
.
1

quin tam fe ria m in h on ore m J oo is h e n ora ti — VI d ie s V e n eris Fria . .


,

F rige t ag T 2 1 1 1 — VII a t l a st li k e th e R oman c e


'

d ag O v 4 6 ,
. .
,
.
,
.
, . .
,

an d G o th ic a v oiding th e h e a th e nis h d ie s S a t urn i sa mba zta T 68


, g , , .
,

1 N 91
. . sa mizta g N 8 8 4 0
, sunnan d ha nd our s onna b e n d , .
, .
, ,

A n old h e x a me t e r a t t h e e nd of th e e d it ion s of A u s on iu s
1
U n gue s
M ercurio, b a rb a m J e ve, Cy p ride cri n e s ( n a il s on We d n e s d a y, b e a rd o n T h urs d a y,
h air 0 11 F rid ay) .

2
C i e s for Zie s, as th e s ame gl ossi st 8 6 a writ e s gicimb e re an d cin n um .

1
S a mba zolus n p ro p in K araj a n . . .
1 24 G OD S .

a re a d
l y in O . v . 4 9
p rob a bb re via t ion of sunnfi ndage s ab and fe ria
, , .
,

a n t e d omin ica m for v e s e ra s ol is c ann o t h a v e b e e n mean t c on f


p ,
[ .

Engl W hits un e v e ] ; a n d occ a s ion ally c orre sp on din g t o th e Rom


.
-
,

a n c e die s d omin ic a f rdn t ag N p s 2 3 , , . . .

M I D H I GH G E RM — W oul d a n yon e b e lie v e th a t th e n ame s of


.
,

th e d ays of th e w ee k a re n ot e a s ily t o b e p ick e d out of th e a b un


d a n t re ma in s of our M H G l it e ra ture ? It is true sunn en t ac .
,

( sun tac in B erth 1 1 8 ) an d md n ta c ( Parz 4 5 2 1 6 moen ta c 4 9 8 2 2


. .
, .
,
.

A mis a d mit of n o d oubt N eith e r d o D onresta c ( D on e rstag .


,

U olrich 73 D unre st ac B e rth 1


.sp elt D uristag in a Se mi ,
.

Low G e rm u rk of 1 3 0 0 in H e fe r p . a n d D orn sta


.

g in on e of .

1 4 9 5 U se n e rs fe mge rich te n p 1 3 1 ; n or F ri ta c ( P arz 4 4 8 7 4 70


,
. .
, .
,

1. W alth 3 6 3 1 B erth . Vriegta g U olrich 73 ; n or ye t


,
. .
,
1

sa mzta c ( P a rz 4 3 9 2 B e rth sun n en d ben t T st


.

( ri , . .
.

B ut u n c e rta in ty h an gs ab out th e th ird a n d fourth d a ys Th e .

fe rrn e r b ya re mark a bl e v aria tion w a s in B av a ria n a me d E rita c


, , ,

E rcta c (th e t rue form n ot quit e c e rt ain e ritag in A d e lung s va t



.
,

h ss 2 1 8 9
.
,
e rge t ag in B erth 1 22 ; se e e x ampl e s c oll e ct e d from
. .

u rk un d e n Sch m 1 9 6 ,
in Swa bia on th e c on trary Z iesta c for
.
, ,

Z ie w e sta c B oth of th e s e forms wh ich h a v e n oth ing t o d o with


.
,

e a c h oth e r l iv e t o t his d ayin th e sp ee ch of th e c o mmon p e opl e


,

B av ierte A ustr id rta irita Vic e n tin o G e rm eortct orta A l e m


’ ’

-
. . .
.
, , , , ,

z i cstag zi nsta g ziestig sistig zi enstig zein stig zinstag Th e in s e rtion of


, , , , , ,
.

t h e l iqu id h a s c orrupte d th e w ord a n d b rought in quite irre l e v a n t ,

n ot ion s I n c e ntra l G e rman y th e form d iestag tiestag s e ems t o


.
,

p re domin a te (d iestile in th e Rh on ) wh e n c e our dienstag (le ss cor ,

)
re ctlyd in st ag th e re is g ood re a s on for th e i e ; th e sp e l lin g d in g
,

stag a s if from d ing th ing j udicium is fa ls e ; d instag o cc urs in


, , , ,

G aup p s m a d e b r e c h t p 2 72 — T h e fourth d ay I h a v e n e v e r s ee n
g . . .

n a me d a fte r th e go d e ith e r in M H G o r in our mod ern dial e cts ,


.
,

un l e ss in d e e d th e gwontig c it e d in th e n ot e ca n b e j ustifi e d a s

st an ding for q ote nstag Wuot e n stag; e v erywh ere th at abstra e ,

tion mi d w e e k h a s c arrie d all b e fore it but it ha s its el f b e come



,

1 Zuemt ig for gh t p erh aps t o be zue men tig ze


M on day S tald ,
. 2 , 4 70 ou ,
_

man tage ; ye t 1 4 9 0 h e h a s g u e n t i g ue n t i ,
T o b l e r 2 4 8 1 h a s gw on trg , ,
1
,

g u e n tig an d Z e llw e ge rs
,
u rk 1 h
19 g ue n t i f or w h i ch U rk no 14 6 .
, ,
. .

h as an

gut e m t ag wh i ch s ee ms t o b e s upp orte d by H altaus ’
,

h ze itb Or i s on l y t h i s p art i cul a r M on d ay a ft e r L e n t call e d so ? In


j a r .

t h e C od p al 3 72 10 3 ( a n u fi 1 3 8 2 ) w e h av e ot e m t a g Th e re s e mb l a n ce
‘ ’
.
g u .

,
.

o f th i s goo d d ay t o th e We stp h a l i a n G u d e nsd ag ( Wo d e n s d ay ) 15 pure ly


a cci d e n t a l .
1 26 GODS .

(ce n f F red.
) ; t h e fi n a l n in sn e yn n o d oubt ,
a s in O F ris F rige n d e i ,
.
,

a re l ic of th e old ge n s ing in th e w e ak d e cl II moa nd ey III . . . . . .

Tyesd ey IV d .sd ey V Tongersd ey VI F reel, abbre v from


.

. . . . .

F ré d e y . VII . sn iu wn , sn ioun , a bb re v from sinnej uw n =Sun ( d ay)


.

e ve n Con f t e ge nw oordige
. . staa t van Frie sl an d 1 1 2 1 W a s , .

se nb e rgh s b id ragh e n 2 , 5 6 H alb e rtSma n aoogst p 28 1 2 ( se e



.
-
.

S uppl )
N ORTH F RI S I AN — I
II monn en d ei III Tirsd ei . . senn en d e i . . . . .

IV Winsd ei V Titrsd ei VI F rid ei VII sen nin (in e v e n)


. . . . . . . zz .

A N GLe SAXON —I son n a n d eeg -


II mona n deeg I II Tiwes . . . . . .

d aeg . IV Wod en es or d n es d eeg V Thun ores d eeg


. VI ‘
. . . .

F rige d ee g VII S ee tres or Sce tern es d eeg


. . .

OL D NO ERS — I su n n d gr
u a
1
I I mdna da gr III Tyrsd agr . . . . . .
,

Tysd a gr IV Odin sd agr V Thdrsd agr V I F ria dagr F rey


. . . . . .
,

j udagr VII la uga rdagr


. . .

SWE D I S H — I sOn d ag II mdnd ag I I I Tisd ag w h e n ce


'

. . . .
.
,

e v e n Fin n tyst ai IV Onsdag V Thorsd ag VI F red ag


. . . . . . .

VII lOrd ag
'

. .

D AN I S H —I sond ag I l ma nd ay
'

. III Tirsd ag I V 0 ns . . . . . .

d ag V Torsdag VI P red ay VII louerdag (see Suppl )


. . . . . . .

We se e , it is
s e v e nth d ay th at th e Scandi nav ian on ly in th e
n ame s d e p art from th e S ax on Fris ian and D utch : laugardagr ,

me an s b ath d ay b e c aus e p e opl e b a th e d a t th e e n d of th e w e e k


-
.

Ye t e v e n h e re th e re mayb e s o me c on n e x ion a L a tin p oe m of th e


9 th c e n t ury on th e b a ttl e of F ont e n a y ( B ou qu e t 7 3 0 4) h as th e ,

s ingul ar v e rs e : Sa bba tum n on illud fuit se d Sa turn i d oliu m a ,

d e v il s b ath ? c onf ch XII S a t urn [The Ge rm for carn age is



. . . .
,

b l utb a d bl ood b a th ] ,
-

Ev e n if th e G e rman s from th e e arl ie st time s k ne w th e w e e k of


s e v e n d ays f om t e our p as e s of th e lun ar ch ang e ye t th e
r h f h 2
,

This ON sunnudagr i s n ot ice ab l e , a s in oth e r ca s e s $ 61 is u s e d rat h e r th an


1
.

sunna sun n udagr se e ms t o h a ve b ee n forme d b yth e christ i an t e ach e rs in i mi ta


t i on of th e oth e r Teu t on i c l an guage s Th e S w e d and Dan son dag (i n st ead of . . .

sold ag) must h a v e b e e n t a k e n b od i l yfrom a P l a tt d e u ts ch form .

2
To t h e La t w ord vi x , ge n vi cis ( ch a n g e , t urn ) corre sp on d s , w ith out th e
. .

u s ua l con s on a n t ch an g e , th e G ot h i c uiho, OH G w ech a a n d W eh sa l, b ot h re fe r


‘ '

-
.

a b l e t e t h e v e rb v e ika, vaik, OH G w i ch u ( I g iv e w a y ) , b e caus e ch an ge i s a .

g ivi n g w ay[in G e rman , d e r w e ch s e l ist e in w e i ch e n U lp h h a s vi k e on l y .

bnue p ia r i s t ra n sl a t e d in rikdn kunj is it



o n ce , Lu 1 , 8 , w h e re 811 7 3 } e age rrfis e q


.

is e vi d e n tl ys ome th i n g more t h an regi s h e re , i t e xp re ss e s a t th e s ame t i me a p a rt


of th e ge n e t r uep i a s, th e re fore lit in nice g e n e ris which th e V ulg ren d e rs
’ ‘ ’

qy . . .
GODS OF TH E W EE K . 127

na min g of th e d a ys a nd th e ord e r in w h ich th e y st and is manife stly


a n imp ort a t ion from a b roa d On th e c on t rary s u pp os it ion th e re .
,

w oul d h av e b e e n v ariat ion in d e ta ils ; a n d Saturn for wh om n o ,

T eut on ic god s ee ms p re p are d to st a nd sp on s or w oul d h a v e b ee n l e ft ,

out in th e c ol d .

B ut it l e ss abs urd t o attribut e th e in trodu ction of


w oul d be no

t h e w e e k a n d th e n ame s of th e d ays t o th e Ch rist ian s A s th e y .

c ame int o v ogue among th e h e ath en R oman s th e y c oul d j ust ,

a s w e ll amon g h e a th e n G auls a n d G e rma n s n a y c on s id e rin g ,

th e l iv e ly int erc ours e b e tw e e n th e th re e n ation s a ra p id ,

diffus ion is alt og e th e r n a tural 1


Ch rist ian ity h ad th e J e w ish w e e k ,

a nd it t ol e rat e d n a me s wh ich w e re a fre qu e n t offe n c e t o it bu t w e re


a l re a d y t oo d ee ply roo t e d a n d c ou l d only b e p art ia lly d isl od g e d


,
.

Th o s e w ord s of G re gory re v e al th e u tt e r av e rs ion of th e cl e rgy ,

wh ich c ome s out still more pl ainly in th e l an guage (p ubl in Syn .

t agma d e b a ptis mo p 1 9 0 ) of a n Ic e l an d ic b ish op in 1 1 0 7 w h o


,
.
,

a ctua lly d id a w a y w ith th e m in I c e l a n d a n d re pl a c e d th e m by ,

mere nu me ric n ame s H o w s h ould th e ch ristian t e a ch e rs e v e r h av e


.

s u ffe re d h at e ful n ame s of id ols t o b e h an d e d ov e r t o th e ir re c en t


c onve rts for d a ily u se unl e ss th e y h ad al re a d y b e e n long e st abl ish e d
,

a mon g th e p eopl e A n d in G e rma n y h ow sh oul d th e L a t in g od s ,

h av e b e e n allowe d to ge t tra n sl at e d in t o Ge rman on e s as if on p ur ,

p os e t o p ut th e m with in e a sy rea ch of th e p e opl e h ad th e y n ot ,

a lre a d y b een fa mili ar w ith th e m for c e n t urie s

A g ain th e h igh a nt iq uity of th e s e t ra n sl a t ion s is fully e st abl ish


,

e d by t h e ir e x a ct a cc ord a n c e w ith th e t e rminol ogy u s e d in t h e fi rst

c e nturie s a s s oon as p e opl e c ame t o turn G e rma n god s int o R oman


,
.

I n my op inion n ame s

th e in t rod u ction of th e s e v e n d ays
,

b y in o rdi n e v icis

N e w w h e th e r vik6 e xp re ss e d t o th e G ot h s t h e a lt e rn a
t i on of t h e moon s qu art ers w e d o n ot k n ow for ce rt ai n I i n cl i n e t o b e l i e v e

,

it, as th e OH G w eh a w e e l i a, A S w ice , w u ee , ON v ik a , S w e d v e ck a , Da n
.
, . . . .

uge , a re a ll li mi t e d t o th e on e mea n i n g of s e pti man a Th e v e rya b s e n ce of con .

s on an t ch ange p oi n ts to a h i gh an t i qui tyin th e w ord It i s re ma rk ab l e th at


-
.

t h e J a v an e s e e uku me an s a s e ct i on of t ime t h e e a r fa ll i n g i n t o 3 0 y uk us
, y
( H umb K a w isp r 1 ,
. Th e F inn W ij kko i s more l i ke l y t o h a v e b e e n
. .

b orrow e d from t h e N ors e t h an from so fa r b a ck a s t h e G ot h ic I re mark .

furt h e r t h a t an ob s e rv a n ce byt h e G e rman i o f s e ct ion s o f t i me mu st b e i n fe rre d


,

your th e me re fact t h a t certi d ies w e re fix e d for t h e s a crifi ce s t o M e rcur


{ y, Ta o .

m

er . 9 .

J os F uch s , ge sch v on M ain z 2 2 7 seq ( Ku fe rt 4 n o 7) d e s crib e s a


1
p
. . .
, .

Roman roun d a lt a r, p rob of th e 3 rd or 4 th ce n t ur on w h i ch are carv e d th e


y, .

s e v en god s of t h e w e e k ( 1 Sa t urn , 2 A p oll o, 3 D ian a, 4 M ars , 5 M ercury, 6


J up rte r, 7 V e n us) , an d in an 8 th pl ace a g e ni us .
128 G OD S .

a mongst us mu st b e pl a c e d a t l at e st in th e fourth or fi fth c e n t ury


i t mayn ot h av e t ak e n pl a c e s imultan e ou sly in all p arts of Te ut on
de m .

ca ught in a n a t ura l d e l us ion b egan e arly t o


Our fore fa th e rs, ,

s n ame s t o th e n a t iv e g od s o f

a sc rib e th e origin of th e s e v e n d a y

th eir fa th e rl a n d —Willia m of M alme sb ury re l a tin g th e arriv al Of


.
,

t h e S a x on s in B rit ain s ays of H e ng ist a n d H ors a th a t th e y w e re


, ,

sprung from th e n obl e st a n c e stry : E rant e nim a bn ep ot e s ill in s


a n t i u issimi Vod en
q d e q u e om n iu
,
m p e n e b a rb a raru m g e n t iu m
re giu m g e n u s li n e a m t ra h it qu e mqu e g e n t e s A n glorum d eu m e ss e
,

d e l ira n t e s e i qua rtum die m s e ptiman ae e t sextu m u x ori ej u s F rea e


, ,

p erp e tu e a d h oc t e mp u s conse craverunt s a cril egio ( Sa vil e 1 6 0 1 p . .


M ore c ircumst a n tially G e offre y of M on mouth (lib 6 e d 1 5 8 7
, . . .
,

p 4 3 ) mak e s H e n gist say to V ortig ern : I ngre ss i sumus maria


.
,

re gn u m t uu m d u c e M ercu ri o p e t ivimu s A d n ome n it aque M er .

cu rii e re ct o v ult u re x in q u irit cuj usmo di re li ion e m h a b e re n t ? cui


g
H e ngistus : d e os p a trie s S a turnum a tque ce t e ros qui mun dum , ,

g u b e rn a n t colimus ma x ime M ercurium a s in Ta c


, , ( quem Woden .

l ingua n ostra ap p e ll a mus H uic ve te re s n ostri dicave runt qua rtum


.

s e ptiman a e fe riam qu ae u squ e in h odie rnum die m n ome n Wod en es


,

d a i d e n omin e ip sius s ortit a e st Post illum colimu s d eum int er .

ce t e ra s p ote n t issima m cu i e t dicav e r un t senta m fe riam qu a m d e


, ,

n omin e ej u s F red a i v o ca mu s — A s M a tth e w of W e st min st e r (Fl ore s


.
,

ed .1 6 0 1 p 8 2 ) v arie s in s o me d e t a ils his w ord s may als o b e


,
.
,

in s e rte d h e re : Cumqu e t an d e m in p rae s e n tia re gis (V ortige rni)


e sse n t con stituti qua e sivit ab e is q uam fi d e m qu am religion e m
, , ,

p a tre s corum coluisse n t ? cui H e ngistus : d eos p a trios scil ic e t ,

S a turn u m J orem a tqu e ce te ros qui mun d um gub e rn a n t colimu s


, , , ,

ma x ime a u tem M ercuriu m qu e m l in gu a n ostra Vod en ap p e llamu s


, .

H uic p a tre s n ostri v e te re s d e dica v e run t quartam fe riam s e ptiman a e ,

qu a e in h un c h odie rnum die m Vod en esd a yap p ellatur Po st illum .

colimu s d e am in t e r ce t e ra s p ot e n tissima m v oca b ulo F rea m c uj u s , ,

v ocab ulo F rid a y ap p e lla mus Fre a ut volunt quid am id e m e st


.

quod Ven us e t dicitur Fre a qua s i Fre a a fre de s [A fre d ite


, ,
from - -

froth qu od e st sp uma maris d e qua n ata e st Ve n u s s e cu n dum,

fab ul a s un d e id e m d ie s a p p ellat ur dies Ven eris A ngl e S a x on


,
.
- -

l e g e n d th e n u n c on c ern e d at th e j umbl ing of fore ign an d h ome spun


,

fab l e h a s n o d oubt a t all a b out the h igh an tiquity of th e name s


,

a mon g its p e opl e .


13 0 G OD S .

do n otc oun t wh il e th e E sth onian s again mostly d o (see Suppl )


,
.

E v e n th e christian izing in flu e n c e of B y z an tium d e cid e d n oth in g on


this p oin t ; B yzantium h ad n o infl ue n ce ov e r Lithu an ian s an d Finn s ,

a n d h a d it e v e r a p art on ly of t h e Sl a v s Th e s e in th e ir c oun tin g .

b egin with M onday a s th e first d aya ft er re st c on s e qu e n tly Tue s


, ,

d a yis th e ir s e c on d a n d Th urs d a y th e ir fourth alt oge th e r d e v ia ting


1
, ,

from th e L a tin an d Ic e l an dic re ck oning whi ch ma k e s M on d a y s e c on d ,

a n d Th urs d a y fi fth H e n c e th e Sl av ic p iat e k ( fi fth ) me an s Frid a y


.
,

a n d th a t Up Ge rm p fi n ztag ( fi fth ) Th urs d a y


. W e d n e s d a y th e y
. .

call midd l e sre d a s e re d a srid a (wh e n c e L ith s e rra d a ) wh ich may


, , ,
.
,

h a v e a ct e d up on our H igh G e rman n ome n cl a ture th e Finn s t oo


h av e keskiwij clco (h al f we e k from k e sk i me dium) It w oul d b e w e ll -
, .

w orth fi n ding out wh e n an d for wh at re a s on th e H igh Ge rman an d


,

th e Sl a v fi rst introdu c e d th e ab stra ct n ame s mitt e w och e an d sre d a

( B oh stie d a) w hil e th e LOW G erman an d th e R oman c e h a v e k e pt


.
,

t o W od e n a n d M e rcury A l on e of Sl av s th e W e n d s in Lii n e burg .


,

sh ow a t ra ce of n aming a fte r a god ; d ie s J ovis w as w ith th e m


P ercu d a n from P ere n P e run th u n d e r god : a pp are n tly a me re
, , ,
-

imita t ion of th e Ge rman a s in all th e oth e r d ays th e y a gree w ith ,

2
th e re st of th e Sl a v s .

Th e n e tt re sult of th e s e c on s id e ra tion s is th a t in L a tin re c ord s , ,

d e a l in g with G e rmany a n d h e r g od s w e are wa rran t e d in in t e rp re t ,

ing with th e gre a t e st p rob ab il ity M ercurius a s W uot an J up iter a s


, , ,

D on ar an d M a rs a s Z iu
,
Th e g od s of th e d ays of th e w e e k .

t ran sl a te d in to Ge rman are an e xp e rime n t on Tacituss interp re tatio ’

Roman a ’
.

E g in Russia n 1 , voskre sé n ie , re surre ction ( but O Sl n e -d é l i a n o


1
. .
. .
,

d oin g ) 2 , p o n e d é l n ik
.

d ay a ft e r n o w ork
-
3 , v t ornik , s e con d d a y 4 ,
,
- -
. .

s e re d a midd l e 5 , ch e tvérg, fourth d ay 6 , p ratn itsa, fi fth d ay 7, sub t a ,


, . . .

sa bba th TR A N s
.
~

2
It is stri k i n g, th at in O B oh e m gl o ss arie s ( H an k a 54 1 6 5 ) M e rcury, . . .

V e n u s an d S a tu rn a re qu ot e d in th e o rd e r o f th e i r d a s of th e w e e k a n d th a t
y
a n yS l a v d e i t i e s t h a t h a v e b e e n i d e n t ifi e d w i t h L a t i n on e s a re a l mo st s u re t o

b e of th e n umb e r o f t h os e th a t p re s i d e o v er t h e w e e k A n d w h i lst of th e S l a v .

god s, Se a tooi t an sw ers t o M ars ( Zin ) , Ra diga st t o M e rcury (Wuot an ) , P erun t o


J up i t e r ( D on ar) , L a da ( g ol d e n d ame z ole t a b ab a, in H an usch 2 4 1 , t o V e nu s
,

( Fri a ) , a n d p e rh aps Si tivra t t o S a t urn t h e n a me s of th e pl an e ts a re con st ru e d


qu i te oth e rw i s e , M a rs bySmrto n os ( le tifer) , M e rcuryb yD obro p a n ( go od l ord - -
,

or ra th e r b on oru m d a t or J i b K moc (re x p e t e n s) , V e n u s b y Cti te l


), pu t e r y ra le - ~

( cup it or ve n e ran d us S a turn b yH la do-let (fame licus, or an n on ae carita te m


a ffe re n s) Re sp e ctin g Sitivrat I g iv e d e t a i ls at th e e n d of ch XI I
.
. .
CH A PTE R V I I .

lVU OTA N , W OD A N ( OD INN) .

THE h igh e st th e s upre me d iv in ity un iv e rs all y h on oure d a s we


, , ,

h a v e a right t o a ssume a mong all T eut onic rac e s w o ul d in th e


, ,

G oth ic dia l e ct h av e b e e n c all e d Vdd a ns ; h e w a s c all e d in OH G .

Wu ota n a word which als o a pp e a rs th ough rare ly a s th e n ame of a


, , ,

man : Wu ota n T rad Ful d 1 1 4 9 2 1 0 1 5 8 1 28 1 5 8 1 6 1 Woa ta n


'
- -
. . . . . . .
, , ,

2 14 6 1 5 2
, , Th e L ong ob ard s sp e lt it d
. a n o r Gu Od a n th e Old ,

S a x on s Wu od a n d a n but in W e stph ali a ag ain w ith th e g p re fix e d


, , ,

Gudda n Gu d a n th e A n gl o Sa x on s d
, , en th e F ris ia n s Wéd a from
-
,

th e p rop e n s ity of th e ir d ial e ct t o d rop a fi n al n an d t o modi fy 6 ,

e v e n wh e n n ot foll ow e d by a n i
1
Th e Nors e form is Odinn in .
,

Sa x o Othinus in th e F aro e isl e s Ouuin ge n Ouv a n s acc Gu v an


, ,
.
,
. .

Up in th e G ris on s c oun try— an d from th is w e mayin fe r th e e xt e n t


t o wh ich th e n ame w as d iffu s e d in Upp e r G e rmanv— th e R oma n c e
dial e ct h a s c aught th e t erm Vu t from Al aman ns or B urgun di an s of
a v e ry e a rly t ime a n d re t a in e d it t o this d a i n th e s en s e of id ol
, y ,

fals e god 1 Cor 8 , (se e Suppl ) .


,
.

It can sc arc e ly b e d oubt e d th at th e w ord isimme d iat e ly d e riv e d


from th e v e rb OH G w a ta n w uot ON o a da dd s ig nifying me are ;
‘ “

.
,
.
, ,

t ran sme a re cum imp e t u fe rri but n ot id e n tic al with Lat v a d e re a s


, ,
.
,

t h e l a tt e r h as th e a lon g a n d is more l ik ely c onn e ct e d w ith OS ,


.

gavitan A S ge w itan
,
From w a t an c ome s th e s ubst wu ot (our
. . .

w uth fury ) a s ne vo e an d a nimu s p rop e rly me an men s ing e ni um


, , , ,

a n d th e n also imp e t uos ity w il d n e ss t h e ON d dr h a s k e pt t o th e


,
.

1
A F ris ian god Wa rn s h as s impl y b e e n in v e n t e d from th e ge n in t h e .

com e nn d Warn sd e i, We rn sd e i ( Rich th p w h e re We rn s pl ai n l y


.

. .

stan s for We d e ns, Wod e n s, an r b e in g p u t for d to av oi d ee t I On wrth


th e s ucce e d in g sd i t w ill b e h ard to fi n d a n ywh e re a n om e rn A n d th e
pre s en t We st F risians say Wansd ey, th e N orth F ris i an s Wmsd er, wrth out
.

W .

s uch r
C onrad is w orterb 2 63 C hristmann , pp 3 0 —3 2
.

1
. . . .
132 WOD AN .

on e me anin g of s en sus A cc ording t o th is Wuota n


me n s or .
1
, ,

Odinn w oul d b e th e all p owe rful all p e n e tratin g b e ing qui omnia -
,
-
,

p e rme at ; a s Lu c an s ays of J up it er : E st qu od cun qu e vide s quo ,

c un que move ris th e sp irit ge d ; c on f Virg G eorg 4 22 1 : D eum


,
z -
. . .
,

ire p e r omn e s t e rra s a n d E cl 3 6 0 : J ovis omn ia pl e n a


,
I n th e .
, .

p op ul ar l an guage of B av aria wueteln is t o b e stir on e s e lf t o swarm , , ,

grow lu xurian tly th rive Schm 4 2 0 3 ( se e S uppl )


, , .
, .

H ow e arly th is origina l me an ing may h a v e got obscure d or


e xtin gui sh e d it is imp oss ibl e t o say
,
T oge th e r with th e me anin g .

o f w is e a n d migh ty god th a t of th e w il d re stl e ss v e h e me n t mu st


, , , ,

a ls o h av e p re v a il e d e v e n in th e h e a th e n t ime
,
Th e ch rist ian s w e re .

t h e b e tt e r pl e a s e d th a t th e y c oul d b rin g th e b ad s e n s e in t o p romin


,

e n c e out of th e n a me its e l f I n th e ol d e st gl oss e s wdta n is p u t for.


,

t y rann u s h e rus mal u s D iu t 1 2 76


,
1
gl K e r 2 70 ; so witeterich
,
.
,
1
. . .
,

wuteri ch ( Gramm 2 5 1 6) is u s e d l at e r on an d d own t o th e p re s e n t


.
, ,

d ay c onf e in u nge stue me r wii e te rich B en 4 3 1 ; a s in M ar 2 1 7


,
.
,
. . .

H e rod s me ss e ng e rs of murd e r are wii e t e rich e O i 1 9 1 8 n ame s th e



. .
, ,

k ing h ims e l f gotewuoto Th e form wuotun c s e e ms n ot to d iffe r in.

s e n s e ; a n unp rint e d p oe m of th e 1 3 th c e n tury s a ys W ii etunge s ‘

3
th e h ost le d a s it w e re by

pp tly for th e w ut e n d e e e
h

h e r a are n r ,

W u otan ; a n d l/Vuotun c is lik e wis e a man s n ame in OH G We d un c


’ ‘
.
, ,

Tra d p at av n o 1 9 Th e forme r divinity w a s d e gra d e d int o a n e vil


. . . . ,

fi en dish blood thirsty b e ing and a pp e ars t o li v e ye t a s a form of


, ,

prot e st a tion or cursing in e xcl ama tion s of th e Low G erman p e opl e ,

a s in W e stph ali a : O W e n d a n W ou d a n ! F irme n ich 1 25 7 260 ; , , ,

a n d in M e ckl e n b urg : W e d W e d ( see Supp l ) ,


.

P roofs of th e ge n eral e xt e n s ion of W od e n s w orship p re s e n t ’

th ems e l v e s for on e thing in th e p a ss age s c oll e ct e d in th e p re c e ding


, ,

ch apt er on M ercurius an d a gain in th e te stimon ie s of J on a s of


,

B obb ie ( pp 5 6 a n d 1 2 1 ) a n d P aul us D ia c on u s an d in th e A b re
.
,

n u ntiatie wh ich d e s erv e s t o b e st u die d more cl o s e ly a n d l a stly in th e


, ,

c on curre n c e of a n umb e r of is ol a t e d fa cts wh ich I b e lie v e h av e ,

hi th e rt o b e e n o v e rl ook e d .

I f w e a re t o sum up in b rie f th e a ttrib ut e s of thi s god h e is th e ,

1 A w ord th a t h a s n e v er b een full ye xpl ain e d , G oth vab is d u l cis , 2 Cor 2 , . .

1 5 , OH G wuodi, D i ut 2 , 3 0 4 1 , OS wuothi , H e l 3 6 , 3 140 , 7, A S w éOe, must


’ ‘

. . . . . .

e i th e r b e re ga rd e d a s wh o ll
yu n con n e ct e d , or i ts me an in g b e h armoni z e d ;
2
F i nn M agn usen come s t o th e s ame con cl u s i on , Le x myth 6 2 1 6 3 6 . . . .

3 Th e b e li e f so common in th e M id A g e s , in a furi ous h e st o r w il d


‘ ’ ‘
.
,

h un t , i s d e s cri be d in ch XXXI — TR A N S

. . .
1 34 W OD AN .

sh oul d me an S ax e n e s ? H e it is true may h av e me an t th os e , ,

a cqu ain t e d with Roma n myth ol ogy .

Esp e cially d oe s th e re mark abl e l e ge n d p re s erv e d by P aulu s


Dia c on u s 1 8 Sh ow t h a t it is W od a n wh o d isp enses victory t o wh om
, ,

th e re fore ab ov e all oth e r god s th a t an tiqu e n ame sihora (p 2 7)


, , .

right fully b e l ongs a s w e ll a s in t h e E dd a s th e e p ith e ts S igty


,
r ( god

o f vict ory) Seem 2 4 8 Sn 9 4 S ig/


,
Odr (fa th e r of v ict ory) S eem 6 8
.
1
,
.
, ,
.
a

A S vigsigor ( vict or in b a ttl e ) B e ow 3 1 0 7 sigmetod ( cre a t or of


. , .
,

victory) B e ow 3 5 5 4 (se e Su p p l ) — Re fe rt h oc l o c o an tiquita s ridi


, . .

cula m fab ulam qu od a cce d e n t e s W a n d a li a d Wod a n victoria m d e


, ,

Winilisp ostu la verint ille qu e re sp on d erit se illis victoria m d a ta ra m


, , ,

u s p rimum ori en te sole con sp e x isse t T u n c acce ssisse G a mb a ram


q e .

a d F rea m u x ore m Wod a n e t W inili s victori a m p ost ula s


,
se F re a m , ,

q u e c on s il iu m d e disse W iniloru m mulie re s solut e s c rin e s e rg a


,

facie m ad b arb ae similitu d in e m comp on e re n t mun equ e p ri mo cum


v iris ad e ssen t se se qu e a Wod a n vid e nd as p arit e r e re gion e qua
, ,

ill e p e r fe ne stra m orie n t e m v e rs u s e ra t s olitu s ad sp ice re c oll oc a ,

re n t a tq u e it a fa ct um fuiss e Q ua s cum Wod a n con sp ice re t orien te .

s ol e d ixi sse : qui s un t isti Langob ardi ? t un c F rea m subj un x isse


, ,

u t quib u s n ome n t ribu e ra t vi ctori a m cond on a ret sicq u e W in ili s , ,

Wod a n victoriam con ce ssisse H ere d ea con P aul a s a good chris .


,

tian d rops th e remark : H a e c risu d igna s un t e t p ro nihil o h ab e nda


, ,

Victoria e nim n e n p ote stati e st ad tributa h ominum se d e c oel e ,

o t iu s m in i st ra t ur ; an d th e n a dd s a more e x a ct in t e rp re t a tion of
p
t h e n ame Le ngob ard : Ce rtum tame n e st Longe b ard os ab in t actae
fe rro b arb ae l ongitudi n e cum p rimitus Winili d ioti fuerint ita , ,

p o stm e d u m a pp e lla t os N am j u xt a ill orum lin u a m l a ng lon a m


g .
g ,

b art b arb am signifi cat Wod a n s ane qu e m a dj ecta l ite ra Gwod a n .


,

dix e runt e t a b u n iversis Germa n ia c gen tibus ut d e u s ad ora tur qui


, ,

n e n c irc a h ae c t e mp e ra se d l ong e a n t e rius n e c in Ge rma ni a se d in


, , ,

G rae cia fuiss e p e rh ib e tur 1 .

Th e wh ol e fa bl e b e ars th e st amp of h igh antiquity it h a s e v e n


b ee n re l at e d by oth e rs b e fore P aul an d with v ariation s as in th e , ,

H ist Fran ce r e p itomat a wh ich h a s for its au th or th ough n ot F re


. .
, ,

d eg ar ye t s ome writ er of th e s e v e n th c e nt u ry
, H e re Ch uni .

1
G odfreyof Vit erb e (in Pist orius e d S truv e 2 3 0 5 ) h as th e l ege n d out of ,
.
,
P au l D ia c w it h th e n ame s corrupt e d Goda m for Wo d an F eria for Fre a
.
, , .

G od a m or V e tam s e ts h im thi nkin g of th e G erm word got ( d eus) Th e . .

u n h e ard of Tocla cus hist oriograp h us h as e vid e n tl ysprun g out of h oc lo co


- ’

in Paul .
WOD AN .
13 5

( H un s) me d inst e a d of Va nd als z— Cum a Ch unis ( L ang o


a re na

b ardi) D anubium tran s eun t e s fuiss e n t ce mp erti e is b e llum c ona ti ,

s un t in fe rre I nt errog ati a Ch un is quare g e n s e orum t e rmine s


.
,

in tre ire p rae sume re t ? A t ill i muli e rib us s uis p ra ecip iun t comanr ,

c ap itis a d max ill as e t me ntum l igare qu e p otius vi rorum h abitum ,

simulan t e s p lu rimam mult itu din e m h ostium ost e n d e re n t e o qu od ,

e ra n t mulie rum c omae circ a ma x ill a s e t me n tum a d in st ar b arb a e

v a l de longa e : fe rtur d e sup e r ut rae que p h alangae v e x d ix isse : hi ‘

s un t La ngob ardi quod ab his g e ntib us fertur c orum d eu m fuiss e


locutum que m fan at ic i n omin a nt Wod a n u m ( al Wisod an o a me re
,
.
,

c opyist s orre a d er s e rror for W u od an e ) Tun e Langob ardi cum cla


’ ’
.

ma ss e n t qui instit ue rat n ome n con céd eret victoria m in h e c p ra elio


, , ,

Ch un os sup e ra nt(B ou qu e t 2 4 0 6 a cc ording to P e rtz all the M S S


.
, , .

re a d Wod a n o n th is a cc ou n t Fre a a n d h e r a d vic e a re n owh e re


) I .
,

th e v oic e of th e god giving t h e n a me is h e ard u p in th e air


, , .

It w a s th e cust om for anyon e w h o b e stow e d a n ame t o foll ow ,

it up w ith a gi ft 1
W od a n fe lt h ims e lf b oun d t o c on fe r the v ict ory
.

o n th os e for wh om h e h a d foun d a n e w n a t io n al n ame I n th is .

c on sist e d th e fav our of fortun e for th e p e opl e in d re ss ing up th eir , ,

w iv e s a s me n h ad th ought of n oth ing but sw elli ng th e app are n t


,

n umb e rs of th e ir w arriors I nee d scarc ely re mind th e re ad er th at


.
,

th is myth ica l in t e rpre tation of th e L omb ard n ame is a false on e ,

for all th e cre dit it foun d in th e M id A g e s 2


. .

Th e re is on e more fe a ture in th e l e g e n d th a t mu st n ot e sc ap e
o ur n ot ic e W od a n from his h e av e nly d w elling looks d own on the
.

ea rth through a win d ow wh ich e x a ctly agre e s w ith ON d e scrip ,


.

t ion s Q 5inn h as a th rone n ame d H li dslcia lf s itting on wh ich h e


.
,

ca n s urve y th e W h ol e w orl d an d h e a r all th a t goe s on a mon g


,

me n bar e r e in n st aOr e r H liOscialf h eitir oc b ae r Q 5 inn se ttiz ,

d a lla heima oc vi ss i all a l uti


b a r i h as ee ti 0 0 pa s h,
a nn o
f , ,

p a e r h a n n s e ( th e re is a st e a d th a t H h ight a nd wh e n 0 .
,
.

sa t th e re on h igh s eat th e n saw h e ov e r all c ountrie s and


-
, ,

wist ,
Sn 1 0 0 0 pa e r A llfo5 r sitr i bv i see ti pa ser ha nn o]
. .
,

a lla n heim Sn 2 1 , hlusta r (l iste n s) O5 1nn H li5 scialfo i Seem


. .
,
.

1
L ate fylgj a n afni, S ee m 1 4 23 15 0 1 F ornm se g 3 , 18 2 20 3 .
ge fa at . . . . . .

n afnf e st i ( n a me -fe ast S n 15 1 F ornm se g 2 , 5 1 3 , 1 3 3 20 3


. I sle n d s6 g
. . . . . . . .

V oca uli largition e m mun e ris a d dition e comme n d are , S a x o


a, 14 3 194
. .

ra m 7 1
. .

2
L on gob ardi a l on gis barbis vocitati, Ott o fris d e ge st Frid 2, 13 B ut . . . .

OiSinn h ims e l f w a s n ame d Ld ngba rbr


.
136 W OD AN .

W h e n Lok i wan te d to h ide it w a s from this s e at th at O5 inn e spie d


'

his wh e reab outs Sn 6 9 Some time s a ls o Frigg h is c on s ort is


,
. .
, ,

imagin e d sittin g by his s ide a nd th e n Sh e e nj oys t h e s ame p ro sp e ct ,

Q 5inn ok Frigg sato i H li5 scialfo ok sd um heima a lla Seem 3 9


. .
, ,

Th e p roe m t o th e Grimnismal b e ars a stron g re s e mbl an c e t o th e


l e gen d in Paul ; for j ust as Fre a p ulls h er fa v ourite s th e Winili ,

through in opp os ition t o W od an s own re s ol v e so Frigg b rings to


,

grie f Ge irrO5 r wh om Q 5 in n favoure d — Se n suou s p agan ism h ow


, ,

e v e r mak e s th e go d li k e a ttribu t e of o v e rs e e in g a ll th ings d e p e n d


,
-

on th e p os ition or stru ct ure o f a p a rticul a r c h a ir a n d a s th e ,

gift fors ak e s th e god wh e n h e d oe s n ot o ccup y th e s e at oth ers can ,

e nj oy th e p rivil e ge by t ak in g his pl a c e Th is w as th e c a s e wh e n .

F re yr s p ie d th e b e autiful G er5 r aw ay d own in I Otunh e im Fre y r


haf d i setse i H li5 skialf e c sd u m heima a lla Seem 8 1 Sn 3 9 Th e
, , . . . .

w ord hli dscia lf s e e ms t o me an lit e rally d oor— b en ch from h li5


( o st ium c on f E n gl lid) an d skia lf


,
.
( scam n u m ) A S .scy lfe Cee d m , ,
.
, .

79 4 ,
E ngl s h e l f (se e Supp l ) M ark th e l anguag e in w h ich th e
. . .

OS p oe t d e scrib e s th e A sc e n sion of Ch rist : sOh t a imo thena héla gon


.

stdl sit it imo th ar a n th e a suid re n (right ) h al f G ode s e n d i tha n a n


, ,

a ll gisihi t ( s e e th ) w ald a n d e o Crist s6 h u a t s6 wh ats o) thius w e rold


( ,

b eh ab é t H el 1 76 4 7 c onf Ceedm 2 6 5 1 6
, ,
-
, . .
, .

This ide a of a s e at in th e sky from wh ich God l ooks on the ,

e arth is n ot y ,
e t e xt in ct a mon g our p e opl e Th e s ittin g on t h e .

right h and is in t h e B ibl e but n ot t h e l ookin g d own Th e , .

formul a s qui h aut s ie t e t d e l oing mire qui h aut s ie t e t ,

l oin s v oit (s up ra p 2 3 ) are n ot c as e s in p oin t for me n


, .
,

e v e rywh e re h a v e th ou ght of th e D e ity a s th ron e d o n h igh a nd

s e e in g far around Z e us also s its on I d a an d l ooks on at mort al


.
,

me n ; h e rul e s from I d a s t op 1 87796 11 u e becov e v e n as H e lios th e ’ ” '

, , , ,

ey e of th e sun surve v s a n d disc e rn s all th ings 11 3 2 77


,
B ut a , .
, .

wid e ly circul ate d march e n te lls usof a mortal ma n wh om St P e te r


-
,
.

a d mitt e d in t o h ea v e n an d wh o le d on by curio sity e n d e d by , , ,

cl imbin g in to th e cha ir qf the Lord f rom w hich one ca n look d ow n ,

a n d see a ll th a t is d on e on the w hole e a rth H e s e e s a Wash e rwoma n .


.


st e a l tw o l ady s v eils an d in his a ng er s e iz e s the f ootstool of the ,

L ord whi ch st a n d s b e fore th e ch air (al a cha i r s leg) a n d h urls it


, .
,

d own a t th e th ie f 1 To s u ch l e ngth s h a st h e an cie nt fabl e tra v e ll e d


. .

Kin d e rmarch e n F irst in B e b e l , e d 1 , Tub 15 0 6 , p 6 F re ys



1 ’
no . 35 . . . . .

gart e n ge s ells ch aft cap 10 9, e d 1 5 5 6 p 10 6 , e d 15 90 p 8 5 Rollwagenb uchle in


. . . . . .

1 5 90 , pp 98 -9 (h e re a g ol d e n se ttl e )
. M Osers v ermis ch t e s ch rift e n 1, 3 3 2 2 , . .
138 W OD AN .

Th e m t ot al of w e ll b e ing an d bl e ss e d ne ss the ful ne ss of all


su -
,

grac e s s eems in our a n cie nt l angu ag e t o h a v e b e e n e xp re ss e d by a


,

singl e w ord wh os e me an ing h as sin c e b e e n n arrow e d d ow n it w a s


,

n a me d w un sch ( w ish ) Th is w ord is prob ably d erive d from w unj a


.
,

w un nj a our w onn e bl iss ; w un isc w un sc p e rfe ction in wh at e v e r


, , , ,

k ind wh a t w e sh oul d c all th e I d e al Th u s E r 1 6 99 d er w unsch


,
,
.
, .

w as an ir g arw e ; wish w a s in h e r c ompl e t e I w 3 991 d a z mir d e s .


w un sch e s n ih t ge b ra st n ou ght of wish w a s w an tin g ; I w 6 4 6 8 , .

d e r rat d e s d e r wun sch an wib e g e rt s u ch store as wish can


’ ’

, ,

crav e in wife ; Gerb 1 75 4 an d e r got wun sch e s n ih t verga z in


,
.

wh om G od n ough t of w ish forgot (l e ft out) ; P arz der .

wun sch w irt in b e id e n Trist 3 71 0 dir ist d e r w un sch g e g e b en ; .


F re ue n d 8 7 d e r w un sch v o n e d le m ob z e, th e p ick of nobl e fruit



.

Parz 2 5 0 2 5 e rd e n wu n sch e s rich e rich in all gifts of th e e arth


.
, ,

2 3 5 2 4 e rd e n wu n sch e s ii b e rw al Trist 4 6 96 4 74 6 d e r w un sch



- .
.
, ,

v on w ort e n vo n b luome n Trist 1 3 74 in d e m w un sch e sw eb e n ‘ ’


.
, ,

i e in p e rfe ct s a tis fa ction


. .
,
A n d th e magic w an d by wh os e imp a ct .
,

t re a s ure s are a cquire d w as a wunschi ligerta w ishing — rod c onf


, , .

P arz 2 3 5 22 W urz e l und e ris d e s Wunsch e s root an d sp ray of


.
,


,

w ish Th e ( s e c on d ary ) me anin g of


. d e s iring an d l onging for
th e s e p erfe ction s w oul d s ee m t o h a v e but a ccid e n tally att a ch e d
its e l f t o t h e w unsc ON 6 sk ( se e S upp l )
:

,
. .

A mon g oth e r E d die n ame s of O5 inn ap p earS Osci Seem 4 6 11 ‘

. .
, ,

Sn 3 2 4 i e h e w h o ma k e s me n p art ak e rs of w un sch of th e
.
, ,
. .
,

h igh e st gift 0 3 h ge n Oska r a w oman s n ame Fornm sOg 1 24 6


.
, .
,

, . .
, .

E yrbyggj a s ag a cap 7. La x d p 1 2 . . . .

A n oth e r thin g s e e ms t o me t o b e c onn ect e d with thi s and th e re ,

fore t o b e a re l ic of th e h e a th e n rel igion : th e fa ct th a t our p oe ts of


th e 1 3 th c e n tu ry p e rs on ify w unsch a n d re p re s e n t it a s a mighty ,

cre a tive b eing I n st an c e s in p roof of this are found chiefly in


.

H artman n Rud ol f a nd Con ra d ,

Got e rloub t e d em Wunsche ub er '

A b out h im, God ga v e to Wish


I n, full l e av e ,

d az e r lib un d e sin th at h e b odyand mind


meistert ch sim na fa sh ion e d a cc ord ing t o hisw orth .

sw a v on ou ch uf d e r e rd e Of wh a ts o e v e r up on e arth ,

d eh e in e m man z e l e b e n ge sehih t ,
t o anyman p rais e w orthy falls , ,

d e sn ge brast im n ih t th e re of l a ck e d h im n ough t ;
d e r Wun sch h at in gemeistert s6
. Wish h ad him fa shion e d so ,
W OD AN . 139

d az e r sin wa s se hend e vrd, th a t h e w as gl ad of h im for ch il d ,

w an d e e r nih ts a n im v e rga z for h e n ou ght in him forgot


e r h e tn escha fi k
et, un d e r b az h e h ad him sh ap e n if h e c oul d
g ,
. , ,

Gre g 1 0 91 1 1 0 0
.
-
. b e tt e r .

man s agt d az nie kint ge w an


'

Th e y saythat n e v er a c hil d w on
e in lip S Oga r d e m Wu n sch e gli ch . a b od y so wh oll y e q u al t o Wish

a ctly lik e W ish )


Ex . 330 .
( or e x ,
.

als6 w a s e z ( daz p h e rt) g e st alt, S o w a s it w rought (th e hors e) ,

u nd ob e r ( d er w e rl-tw ise man ) . th a t if h e ( th e wright) h a d h ad


d ann e d e n gewa lt
von d e m Wu nsche huete, th e c omman d from Wish ,

d az ez b elib e stacte th at (his w ork ) sh oul d b e l e ft


u na lt e re d ,

sw e e d are ne ge d eeh te ,
er

wh a t e v e r h e a tte mpt e d th e re on ,

un d swe n n e e rz ve lbraeh te , an d wh e n h e h a d c ompl e t e d it ,

d az e rz fii r s ich stalt e th at h e Sh oul d se t it b e fore H im ,

u n d e r von sin e m gwe lte an d H e a t h is d isc re tion

d ar ab e n eeme th e re from sh oul d t a k e away


sw a z d aran im mi sse zeeme , wh a t e v e rth e re in mislik e d him ,

a lsO w a s e z v olk ome n so p e rfe ct w a s it

d az er d ar ab e n ih t h e t e ge ne th at h e th e re from nought w oul d


men h a v e t ak e n
grOz als umb
'

a ls e e in har . so gre a t a s a h air .

Er 73 75 -8 7
. .

als e z de r Wunsch gebot (b ade ) Er 8 2 1 3 . .

w a s e in w unschkint (w a s a chil d of wish ) . Ex . 8 2 77


E n it e w a s d e s Wunsches k in t,
d e r an ir nih te s v e rgaz . E r 8 93 4
. .

(13 w a s ir h ar un d ir li ch( lyk e lych b ody) , ,

so gar d e m Wu nsch e gelich ( lik e) I w 1 3 33 . . .

d iz w a s a n ir ( zuh t sch oene j ug e n t) un d gar d e r rat (all th e st ore )


, ,

d e s d e r Wunsch ( or wun sch a n w ib e g e rt (d e s ire s


) I w 6 4 6 8 . .

w an d e sie nie ge sah e n (for th e y ne v e r h a d s e en)


z w en e rit e r g e st alt t w o k n ights fa sh ion e d
( )
SO
g ar Wunsches gewa lt
in
a n d e m l ib e u n d a n d e n s it e n mann e rs
( ) I w 6 9 1 3 . . .

d e r Wunsch vluochet curs e s) im s6


( I w 70 6 6 . . .
14 0 W OD AN .

mir h at d er Wunsch ge vluoch et H artm biichl 2 1 1 3 . . .


, .

e r w a s sch oen e un d w ol g e v ar ( for e farw e t c ol oure d


g ) , ,

re ht e als in d e r Wu nsch erkc


,
is ( ch os e ) G e rh 771 . . .

min h e rz e in (ih n e n t o th e m) d e s b e gun de j eb e n ( a ck n owl e dg e)


, ,

in w ee re d e s Wu nschesj liz ( z e al c are) b ere it Gerb 1 5 99 , . . .

a n d e r d e r Wu nsch mit kiu sch e ba r

sin e siteze lebe nd e f ruh t G erb 1 66 0 . . .

d a z ich ir sch oe n e k roeus


o b a ll e n frouw e n sch On e

mit d e s Wunsches kron e G e rb 1 66 8



. . .

e in re g e n frz d e m w olk e n l z

d e r d i des Wunsches ouwe g6z


S6 h e iz e n gen
re G erb 2 3 0 7
. .

an lob e ( p rais e ) des Wunsches hrdn e . Ge rh 2 5 2 6 . .

swe s ich b egun d e d az ge sch a ch (w a s a cc ompl ish e d) ,


d e r Wunsch ie mine n w e rk e n j ach ( e v e r t o myw orks s aid ye a)
d e s wun sch es al s i ch w olte
u n d als i ch wii n sch ens olte . G e rb 2 94 5 . .

n a ch d e s Wu nsches lere (l ore)



. G erb 4 5 0 0 . .

d er Wunsch mit sin er h en d e


v or w an de l (ch ange ,
fault) h e t e si ge twage n ( cl e an s e d) . Troj 1 2 1 2
. .

d er Wunsch h at an e l onge n (with out lying un de nia bly) ,

e rze ige t a n ir sin e hraf t,


u n d s in e r kit nste mei st e rsch aft

mit vlize a n ( c are fully e vin c e d in h er) Troj 75 6 9


ir b e w ert . . .

d e r Wunsch hat in gema chet w an d e ls vri (fre e of fault) Troj 3 15 4 . . .

d e r Wunsch d e r h e t e a n si ge l e it ( g e l e gt laid out sp e nt ) , ,

me flizes d e nne irf e lli u w ip ( more p ains th an on a ny woman) .

Troj 19 6 2 0
. .

s6 d az e r ni e me r w ib e s l eb e n
fii r sie gesch ep f en w ol d e b a z ( b e tt er)
d 6 si n gewa lt ir b ild e ma z (me a s ure d ) ,
d6 l eit ( l egt e ) e r an sie man e c mod e l Troj . . 1 962 7
und h ect e sin d e r Wunsch ge sworn ,

e r w ol d e b il d e n e in sch oe n e r wip ,

u n d sch epf cn a lsO kl are n lip

als H el e na min frouwe t re it ( tra gt b e ars


) ,

e r mue st e b re ch e n sin e n e it e id oath


( ) ,

w an e r k und e n ie me r (for h e c oul d n e ve r) ,


1 42 W OD A N .

sie Wu nsches gewa lt A mgb 3 1


h at d e s . .
b

e r w a s SO gar d e s Wu nsches hin t ,

d az a ll e man g e in ( again st b e fore ) s in e r sch oene ware n blint , ,

un d d o ch me nli ch g e st a lt b i clare m v e ll e ( c ompl e x ion)

d er Wunsch im nih t g e b re ch e n li e z (le t n ought be l a ck ing)


d a v on man s Wunsches hin t d e n st ol z e n hie z ( sh oul d c all

th e
st a te ly on e) Loh engr e d Ruck e rt str 6 2 5 . . . . .

Th e foll owing is outs id e th e b oun d s of MH G


y
an W e nsches vly
rystt g e l eit H aupts z e itsch r 3 22 1 . .
, .

M id D utch p oems h a v e n o p ers onific a tion W e n seh n or is th e re a


.

W un sch in th e Nib e l unge n or Gudrun but in Wolf die trich 9 70 °

d e s Wunsches e in amie ! T h ere mu st b e man y more in st a n c e s ;


b ut th e e arl ie st on e I k n ow of is foun d in th e E ntekrist from th e
1 2 th c e n tury ( H offm fun dgr 2 1 0 7) . ,
,

mit W un schis ge w alte With Wish s might ’

s eguiti sie d e r alte Th e old man bl e ss e d h e r


. .

We Wish p rovide d with h an d s p owe r l ooks dil ig en c e art


se e , , , , ,

bloss om fruit ; h e cre at e s sh ap e s p rod uc e s ma ster p ie c e s thinks


, , ,
-
, ,

b ow s s we ars c urs e s is gl a d a n d a ng ry a d opts a s ch il d h an dmaid


, , , , , ,

frie nd : all s u ch p re tty w e ll st ock ph ra s e s w oul d sc arc e ly h av e


-

S p run g up a n d l iv e d in a p oe t ry I n a l an gua g e if th e y did n ot , ,

u n c on sc iou sly re l a t e t o a high e r b e ing of wh om e arlie r t ime s h a d a ,

l ive lier image ; on s uch a b asis in d e e d n e arly all th e p ersonifi ca tions


mad e use of by M H G p oe ts s e e m t o me to re st I n th e maj ority
. .

of our e x ampl e s w e migh t fairly u t th e n a me o f G o d in t h e pl a c e


p
of W ish or th a t of W ish in t h e ph ra s e s q u ot e d on pp 1 7 8 wh ich
, .
-
,

d e scrib e th e j oy ou s or t h e a n gry Go d : fre u d e n voll h at sie Got


gego z e n M S 1 2 2 6 ; d e r Wu nsch maz irb il d e as me zz e n is s a id
1 1
z , .
, ,

of G od p 2 3 ; a n d g e b ie t e n t o c o mma n d is j u st a s t e ch n ic ally
,
.
, ,

a ppl ie d t o t h e o n e a s t o t h e ot h e r p 2 4 Th e gramr e r y5 r O5 inn


‘ ’
. .
, ,

p 1 3 7 might b e re nd ere d in M H G d er W un sch zii rn e t iu flu och e t


.
, .

,

iu mean ing th e w orl d is sick of you A t time s th e p o e t s ee ms t o



, , .

b e in d oubt wh e th e r t o sayG od or W ish : in th e fi rst p a ss ag e from


,

Gre gor W ish is s ub ord in a t e d a s a b e ing of th e s e c on d ran k so t o


, , ,

sp e a k as a s erv a nt or me ss e n g er to th e s up erior god ; th e l atte r h as


, ,

t o g iv e him l e av e t o a ss ume h is c re a tiv e fu n ction wh ich in oth e r ,

c a s e s h e d oe s of his own might A g ain wh en b od y figure h air are .


, , ,

s a id to be like Wish it e x actly re mind s u s of H ome r s Kau a i



,
’ ’
WOD AN . 14 3

Xap lre o a w ép a la i ll 1 7 5 1 ; and Xcip i re e th e Grat iae


'

, .
,
creatre ss e s , ,

o f g ra c e a nd b e auty pl a y p re cisely th e p art of our


, Wish e v e n ,

d own t o t h e c irc u mst an c e th a t in a d dit ion t o th e p e rs on a l me anin g , ,

d
th ere is a n a bstra ct X p t S gra tia a s th e re is a w ish 1 ‘
P ut e rich o f
, , .

Re ich e rzh ause n ( H aupts ze itsch r 6 4 8 ) sp e a ks of d ie w un tsch cs .


,

fue sse of a p rin c e ss th e ol d e r ph ra s e wo ul d h a v e b e e n ir fue z e


waren d e m Wunsch e ge lich It is a ge nuine b it o f Ge rma n .

h eath e nis m t o mak e th is c re a tiv e fa culty re s ide in a god and n ot , ,

a fte r th e Gre e k fa sh ion in a fe mal e p e rs on a g e A nd th e re are oth e r


, .

fea ture s t oo th a t p oint b a ck t o our n a tive h e a th e n e ld


, W ish s .

a u e an d h eilwd c can b e ma tch e d by P h ol s o uw a a n d b runn e or t h e


me ad s a nd h olyw ells of oth er g od s Wish s crown by th a t w orn by ’

god s an d k ings A nd most re mark abl e of all Wish rej oic e s in h is


.
, ,

cre a ture as in a child h e re W od e n s s el f c ome s up on t h e sc e ne a s ’

p atriarch or p at erfamilia s b efore wh om cre a te d me n mak e th eir ,

a pp e ara n c e l ik e ch il d re n frie n d s d ome st ics ; a n d w un sch kin t is


‘ ’

, ,

a ls o u s e d in th e s e n s e of a n a d opt e d i e wish e d for ch il d .


2
Her , . .
,
.

b e rt 1 3 3 3 0 mak e s H e cub a e xcl aim : ich h an e in e n sun ve rlorn e r ,

e z ee me t z e k in d e ( w oul d s uit G o d a s a ch il d ) w hic h d oe s n ot


g g o e

me an in a christ ian s e ns e G od h as d oubtle ss b ee n pl e a s e d to ta k e ,

him t o H ims el f b ut in a h e ath e n s e n s e h e w a s so l ov e ly h e


’ ‘
, , ,

might be c all e d W ish s ch il d For th e N ors e Oliinn t oo h a s th e s e


marv ell ous ch il d re n an d w ish maid e n s in h is t rain (se e Suppl ) 3 - .

To th e ON Oslci ought by rights t o c orre sp on d an OH G Wunsco


. .
,

Wunscj o ( we ak ,
wh ich I am n ot abl e to p rodu c e e ve n as a
man s n ame (se e Suppl ) A M H G Wunsch e c an n ot b e p rove d

4
. .

1 I n man pl s it i d b t f l w h t h e r th e po e t me a n t wi sh or Wish I
y a ce s ou u e n
,
.

W olfram a n d G e tfrie d w h o ab st ain from dist i n ct p e rs on i fi ca t i on I a l w ays


, ,

p re fer t h e ab st ract i n t erpre t at i on w h i l e H artmann a d mi ts of b o th b y t urn s ,


.

Wh e n w e rea d in P a rz 10 2 3 0 si w as gar ob d e m w un s ch e s zil (e v e r w i sh s


.
,

g oal b eyon d all th a t on e could wish ) th e phras e b ord e rs cl os e u p on th e ab ov e


, ,

quot e d s i ist d es Wun s ch e s h este z zil ( th e high e st th a t W i sh e v e r cre at e d )


,
‘ ’

a n d it is b ut a st e p from mi n e s w un s ch e s p a ra d i s M S 2 1 2 6 t o d e s

,

.
,
3
,

Wun s ch e s p ara d i s or e nw e S o d a ist w u n s ch u n d n ie n d e r bre st e ( h e re i s


‘ ’
.
,

,

o n e S w is h a n d n oth in g MS d e r Wun s ch li e z 1m n i h t
. .

.
,

ge bre ch e n W le ft h im n othin g l a ck i n g ( se e S upp l )


,

. .

2
Th e G e rm a n w un s ch e n v e rb a ll yt ran sl a t e s th e La t ad o pt o — T RA N S

- - . .
. .

3 Th a t W s h w
i as e rson ifi e d a n d v e ry b ol d l y b y t h e ch ri st i an p oe ts 1 s

T hat h e was e v e r be l i ev e d in asa p ers on e v e n in h e ath e n


, , ,

ab un d an tl y p rov e d .
,

t i me s i s t o my t h i n ki n g fa r from cl e ar I b elie v e s ome G e rman s ch ol ars


n a re s n e s t — T R A N S
, , .
,

re ga rd th e n ot i on a s l i ttl e be tt e r t h a n a r

.

oe s o ccur l a t e r : J oh a n n e s d ict us d e ( = d e r) Wun sch C h


4 Th e n a me d
,
.

a n n 1 3 2 4 ( N e u e mitth d e s t h rr r v e re i n s 1 I n t h e Ob e rlre ss w e ch e n
‘ '

.
. . . .

b l att M a rb urg 18 3 0 p 420 I re a d of a J 0 11 q n sch wh o is p rob ab l ya l iv e a t


, , .
,
.

t h is mome nt .
1 44 W OD AN .

from Troj 3 1 5 4 75 6 9 1 962 0 1 9 72 6


. .
( Straszb M S ) b oth th e me tre
. . .
,

a n d th e st ron g
g e n in e s f or b idd in g B ut th e wh ol e id e a mayin
.
-
.

t h e e arl ie st t ime s h av e t a k e n far strong e r roo t in S outh G e rman y


th an in S c an din a via sin c e th e E dd a t e lls n e xt to n oth ing of Oski
, ,

wh il e our p oe try a s l at e as th e 1 5 th c en tury h as so mu ch t o say of


W un sch Th a t it w as n ot fore ign t o th e North e ith e r is pl ainly
.
,

p rov e d by th e Oshmey W sh w ome n ; by th e


'

g ar u ns ch elf ra u en w i ,
-

Osha stein n a ph il os oph e r s st on e c onn e ct e d with our Wunschelrute


, ,

w ishing rod an d M e rcury s st aff ; by Osha byrr M H G Wu nschwint



-
.
, , ,

fair w in d ; by Osha bi Orn wis h b e ar a se a mon st e r ; all of wh ich


'

- -
, ,

will b e di scu ss e d more fully by and by A fe m p rop er n ame Oslo . .

o cc urs in a fe w pl a c e s wh at if th e un a cc oun t abl e Oskop nir Seem , .

1 8 8 w e re re ally t o b e e xpl a ine d a s Osk op n ir


1
, Op nir Of ni r w e -
, ,

k n ow are e p ith e ts of Q 5 inn B oth w ord an d me aning s ee m t o grow


, .

in re l e v a n cy t o our myth ol ogy it is a stumbli n g bl ock in d e e d th at -


,

th e A S re main s furnish n o c on t ribu t ion e v e n th e s impl e w irsc



.
,

( p
o t io v o,
t um ) s e e m in g t o b e ra re a n d on ly w ysca n ( opt are
) in ,

c ommon use ye t amon g th e myth ic h e roe s of D eira w e mee t with


a Wi tsc f re d l ord o f W is h a s it w e re
,
a n d t o th e A ngl o S a x on s t oo -

this b e ing mayh av e me re ly b e come e xtin ct th ough p re viously w ell ,

k n ow n ( see Suppl ) .

B ut t o mak e up for it th e ir ol d e st p oe try is still diml y c on sciou s ,

of a n o th e r n ame of Wu ot a n wh ich ag ain t h e E dd a on ly me n t ion s


curs orily th ough in Seem 4 6 it sp e aks of Oshi a n d Omi in a


,
b
.

bre ath a nd in 9 1 u s e s Omi on ce more for O5 inn N e w th is Omi


,
1 )
.

st an d s re l at e d t o Omr sonus frag e r a s th e A S w 6ma t o w bm , , ,


.
,

cl amor sonit us I h a v e qu ot e d instan c e s in A n dr an d El pp xxx


,
. . .
,

xxx i t o which mayn ow b e a dd e d from th e Cod e x on : h e e fon w Oma


,
. .

5 2 , 1 8 6 2 , 1 0 ; d eegre d w Oma 1 79, 2 4 ; h il d e w Oma 2 5 0 , 3 2 2 8 2 , 1 5 ;


. .

w ige s w Oma 2 77, 5 w in tre s w 6ma 2 92 , 22 in this l a st th e me an ,

ing of hi e mis imp e tu s, fra ge r furor, is


s e lf e vid e n t an d w e se e ,
-
,

ours e l v e s le d up t o th e th ough t which a n tiqu ity c on n e ct e d with

W u ot an h ims e l f out of th is l ivin g god we re e v ol v e d th e ab stra e


t ion s w uot (furor) w un sch ( id e al ) w Oma (imp e tus frag or) Th e
, , ,
.

gra ciou s a n d gra c e b e st ow ing god w as at oth er t ime s c all e d t h e


-

st ormful th e t error strikin g wh o s e n d s a thrill th rough n a ture ;


,
-
,

e v e n so th e ON h a s b oth a n Yggr st an din g for O5inn a n d a n y


. gg r ,

for t e rror Th e A S w dnza is n o l ong e r found a s d


. .
a ; in OH G .

w ue mo an d Wu omo are al ik e u nk n own Th orp e re nd ers th e .


1 46 W OD AN .

myths I h av e found b ut fe w t ra c e s l e ft
, a mong us in G e rmany .

Th e N ors e D5 inn is on e eyed h e w e a rs a broa d ha t a n d wi d e ma n tle


-
,

G rimn ir i f eldi bld m, bl ue cl oa k S ee m 4 0 i hekla gree n n i ok , . .

bld m brdku m, bl ue b re e ks Fe rnal d sOg 1 3 2 4


gre en cl oak an d , . .
,
.

heklu ma dr bloake d ma n 1 3 2 5 ,
W h e n h e d e s ire d t o d rin k of , , .

M imi s foun t ain h e w as obl ige d t o l e ave on e o f his e y e s in p a wn


, ,

S ee m 4 . Sn 11
I n S a x o p 1 2 h e app e ars a s gra nd a evus a lte ro
,
.
, .
, ,

orbus ocu lo p 3 7 armip e t en s u n o s e mp e r cont e ntu s ocello p 1 3 8


.
, , .
,

sen esc orbus ocu lis his p id e a mictu S o in th e Sag a s kom bar ma 5 r
,
.

a ma ll miek e r5 sp akr eins y nn ok a ugd ap r ok h a f5 i h a tt si da n


g , , ,

th ere ca me an old man v e ry w ord wis e on e e y e d a nd sad e y e d ,


-
,
- -
,

a nd h a d a w id e h a t F ornm sOg 2 1 3 8 h an n h a fi r hekla flekkdtta


,
. .
,
.

fi e m a 5 rv ar b e rfoettr ok h a f5 1 k n y
t t linb r6k ur n a t b e ini h a n n
y r s e r s , ,

v a r h ar miek ( v e ry h igh ) ok e ld ili gr ok ein sy n n F e rn a l d sO 1 1 2 0


g , , . .
, .

19 a kom ma5 r i b a rd aga n n me 5 si da n ha tt ok h eklu bla ‘

,
2
h an n h afiSi
citi d uga , Ok g eir ( sp e ar) i h e n di ,
ih . 1 , 14 5 .
b tt a mu
en Odin n

ga mli v e rit h afa ,


ok at vi u va r
s ma5 rinn eins nn ,
y ib 1 9 5 .
, . sa

h ann mann mikinn me 5 si dun hetti ib 5 25 0 me 5 hetti H anga ty ss , .


, .

ganga cum cid ari Odinia na in c e de re V igagl s ag a p 1 6 8 Othinus


, ,
.
, . .
,

os p ileo n e cultu p rod e re t ur obn u be ns S a x o G ram 4 4


,
A n E d d ie , , . .

s ong alre ad y n ame s h im Si /


d i dttr b roa d h a tte d Seem 4 6 a n d on e
1
,
-
, .
1
,

s aga me re ly H ettr lratte d Fe rnal d sOg 2 2 5 6 ; ce n f M ull ers


'
'
-
. .
, , , .

sagabibl 3 14 2 W e re it n ot for th e n ame grve n h im in th e


.
,
.

Grimnismal I sh oul d h av e s upp os e d it w a s t h e int e ntion of th e


ch ristian s t o d egra d e th e old god by me an cl othing or e ls e th a t , ,

w rapt in his ma ntl e h e w as try ing t o c on c e al h ims e l f from ,

christian s H a v e w e a ri ght h e re t o bring in th e p ilea ti of


.

J orna n de s A s aga in Sa x o p 1 2 t e lls p re ttily h ow t h e bli nd old , .


, ,

g o d t ak e s u
p a p rot ege i n his c loa k a n d c arrie s h im t h rough t h e a ir , ,

b ut H ad ing p e e p ing th rough a h ol e in th e g arme n t obs e rv e s th a t


, ,

t h e h ors e is ste pp ing o v e r t he se a w a v e s A S for t ha t h eklu ma d r - .

o f th e h at with its rim t urne d up h e is our H a kolberen d a t th e ,

h e ad of th e wild h ost wh o can at on c e b e turn e d int o a Goth ic ,

1
C onf Trite s in th e foun ta in Kuh n in H o fer 1 2 9 0 A cc t o th e
.
, , . .

p op ul ar re li gion you must n ot l oo k i n t o run n i n g wa te r b e ca us e you l ook in to


, ,
God s eye Te ble r s A p p e n zel p 3 6 9 b n e i th e r must you p oi n t at th e st ars wi th
’ ’
,
.

your fi n ge rs for fear of st i ck i n g th e m i n t o th e a n ge ls e ye s



.
,
2
Th e re i s a S we d march e n of Grey ma n tle (gra kap p an ) Molb e ch 1 4 wh o
.
, , ,

l i k e M aryin G e rman ta l es ta kes one up to hea ven and forbid s the op eni n g of a ,

lo ck, Kind e rm 3 , 4 0 7 . .
WOD AN .
14 7

H a kula ba i ra n ds th at h akuls for cbeh évgs is found in 2 Tim


,
ne w .

iv 1 3 — S we d ish folk tal e s p icture Odin a s ba ld h ea d ed I d una 1 0


. .
- -
, ,

23 1 . I n th e a n c ie n t p o e t ry h e is H a rba rdr S i dgra ni Si dskeggr , , ,

a ll in a ll us ion t o his th ick g rowth of h a ir a n d b e ard Th e n ame .

R e d be a rd I h av e e ls e wh e re und ersto od of Th or but in Fe rnal d , .

sOg 2 2 3 9— 2 5 7 th e Gra ni a nd R a udgra ni a re e xp re ssly O51n n se e


.
, (
Suppl )
Th e N ors e myth a rms Q 5 in n w ith a w on d e rful sp ea r ( ge ir) ,

Gungn ir by n a me See m 1 9 6 Sn 72 wh ich I p u t on a p ar w ith


, . . .

th e l a n c e or sw ord o f M ars n ot th e st a ff o f M e rc ury Sig mun d s



.
,

sw ord b re aks w h e n h e h a cks a t Ofiinn s sp e ar V Ols s ag a cap 1 1


,

,
. . .

I l e l e n d s this sp e ar t o h e roe s t o w in vict orie s w ith Seem 1 6 5 A , . .

re ma rk abl e p a ss a g e in t h e F ornm sOg 5 2 5 0 s ays : se ldi h onum . .


,

rey rsp idta ga ve h im th e re e d e n sp e ar) i h Ond ok b a5 h ann SkiOta


h onu m yfi r li5 Styrbiarn ar ok ba t Skyldi h ann meela : 0 5 mA y5 r
,

a ll a ! A ll t h e e n e mie s o v e r wh om th e sp e a r h e Sh oots s h all fly a re ,

d oome d t o d e a th a nd th e sh oot e r obta in s th e v ict ory


,
SO t oo t h e .

E yrbyggj a s ag a p 2 2 8 pa skaut S te inbOrr sp iOti at f orn om si d t il


.

h e illa se r yfi r fl ock Sn orra ; wh e re it is t rue n othin g is s aid of th e , ,

sp ear l aun ch e d ove r th e e n e my b eing th e god s See m 5 of O5 1nn



a
. .
,

h ims e l f fle ig5 i ok i fOlk um skaut (see Suppl ) .

To th e god of vict ory a re att a ch e d two w olves and two ra ven s ,

wh ich as c omb ative c ourag e ou s a nimals follow th e fight, a nd


, ,

p oun ce up on th e fall e n c orps e s A n dr a nd El xxv i xx vii Th e , . . . .

w ol v e s are n amed Geri and F reki S n 4 2 a nd so l at e a s in H an s , .

S a chs ( i 5 . w e re a d in a schwa n k th a t th e L ord G od h as ch os e n


, ,

w olves for h is h oun d s th a t th e y a re his c attl e ,


Th e tw o ra v e ns a re .

H ugin n a nd M uninn from hugr ( ani mu s cogita tio) a n d munr


, ,

( m e n s ) th e y a re n ot o n ly b ra v e b ut c u nn in g a n d wis e th e y si t on , ,

the should ers of Q 5 in n a n d wh isp e r in his e ar wh a te v e r th e y se e


,

a n d h e ar S eem 4 2
b
,
8 8 Sn 4 2 5 6 3 22
. To th e G ree k Ap oll o t oo
2
. . . . .

t h e wolf a n d ra ven w e re s a c re d ; hi s me ss e n ge r th e ra ve n informe d


1

him wh e n K orOnis w a s unfaith ful an d A ris te a s a cc omp ani e d hi m ,

a s a ra ven H e rod 4 1 5 ,
a ra ven is p e rch e d a l o ft o n th e ma n tl e of
.
,

M ith ra s th e sun god Th e G osp e ls re p re s e n t th e H olyGh ost a s a


-
.

In M arc Ca 1 , 1 1, th e w ord : a u u rale e ro e li t es an e currum


s g s v t
1 ‘
.

De lio con stit e run t , are t s


ra n l b yN ot ke r 3 7 : t o w are n
. a ro z e A p ollinis re e g it
s i n e wize gfoge la ra ben a und e a lbisze
, . T o OOinn h awks are some time s giv en
inst ea d o f ra v e ns O5 ins ha uka r S eem .
148 WOD AN .

d ove d e sc e ndi ng u onp Ch rist at h is b aptis m Lu 3 , 2 2 , , . a n d re sting


p on hi m Sp e l l/6 1! é rr a ffrov man sit s up e r cum J oh n 1 3 2 : in ’ '
u , , , ,

K rist e r Sih gisid alta s ays 0 i 2 5 2 4 ; b ut H e l 3 0 1 of th e



.
, .
,
.
,

d ov e : sa t i m up p a n ns cs d roh tin e s a hslu ( our L ord s sh oul d e r)



IS .

th is an e ch o of h e ath e n th oughts ? N on e of th e F a th e rs h a ve th is
circumstan c e but in th e M id A ge s th e re is t alk e nough ab out
,
.

d ov e s re sting on sh oul d ers ;1 an d th e d ov e th ough fre qu e n tly ,

c ontra st e d with th e ra v e n (wh ich l ik e th e w ol f th e christian s


'

, ,

a ppli e d t o th e E vil o n e
) m a y n e v e rt h e l e ss b e p u t in th e pl a c e of ,

it Osw al d s ra ven fl ie s t o h is shou ld er an d a rm 74 9 94 2



. . .
,

Oswal d t alks t o it 9 5 6 a nd k n e e ls b e fore it 8 5 4 Con f Z inge rle


,
-
, , . .
,

Oswa lt p 6 7 ( see S uppl ) 2 . .

th a t figure of th e b e arde d old man W uotan is


N ew un de r ,

a pp a re n tly t o b e re g ard e d a s a w a t e r sp rit e or w a t e r od a n s w e rin g -


g
-
,

w ell t o th e L atin n ame of N ep tunus which s ome of th e e arl ier


w rit e rs p ut u p on him ( p I n ON h e is H n ika r H n iku dr . .
, ,

N ika rr N ikuz an d th e h e sit a tion b e tw e e n th e tw o forms wh ich in


, ,

S n 3 a re e xp re ssly ma d e option al N ikarr e da (or) N ikuz — may


ari s e from th e div ersity of old d ial e cts N ika rr c orre sp on d s t o th e .

A S N i ce r an d Niku z t o OH G N i chus ; th e in itia l H n s e e ms t o


.
, .

b e ON a l on e On th e s e I S h a ll h av e more t o say w h e n tre a ting


. .
,

of w a t e r sp rit e s se e S u ppl — A n oth e r e p ith e t o f Q 5 in n is e qually


( -
) .

G regor N yss en e n com E p h raemi re l a t e s th a t wh e n B asil th e G rea t w as


1
. . .
,

p reach i n g E p h rae m saw on h is right shoulder a white d ove w h i ch p u t w ord s of


, ,
w is d o m in h is mou th Of G re g ory t h e G rea t w e re ad in Pau l D i ac vi t a p
. . .
,
.

1 4 t h a t w h e n Ire w as e xp o un d i n g t h e l a st vi si o n of E z e k i e l a white dove sat


, ,

up on hi s h ea d a n d n e w a n d th e n , p ut its b e a k in his mouth a t w h i ch t i me s h e , ,

t h e w rit e r got n ot h i n g for h i s st yl u s t o p ut d ow n


, con f t h e n a rra t iv e of a .

p oe t of th e 1 2 th ce nt H o ffm fun d gr 2 2 2 9 also M yst 1 p 2 2 6 7 A u gus


,
. .
,
. . .
-
.

t in e an d Th omas A qui n as are p ortraye d w i th a white d ove p erched on their


sh ou ld ers or hoveri ng over t h eir hea ds A n urs e ry—ta l e ( Kin d e rrn n o 3 3 ) ma k e s . . .

two d oves s e ttl e on t h e p op e s shoulder a n d t e ll h im in h is e a r a ll t h a t h e h a s t o



,
do A whi te d ove d e s ce n d s s i n gi n g on t h e h e a d o f S t D e v y an d i n st ru cts h im
. .
, ,
B uh ez san tez N o nn P ari s 1 8 3 7 p 1 1 7 A n d on oth e r occas i o n s t h e d v e fl i e s
.
,
. . o

d o w n t o ma k e k n own t h e w i ll of h ea v e n N o on e w i ll t ra ce t h e st ory of .

q otan s ra v e n s t o th e s e d ov e s stil l th e coin cid e n ce is st ri k i n g ( se e S upp l )



,
.

Th e re are s aid t o h a v e b e e n foun d l a t e l y in D e nma rk a n d S w e d e n


2
, ,

re p re s e n t a t i on s of Od in w h i ch if s ome ra th e r st ran g e re p orts a re w e ll fo un d e d


, ,
-
,

o ug h t t o b e ma d e k n own w i th ou t d e l a
y A p lough nran a t B e e slun d in Z ea l a n d .

t urn e d up t w o gol d en u rn s fill e d w i th a sh es ; on t h e l i d s i s carve d Odin ,


\
st an d i n g u p w i th t w o ra ven s on h is s h ou l d e rs and t h e t w o wolves a t h is fe e t
, ,
K un stbl 1 8 4 3 n o 19 p 8 0 1
. G ol d coi n s also w e re d i s cove re d n e ar th e
,
.
,
.
0
.

vill a ge of GOmmin ga in Oe lan d on e of wh ich re pre s en ts Od i n w i th th e ra vens


'

on h is sh oul d er t h e re v e rs e h as run e s K un stb l 1 84 4 n o 1 3 p 5 2 3


. . . .
, ,
150 W OD A N .

int e rpre t th e m cc up p mi na r Seem 2 8


w ord s :
b eer ofré ii b eer na , .
2
.
,

Dfre ist b eer ofhug5 i H rop tr i e th e m O5 inn re ad out out out


, , . .
, , ,

th ough t out Seem Als o S n orri Y n gl cap 7 : all ar be ssar


,
.
,
. .

id rOttir k e n di h a n n me i? ran u m ok licid u m H in cma r of Rh e ims .

a ttri b u t e s to M e rcury th e in v e n tion of dic e -


pl aying s ie u t isti qui
d e d e n ariisqua s i j oeari dicu nt ur quod omnino d iab olicum e st e t , , ,

sicu t le gimus p rimu m di a bolus h o e


p er M ercuriu m p rod id it un d e
, ,

e t M e rcuriu s in v e n t or illius dicit ur 1 6 5 6 Con f S ch ol t o Od yss , ,


. . . .

2 3 1 98,
,
MS 2 d e r tiu vel sch uof d a s w ii rfe lsp il
an d . Our , .

folk t a l e s k now s ome thin g ab out this th e y al w ays mak e th e d e vil


-
,

pl ay c ard s
at tic e oth e rs t o pl a y ( se e Suppl )
,
an d e n W h e n to th is .
1

th e w ishin g ro d i e W ish s st a ff re c als M e rcury s


a dd th a t
’ ’
we ,
-
,
. .
, ,

ca d ucé u s a n d th e w ish w iv e s
,
v alkyrior th e o cc up a -
, ,

t ion of th e Psych op omp e s ; w e mayfa irly re c ogn is e an e ch o of th e


G a ll ic or G e rma nic M e rc ury in th e e p ith e t Trismegistos ( La ct an tius
2

i 6 3 vi 2 5 1 0
.
,
. ter max imu s H ermes in A u s on iu s) w hich l a t e r
.
,
.
,

p oe ts Roman ce and G e rma n in th e 1 2 th an d 1 3 th c e nturie s


,
3
,

tran s fe rre d t o a Sa ra c e n d e ty Te m ga n Tervaga n Terviga n t


i r a
4
, , ,

Tervi a n t M ore ov e r wh e n H e rme s a n d M e rc ury are d e scrib e d a s


.
,

d a t e r b on orum a n d th e Sl a v s a gain c all th e s ame god D ob ro p a n


,
-

( p .1 3 0 n o t e ) a s,
if m e rc i s d om i
‘nu s
,
it is w o rth n ot ic in g th a t th e ,

M isn e re A mgb 4 2 in e nume ra tin g all th e pl a n e ts s ingl e s out


.
2
, ,

M e rcury t o in v ok e in th e w ord s : N u hilf mir d az mir seeld e ,

w a ch e ! se hin e r mir z e gelii ck e n och s6 kum ich wid e r irf d er ,

seeld e n ph a t ( p fa d ) J ust S O I fi nd Od in in v ok e d in S w e dish p e p u


.

lar s on gs : H ielp n u Od en A sagrim ! Sve n sk a forn sdngor 1 1 1 , , .

hielp mig Othin 1 69 To this god fi rst a n d fore most th e p eopl e


, .

t urn e d w h e n in d istre ss ; I s upp os e h e is c all e d A sagrim b e cau s e ,

a mon g t h e A s e s h e b ore t h e n ame of Grimn ir ?

Reu s ch , s e g e n d e s p re u ss S a mlan d s, n o 1 1 2 9
1
. . . .

2
I n t h e Old B ri t i sh myth ol o gyth e re a pp e ars a Gwydion a b D on , G son of .

D on , wh om D a vi e s ( C e lt ic re s earch e s pp 1 6 8 , 1 74 B ri t myth p 1 1 8 , 2 0 4 , 2 6 3 -4 , . . . . .

3 5 3 , 4 29 , 5 0 4 , 5 4 1 ) i d e n t i fi e s w i th H e rme s ; h e i n v e n t e d w ri t i n g , p ra ct i s e d
magic, a n d b ui lt th e rai n b ow th e mi lk y w a y wa s n ame d ca er G w yd i on , G s ’
.

ca stl e ( Ow e n , sub v ) Th e B rit i sh a n t i qua ri e s say n oth in g of Wod e n , ye t


.

Gwydion s e e ms n ear of kin t o th e ab o v e Gwoda n Wo d a n S o th e I ri sh .

n a me fo r d i e s Me rcurii , d ia Geden , wh e th e r mod e ll e d on t h e E n gl We d n e s d a y .

o r n ot , l e a d s us t o t h e fo rm G od e n , G w o d e n ( see S u ppl ) .

3 E v e n n urs e r — t l s p s n t t i me sp ea k of a zma ch tige M ercuriu s,


y a e of t h e re e gros
K in d e rm n o 9 9 2 86 . . .
,
.

4
Th i s Terma ga n , Termaga n t occurs e sp e cia ll yin O E n gl p oe ms , a n d may . .

h a v e t o d o w ith t h e I rish t orma c a ugme n t um, t orma ca im a u ge re .


W OD A N . 151

It with ou t s ign ific anc e th a t als o th e wa nd erings


is th e re fore n ot ,

o f th e H e ral d of g od s a mon g me n in wh o s e h ov e ls h e n ow a n d ,

th e n t ak e s u p h is l odging a re p arall ell e d e sp e c ially by th os e o f ,

Odin n a nd H ten ir or in c h rist ia n guis e of God a n d S t P eter


, , , . .

Our Old e n time s t e ll o f W u ot an s w a n d e rin gs his w a gg on h is


, ,

w ay his re tin ue ( d uc e M e rc urio p — W e k n ow th a t in th e .


, ,

v e ry e arl ie st age s th e s e v e n st ars forming th e B e ar in th e n orth e rn


sky w e re th ought of as a four wh e e l e d w aggon itsp ol e b e in g forme d -
,

by th e th re e st ars th a t h ang d own w ard s


" ' '
l it u I I 1 8 4 87

’’
A p x ro v r
ea
,
. a g a v e rri fch na w Ica h e o va w . .
,
.

Od 5 2 73
.
, . S o in OH G . gl oss e s : ur a s w agen , J un 3 0 4 . in M H G .

hi melwa gen W alth 5 4


, .
,
li erwa g en W a ck e rn . lb . 1 . 772 ,
26 .

Th e cl e are st e xpl a na tion is giv e n by N otke r p 6 4 S e lb


caiu u rsa
.

ist p i d e mo n e rd e mann e lich e mo z e ich e nh a ft iu fon e die n s ib e n

gla t é n st e rn On , d ie a ll er der ll u t wagen h e iz e t , un de n ah e in e mo


2
gloccun j e ch e ge sca ffe n s in t un d e , eben mich e l sin t an e (e xc e pt) ,

d e s mitte lOst e n Th e A n gl o Sa x on s .
-
c all e d th e c on st e ll ation w ee n es
b isl ( w aggon s th ill p ol e) or simply bisl

b ut ca rles wa n a ls o is
, , , ,

quote d in Lye th e E ngl cha rles wa in D an ka rlsvogn Sw e d


, ,
.
,
.
, .

ka rlwagn Is e arl h e re e quiv al e n t t o l ord a s w e h a v e herrenwa gen


.
,

in th e sa me se n se ? or is it a tran s fe re n c e t o th e famou s k in g Of
.

h
c str i ia n l g
e e n d ? B ut wh a t c on c e rn s u s h e re th e c on ste ll a t ion
, ,

a pp e a rs t o h a v e b orn e in h e a th e n t ime s th e full n ame of Wu ota nes

w aga n a ft e r th e h igh e st god of h e a v e n


, Th e D utch l an g uag e h as .

e v id e n c e o f th is in a M S o f a s l a t e a s 14 70 : e n d e d e p oe t e n in .

h e ure fable n h ee te nd (th e e on st ell ) ours e d a t is te se ggh e n e .


,

Woenswaghen A nd e ls e wh ere : dar dit t e e kin A rcturus d at wy


.
,

h ee te n Woonswa ghen up ste e t ; h e t se ve n st arre ofd e Woenswa ghe n ;


,

c on f H uyd e c p roe v en 1 2 4 I h av e n owh e re me t w ith p laustrum


. .
,
.

M ercurii n or with an ON O5 ins vagn only vagn d himn u m


, . .

It is a que st ion wh e th e r th e gre a t op e n h ighw a y in h e av e n — to


,

wh ich p e opl e l on g a tt ach e d a p e cul iar s e n s e of s a cre d n e ss an d ,

p e rh aps a ll ow e d th is to e cli ps e th e ol d e r fan cy of a milky w ay


G di — w a s n ot in s ome districts c all e d Wuota n es
( c a e r w y o n p 1 5 0 ) ,
.

wee or strdza ( w a yor st re e t ) WOd en esweg a s th e n ame of a pl a ce .


, ,

stood its ground in L ow e r Sa xon y in th e c as e of a v ill ag e n e a r ,

M agd e b urg Ch a d ann 9 73 in Z e itsch r fii r arch ivk 2 3 4 9 ; a n


, . . . .
,

1 S e pt e n t rion , qu e n os cha r cl ciel a p el e n Ro man d e Rou .

2
C rossb ea m, s uch as be lls ( gl ocke n ) are s usp e n d e d on ; con f . an s, as, p . 1 25 .
152 WOD AN .

o l d e r d oc of 9 3 7 is s aid t o h av e Wa ta nesweg (c on f Wigge rt in the


. .

N e u mitth d e s thur v e rein s VI 2


. . p rae d ium in Wad en eswege
. .
, ,

Die tm M e rse b 2 1 4 p 75 0
. A nn al S a x o 2 72 J oh a nn e s d e Wd en
.
,
. . . .

swege H e inricus d e d
, en sweghe ( L e n z ) B ran d e nb urk p 74 . . . .

n swege God enschw ege


( a nn o 1 6 1 ( a n n o l a t e r I Vu te , , ,

Gutenswegen c on f L e d e b ur n a rch 2 1 6 5 1 70
,
Ge ro e x familia
. . .
, , .

Wod enswegiorum A nn M agd e b in chron M arien th al M eib om 3


, . . . .
,

263 . I w oul d me n tion h e re th e l u stration d e r koninges stra te RA ,


.

6 9 ; in th e U p lan d slag vidh e rb b alk r 2 3 7 th e h igh w a y is c all e d .


,

ka rlsveg l ik e th e h eav e n ly w ain ab ove


,
B ut w e sh all h av e t o rais e .

a d oubt by a n d by wh e th e r t h e n ot ion of w a y via is c on t aine d at


, , ,

a ll in W od e n sw e
g .

Pl ain e r an d more t o th e p urp os e app ear th e n ame s of c e rt ain


, ,

moun t ain s wh ich in h e ath e n t ime s w e re s a c re d t o th e s e rvic e of


,

t h e god A t S igty Seem 2 4 8 Othensberg n ow Onsberg


'

s bergi
2
. .
, .
, ,

th e D a nish I of S amsee ; Od ensberg in Se h on e n God e sb e rg


on . .

ne ar B e nn in d oe s, . of M id A ge s Gudenesberg Gun th e r 1 2 1 1
.
, , ( an n o

1 , 2 74 ( a nn o 2 , 3 45 ( an n o an d b e fore th at ,

d enesberg, Lacomble t 9 7 1 1 7 .
,
a nn i s 94 7, 974 So e arly a s in

Cae sarius h e iste rb 8 4 6 th e t wo forms .


, are p ut tog e th e r : Gud in s
berg v el, l ii dicunt Wu d in sberg N ear th e h oly oak in H e ss e
ut a , .
,

wh ich B on ifa c e b rought d own th e re st ood a Wuod enesberg still so , ,

n a me d in a d oe of 1 1 5 4
( Sch mink e b e sch r von Ca ss el p 3 0 c onf
. .
, . .

W e nk 3 ,l at er Vd en esberg Gud ensberg ; this h ill is n ot to b e ,

c on foun d e d with Gud ensberg by E rksh aus e n district Rote nb urg ,

( N i e d e rh e ss w oe h e nb l 1
. 83 0 p n or w ith a G u d e nberg by
.
, .

Ob e re lsun g e n an d Z ie re nb e rg (ib p 1 2 1 9 Romme l 2 6 4 Gu d en . . .


,
.

burg by L a nd au p so th a t th re e mou n t ain s o f th is n ame


, .

o cc ur in L ow e r H e ss e a lon e c on f mon t e m V odinb e rg cum S il v a .


,

e id e m me n t i a tt in e n t e d oc of 1 2 65 in W e n k II n o 1 74

,
In a .
,
. .

diffe re n t n e ighb ourh ood a H e nricus c ome s d e d en esberg isn ame d ,

in a d oc of 1 1 3 0 W e d e k ind s n ot e s 1 3 6 7 a curtis d

en esber in
.
, g ,

a d oc of 9 73. F alk e t ra dit e orb 5 3 4


, Gota nsberg ( ann o . . .

L angs reg 3 4 71 : vin e a s d uas gota nsberge vocat as M abillon s


.
, .

a ct a B e n e d se c 5 p 2 0 8 c on t ain th e foll owin g :


. .
, in l o c o ubi me n s
.

qu e m dicun t W on e sb erth (l Wonesberch WOd an e sb erg) a ra dicibus .


a stra p e t it s aid t o b e situa te in p agus G and ave n sis but more cor

, ,

re ctly M t A rd e ngh e n b e twe e n B oul og ne a n d S t


. Ome r Come s . .

Wa d a nimontis aft V a ud emont in L orraine (D on Calmet t ome 2


,
.
, ,
1 54 W OD AN .

D omme l in N . mark abl e p a ss age on it in Gramaye s


B rab an t a re

Ta x a n d ria 2 3 w a s p oint e d ou t t o me by J W W olf I mo


, p .
, . .

amp liu s sup e rsu n t a p e rt e C mb ricorum d e orum p a gis a l iqu ot ubi


y ,

fort e c ulti e ra nt in dite nomin a n omin atim M e rcurii in Woensel


, , ,

h on oris in E e rsel M artis in B oysel U ti e nim W e e n M e rcurium


, .

e is dict um a l ia s d ocui e t e e r h on ore m e ss e o mn e s sciunt it a Ro


y
:
, ,

M arte m a c ol e re s an guin e o cogn omin atum ost e n dunt ill i qui te rtia m
h e b d oma dis fe riam Royd a ch in d igit ant
'
I n d ue t ime I Sh all .

sp e ak of E e rs e l an d Royse l wh ic h lie in th e n e ighb ourho od of ,

W oe n s e l a n d all of the m in th e N B rab an t district of Oirsch ot


,
-
.

This W oe n s e l is lik e th e O5in ssalr Oth an sale On sala n ame d on , ,

p 1 5 8 Wu nstorp W u n s dorf a c on v e n t a n d s mall t own in L ow e r


. .
,
-
,

Sa x on y st an d s un mut ilat e d a s Wod en storp in a d oe of 1 1 79 F alk e


, .
,

tra dit corb 7-70


. N ea r W in db erg e n in th e D itmar c oun try a n
. .
,

o p e n sp a c e in a w ood b e ars t h e n a me o f Wod en slag Won slag N e ar , .

H a d e rsl e b e n in Sch l e swig are th e v ill ag e s of Wonsbeke Won sle i , ,

Woyens forme rly Wod ensyen A n of 86 2 (K e mbl e .

c on tain s in a b ound ary s e ttl e men t th e n ame d stoc d enesstoc -


,

W od ani stip e s and a t th e s ame time b e trays th e in fl ue n c e of the


,
.

g od on a n c ie n t d e l im it a t ion W u ot an H e rm e s M e rc ury a ll s
e e m
.
, , ,

t o b e d iv in itie s of me a s ureme n t a n d d e marc a tion ; c on f Woed ens .

sp a n n e lVoenslet p 1 60 (se e Suppl )


, .
-
. .

AS th e s e n ame s d e notin g th e w aggon an d th e moun tain of th e


,

old go d ha v e s urviv e d chie fly in Low e r G e rma n y wh e re h ea th e n is m


, ,

main t aine d its e l f l on ge st ; a re mark abl e c u st om of th e p e opl e in


L ow e r Sa x on y at h arve st time p oin ts th e s ame w ay It is us ual t o -
.

l e a ve a cl ump of st an din g c orn in a fi e l d to Wod en f or his horse .

O5 in n in the E dd a rid e s th e e igh t foot e d st ee d S leip nir th e b e st of -


,

a ll h ors e s S eem 4 6 Sn 18 4 5 6 5 S leip nis verdr ( food) is a


2
. . . . .
,

p oe tic n ame for h ay Yn gl s aga cap 21 : oth er s ag a s sp e ak of a, . .

t all white horse by which th e god of v ictory might b e re cognis e d in


,
:

b a ttl e s (se e Supp l ) Ch ristianity h a s n ot e n tire ly root e d out th e


.

h arml e ss p ra ctic e for th e N ors e an y more th an for th e S a x on .

p e a s a n t I n S ch on e n an d B lekinge n it c on tinu e d for a long time


.

t o b e t h e c ust om for re ap e rs t o l e av e on th e fi e l d a gift f or Od en s


horses .
1
Th e u s a g e in M e ckl e n b urg is th u s d e scrib e d b y Gryse

1 Ge yers sch w e d ge sch 1 , 1 10 orig 1 , 1 2 3 . I n th e H ogrumss


.
ock e n , . . .

Ocl an d , are s ome l arg e st on e s n ame d Odi ns flisor, Od in i l a me ll a e , of wh rch t h e


W OD AN . 155

J a im h e id e n d om h e bb e n t or t id d e r
, ( h arv e st tide ) d e a rn e at -

me ie rs ( mowe rs) d e m a fga d e Wod en umme god k orn a nge rop e n


or good corn ) d e nn w e nn d e rogge n a rn e g e e n d e t h e ft
( in v ok e d f , ,

me n up d e n l e st e n pl a t z e in s id e rn (e a ch ) ve ld e s e in e n kl e in e n ord
u nd e h ump e l k orn s u n a fge me ie t st a n l a t e n d a t sii lve b a v e n ( b ob e n

.
, ,

a b ov e ) a n d e n are n d re ve ld i e n t o s ame n d e

-
g ge s ch Ort e t u nde ,

b e sp re n ge t ( e ars fe st oon e d t og e th e r th re e t ime s a n d sp rin kl e d) , .

A ll e me ie rs sin d arumme h e r ge tre d e n ere h Od e ( th e ir h a ts) va rn


kop p e gena men ( V s up ra p .u n d e e re s e is e n ( scyth e s ) n a d e r


,
.

sulve n w od e [mod e u n d e ge sch re n k e ( e n c irc lin g) d e m k orn b u sch e

u p ge rich e t und h e bb e n d e n Wod en d ii vel d re mal se mp lik lud a v e re ll


,

als o a n e ro e n u n d e
g p geb e d e n :
Wod e h al e ( fe tch )
,
din em rosse nu v od er ,

nu d ist il u nd e d orn ,
t om
j a r b e t er k orn !
a n d e rn

w elk e r a fgod isch e r ge b ruk im P aw e st om geble v en D ah er de nn e k .

n och a n d iss e n e rd e n d ar h e ide n ge w an e t b i e tlike n ack e rlud e n ,

- l e ut e n me n) solke r ave rge lOvisch e r g eb ruk in anrop inge d e s


,

Wod en tor tid de r arne ge sp Ore t w erd und ok oft d e sii lve helsch e

j eger (th e s ame h elli sh h un t er) se n d e rlike n im win t er d e s n a ch te s ,


.

up d e m v e l d e mit s in e u j age th un d e n sik h Ore n le t


1
.

D a vid Fra n ck ( M e kle nb 1 5 6 w h o h a s h e ard th e s ame from


.
,

old p eopl e qu ot e s th e rh y me th u s
,

t
s ory is o t l d tha t , Od i n , in t urn in g h is h orse out t o gra ze , t oo k the bit o ff h im
a nd l a id it o n a h ug e block of st on e th e w e i gh t of t h e bit spl i t the st on e i n t o
t w o p i e ce s , wh i ch w e re se t u pri gh t a s a me mori a l A n oth e r st oryi s , t h a t Ode n
.

w a s a b ou t t o figh t a n a d v e rs a ry , a
n d k n e w n o t w h e re t o tie his h orse up In .

t h e h urryh e ra n t o th e st on e , p i e rce d i t w ith h is s w ord , an d t i e d h is h ors e fa st


t hrough t h e h ol e B ut th e h orse b ro k e l oos e , th e st on e b urst in p i e ce s a n d
.

, a n d from t h is a ro s e th e d e e p b og n ame d H egru mstrask


roll e d a w ay p eopl e ' ‘

h a v e t i e d p ol e s t o g e th e r, bu t n e v e r coul d rea ch th e b o tt om A b rah A h lqu i st, . .

Oe lan d s h i st ori a, C al mar 1 8 2 2 1 , 3 7 2 , 2 1 2 . Th e re i s a p i ct ure of th e st on e s


. .

in Lilie n gre n o ch B run ius , n o x viii I n th e H Ogb yso cke n of Oe la n d is also a


. .

s mooth b l ock of gran i te n a me d Odinssten, on wh i ch, a cc t o t h e folk ta l e , th e .


-

w arri ors o f old , wh e n march i n g t o b attl e, u s e d t o wh e t t h e i r s w ord s ; Ah l


qui st Th e s e l e ge n d s con fi rm th e sp e ci al i mp o rt a n ce of Odin s h orse in

h is myth u s V e re lii n ota e on t h e Ga utre kssa ga p 4 0 qu ot e from th e Cl avi s


. .

co mpu t i run ici Odin beter hesta sin a i b e lg b un d e n , w h i ch I d o n ot q ui t e


u n d e rst an d I n t h e F orn m sOg 9 , 5 5 6 C 5 i n n h as his horse sh e d a t a b l a ck


. . .
-

s mi th s, an d rid e s a waybye n ormou s l ea ps t o S we d e n, wh e re a war breaks o ut


( see S uppl ) .

1
S p e ge l d e sa n tich ristisch e n p a we st d oms ( p op e ry) , d e rch N icola urn Gryse n ,
p ig
re d e rn in Ro st o ck , Re st 1 3 4 , sh e e t E 1111
5 9 .
11
. W i th th e v e rs e s ci t e d b y .

h im, eon f th e fo rmu l a in w e isth ii me r : Le t i t lie fa l low on e ye ar, a n d b e a r


.

thistle a n d thorn t h e n e xt .
156 W OD AN .

Wod e Wad e , ,

h al d ine n ross e nuv od er ,

n u d ist e l un d orn ,

acht e r j a r b e t e r k e rn

H e add s th a t at th e squ ire s man sion s wh e n th e rye is all out


, , ,

th ere is We d el beer s erv e d out t o th e mow e rs ; n o on e w e e d s fla x


-

o n a Wod e nsta
g l e st Wod en s horse sh oul d trampl e th e s e e d s from

Ch rist ma s t o T w e l fth dayth e y will n ot sp in n or l e av e a n yflax on


-
,

t h e d ist aff a n d t o th e q u e st ion w h y th e y a n sw e r I Vod e is g all op in g


, ,

a c ross W e are e xp re ssly t ol d th is w il d h un te r Wod e rid e s a white


.
,

h orse 1
. N e ar Satun a in V e ste rgOtlan d are s ome fi ne mead ows
c all e d Onsotnga rn e ( Od e n s ang ar ings) in wh ich th e god s horses ’

, ,

a re s a id t o h a v e gra zed A fz e liu s 1 4 I n S G e rmany th e y t e ll of


, , . .

t h e l ord o f t h e c a stl e s gra zing gra y( or wh it e ) M on e a nz 3 2 5 9 v



. .
, ,


in fra th e W ut e nd e h e e r I h a v e b e e n t ol d tha t in th e n eigh

.
, ,

b ourh ood of K l opp e n b urg in Ol d e n b urg th e h a rv e st ers l e a v e a ,

b un ch of c orn stalks un cu t on th e fi e l d an d d an c e roun d it Th ere


-
, .

mayb e a rh yme s un g ove r it still n o d oubt th e re w a s formerly ,


.

A cu st om in S ch aumb urg I fi nd thu s d e scrib ed : th e p e opl e go


2

out t o mow I n p art ie s of tw e l v e S ixt e en or tw e n ty scyth e s b ut it is , ,

so ma n a ge d th a t on th e l a st d ayof h arv e st th e y all fi nish at th e


,

s ame t ime or s ome l e av e a strip stan ding wh ich th e y can cut d own
,

a t a strok e th e l a st th in g or th e y me re ly p a ss th e ir scyth e s ov e r

th e st ubbl e p re t e ndin g th ere is st ill s ome l e ft t o mow


,
A t th e l a st .

strok e of th e scyth e th e y rais e th e ir impl e me n ts a l oft pl a nt th em ,

u p right a n d b e a t th e bl a d e s th re e t ime s w ith t h e stre p


,
E a ch .

sp ills on th e fi e l d a l ittl e of th e d rink h e h as wh e th e r b e e r b ran d y , , ,

or milk th e n d rin ks h ims e l f wh ile th e y w a v e th e ir h ats b e a t th e ir


, , ,

scyth e s thre e time s a n d cry al ou d Wold Wdld Wrild ’ an d th e


,

, ,
.

w ome n k nock all th e c rumbs out of th e ir b ask e ts on th e stubbl e .

T h e y march h ome sh outing a n d singing Fifty y e ars ago a s ong .

w a s in use wh ich h as ne w d ie d out b ut wh os e fi rst st roph e ran


, ,

th us
Wald Wdld Wold ! , ,

h ave n hun e w e it w at sch ut ,

j ii mm h ei d al van h av e n sut .

1 Mussaus me kle n bv ol kss age n n o 5 in L is ch mekle nb j ahrb 2 13 3 it


. . . .
,

I s sp e lt Wa ud an d a n o t e i s ma d e t h a t o n t h e E l b e t h e
, ysayfruh We d i e , ,
. .

frOh o l ord
, con f in fra fru G a u e a n d fru G a u d e n in th e
.
, wii t en d e h eer ‘ ’
.

2
B y M un ch h aus e n in B ra gur V I 1 2 1— 3 4 .
, .
l 58 WOD AN .

na me d oe s
,
cc ur b ut n ot ofte n ; a nd th e me aning of th e s e cond
o ,

h al f of th e c omp ound s a nd th eir r e app e aran c e in v ariou s re gion s


, ,

a re a lt oge th e r in fa v o ur of th e ir b eing a tt rib ut abl e to t h e od


g .

F rom L owe r G e rman y a n d H e ss e I h av e c it e d (p 1 5 1 ) Wod en esweg , .


,

Wod en esberg Wod en esholt Wod en esh ttsun an d on th e J utish b ord er


,

,

'

Wonsild from th e N e th e rl an d s Woensd recht in Upp er G e rman y


s u ch n ame s h ardly sh ow th e ms e l v e s at all 1
I n E ngl an d w e fi n d : .

Wood nesboro in K e n t n e ar San dwich : Wed n esbury an d Wed n es


fi eld in St a fford shire lVed n eska m in Ch e shire c all e d Wod ncsfi eld
'

in E th e lw e rd p B ut th e ir n umb e r is more c on s id e ra bl e in
.

S c an din av ia wh e re h ea th e nis m w a s p re s e rv e d l ong e r : an d if in


,

D e nmark a nd th e Goth la n d p ortion of Swe d e n th e y o ccur more


fre q ue n tly th an in N orwa y a n d Sw e d e n p rop e r I in fer from th is a ,

p re p ond eran ce of Odin w orsh ip in South S c and in a via Th e ch ie f -


.

t own in th e I of E nne n ( Fion) w a s n ame d Odinsve (Fornm sog 1 1


. . .
,

2 6 6 2 8 1) fro m 176 a s an ct uary ; s ome t ime s als o Odinsey (ih 23 0


.
,
. .

3 5 2 ) from ey isl an d me ad ow ; an d l a t er a g ain Od ense an d in


, , ,

Wal d e ma s L b e ce s a s 5 3 0 5 4 2 0 thd nso I n L owe r Norwa y


i

li 3
'

r r n u . .
,

cl os e t o Fre d e rikst a d a s e cond Odinsey (H e imskr e d H a vn 4 3 4 8


, . . .
,
.

a ft c all e d 0 72 3 6 I n J utl an d 0 thd nshyllci h ul d g rac e ,


-
. .
, , ,

W al d lib c e ns
. . a ft Onsild Otiui nsq ( Othini re l iquiae
. . .
'

l e av ings ih n ow On slev I n H all an d 0 thcinscile s aal h all


’ ’

-
.
,
.
, , ,

n ow Onsa la (Tun e ld s ge ogr 2 4 92 a s w e ll a s in



ib . , .
, .

Old Norw a y a n Oct/ t in ssa lr ( c o nf W o e n s e l in B rab an t W oe n sse le .


,

I n Sch on e n 0 thd nshoéret ( Wa l d lib c e n s 5 2 8 ) Othenshd m t ( B ring


. . .
,

2 62 138
,
. n ow .
( T u n e ld 2 Onslun d a g rov e ,
-
,

Tun eld 2 4 4 9) Othensva m ( B ring 2 4 6 7 Oth e nvara 3 9)


, ,
-
,

Othenstroo ( B rin g 2 fro m v ara fo e d us a n d tro fi d e s ? I n


'

, , , ,

S mal a n d Od ensva la hult ( Tun eld 2 1 4 6) a nd Od ens fi ) ( 2 1 0 9 14 7


. .
, , ,

Sj oborg forsok p I n Ost e rg otl and Od enf ors (Tun eld 2


'

.
, ,

I n V e ste rgotla nd Od enskulla ( 2 2 8 4) a nd Gd an skcilla ( 2


'’ '

,
a ,
, ,

me dicinal sp ring ; Od ensctker Onsdker a cre fi e l d 2 2 0 4


'
In ,
-
, , ,
.

A n Odensberg in th e M ark of B ib e lnh e im (n ow B ieb e sh e im b e low G e m s


1

h e im in Da rmsta d t ) i s n ame d in a d oc o f 14 0 3 Ch mels re g Rup erti p 20 4 . . . .

t h e form Wo d e n sbe rg w ould l oo k more t rust wort h y .

2
I f n umb e rs b e an obj e ct , I fan cy th e E n gl i sh con trib uti on migh t b e
sw e ll e d byl ook i n g up in a ga z e tt ee r t h e n ame s b e ginn i n g w ith Wan s We n s
Wa dd e n We d d i n Wa d We d Wood Wam We m Wom —TRA N S .

3
Lan ge b e k s cript t om 7 . . .

S ven B rin g mon ume n ta ,


S can e nsia, v ol 2, L ond goth . . 1 74 8 .
WOD AN . 15 9

We stmanlan d c onf G ra u p
,
Od ensvi l ik e th e (1 ,
2 66 . .
, .

Od insve of F un e n a n d our L ow e r S a x on VVo d e ne sw e ge mayh a v e


t o d o w ith t his we ( not w ith w e g v ia) an d b e e xpl a in e d by t he old , ,

w ig w ih t e mpl um ( se e p
, ,
Th is b e c ome s t h e more c re dibl e .
,

a s th e re o cc urs in th e Cod e x on 3 4 1 2 8 th e re ma rk a bl e s e nt e n c e . .
,

Wod en w orh te weas, w uld or alw e ald a


m
ru e ro d e ra s;
ie
. .
,
Wode n construx it ,
cre a vit fana (id ol a) , D e u s o mn ip ot e ns ai np los
coe los ; ch ristian w rit er h a d in h is re c oll e ction th e h e ath e n
the
s an ct uarie s a ss ign e d to W od e n an d c ontrasts w ith th e m th e g re a t e r ,

cre ation s of G od Th e pl ur w e os is e as ily j u stifi e d a s w ih is


. .
,

re s ol v e d in t o w e oh a n d w e oh a s c on tra ct e d in t o w e os : so th a t an
,

A S W6d e n e sw e oh w oul d e x a ctly fit th e OS W 6d a n e sw e g



. Vi . z

d ane swih and th e ON OiSinsve A ls o in VVe stman la nd a n Od en s jo


'

.
, .
,

( Grau p I n Upl an d Od ensa la (Tu me ld 1


. Od ensf ors , ,

( 1 , O n sike
( 1 I n N e rik e O d en sba cke
( 1 , (se e , ,

S uppl )
It s ee me d n e e d ful h e re t o group th e most imp ort a nt of th e s e
n ame s t og e th e r a n d n o d oubt t h e re a re ma ny oth e rs wh ich h a v e
,

e sc ap e d me ; in th e ir v e ry mult it ud e as w e ll a s th e s imil arity or


2
,

ide nt ity of th e ir st ruct ure l ie s th e full p roof o f th e ir s ig nific an c e , .

F e w or is ol a t e d th e y might h a v e b e e n s u sp e ct e d a n d e xpl aine d


, , ,

oth e rwis e ; t ak e n t og e th e r th e y a re in c ont e st abl e e v id e n c e of th e ,

w ide d iffus ion of Odin s w orsh ip ’


.

pl an ts d o not s e e m to h av e b e e n n ame d afte r th is


H e rbs and

d B run s b e itr p m f

g o I n . 5 4 w ad estern e is g iv e n a s t h e n a e o . a ,
.
,
-

pl an t b ut w e ought fi rst to see it in a d istin ct e r form Th e I ce


, .

l and e rs and D an e s h owe v e r c all a s mall w at e rfowl (tringa minima ,

inquie t a l a c ustris e t n a t an s) Odinsha n i Od ensha n e Od en s f ugl


, , , ,

w h ich fits in w ith th e b e l ie f b rought ou t on p 14 7 in b ird s con se , .


,

c ra te d t o h im A n OH G gl oss ( H aupts altd bl 2 2 1 2) s uppl ie s


. . . .
,
'

a d oubt ful l ook ing vtzn swa luwe ful ic a (se e S u ppl
)
- f
.
,

E v e n a p art of th e h uman b od y w as name d afte r th e god : th e


1
Ol of Gran , b e skrifn in g o fv e r Wastman land Wast erfi s 1 75 4 . . con f
. Dyb e ck
runa I . 3, 4 1 .

Th e re are s ome in Finn M agn use n s le x myth 6 48 b ut I d o n ot a gre e


2 ’
. .

with h im in in cl ud i n g t h e H G e rm n ame s Od e n w ald Od e n h e im, w h i ch l a ck . . .

t h e HG form Wuota n a n d th e -s of t h e g e n it iv e
. n or th e Finn Od enp a, w hich .

mea ns r th er b ear s h ead



a .
1 60 WOD AN .

sp a c e b e tw e e n th e th umb and th e fore fi ng er wh e n stre tch e d out ,

wh ich th e Gre e ks n ame c is w as c alle d in th e N e the rl and s ,

Woed enssp a nn e Woed ensp a nne Woenslet The th umb w as s acre d


, , .
,

a n d e v e n w orsh ipp e d a s th umbk in an d P oll ux p oll e x ; W od an


w a s th e god of pl a y a n d l u cky me n w e re s aid t o h ave th e g ame
,

run n ing on th e ir th umb we mu st a w ait furth er discl osure s a b out


.

t h e n ame its p urp ort a n d th e s up e rstition ly in g a t t he b ott om of


, ,

it ( see S uppl ) .

I st art e d with a ss uming th at th e w orsh ip of th is d ivinity w as


c ommon t o all th e T e ut onic ra c e s an d foreign t o n one j ust b e c aus e , ,

w e must re c og nis e h im a s th e mo st univ e rs al an d th e s up re me on e .

VVuotan— so far a s w e h a v e s u cc e e d e d in gl e an in g from t h e re l ic s


o f th e old re l igion a n id e a of h is b e in g— W uot a n is th e mos t

int e ll e ctu al god o f our a n tiquity h e sh ine s out ab ov e all th e o th e r


,

g od s ; a n d th e re fore th e L a tin w riters wh e n the y sp e ak of the ,

G e rman cultu s are a lw a ys p rompt e d t o mak e me n tion fi rst of


,

Me rcury .

W e k now th at n ot only th e Nors e me n but th e Sa x on s Thurin , ,

gian s A lamann s a nd L angob ard s w orsh ipp e d this d eity ; w hys h oul d
,

Fran ks G oths a n d th e re st b e e xcl ud e d from h is s e rv ic e


, ,

A t th e s ame t ime th e re a re pl ain ind ic a tion s th a t h is w orsh ip


w as n ot alw ays a n d e v e rywh e re t h e d omin ant one I n th e S outh .

of G e rma n y a lth ough th e p e rs on ific a tion of Wish ma int ain e d its


,

groun d W u ota n b e c a me e xtinct s oon e r th an in th e N orth n eith e r


,

n a me s o f pl a c e s n or th a t of t h e fourth d a yof th e w e e k h a v e p re
, ,

s erv e d him th ere A mong th e Sc a ndin av ian s th e Sw e de s a nd


.
,

N orw e gian s s e e m t o h av e b ee n l e ss d e v ote d t o h im th an th e Got


l a nd e rs an d D an e s Th e ON s ag a s s e v eral time s me ntion imag e s
. .

of Th or n e v e r o n e o f OtSinn
,
on ly S a x o G ra m d oe s so in a n .

a lt og e th e r myt h ic a l w a y ( p A d am of B re me n th ough h e
.
,

n ame s W o d a n a mon g t h e Ups a l a g od s a ss ig n s but t h e s e c on d pl a c e ,

t o h im a n d t h e fi rst t o T h or
,
L ate r still th e w orsh ip of Fre yr
.
,

s e ems t o h a v e p re domin at e d i n Sw e d e n .

A n add it ion t o th e S t Ol a f s ag a th ough madeat a l a t er t ime


.
, ,

furn ish e s a strik ing st a te me n t ab out th e h e ath e n g od s wh om t h e


introd uct ion of ch ristianity ov e rth re w I will quot e it h ere . ,

in t e n d ing t o re turn t o it from time t o time : Ola fr konfi ngr


kristn aiSi b e tt a rik i allt 611 bt b raut h ann nifi r 0 k 611 goif sem
, ,
1 62 W OD AN .

fra H araldi, 0 657171 t 6k fra H alfdani F orn m


j olave izlu cnn .


, . sog .

1 0, 1 78 . I n th e p opul ar a ss e mbly at Th randh eim, th e fi rst


cup is d run k t o Odinn , th e s e con d t o Thdrr, ib id 1 , 3 5 . . I n th e
fa mou s B ravalla fight Othin u nde r th e n ame of B runo a cts a s

ch ariot e er t o th e D an ish k ing H aral d and t o th e l a tt er s d e struction ; ,


o n t h e Swe d ish s id e th e re fight d e sc e n da n ts of Fre r S a x o G ram


y ,
.

1 44 7 Y e t th e Ed die H a rbarzlioh s e e ms to pl a ce Obinn a b o v e Th 6rr


-
. .

A c on tra st b e tw e e n Ohin n and Th 6rr is b rought ou t stron gly in t h e


G a utre kssaga q uot e d b e l ow ch X XVIII B ut sin c e Th 6rr is re p re ,
. .
,

s e nt e d as Ohin s son a s a rej u v e ne sce n c e of h im th e two must


, ,

ofte n re s ol v e in t o on e a n oth e r
1
.

I f th e three mightie st god s a re n ame d I fi n d O5inn fore most ,


'

Odinn Thdr Freyr Sn e dd a 1 3 1


, ,
A cc ording t o F ornm sog 1 1 6
, . . . .
, ,

v oya ge rs vow mone y an d thre e c a sk s of ale t o Freyr if a fair wind ,

sh all c arry th e m t o Sw e d e n but t o Thorr or Odirm if it b ring th e m , ,

h ome to I c e l an d ( see Suppl ) .

It is a diffe re n t th ing wh e n Otiinn in ON d ocumen ts is styl e d , .

Th idi t h e th d ; in th a t c a s e h e a pp e ars not by th e sid e of T11 6rr


r i
,
r
2

a n d Fre y r b ut b yth e s ide of H d r a n d I af n h dr (th e h igh an d t h e


,

e v e n high or co e qu al OH G ep an h 6h) a s th e Th ird H igh


?
( s

- -
,
e e .

Suppl ) S n 7 Yngl s ag a 5 2 Seem 4 6


. . . A s w e might imagin e
. . .
1
.
,

a t oth e r t ime s h e is Trey g (


i d r s e c un d u s )
'

th e grad e v arie s upl e x o .

A ga in in a diffe re n t re l ation h e app e ars w ith h is b roth e rs Val e an d


"

Ve Sn 7 ; w ith H ce mr a nd L odr Seem or with H c e mr a n d Loki


' '

.
,
.
,

See m 1 80 Sn 1 3 5 ; all th is re sts up on ol d e r myth s wh ich as


. . . , ,

p e cul iar t o t h e N orth w e l e ave on on e s id e Ye t with re sp e ct t o


,
.
,

th e t ril ogy Odir m Vi li Ve w e must n ot omit t o men tion h e re


, , , ,

th a t th e OH G willo e xpre ss e s n ot only v ol un t a s but v ot um


. , ,

imp e tu s a n d sp iritu s an d th e G oth ic vilj an v e ll e is cl os e ly con


4
, , ,

n e cte d w ith valj a n e lige re ; wh e n c e it is e a sy t o c on c e iv e a n d


,

1
Wh e n Obin u is call e d Thundr in th e son gs of th e Edd a , S eem . 2 8b
this mayb e d e riv e d from a l ost ynj a A S bun ian , t on are, an d so b e e quiva l en t
F
.

t o D on ar i t i s true , th e y e x p ain bun dr as loricat us, from bun d l ori ca B ut .

Wuotan , a s V oma, is t h e n o i s e o f th e rush in g air, and we saw him h url th e


cud g e l , a s Th ei r d oe s t h e h amme r .

A s Z e us a ls o i s rp i ro s, from wh ich s roye ve ta is more e as ily e xplain ed


’ ’
2

th an byh e r b irth from h is h ead ( se e S uppl ) .

ZElfric s gl oss e s 5 6 8 , A lta n us : Woden A ltan us, l ike S ummanus , a n


3 ’
.

e p ith e t o f J o v e , t h e A lt iss imus e ls e Alta n us, as t h e n ame of a win d , mig h t

a ls o h a v e t o d o w ith t h e st orm of t h e w ilt e n d e h e e r


4
Th e G re e k p e vo s w ou l d b e we ll ada pt e d to un it e th e me an in gs o f courag e,

fury(mut, w ut) , wish , wil l, th ough t .


W OD AN . 1 63

b e l ie v e h ow Wuotan W ish and Will sh oul d t ouch one a noth e r (see


, ,

S uppl ) With th e largitor op um mayalso b e c onn e cte d th e A S


. .

w el a OS w e l o OH G w ol o w e l o op e s fe 1icitas [w e al w e a lth]
,
.
, .
,
z:
, , ,

a n d We l a c o me s up s e v e ra l t ime s a l most a s a p e rs on ific a t io n con t


( .

G ra mm 4 l ik e th e Lat g odde ss Op s ( c on f in fra Seeld e n ot e ) ;


.
, . .
,

th e re is als o a l i a mon g th e Nors e g od s I n th e c as e of Ve ge n .


,
.

v e a th e s e n s e ma
, y w a v e r b e tw e e n w ih o s a n ctu s ( Go th A h ma sa , .

v e iha H oly Gh ost


, ) a nd w ih id ol um I n Seem 6 3 Loki c a sts in
, , . .
,

th e t e e th o f Frigg h e r int rigue s w ith V e a n d Vil i ; th is re fe rs t o


t h e st ory in Y ngl s ag a cap 3 from wh ich w e cle arlv g a th e r th e
. .
,

id e n tity of th e th re e b roth e rs so th a t Frigg c ould b e c on s id e re d th e ,

w ife of a ny on e of t e m h 1
.

La stly a p rin c ip a l p roof of th e d e e ply ro ot e d w orsh ip of th is


,
-

d ivin ity is furn ish e d by W 6d a n s b e ing in terwoven wi th the old


S ax on gen ea logies wh ich I sh all e x a mine minut e ly in th e A pp e n dix


,
2
.

H e re w e see W 6d an in v a riably in th e c e n tre To him are .

trac e d u p all th e ra c e s of h eroe s and k ings ; among hi s s on s an d


h is a n c e st ors s e v e ra l h av e di v ine h on ours p aid th em I n p arti
,
.

1 A ccordin g to thi s st ory, Ohin n w as a broa d a lon g t ime , d urin g w h ich h is


brot h e rs a ct for h im i t i s w orth y of n ot e , t h a t S a x o a ls o mak e s Oth in t rav e l
t o fore i z n l a n d s , a n d M i thothin fi ll h is pl a ce , p 1 3 th is M ith othin s p osition

g .

th row s li gh t on th a t of V i l i a n d V e B ut S a x o, p 4 5 , re p re s e n ts Othin as on ce . .

more an e x i l e , a n d p uts Oller in h is pl ace ( se e S uppl ) Th e di st an t j ourn e ys .

0 d a re i mpl i e d in t h e N ors e b y n a me s Gd ngrd d r, Gd ngleri , V egta mr,



of t h e

%
-

a n d Vi forn ll, a n d in S a x o 4 5 v ia tor i n d efessus It is n ot t o b e ov erl ook e d ,



f
.

th at e v e n Pa ul us Di ac 1 , 9 k now s of W od a n s re s i d en ce in Greece ( qui n on



.

ci rca h a e c t e mp ora— oi th e w ar b e t w e e n L a n g ob a rd s a n d V a n d a ls— se d l on g e

a n t e riu s , n e c in G e rma n i a , se d in Gra ecia fui ss e e rh ib e t ur ; w h i l e S a x o re mov e s

h im t o B y za n tium, a n d S n orri t o Ty rkla n d ) n t h e p a ss a g e in P a u l D ia c . . .


Wo dan s an e , q u e m a dj e cta l i t e ra G w od an d ix e run t ips e e st qui ap ud Roman os ,

M e rcurius d icitur, e t a b un ive rsis Ge rmani ae gen t i b us ut d e us a dorat ur, qui


n on circa h ae c t e mp ora , se d l on g e a n t e ri u s , n e c in G e rma n ia se d in G ra sci a ,

fui ss e p crh ib e t ur — it h a s b e e n p ro p os e d t o re fe r t h e s e con d qui t o M e rcuriu s


in st e a d of Wo d a n ( A d S ch mi d t ze itsch r 1 , . a n d t h e n t h e h a rmon y o f .

t h i s a ccoun t w i th S norri an d S a x o woul d disa pp ear B ut Pa ul is d e alin g w i th .

t h e ab s urd i tyof th e L a n g ob a rd i c l e g e n d re l a t e d in 1, 8 , w h os e unh ist oric b a s is


h e l a ys b a re b yp oi n t in g out th a t Wo d an at th e t ime of th e occurre n ce b e t w e e n
,

th e Wa n d ali a n d Win ili, h ad n ot rul e d in G e rman y, b ut in G re e ce ; wh i ch


'

is th e main p oin t h ere Th e n o tion t h a t M e rcurys h oul d b e con fi n e d t o G re e ce ,


.

h as w id e r b e arin gs , a n d w ou l d s h ock t h e h ea th en fa ith n o t on l yof th e G e rman s


b ut o f t h e Roma n s T h e h e a th e n g o d s w e re s u pp os e d t o b e omn i p re s e n t , a s
.

ma y b e s e e n b y th e me re fa ct t h a t Wod e n -h i lls w e re a d mi tt e d t o e x i st in
v ari ous sp ots all ov e r th e coun try; so th at th e commun i ty of this god to
G e rman s , G re eks a n d Roman s rai s e d n o di ffi culty .

2
Th i s A p e n d ix forms p art o f th e t hird v ol ume I n th e mean whil e , .

rea d e rs ma y e gl a d t o se e for th e ms e lv e s t h e s ub st a n ce o f t h e s e p e dig re e s ,

w h i ch I h a v e e xt ra ct e d from th e A pp e nd ix , an d pl a ce d a t th e e n d of this
ch a pte r — T RA N S
. .
1 64 WOD AN .

l
on ar, th ere a pp e ar a s s on s B a ld er an d th at Sawn oi w h o in th e 8 th
,

c e ntury w as n ot ye t roote d out of N W G e rma n y an d in th e lin e . .

o f h is p rog e nit ors H ere mdcl an d Ged i t h e l a tt e r e xp re ssly p ro


, ,

n ou n ce d a god or t h e son of a god in th e s e l e g e n d s w hil e


, ,
d an ,

h ims e lf is re gard e d more a s th e h e ad of all n obl e ra c e s B ut w e .

e a s ily c ome t o se e th a t from a h igh e r p oin t of vi e w b oth G e at a n d


,

W 6d an merg e in t o on e b e in g a s in fa ct Ohin n is c all e d al d a Ga n tr


,

,

Seem 93 95 ; c on f in fra G oz K oz
.
1 1h
.
, .

I n th e s e g e n e al og ie s wh ich in more th an on e d ire ctio n are


,

v is ibly in t e rw ov e n w ith th e ol d e st e p ic p oe t ry of our n a t ion t h e ,

god s h e roe s a n d k ings are mix e d u p t og e th er A s h e roe s b e c ome


, .

d e ifi e d so can god s als o c ome up a g ain as h e roe s amid s u ch re a p


,

a r n s t h rd r f s u cc ss i n f t h in d iv id u l l in ks v a rie s [in
p e a ce e o
, e o e o o e a

diffe re n t t ab l e s] .

E a ch p e digre e e n d s w ith re a l h ist orica l k in gs : b ut t o re ck on


b ack from th e s e a n d by th e n umb er of h uman g en erat ion s t o ge t
,

a t t h e d a te of myth ic a l h e roe s a n d g od s is p re p ost e rous Th e ,


.

e a rl ie st A n gl o S a x on k in gs th a t a re h ist oric ally c e rt a in fa ll in t o th e


-

fi fth s ixth or s e v e n th c e n tury c oun t four e ight or twe l v e g e n e ra


, ,

t ion s u p t o W 6d e n you c ann ot p ush h im b ack farth e r th an th e


,

th ird or fo urth c e n tury Su ch c alcul ation s can d o n oth in g t o sh a k e


.

ou r a ss umpt ion of his far e arl ie r e x ist e n c e Th e a d ora tion o f .

W 6d e n mu st rea ch up t o imme morial time s a l ong w ay b e y on d ,

t h e fi rst n ot ic e s giv e n us by th e R oman s of M e rcu ry s w orship in


G e rman ia .

more
fl e ction t o wh ich th e h igh pl a c e a ssign e d
'

Th ere is one re

by th e G erman s to th eir W uot an mayfairlyl e a d u s M on oth e is m .

i s a th in g so n e c e ss ary so n a tura l th a t a l mo st all h e a th e n s amid st


, , ,

th eir motl e y th ron g of d eit ie s h a v e c on sciously or u n c on sciou sly


,

e n d e d b y a ck n owl e dg in g a s u p re me od w h o h a s a l re a d y in h im
g ,

t h e a ttribu t e s of all t h e re st so th a t th e s e a re o nly t o b e re g ard e d


,

a s e man a t io n s from him re n ov a tion s rej uv e n e sc e n c e s of h im


, ,
.

Th is e xpl ain s h ow c e rt ain ch ara ct e ristics c ome t o b e a ss ign e d n ow ,

t o th is n ow t o th a t p a rtic ul ar god an d w h yon e or a n oth e r o f th e m


, ,
,

a cc ord ing t o t h e d iffe re n c e of n a t ion c ome s t o b e inv e st e d with ,

s upre me p ow e r Thu s our W uotan re s e mbl e s H e rme sa n d M e rcury


.
,

b ut h e st a n d s h igh e r th a n th e s e tw o ; c on t rariwis e th e G e rma n ,

D on ar ( T h un or Th 6rr) is a w e ak e r Z e u s or J up it e r ; wh a t w a s
,
.

a dd e d t o th e on e h a d t o b e s ubt ra ct e d from t h e oth e r ; a s for Z in


,
CH A PTE R VIII .

D ONAR, TH UNA R ( TH ORR) , .

The god wh o rul e s v er cl oud s an d rain wh o mak e s h ims el f o


,

k n own in th e l ight ning



s fl a sh an d th e roll ing thu nd e r wh os e b olt ,

cl e a v e s th e sky a nd a l igh ts on th e e arth with d e a dly aim w a s ,

d e s ign a t e d in our a n c ie n t sp e e ch by th e w ord D ona r its e lf OS , .

Thu na r A S Thun or ON Thdrr 1 Th e n a t ural p h e n ome n on is


,
.
. . .

c all e d in ON bru ma or du na b oth fe m like th e Goth ic be ih v6


.
, , .
,

which w a s p e rh a ps a d opte d from a F in nic l anguage To th e god .

th e Goths w o ul d I s upp os e g iv e th e n ame Thn n rs Th e Swe d


, , . .

t ord on D a n t ord e n ( t onit ru) wh ich in H ar e stre n still k e e ps th e


'

, .

p g ,

form th ordyn th ordun is c omp oun d e d of th e g od s n ame a nd th a t


, ,

s ame d un a ON Thord nna ? ( se e Suppl ) I n e x actly th e s ame


, . .

w ayth e Sw e d t e rm dshd ( t on itru fu lme n) in th e W e st othl L aws


.

g , ,
.

h as a ris e n out of as a k a t h e g od s waggon or d riv ing from


eisikkia
2 ’

, , ,

as d e u s div u s an d aka ve h e re v e hi Sw e d aka


, , , I n G othla nd th e y
, , , . .

say for th und e r Thorsdka n Th or s d riving ; a nd th e ON



reid

s ign ifi e s n ot on ly v ehicul um b ut t onitru an d reiha rslag re iiSar , , ,

b ruma are th un de rcl ap and l igh tning F or a w aggon rumbling


, .
,

ov e r a v a u lt e d sp a c e c ome s a s n ear a s p oss ibl e t o th e ra ttl ing a n d

cra sh in g of th un d er Th e c omp aris on is so n atural th a t we fi n d


.
,

it sp re ad amon g man y n a tion s : 30 x 6 2 dxn/ i a 7 0 13 A i d? 75 B ovrr


p ) .

ch ius sub v e aa o LB o vm
-’
e lva i H e sy I n Carn iol a th e rollin g of

, p . . .

thu n d e r is t o this d aygotte sf a hren [To t h e Russia n p e as ant it is .

t h e p roph e t Il ia d riv ing h is ch ario t or e ls e grin din g h is c orn ] ,

Th 6rr in th e Ed d a b e s id e h is a pp e ll a tion of A sab6 rr is more


, ,

minut e ly d e scrib e d by Okub6rr i e Waggon th 6rr ( Sn h is , . .


-
.

w aggon is d ra wn bytwo h e goa ts ( Sn Oth e r g od s h av e th e ir-


.

S o e v e n in H i gh G e rma n d i al e cts d urstag for d onrstag, E n gl Th urs d ay,


1
, .

a n d B a v d ore n , d are n for d on n e rn ( S e h m 1 ,


. I n Th orr i t i s n ot RR, b ut .

o n l yt h e fi rst R ( t h e s econ d b e i n g fl ect io nal) th a t is an a bbre v of N R ; i e ’

. . . .
,

N s uffe rs s yn cop e b efo re R , mu ch a s in t h e M D ut e re mi re for é nre minre . . , , .

2
C on f On sike ( Od in s d rive ?) s upra, p 1 5 9
.

. .
TH UN AR . 167

wa ggons too, sp e cia lly Ohinn a nd Fre yr (se e pp 1 0 7


e but Th 6rr .
,

is distinct iv e ly th ough t of a s t h e god w h o d riv e s h e n e v e r a pp e ars


ridin g l ik e G5 inn n or is h e s upp o s e d t o own a h ors e : e ith e r h e
, ,

d rives or h e w a lks on foot


,
W e a re e xp re ssly t ol d : Th6rr gengr
.
~

t il d 6msin s ok ve 5 r fi r w alks t o j ud g me n t a n d w a d e s th e riv e rs


, , ,

h e opl e in S w e d e n st ill sa y wh e n it th u n d e rs
( S n
. T e p ,

godgu bben ak e r th e g ood old ( fe ll ow) is t a kin g a d riv e I h re 6 96


, , .

74 0 9 2 6 goj a r ak a r goj a r kiir th e g a ffe r good fa th e r d rive s ( se e



. .
, , , ,

Suppl ) . Th e y n o l ong e r lik e d to u tte r th e god s re al n ame or th e y ’

wish e d t o e xt ol h is fath erly g ood ne ss ( v s up ra p 2 1 th e old god .


,
.
, ,

D an vor ga mle f a d er)


. Th e Norw e g ia n c alls t h e ligh t n in g Th ors
va rme w a rmth F ay e p 6
,
-
, . .

Thu n de r l ightni n g an d rain ab ov e all oth e r n atural ph en ome na


, , ,

p roce e d dire ctly from G od are l ook e d up on a s his d oin g h is , ,

b usin e ss ( se e Suppl ) 2
W h e n a gre a t n ois e an d ra ck e t is k e pt up
.
,

a c ommon e xp re ss ion is y ou c oul d n ot h e ar th e L ord th un d er for



th e up roar ; in F ran c e le b ruit e st si fort qu on n e n t e n d p a s Die u

tonn er A s e a rly a s th e R oman d e R e na rt 1 1 8 9 8


.

F on t u n e n oi e si s gran t
quen mi oist p a s Die u ton a nt .

2 9 14 3 : Et co mme nca un d ue l si grant ,

que le n n i oist D ie u tona n t .

Ogier 1 0 9 1 5 Lor p oin s d e te rd e n t, I or p aume s von t b atan t,


ni oissie z n is a me D ie u ton a n t .

Garin 2 3 8 , N e s Die u ton na n t ni p ossie z oir .

And in t h e R oman d e M augis ( Ly on 1 5 9 9 p D e l a n oyse ,


.

il f i o e n t n e n et lon p a s ou Di t
q u s a s y y e u on n er .

B ut thu n d e r is e sp e c ially a scrib e d t o a n angry a n d ave rigin g


o d a n d in th is a ttrib ut e o f a nger a n d p un ishmen t a g a in D on a r
g ;
re s e mbl e s W u ot an ( pp 1 8 I n a th un d e rst orm t h e p e opl e say
.
,

t o th e ir chil d re n : th e gra cious God is a n gry ; I n W e stph a lia : use


he rgot kift (chid e s S trod tm os n a b r 1 0 4 ) in F ra n conia : God is out
,
. .

1S ca rce l ycon trad i ct e d b yhis surn a me H torri d i this ri li i prob ab l yp oi nts


t o re ifS, a w a ggo n H lé rrifi i s e e ms t o me t o come bya ss imi l a ti o n from h 16 5 r15 1,
conf ch XIII , th e go dd e ss H lo5 vn
. . .

2
A p ea sa n t , b e i n g re q ue st e d t o kn e e l a t a p roce ss ion of th e H o st , sa1d I
d on t b e li e v e th e L o rd ca n b e t h e re , t wa s onl yye st e rd a y I h ea rd hi m t h un d e r
’ ’

up in h e av e n We id ne rs a p op hth e gmata, A mst 1 6 4 3 , p 2 77 . . .


1 68 TH UN AR .

th e re sc ol di n g ; in B av aria : d e r himmelta tl d add y) greint (Schm


-
.

I n E ckstrom s p oe m in h on our of th e c ounty of H on ste in



1,
b
1 5 92 , cii ,
it is s aid
Gott d er herr muss w arlich from s e in ( must b e real ly k in d) ,

da ss cht mit d onner sch le gt d re in 1


e r ni .

Th e s ame s e n time n t app e ars amon g th e L e tt on an d Fin n n at ion s .

L e ttic : w e zzaj s kahj as w e zzaj s t ehw s b arrah s (th e old fathe r h a s


,

starte d to his fe e t h e ch ide s ) Ste n d er l e tt gramm 1 5 0 W ith


, , . . .

d ie vas (god ) an d d ie vaitis ( g od kin d e ar god ) th e L ith u an ia n s ,

a ss o cia t e ch ie fly th e idea of th e thu n d e re r : die va itis granj a l


die vaitis j i n umusse Esth onian : w a nn a iss a huab w ann a e ss a
.
,

w alj an , mii rrise p (th e old fa th e r growls ) Rose n p lant e rs b e itr 8 , .


,

The Lord sc ol d s

116

. h e a v e n w age s w a r J oh Chri st P e tris
,

, . .

Eh stland 2 1 0 8 ( se e Suppl ),
.

N ow with thi s Donar of th e Ge rmani fits in s ignific an tly th e


Gall ic Ta ra n is wh o s e n a me is h an d e d d own t o us in Lu c an 1 4 4 0 ,

all th e Ce ltic t on gu e s re t ain t h e w ord ta ra n for th un d e r I rish tora n , ,

with wh ich on e maydire ctly c onn e ct th e ON form Th 6rr if on e .


,

thinks an a ss imil a tion from rn th e more l ik e ly B ut an old


inscription g iv e s u s als o Ta n a rus (Forc e ll ini sub v ) = T aranis .
.
.

Th e I rish n ame for Thurs d ay d ia Tord a in ( dia ord ain d iard a oin) , ,

w as p e rh a ps b orro w e d from a Te ut on ic on e (see S uppl ) .

So in t h e L at in J up it e r (l it e rally G od fath e r D ie sp it e r) th e re , ,

p re domin ate s th e id e a of th e th un d e re r in th e p oe ts Ton a ns is


eq uiv al e n t t o J up it e r M artial vi 1 0 9 1 3 7 Ovid H e roid .
,
.
, . .

M e t am 1 1 70

9 7
, . F a st i 2 6 9 , . Cl audian s S t il ich o 2 .
,
.
,

a n d L a t in p oe ts of th e M id A ge s a re n ot a t all un will in g t o a pply .

th e n ame t o th e ch ristian G od d e d e o 1 1 s atis fa ct , . .

14 9 . V e n F ortun a t p 2 1 2 9
. A n d e xp re ss ion s in th e
. .
-
.

lin gu a v ulgaris c oin cide w ith this : c el ui qui fait toner qui fait ,

c ourre la nue ( p 23 A n in sc rip tion J ovi ton a n ti in Grut e r 2 1


.
, , ,

6 . Th e G ree k Z e us w h o s e n d s th un de r an d li ghtning ( xep a vvcig) is


styl e d x ep a fivet os Z e b? ‘
. l l 8 75 1 70 1 7 5 95 .
, . .
,
.

m fi n oq I I 1 5, . A nd b e c a us e h e s en d s th e m d own from t he
,

1 Inp oe m ma d e up of th e fi rst li n e s of h ymn s and son gs A ch g ott v om


a
h i mme l s ie h d are i n un d w e rfe e i n e n d on n e rst e in e s i st ge w islich a n d e r z e i t
, , ,

d a ss s ch w e lg e re i u n d iip p igke it z ers ch me tt ert w e rd e n mause to d t ! son st s ch re in


w ir b a l d a ns t ie fer n oth .

On e migh t b e t e mpt e d t o conn e ct t h e E truscan Tin a


2
J up it er wi th
T on an san d D on ar it be l on gs more imme d ia t e lyt o Z ip ( v i n fra Zio) ; .
, .
1 70 THUNAR .

p e rh a ps with re feren ce [not so m u ch t o th e old Roman a s] to th e ,

G all ic or e v e n G e rman s e n s e wh ich h ad th e n c ome t o b e att a ch e d


t o th e g od s n ame

R e me mb er th a t G e rman isarn od ori on th e J ura
.

mou n t ain s n ot far off (p .

S u ch n ame s of moun t ain s in G e rman y its e l f we may with


p e rfe ct s afe ty a scrib e t o th e w orsh ip of th e n ativ e d eity E v e ry .

on e k n o ws th e D on n ersberg ( mon t T onn e rre ) in th e Rhin e p a l a tin a t e

on t h e b ord e rs of t h e old c oun ty o f F a lk e n st e in b e tw e en W orms , ,

K a is e rsl a ut e rn and K re uzn ach ; it st an d s a s Thon eresberg in a d oc .

of 8 69 S ch a n n a t h ist w orma t prob a t p 9


,
A n oth e r Thun eresberg
. . . . .

s ituat e on t he D ie me l in We stph alia not far from Warburg an d


, , ,

s urroun d e d by th e v ill ag e s of Worme l n G e rme te an d W e l da is , ,

first men tion e d in a d oc of 1 1 0 0 Sch at e n mon p ad erb 1 64 9 .


, . .
,

in t h e M id A g e s it w a s st il l th e s e a t of a g re at p op u l ar a ssiz e
.
,

origin ally d ue n o d oubt t o th e s a cre d n e ss of th e sp ot ,


c ome s a d
Thun eresberhc (ann o W igand s fe me 2 2 2 c omitia d e Di mris .

berg Wigands a rch I l 5 6 a j udicio n ostro Thonresberch . .


, .

ih 5 8 .Pre cis e ly in th e v icinity of this mount ain stand s th e


.

holyoa k ment ion e d on p 72 4 j u st a s th e rohur J ovis by G e is mar.


-
,

in H e ss e is n e ar a Wu ota nsberg p 1 5 2 To all ap p e aranc e t h e t w o ,


. .

d e itie s c oul d b e w orshipp e d cl os e t o on e an oth e r Th e K nii llge .

birge in H e ss e in clud e s a D on nerlca u te I n th e B e rn erlan d is a .

D onne rbu hel (d oc of 1 3 0 3 J oh M iill er 1


. c all e d Tonrbi/Ll in
,
.
,

J ustingers B e rn e r ch ron p 5 0 P rob ably more D onn ersb ergsare . . .

t o b e foun d in oth e r p art s of G e rman y On e in th e R e ge n sb urg .

c oun try is giv e n in a d oc of 8 8 2 und er th e n ame of Tuniesberg . ,

Rie d cod d ipl num 6 0 A Sifridus marsch alcus d e Donnersp erch


, . . . .

is n ame d in a d oc of 1 3 0 0 M B 3 3 p ars 1 p 2 8 9 ; a n Ott o d e


.
,
.
, ,
.

D one rwerg M B 4 94 (in , . but D uon e sb e rc 4 5 28 ( in


, , ,

an d Tun n ie sb e rg 1 1 4 3 2 I n th e Th iiringe r w al d b e t we e n St e in
, .
,

1
This mons J ovis mu st b e dist in guish e d from mons ga ud i i , b yw h ich th e
M id A g e s me an t a h e igh t n e ar Rome Ott o frisin g 1 c 2 , 2 2 th e K aise rch r
. . . .

t ran sla t e s i t v e rba ll y mendelberc I n Roman ce p oe ms of th e 12 1 3 th .


-

ce n t uri e s , monj oie is t h e F re n ch b a ttl e -cry g e n e ra ll yw i th t h e a d d i t ion of S t ,

D e ni s, e g monj oy
. . a , monj oy a s an t D e n i s F e rab ras 3 6 5 monj oie e rrse igne S . .

D e ni s G arin 1 0 8 D ucan ge in his 1 1th di sse rta t i on on J o i n vi lle d e clare s


.

monj oie i n ad mi ss i b l e a s a me re d imi n u t ive of mon t, sin ce in o th er p a ss a g e s


( Ro qu e fort 2 2 0 7) i t d e n o t e s a n ypl a ce of j oya n d b l i ss , a p ara d i s e, so th a t w e
,

can fa i rl y k e e p t o th e l i t e ra l s e n s e a n d t h e re mu st h a v e b e e n moun ta i n s of
th i s n ame in more th an on e re gi on It i s quite p oss i b l e th at m’ onj oie i ts e lf .

ca me from a n e a rli e r mon ove


j (mon s J ovi s ) , th a t w i th th e god s hill th e re
a ss oci a t e d i ts e lf th e id ea of a man s ion of b liss (se e S uppl
) .
THUN AR . 1 71

b a ch and Ob erh of at th e re nn ste ig is a D onersh auk (se e S uppl )


,

.

—A D ona res eih a robur J ovis w a s a tre e sp e c ially s a cre d t o th e


, ,

god of l ight nin g an d of th e s e th e re g re w an e ndl e ss ab un d a n c e in


,

t h e G e rma n fore sts .

N e ith e r d oe s S c an dina via l a ck moun tain s and rocks b e aring th e


n a me o f Th 6rr : Th ors l di n t in E a st G othla n d ( c on f Wild e gre n s

.

Ost e rgij tlan d 1 Thorsborg in G othla n d M olb e ch t id skr 4 1 8 9


, ,
.
, .

From N orwa y wh e re th is god w a s p re e min e n tly h on oure d I h a v e


,
-
,

n e v e rth e l e ss h e a rd of n on e Th e p e a s a n t in V e rmla n d c all s t h e .

s outh w e st c orn e r of th e sky wh e n c e th e summe r t e mp e sts mostly


-
,

Thorshdla G e ij e r s Sve arik e s h afd e r 1 ,



ri e ,
s h ol e c a v e
-
, ,

Thun d e r moun tain s


'

A n d th e -
of th e S l av s are n ot to be o ver
l ook e d N e ar M ille sch au in B oh e mia stan d s a H romola n from
.
,

b rom th un d e r in oth e r dial e cts g rom


, , One of th e st e e p e st moun .

tain s in th e Styrian Al ps ( se e Suppl ) is Grimming i e Sl ge rmnik .


,
. .
,
.
,

OSl gr mn ik th und e r h ill ( Sl ov e n gr mi it th un d e rs S e rv grmi


” ’
-
. . .
, , , ,

Ru ss g rom gre mit qua s i Bp oa o s Bp éa e i ) a n d n ot fa r from it is a


'
:
.
, ,

r v ul e t n ame d D on n ersba ch
i Th e Sl av s th e n h av e t wo diffe re n t
1
.

w ords t o e xp re ss th e ph e n ome n on an d th e god : th e l a tt e r is in OSl .

P erun P ol P iorun B oh P era un ; amon g th e South e rn Sl av s it


, .
2
, .

s ee ms to h av e di e d out a t a n e arl ie r time th ough it is still found in ,

d e riv a tiv e s an d n a me s of pl a c e s D ob row sky (in st 2 8 9) tra c e s th e . .

w ord t o th e v e rb p e ru fe rio quatio [g e n e ral me an ing rath e r p e ll o


, , ,

t o p u sh ] an d th is t ol e rably ap t s ig nific a tion mayh a v e c on t rib ut e d


.

t o twi st th e w ord out of it s g e nuin e form 3


I th ink it h a s d ropt a .

k : th e Lithuanian L e ttish a n d OP russian th un d ergod is P erkuna s


, ,

P ehrkons P erkun os an d a gre a t man y n ame s of pl a c e s are com


, ,

p oun d e d w ith it Lith P e rkun as granj a ( P thu n d e rs ) P e rku n a s


. .
, .
,

musz a ( P strik e s ferit) . Le tt P e h rkon s sp e rr ( th e light ning


,
.
,

strik e s see S uppl )


,
Th e S l a v p erun is n ow s e l d om a ppl ie d
. .

p ers on ally it is us e d ch ie fly of th e light ning s fl a sh P roc op iu s (d e


,

.


B e ll o G oth s ays of th e S clav e ni an d A n te s : 96 511 uév yczp
.
v

gva 7 511 7 779 ci a 7 p a vr fi S Snyt ovp ybv d wd vrw v fcz p t o v fu m o u a izrbv



fi ‘
f '

. .

K in d e rman n , abu ss S t eie rmark pp 6 6 , 6 7,



1
v on .

2
T h e S l ov a ks sa yP a rom, a n d p a romova st re l a ( P s b olt) for p erun ov a

.

phra s e s ab out Parom, from Koll a r, in H an usch 2 5 9 , 26 0 .

3 M igh t er u n b e con n e ct e d w ith Ke a v ud$ = m a vuds ? S t ill n ea re r t o


p p p
P e run w oul d s e e m t o b e th e S an sk P a rj a n ya s, a n a me b orn e b y I n d ra as .

J up i t e r pl uv ius , l it era ll y, fe rt il izi n g ra i n , t h un d e r-cl oud , th un d e r A h ymn t o .

th i s rai n god in Ro s e n s Ve d ae sp e cime n p 2 3 C onf H it zi g Ph ili st 2 9 6 , an d


-

. . . .

H olt z ma n n 1 , 1 12 , 1 1 8 .
1 72 THUNAR .

mé l i

i tep eia d wdvm
’ ’
vo o va w e ua t , xa B oa s 7 6

Ka .

.
'
.

A g a in th e , oa k w as c on s e cra t e d t o P e run ,
a n d old d oc ume nts d e fi ne
b ou n d a rie s by it (d o p erunova d uba a s far a s P s oak) ; a n d th e , .

R oman s c all e d t h e th e a c orn j ugla ns


J ovis gla ns th e , ,

fruit of th e fa th e rly god Lightning is s upp o s ed to strik e oaks by .

p re fe re n c e (se e Suppl ) .

N ow P erleun s ugg e sts th a t th und e rgod of th e M ord ui ns P orguini ,

a n d w h a t is more w orthy of n ot e
( p
.
,
a G o th ic w ord a ls o , ,

w hich ( I gra n t ) a s u s e d b y U lp hil as w a s al re a d y stript of all p e r


, ,

son ifi cat ion Th e n e u t n oun f a i rgun i ( Gra mm 2 1 75 4 5 3 )


. . .
, .

me a n s 5p os mount ain
' 1
W h a t if it w e re on c e e sp e c ially th e

,
.

Th un d e r moun t ain an d a l ost Fa i rgun s th e n ame of th e god ( se e


-
,

Supp l ) ? Or st artin g with fairguni with its simpl e me aning of


,

mon s unalt ered mayw e n ot p ut into th at masc Fairgun s or Fair


, .

un e is a n d c on s e qu e n tly in t o P e rkun a s th e s e n s e of th e a b ov e
g , ,
.

me nt ion e d ci/cp i o g h e of t h e moun t ain t op a fitting s urn ame for


t h e th un d e rgod F ergnn n a e n d ing lik e P a t un n a p 71 s ign ifi e s


.
, , .
,

in th e Ch ron moissiac a nn o 8 0 5 ( Pert z 1 3 0 8) n ot a nyp art icul ar


. .
,

sp o t but th e me t al mou n t ain s (erzg e birge ) ; an d Virgunnia ( Vir


,
-

gund ie V irgun d a c onf Z e uss p 1 0) th e tra ct of w oode d moun t ain s


, ,
. .

b e tw e e n A n sb ach a n d E llw ang e n Wol fram Wh 3 90 2 s ays of .


,
.
, ,

h is waI t sw e nd e n ( w oo d wa st in g
-
d er Sw arz w alt un d Virgun t -

mii e sen da von ced e l ige n B l a c k F ore st an d V mu st lie w a st e , .

th e reb y I n th e c omp ound s w ith out which it w oul d h ave p erish e d


.
,

a lt og e th e r th e O H G vi rga n A S firgen ma ye ith e r b e ar t h e s impl e


, .
, .

s en s e of moun t ainous w ood y or c on c e al th e n ame of a god — B e th a t , ,

a s it may w e fi n d fairgu n i virgun fi rge n c onn e ct e d w ith divin e ly


, , ,

h on oure d b e ings as a pp e ars pl a inly from th e ON F iorggn ge n


'

. .
, ,

Fi6 rgynj ar which in t h e E d da me an s Th 6r s moth e r t h e g od d e ss


, ,

E arth : Th 6rr J a rda r burr Seem 70 6 8 Odins son S ee m 73 74 “ 1


'
9: a 1
. . .
, .
,

A n d b e s id e h e r a mal e F i orggnn ge n F iorgyns Fiorgvins a pp e ars


, ,
.
, ,

a s th e fa th e r of Ohin s w ife F rigg S n 1 0 1 1 8 S eem I n a ll



. . .
, ,

th e s e w ord s w e must t ak e fairg fi rg fi org a s th e root a n d not divid e


'

, , ,

th e m asfair g uni fi r gun fi 6 r gyn N ow it istrue th at all th e A n ze is


-
,
-
,
- .
,

a ll th e A e sir a re e n th ron e d on moun t ain s ( p a n d Fir un m igh t


g .

h a ve b e e n us ed of more th an on e of th e m; b ut th a t w e h av e a right
t o cl aim it sp e c ially for D ona r a nd h is mother is sh e wn by P e run , ,

1 Matt . 8, 1 . Mk 5 , 5 1 1 9 , 2 1 1 , 1 . . . . Lu 3 , 5 . 4, 2 9 9 , 3 7 19, 29 3 7
. . . . .

1 Cor 1 3 , 2
. . B airgah e i ( f; in Lu 1, 3 9, 6 5 . n e e r t h e im le b a irgs
v s p .
1 74 THUNAR .

OH G p oe m of M usp illi 4 8—3 5 4 A n tichrist and th e d e v il


.
, d o inde e d
fall b ut Elias als o is grie vously w oun de d in th e figh t
,

Doh d e s v il u gotmann o
w an it 1

d az E li a s in d e mo w ige arwa rtit


sar S 6 d az E lia ses p luot
in e rd a kitriu fi t ,

86 inp rinn an t d ie p e rg a ;
his bl ood d ripp in g th s e ts the mount ain s on fi re a n d th e
on th e e ar ,

J udgme nt d ay is h eral d e d by oth er s ign s as w e ll


-
W ith ou t .

kn owin g in th e ir c ompl e te n e ss th e n o tion s of th e d e vil A n tichrist , ,

Elia s a n d E noch wh ich w e re c urre n t ab ou t th e 7th or 8 th


,

2
c e ntury w e c ann ot fully a pp re c ia t e th is a nal ogy b e tw e e n E l ia s
,

a n d th e D on ar of t h e h e a th e n s Th ere w as noth ing in ch ristian .

tra dition to w arra n t th e s upp os ition of El ia s re c e iving a w ound ,

a n d th a t a d e adly on e Th e c omp aris on b e c om


. e s st ill more su
g
ge stive by th e fa ct th a t e v e n h al f ch ristian ra c e s in th e Ca uc a s u s
-

w orsh ip E lia s a s a god of thund e r Th e Oss e t e s th ink a ma n lucky .


°

wh o is struck by ligh tn ing th e y b e l ie v e I lia h as t a k e n h im t o ,

h ims e l f ; s urviv ors rais e a cry of j oy an d s ing an d d an c e around ,

th e b od y th e p e opl e fl o ck t og e th e r form a rin g for d an c ing an d


, , ,

s ing : O Ella i E lla i elda er tch op p e i ! ( O Elia s El ia s l ord of th e


, , , ,

ro cky s ummits ) B yth e c airn ov e r th e gra v e th e y se t up a l on g p ol e


.

s upp ortin g th e sk in of a bl a ck h e goa t wh ich is th eir u su al mann e r -


,

m ore El ia s t o mak e
of s a c rific ing to E lia s
( se e S u ppl ) Th e y i pl .

th e ir fi e l d s fruitful and k e e p th e ha il a wa y from th e m


,
3
Ole arius .

al re a d y h a d u t it u p n r c r d t h t t h e C irc a ss ia n s on th e Ca sp ian
p o e o a ,

s a crific e d a g oat on E lia ss d a y and stre tch e d the sk in on a p ol e


i
w th p raye rs 4
Ev e n th e M uh amma d an s in p raying th a t a thund er
.
,

st orm maybe a v e rt e d n ame th e n ame of Ilga ,


f ’

N ow th e S e rvian s on gs p ut b yth e s id e of El ia s th e V irgin


,

M a ry an d it w as sh e e sp e cia lly th a t in th e M id A g e s wa s in v ok e d .

for rain . Th e ch ronicl e rs me n tion a rain p roc e ss ion in th e I i ege -

1 Gotma n, a div in e ,
prie st ? C onf supra pp 8 8 9
a .
, .
-
.

2
Th e Ra bbini ca l l e g e n d lik e wis e a ssu me s th a t E lia s will re t urn an d slay
th e ma l i gnan t S ammae l Eis e n me n g e r 2 69 6 8 5 1 ,
. .

K l a p ro th s t ra v e ls in th e C a ucas us 2 60 6 60 1

3 .
, .

E rme n e archiv fur Ru ssl an d 1 8 4 1 4 29


4 ’ ’

.
,

5
A d Olearius re isesch r 1 6 4 7 pp 5 22 -3
. .
, . .
TH UN AR . 1 75

count ry ab out th e ye ar 1 24 0 or 1 2 44 ; thre e time s did p rie sts a n d 1


.

p e opl e march roun d ( nudis p e d ib u s e t in la n e is) b ut all in v ain , ,

b e c aus e in c all in g up on all th e s a ints th e y h a d forg ott e n th e M oth er


of G od ; so wh e n t h e s aintly ch oir l aid th e p e t it ion b e fore G od
, ,

M a ryop p osed I n a n e w p roc e ss ion a s ol e mn s al v e re g in a w as


.
‘ ’

s ung : E t cum se re num t e mpus an t e fui sse t t an t a inun d atio p luvia e ,

fa ct a e st u t fe re o mne s qui in p roc e ss ion e a d e ra n t h a c illa cqu e


, ,

d isp e rgere ntur With th e L ith u an ian s t h e h oly g od d e ss ( d ie va it e


.
,

s v en ta ) is a ra in godd e ss H e a th e n d om p rob ably a dd re ss e d th e


-
.

p e tition for rain t o th e th un d e rgod in st e ad of t o El ia s a nd M ary 2


,
.

Y e t I c ann ot c all t o min d a s ingl e p a ss ag e e v e n in ON l e g e nd ,


.
,

wh e re Th 6rr is s aid t o h a ve b e stowed ra in wh e n it w a s a sked f or


w e a re only t ol d th at h e s e n d s stormy wea ther wh e n h e is a ngry ,

Ol a fs Tryggv s ag a 1 3 0 2 6 ( se e S uppl )
.
,
B ut w e mayfa irly t a k e
- .

int o a cc oun t his g e n e ra l re s e mbl an c e t o Z e u s a n d J up it e r ( wh o are


'
e xp re ssly fi en cq p luvi us ll 1 2 2 5 : 136 Z e d? a vvexés) a n d th e p re
, ,
.
, ,

v a l e n c e of votis i mbrem voca re among all the n eighb ouring n ation s


(s ee S u ppl ) .

A d e sc ription by P e t roniu s cap 4 4 of a R oman p roc e ss ion for .


,

ra in a gre e s cl os e ly w ith th at g iv e n a b o v e from th e M id A g e s


,
.

A n t ea st olat a e ibant nudis p e dib u s in clivum p a ss is cap illis me n ti , ,

b us p uris e t J ovem a gua m ex ora ba nt ita qu e st a tim urce a tim (in


,

b uck e tfuls) p lueb at aut tun c aut nun qua m e t omn e s rid eb an t uvidi
, , ,

tan quam mure s M A n ton inu s ( e is éa vro v 5 7) h as p re s erv e d th e


. .
'

b e a utifully s impl e p ray e r of th e A th e ni an s for rain si ?)


x
’ '

A 9nva t wv 5 0 0 11 d} (pik e Z e i) x a rd 7 739 dp o vp a s 7 739 A dnva iwv



'
, , ,

m i 7 631; w e Biwv (se e Suppl ) A cc ordin g to La sicz th e Lith uanian .


,

p ra ye r ran th u s : P erca ne d eva ite n ie mu ski un d man a di rvu ( so I


e me n d die vu) me ls u t a v i p a lti mie ssu
, Coh ib e t e P e rcu n e n e v e
,
.
, ,

in me um agrum cala mit ate m immitt a s (more s imply st rik e n ot ) , ,

e go v e ro t ib i h a n c succidia m d a b o Th e Old P ru ss ian formul a is .

s aid t o h av e b e e n : D ieva s P erkun as ab solo mu s ! sp are u s Lith , ,


.

ap sa ugok mu s To all th is I w ill ad d a more e xt e n d e d p e t ition in


Esth onian a s G utslaff h eard an old p e as an t say it a s l a t e a s th e
,
3

1 A e gid ius a ure ae v allis cap 1 3 5 ( Ch ap e a uvil le 2 , 2 6 7 C h ron b e lg


.
. .

magn a d a nn 12 4 4 ( Pist ori us 3 ,


. .

2
Ot h e r s ain ts a ls o g ran t re i n in an s w er t o p ra ye r, a s St M a n sue t us I n
P e rt z 6 , 5 13 11 ; th e b o d y o f S t L up us carri e d a bout a t S e ns in 1 0 9 7,
P e rtz 1 , 10 6 -7 C on f i nfra, Rain -ma k i n g
. . .

3 J ch
Gut slaff, k urze r b e rich t un d un t errich t von d e r fal s ch h ei l i g ge
.
1 76 THU N AR .

1 7th c e nt ury : De ar Thu n d er ( w od a Pick e r) w e offe r t o th e e an ,

ox th a t h a th t wo h orns a n d four cl ov e n h o ofs w e w oul d p ra th


y ee ,

for our pl o ugh ing a n d s owin g th a t our straw b e c opp e r re d our ,


-
,

grain b e g ol d e n y e ll ow P ush elsewhither all th e thick bla ck clouds


-
.
,

o v e r gre a t fe n s high fore sts an d wild e rn e ss e s


, , B ut u nt o us .

pl ough e rs a n d s ow e rs giv e a fruitful s e a s on a nd sweet ra in H oly .

Th un d er (p oh a Pick e n ) gua rd our se e dfi e ld th a t it b e ar g ood stra w


'

, ,

b e l ow good ears ab ov e a n d good g rain w ithin


, ,
Pick e r or Pick e n .

w oul d in mod e rn Esth on ian b e c all e d P i tkne wh ich c ome s n e ar ,

t h e Finnic p itkain en th un d e r p erh aps e v e n Thun d e r ; H up el s



E sth Die t h o we v e r give s b oth p ikken ne a n d p ikne s imply a s


. .

th und e r ( imp e rs on al ) Th e Fin n s u s ually giv e th e ir t hund e rgod


.

t h e n a me Ukko only t h e E sth onia n s th a t of Turris as w e ll


,
r

e id e
v n tly fro m t h e N o rs e Th 6 rr (se e S u ppl )
1
.

A s th e fe rtility of t h e l an d d e p e n d s on thun d e rst orms an d


rain s , P itkd in en a n d Z eus a pp e a r a s th e ol d e st divin ity of a g ri
c ultural n a tion s t o w h os e b oun ty th e y l ook for th e thriv ing of
,

th e ir corn fi eld s a nd fruits (see Suppl ) A d a m of B re me n t oo attri .

b ut e s th un d e r a n d l igh t n ing t o Th or e xpre ssly in c on n e xion with


d omin ion ov e r w e a th e r a n d fruits Th or in quiun t p rae sid e t in a ere

, , ,

q u i t o n it ru a e t fu l m in a v e n t o s imb re s u e seren a e t ru es u bern a t


, q f g g , .

H e re th e n th e w orship of T h or c oin cid e s with th a t of W uot an t o -


,

w h o m l ik e w is e th e re a p e rs p a id h oma ge ( pp 1 5 4 a s on t h e oth e r .

h a n d Th or a s w e ll a s Ohin n g uid e s th e e v e n ts of w ar an d re c e iv e s ,

h is s h are of th e sp oils ( p To th e N ors e min d in de e d Th or s



.
,

v ictorie s a n d his b a ttl e s w ith th e gian ts h a v e th rown h is p ea c eful


offic e qu it e in t o th e sh a d e N e v e rth e l e ss t o W uot an s migh tie st
.

son w h o s e mot h e r is E a rth h e rs e l f a n d w h o is a ls o n ame d P e r


, ,

k un o s w e mu st if on ly for h is l in e age s ak e all ow a d ire ct re l ation


, , ,

t o A griculture ?
H e cl e a rs up th e a tmosp h e re h e s e n d s fe rtilizing ,

n an d ten b a ch e in Lie fla n d W ohh an d a D crp t 16 44, pp 3 6 2 -4 . E v e n in h is . . .

t i me th e l a n guag e of th e praye r wa s h ard t o un d e rsta’ n d it i s giv en , corre ct e d ,


in Pe t e rs on s Fin n myth o l p 1 7, a n d Rose n p lan t e r s b e itr , h e ft 5 , p 1 5 7

. . . . . .

1 Ukko is, n e xt t o Yuma la ( w h o m I con n e ct w i t h Wu ot a n ) , t h e high e s t


F in n i s h god Pitkain e n l i t e ra ll ymea n s th e l on g , t a ll , h igh o n e

. .

2
U h l an d in h is e ss ay on Thorr, h a s p e n e t ra t e d t o th e h e art of t h e ON .

myth s , an d i n ge n i ousl yw ork e d out t h e th ou gh t th a t t h e v erycon fl i ct of t h e ,

s ummer god w i t h th e w i n t e r gi an ts, i ts e l f s i gn i fi e s t he bu s i n e ss of bri n gi ng l an d


- -

u n d e r cu lt iva t i on , t h a t t h e cru sh i n g ro ck -spl i tt i n g force of t h e t h u n d e rb olt


p re p are s th e h ard ston ys oi l Th i s i s most h app i l ye xp oun d e d of th e H rfi ngn ir
.

a n d Orva n d ill s a g a s in s ome o f th e oth e rs i t s e e ms n ot t o a n s we r so w e ll .


1 78 THUN A R .

p h e nome n on : th e fl a sh f u lgur d a rp a m i th e s oun d tonitrus Bp ov rri , , , , , ,


'
,

a n d t he st rok e
f u lm en k e a vvé s se e S uppl
p ,( ) , .

Th e l ight nin g s fl a sh w h ich w e n a me blitz w a s e xp re ss e d in our


, ,

ol d e r sp e e ch b oth by th e s impl e p lih Gra ff 3 2 4 4 M H G bli c I w , , , .


, .

6 4 9 W igal 72 8 4 an d b y p lecha zunga ( corusca tio) d e riv e d from


. .
, ,

u e n t a tiv e o f p leche n
1
p lec h az an a fr e q ,
f
( lg e re ) Diut 1 2 2 24 ;
u ,
.
,

th e y a ls o u s e d p lechunga D iut 1 2 2 2 P lecca teshém P e rtz 2 3 8 3 ,


.
,
.
, , ,

t h e n ame o f a pl a c e n ow B l e x e n th e M H G h a s blikze (fu lgu r)


,
.

d ie blikzen u n d d ie d on e rsle ge s in t mit ge w alt e in s in e r p fle ge M S , .

A gai11 loha za n ( mica re c oru sc are ) Goth lauh atj a n p re


'
b
2 1 66
, .
-
, , .
,

s upp os e s a l6h é n G oth l duh a n From t h e s ame root th e G oth


, . .

forms his ld uh uni ( ao rp a mi) wh il e th e S a x on from blic ma d e a


m -
,

blicsmo (fulg ur) A S leoma ( j ub ar fulgur) ON liomi S we d .


, , .
, .

lj ungeld D a n lyn ,
A P ru ssia n folk t a l e h as a n e x pre ssiv e p h ra s e
. .
- -

for t h e l igh tn ing H e w ith the blue w hip ch a s e s th e d e vil i e th e


, . .

gian ts ; for a blu e fl ame w a s h e l d sp e cially s a cre d a nd p e opl e ,

swe ar by it North Fris d on n ers bldsken (bl ue sh e en ) h e lp 1 in


, .
‘ ’ ’

H a n s e n s g e izh a ls p 1 2 3 ; a n d Sch artlin s c urs e w as bla u f euer !


(se e S uppl ) .

B e s id e d on a r t h e OH G w oul d h av e a t its c omma n d ca p rek


'

, .

( fr a g or) fro m p re h h a n ( fr a n g e re ) G l h ra b 9 63 2
fo r w h ich t h e , . .
,

M H G oft e n h a s kla c Troj 1 2 2 3 1 1 4 6 9 3 a n d kra ch fro m k ra ch e n


m
. .
, .
, ,

( c re p are ) : it k ra ch e ga p d e r d on e r d u z P arz 1 0 4 5 ; an d a s , .
,

k ra ch e n is sy non ymous w ith riz e h (strictly t o b urst with a c ra sh ) ,

w e a ls o fi n d w olk e n riz fe m for th un d e r P arz 3 78 1 1 W h 3 8 9 .


,
.
,
. .
,

1 8 ge ge nriz W artb k r j e n 5 7 ; re h t als d er w il de d unrsla c v on


. . . .
,

h ime l k am gerizzen Eck e 1 0 5 d e r chlaf ond o d on e r N Cap 1 14 ; , .


, . .

d e r chlafleih h e ize t t on e r ; d e r d one r st e t gesp a nnen A p oll on 8 79 ,


. .

I c on ne ct th e G oth ic beihvo fe m w ith th e Finnic t e uh a an (stre p o) ,



. ,

t e u h a us ( stre p itu s t umu ltus ) so th a t it w ould me a n t h e n oisy


, , ,

u p roariou s S ome L G e rm d ia l e cts c all th un d e r gru mme l S trod tm


. . .
,
.

Os nab r 77 a g re e in g w ith th e Sl av grom b rom ( se e Suppl )


.
,
.
,
.

For th e n otion of ful me n w e p oss e ss on ly c o mp ou n d s e xc e pt ,

1
Wh i l e t g p le ch azan I re me mb er p le cka n p lah ta ( p at ere 11uda ri
w ri in , , ,

b l eak) M H G b l e ck e n bla ct e Wigal 4 8 90 ; w h i ch w h e n us e d of th e sky


,
.
, ,
.
, ,

mea n s : t h e cl oud s op e n h e a v e n o p e n s a s w e stil l sayof fork e d a n d sh e e t


, ,

l igh t ni ng con f L oh e n gr p 12 5 re h t a lsam d e s h i mme ls b l iz von d on e r s i ch


. . .

crble cket I f t his p le ch an i s a ki n t o p lih ( fulgur) w e must s upp o s e tw o v e rb s


.
,

l hh le ih a n d p leh h an pl ah th e s e con d d e riv e d fro m t h e fi rst S l a v blesh


'

p i an
p , ,
. .
,

b lisk b ut B oh b o z h i p os el g o d s me ss e n g er l i gh tn i n g fla sh Rus s moln i y



a -
,
. .
,
.
, ,

S e rv munya fe m ( see S uppl )


.
,
. .
TH UNA R . 1 79

wh e n th e s impl e d on ner is us e d in th a t s e n s e sluoc a ls e e in d oner ,

R oth 1 74 7 b iure h at d e r schi tr ( sh ow e r storm) e rslage n M S 3


. .
, ,
.
,

2 2 3 ; c o mmo nly d onn erschla g blitzsch la g


2
OH G blig scuz sh ot , . .
- -
,

fulgurum j a ct us ) N ca p 1 3 ; M H G bli ckesch oz B arl 2 2 6 2 5 3 2 7


, . . .
, .
, .
, ,

a n d blicsch oz M a rt in a fi urin d on erst rd le P a rz 1 0 4 I ; d on


, , .
,

resla c I w 6 5 1 ; t e r scuz t e ro fi ure n t fi n d on erst rd lo (a rd e n tis fulmin is


, .
) ,

crseozen mit t ie n d on e rstrd lon N E th 1 8 1 75 ; M H G we tterstra hl



. . . .
, ,

blitzstra hl, d onn e rstra h l . M HG . w ild e r d on e rsla c, G e o .


75 1 ,
as

l igh tn ing fi re Rab 4 1 2 S ch m 1 5 5 3 a n d so in ON


is c all e d w ild , .
,
.
, ,
.

villi cld r S n 6 0 se e S uppl


-
,( ) . .

S o th e n a s th e god w h o l ight e n s h a s re d h air a sc rib e d t o h im


, ,

a n d he w h o th u n d e rs a w a gg on h e w h o s mit e s h a s s ome w e ap on ,

th a t h e sh oots B ut h e re I j udg e th a t th e n ot ion of a rrows b e in g


.

s h ot (w ilder pf i l d e r fi z d e m d onre sn ell e t Troj 76 73 d on e rs pf i le , . .


,

Turn e i von N a n th e iz 3 5 1 5 0 ) w a s me re ly imit a t e d from t h e x fixa .

A t é 9 t e l a J ov is ; t h e t rue T e uton ic D on a r th ro ws w e d g e sh a p e d
,
-

stones from th e sky : e z w a rt n ie ste in g e w orfe n d a r e r e nk eeme v on

d e r schure th e re w a s n e v e r st on e th row n th e re ( in t o t h e c a stl e


h igh ) unl e ss it c a me from t h e storm Eck e 2 0 3 e in vlins ( fl int)


, ,
.

vo n d on re st rale n W ol fra m 9 3 2 e in h e rz e d a z v o n vlin se i me d on re


, ,
.

h t m d f h fl in t in t h un d e r) W h 1 2 1 6
g e w a h se n w e re ( a e a r a e o t e ,
.
,
.

schurestein , B it . 1 03 3 2 . scha we rstei n , S uch e n w . 3 3, 83 . s6 slah e

mich e in d onerstein ! M s H 3 W e n ow c all it d on n e rkeil . .


, ,

Sw e d ask vigg w e d g e ) ; a n d in p op ul ar b e l ie f t h e re d arts ou t o f


.
- -
,

t h e cl oud t og e th e r w ith th e fla sh a bla ck wedge wh ich b urie s its el f ,

1
i n the ea rth asd e e p a s th e h igh e st ch u rch t ow e r is h g i h B ut e v e ry -
.

t ime it th un d e rs ag a in it b e g in s t o ris e n e are r to th e s urfa ce a n d , ,

a ft e r seven y ea rs y ou ma fi d it b v g d A h s i
y n a o e rou n n y o u e n .

wh ich it is p re s e rv e d is p roof ag ain st d amag e b ylight n in g wh e n ,

a th un d e r st orm is c omin g o n it b e g in s t o s w e a t
?
-
Such st on e s a re ,

als o c all e d d on n erd x te a x e s ) d on n erstei n e d on nerha mmer a lbsch ossc -


, ,

a hlstei ne teu els n er E n gl thu n d er bolts S w e d Th ors


( e lfsh ot s) str , f fi g , ,
.
-
,
.

vig e D a n tord en kile tord e nstra a le ( v in fra ch XXXVII )


3
a n d st on e
g ,
.
, .
, .
,

h amme rs an d k niv e s foun d in a n c ie n t t ombs b e ar th e s a me n ame .

S a x o G ra m p 2 3 6 I nus it a ti p on d e ris ma tteos quos J ovia les v oc a


. .
,

1
Th i s dep th is v a ri ousl ye xpre ss e d in curs e s , &c e g M ayth e th un d e r st rike . . .

yo u in t o t h e ea rth a s fa r a s a h a re ca n mmin a h un d re d ye ars I


2
We d d ige n s we stfal mag 3 , 7 1 3 Wiga nd s a rch iv 2 , 3 2 0 , h as nine years
. . .

inst ea d o f s e v e n .

3
Th e G rk na me fo r th e st o n e is Be h e p vims a miss il e ‘
.
1 80 TH U N A R .

han t p risc a
l igion e cult os v iroru m
cup ie n s re

uit a s t on itruorum c a u s a s u s it a t a re ru ms imil it u din e com


,

e n im a n t iq

p re h e n d e re ma tteos qu ibu s c oe li fra g ore s cie ri cre d e b at in g e n ti a e re


, , ,

c ompl e x a fue rat (see Suppl ) To J up it e r t oo th e sileac (flin s) w a s .

s a cre d a n d it w a s h e l d by th os e t ak in g a n oa th Fro m t h e me n tion


, .

of I w oul d in fer a c on n e x ion of th e elf sp rit e s



e lf s h o ts ab o v e
-
,
-

with th e th un d ergod in w h os e s e rvic e th e y s e e m t o b e e mpl oy e d


, .

Th e N ors e myth ol ogy p rov id e s Th 6rr w ith a w on d e rful h a mmer


n a me d M i d ln ir ( ma ul e r t u d e s oon t un d e n s w h ich h e h urls a t t h e
) , , ,

g ian ts S eem 5 7 6 7 6 8
,
1 b b
.it is als o c all e d fi ru dha ma r strong
1
,

h a mme r See m 6 7 b
,
a n d h a s t h e p rop e rty of re t urn in g in t o t h e
.

god s h an d of its e l f a fte r b e in g th rown Sn 1 3 2 A s th is h amme r


, , . .

h a nn k e mr a lo t Sn
f li es th ro u g h th e a i r ( e r p t h e g ia n ts k n o w ,
. .

i
it l igh tn ing an d th un d e r p re c e d e th e th rowin g of it : bv n eest sa
,

h ann ( n e xt saw h e gia n t H rfi ngn ir) eld i nga r cc h e yr5 1 bra ma r
,
-
,

st 6rar S 6 h a nn pa Th 6r i as m65 i f6r h ann ak a fle ga cc reiddi ha ma rin


, , ,

cc ka sta di Sn 1 0 9 Th is is ob v iou sly th e c rush in g th un d erb olt


,
. .
,

w h ic h d e sc e nd s a ft e r l igh t n in g an d th un d e r wh ich w a s n e v e rth e l e ss ,

re g a rd e d a s t h e g od s p e rma n e n t w e a p on

h en c e p e rh aps th a t
ris in g of th e b olt ou t of t h e e a rth S a x o p 4 1 re p re s e n ts it a s a .
, .
,

clu b ( cl a v a) wi th out a ha n d le b u t in forms u s t h a t H oth er in a ba ttl e ,

w ith Th or h ad kn ocked of th e ma nubiu m cl a v a e ; this agre e s w ith


t h e E d d ic n arra tiv e of t h e man u fa ct ure of th e h amme r wh e n it ,

w as a cc ou n t e d a fa ult in it th at th e h a nd l e w a s t oo sh ort ( at
forske p tit v ar h el d r sk amt ) S n 1 3 1 It w a s forg e d by cunning ,
. .

d wa rfs a n d in S p it e of th a t d e fe ct it w a s th e ir ma st e rpie c e
1
, In , .

Sa x o p 1 63 Th or is arme d with a torrid a cha lybs


.
,
?
It is n otic e abl e ,

h ow F ra u e nlob M S 2 2 1 4 e xp re ss e s h ims e l f a b ou t G od th e F a th e r:
b
.
,

d e r smit d z Oberla nd e w arf si n en h a mer in min e soh 6z Th e h a m .

me r as a divin e t ool w a s c on s id e re d s a cre d b rid e s a nd t h e b od ie s


, , ,

of t h e d e a d w e re con se cra ted w ith it S eem Sn 4 9 6 6 ; me n ,


. . .

bl e ss e d w ith th e sign of the h mmer as ch ristia n s did w ith th e s ig n


a
3
,

of th e c ross a n d a st rok e of ligh t n in g w a s l ong re g a rd e d in t h e


,

As Z e u s s ligh t nin g w as b yth e C ure t e s or C ycl o p e s


1 ’
.

2
Th a t in a n ci e n t sta tu e s o f t h e th un d e rgod t h e ha mmer h a d n o t b e e n for
g ott e n , s e e ms t o b e p ro ve d b y p re tty l at e e vi d e n ce , e g t h e sta t ue of a d orp er . .

me n tion e d in con n e x i on w ith th e g i an ts ( ch X V I II , q u otat i on from F e rgut) .

A ri d in t h e A S S ol omon a n d S a t urn , Thun ar w ie l d s a fi erya re ( oh XXV , M us


. .

p il
3
I n th e Old G e rm law, t h e throwing of a ha mmer ra t ifi e s th e a cquis i t i on
.

of p rop e rty .
1 82 TH UNAR .

c urre n t a mon g th e p e opl e in wh ich you can e xch a nge H a me r for ,

D itvel b ut which on e a n d a ll ca n on ly b e t ra c e d b a ck t o t h e god


, , ,

th a t strik e s with th e h amme r I n th e s ame w ay: d a t is e n .

H a mer e n ha mersken k e rl a ra sc ally imp ud e n t ch e a t 1


d e H a mer

.
, ,

k e nn t se all ! t he d e v il may k now th e m all S ch utze 2 9 6 H em , , .

merlein meister H d mmerlein s ig n ifi e d th e e v il sp irit Con s id e r a ls o


, ,
.

t h e c urs e s w h ich c ou pl e th e t w o n a me s ; d onn er un d ten/ e l l b ot h

o f wh ich st o od for th e a n c ie n t god B yga mmel Thor old Th or t h e .


, ,

c ommon p e opl e in D e n mark me an th e d e v il ; in Sw e d e n th e y l ong


p rot e st e d by Thore gud T h e L ithuan ian s w orsh ipp e d an e normous
.

h a mmer S e b F ,
ra n . b
k e s w e lt ch
u 5 5 b
( se e S uppl ) .

It must h av e b e e n a t a n e arl ie r stage th a t c e rt ain a ttrib ut e s


a n d t itl e s o f th e S a viou r a n d s ome J u d e o ch rist ian l e ge n d s w e re ,
-
,

t ra n s fe rre d to th e h e a th e n god an d p articul arly th e myth of L e via th a n ,

t o I 6 rmun ga n d r A s Christ byhi s d e a th ov e rma st e re d th e mon st e r


.

s e rp en t ( B arl 78 3 9 t o 79 . so Th 6rr ov e rc ome s th e mi6ga r5 s


, ,

o rm — w orm s n ak e th a t e n circl e s th e w orl d) a nd simil ar e p ith e ts


, ,

a re giv e n t o b ot h ?
T ak ing int o a cc oun t th e re s e mbl an c e b e t we e n
t h e s ign of th e c ross a n d t h a t of th e h a mme r it n e e d n o t s e e m ,

s urp ris ing th at th e n e wly c on v e rt e d G e rma n s sh oul d und er th e


n a me o f Ch rist st ill h a v e th e l o rd of th u n d e r a n d th e g ive r of ra in

p re s e n t t o th e ir mind s a nd so a c onn e x ion w ith M a ryth e M oth e r


of Go d ( p 1 74 ) c oul d b e th e more e a s ily e st a bl ish e d
. Th e e arl ie st .

troub a d our (Die z p 1 5 Rayn ou ard 4 83 ) a ct ually n ame s Ch ris t


. .
,

still a s t h e lord of thun d er J b e su s del tro , .

A N e a p ol it an fa iry t al e in th e P e n tame ron e 5 4 p e rsonifi e s


-
,

t hun d er a n d l igh t n ing (i ruone e la mp e) a s a b e autiful y out h broth e r ,

o f s e v e n sp inn in g v irg in s a n d son of a w ick e d old moth e r w h o ,

k n ow s n o high e r oa th th a n p e truon e e la mp e W ith ou t a ss ert ‘ ’


.

ing a nye xt e rn a l c on n e xi on b e t w e e n th is tra dit ion a n d th e G e rma n

1 B re m wt b 2 , 5 75
. d at di d e ha mer sla ! S trod tm p 8 0 con f S ch m 2 , 1 9 2
. . . .
, . . .

th e h ammer, or a grea t h amme r st ri k e yo u ! A b e l e s k h n st l un o rd n 4 , 3 Ge . . .

rich tsh I , 6 73 2 , 79 2 9 9 3 8 2
. . verha mert d ii r, k olt , S ch ii tze 2 , 9 6 = v e rd onn e rt
. . .
,
v e rte ufe lt, b l a st e d , curs e d , 850 H ow d e e pl yt h e w orsh i p of t h e god h ad t ak en
.

roo t a mon g t h e p e o pl e , i s p rov e d b y t h e s e a lmo st i n e ra d i ca b l e cu rs e s , on ce


s ol emn p rot e sta t i on s : d on n er donn erwetter ! h e i l i ge s gewi tter (h ol yth un d e r
st orm) A n d , a dd in g th e ch ri st i an symb ol kreuz d onn erwetter Th e n ,
e u p h e mi st i ca ll y d i sg u i s e d bim ( by t h e ) d umme r, p otz d u mme r d umme r
a u ch ! S lu tz 1 , 1 2 3 2 , 1 6 1 -2 .3 5 6 bim d umme r h amme r 3 5 1 bim dumstig,
.
, .
, .

du n n stig a s in H e ss e : d onnersta g bim h a mer ! I n F l a n d e rs bi V i d s morh e l


ha mer ! Wi ll e m s vloe ke n , p 12

. .

2 Finn Magnuse n lex 4 8 1 5 .


-
.
TH U NA R . 1 83

on e ,
1
we d isc ov e r in it th e s ame id e a o f a k ind an d b e ne fi ce nt, n ot

o f th u n d e r
a h ostil e a nd fi e n di sh god .

l arg e b e e tl e wh ich w e c all stag b e e tl e or fi re b e e tl e l uc anus


Th e ,
- -
,

c e rvus t a urus ( ch XXI b e e tl e s) is in s ome d istricts o f South G e r


, .
, ,

ma n y name d d on n ergueg d on nerguge d onn erp up p e (gue g gue gi , , , ,

b e e tl e ) p e rh a ps b e c au s e h e l ik e s to l iv e in oak t re e s th e tree s ac re d
,
-
,

t o th un d e r F or h e als o b e ars th e name e ich och s Sw e d e kox e (oak


.
, .

cx ) ; b ut th e n a g a in fe u e rsch rbt e r fii rb cte r ( fi re b e e t e r i e k ind l e r) ? ,


-
, . .

b6 rne r or h au s b re n n e r b urn e r) wh ich in dic a t e s h is re l a t ion t o


- -
,

thun d e r an d l ight nin g It is a s ay ing th at on h is h orn s h e c a rrie s .


,

re dh ot c oa ls in t o a roof a n d s e ts it a l ight ; more d e fi n it e is t h e ,

b e lie f me ntion e d in A b e rgl aub e p xc v i th a t l ight ning will strik e a , .


,

h ou s e into wh ich th is b e e tl e is c a rrie d I n S we d a b e e tl e is still . .

n a me d h orn troll ( se e Suppl ) .

A mong h e rbs a n d pl a n ts t h e foll owin g are to b e sp e c ia lly n o te d : ,

t he d on nerba rt st on e cro p or h ou s e l e e k s e mp e rviv um t e ct oru m


, , ,

wh ich pl a nte d on th e roof p rot e cts from t h e l ight ning s strok e


,
3
,

ba rba J ovis v ulg ari more v oca t ur (M a c e r F l orid u s F r J ou ba rbe .

( c o n f A pp e.n d p l v ii i —
) ; th e d onn erbesen b e s om) a sh aggy t angl e d
. .
-
,

n e st l ik e gro wth on b o ughs o f wh ich s u p e rst it ion a scrib e s th e


-
e n
g ,

e ra t io n t o l ight ning
; o th e rw i s e c all e d a l ru th — t h e d onn erk r u t
p e a ,

s e d um;— th e d onn erflug fumaria b ulb os a — th e d on n erd istel e ryng , ,

ium c a mp e st re ;— th e D a n tord en skrep p e b urd o c k — Th e S outh Sl av s .


,

c all th e iris p erun ik P e run s fl ow e r w hil e t h e Le ttons c all our


,

1
H ow co me s th e
v e a trono ( N e a p truono S pan trueno) b yt h e
It al . to h a .
,
.

S l le o f tuono ? a n d t h e Pro v e n a l a trons w i t h t h e s a me me a n i n g ?


( H as t h e R
c
sl i pt in fro m our d on ar or st i ll be tt e r from th e G oth d runj us sonus Rom 10
, .
, ,
.
,
1 8 ( co n f d r6 n e n cymba l s d ron i n g s oun d o f D ryd e n ) ? o r d id t h e La t thronus
‘ ’ ’
.
, .

pa ss mto th e s e n s e o f sky an d t h und e r ? forchst n i ch t w ann s t on n e rt e in ‘


, ,

tron w e rd vom h i mme l fall e n G arg Th e t rouba d our s J b e s us d e l tro .


mi g h t t h e n s i mpl yme an l ord of th e fi rmame n t .

I w ol d on s acri fi ce and fyre s beete C haucer H e n ce b e e tl e its e l f A S


2
,

, . .

b yt e l — T R A N S
. .

3 A Pr
o v e n cal t ro ub a d ou r q uo t e d b
, yRa yn ouard sub v ba rbaj ol s a ys : e d a .
,

que l e rba te non p ro l i vi la n s obra lur ma iso B e s i d e th i s h aus w urz ( h a usw urze l, .

S up e rst t h e ha wthorn, a l b a sp i n a , i s a s a fe g ua rd a g a i n st li h tn in ( M em
g
.
.


d e l a ca d ce lt 2 , a s t h e la ure l w a s a mon g t h e a n ci e n t
. . oma n s , or t h e
whi te vine pl a n t e d roun d a h o us e ; con f brenn esse l S u e rst
( p p a lm bra n ches

. .

l a i d up on coa’ls , li g h t e d can d l e s, a ti re made on th e h e art h , a re go od for a


t hund e rst orm, B ra un sch w a n z 1 76 0 , p 13 9 2 Th e crossbill too is a p ro t e ct o r
. . . .

( S up e rst 3 3 5 ) b e cau s e h is b e ak fo rms t h e s i g n o f th e cro ss or h a mme r ? b ut


.

t h e n e st ma k i n g red brea st or redsta rt a pp e a rs t o a tt ra ct l i gh t n in g ch XXI


(
-
.
,
re d bre a st w as h e , b e ca us e of h is re d pl uma g e , sa cre d t o
; S up e rst 6 2 9 . .

th e re d beard e d od
g ( se e Suppl ) .
1 84 TH UN A R .

d v ? h e d g e mu st a rd ?
h e d e rich ( gr ou n i y -
) p ehrkon es; P e runik a is a ls o
-
,

l ik e I ris a w oma n s n ame . Th e oak a b ov e all t ree s w a s d e dic at e d


t o th e Th un d e re r ( pp 6 7 gu ercus J ovi p la cuit Ph ae d r 3 1 7 ;


.
, , .
,

ma gn a J ov is a n t iquo rob ore qu e rc us Virg G e org 3 3 3 2 A t , . .


, .

'
D od ona st ood t h e 3p ils {Ji ff t lcouo s A t o s 0 d 1 4 3 2 7 1 9 2 9 7 b ut at

, .
, .
, ,

T roy th e beech oft e n n a me d in t h e Ilia d : gbyybsinlmflt i) a i t o o co


yx ' f
'

5 6 93 7 6 0
,
. A p artic ul ar k in d of oak is in Se rv ia n grm a n d
, .
,

grmik is qu e rc e t um n o d oubt in cl o s e c onn e x ion with gro m


,

( tonitrus) grmiti or grmlie ti ( t on are ) Th e a c orn is sp ok e n of


, .

a b ov e p 1 77 , . .

A pp are n tly s ome n ame s of th e s nip e ( sc ol op a x g all in ag o) h a v e


t o d o w ith th is s ubj e ct d on n erziege goat ) d onn ersta gspf erd -
,

( Th ur s d a y h o rs e ) hi mm els g (
zi e e ,
c a p e ll a c o e l e st i s ) b e c a u s e h e s e e m s
t o bl e a t or wh in n y in th e sky ? B u t h e is a ls o th e w ea therbird ,

s t ormb ird rainb ird a nd his fl ight b e t ok e n s a n a pproa ch ing th un d e r


, ,

st orm D an myrehest S w e d horsgj ok Ic e l hrossaga ukr h orsegow k


'

. . . .
, , ,

or c u ck oo from h is n e igh in g ; t h e fi rst time h e is h e ard in t h e y e a r


, ,

h e p rog n ostic a t e s t o me n th e ir fa t e ( B iorn Sub v ) e v id e n tly


'

s u p erst itious fan cie s cl ing to th e b ird H is L e ttish n ame p ehrkon a .

ka sa p ehrkon a a hsis ( t h un d e r s sh e g oa t a n d h e g oa t ) agre e s e x a ctly



- -
,

w ith th e G e rman I n Lith ua nian t oo M ielcke 1 2 94 2 2 71


.
, , .
,

g iv e s P erkun o ozhys a s h e av e n s goa t for which a n oth er n ame is ’

t ikku tis— K a n n e s p an th e u m p 4 3 9 t hinks t h e n ame d on n ers


.
, .
,

ta gspf erd b e l on gs t o t h e g oa t its e l f n ot t o t h e b ird th is w oul d b e


,

w e lc ome if it can b e ma d e g ood


, Some c on fi rma tion is foun d in .

t h e A S firgengoe t ( ib e x rup ic a p ra ch a mois ) a n d flrgin bucca ( c a p ri


.
, , ,
~

c orn u s) to wh ich w oul d c orre sp on d an OH G virgunge iz virgun


,
.
,

p ooch ; so th a t in th e s e th e an al ogy o f fairguni t o D onar h ol d s


good The wil d c re ature th at l e a ps ov e r ro cks w oul d b e tt er b e c ome
.

th e god of rocks th an th e t a me go a t I n th e E d d a Th 6rr h as . ,

he goa ts y ok e d t o his t h un d e r car b e t w e e n th e s e a n d th e w e a th e r


- -
,

fowl d e scrib e d by turn s as go a t an d h ors e ( alw a ys a car d raw in g -

b e ast) th e re migh t e x ist s ome h al f obscure d l in k o f c on n e x ion (se e


,
-

S up pl ) It is s ignific a n t als o th at th e d e v il th e mod ern rep re


.
, ,

se n t a tive o f th e th u n d e r god h a s t h e c re dit of h a v in g c re a t e d g oa ts


,
,

t
b o h h e an d s e ; h a n d a s T h 6 rr p u ts a w a y t h e b o n e s o f hi s g o a ts

t t
a f er h e y h v
a e b ee n p ick e d t h a t h e m a y b r in g,
t h e m t o l ife a g a in

S 4 9 t h S w iss sh p h d s b l i v e th a t t h e g o a t h a s
( n . s o . e e e r e e

1 Th e myth of th e sla ugh tered goa ts brought to life a ga in b yh a mmer conse -


18 6 THUNAR .

forme rly Don e rswe ,


l
D cnn ersw e h e D onne rsw e d e , ( K oh li h an db . von

Old e nb 2 . wh ich re mind s us of Ohin sve W od e n e sw e ge (p


, , .

a nd l ea v e s us e q ua lly in d oubt wh e th e r t o un d e rst a n d w ih a

te mpl e or w e g a w a y Th e N orw e gian folk t al e te lls us of an


,
.
-

a ct ua l Th ors vej ( w ay F a y e p A v ill ag e D onn ersreut is t o b e ,


.

found in F ra n c onia t ow ard s B oh e mia a Don nersted in T h e d in g ,

h au s e n b ail iwick B run swick a Thunresf eld [Thurfi e ld] in A S , , .

d o ume n
c ts K e mb l e 2 1 1 5 1 9 5 2 7 2 & c & c — M a n y in S c a n ,
. .
, . .
,

d in avia e g in D e n mark Torslun d e ( Th 6rs lund r grov e ) Tosingo


,
. .
, , , ,

ng) ; e v e ral in S w e d e n T ors mdse (gurg e s


)
2
( Th 6 r s e n g i i s ,
in a ,

b ou n d ary d e e d of Ost e rgotl an d B roocman 1 1 5 Thorsborg in G oth


-
, , ,

l a nd Gutalag p 10 7 2 6 0 Thdrsbiorg ( mount ain) and Tlt drshof n


' '

. . .
,

v N orw a y F ornm s6g 4 1 2 3 4 3 T hdrsmbrk w ood a


( h ) i (

a e n n ; ,
. .
, .
,

Th ors n es (n os e c ap e) See m

h oly on e N ialss cap 14 9 . . .
, ,
.

1 5 5 an d Ey
2
rb s ag a cap 4 ( see Suppl ) Th ors bro (T h 6re brfi
. . .
,

b ridg e ) in S ch on e n lik e th e N orwe gia n Th or s w ay l e a d s us t o ,



-
,

th a t p re v al e n t b elie f in d e v il s bridge s an d oth e r b uil dings wh ich ’

is t h e p op ul ar w ay of a cc oun tin g for p e cul iarly sh ap e d ro cks ,

pre cip ic e s an d st e e p mount ain p aths only God or th e d e vil c oul d


h av e b urst th e m so .

A s a man s n ame D on a r in its s impl e form israre ly foun d on e


n obl e family on th e Rh in e w a s n a me d D onn er v on Lorh e im Sie b ,

ma ch 5 1 44 Its d eriv a tiv e s a n d c omp oun d s a re n ot c ommon in


.
,
.

a nyH igh G e rm d ia l e ct ; a Ca roli ngia n d oc in t h e C od. la ure sh . . .

n o 4 64 h a s D ona ra d wh ich I t a k e t o b e th e ON Th drd r a n d th e


.
, .


Tra d ful d 2 2 3 A lbthon a r wh ich is th e ON Th ord lf r inv ert e d
. .
, , . .

Suc h n ame forma tion s are far more fre qu e n t in t h e N orth wh e re


-
,

th e s e rvic e of th e god p re v a il e d so l on g : Th 6rarr ( C H G .

Th drir Thdrd r Thdrha llr, Th ordlf r ( OS Th un e rulf in



D on ara ri , , .

Cale n d . me rse b S e p t e mb ) Thdroddr a nd th e fe minine s Th6ra


. .
, ,

Thdri tn , Th6ra rn a (forme d l ik e d iorn a Gra mm 2 Th drka tla , .


, ,

Th drhild r Thdrd is &c ,


I c an n ot se e w hy th e e ditors of th e F orn
,
.

ma n n a sbgur d e p riv e s u ch p rop e r n ame s a s Thdrgeirr Th orbi orn


‘ '

, ,

1 ‘
t o D on erswe, d ar h e f t d e h e rscup d e n t e ge n d e n (t e in d , L an d
re gi st e r of 1 4 2 8 .

2
sp e cifi e d in Suh m krit hist 2 6 5 1
Oth e rs , . .
,
.

3
Th e s e ttl e rs in I ce l an d w h e n t h e ycon s e crat e d a d istrict to Th6rr n ame d , ,

i t Thorsmork Lan dn 5 2 e d n ova p 3 4 3 From D onnersma rk ( Z sch ot 6 r


, .
,
. . . .
'

t oke ly) in t h e H un g ari a n coun t yo f Z i ps come s th e S i l e s i a n fa mily of H e n kcl ,


v on D onn e rs ma rk Wa l ach man ura d ie D on n e rsma rkt
. . .
TH UN A R . 187

Th o rstein n T hdrketi ll Thdrva ld r Thdrfi n n r Th drge rdr &c th e ir



of

, , , , ,
.

l o ng v ow e l it cia th a t th e y are com


is n ot t h e a bstract bor ,
a ud a ,

p ou nd e d w ith a n d t h e N ia lssaga e g ca p
,
6 5 sp e lls Th drge irr ,
. . .
, ,

Th drka tla — Th e fre q ue n t n ame Th drkctill a bb re v Th6rke ll D a n


.
, .
,
.

Torkild A S Turke tulus Thurkyt e l ( K e mbl e 2 2 8 6 3 4 9 v s up ra


,
.
, , , . .
,

p. if it s ig n ifi e s a k e ttl e a v e ss el of th e th und e rgod re s e mbl e s, , ,

W uot an s s a crific ia l c aul d ron ( p



Th e H ymisqviha s ings of .

Th6rr fe tch ing a h uge c a ul d ron for t h e 6 se s t o b re w ale with a n d ,

w e aring it on his h e a d S ee m 5 7 ; w hich is v e ry l ik e th e stron g , .

man H an s (an s it s in th e n urs ery — tal e cl app ing th e ch urch h e ll


,

— Th e c oupl ing of A l
o n his h e ad for a ca p p ( e lf) w ith D ona r in
Al bth onar a n d Th 6ralfr is w orthy of n ot ic e for a lp geschoss ( e lf sh ot) ,
-

is a syn on y m for th e th un d e rb olt a n d A lp ru the (e lf rod ) for t h e ,


-

d on n e rk ra u t [d onn e rb e s e n ? se e p A n in tima t e re l a tion must .

s u bs ist b e tw e e n th e god s an d the e l v e s ( p th ough on th e p art .

o f t h e l a tt e r a s ub ordin a t e on e ( se e

It is obs e rv abl e th at in diffe re nt l a ys of th e Edd a Th6rr g oe s


by d iffe re n t na me s . I n Lokagle p sa a nd H arb ard slio 5 h e is Th 6rr ,

A sab6rr but in H amarsh e imt Vingb6rr H l6rri5i (ye t Th 6rr a sw e ll)


’ ’

, , ,

in A lvismdl alwa ys Vin gb6rr in H ymisqviba V e orr, H l6rri5 1 n ot


‘ ’ ‘ ’

, ,

t o me n tion t h e p e riph ra s e s vag na v e rr ( curruum d ominu s) Sifj ar v e rr , ,

O5 in s son r H ldrri d i w a s t ou ch e d up on in p 1 6 7 n ot e
. Vi ngthdrr .
, .

th e y d e riv e from vee ngr a la ; a s if Wing th un d e r th e win g e d on e,


-
,

a era q u a tie n s ? This a pp e ars t o b e far from c e rtain a s h e is els e ,

wh e re c all e d f6stri Vi ngnis S n 1 0 1 an d in th e ge n e al og ie s thi s , .


,

Vi ngn ir a pp e ars by th e s id e of h im Esp e c ia lly imp ort an t is .

Veorr wh ich o uts id e of H ymisqviha is only foun d on c e S eem 9


, , .
a
,

a n d n e v e r e xc e pt in th e n om s ing it b e l on gs d oubtl e ss to ve . .
,

w ih a n d so b e t ok e n s a h oly c on s e cra t e d b e in g d istin ct from th e


, ,

V e ge n V e a on p 1 6 3 th e C H G form mu st h a v e b e e n W ih or
, . . .
,

W ih a r ? ( se e Suppl ) .

A s OiSinn w a s re p re s e n t e d j ourn e y ing ab road to th e E a st e rn l a n d ,

p o is Th 6 rr e n g a g e d in e a stw ard t ra v e ls : Th 6rr v ar i


( . s

a ustrvegi , S ee m 5 9 .
,
6
. a ustrve a
g 6 8 ; i6r or a ustrvegi 75 ; e c v a r
2
,

d asir ;,
a u strf
78
o 2
rom
11
b in om sca t u a d re gi se gj
l l a s ggj
e om f i 68
re
2
,
.

1 11 th e s e j ourn e ys h e fought w ith a nd sl e w th e g ia n ts : va r h ann

1 To th e B or1a t M on g ols b e yon d L B aika l fa iry-ri n gs in gra s s a re .


, wh e re
th e son s of the ligh tn i ng h a v e d a n ce d — T RA N S . .
188 THUN AR .

f ari nu i a usterveg atb erj a troll Sn 4 6 A n d th is again p oint sto ,


. .

t h e a n c ie n t a n d a t th a t t ime st ill u n fo rg ot t e n c onn e x io n o f th e

T e ut on ic n a tion s w ith A s ia ; th is farin g e a st w a ys is t ol d of ‘


-

oth e r h e roe s t oo S n 1 9 0 3 6 3 ; e g th e ra c e of th e Skilfi nga r is


, . . . .
,

e xp re ssly pl a c e d in t h a t e a st e rn re gion ( sfi ky n sl65 e r 1 a u st rve

m n d I 6 t un h e im th e w orl d of th e g ia n ts w a s th e re
g u )
,
S n 1 93. a , ,

s itua t e d .

Th6rr w a s c on s id e re d n e xt t o Ohin n th e mightie st a n d st rong e st


, ,

t h e E dd a ma k e s him Ohin s son th e re in d iffe ring



o f a ll th e g od s ,

e n t ire ly from t h e R o ma n v ie w w h ic h t a k e s J up it e r t o b e M e rc ury s


e d igre e s it is t ru e Th 6rr d oe s a p p e ar a s a n a n c e st or of
'

f a ther in p , ,

Ohinn . Th 6rr is u sua lly n ame d imme d ia t e ly a ft e r Ohinn s ome ,

time s b e fore h im p oss ibly h e w a s fe are d more th an Ohinn ( se e


,

S uppl ) . I n S a x o G ra mm R e g ne r c on fe ss e s : S e Thor d eo ex cep to .


, , ,

mull a m mon strige n a e v irt ut is p ote nt iam e x p av e re c uj u s ( so Th or) , .

v irium ma g n it ud in i n ihil h u ma n a ru m divin aru m u e re rum d ig n a


q
p o ssi t a e qu alit at e con fe rri H e is t h e t ru e n a t io n a l go.d o f t h e

N orw e gia n s la n d ds (p atrium n ume n ) Egilss p 3 6 5 —6 and wh e n


, , . .
,

d ss st an d s a l on e it me an s e sp e c ially h im e g Seem 70 a s ind e e d


, , . .
, .
2
,

th e v e ry me an in g of an s (j ugu m mon tis ) a gre e s with th a t o f F air


i H i t m pl s d st a t ue s w e re th e mo st n ume rou s in

g u n e s . s e e a n

N orw a y a n d Sw e d e n a n d dsmegin div in e stre ngth is un d e rst ood


, , ,

c hie fly of h im H e n c e th e h e a th e n re l igion in ge n e ral is so


.

fre qu e ntly e xp re ss e d by th e simpl e Thdr blota See m



het ,
.

( c alle d ) at Th6r La n dn 1 1 2 trd di ( b e l ie v e d ) d Thdr Lan dn 2 1 2


f
. .
, , , , .
,

H e a ss ign s t o e migra n ts th e ir n e w pl a c e of a b od e : Th orr visa di


’ ‘

h onum ( sh e w e d h im) Lan d n 3 7 3 1 2 F rom th e La n dn ama b6k


,
.
,
.

,
.

w e c oul d quo t e ma n y th in gs a b ou t th e w orship o f Th 6rr : ba r


st e n d r e nn Th drs ste inn 2 1 2 gdnga til frett a vitl Thdr 3 1 2 , ,
.
, ,
.

Th 6rr is w orsh ip p e d most a n d F reyr n e xt wh ich agre e s with t he , ,

m vi dr o cc urring in on e fa mily li n e 2 6 ;

na e s T h o rv i l
or a n d F rey ,

v ihr is w oo d d oe s it h e re me a n tree a n d imply a p rie s tly fun ct io n ?


, ,

Ohinvihr d oe s n ot occ ur b u t Ty vid r is th e n a me of a pl a n t ch


, , .

XXXVII It is Th6r s h amme r th a t h a ll ows a ma rk a marria g e


.

, ,

a n d t h e run e s a s w e fi n d pl a in ly st a t e d on th e st on e s
,
I sh ow in .

ch XXXIII h ow Th 6rr u n d e r v arious a sp e cts p a ss e d in t o th e


.

d e vil of th e ch rist ia n s a n d it is n ot s urp ris ing if h e a cquire d


,

s ome of th e cl umsy b oorish n at ure of th e gia n t in th e proc e ss for ,

t h e g ia n ts l ik e w is e w e re t urn e d in t o fi e nd s Th e foe a nd p urs ue r .


1 90 TII UNAR .

mactans a nd th e s a c ra a nd fe ria e J ovis ( in I ndicul p ag an


’ ‘ ’
,
) . .

h av e b e e n d e a lt with ab ov e p 1 2 1 , . .

Le tz n e r (h ist Ca rol i ma g ni H ild e sh 1 6 0 3 ca l t s


.

p 1 8 e n d ) re a e , .
, .

Th e S a t urd a y a ft e r La e t are y e ar by y e ar c ome th t o t h e l ittl e , ,

c a th e d ral cl os e of H il d e sh e im a farme r th ere un to sp e cially ap


-

p oin t e d an d b ring e th two logs of a fath om l ong and th ere with two

,
,

l e ss e r l ogs p oin t e d in th e ma nn e r of sk ittl e s Th e t w o gre a t er h e .

pl an t e th in th e groun d one a gain st th e oth e r a n d a t op of th e m ,


-

t h e sk ittl e s S oon th ere c o me h a stily t og e th e r all ma n n e r of l ad s


.

a n d y o ut h of th e me a n e r s ort a nd w ith st on e s or st a ve s d o p e lt t h e ,

sk ittl e s d ow n fro m th e l ogs o th e r d o se t t he s ame up ag ain and ,

t h e p e ltin g b eginn e th a n e w B yth e s e sk ittl e s a re t o b e u nd e r


-
..

st ood th e d e v ilish g od s o f t h e h e a th e n th a t w e re th rown d own by ,

th e S a x on folk wh e n t h e y b e c ame ch rist ia n


-
.

H e re th e n a me s of th e g od s a re s upp re ss e d 1 b ut on e of th e m ,

mu st h a v e b e e n J up iter th e n a s w e fi n d it w as a ft e rward s ? A mon g ,

th e farme r s d ue s at H il d e sh e im th e re o cc urs d ow n t o ou r ow n

t ime s a J up itergeld Un de r th is n a me th e v ill ag e of G ross e n


.

Alge rmiss e n h a d t o p a y 1 2 g gro sch 4 p fe n y e arly t o th e s e xt on . . .

o f t h e c a t h e d ra l ; a n A lg e rmiss e n fa rme r h a d e v e ry y e a r t o b rin g t o

th e c a th e d ra l cl os e a n e ight c orn e re d log a foot th ick a n d four -


,

fe e t l on g h id d e n in a s a ck
,
Th e sch o ol boys d re ss e d it in a cl oa k .

a n d c ro w n a n d a tt a ck e d t h e J up iter a s th e y th e n c a ll e d it b
, y ,

th ro w in g s t one s fi rst from on e s id e th e n from th e oth e r a nd a t , ,

l a st th e y b urnt it T his p op ul ar fe stivi ty w a s ofte n a tt e n d e d with


.

d is ord e r a n d w as more t h a n on c e in t e rdict e d p ick e ts w e re se t t o


, ,

c arry th e p rohibition I nt o e ffe ct ; at l e n gth th e roy a l t re a s ury


re mitt e d th e J u p it e r s g e l d P oss ibl y t h e v ill ag e of A lge rmiss e n

.

h a d in cu rre d th e p e n alty of th e d ue a t th e in tro d uction of Ch risti


a nity by it s a tt a ch me n t t o t h e old re l ig ion
,
?
Wa s t he p e ltin g of

1 I n th e Corb e i ch ron , H amb 1 5 90 , cap 1 8 , Le t zn e r th ink s it w a s th e go d


. . .

o f th e I rme n sfi l H e re fe rs t o M S accou n ts b y C on F on t a na s , a H el me rs
. . .

h aus B e n e d i ct i n e of th e 1 3 th ce n t ury .

2
A H i l d e sh e i m re g i st e r dra w n u p a t th e e n d o f th e 1 4 th ce n t ury o r
b e gin n of t h e 1 5 th ce n t s a ys
. D e a bgotter ( i d o ls ) , so sun n ab e n d s v or l a e t a re
.

( Le t zn son n ab n a ch
. . v on e i n e m h a u s ma n n v o n A lg e rmi ss e n ge se t ze t,
d a v or ( for w h i ch ) ih m e i n e h ofe ( h ufe , h i d e ) l a n d e s ge h tirt z ur sa n k me i st e rI e
( ch a n t ry u n d w i e s ol c h e s v on d e m h a u s ma n n n i ch t g e s e t z t w ord e n , ge h ort

C an t ori d e h ov e l an d e s H an n ov e rs ch e lan d e sb lat te r 18 3 3 , p 3 0



. . .

3
L ii n t ze l o n fa rmers b urd e n s in H i l d esh e i m 1 8 30 , p 2 0 5

H ann ov mag . . . .

1 8 3 3 , p 6 93 P ro t o co ls o f 1 74 2 3 in an a rt i cl e On t h e S t on mg of J u p 1 t e r,
.

-
. .

H ann ov la n d e sb l , u b i s up ra
. . .
TH UN A R . 1 91

th e l ogs t o e xp re ss c on t e mpt ? I n S w it ze rl a n d t h e w e ll k n ow n -

t hrow ing of st one s on th e w a t e r is c all e d H e iden w erf en h e ath e n ,

p e lting o t he rwis e : d e n H e rrg ott 16 se n v a t e r un d mu t t e r l6 se n


, ,

re l e a s ing ra n s oming T obl e r 1 74 ( se e Sup pl ) 2


.
,

I d o n ot p re t e n d t o th ink it a t all e sta bl ish e d th a t th is J up iter ,

can b e t ra c e d b a ck t o t h e Thu n a r of th e Old S a x on s Th e c ust om is .

o nly v ou c h e d fo r b yp ro t o c ols o f t h e l a st c e n t ury a n d cl e a r e v id e n c e ,

o f it b e fore th a t t ime is n ot forthc o min g ; b u t e v e n Le t z n e r s a cc oun t


d iffe ring a s it d oe s s ugg e sts a v e ry p rimitiv e p ra ctic e o f th e p e opl e


, ,

which is w orth n ot ing e v e n if J up it e r h a s n oth in g t o d o with it


,
.

Th e d e fi nit e d a t e l ae t are re min d s o ne o f t h e c ust om un iv e rs al in .

G e rma ny of d riv ing out D e a t h o f wh ich I sh all t re a t h e re a ft e r


, ,

a nd in wh ich D e a th is l ik e w is e se t u t o b e p e l t e d D id t h
p e .

sk ittl e re p re s e n t th e s a c re d h a mme r ?
A n un mista k a bl e re l ic of t h e w orsh ip p a id t o th e th un d e r god -

is th e sp e c ia l obs e rv a n c e of Thursd a y w h ich w a s n ot e xt in ct ,

a mon g th e p e o pl e t ill q uit e re c e n t t ime s It is sp ok e n of in quite .

e a rly d oc u me n ts of th e M id A g e s n ull u s d iem J ovis in o tio


.

d e feri is qua e faciun t J ovi v e l



o b se rve t A b e rgl au b e p xx x

. .
,

M e rc urio p xx x ii q uint a m fe riam in h on ore m J ovis h on orasti



. .
, ,

p xxx vii On Th u rs d ay e v e ning on e must n e ith e r sp in n or h e w


. .

S up e rst S w e d 5 5 1 1 0 a nd G e rm 5 1 7 70 3
.
, . . . Th e E sth on ia n s . . .

th ink T h u rs d ay h ol ie r th a n S un d ay 1
Wh a t p un ish me n t ov e rt ook.

t h e t ra n sg re ss or mayb e g a th e re d from a n oth e r s u p e rst ition wh ich


, , ,

it is true s ub stit ut e d th e h a ll ow e d d a y of Ch rist for th a t o f Don ar


,

H e th at sh all w ork on T rin ity S un d a y ( th e n e xt a ft e r P e n t e c ost ) ,

or sh a ll w e ar a nyth in g s e w e d or k n itt e d ( on th a t d ay ) sh a ll b e ,

stricken bythu n d er ; S ch e ffe r s H alt aus p 2 2 5 (se e S uppl )



. .
,

I f J up iter h a d th e s e h on ours p aid him in th e 8 th c e n t ury if ,

th e Ca p itulare o f 74 3 th ou ght it n e e d ful e xp re ssly to e nj oin an e c


forsach o Thun a re a n d much th a t re l a t e d t o his s e rvic e re ma in e d

un e radic a t e d a l on g t ime a ft e r it c a n n o t w e ll b e d oubt e d t h a t at ,

a st ill e a rl ie r t ime h e w a s h e l d by o ur fo re fa th e rs t o b e a re a l go d ,

a nd o n e o f t h e ir g re a t e st .

I f w e c omp are h im w ith W uot an th ough th e l att e r is more ,

int e ll e ct ual a n d ele v a t e d D on ar h as th e a d v an t ag e of a st urd y


,

mat e rial strength wh ich w a s t h e ve ry th ing t o re c omme nd him t o


,

1
E t was ub e r d ie E hste n , pp . 13 -4 .
1 92 TH UN AR .

th e p e cul iar v e n era tion of c e rt ain ra c e s ; p ra ye rs oaths curs e s


, ,

re t a in e d his me mory o ft e n e r a n d l on g e r th a n t h a t of a n y o th e r

o d B ut o nly a p a rt of th e Gre e k Z e us is in cl ud e d in him


g . .
1 94 zro .

must a ss ume a n om J11 J us th ough it h as s urv iv e d only in th e .


, ,

c omp oun d Jup it er J us p at e r Z e bs n a rfip For th e initial in , .


,

J us J ovis [pron oun c e j a s y] s e ems t o b e a me re s oft e n ing of th e


,

full e r dj in Dj us , Dj ovis wh ich h a s p re s e rv e d its e l f in D ij ovis j ust


, ,

a s Z e ds p re s u pp os e s a n ol d e r A e r ie wh ich w a s a ctu a lly p re s e rv e d in


t h e E ch o d ial e ct Th e s e G re e k an d L at in w ord s l ik e w is e c on t ain
.

th e id e a of t h e h e a v e n ly god i e a p e rs on ific a tion of th e sky , . .


, .

D ium d ivum is th e v ault of h e av e n a n d Z e u s is t h e son of h ea v e n


, , ,
'
O bp a vo z) vio e o bp d vt os Z e bs a idep t va t o w ( se e Suppl )
’ ’ /
, , .

B ut a p art from d y au s Z eu s an d Jup it e r th e th re e c ommon n oun s


‘ ’

, ,

d e va s de bs a n d d eus e xpre ss th e g e n e ra l n otion of a


divin ity th e y are re l a t e d t o t h e fi rst thre e ye t di stin ct from th e m , .

Th e Lat d e u s might s ee m t o c ome n e are st t o our Tiu s Z io ; b ut


.
,

its u l ik e th e o in 96 69 b e l ongs t o t h e fle x ion n ot t o th e root and


, , , ,

th ere fore an sw e rs t o th e a in d évas N e v e rth e l e ss d e u s t oo mu st


1
.

h a v e sp rung from d e vus an d Be e s from de Fos b e c au s e th e v e ry 9 ' '

, ,

in st e a d of 6 in t h e G re e k w ord is a cc oun t e d for by th e re a ction of


th e d ig amma on t h e in itial I n th e sh ortn e ss of th e ir e th e y b oth .

d iffe r from d ev a s wh os e 6 ( a i) gre w by gun a out of i so th a t th e


,
z ,

Lith die va s c ome s n e are r t o it


.
?
B ut th e a dj e ctiv e s 620 9 (n ot from
6170 9 b ut ra th e r for 6t Fo s) a n d d ivus c orre sp on d t o d eva s a s d ives

d ivit is ( p 2 0 ) t o d é vata s ( d e u s)
. Th is approx imation b e twe e n d ivu s .

a n d d e u s s e rv e s t o c on fi rm th e origin o f d e u s out of d e vu s or div u s

w th sh o t i ( se e S ppl )
i r u
3
S till more h elp ful t o us is th e fa ct th a t
. .

t h e E dd a h a s a pl ur tiva r me anin g g od s or heroe s S eem 3 0 4 1 ;


.
,
.
2 2

rikir t iv a r c on f rich
( g o d p S
. eem 7 2 9 3 v alt iva r , . .
2 2 °

sigt ivar 1 8 9 24 8 ,
th e s in g is n ot in use
2 1
Th is t1 v ar th ough n ot . .
,

imme dia t e ly re l at e d t o Ty r y e t s e e ms re l at e d t o it a s 620 9 96 69 , , ,

0 6 20 9 a re t o Z e d; it s 1 is e st abl ish e d by th e fa ct th at th e ON .

dial e ct c on t ra cts a sh ort iv in to y th us w e obt ain by th e s id e of


t iv a t iv in S a n sk rit by t h e s id e of d iv a d 6v a n d in L a tin by th e
, ,

s id e of d e u s a d iv us th e s e b e ing stre ngth e n e d or g una forms of th e


,

2 , 23 1, h a s r gh tl y p oin t e d out , th a t Zio ca n i


1 K uh n , in Z e itsch r f d . . . a lt .

he imme d ia t e l yre l a t e d o n l yt o d ya us an d Z e é g, n ot t o d e us an d de ds ; b ut h e
o ugh t t o h a e a d m tt e d th a t me d a t e l y it must b e re l a t e d t o t h e e l a st a ls o
.

v i s i .

Th a t div wa s th e root of Z e us , h a d a lrea d yb e e n sh ow n b yO ull e r in G 6 tt . M .

a n z 1 8 3 4 , pp 79 5 -6
. . .

p ie mu wo tury
C onf v, a n d kie ma s Ka m ) h a 1ms
' '
2
. r .

e d o n p 2 6 , 620 5 d e u s w e re con n w i t h 6 6m, th e n o t i on of bin d


3 I f a s h in t :
.
,
.

in g must h av e a ri s e n fi rst out of t h e d ivi n e b an d , w hich is h ard l ycon cel vable .


zro . 1 95

roo t (
d iv, tiv
spl e n d e re
) I f t h e e a rthb orn Tuisco th e an c e stra l .
1
,

g o d o f ou r n a tion sta n d s
( a s Z e u ss p 7 2 h as a c ut ely s ugg e st e d ) for
, .

Tivisco Tiusco it sh e ws on it s v ery fa c e t he me an in g of a div ine


, ,

h e a v e n ly b e ing l e av ing it an o p e n que stion wh e th e r w e w ill ch oos e


,

t o u nd e rst a n d it of Wu otan or a nyo th e r god b arring a lways T iu s ,

h ims e l f from wh om it is d e riv e d (se e Suppl )


,
.

Th e l ight of d ayis a n ot ion th at b ord e rs on th a t of h e av e n a nd ,

it w a s l ik e w is e h on oure d w ith p ers onific a tion a s a god : Lu ce t iu m


J ov e m a p p ellab an t quod e um lu c is e ss e c a us am cre d eb a nt ; F e st us ,

sub v To b e g in w ith d i es ( c on f inte rd iu d io) is its e l f c onn e ct e d


.
, .
,

w ith d eu s a n d div u s ; J upit e r w a s c all e d D ie sp ite r i e die i p at e r ’

, . .
, ,

for th e old ge n w a s die s Th e n th e w ord in th e sin g fl uct uat e s


. . .

b e tw e e n th e ma sc an d fe m ge nd e rs ; an d a s th e ma sc J u Dj u w ith . . .
,

t h e s uffi x n is sh a p e d int o th e fe m forms J f mo for J ov ino Dj ov in o


,
.
, ,

a n d Dia n a j ust so th e L ith n a me for d ay dien a


,
is fe m wh il e t h e .
, , ,

Sl a v d en d zie n d an is ma sc
.
,
Th e T e ut on ic t ong ue s h av e n o w ord
, ,
.

for sky or d ayt ak e n from th is root but w e can p oin t t o on e in ,

G re e k : Cre te n s e s A la 7 971; fiuép a v vocan t ( c all th e d ay Z e us ) ips i ,

quoque R omani D ie sp itre m app e lla nt ut d ie i p atre m M a crob , .

Sa t 1 1 5
. The p oe t ic a n d D oric forms Z fiva v és Z yvl a nd
, .
, , ,

Z é wa Z a vo e Z a vl for A la A t é s A t l c orre sp on d t o t h e a b ov e
’ ’ ' ’

, , , , , ,

forma t ion s ; a nd th e Etru sc a n s c a ll e d J up it e r Tin a i e D in a ; O


2
,
. . .

M iille r 2 4 3 ( se e Su ppl ) ,
.

A d e riva tiv e from t h e s ame roo t with a n oth e r s uffix s e e ms t o


p re s e n t its e l f in th e ON tivor (d eu s See m 6 A S ti r ge n t ire s
1
. .
1
,
.
, .

( tiir Cod e x on
, . gl oria spl en d or) a nd OS ti r ge n tira s t ire e s ;
.
, , .
,
.
,

with wh ich I c onn e ct th e OH G ziori ziari zieri (sp le n did us) a n d .


, , ,

th e Lat d ecus d e c or d e c orus


. Th e A S p oe ts use th e w ord t ir on ly
, , . .

t o int e n s ify oth e r w ord s : tirme t od ( d e us gloria e s ummus d e u s ) , ,

Ceedm 14 3 7 ee sctir w e ra ( h a st a gl orios a virorum) 1 2 4 2 7 ee sca


.
, , ,

t ir 1 2 7 1 0 ; ti rw in e B o eth me t r 2 5 4 1 t irfruma Cod e x on 1 3


, , , . .
, , . .
,

21 t irme ah tig (p ote ntissimus) , 72 ,


1 tire ad ig ( fe licissimus) ,

Cee d m . 1 8 9, 1 3 . 1 9 2, 16 t irfte st ( fi rmissimus) , 64 ,


2 . 1 8 9, 1 9

S ome t ime s , t h ough rare l y, w e fi nd a n oth e r ON d ia r, S e m 9 11 S n 176


1 . . . . .

Y n gl s a ga cap 2 i t a g re e s w i t h Ge ds more t h an w i t h 6 20 9
. . .

2
We kn o w t o wh a t s h ifts S o crat e s i s d riv e n in t rying t o e xpl a in t he forms
Z ij va a n d A la ( Pl a t o s Cra ty lus p 2 9 , B e kke r) da is h e d e riv e s from He i r,

.

cu rre re (p .

O r must w e
3
re ad it tivor, an d co nne c t it t
w i h t h e A S ti fe r, ib e r, OR G . t .

c ar l
1 96 zrc .

mu c h i n t h e s ame w aya s th e A S corme n OH G irman is p refix e d ; .


, .

N ow wh e n a s imil a r p re fix tg me e ts us in t h e ON writings e g

. .
, .

tyh raust r ( fortissimu s) t ysp akr ( sap ie n t issimu s) Sn 2 9 it c on fi rms


, , .
,

th e af ni fi ty b e tw e en tir an d T yr -
.

T h e s e in t ric at e e tymol ogie s w ere n ot t o b e a v oid e d th e y


e n titl e u s t o cl a im a sp h e re for th e T e ut on ic
god Zio Tiw Ty r , , ,

which pl a c e s him on a l e v e l w ith t h e l oftie st d e itie s of a n tiquity .

Re p re s e n t e d in th e E dd a a s Ohin s son h e may s e e m in fe rior t o


h im in p ow e r a n d mome n t b ut th e t w o re all yfall in t o on e in a s ,

much a s b oth are dire ctors of w ar an d b attl e a n d th e fame of ,

vi ct ory p roc e e d s from e a ch of th e m al ik e F or t h e ol d e n t ime .

re s ol v e d all gl ory in t o mil it ary gl ory a n d n ot c on t e n t w ith W uot an ,

a n d Z io it fe lt t h e n e e d o f a third w a r od H a d u t h fi r d ist in o
g
-
, e n e

t ion s in th e ir cultu s a re h idd e n from u s n ow — I t is n ot t o b e ov e r


look e d th a t Ohinn is o ft e n n ame d Sigty
, r H r6p t aty r G a u ta t y r , , ,

h angaty r farma ty r ( See m 3 0 4 7 2 4 8 S n 94 b bd va rty r qu a si



2
. . . .
, .
,

p ugn a e d e u s ge irt y r (F orn m s6


g 9 5 1 5 8 ) a n d t h a t e v e n Th 6rr -
.
, .
, ,

t o w h om J u p it e r s l igh t n in g h a s b e e n h a n d e d o v e r a pp e ars a s

Re i6 arty r Re idity r ( Sn ,
i e god of th e w aggon 1
I n a ll th e s e
. . . .

p oe tic al t e rms w e se e th a t ty r b e e rs t h a t more g e n e ra l s e n s e wh ic h


,

mak e s it s u it ab l e for all divin it ie s e sp e c ially th e h igh e r on e s Ty r , .

h a s a p e rfe ct righ t t o a n a me id e n t ic a l with Z e u s A dd moreov e r .


,

th a t th e e p ith e t of f a the r w a s in a sp e cia l d e g re e a cc ord e d n ot ,

on ly t o J up it e r Die sp it e r b ut t o vict ory s p a t ron Ma rs



?
, p ite r ,
.

F u rth e r th is l ofty p os ition is cl aime d for Zio by t h e ol d e st


,

a cc oun ts th a t h a v e re a ch e d u s M a rs is s ingl e d out a s a ch ie f god .

1
d o n ot re ck on A nga n t r amon g t his se t of w ord s
I y
I t o ccurs fre qu e n tl y, .

b oth in t h e H e rvararsaga an d in S ee m 1 1 4 a 1 1 9 11 9 2 ; th i s l ast p a ss a ge ca lls .

Ohin n F ri ggj ar a n ga n t r y
Th e t rue form i s d oub tl e ss A ny ttnb i r a s a pp ea rs

.

from t h e OH G A n ga n deo ( Tra d ful d 1 , a n d t h e A S Onge b eow, Ongenjp i o


. .

n . .

( B w 4 770 4 9 45 6 7 5 8 4 3 9 7 5 9 1 7 -t
yr w oul d h a v e b e e n I n A S t e ow , in
-
e o . . . .

OH G zio -
Graff gi v e s an A gan d e o l 1 3 2 5 , 8 7 w h i ch s e e ms t o b e a mis
sp e l li n g th ou gh th e Trad wize n b n o 20 h a v e a W oman s n ame A ga th i n ( for
. . .


. . . . ,

A n ga n t h iu ) , t o w h i ch a dd th e a ce A gat h ie n , A gacie n ( V alth ar Th e


V
. .

me an i n g of a n bgan o n ge n , i s d oub t fu l ; an gan illrar b rudh ar i s s ai d t o b e



,

d e l i ci ae mal ae mu lie 1 is, b u t B iorn i n t e rp re ts i t p e d ise qu a , an d O6 1n n mi gh t


fi tlyb e call e d F 1 igo gae p e dise quus Th a t s ome p rop e r n ame s in t h e E d d a a re


'
.

corrupt , i s pl a i n from H ad r, w h i ch o u g h t e v e ryw h e re t o b e H a mby r, OH G .

H a ma d io, H amid e o ( S ch a n n a t n o 5 76 C od lau re sh M H G H amd ie


. . . . .

( M sH 3 ,
Th i s mu ch I a m s u re of, t h a t n e i th e r A n ga n b r n or H a mbyr y
ca n con t ai n a t r w h i ch i s a l mo st a l w a s comp oun d e d w ith g e n i t iv e s in a

j , y
figura t iv e s e n s e .

2
Ge lliu s 5 , 1 2 .
1 98 zro .

ph a tically th e ir Vigagu d (d e us p roeliorum) Sn 1 0 5 and again


.
, ,

h a n n e r d iarfa str ck b e st h ug a6 r ok h a nn rce dr mibc sigri i orostom ,


,

S n 2 9 (se e Suppl )
. .

N o d oubt th e re w e re moun tain s h all owe d t o Zio a s w ell as t o ,

Wuot a n a n d Donar ; th e only d iffic ulty is t o kn ow wh ich god , ,

Wu ot a n or Zio w a s me an t by a p articul ar n ame M ayw e pl ac e


, .

t o h is c re d it t h e n ame of th e abb e y of Sie gb urg in th e L ow e r


Rh ine wh ich w a s foun d e d in 1 0 6 4 on a moun tain wh e re t he
,

a n c ie n t a ss iz e of t h e p eopl e w a s h e l d ? F rom t h a t time th e moun


t ain w a s t o h av e b e en c all e d M on s s an cti M ich ae l is a fte r th e
ch ristian c on que ror b ut th e h e a th e n S igeberg coul d n ot b e disl odge d
, ,

it w as only d ist ort e d in t o Sie gb urg ; or a re w e t o e xpl a in t h e n a me


1

by th e rive r Sie g wh ich fl ows th rough th e district ? Th e ON


, .

n y g(
t s ber O S Si g u t iw is b e ra g Se
.e m 3 4 8 m ight b e l
- on g t o Ohi n-
n .
a

o r t o Ty r Th e W e imar map h a s in s e ction 3 8 a Tisd orf a n d in


.
,

s e ction 4 8 a Z iesberg b oth in L owe r S a x on d istricts on t he E l be, .

A pl a c e in Z e al and ab ou t wh ich th e re a re folk t al e s is Tybierg,


-
,

( T hie l e 2 2 0) als o in Z e al and a re Tisveld e ( Ti s w e ll) Tysting in


, ,

J utl and Tysta the Tiislund e I n S w e d en : Tista d Tisby Tis ic


'

.
, , , , ,

Tyred .Z ierberg in B a va ria ( Cirb e rg Z irb e rc M B 1 1 71 3 5 6 ) , ,


.
,
-

a n d Z i eren be rg in L ow e r H e ss e may b e d e riv e d from th e c oll a t e ra l

form ( se e S uppl ) Th e mons M a rtis a t P a ris ( M on tmartre ) of


.
,

which e v e n A bb o d e b e ll P ar 2 1 96 ma k e s me n tion h a s t o d o . .
, ,

with th e G all ic M ars wh om s ome t a k e t o b e B e lus o th e rs H e sus , ,


.

With far b e tt e r right th a n th e P aris ian mon s M artis (ye t c onf W aitz s .

S al ic law p ,
w e may a ss ig n t o Zio th e f a num M a rtis n o w
.
,

F a mars in H ain ault ( p a cc ordin g t o H e rm M ull e r t h e Old. .

F ran k ish D isba rgum ( or D isb a rgus) in t e rmin o Toringorum o f


‘ ’

G re g t ur 2 9 Chlo d io s c a st e ll um Dis wo ul d b e a L a tiniz e d form



. .
,
.
,

o f Tis Tive s p e rh a ps re c all ing D isp ite r D ie sp it e r th e re is n o


, ,

G allic w ord lik e it l ook in g t ow ard s M ars a n d th e d istrict is t h or ,

o ugh ly F ran k ish w ith Lip h t in a e cl o s e b y wh e re w e h av e S ax n 6t


, ,

n a me d by t h e s id e of Th un ar an d W 6d a n A s for E resberg a n d .

M e rsberg (3 or 4 pp on ) I h a v e c omp are d th e ol d e st d oc ume n ts in


.
,

S e ib e rtz : n o 1 1 (a nn o 9 6 2 ) g iv e s u s E re sb urg; n o 2 5 ( 1 0 3 0) al re a d y
. .

M e rsb urg ; 1 9 8 ( 1 0 4 3 ) mon s E re sb urg ; n o 5 1 ( 1 1 5 0 ) mon s E re s


, .

he re n o 70 ( 1 1 76 ) mon s E re sb e rch ; n o 8 5 ( 1 1 8 4 ) H e re sb urg ;


:

. .
D )

1 D oe um in La comble t,
. no . 20 3 -4 .
zro . 1 99

no . 1 15 ( 12 0 1) mon s M artis ;
( 121 9 M e rsb erch ; n o 1 6 7 no . 15 3 .

( 1 2 2 2 ) E re sb e rch ; n o 1 79 ( 1 2 2 8 ) m on s M a rt is ; n o . 1 8 6 ( 12 2 9 ) .

mons H e re sb erg ; n o 1 8 9 ( 1 2 3 0 ) mon s M artis a nd M e rsb e rg . .

M on s M a rtis w a s th e l e a rne d name M e rsb e rg th e p op ul ar a n d , ,

Ere sb e rg th e ol d e st A s mon s a nd c a st e ll um are u s e d by t urn s


.
,

b e rg a n d b urg are e qually right Wid uk ind 2 1 1 a nd Die tma r 2 1 .


, ,

sp e ll H eresburg and E resburch wh e n th e y d e sc rib e th e t a k ing of ,

th e pl a c e in 9 3 8 A cc ord ing t o th e A n n Corb ( P e rt z


. th e y . .

a re s a c re d t o b oth A l e s a n d H e rme s ( M a rs a n d M e rc ury ) .

Th e n ame s of pl a n ts als o c on fe ss th e god : ON Tys fiola I d are .


,

saya ft e r t h e La t viol a M a rt is march v iol e t ; Tyrhia lm ( a c on it u m)


.
,

o th e rwis e Th orhialm Th orh at (h el m


,

e t h a t) c on f G e rm st urmh u t
, , , . .
,

e is e n h ut D a n t rold h a t a h e rb e n d ow e d w ith ma gic p ow e r wh os e


,
.
, ,

h e l me t l ik e sh ap e migh t s ugge st e ith e r o f th o s e w arlik e g od s Ty


- r an d

Th 6rr ; Ty vi d r Ty s w ood D a n Ty ved Ty sved ( d a ph n e me z e re u m


' ’

, , ) .
, ,

in t h e H e ls ing dial tis tistba st th e me z e re on a b e autiful p ois on


. .
, , ,

fl ow e r (se e Suppl ) .

Wh il e th e s e name s of pl a c e s and pl an ts s ufficie n tly v ouch for


th e w id e sp re a d w orshi p of t h e god w e must lay p artic ul ar st re ss
-
,

on on e th ing th a t th e n ame for t h e th ird d a yof th e w e e k whi ch


, ,

is wh at w e st arte d with b ears l iving w it n e ss t o h im a t th is mome nt


, ,

n ot o nly in S c a n d in a v ia a n d E ngl a n d ( ON Ty sd agr S w e d Tisd ag .


,
.
,

D an Tirsd ag A S Tiw e sd eeg) but amon g th e c ommon p e opl e in


.
,
.
,

S wa b ia a nd Sw itze rl an d (Z ie stag Tie stag d ie stik b e s id e our uni , , ,

v e rs a l D ie n st ag) ; Sch m 4 2 1 4 b rings all th e forms toge th er A nd .


, .

th e re is ye t on e more t e stimon y t o th e high a n tiquity of Z io w orsh ip -

in S w ab ia wh ich w e may g a th e r from a n old W e ss ob run n gl oss


Suap a M B 7 3 75 a nd Diut 2 3 70 ; wh ich I t ak e to



Cyuvari ,
.
, .
,

be not Te uton oari a s Z e u ss d oes pp 14 6 9 b ut Z iowa ri M arte m


, ,
.
,

cole n t e s w a ria n e x p 1 e ssing l ik e Lat


,
c ol e re b oth h ab itare a nd , .
,

"
Hep a rre ve w so th a t th e Sue v i are dep a rro vre s Ap no s
,
'
.

B ut th a t is n ot all : furth e r an d w e ighty d iscl osure s on th e


n ame a n d n a ture of th e w ar god a w a it u s a t th e h an d s of th e Run ic -

a lph ab e t .

It is k now n th at e ach s e p arate rune h as a n ame t o its e l f an d ,

th e s e n ame s v arymore or l e ss a cc ording t o th e n a tion s th a t use th e m ,

b ut th e y a r e mo stly v e ry a n c ie n t w ord s Th e OR G run e s h a v in g . .

t o b e st ow th e n a me d orn on D an d t a c o n T re q uire for th e ir , ,

a sp ira t e Z wh ich cl os e s t h e a lph ab e t t h e n ame of Zio I n th e ON . .


200 zro .

an d AS lph ab e ts d ag st ood for D Ty


. a r a n d Tiw for T born for 9
, 1 , , ,

b e ing th e s ame th re e Word s only in d iffe re n t pl a c e s ; o cc a s ion a lly ,

t h e A ngl o Sa x on s w ro t e Tir or Tis


-
Wh en e v e r a l ist cf run e s . .

k e e ps th orn for Th a n d d ag for D it is s ure t o h a v e Ti for T ( a s


, ,

t h e Cod I sid ori p aris a n d


. so it is in t h e S t Gall cod
. .

2 6 0 an d t h e B russ e ls 9 5 6 5 e xc e pt th a t d orn is imp rop e rly p ut for ,

th orn an d t ag for d ag b ut Ti st an d s c orre ctly opp o s it e T Th e


, , .

P aris cod 5 2 3 9 h a s dh ron (dh orn ) tac Zin th a t of Sal zburg dh orn
.
, , , ,

Ti d a e g : e v e rywh e re th e form Z iu sh ows th e H igh G e rm a cc e pt a


,
.

t ion a nd th e form Ti ( on c e in Cod v a t ic Ch ris tin a e 3 3 8 sp e lt Tu


, , . .
, ,

p e rh Tii) th e Low G e rm th e Sa x on Th e u in Z iu s ee ms t o b e
.
, .

more arch aic th an th e o of Zio wh ich h a s k e pt p a c e with th e ,

re gul ar p rogre ss of th e OH G d ial e ct a n d f oll ows th e a n al ogy of .


,

d io s e rv us ; th is rel a tion b e tw e e n 11 a n d 0 may p e rh aps b e s e e n


,

still more in its true light a s w e go on B ut wh a t is v e ry rema rk , .

a bl e is th a t in t h e V ie n n a cod 1 4 0 th e n ame Ty
,
z is g iv e n t o T in .

a n a lp h ab e t which u s e s t h e G othic l e tt e rs for Ty z c ome s v e ry n e a r ,

t o our c onj e ctura l G oth Ti us A s w e ll th e re t e nt ion a s th e un a void


. .

a bl e a lt e ra tion s of th is div in e n a me in th e run e s of th e v a riou s ra c e s ,

mayb e t ak e n as p roofs of th e an t iquity a n d e xt e n t of Zio w orsh ip -


.

H ow c ome s it th a t n o run e h as t a k e n its n ame from W u otan or


Ohinn t h e in v e n t or of w ritin g its e l f R re i5 rad i e w a ggon

, , , . .
, ,

mayindire ctly at l ea st b e re fe rre d t o th e god of th e Th und e r car -

a n d F a cc ordin g t o on e in t e rp re t a t ion s ig n ifi e s F re y r A n yh ow .
,

r a pp e ars t o h a v e b e e n a s up re me ly h on oure d symb ol a n d



T Ty
z
,

t h e n ame of th is god t o h a v e b e e n sp e cia lly s a c re d in sc ra tching


t h e run e s o f v ict ory on t h e sw ord t h e n ame of Ty r h a d t o b e t w ic e ,

in s e rt e d See m 1 94 ,
1
Th e sh a p e of t he run e ) h a s an ob viou s
.
1
.
f

re s e mb l a n c e t o th e old e st abl ish e d sy mb ol of th e pl an e t M ars wh e n


-

se t u p right d} a n d an A S p o e m on th e ru n e s e xp re ssly s ays : ti r


, .

b iti td cn a sum (t ir is on e of th e t ok e n s is a c e rt ain s ig n ) ; wh e re ,

a g a in th e d e riva tiv e form t ir is e mpl oy e d t o e xpl a in th e t h e s impl e

Tiwor T1 Occ a sion ally th e p o e ts sp e ak of tire t acn ian t o mark



.
,

w ith t ir (El 75 3 J ud 1 3 7 a n d t ire s t o t acn e a s ma rk of t ir


‘ ’
. . .
, ,

( B e ow 3 3 0 6 )
. w e m a y e xp oun d it a s gl oria d e c ore i n s ig n ire in , ,

a e s ign um a n d st ill th in k o f th e h e a th e n symb ol o f th e



c
t
)
l or i , go d ,

p re tty mu ch a s w e saw it d on e at th e s ol e mn bl e ss ing of th e ale


c ups (se e
1
C on f . no e t t o Elen e 1 5 5 -6 .
202 zro .

th e g e nitive e nding -s wh ich is p re s e rv e d in Zie stac an d I h av e not ,

b e e n s o fort un a t e a s t o h u n t p
u a n E r 1
e st ac in t h e ol d e r re c ord s of

th e 1 3 1 4 th c e n t urie s ; n e v e rth e l e ss th e c oin cid e n c e of th e d oubl e


-

n a me s for th e d aya n d for th e run e sh oul d b e c on cl u s iv e h e re a n d


,

w e must s upp o s e an OH G E re st ac t o ma tch th e Ere sb e r .

g On e , .

might b e le d t o imagin e th at in E rtag th e E a rth ( Erd e a cc ordin g


to t h e forms giv e n at th e b e g innin g o f ch XIII ) w a s me a n t B ut . .

th e an cie nt w a yof th in k in g pl a c e d th e earth in t h e c e n t re o f t h e


w orl d not amon g th e pl an e ts ; sh e c an not th e re fore h a v e giv e n
,

n a me t o a d ayof th e w e e k a n d th e re is n o s u ch d a f d i
,
y o u n n a n y
n ation un l e ss w e t urn V e n u s a n d F re y
, j a i n t o t h e e a rth — To b e ar
th is E rtag c omp a ny the re is th a t n a me of a pl ac e E ersel quot e d
, ,

p 1 5 4 from Gramaye in whi ch n e ith e r era h on or n or its p e rson ifi


.
, ,

c a tion E ra (ch XVI XXIX) is to be th ought of but s ol e ly a god


.
, ,

o f th e w e e k It is w orth n oticing th a t E rta c an d E rd ag occur a s


.
,

me n s n ame s ; als o th at th e Tax a n drian E e rs e l w a s but a l ittl e w ay


off th e Tisb erg or F a n ma rs in H a in ault (se e — N ow c ome s


s ome thi ng far more imp ort an t A s Zio is id e n tic al with Z e us as .

d ire ct or of w a rs w e se e a t a gl anc e th at E or E r E a r is on e w ith


, , , ,

A p yq th e son of Z eu s a n d a s th e G e rman s h ad giv e n th e ra nk o f


"

Z eu s t o th eir Wuotan Ty r an d c on s e que n tly E or a pp e ars a s th e son


,

of t h e h igh e st go d H a v e w e anyme an s n ow l e ft of g e tting at th e


.

s e n s e of th is obscure root E or ?
Th e d e sc ript ion of th e run e in t he AS p oe m g iv e s only a sl ight .

h int it runs th us ,

E a r b i6 e gl e e orla geh wilcum ,

b onn e feestlice fleesc onginne 5


hreew c 6li an h rusan ce osan ,

bl ac t 6 geb e dd an bl eed a ge dre osa6 .


,

wynn e ge witah w e ra ge swica5 ,

i e E a r fit imp ort unus h ominum cuicumque quum c aro in c ip it


. .
, ,

re frige sce re p allid umq ue c orpu s t e rra m e l ige re conj uge m


,
t un c .

e n im gloria e dila b un tur g au d ia e va n e scun t fo e d era c e ss a n t


,
Th e ,
.

d e sc ript ion is of d e a th c oming on an d e arth ly j oys d ropp ing off ; ,

b ut wh o ca n th at b e th a t a t su ch a time is b urd e n s ome ( e gl e ail s ome)


, ,
-

t o me n ? Th e ordin ary me aning of ea r S p ic a a rist a can b e o f n o u se , , ,

h e re ; I s upp os e th at a pp roa ch ing diss olution a p e rs on ifi e d d e a th ,

p ass age from Ke ise rsb erg quot ed byS ch m


1
In a . 1 , 9 7, it is sp e lt E ristag,
a pp are n tl
yt o fav our th e d e riva tion from d i e s ae ris

.
E OR, S A XN OT, C H E RU . 2 03

is t o b e stood from wh ich a t ran s ition t o th e d e structiv e god


und e r ,

b i
"
of b a ttl e s th e Bp oro o y s u q A i
p us s e a sy t o c on c e iv e
1
lt u ,
t a i x vo s

, , .

A p m its e l f is u s e d a bstra ctly by t h e Gre e ks for d e st ruct ion murd e r


"

, ,

p e st il e n c e j ust a s our Wuota n is for furor a n d b el li imp e tus ? an d


,

t h e L at in M ars for b e ll um e xi tus p ugn ae furor b e lli cus c on f M ars



, , , .

=ca feh t g e fe cht figh t in G1 H rab 9 6 9 ; a s c on v ers e ly th e OH G


,

, ,
. .
2
.

wig p ug na b e ll um (G raff 1 74 0 ) s e e ms o cc a s ion ally t o d e n ot e th e


, ,

p e rs on al god of w ar W icgch quoq ue M a rs e st s ays E rmoldu s


.
‘ ’

N ige ll us (P e rtz 2 a n d h e is s aid t o fa rn e ma n A S forn ima n


, , .
,

c a rry o ff as H il d ( B e ll on a) d oe s e ls e wh ere : d a t in an w ic forn am


, ,

H ild e br l ie d in A S
. wig e alle forn am B e ow 2 1 5 5 wig forn o m
.
, .
,

Cod e x on 2 9 1 1 1
. D o w e n o t st ill say w ar or b a ttl e s n a tch e d
.
, .
,

th e m all a w a y A re mark abl e gl oss in t h e old Cod sa ngall 9 1 3 . .


,

p 1 93 h as turb in e s ziu (w e h av e n o b us in e ss t o w rit e z ui) wh ich


.
,

,

may me a n th e st orm o f w ar th e M ars trux sa e vus or p oss ibly th e , , ,

lit e ral wh irlwin d on wh ich myth ic al n ame s a re s ome t ime s b e st ow e d ;


,

so it is e ith e r Zi o h ims e l f or a sy n on y mou s fe mal e p e rs on ific at ion ,

Z iu b e a ring t h e s ame re l a tion t o Z io a s diu ( an c ill a ) t o dio


,

( s e rvus ) .

H ere c ome s in an oth e r string of e xpl an a t ion s ov e rb ol d as s ome ,

o f th e m mays e e m A s E resburg is j u st a s oft e n sp elt H eresburg


.

by th e Frank ish an n al ists w e mayfairly b ring in th e Goth ha irus ,


.
,

A S h eor OS heru ON hi orr e n sis c ard o al th ough th e n ame s of


'

. .
.
, , , , ,

th e run e a nd th e d ay o f t h e w e e k alwa ys a pp e ar w ith out th e


a s p ira t e F or in Gre e k w e a l re ad y h a v e th e tw o un a sp ira t e d w ord s
.

A p ys an d ezop sw ord w e a p on t o c omp are w ith on e an oth e r a n d


” ’'

, , , ,

th e s e p oin t to a god of th e sw ord Th e n ag ain th e famous A b re .

n un t ia tio n ame s th re e h e a th e n god s Thun a r d en S a xn dt o f , , , ,

w h om th e th ird can h a v e b e e n b ut li ttl e in fe rior t o th e o th e r tw o



in p ow e r a n d h oli n e ss Sa hsn ot is w ord for w ord gl adii con sors .
,

e n sife r [G e rm g e n oss Sh a re r] ; w h o e ls e b ut Z io or E or a n d th e
.
,

G re e k A es? r 3
Th e A S g e n e al ogie s p re s e rv e th e n ame of S a xned t
.

Or w ith out th e n e e d o f anyt ra n s it ion, E ar migh t at on ce h e A re s


1
, war
is burd e n s ome in old a ge — T R A N S L .

2
Th e n o ti on s of ra vi n g ( w ii t e n ) an d in s an ire are s u it ab l e t o th e bl ust e rin g
ormful
go d of w a r’ H o me r ca lls A re s do fzp o g t h e w i l d a n d dq
'
. bp wv th e ,

in s e n s a t e 69 o fln va 0 26e de uw ra , I I 5 , 76 1 B ut ua lve ra t i s s a id of oth e r g ods


. .
,

t o o , p a rt icul a rl y Z e u s ( 8 , 3 6 0 ) a n d D i on ys os or B a cch us ( 6 ,
3
On e migh t t h i n k of F r6, F re yr ( ch X ) , bu t o f cou rs e gl i tt e rin g s w ord s .

w e re a ttribu t e d t o more th an o n e god ; t h u s P o s e i d o n ( N e pt un e ) w i e l d s a 6e w 6v


do p , l l 14 , 3 8 5 , a nd A p o llo is call e d xp vo dop o s, 5 , 5 0 9 1 5 , 2 5 6
.

. .
2 04 ZI O .

as t h e son of W 6d en ,
a nd it is in
p erfe ct a cc ord an c e w ith it th a t ,

Ty r w a s t h e son o f O5 inn a n d A re s t h e son of Z e u s se e Suppl


( , ) .

B ut furth er a s th e S ax ons w e re so c all e d e ith e r b e c au s e th e y


, ,

w ie l d e d th e sw ord of st on e ( sa x um) or pl a c e d this god a t th e h e a d ,

o f th e ir ra c e so I t h in k t h e Cheru sca n s of T a c it u s
,
a p e opl e ,

sy n on ymou s n ay id e n tica l with th em w e re n ame d a ft er Ch eru


, , ,

H eru E or from wh om th e ir n ame can b e d e riv e d


,
1
A ft e r th is .

w e igh ty c ons on a n c e o f fa cts w h ich o p e n s t o u s t h e me anin g of th e ,

old n a t ion a l n a me a n d a t t h e s a me t ime t e a ch e s th a t


,
h e ru w a s
fi rst of all p ron oun c e d ch e ru a n d l a st of all e ru e r I th ink w e ,

,

mayals o b ring in th e G all ic w ar god H esus or E sa s ( Lu c an 1 -


,

a n d st a t e t h a t th e me t a l iron is in dic a t e d b
, yth e pl a n e t ary s ign o f
M ars t h e A S tire s t ac e n an d c on s e que n tly t h a t th e run e of Zio
,
.

a nd E or ma
yb e th e p ict ure of a sw ord with its h an dl e or of a ,

sp e ar Th e S cythia n a n d Ala ni c l eg e n d s d w e ll still more e mp h a ti


?

c ally on th e g od s sword an d th e ir a gre e me n t w ith T e utonic ways


o f t hin k in g ma s a fe ly b e a ss ume d a s M a rs w a s e qu a lly p romin e n t


y ,

in t h e fa ith of th e S cyth ia n s a n d th a t of th e Goth s .

Th e imp re ss iv e p e rs on ific a tion of th e sw ord ma tch e s w e ll with


t h a t of th e h ammer a n d t o my th ink ing e a ch c on fi rms th e oth e r
,
.

B oth id e a a n d n ame of t wo o f th e g re a t e st g od s p ass ov e r int o th e


in strume n t by wh ich th e y d ispl a y th e ir might .

H e rod otu s 4 6 2 in forms us t h at th e S cyth ia n s w orsh ipp e d


, ,

A re s u n d e r th e s e mbl a n c e or sy mb ol of a n a n c ie n t iron sw ord


d d k ns w hich w a s e l e v a t e d on a n e n ormou s st a ck of b ru s h w ood
( k t v ) ,

en i

th re e furl ongs in l e ngth a n d b re a dth b ut le ss in h e ight ,
-

61) 7 0 13 d y/e cu d K t v a K: 77 9 0 t 6 ifp e o 9 l6p vra t dp xa lo s


’ ’

7 0 157 0 1)
"
r . .

A p no S 7 6 Z iya K/ A mrnia nu s
"
é k d o ro w
- '

t [ca t 7 o i) 7
"
60 7 1. 3
7 01 t a f .

M arc e ll inu s 3 1 2 s ays of th e ,


A l a n i : N e c t e mplum a p u d e osvisit ur
a ut d e l ub ru m n e tu gurium quid e m c ul mo t e ctu m c e rni u squ am
,

p ot e st se d gla d ius ba rba ri co ritu hu mi figitu r n ud us eumgue u t


,
,

M a rtem re gion um qu a s circu mcirca n t p rae sule m ve re cun diu s


, ,

colu n t . A n d h e h ad p rev iously a ss ert e d of th e Q ua di a ls o,


a

d e c id e dly G e rman p e opl e ,


1 7, 1 2 ( A D . . E d u ct is mu croni bus quos ,

p ro n u min ibus cota n t, j ura ve re se p er man suros in fi de . P e rh aps all

1 s uffix sk w oul d h ard l yfit with th e mat e rial s ense of h eru far b e tt e r
Th e -
,

w i th a p e rs on a l H e ru .

D oe s t h e a u th or o v e rl ook or d e l ib e ra t e l y rej e ct th e ON or ge n orr r


2
, ,
.
,
. o ,

A S a rwe a rro w
.
,
A mon g th e fo rms for Tue s d ayoccu r E rigta g E rgetag e rg e ,

is to e rwe a s s org e t o sorwe morg e n to morw e n &C —


,
TR A N S
, ,
. .
20 6 zro .

to th e l eg e n d of P icns a son of Saturn a w ood sp irit w h o h elp e d


, ,
-

t o nurs e t h e b a b e s R e mu s a nd Romul u s ; c e rt a in fe a t ure s in o ur


a n t iq uitie s s e e m t o re c a ll h im a s wil l b e s h ow n l a t e r Romnhis
, .

c on s e cra te d th e th ird mon th of the y e ar to M ars his p roge nit or; ,

our a n c e st ors a ls o n a me d it a ft e r a d e ity wh o ma p h aps b e


y e r

id e n tifi e d with M ars Th a t is t o say th e A ngl o Sax on s c all e d


.
,
-

M arch wh ich B e d a with ou t h e s ita tion tra c e s t o a


g odd e ss E re de ; p oss ibly oth e r ra c e s might e xpl ain it by a god

E re da ? Th e s e n ame s w oul d c ome from h r65 gl oria fama ON


’ ‘

.
, ,

h r66 r OH G h ruod OFra n k ch r6d wh ich h e lp e d t o form ma n y


, .
,
.
,

a n c ie n t w ord s e g C H G H rnod ga n g H rn odh ilt OF ran k


, . . . Ch r6d o , , .

g ang Ch r6dhild ; did H ruodo Chrdd o e xp re ss t o c e rtain ra c e s th e


, ,

s h in in g god o f fame ?1 Th e E dd a k n ows of n o su ch e pith e t for Ty



a s H r65 r or H roehi se e Suppl


( ) .

To th e s e disc ov erie s or c onj e cture s w e h av e b e e n g uid e d simply


b yth e s e v e ral s urv iv in g n a me s of on e of th e great e st g od s of o ur
ol d e n time t o w h os e a ttrib ut e s a n d s urrou n d in gs w e h a v e sc arc e ly
,

a nyo th e r cln e l e ft B ut n ow w e mayfairly a pply t o h im in th e


.

ma in wh at t h e p oe try of oth e r na tion s s uppl ie s Z io is s ure t o


,
.

h av e b e e n v a l ian t a n d fon d o f wa r l ik e Are s l a vish of gl ory b u t , , ,

"
st e rn an d bl ood thirsty ( a lha ros da a t A p ya l l 5 2 8 9 2 0 78 2 2 ,
.
, .
, .
,

2 6 7) h e rave s a n d rag e s l ik e Z e n s a nd W u ot an h e is th a t old



,

blood sh e d d e r of th e S e rv ian s ong h e gl add e n s t h e h e arts o f



-
,

ra v e n s a n d w ol v es w h o foll ow him t o fi e l d s of b a ttl e


,
alth ough ,

th e s e cre at ure s again mu st b e a ss ign e d more to W uot an ( p th e .

G re e k p h ras e mak e s th e m cla va l a n d mive s ( b ird s a nd d ogs ) a n d ,

1
I n th is conn e x ion on e mi gh t t ryt o re s cu e th e s usp i ciou s an d dis cre dit e d
le ge nd of a S a x on d ivi n i tyK rodo th e re is a ut h ori tyfor i t in th e 1 5 th ce n t ury,
n o n e w h a t e v e r in th e e arl i e r M id A g e s B o th e s Sa sse n ch ronik ( L e i b u 3 , 2 8 6 )

. . .

re l a t e s un d e r t h e yea r 78 0 , th a t K i n g C h a rl e s , d u ri n g his con q ue st of t h e E a st


S a x on s, o v e rth re w on t h e H a rt e sb n rg a n i d o l s i mi la r t o S a turn , w h i ch t h e
p eopl e call e d Krodo I f s uch an e ve n t h ad rea ll yh a pp e n ed, it w oul d most
.

l i k e ly h a v e be e n me n tione d b y th e an n ali sts l i ke t h e ov erth row of th e ,

I rma n sfi l F or a ll t h a t , t h e t ra d i t i on n e e d n ot b e groun d l e ss , if o th e r th i n gs


.

w o u l d o n l y corre sp on d U n fo rt u na t e l y th e form Cr6 d o for Ch rod o , H r6d o ,


.

Rod o [l i k e C a tt i , a tt erw C h a tt i , H att i , H e ss e n ] is ra t h e r too a n ci e n t , a n d I can


.

fi n d n o s upp ort for i t in t h e S a x on sp e e ch A d oc of 1 2 8 4 ( L an gs re g 4 , 2 4 7)


. . .

h a s a VVa lt-h e rn s dict us K rod e, a n d a s on g in N ith art s M sH 3 , 2 0 8 1) a K rotolf



. ,

w h ich h owe v e r h a s n o bu si n e ss t o re mi n d us of H rn od olf, Ruod olf, b e i n g n o t


a p ro p e r n a me , b ut a n i ck n a me an d so t o b e d e riv e d from k ro t e , a t oa d t o ,
,
w h i ch mu st b e re fe rre d ma n y n a me s o f pla ce s , K rot e n p ful, &c , wh i ch h a v e .

b e e n mi sta k e n l y a s cri b e d t o th e i d o l Th e t rue form for U pp e r G e rmany


.

w oul d n o t t ol e ra t e a K r, but on l yH r or R ( se e S uppl ) .


zro . 2 07

th e fi el ds of th e sl ain wh ere v e l are c all e d x vi/(13V


,
the h ound s h ol d re ,

uéa zmdp a l l 1 3 2 3 3 1 7 2 5 5 1 8 1 79 B a ttl e s ongs w ere als o


' -
. . .
, , , , .

s ure to b e tun e d t o the p rais e s of Zio a n d p erh aps w ar d an c e s ,


-

from which I d e riv e th e



e x e c ut e d
(u é7t 7re 0 9a t A p yt l l 7 , .
,

p ers ist e n t an d w id e ly p re v al e n t c ust om of th e s ol e mn sw ord d an c e -


,

e x a ctly t h e th in g for t h e
god of t h e s w ord Th e E dd a n owh ere .

l ays p articul ar stre ss on t h e sw ord of w a r it k nows n oth ing o f ,

S ah sn6t in d e e d its sve rhas is an oth e r god H e irntiallr;1 b u t it s e ts


, ,

Ty r b e fore u s a s on e h a n d ed b e c a us e th e w ol f w ith in w h os e j a ws
-
, ,

h e l aid his right h a n d a s a pl e d g e b it it off a t t h e j o in t wh e n c e , ,

th e w rist w a s c all e d fi lfli6 r w ol f l ith See m 6 5 S n 3 5 6 Th is ,


-
, .
2
. .
-
.

in cid e n t must h a v e b e e n w e ll k now n a n d ch ara ct e rist ic of him for -


,

th e ON e xp os ition of run e s l ik e wis e s ays un d e r l e tt e r T : Ty


. r er ,

einh en d r A sa ; c o n f S n 10 5 Th e re st of T e ut on ic l e g en d h a s n o
. . .

tra c e of it un l e ss w e are t o l ook for it in W alth e r s oneha nd ed ness


2
,

a n d fi n d in h is n a me t h e mighty wiel d e r of h osts I p re fe r t o


a d opt th e h a ppy e xpl a n a t ion 3 th a t th e re a s on why T r a pp e ars
y ,

on e h a n d ed is b e c a u s e h e can on ly g ive v ict ory t o o n e p a rt of th e


-
,

c omb at an ts a s H ad u an oth er god w h o disp e n s e s the fort un e of


, ,

w ar a n d Pl ut o s a n d F ortuna among th e G re e ks an d R oman s are


, ,

p ain te d bl ind b e c aus e th e y d e al out th eir gifts at ran dom (se e


,

S uppl ) . N ow a s v ict ory w as e st e e me d th e h igh e st of all fortun e


, ,

t h e god of v ict ory sh are s t o t h e full th e p romin e n t ch ara ct e ristics


o f l uck in g e n e ral p a rtia l ity a n d fi ckle n e ss
, A n d a re mot e r p eriod .

of our n a t ion mayh a v e u s e d n a me s wh ich b ore up on th is


4
.

A mongst th e t rain o f A re s a n d M ars th e re a pp e ar c e rta in


myth ic b e ings w h o p e rs onify th e n otion s of fe ar a n d h orror A sino9 .

h a t in P a llor
a nd ( 1 1 4 4 4 0 11 3 1 7
. 1 5 1
,
1 9 ) a n sw e r t o t
. e L , .
,

1
C on f A p ol lo v o é o p o g ab o v e , p 2 0 3 , n ot e
. . .

2
Cod p a l 3 6 1, 6 5 a t e lls of J ul ian , t h a t h e w a s force d t o p ut h l S h an d
. .

in t o th e mouth o f M e rcu rys st a t ue : D ie h a n t st ie z e r im in d e n mun t


d ar, d a ri nn e u ch t e s i ch d e r v al an t ( d e v il ) , e r cle mme t e im d ie h an t , 11nd


g e h a b e t e sie i m s o v a st e ,
d a z e r s ich n ih t i rlose n moh t e ( cou l d n ot ge t l o o s e ) .

B e s id e s , th e w ol f s l imb h as a like n e ss t o t h e Wuotan s limb , Wo e ns le t, p 1 6 0


’ ’ -
. .

3
Wa cke rnage l s, in th e S ch w e iz mus 1 , 10 7

. . .

Th e G re e k e p o s e xp re ss e s th e ch a n g e ful ne ss of vict ory( vim ) dre p a h xqs, l l


4 ‘
.

8 , 1 7 1 16 , 3 6 2 ; vim) éwa ue lBe - ra t dv6 a 9 , 6 , 3 39 ) by a n e p i th e t o f A re s ,


.
p
5 , 8 3 1 8 89 A ce rtal n ma ny-s h ap e d an d a ll t ra n sfo rmmg
. .
-

b e i n g, w i th a n ame a l mo st e x a ctl yth e s ame , Vi la n ders ( Ls 1 3 6 9 B ld


a .
,

a n d erst, B a lda n d er H S a ch s I , 5 3 7 S im liciss b k 6 , c h as I n d e e d n o V 1S l b le


( .
p . . .

con n e x i on w i th t he go d o f wa r, b ut it ma yh a v e b e e n t h e n a me o f a go d Th e .

s i mi l ari tyo f t h i s Vila n ders t o th e n ame o f a pl a ce in t h e Tyrol, V i llan d ers


n e a r B ri x en ( V e lun u t ris, V ul nn n tn rnsa , a cc t o S t e nb p 79 178 ) I s me re l y . . . .

accid e n ta l .
208 zro .

and P a vor it is th e t wo forme r


th a t h arn e ss th e st e e d s of Are s ,

45 08 0 s is c all e d his son ( 1 3


,
a n d in A e sch yl us h e is p rov id e d
,

w ith a d w e lli ng (g éxa ep o v t e ctum) out of wh ich h e s udd e nly l e a ps , .

S o in t h e old B oh e mian s ongs Ti a s ( tre mor) a nd S tra kh (t e rror) ,

b urst out of fore st sh ad e s on th e e n e my s b and s ch a s e th e m p re ss ’

, ,

o n th e ir n e cks a n d sq u ee z e out o f t h e ir th ro ats a l oud cr ( K on i inh


y g .

h s 84
. th e y are gh ostly an d sp e ctral Th is b ord e rs u p on
. .

Voma Omi a n d Yggr ( pp 1 1 9


,
t e rms whi ch d e sign a t e th e
.
,

d hi m s el f no t his c omp a n ion s s on s or s e rv an ts y e t th e y a g ain


g o , , ,

b ear w it ne ss to th e c ommu nity th e re w a s b e twe e n Wu ot an a n d


Th 6rr w a s c all e d dtti iotn a t e rror gigantn m Wh e n in our
'

Zio .
, .

mod e rn ph ra s e ol ogy fe ar s urp ris e s s e iz e s s h ak e s d e p riv e s of s e n s e


‘ ’

, , , ,
'
p ers onific ation is n ot far o ff ; in t h e Il ia d als o 1 7 6 7 XKwp bv 6eo 9 ,

ma sc ul in e e mb odime n ts l ik e
'

a l ei a l e fe a r s e ize s b
( n e u t ) p . p ,
u t
6e Za 0 9
,
p all or p av or ti a s strakh b ring it more vividly b e fore
, , , , ,

u s a n d p a v or w a s w e ak e n e d by p a ss in g in t o th e fe m p a n ra p e ur
,
.
,

of th e R o ma n c e A S pa h in e se br6ga o nge at (t e rror e um in va sit )


. .
,

B e ow 2 5 8 3 . OH G forh t a ch am mih a n a N p s 5 4 5 forh ta


. .
,
. .
,

a n a fi e l ub ar in a n T 2 4 ; c on f M H G diu s orge im w a s $6 v e rre


,
.
, . .

e n trit e n sie moh t e e rre ich e n n iht e in sp e r fear w a s fle d so fa r from


, ,

him a sp e ar c oul d n ot re a ch it W h 2 80 1 0 ( se e Suppl )


,
B ut ,
.
,
.

furth e r on w e sh all ge t a cqu aint e d with a fe ma l e H ilt a c omp ara bl e


, ,

t o t h e Lat B e ll on a a nd t h e G r E ny o a nd E ris w h o is re a lly on e


. .
,

with w ar an d th e w ar god -
.

Ty r is d e sc rib e d in Sn 1 0 5 a s a son of C 5inn b ut in th e .


,

H ymisqvitia a s a k in s man of t h e gia n ts H is moth e r wh os e n ame .


,

is n ot foun d b ut w h o s e b e a uty is in d ic at e d by th e e p ith e t a ll gullin


,
-
,

all g ol d e n See m 5 3 mu st h a v e b e e n a giant s d aught e r wh o b ore



-
2
.
, , ,

t o Ohinn this immort a l son (se e Suppl ) .


2 10 F RO .

w ord for a d ivine or e arthly l ord w a s p re s e rv e d j ust as th a t antique ,

s ih ora a nd s ire (p 2 7 l a st e d l on ge st in add re ss e s I n th e H el ia nd


. .

t oo wh e n th e w ord is u s e d in a dd re ss in g it is a l w a ys in th e sh ort
, ,

e n e d form f ro min ! 1 2 3 1 3 1 4 0 2 3
f ro min th e g6do ! 1 3 1 6 , .
, .
,
.

1 34 ,
w a ld a n d f r6 min ! 1 5 3 8 d roh tin f r6 min ! ,
.

1 5 3 b ut in oth e r c a s e s w e d o fi n d th e c omple t e f rdho ge n fr6h on .

2 4 f rd h o 1 1 9 1 4 ge n trah on 1 2 2 9 fraon 3 2 4 5 2 3 f rdio


, , .
, , ,
.
,

93 1 10 7 2 1
,
. S t il l th e OS p oe t u s e s th e w ord s e l d o me r t h an t h e
,
. .

s ynony ms d rohtin an d h 6rro a n d h e always p uts a p oss e ss iv e w ith ,

it n e v e r a n a dj e ct iv e (l ik e mari d roh tin rik i d roh tin cra ft ag d roh tin


, , , ,

liob h erro) s till l e ss d oe s h e ma k e c omp oun d s w ith it (l ik e s igi


,

d roh tin) : all sy mpt oms th a t th e w ord w a s fre e zing up Th e A S . .

f red ge n fre an (for fre aa n fre aw an ) h as a wid e r sw e e p it n ot only


.
, ,

a d mits a dj e ct iv e s
( fre e eelmih tig Cee d m 1 9 1 0 bu t a ls o forms
.
,
.
, .
,

c omp ound s : age n dfre a Ceed m 1 3 5 4 ald orfre a 2 1 8 2 9 folcfre a , .


, .
, .

1 1 1 7 a n d e v e n c omb in e s w ith d ryh t e n : fre adryh t e n Cee d m 5 4


, ,
.
,

29 , g en . fre ahd rih t n e s B e ow ,


. 1 5 8 5 , d at . fre odryh tn e 5 1 5 0 .
-
B ut
n ow by t h e s id e of our OH G fr6 th ere is found a rigid (in d e cl ) .

o wh ich pl a c e d b e fore or a ft e r s ubst a n t iv e s imp a rts th e n ot ion


f ro n , , ,

of l ord ly h igh a n d h oly


; out of th is w a s g ra du ally d e v e l op e d a
,

more fl e x ibl e a dj of l ik e me anin g f rdn a n d aga in an a dj f r6nisc


.
, .

(p ulc h e r mu n dus inclytus a rca nu s) OS fr6n isk f rd nisk I n


, , , ,
.
, .

M H G a nd e ve n mod e rn G erma n w e h a v e a go od ma n y c omp oun d s


.


w ith vron a s als o th e adj in th e ab ov e se nse w h ile f rohn en f rohn en is
'

.
, , ,

Th e F ris ia n d ia l e ct c on t ri

t o d o s e rvic e t o on e s l ord t o d e d ic a t e , .

b u t e s a f roln d ominicus a n d f rd n a ministe r p ublicn s Th e ad d e d


, , ,
.

-
n in all th e s e d e riv a t iv e s ca n b e e xpl a in e d by th e G o th ic f rd u j in on
d o rnin ari th ough th e re w as p rob ably n o G oth ic frauj in isks a s
, ,

fr6nisc s e e ms n ot t o h a v e b e e n forme d t ill a fte r th e c on tra ction fr6


and fr6n o h ad se t in .

v e n th e G othic f ranj a d oe s n ot p re s e n t t o us th e s impl e


B ut e

st e m I l ook for it in a l ost a dj tra vis (l ik e n a vis ve k p 09 Rom 7


,
.
,
.
,

t h e s ame a s th e OH G f ro ge n frouw e s OS f ra ge n frah e s M H G . .


,
. .
,
.

vrd a n d ou r roh [froh l ic h frol ic a n d s ig nify in g mit is lae t us


,f , , , ,

bla n d us wh e n c e t h e s ame d ial e cts d e riv e fronw i g aud ium frouwan , , ,

l ae tum re dd e re frouwid a l ae titia &c ( se e Suppl ) , , ,


. .

I d o n ot me a n to a ss e rt th a t a god F ranj a Frouw o Frah o w as , ,

a s di stin ctly w orsh ipp e d by t h e G oth s A lamann s F ra nks a n d , ,

Sa x on s in th e fi rst c e n t urie s of our e ra a s Fre yr w a s l ong a fte r in ,


F RO . 211

S c a n dina v ia ; it is e v e n p oss ibl e th a t th e form freiuj a al re a d y


h arb o ure d a g e n e ral iza t ion of th e more v ividly c on cre t e Fra vi s
Fre y r, a nd th e re fore s e e me d l e ss offe ns iv e t o th e ch rist ia n s B ut .

in b oth w ord s th e re fe re n c e t o a h igh e r b e in g is un mist a k abl e a n d


, ,

in t h e M id a g e s th e re st ill s e e ms to h a ng ab ou t th e c omp oun d s


.

w ith vron s o me thin g w e ird un e a rthly a s e n s e o f old s a cre d n e ss ; th is


, ,

maya cc oun t for t h e ra re o cc u rre n c e an d t h e e arly d is app e a ran c e


o f th e O H G fr6 a nd e v e n for th e g ramma t ic a l immo bil ity o f
.
,

fr6n o ; it is as th ou gh a n e ch o o f h e a th e n is m c oul d b e st ill d e t e ct e d


in th e m .

A w orsh ip of F r6 mayb e infe rre d e v e n from th e u se of c e rt a in


p rop e r n a me s an d p oe tic e p ith e ts e sp e cially by th e A n gl o Sa x on s ,
-
.

Th e G oth s e v e n of l a t e r time s u se Erd uj a a s a man s n ame t o w h ich


w e can h a rdly a ttrib ut e th e s e n s e of l ord s imply : a n e n v oy from


k ing H a d a fus t o Ch arl e s th e Gre a t is c all e d F roi d (P e rtz 1 1 8 4 , .

2,
p e rh aps E roita (Frauj ila) ; an O H G E rew ilo o ccurs in a .

d o c ume n t in N e uga rt n o 1 6 2 Th e A S g e n e a l og ie s c on t ain


. . .

s cfred ; t h e n a me is oft e n foun d e ls e wh e re ( B e d a 1 3 8 1 9 1 5 3 ,


.
,

a n d s e e ms s u it a bl e t o W 6d e n th e o d or l ord of w ishin g ( p
g .

E q ually t o th e p oin t is th e p oe tic f reawin e ( fre awin e folc a ) in


B e ow 4 70 8 4 8 5 3 4 8 71 wh e re it is a me re e p ith e t of d iv in e or go d
. . .
,
- a

l ov e d h e roe s a nd k ings B ut th e W e ss e x p e digre e can p rodu c e its


.

F reawin e wh om Sa x o G ram c alls Frowinus ( b e tt e r Frow in u s) ;


'

, .

C H G d oc ume n ts like w I se h a v e t h e p rop e r n ame F rdw in ( T ra d


. .

j u v a v p 3 0 2 C od la ure sh 71 2 b u t F ri owi n i
. .
, . a n d in s e v e ra l
.
,

n obl e fa mil ie s e
g th e d istingu is h e d on e o f th e V on H utt e n s it h a s
, . .
, ,

b e e n k e pt u p t ill mod ern t ime s W h a t is re mark abl e th e E d d a .


,

u s e s o f a h e ro F re s vin r Seem l k w ly
y ( i e t h e A S f re a in e o n . .
,

u n comp onnd e d : S i u rtSr is F re y s frie n d a nd p rot ég é or p e rh a ps


g ,

h is v ot a ry an d s e rv a n t in t h e w a ysh own on p 9 3 , H e re a g a in fre a . .


,

fr6 fre y r c a nn o t h a v e me re ly th e g e n e ra l me a n in g of l ord a n yl ord


, , ,
.

Th e S we dish h e ro e s in t h e B rav alla fig h t w h o b oa st th e ir d e sc e n t ,

from F ro a re in Sa x o p 1 44 c all e d F ro d e i n ecessa ri i w hich is


'
'

, , .
, ,

e x a ctly o ur F rey s vi n a r I n th e s a me w ayth e A S a n d ON p oe t rie s


. . .
,

a n d c on s e q ue n tly t h e myths h av e i n c ommon th e e xp re ss ion ,

fred I ngw in a (ge n pl ) B e ow 2 6 3 8 I ngvin a r (ge n s ing ) f reyr


. . .
,
. .
,

I ngnn n arf reyr S ee m 6 5 1 I ngif reyr ( Th orla c ob s b or sp e c 6 p 4 3


)
1
, .
, . . . .
,
.

bywh ich is t o b e un d e rst ood a h e ro or od n ot j un ior d ominu s ‘

g , ,

a s Th orla cius p 6 8 s upp os e s Yngvifreyr is c a ll e d O5 1n s son Sn



.
, , .
, .
2 12 F RO .

2 11 3
.I sh all c ome b a ck t o this myst eriou s c ombination of tw o
myth ic a l n ame s w h e n I c ome t o sp e a k of th e h e ro I n g o Th e ON
, . .

sk al d s a pp e n d this fre yr t o oth e r n ame s a nd t o c ommon n oun s e g ,


. .
,

in K ormakssaga pp 1 0 4 1 2 2 fi orn is f reyr myr5 if reyr me an n o



.
,
.
, ,

more th a n h e ro or ma n in th e h e ight e ne d ge n e ral s e n s e which w e


n o t ic e d in th e w ord s irmin t ir a n d t y r I n t h e s a me w a yt h e fe m
,
. .

m s f oma n l a dy K ormak ss p 3 1 7
f y
r e j a e a n ra u w , , , . . .

All th a t I h a v e mad e out th u s far o n th e n ame a nd id e a of th e


o d w ill r e c e iv e n e w li gh t a n d c on fi rma tion wh e n w e c ome t o e x
g ,

a min e h is d i vin e s ist e r F re yj a Th e b roth e r an d s ist e r a re ma d e


.

a lik e in all th e ir a tt ribut e s a n d e a ch ca n st a n d for th e oth e r


, .

F r6 d oe s n ot a pp e ar in th e
w e e k b e c au s e s erie s of god s of th e ,

th ere w as n o room for h im th e re ; if w e must tra n sl a t e him by a


R oma n n ame it ca n sc a rc e ly b e a nyoth e r th an th a t of Li ber wh o s e
, ,

a ss o c ia t ion w it h Lib e ra is e xt re me ly l ik e th a t of F r6 w ith F r6w a

(F re yr w ith Freyj a) A s Lib e r a n d Lib e ra a re d e v ot e d t o th e


.

s ervic e of Ce re s or D emet er Fr6 a n d F r6w a st an d in cl os e un ion ,

with N e rth u s F r6 s g odh e a d s e e ms t o h ol d a mid dl e pl a c e b e tw e en


.

t h e n otion of th e s up re me l ord a n d th a t of a b e in g w h o b rin gs a b o u t


l ov e a n d fruitful n e ss H e h a s W uota n s c re a tiv e q uality but
.
' ’

p e rforms n o d e e d s of w ar ; h ors e an d s w ord h e giv e s a w ay w h e n ,

c o nsu me d w ith l ongin g for th e fair G e r5 r a s is s un g in on e of th e ,

most gl oriou s l ays o f th e E d d a Sn orri s ays ra in a n d sunshi ne are .


,

i n th e g ift of F re yr ( a s e ls e wh e re of W u ot a n a n d D on ar pp 1 5 7
'

. .
,

1 75 ) h e is in v ok e d for f ertilityof th e s oil a n d for p ea ce (til d rs oc

f ri da r S 11 ,
2 8. c on f Y n gl s a ga cap 1 .2) T h e S w e d e s re v e re d
. .

h im a s on e of t h e ir ch ie f g od s a n d A d a m of B re me n s a ys th a t a t ,

Ups a l his st a tue st o od by th o s e of Th 6r an d V V6d a n (se e Suppl ) .

A ls o in S ee m 8 5 h e is n a me d n e xt t o C 5 inn a n d Th 6rr ( asa b ra gr)


1
.
1

a s t h e th ird god A d am c a lls him Eri cco wh ich is p re c is e ly p arall e l


.
1
,

t o th e fre qu e n t c on fu s io n o f th e t w o g o d d e ss e s F re yj a a n d Frigg
:

which I sh all d e al w ith a t a futu re time B ut h e p ain ts h im a s a .

d f ea ce a n d love : T e rt iu s e st F ri cco p a c e m v olup t a t e mque


g o o p ,

largie n s mort ali bus cuj us e tiam simula ch ru m fi ngn nt inge nti
,

1
W h ich occurs e ls e wh ere a s a man s ’
na me , e .
g , F riccheo in S cha n nat, Trad
. .

fuld 3 8 6
. .
2 14 FRO .

beer ( Th e od e ric, D e rric k with th e b oar) g oe s h is round on Ch ristma s


e ve n igh t a n d p e opl e a re c a re ful t o
, ge t all i mp lemen ts of h usba n d ry
w ith in d oors e ls e th e b oar will trampl e th e m a b out an d mak e
, ,

th e m un fit for use 1
I n th e s ame Ch ristma s s e a s on d a me H ol d a or
.
,

B e rh ta s all ie d out a n d l ook e d a ft e r th e p loughs a n d sp i nd les


, ,

moth e rly god d e ss e s in st ea d of th e god F ron w a in st e ad of Fr6 , .

W ith th is a gain a re c onn e cte d th e f orma e ap rorum worn as ch arms


by th e re mot e A e styans w h o ye t h a ve t h e ritus h abitnsqu e ,

Sue voru m T a citu s G e rm 4 5 s ays th e s e figure s re p re s e n t th e



. .
,

w orship of th e mat e r d e fi m of a fe mal e F r6 i e of F re yj a a n d



,

, . .
, ,

wh a t is con cl u s iv e on th is p oin t th e E dd a ( Seem 1 1 4 ) a ssign s the , .


2

Gulli n bursti t o Fre yj a th ough e ls e wh e re h e b e l on gs t o F re y r ( se e


,

— A ngl o Sa x on p oe t ry ab ov e a ll ma k e s me n t ion of th e s e
-
, ,

boa r ba dges th e s e gold swin e


-
,
W h e n Con st a ntin e s e e s a v ision in .

his sl e e p h e is s aid t o b e eof orcumble be be ah t (a p ri s ig n o t e ctus)


, ,

El 76 it must h a v e b e e n fa ste n e d a s a n a u sp icious ome n ov e r t h e


.

h e a d of the be d A fte rw ard s again in th e d e scription of E l e n e s


.
,

st at e ly p rogre ss to th e e a st b eer w ees on e orle 65 ge sy n e grimh e lm

ma n ig oen li c eof orcumbul (tun e in d uc e ap p aruit h orrid a c a ss is e x


, ,

ce lle n s a p ri forma ) E l 2 6 0 Th e p oe t is d e sc rib ing a d e c ora tion of


,
. .

t h e old h e a th e n t ime cumbul is th e h e l me t s cre st a n d t h e k in g s


’ ’

, ,

h e l me t app e ars t o b e a d orn e d with t h e imag e of a b oar Se v e ra l .

p a ss a ge s in B e owulf pl a c e th e ma tt e r b e y on d a d oubt : eof orli c ‘

scion on ofe r h le or b e ra n ge h rod e n g ol d e fah a n d fy rh e a rd fe rh w e ard e ,

h eold ( ap ri forma m v id e b a n tur s u p ra g e n a s g e re re auro comp tam ,

quae v aria ign e que d ura t a vit a m tueb atur) 6 0 5 ; h et ha in be ran ,

eof or h ed od segn
f h e a ho st e ap n e h e l m
, (j u ss i t a ffe rr i a p r u m c a p it i s ,

s ignum gale am in p ug na p romin e n t e m) 4 3 0 0 ; swin ofe r h e l me


, ,

( sus s up ra gal e a ) 2 5 74 ; ewi n ea lgyld en eof or ire nh eard ( sus aure us


, , ,

a p e r in st ar fe rri d u rus ) 2 2 1 6 i e a h e l me t pl a c e d o n t h e fun e ral


, ,
. .
,

p ile a s a c ostly j e w e l h e l m b e fonge n F red w rdsnu m O H G F r6 ’


.

re isan um) sw a hin e fy ,


rn d agn m w orh t e w eep n a s mih b e se tt e swi n ,

li cu m b ee t h in e s i5 ]9a n n o bron d n e b e a d omé ca s b ita n n e me ah t an


,

( g a l e a o rn a t a F ro h o n is sig n is sic u t e a m o l im fa b r ica v e ra t a rm


,
o rn m
fab e r circumd e d e ra t e am a p ri formis n e gl a diu s e n se sve la e d e re
, ,

e ar n p osse n t ) 2 9 0 5 a s a s a cre d d iv in e sy mb ol it w a s t o p rot e ct in


, ,

1
j ournal M n e mosyn e L e yd en 1 8 29 l
S t arin g in th e , ,
.
,
3 23 qu ot e d th e n ce
m We stend orp s N oord sche myth ol og i e D ord re ch t 1 83 0 p
0

,
. . 4 95 .
FRO . 215

b attl e an d a ff ri ght th e foe p rop er n a me Ep u rh elm


.
1
Th e OH G .
,

Ep a rhelm ( e b e r e ofor a p e r) pl a c e d by t h e s ide of F rohelm ( b oth


, , ,

o cc ur in t h e T ra d p a t a v n o 2 0 ; M B 2 8
1
. 1 8 ) a cqu ire s th u s a sp e c ia l
. . .
1
,

a n d a pp rop ria t e me a ni n g S uch b oa r c re sts migh t st ill s e rv e a s


.
-

orn a me n ts e v e n t o ch rist ia n h e ro e s a ft e r th e me mory of F r6 w a s ,

ob l it e ra t e d a n d l on g c on t inu e t o b e w ro ught s imply a s j e w e ls se e


, (
—Some o th e r t ra c e s o f b oa r c on s e c ra tion h a v e l a st e d still
l a te r e s p e c ially in E ngl a nd Th e c ust om of th e boa r vow I h a v e
, .
-

e xpl a in e d in R A 9 0 0 1 A s e v e n a t th e p re s e n t d ay on fe st iv e
.
-
.

o cc a s ion s a w il d b oar s h e a d is s e e n a mon g th e o th e r d ish e s a s a


sh ow dish th e y us e d in th e M id A g e s t o s e rv e it up a t b an qu e ts
-
, .
,

ga rn is h ed w ith l a ure l a nd ros e maryt o c a rry it ab out a nd pl a y all ,

ma nn e r o f p ran ks w ith it : W h e re st oo d a boa r s hea d garnish ed ‘ ’

W ith b ay e s a n d rose ma rye s a ys on e b all ad ab out A rth ur s Ta bl e ,


’ ’

wh e n th re e strok e s h av e b e e n g iv e n w it11 a rod ov e r it it is onl y -


,

t h e k n ife o f a v irt uou s ma n th a t ca n c arv e t h e fi rst sli c e A t o th e r .

t ime s e v e n a li v e b oar ma k e s its a pp e ara n c e in th e h all a n d a b ol d


, ,

h e ro chops its h e ad off A t Ox ford th e y e xh ib it a boa r s hea d on


.

Ch rist ma s d ay c arry it s ol e mn ly roun d s in g in g : Ca p ut a p ri d e fe ro


, , ,

R e dd e n s l an d e s D omin o ( se e Suppl ) Th o s e A e stya ns ma y p rov e .

a l in k of fe ll o w sh ip b e tw e e n t h e G e rma n ic n a t ion s a nd th e Fin n ish

a n d A s ia t ic ; it is w e ll w orth n ot ic in g th a t th e Tch e rk e ss C i
( rca s ,

s ia n s ) w ors hip a god of w ood s a n d h un tin g M esitch by n ame w h o , ,

rid e s a w il d boa r w i th gold en bristles


?
To most o f t h e o th e r g od s
t a me a nima ls a re s a cre d t o F r6 th e d arin g d a un tl e ss b oa r a s w e ll
, ,

b e fits a god of t h e ch a s e P e rh aps a ls o a h uge boa r w ith wh it e


.

tu sks wh o in Sla v ic l e g e n d ris e s foaming out of a l a k e is th a t of


3
, ,

a k in d re d d e ity .

Th e Edd a a ttribut e s t o Freyr a sword of s urp assing v irtue wh ich ,

c oul d p ut its e l f in to motion a g ain st t he b rood of g ian ts See m 8 2 ,


. .

H is g iv ing it a wa y wh e n in stra its p rov e d h is ruin a ft e rwa rd s it ,

w a s h e l d to b e th e c au s e of h is d e a th wh e n a t t h e Ragnarokr h e ,

h a d t o sta n d s ingl e c omb a t with S urt r ( swa rt) a n d mi ss e d his ,

1 On this p oi n t aga in th e st at e me nt of Tacitus ab ou t th e A e styans agre e s


,

so e x a ctl y t h a t i t s e e ms w orth q u o t i n g in full


, A e styo rum g e n t e s .

q ui bus ri t us h ab itusque S ue vorum Ma tre m d e hm v e n e rant ur


.

i n si gn e sup e rstitio ni s fo r ma s a p rorum g e st an t id p ro armis omn iumque t ute l a


,

se curum d e a e cult ore m e t i a m i n t e r h ost e s p ra sste t — T R A N S . .

E rman s a rch iv f6 r w issen sch aftl k un d e Russl a n d s 1 8 4 2 h e ft 1 p 1 18


2 ’
.
, , . .

A e vmw ddvra , l l 1 1, 4 16 Od 1 9 4 6 5

3 o . . 0 179 h e vx q
i . . .
2 16 FRO .

t rusty bl ad e Sn 73 Th ere app e ar to h av e b e e n oth e r trad it ion s


. . .

a ls o a fl oa t a b out th is sw ord ;1 a n d it woul d n ot s e e m far fe tch e d if -


,

on th e st re n gth o f it w e pl a c e d th e w e ll k nown t ril ogy o f Th u n a r -


,

W6d a n S a x n 6t b e sid e A d am of B re me n s Wod an Th or an d


,

F ricc o or th e E dd ie Ohin n A sab ragr F re yr 2 th at is t o sa if w e ’

y , , , ,

took F reyr F ricco F r6 t o b e th e s ame as Sa hsn dt th e sw ord


,

p oss e ss or A dd to th is th at th e E d da n e v e r me n tion s th e sword of


.
,

Ty r N e v e rth e l e ss th e re a re stronge r rea s on s in fa v our of Sah sn6z


.

b e ing Zio : th is for on e th a t h e w as a son of W uotan wh e re a s , ,

F re y r c ome s of N iortir th ough s ome g e n e al ogie s t o b e p re s e n tly ,

me nt io n e d b rin g h im in t o c onn e x ion with W 6d e n .

For t h e brill ian t Fre y r t h e b e n e fi ce n t son of Nio1 6 r th e ,


'

d w arfs h a d c on stru ct e d a w o nd e rful ship Ski6 bla6 nir which c oul d ,

fol d up l ik e a cl oth See m Sn 4 8 Yngl s aga cap 7 (see


,
. . . . .

3
S u ppl ) .

B e s id e s th e S w e d e s t h e Th ree n dir in N orw ay w e re d e v ot e d t o


,

F re y r ab o v e all o th e r g o d s F orum so Occ a s ion ally


'

g 1 0 3 12 ,
. .
, .

p rie sts of his are name d a s Th or6 r F reys godi (of th e l oth c e ntury) , ,

Lan d n 4 1 0 a n d N ialss cap 9 6 ; Fl os i a pp e ars t o h a v e s ucc e e d e d


.
, . .

his fa th e r in t h e offic e ; o th e r F reysgydli nga r a re c it e d in Lan d n .

4 13
, Th e Vigaglumssaga cap 1 9 me n t ion s F reys hof a t Ups al a
. .
,

a n d ca
p 2 6 his st a tue at Thve ra in Ic e l a n d th ough on ly in a n igh t
.
,

v is ion : h e is p icture d s itting o n a chair givin g sh ort a n d s urly ,

( tt ok re ihuliga) a n swers t o h is s uppl ic a nts so th a t Glfi mr w h o


st u , ,

in cap 9 h ad s a c rific e d a n old ox t o h im n ow on a wa k ing from his


.
,

d re am n e gl e ct e d h is s e rvic e I n t h e Lan d n 3 2 a n d V atn sd pp . .


,
. .

44 5 0 w e a re t ol d of a F reyr gierr af si lf ri ( mad e o f s il v e r) wh ich


'

.
,

w as u s e d i n d ra w ing l ots ; c on f V e rlau ff s n ot e p 3 6 2 I n th e



. . .
,

L an d u 4 7 is pre s e rv e d th e u s ual formul a for a n oath : H ialp i me r


.
,

r ok N iord r o k hin n a lmd ttki as so h e l


sv a F rey ( p me F a nd N a n d
'

. .

th at al mighty d s) by which l a st is to b e un de rstood Th 6rr rath er

1
In F re n ch p oe t ry I fi n d a fa mous s w ord wrou gh t b yG al an t h ims e lf
old

( Wielan t, Wa yl a nd ) , a n d n ame d F roberge or F lob e rge ( G ari n 1 , 2 6 3 2 , 3 0 8 )


.
.
-

t h e l a tt e r re a d i n g h as n o d i s co v e rab l e s e n s e , t h ou gh ou r l a t e r F l a mb e rg e s e e ms
t o h a v e sp run g from i t F roberge mi gh t v e ryw e ll b e e ith e r a me re ir6 b e rg e n d e
.
-

( l ord p rot e ct in g ) w e a p on , or a re mi n i s ce n ce of th e go d F r6 s s w ord conf th e



-
.

w ord fo rma t i o n s q uo t e d in my G ra mm 2 , 4 8 6
-
Th e re a re t ow n sh i ps call e d in. .

OH G H e lid be rga , M arah ab e rga ( h ors e st ab l e )


. Th e ON h a s n o Fre ybibrg -
. .

th at I kn ow of, t h ough it h as Th 6rbiorg fe m , a nd Th orb e rgr ma s c ' '

. .

2 A ls o in S n 1 3 1 , 0 6 inn , Thorr, F regr a re


.
"

sp e akers of d oom .

Pli nyN H 5 , 9 me n ti ons E thiopia n n a v e s p licatile sh umeris t ransla tas



3 .
. .
2 18 FRO .

mid l and h e l on gs w ay wh e re th e sw an s s in g on th e c ool


to be a

sh ore ; a w a t e r pl a n t th e sp on g ia ma rin a b e ars th e n a me o f N ia rd a r


-
, ,

vottr N ior5 s gl ov e w hich e ls e wh e re w a s v e ry l ik e ly p a ss e d 0 11 t o
'

, ,

his d aught e r Fre yj a a n d so t o M ary for s ome k ind s of orch is


, ,

t oo from th e ir h a nd sh a p e d roo t are c a ll e d M ary s h a n d l a d y —


,
-
h an d , , ,

god s h a nd ( D an gu dsh aa n d)

. .

A sD ion ys u s st an d s outs id e th e ring o f th e twe l v e Oly mp ia n


g od s so Nior5 r F re y r a n d F re yj a s ee m by righ ts n ot t o h a v e b e e n
, ,

re ck on e d a mo n g th e A s e s th ough th e y a re marsh all e d a mong ,

th e m in Sn 2 7 8 T h e y w e re Va n ir a nd th e re fore a cc ord ing t o


.
-
.
, ,

t h e v ie w of th e e l d e r Ed d a d iffe re n t from A s e s a s t h e s e d w e lt in
,

A sg a r5 so d id th e V an ir in V a n ah e im th e A ltar in A l fh e im th e
, , ,

I otn a r in I otn n h e im F re yr is c all e d Va ni ngi S ee m 8 6 1


'

. Th e , .
1
.

Va nir w e re re garde d a s in t e ll ige n t an d w is e Seem 3 6 an d th e y , .


2

e n t e re d in t o in tima t e fe ll owsh ip with th e A s e n w h il e t h e ,

A l fs a n d I ot n n s a lw a ys re ma ine d opp o s e d t o th e m S ome h av e .

fa n cie d th a t th e A l fs a n d I ot un s sta n d for Ce ltic ra c e s an d t h e ,

Va nir for Sl a v ; a n d b uil d ing ch ie fly on a n atte mpt in th e Yngl .

s ag a cap 1 to fi nd th e n a me of th e Ta n ais in Tan a qvisl (or V an a


.

th e y h a v e d ra w n by in fe re n c e n a ct u a l b oun d a ry l in e
q v i sl l) ,
a -

b e twe e n A e sir a n d V a nir Ge rma n i an d S la vi in t h e re g ion s


z

forme rly o ccup ie d by th e m ( se e Suppl ) A n d s ure e n ough a .

Russ ia n is t o th is d ay c all e d in F innish W e n ailaine n in E sth


'

.
,

W e n ne la ne ; e v e n t h e n a me of th e W e nd s might be d ragge d in ,

th ough t h e V a n d ili of T a cit us p oin t th e oth er w ay Gran ting th a t .

th e re ma ybe s ome foun d a tion for th e s e v ie ws s t ill t o mymin d ,

th e c on c e pt ion s o f A e s ir V a nir A l fa r in th e E dd a a re sk e tch e d on


, ,

a groun d a lt og e th e r t o o myth ic a l for a n yh ist oric a l mea n ing t o b e

o t o u t o f th e m a s re g a rd s t h e c on tra st b e tw e e n A s e s a n d V a n ir
g ,

I a m a w are o f n o e ss e n tia l diffe ren c e in th e cultus o f t h e s e ve ra l


g od s a n d wh a t e v e r stre ss it mayb e righ t t o layon th e fa ct th a t
,

F rouw a Fre yj a a n s w e rs t o a S l av ic g od d e ss P riye it d oe s n ot a t


, ,

all foll ow th a t Fr6 F ron w a a n d N e rth u s w e re in a l e ss d e gre e


,

G e rma n ic d e itie s t h a n t h e re st T a citus is s il e n t on th e G e rma n .

Lib e r a s h e is on our J up it e r ye t w e a re e n titl e d t o a ss ume a


, ,

un iv e rs a l v e n e ra t ion o f D on a r e v e n th o ugh th e G oth ic fa irgnn i is ,

b e tt e r re p re s e n t e d in P e rkun a s or P e rf m so a ls o t o j ud g e by wh a t ,

clue s w e h a v e F rauj a Fr6 Freyr a pp e ars so fi rmly e stabl ish e d


, , , ,

th a t c on s id e ring th e sc an ty in forma tion w e h a v e a b out our


,
rno . 2 19

an t iqu itie s n o G e rma n ra c e can b e d e nie d a sh are in h im th ough


, ,

s ome n a t ion s may h a v e w orsh ipp e d h im more th a n oth e rs ; a n d


i e xc e pt n S c a d na v a
i i i 1
e v e n th a t is n ot e a sy t o a sc e rt a n n , .

It is w orth y of n otice th a t th e A S an d ON g e n e al ogie s bring , . .

F red in t o k in sh ip w ith W6d en mak ing Fin n th e fa th e r of a F re alaf ,

l d h im g a in of W 6d e n ; s ome of t h e m in s e rt t w o more
( F ri 5 e ifr
) a n ,
a

l inks FriiSuw ulf a n d Fri6 uw ald so th a t th e c ompl e t e p e d igree


, ,

sta nd s t h us : Fi nn Eri d uw ulf F red ldf F rid uwa ld d en ( or in


, , , , ,

t h e pl a c e o f Fre al af our old a cq ua in t an c e F re dwin e ) , H e re .

e v id e n tly F ri6 uw ulf F re al af F ri5 nw a ld a re a ll t h e s a me th ing a


, , ,

me re e xp a n s ion of th e s impl e Fre a Th is foll ows e v e n from a qu ite .

diffe re n t ON g e n e al ogy F orn ald s6g 2 1 2 w h ich mak e s B urr


.
, . .
, ,

( i F inn c on f R a sk a fh 1 1 0 7 8 .
) t h e imm e d ia t e p rog e n it or of
, .
,
-

O6 inn a n d h im of F re y r N 16 15 1 a n d a s e c on d F re y r
,
Th e d oubl e
,
:
.

F re yr c orre sp ond s t o th e A S F ri5 uw ulf an d F rihuw ald a s t h e .


,

w ord s h e re e xp re ss ing gl a d fre e a n d fair are n e ar of kin t o on e ,


-

a n oth e r La stly wh e n th e s ame A S g e n e al og ie s by t urn s c all


.
, .

Fin n s fa th e r God w ulf a n d F olcwa ld th is l a st n ame is s upp ort e d by


Fin F olcw alding son ) o f Co d e x on 3 2 0 1 0 a n d o f



th e

ing -
. .
,

B e o w 2 1 72 w h e re ag a in th e re fe re n c e mu st b e t o F re d a n d his
.
,

ra c e for th e E d d a ( See m 8 7 c on f 1 0 ) d e s ign at e s Fre y r f olcva ld i 2 2 ‘


. .
, ,

m

( a l. fo l cv ald r) g o 5 a N o w th i s f o lk v a ld i e a
. n s n o o th e r t h a n

d omin at or p rin c e ps i e th e s a me a s fre a fr6 an d s e e ms l ik e it t o


, ,
. .
, , , ,

p a ss in to a p rop e r n ame On t he l ink in g of Fre yr a n d N ior5 r w ith .

O5 1n n th e re w ill b e more t o sa y in ch XV ( se e S uppl ) If . .

Sn orri s c omp a ris on of N ior5 r w ith K ron o s ( Sa t urn) h av e an y


j ust ific a tion e v id e n tly P ose id 6n (N e ptun e ) th e son of K ron o s w o ul d
,

c ome n e a re r t o our T e utonic se a god ; a nd H oa e t 6c5 v might b e -

re fe rre d t o 7 60 1 s (l ord L ith p ats Sa n sk p a t is G oth tabs) wh ich ,


.
,
.
,
.
,

me a n s t h e s a me a s F r6 Only th e n b ot h Fr6 a n d N ird u w oul d .

a g ain b e l on g t o th e e l d e st ra c e o f g od s .

1
Wh M ull e r, . 1 3 6 —
N i b e lunge n s a ge
14 8 , w i h e t o e e n d th e Va n r pp . s s xt i
g s l
o d on
yt o t h e S ue e a nd o h , n o t t o t h e w e e rn e rma n , a n d t o d ra w a
G t s v s st G s
di st i t
n c ion b e w e e n t h e w or h t o f Fre y s ip
r a nd h a o f Wu ot an , w h ch t o me t t i
sv
look e ryd o ub fu As t l
e ca n l i ttl
e up th e
. I g ivo n , h a N iorifir a n d N e r h u p i t t t t s
w e re brother a nd sister, an d o n are n j i tp
of Fre y ts
r a n d F re ya hi ro u n d e d j t s is g
l l t p s t ti
n o t o n yon a a e r re re e n a on o f S n orri i n t h e Y n l
g a a ca p 4 , w h e re ye t .s g .

t h e fe ma e N iti riS is n o w h e re n a me d , as Ta c u con e rse y n o w on ya fe ma e


l it s v l k s l l
N e rth us an d n o god o f h a n ame b u t a o on S ee m 6 5 a
t t ii syst or h nn ls . vi t i i
ga zt u slika n mog, w h t h y i e r b e a e it s st
th e n uch brood , h ou h h e re a a n g tt st s t g g i

t h e is e r is le f u nn ame d
s t t .
CH A PTER X I .

P ALTA R ( B A L D ER ) .

Th e myth of B al d e r, b eaut iful in


on e of th e mo st inge nious an d

th e E d d a h a s h ap p ily for us b e e n a ls o h a n d e d d ow n in a l a t e r
,

form wit h v a ria tion s a n d t h e re is n o b e tt e r e x ampl e of fl uctu at ion s


in a god myth Th e E d d a s e ts forth h ow th e p ure bl ame l e ss d e ity
-
.
,

is struck w ith M istilte in by t h e bl in d H o5 r a n d must go d ow n t o


'

th e n e th e r w orl d b e w ail e d by all n oth in g ca n fe tch him b a ck a nd


, ,

N ann a t he true wife foll ows him in d e a th I n Sa x o all is p itch e d .


,

in a l ow e r k e y: B a l d e r a n d H oth e r a re riv a l s uit ors b oth w ooin g ,

N a nn a a n d H oth e r th e fav oure d on e man age s t o p rocure a magic


,

sword by wh ich al on e his e n e my is v ul n e rabl e ; wh e n th e fortune


,

o f w ar h a s w a v e re d l on g b e tw e e n t h e m H oth e r is a t l a st v ict oriou s ,

a n d sl a ys th e d e mig od t o wh om H e ] gl a d a t th e n e ar p ro sp e ct of
, ,

p oss e ss ing him sh e ws h e rs e l f b e fore h an d


,
B u t h e re th e gra n d .

fun e ra l p il e is p re p are d for G e l d e r a c o mp a nion of B al d e r of wh om , ,

t h e a cc ou n t in t h e E d d a k n ows n oth in g wh at e v e r Th e w orsh ip of .

'

th e god is a tt e st e d ch ie fly by th e F rihbiofssaga v F ornald sog 2 , . . .


,

6 3 se q ( se e S uppl )
. .

B a ld r ge n B al d rs re app e a rs in th e OH G p rop e r n ame P a lta r


,
.
,
.

( M e ich elb e ck n o 4 5 0 4 60 6 1 1 ) ; an d in th e A S bea ld or ba ld or


in 1
. . . .
, ,

s ig n ifying a l ord p rin c e k ing an d s e e mingly u s e d onl y w ith a ge n


, , ,
.

pl b e fore it : gnme n a b al d or Ceedm 1 6 3 4 wige n a b a ld or J ud


.
,
.
, .
, .

13 2 4 7 s in c a b e ald or B e o w 4 8 5 2
, . win ia b e ald or 5 1 3 0 It is
,
. . .

re mark a bl e t h a t in th e Cod e x o n 2 76 1 8 mee iia b e ald or (virgin u rn


g . .
,

p rin c e ps) is s aid e v e n of a maid e n I k n ow of only a fe w e x a mpl e s .

in t h e ON : b al d ur i b rynj u S ee m 2 72
.
1
a n d h e rb ald r 2 1 8
b
a re ,
.
1
,

u s e d for a h e ro in g e n e ra l ; a t e irs b al d r la n ce a e v ir crn m sb


( ) F

g g ,
. .

5 3 07
, Th is c on v e rs ion from a p rop e r n a me to a n oun a pp ell a tive
.

G raff 1 4 3 2 thin ks th i s n ame stan d s for Paltaro an d is a comp oun d of


1
, ,
a rc (aa r a q ui l a ) b ut t h i s is u n s upp orte d b l g i t h e n i n t h an d t en th
, , ya n a o y n
ce n t uri e s w ea k forms a re n ot ye t curt a il e d an d w e a l way
, s fin d E p ure ro ,

( e be raa r b oar e a gl e ) n e v e r E p urar


,
-
, .
22 2 FALTA R .

A lp tac, I nga ta c K 6rta c H elmt a c, H rnod tac Re gin ta c, Sigit a c ;


, , ,

OS A la cd ag A lfd ag ( A lb d ag, P e rtz 1 ,


.
, H ild id ag Liu dd ag , ,

Osdag W A S W e gd ccg, S w e fd ee g e v e n th e ON h as th e
u lfd a
pg
'

, ; . .

name S vip d agr N ow , e it h e r B eeld eeg s imply st a n d s for B e ald or,


a nd I s sy n on y mous w ith it (a s e g Reginta o w ith Regina ri Sigitac . .
, ,

with Sigar S igh eri) ; or e ls e w e must re c og nis e in th e w ord d oeg


1
, ,

d a g ta c its e l f a p e rs on ific a t io n s uch a s w e foun d a n oth e r roo t


, ,

un d e rg oin g ( p 1 94 5 ) in th e w ord s d iv div a n d in a d ie s ; a n d b ot h


.
-
, , ,

al ik e w oul d e xp re ss a s h in in g one a whit e on e a god P re fi x ing t o , ,


.

this th e Sl av ic biel bel w e ha ve n o n e e d t o ta k e B ee ld eeg a s sta n ding


, ,

for B e ald or or a nyth ing e ls e B oe l d eeg its e l f is wh it e god l igh t go d ,


- -
,
-
,

h e th a t s h ine s a s sky a n d l ight a n d d a y th e k in d ly B i elbdgh B el , ,

bogh of th e S l a v s y ste m (se e S uppl ) It is in p e rfe ct a cc ord with .

t h is e xpl an a tion of B eel —d eeg th a t th e A S t al e o f an c e stry a s sig n s , .

t o him a son B ron d o f wh om t h e E dd a is s il e n t b ron d b ra nd ON


, , , , .

b randr s ig nify ing j ub ar fa x t itio


,
B eeld eeg th e re fore a s re g ard s , , .
,

h is n a me w oul d a g re e w ith B e rh t a th e b right g od de ss


, ,
.

W e h av e t o c ons id e r a fe w more c ircu mst an c e s b e a ring on th is


p oint B al dr s b e au ty is t h u s d e scrib e d in Sn 2 6 : H an n e r svaf a gr
.

.

alitum ck bia rtr svd a t lysir af honum cc e itt gra s e r sva h vit t a t , ,

iafn a t e r t il B a ld rs brd r ba t e r allra g ra s a hvi ta st cc bar e p tir matt u ,

ma rk a h an s fegur5 beelii a hari ok l ik i h e is so fa ir of c oun te n a n c e


a n d b rig h t t h a t h e sh in e s o f h ims e l f t h e re is a gra ss so w hit e t h a t it ,

is e v e n e d with B a l d r s b rows it is of a ll gra ss e s w hite st a n d th e re by


, ,

ma ye st th o u mark his fairn e ss b oth in h air a nd b od y Th is .

pl a nt n a me d B a ld rsbrd a ft e r th e god s wh it e e y e b row? is e ith e r the


,

a n th e mis c o t ula still c all e d B a rbro in S w e d e n B a lsen sbro B a llen sbra


, , ,

in S ch on e n a n d B a rbrogras in D e nmark or th e ma t ric aria maritima


'

, ,

in od ora w hi h re t a in s t h e orig in al n a me in Ic e l a n d (se e S uppl )


,
c 3
.

I 11 Sk a n e th e re gs a B ald ursberg in t h e Ottinge n c oun t ry a ,

B a ld ern a n d in th e V ora rlb e rg e a st of B re g e n z B a ld erschw a ng


'

, , , ,

s uch n ame s of pl a c e s d e ma n d c au tion a s th e y maybe tak e n from ,

me n B al da r o r B al dh e ri I th e re fore withh ol d th e me ntion o f


, ,

s e v e ra l more B u t t he h e a v e nly a b ode of th e god w a s c all e d


m
.

B reida blik n om pl ( S ee 4 Sn 2 1 i e b road spl e n d ors


. . . . .
,
.
,

Th e ca se s a re h a rd l yan al og ou s B eeld -ceg a n d Re gin -ta c -TR A N S


1 . .

H o me r e mp h a s iz e s t h e d ark b ro w s o f Z e u s an d H e ra , 6¢ p bs x va ue a

2 ~
.

C onf h e vx dcpp vs a n d A rte mi s h e vx o cbp v vn wh i t e -b row e d D i an a


.
, .

3
G e rm n a me s of th e camomi l e : kuh auge , rin d sange , och s e n auge (cx -e ye )
. .

Da le carl h vit e t -oia ( w h i t e e ye ) , in B a h uslan h vita -p i ga ( wh i t e g irl )


. .
HA DU . 223

wh ich mayh ave stre ak s of th e milky w ay a pl a c e


re fe re n e c t o th e
n e a r Le th ra n o t fa r from Roe skild is s a id to h a v e b o rn e th e n a me
, ,

o f B red e bli ck
1
Th is v e ry e xp re ss ion re a pp e ars in a p oe m o f t he
.
-

tw e l fth c e n tury th ough n ot in re fe re n c e to a d w e ll ing pl a c e b ut t o


,
-
,

a h o st o f s no w wh it e st e e d s a n d h e ro e s a d v a n c in g ov e r t h e b attl e
-

fi e l d D 6 brah te D ie th e rich e s v an e z ve n cik d frsint lossam in


brei ther blickin ub e r l a n t R o th 2 6 3 5 I n Wh 3 81 16 ,
d az . . .
,

blu ot ub e r d ie blicke fl6z si w urd n alme ist ic r6tge va r did th e


, ,

bl ood flow ov e r th e p a ths o f th e fi e l d or ov e r th e sh inin g s ilks ,

I f B ee ld eeg a n d B rond re v e a l t o us th a t th e w orsh ip of B a l d e r


h ad a d e fi n it e form of it s own e v e n outs id e of S c a n d in a v ia w e ,

may c on cl ud e from th e ge n e ra l d iffus ion of all th e most e ss e n t ial


p rop e r n ame s e nt e rin g in t o t he ma in pl ot of th e myth th ere th a t ,

th is myth a s a wh ol e w a s k n own t o all Te u ton s Th e g odd e ss H cl .


,

as w ill b e more fully sh o w n in ch XIII a n sw e rs t o th e G o th ic im .


,

p e rs on a l n oun h alj a OH G h e ll a H cdr (acc H ot ge n H a5 ar d a t


'

. . . . .
, , ,

H e 5 i) p ict ure d a s a bl in d go d of t re me n d ou s st re ngth ( Sn


,
.

w h o w ith ou t ma l ic e disch a rg e s th e fa t a l a rrow a t B a l d r is c a ll e d ,

H otherus in S a x o a n d impl ie s a G oth H ab i ts A S H ea do OH G


,
.
, .
, .

H a d u OFra nk Cha d o of wh ich w e h av e st ill u n d oubt e d tra c e s in


,
.
,

p rop e r n ame s a nd p oe tic c omp oun d s OH G H a d up rah t H a d ufuns . .


, ,

H a d np ald ,
H a d ufrid ,
H ad umar H adup urc , , H a d nlin t ,
H a d nw ic
H d i ) &c , forms wh ich a b ut cl os e on th e Ca tumé rus in T a cit u s
( e w g ,
.

H a d u mar H a d a mar) I A S u n d th e t e rms


( ,
n p o e try a re
. st ill fo .

h e a5 orin c ( vir e gregin s n ob il is ) Cee d m 1 93 4 ,


B e ow 73 7 4 9 2 7 ;
,
.
,
. . .

h e a how e lm ( b e ll i imp e t u s fe rv or) Ceed m 2 1 1 4 1 4 7 8 B e ow 1 6 4


, ,
.
, .
, . . .

5 63 3 ; h e a 5 osw at ( s ud or he ll ion s ) B e o w 2 9 1 9 3 2 1 1 3 3 3 4 ; h e a 5 o w eed ,


. . .

e ll ic a ) B e o w 78 ; h e a 5 ub y rn e (l oric a b e ll ic a ) C od
( v e st is b , . e x on ,
. .

2 9 7 7 ; h e aliosige l an d h e a 5 ogle am ( e gregium j ub a r) C od e x on


, , . .

4 8 6 1 7 a nd 4 3 8 6 ; h e aholac ( p ugn a e l ud us ) B e ow 1 8 6 2
, , ,
. .

3 9 43 ; h e a5 cgrim (a tro cissimus) B e o w 1 0 90 5 3 78 ; h e a ho sicc ,


. .

a t n s)
(p u g n a v u l n e r B e o w 5 5 0 4
, ; h e a 5 o st e ap ( c e ls u
. s ) B e o w 2 4 90 ,
. .

4301 . I n th e s e w ord s e xc e pt wh e re th e me a nin g is me re ly in t e n s i


,

fle d th e p re v a il ing id e a is pl ainly th a t of b a ttl e a n d strife a n d t h e


, ,

o d or h e ro mu st h a v e b e e n th ought o f a n d h on oure d a s a w a rrior


g .

Th e re fore H ab i ts H odr a s w e ll a s W uota n a n d Z io e xp re ss e d


'

, , ,

ph e n ome n a of w ar ; an d h e w a s imag in e d bl in d b e c a us e h e d e alt ,

m —
o t
u a t ra n d o g o o d h a p a n d ill ( p 2 0 7) Th e n b e s id e H olSr w e .
, ,

1
S uh m . cri t . h ist 2 , 6 3. .
22 4 FA L TA R .

h a v e H ermddr in t e rw e av in g h ims e l f in th e th re a d of B al d er s

h ist ory ; h e is d isp a tch e d t o H el t o d e man d his b e l ov e d b roth e r ,

b a ck from th e un d erw orl d I n Sa x o h e is al re a d y forg ott e n ; th e .

A S g e n e a l ogy pl a c e s its H eremdd a mong W 6d e n s a n c e st ors a n d


“ ’
.
,

n a me s a s his so n e ith e r S ce ld w a or t h e S ce af re n ow n e d in st ory ,

wh e re a s in th e N orth h e a nd B a l d e r al ik e are th e offsp rin g o f Q 5 inn


in th e s ame w ayw e saw ( p 2 1 9 ) Fre yr t ak e n for th e fa th e r as w e ll .

a s t h e son o f N ior6 r A l a t e r H eremod a pp e a rs in B e ow 1 79 5



. . .

3 4 1 7 b ut still in k in sh ip w it h th e old ra c e s ; h e is p e rh aps th a t


,

h e ro n ame d by t h e s id e of Sigmund r in See m 1 1 3 t o w h om Q 5 inn


, .
2
,

l e n d s h e l m a n d h a ub e rk A S titl e d e e d s als o c on ta in th e n a me ;
. .
-

K e mb 1 2 3 2 1 4 1 a n d in OH G H erimu ot H e ri ma ot o cc urs v e ry
.
,
. .
, ,

o ft e n ( G ra ff 2 6 9 9 a n n c 78 2 from M B 7 3 73
, N e ugart no , .
, . .

1 70 2 14 244
. 2 6 0 a n n is 8 0 9 2 2 3 0 3 4
. . R ie d n o 2 1 a nn o
.
- - -
. . .

bu t n e ith e r s on g n or st ory h as a t al e t o t e ll o f hi m ( see


S upp l )

So mu ch th e more v al uab l e a re th e re v e l ation s of th e M e rs e b urg


disco v e ry n ot onss ure d n ow of a d iv in e B al de r in
ly a re w e fully a

G e rma ny b u t th e re e me rg e s a g ain a l on g forg ott e n myt h us a n d


,
-
,

w ith it a n e w n a me unk now n e v e n t o th e N orth .

W h e n s ays th e lay P hol ( B al d e r) an d Wod a n w e re on e d ay


, ,

rid in g in t h e fore st on e foo t o f B al d e r s foa l d e mo B a ld eres v ol on


’ ’
, , ,

w a s w re n c h e d ou t of j oin t whe re up on th e h e a v e nly h ab it a n ts ,

b e st owe d th e ir b e st p a in s on se tt ing it right ag ain b ut n e ith er ,

Sinn gun d a n d Sunn a n or ye t F rfI a an d F oll a c oul d d o a ny g ood


, ,

o nly W od a n th e w iz a rd h ims e l f c oul d c onj ure a n d h e al t h e li mb

(se e Suppl ) .

Th e w h ol e in c id e n t is a s l ittl e k n own t o t h e Ed d a a s t o o th e r
N ors e l e ge nd s Y e t w h a t w a s t ol d in a h e a th e n sp ell in Th urin gia
.

b e fore t h e t e n th c e n tury is still in its s ub st an c e found l urk in g


in c onj urin g formul a s k n ow n t o th e c oun try fol k of S c otl an d
a n d D e nma rk ( c o n f ch XXXIII D isl oca tion ) e xc e pt th a t th e y
. .
, ,

a pply t o J e s u s w h a t t h e h e a th e n b e l ie v e d of B al d e r a n d W od an .

It is s ome w h a t odd th a t Ca t o ( D e re rust 1 60 ) sh oul d giv e lik e wis e


,
.
,

for a d isl o c a t e d l imb a n Old R oma n or p e rh aps Sa b in e form o f


,

sp ell wh ich is u n in t e ll igibl e t o us b ut in w hich a god is e v id e n tly


, ,

in v ok e d : Lu x um si q u od e st h a c cant ion e sann m fi e t H a run dine m


,
.

p re nd e tib i virid e m p e d e s IV a ut V longam me diam diffi n d e e t , ,

d uo h omin e s t e n e a nt ad cox e n dice s I n cip e c an t are in al io S E . . .


2 26 PALTA R .

Pfalsp innt ,
5 ,
3 99 a nn o n ow Pfalzp oin t on th e A ltmuhl ,
b e twe en Eichstad t and Kip fen b e rg in a c on sid erabl e fore st Pinn t ,
.

me an s a n e n cl os e d fi e l d or ga rd en ; an d if a n e a c oul d b e con se
1

cra te d to a god so c oul d a fi el d G ra ff 3 3 4 2 h a s a pl a c e c all e d


,
.
,

F ra w fi np iun t wh ich t o j ud g e by th e circumst an c e s mayw ith l ik e


, , ,

re a s on b e a ss ign e d to th e g odd e ss Fron w a ; n o d oubt it a ls o b e l on gs

t o B a v aria (se e S uppl ) .

I n th e Ful d a T ra di t ion s ( Sch an n a t p 2 9 1 n o 8 5 ) o cc urs th is .


, .

re ma rk a b l e p a ss a g e : Wid e rolt c ome s tra didit sa n ot o B onifa cio


quicquid p rop rie tatis h ab uit in P holesbrunn en in p rovin cia Thur
ingia e To th is P h ole sb runn o th e vil l ag e of P hulsborn h a s th e fi rst
. ,

cl aim lyin g n ot far from th e Sa al e e quidist an t from th e t own s


, ,

A p ol d a D orn b urg an d Sul za a n d sp e lt in M id A ge d oc ume n ts


, ,
.

Ph ulsb orn an d P fclczb orn th e re is h ow e v e r an oth e r v ill ag e F a ls ,

brunn or F alsb ron n on th e R auh e Eb e ra ch in th e Fran c on ian


,

S t e ig e rwa l d N ow Pf olesbrunn o all th e more pl a in ly s ugg e sts a


.

d ivinity ( an d th a t B a l d e r) a s th e re are a ls o B a ld ersbru nnen : a


, ,

B ald e b runn o h as b ee n p rod uc e d from th e E ife l mt s an d from th e ,

Rh in e P a l a tina t e a n d it h a s b ee n sh own th a t th e form ought t o b e


2
,

c orre ct e d int o B a ld ersbrun no a s w e ll a s th e mode rn B al d e nh ain t o


B a ld ersh a in ( Z e it sch r f d a lt 2 25 6 ) an d B e llst e d t in th e K l in g en
. . . .
,

d istrict of S ch w arzb urg Son d e rsh a us e n w a s forme rly B a ld ersteti -


,

S ch ann a t d ioec Ful d p 2 4 4 an no 9 77 (see Suppl )


. .From th e
.
,
.

N ors e myth us of B al d e r a s given by Sa x o w e l e arn th a t B al d e r in , ,

t h e h e a t of b attl e op e n e d a foun t ain for h is l a n guish ing army :


Vict or B ald e rus ut affli ctum siti milit em opp ortuni liqu oris b e n e fi cio
,

re cre are t n ovos h umi la ti ces t e rram a ltiu s rima tu s a p e rnit qu orum
, ,

e rump e n t e s sca t e bra s sit ibun d um a g me n hian t i p a ss im ore cap ta b a t .

E orun d em v e stig ia s e mp it ern a fi rma ta v ocab ulo qu amqua m p rist in a ,

ad modum scaturigo d e sie rit ,


n on d u m p rorsus e x ole v isse cre d un t ur .

T his sp ot is th e p re s e n t B a ld ersbrond n e ar Ro e skild (n ote t o M ull e r s


'

Sa x o p , . B ut th e l e g e n d may b e th e s ame as old Ge rman


l e g e n d s wh ich at a l at er time pl a c e d t o k ing Ch arl e s s a cc oun t (p
,

.

1 1 7 an d in fra F uriou s h ost) th a t wh ich h e ath e nd om h ad t ol d of


, ,

A S a l z b urg d o c of th e t e n th ce n t , in K le inmayrn
1 . . p . 196 : Curt ile m
l ocum cu m d uob us p ra t i s , quod p iun ti dicimn s .

C on f S ch 6 p flin s Alsat dipl n o 74 8 a nn o 128 5 in v illa B ald eburn e


2 .

. . .
,
.

A We stph a l d o c of 1 2 0 3 ( Fa lke t ra d corb p 5 66 ) n ame s a pl ace B a lderbroc


. . . . .
,

wh i ch mi gh t me an p a l us ca mp us B ald e ri ,
.
P H OL . 227

B al d e r ; in th at c a s e th e still s urv iv ing n ame h a s its e l f p rov e d a


foun t a in wh e n c e t h e myth of B al d e r e me rg e s a ne w
,
1
.

B ut th e n a me o f P h ol is e st abl ish e d more fi rmly st ill A


H e in ricu s d e P h oling fre q ue ntly app ears in t h e A lt a ch re c o rd s of


t h e 1 3 th c e n t ury M B p art 1 1 a Ra p ot o d e P holingen P ha ling in
,
.
, , ,

M B 1 2 5 6 6 0 ; this pl a c e is 0 11 t h e l e ft b a n k of th e D a nub e b e l ow
.
, .

S tra nbinge n b e tw e e n th e t w o c on v e n ts of A lt a ch
,
I d oubt if th e .

P oll in g in oth e r re c ord s ( and th e re are s e v e ra l P oll ings in th e


A mme r c oun t ry ) can b e th e s a me w ord a s th e a sp ira t e is w a n ting ,

a n d th e l iquid d oubl e d P full e nd orf or Foll e nd orf n e ar G oth a is


.

in d oe s of th e 1 4 th c e n tury P hu lsd orf


. A P holen heim in S ch an na t .
,

V ind lit c oll 1 4 8 5 3 N ot far from S ch arz fe l d b e tw e e n th e


. . .
, . .
,

H a rz mts a n d Th uringia is a n old v il la g e n ame d P old e c all e d in


, ,

e a rly re c ord s a n d w rit ings P olid i F ulid i P a lithi P holid i ( Gra mm , , ,


.

2,
th e s e at o f a w e ll k n ow n c on v e n t w h ich a g a in may h a v e
-
,

b e e n fou nd e d o n t h e s it e of a h e a th e n s an ctua ry I f a c onn e x ion .

w ith th e god can b e e st ablish e d in th is c a s e w e a t th e s a me time ,

g a th e r from it th e t rue v al ue of th e v ary ing c on s on an t in his n ame .

Of Ph ol so man y in t e rp re t a tion s c row d up on us th a t w e sh oul d ,

be p u zzl e d if th e y c oul d all b e ma d e g ood Th e Ch al d aic bel or ba l .

s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n a me re t itl e p e rt ainin g t o s e v e ra l g od s : b el=


U ranus b e l=J up it er b el
,
ars Th e F inn ish p a lo me an s fi re t h e
, .
,

ON bal A S ba el rog us an d th e Sl a v p d liti t o b urn with wh ich


.
,
.
, .
,

c onn e ct Lat P a les a n d th e P a lilia Of p ha llus w e h av e al re ad y


. .

sp ok e n W e must fi rst ma k e s ure of th e s ound s in our n a tiv e


.

n a me s for a d ivi n ity of wh om a s


ye t w e k n ow n oth ing but th e
b are n ame (se e Suppl ) On th e que stion as to th e s e n s e of th e w ord
.

its el f I se t a s id e th e n ot ion on e might st umbl e on th at it is me re ly


, ,

a fon dl ing form o f P a lt ar B a l d e r for s u ch forms in v a riably p re s e rv e


, ,

th e init ia l of th e c ompl e t e n a me ; w e sh oul d e xp e ct P al z o B al zo , ,

b ut n ot P h ol ?
N or d oe s th e OH G P h s e e m h e re t o b e e quiv al e n t .

1 G re e k t rad it ion t e lls H e rakle s a n d Z e us : ( ba crl 7 6 1 H p a xlt e a didt e t n o re


of
'

x a ra e vra e v g a o da t 7 6 Ai l n a r i €1r¢6 si a t a vrc


§ p t xp a u k i fi a 6a o 66 96 t
’ '

x p o .

a vr6 v Ka ra r v e o da t ,
'

p x hi/a s “ p a w/61; d ué dw xe p t xp a v h t 6a , nu dw a rf/


:
6
p
1 5 11 0 9

H p a xl m s Ka i (m a d/a s si s 7 13 n h o v m w re p o v e rro ino e ¢ ép e o da t (S ch ol i a 1 11 ll 20 , 74) .

T h i s s ri n g w a s S ca ma n d e r, a n d t h e M8 0 9 H p a xh q0 9 ma y be se t b yt h e s i d e o f
Ei
P fOlQS I I I l Il O a s w e ll a s

b e i n g b o t h me a d a n d e a ; a n d
d oe s n ot t h e G re cia n d e mi g od s p yre ki n d l e d on Oe t a s ugg e st t h a t o f B a l d e r ?

S o I e xpl a in t h e p ro p e r n a me F olz fro m F olb re h t , F olra t , F ol ma r, an d


th e l i ke ; it t h e re fo re st a n d s a p 1 rt 11 0 111 P11 0 1 Th e S uppl q ua l i tie s t h e s we e p
[ . .

ing a ss e rt i o n in t h e t e xt , it a ls o t a k e s n o t i ce o f s e v e ral o th e r sol ution s , a s


A p oll o , P o ll u x , foa l , &c ] .
2 28 P ALTAR .

t o th e ordin ar yF w h ich
c orre sp on d s t o th e Sa x on F but ra th e r t o ,

b e a n a sp irat e w h ich an s w e rin g t o th e S a x on t e n uis P re pre s e n ts


, ,

a n Old A ry a n me dia B -
B ut w e k n ow th a t a S a x on in itial P =OH G
. .

P h is foun d al most e xcl u s iv e ly in fore ig n w ord s1 ( p ort a p h ort a ,

p utti p h uzi p ed a p h e it) it follow s th at for P h ol in c a s e t h e Sa x


, , ,
.

form P ol is re ally ma d e ou t w e mu st e ith e r l oo k for s u ch a fore ign ,

P or a s a ra re e xc e p tion in w h ich th e law of c on s on an t —


,
ch a ng e ,

d oe s a ss e rt its e l f a n Old A ry a n B I in cl in e t o th is l a st h yp oth e s is


,
-
.
,

a n d c onn e ct P h ol a n d P 0 1
(w h os e 0 may v e ry w e ll h a v e sp rung
from a) with th e Ce lt ic B aa l B e ul B e l B elemrs a d ivin ity o f l ight , , , ,

o r fi re th e Sl a v B iélbdgh B élbogh (w h it e god) th e a dj b iel b el


, .
,
-
,
.
,

( alb u s
) L it h b a lt
,
a s wh ich l a
. st w i th it s e xt e
,
n s io n T m a k e s i t p ro
b abl e th a t B eeld eeg an d B al d r are o f th e s a me roo t b u t h a v e n ot ,

u nd e r g on e c on s on an t ch a n g e P hol a n d F a lta r th e re fore a re in th e ir


-
.

b e g inn ing o n e b ut re ve al t o u s t w o div e rge nt h ist orical d e v e l op


,

me n ts of th e s a me w ord a n d a n ot u n imp orta n t d iffe re n ce in th e ,

myth ol ogy of t h e s e v e ral T e ut o ni c ra c e s 2


.

S o far a s w e can se e t h e god w a s w orsh ipp e d un d e r th e n ame ,

of P h ol c h ie fly b yth e T h u ring ia n s a n d B a v a ria n s a cc o rd in g t o

a n c ie n t n ome n cl a t ure t h e H e rmu n d uri an d M a rc om


,

a nn i y e t th e y ,

s e e m t o h a v e als o kn ow n his oth e r n a me P a lta r or B o ld er wh il e ,

1
Th a t is, ll yborrowed w ord s a s p ort p at e rna l p al ace in which th e Lo w
re a , , , ,

G e rm ma k e s n o ch a n g e ( l i k e t h a t in fi rth fa th e r) an d t h e re fore t h e H i gh
.
, ,

G e rm st a nd s o n l y o n e st ag e i n st ea d o f t w o in a d v an ce o f L a t i n
.
P fo rt e P fa l z , ,

&c . S u ch w o rd s st and o u ts i de t h e ru l e o f co n s o n a n t ch a n g e — T RA N S -
. .

2
I h av e th u s far gon e on th e a ssu mpt i on t h a t P hot a n d B a ldar in th e
M erse b e rg sp e ll d e s i gn a te on e a n d t h e s ame d ivi n e b e i n g w h i ch i s st r n gl y ,
o

s upp ort e d b yt h e a n a l ogyI h a v e p o i nt e d o ut b t w e e n P h ol sou w a a n d B ald rsh agl e e ,

Ph ole sb ru n n o a n d B a ld rsb ru n n r a n d h is cult us must h a v e b e e n v e ryfa mi l i a r


t o t h e p e o pl e for t h e p oe m t o b e a b l e t o n ame h im b y d i ffe re n t n a me s in su c
,

ce ss i o n w i t h ou t fe a r o f b e i n g mi s u n d e rst oo d
,
E ls e on e mi gh t s u pp o s e b yth e .

n a me s th a t P h ol a n d B a l d e r w e re t w o d i ffe re n t g o d s a n d th e re w o u l d b e
, ,

pl e n t yof room l e ft for t h e que st i o n w h o ca n p ossi b l yb e me an t b yPh ol ? I f ,

P H cou l d h e re re pre s e n t V W w h i h i s con traryt o a ll a n a l ogy an d i s a l most


,
c ,

u t ou t o f court b yt h e p e rs i st e n t P H PF in a ll t h o s e n a me s of pl a ce s t hen
p ,

w e mi gh t t ryt h e ON U llr Olle rus in S a x o p 4 5 w h i ch ( l i k e ull OH O w


.
,
o ll a
,
.
, ,
.
,

w oo l ) w o ul d b e in OH O lVol so t h a t Wo l e n d i Wod a n ( U ll r ok Otimn )


‘ ’
.
,

ma d e a p e rfe ct a ll i t era t i on A n d U ll r w a s con n e ct e d w i th B a l d r w h o in S e m


.
,
e .

9 3 i s ca ll e d U lla r se fi sib t o U U lli co gn a t us ( se e B u t t h e ge n


‘ ’
a .
.
, ,

w ou l d h a v e t o b e W olle s a n d t h a t i s con t ra d i ct e d b y t h e i n v ari a b l y s i n gl e L


,

in P h ole s T h e s a me rea s o n i s co n cl us iv e a ga i n st Wa ck e rn age l s p ro p o s a l t o



.

t a k e F ol for th e god of ful n e ss a n d pl e n t y byt h e s i d e o f t h e g od d e ss F ll a I ,


o

t h i n k t h e w e a k fo rm F o ll o w o ul d b e d ma n d e d fo r i t b yan O H O Piln t ls v e . i .

H a u pts ze it sch r 2 1 9 0 S t i ll more d o e s t h e i n t e rn a l con s i st e n cyo f t h e s on g


.
,
.

i ts e l f re qu i re t h e i d e n t i t yo f Ph ol a n d B a l d e r i t w o ul d b e 0 c f r Ph ol t o b e o

n ame d a t t h e b e g i n n in g a n d n o furth e r n o t i ce t o b e t a ke n of h im
,
.
23 0 FA L TAR .

l o ci ill in s religion e m vel fe rocissimum regis animum qui violat ore s


, ,

s a croru m ill in s a tro cissima mort e d amn a re sole b at ; tre s h omine s


in e o fon t e cum invoca tion e s an cta e T rin it a tis b ap tiza vit se d e t .

a n imal ia in e a t e rra p a sce n tia in c ib aria s uis ma cta re p ra e ce p it .

Q uod p a gan i intue n t e s arb itrab an tur e os v el in fu rore m v erti ve l


, ,

e tia m v e l o c i mort e p e rire ; qu o s cum n il mal i ce rn e b a n t p a t i ,

St up ore p e rte rriti re g i t a me n B a db od o qu od vid e ra n t fa ctum


,

retule run t Qui n imio furore su cce n su s in sace rd ote m D e i V ivi


.

sn orum i nj uria s d e oru m ulcisci co it a b a t e t p e r t re s d ie s s e mp e r


g ,

tribus vici ous sortes su o more mitteba t e t n u n qu am d a mn a torum ,

s ors D e o v e ro d e fe n d e n t e su os s up e r se rvu m D e i aut aliqu e m e x


, ,

s uis c a d e re p ot uit ; n e c n is i u n u s t an tum e x s ociis sorte monstm tus


'

martyrio coron atus e st R ad b o d fe are d k ing P ipp in th e F rank


.
,

a n d le t t h e e v a n g e list go u n h urt
1
W h a t W ilibrord h ad l e ft .

u n fi nish e d w a s a cc omplish e d s ome t ime a ft e r by a n oth e r p rie st


, ,

a s th e v it a s a n ct i Liud ge ri c omp o s e d by A lt frid ,


t e lls of
t h e y e ar 785 : Ips e v e ro ( Liu dge rus) stu d uit f a n a d e st rue re ,

e t omn e s e rroris p ristini a blue re s ord e s cura vit q u oqu e ulte riu s .

d octrin a e d e riv are flumin a e t c on s il io ab imp e ra t ore a cce p to tran s


, ,

fre t a vit in con fi n io Fre son u m a tque D an orum a d qu a n d a m in s ul am ,

quae a n omin e d ei sui fals i F osete F osetesla nt e st app e ll ata


P e rve n ie n t e s au t e m a d c an d e m in sul am d e strux e run t omn ia ej us ,

d e m F osett s f a n a qu a e ill io fue re con stru ct a e t p ro e is Ch risti


'

, ,

fabricav e run t e ccl e s ia s cumqu e h ab itat ore s t e rra e ill in s fi d e Ch rist i


,

imbue re t b ap tiza vit e o s cum inv ocat ion e s an ct ae Trin it a tis in fon t e
, fi
,

qui ibi e b ullieb at in quo s a n ctu s Will ib rordus p riu s h omin e s tre s
,

b ap tiz av e ra t a quo e tia m fon t e n e mo p riu s h a u rire a qua m msi


'

t a cen s p ra e su me b at ( Pe rtz 2 —Altfrid e v id e n tly h a d th e w ork


,

of A lcu in b yh im F rom th a t time th e isl an d t ook t h e n a me of


.

héleglcmd H elgola n d w h ich it b e a rs t o th is d ay; h e re als o t h e


, ,

e v a n g e li sts w e re c are ful t o c on s e rv e in th e in t e re st o f ch rist ia n ity , ,

th e s e n s e of s a c re d n e ss al re a d y a tt a chin g t o t h e sit e A d a m of .

B re me n in h is t re a t is e D e s itu D a n iae ( P e rt z 9
,
d e scrib e : ,

th e isl a n d th u s : Ordinavit ( arch ie p iS COp us e p iscop um) in Fin m

( Fuh n e n ) Eilb e rtum qu e m trad un t con ve rsum (l cap tum) a p ira tis
, .

F a rria m in s ul am q ua e in o stio fl uminis Alb ia e l on g o se ce ssu l a t e t


,

in o c e a n o p rimu m re p e riss e con structo qu e mon a st e rio in e a fe cisse


,

h abitabile m h ae c in s ul a c on tra H a d e loam s it a e st cuj us l ongi


. .

1
A ct a san ctor B e n e d . .
,
se c . 3 . p ars 1, p . 60 0 .
F OS I T E . 23 1

t ud o vix VI I I milliaria p a n d itur la titud o qua tuor; h omin e s stramin e ,

fragme n tisque n a viu m p ro ign e u tun tur S e rmo e st p ira t a s si .


,

q u and o p ra ed a m ind e oel min ima m ta lomnt o ut mox p erisse n a u


m a u t occisos a b a li q ua n ullu m redis e i n d em n em q


f g io ,
s ,p ; u a rop t e r
p
s ol e nt hercmit is i bi oiventibus d ecimas p ra ed a rum ofi erre cum magn a

d evotion e e st e n im fe racissima frugum


. d itissima v olucrum e t ,

p e cud um nu trix c oll e m h ab e t unic um arb ore m nullam scop ulis


, , ,

includ it ur asp e rrimi s n ull o a dit u nis i un o ubi e t a qua d ulcis ( th e


, ,
,

sp rin g wh e nce th e y d re w w a t e r in s il e n c e ) locus oemm bilis omni bus ,

n a u tis p ra e cip u e v e ro p ira t is u n d e n ome n a cce p it ut H eilzgela n d


, ,

d ica tur .h an c in v ita s an cti Will eb rordi F osetisla nd ap p ellari


di cimu s q uae s it a e st in con fi nio D an orum e t Fre sonum
,
s unt e t .

a lia e in s ul a e c on t ra F re sia m e t B a n ia m se d n ull a e arum t a m me mo ,

rab ilis —Th e n ame F arria a pp e a rin g h e re for t h e fi rst t ime e ith e r
.
, ,

a ro s e from c on fou n d in g th e isl e of F6 h r w ith H e lg ol a nd or w e mu st ,

e me n d t h e p a ss ag e a n d re a d B yt h e cu st oms

a
p ira tis F a rria nis
,
.

o f th e s e marin e rs a n d v ik ings e ve n of ch ristian t ime s w e may ,

a ss ure o urs e l v e s h ow h oly th e pl a c e w a s a cc oun t e d in t h e h e a th e n

t ime (se e
I n a n isl a nd lying b e twe e n De nmark Frie sl an d and S a x ony w e , ,

might e xp e ct t o fi nd a h e a th e n god wh o w a s c ommon t o all th re e .

It w oul d b e strange if th e Fris ian Fosite w e re u nk n ow n t o th e


Norse me n ; a n d stra ng er still if th e Ed d ie F orseti w e re a t otally
d iffe re n t god It is true on e w ould h a v e e xp e ct e d a me n tion of th is
.
,

d e ity in p artic ul ar from S a x o Gram wh o is quit e s il e n t ab ou t it ; ,

but th e n h e omits ma ny o th e rs a n d in his d ayF os it e s n ame may


h av e die d out amongst th e Fris ian s .

Th ere is s ome d isc re p a n cy b e tw e e n th e two n ame s a s w a s ,

n a t ura l in t h e c a s e o f t w o n a t ion s : ON F orsctz e n F orseta Fris


'

g . .
,
.

F osite ge n F osites Th e s impl e st s upp o s itio n is th a t from Forsit e


. .
,

a ros e by a ss imil a t ion F ossite F o site or th at th e R d ropt out a s in


, , ,

OH G mo s ar for morsar Low G e rm mos ar ; so in th e Fris ia n


.
, .

A ng e l n a cc ord in g t o H ag e rup p 2 0 fest


,
p rimus
.
, ,
.

B e s id e s th e re is h ardly a nyo th e r w ay of e xpl aining F os it e


,
In .

ON f orseti is p ra e s e s p rin c e ps a pp are n tly t ran sl a t a bl e int o OH G


.
, ,
.

f ora szzo a fitting na me for th e god wh o pre s id e s ov e r j udgme n t and


'

, ,

a rra n ge s a ll disp u t e s Th e Goth ic f a d mga ggj a b e ars a lmost th e


.

same s e n s e wh ich I a ls o fi n d e v e n in mu ch l a t e r w rit ings a tt a ch e d


, , ,

t o our w ord o orgcinger ( n ow p re d e c e ss or) M ore c ompl e t e A S


. .
23 2 FAL TAR .

me B aeld aeg s

ge n e al ogie s w ould p e rh aps na a F orsata or F orsete as
l
son .

w orsh ip I f

F orsetz F osite p roof of th e e xt e n t of B al d e r s
'

,
a re a .

w e mayin fe r from P h ole souw a a n d B ald rsh agi th a t th e god l ov e d


i sl e s a n d e a s H e lg ol a n d is a c a s e in p oint w h e re th e fl ocks of his

, ,

son ra ze d ; a n d so is p e rh a ps th e w orship of th e H e rc ul e s p ill a rs


g
-
,

i oll owin g T a c it u s w e migh t fix on s ome o t e i d 2


wh c h f , ,
h r sl a n n e a r it .

L a t er writ ers h av e t urn e d F ose te in t o a go dd e ss F oseta Ph ose ta F o sta t o


1
, , ,

a pp ro x i ma t e h e r t o t h e Ro man V e sta ma ps o f H e lgola n d in w h i ch a re fou n d ,

mark e d a t e mpl um F ost ae vel Ph ose t ae of th e ye a r 76 8 a n d a t e mpl um ’


,

V e st a e o f 6 9 2 w e re ma d e u p in M aj or s Cimb rien ( P l on con f Wie b e l s


’ ’
.
, ,
programm ub e r H e lg ol an d H amb 1 8 4 2 Th e go d F oste a nd F oste lan d cou l d
,
. .

e as il yfi n d th e ir w a yi n t o t h e sp u ri ou s V i t a S u ib e rt i ca p 7 . .

A n oth e r th ou gh t h a s st ru ck mymi n d ab ou t F osete


2
I n th e app en d ix t o .

th e H e l d e n b u ch E cke Va sa t A ben trot a re styl e d b ro th e rs


, , ,
Th e form F a sa t .

i n st ea d of th e u s ua l F a solt n e e d n ot b e a mi st ak e ; t h e re a re s e v e ra l OH G .

me n s n ame s in a t a n d OS in a d id so t h a t F a sat a n d F a s olt ca n h ol d th eir



-
, .
-
,
-
,

groun d s id e b ys i d e N ow F a solt ( con f ch XX S t orm) an d E cke w e re k n ow n


. . . .

a s go d g i a n ts of w in d a n d w a t e r A ben trot a s a d ae mon o f li gh t


-
,
A s E ck e Oe gi r , .
-

w a s w orsh i pp e d o n th e E i d e r a n d in L assoe so mi gh t F o s i t e b e in H e lgo l an d , .

T h e con n e x i on wi th F orseti mu st n ot b e le t go b ut i ts me an i n g a s F o r s e t i ,
-
,

Fo ra s iz o b e come s d ub i ous a n d I fee l i n cl i n e d t o e xpl ai n i t a s F ors-et i from


-
,

fo rs [a w h i rl i n g stre am fo rce in C umbld ] D a n fos a n d t o a ss ume a d ae mon of


, , .
,

t h e w h i rlp ool a F ossegrimm ( con f ch X V I I N ich us) w i t h w h i ch F osi te s



. . .
, ,

sa cre d sprin g w ou l d t all y A ga i n th e H e l d e n b uch g iv e s t h os e t h re e b rot h e rs


.
,

a fa th e r N e n t igé r ( for so w e mu st re a d fo r M e n t ige r) OH G N a n dger; an d



.

d oe s n ot h e s ugge st F ors e t i s mot h e r N a nn a



N a n dd ?
2 34 OTH R E G OD S .

H e ss e ( K uch e nb . an a l . 1 1 , 1 3 7) n ear I ba a nd Wal d k app e l ( Nie d erh .


H immelsberg in V e stgotlan d ,
'

w och e nbl 1 8 3 4 . pp . 1 0 6, a an d

o ne , a ll e ge d t o b e H e imd all

s ,
in H all an d . A t th e s ame time ,

H imin va nga r Seem 1 5 0 th e OS h eb a nwang, h eb e n e sw an g,



3
,
.
,
. a

p ara dis e ( v ch XXV) th e A S H eof enf eld c oe l e stis c amp u s B e d a


. .
,
.
,

p 1 5 8 a n d th e l ik e n ame s s ome indiv id ual s ome g e n e ral d e s erv e


.
, , , ,

t o b e st ud ie d b ut y ie l d a s y e t n o s a fe c on cl u s ion ab ou t t h e god
,
.

Oth e r p oin ts a b out h im s av our a l most of th e fairy t al e : h e is -

m e a d o u t t o b e t h e so n o f n in e m o t h e rs g ia n t e ss e s S ee m 1 1 8 “ , ,
.

Sn 1 0 6 La x d p 3 9 2 ; h e w a nts l e ss sl e e p th a n a b ird s e e s a
. . . .
,

h un dre d mil e s off by n ight or d ay and h e ars th e gra ss grow on t h e ,

groun d an d th e w ool on th e sh e e p s b a ck ( Sn H is h ors e is



.

d
Ga lltop p r g ol t t a u f n,
d h e h im sel f h as g ol de n t ee t
-
h 2
,
h e n c e th e ,

byn ame s Ga llin ta nn i an d H a llin sle idi te n nur H allin skiea



-
, ,

F ornm sog 1 5 2 It is w orthy of re mark th at H allin skiffii an d


'

. . .
, ,

H e imd ali are quot e d a mon g th e n ame s for th e ram Sn 2 2 1 , . .

A s w a tch man a n d w ard e r of th e g od s (v orbr g oba S eem , .

He imd all wind s a p ow e rful h orn Gia lla rhom wh ich is k e pt und er , ,

a s a cre d t re e Seem 5
b
Sn 72 3 ,
W h at th e V 6lusp a imp arts
. .
-
.
,

mu st b e of a h igh a n t iq uity ( see


N ow a t th e v e ry outs e t of th a t p oe m all c re at e d b e in gs grea t ,

a n d s mall a re c all e d mey ir H eimda lla r s on s or ch ild re n of th e god ,

h e a pp e a rs th e re fore t o h av e h a d a h an d in th e c re a tion of th e
w orl d an d of me n an d to h a v e pl ay e d a more e x alte d p art th an is
, ,

a ss ign e d t o h im a ft e rw a rd s A s in a d dition t o W u ota n Z io p re .


, ,

s id e d ove r w ar a n d Fr6 ov e r fruitful n e ss so th e cre a tiv e fa culty


, ,
.

s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n divid e d b e tw e e n OfSinn a n d H e imballr .

A s on g of s ugge st iv e d e s ig n in t h e E dd a mak e s t h e fi rst


a rra n g e me n t of ma n k in d in cl a ss e s p ro c e e d from th e s ame H eim

d a llr wh o tra v e rs e s th e w orl d u n d e r th e n a me of R ig? (se e


,

Th ere is a mu ch l a t e r G e rman tra dition v e ry p re v al e nt in th e l a st ,

fe w c e n t urie s w h ich I h a v e v e n ture d t o t ra c e t o this h e a th e n on e


, ,

its orig in b e in g d iffic ult t o e xpl a in oth e rwis e 3


A s for th e n a me n r . ,

it s e e ms t o me t o h a v e sp run g li k e d is from id is by a p h aere s is , ,

from a n o l d e r form w hich I c ann ot p re cis e ly d e t e rmin e b ut w oul d , ,

c on n e ct w ith th e M H G I rin o a s in ON an 11 b efore g or k ofte n .


,
.

1 C on f K M3 , 1 25 . . .

2 ’
oro, P e n t am 3 , 1
L i dien te ol Of . . a ta n
ce r i H arald r t e nnr v oru miklor
ok gu lls li tr d F orn ald seg 1, 3 66 , . . .

3
Z e ts ch rif t f d alt 2 , 2 5 7— 26 7
i . . . . C on f . ch . XIX .
H EI M DAI L . B RA GI .
235

drops out ( c onf sting a st a ck b a c k a b ank i) a nd a s will b e sh ow n


. , , ,

1
l at e r I ringe s straza I ringe s w e c a n sw e rs t o a Sw e d ish E riksgata
, ,
.

Th e sh inin g g al a xy w oul d s uit e xtre me ly w ell th e god wh o d e sc e n d s


from h e a v e n t o e arth a n d wh o s e h a b it a tion b ord e rs on B ifrost ,
.

N orwe gian n a me s of pl a c e s b e ar w it ne ss t o h is c ultu s : H eim


d a lla roa ttn a l ak e in Guldbran d sd ale n ( G ufibra n d sd alr) a n d
, ,

H eimd a llshoug a h ill in N umme d ale n ( Naumud alr) ,


n e ith e r is

me ntione d in th e ON s ag a s . .

2 .
( B RA G I ,
B R E G O ) .

Ab ov e w ould l ik e t o se e a more ge n e ra l
an y th e ro od
g , on e

v ene ra tion of th e ON B ragi re viv e d in wh om w a s v e sted th e gift .


,

of p oe t ry a n d e l o q ue n c e H e is c a ll e d th e b e st o f a ll sk al d s See m . , .

4 6 S n 4 5 frumsmi br b ra g ar ( a u ct or p oe se os) a n d p oe try its e l f is


2
. .
, ,

brag r
2
I n h on ou r of him th e B ra ga full or bra ga rfull w a s g iv e n
.

( 6 0 ) th e form a pp ears t o w a v e r b e twe e n b rag i ge n b raga a nd


p . .
,

b ragr ge n b ra gar a t all e v e n ts th e l a tt e r st and s in th e ph ra s e


.
,

asa bragr d e orum




bragr k arl a vir fa cun d u s p ra e st an s in , ,

rr ( Seem 8 5
b
p ri n ce p s T h 6 :
h
S n b u t B ra gi 2 11 ) and e ven . . .
,

bragr qve n na fe min a p rae sta n tissima ( Seem 2 1 8 3


f a
. .

Th e n a p oe t a nd k ing of old ren o wn d istin ct from th e god , ,

h ims e l f b ore th e n ame of B ra gi hinn ga mli a n d his d e sc e nd an ts ,

w e re styl e d B ragningar A min stre l w a s p icture d t o th e min d a s .

old a n d l on g b e a rd e d si6 sk e ggi a n d sk e ggb ragi Sn


-
1 0 5 wh ich
, , .
,

re c a lls Obinn w ith h is l on g b e ard th e inv e nt or o f p oe try ( p ,


.

1 4 6 ) an d B rag i is e v e n s aid t o b e Obin s son S n 1 0 5 ( se e



.
,

I n th e A S p o e ms th e re o cc urs a lways in th e n om s ing th e


.
, .
,

t erm brego or breogo in th e s e n s e of re x or p rin c e ps : bre gost 6l in ,

B e ow 4 3 8 7 a n d A nd r 2 0 9 is th ron us re g ius ; b re gow e a rd in Cee d m


. . .

1 4 0 2 6 1 6 6 1 3 is p rin c e ps 4 N ow a s ge n pl ura ls are a tt a ch e d t o


, .
,
.
, .

1 D e r a mme E rik
g l ga mmel E rke ( old h a s n ow come t o me a n old N ick
,

in S w e d i sh con f s up ra p 1 24 o n E rch ta g . .
,
.

S ee m 2
o f Q6 i n n
ge fr h an n b ra g skald o m ( d a t carme n p oe t i s )
. .

3
D oe s n ot th e E n gl bra g G e rm p ra hlen ( gl o ria ri ) e xpl a i n e v e rythin g ?
.
,
.

Sh o wy h i gh fl ow n sp e e ch w ou l d a ppl y e q uall y t o b o a st i n g a n d t o p o e t ry
-
.

Th e n for t h e ot h er me a n in g th e b oa st gl ory ma st e r p i e ce ( o f me n g o d s ‘ -
, , , , , ,

w o me n a n g e ls , w e can e ith e r go b a ck t o th e more p ri mi t iv e s e n s e


,

( gl ori a ) in p ra ngen p ra n k p ra cht brigh t or sti ll k e e p t o bra g B e a u ty i s ‘


, , , ,
.

n a t ure s bra g a n d mu st b e s h e w n s a y

s 0 0 111118 — T R A N S
, ,

. .

I n B e d a 4 2 3 ( S t e v e n s p 3 0 4 ) a w oma n s n a me B re gosuid B re gosw ifi


4
,
. .

,

in K e mbl e 5 4 8 ( an n o 74 9 ) B regeswi d std n an d 1 13 3 4 ( a n n o


,
5 4 6 (anno e
, ,
-
,

5 5 9 ( a n n o 79 8 ) a ma n s n a me B re go win e

, I n B e ow 3 8 4 7 b re go r6f is . .

cla rissi mus .


236 OTH ER e ons .

it : b re g o en gl a , Ce d m 1 2 7
e
.
, . 60 4 , . b re go D e n a, B e ow .

8 48 h ee le ba b re g o B e o w 3 9 0 5 b rego A nd r 6 1 b e orna gume n a


b re g o A n d r 3 0 5 ( con f b rego m
.
, , .

n n e s Co d e x o n 4 5 7 3 th
, on cy .

) .e re ,
. .
,

g rows up a n in stru ctiv e a na l ogy t o th e ab ov e me n t ion e d b ragr -


k a rl a a n d t o t h e g e n itive s s imil arly c on n e cte d with th e d iv in e


,

n a me s Ty r F re a a n d B e a ld or ( p p 1 9 6 2 1 1
,
Th e A S brego .
, , .

e qu a lly s e e ms t o p oin t t o a v e il e d d iv in ity th ough t h e forms a n d ,

v ow e l re l a tion s d o n ot e x a ctly h armoniz e


-
1
.

Th e ir d is a g re e me n t ra th er p rov ok e s one to h un t up th e root


u n d e r w h ic h t h e y c o u l d b e re c on c il e d : a v e rb b rig a b ra g w oul d

s uit th e p urp os e Th e Sa x on a n d Fris ia n l an guage s but n ot t he


.
,

S c a n din av ia n or H igh G e rma n p o ss e ss a n une xpl a ine d t e rm for ,

c e re b rum : A S b reg e n ( l ik e reg e n pl uv ia t h e re fore b e tte r writt e n


.
,

so t h a n b reege n ) E n gl b ra in Fris b re in Lo w S a x b re g e n
,
I th ink
.
,
.
,
.

it a n s w e rs t o t h e n ot ion s un d erst an d ing cl e v e rn e ss e l oque n c e ‘


, , ,

imit a tion a n d is c on n e ct e d with (pp fiv ( pp evé e « pp m/0 9 N ow



.
, , ,

t h e ON b ragr b e s id e p o e s is me a n s a ls o mos g e stu s a n d bra ga ‘


.
, , , ,

e ft ir e in um re fe rre a liq ue m ge stu imit a ri OH G h a s n oth in g lik e ,


. .

it n or a n y s u ch p rop e r n a me a s P ra k o B ra g o B reg o
, , , .

B ut a s w e d e te ct e d amon g t h e S a x on s a fain t t ra c e of th e god


,

or g o d s son w e ma ylay s ome st re ss on t h e fa ct t h a t in a n OS



.
,

d o c ume n t o f 1 0 0 6 B u rn a cker occ urs a s th e n ame of a pl a c e v ,


.

Li mz e l s H il d e sh e im p 1 24 c onf p re f V ( se e N ow B ra g i
'

. . . .
, ,

a n d h is w ife I 6 un n d w e lt in B ra nn a kr S n a n d sh e is c all e d , .

B runn akrs b eckj ar ge rbr B runna k e rin ae s e d is orn atrix as Sk



.
, ,

Th orla ciu s in t e rp re ts it ( Sp e c 6 pp 6 5 A w e ll or sp rin g .


,
.
,

for more t h a n one re a s on s uits a god o f p oe try a t t h e s ame time a ,

n a me l ik e S p ringfi e l d is so n a t ura l th a t it might a ris e w ith out a n y


re fe re n c e t o g od s .

B rag i a pp e a rs t o h a v e st oo d in s ome p re tty cl os e re l a t ion t o


Oegir a n d if a n a n al ogy b e twe e n th e m c oul d b e e st abl ish e d w h ich
, ,

h ow e v e r is u n s upp ort e d h ith e rto on oth e r ground s th e n by th e ,

s id e of b riga b ra g th e root b raga b r6g w oul d p re s e nt its e l f a n d ,

t h e A S b r6 g a ( te rror) OH G p ruoko b ru ogo b e ak in t o it


. Th e
,
.

, ,
.

c on n e x ion of B ragi w ith Oegir may b e s e e n by B ragi a pp e aring


p romin e n tly in th e p oe m Oegisd re cka a n d by his s itting n e xt t o ,

Oe gir in S n th a t in in tima t e c on v e rs e with h im h e b rings


.
-

ou t st orie s o f th e g od s w h ich a re th e n c e c all e d B ra ga roe da r , ,

Th e I rish bre ith eam b re th e mb ( j ud e x ) is s a i d t o b e p ron oun ce d almos t


1
,

a s b re h on Tra n s of I ris h a cad 1 4 1 6 7



. .
,
.
,
238 E
OTH R e ons .

e inu m me an s ,
v ere n c e Lax d s aga p 1 3 0
t o in sp ire with fe a r or re ,
.
, . .

I sle nd s6 g 2 1 5 5 e k b ar Oe gish ialm yfi r a ll a folki Forn ald s6 g


. .
, ,
. .

h afa Oegish ialm i a ugum ib id 1 4 0 6 d e not e s th a t t e rribl e , .


, ,

p ie rcing l ook of th e e y e s which o th e rs c a nn ot sta nd and th e


fa m
, ,

ous b a s ili sk gl an c e o rmr i a ug a w a s s o me thin g s imil a r


1
-
N ow , , .

I fi nd a cl e ar tra c e of this N ors e h e l me t in th e OH G man s n ame .


Egili elm ( T rad ful d 1 9 7 in S ch an n a t n o 1 2 6 p 2 8 6 E ggih e lm)


. .
, .
, .
,

i e Agihelm ide n t ic al w it h th e st re ngth e ne d v ow e l form Uogihelm


. .
,
-
,

wh ich I a m un abl e t o p roduc e B ut in t h e E cke nlie d its e l f Eck e s .


c ostly magic h e l me t a n d e ls e wh e re e v e n Ortnit s a n d D ie trich s ,


’ ’

a re c all e d H ild egrim H ild egri n an d th e ON gri ma ma sk or , .

h e l me t (in See m a n a me for n igh t


) h as n ow t urne d up in a
. .

F ul d a gl oss D ronke p 1 5 sc e nici cri man p re supp os e s a s ing


,
. .

kri md l arv a p e rs on a g al e a so w e ca n n ow u nd e rsta n d K ri mkilt


, ,

a mm 1 1 8 8 ) th e n a me o f a W a lkurie a rme d w ith th e h e l me t of


( G r .
,

t e rror an d als ,
o why d a e mon in a noth e r gl o ss is re n d e re d by

egis ri r
g n olt Th e A S egesgrirne is e qually a ma sk a n d in El 2 6 0
. .
, .

t h e h e l me t th a t fright e n s by it s fig ure o f a b oar is c all e d a gri m


helm I v e n ture t o g ue ss th a t th e w ol f in our an cie n t a p ol ogue
.
,

wa s ima gine d w e arin g su ch a h e l me t of d rea d a nd h e n c e his n ame ,

o f I sa ngri m iron ma sk Re inh ccxl ii ( se e , N or h av e w e


-
,
.

t c ome t o t h e e n d of fa n c ie s v ariou sly pl ay ing int o on e a n o th e r


y e

a s th e g od s or h e ro s h e l me t a w a k e n e d t e rror so mu st his sh ie l d
’ ’

a nd sw ord a nd it l ooks s ig n ific an t th a t a t e rrific sw ord fa s hion e d ,

by d w arfs sh o ul d l ik e wis e b e n ame d in th e two forms viz in t h e ,


.

Vilkin asaga E ckisa r in V e ld e k s E n e it Uokesa hs ( not a l e tt e r may


w e a lt e r) in th e E ck e n lie d E cken sah s a s H ild e grin w a s Eck e n


, ,

h e l m Eck e s h e lm I n th e Gre e k a nle I d o n ot l ook for a n yv e rb a l


,
.

a ffi n ity b ut t his Sh ie l d o f Z e be a ly
,
ioxo s ( I I 1 5 3 1 0 1 7 f .
,
.
,

wie l d e d a t time s byA th e n a ( 2 4 4 7 5 73 8) a nd A p oll o ( 1 5 2 2 9 ,


.
, , .

3 18 . 361 24 sp re a d s d is ma y aroun d l ik e Oe gishialmr


.
, , ,

H ild e grim a nd E ckisa h s ; Pl ut o s h e l me t t oo wh ich re n d e re d


invis ibl e mayb e c all e d t o min d — T h a t a n c ie n t god of se a Oc eanu s


, ,

a n d Oe gir ( se e S u pp l h o s e h all gl itt e re d w it h g ol d See m


) w , ,
.

1 F orn m ge kk alvald r 11 n d
. sog .
gishia lmi
9 , 5 13 Th e sp e ll i n g w ith 9 X .

g oe s t o con fi rm o ur co, an d re fut e ee , as a n 9 ca n on l ysta n d for th e forme r, not


for th e l a tt e r con f m6r a n d th e d e riv m ri moeri, G ra mm 1 , 4 73
. .
y . .

2
I n t h e grea t fea st w h i ch h e g a v e t o t h e g od s , th e a le ca me up of i tself ( sialft
b ars c ba r 6 1, S ee m a s H e p h ae st u s s t ri p od s ra n a bro dro c in a n d o u t of t h e

.
p
de la y I 1 1 8 3 76 E ve n so F re yr h a d a s w ord er sia lf t o egiz ( th a t s wi n gs
.
,
.

i ts e l f) , S ee m 8 2 , a n d Th 6r s M i6 ln ir come s ba ck of its e lf e v e ryt ime it is t h rown



a .
.
AKI , U OKI , 0 130 111, FIB E L G E OFON
, ,
11 1 1211 . 2 39

w oul d of all o th e rs w e a r th e gl itt ering h e l me t w h ich t ak e s its


na me from h im . F rom a ll we can fi n d his n a me in OH G
, . must
h a ve b ee n A ki or Uolei ; a nd it re quire s n o gre a t b ol d ne ss t o
s upp os e th at in the E cke of our h e roic l e g e n d a gian t all ov e r w e ,

se e a p re c ip it a t e of th e h ea th e n god Eck e s myth ic al n a ture is .

c on fi rme d by th at o f h is b roth e rs F as olt and A ben tr6t of wh om ,

more h e re aft e r A s th e G re e k Oke a nos h a s riv e rs giv e n h im for


.

s ons a nd d aught e rs th e N ors e Oe gir h as by E r


, i n n ine d aught e rs ,

wh os e n ame s th e E dd a a ppli e s t o w a te rs an d w a ve s W e might .

e xp e ct t o fi n d th a t s imil a r re l a t ion s t o th e s e a g od w e re of old

a sc rib e d t o our ow n riv e rs a ls o most of wh ich w e re c on c e iv e d of a s ,

fe mal e [a n d still b e ar fe min in e n a mes]


A n d th e re is o n e s u ch l o c a l n a me in wh ich h e mayb e cl e arly
re c ogn is e d Th e E id er a riv e r wh ich div id e s th e S a x on s from th e
.
,

N orth me n is c all e d by th e F ra nk ish a nnalists in t h e e ighth an d


,

n in th c e n turie s E i d ora Aga d ora A egid ora ( P e rtz 1 3 5 5 70 8 6


g - -
, , .

2 6 2 0 3 1) -H e lmold 1 1 2 5 0 sp e lls Egalora


,
-
, Th e ON w rit e rs
. . .

more pl ainly writ e Oegisdyr (Fornm 8 6 g 1 1 2 8 3 1 c on f G e ogr o f . .


, .
,
. .

a N orth ma n e d by W e rla u ff p

, . i e o c e an s d o or sea ou tl e t . . .
, ,
-
,

o st ium p e rh a ps e v e n h e re w ith a c oll a t e ra l s e n s


, e of th e a w ful .

A g ain a pl a c e c all e d Oegisdyr is me n tion e d in Ic e l a n d La n d n 5


, ,
.
,

2 wh e re w e als o fi nd 3 1 a n Oegissi da l a t us o c e an i
, ,
F urth e r it , .
,

c ome s out th at by th e A S n a me Fif eld or in God e x on 3 2 1 8 an d


. . .
,

by th e Wi eglesclor in D ie t mar of M e rse b a d a nn 9 75 p 76 0 is . . .


, .

me an t th e E id e r ag ain still th e afore s aid Oe gisdyr wh il e a v ariou s


,

re a din g in D ie t ma r agre e s with th e a nn al ist S a x o a d a n n 9 75 in .

g iving H egged or z Egge d or E gid or N ow s e e in g th at els e wh e re ,


.
,

th e A S p oe ms use Fife lstre am F ife lw eeg ( B oe th 2 6 5 1


. El 2 3 7) ,
.
, . .

for th e o c e a n a n d F ife lcyn n e s e a rd ( B e ow 2 0 8) for th e l a n d of t h e


,
.

oc e a n sp rit e s w e ma ys upp os e F if el a nd its c orrupt ion Wi egel t o b e


-
,

an oth e r a n d a n obs ol e t e n a me of Oegir .

Th e s ame mayh ol d g ood of th e A S Geof on OS Geba n a b e ing .


,
.
,

wh os e godh e ad is s uffi cie n tly manife st from th e ON Gefi a n w h o is .


,

re ck on e d a mon g th e A sy n ior t h ou gh sh e b ore s on s t o a g ia n t , .

Th e S a x on Geba n h ow e v e r w as a god t h e H e l ian d s h ows only th e


'

c omp ou nd G eb e ne sstr6m 9 0 7 1 3 1 2 2 but th e A S p oe ts in , .


, , .
,

a d d it ion t o G e ofe n e s b e g a ng B eow 72 1 G e ofe n e s st a 6 Cee d m 2 1 5


,
.
, , .
,

8 a n d th e l e ss p e rs on a l ge ofon hfi s ( n a vis ) Cee d m 7 9 3 4 geofon fl6d


, ,
.
, , ,

Cod e x on 1 9 3 2 1 h a v e als o a Geof on st a nd ing ind e p e n d e n tly in


. .
, ,
240 OTH ER cons .

th e no m Caed m 2 0 6 6
.
, .
, ,
a nd g if e n ge ot e n d e ,
B e ow 3 3 78 An . .

O H G K ep a n is n ow h e re
. fou n d , e v e n in p rop e r n ame s th ough ,

S tahlin 1 5 9 8 g iv e s a Geben esw i la re k no w n ot wh e th e r t o t ak e I


'

, .

for t h e root th e v e rb gib a n t o g iv e in wh ich c a s e Gibilca ( p 1 3 7) , .

a n d W u ot a n s re l a t ion t o N e pt un e m

( pp 1 2 2 14 8 ) w o u l d c o e in .
,

h e re or t o l o ok a w a y t o t he G re e k Xi o mfe m [XLFa w hib ernus ’

.
'

,
-

a n d t h e n ot ion of s n ow a n d ice g ia n ts .

A n d th e N orth its e l f furn ish e s s ome n ame s wh ich are s n on


y y
mou s w it h Oe gir I n th e F un dinn N ore gr ( Sn 3 6 9 F orn ald s6 g
. . . . .

2 1 7 w e re a d : F orn iotr atti 3 syn i h ett e in n H le r er oer leollum


‘ '

, , ,

Oegi ( o ne high t H l e r w h om w e c a ll Oe gir) a n n arr L ogi bridj i K ari, , ,

: K ari) H le r ge n H lé s a pp e a rs from t his t o h a v e


( R a sk a fb
,
1 9 5 .
,
.
,
.
,

b e e n th e ol d e r n ame i n u se a mon g t h e gia n ts b ywh ich Oe gir is , ,

sp ok e n o f in S n 79 a n d a fte r which his d w e lling pl a c e w as n ame d


.
,
-

H lés ey ( See m 78 1 5 9
- b b
n ow Less o c in th e Ca tt e g at
. .

( F 0 1 N I OTR) 4 . .

Of th is H lé r I h av e n oth ing more t o t e ll ( se e Suppl ) but his ,

fa t h e r F orniotr h a s l e ft a n ot a bl e t ra c e of hims e lf b e hin d ; h e


.

b e l ongs e v e n l e ss th a n Oe gir t o th e c ircl e of A s e s b ein g on e of th e ,

o l d e r d e monic g ia n ts a nd p ro vin g th a t e v e n th e s e d e mig o d s or


,

p e rs on ifi e d p o w e rs of n a t u re mu st als o h av e b orne sw a y a mon g th e


T e ut o nic ra c e s ou ts id e of S c a nd in a v ia F orn iotr is t o b e e xpl ain e d
n ot a s for n io tr p rim
.
,

u s occu p a n s b u t ra th e r a s forn iot r th e a n c ie n t , ,

I otr ( Ra sk a fh a n d 1 a p a rt icu la i l a p t e xp re ss ion for t h os e


y

.
, ,

gian ts a n d cl os e ly conn e ct e d w ith i6 t un n its e l f A S e ot on a s will


, ,
.
,

b e s h o wn furth e r o n N ow in t h e A S Lib e r me dicin alis from . .


,

wh ich W anl e y pp 1 76— 8 0 giv e s in s uffi cie n t e xtra cts th e re is


,
.
,

a cc ord in g t o Ly e s diction a ry a pl a n t of h e a l in g v irt u e sp ok e n of


t c a pp a re n tly om t h e v a rio u s sp e ll in g) b h n a me of
( w i e fr , y t e

F orn eoles j oli n e F ornetes f olme (i e F orne oti man u s )


,
A s n on e o f . . .

th e ON w ritings a ll u d e t o th is h e rb its n a me mu st b e a re mn a n t
.
,

o f t h e S a x on p e opl e s ow n my th ol ogy I n C H G th e gian t ma y ’


. .

h a ve b e e n call e d Firn e z a nd t h e pl an t F 1rn e ze s folma We ,


.

re me mb e r h ow i n B e o w 1 6 6 2 G re n d e l h a s t orn o ff th e h a n d of a
, .
,

w a te r sp rit e a n d p i e se n t s it a s t a c e n o f h is v ict OI y j u st a s T rist an


-
, ,

ch ops off th e g ia n t U rga n s h a n d a n d t ak e s it w ith him t o c e rtify ’

th e d e e d 1 60 5 5 — 6 5 —8 5
,
Th e a mp ut a tion of t h e h ug e g ia nt h a n d .
-

s e e ms th e re fore p a rt of a n a n c ie n t myth and t o h a v e b e e n fi tly ,


24 2 OTH R e ons E .

p roc e e d b re ath a nd sp irit ( ond ) a s from Lodr (bl a ze gl ow) c o me , ,

bl ood a n d c ol our (15 ok litr) th e c on n e x ion of H oe nir wh o imp arts


.
, ,

s en s e w ith w a te r is n ot so cl e ar : th is H oe n ir is one of th e
most un ma n ag e ab l e ph e n ome n a of th e N ors e myth ol ogy a n d w ith ,

u s in G e rma n y h e h a s v a n ish e d w ith out l e a vin g a t ra c e B ut t h e .

fi re god t oo w h o a cc ord in g t o th a t gra d a tion of s ou n d s ough t


-
,

e ith e r t o b e in G o th La u h a a n d OH G L oh o or in G oth Luk a an d


. .
, .

OH G L o c b o s e e ms with th e l o ss of his n a me t o h a v e c ome up


.
,

a g a in p ure ly in t h e ch ara ct e r of t h e l a t e r d e vil H e l a st e d l on g e r .

in S c an d in a v ia a n d myths e v e rywh e re sh ow h ow n e arly L ok i th e


,

as a pp roa ch e s L ogi th e gia n t Th orla cius ( sp e c 7 4 3 ) h a s p rov e d


. .
,

th at in th e phra s e L oki fe r yfi r a kra (p a ss e s ov e r th e fi e l d s ) a n d ,

in th e D anish Locke d rick e r v a n d ( drinks w a t e r) fi re a n d th e



,

b urnin g sun a re me an t j u st as w e say th e sun is drawing w a t er


, ,

wh e n h e sh in e s th rough in b right stre aks b e tw e e n tw o cl oud s .

L oka d a a n (Lokn o d or) is Ic e l a n d ic for th e ig n is fa t uu s e xh al in g


b rimst one ( ibid 4 4 ) Loka brenna (Lokii in c e nd ium) for Sirius
.

Loka sp ce nir a re c hips for fi ring I n t h e n orth of J utl an d a we e d


.
,

v e ry n ox ious to c a ttl e (p olytrich um c o mm ) is c all e d Lokkens ha vre .


,

a n d th e re is a p rov e rb N u sa a er L okk e n sin h av re n ow L ock e


s ows his oats i e th e d e vil h is t a re s th e D a n ish l e x ic on t ran sl a t e s


,
. .
,

Lokeska o re a v e n a fat ua oth e rs mak e it th e rh in an th u s crist a g all i


, .

W h e n th e fi re cra ckl e s th e y say L okj e s ma cks h is ch il dre n F a y e


, ,

M olb e ch s D ial le x p 3 3 0 s ays th e J utl a nd p h ra s e Lokke



p 6
. . . . .
,

saa e r h a v re id ag ( to or wh a t is e qu iv a l e n t L okke d rive r id ag


me d s in e ge d e r (driv e s out h is is sp ok e n o f v a p ours th a t
h an g ab ou t th e groun d in th e h e a t of th e sun Wh e n bird s d rop .

th e ir fe at h e rs in moulting time p e opl e sayth e y ga ae i Lokkis arri ,

L b L

( p a ss u n d e r s h a rrow at 6 re p aa o ck e n s e ve n ty r

a d v e n t ure s ) m e a n s to l ist e n t o l ie s or id l e t al e s
( m
’ ’

( P S y v s g a l e .

d a n sk e ord sp rog 2 72 A cc ord ing t o Sj 6b org s N ome nkla tur th e re


, ,

is in V e st e rgotla n d a g ian t s g ra ve n ame d Lokeka ll A ll of th e m



.

c on c e ption s w e ll de s e rving n otic e which ling e r t o th is d aya mong ,

t h e c ommon p e opl e a n d in wh ic h L ok i is b yturn s t ak e n for a b e n e


,

fi ce nt a n d for a h urtful b e in g for sun fi re g ia n t or d e vil , E x a ctly , , .

t h e s ame s ort of h arm is in G e rmany a sc rib e d t o th e d e vil a n d t h e ,

k ind ly god of l ight is th ought of a s a d e v ast ating fl ame (see

On th iside ntity b e tw ee n L ogi an d L oki re sts an o th e r v e stige


L OK I, G RE N D E L , SATU RN . 24 3

of th e Nors e d aemon wh ich is found a mong th e oth e r Te ut onic ,

ra c e s . I f Log i c o me s from liuh an ( l uc e re ) Loki w ill a pp a re ntly ,

fa ll t o th e root l uk a n ( e l e nde re c on f claud us l a me ) ; th e ON lok ,


. .

me a n s fi nis con summatio and l ok a re p agulum b e c au s e a b olt or


, , ,

b ar cl os e s I n B eow ul f w e c ome u p on an o di ous d e v il ish sp irit a


.
,

th y rs ( B e ow 8 4 6 ) n a me d Gren d el a n d h is moth e r G re nd e le s m6d or


.
, ,

rita bl e d e v il s moth e r a n d g ia n t s moth e r



A

( 4 2 3 2 a v e n AS . .

d oc ume n t of 9 3 1 in K e mbl e 2 1 72 me nt ion s a pl a c e c a ll e d ,

Gren dles mere ( Gre n de li p al us ) N ow t h e A S grind el OH G . .


, .

kri ntil M H G grin iel is p re c is e ly re p agulum p e ss ul us so th e n a me


,
.
,

Grend el s e e ms re l at e d to ga in d e l ( ob e x ) in t h e s a me w a ya s L ok i to
l ok a ; th e ON grin d i s a g rat ing wh ich shu ts on e in l ik e b olt a n d
.
,

b ar G e i va se of Tilb ury (in Le ibn 1 9 80 ) t e lls of an E ngl ish fi re


. .
,

d e mon n ame d Gra n t It is v e ry remark abl e th a t w e G e rma n s h a v e


.
,

st ill I n use a th ird syn ony mou s e xp re ss ion for a diab ol ic b e ing its
me a ning h e ight e n e d n o d o ubt by c omp os ition with h e ll ; hollriegel ‘ ’

v e ctis infe rn alis h e ll b ar a h e ll b ran d d e v il or th e d e vil s ow n ; a


,
-
,
-
,

sh re wish old h ag is styl e d h 6 llrie gel or th e d e v il s grandmoth e r ;


a nd H ug o v o n L a g e n st e n ( M art
b
n i in a 4 ) al re a d y u s e d t h is kellerigel

a s a t e rm of a b us e N ow h e ll w a simag in e d a s b e ing tightly b olt e d


.

a n d b a rre d w h e n Christ s ays F undgr 1 1 78 we n t d ow n t o H a d e s , .


, ,

in t h e st re ngth of a l ion h e ma d e die grin t e l b re ch e n



L a stly,
.
,

w e maye v e n c onn e ct th e C H G d remi l ( p e ss u l us G ra ff 5 5 3 1) w ith .


, ,

th e ON tra mi or tremill wh ich me a n b oth c a c o d a e mon a n d a ls o it


.
, ,

s e e ms clathri c a nc e ll i : tramar gne yp a bik skulo ! See m 8 5


, ,
‘ ’
.
a

a n d in th e S w e d ish s on g of Tork a r trolllra m is a n e p it h e t o f th e ,

d e v il w h o st ol e th e h a mme r A s th is is th e Thry mr o f th e E dda .


,

on e migh t g u e ss th a t t ra mi st a n d s fo r b ra mi w ith wh ich ou r d re mil ,

w oul d more e x a ctly a cc ord T hu s from s e v e ral s id e s w e see t he .

myth ic a l n otion s th a t p re v a il e d o n th is s ubj e ct j oin in g h a n d s and ,

th e me rg in g of L og i in t o L ok i mu st b e of h ig h a n t iqu ity F oe rsom .

( on J u tl sup erstit p 3 2) a ll e ge s th at th e d e vil is c onc e iv e d of in


. . .
,

th e form of a lasse t ra i e th e p ol e w ith wh ic h a l oa d is t ie d d ow n


, . .
, .

B e s id e L ok i th e as S n orri s e ts a no th e r b e fore us in th e E d d a
, ,

Utga rd aloki a s a k in g w h os e arts a n d p ow e r d e c e iv e e v e n g odl ik e


,

T h orr ; it w a s on e of his h ous e h ol d th a t outdid t h e oth e r


L ok i h ims e l f Sn 5 4 se q S a x o w ho in th e w h ol e o f his w ork
1
, . .
,

Th orla cius s th e ory, of an l d er n at ure s ppl an t e d b yth e As e s



1 w orsh i u

E
o ,

re sts ma i n l yo n t h e an t i t h e s is o f an Ok u p6 rr o f L og i t o L ok i a n d
t o A sa Orr, ,

probablyof H le r to Oegir, ea ch p ai r re sp e ct ive l y standing for th un de r fi re , ,


24 4 OTH R E G OD S .

ne v er me s th e Edd ie Lok i t e lls w on de rful th ings of th is


on e c na ,

U garth ilocus pp 1 6 3 6 h e p ain ts h im a s a gigan tic s e mi div ine



- . -
, .

mon ster wh o d we lls in a d ist an t l an d is inv ok e d in a st orm l ik e


, ,

oth er g od s a n d gra n ts h is a id
,
A v alian t h e ro n ame d Th orkill .
, ,

b rooks th e a d ve nturou s j ourne y t o Ugarthilocus : all th is is but


l e g e n dary v aria tion Of th e v is it wh ich in Sn orri Th 6rr p ays t o , ,

U tgar6 aloki ticing th a t Th orkill plucks out on e


. S t ill it is w orth no ,

of U garthilocu ss h uge sp e a r l ik e h airs an d t ak e s it h o me w ith him



-
,

a rda r w e re t h e u tt e rmost b ord e rs Of t h e


( S a x o 1 6 5 T h e n tg
h ab it abl e w o rl d wh ere an tiquity fix e d th e ab od e Of gian ts a n d
,

mon ste rs i e h ell ; an d h e re als o may h av e b ee n p re s e nt th a t


, . .
,

n otion of t h e b ar cl os in g up a s it w e re th e e n t ra nc e t o t h a t ,

ina cc e ss ibl e re gion o f gh o sts a n d d e mon s .

Wh e th er in v ery e arly time s th e re w a s als o a Sa x on Loko an d


a n A l a ma nn ic L okko or only a Gren d il a n d K ren ti l ; wh a t i s of ,

c ap ital imp ort an c e is th e agre e me nt in th e myths th e ms e l v e s To .

wh a t w a s c ite d ab ov e I w ill h ere a dd s ome th ing more Our ,


.

n urs e ry t al e s h a v e ma d e u s fa mil iar w ith th e in cid e n t of th e h a ir


-

pl u ck e d Off th e d e vil a s h e lay a sl ee p I n h is gran d moth e r s lap ’

( K ind e rm The c orre s p on ding N orwe gian t al e ma k e s th re e


.

fe ath e rs b e p ull e d out of th e d rag on s t ail n ot whi l e h e sl e e ps but


, ,

a ft e r h e is d e a d .

L ok i in p unishme nt o f his mis de e d s is p ut in ch ain s l ik e


, , ,

P rome th eu s wh o b rought fi re t o me n ; bu t h e is t o b e re l e a s e d
a g a in a t th e e n d Of t h e w orl d On e of his ch il d re n .
,

h ims el f in a s e c on d b irth purs ue s th e moon in th e shap e of a wolf , ,

a nd th re a t e n s t o sw a ll o w h e r A cc ording t o S n 1 2 1 3 a n Old . . .
,

giant e ss in th e fore st ga v e b irth to th e s e gian ts i n w ol fsk in girdl e s ,

t h e mightie st of t h e m b e ing Jlf dn aga rmr ( l un a e c an is ) w h o is t o


d e v our th e moon but in a n oth e r pl a c e wh il e S kOll ch a s e s t h e su n
'

, ,

H a ti H rdd uitn is sonr (S eem 4 5 ) d ogs t h e moon


, Prob ably th ere .


a
.

w e re full e r l ege n d s ab ou t th em all wh ich w e re n e v er w ritte n ,

d own ; a n Old S c otch st ory is st ill re me mb e re d a b out t h e t ayl of ‘

wa ert To th e e d e r e rie
. l s s mu st be ad d e d Sif earth an d th e mi6 gar6 sormr ,

( w o r dl s k
-
na e ) B ut w h a . t n at ure god can O6 in n h av e t a ke n t h e pl a ce Of 7
-

N on e ? A n d w as his b e n i g n ot on e of t h e prime v a l on e s 7 &c [Quot e d from .

S uppl .
, vol
ii i ] . .

1
G oth Fa n are is ? OH G F a n ari, F e n iri ! can it b e our fah n e n trage r
.
'
.
,

p a nn ife r ? B ut th e e arl y N o rs e d oe s n ot s e e m t o h a v e th e w ord a n s we ri n g t o


t h e G o th fa n a , C H G fa n o (fla g )
.
[H as th e fox h ol d i n g u p h is t a i l as a
. .

q
s an c trd , in t h e u n ri gh t e ous w ar of b e a sts a g ai n st b i rd s a n th i n g t o d o wi th
tf
, y
l is .
246 OTHER G OD S .

Th e formul a L ok i ve rbr la uss u n z riufaz re gin t ill th e g od s


,
u nz ,

b e d e stroy e d) an sw e rs e x a ctly t o t h e Gre e k 7Tp


, 6 1: ék s -
ea p ay

xa k da dyH p O/
'

is ( A e sch P rom 1 76 770


i nfi e z th e w rith ings of
. . . .

t h e fe tte re d L ok i mak e th e e arth t o qu ak e ( See m 6 9 S n j ust . . .

e c a s e of P rome th e u s ( A e sch
'
as
X d a w O GO ClAEU T a L in
' '

t h .

Only t h e G re e k T it an e xc ite s our n obl e st sy mp a th y wh il e th e ,

E dd a p re s e n ts L ok i a s a h at e ful monster .

L ok i w a s fa ir in form e v il in disp os ition ; his fa th e r a g iant


, , ,

w a s n a me d F a rba n ti ( boatman l) his moth e r L a uf ey (le a f e a) an d ,


-

N eil (n ee d l e ; th in a n d in s inu at ing mi6 Ok au6 pre iflig all of , ,

t h e m w ord s e a sy t o t ra n sl a t e int o OH G a s F a rp 6z o ( re me x) .
,

Loup ouw a Nad al a th ough s u ch n a me s a re n o wh e re found


, ,
H e is .

n e v e r c all e d F a rb a ut a son r b u t a lw ays a ft e r h is mo th e r L ok i


, ,

Laufe y j ar s ou r ( S ee m 6 7 7 2 b
7 wh .ich h a d i
a
t s o rigin in
a ll it e ra tion b ut h e l d it s groun d e v e n in p ros e
, ( S n 6 4 ) a n d in th e .

Lock e L6j e L ok e Lovman d L ok e Lej e man d of th e l a t e r folk s ongs


, ,
-
.

T his La ufe y ( S we d L6 f6) is fi rst of all th e n ame of a pl a c e which


.
,

w as p ers on ifi e d a n d h e re a g ain th e re is d oubtl e ss re fe re n c e t o an


,

e l e me n t B yhis wife S igyn L ok i h a d a son N a ri or N a rv i a n d by


.
,

a gia n t e ss A ngrbo da th re e chil d re n t h e a fore s a id F en rir th e s e rp e nt , ,

I Orrna nga nd r a n d a d a ught e r H el It is w orth y of n otice th a t h e


'

.
.
,

h ims e l f is a ls o c all e d L ap tr ( a eriu s) a n d on e of h is b roth e rs H el ,

blind i wh ich is l ik e wis e a n ame of O6 1nn


,
I j u st th row out th e s e .

n a me s mostly fore ig n t o our G e rma n myth ol ogy in th e h op e of


, ,

e nl ist ing for th e m fut ure in q uiry .

On c e ga in w e must t urn our a tte n tion to a n ame al re ady


a

b rough t forw ard a mong th e god s of th e w e e k (p p 1 2 5 for w hich .

a ra re c on curre n c e Of is ol a t e d fa cts S e e ms al mo st t o s e c ure a pl a c e

in our n at iv e a n tiqu itie s Th e H igh G e rma n w e e k l e a v e s t w o d a ys


.
,

o n e in t h e mid d l e a n d on e a t t h e e n d n ot n a me d a fte r g od s B ut ,
.

samb a z tag for S a t urd ay a s w e ll a s mitt w och for W u ot a n st ag w a s a


, ,

sh e e r in n ov a tion wh ich th e church h a d a ch ie v e d or gl adly a cc e pt e d


,

for th os e t w o d ays a t all e v e n ts Th e fi rst six d ays w e re c all e d a ft e r


.

th e sun th e moon Z io W uota n D ona r a n d Fria wh at god w a s


, , , ,

e n t itl e d t o h a v e t h e n aming of th e s e ve n th d ay? F our G e rma n


d eitie s w e re a v ail abl e for M ars M e rc ury J u p ite r V e nu s b ut h ow , , , ,

w a s S a tu rn t o b e p ut in t o G e rma n 7 Th e M id A ge s w e n t o n .

e xpl a in ing th e s e v e n th d a yby th e R oman god our K ais e rch ron ik ,


L OKI, G RE ND EL ,
SATURN . 24 7

wh ich v e n for th e th ird fourth fi fth a nd Sixth d ays


e , , na me s n o
G e rman g ods b ut only M ars Me rc ury J up it e r V e nus
, , , , , e xp re ss e s

its e l f th u s cl ums ily

A n d e m same zt age se T he n on th e Sa turd ay


e in e z h e iz e t ro un d a,
t I S a th ing n a me d rotund a
d az w as e in h ere z b e tehfi s, Th a t w as a l ofty t empl e ,

d e r got h ie z S a t urnd s, Th e go d w a s n a me d Sa tu rnu s ,

d arnach w as iz ll e r tiuvel ere ’


a . Th e re afte r w a s it t o all d e vils
h on oun

H e re th e w orsh ip S a turn is
c onn e cte d w ith th e p anth e on b uilt
Of

in h on our O f all th e g od s or d e v ils wh ich B onifa c e c on v e rte d in t o ,

a ch urch of St M a ry Th e A n gl o—
. S a x on s E ngl ish F ris ian s D utch
.
, , ,

die s S at urni th e g od s v e ry
’ ’
a n d Low S a x on s h a v e l e ft t o t h e

n ame : S ce teresd ay or S aztern esd eeg S a tu rd ay S a terd e i S a terd a ch , , , ,

Sa tersdag a n d e v e n th e I rish h av e a d opt e d d ia Sa tuirn or S atarn


,

wh e re a s th e Fre n ch s ame di Sp an s a b a d o It al s ab at o a gre e s with , .


,
.
,

o ur H igh G e rm s a mst a g H e re is id e n tity n ot on ly Of id e a as in


. .
, ,

th e e a s e Of th e o th e r g od s b ut Of n ame a n d th e abs e n c e o f con son


, ,

a n t ch ang e s e e ms t o b e t ra y d ow n right b orrow ing :


- or may t h e

re s e mbl an c e h av e b e e n a cc id e nt al a n d a g e n uin e Ge rma n n a me ,

h av e b ee n modifi e d in imit a tion of th e fore ig n on e ? I n OH G


n e ith e r a S dt a rn e s n or a s azarn e sta e can b e fou n d ; b ut in A S .

swtere mean s in s id ia t or OH G s az ari c o n f sfi z a M H G s az e insidia e


( .
, .
,
.
,

a s itt ing in w a it a s l ag a l ag e is ly in g in w a it)


,
a n d wh a t is st ill
,

more re ma rk abl e a d ocume n t Of E d ward th e Con fe ss or ( ch art


,
.

a n t iq rot M n o 1
. . K e mbl e 4 1 5 7) s uppli e s u s w ith t he n ame o f
. . .
,

a pl a c e S ce teresbyrig q u it e o n a p a r w ith W 6d ne sby


,
rig ; furth e r th e ,

pl ant gallieru s our h ah n e n fuss E ngl c row foo t w a s in A S sdtorld de


, ,
.
, .

S a t urn i t ae d ium a s it w e re ( l oath ing ON le i6 i OH G l e idi) 1 I ,


.
, . .

c all to mind th at e v e n th e a nc ie nt F ranks sp ok e of S a t urnus ( p 8 8)


, .

a s a h ea th e n
god an d o f Sa turn i d ol ium th ough th at may h a v e
, ,

re fe rre d t o t h e me re pl a n e t ary
god ( see
Th e l a st n ame for th e s abb a th b rings u s t o th e ON l ang a r

.

1 I n th e A S are p re s e rv e d va rious d i al og ue s b e t we e n S a turn an d S ol omon ,


.

S imi l a r t o t h o s e b e t w e e n S o l omon a n d M a rcul f in co n t i n e n ta l G e rma n


y, b ut
more a n t i q ue a n d a p art from th e i r ch ri st i a n s e tt i n g or d re ss i n g u p , n o t u n l i k e
,

t h e u e st io n s a n d d i s cours e s ca rri e d on in t h e Ed d a b e t w ee n O6 i u ma nd Va fbri i ii


n ir, e t w e e n V in g]) 6rr a n d A l vi ss b e t w ee n H er a n d Gan le ri H e re a ls o t h e


, g .

n a me S at urn s e e ms t o ma ke fo r m p oin t , a n d t o d e s i g n a t e a
y go d of T e ut on i c
p agani sm .
248 OTHER G OD S .

d agr, Swe d logerd ag, D an lo ve rd ag, by wh ich in l a t e r t ime s n o


. .

d oubt wa sh in g or b a th ing d ay w as me a n t, a s t h e e quiv al e n t


vottd agr i ; b uta d a r ma ori
b sh o ws
g n a lly Loga d a
gr L o k g y h av e ,

b e e n in use a n d L ogi Lok i migh t an sw er t o th e L at in Sa turnus 2 a s


1
, , ,

th e id e a of d e vil wh ich layin L ok i w as p op ul arly t ra n s fe rre d t o th e


J e wish S a ta n an d [wh a t s e e me d t o b e th e s a me th ing] th e h e ath e n
Sa t urn a nd Loeki in ON is l ik e wis e s e d u c e r t e mpt e r t rapp e r
, .
, , .

We might e ve n t a k e into c on s id e ra tion a byn ame of Q 6in n in -

See m 4 6 Sa d r or p e rh aps Sa6 r th ough I p re fe r t o t ak e th e fi rst


.
94
, ,

form a s e quiv al e n t t o S a nnr (t rue ) an d S a nnge t all .

B ut th a t AS S eeteresby rri
g from th e midd l e of t h e l 1 th c e ntury
.

irre s istibly re c alls th e b urg on th e H arz mts b uilt (a cc ordi ng t o ,

o ur h ith e rt o d e sp is e d a cc oun ts of t h e 1 5 th

c e nt ury in B oth e s
Sa ch se n eh ronik) t o th e id ol S a turn wh ich Saturn it is a dd e d th e , , ,

c ommon p e opl e c all e d K rad o t o this w e may a d d th e n ame


t ouch e d up on in p 2 0 6 ( Hre6 e H ré 6 e m6n a6 ) for wh ich a n .
, ,

Ol d e r H ru od o Chrdd o wa s c onj e ct ure d


,
3
W e are t ol d of a n image .

Of th is S a t urn or Krod o wh ich re p re s e n t e d th e id ol a s a man ,

sta nd ing on a gre a t fi sh h ol di ng a p ot Of fl ow ers in h is right h an d , ,

a n d a wh e e l e re ct in h is l e ft ; t h e R oma n S at urn w as furnish e d

with th e s ickl e n ot a wh e e l (se e ,

H e re s ome Sl av c on c e ption s app e ar t o ov erl ap Wid uk ind .

( P e rt z 5 4 6 3 ) m e
,
n tion s a b raz e n simula cru m Sa tu rn i a mon g th e

S l av s Of th e t e n th c e ntury with out at all d e scrib in g it ; b ut Old ,

B oh emia n gl o ss e s in H ank a 1 4 a n d l 7 c arry us fa rth er I n th e a a


. .

fi rst M e rcurius is c all e d R ad ih ost vnuk Kirtov (Ra digast gran d


,

so n Of Kirt) in th e s e c on d P iou s S a turni fi li us is gl o ss e d z trace c


, ,

1C onf F in n Magnusen le x pp 10 4 1 2 d a ge n s t i de r p 7
.
, . .
-
,
. .

2
I s uppo se th e a uth or h ad in h is min d H ome r s con stan t e pith e t Kp dv s ’
,
o

dy vh m jm w i l k d s ll d K s — TR A N S
x o s y croo e co un e e ,
ron o -
. .

3 T O H rdd o mi gh t n ow b
e re fe rre d t h os e na me s Roy sel ( l a t e r sp e l lin g
Reus e l ) an d Royda ch in G ra ma ye w h o u n d e rst an d s th e m of M ars a n cie n t
,

d ocume n ts must fi rst pl a ce i t b e yon d d oub t wh i ch d ayo f th e W e e k is me an t , .

Th e re is a n a ctu al H ru od ta c a man s n a me in OH G ( Gra ff 5



,
a nd a n OS .
, .

H roddag i s foun d in Trad corb 4 2 4 e d Wi ga n d th e s e mayb e re l a t e d t o



. .
,
.

H ruo d o H r6d o a s B e l d a g t o B al d e r an d th e con tra ct i on B oyd a g Rod ag w oul d


, , ,

b e l i ke Roswith for H r6d suith I f B oyd a g sh ou l d t urn o ut t o b e th e s e v e n th


.

d ayof th e w e e k it w oul d b e a stro n g t e st i mon yt o th e w orsh ip of Ch rod o if


,

it re mai n th e th ird w e h av e t o a dd th a t t h e th ird mon t h a ls o was s a cre d t o


, ,

M ars an d w as ca ll e d H ré6 emona6 byth e A n gl o S ax on s


,
-
.

4
Th e K aise rch r 3 75 0 s ays t o S at urn w e Offe r qui cks il v e r W h e re a s n ow
.
,
S a turn s s ymb o l s ign ifi e s lea d I n M e ge n b e rg S a turn is ca ll e d Sa tj d r Th e

. , .

S a x on S a t urn is s u pp ort e d b y H en g e st s re fe re n ce t o th a t god ( E xtra ct e d


’ ’
.

from S uppl vol iii ) ,


. .
CH APTER X III .

G ODD E SSE S .

In treating of god s th e c ours e of our in quiry c oul d aim at ,

in h
s e p arat g t e s e v l p s e ra e r on a i i
l t es ; t h e g odd e ss e s it s ee ms
1

a d v is abl e t o t a k e by th e ms e l v e s a n d all a t on e v ie w b e c a u s e th e re ,

is a c o mmon id e a un d e rlying th e m wh ich w ill c ome out more ,

cl e arly by th a t me th od Th e y are th ought Of ch ie fly a s d ivine


.

moth ers who tra vel rou n d a n d visit houses from wh om th e h uman ,

ra c e l e arn s t h e o ccu p a tion s an d a rts of h ou s e k e e p in g a n d h u sb an d ry :

sp inn i ng wea ving ten d i ng th e h ea rth sowin Th e s e


, , g a n d reap ing , .

l ab ours bring with th e m p e a c e a nd quie t in th e l and a nd th e ,

me mory of th e m ab id e s in ch armin g t ra dition s e v e n more l a st in gly


th a n th a t Of w ars a nd b a ttl e s from w h ich mo st g odd e ss e s a s w e ll ,

a s w o me n h ol d th e ms e l ve s a l oof .

B ut a s s ome g odd e ss e s als o t a k e k in dly t o w a r so d o g od s on th e ,

o th e r h a n d fa v our p e a c e a n d a g ric ult u re a n d th e re a ris e s a n in t e r

ch an ge of n a me s or Offic e s b e twe e n the s e x e s .

E RD A NI RDU GAU E FI RGUN I A H LUODANA


1 .
, , , , .

I n al mos t all l ang uag e s th e E a rth is re g ard e d a s fe mal e and ,

(in c on tra st t o th e fath e r sky e n cirli ng h e r) as th e b ree ding t e e m ,

ing fruit b e arin g moth e r: Goth a i rfi a OH G era d a erd a A S corde


' ‘

-
. . .
, , , ,

ON idr6 G r ep a ( in fe rre d from ép a §e) Lat terra tellus hu mus


" ’ ’

. .
, .
, ,

S l a v z e me zie mia z e mli a L ith z ie me Gr X


.
, ,
-
a p nj wh e nc e
, .
,
.

a lc
ya la yrj t h e moth e r s ubj oin e d in A nurjrnp Z e ma
'

a f r
, , ,

mat e in d ic at e s th e g odde ss Th e form a irba erd a ( als o h erd a) is


,
.
,

its e l f a d e riv a t iv e ; t h e s impl e r OH G era (in t h e W e ssob r p ra ye r . .

e ro n Oh fi fh imil e a rt h n or h e av e n a n d h ero
, ) (in a gl oss for s ol um , ,

1
OH G in N otke r h as on l y t h e stron g form gutin ge n gu tinn o M H G
. .
, .

gotinne Tri st 4 8 0 7 15 8 1 2
, . B a rl 2 4 6 7 s e l d ome r gutin n o M S 2
. . . AS -
.
,
.
, .

gy den pl gyd e n a b ut a ls o w e a k gy
.
,
den e pl gyd e n an M o n e s gl 4 1 8 5 Prose rp i .
, .

I am
i t o gid e n a n ( l t Ogyd e n a n a dd i t i on a l g odd e ss)
. ON gydj a ( which mi g h t .
,

b e ( le a or s ace rd o s b e tt e r d synga ( see


'
D
ER A, NI RDU, G AU E ,
FI RG UN I A, H LUODAN A . 25 1

might b e ma sc ( l ik e h e rd s ol um Gra fi 4 1 02 6 ) or

Gra ff 4 9 9 9) ,
.
, ,

fe m still 1 Th e G oth muld a O H G onolta A S mold e ON mold


. . .
,
.
, .
, .
,

c on t ain onl y th e mat e rial s e ns e of s oil d ust e qually i mp e rs on al is ,

th e OS j old a A S f old e ON f old c o n f fe l d fi e l d Finn p eld o


.
,
.
,
.
, .
, ,
.

( c a m p u s ) H u n g f6 ld ( t e rra
,) B ut t h e ON l o rd a pp e a rs in t h e
. . .

fl e sh at on ce w ife a n d d aught e r of O6 in n a nd moth e r of Th6rr


, ,

S 1 9 h i ft n c a ll e d I ar6 ar b urr D i st in ct from


( n 1 . 3 w . o s O e . .

h e r w as R i nd r anoth e r w ife Of Q 6inn a n d moth e r of Va li ( See m


, ,
.

9 1 95
2
c alle d Rind a in Sa x o an d more c oars e ly p a int e d h er
2
,

n a me is th e OH G ri n ta A S rin d = cort e x h e n c e c ru st a s oli v e l .


,
.
,

t e rra e a nd to crusta th e A S hruse (t e rra) is cl os ely re l at e d A s


, . .

th is l ite ra l s e n s e is n ot fou n d in th e N orth n eith e r is th e myth ical ,

me an ing in G e rman y (se e


B ut n e ith e r in I 6 r6 n or in Rin d r h as th e E dd a b rought out in
cl e ar rel ie f h er sp e ciall ymat e rn a l ch ara ct e r n owh e re is th is more
p ure ly a nd S imply e xp re ss e d th a n in th e v e ry Ol d e st a cc oun t w e
p oss e ss of th e godd e ss It is n ot t o a ll th e G erma ni t h a t T a c itu s .

imp ut e s t h e w orsh ip of N erthus only t o th e La ngob ardi Re ud ign i , ,

A v ion e s A ngl i V arin i E n d os e s S u ard on e s a n d V uith on e s ( Ge rm


, , , , .

N e e quicquam n ota b il e in singulis n is i quod in c ommu n e ,

N e rthum id e st Terra i n ma tre m colun t e a mque in t e rve nire re b u s


2
, ,

h ominum in ve hi p op ulis a rbitran tur Est i n in s ul a o c e a n i ca stum


, ,
.

n e mu s d ica tu mq ,
u e in e o v e h icul um v e ste con t e ctum a tt in g e re u n i , ,

s a c e rd oti con ce ssum Is a d e ss e p e n e t ral i d ea m int e lligit v e ctamque .


,

bubusf e min is mult a cu m v e n e ration e p ros e quitur L a e t i t un e d ie s .


,

fe st a l oc a qua e cun que a d ve n tu h osp itio qu e d ign a tu r N on b e ll a


,
.

ine unt n on a rma sn munt


,
cl aus um omn e fe rrum : p ax e t quie s
t un e t a n t um n ot a tune t a ntu m a ma t a : d on e c id e m s a c e rd o s s at ia
,

t am conve rsation e mortalium d ea m t e mpl o re d d at M ox vehicu lu m .

e t v e st e s e t S i c re d e re v elis n u men ips u m secreto la cu a bluitur


, , ,
.

S e rvi minist ran t quos sta t im id e m la cus h aurit 3


,
A rca nus h in e .

1 T h e t w o forms e ro a n d h e ro re min d on e of th e na me E or, C h eru ,


a t tri
b ut e d t o M ars ( s up ra , pp 20 3 .

Th e M SS coll a t e d h a v e t h is read in g , on e h as n ehertum ( M a ss ma nn in


.

A u fs e ss an d M o ne s a n z e ig e r, 1 83 4 , p I Sh oul d p re fe r N e rt us t o N e rth us , .

b e ca us e n o o t h e r G e rman w ord s in Ta ci t us h a v e T H , e x ce pt G o t h i n i a n d
V uith o n e s A s fo r t h e conj e ct ural H e rth us, t h ough t h e a sp i ra t e in h e rd a
.

mi gh t s e e m t o pl e ad for it, t h e t e rmin a t i on -u s is a ga i n st i t t h e G oth i c h a vi n g ,

a ir a , n o t a i r u s s i s v t i l p
b3 b B d A d y( F k f 1 5 8 0 1 9 ) sp e lls N erth
2
e e e n n a re a . ra n , , . . .

Th e l a k e s w all o w s t h e sl a v e s wh o h a d a ss i st e d a t t h e s e cre t b a th ing .

M ore t h a n on ce t hi s in ci d e n t t urn s up , o f p utti n g to d ea t h th e s e rv an ts e m


pl oye d in a ny s e cre t w ork as t h os e w h o d ug t h e riv e r o ut of its b e d for
252 G ODD E SSES .

t error sancta que ig noran tia quid sit illud quod tantum p eri turi , ,

v id e n t (see
Th is b e autiful d e scription agree s with wh at w e fi nd in oth er
n ot ic e s o f t h e w orsh ip o f a g odh e a d t o wh om p e a c e a n d fruitful n e ss

w e re a ttrib u t e d I n Swe d e n it wa s F reyr son of N ibrd r wh os e


.
, ,

c urt ain e d car w e n t I oun d th e c oun try in sp rin g with th e p e opl e ,

all p raying a n d h ol d ing fe a sts ( p but F re yr is alt og e th er .

l ik e h is fa th e r a n d h e ag ain l ik e his n ame s ak e th e godd e ss N erthus


, .

Th e S p rin g t ru c e s h a rv e st t ruc e s pl ough tru c e s fix e d for c e rta in


-
,
-
,
-
,

s eas on s an d impl e me nts of h us b a nd ry h a v e struck d e e p roots in ,

our Ge rma n la w a n d l a nd u s a ge s Wuota n a n d D on ar als o mak e


-
.

th e ir a pp e aranc e in th e ir w ains and are inv ok e d for in cre a s e t o th e ,

crops a n d k indly rain ; on p 1 0 7 an e nt th e car of a Gothic god .


,

wh os e n a me Sozome n w ithh ol d s I h av e h in t e d at N e rthu s , .

Th e in t e rch an g e of mal e a n d fe ma l e d e itie s is l uck ily for us ,

h e re se t in a cl e ar l igh t by th e p ray e rs a n d rhyme s to Wuotan as god


, ,

of h arv e st wh ich w e h a v e qu ot e d a b o ve ( p 1 5 5 se q) b e in g in o th e r
,
.
,

Low Ge rma n d istricts h and e d ov e r straight t o a g odd e ss Wh en .

t h e c ott ag e rs w e a re t ol d are mow in g rye th e y le t s ome of th e


, , ,

stalks stan d tie fl ow e rs a mong the m an d wh en th e y h av e finish e d


, ,

w ork a ss e mbl e round th e clump l e ft stan din g t ak e h ol d of th e e ars


, ,

o f ry e a n d s h ou t thre e t ime s o v e r
,

F ru Ga u e h alt e t j u fa n e r
,
L ad y Gaue k ee p you s ome fodd er , , ,

d ii t j a r up d e n w a g e n This year on th e w aggon


, ,

2
d at an d e r j ar up d e r k are ! N e xt ye ar on th e wh e e lb arrow .

Wh e re a s W ode b e tt e r fodd e r p romis ed h im for th e n e xt y e ar


h ad ,

D a me G a ue s e e ms t o re c e iv e n otic e of a fallin g Off in t h e qu ant ity


o f t h e gift p re s e n t e d I n b oth c a s e s I se e th e Sh y n e ss of t h e
.

christian s a t re t aining a h e a th e n s a crific e : a s far a s w ord s go th e ,

Old g o d s a re t o th in k n o gre a t t hi ngs of th e ms e l v e s in future .

I n t h e district a b out H ame l n it w a s th e c u stom wh e n a re a p e r , ,

in b inding S h e a v e s p a ss e d on e ov e r or l e ft a n ything st a n ding in th e ,

A l aric s fun e ral ( J orn an d th os e wh o h a v e hidd e n t re as ure



. cap . or a ,
Lan d n .

5 , 1 2 (see S uppl ) .

S p e a k i n g of N e rt h u s w e ough t to n otice P tole mys N erterea ns, t h ough h e



1
,

pl ace s th e m I n a v e ryd i ffe ren t l ocality from th a t occupie d by th e ra ce s wh o


I e ve re N e rth us I n Ta ci t u s .

2
B ra u nsch w . an z . 1 75 1 , p
H a nn ov ge l an z 1 75 1 , p 6 6 2 [is n ot
. 90 0 . . . . .

h alt e t a mi sta ke for h al a n d s ome th i n g e ls e 2] I n t h e A lt e n b urg co un try


’ ’

th eycall th i s h arv e st custom buildi ng a ba rn A rch d e s h enn eb v ereins . . .


2 54 G ODD E S S E S .

th e m a g ood scra tch ing or s oils th e ir d ist a ff (see In


e a rl ie r time s a S impl e r form o f th e n a me w a s curre n t ; w e fi n d in

Gob e linu s P e rs on a ( M e ib om 1 23 5 ) th e foll owing a cc oun t w h ich , ,

th e re fore re a ch e s b a ck b e y on d 14 1 8 Q uod a ut e m H era cole b atu r a


Sa x on ibus v id e tu r e x e o qu od quid a m v ulg are s re cita nt se a udiv isse
,

a b a n t iq u is p rou t e t e go a u d ivi q uo d in t e r fe stu m n a tivit a tis Ch rist i


, ,

a d fe stu m e p ip h a n iae D omin i d omi n a H era vola t p er a era q uon ia m


a p u d g e n til e s J u n on i a er d e p u tab a tu r Et q uod J un o qu a n d oqu e


'

H e ra ap p ellab a tur e t d e p inge b a tur cum t in t inn ab ulis e t a l is ,

d ice b an t v ulg are s p ra e dict o t e mp ore : vrowe H era se u c orrupt o


n omin e vro H e re d e vlughe t e t cre d e b a n t ill a m s ib i con fe rre re ru m ,

t e mp oralium a b u n d a n tia m H a v e w e h e re still e xtan t t h e Old E ro


.
,

E p a H ero me a n ing e arth ? a nd do e s H p a b e l ong t o it ? I f th e


” "

A S E rce a ls o c on t a in s th e s ame th e n e ve n th e diminut iv e form


.
,

H erke mu st b e Of h igh a n t iquity .

Th e s e c on d a dd re ss in th e s a me A S rit ual is a c all to th e e arth .

h al w e s th u f old e fi ra mod or h al e (wh ol e ) b e th ou e arth moth e r


, ,

o f me n ; wh ic h a gre e s w it h th e e xp re ss ion terra ma ter in T a c itu s .

Th e w id e ly e xt e n d e d w orsh ip Of th e t ee min g n ourish ing e arth


w oul d n o d oub t give ris e to a v arie ty of n ame s a mong our fore
fa th e rs j u st a s th e s e rv ic e of G a ia a nd h e r d a ugh t e r R h e a mix e d
,

its e l f up with th a t of Op s ma t e r Ce re s a n d Cyb e l e ?


To me t h e ,

re s e mbl a n c e b e tw e e n th e c ultu s o f N e rth us a n d t h a t Of th e Ph rygia n

moth e r of g od s a pp e ars w e ll worth y of n otic e L uc re t iu s 2 5 9 7 .


,

6 4 1 d e scrib e s t h e p e re grin a tio n Of t h e ma gn a d ed m ma ter in h e r


l ion d ra w n ca r th rough t h e l and s of th e e a rth
-

Quo n un c in s ig ni p e r magn a s p ra e d ita t e rra s ,

h orrifi ce fe rtu r divin ae ma t ris imag o


E rg o quom p rimum magn a s in v e ct a p e r urb e is
mun ifi ca t t a cit a mortale is mut a s al ut e ,

a e re a t q u e a rg e n t o st e rnu n t it e r omn e v iarum


la rgifi ca st ip e dita n t e s ningun tque rosa rum ,

fl oribu s ,
u mbra n te s ma tre m co mitumque e ate rva m .

Th e R oman s c all e d the VI ka l . . A p r la va tio ma tris d eum


.
,
an d k e pt
it a s a fe a st Ov id fa st 4 3 3 7 , . .
,

A d alb Kuh n in th e M a rkisch e fo rs ch ung e n 1 , 1 2 3 -4 , an d M a rk s a g e n


1
. . .

pp 3 71 2 con f S ingularia magd e burg 1 74 0 12 , 76 8


.
-
. . . .

2
Op s ma t e r te rra ma ter C e re s Geres, quod gerit fruge s , a n tiquis e n im
:

C quo d n un c G V arro d e l i n g lat , e d 0 M ull e r p 2 5 H e r G re e k a pp e lla


. . . . . .

ti on q rj rqp s ee ms als o to l ea d t o y?) p fimp ( se e


'
D
ER A , N I RD U , G AU E ,
FI RGUN I A, H LU ODA NA . 255

Est l o cus in Tibe rin qua lub ricus in fluit A l mo,


,

e t n ome n ma gn o p e rdit a b a mn e min or

illic p u rp ure a c ann s cu m v e st e s a c e rd o s


Al monis d omin am l avit a quis sa cra que .

A mmia n M arc e ll 2 3 3 ( P aris 1 6 8 1 p 3 5 5 ) A d Callinicum


. .
, ub i , .
,
-

a nt e die m se x tum kal


quo R oma e matri d e orum p omp ae e e le bra n t ur
.

a n n a l e s e t ca r e nt um u a vehitur simu la cru m A lmon is un dis a bl ui


, p q .

p e rhibe tur Conf P rud e n t iu s hy mn 1 0 1 5 4


. .
, .
,

N udare pl a nt-as ant e ca rp en tum scio


p roc e re s togatos ma tris Id a ea e sacris .

L a p is n igellu s e v e h e nd us e sse d o
mul ie b ris oris cl au s u s a rge n to se d e t ,

que m d um a d lavacrum p ra e e un d o ducitis


p e d e s re motis atte re n te s c a lc e is
A lmon is u sque p e rve ni tis rivulum .

Ex a ctly in the s a me w ayN e rth us a ft e r sh e h as trav e ll e d round th e


c oun try is b ath e d in th e s a cred l ak e I n h e r w a gg on a n d I fi nd it
,

n ot e d th a t th e I n d ia n B ha va n i w ife of Sh iv a i s l ik e w is e d riv e n
, , ,

round on h e r fe a st d a
y and ba thed i n a secret la ke by th e B rah ma n s
-
,

( se e
N e rth uss isl a n d in th e oc e an h as b ee n s upp os e d t o me an '
’ ‘

R uge n in th e midd l e Of wh ich th e re is a ctuall y a l a k e c all e d th e


, ,

Schwa rze se e or B urgs e e , W h a t is t ol d a s a l e g e n d th a t th e re in


. ,

a n c ie n t t ime s th e d e v il w a s a d ore d th a t a ma id e n w as ma int ain e d ,

in h is s e rv ic e and th a t wh e n h e w a s wea ryo f h e r sh e w as d rown ed


, ,

1
G re gor Turon d e gl or con f cap 77 compare s or con foun d s w ith th e
tj
. . . . .

Ph rygi a n t ybele s o me G a l li c g o d d e ss w h o s e w o rs h i p h e d e s cri b e s a s foll o w s


l

f
.
,

F e run t e t i a m i n h a c urb e ( A ugust o d un o ) simu la chrum fui ss e B erecyn thia e sicu t ,

s an ct i martyris S ymp h orian i p assioni s d e clarat h istoria H an e cum i n .

ca rp en to p ro sa lva tion e a grorum et vi n ea rum sua rum mi s e ro ge n t ili ta tis more


, ,
d ferren t a d fuit sup ra d ict us Simpl i ci u s e p iscop us h a ud p i ocu l a d sp icie n s
e , ,

ca n ta n tes a tque hoc simu la chrum, ge mit umque p ro st ul tit ia p le bis


p sa llen tes a n te
a d D e um e mi tt e n s a i t : ill umi n a
qua e so , D omi n e , oculos h uj us p op ul i , u t
co n osca t , q ui a simula ch ru m B e re c n th ia e n i h i l e st e t fa ct o s i gn o cru ci s con t ra
g y .

rotin us simu la ch rum I n t e rra in rui t A c d e fi x a s o l o a n i ma l i a q u a e p la ustrum ?


h
.

oe qu o v e h e b atu r t ra h e b a n t, move ri n o n
p ot e ran t S tup e t v ulg u s mn u me ru m, .

e t d eum ta esa m o mn is ca t e rv a con cla mat ; immola n tur victima e, a n i ma l i a


ve rb e ra n t ur, se d mov e ri n on p oss1mt T un e qua d rin ge n ti ( le i ll a stulta
.

mult i t ud i n e vi ri co nj un ct i Si mul aj un t a d I n vice m : s i vi rt us e st ull a d e itatis,


e riga t ur sp on t e
j ub e a tque b o v e s , qu i t e ll uri s u n t stab i l i t i , p roce d e re ; ce rt e S i
,

move ri n e quit , n i hil e st d e ita t is in ca Tun c a cce d e n t e s, e t immola n tes un um


.

de p ecori bus, cu m vid e re n t d ea m s u a m n u lla t e n us p o ss e mov e ri, re lict o


ge n t ilitat is e rrore , in qu isit oque an t ist i t e l o ci , con v e rs i a d u nita te m e ccl e s i a e ,’
coog nos ce n t e s v e ri D e i magn itudine m san ot o s un t b a p t isma te con se cra t i . s .

C omp are th e L e g e n d a aurea cap 1 1 7, w h e re a fe stum Veneris i s me n t io n e d


. .
256 G ODD E SSES .

in bl ack l ak e must h av e a ris e n gross as th e p erve rs ion may


th e ,
1
,

b e out Of th e a cc oun t in T a citu s w h o mak e s th e g o dd e ss wh e n


, , ,

sa ti a ted w ith th e c on v e rs e o f me n disap p ea r in the la ke w ith h e r ,

a tt e n d a n ts B ut th e re are n o o th e r l oc al fe a ture s t o turn th e sc al e


.

in its fav our ; a n d th e D an ish isl a nd s in th e B alt ic h a v e a t l e ast


2

a s g ood a cl a im t o h a v e b e e n e re wh il e th e s a cre d s e a t of th e

g odd e ss .

W e h av e ye t more n ame s for th e e arth g odde ss th at d e man d -


,

in v e st ig a tion : p artl y Old N ors e p artly t o b e g ath ere d from th e ,

Roman s I n t h e Skald skap armal p 1 78 sh e is n ame d b oth


.
, .
,

F iorggn and H lddgn


'

I h av e tre at e d al re a d y p 1 72 ; if by th e s id e
Of F iOrggn
'

, .

of th is g od d e ss th e re c oul d st a n d a god F iOrggn n a n d a n e u t e r


common n oun f a irgun i if th e id e a o f Th 6r s mo th e r a t th e s a me


time p a ss e s in to th a t of th e thu nd e rgod it e x a ctly p ara ll e ls an d ,

co n fi rms a fe mal e N erthus ( Goth N airb us ge n N airbau s) by th e .


, .

s id e of th e ma scul in e N iOrd r (Ne rth us) j ust a s Fre yj a goe s with


'

Fre y r I f it w a s n ot w ron g t o infe r from P e rkun a s a mou n t ain


.

g o d F a i r u n eis
g Lith ua n ian myth ol ogy h as e qually a godd e ss
,

P erkun a tele .

H lddgn is d e riv e d in th e s a me w aya s F iorgyn , so th a t we may


sa fe in fe r a G ot h H lop unfa

ly . an d C H G H luod unia . . I n V 6 lusp a
5 6 Th 6rr is c all e d m6 gr ‘
th a gain H lddgnj a r ,

w hich is son o f e ar

a nd F orn a ld s6 g 1 4 6 9 s a ys : i H lddgnj a r ska u t


. .
,
I n th e ON . .

l a n guage hldd is a h e a rth 3 th e godd e ss s n ame th ere fore me a n s ,


p rot e ctre ss o f the fi re pla c e ; a n d o ur OH G herd (p b e sid e s ol um . .

o r t e rra a ls o d e n ot e s p re c is e ly fo c u s a rul a forn a cula th e h e a rth


, , , ,

b e in g t o u s th e v e ry b a s is of a h uman h ab it ation a p a t e rna l Lar so , ,

t o sp e ak c orre sp on din g t o th e moth e r e arth


,
Th e R oman s als o .

w orsh ipp e d a g od d e ss o f e arth a n d of fi re u n d e r th e c ommon n ame


of F orn aec d e a f orn a ca lis,
4
B ut w h a t is stil l more imp orta n t t o 11 s
.
,

th ere w as d isc ov e re d on Low R h e nish grou n d a ston e fi rst k e pt a t ,

Cl e v e a n d a fte rw ard s at X a n t e n w ith t h e re mark abl e in sc ription ,

D e u ts ch e s a g e n n u m 1 3 2
1
,
. .

2
Of H e rth a a p ro v e rb is s a i d t o b e curren t in P ome ran i a d e H ertha gif t .

gra s un d fii llt sch im un d fass ( b arn a n d v e ss e l ) H all a llg l i t z 18 2 3 , p


,
'
'

, . . . .

B u t th e n u S a x on rh yme of g ra s w i t h fa ss ( for fa t ) s u ffi ci e n tl y b e t rays th e


w ork man sh i p It I s cl umsil yma d e up a ft e r th e w e ll kn o wn rul e of th e farmer
.

M a i kii h l u n d n a ss fullt s ch e un e n 11 n d fa ss ( se e S uppl .

3 L i t e r st ru e s a ra from h la 6 a n 11166 st rue re G ramm 2 um 8 3


, 10 , n
. .
, , , ,
. .

4 Ovi d fa st . .
58 G ODD E SS E S .

s a cro p arum c omp eri nis i quod signu m ips um i n mod um li burn a e
, , ,
,

fi gu rutu m d oce t ad ve ctam re ligion e m


, Th e imp ort a tion from .

a b ro a d ca n h a rd ly c on s ist in t h e n a me I sis s e e in g th a t M e rc ury , ,

M ars H e rc ul e s n ame s t h a t must h av e s o un d e d e qu ally 11n


, ,

G e rman ra is e d n o d iffic ulty wh at l ook e d fore ig n w a s th e sy mb ol


, ,

th e fi g ure of a ship re mind ing t h e w rit e r of th e R oma n n uo igi um


,

I sid is .

W h e n sp ring h a d se t in an d th e se a u n tra v ers e d d urin g w in t er , , ,

w a s on c e more n a vig a bl e t h e G re e ks an d R oman s u s e d t o h ol d a ,

s ol e mn p roc e ss ion a n d p re s e n t a ship to Is is This w a s d on e on


, .

t h e fi fth of M a rch ( III n on M art ) a n d th e d ay is mark e d in th e .


,

k al e n darium ru st icu m a s I sidis n uoigiu m 1


Th e p rin c ip al e v id e n c e .

is foun d in A p ul e ius a n d Lact an tius 2 t w o w rit e rs w h o are l a t e r ,

th a n T a c it us but t h e cu st om mu st h ave re a ch e d b a ck to a mu c h
,

ol d e r d a t e On A l e x a n d ria n c oin s Is is app e ars w a lk ing by th e Sid e


.

of P h aru s u n furl in g a s a il
, .

S ay t h a t from E gypt th e w orsh ip of Is is h a d p e n e t rat e d t o


G re e c e t o R ome h ow a re w e t o ima g in e th a t in th e first c e n tury or
, , , ,

b e fore it h a d go t its e l f c on v e y e d t o on e p a rtic u l ar ra c e i n h abiting


,

th e h e art of G e rma n y ? It mu st h a v e b e e n a S imil a r c u ltu s n ot ,

t h e s a me a nd p e rh aps l on g e st a blish e d amon gst ot h e r G e rman s a s


,

w e ll .

I will h ere d ra w a tt e n tion t o a stran ge c ust om of a mu ch l ate r


time wh ich a pp e ars t o me to b e c onn e ct e d w ith this A b ou t th e
, .

y e ar 1 1 3 3 in a fore st n e ar I n d a (in R ip uaria) a ship w as b uilt se t


, , ,

u p on w h e e ls a n d d ra w n a bou t the coun tryby me n w h o w e re y ok e d


,

t o it fi rst t o A a c h e n (A ix ) t h e n t o M a e st ric h t wh e re ma st a n d s a il
, , ,

w e re a dd e d a n d up th e riv e r t o T ong re s L ooz an d so on e ve ry


, , ,

w h e re w ith crow d s of p e opl e a ss e mbl ing a n d e sc orting it W h ere .

e v e r it h alt e d th e re w e re j oy h outs songs of tri ump h a n d d a n cing


f ,ul s ,

1
G e sn e r s cri pt re i rust e d L ips 1 773 1 8 8 6 ; so a ls o in th e Cale n d
,
.
,
. . .
,
.

v a ll e us e a n d in t h e Ca l la mb e c ( Gra e vii th e s 8
,
. . .
,
2
A p u le ii me t lib 1 1 ( Ruh n ke n p 76 4. . D i e m qu i die s e x ist a n oct e .
,

n a sce t u r a e t e rn a mi h i n u n cu p a v it re l i gio ; qu o se d at is h ib e rn is t e mp e st a t ib us
,

e t le nit is ma ri s p roce llosis fi uct ib us n a vi ga b i l i j a m p e l a g o rud om d edi ca n tes ,

curin a m p ri mi t i a s comme a t us l i b a n t me i s a ce rd o t e s I d s a crum s o ll i ci ta n e c .

p rofana me n t e d e b ebis op e riri ; n a m me o mon itu s ace rd os in i ps o p ro cmctu


om a e rose a m ma n u d e xt ra s i st ro ( E g y pt i a n t i mb re l ) coh a e re n t e m ge st ab i t
p p
coro n a m I n con ta n t e r e rg o d imot is t u rh u lis a la ce r con t i n u a re p omp a m me m
.
a
,

v o le n t ia fre t us e t d e p rox i mo d e me n t e r v e lu t ma n u m sa ce rd ot is d e oscula b u n


d u s ro si s d e ce rp tis p e ssima e mih iqu e d e t e st ab ilis d u d um b e llua e ist ius cori o t e
,

p rot in us e x u e L a cta n t ius in stit


. l 2 7 : C e rtus d i e s h a b e t ur in fa st s qu o
,
.
,
i ,

I sidis na vigi um ce le b ra t ur q ua e re s d oce t illa m n on t ra n ass e se d n a v i gass e


, ,
.
ISIS . 25 9

roun d the ship k e pt up till fa r int o the n ight The app roa ch of th e .

sh ip w a s n ot ifi e d t o th e t o w n s wh ich op e ne d t h e ir g a te s a n d w e n t
,

o ut to me e t it .

We h a ve a d e ta il e d ye t n ot c ompl e te re p ort of it in Rodulfi


, ,

ch ronic on abb atia e S Trud onis lib x i wh ich on a cc oun t of its


.
,
. .
,

i mp ort a n c e I w ill h e re in s e rt from P e rtz 12 3 0 9 se q , ,

E st g e nu s me rce n a riorum q uorum offi ciu m e st e x l in o e t l a n a


,

t e x e re t e l a s h oc p roca x e t s up e rb um s u p e r al io s me rc e n ario s v ulg o


,

re p ut a t ur a d q u oru m p roca cit a t e m e t sup e rb ia m h umilia n d a m e t


,

p rop riam inj uria m d e e is ulcisce nd a m p aup e r qu id a m rustic u s e x


i m i d a h a n c d ia b olicam e x e ogit avit t e ch n a m
1
v ll a n o n e I n A cc e pt a .

a j ud icib us fi d u cia e t a le v ib u s h o minib u s a u x il io q ui ga u d e n t j ocis ,

et n ovit a tib u s, m comp osui t e t e a m rotis


in p rox ima silva n a oe ,

sup er terrum efi ecit ob t inuit q u oq ue a


gen s o ehi bi le m

sup p osi tis afi ,

p ote st a tibus u t inj ectis f un ibus teoctorum humeris e x I n d a Aqu is


.
,

g ranum t ra h e re tur 2
A quis su sce p t a cum u triusque sex us gra n d i
.

h ominu m p rocession e : n ihilominu s a t e x t oribu s Traj e ct um [M a e s


t rich t] e st p ro v e cta ibi e me nd at a mulo velogue insign i ta Tungris
, ,

[Tongre s] e st ind ucta d e Tungris Los [Looz] ,


A u d ie n s a bb a s .

( s a n cti Tru d o n is) Rod ulfus n a uim illa m i nf a usto omine comp a cta m
3
,

mala que solu ta m a l it e cum huj usmod i gen tilita tis stud io n ost ro
opp id o a d ve n t are
p ra e sago sp irit u h ominib us p ra e d icab at ut ej us
, ,

su sce p tio n e a b stin e re n t q uia ma lign i s iritus sub h ac ludifi cat ion e
p ,

in ea t ra h e re n t ur, in p ro x imoque se ditio p e r e a m mov e re tur, un d e


cae d e s, in c e n d ia ra in a e u e fi e re n t , e t h uma n u s s an g uis multus
p q
fun d e re t ur . Q ue m ist a d e cla man te m
mn ib u s d ie bus q uib u s o ,

ma lignorum sp iri tuum illud simula cru m l oc i morab a tur op p id ani ,

no stri au d ire n olue run t se d e o studio e t g audio e x cip ie n t e s quo


, ,

p e rit uri Troj a ni fat al e m e quum in me d io fori su i d e dica ve ru n t ,

sta timqu e p roscri tion is sen ten tium a cci iun t v ill a e t e x t ore s
p p qui a d ,

p rof a n a s huj us simu la cri ex cubi us o eniren t ta rdiores P a p e ! Q uis .

v idit un qu am t a n tam (ut ita lice at la tinisare ) in ration alibus


a n ima libus b rut it a t e m ? quis t a n t a m in re n atis in Ch risto gen tili

n o t fa r from
1
I nd e nin th e J ul i ch cou n t ry a ft e rw a rd s C o rn e limun st e r
. ,

A ix con f P e rt z 1 3 9 4 4 88 5 14 5 9 2
.
,
. 2 , 29 9 4 8 9
. . . . .

2
Th i s o f sh i ps b e i n g b ui lt in a w o od a n d ca rried on men ’s shoulders re mi n d s
on e o f S a x o G ra m p 9 3 a n d o f t h e ‘ A rg o h u me ri s t ra v e cta A lp e s P l i nyN H

,
. .
( . .

3 , 18 t i e i g se t on w h e e ls , o f N e st or s st ory a b o ut Ol e g co n f th e s h i p
h e r b n

.

of F 1 6 ab ov e i v e t e n ce on t h e a u t h o r s p a rt t h e s h i p i s n ot carri e d ,
[ A d ’ ’
n . n a r
but ‘ d ra w n b yrop e s t h ro w n o v e r th e w e a v e rs s h oul d e rs
'

3
S t Tron be t we e n L ieg e a nd L o uv a in
.
.
2 60 G ODD E S S E S .

ta tem Coge b a n t s e n t e n tia p roscrip tion is te x tore s, noct e et die


n a vi m stip a re omn i ar ma tu m e gen ere ,
solicita sque e i e x cu bia s n o ct e
et c on tinu are M irumqu e fuit qu od n on coge b an t e os
d ie .
,
ante

n a vim N ep tu n e h o stia s immol are d e c uj u s n av e s e ss e s ol e n t re gion e , ,

se d N ep tun us e a s M a rti re se rv ab a t q uod p o st e a mul tip licit e r fa c ,

t um e st .

Te x t ore s in t e rim omitu D e um j ust um


ccult o se d p ra e cordiali ge
m os v in dice m in v oca b a n t qu i a d h a n c i n omI n I a m
j udi ce s u p e r e g ,

e os d e t rud eb a n t cum j uxt a re e t am vit a m a n tiq


,
u orum Ch ristia n orum

e t a p ost olicorum v irorum ma n n um s n a rum la b orib us vive re n t n o ct e ,

et die o p e ra nt e s ,
unde a le re n t u r et v e stire n tur, lib e risqu e s uis
id ip su m p ro vid e re nt .
Qu ae re b a n t et con qu e re b a n tu r a d in vice m
lacrymab ilite r u n d e ,
ill is mag is quam aliis me rce n ariis h ae c
ign o minia c on t ume l ios a
e t v is p lura
,
cu m in t e r Ch ristia n o s al ia

e sse n t offi cia su o multu m a sp e rn ab iliora cu m t a me n n ull um ,

d ice re n t a sp e rn abile d e quo Ch rist ian u s p oss e t se s in e p e cc at o


,

c on d uc e re illud qu e s ol um e ss e t v itabile e t ig n ob il e q uod immun


,

ditia m p e cca t i co ntra h e re t an ima e me liorqu e Sit ru st ic us t e x t or e t


'

p a up e r qua m e x a ct or orp h a n orum e t sp ol ia t or vid uarum urb an u s


,

e t n ob il is j ud e x Cu mque 11 a . e t e orum s imil ia s e c um u t d ix i , ,

la crymabilit e r con qu e re re n tur con e re p ab a n t a n t e illu d n e s cio c uj u s


, ,

p o t iu s d ica m B u cch i a
,
n V e n eris N ep tu n i S iv e M a rtis se d u t v e rius, ,
i

d ica m a n t e omn iu m ma lign oru m sp irituu m e x e crabile d omicilium


g e n e ra d ive rsoru m musicoru m tu rp id ca nt ica e t re l igioni Ch ristian ae,

i ndign a con cin e n tiu m S un ci tum qu oque era t a j ud icibus ut p ra cter


.
,

tex tores, gu icu mgue ta ctu m


in guuren t p ignus d e collo
'

ad n a vi up p rop

m
,

corum e rep tum tex toribus re lin qu e re n t n is i se a d li bit um re di e re n t ,


.

S e d qu id fa cia m ? lo qu arn e a n sile a m ? u t in a m sp iritu s me n d a cii


stilla re t d e lab iis me is : sub fug itiv a a dh u c lu c e die i i mmin en et
l una ma tron a ru m ca terua e a b e j ct o fe min e o p ud ore a u dien tes strep i
tum h uj us p oun i tutis, a ssis cup iltis d e stra tis suis ex i li e ba n t, a li a c

semi n ud ue, a li a c simp lice te n tu m cla mid e circu md d ta c, ch orosgu e d u

cen tibus circa n a vi m i m-p u d en ter i rru mp en d o se ud misce bun t V id e re s .

ibi a liquan d o mill e h omin um a n ima s s e x u s u triu squ e p rod igiosu m


c i f
t n uu s tu m ce le usm a u sq u e u d n octis m edi u m c e l e b ra re Q u a n d o .

V e ro e x e crab ilis ill a c h ore a ru mp e b a tur e misso i nge nti cla more cc ,

cum in con di ta ru m s e x u s u t e rq ue h a c illa cq u e b acch a nd o fe re b a tur ;

q u a e t un e vid e re s a g ere n ostru m e st ta ce re e t d e fi e re qu ibu s modo


, ,

co n t in git gra v ite r l u e re I st is t a m n e fa n d is fa ctis plus qua m d uo


.
2 62 G ODD E S S E S .

n os multorum multitudin is e x e rcitum arma torum t am p e ditum


quam militum N ostro igitur oppid o sep osito t a n qu am fi rmiu s

.
,

mu nito e t b ellicosorum h ominum pl e no p rimu m imp e tu m in D ura ,

ch ie n se s fe c it q uib us virilit e r re sist e nt ib us c a st e ll um n e sc io q ua re


, , ,

cu m p o ss e t n on ob se dit se d in t e r Le ugu e s e t D urachi um p e rn oct a


,

vit . Cu mque se qu e n ti d ie e x e rcitum a pp l ic are disp on e re t e t e x


qu a tu or p artib u s a ssultu m fae e re t h ab e b at e nim inge nt e m multi ,

t udin e m sup e rv e n it A d e lb e ro M e te n sium p rimice rius fi lioru m Lo


,

v a nie n sis d o mini a vun culus c uj u s in te rve nt u qu ia co mit issa D ura


, ,

ch ie n sis e rat s oror ej u s e t D urach ie n se e ra t c a st e ll um s a n ct i


,

L amb e rti Lovan ie n sis d ominu s ab imp ugnation e c e ss av it e t ab


,

obs id ion e se a movit p ro misso e i q uod D ura chie n se s p a u l o p o st e i


,

a d j u stitia m s u am e d uce re n t ur E t cu m ist a e t a l ia d e d omin is


.

e t in te r d omin o s t ract a re nt ur p e d it e s e t milit e s p e r o mn ia n o stra


,

circu mj a ce n tia se d iffud e run t vill a s n ostra s e ccl e s ia s molen din a


, , ,

et q u a e cumq u e occurre b a n t c omb ust ion i e t p e rdition i t ra d e n t e s ,

re ce d e n t e s v e ro qua e l ong e a no b is fue ra n t p rout cuiq j


ue a d a ce b a n t

in t e r se divise run t .

Ob v iou sly ,th rough out th e n arra tiv e e v e ryth in g is p ut in an


o d iou s l igh t ; b u t t h e p roc e e ding d e riv e s it s full s ig n ific an c e from

thi s v e ry fa ct th a t it w a s so u tte rly re p ugn an t to th e cl e rgy an d


, ,

th a t th e y trie d in e v e ry w ay t o s uppre ss it as a s in ful an d


h e ath e n ish pie c e of work On th e oth e r h an d t h e s e cul ar p owe r
.
,

h a d a uth orize d th e p roc e ss ion a n d w a s p ro t e ctin g it it re st e d with


,

th e s e v e ra l t own sh ips wh e th e r t o gra n t a d miss io n t o th e app roa ch


,

ing ship an d th e p op ul ar fe e l in g s e e ms t o h av e ru l e d th a t it w oul d


,

b e sh a b b y n ot to f orwa rd i t on its wa y .

M e re d an cin g an d s in ging c ommon a s th e y must h a v e b e e n on


,

all s orts o f o cc a s ion s w it h t h e p e op le of th a t time c oul d n ot h a v e ,

so e x a sp e ra t e d th e cl e rgy Th e y c all th e s hip malign orum


.

S p iritu um s imul a c rum a n d dia b ol i ludibriu m t a k e for g ra n t e d it


w a s k n o ck e d t og e th e r in fa u st o omin e a n d ge n tilit a tis studio


‘ ‘ ’

th a t mal igni S p iritu s t ra v e l in s id e it n ay th a t it may w e ll be



, ,

c all e d a Sh ip of Ne pt un e or M ars of B a cch u s or V e n us th e y mu st ,

b urn it or mak e a wa y w ith it s o meh ow


,
.

P rob ably a mon g th e c ommon p e opl e of th a t re gion th e re st ill


s urviv e d s ome re c oll e ction s of a n a n cie n t h e a th e n w orsh ip which , ,

t h ou gh ch e ck e d a n d circu msc rib e d for c e n turie s h ad n e v e r ye t b e e n ,

e n t ire ly up roo t e d I c on s id e r th is sh ip t ra v ell ing a b ou t th e


.
,
I SI S . 263

c oun try w e lc ome d by stre amin g multitud e s a n d h on oure d w ith


, ,

fe st iv e s on g a n d d a n c e t o b e th e car o f th e god or ra th e r of th a t
, ,

g odd e ss wh om T a cit u s id e n tifi e s w ith Is is an d wh o ( lik e N e rth u s ) ,

b rought p e a c e a n d fe rtil ity to mort als A S th e ca r w a s c ov e re d up


.
,

so e n tra n c e t o th e in t e rior o f t h e s hip s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n d e n ie d

t o me n th e re n e e d n ot h a v e b e e n a n image of th e divinity in s ide .

H e r n ame th e p e opl e h ad l on g ago forg ott e n it w a s only th e ,

l e a rn ed mon ks th a t still fa n c ie d s ome thing ab out N e pt une o r M ars ,

B a cch u s or V e n u s : b ut t o t h e e xt e rn als o f t h e old fe st iv ity t h e


p e opl e s a pp e tit e k e pt re t urn ing from t ime t o t ime H ow sh oul d

.

th a t p au p e r rustic us in th e w ood at I nd e n h av e l ighte d on t h e


‘ ’

th ought of b uild ing a ship h ad th e re n ot b ee n fl oa tin g in h is min d


,

re c oll e ct ion s of forme r p ro c e ss ion s p e rh a ps o f s ome in n e ighb ou r


,

ing districts
It is w orthy o f n ot e th a t th e wea vers a n umerous an d arroga nt
, ,

c ra ft in th e Ne th e rl a n d s but h at e ful to th e c ommon h e rd w e re


, ,

c omp e ll e d t o d ra w th e sh ip by rop e s tie d to th e ir sh oul d e rs an d to ,

g uard it ; in re turn th e y c oul d k e e p th e re st of th e p e opl e from


,

c oming too n e ar it a n d fi n e or t a k e pl e dge s from th o s e w h o d id so


,
1
.

Rod ulf d oe s n ot say wh a t b e c a me at l a st of t h e t e rre a n a v is ‘ ’

a fte r it h a d ma d e th a t c irc uit ; it is e n ough for him t o re l a t e h o w , ,

o n a re c e pt ion b e in g d e ma n d e d for it a n d re fu s e d h e a ts a n d qu arre ls ,

a ros e wh ic h c oul d o n ly b e c ool e d in op e n w a r


,
Th is p rov e s t h e .

w arm int e re st tak e n by c ont e mp orarie s fa nne d a s it w a s t o a fl a me


,

for or ag a in st th e fe st iv a l by th e s e c ul ar a n d t h e cl e ric al p arty .

Th e re a re t ra c e s t o b e foun d o f s imil ar ship p rocessions a t th e -

b e g in n ing o f sp rin g in o th e r p arts of G e rman y e sp e c ia lly in S w a b ia , ,

wh ich h a d th e n b e c ome th e s e at O f th os e v e ry S ue v i of T a c itu s ( se e


A min u t e of th e t ow n c ou n c il of U lm d a t e d St Nich ol a s

-
.
,

e v e 1 5 3 0 c o nt a in s th is p roh ib ition :
, ,
Ite m th e re sh all n on e by d ay , ,

n or ni gh t t rick or d isg uis e h im n or p ut on a n y c a rniv a l ra ime n t


, , ,

more o ve r Sh all k e e p him from t h e going a bout of th e p lough a n d


w ith ship s o n p a in of 1 g ul d e n Th e c u st o m o f d ra w ing the
lou h a bout s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n t h e mo re w id e ly sp re a d h a v in g
p g ,

1 D oe s t h eth or impl y th at t he fa v our of th e p ea s a n t ry a s opp os e d t o


au ,

a rt iza n s ma k e s it l ik e l y t h a t t h is w as a re l i c o f t h e w rs h i p o f E a rth ?
,
o

S u ppo s i ng e v e n t h a t t h e p roce ss i o n w a s t h a t o f t h e G e rman Is i s ; Ta ci t us


n o w h e re t e lls u s w h a t t h e fun ct i ons o f t h i s Is is w e re o r t h a t sh e b roug h t
p ea ce a n d fe rti l i ty —T R A N S
,

C a rl J age r S ch w ab stad te we se n ( les MA ( Mid Ages) 1 5 2 5


2
,
. . .
, ,
.
2 64 G ODD E SS E S .

o ri gin ally n o d oubt b e e n p e rforme d in h on our of th e divinity from


wh o m a fruit ful y e ar a n d t h e th ri vin g o f c ro ps w a s l ook e d for .

Lik e th e ship p roc e ss ion it w a s a cc omp a nie d by d a n c e s a n d b on


-
,

fire s Se b a st Fra n k p 5 1 of h is W e ltb u ch : On th e R hin e


. .
, .
3 ‘
,

F ran c on ia a n d d iv e rs oth e r pl a c e s t h e y oung me n d o g a t h e r a ll t h e ,

d a n ce ma id ens an d p ut them i n a p lough a nd d ra w t h e ir p ip e r w h o , ,

s itte th on th e pl ough p ip in g int o t h e w a t e r ; in o th e r p a rts th e y ,

d ra w a fieryp lough k in d l e d w ith a fi re v e ry artific ia l mad e t h e re o n ,

E n och W ie d e ma nn s ch ron ik von H of t e lls


’ ’
u n t il it fall t o w ra ck .

h ow On Sh ro v e Tue s d ay e vil min d e d l ad s d rove a p lough a bout



- -
,

y ok ing t o it s u ch d a ms e ls a s d id n ot p ay ra n s om ; oth e rs w e n t
b eh in d th e m sp rinkl ing c h opp e d stra w a nd s a w d ust ( Sitch s .

.

p rov in z bl 8 . Pfeiffe r ch ron l ips lib


.
, 5 3 : M os e rat , . . .

a n tiq (
u itu s Lip siae u t lib e ralib us fe a st of L ib e r or B a cch u s i e
, ,
. .
,

c arn iv al ) p e rson a ti j u ve n e s p e r vico s opp idi a ra trum circum -

d uceren t p u e ll e s ob via s p e r la scivia m a d illius j u g um a cc e d e re


,

e t ia m re p ugn a n t e s coge re n t h oc v e lut i l u dic ro p oe n a m e x p e t e n t e s


,

a b iiS q u a e i n n up ta e a d cum u squ e d ie m man sisse nt


1 ’
On t h e s e .

a n d s imil ar p ro c e ss ion s more d e t a ils w ill b e g iv e n h e re a ft e r; I o n ly


,

wish at p re s en t t o sh e w th a t th e d riving of th e p lough a nd th at of


th e ship o v e r t h e c ou n t ry s e e m b oth t o re st on th e s a me old
h e a th e n id e a w h ich afte r th e d isl odge me nt of th e g od s b y chris
,

t ia n ityc o ul d only ma int a in its e l f in unin t e ll ig ibl e c u st oms of t h e


p e opl e an d so b yd e gre e s e v ap ora t e n ame ly on th e v isibl e man i
, ,

fe st ation of a b e n e fi ce n t b e n ig n divinity a mon g me n w h o e v e ry ,

w h ere approa ch e d it w ith d e mon stration s of j oy w h e n in S p ringtime ,

th e s oil w as l oo s e a g ain a nd th e rive rs re l ea s e d from ice so th a t ,

a gric ulture a n d n a v ig a tion c oul d b e gin a n e w I n th is w ay th e


2
.

H an s S a ch s als o re l a t e s I 5 , h ow t h e

S ch e ffe r s H a lta us, 2 0 2
1
. .

ma i d s wh o had n ot ta ken men, w e re force d i n to the p lough ( se e


2
T o th i s d a y, in th e ch iirch e s of s ome vi ll a g e s o f H o lst e i n , l a rg elyinh a
b i t e d b ys eame n , th e re h a n ’g3 li ttle ship s, w h i ch I n sp ri n gt i me , w li e n n a vi ga t i on
re o p e n s , a re d e cora t e d w i t h ri bb o n s a n d fl ow e rs
-
qu i t e th e Roman cu st o m in
t h e ca s e of I s i s ( p We a ls o fi n d a t t i me s silver ship s h un g up in ch urch e s ,
.

w h i ch v oya g e rs in st re ss of w e a th erh a v e v ow e d in ca s e o f a s a fe a rriva l h ome


an old i n st an ce of t h i s I w i ll b orrow from t h e V ita Go d e h a rd i H ild e sie n sis

F uit t un e t e mp oris in Traj e ct e n si e p iscop a t u vir qu i d a m a rt i me rca te riae d e d i


t us qui fre qu e nt e r ma re t ra nsire t
,
hie quod a m t e mp ore ma x i ma t e mp e st a t e in
me d ic mari d e p reh e n d it11r, ab o mn i b us con cla ma tur, e t n il n i s i u lt i mus vi t ae
t e rmi n us time tur Tand e m fi n ito aliquan to t e mp ore au x i l i um b e a t i God eh ard i
.

in1 p lora b an t , e t a rgen teum n a vim d e la t uros, Si e va d e re n t, d e vove run t H os i n .

e ccl e s i a n ost ra n a vim a rgen teum d e fe re n t e s p o st e a vi d i mu s ( in Ki no g L o th ai r s ’

t i me ) I n a st orm a t sea , s ai l ors t a k e v ow s : E ch i d i ce u na n a ve cc f ar fa re, e


.
,

p oi p orta rla I n V i e nn a al g i an ba ron e B uo v o d A n t on a 5 , 3 2 Th e L a pps at



.
266 G ODD ES SES .

wh om th e R oman s id e ntifi e d with Is is — maynot at l e a st one of her


'

s e c on da ry n ame s— h av e b e e n H old a ? Th e n ame h a s a p ure ly


T e ut onic me a n ing a n d is fi rmly g rou nd e d in th e l iv ing tra dition s
,

o f ou r p eopl e t o th is d a y .

H old a is th e k in d b e n ign ant merc iful g odd e ss or l ad y from


, , ,

h ol d (p rOp itius) G oth h ulbs ( Luk e 1 8 1 3 ; root hilba n h al];


,
.
, ,

h ulbun t o b e n d b ow ) ON h ollr t he G othi c form o f it w oul d b e


, , , .

H ulb d .For t h e opp os it e n ot ion o f a mal ig na n t d iab ol ic b e in g ,

U lp h ila s e mpl oys b o th t he fe m unhu lbo a n d t h e ma sc u nhu ljp a


A
.
, .
,

from wh ich I in fe r a h uljya by t h e S id e of hulb d on e more con fi r


mat ion o f th e do/uble \ se x runnin g th rough th e id e a o f th e s e
d ivin itie s It is t ru e s u ch a byna me c oul d b e Sh are d by s e v era l
.
,

-

god s or Sp irits N otke r in th e Ca p e ll a 8 1 re n d e rs v e ru s ge nius by


.

min w are h old o A n d in M H G p arl a n c e h old e ( fe m an d ma sc ) .


,
. .

must h a v e b ee n k n own and c ommonly us e d for gh ostly b e ings .

A lb re cht of H a lb e rst a d t in tra n sl a t ing Ovid s M e t a morph o se s


, ,

u s e s w a zzerhold e (ge n — or n y mph ; rhyme h a s p rot e ct e d t h e


en
) f .

e x a ct w ord s from c orrupt ion in W ikra m s p o e t ic p a ra ph ra s e



1
In .

t h e l a rg e ly e xp a n d e d Low G e rma n v e rs ion of th e Sh ip of F ools

( N i R st ck 1 5 1 9 9 6 ) w fi d th f ll w i g p a ss ag e 3
a rra go n a o o , ; e n e o o n

w hich is w a nt ing in th e H G t e xt : M a nn ich n arre l eve t (be .


lie ve th ) a n vo
gelge sch re i, un d d e r gu d en hollen ( b on orum ge n iorum)
gun st Of more fre qu e n t o cc urre n c e is th e M H G u n hold e ( fe m) , .

o ur mod e rn u n hold in th e sense of a d ark , mal ign ye t ,

mighty b e in g .

Th e l st e x ampl e of th e more re strict e d


e a r ie u se of th e na me
H old a is furnish e d by B urch ard bp o f W orms p ,
.
, . 1 94 2“ 2
Cre did isti

1
Fran k f 1 63 1 . 4 , 1 71 a
v on e in e r wa zze rh old e n , rh s old e n
. 1 76 a w a zzer
h old e , rh s ol d e . .

I f, in th e in s cript i on d e ae H lud a na e qu ot e d p 25 7, w e migh t b y a


2 ‘ ’
.

sl igh t t ra n sp o s i ti on s ub st i tu t e H ulda n a e, t h i s w o ul d b e e v en more w elcome


t h a n th e a n a l o gyto ON HI bOyn , it w o ul d b e th e most a nci e n t e vi d e n ce for
.

H u lda , s upp ort e d a s sh e al re a d yis b y t h e G o t h unhu lb é a n d t h e OR G fe ma l e . .

n a me H old a , a ra re o n e , y e t forth comi n g in S ch an n a t , t ra d ful d n o 4 4 5 a ls o . . .

H olda sin cl in G ra ff 4 , 9 15 S ch iit ze s t re a t i s e De d e a H lud a n a fi rst a pp e are d



.

L i ps 1 74 1 an d wh e n Wol f (in Wod an a , p 5 0 ) me n t i on s a Dut ch on e D e d e a


.
.

H -uldea , Traj e cti 1 74 6 , if th a t b e re a ll yth e t i tl e , t h i s ca n b e n o ot h e r t h a n a v e ry


t e mpt i n g conj e ct ure byCan n e giete r foun d e d on our H ul d a wh i ch occurs i n
‘ ’

E ccard .A L a t i n d a t iv e H u lda n a e w oul d me a n our w ea k form, OH G H old un, .

A S B o l d a n , j ust a s B e rt a , H ild e gard a a re in L at i n d o cs i n fl e ct e d B e rtan a e ,


.
.

H ild e gard a na e th ough th e re may a lso h a v e sprun g up a n om B e rtana , .

K ul d a n a S o th e d at Tan fa n a e t o o w oul d l ea d l i s t o a t a ll e v e n ts a G e rma n


. .

i om
1 .T a nf a a n d c ut
,
s h o rt a l l t h e a tt e mpts t o ma k e o u t o f -fa n a a
C e lt i c w ord

o r t h e L a t i n fa n um Ta nfa s ugge sts a n ON man s n ame D a np r, or th e OH G.



. .
H OL A , H OLL ED .
267

nt a l ique fe mina sit


q uae h oc fa c e re p ossit quod quae d am a d iab ol o
, ,

d e ce p ta e se a ffi rmant n e c e ss a rio e t e x p ra e ce p to fa c e re d e b e re id ,

e st cum d ae mo n um t urb a in similitud in e m mulie rum t ran sforma ta


,

qua m v ulgaris st ultit ia B old a m ( a l u nhold a m) v oc at c ertis .


,

n octib us e quita re d e b e re s u p e r qu a sd a m b e st ia s e t in e oru m se ,

consortio a nnu me ra t a m e ss e Th e re ma rk abl e v aria l e ct io .

u n hold a is t ak e n from t h e Cod vind ob u niv 6 3 3 B urch ard h a s . . . .

h e re p u t th e G e rma n w ord in th e pl a c e o f th e more u s ual D ia n a


p aga noru m d e a w h o in oth e r p a ss ag e s is n ame d in a lik e s e n s e and

in th e s ame c onne x io n [A still e arl ie r n otic e of H ol da is fo un d


.

in W ala frid S trab o se e Suppl ] ,

I n p op ul ar l e g e nd s a n d n urs e r y t al e s f ra u H old a ( H ul da -
, ,

H oll e H ull e frau H oll ) a pp e ars as a s up e rior b e ing w h o ma nife sts a


1
, , ,

k ind a n d h elp ful d isp os ition t ow ard s me n an d is n e v er cross ,

e xc e pt wh e n sh e n o t ic e s dis ord e r in h ou s e h ol d a ffairs N on e of .

th e G e rman ra c e s a pp e a r t o h av e ch e rish e d th e s e ora l t rad itio ns so


e xte n s iv ely a s th e H e ss ian s a n d Th u ring ia n s ( th a t W orms b ish o p

w a s a n a t iv e of H e ss e ) A t th e s ame t ime d ame H oll e is found a s


.
,

fa r a s th e V oigtlan d p ast th e Rh On mt s in north e rn F ran conia 3 in


2
, ,

th e W e tt e rau up t o t he W e st e rw al d 4
a n d from Th uringia sh e ,

c ross e s th e front ie r of Low er S a x ony Sw a b ia Swit z e rl an d .


, ,

B a va ria A u stria N orth Sa x ony an d Frie sl and d o n o t k now h e r by


, ,

th a t n ame .

F rom wh a t trad ition h a s st ill p re s e rv e d for us w e g ath e r th e


5
,

foll ow ing ch a ra ct e rist ics Fra u H olle is re p re s e n t e d a s a b e ing of


.

the shy b e g ird ling th e e arth : wh e n it s n o ws Sh e is ma k ing h e r


, ,

roo t d amp h g ran t ed a ch an ge of F in t o OH or TH [f h as b e come ch in s ach te ,


n i ch t e a ch t e r ruch tb ar or ruch b a r
, , t h ere w oul d ari s e ye t furth e r p oss i
,

b ilit ie s e g a fe ma l e n a me Ta n cha ( g rat a ) w oul d corre sp on d t o t h e OH G mas c


,
. . . .

D a n eb o (grat us) G ra ff 5 1 69 con f D an krat = Gib ich o H au pt s ze itsch r l


,
.
,

.
,

5 73 — I a m n ot con vi n ce d o f B ul d an a an d confe ss t h a t H luda na mayal s o


.

ma i n t a i n its e lf a nd b e e xpl a i n e d a s E luda ( cl a ra p rae clara ) th e w e i gh t o f


, ,
o t h e r a rg ume n ts must t urn th e s ca le A mon g th e s e h ow e v e r th e use o f gut e
.
,

h olden a n d h olla r va t t ir ( S ee m 2 40 1 ) for sp i ri ts a n d of holl re gi n ( S ee m 6 0 )


e
.
1
,
.
3

fo r g o d s i s e sp e cia ll yw orth yof n ot i ce


,
I n ON th e a dj h ollr h a d u n d e rg o ne . . .

a ss i mi l a t i on ( G o t h h ul s O H G h ol d h i l e t h e p ro p e r n a me H u ld r re t ai n e d
b .
) w . .
,

t h e o ld form for t o me t h e e xpl a n a t i on h uld r o ccul t us ce la tus l ooks v e ry , ,

lubio us .

1
H o ll e from H ul d a , as F oll e from F ul da .

2
J ul S ch mi d t s Re i ch e n fe ls p 1 5 2

. . .

S ch me lle r 2 , 1 74
3
Re i n w a l d , H e nn e b id 1 6 8 2 , 62 . .
, . . .

S ch mi d t s We st e rw a l d id i ot 73 3 4 1
4 ’
. . . .

5
K ind e rm n o 2 4 . . .

D e u ts ch e s ag e n , n os 4 8 F a l ke nst ein s Thur

. . .

cli ron ica 1 1 6 5 -6 se e


, (
268 G ODD E S SES ..

b e d, an d th e fe a th e rs i
of t fly
1
. Sh e stirs up sn ow, a s D on ar doe s
ra in : t h e Gre e ks a sc rib e d the p rod uction of s n ow a n d rain to th eir
'
Z eu s : A i ds 6q 0 9, 11 5 , 9 1 1 1 , 4 9 3
. . as we ll a s 11 1 .
9d 6; A i de, I I 1 9 .
,

357 ; th a t H ol d a c ome s b e fore 11 s a s a g odd e ss


so n o me a n ra nk
2
of .

Th e c omp a ris on of s n owfl ak e s t o fe a th e rs is v e ry old ; t h e S cy t h ian s


p ron ou n c e d t h e re gion s n orth of t h e m inacc e ss ibl e b e c au s e th e y ,

w e re fill e d with fe ath ers ( H e rod 4 7 c on f H ol d a th e n must .


, . .

b e a bl e t o mo v e t hrough th e air lik e d ame H e rk e , .

Sh e l ov e s t o h a un t t h e la ke a nd f o un ta in a t th e h our of n oon

Sh e ma y b e s e e n a fa ir wh it e l a d y ba thing in t h e fl ood a n d
, ,

disapp ea ring ; a t ra it in wh ich Sh e re s e mbl e s Ne rth us M ortals .


,

t o re a ch h e r d w e ll in g p a ss th rough t h e w e ll ; c on f th e n a me
, .

3
wa zzerh old e .

A n ot h e r s mbl a n c e is th a t sh e d rives a bout i n a


p oint of re e ,

wa ggon Sh e h ad a l in chp in p u t in it by a p e a s an t wh om sh e
.

me t ; wh e n h e p ick e d up th e ch ips th e y w e re g ol d 1
H e r a n nu a l , .

p rogress w hich l ik e t h o s e o f H e rk e a n d B e rh t a is ma d e t o fall


, , ,

b e twe en Ch ristma s an d Tw e l fth d ay wh e n th e s up ern a tural h a s -


,

s way a n d w il d b e a sts l ik e th e wol f a re n ot me ntion e d by th e ir


5
,

n ame s b rings f ertili tyt o th e l an d


,
N ot oth e rw is e d oe s D e rk with .

t h e b oar th a t Fre y r of t h e N e th e rl an d s ( p app e ar t o go his



.
,

roun d s a n d l ook a ft e r th e pl oughs A t th e s a me t ime H ol d a l ik e .


,

W uota n ca n a ls o ride on th e w in ds cl oth e d in t error an d sh e l ik e


, , , ,

t h e go d b e l on gs t o th e F rom th is a ros e t h e

w ii t e n d e h e e r

.
,

fan cy th a t w itches rid e in H oll a s c omp a n y ( ch X X X IV s n o w



.
, ,

1 Dame H o ll e sh ake s h e r b e d , M o d ej ourn 18 16 , p 2 8 3 Th e y say in . . .

S co tl and w h e n t h e fi rst fl a k e s fa ll : Th e me n 0 th e E a st are p yk in g t h e ir



,

g e e s e an d s e n d i n g th e i r fea th e rs h e re a w a t h e re a wa I n Prussi a n S aml an d ,


,
’ ’
.

w h en i t s n o w s : Th e a n g e ls Sh a k e t h e ir l i ttl e b e d ; th e fl a k e s a re th e d o wn
fea t h e rs , b ut man y d ro p p a st a n d ge t d o w n t o ou r ca i th ,
2
A s o th e r a tt ri bu t e s of H ol d a h av e p a ss e d t o M a ry, w e may h e re a ls o
b rin og i n t o co mp a ri s o n t h e rWa ria a d n i ves, n ot re d a me a ux neiges, w h o s e fe a st w as
h e ld on A u g 5 0 11 t h a t d a t h l ace ma k e rs o f B russ e ls p ra yt o h e r, t h a t t h e ir
.
y e
w ork mayk e e p a s w h i t e a s s n o w I n a folk s on g o f B re t a g n e : N o t re d a me
.
-

M ari e , sur v ot re t rcn e d e n eige (B a rz as bre iz 1 , M a yn ot th e o t h e rwi s e


u n i n t e ll i g i b l e H i l d e s h e i m l e g e n d of H ille sn e e ( D S n o 4 5 6 ) h a v e a ris e n o ut o f . .

'
a H olde sn é
3
I f t h e n a me brun n en hold in th e M a rch en b uch o f Alb Lud w G rimm l , . .

2 2 1 is a g e n ui n e p i e ce o f t ra d i t i on , i t s i gn i fi e s a foun t a i n sp ri t e [ N e w born -
.

b a b e s a re fe t ch e d b yth e n urse o ut o f da me H olle sp on d ; S uppl ]



.

4 A s i mi l r l g
e e n d m J ul S ch mi d t s Re i ch e n fe ls p 1 5 2

a . . .

5 Th
i s must b e a p m e lyh ea th e n vi e w I s upp os e th e ch ri stian s en time n t .

w a s th a t e xp re ss e d b yMa rce ll us in H a ml e t i 1 : ‘
n o S p iri t d a re s st ir a b roa d , .

t h e n i gh ts a re wh o l e s ome , &c - TR A N S

. .
2 70 G ODD E S S E S .

en e rt s th e l a n d a t Ch ristma s all th e distafi s a re w e ll st ock e d and ,

l e ft stan d ing for h e r ; by Carniva l wh e n sh e turn s h ome wa rd all , ,

spinnin g must b e fi nish e d off a nd th e staj fs a re n ow k ept ou t o f ,

h e r s ight ( Sup e rst if sh e fi nd s e v e rything a s it S h oul d b e


.
,

Sh e p ron oun c e s h e r bl e ss ing an d c on tra riw is e h e r curs e ; th e ,

formul a s so ma n y h airs so ma ny g ood y e a rs ! so ma n y



and
‘ ‘
,

h airs so many b ad y e ars ! h av e a n ol d worl d s ound A pp are ntly


,

.

tw o th in gs h a v e b e e n run in to on e wh e n w e a re als o t o ld th a t , ,

d urin g t h e tw e l ve nigh ts n o fla x mu st b e l e ft in th e d iesse o r


‘ ’
-

Th e c o n c e a l me nt of th e impl e m
,

d a me H oll a will c ome


1
. e n ts

sh ows a t th e same t ime the s acre d n e ss of h e r h olid a y wh ich ough t ,

t o b e a t ime o f re st 2
I n th e 1 11 6 151 mts th e y d o n o fa rm w ork on
. 1 ,
-

H ulla s Sa turd a y n e ith e r h oe n or man ure n or d riv e th e t e am a


, , ,

I n th e N orth t o o from Yul e d ayt o N e w y e ar s d ay n e ith e r



fi eld ,
- -
,

wh e e l n orW in dl a ss must go roun d (se e Sup e rst D a nish 1 3 4 ; .


, ,

This s up e rin te n d e n c e of a griculture a nd of strict ord er in the


h ous e h ol d marks e x a ctly th e offic e of a motherly d eity s u ch a s w e ,

g o t a cq u a in t e d w ith in N e rt hu s a n d I S I S T h e n h e r sp e c ia l c are of .

j t a a : a n d sp i n n in g ( t h e m a i n b u s in e ss o f G e rm a n h ou s e w iv e s w ho ,

a re n a me d a ft e r sp in d l e a n d dist a ff a s me n a re a ft e r sw ord a n d
3
,

S p e a r) l e a d s us d ire ctly t o t h e ON F rigg Obin s w ife wh o s e b e in g
, .
, ,

me lts int o th e n otion of a n e a rth g od d e ss a n d a ft e r wh om a -


,

c onst ell a tion in th e sky Orion s b elt is c all e d F riggj a r rockr ,


, ,

F rigga e coluS Th oug h Ic e l a ndic writings d o n ot c on t ain th is


.

n a me it h a s re maine d in u se a mong t h e Sw e d ish c oun


,
try folk -

( Ih r e ,
s u b v F r igg e r
.ocls) T h e c o n st e ll a t io n is h.ow e v e r c a ll ed

M a ricirocle D a n M a rirocle ( M agnuse n gl oss


'

, . 3 61 th e , . .

ch ristian s h a v in g p a ss e d th e s ame old id e a on t o M ary th e


h e a v e n ly moth e r Th e Gre eks p ut S p ind l e a nd dist a ff in t h e h an d s
.

o f s e v e ra l g odd e ss e s e s e cia lly A rt e mis


( v o nxd x a ro s I l 2 0 70 )
-
p , ,
.
,

a n d h e r mot h e r L e t o b u t a ls o A th e n e A mph it rit e a n d t h e N e re id s


, , .

A ll this fits in wit h H ol d a wh o is a g o d d e ss of th e ch as e t h e w il d ,


(
h ost) a n d o f w a t e r—
, S p rin gs .

1 B raun sch w . an z . 1 76 0 , no . 86 th e diesse is th e b un d le of fla x on th e


dis stag
-

.

2
Th is ma ke s on e G e rtrud e The p ea san ts a lman acks in
th i n k of .

Ca rn i o l a re p re s e n t t h a t sa in t b y t wo l i ttl e mi ce n i bb lin g a t th e t h read on a


sp i nd l e (v re te n d ) a s a s i g n t h a t th e re o ugh t to b e n o sp in n ing on h e r d a y T he
,
.

sa me h ol d s good o f th e Russ i an p ia tn i tsa F ri d a y ( K op ita rs re c von S t rah ls , . .

ge l Ru ssl a n d )
. .

3
RA 1 6 3 8 4 70.
-
Wome n are call e d in A S friboweb ba n p ea ce we ave rs
. . .
,
- .
H OL DA ,
H OLL E . 2 71

One might b e t e mpt e d t o d e riv e d ame H ol d a from a ch ara ct e r


in t he Old Te s ta me nt I n . 2 K ings 9 14 a nd 2 Ch ron . we

re a d o f a p roph e te ss h ugr! H ule ddah H ul d ah for wh ich Luth e 1 , ,

p u ts H u ld a ; t h e Se ptuag int h a s OxBa th e V ulg a t e Old a b ut t h e , ,

Lat B ibl e V ite b 1 5 2 9 (a nd p rob ab ly oth e rs S in c e ) H uld a


. . ,

foll ow ing L uth e r w h o w ith th e G e rma n H ol d a in h is min d th u s


, , ,

d o me stic a t e d th e J e wish p roph e t e ss a mon g his c oun try me n .

Se v e ra l t ime s in h is writ ings h e b rin gs up th e old h e a th e n l ife w e


1
h a d a n in st an c e a p a g e or t w o b a ck I d o n ot k n ow if a ny one .

b e fore h im h ad p u t t h e tw o n ame s t og e th e r ; but c e rta inly th e


w h ol e c on c e ption of a d ame H ol d a w as n ot fi rst d ra w n from th e
Ol d a o f th e V ulg at e w hich st a n d s th e re w it h ou t a ny sp e c ia l
‘ ’

s ign ific an c e ; th is is p rov e d by th e d e e p root e d n e ss of t h e n ame -

in our l a ng uag e by its g e n e ra l a ppl ic a t ion [a s a dj a n d com


,
. .

n o u n] t o s e v e ra l k ind s of S p irits a n d by t h e v e ry a n c ie n t n e g a tiv e ,

unh ol d e .

W e re it only for the k in sh ip of th e Nors e tra dition s w ith our


ow n w e sh ou l d bid a die u t o s u ch a n o t ion a s th a t
,
T rue th e .
,

E d die myth ol ogy h a s n ot a H oll a a n s w e rin g t o our H ol da ; b ut


S h e rri ( Y ngl s ag a c 1 6 1 7) S p e a k s of a wis e w oma n (V ol v a
. . .
,

se i5 ko n a ) n ame d H uld r a n d a l a t e r Ic e l a n dic s ag a c omp o s e d in


,

th e 1 4 th c e nt ury g iv e s a c irc u mst an t ia l a cc ou n t o f th e e n ch a nt re ss


H uld a b el ov e d o f Q5inn a n d mo th e r o f t h e w e ll k n ow n h a l f
, ,
-

g odd e ss e s Th orge r5 r an d I rp a 2
Of still more w e ight p e rh a ps .

are s o me N orw e g ia n a n d D a n ish folk t a l e s a b o u t a w ood or -

moun ta in w ife H u lla B a ld ra H uld re w h om th e y se t forth n ow


, , , ,

a sy oung a n d l ov e ly th e n a ga in a s old a n d gl oomy


,
I n a bl ue g a rme n t .

a nd wh it e v e il sh e v is its t h e p a st ure g rou n d s o f h e rd s me n a n d -


,

min gl e s in th e d a n c e s of me n b ut h e r S h ap e isd isfigure d by a t ail ,

wh ich sh e t ak e s gre a t p a ins t o c on c e al S ome a cc oun ts ma k e h e r .

b e autiful I n fron t an d ugly b e h in d She l ov e s mus ic a n d s ong h e r .


,

layh as a d ol e ful me l od y a n d I S c all e d h uld resla a t I n th e fore sts .

you se e H uld ra a s an old w oman cl o th e d in gra y march in g a t th e ,

h e a d of h e r fl ock milkp a il in h an d Sh e is s a id to c a rry o ff


, .

p eopl e s un ch rist e ne d in fa nts from th e m Ofte n sh e app e a rs n o t



.
,

a l o n e b u t a s mistre ss or q ue e n o f th e mou n t a in sp rit e s w h o a re


,
-
,

1
I b e l ie v e L uth e r fol lowe d th e H e b re w mere ly d ro pp ing ,
th e fi nal h, as
he d oe s I n J e h ova J ud a &c — T R A N S
M ul le r s saga bib1 1 3 G3 —6
, . .


. .
,
2 72 G ODD E S S E S .

c all e d f
huld re olk .
1
th In Ic e l an d
e y k n o w of th is H uld u dllc of
f t oo ,

t h e H uld umen n ; a n d h e re w e fi n d a n ot he r p oin t of a g re e me n t


w ith t h e p op ul a r fa ith o f G e rma n y n a mely th a t by th e S id e of our , ,

d a me H ol d e th e re a re a ls o h old e n i e frie n d ly sp irits a s il e n t ,


. .
, ,

s ub te rran e an p e opl e of w h om d a me H ol d e so t o Sp e ak is t h e
, , ,

p rin c e ss ( se e F or th is re a s on if n o o th e r it mu st b e more , ,

c orre ct t o e xp l a in th e N ors e n a me H ulla H uld ra from t h e ON , .

h ollr ( fi d us fi d e lis p rop itius) w h ic h is h ul d in D a n an d Sw e d a n d


, , . .
,

n o t from t h e ON h ul d a ( ob scu rita s) a s re fe rrin g to t h e s u bt e rra n e a n


.

a b od e of t h e mo un t ain s p rite s I n S we d is h folk s ongs I fi n d


-
.
-

h uld mod e r h uld a mod e r s aid of on e s re al moth e r in th e s ame


’ ’

s e n s e as k ara ( d e ar) mode r ( Sv vis 1 2 so th a t h ul d mu s t . .


, ,

h av e quite t h e mea ning of our G e rman w ord It is l ik e ly th a t th e .

t e rm h uld ufdlk w as imp ort e d int o th e Ic e l a n d ic t ong ue from th e


D a n ish or N orw e g ia n It is h ard e r t o e xpl ain t h e R in s e rt e d in
.

t h e forms H u ld ra H a ld re did it sp ring out of th e pl ura l form


,

h uld e r ( boni g e n ii h oll a r va tt ir) or re s ult fro m c omp o s it ion


,
e

Th e G e rma n I I olda p re s id e s ov e r sp inn in g a nd a g ric ulture th e ,

N ors e H u lle ov e r c a ttl e g ra zing an d milk ing -


.

5 . P ERA H TA, B ERCHTE .

Ab e ing s imil ar t o H ol d a or t h e s ame und er an oth er n ame , ,

mak e s h e r app e ara n c e p re cis e ly in th os e Upp e r G e rman re gion s


w h e re H ol d a l e a v e s off in Sw a b ia in A ls a c e in Switze rl an d in , , , ,

B a v aria a n d A u stria 2 S h e is c a ll e d f ra u B e rchte i e in OH G


.
,
. .
,
.

P era hta t h e brigh t l uminou s gl oriou s ( a s H ol d a p rodu c e s th e


,
3
, ,

glitt e ring s n o w) : by th e v e ry me a n ing o f th e w ord a b e n ign a n d


gl a d d e ning infl ue n c e ye t sh e is 11 0 W ra re ly re p re s e n t e d a s s u c h a s
,

a rul e t h e a w e in sp irin g s id e is b roug h t in t o p romin e n c e a n d Sh e


,
-
,

D e t a ils t o b e foun d in M ull e r s s a gab 1, 3 6 7 8 H allage r p 4 8



1
Faye .
-
. . .

pp 3 9 4 3 a n d 1 0 1 5 2 5 2 6 3 6 F rigg e , n ytaarsgave fo r 18 13 , p 8 5 S t ro m s
.
-
. . . . .

. .

S e n d mdr 1 , 5 3 8 5 9 V ilse s S p yd e b e rg 2 , 4 1 9 Vill e s Sillej ord p 2 30


-
. . . . .

A sb idrn se n p a ss i m
,
.

2
A p o rt i on o f F ra n con i a a n d Th uringi a kn o w s b o th B erchta a n d H olda ,
t h e re a t a ll e v e n ts i s th e b oun d a ry b e t we e n t h e t w o M a tth e sius, in h is .

E xp o s i t i o n of th e g o sp e ls for fea std a y s p 2 2 , n a me s d a me H ul d a a n d old ,


.

B erch te S i d e byS i d e .

3
A mo n g t h e ce l e b ra t e d ma i d e n s o f M e nglo b is a .

M e n glo5 h e rs e l f i s call e d 8 6 in sOlb ia rta a n d t h e fa t h e r of h e r


‘ ’

b e t ro t h e d S vip d a gr S elb iartr (su n b ri gh t, A M e n gldb in a l a t e r st ory


-

a pp e ars t o s o me on e i n a dre a m ( F orn m so a nd l e a v e s h im a


g 3, 222 . .

ma rv e ll o us p a i r o f gl o v e s .
2 74 GO DD ES S E S .

A nd th e s ame th re at is h eld ou t in o th e r d istrict s a ls o (see


S uppl )

( th e Orlagau

B Orn e r s F olk b e tw e e n th e Sa al e a n d t h e
-
t al e s of

Orl e ) furn ish a b u n d an t d e t a ils At p 1 5 3 Th e n ight b e fore . .

Tw e lfth d ay Perch tha alwa ys e x a min e s th e S p in nin g roo ms of th e


,
-

wh ol e n e ighb ourh ood sh e b rings th e sp inn e rs empty re e ls w ith , ,

d ire ction s t o sp in th e m full w ithin a v e ry b rie f t ime a n d if a ll sh e ,

d e man d s c ann o t b e d e l iv e re d sh e p un ish e s th e m by t angl ing a n d ,

b e foul ing th e fla x On th e s a me o cc a s ion sh e cuts op e n a nyon e s


.

b o d y th a t h a s
,
n o t e te
a n ze mm ed e
1
tha t d ay t ak e s o ut a ny o th e r ,

fo od h e h a s h ad an d fills t h e e mpty sp a c e with h a y or stra w w isp s


,

a n d b ricks an d a t l a st s e w s his b od y up a g a in u s ing a p loughsha re


, ,

for a n e e d l e a n d for th re a d a rohm ch a i n — P 1 5 9 A t Opp urg th e


~
. .
, ,

sa me n ight of t h e y e ar P erch tha fou nd th e sp in ning ro om full of ,


-

me rrymak in g g ue sts a n d in a towering ra ge she ha n d ed in through the ,

w ind ow twelve emp tyreels wh ich w e re t o b e sp u n full t o t he rim w ith in ,

a n h our wh e n Sh e w ou l d c ome b a ck ; on e q u art e r of a n h our h a d


,

p a ss e d a fte r an oth e r in fe arful e xp e c tation wh e n a s au cy girl ran ,

up t o th e g arre t re a ch e d d ow n a roll of t ow a n d wra pp e d it rou n d


, ,

th e e mpty re e ls th e n th e y S p u n t wo or th re e th ick n e ss e s of th re a d
,

ov e r t h e t ow so th a t th e re e ls l ook e d full ,
P e rch th a c ame th e y .
,

h a nd e d ov e r t o h er th e ir fi n ish e d w ork an d Sh e w alk e d off w ith it , ,

sh ak ing h er h e a d ( Conf th e s imilar st ory of th e w hite ma n ilcin in


. .

B a de r p — P 1 6 7 At L ang e n d e mb a ch l iv e d a n old S p in ning


. .
,

w ife wh o sw iftly w oun d th e thre ad all th e w in te r th rough a nd did


, ,

n ot so mu ch a s l e a v e o ff on Tw e lfth d ay e v e th ou gh son an d -
,

d aught e r in law w arn e d h e r : I f P e rch th a c ome s it w ill go h ard


- -
,

w ith you H e y d a y ! w a s h e r a n sw e r P e rch th a b rings me n o


’ ’
. ,

Sh irts I mu st sp in th e m mys e l f A ft e r a wh il e the win d ow is



.
,

us h ed op en P erchtha looks in to the room a n d th row s s ome e mpty


p , ,

S e lp h art e s re g e l (Wa cke rn age l s lb th e re is e xh ib i te d , t oge th er w ith ’


.

b ru od e r Zorn li an d bru od e r E rge rli , a bruo d e r We r , d e r sin h e rz e mit w e lt



r a

l ich e n d in gen a ls o beworren h a t ( h a s so e n t an gl e d h is h e art w i th worl d l yth in gs) ,


d a z d a n ih t me in mag A n d t h a t n ot ion o f ta ngled threa d a nd ha ir, wh ich

.

pre v a i ls ab out B ert ha an d H ol da , maya ft e r a ll b e a k in to th is On L Z uri ch . .

sh e is ca ll e d d e Ohlungere , b e cau s e sh e p u ts ch lun ge l ( k n ots , l umps ) in t h e un


fi n i sh e d yarn of Sl oth ful ma i d e n s , A lb S ch ott, D eu tsch e col on i en in Pi e d mon t, .

p 2 8 2 I n B av ari a an d G e rma n B oh e mi a, B erhta i s o ft e n re pre s e n t e d byS t


. .
.

L u cia , th ough h e r d a y co me s o n D e c 1 3 F ra u L u te cu ts t h e b e ll y o p e n , . .

S ch me lle r 2 , 5 3 2 J os Rank, B oh me rwa l d , p 1 3 7 C on f th e Lusse in S we d e n ,


. . . . .

Wie se lgre n 3 8 6 -7 . .

1 M a d e o f fl our a n d mi l k or w a t er an d b ak e d in a an : fastin g fa re
, p
e v id e n tl y .
P ERAHTA , B ERCH TE . 2 75

S p ools t o h e r, w hi ch sh e mu st h a v e b a ck spun full in an h our s , ,


time The sp in ne r t ook h eart of gra c e sp un a fe w rou n d s on e a ch


.
,

sp ool for d e a r life a n d threw t h e m on e an d all in to the brook th a t


, , ,

ra n p a st t h e h ous e ( a n d by th a t P e rch th a s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n ,

a pp e a s e d) — P . 1 73 : A S a min e r w as re turn in g from B uch a t o


.

K onit z on P e rch th a s n ight sh e c ame up t o h im at th e c ross road s



-
, ,

a n d d e ma n d e d w ith th re a ts th a t h e s h oul d p u t a wedge in her ,

wa ggon . H e t ook h is k nife cut th e w e d g e a s w e ll a s h e c oul d a n d


, ,

fitt e d it int o P e rch th a s w aggon w h o mad e him a p re s e n t of th e


f a llen chip s H e p ick e d th e m up a nd a t h ome h e d re w g ol d out of


.
,

e v e ry p ock e t in w h ich h e h a d p ut P e rch th a s gift s— P 1 8 2 : Tw o



.

p e as a n ts of J ii d e w e in a fte r st opp ing a t th e al e h ou s e in K estriz t ill


,

l at e on P e rch th a s e ve h ad gon e but a littl e w ay w h e n P erch tha


, ,

c a me d rivin g in a w a ggon a nd c all e d t o th e m t o p ut a p e g in th e


,

p ol e of h e r w aggon On e of th e me n h ad a k n ife a n d P e rch th a


.
,

s uppl ie d him w it h w ood th e p e g w a s le t in and th e h a nd y ma n


, ,

c arrie d h ome s e v e ral p ie c e s of mon e y in h is sh oe a s a re w ard .

P 1 1 3 : B e tw e en B u ch a a n d Wilh e l ms d orf in th e fruit fu l v al e of


.

t h e Sa al e P e rch t h a qu e e n of t h e heimchen h ad h e r d w e ll in g o f old ;


,

a t h e r c omma n d th e h e imch e n h a d to w at e r th e fi e l d s of me n ,

wh il e sh e w ork e d und e rground w ith h e r pl ough A t l a st th e .

p e opl e fe ll ou t w ith h e r an d sh e d e te rmine d to quit th e c ou n try


,

on P e rch th a s e v e th e fe rry man a t A lt ar v il l a g e re c e iv e d n ot ic e t o


b e re a d y l a t e in th e nigh t a n d wh e n h e c ame to th e Saal e b an k , ,

h is e y e s b e h e l d a ta ll sta telyd a me s urroun d e d by w e e p ing ch il d re n


a n d d e ma n ding t o b e
f erried over S he st e pt in to th e c raft t h e .
,

l ittle on e s d ragge d a p lough an d a n umb er of oth e r t ools in l oudly ,

l ame n ting th a t th e y h ad to l e av e th a t l ov e ly re gion A rriv e d a t .

th e oth e r s id e P e rch th a b ad e t h e b oat ma n cro ss on c e more a nd


,

fe tch th e h e imch e n th a t h ad b e en l e ft b e h ind w hich u n d e r comp ul ,

s ion h e d id Sh e in th e me antime h ad b e e n mending the p lough


.
,

sh e p oin t e d t o th e chip s a nd s a id t o th e fe rry ma n ,


Th e re t ak e , ,

th at to re w ard thy t roubl e Grumbl ing h e p ock e t e d th re e of t h e



.
,

c hips a n d at h ome fl un g th e m on th e w indow sh e l f a n d h ims e lf


,
-
, ,

ill a t e a s e into b e d
,
I n t h e morning th re e g ol d p ie c e s laywh e re
.
,
-

h e h a d th row n th e ch ips Th e me mory of P erchtha sp a ssage is a ls o



.

p re s erv e d at K auls dorf on th e S aal e a nd a t K Ostriz on th e Elst e r , ,

n ot fa r fro m G e ra — P 12 6 : L at e on e nigh t t h e ma st e r wh e e l
.
,

wright a t Colb a was coming h ome from Opp urg w h ere h e h ad ,


2 76 GoDDE S SEs

be e n work it w as th e e ve of th e Thre e k ings ( Twe lfthd ay) a nd


to -
,

on t h e b ank of th e riv ule t Orl a h e c ame u p on P erchth a h e r broke n ,

p l oug h s urr ou n d e d by w e e p in g h ei mch en H a st th ou a h atch e t .


w ith th e e so h e lp me men d
,
sh e c rie d t o th e t e rrifi e d t rav e ll e r .

H e g a v e w h a t h e lp h e c oul d b ut th e f a llen chip s o ffe re d him for


,

Wag e s h e w oul d n ot t ou ch : I h a v e pl e n ty o f th e m a t h ome s ays h e



.
,

Wh e n h e got h ome h e tol d w h a t h a d h app e ne d t o him a n d whil e


, ,

his p e opl e sh ook th e ir h e a d s in cre d ul ou sly h e p ull e d off on e of h is ,

sh oe s which s ome th ing h a d got in to th a t hurt his foot a nd out


, , ,

roll e d a brigh t n e w gol d p ie c e A tw e l v e month p a ss e d a n d on e o f


-
.
,

h is me n w h o h ad h ea rd h im t e ll t h e t al e se t out on P e rchth a s

, ,

n igh t a n d w ait e d by t h e Orl a j u st wh e re h is ma st e r h a d me t


, ,

P e rch th a in a l ittl e w h il e on Sh e c ame w ith h e r i nf a n t tra in


,


Wh at s e e k e st th ou h ere a t this h ou r 2 Sh e crie d in a n g e r and ,

wh en h e st a mmere d out an an sw e r Sh e c on tinu e d : I a m b e tte r ,


p rov id e d w ith t ools this t ime so tak e th ou t hy d ue ! a n d with


,

th o s e w ord s Sh e d ug h er h atch e t into th e fe ll ow s sh oul d e r Th e ’


.

s a me st ory is re p e a te d n e ar K a uls d orf at a p art of t he b rook wh ich


is c all e d t h e w a t e r o v e r th e w ay a t P re ssw it z n e ar th e Saal h ou s e
,
-
,

a n d on t h e s a n dh ill b e t w e e n P oss n e ck a n d th e fore st e r s l od g e of


R e ich e nb a ch B e l ow th e Gle itsch a curiously Sh a p e d rock n e ar


.
,

Tisch d orf th e story v a rie s in se far th at th e re P erchth a a long with


,
-
,

the heimchen wa s d riving a w a ggon a n d h a d j u st brok e n t h e a xl e , ,

wh e n sh e fe ll in w ith a c oun t ryman wh o h e lp e d h e r out w ith a ,

mak e sh ift a xl e a n d w a s p aid in c h ips wh ich h ow e v e r h e dis d a in e d


, , ,

a n d on ly c a rrie d a p ie c e h ome in his sh oe — P 1 3 3 : A sp inn ing .

girl w alk e d ov e r from t h e N e id e nb e rg d uring th a t n igh t Sh e h ad ,

d on e e v e ry b it o f h e r sp in ning an d wa s in h ig h sp irits wh e n , ,

P erch tha c ame march ing up t h e h ill t oward s h e r w ith a g re a t troop ,

of t h e hei mchen — f o lk a ll ch il d re n of on e s ort a n d s iz e o n e se t o f


, ,

th e m t oil in g t o p ush a h e a v y p lough a n oth er p a rty l oa d e d w ith ,

fa rming t ools ; t h e y l oud ly c ompl a ine d th a t th e y h a d n o l ong e r a


-

h ome .A t t h is Sing ul ar proc e ssion th e S pinn e r b e ga n t o l a ugh out


l ou d P erchtha enra ged st e pt up t o th e gid dy th ing blew up on her
, , ,

a n d stru ck h e r bl in d o n t h e sp ot Th e p oor g irl h ad a trou bl e t o


.
.

fi n d h e r w ay in to th e v ill ag e Sh e le d a w re tch e d life c o ul d n o


, ,

l on ger w ork b ut sat mo urnful by the w a ys id e be gging Wh e n t he


,
.

y e ar w a s p a st an d P e rchth a v is ite d A lt ar aga in th e bl ind one n ot , ,

k n owin g on e fro m a n oth e r a ske d a n a l ms of th e h igh d ame a s S he


,
2 78 G ODD E SS E S .

und man

ze tisch e brah t e an d h ad to tabl e brough t


a ll e z d az man e zze n s ol d e tha t th e y sh oul d e a t
,
all ,

e w a z d e r w irt g e b e n w ol d e wh a ts o t h e ma ste r w oul d giv e ,

d 6 sp ra ch e r z e m g e s in d e th e n sp a k e h e t o his me n
u n d z uo sin s e l b e s k in d e a nd t o h is ow n ch il d

ezzet h i nte a st d urch min b e t e e a t fa st ( h a rd) t o n ight I p ra y


f , , ,

d a z i uch d ie S temp e n iht en trete th a t th e Ste mp e t re ad you n ot .



.

d az kintlin d 6 v on forh t e n a z Th e chil d th e n a t e from fe ar , ,

e r sp ra ch : ve te rlin w a z ist d a z

h e s aid : fa th e r wh at is th is
, , ,

d a z d u d ie S temp en n e n n e st ? th a t th ou th e Ste mp e c all e st


sag mir ob d us e r
,
k e nn e st t e ll me if t h o u it k n ow e st
.

, .

d e r v a t e r sp ra ch : d a z sag ich d ir

Th e fa th e r s aid : th is t ell I th e e , ,

d u s olt e z w ol ge loub e n mir th ou ma y e st w e ll b eli e ve me , ,

e z ist so griuw e li ch ge tan th e re is a th ing so grue s ome d o ne


, ,

d az ich d irz nih t ge sage n k an th at I c a n n ot t e ll it th ee :


w an sw e r d e s v e rgizz e t for wh ose forg e ts th is
, ,

d a z er n icht f a st izzet so t h a t h e e a ts n ot fa st
, ,

iif d en ku mt ar on h im i t c ome s a n d t rea d s him


’ ’
e a n d tri t i n .
, .

H e re a ls o ch il dre n a n d s e rv an ts a re w arn e d by th e ma st e r of th e
h ous e t o e at up cl e an all th at is b rought on th e t abl e and are ,

th re at e ne d w ith a tra mpl ing from S temp e T his c ogn ome n of .

B e rch t e mu st h a v e c ome from st amp ing ( st e p t ap th ump a nd , , ,

p e rh aps it ought t o b e S p e lt S te mpf e ( Ge rman st amp fe n t o st amp ) ,

b ut in B a v aria th e re is a p rop e r n ame S temp e ( M B 2 2 80 an n e .


.
, ,

n ot St e mp h o a n d b oth st a mp e n a n d st a mp fe n s ee m t o b e
,

c orre ct for trampli n g a n d sque e zing It al st a mp a re : S h e is th e ,


.

n igh t h a g s imil a r t o a lp a n d sch ra t [old sc ra tch


,
A dd t o this ,

th at in th e N ord gau of Fra n c onia d ame H ol d a is c all e d th e Tremp e ,

l t iq n ordg i h t ra mpl in g ra ck e tin g on e ;


( D o d e r e in A n ,
.e t e . . .
,

S t al d e r d e fin e s t ramp e l n a s w alk in g with s h ort me a s ure d st e ps ,

t pp g a n d th e D ru t (n igh t g obl in ) a pp roa ch e s w ith s oft foot


( ri in
) ,
-

fa ll ; a t t h e s a me t ime tramp e l t ramp elthie r is a h e a v y cl umsy


, , ,

w oman N ow a s S is occ a s ion a lly a dd e d b e fore an in itial T it is


.
, ,

sure ly n ot g oin g t oo far t o c onn e ct Stemp e w ith t h e more an ci e n t


,

Ta mf a n a Ta nf an a p 2 5 7 ( se e
, ,
.

M artin of A mb e rg c alls h e r P ercht mi t d er eisn en n a sen (W ith


1

1
H is Ge wisse n ssp ie ge l ( mid o f 1 4 th ce n t . .
) is in t w o M SS a t V ie n n a .

( H o ffm pp 3 3 5
. . co n f S ch m 4 , 1 88 2 16 , . . . a n d th e J a h rb d e r B e rlin e r .

s lls h fur d u ts h s r 2 6 3 — 6 5
g e e c . e c e
p ,
. .
PERAH TA, B ERCHTE . 2 79

iron s ) a n d s ays th a t p eopl e l e ave me a t an d d rink st an d ing for


no e ,

h e r; wh ich me a n s a d ow nrig h t s a c rifi c e .

I n t h e mount a ins of S a l z b urg th e re is k e pt up t o th is d ay in ,

h onour o f th e t e rribl e P erchtel a so c all e d B e rchta run ning B e rch ta ,


-
,

leap ing a t t he t ime of t h e rauch n ach t e [in c e n s e n ights I n th e -

Pinzga u from 1 0 0 t o 3 0 0 y ou ng fe llow s ( styl e d th e B erchten) w ill


,

roa m a b out in b roa d d a yl ight in t h e odd e st d isg uis e s c a rry in g c o ws


b e lls a nd c ra ck ing wh ips


,
2
I n th e Ga st e in v all e y th e p roc e ss ion
.
,

h e ad e d by from 5 0 or 1 0 0 t o 3 0 0 st out fe ll ows g oe s h opp ing and ,

sk ipp in g from v ill ag e t o v ill age from h ou s e to h ous e all th rough , ,

th e v a ll e y ( M uch e r G a st e in pp 1 4 5 ,
I n t h e north of Sw itz e r .

l an d wh e re in a dd it ion t o B erchtli th e s ofte n e d form B echtli or


,

B echteli is in u se B ech teli s d a yis t h e 2 n d ( or if N e w y e ar s d ay


’ ’
-
, ,

fa lls on a S a t urd ay t h e 3 rd) of J a n u ary a n d is h on oure d by th e


, ,

y oun g p e opl e in g e n e ra l with s oc ial me rry mak ings th e y c al l th e


p ra ctic e berchteln bechteln I n t he 1 6 th c e n tury it w as still th e
,
.

c ustom at Z urich for me n t o in te rc e pt an d p re ss on e a noth e r t o


,

ta k e w in e th is w a s c all e d c on d uctin g t o B erchtold ( St ald 1 1 5 0 .


,

Th e re w a s th u s a ma scul ine B ercht or B erchtolt rel at e d t o ,

W uot a n a s B e rh t a w as t o Freke an d from th is a ga in th e re aros e


,

in Sw a b ia a n e w fe min in e B rechtblterin B rech tolterin ( S ch mid


' '

, , ,

S chwab w tb . I n A ls a c e th e bech ten w a s p e rforme d by p re n


.

tice s a n d j ourn e y me n run nin g from o n e h ou s e or room t o a n oth er ,

a n d k e e p in g up a ra ck e t see p a ss a g e s in Ob e rl in su b v B e ch te n
( ) , . . .

C unra t of D a nkrozh e im s a ys in his Na me n b u ch c omp o s e d 1 4 3 5 3 ,

d arn a uch so k ome t die mil d e B ohte ,

d ie n o ch h at e in gar g ro ss ge sle h te ( gre a t k in d re d ) .

H e d e sc rib e s h e r a s th e mild gra ciou s to me n n ot a s th e t e rribl e , , .

B erchtolt h ow e v e r is in S wa b ian l e ge n d th e white ma n nikin w h o ,

b rings sp ools to b e fill e d w ith sp inning ( M on e s a nz 8 ’


.
,

e x a ctly l ik e B e rcht a p 2 74 se e
( , .

A n d a s a k ind b e n e v ol e n t b e in g S h e a pp e ars in ma n y o th e r
d e script ion s wh ich und oubt e d ly re a ch fa r b a ck in t o t he M id A g e s
, . .

Th e white la dy by h e r v e ry n ame h a s a lt og e th e r th e s a me me an in g
, , ,

1
Th is P erchtensp ringen is l ike t h e hexen tusch in th e B oh me rw a l d , wh ich ,
J os Ra n k p 76 7 s a ys , is p e rforme d a t Wh i tsun t i d e , w h e n you ng me n a n d
. .
-

b oys p ro vi d e t h e ms e l v e s w i t h l o ud cra ck i n g w h i ps, an d ch as e all t h e wit ch es


o u t o f h ou s e s , st ab l e s a n d ba rn s .

2
J ou rn e y t h ro ugh U pp e r G e rman y, p 24 3 S ch m 1 , 195 . . . .

3
A d Wa lt S tro be l s b e itr , S trasb 1 8 2 7, p 1 23

. . . . . .
2 80 G ODD ES SES .

for p e rah t ,
b re cht s ignifi e s b right light wh it e Th is
b e rh t or , , , .

w h ite l a dy u s ually att a ch e s h e rs e l f t o p a rt ic ul ar fa mil ie s bu t e v e n ,

th e n sh e k e e ps th e n ame of B erta e g B e rt a of R os e n b e rg I n ,
. .
, .

s n ow whit e g arme n ts sh e S h ows h e rs e l f byn ight in p rinc ely h ou s e s


-
,

sh e ro cks o r d a nd l e s th e b a b ie s whil e th e ir n urs e s sl e e p : sh e a cts


,

t h e old gra n d mother or a n cestress o f t h e family ( se e


Th e re is a good d e a l in t he fa ct th a t s e v e ra l w omen o f th at ,

n a me w h o a re fa me d in o ur n a t ion a l tra dit ion s st a n d c onn e ct e d


, ,

w ith th e gh ostly B erhta ; th ey h av e b e e n ad opt e d out o f th e divin e


l e ge n d int o th e h e roic l e g e n d I n It aly an d F ran c e a far dista n t
.
,

p a st is e xp re ss e d by th e p h ra s e n e l t e mp o ove B erta j ila va wh en ,


B sp an ( Pe nt a me ron e L ie b re cht 2 a u t e ms q ue la re in e

.
.
,

B erthe fila it th e s a me id e a still of th e sp inn ing ma t ron 1


,
B erta .
,

t h e d a ugh t e r of k ing Fl o w e r a n d of W hit e flow e r a ft e rw ard s th e ,

wife of k in g Pipp in an d mothe r of th e gre a t h e re Ch arl e s ,

sh e w h o in th e M LG p oe m of F los is c all e d b oth Vred eling a n d


.

B rehte ( 15 5 5 d oe s n ot b e l ie h e r myth ic orig in


.
2
Sh e is .

c all e d B e rhte mit d emf uoze ( foot ) F l ore 3 0 9 ; in Fre n ch B e rth e d a , ,

gra nd p ied a n d a cc t o t h e R e al i d i F ran z a 6 1


. B e rt a d el gra n ,

i e p e rch e e ll a a v e v a u n p ie un p o c o maggior d e ll alt ro e qu e ll o


p , ,


e ra il p ie d e stro h a d t h e right foot l a rg e r
,
Th e F re n ch p oe t A d e n e z .

t rie s a pp are n tly t o e xt e nua te th e d e foimity by mak ing b oth h er


fe e t l arg e h e c a lls h e r B e rt e a s gra nsp ies ( Paris e d LII 78
‘ ’
. . .
,

so t h e M id B a e rt e met ten bred en voeten Fl oris 3 966



D utch .
, , .

B ut t h e on e big foot is more g e nu in e a s may b e s ee n by th e far ,

1
I can produce an o th er sp inn ing B ertha
Th e V ita S B e rth a e A ve n na . .

ce n sis i n di oe ce si Re me n si ( con f Flo d oa rd us 4 , 4 7) s a y


. s ( A ct a S an ctor , M a ii p . .

1 14 11 ) Qua e d um lustra re t s i t us l oci i lli ns , p e rv e nit a d qu e n d am h ort um, I n


que e ra t fon s mira c p ulcritu d in is Que m u t vi d i t D e o d e v o ta fe mi n a , min i me
.

p osse sso rib us ip sius p ra e d ii sic lo cu ta e st : O fra t re s , h u n c


con cu ivit, se d
p
fon t e m p rae d ii v e stri v e n d i t e mi hi, e t a cce p ts d i gna p e cu n i a ce d it e u sib u s .

n o st ris Cui sic aiu n t : E n p rae st o sumus, si t ame n d e tur p re t i um a n ob i s


.

t a x a tu m S an ct a a u t e m, vid e n t ib us qui a d e ra n t , libra m u n am d e n a riorum


.

osuit s u p e r l a p i d e m q ui e ra t s u p e r e s ej u s d e m fon t i s , d o mi n i v e ro a c v e n d i
p
t ore s re ce p e run t a e sT un e s an cta ma t e r, D e o pl e n a, colo qua m ma n u t e n e b a t
coe p it terra m fod ere, e t in mo d um s u l ci riy a m a cere, o ra n s a c dice n s
f Ost e n d e
n ob i s , D omi n e , mi s e ri cord i a m t ua m, e t s a l ut are t uum d a n ob is Re v e rt e n s
n a mqu e mon a st e ri u m, col um e a d e m p o st se t rah e b a t ta n ta qu e a b u n d a n t i a ,

a qua e e am se q u e b a t ur, u t a d u s u s o mn e s h omin ib us p e rt i n e n t e s su ffi ce re t, si cu t


u sq u e h od i e a
p p are t N ome n qu o qu e s a n cta ma t e r fluviolo i ps i comp osuit,
.

dice n s L ibra voca b e ris, qu i a u n a l i b ra p ro e mp tion e t ua d a t a est .

2
H o w fi rml ysh e i s root e d , ma yb e s e e n b yh e r b e i n g th e l i n k t h a t j oin s
th e C a rol i n g i a n l e g e n d t o t h e L a n g obard i c : sh e i s mot h e r of C arl , w if e of
P i pp i n t h e son of Rot h e r a n d d augh t e r o f F l ore and B la nch e fi or, wh os e
n a me a ga in con ta i n s th e n otion of wh it e n e s s .
28 2 GODD ES SES .

c an not p oin t out a d ame P e rh ta b e fore th e 1 5 th or 1 4 th century ,

or a t e a rlie st t h e 1 3 th
; b ut t h e fi rst s upp os ition n e e d n ot b re a k
d own e v e n if w e d id ma n a ge t o h un t u h e r p ers on al name in
,
p
ol d e r a uth oritie s : e v e n in th e 9 th c e n t ury th e e xp re ss ion
p e rah tfi n
n a ht might h a v e d e ve l op e d in t o P e rah tun n aht S till th e ch ar
a ct e ristics w e h a v e S p e c ifi e d o f a myth ic a l B e rt a a n d a b ov e a ll h e r
, ,

id e n tity with H ol d a s e e m t o me t o d e cid e th e matt e r th e oth e r


,

w ay . I f in d e p e n d e n tly o f th e ch ristian c al e nd ar th e re w as a
, ,

H ol d a th e n n e ith e r can P e rah t a b e p ure ly a p rod uct o f it ; on th e


,

c on trary b oth of th e s e a dj e ctiv e name s l e a d u p t o a h e ath e n d eity


, ,

w h o ma d e h e r p e re g rina t ion at th a t v e ry s e a s on o f y ule a nd wh om ,

th e re fore t h e ch ristian s readily c onn e ct e d with th e s a cre d ne ss of


Ch rist ma s a n d N e w y e ar -
.

I will h e re group t og e th er th e fe a ture s which unmist ak ably


mak e H ol da a n d B e rth a a pp e ar in th is l igh t Th e y d riv e a b out in .

wa ggons l ik e moth e r E a rth a nd p romot e a griculture a nd n a vig a tion


, ,
»

a mon g me n a p lough from wh ich t h e re fall ch ips of g ol d is th e ir


, ,

s a cre d impl e me n t This t oo is l ik e t he god s th a t th e y app e ar


.
,

sud d en ly a n d B e rh t a e sp e c ia lly h a n d s h e r g ifts in a t the wi n d ow


, .

B oth h av e sp inn ing an d w eav ing a t h e a rt th e y in sist on d il ig e n c e ,

a nd th e k e e p in g o f fe st iv als h oly on th e t ra n sg re ss or grim p e nalt ie s ,

a re e x e c ut e d Th e s ouls of i nf a n t child re n a re foun d in th e ir h ost


.
,

a s th e y l ik e wis e rul e ov e r elves a n d d wa r fs b ut n ight hugs a nd ,


-

e n cha n tresses a ls o foll ow in th e ir train all this s av ours of


h e a th e nis m .

It is v e ry remark a bl e th a t th e It al ian s t oo h av e a mis sh ap e n


,
-

fairy B efa na a t e rror t o ch ild re n wh o h as S p ru ng out of e p ip h a nia


, ,

b th a t d a y th e w ome n a n d ch il d re n se t a d oll ma d e of
( e fa nia ) o n

old rags in t h e w in d o w sh e is bl a ck an d u gly a n d b rings p re s e n ts ,


.

S ome say sh e is H erod s d a ughter ; Ra n k e s hist z e itsch r 1 71 7


’ ’
.
,
. .
,

La B ef a n ia ( Pulci s M org 5 B e rni s ays : il d i di B e fan ia



.
,

vo p orl a p e r B ef a n a a ll a fe n e stra p e rch e qualcun le dia d un a ,

b alle stra It w oul d be a ston ishin g if twice ov e r in tw o di ffe re n t , ,

n a tion s a n ame in th e c al e n d a r h a d c a u s e d th e in v e n t ion of a


,

s up erna tural b e ing ; it is more l ik ely th a t b oth in Italy and amon g , ,

u s ol d e r tradition s of th e p e opl e h a v e s ought t o bl e n d th e ms e lv e s


,

w ith th e ch ristian n ame of th e d ay .

1
Fran c B e rni, rime 10 5
. . C rusca sub v . b e fana .
H RO E D I A S D I AN A
, ,
AB U N DI A . 2 83

6 .
( H E ROD I AS . D I AN A . A B UNDI A) .

H erod ia s, wh om w e h a v e j ust b e e n re mind e d b yB e fan a w ill


of ,

ill u stra t e th is e v e n b e tt e r Th e st ory of H e rod s d a ugh t e r wh os e



.
,

d an c ing b rought ab out t h e b e h e a d ing o f J oh n th e B a pt ist mu st ,

h a v e p rod uc e d a p e c uliarly d ee p imp re ss ion in th e e arly p a rt of th e


M id A g e s a n d in more th a n on e w ay ge t mix e d up w ith fa b l e s
.
,
.

Re l igious p oe ts t re a t th e s ubj e ct in full a n d w ith re l ish ( H e l 8 3 5 ) ,


.
-

Ot frie d s e e ms t o l e a v e it out d e s ign e d ly It w a s imag in e d th at on .


,

a cc ou n t o f h e r t h oughtl e ss ra th e r t h a n ma l ic iou s a ct ( for t h e

p rop os al c ame from h e r re v e n g e ful moth e r) H erod ia s (th e d a ughte r) ,

w a s c on d e mne d t o roa m a b out in c omp a n y w ith e vil a nd d e v il ish


Sh e is pl a c e d at th e h e a d of t h e furiou s h o st or of

S p irits

.

witch e s ni ghtly e xp e dit ion s t og e t he r with D ia n a w ith H ol da a hd


, ,

I n B urca rd of W orms 1 0 1 w e re a d :
'

P e rah ta or in th e ir ste a d
, .
,

I llud e tia m n on omit t e n d um qu od qua e d a m sce le ra tae mulie re s ,

re t ro p ost S a ta n am con ve rsa e d a e mon um illu sion ib u s e t h ant a s


p ,

ma tibus se d ucta e cre d un t se e t p rofi te nt ur n octurnis h oris cum


,

D ia n a p aga n orum d e a v e l cum H erodia d e e t in n ume ra mult it ud in e


mulie rum e quita re s up e r quasd am b e stia s e t mult a te rra rum sp a tia ,

int e mp e sta e n o ct is s ile n t io p e rt ra n sire ej usqu e j ussionibus velu t ,

d omi n a e ob e d ire e t c e rt is n octibus a d ej u s s e rv it ium e vocari


, .

J oh Salisb e rie n sis ( 1 1 1 8 2 ) in P olycr 2 1 7 Q ual e e st q u od n oc


.

.
, ,

t ilu ca m qua n d a m v e l H e rodia d em v e l , p ra e sid e m n octis d omin am ,

c onc il ia e t conve nt us d e n o ct e a sse runt c on vo c are v a ria cele brari ,

c onv ivia &c A nge rius e p iscop u s Con se ra nus ( a n


, .
-
, N ull a .

muli e r d e n octurnis e quita re cum D ia na d e a p a ga n orum vel cum


H erod ia d e se u B e n soz ia 1 e t inn u me ra mulie ru m multitud in e p ro
fi t e a t ur — Simil ar st a t e me n ts h a v e p ass e d in t o l a t e r w ritings s u ch
.
,

a s th o s e o f M a rtin von A mb e rg a n d Vin tle r It is w orth n otic in g , .


,

th a t t o t h e w orsh ip of this H erod ia s on e third of the whole w orld is ,

c e d e d an d so a most re sp e cta bl e diffus ion a ll ow e d Ra th e riu s


, .

( sh op of Ve ron a b ut a F ra nk b at L ob i n e ar Camb ray d 9 74 ) in


b i , , .
,
.

h is P ra e lo qu ia ( M a rt e ne a n d D ura n d 9 79 8 op p e di t B all e rin i , . . .

pp 2 0
. .
Q uis e nim c orum qui h odie in t alibus u sq ue a d p e r ,

d ition e m a nimae in t an t um d e ci iunt ur u t e t ia m e is qua s B all


p ( , , .

1
D u ca nge sub v D ian a sp e lls B e n z e ri a , b ut h a s t h e t rue mea n in g un d e r
.

B e n so z1a I ts e l f I t s e e ms t o me an b o n a s oci a fri e n d l p ro p i t i ou s b e i n g B ona


, y .

d e a , D io C a ss 3 7, 3 5 4 5 C o n f ch XX V I I I d ob ra sre tia b on a F ort un a ch


,
XVI , good Wife , un d e r Wood wome n
. . . .
, , .

-
.
2 84 G ODD ES SE S .

de quib us) a it Ge n }
,
H e rod ia m illam b ap tist a e Ch risti in t e rfe ctri
ce m q u a s i
,
regin a m imo d oa m p rop on an t ; a sse re n t e s, tertia m tot ia s
mun d i p a rte m me rc e s fu e rit p rop h e ta e
ill i t ra d it a m : qu a s i h a e c
o ocisi cu m p o tius s in t d ae mon e s t a lib us p ra e st igii s in fe li c e s muli e r
, ,

c ul a s b isqu e mul tu m vitu p erabiliore s v iros q uia p e rdit issimos


, , ,

d e cip ie n t e s— A full a n d re mark a bl e a c coun t o f th e me die v a l


.

t ra dit ion,th at w a s t a ck e d on t o H e rodia s, is c on t a in e d i n t h e


n a rd us 1 1 1 3 9— 1 1 6 1 :
,

l ’
ce l e b ra nt o p e c uj us ubi omne s
ra e ci-p u e sid a s , ,

d e fue ra nt t e st e s e st d at a R oma P e tro


, ,

t ra d ita que inj u st o P ha ra zld is v irg o l a b ori ;


'

se d sa n ctifaciu n t qu a lia cu n qu e v o lun t .

H a c fa mo su s e ra t felix que fuisse t H erod es


prol e se d infelix h a n c quoqu e lae sit a mor:
,

h a e c virgo th alamos B ap tista e s ol ius ard e n s


, ,

v o ve ra t h oc d e mto n ul lius e ss e v iri .

Offe n sus g e nitor comp e rto p rolis amore


, ,

in son t e m s an ctum d e ca p it a vit a trox .

P o st ul a t a ffe rri virg o s ib i tristis e t a ffe rt ,

re giu s in d isc o t e mp ora t run c a clie ns .

M ollibu s alla t um stringe n s c a p ut ill a la ce rtis


p e rfu n d it lacrim is o s cu la q e a d de re a v e t
u ,

o sc ul a cap ta n te m cap ut a uf a gi t a tqu e resa


fl at ,

ill a p e r impl uvium turb in e fl an tis ab it .

E x ill o n imium me mor ira J olza n ms e an d e m


'

p er va cuum coeli flab ilis urge t it e r


mort uu s in fe sta t mis e ram n e c v iv u s a marat, ,

n o n t a me n h a n c p e nitu s fa t a p e riss e sin un t .

Le n it hon or luct um minuit reveren ti a p o e n a m


, ,

a rs h o mi n u m moesta e tertia sermt kora e


p .

'

Quercubus et corglzs a n octis


p a rte secund a
/
u sgu e n igri a d ga lli ca rmi n a p rvfima sed ot .

N un c e a n ome n h ab e t P ha ra ildis, H erod ia s an t e


salt ria , n e c subie n s n e c sub e un d a
p ari .

Conf A e lfrici h omilia e 1 4 8 6 H e re w e h a v e H e rod ias de scrib e d


'

.
, .

a s moosta h ora cui p a rs tertia homin um s e rv it th e re v e re n tial ,

h oma ge sh e re c e iv e s assu ag e s h e r b itt e r lot ; on ly from midnigh t


1 i
B all e r n i ca n n ot un d e rstan d th i s Gen . is it Gen n a dius ( M ass i lie nsis) ,
a
writ e r a t t h e e nd of t h e fi fth ce n t ur I
"

y
2 86 n
G o nnssns .

sta nd for one s id e by s id e D ia na is d en ounc e d by


an o th er ,
or .

E ligius ( Sup e rst A ) ; th e p a ss ag e in th e d e c re e s of c oun cils


.

( Sup erst C) h a s found it s w ay int o ma ny l at e r w ritings ( Sup e rst


. .

D G ) : l ik e H e ro dia s sh e a pp e a rs a s d omin a a n d h em
, , Th e li fe of .

St Ca e sarius A re lat e n sis me n t ion s a d ae mon ium qu od ru stic i


.
,

D ia n a m v ocan t so th a t t h e n ame w a s fa mil ia r t o t h e c ommon



,

p e opl e ; th at st at ue of D ian a in Gre g Tur 8 1 5 I h a v e sp ok e n of . .


,

on p 1 1 0 . B ut th e stron g e st t e st imon y t o t h e w id e diffu s ion of


.

D ia n a s c ultu s s e e ms t o b e a p a ss ag e in th e l ife of St K ilian th e



.
,

a p o stl e o f th e E a st F ranks (1 G ozb e rtusd ux F ran cia e '

v ol e n s cre b ra ap u d se tra ct are in quisition e u trum Ej us que m ,

( K ilia n u s) p r a e d ica b a t v e l D ia na e
p o t i
,
n s c ult u s p r a e fe re n d u s e ss e t .

D ia n a n a mqu e a p ud illum in s umma v e n e ra tion e h ab e b at ur .

( S u ri u s 4 1 3 3 ,; A ct a s an ct B oll an d 8 J u l ( p . A s i t is
. . .

p rin cip a lly in T hurin gia F ran conia a n d H e ss e th at f ra u H old a ,

s urv iv e s it is not in cre dibl e th at by D ia n a in th e n e ighb ourh ood


,

of W ii rzb urg so fa r b ack a s th e 7th c e n tury w a s me an t n o oth e r


, ,

th an sh e .

L a stly th e re trosp e ctiv e c onn e x ion of this H erodias or D ia n a


,

w ith p e rs on ag e s in t h e n a tiv e p ag an ism wh e th e r of Ce ltic or ,

T e ut onic n a tion s re c e ive s a w e lc ome c on fi rmation from th e l e g e n d


,

o f a d omi n a A bn nd ia or d a me H a bon d e s uppl ie d by F re n ch


'

a u th orit ie s of th e M id A ge s A b ish op o f P aris G u ilielmus


. .
,

A lve rnus ( Guill aume d A uv e rgn e ) w h o di e d 1 2 4 8 sp e aks th u s of


, ,

ny mphs a n d l amiae ( o p e ra P a r 1 6 74 fol I ,


Sic e t d a e mon
.
, . .
,

q pu i r a e t e x t u m u l ie ris c u m alii s d e n o
,
c te d om o s e t ce ll a ria d ic i t u r

fre que nt are e t v ocan t e am S a tia m a sa tie t at e e t d omin a m


, ,

m m a m p ra e sta re dicun t d omib us


1
A b n n di a
p r o a b u n d a n t i a q u a e -
, ,

qua s fre que n ta ve rit : h uj usmodi e tiam da e mone s qu a s d omin a s ,

v oca n t v e t ula e p e n e s qua s e rror ist e re man sit e t a quib us s ol is


, ,

cre ditur e t somn ia t ur D icu n t h a s d omin a s e d e re e t b ib e re d e e scis


.

e t p otibu s qu o s in d omib us in v e n iun t n e e t a me m con sump t ion e m


, ,

a u t immin ution e m e a s fa c e re e sca rum e t p o tuu m ma x ime si v a s a ,

e sca rum s int dise oop e rta e t v a s a p oculorum n on ob stru ct a


e is in n o ct e re lin q u a n t ur Si v e ro Op e rt a v e l cl au s a in v e n iun t
.

ob structa in d e n e e come d un t n e e b ibun t p ropte r q uod


se u
~

, ,

in fau st a s e t in fortun at as re li n quun t n e c sa tieta tem n e e a bu n ,


~

Th e Roma n s als o p e rs on ifi e d A bun da n tia a s a s up e rior b e in g , but


1 sh e
o nlya pp e ars on coin s , sh e h a d n e ith e r t e mpl es n or a lta rs .

'

HE RO D I AS D I ANA
, ,
A B U NDI A . 287

d a ntia m

e is p ra e sta n t e s . Th e
l ik e is re p e at e d on p . 1068 ,
b ut
on p . 1066 we re a d :

Sun t e t a l ia c lud ifi e a tione s malignorum
Sp irituu m q ua s faciun t int e rd um in
,
morib us e t ne l o c is a moen is
e t fro n d osis a rb orib u s u bi a pp a re n t in s imil it u d in e p a ella rum a u t
,

ma tron a rum orn a tu mul ie b ri e t ca ndid a in te rdum e t ia m in stab ulis , ,

cum lumin arib u s ce re is e x quib u s a pp a re n t d istilla t ion e s in c omis


,

e t c oll is e q uorum e t c oma e ip soru m dilige n t e r t rica t a e e t a u d ie s


, ,

e os q
,
ui t al ia se vid isse fa t e n tu r d ic e n t e s v e ra m c e ra m e ss e q u ae
, ,

d e lumin aribus h uj usmod i st illa ve ra t 1


D e ill is v e ro sub st a n tii s .
,

quae app are n t in d omibus qua s d omin a s n octu rn a s e t p rin cip em


, ,

e a rum voca n t d omin a m A bun dia m p ro e o q uod d omib us qu a s , ,

fre qu e nt a n t a b un d a n t ia m b on orum t e mp oraliu m p ra e st are p u t an


,

t ur n on al it e r t ib i s e n t ie n d um e st n e que a li t e r q ua m que ma d mo
, ,

d um d e ill is a u divisti Quap rop t e r e o u squ e in va lui t stultitia h o


.

minu m e t in s ania v e tularum u t v a s a v in i e t re c e pt ac ul a cib orum


,

discocp e rta relin qu an t e t omn in o n e e ob strua n t n e qu e claud an t e is


,

n octib u s q uib u s a d d omo s s ua s e a s cre d un t a d ve n tura s e a d e


, ,

c a us a v id e l ic e t ut cibos e t p ot us qua si p arat e s in ve hiant


, et e os

a bsqu e d iffi cult a t e ap p a ritionis p ro b e n e pl a c it o suma n t .

Th e Roma n d e la ros e ( M é on 1 8 6 2 2 se q) in forms us .

qui le s e in c se ns a in sin e d e coit


p a r le s fa n t os me s qu il
,
re coit ,

d on t maint e s g e n s p ar lor fol ie


cuid e n t e stre p ar nu it e st rie s

erra ns a uecq u e s d a me H a bon d e ,

e t die n t qu e p a r t ou t le mon d e
,

li tiers e nf a n t d e n a c ion
sa n t de eeste con d icion .

qu il v on t t rois fois e n la s e maine


si cum d e st in e e le s ma in e ,

e t p a r t ou s ce s ost e x se b out e n t ,

D e e l e s n e b a rre s n e re d ou t e n t ,

ain s se n e n t re n t p ar le s fe n d a ce s ,

a r ch a t ie re s e t a r cre v a ce s,
p p
e t se p arte n t d e s c ors le s ame s
e t v on t a v e c le s bon n es d a mes

p ar l e u s fora in s e t p ar mais on s ,

e t le p rue v e n t p a r t ie x ra is on s

1
C onf . De uts ch e s age n ,
no . 12 2 .
GO DD ES SES .

qu e le s d iv e rs it é s
ve ne s
n e s u n t p a s e n lor liz v e n ue s ,

a in s s un t lor a me s qui lab ore n t


'

e t p a r le mon d e a in sin e se n c ore n t &c , .

1 8686 . D a ut re p a rt qu e li tiers d a mond e


,

a ille a in sin e a vec d a me H a bon d e,


si cum v ol e s v iell e s le p rue ve nt
a r le s vis ion s t t
p qu e ru e v e n ,

d on t c on v ie n t il s a n s n ul e faill e

qu e tre st ous li mon d e s i a ill e .

A s Ra th e rius a n d th e Re in ard u s re p re s e n t th ird p art of th e world a

a s giv e n u p t o t h e s e rv ic e of H e rodia s t h e s a me st a t e me n t is h e re ,

a pp lie d t o d a me B a b on d e ; H erod i a s a n d A bun d ia a re th e re fore


on e . A c o n n e x ion b e t w e e n A b un dia a n d our n a t iv e F olla F u ller ,

il m h m a ns may
( fu l n e ss ) w l p re s e n tly b e a d e a pp a re n t T e t e r enf .

re fe r e ith e r t o t h e u n christe ned ba bes a b ov e or t o t h e gre a t ,

multit u d e of h e a th e n w h o re ma ine d sh u t ou t o f th e ch ris tian


,

c ommun ity It h a d lon g b e e n th e cust om t o d ivid e t h e k n own


.

w orl d in t o th re e p a rts 1 Th e d omin a clothed i n whi te remin d s on e


.

o f P e rah t a t h e b right th e bon a d omin a or bon a socia of H o l d a t h e


2
,
I

gra ciou s a nd H erodia s h a un ting th e oaks by n igh t of th e Old


,

G e rman t re e w orship -
T h e y a re origin ally b e nign an t b e ings all
. ,

w h os e p re s e n c e b rin gs p ro sp e rity an d pl e n ty t o man k in d ; h e n c e t o


th e m a s t o frie n dly sp irits or g od s me a t an d d rin k are se t for a
, ,

s a crific e in th e n igh t s e a s on H ol d a B e rhta a n d W e rra s ee m t o


.
,

l o v e a p a rticul ar k in d of food a n d l ook for it on th e ir fe a st d ay


,
-
.

7 H RU ODA ( H RE DE)
. . OSTARA ( EAS TRE) .

Th u s far w e h av e got a cqu ainte d w ith th e n ame s a n d w orsh ip


o f s e v e ra l g od d e ss e s w h o w e re ho n oure d u n d e r d iffe re n t n a me s by
,

p articul ar t ribe s of Te u ton d om ( Ne rd u H lud an a Ta nfan a H ol d a , , , ,

B e rh t a ) a n d oth e rs re s e mbl ing t h e m h a v e only b e c ome k n own t o


,
-

u s u n d e r fo re ig n a pp e ll a t ion s ( Is is D ia n a H e rod ia s A b un dia ) : o f


, , ,

all th e s e ( so l on g a s I c on s id e r still d ou bt fu l t h e c on n e x ion o f

1 A g i t ur p ars t e rt ia mun d i Ov id . . me t . 5 , 3 72 t e rt ia pars mun d i fuman s


p e rit A fri ca fla mmis, C o rip p 1 , 4 7 . t e rtia p ars orb i s E urop a voca tur Wal ,

th ar l . .

Is
2 th e na me socia conn e c e d t w i h th e S a tia in G ui lie lmus A lve rnus
t ,
2 90 .

G ODD E S S E S .

( W e isth 1 1 75 ) .
,
h a s Red tmonet it is cl e ar
, n ot for wh a t month .

Whe n we fi nd in th e A pp e nze ll e r re imch ron ik p . 1 74

I n d e m Redimon et
d ie p ure n k a me n d on e t ,

d o d e r me rz e n mon a t g ie ng h e rzu
a n a in e m morge n fru
do zu n d e n t z R orsch a ch an

h e re Redirn on et s e e ms by th e d ispl a c e me nt so common in th e ,

n a me s of mon t h s t o b e t h e mon th b e fore M a rch a s Ch o rion u s e s


, ,

his Retmon a t for F e b rua ry a s w e ll V o n A rx e xpl a in s t h e w ord .

q uite diffe re n tly a n d I th in k un te n a bly by a moun tain A p a rt


, , .

from th e S wiss t e rm a ltog e t h e r I b e l ie v e th e A S n ame w a s , .


re all y H re d or H ré de O H G H rn od or H rnod d an d d e riv e d

.
, ,

a s I s a id on p 2 0 6 from h ruod gl oria fa ma . so th a t w e ge t th e , ,

me a nin g o f a sh ining a n d re n ow nful g odd e ss Th e Tra d ful d 2 . . .


,

1 9 6 furnish a fe mal e n ame H rua da ge n H rua d un a n d in 1 4 2 2


, , .
, , .
,

2 6 a n oth e r n om H rua d un th is l a st a pp are n tly forme d l ik e ON


,
.
, .

F iorgyn an d H l6dyn Th e A S adj h réfi or h ré tie me a n s crud e lis


'

. . .

ee d m 1 3 6 2 9 p e rh aps vict oriosu s ? I a m in d ou b t


( C .1 1 8 ,
.
,

a b out h ré b sige h ré fi gubh ré ti B e ow


,
5 14 6 9 74 1 6 3 1 th e y wa ve r , , . . .

b e tw e e n an a dj a nd a su bst s e n s e a n d in th e l a st p a ss a g e
. .
, ,

B e ow ulfe w e arfS gubhré fi gife be V ict oria is e vid e n tly me a n t ,



.

W h e n th e A S M e n ologue l ine 70 t ra n sla te s M artin s by rebe th is


.
, , ,

may st an d for h rébe


We G e rma n s t o th is d ay c all A p ril oster mona t ,


an d dsta rmd n oth
is foun d ly a s Eginhart ( t e mp Car M ag)
a s e ar Th e gre a t . . .

ch ristian fe stiva l wh ich us ually fa lls in A p ril or th e e nd of M arch


, ,

be a rs in th e ol d e st o f OH G re ma in s th e n ame dsta rd ge n fi n ; it 1
. .
-

is mo stly foun d in t h e pl ural b e c a u s e t w o d a ys ( dst arta ga , ,

a ost ort a a D iut


g 1 2 6
,
6 ) w e re k e pt a t E a st e r
. Th is O
,
sta rd l ik e
3
.
,

t h e A S E astre mu st in t h e h e a t h e n re l ig ion h a v e d e n o t e d a h igh e r


.
,

b e ing wh os e w orsh ip w as so fi rmly roo te d th a t t h e christia n


, ,

t e ach ers t ol e ra te d th e n ame and applie d it t o on e of th e ir ow n


-
,

gran d e st a nn ive rs arie s 2


All t h e n at ion s b ord e ring on us h a v e .

h il

re t a in e d th e B ibl ic a l p a soh a ; e v e n U lp a s w rit e s p a sk a not

,

1
T 15 7 l 3 5 , . . . O i 2 2, 8
. . . iii 6 , 1 6
. . iv 9 , 8. . H ymn 2 1, 4 . . F ra gm .

t h e ol . x 1v 17 . .

2
C on f I d e le r s
.

ch ron o o l gie 1 , 5 16 .
ZI SA . 2 91

au str6 th ough h e must h av e k n own th e w ord ; th e N ors e tongue


,
1

a ls o h a s imp ort e d its p askir S w e d p ask D a n p a a sk e Th e OH G


,
.
, . . .

a d v dsta r e xp re ss e s mov e me n t t o wa rd th e ris in g su n G ramm 3


.
( .
,

l ik e w is e th e ON a ustr a n d prob ably a n A S e ast or a n d G oth


.
,
. .

austr I n L a tin th e id e n t ic a l a uste r h a s b ee n p ush e d rou nd t o t h e


.

n oo nd a y q u a rt e r th e S o uth I n th e E d d a a ma l e b e in g a sp irit of
,
.
,

l igh t b e ars t he n ame of A ustri so a fe mal e on e migh t h a v e b e e n


, ,

c all e d A ustra t h e H igh G e rman a n d Sa x on trib e s s e e m on th e


c ontra ry to h a v e forme d onl y a n Osta rd E astre ( fe m) n ot Os t a re , , ,

B ast ra ( ma sc ) 2
A nd th a t may b e t h e re a s o n w h y t h e N orse me n
.

s aid p askir a n d n ot a ustrur : th e y h ad n e ve r w orsh ipp e d a godd e ss ,

A ustra or h e r cu ltu s w as a l re ad y e xt in ct
, .

Osta ra E astre s e e ms th e re fore t o h a ve b e e n th e di v inity of th e


,

ra dian t d a w n o f upsp ring ing l ight a sp e ct a cl e th a t b rin gs j oya n d


, ,

bl e ss ing wh os e me a n ing c oul d b e e a s ily a d a pte d t o t he re surre c


3
,

t ion d ayof th e Ch ristian s G od B onfires w e re l ight e d a t E a ste r


-

.
,

a n d a cc ordin g t o a p op ul ar b e lie f o f l o n g st a n ding th e mome n t t h e ,

sun ris e s on E a st e r Sun d a y mornin g h e g iv e s three j oy f u l le ap s h e , ,

d a n c e s for j oy ( Sup e rst W a te r d ra wn on th e E a ste r


.

morning is l ik e t h a t a t Christ ma s h oly and h e al in g ( Sup e rst 775


, ,
. .

8 0 4 ) h e re als o h e a th e n n otio n s s e e ms t o h av e gra ft e d th e ms e l v e s


o n gre a t ch rist ia n fe stiv a ls M a id e n s cl oth e d in w h it e w h o a t
.
,

Ea st e r at th e s e a s on o f re tu rn ing sp ring sh ow th e ms e l v e s in cl e fts


, ,

o f th e ro ck a n d on mou n t a in s a re s ugg e stiv e of th e a n c ie n t g odd e ss


,

( se e

8 Z I SA
. .


B e da
s cc t of H re d e a nd E ast re sh all b e foll ow e d n ow by
a ou n 4

a st a t e me n t re a ch in g b a ck t o t h e 1 l th c e n t u ry a n d d e s e rv in g ,

a tt e n t ion if o n ly for its g re a t a e c on c e rn in g a g o dd e ss Zisa


g ,

w orsh ipp e d a t A ugsb urg in th e h e ath e n t ime .

1 F or crie n s h e ch o o s e s urrun s for occid e n s sagqs, i e , ris in g a n d s in kin g of


, . .

t h e sun , n o t th a t h e did n ot kn ow vistr ( v e rs us o ccid e n t e m) , roo t vis ( re p o s e ,


s tilln e ss e v e n i n g )
, .

2
C omp os i te prop e r na me s Ostrob e rh t , Austrob e rta , A ustregisil, Ostro
go th a ( l i k e V isigoth a , Vist rimun d , We stera lap , S un d arolt, N ord b e ra h t &c &e ) , . .

3
I n th e B a sq u e l a n g ua ge osta ra me a n s M a y t h e b ud d i n g le a fi n g t ime , .

from o sto a l ea f, fo l i ag e a me re a cci d e n t a l re s e mb l an ce


, .

4
I mi gh t i n t ro’d uce i n t o th e t e xt a n A S R icen , if I k n e w an ymore ab out .

h e r t h a n w h a t L ye s gl o ss a ryq uo t e s fro m C o d C o t 6 5 , 8 7 B icenne D i a na I t . . .

is forme d like bin e n (a n ci ll a) , w ylp e n ( b e ll on a ) , &c .


2 92 G ODD ES S E S .

Th e God M onachl Lat 2 . .


( of an d th e God E mme ran F . . .

IX fol. . 4 a
( of 1 2 - 1 3 th c e n t ) con t ain
. id e n tic E xc e rpt a ex G all ic a
h istoria 1

D um h e c circa ren urn geru ntur in n oricorum ( in t e rl in e d ,

b aw ariorum C od Vind C I I p au w a riorum) fin ibus gra v e v ul nu s


, . . .

ro ma nu s p op u l us a cce p it quipp e germa n e ruin g e n t e s (int e rlin e d


.

sueui
) qu e retia s occu p av e rant n on l ong e ab a lp ib us t ra e tu p ari
, ,

p a t e n t ib u s c a mp i s u b i d uo ra p idiss imi amne s [int e rl in e d li cus e t


,

w ertha ha ( OI I vu e rd ah a ) ] int e r se e on fi uunt in ip sis n ori cis fi nib u s ,

( int e rl in e d te rminis ba w a rioru m e t su euorum) civit at e m n on quid e m


muro se d v all o fossa que cin x e ran t qu a m a p p e lla ba nt ziza rim ( CI I , .

ciz arim) e x n omin e d e e cize qu a m re l ig ios issime coleb an t cuj us


2
, .

t e mpl um quoque e x l iguis ba rba ri co ritu constrictum p ost quam e o3 ,

c ol onia roma n a d e d uct a e st inviolat um p e rman sit a c v e tu sta t e , ,

colla su m n ome n c oll i se rvavit h an c urbe m titus a nn ius pre t or


4
p .

a d a rce n d a s b arb arorum e xc urs ion e s k al se x tilibus ( in t e rl in e d .

e x a ct a j a m e st a t e
) e x e rcitu e ircu mv e nit a d me ridian am oppid i .
-

p art e m qu e s ol a a c ontine n ti ( in t e rlin e d littoribu s) e ra t p re t or ips e


, ,

cum legi on e rna rti a c a stra o p e ros iss ime co mmun ivit a d occid e n .

t e m v e ro qu a b arb arorum a d ve ntus e ra t d e a r bdgud is re g is fi lius


, , , ,

cum e q u it a t u omni e t a u x ilia ribu s ma ced on u m e o iis in t e r fl ume n ct


p
v a ll um l oc o e a stris p aru m a mpl o infe lici t e me rita te e xtra flu me n
ulc h ra in d ol e s n on min u s roma n is
( in t e )
rl in e d w erth a ha con se d it p .
,

qu am grecis d iscip linis instru cta igit ur quinqu ag e s imo n on o d ie .


,

a cc v e n tu m e st cu m is d ie s ( lee cize ( C I I d e e iz ) a p u d ba rba ros


q u , e e .

ce le b e rrimu s lud um e t la sciviam ma g is q u a m fo rmid in e m ost e n t a re t


, ,

i mma nisba rba rarum ( in t e rli n e d suevoru m CI I svivorum) multitu d o ,


.
,

e x p rox imis s il v is re p e n t e e ru mp e n s e x imp rov ise c a st ra irrup it ,

eq u it a tu m o mn e m e t qu od mise riu s e ra t a u x il ia so ciorum d e le vit


, ,
.

cum in h o st ium p ot e st a t e m re gio h a b itu v iv u s v e n isse t [se d


5
a oa r
'
, ,

1
I th e i r commun i ca t i on t o S ch me lle r s ki n d n e ss Th e s a me p i e ce i s
ow e

.

foun d a t V i e n n a in t w o fo rms in t h e Go d La t CI I ( ol i m h i st p ro f 6 5 2 ) s c . . . . e .

xi in e un tis fol 79 8 0 ; a n d in t h e C od CCXX V I ( o l i m u n iv 2 3 7) se c x ii


. . . . . . .

I n b o t h it st a n d s b e t we e n J orn D e re b ge t a n d D e re g n s u cc . CII h as . . . .

i n t e rl i n ea r gl oss e s a n d margi n a l n ot e s ( e x a ctl y l i k e t h e M un i ch M SS ) b ya .

s ca rce l y l a t e r h an d wh i ch a ls o wri t e s th e h e ad i n g E x ce rpt um e x G all i ca


,

h i st ori a CCXX V I ad opts th e i n t e rl i n e ars i n t o t h e t e xt but oth e rwi s e a gree s ,


.

On ma rgi n
2
Qu em ma l e p ollue ra t cu ltura n e fa ri a d u dum
ga llu s mo n t icu lu m h un c t i b i ciza t ul i t
3 On ma rg i n p o st con dita m urb e m a ugust m a rom n is a a

M a rg n ot e ut u squ e h o d i e a b in colis cizun bcrc n omin e tur


.

.

5
M a rg n t e . e x cuj u s v ocab ulo
o

q ui a ibi ma ctatus e t tumulatus est ,

chrihesa ueron ( CI I ch re k asa ve r) n ome n a cce it gree ns e n i m e ra t


p .
2 94 G ODD E S S E S .

s a ys :

qu a m n os histori am
c odic e memb ra n lite ris
in
p e rve t usto .

a n ti q u issimis scrip ta m re p e rimus th a t w oul d b e th e s ix t h M S .

k no wn h ith e rto a nd c op ie s mu st h a v e b ee n p re tty n ume rous in th e


,

1 1 1 2 t h c e n tu rie s
-
Th e on e th a t G ol d a st h a d b e fore him may
.

p rob a bly h a ve b e e n th e ol d e st .

E ith e r on e or t h e o th e r of th e m b oth Ott o von Fre isinge n an d ,

th e au th or ( or c on t inu a t or) of t h e A u e rsb e rg ch ronicl e s ee m t o h a v e


h ad b e fore th e m Th e forme r t rie s t o c on ne ct th e st ory with
.

Quintilius Varu s (inste a d of Ve rre s) a n d aft e r re l a t in g h is o ve r ,

th row a dd s ( ch ron 3
,
Tra d un t A ugust e n se s h a n e ca e d e m ibi
.
,

fa ct a m ost e n d un tqu e in a rgume n t u m c oll e m e x o ssibu s mortuorum


,

c omp a ctum qu e m in v ulgari p erleich ( M on e a n z 1


,
cc qu od ,
.
,

le gio ibi p e rie rit u sque h od ie v ocan t v icumqu e e x n omin e Vari ap


, ,

m m

ll t u o n st ran t T h e A ue rsb e rg c h ron icl e r s a cc oun t t h ou gh


p e a ,

h e al most v e rb a lly a d opts th e ol d e r fragme n t I h ol d it n e e d ful t o ,

in s e rt h e re b e c a us e th e marg in a l gl oss e s a re c uriou sly in t e rw ov e n


,

w ith th e t e xt a n d re ferre d t o disc ove re d in script ion s on ston e


,

D e A u gu sta V in d e licorum v e l Rhe t ia e sicut e x scrip tis ve te rum .

colligitur h a e c c ivit a s t ria n omin a a cce p it G e rma norum quipp e .

g en t e s p rimum con side n t e s in p artibus Rh e tiae qua e nun c e st p ars ,

Su e via e n on l ong e a b alp ib usin p lanitie l oc o t a me mmun ito p ropt e r


, ,

co n cursu m d uoru m ra p id oru m fi u min um h a n c u rbe m con st rux e ru n t , ,

e t n on mu ris se d foss a tis e am fi rma ve ru n t e t e x n omin e d ea e Z iza e , ,

q ua m re ligios iss ime cole b a n t Z izerim e am n omina bant huj us , .

qu oque d e a e te mplum e x lignis b arb aric o ritu con structum e tia m ,

p o st qu a m R o m a n i e a m incole re coe p e run t in viola tum


p e rm a n sit , .

a t v e t ust a t e collap sum n ome n c oll i se rva vit in u t m d m in


q p o o s o u ,

l ap id e e x sculp ti h i v e rs u s s un t re p e rti
que m ma l e p ollue ra t cu ltura n e fa ria d u d um
g a ll u s mon ticulum h un c tib i Z iza tul it .

u nd e u p ra e s e n s ab incolis id e m mon tic ul us Z izen berg n o


sque in
min at ur a p ud h an c urb e m R omani d eleti s un t mag n a cae d e
. .

n a m Ti tus A n n ius p rae t or a d a rce n d a s b a rb a rorum e xc urs ion e s

cum e x e rcitu in k al A ugu sti e a m circun d e dit . ip se que a d me ri ,

d ian am op p id i p art e m qu a e s ol a p at e b a t c a stra sua cum l e g ion e


, ,

M arm o p e ro s iss ime commun ivit ad o ccid e n t e m v e ro u ltra


'

a .

fluvium ubi Sue v is a ut b arb aris a d itu s p at e ba t A ra r B ogu d is regis


, ,

1 C h ron C on rad i
. ursp e rg . A rg e n t 15 3 2 ,
. p . 308 . ed . 160 9, p . 22 5 .
ZI S A . 295

fi lius cu m mni e qu it a tu e t au xilio rna ccd on ico con se dit igitur


o .

quinqua g e s imo nono d ie q ua m e o ve ntum e st cu m is die s d ea e Z ize


, ,

a p ud b a rb a ros ce le b e rrimus e ss e t l n d um e t la scivia m mag is q u a m


,

formid in e m c iv e s o ste nt arunt t un c e tia m imma nis b arba rorum


.

multitud o qua e d e p artib us S ue via e illuc con ve n e ra t d e p ro ximis


, ,

s il vis re p e nt e e rump e ns e x imp rovise c a stra irrup it e t A oa ris


e x e rcitum d e le vit ips um q uoqu e A va r re g io h a b itu in d u tum
.

v iv um comp re h e nd e n te s crud e li te r in mod u m p e coris ma ct ave run t .

a q uo in l o c o ub i macta t us e st v ic us u sq ue h odie ap p ella t us e st


, ,

Crieehesa o eron , in quo hi v e rs u s re p e rti s un t :


his n o me n te rris B ogud is d at re gia p rol e s


Gra ecus A va r, p e cudis d e S ue vis more lita tus .

op p id an i v e ro n on minori fortun a se d maj ori v irt ut e p rae tore m


in aux il ium s oc ii s p rop e rant e m in vad unt q uib us Roman i h aud ,

s e guit e r re sistun t in quo conflictu d uo p rin c ip e s Op p id a n orum


.

H a bin o e t Ca ecus in p rimis p ugn ant e s ca d unt e t in cl in at a j a m re s ,

e ss e t o pp id an orum ni ma t ura ss e n t a ux il ium fe rre S uevi in a lt e ra


,

rip a Vict oria j a m p ot iti d e n ominibus a ut e m illorum p rin cip um


.

in te rfect orum e x sta nt a d h u c l oc a d e nomin a ta n am rust ic i d e H a ,

bi none voca nt mon ticulum H a bi noberg in quo hi v ersu s re p e rti ,

s u nt :
p rae fe ctus H a bino se victum a tqu e se p ultum
p erp e t uo me n tis n omin e n otifi cat .

a Ca cao v e ro d icunt Gegginen d e n omin a ri d e nique coa d un atis .

S uevis e t op p id a nis c a stra irrump un t e t p ra e tore m qui p a ul o al, ,

t iore m t umulum frustra cep e ra t roma n a vi re s ist e n te m o btrun ca nt


, ,

legione mque di vin am ut n e c n un c ius cla d is sup e re sse t fund itus


, ,

d e le n t . d e h ac p e rd ita l e g ion e a d h u c p erta ich qua s i p e rdi t a le gio , ,

n omin a tur ubi p ostmod um hi v e rs u s s un t re p e rti


,

in dica t hi e c olli s roma n am n omine clad e m ,

martia qu o legio t ot a s imul p e riit .

s ol u s Verres t ribun us militum a mne tra n smiss e in p rox imis p al u


d ibus se o cculta ns h on e sta m morte m sub t e rfugit lacui Vernse ,

h ucusque n ome n d e d it v e rs u s :
.

d a s n o me n
l a oni Verres quo tu latuisti .

h ie t ame n n on mult o p o st Sicilia e p ro c on s ul e fi e ctus t urp e m mor


t e m p ro me ruit n am cum se ma ist ra t u a b dicare t j udic io civiu m


.
g
d a mna t us e st p ropte r h un c Verrem trad un t A ugu st e n se s h a n c
.

ca e d e m fuiss e e a n d e m q u am sub A ug u st o fa ct am q u id a m d e sc ri
,
296 G ODD ES S E S .

b un t ,
se d Va rum illum n omin ant h is v e rb is ea t e mp e stat e Va rus ,

ro man o more s up e rb e ,
et a v are e r a sub d it os se
g g e rc u s a Ge rma n is
d e le tus e st .

l a t e r writ e rs als o me ntion th e t ra dition A b out 1 3 73


S o me .

9 1 a n e ccl e s ia stic K ti chlin c omp os e d in rh yme a h ist ory o f


, , ,

A ugsb urg for t h e b urg oma st e r P e t e r E g e n t h e Y o un g wh o w ish e d


1
,

t o h a v e h is h ous e p ain t e d w ith ill ustra t ion s from it Cap 2 fol . .


,
.

9 9 s ays of t h e Swa b ia n s

Sie b a w t e n te mp e l g ross d are in


e ine n

zu e re n (in h o n our o f) Z ice d e r abgottin ,

die sie n a ch h e id nisch e n s itt e n (a ft e r h e a th e n w ays )


a nb e tt e n z u d e n s e lb e n z e it e n (a d ore d in th os e d a ys ) .

D ie st a t w ard ge n e nn t ( c ity got n ame d ) a uc h Z isa ris


n a ch d e r a bgott in (a ft e r t h e g odd e ss i
) d a s w a s d e r p r s , .

D e r t e mp e l als l a n g stfi nd u n ve rse rt (st ood u ninj ure d ) ,

b is im v on alt e r w a s d e r v al b e sch e rt (its fall d e c re e d ) ,

u n d d a e r v on a lt e r a bgie ng ( a s from age it p a ss e d a w ay) ,

d e r b e rg n a me n von im e mp fi e ng ( th e h ill t ook n a me ) ,

d aruf ge st a n d e n w a s ( wh e re on h a d st ood ) d a s w e re k ,

u n d h aist n och h ut (h ight st ill t o d ay ) d e r Zisen berck -


.

Conf K e ll e r s Fa stn sp p 1 3 6 1 Sigism M e ist e rlin in his A ugs


. . . .
.
, .
,

b urg chronicl e (wh ich is in p rin t from th e 8 th ch a p of bk


2
.

t re ats of this Cisa in ch aps 5 6 of bk 2 I n th e un prin te d ch ap 4 .


-
. .

o f bk 1 h e un mist a k a bly re fe rs t o K ii ch lin a n d ag a in at t h e e n d o f


, ,

ch ap 7 : d a s e r a u ch me lt ( te lls ) von d e r g ottin Cisa d ie a uch


'

.
,

g e n e u t wird Ciza is d a s sy ge e rt h ab e n d (th e y h onoure d h e r) d ie


,

d och aus A s ia w are n d ; d a wid e r sc in d d ie an d e rn d ie von Oy sa ,

sch re ib e n t die sp re ch e n t d a s sy d ie Vin d e l ici h ab e n d n a ch


, ,

sch w e b isch e n s itt e n a n ge b e t te t von d e r g ott in w irst d u h e rn a ch .

me r h ab e n ob got w il ( bu ch 3 cap 5
, ( S e e S up p l ) . . . .

H op e l e ss c on t ra diction s lie o n th e fa c e o f t h a t fragme n t .

B ogud a P un ic sh ip s c apt ain w h o l ive d in t h e y e a r 4 94 of R o me



-
, , ,

or 26 0 B C
3
is h e re t u rn e d int o a M a c e d on ian k in g ; a n d h is son
. .
,

A v ar is ma d e c on t e mp ora ry w ith th e Cic e ron ian Ve rre s of 2 0 0


y e ars aft e r or e v en o f th e still l at er V aru s Y e t B ogu d e s an d
,
.

Varus d o occ ur as con te mp orarie s of P omp e y in D ie Ca ss ius 4 1 4 2 , .

1 God . Lat 6 1 l i ke wis e s e n t me b y S ch me lle r


M on ach . . .

2
A u gsb 1 5 2 2 fol
. M e iste rlin w rote i t in 14 5 6 , a n d d i e d
. ab ou t 14 8 4 .

N ie buh r s Rom H ist 3 , 6 77



3 . .
.
298 G ODD ES SES .

fa ct fiction th e gre at p oint is th a t sh e b rings u s tidings of a


and ,

Su e vic g odd e ss Oisa s e e ms th e ol d e r an d b e tt e r sp e ll ing a nd Giza


.
,

w oul d b e h ard e r t o e xpl a in N o w from this n ame of th e godd e ss .

w e can h ardly d e riv e t h a t o f th e t o wn Ci sa ra s upp o s ing it to b e a ,

p urely Ge rman d eriva tiv e n ame s of pl a c e s a re n e v e r forme d with


s u ch a t e rmina tion from mal e or fe mal e p rop er n a me s It s e e ms .

more l ik e ly th a t Cis ara Cisa o a ra from t h e a lt ar a n d t e mpl e o f ,

th e g o d de ss a n d l a t e r w rit e rs might c orrupt Cis ara m in t o Ziz arim ,

Ziz e rim W e re a d th a t sh e w as most d e v ou tly (re ligios iss ime )


.

h on oure d by th e S u e vi h e r a nn iv e rs ary is a gra nd fe stiv al d e v ot e d


,

t o g a me s a n d me rry mak in g th e d ay is p re c is e ly d e fi n e d a s th e ,

fi ftyn inth a ft e r A ug 1 it fe ll th e re fore on S e pt 2 8


-
.
, A t s u ch a . .

s e a s on might b e h e l d a fe a st of th e divinity w h o h a d p rosp ere d th e


h arv e st j ust ga th e re d in On S e pt 2 9 th e ch ristian s k e pt on e of
. .

t h e ir gran d e st d ays th at of St M ich a e l wh o oft e n h ad t o re pl a c e a


,
.
,

h e a th e n god of w a r an d victory It s e e ms w orthy of n otic e th a t .


,

t h e S a x on s h ad th e ir g re a t fe a st of vict ory ab ou t t h e s a me t ime ,

viz .
,th e b eg inning o f Oct ob e r ; W id uk in d pp 4 2 3 4 With th e .
-
.

fi rst S un da y a fter M ich ae l ma s th e holycommon week w a s c on s ide re d -

in th e M id A g e s t o b e g in ; S ch e ffe r s H altaus pp 1 4 1 2 n a d er

-
. .
,
.

hilligen mein wehen W e isth 3 24 0 I n t h e h an ding d own of a


'

. .
, ,

p re cis e and d oubtl e ss ge nui n e d at e I fe e l the c re dib ility of th e story ,

c on fi rme d .

N ow w h o is Cisa ? On e n atura lly th in ks fi rst of th a t Su e v ic


I sis ( p 2 5 7) in T a c itu s wh o s e n ame e v e n is n ot unl ik e Cis a Z is u
.
, , ,

if w e mak e all ow a n c e for th e me re d ropp ing of th e initial an ,

omiss ion wh ic h th e R oman migh t b e p rompt e d t o mak e by th e

s imil arity of th e Isis th at h e k n e w B ut e v e n if Z isa b e totally .

d iffe re n t from Is is sh e ca n w ith a ll th e b e tte r right b e pl a ce d by


,

t h e s id e of our Zi o in wh om als o w a s d ispl ay e d a th orough ly


,

S w a b ian d e ity ( p 1 9 9) n ay t og e th e r with our s upp o s e d fe min ine


.
,

Zi u (p 2 0 3 ) th e re mayh av e b e e n a c oll a t e ral form Z isa so th a t h e r


. ,

Z isun berg w oul d e x a ctly c orre sp on d t o th e g od s Zie w e sb e rg Z isb e rg


S h a ll I b rin g forw a rd a re a s on for th is gu e ss w hich


( se e ,

sh all b e a nything b ut far fe tch e d ? The M id Du tch n a me for t h e -


.

third d ayof th e w e e k h ad th e curiou s form Dise nd a ch ( p wh ich .

b e in g of c ours e a c orrupt ion o f Tisen d a ch b rings us a t on c e t o Tise


Zisa It is a ma tte r for furth e r re s e a rch e s t o d e mon st ra t e b ut
.
1
,

Do w n in th e Ri e ss b e t w e e n t h e riv e rs L e ch a n d W e rta ch , in th e mi d s
1 t of
S ue v e s a t a t i me s up p o s e d t o b e b e fore e v e n t h e Roman s se t tl e d l n th e re g i on ,
,
P RI KRA . F ROUWA . 2 99

th at th ree divinitie s Zio Zisa , , a nd Is is ,


a re a ss igne d to the S ue v i, is
a l re a d b d tly cl
ya un a n ear .

8 FRI KKA ( FRI GG )


. . FROU WA ( FRE Y J A) .

Our in quiry turn s a t l e ngth t o th e g odd e ss e s of th e N ors e


re l ig iou s syst e m of wh om u n e qui v o c al t ra c e s a re forthc omin g in
,

t h e re st of T e u ton d om .

F ore most of th e s e are Frigg th e w ife of Ohinn a n d F rey j a th e ,

s iste r of F reyr a p air e a sy t o c onfoun d an d oft e n c onfound e d


,

b e cau s e o f th e ir s imil a r n a me s I me an t o tryif a strict e r e tymo .

l ogy can p art th e m a n d k e e p th e m as un d er .

Th e n a me of F rey a s e e ms t h e e a s ie r : it is mot iv e d n o d oubt


j
by th e ma scul ine Fre y r ( Gramm 3 N ow as w e re c og nis e d .
,

Fre y r in th e G othic franj a ( p F re yj a l e a d s u s t o e xp e ct a .

G oth ic frauj 6 ge n frauj on s b oth in th e g e n e ral s e n s e of d omin a


,
.
,

mist re ss a n d in th e sp e c ial on e of a p rop e r n a me F ranj o Th e



.
,

n ot ion of mist re ss l a d y n e v e r o cc urs in U lp hila s To ma k e up


, ,
.

for it our OH G re main s e xp re ss it v e ry fre que n tly by f ruw d


, .
, ,

f rdi od ; th e M H G f rouwe f rou a n d our mod e rn f ra u h av e p re s e rv e d


.
,

th e ms e l v e s p urely a s c ommon n oun s wh il e th e ma sc f ro h a s ,


.

v a nish e d altog e th e r I n me a nin g frouw e a nd fra u c orre sp on d .


,

e x a ctly t o h é rre h e rr a n d a re us e d l ik e it b oth in a d d re ss in g a n d


, ,

h
o t e rw is e
1
Our min n e sange rs a re d iv id e d a s t o th e re sp e ctiv e
.

s up e riority of frouw e (d omina) a nd w ip (fe mina) w ip e xp re ss ing


2
,

more th e se x an d frouw e the dig nity ; t o th is d ayw e fe e l frau to


,

b e n obl e r th an w e ib th ough t h e F re n ch fe mme in cl ud e s a g ood d ea l,

of wh a t is in our fra u It s eems w orthy of n otic e th a t th e p oe ts .


,

no Sl a v g od s l ooke d for n e ith e r d oe s th e Sla v myth ol ogykn ow any


ne ed be
t hing a t all certai n ab out a Z iz a all e ge d to b e C e re s ma mmosa ( B oh cic ce e ,
.
, ,

P ol cyc Russ t i t i mamma ) in s upp ort of w h om fors oo th o ur C is a must b e


.
,
.
, ,

w ro n g e d se e H a n usch 2 78 It we re b e tt e r t o t h ink of t h e M H G n a me for


. .

t h e z e i s i g ( z e i s ch e n s i sk i n ) d iu zlse e in kle iniu alse M s 1


-
,
Wh 2 75 . , .
,
.
,
wh i ch ca n s ca rcel yh av e a ris e n from ci ci n d e l a ( gl ow w orm Gra fi 5 71 1)

30 -
, ,

h o w e v e r n o con n e x i o n h as come t o l i g h t b e t w e e n th e g odd e ss a n d t h e form o f


,

a b i rd th ough s ome l i ttl e b i rd s th e w ood p e cker th e t itmous e w e re h e l d


, , , ,

s acre d .

1 L ik e o ur r6 h 0 m d mi n us ) is n ow l o st ; da me ( d omi n a )
f t e F r d a e ( o, .

re ma in s l i k e o ur fra u
,
T h e S p a n ke e ps b oth don a n d d ona t h e It a l on l y
. .
,
.

donn a T h e Ro ma n ce t on g ue s e xp re ss t h e ma s c n ot i on b yt w o o t h e r w o rd s
. .
,

sire sicur ( p 2 7) a n d seigneur sign ore senor i e


,
. s e n i or out of w h i ch a n It al , , ,
. .
, ,
.

si n ora a S p a n se nora h a v e sp ro ut e d b ut n o F r f mi n i n e
g ,
.
,
. e .

W lt 4 8 9 7
2
a h 5 .A m g b 45 4
- 1 6. M s 2 1 8
. 2 b
2 16 D oce n misc 2 .
) 81
. .
,
2
. .
,
2
78 9
-
. fro uw e un d e w ip Pa rz 3 0 2 7 ( se e , .
,
3 00 G ODD ES SES .

h a rp th e c onn e x ion of
f with f roh gl a d ( fro li e) a nd
on ra u -
f reud e

j ov c onf . F rid a n k 1 0 6 5 — 8 , . Tit 1 5 , 3 5. .

Th e A S and OS
l a ng uag e s h av e d on e the v e ry re v e rs e : whil e
. .

th e ir ma sc fre a fra h o is u s e d fa r more fre e ly th an the O H G


.
, .

frouw o t h e y h a ve d e v e l op e d n o fe m by its s id e
, Th e M Dutch . . .

d ial e ct h a s e ra uwe urouwe in a d d re ss ing a n d a s titl e ( H uyd op S t , . .

1 5 2 35 6
, R e in 2 9 7 73 1 8 0 3 1 3 6 5 1 6 5 5 2 1 2 9 2 2 8 8 2 5 1 0
. . . . . . . . . .

3 2 5 7 64
-
s e l d ome r in oth e r p os ition s R e in 2 2 9 1 th e mod e rn
-
, ,

orou w h a s e xt e n d e d it s me a ni n g e v e n b e y on d t h e limits o f o ur

f r a u .

A ll t h e ab ov e la n g ua g e s a pp e a r t o la ck t h e fe m p rop e r n ame .
,

in c on t ra st t o th e ON w hic h p o ss e ss e s F rey a a l mo st s ol e ly a s t h e
j .

godd e ss s n ame an d n o fre yj a h e ra Y e t w e fi nd husf rey


, j a h ou s e z .

w ife S ae m 2 1 2
,
1
a n d S n o rri is still a b l e
. t o say th a t f rey
1
,
j a is a
t igna rn afn ( n ame of h on ou r) d e riv e d from t he g o dd e ss 1 th a t g ra n d ,

l adie s rikiskonu r are f rey


, j ur S n 2 9 Y u g l s aga c , 1 3 The ,
. . . . .

re a di n gs frfi r fru v or h e re a re c orru pt for t h e Ic e l form f ret h a s


, ,
.

e v id e ntly sl ipp e d in from t h e D a n f rue S we d f ru a n d th e s e fro m .


,
.
,

G e rma n y Th e g o d d e ss s h oul d b e in Sw e d F re a D an F ree w hich


. .
,
.
,

I h a v e n e v e r me t with ; th e Swe d folk s on g of Th or s h amme r .


-

calls F re j a F ro en bor
y ii g( th e D a n F r idl e fsb o r
g) a D a n ish o n e h as .
,

a l re a d y th e fore ig n F ru Sa x o is s il e n t a b out th is god d e ss a n d .

h e r fa th e r a lt og e th e r ; h e w o ul d n o d oubt h a v e n ame d h e r F roa .

O ur M e rs e b urg p oe m h as n o w a t l a st p re s e n t e d u s w ith J ena


F r6w a a s th e p rop e r n a me o f th e g od d e ss 2
'

, .

F rigg ge n F riggj ar d aug h t e r o f Fi5 rgyn n an d wife o f Otiin n is


.
, ,

k e pt strictly a p a rt from F rey in th e V a fbrudn ismal


j g
a e n F re yj u : , .

a nd t h e b e g inn in g of t h e G rimn ismal Odinn a n d F ri g a re pl a inly


g ,

p re s e n te d a s h u s b an d a n d w ife ; an d a s H rop tr a nd Svafnir a re


a ls o n a me s of ODinn H rop t r ok F rigg S vafnir ok F rigg in Seem , ,
.

A s frauj o fro m F ranj o, a n d fre y j a from Fre yj a a s on g of F raue n l ob s ,


1 ’
,

E ttm p 1 1 2 ma k e s wip come from a F ra n k is h k i n g lVip p eo


. . Is‘ t h i s a n e ch o .

o f a m th i ca l Wi
y p p o , Wibb a ( ge n ea l of M e rci a , e n d o f ch V I I ) Z Th e e x p la’ . .

n a t i on i s a s fa ls e a s w h e n t h e E d d a d e riv e s v if from v e fa for all a w o ma n s ,

b e i n g p ract i ca ll ya w ea v e r a n d a p ea ce -w e a v e r w e sh oul d h a v e t o a ss ume t w o


roots , vib a n a n d v e iba n , s i d e b y s i d e Th e ON p ro p e r n a me Vefi ey j a is a ls o . .
'

w orth yof n ot e , F e rn a l d 5 5 g 2 , 4 5 9 3 , 25 0 5 94 . . . . .

2
Th e re a on s s w h yw e ma yn ot t ake frud h e re for a me re t itl e (a n d so a
n ou n co m)
fort h in t h e Z e it sch r f d a 2 1 8 9
. a re se t A s for th e u in t h e . . . .
, .

M S , it l ooks t o me qu i t e pl a i n , e ls e Wa cke rn a ge l s p rop o s a l t o rea d F riia


F rij a , E ri ga F ri a , w o u l d b e a cce pta b l e ( friiu d o e s occur in T 9 3 ,


,
F rua .

a n d Fri a a re a l i k e w e l come an d s ui tab l e for mye xpl a n a t i on .


302 G ODD E S S E S .

s uch w ord s a s: G oth fre is frij is .


, ( l ib er) , OH G fri ; G oth . . frij on
m H ri6n a lly ma
(a a re
) O G f e
,
sp e c i y e t ak e in t o a cc ount th e OS
w . .

n e ut fri ( mul ie r) H e l 9
. 2 1 1 3 16 1 71 2 1 1 72 1 th e A S
, .
,
.
, .
, .
, , .

fre o ( mul ie r) Ceed m 2 9 2 8 fre oli c cw é n ( p ulcra fe min a) B e ow


, .
, .
, .

1 2 75 fre olie u me ow le Cod e x on 4 79 2 fre olic wif B e ow 1 22 2


.
,
. .
, .
,
. .

fre olic faemn e Cee d m 1 2 1 2 54 N ow a s fri ( l ib e r) a n d our


,
.
,
.
, ,

fre ch ON fre kr ( p rote rvus imp u d e ns) fri ( mul ie r formo s a ) an d


,
.
, ,

ON fri5 r (formos u s) fri5 r ( p a x ) s e e m t o b e all rel at e d e v e n th e


.
, ,

a dj e ct iv a l form ra t h if
s b e t y e sh ti g s e n s e of th e s ubstan tiv al
n
2
.

W e g a th e r from all this th a t t h e forms a nd e v e n th e me an ings ,

o f th e t w o n a me s b o rd e r cl o s e ly on o n e a n oth e r m
j
F rey a e a n s t h e .

gl a d s ome gl a dd e ning sw e e t gra cious godd e ss F rigg t h e free


, , , , ,

b e autiful l ov e abl e ; to th e former att ach e s th e g e n e ral n otion of


,

frau (mistre ss ) t o th e l a tt e r th a t of fri ( woman) , H old a from h ol d .


,

( sw ee t k ind) an d B erhta from b erh t (b right b e autiful ) re s e mble


, , ,

th e m b oth Th e Sw e dish folk s ong in n a mi n g Froij e nb org c alls


.
-
, ,

h er d en

v an a s ol e n ,
th e b e au tiful sun .

H e n c e t he th e ir myths b e c ome s th e more con


mingl in g of
i
ce iv a ble Sa x o p 1 3 re l a t e s h ow F rioqa t o obt ain g ol d for h e r
.
,
.
,
-
‘ ,

orn ame n ts v iol ate d c onj ug al fi d el ity ; more minute ly t ol d and


, ,

d iffe rin g much in th e d e t a ils t h e t al e a b ou t F rey j a in Sn 3 5 6 ,


.

a pp e a rs to b e th e s ame a d ve n ture On quit e a noth e r groun d .

h ow e v e r th e l ik e offe n ce is imput e d to Frigg t oo ( Seem 6 3 Y ngl . . .

s aga cap I n SD 8 1 t h e valsh a mr of F rey


.
j a is sp ok e n of b u t in .
,

1 13— 9 th at of F rigg th e forme r is s upp ort e d by Seem 70 . .

H e n c e th e v aria tion s in t h e n a me for th e d ayof th e w e e k Th e .

OH G F ri a t a c ought cl e a rly t o b e Friggj ard agr in ON a n d th e


. .
,

ON F rey .
/j ud agr sh oul d b e Frouw fi nta c in OH G H e nce t oo th e .

u n c e rt a in ty in th e n a ming o f a c on st e ll a t ion a n d o f s e v e ra l pl a n ts .

Orion s b elt e ls e wh e re n a me d J a c ob s sta ff a n d als o sp in d l e (c ol u s


’ ’

fixa x d m) is c a ll e d by th e S we d ish p e opl e F riggerock (col u s F riggae


, ,

Ihre p 6 63 ) or F rcj eroch ( Finn M agnu se n


, . a s w e n o t ic e d

b e fore or F roj a s roch ( Wie se lgre n


, Th e orch is od ora t iss ima .
,

s atyrium a lb id um a pl a n t from w h ich l ov e p otion s are b re we d Ic e l,


-
,
.

F riggj a rgra s o th e rwis e h ion agra s ( h e rb a conj ugalis) ; th e l a t e r


,

1 C onf
t h e M H G w ip lich w ip , Pa r
. 10 , 1 7 MS . z . . . 1, 5 0 2 2 , 4 2b
1 8 2b 2 5 8 3 w ib in w ip , M S H 1 ,
. imi a r y dqh fire p a t . s l l 0 d 1 1,
.

3 86 4 3 4
. 1 5 , 4 22 H e o d cu 4
. . si s t . .

2
We m h conn e c V e n u w i h th e o h qin 6, qé ns, a s vemre W i th
ig t t s t G t .

q ima n ; th e We l gwen w o u d a n w e r t o Gve n u s for V e nu ; th e I r d i a


. l s s .

b e in e , F rid ay, from bea n, ben ( ad y) V e n us A S cwén l . .


FRI KKA . FROU WA . 3 03

ch ristia n w ay of th ink ing h a s s ubstitut e d M a ry for th e h e a th e n


'

g od d e ss A nd th e l ab ourin g man in Z e al a nd sp e aks of th e a b o v e


.

c on st e ll a tion als o by th e name o f M a ri aroh M a rire h S e v e ra l


.
,

k ind s of fe rn adiant um p olyp od ium a spl e n ium are n ame d l a dy s


, , , ,

h air ma id e nh a ir Ma riengra s c ap ill u s Ven eris Ic e l F rey


, , j u h d
,
r D an ,
.
,
.

F rueha a r Ven usstra a Ven usgrd s Norw e g M a rigras 85 0


, ,
E v e n if ,
.
,
.

th e N ors e name s h e re h a v e sp run g out o f L at in on e s th e y sh ow ,

h ow Ven us w as t ra n sl at e d b oth by F rigg a n d F re y j a a n d M a ry .

A s for M a ry n ot o nly w as th e h igh e st c o n c e ption of b e auty c arrie d


,

o v e r t o h e r ( frio sc6n i6st a idis e sc6n i6st H e l 6 1


,
13 62
, bu t , .
, .
,

sh e w a s p re e min e n tly ou r la dy f ra u d omin a d onn a


-
Con f infra , , , . .

f ra ua ch ue li la d yc ow M arie n kalble in I n th e n urs e ry tal e s sh e s e ts


, , .
-

t h e girls sewing a nd sp inn ing l ik e H ol d a an d B e rh t a a n d H ol d e s


s now a pp e ars t o me an th e s ame as M ary s s n ow ( p ’


.

B e fore so cl os e a c on ta ct of t h e tw o n ame s I p au s e d oubt ing w ith ,

wh ich of th e m t o c onne ct th e stron g a n d in con te st abl e s imil arity of


c e rta in divin e na me s in th e n on T e utonic [Ary a n] l a ngu ag e s -
.

First of all a n OB oh gl o ss g iv e s F rige for A ph rodit e ; t ak in g in t o


, .

a cc ou n t th e G oth frij 6n t h e OH G friu d il ( l ov e r) M H G vrie d e l


.
, .
,
.
,

a n d th e Sl a v p riy ate l ( frie n d ) B oh p ij t e l P ol p rzyiacie l it must


.
,
.
,
.
,

h a v e me an t e ith e r Fre yj a th e g odd e ss of l ov e a n d fruit ful n e ss or ,

F rigg th e d iv in e moth e r a n d p atrone ss of marriag e I n Sa n sk rit .

als o p ri is t o l ov e p riy a s a frie n d Ra map riy


,
a d e ar t o L a ksh mi ,
- -

l otus Y ama p riya pl e a s ing t o Y a ma


,
fi cus in d ic a p riy a in n ame s
- -
,

o f g od s h usb an d or wife P ott s forsch 2 4 2 4 7 Th e n p rithiui


,

.
,
-
.

is th e e arth a n d mé ta P ri thvi T e rra mat e r from wh om c ome s fru it


, ,

a n d in c re a s e ( c on f W cl p rid d t e rra B o pp s gl o ss 22 3 )
1
a n d th e
’ 1
. .
.
,

w ord th ough n e xt of kin to p rithu s (vi Ka rrie l a tu s ) th e e arth b e in g


,
-
,

n a me d th e b roa d a n d w id e s e e ms n e v e rth e l e ss c on n e ct e d with


,

F ria F rigg a n d frid u


, .

F rigg th e d aught e r of Ficrgynn c on s ort of th e h igh e st (p . as

an k a b ov e all oth e r g o d d e ss e s h e k n ows th e fa t e s o f


1
g od ,
t a k e s r s

men ( Seem Sn 2 3
. is c on s ult e d by ODinn ( S ee m
. . .

a d min ist e rs oa ths h an d ma id s fulfil h e r h e st sh e p re s id e s ov e r


, ,

S ome o f th e A S g e n eal og ie s h a v e W6d e n e t F realaf oj us uxor, so t h a t



1 .

F rigg F re al af ( O H G F role ip w h ich fits in w i th t h a t F rid lefsborg in t h e


.

D an i s h s on g, p 3 0 0 o th e rs ma ke F re al af W cl e n s fa t h e r B ut in l i e u of h im

. r .

w e h a v e als o F ri d ulaf a n d F ri d uw ulf, a fre s h con fi rma ti on o f t h e co nn e x ion


b e t we e n fri5 a n d th e god d e ss s n ame

.
301 G ODD ESS e s .

ma rriages , an d h e r a id is impl ore d


ch il dl e ss ( Forn ald S o g 1 by th e . .
,

h e nc e h ionagras is als o F riggj a rgra s W e may re membe r .

th os e maid e n s ye t un marrie d (p 2 64) b ein g y ok e d to th e pl ough of .

th e g od d e ss wh o s e c omman d s th e y h a d t o o l ong d e fi e d I n s ome .

p arts of n orth e rn E ngl a nd in Yorksh ire e sp e cially H a ll amsh ire , , ,

p op ul ar c u st oms sh ow re mn a n ts of th e w orsh ip of Fricg I n th e .

n e igh b o urh ood o f D e n t a t c e rt a in s e a s on s of t h e y e ar e sp e c ially , ,

a ut umn t h e c ou n try folk h ol d a p roc e ss ion a n d p e rform old d a n c e s


, ,

on e c a ll e d th e gia n t s d a n c e : th e l e a d in g gia n t th e y n ame Wod en


a n d h is w ife F rigga th e p rin c ip a l a ct ion o f t h e pl a y c on s ist ing in


,

t wo sw ord s b e ing sw un g a n d cl a sh e d t og e th e r ab out t h e n e ck of a


b oy with out h urting him 1
Still more re ma rk a bl e is t h e cl e a r .

v e stig e of th e g odde ss in L owe r Sax ony w h e re to th e c ommo n ,

2
p e opl e sh e is f ru F reke a nd pl a ys th e v e ry p arts wh ich w e saw ,

a ssig n e d t o ra u H olle
f (p p 2 6 7 a st ron g a rgu me n t by th e w a f
y or .
, ,

th e divi n e n a t ure o f th is l a tt e r Th e n in W e stph al ia l e ge nd may .


,

d erive th e n ame of th e old c on v e nt F recken horst F riclcen h orst from , ,

a s h e ph e rd F rickio t o w h om a l igh t a pp e are d in t h e n igh t l ik e t h e


, (
fa ll o f s n ow byn igh t a t H il d e sh e im p 2 68 ) on t h e sp ot wh e re th e ,
.

ch urch w a s to b e b uilt th e n a me really p oin ts t o a s a cre d hurst or


grov e of F ree/ ea fe m or of F riclco ma sc wh os e s it e ch ristianity w a s
, .
,

p e rh a ps e ag e r t o a pp rop ria t e ; c onf F rce cinghyrst K e mbl e 1 2 4 8 .


, ,
.

2 2 65
,
Th e re is a V releelei e Friclesleben n ot far from M ag d eb u rg
.
-
, ,

(se e
F reya is th e god de ss mo st h on oure d afte r or al ong w ith Frigg;
h er w ors h ip s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n e v e n th e more p re v a l e n t a n d
imp orta n t of t h e t w o sh e is styl e d agaet uz af A synj um S n 2 8 ‘ ’
.
, , ,

and bl6tgy5j a Y ngl s a g a cap 4 t o wh om fre que n t s a crific e s w e re



.
,
.
,

o ffe re d H e ifire kr s a crific e d a b oar t o h e r a s e ls e wh e re t o F re yr


.
, ,

a n d h on o ure d h e r a b ov e all o t h e r g od s 3 Sh e w as w e dd e d t o a .

1
C ommun ica t e d b y J M K emb l e fro m th e mouth of an old Y orksh i re . .
,
man I accou n t fo r th e sword byth e an ci en t u se of th a t w e ap on a t w e d d i n gs ;
co n f RA 4 2 6 7 4 3 1 e sp t h e o ld F ris i a n cu st om pp 16 7 8 con f H e imre ich s

- -
. .
,
. . . .

N o rd frie s ch ron 1 5 3 4
. I n S wab i a as l a t e a s th e 18 th ce n tury t h e b ri d e s
.
,
-
.
, ,

me n carri e d l a rg e s w ord s w i th fl utt e ri n g ri bb on s b e fore th e b ri d e a n d th e re


is a st ri k i n g s i mi l ari t y in t h e E st h on i a n cust om ( S up e rst M . . .

2
E cca rd d e o ri g G e rm p 3 9 8 : C e le bra t ur in pl e b e S a x on ica fru F reke
. . .
,
cui e a d e m mun i a t ribuun tu r q u a e s u p e ri ore s S a x on e s H old ae suae a d scrib un t .
,

F ru E re k e h a s j u st b e e n u n ea rth e d a ga i n b y A d Kuh n n ame l yin th e U k e r .


,
ma rk w h e re sh e i s ca ll e d F ruik e an d a n s we rs t o fru H arke in t h e Mi tt e l ma rk
, ,
a n d fru G o d e in th e Pri gn i t z .

3
H e rva rarsaga e d V e re ] p 13 8 e d 1 78 5 p 1 2 4,
. B y t h e e ditors of th e . .
,
. . .

F e rn al d s6g 1 4 63 t h e p a ss g e is b a n i s h e d i n t o th e n o t e s as a n u n supp ort e d


. .
,
a
3 06 G ODD E S S E S .

R e ink clxx ii wh ich I s upp os e me a n s frau fraul e in ( froike n) as


.
, , ,

t ha t gh ostly cre ature w as els e wh ere c all e d muhmlein (aun ty) ,

f rd u lein d on n a d onn ola t itl s s u e t o b e c on n e ct e d w ith m th s


, e ,
r ,
y ,

a n d th e s e w oul d d oubtl e ss p oin t in t h e fi rst pl a c e t o our g o d d e ss

a n d h e r w orsh ip Th e G re e ks s a id G al in th ia s w a s turne d in t o a
.

w e a s e l or ca t O v id me t am 9 3 0 6 ( se e . .
,

I n so far a s s uch c omp aris on s are a ll ow a bl e F rigg w oul d st a n d ,

o n a l in e w ith H e re or J u n o e s pe c ia lly th e p ron ub a J u p it e r s ’


, ,

sp o s e ; a d
u n F rey a i
j w th V e n s b ut als o w ith Is is w h o s e e ks
u
1
,

Os iris F reyr a n d his s ist e r F rey


.
j are s ugge stiv e of Lib e r an d
a

Lib era (D ion ys u s an d P ros e rp ina or e v e n h e r moth e r D e me t e r ; of ,

sun a n d moon ) M a ryc oul d re pl a c e th e divin e moth e r a n d th e


.

g od d e ss of b e au ty ; v e rb ally Frigg a g re e s b e tt e r w ith Lib e ra an d ,

Ad a m of B re me n s F ricco if h e w a s god of l ov e a n sw e rs in n ame to


, ,

Lib e r in ch ara cte r to Fre yr


, .

Th e p ass ag e quot e d from P aul D ia c is on e of th e cl e are st a nd .

most c on vincing t e st imon ie s t o th e h armo ny b e twe e n th e G e rma n


a n d N ors e my th ol og ie s A 11 auth or of Charl e s th e Gre at s time ’
.

t e lls us th a t th e Lang ob ard s n ame d W od a n s wife F rea an d sh e is ’

c all e d F rigg in th e E dd a H e c ann ot h av e d rawn this from N ors e .

tra d ition mu ch l e ss can his n arra tive through Sa x o s in t erme d ia cy


,

h a v e b e c ome th e s ourc e of th e n orth ern fa ith .

B ut in fav our of F re yj a t oo we p oss e ss a w e ighty p ie c e of


e xt e rna l e v id e n c e Th e E dd a mak e s h e r t h e ow n e r of a c ostly
.

n e ckl a c e n ame d B ri si nga me n ( B risingorum mon il e ) sh e is c a ll e d

e igan d i B ris in g a me n s Sn 3 7 1 1 9 H ow sh e a cquire d t his



. . .
,

j e we l from th e d warfs h ow it w a s cunn ingly stol e n from h er by ,

L ok i is fully n arrat e d in a t al e by its el f Sn 3 5 4 —3 5 7 I n th e


, ,
. .

p oe ts t h e re fore L ok i is B risings biofr ( Th orl obs 6 4 1 6 3 ) a l ost . .


,
.

la yof th e E dd a re l a te d h ow H e imd allr fough t with L ok i for th is


o rn ame n t Sn 1 0 5 ,
Wh e n Fre yj a p an ts with rag e th e n e ckl a c e
. .
,

starts from h e r b re a st (stauk bat it micla men B risinga) Seem ,


.

W h e n T h6rr t o ge t h is h a mme r b a ck dre s se s up in Fre yj a s gar


, ,

me n ts h e d oe s n ot forg e t t o p u t h e r fa mous n e ckl ac e on : h afi


,

1
I n th e Ta nh a use r, a s s un g in S w it z e rl a n d (A u fs e ss an z 1 8 3 2 , 2 4 0 -2 . .

U h l an d s v olksl p in st e ad o f th e u s ua l d a me Ven us w e fi n d p re ci s e l y

. .

a u F ren e, a n d a cc t o S t ald 1 , 3 9 5 frein i s t h e re a coll a t e ra l fo rm o f frei fre e


fr . .
.

A w oma n s n a me V re n e l i is kn ow n fro m H e b e l

V re n e may b e V e re n a t h e .

ma rtyr, or V e ro ni ca , v V ré n e , B e n 3 2 8 . . .
F RI KKA . F ROU W A . 3 07

h a nn (hav e h e) it mikl e men B risi nga See m 72 — N ow th is v e ry . .

t rink e t is e v id e ntly k n own t o th e A S p oe t o f B e ow ul f 2 3 99 he .


,

n a me s it B rosinga me ne w ith o ut a n y all us ion t o th e g odd e ss ; I ,

w oul d re ad B risinga me n e and d e rive t he word in ge n e ral from a ,


v e rb wh ich is in M H G b ris e n b re is (nod are nod is constringe re .


, , ,

G r lee r/re ly t o p ie rc e ) n a mely it wa s a ch ain strung t og e th e r o f


.
, ,

b ore d l inks Y e t e onf ch X X brising S t J oh n s fi re : p e rh aps


. . .
, .

th e d wa rfs th a t forg e d it w e re c all e d B ri singa r ? The j e w e l is so


cl os e ly int e rwov e n w ith th e myth of Freyj a th a t from its me nt ion ,

in A S p oe t ry w e mays afely in fe r t h e famil iarity of th e S a x on ra c e


.

w ith th e st ory its el f ; an d if the G oths w orsh ipp e d a g odd e ss


Frauj 6 th e y t oo w oul d d oubtl e ss k n ow of a B re isiggé ma n
,
i 1
.

Conf ch XX I a rda r men E arth s n e ckl a c e i e t urf in th e ON



. . . .
, , , .
,

l egal l anguag e .

W e c a nnot b ut fee l it s ig nific an t th at wh ere th e g osp e l simply ,

sp e aks of r?) dyt ov s a crum ( M att 7 t h e OS p oe t ma k e s it a .


, .

h é lag ha lsmen i (h oly n e ckl a c e ) H el 5 2 7 a n old h e a th e n re miu , .


,

isce n ce c ame ov e r h im a s on c e b e fore a b out d o v e s p e rch in g on ,

s h o ul d ers (p A t th e s ame t ime a s h e n a me s only th e s w in e


.
, ,

n o t t h e d ogs it is p oss ibl e th a t h e me a n t ha lsmen i t o b e a more


,

a mp li fi c a t ion o f me rigriot on

p e arls , .

B ut th is l e g e n d o f t h e g od d e ss s n e ckl a c e g a in s ye t more in im

p ort an c e wh e n w e pl ac e it b yth e s id e of Gre e k myth s


, B risinga .

me n is n o oth e r t h an A ph rod it e s Sp uoe ( H ymn to V e n u s



a nd

t h e ch a in is h e r g ird l e t h e ind e n o mik o e wh ich sh e w e a rs


,

o n h e r b os om a n d wh o s e w itc h ery s ub d ue s a ll g od s a n d morta ls


, .

H ow sh e l oos e n s it off h e r n e ck ( e mb 0 7 7596 0 ¢w ) a n d l e n ds it t o


H e re t o ch arm h e r Z e us w ith is t ol d in a la y th a t t e e ms w ith ,

w orl d old myth s l l 1 4 2 1 4 8


-
A s t h e inde is w orn in t urn by
, .
,
-
.

H e re a nd by A ph rod it e th e N ors e fa bl e giv e s th e j e we l n ow t o ,

Frigg an d n ow t o Fre yj a for th a t g ol d o f F rigg in Sa x o is th e ‘ ’

s ame a s B risinga me n Th e n th e re is an oth er s imil arity th e s ame


.

n a rra t iv e ma k e s F re yj a p oss e ss a b e a ut iful ch amb e r so st ron g th a t ,


,

w h e n t h e d oor is l ock e d n o on e can e nt e r ag a in st h e r w ill : , h un

1 J ust from F re y j a p roce e de d th e gen e ral n ot ion of a freyj a frouw a, so


as
n e ckl a ce -w e a rin g s e rve s t o d e s cri b e a b e a ut i ful w i fe o r ma i d e n I n S ee m 9 7a . .

menglb iS ( mon i l i lae ta , rej oicin g in a n e ckl a ce ) me a n s s i mpl y fe mi na , b ut in


10 8 “ 1 1 11 M englb i) is a p rop e r n a me ( se e p 2 72 n o te ) ; in 2 2 9 1 menslcogu l is


‘ ”

u s e d of B rynh ild r Wome n are commo nl y n ame d from t h e ir orn a me n ts of


.

gol d or pre ci ous st on e s , S n 12 8 ( se e .


3 08 G ODD E S S E S .

atti se r e in a sk e mmu, e r var b ee lSi fogr ok st erk sva a t bat se gj a ,

me nn , ef h ur5 in v ar l ee st , at c ingi matt i ko ma st i ske mmun a an

( with out) vilj a F reyj u Sn 3 5 4 We are t ol d th e trick bywhich



. .
,

L ok i a ft e r all got in a nd robb e d h e r of th e n e ckl a c e


,
1
H o me r s a ys
n othin g ab out th a t b ut I 1 1 4 1 6 5 8 h e k n ows o f H e re s H ana uo s

( , ) .
,
-
,

'

bik e s v ibe ci rsu e u


’’
ro v o i (

3 3 9 6p m a ra fiuo ia w émjp a e
’ '

H ¢a w ro e w v/cw ct e ,

fi SL v
fi h 5 f He be d vgi yev

ICN I nr u
'

, T o ) f
.

Wh a t can b e more e x a ctly in a cc ord an c e with th at in a cc e ssibl e


a p art me n t o f F re
yj a e sp e cially a s th e ind e is sp ok e n of d ire ctly
,

a ft e r ? H e ph aist o s ( Vulc an) w h o b uilt h is mot h e r th e c uriou sly ,

c on triv e d b e d ch amb e r a n sw e rs t o th e d w a rfs w h o forg e d th e n e ck


,

l a c e for Fre yj a Th e id e ntity of Frigg an d Fre yj a with H ere an d


.

A phrodi t e mu st a fte r th is myth u s b e a s pl ai n a s d ay .

1 0 F OLL A . . SI ND GU N D .

A n oth e r t hin g th at b e trays th e c on fu sion of F rigg with F re yj a


is th a t th e g od d e ss Folla n ow p rov e d by t h e M e rs e b urg p oe m t o
, ,

b e l o ng t o o ur G e rman myth ol ogy is a cc ord in g t o it a s ist e r of Frfi a , ,

whil e th e ON F ulla ag ain is h an dmaid to Frigg th ough sh e t ak e s


.
,

ra n k a n d ord e r a mon g th e A s n or th ems e l v e s


yj ( S n 3 6 H er .

o ffic e a n d d ut ie s a re s u fficie n tly e xp re ss e d in h e r n ame sh e j u sti

fi e s our re c e pt ion of th e ab ov e me n tion e d A bun d i a or d a me B a bond e -

in to G e rma n myth ol ogy an d c orre sp on d s t o t h e ma scul in e god o f


,

pl en ty P iln itis P i ln itus w h om th e Le tton s a n d P russia n s ad ore d


, , .

Lik e d ame H erk e on p 2 5 3 sh e b e st ow e d p rosp e rity a n d abun da n c e


.
,

o n morta ls t o h e r k e e p in g w a s in t ru st e d th e d ivin e moth e r s c h e st


(e sk i) out of which gifts w e re sh ow e re d up on th e m


, .

It mayb e th at F ulla or Foll a w a s at th e s ame t ime th ought


,

of a s t h e full moon h
( G-
o t fullibs L it h P iln a tis a s.a n ot h er ,
.
,

h e a v e n ly b od y Orion w a s re fe rre d t o Frigg o r F re yj a in t h e M e r


, ,

s e b urg M S sh e is imme d iat e ly foll o w e d by S unn a w ith a s ist e r


.

S in dgun d wh os e n ame a g a in s ugg e sts th e p a th of a c on st e ll a tion


, .

Th e Ed die Sdi ra n ks with t h e A synj or but Sin dgun d ( ON Sin n , .

1 H e b ore d a h ol e a n d cre pt t h rough a s a fly, th e n a s a fl e a h e st un g t h


sle e p i n g god d e ss t i ll sh e sh oo k off th e orn ame n t an i n ci d e n t st ill re ta i n e d in
n urs e ry -
tal e s C on f th e sti n gi n g flyat th e forgi n g, S D 1 3 1
. . . .

2
I f w e re a d F ri a for F rua , t h e n F oll a w ou l d st a n d n e arer t o h e r a s in t h e
N ors e , w h e th e r a s a tt e n d an t g odd e ss or a s s i st e r Y e t, con s i d e ri n g t h e i n sta .

b ilityof t h o s e g odd e ss e s n ame s , sh e mayke e p h e r pl a ce b yF ron wa t oo



.
3 10 G ODD ES SES .

frume nti H an ka s S th e w ord s ee ms


( h i

ly t e gl ss e s
n o 5 2
on

t o b e th e S l av zhivete Z h a n d V d oe s n ot an sw e r t o th e Te nt
.
, .

Th e e a rth w a s Th 6r s moth e r n ot his w ife ye t in Sn



F B P
, , .
, , .

2 2 0 w e d o fi n d th e s impl e S if st an din g for e arth To d e cid e w e .


,

ought t o h av e full e r d e t ail s a b ou t S if a n d th e s e are wh olly w an t ,

ing in our myth ol ogy N owh e re a mon gst us is th e mystic re l a tion


.

o f s e e d c orn t o D e me t e r w h o s e p oign an t grie f for h e r d a ught e r


-
,

thre at e n s to b ring famin e on ma n kind ( Hymn t o Ge r 3 0 5 n or .

a n th ing l ik e it re c ord e d
y ,
.

Th e G oth ic l a n g ua g e d ra ws s ubtle d istin ction b e tw ee n sunj a


a

( ve rita s) a nd su n d j (d e fen sio ,


p rob a tio ve ritatis) ; in OI I G law .
,

sunna , sunnis me an s e x cu sa tio a n d imp e dime n t um Th e ON law . .

lik e wis e h as th is syn ge n synj ar for e x cusa tio d e fe n sio n egatio .


, , , ,

imp e d ime n tum but t h e Ed d a at th e s ame t ime e xh ib its a p e rs oni


,

fi e d Syn wh o w a s t o th e h e a th e n a g odd e ss of t ru th a nd j ustic e


, ,

a n d p rot e ct e d th e a cc us e d ( Sn To th e s ame cl a ss b e l ongs Vcir


e n V ara r g odd e ss o f pl igh t e d fa ith a n d c ov e n a n ts a d e a foe d e ris


g .
, ,

( S n . 3 7 j u st a s th e R o m an s d e ifi e d T ut e l a T h e ph ra s e vigj a .

s aman Va ra r hen di c on s e crare Tut el ae manu ( Seem ,



is l ik e .

t h e p a ss ag e s a b out Wish s h an d s p 1 4 0 A s in a ddition t o th e



. .
,

abstra ct w ish w e saw a Wish e n d ow e d w ith life so by th e s ide of ,

th e OH G w ara foe d us th e re mayh av e b e e n a g o dd e ss Wa ra a n d


.
,

b e sid e sunia a Sunid ( se e

I n th e s ame( t a l e ) i i t
w a y or sage
s n e n s ifi e d in t o a h e a th e n
saw ,

g odd e ss Saga d augh t e r of W uot an ; l ik e Z e u s s d augh t e r th e M us e


,

sh e in structs ma nk in d in th a t d iv in e a rt wh ich W u otan h ims e l f


in v e n t e d I h av e argue d in a s e p arat e t re a tis e ( Kl ein e s eh r 1 8 3
. .
,

th at th e f rou A ventiure of th e M id A ge s is a re lic of th e .

s ame .

N a nna th e woul d b e in Goth N a nb d OH G


wife of B al dr .
, .


N a nd a A S N o de th e b ol d c ourag e ou s ( p
, . but e xc e pt in ON
, , .
,

t h e s impl e fe mal e n ame is l ost ; Pro c op ius h a s G othic G e vde


veil/ a ,
0 ON Th iofin a nna
.
( se e
I nfere n c e s li k e th e s e from dying w ord s t o d e ad divinitie s , ,

c oul d b e multipl ie d t o a tt empt th e m is n ot un profitabl e for th e y ,

sh arp e n th e e y e t o l ook in fre sh qu art e rs [for c on fi rma t ion or con


B AH ANA . H ELLI A . 3 11

futat ion] . Th e d isc o v e ry from


l e ge nd or e ls e wh ere of a h armony
b e tw e en myth s mayrais e our gue ss e s in t o d e mon stra tion s 1
.

R AH ANA (RAN ) H ELLI A ( H EL) 12 . . .

M y s urve y o f t he g od s cl os e d w ith Oe gir a nd L ok i ; a nd th e


g odd e ss e s a ki n t o th e s e sh a ll be th e l a st me ntion e d h e re .

T o c orre sp ond t o th e ON Gefj on t h e Old Sa x on s h a d a s fa r a s .


,

w e k n ow n ot a fe mal e b ut a mal e b e ing Ge ba n Geof on (se a p


, , , , .

W ith four g ia n t ox e n a ccord ing t o S D 1 G e fj on pl ough s Z e al a nd , .


,

ou t o f th e S we d ish s oil a nd a l ak e a ris e s wh o s e in w ard b e n d e x a ctly


, ,

fits th e p roj e cting c oast o f Z e al an d S he is d e scribe d a s a virg in .


,

an d a ll ma id e n s wh o die v irg in s w a it u p on h e r S n 3 6 H e r n a me , . .

is c all e d up on w h e n oa ths a re t ak e n : sve r e k v iii Gefl on F M agn , . .

le x 3 8 6 ( see
. Gef n a n ame of F re yj a ( Sn 3 7 an d Viga , .

l umss ca p 2 7) re min d s on e of G e f on
g .

j . .

R ein w a s t h e w ife of t he s e a g od Oegir th e y h a d n in e d aughte rs ,

w h o a re c it ed by name in t h e E d da a nd c all e d B an a r ( or Oegis)


d oetr 2
M e n wh o a re d rown e d fall t o th e sh are of Rein wh ich of
.
,

its e l f a tt e sts h e r div inity : f a ra til R an a r is t o ge t d row n e d a t sea ,

Fe rnal d sog 2 78 an d sitj a a t Rdn a r t o b e d row n e d F orum sog


' '

. . . .
, ,

6 3 76
,
Th os e w h o we re d rowne d sh e d re w t o h er in a net a nd
.
,

It se e m almo
st as if th e M H G p oets re cogn is e d a femal e p e rs on a ge fro
s ‘
1
.

F uoge or Gefuoge ( fit n e ss ) s imi lar in pl a st i c p ow e r t o th e ma s c W i sh a p e r


,
.
,

so n ifi e d comp a g e s or ap h vz L ach man n d ire cts me to in sta n ce s in p oin t E r


o a . . .

75 3 4 40 ( co n f I we in p 40 0
- .
, .

S o h e t e d e s me ist e rs sin S o b ad th e ma st e r s th ough t


rue ve t d i t z ge re ite t urn e d out t his ridin g g e ar


-
e
g p
mit groz e r w ish e it e with g re a t w is d om
e r gap d e m h e lfe nb e in e h e ga v e t h e iv ory
u n d d a b i d e m g e st e in e an d w i th a l t h e j e we l ry

sin ge ve l lige st a t e a ch its p rop e r pl a ce


, ,

a ls in diu Gevuoge b at as h im d a me F i t n e ss b a d e
s in min w ere s ch ul d e b a t ) —
. .

( C o n f E r 1
. 24 6 a l . P a rz 1 2 1 1 1 . .
,

We r in d e n z we in l a nd e n w irt t o s o in t h e t w o lan d s t h rive s , ,

Gefuoge e in w un d e r a n im b irt Fi t n e ss a w o n d e r in h im b e a rs
h e is a mi racul ous b irth of Fit n e ss h e r ch i ld h e r d arli ng — C on v e rs e l y Wal , , ,

th er 6 4 3 8 ,

F rd U nfuoge ir h ab t ge sige t Dame U n fi tn e ss th ou h ast t riumph e d


,
.
,
.

And 6 5 , 25
S w e r U ngefuoge sw ige n h ie ze Wh os o b ad e I nd e coru m h ush ,
un d sic ab e d e n b urg e n st ie ze a n d h u rl e d h e r from h e r st ron gh ol d s .

It is t rue , t h e p re fix es ge un a rgue a l at e r a n d co l d e r all e gory A nd t h e .

w e a k fe m form ( a ce in -e n ) w o ul d b e p re fe ra bl e , OH G F uoga, ge n F uogun ,


. . . .

a s in N cap 13 5 h ifuogfi n , sot ige n am (se e


. .

2
S ee m 79b 1 44a 1 5 3 h 1 80 S n 1 2 4 9 185
. . .
-
. . E yrbygg . sa a g p . 2 74 , an d in
d ex sub v Ran E gilssaga p 6 1 6
. . . .
0
0 12 G ODD ES SE S .

c a rrie d th e m off wh e n c e th e e xpl an ation of h er n ame : ran n eu t is


, .

ra p in a ree n a ra p e re s oh a re se e
, p ( ,

On th e disc ov e ry of th e rare w ord ra ha n en s oliare in th e


(p )
H ilde b r lie d 5 7 I b uil d th e s upp os ition th a t o th er Te ut on ic l a nd s
.
,

h a d a ls o a s ubst rah an (rap in a sp ol iu m) a n d a g odd e ss Ra ha n a


.
,

( c on f Ta nfa na H luod a n a
.
) a s w e ll a s a n U o
gi, Oegir 1
, .

A s we from Oegir (th rough F orniot a n d L og i) t o L ok i


p a ss e d ,

so we mayfrom Ran t o H el, w h o is n o oth e r th an L ok i s d augh te r, ’

a nd lik e h im a d re adful d iv i nity Ran re ce ive s th e s ouls th at die .

byw at er H e l th os e on l an d a nd Fre yj a th o s e th a t fall in b a ttl e


, , .

Th e ON H e l ge n H e lj ar sh ows its e l f in th e o th e r T e ut onic


. .

t ongue s e v e n l e ss d oubtfully th an Frigg and F re yj a or a nyof th e


a b ov e me nt ion e d g odd e ss e s : G oth H a l a
-
j ge n H alj 6s OH G H ellia . .
, .
,

H ella ge n H e llia H e ll a A S H ell ge n H e ll e on ly th e p e rs on a l


.
, , . .
,

n ot ion h a s d ropt a w a y an d re d u c e d its e l f t o th e l oc a l on e of b alj a , ,

h ellia h e ll t h e n e th e r w orl d a n d pl ac e of p un ish me nt


, , Orig in ally .

H e llia is n ot d e ath n or an y e vil b e in g sh e n e ith e r k ills n or ,

t orme nts ; sh e t ak e s th e s ouls of th e d e p art e d a n d h ol d s th e m with


in e x orabl e grip Th e id e a of a pl a c e e v ol v e d its e l f a s th a t of oegir
.
,

o c e a nu s o ut of Oe ir a n d th at of g eb an mare from G eb a n ; t h e
g ,

c on ve rte d h e a th e n W ith ou t a ny a do appl ie d it t o th e ch ristian


un d e rw orl d th e a b od e o f th e d amn e d ; all T e ut on ic n a t ion s h a v e
,

d on e th is from th e fi rst b aptiz e d G oth s d own t o t h e North me n


, ,

b e c au s e th at l oc al n otion al re a d y e x ist e d und er h e ath e nis m ,

p e rh aps als o b e c aus e th e ch urch w as n ot s orry t o a ss ociat e l ost


S p irits with a h e a th e n a n d fi e n d ish divin ity
?
Thu s h ellia ca n b e
e xpl a in e d from H e llia e v e n more re a d ily th an 6 st a ra from Ost a ra .

I n t h e Edd a H el is L ok i s d augh t er by a g ian t e ss sh e is s ist e r


, ,

t o t h e w ol f F e n rir a n d t o a mon st rou s s n ak e Sh e isha lf bla ck a nd .

h al f of h uman c ol our ( bld h al f e n h al f me fi h orun d ar lit) SD 3 3 , , .


,

a ft e r th e man n e r of th e p ie d p e opl e of th e M id A g e s ; in oth e r .

1
Th e Tra d p at av p 6 0 2 ass ure u s of a man s n ame Ra an , Rh aan ’

h
-
. . .

( Rah2an A n OH G Ra an a re sts o n a v e ry sl e nd e r foun d at i on


. .

H e l h a s n o a ffin i t y a t all w i th ON h e ll a p e t ra, h e llir an t rum, a s th e .

G oth h allus p e tra sh ow s (from h i lla n s on are , b e caus e a rock re s oun d s ) : a


.

li ke l ie r con n e x i on is t h a t w i t h our h 5 1e an t rum, OH G h ol i, more fre que n t in .

n e u t h ol for w h i ch w e sh oul d e xp e ct a G o th ic h ul, a s in fa ct a fe m h ulun d i


.
,
.

i s ca ve rn a for a cav e cov ers , an d so d o e s th e n e the r w orl d ( bo th t he re fore from


,

h il a n ce l are ) On l y, t h e v ow e ls in h iil e
. h uh ) an d h clle h alj a) d o n ot
g
a ree .
3 14 G ODD ES S E S .

H e lre i5 B rynh ild ar a n d th e V e gtamsqviha in th e l a tt e r, Ohin s


rid e on Sl e ip nir for B al d r s s a k e s e e ms t o p re fi gure t h a t wh ich


H e rm65 r a fte rwa rd s un d e rt ak e s on th e s ame st e e d in Sn 6 5 7 .


-
.

B ut th e in cid e n ts in t h e p oe m a re more th rill ing , a nd th e d ia l ogue


b e tw e en V e gta mr 1
an d th e vala ,
wh o s ays of h e rs el f
va r e k sn ifi n sn i6fi
(by s n ow) 0 k slegin regn i , ,

ok d rifi n d cggo ( b yd e w ) d a u5 (d e a d ) va r e k le in gi , ,

is a mon g th e s ub l ime st things th e E d d a h a s t o sh e w Th is v al a .

must st a nd in cl os e re l a tion sh ip t o H e l h e rs e lf .

S a x o G ra m p 4 3 v e ry a ptly u s e s for H e l th e La tin P roserp ina


. .
,

h e mak e s h e r g iv e n otic e of B a l d e r s d ea th

I n t h e D a n ish p op ul ar .

b el ie f H el is a th re e l e gg e d h ors e th a t g oe s roun d t h e c oun try


-
, ,

a h a rb in g e r o f pl a gu e a n d p e st il e n c e ; of th is I s h a ll tre a t furth er

on . Originally it w a s n o oth e r th a n t h e steed on wh ich th e g odd e ss


p o st e d ov e r l an d p ick in g up th e d e a d th at w e re h e r d ue ; th e re is
,

a ls o a wa ggon a sc rib e d t o h e r in wh ich sh e ma d e h e r j ou rn e ys , .

A p a ss ag e in B e ow ul f sh ows h ) w th e A n gl o S a x on s re t a in e d -

p erfe ctly t h e old me aning of th e w ord It s ays o f t h e e xpiring .

G re n de l 1 6 9 8 fe orh ale gd e h ac 5 e n e sawle ( vit am d e p osuit , ,

a n ima m ge nt ile m) b eer h in e H el on


‘ ’
, f g
e n t h e o ld h e a th e n g odd e ss ,
-

t ook p oss e ss ion of him .

I n G e rma ny t oo t h e M id A ge s still ch erish e d th e c on c e ption of


.

a v ora c iou s h u n g ry in s a tiabl e H e ll a n Orcus esurien s i e th e man


, , , ,
. .
,

d e v ouring ogre : diu H elle f erslin d et al d az t e r l e b e t si n e w ird et



,

n ie mer sa t N Cap 72 . di u H elle und d e r a rg e w an w e rd e nt


. .

n i emer sa t W e lsch g a st
,
I t s oun d s st ill more p ers on al wh e n sh e
. .
,

h a s gap ing ya wn ing j a ws a sc rib e d t o h e r lik e th e w ol f p icture s in ,

th e M S of Cee d mon re p re s e n t h e r s imply by a w id e op e n mou th


. .

D e r t ob e n d e wu ot erich Th e ragin g ty ran t


d e r w as d e r H ellen gelich h e w a s l ik e th e H e ll
,

diu d az abgrund e w h o t h e ch a s m ( st e e p d e sc e n t)
begen it mit i r mun d e b e yaw n e th with h e r mouth -

u n d e d e n h ime l z uo d e r e rd e n from h e a v e d own t o e a rth


2
n . .

u n d e ir d o ch n ih t n e mac w erd e n A n d y e t t o h e r it c a nn ot h ap , .

1 Ohinn calls h ims e lf Vegta mr ( w a y-ta me , b roke n -in t o th e roa d , gua rus
viae ) son of Va lta mr (a ssue tus ca edibu s) , a s in o th e r pl ace s gangtamr ( itin eri
,

a ssu e tus) is u s e d of t h e h ors e , S ee m b u t Ohinn h i ms e l f i s G an grabr o r


.

G an gle ri .V e gt amr re min d s on e of th e h ol ypri e st a n d min stre l Wechta m in


H uni b ald
un d e d e n is a sl ip for ab e d e m — TRA N S
.

2 I h a v e s upp ose d th a t ’ ’
. .
RA HANA . H ELLI A .

daz si ime r w e rd e vol ; th a t v e r b e c ome full


sh e e

si ist d a z u ngesa tli ch e h ol, sh e is th e in s a t iabl e c av e rn ,

d az w e de r nu ch n ie n e sp rah :
no th a t n e ith e r n ow n or e v e r s aid
nih t n e mac

diz ist d e s ih th is is wh a t I c an not

.

Lamp r A l e x 6 6 71 -8 0
. p oe ms h a ve fre que n t all us ions t o th e
. . Old
a bg run d ( ch a s m a byss ) a n d t h e d oors o f h e ll : h e lli ruob a h e ll a
, g ,

grun t h ellip ort a &c G ra mm 2 4 5 8 d e r abgrun d e t un e d e r t ie fe n


, , . .
, ,

h elle t une ( th e d ee p h ell s d inge d ark n e ss ) M art 8 8 1 ’

, , .
1

Of c ours e t h e re a re B ibl e t e xts th a t w oul d in t h e fi rst in st an c e


s ugg e st much of th is e g a b out th e in s at iab l e n e ss of h e ll P re v 2 7
, . .
, , .
,

20 . 3 0 1 6 ( c on f Fre id a nk
, . b e in g u n c ov e re d J ob 2 6 , ,

6 h er op e n ing h e r mouth Is a ia h 5 1 4
,
B ut w e are t o b e ar in
, ,
.

min d th a t all th e s e h a v e th e ma sc
,
or in fe rn u s w ith wh ich .
,

t h e id e a of th e La t in Orc us als o a g re e s a n d t o obs e rv e h ow th e ,

G e rman l ang uag e t rue t o it s id iosy n c ra sy w a s ob l ig e d t o mak e u se


, ,

o f a fe mi n in e w ord Th e imag e s of a d oor a byss wid e g a p in g


.
, ,

throa t stre ngth a nd invin c ib il ity (fortis t an quam orc u s P e t ron


, ,
.

cap . a pp e a r so n a t ural a n d n e c e ss a ry t o t h e n otion of a n e th e r

w orl d th a t th e y will k e e p re curring in a s imil ar way among


,

diffe re n t n ation s ( see


Th e e ss e n tial th in g is th e imag e of a gre e dy unre storing fe mal e
, , ,

d e ty
i 1
.

B ut th e h igh e r w e a re all ow e d t o p e n e t rat e in t o our a n t iquitie s ,

th e l e ss h e ll ish a n d t h e more g od lik e may H a lja app e ar Of th is .

w e h av e a p art icul arly stron g guaran t ee in h e r a ffi n ity t o th e I n dian


B h a v an i wh o t ra v e ls a b out a n d b a th e s l ik e N e rth u s an d H ol d a
,

(p . b ut is l ik e wis e c all e d K d li or M a ha hd li th e g re a t bla ck ,

god d e ss I n th e und e rw orl d sh e is s upp os e d t o sit in j ud gme n t on


.

s ouls Th is offi c e th e s imil ar n a me and th e bl ack h ue (kale n ig e r


.
, ,

c on f c al igo an d x ek a w éq) mak e h e r e xc e e dingly l ik e H alj a A n d


. .

H alj a is o ne of th e ol d e st a nd c ommon e st c on c e ption s of our


h e a th en is m .

I n t h e s o uth o f H oll an d , wh e re th e M e us e falls in t o th e se a , is a pl a ce


1

n a me d H elvoetslui s I d o n ot kn ow if anyforms in old d ocu me n ts co nfi rm t h e


.

id ea con t a i n e d in th e n a me , of H e ll -foot , foo t of H e ll Th e Ro ma n s h av e .

a H e l i um h e re I n t e r H e l i um a e F le vum, ita ap p e lla n tur ost i a, in q ua e e ffus us


Rh e n us, ab se p te n t rio n e in l e ens, a b occid e n t e in a mue m M o s a m se sp a rgit,
me d ic i n t e r h ae c ore mod icu m n omin e su o custod ie n s a lv e um, P lin 4 2 9 .
, .

Ta o a ls o s ays 2 , 6 : imme n se ore


. C on f s up ra p 19 8 on Oegisdyr ( se e. . .
CH APTER X IV .

CON D ITI ON OF G OD S .

Now th a t w e h av e c oll e cte d all th at c oul d b e foun d c on c e rnin g


th e s e v e ra l d ivin itie s o f our d ist an t p a st I will e n d e a v o ur t o s urv e y
,

th e ir n a ture a s a wh ol e ; in d oing wh ich h ow e v e r w e must b e ,

a ll o we d t o t a k e more fre qu e n t n ot ic e of fore ign a n d e sp e cia lly

G re e k myth ol ogy th a n w e h av e d on e in oth e r s e ct ion s of th is


,

w ork : it is th e only w ayw e ca n fi nd c onn e cting p omts for many a


th re a d th a t oth e rwis e h a ngs l oos e .

A ll tion s h a ve cl oth e d th eir g od s in h uman sh ap e an d only


na ,

by w a yof e xc e ption in th os e of an imals on th is fa ct are foun de d


b oth th e ir a pp e aran ce s t o me n or in c arn a tion th eir tw ofol d se x
, , ,

th e ir int e rma rryin g w ith man kind an d als o th e d e ifi cation of ,

c ert ain me n i e t h e ir a d e ption in t o t h e circl e of th e g od s It


,
. .
, .

foll ow s more ov e r th a t g od s a re b e g ott e n a n d b orn e xp e rie n c e p a in


, ,

a n d s orrow a re s ubj e ct t o sl e e p s ick n e ss a n d e ve n d ea th th a t li k e


, , ,

me n th e y sp e a k a l an gu ag e fe e l p a ssion s trans a ct a ffairs a re


, , ,

cl oth e d and arme d p oss e ss d we ll ings a n d ut e ns ils


,
Th e on ly .

d iffe re n c e is th a t t o th e s e a tt rib ut e s an d st a t e s th e re is a tt a ch e d a
,

h igh e r sc al e th an th e human th at all th e a d va n t age s of t h e g od s


,

a re more p e rfe ct a n d a b id in g a ll th e ir ills more sl ight or t ran s ie n t


,
.

Th is a pp e a rs t o me a fund a me n t al fe a ture in th e fa ith of th e


h e a th e n th a t th e y all ow e d t o th eir god s n ot a n unli mi t e d an d
,

u n c on d it ion al d urat ion b ut on ly a t e rm o f l ife fa r e xc e e din g th a t


,

o f me n . A ll th a t is b orn mu st a ls o die a n d a s th e omnip ot e n c e of


,

g od s is ch e ck e d by a fa t e st an d ing h igh e r th an e v e n th e y so th e ir ,

e t e rn a l d ominion is l ia bl e a t l a st t o t e rmin a t ion A n d th is re v e als .

its e l f n ot on ly by s ingl e in c id e n ts in th e liv e s of g od s b u t in t h e ,

ge ne ral n otion of a c omin g a nd in e vitabl e ruin wh ich the E dd a ,

e xp re ss e s quit e distin c tly an d which th e G re e k syst e m h as


,

in th e b a ckground : th e d ayw ill c ome wh en Z e us s re ig n sh all e n d



.
3 18 C ON D I TI ON or GODS .

a dj e ct iv e s dB o ro s dq o ro e, dq ba i os vex rd eoe p ass e d on a re


'

p

p
, ,

from t h e food t o oth e r d iv in e things1 (se e Pl ainly t h e n


th e g od s w e re n ot immort a l b yth e ir n at ure th e y only a cqu ire d a n d ,

s e c ure d this qu al ity by a bst ainin g from th e food a nd d rin k Of me n ,

a nd fea st in g on h e a v e n ly fa re A n d h e n c e th e id e a of d e a th is n ot .

a lw a ys n or a s a ma tt e r of c ours e k e pt a t a dist an c e from th e m ;

K ron os u s e d t o k ill h is n e w b orn ch il dre n n o d ou bt b e fore n e ct ar ,


.

a n d a mb ro s ia h a d b e e n g iv e n th e m a n d Z e u s a l on e c oul d b e s a v e d
2
,

from him by b e in g b rough t up s e cre tly A n ot h e r w ay in wh ich .

th e mort al ity of c e rt a in g od s is e xp re ss e d is th at th e y fall a p re y ,

t o H ad e s wh os e me an ing b ord e rs on th at of d e a th e g P e rse


, ,
. .
,

ph on e .

I f a b el ie f in th e e t ern ity of th e g od s is th e d omin an t on e


a mon g th e Gree ks a n d on ly sc a tt e re d h in ts a re in t rodu c e d of th e ir
,

fi nal ov e rth row with our an c e st ors on th e c on t rary th e th ought o f ,

t h e g od s b e in g immort a l s e e ms t o re t ire in t o th e b a ckg roun d .

Th e E dd a n e v e r c alls th e m e ylifi r or 6 d au5 1igir a n d th e ir d e ath is


a Seem 3 7 r more
sp ok e n of w ith out disg uis e he er re gin d ey j

2
o ,
.
,

b
fre ue
q t ly g in r f
i ( l t ) 3 6 4 0 O f t he 2
n : re u a z so v un ur n e o ,

fi n e st an d ol de st myth s d e scrib e s th e d e a th o f B al d e r th e b urn ing ,

of h is b od y a n d his e n t ra n c e in t o th e l o w e r w orl d lik e th a t of


, ,

P ros e rp in e ; O5 in s d e stin e d f a ll is me n t ion e d in th e V ol u sp a 9


’ 1
,

O5 ins ba n i (b a n e ) S n 73 wh e re als o Th 6rr falls d ea d on th e


, .
,

groun d ; H rf mgnir a gian t th re ate n s to sl a y all th e g od s (d re p a


, ,

g ufi Sn 1 0 7 Y e t at th e s ame t ime w e can p oin t t o cl e ar


. . .

t ra c e s of th a t p rol ongation of life by p articul ar k in d s Of food a nd


d rin k .Whil e th e e inh e rj ar a d mitt e d int o V alh oll feast on t h e
b oil e d fl e sh of a b e ar we a re n ow h ere t ol d of th e A s e s sh arin g in
,

s uch d ie t ( See m 3 6 4 2 SD .

it is e v e n s aid e xp re ssly th a t
. . .
,

Ohinn n eeds n o food (On g a v ist b arf h ar m) a n d on lyd rinks win e ,

( v i n e r h onum b ee 5 i d r ckr o k ma tr
y b o th m e at a n d d rin k ) ; ,

w ith th e v ian d s se t b e fore him h e fe e d s h is t w o w ol v e s G e ri a n d


F re ki V ii? vin e itt v ap n gofugr Obinn ee lifi r (v in o s ol o armip ot e n s
.

s e mp e r vivit) Seem , ee l ifi r ca n b e r . e n d e re d s emp e r v e scitur ‘


,

1 B o th ambros i a l i k e th e h ol y gra il of th e M id Age s h a v e


t
n e c ar an d ,
.
,

mi ra cul ou s p ow e rs : p ou re d in t o th e n os e o f a corps e th e y p re ve n t d e ca y ll , ,
.

19 3 8
,
th e yw ard off h un ge r I ] 1 9 3 4 7 3 5 3 ,
.
, . .

2
A s h um a n i n fa n ts may on l y b e e xp os e d b e fore mil k a nd h on e y h a v e
mo i st e n e d t h e i r l i ps con f R A pp 4 5 8 9 Wh e n Z e us fi rst re ce iv e s in th e
, .
. .
-
.

a ss e mb l y of t h e g o d s th e son wh om L e t o b ore h im h e h a n d s h im n e cta r in a ,

g ol d e n bowl byt h is a ct h e re cognis e d h im for h is ch i l d .


I MMORTA LI T Y . 3 19

immortalita te m n a n ciscitur

a nd
th e n th e c aus e of his

n utritur, or ,

i mmort al ity w oul d b e foun d in h is p a rt ak in g o f th e wine . E vi


d e n tly th is w in e Nors e g od s is t o th e b e e r a n d ale (Olr) of
of th e
me n w h a t th e n e cta r o f th e G re e k god s w a s t o th e w ine of mort als
,
.

Oth e r p a ss ag e s a re n ot so p art ic ul ar a b ou t th e ir l a ng ua g e ; 1
in
See m 5 9 th e g od s at Oe gir s h all h a v e a le se t b e fore th e m c on f 5 1

.
.
,

g iOr a 6 8 1
;,
H e im d a ll
1
g l a d ly d rin ks t h e g oo d m e ad 4 1 b
v e riia r ,

n e ma oe sumbl ( c ib um c ap e re e t sy mp o s ium) 5 2 l e a v e s t h e e x a ct ,
'

n a t ure o f t h e food un d e fi n e d b ut e a rt h ly fa re is o ft e n a sc ribe d t o ,

t h e g od s in so man y w ord s B ut may n ot th e c ostly Odhrce ris


?

d reckr c o mp oun d e d o f th e divin e Qvasir s bl ood a n d h on e y b e


, ,

l ik e ne d to amrita a nd a mb ro s ia 2 3
Dwa rfs a n d g ian ts ge t h ol d o f
it fi rst a s a mrit a fe ll in t o th e h a n d s Of th e gian ts ; a t l a st th e
,

g od s t a k e p oss e ss ion of b oth Otihroe ris d re ckr co n fe rs th e gift o f .

p oe sy a n d by th a t v e ry fa ct immort al ity : Ofi in n a nd Sag a godd e ss


, ,

o f p o e t ic a rt h a v e s ure ly d run k it out o f g ol d e n g obl e ts gl a d ly a n d


, ,

e v e rmore (u m a ll a d ag a S ee m W e m u st als o t a k e in t o
,
.

a cc ou n t t h e c re a t ion Of th e w is e Qvasir ( c on f Sl a v k v a s con viv iu m . .


, ,

p otu s ) th a t at th e making of a c ov e n an t b e tw e e n th e A e s ir a n d
V anir h e w a s forme d out of th e ir sp ittl e (hrak i) ; th e re fi n ing of
,

his bl ood in t o a d rink for g od s s e e ms a v e ry an c ie n t an d far


re a ch in g myth B ut b e s id e th is d rin k w e h a v e a ls o n ot ic e s of a
.
,

sp e c ial food for god s : I dunn h a s in h e r k e e p in g c ert ain ap p les by ,

e a t in g o f wh ich t h e a gin g g od s ma k e th e ms e l v e s oung aga i n ( e r


y
oiiin skulo ab it a b ld
g e r a u e a z oc v e r5 a
, p a a llir u n g ir Sn , , .

Thi s re mind s on e of th e appl e s of P a ra dis e a n d th e H e sp e rid e s of th e ,

g uard e d g ol d e n a ppl e s in t he K ind e rmarch en n o 5 7 of th e a ppl e s .


,

in t h e st orie s of F ortun a tus a nd o f M e rli n on th e e a t ing or b it in g ,

of wh ich d e p e n d life d ea th a n d me t a morph o s is a s e ls e wh e re on a


, ,

d ra ught of h oly w a t e r A cc ordin g t o t h e Ed d ie v ie w th e g od s h a v e


.
,

a me a n s it is t rue o f p re s e rv in g p e rp e t u a l fre sh n e ss a n d y outh


, , ,

A s H ome r t o o make s G a n y me d e o t voxo e é e w , I I 2 0 , 2 3 4 , an d of H e b e it is



1 .

e v e n s a i d , ve xra
' ’ '

p e cp voxo e t 4 , 3 .

2
Z e us g oe s to b a nq ue t ( Ka rd da ira ) w i th th e E th i op i a n s , I 1 1 , 4 2 3 dra v

.

p s Ba ira Ka i e rrt Ho lt/nu 1mm, P l a t o s Ph aed r 2 4 7, a s Th Orr d oe s w i t h th’ e N or


’ ‘ ’

.

w e gia n s e v e n wh e n d i sg ui s e d a s a b ri de , h e d o e s n ot re fus e t h e gi a n ts d is h e s ,
S eem 73 b a nd t h e A s e s b o i l e d a n e x on t h e ir j o urn e y, S D 8 0
. . .

2 I n San
sk ri t, sudha n e ctar is d i st i n gui s h e d from a mri ta ambros ia E ve ry .

wh e re t h e re is a n ea gle in t h e b us i n e ss G arud a is call ed sud h ahara, or a mri t a


h a ran a , n e ct ar t h i e f or a mb ro s i a -t h ie f ( Po tt, fors ch 2 , 4 5 1) i t i s in t h e s h a p e o f
-
.

a n ea g l e t h a t Ob in u carri e s o ff Ob h rmrir an d Z e us h is cu p b e are r Ga n me d e


y
h
,
XXX XXX t sin g an d Poe t ry)
'

( se e c V
. a n d ,
P a h c os
- r
.
3 20 C OND I TI ON OF G OD S .

but ,
for th at th e y are re gard e d a s s ubj e ct t o th e e n croa ch
all ,

me n ts Of a ge so th a t th e re a re alw ays s ome young and s ome old


,

god s in p a rticul ar Odinn or W u ot an is p icture d e v e rywh e re as an


,

old g re yb e a rd ( c o n f th e old go d p Th 6rr a s in th e full


.
, .

stre ngth o f man h ood B al d er a s a bl ooming y ou th Th e g od s grow


,
.

h drir ok ga mlir ( he ar a n d Old ) Sn 8 1 Fre y r h a s at t a nn fé ‘


. .
,

( t ooth fe e ) p re s e n t e d h im at his t e eth in g h e is th e re fore imagin e d


-
,

a s growi ng up I n l ik e mann e r U ra n o s a n d K ron os a pp e a r a s Old


.
,

Z eu s (li k e our D on ar) an d P os eid on a s mid dl e ag e d A p oll o H e r , ,

me s a nd A re s a s in th e bl oom of youth Growth a n d age th e .


,

in cre a s e a n d d e cl in e of a p ow e r e xcl ud e th e n ot ion of a st rictly ,

e t e rn a l immu t a bl e immort a l b e in g
,
an d mort al ity th e t e rmina tion
, , ,

h owe v e r l on g d e l ay e d of g od s with such a tt rib ut e s is a n e c e ss ity


, ,

( see

Ep ith e ts e xp re ssing th e p owe r ,


th e mnip ot e n c e of th e re ign in g
o ,

g od s h a ve b e e n sp e c ifi e d pp 2 1 2 ,
.
-
. A t e rm p e c ul ia r t o ON p oe try .

is gi nre gin , Seem 2 8 .


2
50 2
5l a
52 11
, ginh e ilOg gob 1 ; it is of
2

t h e s a me root a s gina OH G k in a n b iare , a nd d e n ot e s numin a


.
, ,

a mpl a l at e d omin ant ia c on f A S ginn e grun d B e ow 3 1 0 1 J ud


, ,
. .
, . . .

131 2 , ginn e r
.i c e C ee d m 1 5 8 gin fm st fi
,
rmi ssimu s 1 76 2 9 .
, .
, , .

g in fee st e n god t e r ra e d om in u,
s 2 1 1 1 0 garse cge s gin oc e an i ,
.
,

a mp lit n d o 20 5 3 ,
.

Th e H ome ric pe i a
'

éqgt wg G oth rabizO) b e au tifully e x


l
.
,

p re ss e s th e p owe r of th e god s ; w h at e v er th e y d o or u nd e rtak e


c ome s e a sy t o th e m th e ir l ife gl id e s al on g fre e from t oil whil e
, ,

mort al me n l ab our a n d a re h e av y l a d e n : He a l (Se la ( aim/re s I I 6 , .


,

138 .Od 4 8 0 5 5 1 2 2
.
, W h e n A ph rodit e w ish e s to re mov e h er
.
,
.

fa v ou rit e A l e x a n d e r from th e p e ril s of b attl e rbv 8 é f jp wa f


’ ’

i
,

bp o Blm be ta 63 a r e 9 e o 9 I 1 3 3 8 1 th e s ame w ord s are


’ ’
Ag ,
.
,

a ppl ie d t o A p oll o w h e n h e s n a tch e s H e ct or a w a y from A ch ill e s 2 0


, ,
'

443 .Th e w all so l ab oriously b u ilt byth e Gre e ks h e o v e rturn s pe ia .

a d h a a s,
a b oy a t pl a y w o ul d a s a n d h e a p 1 5 3 6 2 W ith a m e re -
,
.

b re a th bl owing a l ittl e ( ii/ca udxa « HEM a ) A th en e t urn s -


,

a w a y fro m A ch ill e s th e sp e a r th a t H e ct or h a d th ro wn 2 0 44 0 ( se e ,

B e rh t a a ls o bl ows (p a n d th e e l v e s b re a t h e ( ch . .

XVII ) on p e opl e , .

Th e s on s O f me n grow up sl owly a nd g radually g od s a tt ain ,

th e ir full s ize a n d stre ngth d irectly af ter birth N O s oon er h a d .


3 22 C ON D I TI ON or G OD S .

on a mals a s s ome of th e Gree k gian ts a re


fe w h e roe s an d ani ,

érca ré y S ch forms are quit e c ommon in t h e H ind u a n d


-
e i eq ur
x p .

Sl a v syst e ms : Vish nu is re p re s e n t e d with four a rms B ra h ma with ,

four h e a ds Sv an t ovit th e s ame wh il e P ore vit h as fi ve h e a d s a n d


, ,

Ruge vit s e ve n fa c e s . Y e t H e c a t e t oo is s aid t o h av e b e e n th re e


he ad e d a s th e Roman J an us wa s t w o fa c e d a nd a Lace d eemonian
,
-
,

A p oll o four arme d 1


K huve ra th e I ndia n god of w e a lth is a
-
.
, ,

h id e ous fi gure with thre e l egs a nd e ight t ee th Some of t h e Nors e .

god s on t h e c on tra ry h a v e n ot a sup e rfluity b ut a d e ficie n cy of


, , ,

me mb e rs : O5 in n is o n e e y e d Ty r o n e h a n d e d H O5 r bl in d a n d -
,
-
, ,

L ogi o r L ok i w as p e rh aps p ortra ye d a s l ame or l imp ing l ik e ,

H e ph aestu s an d th e d e vil H e l al on e h as a d re ad ful sh a p e bl a ck .


,

a n d wh it e th e re st of th e g od s and g odd e ss e s not e xc e pting L ok i , ,

a re t o b e imagin e d a s of b e au tiful a n d n obl e figure ( se e

I n t h e H ome ric e p os th is ide ally p e rfe ct h u man sh ap e t o which ,

G re e k a rt a ls o k e e ps true is d e sc rib e d in st a n din g e p ith e ts for g od s ,

a n d e sp e c ially g odd e ss e s w ith wh ic h our rud e r p oe try h a s o nly a ,

fe w t o se t in c omp aris on a nd ye t th e s imil arity of th e s e is signi ,

fi cant S ome e p ith e ts h av e t o s e rv e tw o or th re e d ivinitie s by


.

tu rn s b ut most a re c on fi ne d t o in divid uals a s ch ara ct eristic o f


, ,

t h e m Th u s H e re is Ke v/coih e vo s or Bod e t e ( th e forme r us e d a ls o


.
‘ -

o f H e l e n ll 3 th e l a tt e r of a N e re id 1 8 A th e n e y

, .
,
k a wcéi ,
r

are; or fifi x op o e ( w h ich a gain d o e s for H e re ) Th e tis ,

I ris n oO hveuoe xp va drrrep os E os podo bd x rvk oe D e me t e r ,



, ,

( C e re s ) far/9 7
5 5 5 0 0 a n d x a t M /
ca u o,s 14 3 2 6 j,
u st a s S if i s , ,

h arn r ( p in all u sion t o th e y e ll ow c ol our of t h e w a ving


.

c orn A s th e se a rolls its d ark w a v e s Po s eid on b e ars th e n ame


.
,


x va vo a t n s ll 1 4 3 9 0 1 5 ‘
1 7 4 2 0 1 44 Z e us c oul d e ith e r b e
x , .
,
.
,
.
,
.

c all e d th e s ame or Kva vdgbp vs ( a c on tra st to B a l d r b rah vitr b row


,

,

b e c aus e t o him b el ong &nflp éa ta i Xa lra i l l 1 5 2 8 th e


'

wh it e p . .
, ,

h a ir a nd l ocks of W ish (p a n d b e c a u s e w ith his d ark b rows .

h e ma k e s s ig n s T his c on fi rmatory l ow e ring of th e brows or


.

’ ’
n odd in g w ith th e h e a d ( ve de w x a ra ve be w x va vega w é7r dg bp é a i I l , .

1 7 2 0 9) is th e re g ul a r e xp re ss ion o f Z e us s w ill : x e da k fi

1 5 27
, .
,
' '
x a ra ve va op a i d da vd ro w i u e y I i

w ro v ve r
,
cuco
p I 1 5 2 4 I n r e fu s ng ,
f
, .
,
.
,

Th 6r s in dig n an t ra ge is sh ow n

h e d ra ws t h e h e a d b ack
b y s in k ing th e e y e b rows ov e r th e e y e s ( s ig a bry n n ar ofe n f rir
y
O M ull e r s a rch ae ol p 5 15

1 . . .

ZEn e as —TRA N S
.

A n d A p h rodit e t h row s h e r whxe e h e vx a)


'
round
2
.
S HAPE . AN G ER . 3 23

au un
g , Sn . gl oomy b ro w s a n d sh ak ing th e b e ard
displ ay in g .

Obv iously t h e tw o g od s Z e us a nd D onar h av e id e n t ic al g e st ure s , ,

a sc rib e d to th e m for e xp re ss in g fa v our or a ng e r T h e y a re th e .

gl ow e ring d e itie s w h o h a v e th e a v e ng ing th unde r a t th e ir c omma n d ;


,

t his w a s sh own of D on ar p 1 77 a nd t o Z e us is g iv e n th e grim , .


,

l ouring l ook (Bew cz 8 brro Sp a 280311 11 1 5 ’ ’


h e ab ov e a ll is th e

,
.
,

m
’ ’ ’ '

n y x q
e f
o d a a q ( 1 5 1 7 a n d n e,
xt t o hi P o s e.id on of th e

d ingy l ocks (8 2 0 8 15 ,
Z e ns aga in is d isting uish e d by
.
,

b e a ming e y e s ( rp én e v ¢ d e t va3 1 3

3 7 1

4 2 3 6 1 6 , . .
, .
,

wh ich b el ong t o n one e ls e s a v e his o wn gre at h e art e d d aught e r 2 1 -


,

4 1 5 ; A ph rod it e h as ba /
a J a va
ua p ua rp o vra 3 3 9 7 twinkl ing , , , ,

sh imme ring e ye s (se e


Fig ure s of Gree k di v in itie s S h ow a circle of ra y s a nd a n imbn s

roun d t h e h e a d ; on I n d e Gre c ian c oin s M ith ra s h as c ommon ly a


1 -

c ircul ar nimb us w ith p oin t e d rays I n oth e r re p re s e n t ation s t h e


2
,

rays a re w a n t in g M ao ( d e us Lu nus) h a s a h al fmoon b e hind h is


.

sh oul d e rs A e scul ap ius t oo h ad rays ab out his h e a d I n wh at ce nturv .

w a s t h e h al o t h e a u reole fi rst p ut rou nd t h e h e ad s of ch ristia n


, ,

s a ints ? A n d w e h a v e a ls o t o t ak e int o a cc oun t t h e c row n s an d


d ia d e ms of k in gs A mmia n M arc . men t ion s Chn od omarius . .
,

c uj us v e rtic i fla mmeus t orul us ap tabatur N Cap 6 3 t ran sl at e s . . .

th e h o no ra ti c a p itis radio s Of t h e S ol a uratus by h oubetshi mo (h e ad


sh ee n) a nd t o p ort ra y th e s un s h e ad s urroun d e d w ith fl ame s is
,

e xt re me ly n a t u ra l I n ON I fi nd t h e t e rm ro da for c a p u t ra dia tum


‘ ‘

. .

s a n ct i wh ich I s upp os e t o b e th e O H G ruota rod s in c e v irga als o


,
.
,

g oe s Off in t o th e s e n s e of fl ag ell um ra dius ON ge isli A l ik e ning , , . .

o f t h e g od s t o ra d ia n t l umin a rie s of h e a v e n w oul d a t on c e s ugg e st

s uch a n imb us a nd ble n d l ocks d o sh ine lik e rays It is in con


,
.

n e x ion w ith t h e s e tt ing sun th a t Ta c G e rm 4 5 b rings in forma s . .

d e orum a n d ra d ios cap itis A rou n d Th 6r s h e ad w a s p ut l att e rly a t



.
,

all e v e n ts a ring o f st a rs ( S t e p h an ii n ot a d S a x on G ra m p
,
. . . .

A cc ord ing t o a story t ol d in t h e G a l ie n re st ore a b eam c a me out of ,

Ch arl e s t h e G re a t s mouth a n d ill u min e d his h e ad



3
W h a t s e e ms
more t o th e p urp os e a mong t h e P rilwitz fig ure s c e rt ain Sl a vic , ,

id ols e sp e c ially P e run P e d aga a nd N e mis h a v e rays a b out th e ir


, , ,

1
O . M ull e r s ’
a rch aeo l p . . 48 1 .

G e tt ing a n z 18 3 8 , 2 2 9
2 . . .

3 Th i s b ea m fro m C h a rl e s ’ s mou t h t ha t shin es in t o h is


is like t he one
b elov e d s mouth a n d ligh ts up th e g o l d i nsi d e ( se e ch

. XVI M enn i )
.
, .
3 24 C ON D I TI ON OF G OD S .

h e ad s a n d a h e a d in H ag en ow fi g 6 1 2 is e n circl e d with rays so , .


, ,

is e v e n th e ru n e R wh e n it st a n d s for R a d e g a st D id ra ys origin ally .

e xpre ss th e h igh e st c on c e pt ion of d ivine a n d l u st rou s b e a u ty 7

Th e re is n othin g in th e H ome ric e p os at all p ointing th a t w ay (se e


S up p L)

It is a p art of th a t in s ou cian ce an d light bl ood Of th e god s th at ,

th e y are merry an d la ugh H e n c e th e y a re c a ll e d bli5 re gin


, .

(

p . a s w e fi n d fr oh in t h e s e n s e o f g ra c iou s a ppl ie d t o g o d s
a n d k in gs } a n d th e sp ark o f j oyis c onv e y e d from g od s t o me n .

F ranj a l ord is n e xt o f kin t o f roh gl a d ( p


, , It is s aid of th e .

A s e s teitir v aro See m 2


,
a n d o f H e imd a ll d re ckr gla d r h in n
, g 6 5 a .
2
,
-

miO5 4 1 1
A n d i n svaso gu5 1
. 3 3 c ont ain s a s imil ar n ot ion ‘
In L

.

t his l ight th e p a ss ag e s qu ot e d ( pp 1 7 8) on th e blithe a n d chee rf u l .


-

G od g a th e r a n e w imp ort an c e : it is th e old h e a th e n n o tion st ill


l urk ing in p oe try Wh e n Z e us in divin e re p o s e s its 0 11 Olymp u s .

an d l ooks d ow n o n me n h e is mo v e d t o mirth ( 6p 6w v g
’ '
bp e va T ep i l o ,
f

na e l l 2 0,
th e n l aughs th e bl e ss e d h e art of him ( é yé lt a a d e Be
.
,
f

o i ( t xo v fir o on um

p p 2 1 w h i ch is e x a ctly t h e E ddie
, t h ,

H lOrritia h ugr i briosti la ugh e d t h e min d in h is



h ugr i b riost i t

, ,

b re a st : a fre sh c on fi rma tion o f th e e ss e n t ia l on e n e ss o f Z e u s a n d


T11 6rr h a A 11 16
a h u r i b rie st i

. B ut it is als o s a id of h eroe s tl
:
g ,

S ee m 2 3 8 a i Ollnm h ug w ith a ll h e r h e art


2
1116

he B rynh ildr

. .
,

220 OS
2
. h ugi w ard frOmOd H el 1 0 9 7 A S m6d ah I Oh
.

,

.
,
. .

,

A n dr 4 5 4 L a te r in th e Rudlie b 2 1 74 2 0 3 3 1 7 th e k in g in
. .
, , . .
,

h is sp e e ch is s aid subrid cre in t h e N ib e l 4 2 3 2 of B runh il d .


,

mit smieli n d en mun d e si fi b e r ah se l sah l ook e d o ve r h e r sh oul d e r



.
,

? ’ ’

Ofte n in th e s on g Of th e Cid : sonrisose d e la b o c a a n d a l e g re e ra



,

ia w o v H ymn in Cor 4 3 5
'
( DU/

t bs ic il/977 l l 2 3 6 0 0 ; c on f , .
,
.
,
. . .

H al f in d ispl e a s ure H e re l a ugh s w ith h e r l ips n ot h e r b rows : ,


'
bp zio w lcva veycn v icil/977 I ]
'
éh a a o e xe ih e a t v O bbé u e rw zro v e n (ig
’ ’ ’
e y
‘ '
f .
, , ,

1 5 1 0 2 ; b u t Z e u s fe e ls j oy in s e n d ing out h is l ig ht n in gs h e is
, ,

c a ll e d rep m fce p a vvo s 2 78 1 8 2 773 2 0 1 44 S o A rte mis ’

,
.
,
. .
,
.

( Dian a) is Zoxéa tp a rej oic in g in a rrows 6 4 2 8 2 1 4 8 0 C d 1 1 , , ,


.
,
. .
,

1 98 A t th e l imp in g of H e p h aestu s th e a ss e mb ly o f g od s b ursts


.
,
'
in t o 650 6 6 6 7 0 9 ye h w s u n c on t roll e d l augh t e r I l I 5 99 ; b u t a g e n tl e
r ‘

, ,
.
,

s mil e (,a e t 892v) is p e cul iar t o Z e us H e re a n d A p h rodit e As , .

1
A n d rea s an d E l e n e p xxx vi i . .

2
H e lb l 7, 5 1 8 d iu w arh e it d e s e rla chet,
. t r uth la ugh s at th at .
326 C ON D I TI ON OF G OD S .

th a t b e tok e n th e god s a pproa ch th e w oma a nd 6mi ab ov e from ’

, ,

wh ich O5 inn t ook a n a me ( p 1 44 Th e ra p id mo v e me n t of .

d e sc e ndin g god s is s ome t ime s l ik e n e d t o a sh oo tin g st a r o r th e ,

fl ight of b ird s ll 4 75 1 5 93 2 3 7 h e n ce th e y Oft e n t ak e e v e n


, .
, .
, .

t h e form of s ome b ird a s Th ara p ila th e Osilia n god fle w ( p


'

.
,

A th e n e fl ie s a w a y in th e sh ap e of a dp rrn ( falc on I 1 1 9 3 5 0 an .
, ,

m
’'
cr vi e b ird Od 1 3 2 0 or a
p , (t i
r ) o sp re y 3 3 72 ; a s a sw a ll o w sh e
.
, , , ,

f é Th
’ ’

) h a d ov 2 2 3

p e rch e s e wa t a 0 a o n t e h o u s e s u lt
p 2 9 e
, ,
.

e xch a n ge of th e h uma n form fo r th a t Of a b ird w h e n t h e g od s are ,

d e p art ing a n d n o l on g e r n e e d t o c on c e a l th eir w on drous b e ing ,

t all ie s e x a ctly with O5 in s tak ing h is fligh t a s a falcon a fter h e ’

h ad in th e s h ap e of G e str c on v e rs e d a n d qu arre ll e d with H e i5 reckr:


v i5 bra st i va ls l ik i F orn a ld sO
g 1 4 8 7 ; b u t it is a ls o re t a in e d in
, . .
,

man y st orie s o f th e d e v il w h o a ss ume s at d e p arture th e b od y Of a ,

ra v e n or a fly (e x it tan quam c orvus egre ssu s e st in musc ae ,

s imil itudin e ) A t oth er time s an d th is is th e p re ttier t ou ch Of th e


.
,

t w o th e g od s a ll o w th e man t o w h o m th e y h a v e a pp e are d a s his


,

e qu a ls s udd e nly a s th e y are g oin g t o b e c ome a w are of th e ir d iv in e


, ,

p rop ortion s : h e e l c al f n e ck or Sh oul d e r b e tra ys th e god W h e n


, ,
.

P o s e id on l e a v e s th e tw o Aj ax e s on e of th e m s ays 11 1 3 71 , ,
.
,
'
ixvea ydp u e ro 7ri 0 96 7r0 5 03 v 7586 x vnp dwv
'
r
,

56 0 6 0 i r ep
’ '

0 6 2 d 7T L 6 11 7 '
o 9 dp t yv OL .

S O, wh e n V e nu s l e a v e s A e n e a s ,
Virg 1 4 02 .
,

D ix it e t a vertens ros e a c e rvic e re fulsit


,

e t v e ra in ce ssu p a tuit d e a Ille ub i matre m .

agn ov it t al i f ugien tem e st v o c e se cutn s ,


.

S o I ] 3 3 96 A l e x an d e r re c og n is e s t h e
,
.
, ,
'
96 5i? n ep uca Mt ea Oe t p rjv . ,

0 7 7596 65 9

inep de vra Ka i dup a ra
A n d in ON l e ge n d H a llbiorn on a w a k in g s e e s th e sh oul d e r o f a
.
,
.

figure in h is d re am b e fore it v a nish e s : bykist sit a h e r5 ar h on um .


,

a s is l ik e w is e s ai d in Ol a f t h e s ain t s sage

F orn ald sOg

. .

ca p 1 9 9 e d H e lm wh il e th e F orn m sog 5 3 8 h a s it : sia svi,


. . .
,
. .
,

mann sin s e r a b rutt ge kk c onf OS h u me rosqu e d e o s imilis A e n 1 .


,
.

5 89 Th is a ls o l inge rs in our d e vil st orie s : a t th e E v il one s


.
-

d e p a rt ure h is cl ov e n h oof sudd e nly b e c ome s v is ibl e th e it a of


t h e an c ie n t god .

A S th e in ce ssn s of V e n u s d e cl are d th e g odd e ss th e motion ( idna )


of H e re a n d A th e n e is li k e n e d t o th a t of ti morous d ov e s l l 5 778 ,
.
, ,
F LI G HT . V HI E C LE S . H ORSES . 327

B ut th e gl iding Of th e god s ove r s uch imme n s e dista nc e s must h av e


s e c ure d from fi rst to l a st l ik e flying e sp e c ially as th e ir d e p a rture ,

w as e xp re ssly p re p are d for by th e a ss umpt ion o f a b ird s form



It .

is th e re fore e a sy t o c omp re h e n d why t w o s e v e ral d e itie s H e rme s ,

a n d A th e n e are p rov id e d w ith p e c ul ia r sa n d a ls ( 7r63 t 7t a )


,
w h os e ,

mot iv e p o we r c o nv e ys th e m ove r se a a nd l a nd w ith th e sp e e d o f


w in d 11 24 3 4 1 Od 1 9 7 5 4 5 ; w e a re e xp re ssly t ol d t h a t
, .
,
. .
,
.
,

H e rme s fl ew w ith th e m ( n ére ro l l 24 34 5 Od 5 4 9 ) ,


.
,
. .
,

pl a stic a rt re p re s e n ts th e m a sw in ge d Sh oe s a nd at a l ate r t ime adds ,

a p a ir of w in gs t o th e h e a d of H e rme s

1
Th e s e w inge d s a nd als .

th e n h av e a p e rfe ct right t o be pl a c e d Sid e by s id e w ith th e f ea ther


sh ift ( fi a tirh a mr) wh ich F re yj a p o ss e ss e d a n d wh ich a t Th 6r s

re que st sh e l e n t t o L ok i for h is fli ght t o I Otun h e im Seem , .

b u t a s Fre y j a is more th a n on c e c onfounde d w ith Frigg ( p 3 0 2) .

o th e r l e ge n d s t e ll us th a t L ok i fle w off in t h e v alsh a m F riggj a r



,

SD 1 1 3
. I sh all c ome b a c k to th e s e falc on or sw an coa ts in
.

a no th e r c onn e x ion b ut th e ir re s e mbl a n c e


,
t o th e G re e k p e di la
is u n mist a k a bl e ; a s L ok i is h e re s e n t a s a me ss e ng e r from t h e
god s to th e gia n ts h e is so far on e w ith H e rme s an d Freyj a s

, ,

feath e r sh ift s ugg e sts th e s an d als of A th e n e Sn 1 3 2 7 : L ok i ‘


- -
. .

atti skua e r ha n n ra nn d lOp t oh lOg h ad sh oe s in w hich h e ra n


’ ’

, ,

t h rou gh a ir a nd fi re It w a s an e asy ma tt e r in a myth for t h e


.
, ,

inv e stiture w it h w ing e d h amr or s a n dals t o gl id e in s e n s ibly in t o


a n a ct u a l ass umpt ion of a b ird s form : G e irrofir c a tch e s t h e fly in g

Lo k i as a v e ritabl e b ird S n 1 1 3 an d wh e n A th e ne sta rts t o fly


,
.
, ,

S h e is a swall o w ( se e

Th e mighty g o d s w oul d d o ubtl e ss h av e mov e d wlrithe rsoe ve r it


pl e a s e d th e m w ith out wings or s and als but s impl e a n tiquity w as
, ,

n o t c on t e n t w ith e v e n th e s e: t h e h uma n ra c e u s e d ca rri a es a n d


g
horses a n d th e god s c a nn ot d o w ith out th e m e ith e r On thi s p oin t
, .

a s e n s ibl e diffe re n c e is t o b e found b e tw e e n th e Gre e k a n d G erma n

myth ol ogie s .

A ll th e h igh er d iv initie s of th e G re e ks h a v e a cha riot a nd p a i r


a sc rib e d t o t h e m a s th e ir k ings a n d h e roe s in b a ttl e a l s
, o figh t in

ch ariot s A n-
. for th e god of th u nd e r w oul d a t on c e b e
s ugge st e d by the natura l ph e n ome non its e l f a nd th e c on c e ption o f
t h e snn clrariot d riv e n by H e l io s must a ls o b e v e ry an c ie n t
-
The .

O Miille r s archaeol 5 5 9
1 ’
. . .
3 28 C ON DI TI ON or cons .

ca r of H e re , h arne ss e s h e r ste e d s t o it mounts it in


and h ow sh e ,

co mp a n y w ith A th e n e a n d gu id e s it is g org e ously d e p ict e d in 11


, , .

5 72 0 76
,
-
so l ik e wis e D e me t e r a n d K ora a pp e ar s e a t e d in a

. m
c arriage H e rme s is d ra wn by ra s a s th e N ors e Th orr [by h e
1
,

goats] Th e Oke anide s t oo h av e th e ir v e hicl e A e sch P rom 1 3 5


.
, . . .

B ut n e v e r are Z e u s A p oll o H e rme s or a n y of th e mo st a n cie n t


, ,

g od s imagin e d ridin g on horseba ck ; it is Dionys os be l onging t o a ,

d iff e re n t ord e r of d e itie s t h a t fi rst rid e s a p a n th e r a s Sil e n u s d oe s


, ,

t h e ass a n d g odlik e h e roe s s uc h a s P e rs e u s Th e s e u s a n d a b ov e all


, , , ,

t h e D io sc uri a re mou nt e d on h ors e s Oke a n os b e strid e s a w in g e d .

s t e e d Prom 3 95 It s e ems w orth re mark ing th at mod ern G re e k


, . .
,

l e g e n d re p re s e nts e v e n Ch aron a s moun te d .

I n T e ut on ic myth ol ogy th e riding of g od s is a far c ommon e r


thing I n th e M ers e b urg p oe m b oth W uotan and P h ol rid e in th e
.

fore st which is n ot at all in c on s ist e n t with t h e w ord u s e d fara n


, ,

for it is n e ith e r c on c e iv a bl e th a t Wuot a n d rov e wh il e B al d e r rod e ,

n or th a t B al d e r d rov e a on e h ors e c arriag e E v e n H art man n von -


.

A u e still imagin e s G o d riding a h ors e an d c on t e nt e d with E nit for ,

h is g room ( p A mon g t hos e th a t rid e in t h e E d d a are Doinn


.

( w h o s addl e s his S l e ip nir for h ims e l f See m 9 3 ) B al d r an d


a
.
, ,

H e rmoor ; in S a m d4 a n d S n 1 8 a re giv e n th e n a me s of t e n oth e r


o
.
a
.

h ors e s a s w e ll o n wh ich th e A s e s d aily rid e t o c oun c il o n e of th e m


, ,

b eing H e imdall s G ulltop p r S n 3 0 66 ; th e ow n ers of th e re st are


,
. .

n ot sp e c ifi e d b u t a s t h e re w e re t w e l v e A s e s a n d o nly e l e v e n h ors e s
, ,

a re n ame d it foll o ws th at e a ch o f th o s e g od s h a d h is moun t e xc e pt


, ,

T h orr w h o is in v a riably introd uc e d e ith e r driving or w alk ing (p


,
.

a n d wh e n h e g e ts Gullfax i a s sp oil from H rfi ngn ir g iv e s h im ,

a w ay t o h is son M a g n i Sn 1 1 0 Obin s h ors e l e a ps a h e dg e s e v e n



. .
,

e lls h igh F orn m s6 1 0 5 6 1 75 E v e n th e w ome n of t h e g o d s


, g . .
,
. .

a re mou n t e d : t h e v alky rs lik e Obin n rid e th rough a ir a n d w a t e r


, , ,

S n 1 0 7 F re yj a a n d H yn d la on a b oar a n d a w ol f a s e n ch an tre ss e s
.
, ,

a n d w itch e s a re imag in e d rid in g a w ol f a h e g oa t or a ca t N igh t ,


-
.

( fe m ) h a d a st e e d H rim fa x i rim y m a n e a s D a
y ( m a sc ) h ad ,
-
,
.

S k infa x i sh in y man e
m
-
.
,

A t th e s a me time ca rria ges are e n tion e d t oo e sp e c ially for ,

g od d e ss e s ( p Th e s a c re d car o f N e rthu s w a s d ra w n by c ows


.
,

t ha t o f F re yj a by c a ts H ol d a a nd B e rh t a are c ommonly fou n d


,

d riving w aggo n s wh ich th e y ge t me n d e d th e fa irie s in our nurs e ry ,

1
O . M ull e r s arch ae ol ’
. 5 63 .
330 C ON D ITI ON or cons .

On th e o th e r h and
s al utary p rod ucts of n a ture ,
d e l ight ful an d :

a re a ls o t ra c e d t o th e imme dia t e in fl ue n c e of th e g od s Fl owe rs .

s p ring up wh e re th e ir fe e t h a v e stra y e d ; on th e sp ot wh e re Z eu s
cl a sp e d H e re in h is a rms sh o t up a th ick grow th of swe et h e rbs ,

a n d fl ow e rs a n d gl itt e rin g d e w drops tric kl e d d ow n I l 1 4 3 4 6 — 5 1


, , .
, .

S o wh e n th e v a lkyrs rod e th rough th e air th e ir h ors e s ma n e s


, ,

sh k u tful d e w on th e d ee p v a l e s b e l ow Ste m 1 4 5 or it falls


oo fr i h
, .

n ightly from t h e bit o f H rimfa x i s b ridl e 3 2



b
( ee
s

Of th ing th e re is sc arc e ly a tra c e in our myth ol ogy th ough


on e ,

it occ urs so o ft e n in t h e Gre e k : th a t t h e g od s t o sc re e n th e ms e l v e s ,

from s igh t shed a mist round th e ms e l v e s or th e ir fa v ourit e s w h o


,

a re t o b e w ith d ra w n from t h e e n e my s e y

e I I 3 3 81 5 7 76 18 ,
.
,
.
, .
,

2 05 2 1 5 4 9 5 97
.
, It is c a ll e d fiép c x a l fiwre w fiép a xeiu d xh mor
. .
, ,


vé¢ s ré c
p e w a n d t h e c on trary c i zv o x e bd e w t o sc att e r ch a s e
é
- ’
o a
x ,h ,
,

a w a y th e mist
, W e might in d e e d t ak e th is in to a ccount th at th e
.
,

s ame v alkyrs w h o l ike th e Servian vily fa vour a nd sh ie l d th e ir


, ,

b e l ov e d h e roe s in b a ttl e w e re abl e t o p rodu c e cl ou d s an d h ail in ,

th e a ir or th row in to t h e re ck onin g our t a rn k a pp e s a nd h e lidh elms ,

wh os e e ffe ct w a s th e s ame a s th a t of th e mist A n d th e Nors e .

g od s d o t ak e p a rt w ith or aga in st c e rtain h e roe s a s mu ch a s th e ,

G re e k g od s b e fore Il ion I n th e b a ttl e o f B rev ik OOinn mingl e d .


,

with th e c omba tan ts a nd a ss ume d th e figure of a ch ariote e r B rfi n i ,

S a x o G ram p 14 6 Forn ald sOg 1 3 8 0


.
,
. Th e Grimn ismal make s
. . .
,
.

G e irrOOr th e p rot ég é ( fOst ri) of Odin n A gn arr th a t of Frigg a n d


'

, ,

t h e tw o d e itie s ta k e c oun s e l t og e th e r c on c e rning th e m Seem 3 9 ; in ,


.

t h e V Ols s ag a cap 4 2 Obin u s u gg e sts th e pl an for sl ay in g th e s on s


. .
,

o f I on a kr Th e Gre e k g od s als o wh e n t h e y d re w n igh t o coun s e l


.
,

or d e fe n d a pp e a re d in t h e form of a h uma n w a rrior a h e ra l d a n


, , ,

Old man or th e y ma d e th e ms e l ve s k n own t o th e ir h e ro h ims e l f


, ,

b ut n ot t o oth e rs I n su ch a c a s e th e y sta nd bef ore besid e or


.
,

behin d h im (n a p d I I 2 2 79 é yy é di Od 1 1 20 d yxo i} I I 2 1 72
, .
, .
f v
,
.
,
.
f
,
.
, .

3 1 2 9 4 9 2 5 12 3 Wp da ee v 4 1 2 9
, .
,
.
,
1 A th e n e l e a d s
.
,
.
,

by th e h a n d th rough th e b attl e a n d w ard s the a rrows off 4 5 2 ; , ,

sh e th rows th e d re a d ful ae g is roun d A ch ill e s 1 8 2 0 4 ; A ph rodite ,

shie ld s A e n e a s by h olding h er v e il b e fore him 5 3 1 5 ; a n d o th e r ,

h e roe s are re move d from th e mid st o f th e fra y by p rote cting


d e itie s ( p V e nu s mak e s h e rs e lf v is ibl e to H ipp ome n e s al on e
. ,

Ov id M e t 1 0 6 5 0 N ow th e y a pp e ar in frie ndly guis e Od 7 20 1


.
, .
,
.
,
S LEEP . S I KN SS
C E . LAU G HTE R . 33 1

'
seq n ow cl oth e d in t e rror: a h en o i Be 0eoi d MM VGO oa L
' ’

.
x
ll . 2 0 1 3 1 ( se e
,

Il ia d 1 4 2 8 6 se q re l at e s h ow Trrvo q ( sl e e p ) S itting in th e
Th e , ,
.
, ,

S h a p e of a s ong b ird on th e b ough s of a fi r t re e on M t I d a o v e r


- -
.
,

p ow e rs th e h igh e s t of all th e g od s ; oth e r p a ss a ge s Sh ow th at th e


g od s w en t to th e ir b e d s e v e ry n ight a nd p a rt ook l ik e me n of th e ,

b e n e fit of sl e e p 11 1 6 0 9 2 2 2 4 6 77 Stil l l e ss can it b e
, .
, .
,
.
,
.

d oubt e d o f th e N ors e g od s th a t th e y t oo sl e pt a t n ight T h 6rr o n ,

his j ourne ys l ooks out for n ight l od g ing Sn 5 0 o f H e imd all a l on e -


,
.

is it s aid th a t h e n e e d s l e ss sl e e p th a n a b ird S n 3 0
,
A n d from , . .

th is sw a y Of sleep ov e r th e g od s foll ows ag ain wh a t w a s ma int ain e d ,

a b o v e th a t of d e a th : D e a th is t h e b roth e r of Sl e e p
,
B e s id e s th e .
,

god s fell a p re y t o disea ses Fre yr w as sick w ith l ov e a n d h is .


,

gre a t h ugsOtt (mind Sick n e ss) a w a k e n e d t h e p ity of a ll th e god s -


.

Odinn N iOrOr a n d Fre yr a cc ordin g t o th e Y n gl s a g a 1 0 1 1 1 2 a ll


, , . . .
,

S in k u n d e r S ick n e ss e s ( sOtt d a uOir) Aph rodit e a n d A re s re c e iv e .

w oun d s I I 5 3 3 0 8 5 8 ; th e s e a re quickly h e al e d [ye t n ot w ith out


,
.
,
.

me dic a l aid] A c uriou s st ory t e lls h ow th e L ord God h av ing


.
,

fa ll e n s ick d e sc e n d s from h e av e n t o e arth t o ge t c ure d a n d c ome s


, ,

t o A rra s ; th e re min stre ls a nd me rrya n d re w s re c e iv e c omma n d s t o


a mu s e h im a n d on e ma n a g e s so cl e v e rly th at th e L ord bursts ou t
, ,

la ughing a n d fi n d s h ims e l f rid of h is d ist e mp e r 1 Th is ma yb e v e ry .

a n cie n t ; for in th e s a me w a
y s ick d aught e rs of k ings in n urs e ry ,

tal e s a re ma d e to la ugh by b e gg ars a nd fi dd le rs an d SO is th e ,

g odd e ss Sk obi in th e Edda by L ok i s j uggl ing tricks w h e n mourning ’

t h e d e ath of h e r fa th e r Sn 8 2 I a mb e ch ee re d th e s orrow in g , . .

D e me t e r a n d c a u s e d h e r H a k k a wa p a o fcam ro vo a p e i bfia a c yek d a a c


'
'
, , ,

m
f/

7 6 [ca l i M o v a H
,
x e iv y n in Ce r 2 0 3
( se e . .

I mp ortan t abo v e all are th e s imil ar a cc ounts giv e n by G re e k ,

a n t iqu ity an d b
y our ow n of th e la ngua ge of t h e god s Th u s , .
,

p a ss a ge s in th e Il iad a n d th e Odyss e y d istinguish b e t we e n th e


d ivin e a nd h uman n a me s for th e s ame Obj e ct
A
B p i a p e wv éo va c 9e o l
I V
Sp e s 86
5
ou xa k , av Te wd vre s
' ’
A lya t wv
f
. l l 1, 4 0 3
. .

XflO ICOU O LV
o y
8p 6 9 B a n
r I
7 7711 777 0 1; a v e ca v K LE
’ '

1
De l a v e nue ( le D ie u A Arras, in J ub in al s N ouv e a u ’
re cu e il de con e t s 2,
3 77-8 .
32 C ON D I TI ON OF G OD S .

M vp i my
'
d fld va roc 7 6 o fiua w oh va x dp eja oco s . 2 8 13
,
.

a cida
/ le i / fmcovo c 96 0 5
ch r , diz/Op es Be x dui vSLv . 14 29 1 , .

'
311 Ed vfi o v Ica h e o vcn (96 0 i ci t/Op e s 83: E x dua vbp ov , . 20 ,

bh iz 3 6 ,a LI) x a h éo va l 96 0 5 Od 1 0 3 0 5

uc
,
. .
,
.

A wh ol e s ong in th e Edd a is t ak e n up w ith c omp aring th e l angua ge s ,

n o t only o f g od s a n d me n b ut o f V a n ir e l v e s d w a rfs gia n ts a n d


, , , ,

s ubt e rra n e a n s an d th a t n ot in a fe w p rop e r n a me s a n d rare w ord s


, ,

b ut in a wh ol e st rin g of n a me s for th e c ommon e st Obj e cts A t th e .

v e ry ou ts e t it s urp ris e s u s t h a t w h il e gob a n d ee sir a re t re a t e d a s


,

sy n on ymous a d istin ction is d ra w n b e t w e e n gob a n d ginre gin I n


,
.

1 3 st rop h e s a re g iv e n 78 t e rms in all : on e x a mining th e s e it s oon ,

a p p e a rs t h a t t h e v a rie ty o f n a me s ( S ix ) for e a c h t hin g s imply c ome s

o f th e ric h n e ss of t h e T e ut on ic t on g u e a n d c an n ot p oss ibly b e ,

a sc rib e d t o old re mn a n ts or l a t e r b orrow ings from a n y Finn ic ,

Ce lt ic or Sl a v ic l a ng ua g e s T h e y are sy n on yms or p oe tic n ame s


.
,

w h ich are d is trib ut e d a mo ng S ix or e ight ord e rs o f b e in gs e n d ow e d


w ith sp e e ch a cc ord in g t o th e e x ig e n cie s o f a ll it e ra t ion n o t from
, ,

t h e ir b e l onging t o th e s ame cl a ss s u ch a s p oe tic al or p ros e I will , .

ill ust rat e this b yqu otin g t h e stroph e on th e n a me s for a cl ou d

gh e itir me b mOnn om e n sc rvd nu me b gobom


'

sa , ,

k all a rin dflot Van ir ,

l far ue drmegi n
A A A
u rb a n l ot n a r, a ,

k all a i h e lj o h i d lm hu lie .

E v e ryth ing h e re is T e ut on ic an d still th e re s ourc e s of our l a nguag e


,

a re n o t e x h a u st e d by a l on g w a t ot h ing o f wh a t it may
y o sa y n ,

h a v e b orrow e d fro m oth e rs Th e on l y S impl e w ord is Sky st ill


.
,

u s e d in th e S c a n d in a v ia n d ial e cts a n d c onn e ct e d w ith S kuggi u mb ra , ,

A S scuw a scua OH G scu w o


.
, ,
Th e re st a re all a pp rop ria t e a n d
. .

int e ll ig ib l e p e rip h ra s e s S curvan [S h ow e r w e e n ing] p luvia e e x p e c


.
-

t at io from S kfi r imb e r G e rm S ch a ue r ; fi rv an j u st th e s ame from


, ,
.
,

fi r pl u v ia w ith wh ich c omp a re th e l it e ra l mea n in g of S a n skr


,
.

a b h ra n u b e s viz a q u a m V in d flot is a pp a re n tly n a vigium


2
e re ns
, g . .

v e n ti b e c au s e t h e w ind s s ail th rough th e air on cl o ud s V e brmegin


,
.

t ra n sp os e d is e x a ctly th e OH G mag a n w e t a r t u rb o ; a n d h ialmr .

1
P e rh aps w e ou gh t a ls o t o re ck on a ie rds a n d we v és 2 4 , 3 16 , w h i ch is n o '

me re e rrik h qms a s in 7, 1 3 8 18 , 4 8 7 ( Od 5 , 2 2 , 2 9 5 0 6 , th ou gh A o ruciva §


’ ’

. . .

in th i s l a st p a ss a g e h a pp e n s t o h av e z Ka p é l/OPLO S ( 6 , 4 0 2 ) an s we ri n g t o i t, as ‘

E di/0 0 9 h a s Endp a vdp o


2
B opp , gl o ss san skr 16 a . .
3 34 C ON D I TI ON OF G OD S .

g od s l
, wh e re h e fi n d s a twofol d n omen cla ture h e a scrib e s th e
and ,

ol d e r n obl e r more e u ph on iou s ( rd x e if ro v e zic w vov w o e véa


b p y
'
, , p , ,
z

r ep ov duo a
y) t o t h e g o d s t h e l a t e r a n d me a n e r ( T b Sk a
-
w a z) p e ra
, ,

yevea rep ov) t o me n


'
f
B ut th e four or fi ve inst a n c e s in H ome r a re
.

e v e n l e ss in structiv e th an t h e more n ume rou s on e s of th e N ors e

lay E vid e n tly th e op in ion w a s fi rmly h e l d th a t th e g od s th ough


.
, ,

o f on e an d th e s a me ra c e with mort als so fa r s u rp a ss e d l iv ing me n ,

in age a nd dig nity th a t th e y st ill mad e u se o f w ord s wh ich h ad


,

l att e rly die d o ut or s u ffe re d ch ang e A s th e line of a k ing s .


a n c e st ors w a s t ra c e d up t o a divin e st ock so t h e l a ng ua g e of g od s ,

w a s h e l d t o b e of th e s ame k in d as th a t of me n b u t rig h t fe e l ing


"
. /
,

w oul d a ss ign t o th e forme r s uch w ord s a s h a d g ra dually d is app e are d


a mo ng me n Th e A lvismal as w e h a v e s e e n g oe s farth e r a n d
.
, , ,

re s e rv e s p a rt ic ul ar w ord s for y e t oth e r b e in gs b e s id e t h e g o d s ;

wh a t I maint ain e d on p 2 1 8 a b ou t the imp oss ibil ity o f d e nying th e .

Va nir a T e ut onic origin is c on firme d by our p re se n t in quiry— Th a t ,

a nyo th e r n a tion b e s id e G re e ks a n d T e u t on s b e l ie v e d in a s e p ara t e


, ,

l anguage of g ods is u nk n own t o me a ntifth e ag re e me n t of th e s e


, ,

t w o is t h e more S ig nific a n t Wh e n Ovid in M et 1 1 6 4 0 s ays . .


,

H un e I celon sup eri morta le P h ob e tora vulgus n omin at th is is


'
"

, ,

imit at e d from t h e G re e ks a s th e v e ry n ames ; sh o w ( see S u ppl


, ) .

Th e I nd ian s t ra c e n othing b ut th e ir alph ab e t ( d e van aga r1 d e va ,


~

w riting) a s our fore fath e rs d id the myst e ry of mi n e s ( p


, to a .

d ivin e origin a n d th e u se of th e sy mb ol ma y b e donn e ct e d with


,

th a t of th e s oun d its e lf ; with th e e arlie st s ig n s w hy sh oul d n ot ,



t h e p ure st a n d ol d e st e xp re ss ion s t oo b e a tt rib ut e d t o g od s
H ome r s e n ea wrep é e vra ( w ing e d w ord s) b e l ong t o h e roe s a nd o th e r
” '
.

me n a s w e ll a s t o g od s e ls e w e might in t e rpre t th e m st rictly ,


o f th e

e a s e a n d ni mbl e n e ss with wh ich t h e g od s w ie l d t h e g ift of sp e e ch .

l angu age th e g od s h a v e customs in c ommon w ith me n


B e s id e ,
.

Th e y l ov e s ong and pl ay t ak e d e light in h unt ing w ar an d b an que ts , , ,

a n d th e g od d e ss e s in pl oughin g w e a vin g sp inn in g b oth of th e m , ,

k e e p serva n ts an d messengers Z e us c a us e s all th e o th e r god s t o b e .

s ummon e d t o th e a ss e mbly ( a yop ry 11 8 2 2 0 j ust a s th e A s e s '


, .
,
.
,

rio ra ra t h e fie t g o ids y ro w 6 6 w m

a i r a s n a a Ge o rg e r
'
1 t
s b
p p p q s K
o v o or
' '

p ac

m
di a e te r-0 1 5 0 ids 7 a 7 6311 96 6311 ( o uop a ra ) , ms v rro p o wwo w Ka ra rrve op e vo s 6 6 t o .
'

We i qrrj s de i fa i o n p o v o oh a o s e o rw , o u p ovo v f a ra w a vdp wmo v o vop a ra e rra y


’ ’

yeWha m cide va t n de a f h e yo vcn


'
Ka l o f


, a w a rre p .
G RAD ES . OFFI ES C . 335

a tte nd at th e b ing ( See m o n th e rok stO la and by th e Y ggd ra


.
,

S ill ( S ee m 1 t o c ou n s e l a n d t o j ud g e H e b e y outh is
b
. 2 a
.
, ,

cupb e are r of th e g od s an d h an d maid t o H e re ( ll 5 a s F ull a .


,

is t o F rigg ( SD 3 6) th e y outh G an y me d e is c upb eare r t oo a n d so


.
,

is B e yl a a t th e fe a st of th e A s e s (See m 6 7 ) ; S k irnir is Fre y s


a ’
.

sh oe mak e r ( 8 1) a nd mess e ng e r B eyggvir a n d B e yl a a re als o c all e d ,

h is s e rv a n ts Th e s e s e rvic e s d o n o d e trime n t t o th e ir ow n
d iv ine n a ture B e s id e H e rme s th e g od d e ss I ris g oe s on e rra n d s
.
,

for t h e Gre e k go d s ( se e
A mong th e g od s th e ms e l v e s th e re isa diffe re n c e of ra nk Th re e .

s ons of Kron os h a v e th e w orl d div id e d a mong th e m th e sky is ,

a ll ott e d t o Z e us t h e se a t o P o s e id o
,
n h e ll t o H a d e s a n d t h e e a rth , ,

th e y a re s upp os e d t o sh a re b e tw e e n th e m ( I l 1 5 Th e s e .
,

th re e t ow e r ab ov e all th e re s t lik e H er I afnh ar a n d Th ridi in t h e , ,

N ors e re l ig ion th e t riad sp ok e n of on p 1 6 2 Th is is n ot th e s ame


,
. .

th ing a s W uotan D onar Ziu if only b e c a us e th e l a st tw o are n ot


, , ,

b roth e rs b ut s on s of W uotan a lth ough th e s e p a ss for th e th re e ,

mightie st g od s Th e n t og e th e r w ith th is t ria d w e b e c ome a w a re


.
, ,

of a c ircl e Of tw e l v e (p a cl os e c ircl e from wh ich s ome of t h e


.

g od s a re e xcl ud e d A n oth er d iv is ion th at in t o old an d n ew g od s


.
, ,

d oe s n ot by anyme an s c oin c id e w ith th is : n ot o nly Odinn a nd his


1
A s e s but als o Z eu s a nd his c oll e a g ue s a pp e a r a s pst a ts t o h a v e
,
u r ,

suppl an t e d ol d e r g od s of n a t ure ( se e

A ll t h e div in itie s Gre e k and N ors e h a v e ofi ces a n d f un ction s


, ,

a ss ig ne d th e m wh ich d e fi n e th e ir d omin ion a n d h a v e h a d a ma rk e d


, ,

in fl ue n c e on th e ir p ict oria l re p re s e n t a tion I n Sn 2 7 2 9 th e s e . .


-

Offic e s a re sp e c ifi e d e a ch w ith t h e w ord s : h a n n ree dr fyrir (h e ‘


,

l ooks o r a h ann sk a l h e it a t il e r g ott a t h e ita t il


( to him

,

you sh all p ra y for it is g ood t o p ra y for)


,
N ow a s a nyre mna n ts ,

o f G re e k or T e ut onic p a g a nis m in t h e M id A g e s w e re s ure t o .

c on n e ct th e ms e l v e s w ith s ome ch ristian s ain ts t o w h om th e ,

p rot e ction of c e rt ain cl a ss e s or t h e h e al ing of c e rta in dis e a s e s w a s


c arrie d ov e r it is e v id e nt th at a c are ful cl a ss ific ation o f th e s e
,

guardian s a in ts a cc ord ing t o th e offi c e s a ss ig ne d th e m on th e ,

h
st re ngt of wh ich th e y are g ood to p ra y t o w oul d b e of a d va n
2
,

t age t o our an tiquitie s A n d th e a n imals d e d ic a t e d t o e a ch


.

1
A e s ch Prom 4 3 9 96 0 70 1 1 o vi e w, 9 5 5 11 60 11 uf o t K a re ire , 9 60 09
' ’
'
70 ve o vs

. . .

96 0 159 B ume n 1 5 6 74 8 79 9 o f ve a ne p m 96 0 1 C o nf Ot r M il ller, p


'
. . . . . . . . . 18 1 .

2
C onf H aupt s ze itsch r fiir d alt 1 , 14 3 -4
.

. . . .
33 6 C ON D I TI ON OF G OD S .

d e ifi e d s aint ( as on c e th e y w e re to g od s) w oul d hav e to b e sp e cifi e d


t oo.

Th e fa v ourit e resid en ce of e a
ch god is p articul arly p oin te d ou t
in th e G rimnismal ; moun t a in s e sp e c ially w e re c on s e c ra t e d to t h e
T e u t onic a s t o th e G re e k d e itie s : Sigty
, sb e rg H imin biOrg &c , ,
.

Ol ymp us w a s p e c ul iarly t h e h ous e of Z e u s ( A i ds dd ua ) t o which ,

t h e o th e r g od s a ss e mbl e d ( I 1 1 on t h e h igh e st p e a k o f th e
.
,

ran g e h e w oul d sit a p a rt ( d r e wv 1 4 98 5 l oving t o t ak e


p t ,
.
,

c oun s e l a l on e ( cwrd ve vde 9e d m8



H e h a d a n oth e r s e a t o n I d a
,

3 h n c e h e l o ok e d d ow n t o s urv e y th e d oin gs of me n
( 11 1,
8 . w e ,

a s Od in n d id fro m H lidscialf P o s e idon sat on a h eigh t in th e


.

w o od e d ra n g e o f S a mo s ( 1 3 V alhOll a nd B ilsk irnir t h e


, ,

d w e ll ings of Odin n an d Th 6rr a re re n own e d for th e ir e n ormou s ,

s iz e ; t h e on e is s aid t o h av e 5 4 0 d oors th rough a nyon e of which ,

8 0 0 e inh e riar Can go o ut at on c e a n d B ilsk irn ir h a s l ik e wis e 5 4 0


,

g ol fe [ON gOlfr fl oor] (se e ,

If n ow we t ak e in on e v ie w th e re a l tion s of
god s a n d men ,
we
fi n d t h e y me e t an d t ou ch a t a ll p oint s A S b e ing is . t h e c re at e d
fill e d with a chil dlik e s e n s e of it s d e p e n d e n c e on t h e c re a t or a n d ,

p raye rs a n d offe rings impl ore his fa v our so d eity too d el igh ts in it s ,

c re ation s a n d t a k e s in th e m a fa th e rly in t e re st M a n s l ongin g


, .

g oe s forth t ow ard s h e a v e n th e g od s fix th e ir g a z e on th e e arth t o ,

w a tch a n d d ire ct th e d oings of mort als Th e bl e ss e d g od s d o .

c ommun e w ith e a ch o th e r in th e ir h e av e nly a b od e s w h e re fe a sts ,

a n d re ve ls go o n a s in e arth ly fa s h ion ; b ut t h e y a re more d ra w n t o

me n w h os e d e st in ie s e nl ist th e ir l iv e l ie st sy mp a th y It is n ot true
, .
,

wh a t M art Cap s a ys 2 9 : ips i d icun tur d ii e t e a elit e s alia s


. .
, ,

rhi b e n tu r n e e a d mod um e os mort alium e ura ru m v o t a


p e

s oll icit an t d w a de i qqu e p e rh ib e ntur N ot c on t e n t with mak ing


.
,

th e ir w ill k n o w n b y s ig n s a n d me ss e n g e rs t h e y re s ol ve t o c ome ,

d ow n th e ms e l v e s a n d a pp e a r t o me n S uch a pp e a ra n ce is in t h e .

H in d u myth ol ogy mark e d by a sp e c ial n ame : a oa td ra i e d e , . .


,

1
sce n su s .

U n d e r th is h e ad c ome fi rst th e s ol e mn ca r p rocessions of d e itie s -

h e ral d in g p e a c e a n d fruitful n e ss or w a r a n d misch ie f w hich for t h e ,

most p a rt re cur a t st a t e d s e a s on s an d a re a ss o cia t e d w ith p op ul a r


,

fe st iva ls ; on th e fa ll of h e a th e n is m on ly moth e rly wis e w ome n ,


-

B opp s gloss s sk

1
. an . 2 1a
.
3 38 C OND I TI ON OF G O S D .

h ol e h e hasb ore d ( Sn a n d of a n e agl e t o fly aw a y in h a st e


.
,

L ok i th at of a fly in ord e r to sting , or t o c re e p th rough

a ke y h ol e n o l a rg e r d e s ig n s a re e v er c omp a ss e d by s u ch

me an s So w h e n A th e n e fl ie s a w a y a s a b ird it e xp re ss e s t h e
.
, ,

d iv inity of h e r n at ure a nd th e s udd e nn e ss of h e r d e p art ure B ut .

th e sw a n or b ull in t o w h ich Z e u s t ran s forme d h ims e l f can only b e


, ,

e xpl a in e d on th e s u pp o s it ion th a t L e d a t oo a n d I O an d E urop e , ,

wh om h e w as w ooin g w e re th ou ght of as sw an maid e n s or k in e


,
- .

Th e form of a nimal w oul d th e n b e d e te rmine d by th e myth u s an d ,

t h e e gg b irth o f th e Diosc uri ca n b e b e st und e rst ood in th is w ay


-

( se e
I n t h e A s ia tic l e ge n d s it s e e ms to me th e man ife st ation s of
, ,

d e ity are c on c e iv e d d e e ply a n d p ure ly in c omp aris on a n d n owh e re ,

more p rofo un dly th an in th os e of I n dia Th e god c ome s d own a n d .

a b id e s in t h e fl e sh for a s e as on for th e s al v ation of mank in d


, .

W h e re v e r th e d octrin e of me t empsych osis prev ail e d th e b odie s of ,

a n ima ls e v e n w e re e lig ibl e for th e a v a t ara



a n d of Vish n u s t e n

s ucc e ss ive in c arn a tion s th e e arli er on e s are animal it w a s in th e


, ,

l ater on e s th a t h e truly b e c ame man (see Th e Gree k


a n d T e ut on ic myth ol ogie s st e e r cl e ar of all s u ch n ot ion s ; in b oth

of th e m th e st ory of th e g od s w a s t oo s en s u ou sly c on c e iv e d t o h a v e

inv e st e d th e ir t ra n s formations w ith t h e s e rious n e ss a n d d urat ion of


a n a v a t ara a lth ough a b e l ie f in s u ch in c a rn a t ion is in its e lf so
,

n e arly a k in t o th a t of th e h e roe s b e ing b odily d e sc e n d e d from th e

g od s .

I th in k th a t on all th e s e l in e s of re s e arch wh ich c oul d b e ,

e xt e n d e d t o man y o th e r p oin ts a s w e ll I h a v e b rought fo rw ard a ,

s e rie s of un d e niabl e re s e mbla n c e s b e tw e en th e T e utonic myth ol ogy


a n d th e G re e k He re a s in the re l a tion b e tw e e n th e Gre e k an d
.
,

T e ut on ic l an gu ag e s th e re is n o que stion of b orrowing or ch oic e


, ,

n o th in g b ut un c on sc iou s a ffi n ity a ll ow in g room a n d th a t in e v it


(
,

a bly ) for c on s id era bl e d ive rg e n c e s B ut w h o ca n fail t o re c ogn is e


.
,

o r w h o in v a lid a t e th e s urp ris ing similarity of op inion s on th e


,

immort al ity of g o d s th e ir d iv in e fo od th e ir growin g up ov e rnigh t


, , ,

th e ir j ourn e yings and tran s formation s th e ir e pith e ts th e ir ang er , ,

an d th e ir mirth th e ir s udd e n n e ss in a pp e a ring a n d re c ogn it ion a t


,

p arting th e ir use of c arriage s an d h ors e s th e ir p e rforman c e of all


, ,

n a t ura l fun ct ion s th e ir ill n e ss e s th e ir la ng uage th e ir s e rv an ts a nd


, , ,
C ON D I TI ON OF G OD S .
339

me ss e ng e rs offic e s and d w ellings ? To c on cl ud e I th ink I se e a


, ,

furth e r a n al ogy in th e circ umst an c e th a t out of th e n a me s of l iv in g


,

god s a s Ty
,
r Fre yr B a l d r B ra gi Z e u s gre w up th e c ommon n oun s
, , , , ,

ty r frauj a
, ,
b al d or b ragi de us or th e y b orde re d clos e up on
, , ,

th e m ( see Suppl ) .
CH A PTER X V .

H ER OE S .

B e tw e e n G od a nd man th e re is a ste p on wh ich th e on e l e a ds


int o th e th e r wh e re w e se e th e D ivine B ein g b rough t n e arer t o
o ,

th ings of e arth an d h uman stre ngth gl orifi e d Th e ol d e r t h e e p os


, .
,

t h e more d o e s it re quire g od s v is ibl e in t h e fl e sh e v e n th e y oung e r


c a nn ot d o w ith ou t h e roe s in w h om a divin e sp ark still b urn s or
, ,

w h o c ome t o b e p art a k e rs of it .

H e ro is m mu st n o t b e mad e t o c on s ist in an yth in g b ut b a ttl e


a nd v ict ory a h ero is a ma n t h a t in figh ting a g a i n st e v il a ch ie v e s

immort a l d e e d s a n d a t ta in s div in e h on ours


, A S in th e gra d a t ion .

o f ra n ks t h e n obl e st a n d s b e tw e e n t h e k ing a n d t h e fre e ma n so ,

d o e s th e h ero b e tw e e n G od a n d man From n obl e s c ome forth .

k ings from h e roe s g od s fip ws éa riv ég c wdp a nrov Tt K a i 96 0 i)


’ '
’ ’

.
,

o u vfte ro v 3 wire d ud mi mic e a ri a r ire 06 0C K a i a vva ucfiorep é v e a rl


’ ’ ’ '

/
'
, , , ,

( L u c ia n in D ial m o rtu or ye t so th a t th e h uman p re d omin at e s :


. .

it a t e me n u t pl u s ab h omin e h ab e a t s ays S e rvius on A e n 1 2 0 0


,
. .
,

Th e h e ro s u ccumb s t o p ain s w ound s d e ath from w hich e v e n th e , , ,

g od s a ccording t o th e v ie w Of a n tiquity w ere n ot e x e mpt ( p


, ,
.

I n t h e h e ro ma n a tt ain s th e h al f of d e ity b e c ome s a d emigod


, , ,

s e mid e u s r) p t 9 e m v yévos c wdp cfi v l l 1 2 2 3 d vdp cbv fip cbco v 96 20 11


' ’ '

, .
, ,

e vo s o i x a k éo vra c n
'

'’
r
y , u l e o c H es 15 9 J orn a n d e s appl ie s
, . .

semid ei t o t h e a n s e s ( s up ra p a s S a x o G ra m p ronoun c e s . .

B al d e r a semid e um arc an o sup e rfi m s e min e p rocre a t um


, O th e rw is e .

in ON w ritings w e . m e e t w ith n e ith e r h alfgo d n o r h alffi s ;


1
b ut N

Cap 14 1 re n d e rs h e mith e i h e roe sque by h a lbhota u n d e erdkota



.

( e arth god s)
H e roe s are dist in ct from d ee monic b eings s u ch a s a n g e ls e l v e s , , ,

giants w h o fill in d e e d th e gap b e tw e e n God a nd man but h av e n ot


, ,

a h uman orig in U n de r p aganis m me ss e nge rs of th e god s w e re


.
,

H alftro ll, h elfrisi


1 are simil ar an d th e C H G h alp durinc
,
.
, h alp w alah,
h alp t e n i ( ON h al fd a n ) . a s opp os e d t o a lt d urin c al t w ala h ,
.
3 42 H EROES .

G e rman rat e rth an th e ON form I f w e p re fe r t o see b oth in


h . .

b al r an d in h alibs th e v e rb h alj an occule re d e fe n d e re t ue ri th e , , ,

t ran sition from tut or t o vir a n d mil e s is e a sily mad e ; e v e n th e


Lat c el e r is n ot far from 0 610 to c onc e al
.
.

B e s id e th is p rin cip a l t e rm th e d e fi nin g of wh ich wa s n ot t o b e ,

a v oid e d h e re th e re are s e v eral oth e rs t o b e c on side re d N otke r


, .
,

wh o s in gul arly a v oid s h ele d a s uppl ie s us in Ca 1 4 1 w ith h ‘


p : e roes , .
,

t a z ch it herti nga a l d e chu en iga


, Th is hertinga s ugg e sts th e A S .

hea rdinga s E l e n e 2 5 1 3 0 wh e th er it b e a p articul ar lin e or h e ro e s


, .
, ,

in ge n e ra l th a t a re me an t by it ; an d w e might p u t up with th e
d eriv ation from h e rt i h e ard ( h ard ) viri d uri forte s e x e rcit ati a s
, , , , ,

h artunga in N p s 9 1 me a n s e x e rcitatio
. .
, B ut a s we a ctua lly fi n d .

a G oth ic l in e of h e roe s A z dingi A stin i a n d als o a n ON of


g , , .

H add ingj ar a n d as th e G oth zd ON d d A S rd OH G rt c orre s


,
.
, .
,
.
, .

p on d t o on e an oth e r th e re is more t o be s aid for the G oth ic w ord


,

h av ing d ropt a n h in th e c ours e of trans mission a n d th e forms ,

h azdiggs h a dd ingr h e arding h e rtin e b e in g all on e w ord 1 N ow if


, , , .
,

th e ON h ad d r me an s a look of h a ir ( c on f p
. w e mayfi nd in . .

h a dd i ngr ha zd iggs &c a me anin g s uit abl e e n ough for a free man
, ,
.

a nd h ero th a t of crin itus c ap ill a t u s c in c inn a t u s


,
a n d it w oul d b e
, ,

re ma rk a bl e th a t th e me a nin g h e ro s S h oul d b e still s urv iv in g in t h e

t e nth ce ntury N 0 l e ss v al ua bl e t o us is th e oth e r t e rm chu onig


.
,

whi ch can h ardly b e c onn e cte d with ch un ing re x a s N always ,


.

S p e lls it ; it s e e ms ra th e r t o b e ch u on ig d e riv e d e ith e r from ,

ch u on i a u d ax fort is ( a s fi zu sig from fi z us callid us) or from its st il l


, ,

un e xpl aine d ro ot
2
Oth e r t e rms with a me anin g imme dia t e ly
.

b ord e ring on th a t of h e ro are : OH G d ega n (mil e s minist er) ; .


,

w iga nt ( p ugil) cha m fi o c h e mp h o ( p u g il ) A S c e m p a


, O N k a pp i ,
.
,
.

t h e ON hetj a (b e lla t or) p e rh aps c onn with h atr od ium b e ll um;


.
,
.
,

a n d sha ti b e tt e r sha d i A S sce a d a


,
scada p rop e rly n ocivus th en
,
.
, , ,

r d t r l a t ro a n d p a ss in g from th is me a n ing h on oura bl e in


p ee a o , , ,

a n c ie n t t ime s in t o th a t o f h e ros
, e v e n in th e M id A g e s Lan d sca d o .
, ,

s e e th er of th e l a nd w as a n ame b orn e by n obl e famil ie s Th a t


, .

h eri ( e x e rcit us) Goth h a rj is als o me an t mil e s is sh own by OH G


,
.
, , .

m a p ro p e r n ame A rdingus st an din g for


1) h as
1
Th e p oly p t I r i n on . 170
H ardin gus .

2 G
ra ff 4 4 4 7 pl a ce s ch u on i, a s w ell a s ch u n in c a n d ch uun i, u n d e r th e a ll
,

d e v ouri ng root Ch an ; b ut a s kruon i, A S gren e v iri dis , come s from kruoan, .

A S grewan , so ma y ch uoni , A S cé n e , from a l ost ch uoan, A S 0 6wan p ollere


. . .

vige re
E
H RO S E . 3 43

gl oss e s Graff 4 9 8 3 a nd by name s of ind ivid ua l me n c omp oun d e d


, , ,

w ith h e ri ; conf ch X X V e inh e ri Th e C H G wrecchio h re cch io


. .
,
. .
, ,

re e ch o h a d a ls o in a p e c u l ia r w aygrow n out o f th e s e n s e o f e x sul


, ,

r o fu us a d v e n a wh ich p re d omin a t e s in t h e A S w re cca O S


p g , ,
.
,
.

w re kio in t o th a t o f a h e ro fighting fa r from h ome a n d t h e M H G


, , .

reclce ON
,
reckr is s imply a h e ro in ge n e ra l
.
1
Simil ar d e v el op ,
.

me n ts of me a ning ca n d oubtl e ss b e Sh ow n in ma ny oth e r w ord s ;


wh a t w e h a v e t o k e e p a fi rm h ol d of is th a t th e v e ry s impl e st ,

w ord s for ma n (vir) a n d e v e n for ma n ( h omo) a d apt e d th e ms e l ve s


to th e n o t ion of h e ro a s our ma nn d oe s n o w so th e ON ha lr th e , .
,

C H G gomo ( h omo) ON gu mi s e rv e d t o e x p re ss t h e id ea o f h e ro s
.
,
. .

I n D iu t 2 h e ros is gl oss e d by g omo an d gumnar in th e E d da


.
, ,

h as th e s a me forc e a s ska tn ar ( se e
N ow wh a t is t h e re a s on of th is e x a lta t ion of h uman n a t ure ?
,

A l w a ys in th e fi rst in st an c e a s far as I can se e a re l a tion of b odily , ,

k in sh ip b e tw e e n a god a n d th e ra ce of man Th e h eroe s are .

e p ig on i o f th e god s th e ir li n e is d e sc e n d e d from t h e g od s : eet t ir


,

g uma e r fra godom kdmo Seem ,


.

G re e k myth ol ogy a fford s an a b und a n c e of p roofs ; it is by


v irtue of all h e roe s b e in g dire ctly or in dire ctly p rod uc e d by g od s
a n d g odd e ss e s in c onj un ct ion with man th a t th e ol d e st k ingly ,

fa mil ie s c onn e ct th e ms e l v e s w ith h e a v e n B ut e vid e n tly most o f .

th e s e mix e d b irths p roc e e d from Z e u s w h o pl a c e s h ims e l f a t th e ,

h e ad of g od s an d me n an d t o wh om a ll th e gl orie s of an c e st ors a re
,

t ra c e d Th us by L e d a h e h a d Ca stor an d P oll ux wh o w e re c all e d


.
, ,

a ft e r h im Dio s c uri H e rc ul e s by A lc me n a P e rs e u s by D a n a e
-
, , ,

Ep a ph u s by I O P e l a sg u s by Niob e M ino s a nd Sa rp e d on by E urop a


, ,

o th e r h e ro e s t ou ch him only th rou gh th e ir fore fa th e rs A g ame mnon


w as th e son o f A t re us h e o f P e l ops h e Of T a nt a l u s a n d h e of Z e u s
, ; , ,

A j a x w a s S p rung from T e l amon h e from A e a c us b e from Z e us a n d , ,

A e gin a N e xt t o Z e u s th e most h eroe s s e em t o p ro c e e d from A re s


.
, ,

H e rme s a n d P os e id on M e l e ag e r D iome d e s a n d Cyc nu s w e re s on s ,

o f A re s A ut olyc u s a n d C e p h al u s of H e rme s wh il e T h e s e u s w a s a
, ,

son of A e g e us a nd N e st or of N e le us b ut b oth A eg e u s a n d N e le us
, ,

1 S ome S l a vic e xp re ss ion s for h e ro a re w orth y o f n ot ice : Russ vitia z, .

S e rv vitez ; Russ bogha ty


. r, P ol boha ter, B oh
.
boha ty r, n o t conn e i t h e r wi th . . .

b ogh d e u s , or b o gh at d iv e s , b ut t h e s ame as th e P e rs behd dir T urk ba had r


, y, . .

M on go l ba ghd tor, H un g b’d tor, M a nj u bd tura , an d d e riv ab l e from b a dra l iv e l y,


. .

me rry; S ch ott in E rma n s ze itschr 4 , 5 3 1 [M on gol ba ghd is force , Bia , an d .

-t0 r -tur
, a n ad
j suffix ] . .
3 41 H ERO S E .

w e re P os e id on s ch il dre n by A e th ra and Tyro A ch ill e s w a s th e



.

son o f P e l e u s a n d Th e tis A e n e a s o f An ch is e s a n d V e nu s
1
,
T he se .

e x ampl e s s e rv e a s a st a n d a rd for t h e c on dition s of our o wn h e roic

l e ge nd (se e

T a c itu s foll owin g a n cie n t l ays pl a c e s at th e he a d of ou r rac e a s


, ,

its p rime p rog e n it or Tu isco w h o is n ot a h e ro b ut h ims e l f a god as


, , ,

th e a uth or e xp re ssly n a me s h im d eum t e rra e ditum



N ow a s .
,

G aia of h e rs e l f g a v e b irth t o U ran os a n d P on t os th a t is t o say S ky , ,

a n d se a sp ra n g from th e la p of e a rt h so T uisco s e e ms d e riv a bl e ,

from t h e w ord t iv in wh ich w e foun d (pp 1 9 3 4 ) th e p rimary


,
.
-

me a nin g t o b e sky ; a n d Tuisco i e Tvisco c ou l d e a s ily sp ring ,


. .
, ,

o ut of th e ful l e r form Tivisco [a s T ue s d a y from Tiw e sd ee g] Tvisco .

maye ith e r me an c oel e stis or th e a ctual offsp rin g of an oth er d ivin e


,

b e ing Tiv wh om w e a ft e rw ard s fi n d app e aring among th e g od s


,

Tiv a n d Tivisco t o a c e rt ain d e gree a re an d s ign ify on e th in g .

Tvisco th e n is in s e n s e a n d st a tion U ran os b ut in n ame Z e u s , ,

wh om th e Gre e k myth mak e s p roc e e d from U ran os n ot di re ctly ,

b ut th rough K ron o s p re tty mu ch a s our Tiv or Zio is ma d e a son


,

of W u ot an whil e a n ot h e r son D on ar t ak e s up on h im th e b e st p a rt
,

of th e Offic e t h a t th e Gre e ks a ss ig n e d t o Z e u s D onar to o w a s son .

of E a rth a s w e ll a s o f W u ot a n e v e n a s Gaia b rough t forth th e gre a t


,

moun t ain ran ge s ( o zzp ea ua /cp d H e s th e og 12 9 G oth fa irgunj a


’’
- .
.
, .

mik il a) a n d D on ar h ims e l f w a s c all e d mou n t ain a n d fairgun eis (pp


,
.


1 69 . so th a t o bp a vé q sky st an d s c on n e ct e d with o vp oq bp os

moun t ain th e id e a of d e u s w ith th a t of an s ( pp 2 5


,
G aia . .
,

T e ll us T e rra c ome roun d aga in in our god d e ss e s FiOrgyn I ord an d


'

, ,

Rin d r ( p 2 5 1 ) so th e n ame s of g od s an d g od d e ss e s h e re c ross on e


.

a n oth er b ut in a s imil ar d ire ction


, .

Th is e arth b orn Tvisco s son w as fi l a nn us a n d n o n a me c oul d


-

s oun d more T e ut onic th ough N ors e myth ol ogy h a s a s l ittl e t o say


,

o f h im a s of Tvisco ( ON Ty ski t) N o d oub t a d e ep e r me aning


. .

'

o n c e re s id e d in t h e w ord ; by t h e a d d ition Of t h e suffi x isk a s in -


,

Tiv Tivisco th e re aros e out of man n a ma nn isko h omo t h e


'

, ,

1
I n th e Ro man l e g e n d , Romul us an d Re mus w e re con n e ct e d t h rough
Sil vi a w i th M ars a n d t h rough A mu l i us w i t h V e n us a n d Romul us w a s t a k e n
,

up t o h e a v e n T h e l a t e r ap o th e o s i s of t h e e mp e rors diffe rs from th e g e n ui n e


.

h e ro i c, a l mo st as can o n iz a t i on d oe s from p ri mi t iv e s a i n th ood ye t e v e n


A u gu st us, b e i n g d e i fi e d , p a ss e d in le e n d for a son o f A p oll o, w h om th e god in
t h e Sh a p e o f a d ra g on h a d b yA t i a ; ue t on Oct av 9 4 S . . .
346 H EROES

is a d istinctiv e mark o f an c ie n t go d s but als o of h eroe s and k ings ; ,

its b e in g sp e c ially p ut forward he re in c onn e x ion w ith a se a


v oy ag e app e ars t o indic a t e s ome fe ature of th e l ege nd th a t is
,

un k n ow n t o u s ( se e

I ng s re s id e n ce in th e e a st is
strik ingly in h a rmon y w ith a p e digree of the Ynglings giv e n in th e
I sle nd ingab Ok ( Isl sog 1 H e re a t th e h e ad of all st an d s
. .
,
:

Yngvi Tyrkj a konungr imme diat e ly s u cc e e d e d by d ivin e b eings


, ,

N iOrdr 3 F re yr FiOlnir ( a by name of Odinn ) S vegd ir &c I n th e


'

.
, , , ,

s ame w ay Odinn wa s call e d Tyrkj a konungr ( Sn 3 6 8) from h is .

re sidin g a t B y zan tium ( p 1


1 6 3 n ot e ) Th e Ynglinga s ag a on th e . .

oth e r h a n d b e gin s th e l in e with N io rdr a ft er wh om c ome F re y r , ,

FiOlnir an d th e re st ; b ut of Fre y r wh om th e wain w oul d h av e ,

s uit e d e x a ctly it is sta t e d th a t h e h ad a n oth er n ame Yngvi or


,

Yngvif regr ( p 2 1 1 a n d th e wh ol e ra c e of Yngli nga r w e re n ame d


.

a ft e r hi m I ngi nga r or I ngvi nga r w oul d b e more e x a ct a s is


2
.
,

sh own by th e OH G a nd A S sp e ll ing a n d c on fi rme d by a h ost of . .


,

v e ry an cien t n ame s c omp oun d e d with I ng or I ngo : I nguiomerus


( I ngimarus I ngumar or w ith a sp H incmaru s) I nguram I ngimun d
, , .
, , ,

I ngiburc I ngin olt &c , E v e n Sa x o G ra m writ e s I ngo I ngimarus


, . .
, .

A s for Y nglingar st an ding for I nglingar it may b e forme d from


, ,

t h e p rol ong a tion I n gil in I nge lw in I ngelra m I ngelbe rga a n d th e , ,

N ors e I nge llus unl e ss it is a me re c on fusion of th e w ord with


,

y nglingr j uv e n is O H G j un ilin e A S
g g eo
,
n li
g g n fro m th e roo t .
, .
,

un g j un c ge on g wh ich h a s n o b usine ss h e re at all


, , ,
— Th e main
p oin t is th a t th e fi rst g e n e al ogy p uts I ngv i b e fore N iOrdr 8 0 th a t
, ,

h e w oul d b e F re y s g ra n dfa th e r wh il e th e oth e r v e rs ion mak e s h im


b e b orn a g a in a s it w e re in F re yr an d e v e n fus e s his n a me with ,

F re y s of wh ich th e re lurks a trac e li k e wis e in t h e A S fre a



.
,

I ngw in a ( p

This I ngwina a pp e ars t o b e th e gen pl of
. . .

I ngw ine OH G I nguw ini an d d ominu s I ngwinorum n ee d n ot ‘ ’


.
, ,

n e c e ss a rily re fe r t o t h e od a n h o might b e S O c all e d B ut w ith


g y e r ,
.

p e rfe ct righ t may an I ng vi I nguio b e th e p a triarch of a ra ce th a t ,

1 S n orri s en d s h im t o Turklan d , S a x o on l yas far a s B yz an tium — T RA N S


. .

2
A s t h e ON ge n e a l og i e s h a v e Y n gvi, N iortir, F re yr, t h e Old S w e d i sh
'

t ab l e s in G e ij e r ( h afd e r 1 18 1 2 1 4 75 ) g iv e I nge, N eorch, F ro s ome h av e .

N eoroch for N e orch , b ot h b ei n g corru pt i on s of N e orth N OW , wa s it b y .

runn in g I n gvi a n d F re y r in t o o n e t h a t t h e comb i n a t i on I ngvifrey r ( t ra n sp os e d


,

in t o A S f re e I n gwi n a ) a ro s e , or wa s h e cut in t w o to ma k e a n a d d i tion a l


.

l i n k ? Th e Skald skap armal in S n 2 1 1 ca lls Yngvifreyr Od i n s son , a n d from


1

.

t h e e n ume ra t i o n o f th e t w e l v e o r t h i rte e n A s e s in S n 2 ] 1 1) i t ca nn o t b e d oub t e d .

th a t Yngvry rey r w as re gard e d a s e q uiv a l e n t t o th e s impl e F re r


g .
I NGUI O . HARTUN G . 347

b ears th e name Of I ngvinga r Ynglingar And th e n wh at th e .


,

N ors e ge n e al ogy is una bl e t o c a rry farth er up th an t o I ngv i T a cit us ,

k in dly c ompl e te s for u s by informing u s th a t I nguio is t h e son of ,

M ann us an d h e of Tvisco ; an d his I nga evon es a re on e of t w o


,

thin gs e ith e r th e C HG pl Inguion ( from s in g I nguio) or I ngwini


,
. . .
,

a ft e r th e A S I n wine
g . .

Thus p ie c e d out th e l ine of g od s and h e roe s w oul d run


,

Tvisco M a nn us Ingvio N erthus F ra vio (or w h a t e v e r Sh ap e th e


, , , ,

G oth ic Frauj a w oul d h av e t ak e n in th e mouth of a R oma n) Th e .

e a rth b orn Tvisco s moth e r rep e a ts h ers e l f a ft e r th re e in t e rme dia t e



-

l in ks in N erth us th e god or h e ro a s a N ors e I ugui st an d s n ow ,

b e fore N iOrdr n ow a fter ; an d th os e Va nir w h o h a v e b e e n mov e d


, ,

a w a y t o t h e e a st a nd t o wh om NiOrdr a n d h is son F re y r w e re h e ld
'

main ly t o b e l ong (pp 2 1 8 w oul d h a v e a cl aim t o c oun t a s on e


.

a n d th e s a me ra c e with t h e I n g ae v on e s a lth ough th is a ss oc ia ,

t ion w ith M annu s and Tvisco app e ars t o vin di c at e th e ir T e ut onic


ch ara cte r .

B ut th e s e b ond s d raw th e ms e l v e s ye t t ight e r Th e A S lay . .

in forme d us th a t I ng b ore th a t n ame a mon g th e H ea rdings h ad


, ,

re c e iv e d it from th e m Th is H ea rdinga s mu st e ith er me an h e roe s


.

a n d me n g e n e rally a s w e saw on p 3 4 2 or a p art ic ul a r p e opl e


,
.
, .

H a rtu ng is st ill re me mb e red in our H e l d e n b u ch a s k in g of th e


R e u ss e n ( Rus R uss ia n s) t h e s ame p rob a bly as H artn it or
, ,
‘ ’

H e rtni t v on R e u ss e n in t h e A lp h art h e is on e of t h e WOlfi ng


h e roe s 1 H a rtun c an d hi s fa th e r I mmun e ( Rudlieb 1 7 8 ) remain
.
,

d ark t o us Th e H ea rdinga s a pp e a r t o b e a n a tion S itua t e d e a st of


.

t h e D an e s and S w e d e s amon g wh om I ng is s aid t o h a v e l iv e d for


,

a t ime ; a n d th is h is s oj ourn is h e lp e d o ut b o th by th e T urk ish

k ing Yn gui an d th e Russ ian H artun g It h a s b ee n sh ow n th a t t o .

H artun c H e arding w oul d c orre sp on d th e ON form H a d d i ngr


, ,
. .

N ow wh e re a s t h e D a nish l in e of h e roe s b e ginnin g with Odinn


,

a rriv e s a t FrO di in n o more th a n th re e g e n e ra tion s Odin n b e in g ,

foll ow e d by S kioldr Fridle ifr F redi th e s e rie s g iv e n in S a x o


, ,

G ra m st an d s th u s : H umbl D a n L oth e r S kiold G ra m H a din g


.
, , , , , ,

Froth o B ut H ad in g st a n d s for H a dding a s is cl e ar from t h e


.
,

sp ell ing of d uo H a d din gi in S a x o p 9 3 w h o are th e H add ingj a r ’


.
,

O ft e n me n t ion e d in th e E dd a ; it is s aid o f h im p 1 2 orie n t alium ,


.

1 H e rn it H ardin g in th e S w e dish tal e of D ie t rich ( I d un a 10 , 2 5 3 -4 .


348 H EROES .

d e b ell at o, Sue tiam



b ore which orie nt als a gain are
'

ro re ve rsus,

tu th e n i ; b u t w h a t is most re ma rk abl e is th a t Sa x o p 1 7 8 p u ts , .
-
i

in t h e mouth o f th is D an ish ki ng a nd h is w ife Re gnild a a s ong


w hic h in th e E d d a is s un g by N i brd r a n d S ha di ( Sn 2 7 We

maya cc ordingl y t a k e H a dd ing t o b e id e n t ic a l with N iOrdr i s a


'

,
.
,
.

s e cond birth o f th a t god wh ich is furth e r c on firme d by F ridleifr


,

F re alef wh om w e h a v e a lre a d y id e n t ifi e d with t h e s impl e F re a


, ,

p 2 1 9) a p p e a rin g in t h e s a me l in e e x a ctly a s Fre yr is a son of


.
,

Nierer a n d Sa x o s ays e xpre ssly p 1 6 th a t H a d d ing Offe re d a


, , .
,

F rOblOt a s a crific e in h on our o f F re yr Wh e th e r in F rddi ( C H G


, . .

F ruot o M H G F ru ot e ) th e h e ro of th e D an ish st ory w h o mak e s


,
.
, ,

h ims e l f in t o thre e a nd wh os e rul e is p rais e d a s p e a c e ful a nd b liss


,

ful w e a re t o l ook for F re y r ov e r a ga in is a n oth e r que stion


, ,
.

I n th e god h e ro of T a c itu s th e n th e re l in g e rs st ill re c ogn is a bl e


-
, ,

a N ors e god ; a n d t h e l in ks I h a v e p rod u c e d mu st if I mist a k e ,

n ot se t t h e fi n al s e a l o n t h e re a d in g N e rthu s I f w e w ill n ot ‘ ’
.
,

a dmit th e g odd e ss in t o th e ran ks o f a ra c e wh ich a l re a d y h a s a

Te rra mat e r st an din g a t its v e ry h e ad it is at all e ve n ts n o gre a t


stre tch t o s upp os e th a t c e rt ain n at ion s tran s fe rre d h e r n ame to th e


g o d o r h e ro w h
. o f orm e d o n e of t h e s u cc e e d in g l in ks in t h e race .

Th e re a re more of th e s e Nors e myth s wh ich p rob ably h av e to


d o w ith th is s ubj e ct l igh ts th a t sk im t h e d e e p d ark n e ss of o ur
,

ol d e n t ime b ut c a n n o t l ig ht it up a n d oft e n d ie a w a y in a d ub iou s


, ,

fl ick e r Th e F ormel i of the E dd a p 1 5 ca lls Odinn fa th e r of


.
, .
,

Y ngvi a n d p u ts him a t th e h e ad of th e Y n glingar : o n c e a g ain w e


,

se e ou rs e l ve s e n titl e d t o id e nt ify Odinn w ith M a n nu s or Tvisco .

N ay w ith a ll t his in t e rl a c in g an d int e rch a n ge of me mb e rs w e


, ,

c oul d almost b e a r to se e Odinn ma de th e s a me a s N iOrOr w hich is


'

d one in on e ma n u script B ut th e n arra t iv e fra F orn ioti ok h an s


.

ee t t mO nn u m in F orn ald sog 2 1 2 c a rrie s us fa rt h e r : a t th e t op


'
’ ’

. .
,

sta nd s B u rri l ik e th e k in g o f Tyrkland foll ow e d byB urr Odinn


, , , ,

F reyr N ibrd r F reyr F i Olnir ; h e re t h e n is a d oubl e Freg h


' '

, , , /
r t e ,

fi rst o ne t ak ing Y n gvi s pl a c e i e t he Yngvifreyr w e h ad b e fore ;


, . .
,

b ut a lso a ma n ifol d Odinn Fiolnir b e in g on e of h is n ame s ( See m ,


.

1 0 4 6 1 84
1 b
Sn B urri a nd B urr n a me s cl os e ly re l a t e d to
3
. .
,

S o Wh M ull e r ( H au pt s ze itsch r 3 , 4 8 9 ) h a s j ustl y p oin t e d out, t h a t



1 . .
-

Skad i s ch o i ce of th e mu flle d b ri d e groo m, w h os e fe e t a l on e w e re vi s i b l e ( S n



.

a g re e s w i t h S a x o S e lige n di ma ri t i l ib e rta s curiosiore corp orum a t t re ct a


’ ‘

t i o n e , b ut h e re t o fi n d a ri n g th a t th e fl esh h as h e a l e d o ve r S kadi a n d

.

Rag n h ild n e ce ss a ri l yfa ll in t o on e .


350 H EROES .

N e n n ius, in a trad ition of pt e d from Ta c itu s


th e M id A ge s . n ot ad o ,

a n d t h e I si0 c0 n in a G a e l ic p oe m of t h e 1 1 th c e n t ury ( se e
1

I f t h is w ill n ot s e rv e le t in t e rna l e vid e n c e sp e ak : in Tuisco a nd


,

M a nn isco w e h av e b e e n gj vin g th e suffi x ise its d ue a nd Tuisto a -


, ,

sp e ll ing wh ich l ik e w is e o ccurs is p roof again st all a tt e mpt a t ,

e xpl a n a tion N ow I sco a s th e th ird n ame in th e sa me g e n e al ogy


.
, ,

w oul d a gre e w ith th e s e tw o For Tvisco an d M annu s th e N ors e


.
.

l e g e nd s u bstitu t e s t w o oth e r n ame s but I nguio it h a s p re s e rv e d in ,

I ngvi ; ought n ot h is b roth e r I scio t o b e disc ove rabl e too ? I fan cy


I am on his tra ck in th e Ed die A skr a n ame th a t is giv e n t o t h e ,

fi rst c re a t e d man a g ain ( See m 3 S n


-
a n d me an s a n a sh t re e
. . .
-
.

It s e e ms stra nge e nough th a t w e als o come a cross th is a sk (le t


,

in t e rp re t a t ion un d e rst an d it of th e t re e or not) amon g th e R un ic


n ame s Sid e by s id e w ith in c ziu e r all h e roe s an d god s ; an d
‘ ’
, , , ,

a mon g th e ON n a me s for th e e arth is E sk a SD A d v


.
j n e e n , .

th e v ow e l ch a ng e in th e t wo forms of n ame I scio and A sk r h ol d s


-
, ,

e qu ally g ood o f th e s uffix isk a sk -


,
-
.

H e re le t me g iv e v e n t t o a d a ring fan cy I n our l anguag e th e .

re l a t ion o f l in e a l d e sc e n t is m a in ly e xp re ss e d by tw o s uffi x e s ,

I N G an d I SK M a nn ing me an s a son th e Offsp rin g of ma n a n d


.
,

mannisko a l most th e s a me I d o n ot say th a t th e tw o div ine .

a n c e st ors w e re b orrow e d from th e g ra mma t ic al form st ill l e ss th at ,

th e gramma tic al form origi na t e d in t h e h e roe s n a me s



I l e a v e th e .

v ita l c on ne x ion of th e tw o things u ne xpl aine d I simply in dicat e it , .

B ut if th e I n g ae v on e s liv in g p rox imi o c e a n o w e re S a x on ra c e s


w h ich t o th is d ay are ad di ct e d t o d e riv ing with ing it may b e -


,

re mark e d th a t A sci bu rg a s a c re d s e a t of th e I sca e von e s w h o d we lt


,

p rox imi Rh e n o st ood on th e Rh in e Of A skr a n d th e re l a tion



2
, .
,

of th e n ame t o t h e t re e I S h all tre a t in ch XIX ; o f t h e I scae


,
.

v on e s it re ma in s t o b e a dd e d th a t th e A ngl o S a x on s als o k n e w a
,
-

h e ro Oesc an d c on s e que n tly Oescinga s


, .

Z e uss p 73 giv e s th e p re fe re n c e t o th e re ading I sta evon es


, .
, ,

c onn e ctin g th e m with th e A st ingi A zdingi wh om I ( p 3 4 2 ) took for , , .

H az dingi a n d id e n tifi e d with th e ON H ad dingj ar A S H e a rdingas


, .
,
.
,

OH G H e rtinga Th e hyp oth e s is o f I sta e von e s


. . I z d ae v on e s w oul d
re quire th a t th e G oth zd A S rd C H G rt sh oul d in th e time of
. .
, .
,

1 P oin t e d out b yLe o in th e ze itsch r f d a lt 2 , 5 3 4 . . . . .

2
C on f A skit un ( A s ch a n ear A mb e rg) , Askip runn o ( E sch b orn n ear Frank’
.

f ort ) , A skip ah (E s ch b ach , E s ch e n ba ch ) in vari ous p arts ; A scarih , a ma n s


na me ( se e
I S CI O . I RMI N O . 35 1

T a c itu s h a v e pre v ail e d e v e n amon g th e Rh ine Ge rma n s I h av e ne v er


yet h e ard of a n OH G A rtinge, E rtinga
.
,
n or of a n ON Ad d ingar,
.

E dd inge r A cc ording t o th is conj e cture ing e niou s a nyh ow an d


.
,

w orth e x a mining furth e r the a n c e stral h e re w oul d b e c all e d I stio ,

I zd io I z d vio OH G E rto ON E d d i w ith w h ich th e c e l e b ra t e d


, , .
,
.
,

t e rm e dd a p roa via w ou l d a gre e its G oth ic form b eing izd o OH G , , .

e rta . I zd o I z dio p roa vus wo u l d s e e m in its e l f an a p t n a me for t h e


,

fou n d e r of a ra c e The fl uct ua tion b e tw e e n i an d a w oul d b e c ommo n


.

t o b oth int e rp re tations I scaevon e s A skinga and I stae von es:


,
-

A rtinge .

Th e M ann u s will occup yus e v e n l on ger th an his


thi rd son o f
'

b roth e rs E rmin o s p oste rity c ompl e t e s th e cycl e of th e thre e main


.

ra c e s of G e rma n y : I nga evon es I sca evon es H ermin on es T he ord e r , , .

in wh ich th e y st an d s e e ms immat e rial in T a cit us it me re ly foll ow s ,

th e ir ge ograph ic a l p os ition ; th e initial v ow e l c ommon t o th e m


l e a d s us t o s upp os e an alli te rativ e j uxta p os ition of th e a nc e stral
h e roe s in Ge rman s ongs Th e a sp irat e giv e n by th e R oman s t o .

H e rmin on e s a s to H e rmun d uri is st rictly n o p art of th e G e rman


, ,

w ord but is als o v e ry c ommonly re t ain e d by L a tin write rs of th e


,

M id A ge s in prop e r n ame s c omp oun d e d w ith I rmin I n th e na me


. .

o f th e h ist oric a l A rminiu s T a c it u s l e a v e s it out .

A s with I nguio an d I scio w e mu st a ss ig n t o th e h e ro s n ame


th e o e th rw is e d e m on st ra bl e w e a k f or m I rm i no
1
E rmi n o G oth , , .

A i rma n a : it is s upp orte d by th e d e riv a tiv e H e rmin one s a n d e v e n ,

by t he co rruption s H isicion Arme non N e g uo in N e n nius ( S e e , ,


P oss ibly th e strong forme d I rma n I rmin A rmin may -


, ,

e v e n b e a s e p ara t e roo t B ut wh a t occurs far more fre que n tly th an


.

th e S impl e w ord is a h ost Of c omp oun d s w ith irman irmin n ot


,

onl y p rop e r n a me s b u t o th e r e xp re ss ion s c on cre t e an d a bstra ct


,

G oth E rma n aricu s ( Airman are iks) C H G I rmanrih A S Eorme n ric


.
,
.
, .
,

ON I Ormun re kr wh e re th e u a gree s w ith th a t in th e n a t ion a l


.
,

n a me H e rmun d urus ; OH G I rma nd e a n I rma n d e o I rma n e rah t


g p .
, , ,

I rmanfrit I rminolt I rman drfi t I rmangart I rman suint &c A tt e n


, , , , , .

tion is cl aime d by th e n ame s of c e rta in animals an d pl ants : th e


ON I ormun g a n d r is a s n a k e a nd I Ormunre kr a b ull th e A S
.
, ,
.

E orme nw yrt a n d E orme nle af is s aid to b e a me llow wh ich I also ,

Pe rt z l 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 , 2 9 0 4 6 3
1
, . . . . 4 8 1 ; th e a bb a s I rmi no of C harle s th e
G re a t s t i me is known we ll e nough

n o w ; an d a fe mal e n ame I a rmin is met
wit h in d e e ds .
352 E
H RO S E .

fi nd w ritt e n gme nw yrt ge orme nle af A uth o ritie s for irma ngot
e or , .
,

irmandiot OS irminthiod irminman irman sfi l &c &c h a v e b e e n


,
.
, , ,
.
, .
,

giv e n ab ov e p 1 1 8 A v ill a I rmen lo i e a w ood (in ill a sil v a


,
. .

, . .
,
v

sc are s se x aginta) is n ame d in a d e e d of 8 5 5 B on da m s ch arte rb ook ,


p 3 2 Sil v a I rmin ld La combl 1 3 1


. .
,
.
, .

I n th e s e c omp ound s e sp e cia lly th os e l a st n ame d irman s ee ms


, ,

t o h a v e b u t a g e n e ra l int e n s ify ing p ow e r w ith out a n y distin ct ,

re fe re n c e t o a god or h e ro ( c on f V Vo e ste mitth e il p it is


.
, . .

l ike s ome oth e r w ord s e sp e cially got an d die t re gin a n d me gin


, , ,

which w e fi n d u s e d in e x a ctly th e s ame w ay I f it d id c on t ain .

s uch re fe re n c e E orme nle af woul d b e E orme n e s l e af lik e Forne ote s


, ,

folme Wuot a n e s w e c
,
I rma n d eo th e n is mu ch t h e s ame a s
.

G ot a d e o I rma n rih a s D io trih ; a n d a s irman got me an s th e g re a t


,

god irma n d iot th e g re a t p e opl e iOrmu ngrun d t h e g re a t w id e e a rth


'

, , ,

so irma n sfil c a n n o t me a n more th a n th e gre a t p ill ar th e v e ry s e n s e ,

c a ugh t by Ru d ol f in h is tran sl at ion u niv e rs al is c ol umn a (p .

Th is is a ll v e ry true b ut th e re is n othin g t o p re v e n t I rmi no or


,

Irmin h a v ing h a d a p e rs on a l re fe re n c e in p re v iou s c e n turie s : h a v e


w e n ot s e e n s id e by Sid e wit h Z e us a n d Ty
,
r th e c ommon n oun ,

d e u s a nd th e p re fix 19 t ir ( p 1 9 5 6 ) c onf p 3 3 9 I f Seet ere sdeeg


.
-
. . .

h a s got rub b e d d own t o S a t urd a y S a t e rd ach ( p so mayE rit a c , .

p oint t o a forme r E re st a c ( p E orme nle af t o E orme ne s l e af


.
,

I rma n sfi l t o I rman e ssfi l w e als o me t w ith D onn e rb uh e l for


D onn e rsbuh e l ( p . V o e nle t fer W o e nsle t a n d w e say
V
,

F ra n k furt for F ra nke n furt [Ox ford for Ox e naford Th e more ,

th e s e n s e o f th e n a me fa d e d ou t t h e more re ad ily d id th e g e n itiv e ,

form d rop a w a y ; th e C H G g od e s 1111 8 is more l it e ral th e G oth.


,
.

g bu h fi s m o re a b st ra ct ye t b o th a re u
,
s e d a s t h e O S re
ga n o gis ca u
p ,
.

a n d re ga ngisca p u me t od o gisca p u a n d me t odgisca p u h e l d t h e ir


,

gro un d s imulta n e ou sly A s for ge ormen . c orme n it s ugge sts z


,

G e rma nn s ( G ramm 1 .
,

It is true T a citu s k e e ps th e H ermino th at l ie s l at e n t in his


,

H e rmin one s a p art fro m A rmin iu s w ith wh o m th e R oman s w a g e d


w ar ye t h is fa mous ca n itur adh uc b arb ara s a p u d g e n t e s a ppl ie d

t o t h e d e stroy e r of V arus might e a s ily aris e t h rou gh S imply ,

mis in te rp re ting s u ch a cc oun ts a s rea ch e d th e R oma n e a r of


G e rman s on gs a b ou t t h e my t h ic a l h e ro G ra n t e d th a t irma n sfi l .

e xp re ss e d w o rd for w ord n o more t h an hug e p ill ar ye t t o th e p e opl e


“ ’

th at w ors h ipp e d it it mu st h a v e b ee n a d ivine imag e s t an ding for ,


3 54 H ERO S E .

in it t h e me o f th e w ar god b rought out on p 2 0 2 E ru H e ru


na -
.
, ,

,

a n d to diss e ct I rma n E rman in t o I r ma n E r man tho u gh t o j u dg e


,
-
,
-
, ,

by th e forms I rmin E orme n E rmun I Ormun th is is fa r from


, , , ,

p rob abl e th e w ord b e ing d e riv a t iv e in d e e d ye t Simpl e n ot com


, , ,

p ound ; we n e ve r fi n d in pl a c e of Ertag die s M artis a n y s uch


, , ,

form as Ermin ta c I rmin e sta c


,
On b e h al f of M e rcu ry th e re w oul d
.

sp e a k th e a cc id e n t al ye t strik ing s imil arity of th e n a me I rma n sfi l


1
,

or H irme n sfi l t o E ufis a n d é ua
‘ ’
p r op st ak e p ol e p ill ar ( p
,
p p , , ,
.

a n d th a t it w a s p re c is e ly H e rme s s ima g e o r h e a d t h a t u s e d

t o b e se t up on s u ch ép ua ra a n d furth e r th a t th e M id A g e s

, , .

re fe rre d th e irme n p ill ars t o M e rc ury ( p


-
I n B irmin t h e .

S a x on s a pp e ar t o h a v e w orsh ipp e d a W6d a n i ma ged a s a w a rrior .

I f th is V ie w b e w e ll g ro un d e d w e h a v e W 6d a n w e d gin g h ims e l f
,

i n to t h e a n cie n t lin e of h e roe s b ut th e que st ion is wh e th e r Irmin ,

is n o t t o be re g ard e d a s a s e c ond b irth or son of th e go d wh e th e r ,

e v e n a n a n c e st ra l h e ro I rmi n o is n ot to b e d ist in guish e d from th is

od Irmin a s H e rmin o in T a c it u s is from A rminius S o from th iod


g , ,

re gin w e re forme d th e n ame s Thiod o Re gino


,
It w oul d b e h ard e r , .

t o S h ow a nys u ch re l a t ion b e tw e e n I ng an d In g o I SO a nd Isc o ; b u t I ,

think I can s ugge st an oth e r p rin c ipl e wh ich will d e cid e th is p oin t
wh e n ra c e s n ame th e ms e l v e s a fter a famous a n c e st or th is mayb e a ,

d e ifi e d man a d e mig od b u t n e v e r a p ure ly d ivin e b e in g


, ,
Th e re are .

I nga e v on e s I scae von e s H e rmin on e s Oe scingas S cilfi nga s Yn glin


, , , , ,

g (ar fo r I ngin a r) V elsfi n a r S kiOld fi n a r N iflfi ngar a s the re w e re


g , g g ,
2
, ,

H e ra cl e id ae a n d P e l op id a e b ut n o W 6d e n inga s or Th un orin ga s
, ,

th ough a W ode nin g a n d a K ron ide s Th e A ngl o Sax on s with .


-
,

W 6de n a l w a ys a pp e arin g a t th e ir h e a d woul d s ure ly h a v e b orn e ,

t h e n ame of W 6d e ninga s h a d it b e e n cu st omary t o t a k e n a me


,

from th e god h ims e l f N a t ion s d o d e sc e n d from th e god b ut


.
,

th rough th e me dium o f a d e migod a n d afte r him th e y n ame th e m ,

se l ve s A n a tion a l n a me t ak e n from th e h igh e st god w oul d h a ve


.

b ee n imp ious arroga n c e a n d al ie n t o h uman fe e l in g


,
.

A s L ow e r S a x ony e sp e cially W e stph a l ia w a s a c hie f s e a t o f


, ,

th e I rmin w ors hip w e mayp ut by th e s id e o f W id uk in d s a cc ou n t



-
,

of B i rmin a fe w o th e r t ra c e s of h is n a me wh ich is n ot e v e n y et ,

1 T o th e G re e k a sp i ra t e corre sp o n d s a Te u t o n i c S, n ot H : sa , so ;
611-rd S i b un tih : s a lt e re a re e x ce pt io n s o f b e , h e r, h ig ; 3M : w h o l e ,
[Th. ti, .

h e l a £t h a u l , h o l e n ] .

2
A p a tro n ymi c s u ffi x is n ot n e ce ss a ry: th e G aut OS, G evissi, Suap a t a k e
n a me from G auts , G e viS , S n ap , d ivi n e h e ro e s .
I RM I N . 355

en t irely e xt inct in th a t p art of G e rman y S trodt mann h as n ote d .

d o w n t h e foll ow ing p h ra s e s in Osnabriick : h e me n t use h e rre



,

g o tt h e e t H erm (h e th inks our Lord is c all e d H i e is n e v e r a ngry) ; .


, . .

u se h e rre g o t t h e e t n ich H erm h e h e e t l e v e h e rre n u w e e t w a l t o , ,

t e g rip e m (k n ows h ow t o fall


-
H e re th e re s e e ms u n c on c e al e d
a sl igh t l o n g ing for th e mil d rul e o f t h e old h e a th e n god in ,

c on tra st to th e strictly j udging a nd p unish in g ch ristian G od I n .

S a x on H e ss e ( on th e D ie me l ) in t h e d ist ricts o f P a d e rb orn R a v e n s


, ,

b e rg a n d M un ste r in t h e b is h op ric of M ind e n a n d th e d uchy of


,

We stph al ia th e p e opl e h a v e k e pt al iv e th e rh y me
1
,

H ermen ,
sla d e rme n ,

sla p ip e n sla t ru mme n ,


,

de k a is e r w il ku mme n
me t h ame r n u sta ng e n 2
,

w il H ermen up h a n ge n .

H e rme n is ch all e n ge d a s it w e re t o strik e up his w ar mus ic t o


, ,
-
,

s oun d th e c a tgut p ip e a n d d rum ; but th e foe d ra ws nigh w ith


,

I n a ce s a n d st a v e s a n d w ill h a n g up H e rme n ( see


,
I t I S n ot
imp oss ibl e th a t in th e s e rud e w ord s wh ich h av e t ra v e ll e d d own th e ,

l ong tradition o f c e nt urie s a re p re s e rv e d t he fragme n ts of a lay ,

th a t w as fi rst h e ard wh e n Ch arl e s d e stroy e d th e I rme nsfi l Th e y .

c a n no t S O w e ll be int e rp re t e d of th e e l d e r A rmin ius an d th e R oman s 3


.

Th e strik in g a n d t h e st a v e s s ugg e st t h e c e re mon y of c a rry ing out


th e S umme r .

In a p a rt of th a t l ie s on th e W e rra is a vill ag e n ame d


H e ss e ,

E rmschw e rd ,
wh ich in e a rly d oc ume nts is c all e d Erme sw e rd e r ,

A rme sw e rd 4
E rmen eswerd e ( D ronke s t ra d ful d p E rmenes

. . .
,

werethe ( Vita M e in w e rci a n 1 0 22 Le ibn 1 . . .


,

in s ul a I rmini a s o th e r g od s h a v e th e ir isl e s or e aS
,
Th is int e rp re .

t a t ion s e e ms pl a c e d b e y on d a d ou bt byoth e r s u ch n a me s of pl a c e s .

Le ibn scr 1 9 a n d E cca rd Fr or 1 8 8 3 D e orig G e rm 3 9 7


. .
, , . .
, ,
. .

1
Ro mme l s H e ss e n l p 6 6 n ot e We stph ali a ( M in d en 1 8 3 0 ) i 4 5 2

. . . .
,
.

T h e t un e i s g iv e n in S ch u ma n n s M us i ca l z e i t un g fo r 1 8 3 6 ’
. .

2
V a ri a n ts : mit st a n ge n u n d p ra n g e n ( wh i ch a ls o me an s st a v e s ) ; mi t
h a me r u n t n g e n ( t o n gs )
a .

3
T h i s e xpl a n a t i on h a s o f cours e b e e n t ri e d s ome h av e p ut H erma n n for
H e rme n o t h e rs a d d a n a rra t iv e v e rs e w h i ch I d o n o t s upp o s e i s fo u n d in t h e
, ,

p e o pl e s mo uth : un H ermen sla ug d e rme n sla ug p ip e n sl a ng t ru mmen ( le


’ ‘
, , ,

furste n s i n d k umme n me t a ll e re n ma n n e n h e b t Va rus up h a n ge n ,


-

4
Th e s a me v o we l ch a n g e i s s e e n in E rmen sulen ( d e e d of 1 2 98 in B a rings
-

Cl a v i s d i pl p 4 93 n o
. . a We stp h a l i a n vi ll a g e n ow ca ll e d A rmens ul
.
,
c .
356 E
H RO S E .

giv e Irmin eswagen for th e c on ste lla t ion a re tus p laustrum coele ste , ,

I d o n ot k n ow on w h a t auth ority : this w a in w oul d st an d b e s id e


W uot an sw age n D onn e rsw age n an d e v e n I ngsw age n
, , .

S ome of t h e l a t er A S an d s e v e ral O E ngl a uth orit ie s in . . .


,

sp e cifying four gre a t h ighw ays th a t tra v e rs e E ngl a nd n a me ,

a mon gst t h e m E rmingestrete runn in g from s ou th t o n orth of t h e ,

i sl a n d 2
B ut w e may s a fe ly a ssume t h e p ure A S form t o h a v e
. .

b e e n E orme n street or E orme n e s stree t a s a n oth e r of t h e four w a ys -


, ,

lVoe tlinga stroe t o ccurs in th e S a x on Ch ron (I ngr 1 9 0 T h orp e s



.
, . .

a nal p a n d i n t h e Tre a tv o f j Elfre d a n d G u th ru n Th orp e p


. .
( ,
.

e n dl a ng Wa etlinga st rae t in K e mbl e 2 2 5 0 ( a n



an d , .

Lye h as I rmingstroe t t og e th e r wit h f rmingsri l b oth wit h out re fe r ,

e n ce s .Th e c onj e ct ura l E orme n st ree t w oul d l e a d t o an C H G .

l rman streza a n d E orme n e sst reet t o I rman e sstraza with th e me a n


, ,

ings via p ubl ic a a n d v ia l rman i .

N ow it is n ot u nimp ortan t t o t h e c ours e of our in quiry th a t ,

o n e of t h e four h igh w a ys VVee tlinga stree t is a t t h e s ame time ,


-
,

t ra n sl a t e d t o t h e sky a nd g e ts t o l ook qu it e mythic al ,


A pl ain .

e n ough roa d e xt en din g from D ov e r t o Ca rdig a n is t h e milkyw a y


,

l n th e h e a v e n s i e it is t ra v e ll e d by th e ca r o f s ome h e a th e n god
,
. .
,
.

Ch a uc e r ( H ou s e of F a me 2 d e sc rib in g th a t p art of the ,

sky s ays
,

Lo th e re q uod h e c a st up thine e ye, , ,

se y o n dir lo t h e g a l a x ie , , ,

th e w h ich e me n cl e p e th e milky w ay
for it is wh it e a n d s ome p arfay ,

y ca ll in it h a n W a tlingestrete ,

th a t onis w as bre n te with t h e h e t e ,

w h e n th a t th e s un nis s onn e th e re d e ,

w hich hit e Ph a e t on w ol d e l e d e ,

a lga t e h is fa t h irs c a rt e a n d gie .

I n th e Compl ain t of S cotl an d p 9 0 it is s aid of th e c ome t : it



.
, ,

ap e ris oft in t h e q uh y t circl e callit c irc ul us l a ct e us th e quh ilk th e ,

maryn alis c allis Va tla nstreit I n D ougl a s s V irgil p 8 5



.
,

2
NHmin ii Wat lin ge stre t e , F oss e , H icke n ild e stre t e , E rmingestrete
ch e

( Th orp e s A n c l a w s , p 1 9 2) conf H e n ryof Hun t ( Ern in ge stre e t) Rob of



. . . . .
,

G lou c , C x i 1 74 2 , p 2 99 ( als o E rn i n g , a ft e r t h e p re ce d i n g )
. . . Ra n ulp h . .

H igh d e n s P olych r , e d Ox on p 1 9 6

L e l an d s I t i ne rary, Ox f 1 74 4 6 , 10 8
. . . . .

. .

140 . G i b s on in A p p ch ron S ax p 4 7 C amd e n s B ri tan n i a , e d G i bs o n ,


. . . . .

.

L on d 1 75 3 , p lxx i x I n t h e map t o Lap p e nb e rg s H i st of E n gl , t h e dire ct i on


. . .

. .

of t h e four ro a d s i s i n d i cat e d .
358 H EROE S .

Wid uk ind of Corve i is th e fi rst w h o gi v e s us out of Old s on gs


th e b e autiful a n d truly e p ic st ory of t h e Sa x on s v ict ory o v e r th e

T u g a s wh ich Ruod olf b efore him ( P ertz 2 6 74 ) h a d b are ly


h r in i n
1
, ,

t ouch e d I rme nfrie d k ing of th e Thurin gian s b e ing opp re ss e d by


.
, ,

Die t e rich k in g o f th e Fra nks c all e d th e S a x on s t o h is a id : th e y


, ,

a pp e are d a n d fought v al ia n tly


,
B ut h e b e g an t o w av e r in his .

min d h e s e c re tly n e g otia t e d a tre a ty with th e F ra nks a n d th e tw o


, ,

n a t ion s w e re a b out t o u n it e a g a in st t h e formid abl e S a x on h o st .

B ut t h e Sa x on s b e c oming a w a re of t h e t re a ch e ry w e re b e fo re h a n d ;
, ,

le d by t h e a g e d H a th uget t h e y b urst in t o th e c a stl e of t h e T h urin ,

gia n s a n d sl ow th e m all th e Fra nks stood still an d a ppl aud e d th e


, ,

w arl ik e re n ow n of th e Sa x on s I rme nfrie d fle d but e ntice d by a .


, ,

stra tage m re turn e d t o D ie te rich s c amp


,
I n th is c a mp w a s

.

st aying I rme n frie d s c ou n s ell or I ring wh os e p rud e n t pl an s h a d


p re viously re n de re d him gre a t s e rvic e s W h e n I rme n frie d k n e lt .

b e fore Die t e rich I rin g st ood by and h avin g b e e n w on by D ie t e rich


, , ,

sl e w h is ow n l ord A ft er this d ee d of h orror th e Fra nk is h king


.
,

b a n ish e d him from h is s igh t but I ring s aid B e fore I go I will , , ,

a v e n g e myma st e r d re w h is s w ord st abb e d D ie t e rich d e a d l a id h is


, ,

l ord s b ody ov e r th a t of th e Fran k so th a t the v an qu is h e d in l ife


might b e th e v ict or in d e a th op ened a w a yfor h ims e l f with th e ,

sivord ( v iam fe rro fa c ie n s) a n d e sc a p e d M irari t ame n n o n , .

p oss umus a dd s I Vid ukind in t an tum famam p rae valuisse ut


,

,

I ringi n omin e q ue m it a v ocit an t l a ct e u s c oe li c ircul u s u sque in


, ,

p ra e s e n s S it n ot a tu s fa ma m

Or w ith th e A u e rsb e rg ch ron icl e r .
,

in t a n tum p ra e valuisse ut l a ct e u s c oe l i c irc ul u s I ringis n omin e ,

Jringesstrdza usque in p ra e s e n s sit voca t us ( S it n ot atus in P e rtz


8,
In c on fi rma tion A S gl oss e s c oll e ct e d by J un ius ( Symb 3 72 )
, . .

giv e via s e cta Iringes u ucc from wh ich S omne r an d Lye b orrow
t h e ir I ringes w eg via s e cta Con f via s e xt a iringesuu ec H a upts
,
.
,

z e it sch r 5 1 9 5 . U n p ub l gl oss e s of th e A mp lon ia n l ibr a t E rfurt


, . . .

( l O-
1 1 t h c e n t bl h a v e via s e cta : q dringes a neg ; which
. .

I uw aring a g re e s v e ry re ma rk a bly with th e l at e r form E urin g in


E uri ngsstra ss A v e n tin 1 0 2 b 1 0 3 ,
3
.

1
C on f
th e d ffe rin. b ut i i l k e wis e old v e rsion from a H G e rman d istrict
g , .
,
In Gold a st s S cr1p t re r S u e v
,
. pp 1 — 3 w h e re S wab i an s t a k e th e pl ace o f th e
. . .
,
S a x on s . Th e A ue rs b e rg ch ron ( e d A rg e n t 1 60 9 pp 14 6 8 ) cop i e s Wi d u
. . .
,
.
-

ki n d . E cke h a rd , In P e rtz 8, 1 76 8 -
.
I RMI N . I RI N G . 359

I n th e Nib e l unge nl ie d 1 2 8 5 1 9 6 5 —2 0 0 9 th e s e h e roe s a pp e a r .


,

a g a in th e y a re th e s ame b ut diffe re n tly c on c e iv e d a n d more a k in


, , ,

t o th e H G e rma n v e rs ion in G o
. ld a s z I rn vrit o f D uring e n a n d
t 1

I rino o f Te ne marke one a l a n dg ra f th e o th e r a markg ra f b oth


, , ,

ve sse ls o f E t z e l ( A ttil a) Th e Lie d von d e r kl ag e ( th re no dy ) a dd s


.
,

th a t th e y h ad fall e n und e r th e b an of th e e mp ire a nd fle d t o ,

Hunla n d ; h e re w e se e a t ra c e of t h e b a n ish me n t th a t D ie t e rich


p ron oun ce d on I ring I n th e p oe ms of th e 1 3 th c e n tury h owe v e r
.
, ,

I ring is n ot a c ouns ell or still l e ss a t raitor a n d a murd ere r o f ,

I rme nfrie d : th e t w o a re sw orn frie n d s a n d b o th fa ll b e fore the ,

irre s istibl e H ag e n e a n d V olk e r .

A dd t o all th is th a t th e Vilk s ag a cap 3 6 0 th ough s ile n t on


,
. .
,

I rnfrie d t e lls o f I ru ng s l a st c omb at with H og ni an d ma k e s him


, ,

s in k a ga in s t a st one w all wh ich is still c all e d [ rungs veggr in ,


'

memory o f t he h e ro Th e Nors e re d a ct or c on fou nd e d ve gr ( via )


.

with ve ggr ( murus ) his G e rma n s ourc e mu st h a v e h ad Iringes vec ,

in all us ion t o t h e c u tt ing h is w a y in Wid uk in d .

So n ow th e ro ad is p a v e d t o th e c on cl u s io n s w e d e s ire t o d raw
G e rman l e g e nd k n e w of a n Iringes wee on ea rth a nd in hea ven so ,

did A S l e g e n d of a d oubl e W ae tlinga stree t a nd so w a s t h e roa d


.
~ -
,

t o Rome a n d St J a me s se t in th e fi rmame n t a s w e ll
. Th e s e .

fa n cie s a b out wa ys an d wa ins w e k n ow a re p a g an a n d ind ic a t e , , ,

od — m yths T h Th i g i I i ig i lly I m
g e . u r n a n rn v r t o r n a r f
a n rit it is , ,

re a s on a bl e to s upp o s e is th e s a me a s I rma n I rmin , ( c on f Sigfrit , .


,

Sigmun t Sig i) a n d th e H e rmun d uri


, ,
I rman d uri are pl ainly con -

n e cte d with t h e D uri ngs ( Th uring ia n s : so th a t I rma n a ss u me s a


)
p e c ul iar s ig nific an c e in Th u ring ia n t ra dition I f this w oul d but .

t e ll us o f a n I rmine s wec a ll w o uld c ome righ t ,


.

It d oe s t e ll h ow e v e r in th ree or four pl a c e s o f an I ringes w ec


, , , .

Th e n a me s I rino a n d I rmi n a p art from th e a ll it e ra t io n wh ich ,

d oubtl e ss op e ra t e d in th e a n c ie n t lay h a v e n oth ing in c ommon ; th e ,

fi rst s a l o g i a nd of th e ms el ve s th e y c a nnot h a v e re p re s e nt e d
h a n
2
,

1
A s al re a d y q u ot e d , D e uts ch h e l d e n s p 1 1 7 . . . .

2
Or i a , as s ome roots s h ift from t h e fo urt h t o t h e fi fth v ow e l s e rie s ( l ike -

h i ret a n d h iurat, n o w b o th h e i ra t a n d h e ura t ; or t ir a n d t y


r, p S O I a ri n c .

( e xp a n d e d i n t o I u wa rin c, as t he O H G p oss p ro n inr in t o iuwar) so in t h e . . .

1 6 - 1 7t h ce n t E iring a lt e rna te s w i th E u ring


. A fe w M S S rea d H irin g for . .

I ri ng, l i ke H irmin for I rmin, but I h av e n e v e r s e e n a H e uring for E uri n g, or


i t mi gh t h av e s ugge ste d a S a x o n heven ring, as th e ra i n b o w i s call e d th e ri n g of
h ea v e n . A n o ld A S n a me fo r Ori o n , E burd rung, E bird ring, s e e ms s ome h o w
.

co n n e ct e d , e sp e cia ll yw i t h t h e I uwaring a bov e .


3 60 H ERO S E .

one a no th e r . the r th e l e ge n d h a s made th e tw o frie nd s


N ow , ei

c ha n g e a n d t ra n s fe rre d I rmin s wa
pla ce s yt o I rin g or [ ring ( n ot

, ,

u n c ommon a s a man s n a me t oo F uld 1 79) is of h im


, .
,

s e l f a d e mig od grown dim wh o h a d a w a ya nd w ain of h is o w n a s


, ,

w e ll a s I rmin Only I rmin s w orsh ip s e e ms t o h a v e h a d th e



.
,

d e e p e r fou n d a tion s a s t h e ima g e of th e I rma n sul s uffic ie ntly


'

Sh ow s A s th e na me of a pl a c e I fi n d I ringes p ure (b urg ) M B 7


.
, .
,

47 1 5 7 138 23 1
. . . I ri ngisp erc ( b e rg) 2 9 5 8
.
, .

Up t o this p oint I h a v e re frain e d from me n t ioning s ome N ors e


tra dition s wh ich h a v e a man ife st re fe re n c e t o th e e arthly h e ro
,

p a th It h a d be en t h e c ust om from of old for a n e w k ing on as


.
, ,

suming th e g o v e rn me n t t o t rav e l th e g re a t high w a y a c ro ss th e


,

c ou n try c on fi rmin g th e p eopl e in th e ir p rivil e g e s ( RA 2 3 7


, .

Th is is c a ll e d in th e O S w e d l a ws E riksga tu ridh a riding E ric s


. .

,

roa d .
1
S we d e n n umb e rs a h ost of k ings n a me d E rik ( ON Eirikr) . ,

b ut t h e y are all quit e h ist oric al an d t o n on e of th e m ca n b e tra c e d ,

this c ust om of th e E rihsga ta W ith th e roy a l n a me Of E rik th e . .

S w e d e s mu st from v e ry e a rly t ime s h a v e a ss oc ia t e d th e id e a of a


g o d o r d e ifi e d k in g ; th e v it a A n sk a rii w ritt e n b yhis p u p il Rim
b e rt h as a re mark abl e p a ss ag e on it ( P e rtz 2
,
W h e n t he ,

a d opt ion of c h rist ia n ity w a s p rop os e d to k in g Ol e f a b ou t 8 60 a ,

man of h ea th e n s e n time nts all e ge d Se in con ven tu d eoru m qu i


, ,

ips um t e rre m p o ssid e re cre d e b an t ur e t ab e is missu m u t h a e c re g i , ,

e t p op ulis n u n cia re t : V o s in q u a m n os v ob is p rop itios diu h ab u is


2
, ,

tis e t t e rre m in cola t us v e stri cum mu lta a b u n d a n t ia n o stro


,

a d ut o rio in p a c e e t
j p rosp e rit a t e l on g o t e mp ore t e nu istis v os quo ,

que n ob is sa crifi cia e t v ot a d e bit a p e rsolvistis grat a qu e n obis v e stra ,

fue run t obs e quia A t n un c e t sa crifi cia s olit a sub trahitis e t v ot a


.
,

sp on tan e a segnius offe rtis3 e t quod mag is n ob is d isp lice t alie num
, , ,

d e um s up e r n os in t ro d ucitis S i ita qu e nos v obis p rop itios h a b e re


.

vultis sacrifi cia omiss a a uge t e e t v o t a maj ora p e rsolvit e a lt e riu s


, ,

quoque d e i cultura m qui c on t raria n ob is d oce t n e ap ud v os re ci


, ,

p ia tis e t ej u s s e rv it io n e int e n d a tis Porro si e tia m p lure s d e os .


,

T h e v e n e ra b l e cust om st i ll p re va i l e d in th e 1 5 1 6 th ce n t st at ut e p ro ’
1 ‘
- .

v in ciali um g e n e ro s e con fi rma vit e t si illavit in e q u it at u qui d icitur E riksga ta ,


g
D i ari um V a zst e n e n se a d a n 144 1 ( e d B e n z e l , U p s 1 72 1 ) p 8 6
. .Re x . . .

Ch rist ofe rus Sue cia e e t D acia e e quita t um fe ci t qui d icit ur E riksga ta s e cun d um
le g e s p a tri ae , i b i d a d a n 1 4 4 2 E ve n G ust a vus V a s a rod e his E riksgata

. . . .

2
F or in quimus, as e ls e w h e re in quit for in quiun t .

3 V o t um w h a t a h in d ivi d ua l o fl e rs as o pp o s e d t o t h e sa crifi cium p re s e n t e d


'

.
, ,

p ublicl yan d j ointl y con s upra, p 5 7 é . .


3 62 H RO S E E .

e xte n d e d in four d ire ction s four s uch h ighw ays a re l ik e w is e k n ow n ,

t o E ngl is h t ra d i tio n th ough it giv e s t he n a me o f E rmin ge stre t t o


,

o nly o n e a n d b e st o ws o th e r myth ic t itl e s o n t h e re st


, Of I rmin .

a n d o f I rin g b oth th e di v in e p e rson alitv a n d t h e l a ps e in t o h e ro


,

n a ture s e e m t o b e ma d e ou t .

2 . M A RS O . GAM B ARO . S UAP O .

N ow th a t I h a v e e xp oun d e d th e p rime v a l t ria d of Ge rmanic


ra c es I h a v e t o off e r s ome c onj e ct ure s on t h e s e v e n fol d d iv i s ion
,
.

Pl inys quin t up l e a rra nge me n t s e e ms n ot so true t o fa ct his V ind ili


a re Ta cit u s s V a n d ilii h is P e u cin i n ot re fe ra b l e t o a n yfo un d e r o f a


ra c e . B ut T a c itu s t o h is fi rst th re e a d d s four ot h e r l e ad ing ra c e s ,

th e M ars i G a mb rivii S ue v i a n d V a n d ilii in wh os e n a me s th e re


, , ,

e x ists n e ith e r a ll ite ra tion n or th e w e a k form a s a ma rk of d e riv a

tion .

Th e M ars i b e tw e e n Rh in e a nd VVe se r a n e arly ra c e wh ich s oon ,

d is a pp e ars in wh os e c ou n try th e Tan fa n a s a n ctuary st ood l ead up


, ,

t o a h e ro M a rso wh o m w e mu st n ot mix up w ith th e R o man M a rs


,

g e n
. M a rtis n or w ith M a rsu s th e son of Circ e
, (w h o i n l ik e ma nn er

g iv e s n ame t o a n I talia n p e opl e G ellius 1 6 1 1 Pl iny 7 2 '

, , .
,
.

A ug u st in e in P S Th e M arsigni = M a rSingi a Sue v ic p e o pl e


.
, ,

a ck n o wl e d g e d t h e s ame n ame a n d o rigin Th e p rop e r n ame M a rso .

o cc u rs in M ab illon n o 1 8 in a d e e d o f 6 9 2 als o in th e p oly p.t , ,


.

I rmin onis p 1 5 8 1 6 3 1
b ut s e l d om e ls e wh e re
.
2
M ersi burg a n d 1
,
.

M a rseb urg P e rtz 8 5 3 7 5 4 0 s e e m t o b e l on g h e re w h il e s ome


, ,
.
, ,

o th e r n a me s g iv e n a b ov e p 2 0 1 are Op en t o d oubt ; I d o n ot ,
.
,

k n ow if a M H G ph ra s e obscure in its el f is a t all re l e v a nt : zu o


.
, ,

M S 1 2 5 wh ich may s ign ify t o go t o all th e



a ll e n in a rse n v a rn
2
.
, , , ,

d e v ils e xp os e on e s e l f t o e v e ry d a n g e r ; c on f e in e n ma rse h man


, .
,

Cran e 2 8 65 Th e G o thic ma rzj a n (imp e d ire offe n d e re ) might s e e m


.
,

a ll ie d t o th e roo t b ut t h a t w oul d h a v e b e e n me rria n me rre n


, ,

in C H G .

Th e na me ss ig n to th e root gamb ar
of th e G a mb rivii I a ,

k amb ar stre n uus from w h ich als o is d e rive d th e n a me of Ga mba ra


, ,

a n c est re ss o f t h e L a n gob a rd s T h e re may h av e b e e n l ik e w is e a .

h e ro G a mb aro A n d th e fore st of G a mbre ta ( inste a d of Ga bre ta )


. .

G a mb ara s t w o s on s a re c a ll e d Ibar CH G

is w orth c on s id e rin g . .

E p ur A S E ofor ON I Ofur i e a pe r b oar a n d Aj o all th e th ree


,
.
,
.
, . .
, ,

n a me s a pp e ar t o b e c orrupt in S a x o G ra m .
MA RSO . S UAP O . 363

Ougli t we t o a ss ume for t h e Sue v i C H G S uz i p a an e p ony mou s


.
, ,

h e ro S uevo S uap o a n d p e rh a ps c on ne ct w ith h im a n old l e g e n d of


, ,

a moun t a in ? Pl iny 4 1 3 pl a c e s in t h e l a nd of t he g e ns I nga e


,

von um q uae e st p rime Ge rma n ia e a c e rt a in S evo mon s imme n su s


’ ‘ ’

, ,

re a ch in g t o th e Si nu s Cod a n u s ; a nd S olin u s foll o w in g h im s a ys , ,

2 2 1 : M on s S evo ips e inge n s


,
initium G e rma n ia c fe c it ,

h un c I ngue e on e s t e ne n t b ut Is id or ( Orig 1 0 2) ma k e s out o f it .


,

d icti a ute m S ue v i p uta n t ur a mon t e S uevo qui a b ort u in itiu m


G e rma nia e fe cit F rom th is e v id e ntly is t a k e n t h e a cc ou n t of th e


immigra tin g S wab e n in th e Lay o f A n n o 2 84 : si slu oge n iri

ge ce lt e ( p itch e d th e ir t e n ts ) a n e d e m b e rg e S ucbo (so s e v e ra l re a d


for Su e d o) , d a nnin w urd in Si ge he izin S ueb o I n th e Low
G e rma n ps al ms 5 7 1 7 mon s coagula tus is re nd ere d b e rg su eu ot
,

,

wh ic h is p erh aps to b e e xpl ain e d by th e l e ge n d of th e lebirme r


[l iv e r se a T
-
a ci t
,
u s s m a re i
p g ru m ? G e rm 4 5 Agr

It s e e ms . . .

more t o th e p oin t th a t in Seem 1 6 4 8 th e S ef a fi Oll ( fe lls moun


,
.
-
,

ta in s of th e S e v s ) a re me nt ione d in th os e v e ry H elga s ongs on e of


,
-
,

w hich s ings of S vaf a lan d k in g Svaf n ir a nd th e v alky r S va va A ,


.

v a ft e r 3 is fre q ue n tly d ropp e d a n d t h e rea d ings S e v o S u e v o ca n , ,

th us b e re c on cil e d S uep o th e n w oul d b e a c oun t e rp art to Et ze l


.

a n d F a ir un s ( pp 1 6 9 Th e A S Sw e p p a or ra th e r S w aef
g .
,
.
,

d ee g can h ard ly b e b rought in h e re


, .

Tacitu ss V a nd ilii a n d Pl iny s Vindili st a n d in th e s ame relat ion


’ ’

t o e a ch o th e r a s A rmin iu s a nd I rmin A ngrivarii a n d I nguion e s ; ,

b oth forms c ome from w ind ing a n d w e n ding out of w h ich so man y ,

myth ic me a nin gs flo w W uota n is d e scrib e d u n d e r s e v e ral n ame s


.

a s t h e w e n d e r w a n d e re r [G e rm w a n d e l n amb ul a re mut a re]


, ,
.

On t h e sl igh t foun d a t ion o f th e s e n ation a l n a me s M a rsi , ,

G amb rivii Sue v i a n d V a n dilii it is u n s a fe a s ye t t o b uil d


,
T acitu s,
.

c onne cts th e s e w ith M a n nus bu t th e h e roe s th e ms e l v e s h e d oe s n ot


,

e v e n n a me le t a l on e g iv ing a n yp a rt ic ul a rs of th e m
, .

3 .
( H E RC UL ES) .
( U L Y SS E S) . A LC I S .

th er h a n d are th e h istoria n s n otic e s


Cl e ar an d d e fi nit e on th e o

o f a n oth e r fa mou s h e ro : F n iss e a p u d e os e t H erculem me mora n t ,

rim u mq u e o mn ium v irorum fort ium it uri in p roe lia ca n u n t G e rm


p ,
.

1
K a ise rch r 2 8 5 . : sin ge ce lt h ie z l
e r e ah e n d o {i f e in in b e rc d e r h e izit
S wero, v on d e m b e rge c ro s in t sie a ll e ge h e i ze n S wabo F or c . ro rea d

S wevo ( se e
64 HEROES .

0
0 . Sp e ak ing s acrifi c e s in cap 9 a fte r me n tion ing M e rc urius
of .
,

fi rst h e imme d ia t e ly a dd s H ercu lem ac M a rte m con ce ssis a nima l i


,

b us pl a c e n t t h e d e mig o d b e in g p urp o s e ly p u t b e fore e v e n M a rs


, .

Ch apt e r 3 4 t e lls u s o f th e o c e an o n th e c o a st of th e F risia n s th e n ,

s a ys : E t su p e re sse a dhuc H ercu lis colu mn a s fama vulga vit S iv e ,

a d iit H ercu les se n q u id q u id u b iq u e magn ifi cu m e st in clarit a t e m


, ,

ej us re fe rre con se n simu s N e c d e fuit a ud e n tia D rus o Ge rma nic o


.
,

se d ob stitit oc e a n us in se S imul a tqu e in H erculem in q uiri M ox .

n e mo te n t avit sa n ctiusq u e a c re v e re n tius vis um d e a ct is d e oru m


,

c re d e re qu am scire Th e A n n als 2 1 2 n ame a s il va H erculi


.
,


s acra b e t w e e n th e hVe se r a n d E lb e in th e l a n d of th e Ch erusca n s
,

w h il e th e P e utinge r T a bl e p uts a c a st ra H ercu lis n e a r N ov io


magu s ( N imw e ge n ) All this me a n s s ome th in g it all p oin ts t o


.
,

s ome d e migod wh o is id entifi e d n ot un a d vis e dly w ith th a t of th e , ,

Ro man s H e rc ul e s w h o s e d e e d s w e re a cc ompl ish e d in c oun t rie s


.
,

w id e ly re mot e is th ough t t o h av e v is it e d G e rman y als o a n d t h e


, ,

G a dit a n ian p ill a rs a t on e e n d of E urop e h a v e a c ou n te rp a rt in th e


F ris ia n o c e a n on a n ot h e r s id e o f it I n t h e G e rma n b a ttl e s on g .
-

th e p ra is e of H e rc ul e s is s oun d e d fi rst v ictims are S l ain t o him a s ,

to th e h igh e st g od s t o h im a w ood is c on s e cra t e d


,
Of p ill a rs .
,

e v e n W id uk in d st ill k n o ws s o me thin g by h is S p e a k in g of H irmin s


e ffi ie s colu mn a rum
g (p )
l n o t c ol u mn ae W a s t,
h e pl ura l irma n .

s fi li ( p 1 1 5 ) more e x a ct th a n irman sfi l an d h a d th e image s e v e ral


.
,

p illa rs D id t h e R oman in his H e rmin a n d H e rmin o n e s th ink o f


H e ra kl e s a n d H e rc ul e s wh o s e n a me b ore pl ain ly on its fa c e th e
,

root H p a H e re ? w a s th a t why h e re t a in e d t h e a sp ira t e in H e r


"
,

min on e s an d H e rmun duri a n d n ot in A rmin iu s A n a p p ro x ima


,
~

tion of s ou nd in th e n a me s of th e two h e roe s R oman a nd G e rman , ,

may s u re ly b e p re s upp o s e d Th e p os it ion o f H e rc ul is s il va a n d .

c ol umna e d oe s n ot in d ee d a gre e w ith th at Of th e H e rmin on e s b ut ,

t h e w o rsh ip of s u c h a h e re w as s ure t o sp re a d far a n d n ot t o b e


c on fi n e d t o th e p articul a r ra c e to which h e ga v e his n ame I n .

t h e G e rma n I rman I rmin it s e e ms c orre ct for t h e a sp ira t e t o


, ,

b e w a nt in g a s in A rmin iu s ; in Ch e ru sc i it is in disp e n s abl e a n d


, ,

t h e re fore th e R oman s n e v e r w rote H e rusci .

I f in this H e rc ul e s w e w ish t o se e on e of th e gre a t g od s


‘ ’

t h e ms e l v e s w e must a pp a re n tly e xcl ud e M e rc ury a n d M a rs from


, ,

w h om h e is d ist ing uish e d i n ca p 9 i e W u ot an a nd Z io A n d for


.
,
. .
,
.

s upp osing him to me an D onar i e J up iter (a s Z e uss d oe s p ,


.I .
, ,
.
66 H E RO S E .

n otwith out meaning A s l in t from . liotan, Ka oe


'
s e ems to c ome
from t h e s ame root a s 1 6 0 9 Mia s} ,

Th e in t e rp re tatioR oma n a w e n t more up on an al og ie s of s e n s e


th a n of s oun d ; so in d e al ing with Ca stor a nd P ollux I will n ot
, ,

t ak e th e m for th e b roth e rs H a d u an d P h ol B a l d r ( se e
T he s e G e min i h ow e v e r are th e v ery h a rde st t o in t e rp re t ; th e
, ,

p a ss ag e a b out th e m w a s giv e n on p 6 6 a n d a n a tt e mpt w a s ma d e .


,

t o s h ow th a t a lx re fe rre d t o t h e pl a c e w h e re th e g o d l ik e twin s w e re
w ors h ipp e d : I c on fe ss it d oe s n ot s a tis fy me Our a n t iq uity h a s .

pl e n ty of h e ro b roth e rs to sh ow but n o twin s w ith a n ame l ik e ,

A lci if t his pl ura l of A lc u s is th e t rue form


, It o ccurs t o me th a t .
,

Of Odin s n a me s is I d llcr m

on e
( S ee 4 6 b
an d j olls in th e .

V e rmlan d d ia l e ct me an s a b oy2 Th is c ome s more h ome t o us th an


.

th e S a mogitic A lgi r (a ng e l us e st summorum d e orum La sicz p , ,


.

t ow a rd s wh ich th e d iction a rie s offe r n othing but a lga rew ard ,


.

Utte rly u ntrustworthy is a ny c o mp aris on w it h th e Sl av d e it ie s


Le l a n d P ol e l th e ms e l v e s a s ye t un s upp ort e d by au th ority (see
,

4 . B E OW U L F, S I G FRI T A MA L O E RM EN RI CH, D I E TE RI C H &c


, , , .

F rom th e b ov e S p e cime n s I n T a citus w e may c on cl ud e th at a ll


a

th e T e ut on ic ra c e s h a d a p retty fully d e v e l o p e d H e rool o gy a n d if

o ur a n c ie n t st o re s of n a t iv e l it e ra t ure h a d b e e n still a cc e ss ibl e t o u s ,

w e migh t h a v e g a in e d a mu ch cl os e r in s ight in t o its n a t ure a n d it s


conne x ion a sa w h ol e A s it is w e a re th row n u p o n d rygen ea logies
.
, ,

d a t ing fro m man y c e n t urie s a ft e r a n d t ou ch ing only c e rt ain ra c e s, ,

n a me ly t h e G oths L a n g ob a rd s B urgun d ia n s b ut a b ov e all the


, , , ,

A ngl o S a x on s a n d S c a n d in a v ia n s
-
W e may l e a rn from th e m th e
.

co n n e x ion of t h e l a t e r k in gs w ith t h e a n c ie n t g o d s a n d h e ro e s b u t ,

n ot t h e l iv in g d e t a ils o f t h e ir my ths Y e t w e c oul d b e c onte n t if .


,

e ve n s u c h p e d igre e s h a d a ls o b e e n p re s e rv e d of th e Fra n ks a n d

o t h e r n a t ion s of c on t in e n t a l G e rma n y .

Th e A ngl o S a x on g e n e al og ie s s e e m th e mo st imp ort a n t and t he


-
,

1
U l ixes L ok i , S n 78 F or L aert e s, w h os e name P ott 1 , 2 22 e xpl a i n s
. .

a s p ro t e ct or of t h e p e opl e , con f P t ol e mys A a mBo é p y E x tr from S uppl ,


’ ’
. zo v . .

v ol ii i
. .

2 A lm v ist S v e n sk s rfi kla ra S t ockh 1 8 40 p 3 85 1


q , p , ,
. . .

3 I n L i th l e l e i s p up a a kie s le l e p up ill a l e i l a s b utte rfl


.
, , y .
Goz . FRO GER . 67

A pp e n d ix giv e s th e m in full [but se e ab ov e p A ll t h e , .

fa mil ie s b ra n ch ou t from Wod e n as most o f th e G re e k d o from ,


Z e us ; it w a s a p ro ud fe e l ing to h av e on e S roo t in th e h igh e st o f
all g o d s P romin e n t a mon g h is s on s are S a x n ed t a nd B ee ld eeg w h o
. ,

w e re t h e ms e l v e s a cc o un t e d d iv ine ; b ut s e v e ra l o th e r n a me s ca n
cl aim a pl a c e a mon g t h e e arl ie st h e roe s e g S igegcd t a n d d cl ,
. .
,

b t h a k in t o t h e G oth ic Gau ts) F red w ine Wu sc f d S oe u rl


f g
(
1
g ed t o re , , , ,

lV stcrya lcn a ; a nd ma n y a re fall e n d im t o us Cdsere wh ic h in


e
f
.
,

oth e r A S w ritings is us e d for cyn ing s e e ms to be a me re


.
2
,

a pp e ll a t iv e a n d t o h a v e a cq uire d th e ch ara ct e r o f a p rop e r n a me


,

a ft e r t h e a n a l ogy of t h e R oma n cee sar A ll th e s e g e n e al og ie s


g ive u s b a re ly th e n ame s of th e god s s on s a nd g ran d s on s n e v e r

th os e of th e ir moth e rs or gra nd moth e rs ; a n d th e l eg e n d w hich ,

ou ght l ik e t h e G re e k o n e s t o giv e l ife t o th e re l a t ion s h ip is t h e ,

ve ry th ing w e miss .

S ome o f th e N ors e t ra dition s ga in in v al ue by b e in g t ak e n w ith ,

Th e V ols ung a s ag a s e ts out w ith Odin s b e in g th e



t h e g e n e al og ie s .

fa th e r o f S igi b ut a ll p a rt ic ul ars o f th e re l a t ion ship are w ithh e l d ;


,

Rerir th e son of Sig i is in th e imme dia t e k e e p in g of t h e h igh e st


god s and so 0 11 A n oth e r t ime on t h e c on trary w e are in forme d
,
.
, , ,

S n 8 4 — 8 6 h ow Odinn u n d e r th e n a me o f B Olve rkr ( OH G P al o


. .
,

w urch o b e c ame s e rva n t t o th e g ian t B augi in ord e r to ge t at th e ,

divine d rink wh ich th e g ia nt s b roth e r S u tt fi ngr k e pt guard e d by


, ,

h is da ught e r Gun n lo d ; be twe e n h e r an d t he god t ook pl a c e s un d ry


p a ss ag e s of l ove dimly h in te d a t by S ee mun d als o 1 2 h 2 3 b 2 4
,
‘1 ' 2
,

b ut w e are n owh e re t ol d wh a t h e roe s w e re b e g ott e n in th e th re e


n ights th a t Od in n p a ss e d wi th t h e gia n t s d a ugh t e r Gun nlOd
’ ’

b el ongs t o th e ra c e of g ia nts n ot o f me n wh ich is als o th e c a s e , ,

w ith Gerdr wh om Fre yr w ooe d a nd p e rh a ps w ith oth e rs w h o are , ,

n ot re ck on e d a mon g t h e es n or Th e G re e ks als o h e l d th a t from


yj .

t h e union Of g od s w ith t it a n s d a ught e rs might sp rin g a h e ro or


e v e n a god (l ik e Ty r p —On ly S a x o p 6 6 a n d n o oth e r


, .
,
.
,

au th ority t e lls u s o f a Norw e g ia n k in g a n d h e ro F rogerus ut ‘


, ,

q uid am fe runt Oth in o p at re n a tus to wh om th e god s g a v e to b e


, ,

inv in c ibl e in fight unl e ss his a d v e rs a ry c oul d g ra sp t h e d ust from


,

1C H G H’ u olilgdz ( Z e it sch r f d a lt l ,
. con f w uctcln a b o v e , p 1 3 2 ,
. . . . . .

a nd W o d e l l) e e r, p 1 5 6
-
( se e .

2
I n B o et h 3 8 1 A g a me mn o n i s style d cas e re , a n d U l yss e s cyn ing [in th e
.
,

P re f , Rze d go t , B e ll e ri c T h e o d ri c a re cyn in gas, t h e e mp e ro r a l w ays cese re ] in


,

a d oc I n K e mb l e 2 , 3 0 4 E ad rcd is c n in
.
y g a n d cas e re
3 68 H RO S E E .

s fe e t w h ich th e D an ish by fraud c ont riv e d to ki ng F roth o


1
und er hi ,

do . Ca n this F roger be th e A S F re od e gz i r F re de ger in th e W e ss e x .


,

ge n e al ogy wh o h a d B rond for fa th e r B eeld ee g for gran d fa th e r


, , ,

W 6d e n for gre a t gra n d fath e r ? Th e ON t abl e of l in e a ge s e e ms t o


-
.

mix up Friode gar w ith F rodi h is a d v e rs ary 2


A cc ord in g t o th e , .

Formeli o f th e E dd a p 1 5 a n d th e Y n gl s ag a c 9 N orwa y tra c e d


,
.
,
. .
,

h e r e l d e st l in e of k in gs t o S a mi ngr t h e son o f Odin n by Ska di ’

, ,

e w ife of N iOrd r ; s ome w rit e S emi ngr w hich me a n s


p re v io u sly t h ,

a cifi ca t or a n d w o ul d l e a d t o Fridge ir a g ain S k d i w s d u gh t e r


p ,
a a a .

t o th e iOt un n Thia ssi a n d t h e Sigurd a rd rep a k ill ing) c a lls -

Sigurdr La da iarl a fsp rmgr T hie ss e ( Th p rog e n ie s ) — Th e H e r



.
, .

ra u d ssa ga ca p 1 ma k e s H rin gr S p rin g from Ga u li a n d him fro m


.
,

Od inn : th is Ga utr or Ga u li ( c onf I ng a n d I ng o I rmin a n d I rmin o) .


, ,

G oth Gauts OH G K OZ A S G e a t wh e th e r s urn a me son o r


.
, .
, .
, ,

a n c e st or o f Odin n c a nn ot b e l ie h is d iv in ity ( c on f p 3 6 7)
,
a n d h is . .

son G o d w ulf t oo c on foun d e d by s ome w ith F olcw ald a (p 1 6 5 l a st


,
.
,

tabl e ) l ooks myth ic a l It is from Gd uts th a t th e G aut es ( K dz e Few


,
.
,

ro t) p ro fe ss e d t o b e d e sc e n d e d th e s e b e ing o th e r th a n th e C ub a n s ,

G h b u t re l a t e d t o th e m n e v e rt h e l e ss for t h e
( Ta c o t
. o n e s , ,

G oth ic g e n e al ogy st arts w ith t h e same G auts at th e h e a d of it .

A g ain S igrla mi is c all e d Odin s son F orn ald S Og 1 4 13 : B ut w h o


'

. .
, , ,

ca n B ous (ge n B oi) Othini e x R in d a fi liu s b e in S a x o Gra m 4 6


.
,
.

Po ss ibly B ia r B ia f B e a v B e ow ul f t o wh om we are c oming (se e


, , ,

A no th e r Odin sson , S hibld r, is th e fa me d c stral h e ro o f th e


an e

D a n e s fro m wh om a re d e riv e d all th e Skioldfi ngar ( Sn 1 4 6 ) h e


, .

may h ave b e e n mo st n e arly re l a t e d t o th e p e opl e of S ch on e n a s in ,

t h e F o rn m sog 5 2 3 9 h e is e xp re ssly c all e d Sken fi nga god (se e p


. .
, .

a n d w a s p rob ab ly w ors hipp e d a s a


god I n S a x o G ram h e . .

d oe s n o t t a k e th e l e a d b ut foll o ws a fte r H umblus D an a n d 4


, ,

L oth e r ; S kiold h ims e l f h a s a son Gra m from wh om c ome H a dding


5
,

1
A t oke n of v ict ory? as th e v an q uish e d h a d to pre s e n t s uch d ust ( RA .

1 11
Th e A S n ame F red h e ri st an d s ye t farth e r a w ay ( B e d a 2 , 9
2
.

3 S a x o 1 2 2 me n t i on s o n e h e ro b e g o tt e n b T h o H a lda n usB i a rggra mmu s


y rr
a p ud S u e on e s magn i Thor fi li us e x istimat u r A n d I kn o w o f n o o t h e r b u t t h i s .

o ne .

D a n , in S a x o s v ie w th e t rue a n ce st or o f th e Da n e s , is call e d in t h e
4 ’

Ri gsmal D a n r, a n d pl a ce d t o g e th e r w i t h D a np r S ee m 1 0 6 11 , . .

5
E ls e w h e re Gra mr i s t h e p ro p e r n ame of a p a rt icul ar s word, wh i l e th e
a pp e ll a t iv e
gra mr d e n o t e s ki n g .
3 70 H E ROES .

from th e circumstan c e th at wh e n a b oy he w a s c onv e ye d to the ,

1
c oun try h e w a s d e stine d t o s ucc our whil e a sleep on a sh e af of c orn ,

in th e b oat Th e p oe try of the L ow er Rh in e a n d N e th erl an d s in


.

t he M id A ge s is full of a s imil ar st ory of th e sleep ing y out h wh om


.

a sw a n e on d ucts in h is Sh ip t o th e a ffli ct e d l a n d ; an d th is swa n

k nigh t is p ict ure d approa ch ing out Of p ara dis e from th e g ra v e as , ,

H elia s ,
is b e y on d qu e stion H e l ia s Ge rh art or .
,

Loh erangrin of th e th irt e e n th c e n tury is id e n tic al th e n w ith a Sco



.

f
o r Scoup of th e se v e nth a nd e igh th diffe re n t a s th e s urroun d ings
. .

,
.

mayh ave b e en for th e s on g of B e owul f a pp e ars to h ave tran s fe rre d


,

t o S eild wh a t b elonge d of righ t t o ( h is fa th e r Scedf Th e b e a utiful


'
'
.
.
.

story of th e sw an is foun d e d on th e mira cul ous origin of th e sw an


; .

b roth e rs which L conn e ct w ith th at of th e W el fs ; b oth h owe v e r


,
. .
x

s ee m t o b e antique line age l e gen d s of th e Fran ks an d Sw ab ian s t o


.
-
,

wh ich the p rop er n ame s are mostly w an ting H ad th e y b e en .

p re s erv e d man y an oth er tie b e tw ee n the h eroe s an d t h e god s w oul d


,

2 —
c ome to l igh t Furth e r t o Sceldwa or Skiold r b e l ongs Ob v iou sly
'

a
.
,

t he name Schi ltunc in th e T irol a n d P a rziv al 3


a s th e n ame S chi l ,

bun c N ib 8 8 3 p oin ts t o a ra c e of Scilp ungd c orre sp on ding t o th e


, .
, , ,

A S S cilfi nga s ON S ci lf inga r of w h om Ske lfir Scilfe Scilp i is t o


.
,
.
,
-
, ,

b e re gard e d a s th e an c e st or This S kelfi r th e F orn ald S og 2 9


. . .
,

ma k e s th e fa th e r of S kiOldr so th at th e S kilf i nga an d S kidld inga ,

ee t t fall int o on e Eith er Sce lf i s h ere c onfou n de d w ith S cef or


.
,

S c ef mu st b e alte re d to Scelf b ut th e fre qu e n t occurre n c e of th e ,

form Sce af a n d its int e rp re t a tion ( fromsh e af) s ee m al ik e t o forb id


, ,

this ( se e
A S th e SkiOldfi ngar d e sc e nd from Skioldr so d o th e Giuknngar

,
_

from Giuki Gi bika K ip icho with wh om th e B urgu n dian lin e


, ,

b e gin s if n ot a god h ims el f (p h e is a divin e h e ro th a t c arrie s


-
.

us b a ck v e ry n e ar t o W uot an Th e Gi bichensteine ( s t on e s) more .

ov e r b e ar w it n e ss t o him a n d it is t o th e two most e min e n t w ome n ,

o f thi s ra c e th a t Grimhild en ste in e B runhil d e n ste ine are all ot te d f‘ ,

1 U mborwe se n d e ? De ow 9 2 . .

2
sh ip th at brou gh t Sce af an d th e swan knigh t carrie s th em away
Th e -

a g ain a t l a st b ut t h e rea s on is d i s cl os e d on l
, yin l a t e r l e g e n d i t w as forb i d d e n
t o in qui re in t o th e i r ori gin P arz 8 2 5 1 9 C onn S chwanritt er 1 1 4 4 73
,
.
,
.
,
-
.

3
Z e itsch r fiir d eu t alt e rth 1 7
. . .
, .

4
B run e h ild e st ein , le ctulus B run ih ild e , Krie mh ilte n ste in , Crie mild e sp l i'

( H e l d e n sage p 15 5 ) Krimhilte grab e n ( We isth 1 , 4 8 ) in l oco Grimhiltap e rg


. .

n o mi n a t o (J uva via p 13 7
) d e Crimhilte p erc, M B 7 4 9 8
. . . .
sona r . G I B I RA . WELI S . sre ora m . 3 71

1
F rau Uota h ow e ve r app e ars a s a n c e stre ss of th e stock It h as n ot .

b e e n so much n otic e d a s it ought th at in th e Le x B urg Gisla ha ri ,


.

p re c e d e s Gun da ha ri by a wh ol e g e nera tion wh il st our e p ic


m ak e s G ise lh e re G un th e re s y oun g e r b roth e r an d th e


( N ib e l un g e n ) ,

E dd a n e ve r n ame s h im at all Th e Law mak e s no me ntion of a ny .

b roth ers an d Gis elh e r the young h as me re ly th e n ame of h is e l d e r


,

k in s ma n Ge rn dt (from ger ga is ) and Giselher s e e m to be


‘ '

id e ntic a l ( c on f Gra mm 2 B ut th e N ors e G utt ormr ca n


. .
,

h ardly b e a distortion of G odomar for w e me e t with him ou ts id e of ,

t h e l e g e nd e g in Lan dn ,
. 2 0 wh ere th e sp e l ling G uoormr
.
, .
,

( G u n tw u rm ) w ou ld l e a d u s t o id e n t ify h im wi th G u n th e re a n d in ,

Sa x o G ram are fou nd s e v e ra l Guth ormi ( se e


. T h e n H a ga n a
t h e o n e e y e d n a me d from ha gan ( sp inos us W alth arius
-
,
is ,

more th a n h e roic 2
E ve n d e e p e r re ach in g roots must b e a ll owe d t o th e W elisungs
th e ir name b rings us t o a divin e Va lis wh o h a s dis app e are d ( conf .

t h e ON V al i p. but th e me re c on tinu an c e of a n DK G
, . .

W elisunc is a p roof of the imme moria l d iffus ion of the V olsfi nga
s ag a its e l f (see H ow b e ginning with W uotan it g oe s on , ,

t o S igi S igimunt S igtfrit Sin ta rfi zilo h as b e e n a ll ude d t o on p


'

.
, , , ,

3 6 7 a n d h as al re ad y b e e n t re at e d of e ls e w h e re
,
3
W ith S ig frit .

st and s c onn e ct e d H elf mch Chilp e ricus ON H ialp rekr It is


. .
, ,

w orthy of n ot e th at the AS B e ow ulf c alls Sigfrit Sige mund a n d


, .
,

S igmundr is a s urna me of Ooinn b e s id e s 4 S u ch a fl ood o f .

spl e n dour falls on Sieg frie d in th e p oe ms th at w e n e e d n ot stick a t


'

t rifi e s ; his wh ol e na t ure h as e v id e n t t ra c e s of th e s u p e rh uma n


b rought up by an e lf R e gin o b e l ov e d by a v alkyr B runh il d , ,

instruct e d in his d e stin y by th e w is e man Grip ir h e w e ars th e ,

h e l me t of inv is ib il ity is v ul ne rabl e on ly on on e sp ot in his b od y


, ,

a s A ch ill e s w as in th e h e e l a n d h e a ch ie v e s th e rich h oard o f th e ,

i
N b l gs
e u n H is sl ay ing of t h e d rag on Fafnir re min d s us of H édan
.

1 H aupts ze itsch r 1, 2 1 .

La ch ma n n s e x a mi n a t i on of th e wh ol e N ib el un g l e ge n d , p 2 2
2 ’
. .

9
H a upts ze itsch r 1 , 2— 6 . .

4
I n t h e C op e n h e d of th e E d d a , S aem 2 , 8 8 9 S ige mon, an d in F inn
. . .
'

M a gn le x 6 43 S egemon , i s s a i d t o h av e b e e n a n a me o f th e C e lti c M ars ;


. .

I s upp o s e on t h e gro un d o f th e in scrip tt in Grut e r l viii 5 Ma rti Segomon i . . .


'

sa cru m in civi ta t e S e qua n o rum ; an d ii 2 : D iis d ea b us omn ib u s .

Ve turius L L S e curius ( al Segoma n us) p ro se q uisque ( se e


. . .

5
A lmost th e s a me , g ran t i n g a ch a n g e of fi t i n t o f ( a s in gbfip ) of our
a st and in g for G re e k 6 t h e re a re mo re e x a mpl e s fn asu, b lasu m e ta , t é w .
3 72 E
H ROE S .

wh om A p oll o ov erc ame a nd Pyth on guard e d th e D e lph ic oracl e


, as ,

th e d y in g Fafnir p roph e s ie s 1
W e must t ak e into a cc ount Lodf df n ir
.

S aem 2 4 3 0 Sinfi otli w h o w h e n a b oy k n e a d s s n ak e s in t o th e


. .
, , , ,

d ough is c omp ara bl e t o th e infan t H e rcul e s t e st e d by s e rp e n ts


, .

Th rough Sie gfrie d th e Frank is h W elisungs ge t l ink e d t o th e


B urg un dia n G ibich ungs an d th e n b oth are c all e d N ib e lungs
, .

A mon g G othic h e roe s w e are a ttra ct e d by t h e Ovi d a an d


Cnivid a in J orn a n d e s cap 2 2 p e rh a ps th e s ame a s Ofi a a nd .
,

Cn ebba in th e M e rcian l in e B ut of far more c on s e qu e n c e is t h e .

gre a t G oth ic family of A mals or A malungs ma n y of w h os e n a me s ,

i n th e J orn a n d e a n g e n e al ogy s e e m c orru pt Th e h e ad of t h e m all .

w a s G ap t wh ich I e me nd to Ga u t ( Gauts) a n d so ob t a in a n all us ion


, ,

t o th e d iv in e offi c e of c a sting [gie ss e n e in g uss in got] an d me tin g ,


-
,
-

(pp 2 2 1 4 2 ) h e w a s a go d or son of a god ( p


. . a n d is e v e n , .

imp ort e d in to th e S a x on l ine s a s Ged t W 6d e lge at Sige ge at ( p , ,


.

I n th is G ot-h ie g e n e al ogy t h e w e ak forms A mal a I sarn a Ost ro , ,

g oth a An sila c on fi rm wh a t w e hav e obs erve d in Tuisco I a guio


, , , ,

I scio I rmin o ; b ut th os e b e st w orth n otin g are A ma la aft e r


, ,

wh om th e most p ow e rful b ran ch of th e n at ion is n ame d E m unct ,

ri cu s a n d T heod ericus E rma n aricu s mu st b e li nk e d with I rmin o


.

a n d th e H e rmin on e s a s th e re is a lt og e t h e r a cl o s e r t ie b e twe e n
,

G oths a n d S a x on s ( I n g ae v on e s an d H ermin on e s ) a s opp o s e d t o th e


F ra n ks ( I sca e von e s) a n d thi s sh ows its e l f e v e n in th e l a t e r e p ic s
,

A mongst t h e A malungs o cc ur man y n ame s c omp oun d e d w ith


c a lf w hich re min d s u s o f th e ir s id e b ran ch t h e W ii lfings ; if it be
,
-
,

n ot t oo b ol d I w oul d e v e n c onn e ct I sa m a ( G oth Eisa rn a) w ith


,
. .

I sangrim To me th e fou r s on s o f A chiulf s e e m w orth y of


.

p articul ar n otic e : A n sila Ed iulf V uldulf and H e rme nrich Of , , , .

t h e l a st w e h a v e j ust sp ok e n an d A n sila me a n s th e divin e ; our ,

pre s e n t con c e rn is w ith E d ii t lf a n d Vu ld ulf I fi n d th a t J orn a n d e s , ,

cap 5 4 a scrib e s t o t h e S cy t a n d Vu l
rian s a ls o t w o h e roe s E d icc f;
.
,

t h e B ug ian Od oa cer h as a fath e r E ti oha an d a b roth e r A onu i a nd


f

p ith e t
s v e n , Da n s v e n d ) giv e n t o t h e N ors e Sigurd ?
1
Th e e (’ S W St ein n . .

a p p e ars a lre a d yin F afn i r s ad d re ss svei nn ok sa ci a n a n d in t h e h ea d i n s t o


g
ch . 1 4 2 4 o f th e V i lk s aga
- T h e s a me h e ro t h e n is mea n t b y th e Sw a rd
. .

sna resven d ( fort i s p u e r) o f th e D a n i sh folk s on g , w h o, ri d i n g on G ra m, -

a ccomp a n i e s t o A sk e re i a ( se e ch XXXI ) , an d by S ven d F e ld ing o r F a iling of


.

t h e Da n i sh folk t a l e ( Th i e l e 2 , 6 4 7
- M ull e r s sagabibl 2 , 4 1 7

- H e d ran k
. .

ou t o f a h orn h a n d e d t o h im b ye l vi s h b e i n gs , an d t h e re b ya cq ui re d th e st re n gt h
t l v m s s gs ll m otling A rvidsson
'

of we e e n S w e di h on . c a hi S v e n F arlin g o r l i

1 , 12 9 . 4 15 .
3 74 H ROE S E .

We rnum b e l ongs th ere fore t o th e stock of W e rina wh o w e re


,

he ,

n e a r of k in t o th e A ngl e s Th e re w a s a B illinga h eet?(h e ath ) n e a r


.

W h all e y an d L ond on h as t o this d aya B illin gsga te I n OH G w e


,
. .

fi nd a man s n a me B illun e ( Rie d n os 1 4 2 1 3 A D 8 0 8 8 2 1



If . .
-
, . . .

w e t ake int o a cc o un t th a t a d w a rf B illi ng? occ urs in th e E dd a S eem


,
n
, .

2 2 3 a h e ro P illnn c in R0 1 1 75 1 an d B illn nc a nd N id un c c oupl e d


a 3
,
.
, ,

t oge th er in th e R e nn e r 1 4 1 2 6 6 4 7 th e n ame a cquire s a re sp e ctabl e -


,

d e g re e of imp ort an c e ( se e Th e d e riv a tiv e B ill in e impl ie s


a S impl e b il or b il i (l e n it e s p la cid it as) from wh ich d ire ctly [a n d , ,

n ot from our a dj b illig fa ir] a re forme d th e OH G n ame s Pilidrfi t


.
, .
,

Pilih ilt P ilika rt P ilih e lm t o w hich a dd t h e al mo st p e rs onifi e d


, ,

B illicli (e q uity) in Trist 9 3 74 1 0 0 6 2 1 78 8 7 1 8 0 2 7 a n d th e ON . . . .


, .

g odd e ss B il Sn 3 9 th e ll in B illung c oul d be e xpl ain e d through


,
.

B iliung J ust a s OOinn in S eem 4 6 is c alle d b oth B ile ygr ( mil d


.
b
.

e y e d ) a n d B ale y gr ( of b a l e ful e ye ) so in Sa x o Gra m 1 3 0 a B il visus , .

opp o s e d t o B Olvisu s (in iq )


( q )
a e uu s st an d s uu s .

5 . OREN TI L . WI ELANT M I M I T E LL &c . .


, .

In tion t o th e h eroe s a sc ert ain e d thu s far, wh o form p art of


a ddi

th e main p e d igree of wh ol e n a tion s an d th en c e d e riv e w e igh t a n d ,

d urab il ity t h e re is an oth e r cl a ss of more is ol at e d h e roe s I can only


,

p ut forward a fe w of th e m h e re .

W e h av e still re ma ining a s ome wh at rude p oe m ce rtainlv ,

foun d e d on v e ry a n cie n t e p ic mat e ria l ab out a k ing Grend el or ,

E ren tel wh om th e app e n dix t o th e H e l d e nb u ch p ron oun c e s th e


fi rst of all h e roe s tha t w e re e v er b orn H e s u ffers sh ipw re ck on a .

v oy age t ake s shelte r w it h a ma st e r fish erman E isen e arn s th e


,
1 .

se aml e ss c oa t of h is ma st e r, a n d a ft erw a rd s w in s frau B reid e th e ,

fa ire st of w ome n : k in g B igel of T rie r w a s h is fath e r s n ame Th e



.

w h ol e tiss ue of t h e fab l e p uts on e in min d of th e Od yss e y : th e sh ip


wre ck e d ma n clings t o th e p la nk digs h ims e lf a h ol e h ol d s a b ough , ,

b efore hi m ; e v e n th e s e aml e s s coa t mayb e c omp a re d t o I n o s v e il ’

a n d th e fish e r t o th e sw in e h e rd d a me B re id e s t e mpl ars w oul d b e


P e n el op e s su it ors an d ange ls are s e n t ofte n l ik e Z eu s s me ss e n ge rs


, ,

.

Y e t ma ny th ing s t ak e a d iffe re n t t urn more i n G e rman fa shion , ,

a nd in cid e n ts are a dd e d s uch a s th e l a y in g of a n a k e d sw ord ,

b e tw e e n th e n e wly marrie d c oupl e which th e Gre e k st ory k n ows ,

Th e h e ro s n ame is fou nd e v e n in OH G d oc ume n ts



n othing of
'

. .

1 Wh o is als o foun d app aren tl yin a ve r sion of th e Layof kin g Os wa ld .


B I LLUN G . ORENTI L . 3 75

Orend il, Me ich e lb 6 1 ; Orentil Trad ful d . 2 , 1 0 9 ( Sch an na t , . .

3 0 8 ) Grand il a B av arian c ount ( an 8 4 3 in E cca rd s Fr or 2 ,



. . .

a v ill ag e Orend elsa l , v H aupts


n ow Ore nd e n sall, in H oh e nl oh e , .

z e it sch r 7 5 5 8 — B ut th e E d d a h a s a noth e r myth wh ich wa s


.
, .
,

a ll ud e d t o in sp e a k in g of t h e st on e in Th 6r s h e a d GrOa is b usy

c onning h e r magic sp ell wh e n Th6rr t o re quite h e r for th e , ,


.

a pp roa ch ing c ure i mp a rts th e w e lc ome n e ws th a t in c omin g from


, ,
.

I Otunh e im in th e N orth h e h as c arrie d h e r h usb an d t h e b ol d


Orva nd ill in a b a sk e t on his b a ck and h e is sure to be h ome s o on ; ,

h e a d d s by w ayof t ok e n th a t a s Orvan dil st oe h a d st uck out of t h e


'

b ask e t a nd got froz e n h e b rok e it off an d flun g it at th e sky a n d


,
.

mad e a star of it wh ich is c all e d Orva nd ils té B ut Gr6a in h er


,
-
.

j oya t th e tidings forgot h er sp e ll s 0 th e ston e in th e g od sh ea d



1
.
,

n e v e r got l oo s e S n 1 10 1 Gr6a th e grow ing the gra ss gree n is


, .
-
.
, ,
-
,

e q uiv al e n t t o B re id e i e B erh ta ( p 2 72 ) th e b right it is only


,
. .
, . .
,

a n oth e r p art Of his h ist ory th a t is re la t e d h ere z Orva nd ill mu st


-
-
"

h a v e se t out on h is trav e ls a gain an d on this s e cond a dv e n ture ,


.
i

forfe it e d th e t oe whi ch Th6rr se t in th e sky th o ugh wh at h e h ad ,

t o d o with th e god w e are not cl e arly t ol d B e y ond a d oubt t h e .


,

n ame of th e gl itt e rin g st ar group is re fe rre d t o wh e n A S gl oss e s -


,
~
.

re nd e r j ub ar by ea ren del a n d a hy mn t o th e v irgin M a ry in God



. .
,

E x on 7 2 0 p re s e nts th e foll owin g p a ss a ge


.
,

E al a E a rend el e ngl a ,

o fe r mi dd ange ard mon nu m se n d e d ,

an d S OOfaesta s un n an l e o ma
t orh t ofer t unglas, b t id a geuh wane

of sylfum be symle inlihte s I


ie, O
. . j ub ar ,
s up er orhem t errarum
sime
a ngelorum spl e ndid is ,

h ominibus miss e ra die v e re s oli s s up ra ste ll a s l ucid e qui omni


, , ,

t e mp ore e x t e ips o l uc e s M ary or Ch rist is h e re a dd re ss e d u nd e r


t h e h e a th e n n ame of t h e c on st ell a t ion I a m only in d oub t a s t o .

th e right sp e lli ng and in te rp re t a tion of th e w ord an OH G erentil .

impli e s A S e are nd e l an d th e t w o w oul d d e man d ON aurve n d ill


.
,
.
,

ey rve n d ill ; b u t if w e st art w it h ON Orve n dill th e n A S e a ren d e l .


,
.
,

OR G e re n til w oul d s e e m p re fe rabl e


. The l att e r p art of th e .

co pm o u n r i
d c e ta ly c on t ain s e ntil
n w e ntil 1
The fi rst p art Sh oul d .

1
Wh en ce
d id Mat th e sius ( in F ris ch 2 , 4 3 9 ) ge t h is Pan is th e h ea th e n s a

lVend el an d h e a d baOo i p e r I Ca n t h e w o rd re fe r t o t h e me t a morph os e s of t h e


flute -pl a ying d e migo f I n t ria ls of wit ch e s, We n d e l is a name for th e d ev il,


M one s an z . 8 , 124 .
3 76 H ERO S . E

agitt a
be ei th er Ora e are ( auris) or e ls e ON or ge n
, ,
.
, . orvar ( s ) .

N ow , a s th e re o cc urs in a t a l e in Sa x o Gra m p 4 8 ,
.
,
a H orve ndilus
fi lius G e rven dili, and in OH G . a na me K é rw e n til ( Soh m . 2, 3 34)
a n d a s g e ir ( h a st a a g re e s b e tt e r
a nd Gé re n til ( T ra d ful d 2 .
) .
,

with Or tha n with e y ra ( auris ) th e s e con d in t e rp re t ation maycom ,


.

man d our a ss e t ; a s ight of th e c o mpl e t e l eg e n d w oul d e xpl ain th e


n
1 .

re a s on of th e n a me I th ink Ore ntil s f a th e r d e s e rv e s a tte n tion



.

to o : E igil is an oth er Old an d obscure n ame b orn e for in st an c e by ,

a n abb ot of F ul d a w h o d ie d in 8 2 2 ( P e rt z 1 9 5 3 5 6 2 3 66 , . .
,
.

Trad fuld 1 377 8


. . I n th e Rh ine M o s ell e c ou ntry are th e
,
-
.
-

sin g ul ar E igelsteine W e isth 2 744 ( see ,


I n A S we fi n d .
,
.

th e n ame s A egles b urg ( Ayl e sb ury ) A egles ford ( Ayl e s ford ) A egles , ,

b p
o r ; b u t I sh a ll c om e b a ck t o E igil p re s e n tly P oss ibly Ore ntil .

w as t he th und e rgod s c omp anion in e xp e d ition s ag ain st gia nts - .

Can th e st ory o f Ore n til s w a nd e rings p oss ibly b e so Old a mongst


us th a t in Ore ntil an d Eigil of T rie r w e a re t o l ook for th a t Ulyss e s


,

a n d L ae rt e s wh o m Ta c it us pl a c e s on our Rh in e ( p Th e .

n a me s sh e w n oth ing in c ommon


3
.

F a r a e d h e oe s w e e W e
f m - r r i la n d a d W tt e ; wh os e rich
n i i li
4

l ege nd is s e c ond to n on e in age or c el e b rity Vid igoia ( Vid ugauj a) .

o f wh om t h e G oths a l re ad y s an g O H G Witugonwo a s we ll as ,
.

Wilicl w M H G Witegouwe an d Wilege A S


,
. e ith e rform , .

s il vic ol a from th e Go th v id us OH G w itu A S w udu (lignum


, .
, .
,
.
,

s ilv a) l e ad s us t o s upp os e a b ein g p ass ing th e b ound s Of h uman


,

n a tu re a fore st — od
, g F rau W achil t a me rmaid is h is an c e st re ss
.
, , ,

w ith whom h e tak es re fug e in h er l ak e A t th e h e ad of th e wh ol e


. -
.
-

ra c e is pl a c e d k ing Villein ns n a me d a ft e r V u lc a n u s a s th e L a tin ,

t e rmin ation sh e ws a god or d e migod w h o must h av e h ad an oth er


,
-
,

a n d Ge rman n a me a n d w h o b e ge ts w ith th e me rw o ma n a giga n t ic


,
'

son Va d i A S Wa d a ( Cod E x on 3 2 3
, . OH G Wa le so n a me d I . .
,
.
,

s upp os e b e c aus e l ik e a n oth e r Christoph e r h e wa d ed with h is chil d


, ,

On his S h oul d e r t h rough th e Groen a su n d wh e re it is n ine y a rd s

1 A n d so U h l an d ( On Th or, p 4 7 se q) e xp oun d s it in G ré a h e s e e s th e . .

gro w th of th e crop, in Orvandill t h e sprout ing of th e b l ad e E ve n th e t a l e in .

S a x o h e b rin o s in .

2
Th e fals e sp e ll in g Eich e lst e in ( acorn -st on e ) h as giv e n rise t o sp urious
l e gend s , M one s an z 7, 3 6 8 . .

3
I h a v e h ard l yth e fa ce t o me n t ion, th at s ome makef h e righ t shiftyU l yss es ’

fath er t o Pan , our We n d e l a b ov e .

4
Th e st i ll un prin t e d M D utch p oem, D e kind eren i v an L imb urg , like wise
.

me n tion s Wi la n t, Wedaga and M inwn inc .


3 78 H EROES .

o ss a Fa b ricnb ae s w is an goldsmiOe s ban Welond es ( me tric ally


‘ ’

Wela nd es ban) e vide n tly th e ide a of fab e r wh ic h layin Fab ricius


b rought to h is mind th e s imil ar me aning of th e T e utonic n a me ,

Wela nd b e in g a c un ning s mith in ge ne ral For th e name its e l f .

'

a pp e ars t o c on t a in th e ON v él vie l ( ars réxvq O H G list) .


, , .
,

G ra mm 1 4 6 2 a n d smiOvé lar me an t a rt e s fab rile s t h e A S form


.
, , .

is w il or b e tt e r wil E ngl wil e Fr g uile ; th e OH G w iol w ie l ( with


, ,
.
, . .
,

b rok e n v ow e l) i s n o l onge r to b e foun d B ut furth er w e must p re .


,

s upp os e a v e rb wiel e n A S w é lan (fabre face re ) wh os e p re s p art wie


'

.
, , . .

l ant w é la n d e x a ctly forms our p rop er n ame on a p ar with wigant


, , , ,

w e rd an t d ru oant &c ; G ra ff 2 2 3 4 c o mmits th e e rror of c itin g


, , .
,

V ie la nt und e r th e ro ot l an t with wh ich it h as n o more t o d o th a n


V
,

h e ilant ( h e al e r s avio ur) The OFr Ga la ns ( H e l d e n s 4 2 ) se e ms


, . . .

t o fa v our th e ON form VOlun d r [root val] s in c e V e l an d w oul d


ra th e r h av e le d t o a F r G uila n s p ossibly e ve n th e ON v al a . .

( n y m ph a ) is a k in d re d w o rd ? A n OH G n ame Wie ldrfi d s ee ms .

th e v e ry th ing for a wis e w oman — This d e v e l op me nt of an int rin s ic -

s ignific an ce in th e h e ro s n ame fi n d s an u ne xp e ct e d c on fi rma tion ’

in th e strik ing s imil arity o f th e Gre e k fabl e s of H e ph ae st us ,

E richth onius an d D ae dalu s A s W e l a n d offe rs v iol e n c e t o .


.

B e ad ohild ( Volundr t o B OOvildr) so H e ph ae stus l ays a s n are for ,

A th e n e wh e n sh e c ome s t o ord e r w e ap on s o f h im ; b oth H e ph ae st u s


,

a nd V Olun dr a re p u nish e d w ith l a me n e ss E richth on iu s t oo is l a me


"

, ,

a n d th e re fore in v e n ts th e four h ors e c h a riot a s V Olun d r d o e s th e -


,

b oat a nd w in gs One with E richth onius are th e l at e r E re chth e us


.

a n d his d e sc e n d an t D ae d al u s wh o in v e n t e d v a riou s arts a ring , ,

d an c e b uil ding &c a n d on wh os e wings h is son Ic arus w assoaring


, , .
,

wh e h e fe ll from th e cl oud s B ut A a lda h o s is Ba LSa 8c“s



l
n .

,
,

e oe c un ningly w rought Sa Z Sa X / ( i d

, i a l ik e c y n )
a x a a w o rk ,
o f art a n f
,

Sa LSt e w t h e s a me a s ou r l ost w ie la n A S our li st [l ik e th e E ngl . .

cunning a n d craft] h a s d e ge nera te d from its original s e n s e of scie n tia


t o th a t of callidit a s an d fra us a n d v el h as b oth me a nings it is n ot , ,

s urpris ing th at from th e sk ill — e n d ow e d god a n d h e ro h a s p ro c e e d e d

a d e forme d d e c e it ful d e vil ( p Th e wh ol e grou p of VVat e .


,

VViela nt W ittich a re h e roe s b ut als o gh ostly b e ings an d d e mig od s


, ,

( se e

Th e Vilkina saga b rings b e fore us y e t a no th e r s mith M i mir by , ,

1 A re d u pl ication like n a in a h or, n a ma h de ts t ortas, arduus , na mdhh e w t or


quere conf . Aa ih a w”
,
a
t l a s&c , .
WE LAND . MI MI . 3 79

wh om not ly isV e lint instructe d in his a rt b ut S ig frit is b rought


on ,

up — a n o th e r s mith s app re n t ic e H e is o cc a s ion ally me n tion e d in



-
.

t h e l at e r p o e m of B ite rolf a s M i me th e Old ( H e l d e n s ag e pp 1 4 6 8)


, ,
.
-

a n OH G M i mi mu st h a v e g row n e v e n more d e e ply int o our


.

l a ng uag e a s w e ll a s l e ge n d : it h as forme d a diminutiv e M imilo


M 8 7 a n n is 9 8 3 a n d flf i md M i mid m i M i mihilt a re
( B 2.8 9 ,
-
,
t , ,

w ome n s n a me s ( T rad ful d 4 8 9 Cod laure sh 2 1 1 ) t h e Old n a me



. . . . .

of M un st e r in W e stph al ia w as M i migardiford M i ni ige rne ford ,

I di c s P rtz 1 c n f 111 i mige rd e ford in R ichth ofe n 3 3 5 h


( n e t o e o . t e
.

W e stph alian M ind e n w as orig in ally M i mid un ( P e rtz 1 and ,

M e ml e b e n on t he U n strut M i mile ba Th e gre a t n umb e r of th e s e .

p rop e r n a me s indic a t e s a myth ic b e ing t o wh ich M emerolt ( M orolt ,

1 1 1 ) may a ls o b e re l a te d — Th e e l d e r N ors e tra dition n a me s h im


j ust a s Ofte n a n d in s e v eral d iffe re n t conn e x ion s I n on e pl a ce
,
.
,

Sa x o p ,
int e rwea v e s a M imi nga s a sil va rum satyrus a n d
.
,

p oss e ss or of a sword a n d j e w e ls int o th e myth of B al d e r a nd ,

H oth e r a n d th is t o my th ink ing th rows fre sh l ight on th e


, , ,

vid ugauj a ( wood god) a b ov e Th e E dd a h ow e v e r g iv e s a h igh e r


-
.

p os it ion to its M i mir: h e h a s a fountain in wh ich w is d om an d ,

u n d e rsta n din g lie h id d e n d rink ing of it e v e ry morn ing h e I s t h e


, ,

wis e st most int ellig en t of me n and th is ag ain re mind s us of


, ,

Wie lande s b runn e To M i misbrunnr c a me OOinn a nd d e sire d a


d rink but did n ot re c e iv e it till h e h a d g iv e n on e of h is e y e s in
,

pl e dg e and h idde n it in th e fountain ( Seem 4 Sn


, thi s .
a
. .

a cc oun ts for OOin n b e ing on e e y e d ( p I n th e Y ngl s a g a -


. .

cap 4 t h e A s e s s e n d M i mir th e ir w is e st ma n t o th e V a nir wh o


.
, , , ,

cu t h is h e a d o ff a n d s e n d it b a ck t o th e A s e s B u t OOin n sp a k e .

h is sp e lls o v e r th e h e a d th a t it d e c ay e d n ot n or c e a s e d t o u tt e r
, ,

sp e e ch ; an d OOinn h ol d s c on v e rs ation w ith it wh e ne v er h e n e e d s ,

a d v ic e c on f Y n gl s aga ca
p 7 a n d S ee m 8 I d o n ot e x a ctly 3
. . .
, , .

k n ow wh om th e Vol usp a me an s by M i mis sy nir ( s on s ) Seem 8 ; ,


.
1

M i ma me idr 1 0 9 implie s a n om M i mi ge n M irn a a nd may b e



. .
,

distin ct from M i mir ( c onf B ragr a nd B rag i p —M imir is n o .


, .

A s b ut a n e x alte d b e in g w ith wh om th e A s e s h ol d c on v e rs e of
, ,

wh om th e y mak e u se t h e sum t ot al of w is d o m p oss ibly a n Ol d e r ,


-
,

n a ture
g od l -
a t e r fabl e s d e gra d e d h im in t o a w oo d sp rit e or cl e v e r -

s mith H is on e ne ss with h e roe s t e nd s t o th row a divine spl e n d our


.

P E M ull e r s p 1 14 , foll o win g wh ich I h a v e s id e g



ed
1 . . .
, . se t a th e rea din
M imringus, in sp ite of t h e Da n i s h s on g of M ime rin
g ta n d .
380 H EROES .

on th e m . Sw e d ish folk -s ong h as not y et forg ott e n M i mes a


(A rvid sson 2 3 1 6 a n d in K on g a h ara d a n d T ing as s o ck e n in
,

S mal a nd th e re l ie s a M i mes s inh a b it e d a cc ordin g t o th e l e g e nd ,

by n e ck a r (n ix ie s) ib id p 3 1 9 P e rh a ps s ome of t h e forms q uote d


,
. . .

h a v e by rights a sh ort i a s h a v e in disp uta bly th e A S mimor , .


,

me omor ge mimor (me morite r n ot u s ) mime rian ( me moria t e n e re )


, , ,

ou r Lo w G e rma n mime re n ( d a y d re a min g


) B re m w tb 3 1 6 1 an d -
,
. .
, ,

t h e M e me rolt M e ml e b e n a b ov e ,
so t h a t w e might a ss ume a v erb

me ima maim I nimu m T h e n th e a n a l ogy of th e L at in me mor a nd


, , .

Gr p L/ L éO/ La b a ll o w s u s t o b ring in th e gia n t a n d c e n t aur M l a e


.
a ,

i e t h e w ood sprite a g a in (see


. .
,
-

A cc ording t o th e E dd a ( Sm V olun dr h ad two b roth e rs .

Slagfi ii r a n d Egill all th re e sy n ir Finn a konfi ngs s on s of a Finnish


, ,

k in g w h e re as th e s ag a tran spl a n te d t o th e N orth from G e rman y


,

mak e s its V ilkinu s a k ing of V ilkin alan d Or ca n Finna be t ak e n .

a s th e e n Of F inn i a n d id e n t ifi e d w ith th a t Fin n Folcw a ld an su n u


g .
,

0 11 p 2 19 . Sla gfi ii r migh t s e e m Sla gfi n nr b ut is b e tt e r ,

e xpl a in e d a s Sla gfi o Or (fla p w in g se e ch XVI W a la ch u riun ) A ll -


,
.
,
.

t hre e b roth e rs marrie d v alkyrs a n d Egill th e one th at chie fly , ,

c on c e rn s u s h e re took Olrf m ( A liorfi n a) Th e Vilk s aga cap 2 7


,
. .
,
.
,


l ik e w is e c alls V e lint s y oung e r broth er E igill : 0 k b e nn a k alla

me n n Olri tn a r Eigil b u t t h e b rid e is n ot oth e rwis e all ud e d t o ;


1 ‘ "

t h is form Eigill a gre e s w ith th e OH G Eigil on p 3 76 n ot w ith th e . .


,

O N E gill d at A gl i for th e d at of E igill w oul d h a v e b e e n B igli


.
,
.
, . . .

We ll t his Eigill w a s a famou s arch er; a t N idu ng s comman d he



,
,

sh ot an a ppl e Off th e h e a d of his ow n l ittl e son, an d wh e n th e k ing “

a sk e d h im wh a t th e o th e r t w o a rrows w e re for re pl ie d th a t th e y
, , ,

w e re in t e n de d for h im in c a s e th e fi rst h a d hit th e c hild Th e t al e


,
.

o f th is d arin g sh o t mu st h a v e b ee n e xt re me ly rife in ou r re mo t e s t

a n tiqu ity it t u rn s u p in so ma n y pl a c e s a n d a l wa ys with fe a t ure s


, ,

o f it s o w n A s t h e Vilkin a saga w a s imp ort e d in t o Sc a n d in a via in


.

th e 1 3 th c e n t ury t h e st ory o f Eigill w a s c e rt ainly d iffuse d in


,

L ow e r Ge rman y b efore th at d at e B ut S a x o G ramma ticus in .

D e n mark k n e w it in the i 2 th c e n t ury a s t ol d of Take an d k in g ,

H ara l d G ormsson w ith t h e a ddition w an t in g in E igill th a t T ok o


, , ,

1 P e ri n gskiOld l t s E gillus i ttarius, an d B afn E gi l d e n t ra f


t ra n sa e sa cr
’ ‘

fe n d e b ut ,

t h i s w as me re l ygue ss e d from fhe in cid e n ts of th e st ory A rrow is .

Or ; Ore n til On th e con t ra ry E igil s son doe s see m t o h a ve be e n


o

n o t 6 1 b ut

.
, , ,

n a me d from th e arro w .
3 82 H ROES E .

sh ortly b e fore th e fi rs t p rinte d e dition of Sax o 1 5 14 Of th e , .

u nh ist oric a l c h ara ct e r Of th e e v e n t th e re c ann o t be t h e sl igh t e st

d oubt Th e myth ic s ubstra tum of th e Tell fa bl e sh e ws its e l f in an


.

Upp e r Rh in e l eg e nd of the 1 5 th c e n tury (in M alle u s malef p ars 2 .

cap 1 6 d e s agitt ariis male fi cis) whi ch im


.
, me dia t e ly pre c e d e d t he
fi rst writt e n re c ord Of th at of T e ll : F e rtur d e ips o ( P un chero) qu od ,

quid am d e op timatibus cum artis sue e x p e rie ntiam c ap ere voluis


,

se t e id e m prop ri um fi linm p a re a la m ad meta m p osui t e t p ro s ig no


, ,

sup er birretn m p a eri d en d rium sib ique ma nd a vit ut d en d rium si n e


'

, ,

birreto p er sa gitta m a moverei Cum aut e m male fi cus id se fa ct uru m


.

se d cum d iffi cult a te a ssere re t lib e nt ius a b stin e re n e p e r dia b olum


, ,

se duce re tur in sui in te ritum; v e rb is t e me n p rincip is ind u ctu s ,

sagittam u n a m c oll a ri suo c irc a c ollum immisit e t alte ram b al ist a e ,

sup p on e ns d en d rium a birreto p ue ri s ine omn i n ocume nt o ex en ssit .

Quo viso d um ill e male fi cum interrogasse t cur sagittam c oll ari
, ,

imp osuisse t re sp on dit Si d e ce p tus p e r d iab olum p ue rum


,

o ccid issem cu m me mori n e c e ss e fuisse t s ub it o ca m sagitta a ltera


, ,

cos tra ns x isse m u t ve l sic morte m me am v in dic a ss e m


fi ,
Th is sh o t
must h av e t ak e n pl a c e s ome wh e re ab ou t 14 2 0 a nd th e st ory h a v e ,

a b ou t in th e middl e p art of th e 15 th c e n tury


'

t B s id h

g o e e t e -

a b o v e me n tion e d n arra tiv e s N ors e a n d G e rma n w e h a v e a ls o a n


-
, ,

Old Engli sh o n e to sh e w in th e N orth um brian b alla d Of th e th re e


merry men A dam B ell Olym of t he Clough a n d Willia m of
, , ,

Cloud e sle ; th is l a st wh os e ch ristian n ame l ik e th e surn ame Of th e


, ,

fi rst re mind s on e of Tel] offe rs in th e k ing s p re s en ce t o set a n


, ,

a ppl e on t h e h e a d of his son s e v e n y e a rs Old a n d sh oo t it off at, ,

1 2 0 p ace s Th e arro w sp e d from th e bow and cl e ft th e appl e


.
,
.

I s upp os e th a t A egel s sk ill in arch e ry w oul d be k nown t o th e


’ "
,

A ngl o S a x on s a nd if w e mayp u sh W a d a W e l a n d and W udga far


-
,

u p in t o our h e a th e n t ime A e el s e e ms t o h a v e an e qual cl aim


g ,
.

Th e wh ol e myth sh ows s ig n s Of h a ving d e e p a n d wid e ly e xt e n d e d

H un e n be r<r of 1 3 1 5 which C arl Z ayh a s mad e kn own in h is b ook on G old e n,


Z uri ch 1 8 87, p 4 1 .

D um p at er in p ue rum t elum crud e l e coruscat


Te ll in s e x j u s eu, sae ve t yrann e , t uo ,
p o mum, n on n a tu m, fi gi t fe ta l i s a run d o
a lt e ra mox u lt rix t e , p e rit ure , p e t e t .

H vo n H un e nb erg is th e s a me w h o , b e fore th e b a ttle of M orgart e n , s h ot a


.

w a rn i n g b i ll e t o v e r t o th e S w iss on h is a rrow ( J Oh M iille r 2 , h e wa s .

t h e re fore a b ow man hims e l f J ustinge r an d J oh ann v on Wi n t erthur are s il en t


.

a b ou t Te ll M e l ch i or Russ ( 1 14 9 9 ) an d P e te rmann E tterlin ( compl e t e d 1 5 0 7)


w e re th e fi rst wh o committ e d th e storv t o w ri t i n g .


T E LL . EI GI L . 3 83

roo ts It p artly agre e s e v e n w ith wh a t E usta th ius on 11 1 2 2 9 2


. .
,

t ells us th at Sarp e d on a h ero Of th e bl ood of Z e us w as mad e


, , ,

wh e n a ch il d t o st and up and h a v e a ring s h ot off his b re ast


with out inj ury to h im an a ction wh ich e n t ail e d th e a cquis ition of
,

th e Lyc ian king d om ( se e


With th e s e sp e c ime n s of p articul ar h eroe s crumbs from th e
richly furn ish e d t a bl e Of our a n t iqui tie s — I w ill c on t e n t mys e l f a s ,

th e re are still s ome re fl e ction s of a more g e n e ra l k ind to be mad e .

I st art e d with s aying th a t in th e h eroic is c ont ain e d an e x alting


,

an d re fi nin g Of h uma n n a ture in t o d iv in e origin ally h ow e v e r ,

found e d on t he a ffi n ity of s ome god with t h e h uma n ra c e :

N ow .

as p roc re a t ion is a re p e tit ion a n d th e son is a c opy of t h e fa th e r


,

f wh ich s l an gu ag e w ith a p rofoun d me a n in g h as a v a ra


( o r r e a on ou r

for imag e a n d a v aro for ch il d ) ; so in e v e ry h e ro w e maya ssume


t o a c e rt ain e xt e nt an in c a rna tion of th e god a n d a re v iva l o f a t ,

l e a st s ome of th e qual itie s th at d istinguish th e god I n th is s e ns e .

th e h e ro a pp e ars a s a s ubl ima t e of man in g e n e ra l w h o cre a t e d , ,

a fte r th e ima g e of God c ann o t but b e l ik e him


,
B ut s in c e t h e .

g od s e v e n a mongst one a n oth e r re p rod uc e th e ms el v e s i e th eir


, , , . .
,

pl ural ity h as radia t e d out Of the p rimary forc e of a s ingl e


On e (p . it foll ows th at th e orig in of h eroe s mu st b e v e ry
,

s imil ar to th a t of p olyth e is m alt oge th e r a n d it mu st b e a di ffi cult ,

ma tt e r in a nyp articul ar c a s e t o distin guish b e tw e e n th e full b re d -

d iv inity an d th e h a l f bl ood - I f h e roe s v ie we d on on e s id e are


.
, ,

d e ifi e d me n th e y may on th e oth er h and b e als o re g ard e d a s


,

h umanize d g od s a nd it c ome s to th e s a me th ing wh e th e r w e say ,

th a t th e son or grand s on b e gott e n by th e god h as a ttain e d a s e mi


div ine n at ure or th a t th e god b orn a gain in h im re t a in s but a p a rt
,

of h is p ristin e p ow e r . We are e n titl e d t o se e in in dividu al h e roe s


a p recip i ta te of f ormer gods a n d a me re c on t inu e d e xt e n s ion in a
, ,

w ide r c ircl e Of th e s ame divin e e ss e n c e wh ich h ad al re ad y b ran ch e d


,

out in t o a n umb e r of g od s ( se e

Th is prop os ition can th e more re adily b e d e mon stra te d from th e


p opul ar faith s of Gre e c e an d G erman y wh ich c ommit th e ms e l ve s ,

t o n o syst e mat i c do ctrine of e ma na tion a n d a v a t ara a s in th e s e ,

1 Simil ar le g e n d s s ee m to l iv e in th e E ast I n a M S o f th e
. . C a ss e l lib ra ry
con t ain in g a j ourn e y in T u rk e y ,
I saw th e re p re s e n t at ion of an a rch e r t ak i n g
a im a t a chil d with a n a ppl e on i ts h e ad .
3 84 E
H ROES .

re l igion s th e full -bl ood e d a ni malis m of h e roh ood d e v e l op e d its el f


th e more rich ly for th a t v e ry s
h e roe s a re
re a on . Wh il e th e I n d ian
in th e e n d re abs orb e d in t o th e god e g K rish na b e c ome s Vish nu , . .
, ,

th ere re ma in s in Gre e k an d G e rma n h e roe s an irre d ucibl e d ro ss of


h uman is m w h ich brin gs th e m more in to h armon y with th e
,

h ist oric al ingre die n t s of th eir st ory Our h ero l e ge nd h a s th is l on g .


- :

whil e h ad n o c on sciou s ne ss re main ing of s uc h a thin g a s in c arn a


.

tion b ut h as v e ry l arge ly th a t of a n ap oth e osis of h uma n th ough


, . .

god d e sc e n d e d virtue
-
.

H e ra kl e s can n e ve r b e c ome on e w ith Z e u s , ye t h is d e e d s re mi n d


u s of th os e of his d ivin e s ire S ome traits in Th e s eu s all o w of his
.

b e ing c omp are d t o H e rakl e s oth e rs to A p ollo H e rme s w a s th e


, .

son Of Z e u s by M aia A mph ion byA n tiop e a nd th e tw o b roth e rs


, , ,

t h e full a n d t h e h al f b re d h a v e s ome thi ng in c ommon


-
, .

I n T e u ton ic h e ro l e g e n d I t hink e c h oe s o f t he div in e n a ture


-
, ,

ca n b e d ist in g uish e d stil l more fre qu e n tly ; t h e Gre e k g od s st ood

u n sh a k e n t o th e l a st a n d h e ro e s c ou l d b e d e v e l op e d b
, yth e s id e of
th em B ut wh e n on c e t he T e utonic d e itie s e n c oun te re d ch ristianity
.
,

th e re re ma in e d only on e of t w o ways Op e n t o th e fa di ng figure s


o f t h e h e a th e n fa ith e ith e r t o p a ss in t o e v il d ia b ol ic b e ings or
, ,

d win d l e in t o g ood on e s c on c e iv e d a s h u man Th e Gre e k h e roe s .

a ll b e l on g t o t h e fl ow e rin g t ime of p ag a n is m ; of t h e T e ut on ic a

p art a t l e ast migh t w e ll s ee m a p o ve rty strick e n a tt e n uation a n d -

fa in t e r re p rod uctio n Of t h e forme r go d s s u c h as c ou l d st ill d are t o ,

s h e w its fa c e a fte r th e d own fall of th e h e a th e n syst e m Ch rist ian .

Op in ion in t h e M id A g e s g uid e d matt e rs in t o th is ch a nn e l


. un a bl e

t o c re d it th e g od s a ny l on g e r w ith g od h ood wh e re it d id n ot ,

tran s form th e m in to d e vils it d id into d e mig od s I n th e Ed d a th e


, .

ee sir a re still v e rit a bl e go d s J orn a n d e s t oo wh e n h e s ays cap 6 , , .

mort uum ( Ta un ase m re ge m) Goth i i n ter nu min a p op uli sni


colu e ru nt —b e th is Ta un a sis G oth ic or G e tic— a ss ume s th a t th e re

w e re Gothic god s b ut th e an s e s h e re gard s a s onl y vict orious


,

h e roe s e x alte d int o d e migod s ; a nd in S a x o foll ow ing th e s ame l ine ,

Of th o ugh t w e fi n d t ha t B a l d e r ( wh o e x h ib its s o me H e rakl e a n


,

fe a t ure s v s up ra p 2 2 6
, . a n d H oth e r a n d Oth in h ims e l f h a v e
.
, ,

s un k int o me re h e roe s 1 This c ap itis d e minutio of th e g od s brought


.

1 I n th e A S E th e lw e rd p 8 3 3 w e rea d : H e n ge st e t H ors a, hi n e p ot e s
. .

fuere Wodda n re gi s b a rba rorum, q ue m p o st infa n d a d i gn i t a t e u t d eum hon orwntes,


sa crifi cium o b t ule ru n t p a g a n i V ict oria e ca us a S iv e vi rtu ti s , u t h uma n i t a s s e e p e
cre d i t h oc q u od vi d e t

Wm of M alme s b urys s i mi l ar words w e re q u ot e d
. .

38 6 H ERO S E .

an e ch o of p erh aps of Oiiin n in D ie trich of Th Orr


B al d r a n d F re y r , ,

a nd F re y r E ck e o sc ill a t e s b e t w e e n t h e g ian t a nd th e h e ro
. .

E v e n Ch a rl e s a n d R ol an d a re in s ome of th e ir fe a t ure s t o b e
re g a r de d a s n e w b irths Of W u ot a n a n d D on ar or of S ie g frie d a n d
-
,

Die t rich . A s for G e at S ce af S ce ld w a for l a ck o f th e ir l e ge n d s i t


, , , ,

is d iffi c ult t o s e p arat e t h e ir div in e n a ture from th e ir h e roic


.
.

On e b a dg e o f d isti nction I fi n d in t his th a t th e n ame s of g od s ,

are in th e ms e l v e s de sc riptiv e i e ind ic a t ing from th e fi rs t th e ir


,
. .
, ,

i nmost n at ure ; t o t h e n ame s o f h al f g od s an d h e roe s this signi


1
,
-

fica n ce will ofte n b e w a n tin g e v e n wh e n th e h uma n origina l h a s


,

ca rrie d his n a me o v e r w ith h im Th e n a s a rule th e n ame s Of


.
, ,
,

g od s are s impl e th os e Of h e roe s oft e n c omp ou n d or v is ibly d e riv e d


,
.

D on a r th e re fore is a god from th e fi rst n ot a d e ifi e d man : h is ,

a pp e ll a tio n e x p re ss e s a ls o h is ch a ra ct e r Th e s ame re a s on is .

d e c isiv e ag a in st th a t n o tion of W uot a n h avin g ma d e h is w ayout of


th e ra nks of me n in t o th o s e of th e g od s .

D e migo d s h a v e t h e a d v a n t ag e Of a c e rt a in famil iarn e ss t o th e


p e opl e : b re d in th e mid st of u s a dmitt e d t o our fellow sh ip it is, ,
.

th e y t o w h om re v e re n c e p ray ers a n d oa ths p re fer t o a ddre ss th em


,

s e l ve s : th e y p rocure an d fa cil it a te in t erc ours e with th e h igh e r


st an din g go d A s it c a me n at ural t o a R oman t o s w e ar me h e rcl e
.

me cast or ! e ca st or ! e d ep ol ! th e ch ristian s e v e n in th e M id A ge s

.

swo re more h abitually byp a rtic ul ar s aints th an by God h ims el f .

W e a re b a dl yOff for in format ion a s t o th e p oin ts in wh ich th e


H ero— worship o f our fore fa th e rs sh ap e d its e l f d iffe re n tly from di v in e
w orsh ip prop e r ; e v e n th e Nors e a uth oritie s h av e n oth ing on th e
s ubj e ct Th e G re cian s a crific e s t o h eroe s d iffe re d from th os e
. .

O ffe re d t o g o d s : a god h a d o n ly th e visc e ra a n d fa t of th e b e a st

pre s e n t e d t o him a n d w a s c on t en t with th e mounting Od our ; a


,

d e ifi e d h e ro mu st h a v e th e v e ry fl e sh an d bl ood t o c on s ume .

Th us t h e e inh e rj ar admitt e d in t o V alh till fe a st 0 11 th e b oil e d fl e s h


o f t h e b oa r S ae h rimni r a n d d rin k w it h t h e A s e s ; it is n e v e r s a id
,

th at th e A s e s sh are d in th e food See m 3 6 4 2 Sn 4 2 ; c on f , . . . . .

s up ra p 3 1 7 A re w e t o in fe r from th is a diffe re n c e in th e s acri


, . .

fi ce s Offe re d t o g od s a n d t o d e mig od s
E ls e in t h e oth e r c on dition s of th e ir e x ist e n c e w e can p e rc e iv e
, ,

man y re s e mb l anc e s to th a t of th e g od s .

Th us th e ir sta ture is e n ormou s A s A re s c ov e re d s ev e n rood s ,


,
.

1
S ome thin g l ik e t h e na me s Of th e ch a ract e rs in th e B ea st -a p ol ogue .
FI G U RE . 3 87

H e rakl e s h as ls o a b ody of gi gant ic moul d Wh e n th e g odl ik e


a .

S igu rOr st rod e th rough t h e full g ro wn fi e l d o f c orn th e d e w sh oe 1 -


,
-

o f his se v e n sp a n sw ord w a s e v e n w ith th e up right e ars ( VOls s a g a


-
'
.

'
ca p 2 2
. Vilk s aga cap
. a h a ir ou t o f h is h ors e s t ail w as
. .

s e v e n y ard s l on g ( N ornag s aga cap — On e th in g h ardly t o b e . .

fou nd in T e ut on ic g od s ma ng ha n d ed ne ss d o e s occ ur in an an cie nt ,


-
,

h ero W udga a n d H ama VVitege a nd H e ime are a lw ays n ame d


.
, ,

t oge th e r Th is H eimo is s aid to h av e b e e n by rights call e d Stud as


.
,

l ik e his fa th e r ( w h om s ome tra dit ion s h ow e v e r n ame A d elgé r ,

M a d e lgé r) n ot t ill h e h a d sl a in the w orm H e ime d id h e a d opt it s


2
,

n a me (V il k s a g a cap To hima re e xpre ssly a tt rib ut e d three


. .

ha n ds a nd f our elbows or e ls e two ha n ds w ith three elbows ( H e l de n s ,


.

25 7 . Rose ng p xx c on f lxx iv ) t h e e xtra li mbs a re n o e x agge ra


. .
,
.

t ion ( H e l de n s ra th e r th e ir omiss ion is a t on in g d own o f the


.
,

o rigin a l st ory A n d A sp ria n co me s out w ith f o ur ha n ds ( Rose ng


. .

p x ii) S ta rka Or a famou s godl ik e h ero of th e N orth h a s three


. .
, ,

a i rs of a rms a n d Th or cu ts four of h is h a n d s o ff m
p , ( S a x o G ra p , .

1 0 3 ) t h e H e rvararsaga (R a fn p 4 1 2 5 1 3 ) b e st ows e ight h a n ds on .


,

h im a nd t h e a b il ity t o fight with four sw ord s a t on c e cilia ha nd a


, ,

F ornald sOg 1 4 1 2 3 3 7 . I n th e Sw e dish folk s on g of Alf ori


.
, .
, .
-
,

g allyh e a th e n th e re is a h e ro Torgn ej er (roa rin g lik e th un d e r


i n ,

h an h ad e otta h and e r ( A rvid ss 1 Such cumul a tion of l imbs .


,

is als o a mark of t h e g ian t ra c e a n d s ome of t h e h e roe s me n tione d ,

d o ov e rl a p t h e s e ; in t h e S e rv ia n s on gs I fi n d a three h ea d ed h e ro
B ala t ch ko ( V uk 2 n o 6 l in e P egam t oo in th e Carn iol an
, .
,

lay h as th re e h e a d s ( tri gl a v e ) — D efi cien cg of members is t o b e .

foun d in h e roe s a s w e ll as g od s : OOinn is on e e y e d Ty r on e -


,

h a nd e d L ok i H ep h ee stus l ame H OOr bl in d an d V iOa r d umb ; 4


, , ,

DoggskOr, S w d op p sko , th e h e e l o f th e s word s s h e ath , which u s uall y



1
.

b ru sh e s t h e d e w : so t h e A la ma n n s ca ll e d a l a me fo o t , t h a t d ra gg e d th ro ug h
th e d e wy g ra ss , t oud re gil Th i s rid e t h rough t h e corn h as s ome th i n g in i t.

h i gh l ymyt h i c a n d s ugg e st iv e of a god . 1

2 H e imo
a pp e ars t o me a n w o rm orig in all y ,
th ou gh us ed e ls e wh e re of th e
crick e t o r ci ca d a R in h cxx v , for w h i ch our p re s e n t h e i mch e n ( l i ttl e w orm)
( e ) .

is b e tt e r s ui t e d A re n ow n e d Ka rl i n g h e ro w a s a ls o n a me d H eimo ( Re in h
. .

cciv ) . We fi n d aga in, t h a t M a delgér is in M orolt 3 9 2 1 a d warf, son of a me r


ma id , an d in R0 1 5 8 , 1 7 a s mi th . .

3 I n t h e p rop h e ci e s of th e N ort h F ri s ian H e rtj e A D 140 0 ) th e t ra d it ion of


( . .

such mon st ros i ti e s i s a ppl i e d t o th e fut ure : We h e d e n minsch e n , d e d e n


le v e n , w e n d e l ud e 4 a rme krie ge n un d 2 p a r sch O Ov e r d e vOt e d rag e n und 2


h Od e up d e n k op h e hh e n I H e imre ich s ch ron , Tond e rn 1 8 1 9 ; 2, 3 4 1 It . .

mayh o w e v e r re fe r me re l yt o cost ume .

4
G o th h aih s, h anfs , h alts , b li nd s , d umbs
. .
388 E
H ROES .

so is H agan o O ne e y e d W alth ari on e h an d e d Gu n th ari


-
,
-
, an d Wie
l a n t l ame of bl in d a n d d umb h e roe s th e re are pl e n ty
, .

thing s e e ms p e cul iar t o h e roe s th a t t h eir e arly y e ars


On e ,

sh oul d be cl oud e d by s ome d e fe ct an d th at out o f th is d ark n e ss ,

t h e b right re v el a tion th e re s e rv e d forc e a s it w e re sh ou l d s udd e nly


, ,

b re a k forth U nd er this h e a d w e may e v e n pl a c e th e blind birth


.

of t h e VVe lfs a nd th e vu lgar b e l ie f a b ou t H e ss ia n s a n d S w ab ia n s


,

S x G am p U j f i d m b d hi fa th e r
(p . I n a o r 63 o s u a n ,
s .
, ,

Vermi tn d bl in d t o h im c orre sp on d s th e d oubl e Uf a in t h e l in e of


M e rcia a n d b oth of th e s e Offa s a re l ame an d d umb an d bl in d
,
.

A cc ordin g t o t h e v it a Ofi a e p rimi V a rmu ndi fi li i h e w a s of h an d


, ,

s ome fig ure b ut c ontinue d bl in d t ill his s e v e n th y e ar an d du mb


, ,

till h is thirtie th ; w h e n th e a g e d V armun d w as th re at e n e d w ith


w a r all a t on c e in t h e a ss e mbly Offa b e ga n t o sp e a k Th e v it a ‘
.
,

th e h e ro w a s a t fi rst c all e d V in e re d ( so w e mu st

1
Oj a e se cu nd i a s ys

e me n d P in e re du s) a n d w a s blin d l ame a n d d e a f b u t wh e n h e
, , ,

c ame I nt o p oss e ss ion of all his s e n s e s h e wa s n ame d Offa s e cun d us ,


.

E x a ctly so in Seem 1 4 2 H iOrva rOr a n d Sigurlinn h a v e a t all h an d


,
.
3
,

s ome son bu t h ann var bOgull e ck i n afn fe stiz viO h a nn


,
Only
,

aft e r a v alky rj a h a s gre e t e d him b y th e n a me of H e lgi d o e s h e ,

b e gin t o sp e ak a n d is c ont e n t to an sw e r t o th a t n ame S la rka dr


,
.

an d H a l da n w as
t oo w as pOgull in his y outh ( F orn ald sOg 3 f . .
,

re ck on e d st up id ( S a x o p j ust a s sl ow w a s th e h e rois m o f
,
.

D i etleib in u n fol din g its e lf (V ilk s a ga cap . a n d th a t o f I liga in . .

t h e Ru ss ian t al e s Our n urs e ry t a l e s t a k e up th e ch a ra ct e r a s


.
-

d scherling a schen brod el a sleefi s ( cin d e rel) : th e h e ro y outh l iv e s


, ,
-

in a ct iv e a n d d e sp is e d byth e k itch e n h e arth or in t h e c a ttl e st all - -


,

ou t of wh o s e squ al or h e e me rg e s wh e n th e righ t t ime c ome s I .

d o not re c oll e ct a ny in st a n c e in Gre e k myth o l ogy of th is e xc e e d


inglyfa v ourit e fe a t ure of our folk l ore -
.

Un born ch il d re n n a me l y th o s e th a t h a v e b e e n cut out of th e


,

w omb u s u ally g row u p h e roe s


, Su c h w a s th e fa mou s P e rs ia n .

i n st e m in F e rd usi a s w e ll a s T rist a n a cc ord in g t o th e Old st ory in


,

Eilh art or t h e R u ss ia n h e ro D ob run a N ikititch a n d th e Sc o t ch


, ,

M a c d uff B ut V Ols n gr c on c e rn s us more wh o sp ok e a n d ma de


.
,

v ows w h il e y e t u n born w h o a ft e r b e in g cu t ou t h a d t ime t o k iss


, , ,

h is moth e r b e fore S h e d ie d ( V Olsfi nga s cap 2 A n Obsc ure . . .

Th e s e re mark a b le
1
vit ae Offa e primi et se cun d i a re p rin t e d t
af e r Wa ttss ’

M at th P ari s , pp 8 , 9
. . .
3 90 E
H RO S E .

c omb ing c omb ing s e e m t o b e th e s ame ch aract eristic A


an d n ot .

n e w b orn c hil d s e aks Norske e ve n tyr 1 1 3 9


p ,
.

A S t h e birth o f b e l ov e d k ings is a nn oun c e d t o th e ir p e op l e by


j oy ful ph e n ome n a a n d th e ir d e a th b yt e rribl e th e s a me h ol d s g ood
, ,

o f h e ro e s Th e ir g e n e ro s ity foun d s p e a c e a n d p rosp e rity in th e


.

l an d F rddi s re ign in D e n mark w a s a p eriod of b l iss ; in th e y e ar



.

o f H a kon s e l e ct io n t h e b ird s b re d twic e



a n d t re e s b ore tw ic e , ,

a b ou t wh ich b e a u t iful s on gs ma
yb e gle an e d ou t of his s ag a cap 2 4 , . .

On t h e n igh t th a t B elgi w a s b orn e agl e s c rie d a n d h oly w a t e rs , ,

stre ame d from th e moun t ain s S eem , .

S igu rd s w alk a n d ma n n e r of app e arin g w a s imp e t uou s l ik e


tha t of a god ; wh e n h e fi rst a pp roa ch e d th e b urg of B ryn hildr ,

iOrO d fi saOi ok Op p h imin e a rth sh ock a n d h e a v e n Seem


‘ ’

, , .

a n d of B r n hil d s l a ugh in g a s o f th a t o f t h e g od s p

y ( w e a re , .

t old : t b oer allr d undi sh e l a ugh e d an d all th e c a stl e d inn e d


,

, ,

S ee m 2 0 8 . A d ivin e st re ngth re v e als its el f in man y d e e d s a n d


3
.

move me n ts of h e roe s D ietrich s fi e ry b re a th mayb e s ugg e stiv e o f


.

D on a r or p e rh ap s on ly o f a d ra g on : o b sin at e m gee b e h ur als


,

e in e s W il d e n t ra ch e n

( P arz 1 3 7 , .
,

A wid e ly p re v a l e n t ma rk of t h e h e ro ra c e is th e ir b e ing su ckled


bg bea sts orf ed bybird s A hin d Offe rs h e r milk t o SigurOr w h e n
,
.

e xp o s e d V ilk s aga 1 4 2 ; a she wolf give s s uck t o t h e infan t


,
.
-

D ie t e rich ( l ik e Romul u s a n d R e mus ) t og e th e r with h e r four bl ind


wh elps h e n c e h is n ame of W olfdie te rich
,
Th e s a me fe ll owsh ip

.

w ith w h e lps s e e ms i mp ut e d t o t h e b e g inn ings of t h e G oth s a nd


S w ab ian s a s t o t h os e o f t h e R oma n s (p
, but th e woodp ecker .

als o t h a t B e e w ol f b rought food t o t h e s on s o f M a rs a n d w e h a v e


,
-
, ,

c ome t o k now th e Sw ab ia n s a s sp e cial d e v ote e s of Zio ( p .

Th e S e rv ia n h e ro M ilosh K ob ilit ch w a s s uckl e d by a ma re ( k ob il a) ,

V u k 2 1 0 1 ; d oe s th a t th row l ight on th e OH G t e rm Of a b us e
, .

me rih fi nsun z agfi n sun ( RA , A l ik e Offe n s iv e me an ing .

l urk e d in th e Latin l up a 1
B ut it is n o t only t o s u ckl ings th a t .

th e god — s e n t an imals a pp e ar ; in distre ss a n d d a ng e r a ls o sw a n s , ,

ra v e n s w ol v e s st a gs b e a rs l ion s w ill j oin t h e h e roe s t o re n d e r


, , , , ,

t h e m a ss istan ce a n d th a t is h ow an imal figure s in th e scutch e on s


a n d h e l me t in s ig n ia o f h e roe s a re in ma n y c a s e s t o b e a cc ou n t e d for
-
,

th ough th e y may aris e from oth e r cau s e s t oo e g th e a b il ity of ,


. .
,

c e rtain h eroe s t o tran s form t h e ms e l v e s a t will i nt o w ol f or sw an .

1
F ils d e truie G arin 2, 2 29 .
N U RS E D B Y A N I MA L S . 3 91

The swa n s w ing th e swa n s c oa t b e tok e n s a n oth er s up e rn a tural


, ,

qual ity w h ich h e roe s sh a re w ith th e god s (p t h e p ow e r o f .

fly ing A s Wiel a nd t ie s on h is sw a n w ings t h e G re e k P e rse us h a s


.
-
,

w inged shoes t al aria C v me t : 4 6 6 7 72 9 a nd t h e S e rv ia n R e l ia is


, ,
.
,
.
,

c all e d kril at ( winge d) b e ing in p oss e ssion o f k ril o a nd okrilie


,

g a n d w ing c ov e r) V uk 2 88 9 0 1 0 0 A p ie c e o f th e w in g
( w in -
, , . . .

re ma inin g or in w o me n a sw a n s foot w ill a t t ime s b e t ra y t h e


, ,

h igh e r n a t ure .

Th e s u p e rh uman q ual ity of h e roe s sh ine s out o f th e ir ey es

l m i m ib culoru m mica tus Sa x o G ra m ormr i


( u n u v r a tu s o , , .

a uga Th e gold e n teeth o f g od s a n d h e ro e s h a v e b e e n sp ok e n of p


,
, .

234 . I n th e march e n s on s a re bo rn w ith a sta r on th e fore h e ad ,

K in d e rm 9 6 St ra p arol a 4 3 ; or a g ol d e n st ar falls on th e fore


. .
,

h e a d P e n t am 3 1 0 Th e D io scuri h ad a sta r or fl a me Sh in in g on
,
.
,
.

th e ir h e ad s a n d h e l me ts : th is may h a v e re fe re nc e to th e rays
e n c irclin g t h e h e a d ( p or t o c on st e ll a t ion s b e in g se t in th e
.

sky . I n s ome c a s e s th e h e roic form is d isfigure d by a nima l


p e c ul iaritie s a s Sie g frie d s by h is h orn y sk in a nd o th e rs by a
,

scaly ; th e march e n h av e h e roe s w ith hedgehog sp ikes Th e l ege nd .

o f t h e fif eroo ings imp e rfe ctly h a n d e d d ow n t o u s mu st b e fou n d e d


, ,

o n s o me th ing of th e k in d W h e n Cl odio th e son of Fara in un d .

w ith h is q ue e n w e n t d ow n to th e sh ore t o c o ol th e ms e l v e s fro m ,

t h e s ultry s umme r h e a t th e re c ame up a mon st e r ( se a li og 2) out o f


'

-
,

t he w a v e s w h ich s e iz e d an d o v e rp o w e re d th e b a th ing q u e e n
,
Sh e .

th e n b ore a son of s ing ul ar app e aran c e w h o w as th e re fore n a me d ,

M e rov ig a nd his d e sce n d a nts w h o inh erit e d th e p e c ul ia rity


, , ,

M e rovings 1
Th e oph a ne s e xpre ssly d e cl are s th at th e M e rovings
.
,

w e re c all e d ICp LO T CiT a L a nd rp i xop a xd ra e b e c aus e all th e k ings o f


'

th a t h ou s e h ad b ristl e s d own t he b a ckb one (fadxi e) l ik e swin e , .

W e still fi nd in R0 1 2 73 2 9 wh e re it is t rue th e y are e nume ra te d


.
, ,

a mong h e a th e n s ,

d i h e l d e vo n Meres .

vil ge w is sit ir d e s,
d az n ih t kuon e rs ma c sin
an d em rueke tra gcnt si borsten sa m ew i n .

The d e riv a tion of th e na me is a lt oge th e r un k n ow n . Ca n it p oss ibly


h a ve s ome c onn e x ion w ith t h e b oa r-w ors hip of F r6 ,
which ma y
F re d e ga r s e p it ome ( B o uq ue t 2 ,
1 ’
an dCon ra d us U rsp e rg , A rg 1 6 0 9 , . .

p 92
. P e r con tra, M ulle n h o ff in H a upt s
.

ze itsch r 6 , 4 3 2 . .
3 92 E
H RO S E .

h ave b e e n e sp e cial ly p re val e n t amon g th e Franks La mp r A l e x . .

5 3 68 a ls o h a s sin b ut w as ime b e va nge n a l mit swi n es burste n (se e


Suppl )
On e p rinc ip a l mark t o k n ow h e roe s by is th e ir p oss e ss ing ,

i n tellige nt horses an d c on v e rs ing w ith th e m


,
A s ucc e e d in g ch a pt e r .

w ill sh e w more fully h o w h e a th e n dom saw s ome thing s a cre d a n d


,

d iv ine in h ors e s a n d o ft e n e n d ow e d th e m with c on sc iou s n e ss a n d


,

symp a thy w ith th e d e st iny of me n B ut t o h e roe s th e y w e re indis .

p e n s abl e for ridin g or d riv in g an d a n e c e ss ary intima cy spran g up


,

b e tw e e n th e t w o a s a pp e ars by th e mere fa ct of th e h ors e s h a ving


,

p rop e r n ame s giv e n t h e m Th e t ou ch ing c onv e rs ation of A chill e s


.

w ith his Xa n thos an d B a lios ( l l 1 9 4 0 0 — 4 2 1) fi n d s a c ompl e te .


,

p arall e l in the b e au t iful K arli ng l e g e n d of B a ya rd ; c omp are als o


Wilh elm s d ial ogue with B a zede ( 5 8 2 1 — 5 9 8 ) I n th e F re n ch

, ,

orig in a l w ith B a u cen t ( G a rin 2 2 3 0 a n d B e g on S w ith t h e s a me


,

B a uce n t (p I n t h e E d d a w e h a v e Sk irn ir t alk in g w ith his


.

h ors e (Seem 82 ) an d GoOrun a ft er SigurOs murd e r with Gra ni


1 ’
1
.
, ,

h n ip n a Oi Gran i 1s dara p i g
,
ra s h o fOi .

W e ll migh t Gra ni mourn for t h e h ero h ad b e st ridde n h im e v e r,

s in ce h e le d him out of H ialp re k s st abl e h a d ridd e n h im


th rough th e fl ame s a n d c a rrie d off t h e gre a t t re a s ure .

S w e dish a n d D a n ish folk s on gs b ring in a s a ga ciou s st e e d B la ck


-
,

w ith wh om c on v e rs a t ion is c arrie d on ( S v vis 2 1 94 S v fe rn s . .


,
. . .

2 257
,
D ansk e vi s 1
. I n th e p oe ms o n A rtu s t h e h ors e s
.
,

a re l e ss a tt ra ct iv e l y p ain t e d ; b ut h ow n aiv e ly in t h e S e rvian ,

w h e n M il a sh o e s th e st e e d (V uk 1
. or M a rk o b e fore his d e a th
.

t alk s w ith h is fa ith ful S ha ra is ( 2 24 3 se q D an itza 1 In ,


.
,

M od G re e k s ongs t h e re is a d ial ogue of L ia k o s w ith h is h ors e


.

( F a urie l 1 a n,d s imil a r o n e s in t h e L it hu a n ia n d a in o s ( Rh e s a

Th e P e rs ia n Rust e m s fa iry st e e d is w e ll — k n own (see



p.

If many h e roe s c arrie d off in th e bl oom of l ife l ik e A ch ill e s


a re ,

or S ie g frie d o th e rs a tt a in a grea t a ge b e y on d t h e limit of t h e


, ,

h uman Our n ativ e l e g e n d all ows H il d e b ran d th e y e ars of N e st or


.

1 A M on gol i a n warrior s d yin g s on g h as ’

M y p oor cre a m col oure d tro tt e r you w ill ge t h ome a l ive


-
,
.

Th e n t e ll mym th er p ra y o fu ll fi ft e e n w oun d s h a d h e

&c — TRAN S
.
,
A n d t e ll my fa t h e r p ray: sh o t t hrough th e b ack w as h e
,

,

. .
3 91 E
H RO S E .

a nd a p rime v al fi rmly root e d w orsh ip M ore rare ly w e fi nd ca stle


, .

or b a ll c o nn e ct e d w it h a h e ro I rin e s b urc Ore n d e lsal


( a fe w t ime s
g ) , ,

ea a n d bu rn o ft e n e r wa t e et w t h t i f h igh y
, y o r s r n o a s e n o o n o a w a ,

l ie s cl os e t o th a t of a c on sp icuous colu mn to wh ich th e roa d s le d up ,

w e mayw e ll c onn e ct th e H e rc ul is c ol umn a e t h e I rman suli w ith


, ,

th e Rola n d p illa rs w hich w e c ome up on j u st in th o s e n orth e rn


-
,

p arts of G e rman y w h e re h e ath e nis m p re va il e d l a te st A S k ing .

C h arl e s o cc u p ie s W uota n s pl a c e in c e rt ain l e g e n d s e sp e cially th a t


of t h e

furiou s h ost R ol an d th e n obl e st h e ro of h is c ourt w h o is
, , ,

t o him a l most e x a ctly w h a t D on ar is t o W uot a n s e e ms t o re pl a c e ,

th e d iv ine v a n quish e r o f gia n ts E th elstctn p illa rs h a v e b e e n .


-

me n tion e d p 1 1 9 It is w orth y of n ote th at wh il e Sc a n dinavia


, . .
, ,

o ffe rs n oth in g e ls e th a t ca n b e l ik e n e d t o th e I rme n p ill ars


ye t at -
,

Ske n inge n a t own of Ost e rg otl a n d th e re stood e re ct e d in t h e


, ,

mark e tpl a c e j u st wh e re R ol an d p ill ars d o sta nd th e fig ure o f a


,
-
,

gia nt or h e ro wh ich th e p e opl e c all e d T/


,
i ore l an g
( Thuro l on gus ) ,

a n d a t w h ich id ol a t ry w a s p ra ct is e d in forme r t ime s Th is figure


1
.

a pp e a rs fa r more l ik e ly t o b e l on g t o th e h e a th e n god th an t o a n y

h e ro or k in g ; and p rob ably th e c ol u mn in th e mark e t pl a c e o f


B a v ais in H a in a ult fro ,
m
wh ich s e v e n roa d s b ran ch e d off an d ,

whi ch is s aid t o h a v e b e e n re are d in h on our of a king B av o h ad a ,

S imil a r me an in g ( se e

A cc ord in g t o a w ide ly a cc e pt e d p op ul ar b e l ie f e x a min e d more ,

minut e ly in ch XXXII on Sp irit in g a w ay c e rt a in h e roe s h a ve


.
,

s un k from th e ro cks a n d fortre ss e s th e y on c e inh abit e d int o clefts ,

an d ca ve rn s o f th e moun t ain s or in t o s ub t e rra n e an s p r i


,
ng s a n d a re ,

th e re h e l d w ra pt in a s e l d om in terrupt e d sl umb er from wh ich th e y ,

issu e in time s of n e e d a n d b rin g d e l iv e ran c e to th e l an d


,
Th a t .

h ere a ga in n ot only W u ot an A rminius D ie t e rich a n d Sie gfrie d


, , , ,

but s u ch mod e rn h e roe s a s Ch arl e s F re d e rick B arb a ro ss a a n d e v e n ,

T e ll are n ame d maya ss ure u s of th e mystic l ight of myth wh ich


,

h a s s e ttl e d on th e m It w a s a N ors e cust om for ag e d h eroe s d e a d


. , ,

to t h e w orl d a n d d iss at isfi e d with th e n e w ord e r of th in gs t o sh u t ,

th e ms e l v e s up in a h ill : th u s H e rlaugr w ith tw e l v e oth e rs go e s


in t o th e h augr (Egilss p a n d in l ik e man n e r E tich o t h e W e l f
. . ,

a cc omp an ie d by t w e l v e n ob l e s re tire s in t o a mou n t a in in th e ,

Sche re n ze rw ald wh e re n o one c oul d fi nd h im ag ain (D e utsch e


,

Ol au s M a gn u s S tj e rn h ook D e j ure S v e on v e t p 3 26 B roco


'

1 15 s
.
,
. . .
.
,

mans b e skrifn ofv e r Oste rgotl and N orrkop ing 1 760 l 1 90


.
,
.
,
.
AB O ES D . 3 95

s ag e n n o
, . Sieg frie d , Ch arl e s an d F re d e rickh like K ing
A rth ur of th e B rit on sb id e in moun t ain s w ith th e ir h o st
,
a .

B e it b e re mark e d l a stly th a t th e h e roic l e g e nd l ik e th e d iv ine


, , ,

is fon d o f run n ing int o t riad s H e n c e a s Odin V il i V e or H ar


.
, , , , ,

I a fn har a n d Th ri5 i st a n d t oge th e r t h e re a pp e ar t ime s w ith out


,

n umb e r t h re e h eroic b ro t h e rs t og e th e r a n d th e n a ls o it c ommonly


,

h a pp e n s th a t t o t h e th ird on e is a sc rib e d th e gre at e st fa c ulty o f


,

s ucc e ss S o in t h e S cyth ia n st ory of th e th re e b roth e rs Le ip ox a is


.
,

A rp ox ais a n d K ola x a is ( H e rod 4 a g ol d e n pl ough y ok e a n d


.
, ,

s w ord h av ing fall e n from h e a ve n wh e n th e e l d e st son an d th e


,

s e c ond trie d t o s e iz e th e m t h e gol d b urn e d b u t th e third c a rrie d


, ,

th e m off Th e s ame th ing o cc urs in many ma rch en


. .
CH A PTER X VI .

WI SE W OM EN .

Th e l tion of w ome n to th e god s is v e ry d iffere n t from th at of


re a

me n b e c au s e me n al one can fo un d famou s h o us e s w hil e a w oman s


, ,

fa mily d ie s with h e r Th e t a l e of a n c e st ry c on t ains th e n a me s of


.

h e roe s only ; k ing s d aughte rs are e ith er not na me d in it a t a ll or


d is app e a r ag a in a s s oon a s t h e y h a v e b ee n int rod uc e d a s brid e s .

F or t h e s a me re a s on w e h e ar o f d e ifi e d s on s b ut n ot of d e ifi e d ,

d a ught e rs n a y th e marria ge o f mort als w ith immort als iss ue s


,

a l mo st a lw a ys in t h e birt h of s on s Th e re a re th e re fore n o w ome n


.

t o b e pl a c e d by t h e s id e of th e h e ro es wh o m in t h e p re c e d ing ,

c h a pt e r w e h a v e re gard e d a s a mixture of th e h e a v e nly a nd e arthly


n a t ure s : th e d ist a ff e st a bl ish e s n o cl a im t o immort a l ity l ik e th e ,

s w ord To t h e w oman a nd th e b on d man idl e in b attl e b usy in th e


.
, ,

h ous e t he Angl o Sa x on s v ery e xp re ssiv e ly a ss ig ne d th e o ccu p a tion


,
-

o f w e a v in g p e a c e h e roic l a b ours s uit e d me n .

B ut th a t wh ich w ome n forfe it h e re is a mply ma d e up t o th e m ,

in a n o th e r sp h e re I n l ie u of th a t d istin ct in d iv id u a l ity o f p arts


.

give n t o h e roe s which ofte n fa lls with out e ffe ct in th e story th e y


, ,

h av e ge n e ra l d utie s a ss ig n e d th e m of mome n t ou s a n d l a st ing in flu


e nce . A l on g ra n g e o f c h armin g or a w ful h al f godd e ss e s me dia t e s -

b e tw ee n me n a n d d e ity th e ir au th ority is ma n ife stly gre a t e r th e ir ,

w ors hip more imp re ss iv e th a n a nyre v e re nc e p a id t o h e roe s


,
Th e re .

a re n ot st rictly sp e a k in g a n yh e roin e s bu t w h a t e v e r a mon g w ome n


, , ,

a n sw e rs t o h e roe s a pp e a rs more e l e v a t e d a n d sp irit u a l B run h il d .

t ow e rs a b ov e Sie gfrie d a n d th e swa n maid ab ov e th e h e ro t o wh om


,
-

sh e u n it e s h e rs e l f ( se e

I n o th e r myth ol ogie s a ls o it is obs e rv a bl e th a t in th e s e c on d ,

ra n k o f d e it ie s fe ma l e b e ings p re d omin a t e wh il e t h e fi rst is re s e rv e d


a l mo st e xcl u s iv e ly for t h e ma l e b u t t h e d ivine h e ro e s w e h a v e


,

sp ok e n o f c o me on ly in th e th ird ra n k I h av e on p 2 5 0 p artly . .

a cc oun t e d for th e l o n g e r d u ra tion o f t h e t ra d it io n of s e v e ral go dd e ss e s


3 98 W I S E W OM E N:

re mark a bl e formul a of ch ival ry o cc urrin g b oth in folk s ongs and in -

c ourt p oe ms : durch a ller f rouwen ere by all w ome n s h onour


-
‘ ‘ ’

,

W olfd ie t 1 0 4 M orolt 8 5 5 8 8 8 2 8 34 M orolf 1 5 4 2 E ck e 1 0 5


. . . . . . .

1 1 7 1 74
. Rose n g 2 0 3 7
. M S H 3 2 0 0 ; d urch re in e r (p ure)
. . .
,
3

frouw e n ere E ck e 1 1 2 d urch willen ( for th e s a k e ) a ller f ron wen ;


’ ‘ ’

thu s on e h e ro crie s t o a n oth e r nu b e ite ( st ay ) d urch w i llen a ller ‘ “

meid e B ab 9 2 2 4 d urc h w illen schoen er w ib e Eck e 6 1


.
-
d urch ,

a n d er ma get ( o th e r ma id s

)
’ ’
G dr 4 8 6 3 ; d urch elliu w ip in ‘ ’
e re u , .
,

t h e n ame of a ll w ome n P a rz 1 3 1 6 ; e re a n mir elliu wip re sp e ct


‘ ‘ ’
.
, , ,

in me all w ome n E re c 95 7 e ret a n mir elliu w i a ys a w oma n


, p s
in P arz 8 8 2 7 t o e n s ure a tt e n t ion t o h e r p ray a llen meid e n

er
:
.
, ,

tuot e z ze dren (d o it in h on our G ud r 12 1 4 3 ; e re un d minn e .


,

elli u w ip is th e inj u n ct ion on giv in g a s w ord T rist 5 0 3 2 t uo n ,


.

a ll e z d a z f rou we n w ille si d o a ll th a t may b e w oma n s will B it


’ ’
.
, ,

71 3 2 ; als l ie p iu all e f rou we n sin as all w ome n are d ear to you



, ,

L aurin 9 8 4 Th e ir w ors hip w as pl a c e d on a p ar w ith th at of


.

G od : ere t Got und din wip I w 6 0 5 4 ; d urch Got un d d urch d e r


’ '

.
,

w ibe lOn ( gu e rd on) Wh 3 8 1 2 1 wa rt S Omit rit e rscha ft g e t an d é s


’ '

.
, ,

Got sol d an k e n un d d iu i oip may G od a n d th e l a die s re quite it


, ,

W h 3 70 5 ; die n e n Got und alle f rouw en eren M s


of
‘ ’
.
.
, ,

P a rzival it is e v e n s aid e r ge trfi w e te wi ben ba z (be tt er) d a n GOte ,


P arz 3 70 1 8 Th e s e mode s Of sp e e ch th is faith can b e tra c e d up


.
,
.
, ,

t o a mu ch e arl ie r age a s in O i 5 1 3 : d O sp rah e r e rli cho ub aral



. .
, , ,

S O ma n a i f rowd n S k a l ; a n d v 8 5 8 : n i sit irb olgan w i be


’ ‘ ’

y e .
, ,

sh all not b ully a w oman E tzels h ofhalt 9 2 3 ; sp rich wibe n nhe l


_
, .
-

mit n ih te s ays th e p o em of the St e t e a mp te n 2 8 6 Th e v e ry word .

frau is th e n ame of a g odd e ss c on f p 2 9 9 on th e me a nings o f ,


. .

frau a n d w e ib ( se e
B ut more th an t h a t wh e n th e h ero in stre ss of b attl e looked up on ,

hislove ( OH G t rfi tin trfi tinn a M H G t riut inn e ) thought of h e r, n a med


.
, , .
,

her me h e in cre a s e d th e re by his stre n gth an d w as s ure of th e


na , ,

v ict ory W e migh t e v e n b ring un d er th is h e ad th e d e cl ara tion Of


.

T a citu s me moria e p roditur qua sd am a cie s in clinata sj am e t lab an te s ,

a fe min is re stitut a s c on st a n t ia p re cum e t Obj e ctu p e ct orum F rom th e .

p oe ms Of th e 1 3 th c e n tury I will qu ot e th e p rincip al p a ss age s only :

u n d a ls e r d a r zuo a n sa ch
( ou - sa w, l ook e d at )
die sch oen e n frow e n E mit e n ,

d az h al f ( holp) im v a ste strite n (fight h ard) Er 93 3 . . .

sw e nn e mich d er mu ot i wor erma nt ( th e t h ought Of yo u man s)


,
W I S E W OM E N . 3 99

S Oist sige sz orious ) min h a n t


e lic ( v ict
w a nd ( for) iw e r guot e minne
d ie st e rk e n t min e s inn e ( n e rv e my s e ns e s ) ,

d a z mir d e n vil l a n g e n t a c (a ll th e l on g d ay)


n ih t w id e r g e w e s e n ma c ( no ught can v e x ) Er 8 8 6 7 . . .

d iu ( la gegen w urt ic sa z ( w h o th e re p re s e n t sa t) ,

d iu ge h alf ir ma nn e ba z ( sh e h e lp h e r man b e tt e r) .

ob im d e h e in z w ive l (if e v e r a d ou bt) ge sch a ch ,

s w an n (wh e ne v er) e r S i d ann e w id e r (aga in) a n sa sh ,

ir sch oen e gap im niw e k ra ft ( stre ngth ) ,

sO d a z e r unz age h a ft (un d is may e d )

s ine st e rk e w id e r ge w a n (h is stre ngth re ga ine d)


u n d v ah t ( fought ) als e in ge ru ow e t ( re st e d) ma n Er 9 1 71 . . .

d e r ged a n c ( th ink in g) a n sin schoen e w ip


d e r kre ftige te im d e n lip ( l ife b od y )
,
E r 9 22 9 . . .

sw e nn e im d iu muoz e (Opp ort un ity) ge sch a ch

d a z e r d ie ma g e t (maid ) re h t ersa ch ,

d a z gap ir g e s e ll e n (t o h e r fe ll ow l ov e r)
,

G aw On e ma n lich e ll e n ( él an ) P a rz 4 0 9 1 3 4 1 0 5
. .
,
.
, .

n u sa ch e r d az si umb in w a s in s org e n (in fe ar for h im) ,

a lré st e r n iuw e kra ft e n fan t (fe lt oh e n gr p 5 4 5


p ) L . . .
-
.

d e n H e id e n min n e nie v e rd rOz (n e v e r w e arie d ) ,

d e s ( th e re fore ) w a s sin h e rze in strit e grOz P arz 74 0 7 . .


, .

e rn w e ll e ( if h e d o n ot) a n mi nn e d enhe n ,

s on e mag e r n iht e n t w e n ke n ( c ann ot e sc ap e) Pa rz 74 0 1 5


.
. .
,

w e s sfi me st ( w h e re fore d e lay e st) d u d ich P a rz ivzil , ,

d a z d u a n d ie hinseh en lie h tge mal (p ure on e so b righ t ) -

n ih t d en hest ich me in d in w ip
, ,

w iltu b e h alt e n ( s av e ) h ie d e n lip ? P arz 74 2 2 7 .


,
.

d er ge t ou ft e n am ( th e ch rist ia n g a in e d ) an kre fte n z uo ,

e r d d ht ( th ought ) d e s w a s im n ih t z e fruo ( n on e t oo s o on )
.
, ,

an si n wip d ie kii niginn e


un t an ir w e rd e n (worthy ) minn e . P a rz 74 3 .
,
2

sw a ich s ide r (a fter) kom in n Ot ( d iffi c ult y) ,

z e h a n t S O ich ( th e mome n t I ) a n si d d h te ,

ir minn e h e l fe brOh t e P arz 76 8 2 7


. .
,
.

mii e d e w a s ir b Od e r lip (w e a ry w e re b oth th e ir b odie s ) ,

n iuw a n d a z sie ( ha d th e y n ot) d d h ten a n d iu wip

s ie w ae re n b Od e sa mt g e l e g e n ( b o th t og e t h e r fall e n ) A lt bl . . .
4 00 WI SE W OMEN .

I n th e Carme n d e P hyllid e Ill e me com et F l ora it is s a id 3 1, 4 :

memora t in t e r ip sa s cae d e s my b el ove d in t h e b attl e b re a th e s my ,


na em t o iss e th e e
,
u r f r o m v i ri
cto us
o
1
This s oun d s altoge t he r .

h e a th e n for th e god s t oo w e re at your s id e th e mome n t you utt ere d


,

th e ir n a mes S norri in Y ngl s ag a ca p 2 s a ys Of OOinn sva var


.
,
. .
,

0 c u m h a n s me nn h v ar se m b e ir urOu i n au Ou m sta d dir O S ia e tia


, ,
.

a l a n d i pa holla da be ir d n af n h an s oc bOttiz ia fn a n fa a f bvi frO


’ ’ ’

, .
, ,

so w a s it a ls o w ith his me n wh e re v e r th e y w e re in t roubl e on se a , ,

or o n l a n d th e n c all e d t h e y o n his n ame a n d imme d ia t e ly w e re


, ,

gl a d d e ne d by it W h e n H rfi ngnir b e ca me intol e rabl e t o th e A s e s


.
,

n ae st kom Th O K

9 b i O rr i b Ollin a Sn 1 0 8 ra k a
1
7 n.e fn a e r Th r b v i , ,
. .
,

a s e mi d iv ine b e in g a dmo n ish e d E rich : S i s up re ma n e c e ss it a t is


-
,

V iole ntia min is sui n uncup a tione re me dium cele rius


p ostulare t ,
no

e ss e qua e re n dum a ffi rma ns se div in a p arti m v irt ut e subnix a m e t


,

qu a s i con sorte m coelitus insitam n uminis ge stare p ot e ntiam Sa x o ,

G ram p 72 S O th e v alkyrj a c ome s t o t h e re sc ue Of h e r ch os e n


, . .

h e ro wh e n h e c alls out h e r n a me sh e is b e c ome h is gua rdian a s if


, ,

s e n t by t h e g od s t o b ring h im a id (see
Th e miss ion Of s u ch w ome n th e n is t o a n noun c e an d pre p are
g ood or ill v ict ory or d e a th t o mortal me n an d w e h a v e s e e n th at
,

th e p op ul a r fa ith re t ain e d l ong e st its c on n e x ion with fightin g a n d


v ict ory Th e ir own b e ing its e l f l ik e th a t Of th e he roe s re sts on
.
, ,

h uma n n a ture th e y s e e m for th e most p a rt t o h ave sprung fro m


,

k ingly a nd h eroic famil ie s a nd p rob a bly an a dmixture Of d ivine ,

a n c e st ors is t o b e p re s ume d in th e ir c a s e t oo B ut t o p e rform th e ir .

Offic e th e y must h a ve w is d om a n d s up e rn a t ural p ow e rs at th e ir


,

c omman d : t h e ir w is d om S p ie s out n ay guid e s a nd arrang e s com , ,

pl ic a tion s in our d e stin y w a rn s Of d a ng e r a d vis e s in diffic ulty A t , ,


.

t h e b irth Of ma n th e y sh e w th e ms e l v e s p re dictin g a n d e n d ow in g ,

in p e rils o f w ar g ivin g h e lp a n d gra nt ing v ict ory Th e re fore t he y .

a re c all e d wise women ON sp dkon or ( c on f Sp akr OH G sp ah i ,


. .
,
.
,

prude n s) S c ot sp a e wif e M H G wisin w ip N ib 1 4 73 3 14 8 3 4


, .
,
.
,
. . .
,

( se e

1 . I TI S ,
I DES ( )
D is .

B ut I w ill fi rst t ak e an O l d e r W ord ,


w h ich a pp e ars t o me to y iel d

Phil ande r Of S itt e wald


1 S old at e nl p 2 4 1 , st ill me n t i on s th e p ract i ce . .

in .
t ime Of d anger Of comme n di ng on e e l f t o t he love d on e s grace a n d
‘ s

fa v our
4 02 W I S E W OM E N .

B ut w e btain much full er in format ion as t o th e ir n at ure from


O

th e N o rs e a uth oritie s It h a s b ee n ov e rl ook e d h ith e rt o th at th e


.
,

OH G it is A S id e s is th e s ame a s t h e ON d is pl d isir : s imil ar


.
, .
, . .

in st an c e s of a ph ae re s is are t h e Rigr for I rin g o n p 2 3 4 a n d Sangrim .


, ,

Singrim for I sa n grim I singrim ( Re inh cc viii) A ny re main in g


, . .

d oubt d is app e ars on c omp arin g th e E ddie d is S kiOldfi nga S ee m ‘ ’


.
,

1 6 9 2 0 9 with th e A S i d es S cild inga B e ow 2 3 3 7



3 a
Th e Nors e .

, . .

d isir l ik e wis e are s ome time s k in d p rot e ctin g b e in gs s ome time s ,

h ost l e a d h nd e ring Seem 8 5 1 9 5


i n i 1 2 54 b
A n in st an c e of
, .
9: 9.

t h e l a tt e r s ort is foun d in th e st ory Of ThiOra n di wh om d isir ,

d e stroy e d th ann e r s agt a t d isir v ae gi qu e m d e a s in te rfe cisse


,
‘ ’

dicun t ( N ia lss cap th ough t h e full n arrativ e (Fornm sOg 2


. . . .
,

1 9 5 ) c a lls th e m s imply kona r w ome n ; so Sp dd isir n y mp h a e , ,

v aticin an t e s V Ols s a g a cap 1 9 me a n s j u st th e s ame a s sp oilconnr


, . .
,

a n d th e p h ra s e e ck i e ru a ll a r d i sir d a a r e nn in A l fs s ag a cap .

1 5 me a n s in th e mo st g e n e ra l s e n s e all g ood sp irits are n ot d e ad


, ,

yOr mun u d aa r d isir all ar t o you all spirits are d e a d


‘ ’
ye t ; , ,

F ornald sog 2 4 7 . B ut th e N ors e p e opl e w orsh ipp e d th e m a n d


.
, ,

Offe re d th e m s a crific e : th e me n t ion of d i sa bldt is v e ry fre qu e n t ,

E gilss cap 4 4 p 2 0 5 ; V igagl saga cap 6 p 3 0 ; b lOta k uml a ~



. . . . . .

d isi r d e ab us t umula tis sa crifi ca re Egilss p 2 0 7 Th is p a ss a g e



. . .
, ,

impl ie s a c onn e x ion b e tw e e n d isir an d gh o sts d e p art e d sp irits , ,

wh os e re app e aran c e p ort en d s s ome th ing honor b u gha k d a u da r


k oma i nOtt d e a d w ome n i e d isir c ome at n igh t S eem 2 5 4 2
,

, . .
, , ,
.
3

H e rj a n s d is ( See m is n y mph a Odini a ma id e n d we ll in g at


.
,

V a lhOll in th e s e rvic e of OOinn ; d is S kiOld unga ( S ee m 1 6 9 .


3

d iv in e ma id sp rung from t h e SkiOld u ng st o ck is a n e p ith e t b oth Of ,

S igrfi n an d Of B ry nh il d c on f A S i d es S cyldinga id es H e lminga ,


. .
, ,

B ut F re y a n a d is n y mph a
B e ow 1 2 3 4 .
j a h e
. rs e l f is c all e d V ,

V a n oru m Sn 3 7 a n d a n oth e r g od d e ss SkaOi 6 nd urd is ( w alk in g


, .
,

in w ood e n sh oe s ) S n 28 which is e q uiv al e n t t o On d urgud S e v e ral


"

. .
, ,

p rop er n ame s Of w o me n are c omp ound e d with d is: Th Ord is ,

H iordis A sdis Vig dis H alld is Fre yd is (t o wh ich migh t h a v e


, , , ,

c orre sp on de d an OH G D on aritis &c ) th e y p rov e t h e p re tty h igh .


,
.

a n t iqu ity Of th e mon osyll ab ic form d is wh ich e v e n in th e E d d a ,

in v aria bly a llit e ra t e s with D With the orginal form idis th e .

co mp are M a gad a burg w ith I d isab urg, I d isobu rg a n d I slan t ,


With I tislan t,
I tisola n t Th e F ran k is h D isp a rgum o n t h e con t ra ry s e e ms n ot
. to be I d isb e rg,
b ut Tie sb e rg, fa n um M a rtis ( H e rm M ul le r, S al ic law, p 3 3 . .
I TI S . VE L ED A . G ANNA . 403

me god de ss I d unn may p oss ibly b e c onne cte d ( se e


'

na Of th e
S upp l )

2 . V E LE D A . G AN N A . A LARON .

If I s upp os e th e g e n e ric t e rm id is w a s al re ad y c urre nt in


,
as ,

t h e time Of T a c it u s h e g iv e s u s o th e r more sp e c ific a pp e ll ation s a s


,

me re p rop e r n a me s th o ug h st ill a c e rtain g e ne ral me anin g s e e ms


,

t o b e l ong t o th e m t oo H is st a t e me n ts a b ou t Veled a Ga n n a a n d
.
, ,

A urin ia I h a v e al re ad y q uot e d in Oh V wh e re t h e c onne x ion .


,
.

b e twe e n p roph e t e ss e s and th e p riestly Offi c e w as p oin te d ou t .

Veled a a pp e a rs t o b e a l most a n a pp e ll at iv e a n d a k in t o t h e Nors e ,

Va l a V Olva (p 9 7 o r e v e n t o th e ma sc V Olun d r ( p e r
,
.
p . .

h aps als o t o t h e n ame v alkyrj a l


Sh e l iv e s o n a tower l ik e J e th a .
, .

( p. 9 6 ) y (
a n d B r nh ild r V Ols s a g a ca
p T re a t ie s w e re ra t ifi e d in
. .

h e r p re s e n c e ; sh e n ot only p roph e s ie d but h a d to s e ttl e d isp ut e s ,

a mon g th e p e opl e an d c a rry ou t pl a n s


,
I n See m 4 5 th e Va la
b
. .
a
,

a ft e r w h om t h e fa mou s la
y V Olusp O is n ame d is als o c all e d H ei d r .
,

a n d Ga lloeig a nd a s our fe mal e n a me s A d al h e id A lp h e id &c are , , .


,

fo rme d w ith h e id F in n M agnu se n p 4 l 6 w oul d d e riv e V e l e d a


-
,
b
.

from a s upp os e d V alah e id w h ich h ow e v e r is n owh e re found ( se e


,

Th e d e sc ript ion g iv e n Of h e r is an a tt ra ct iv e on e wh e re
e v e r in th e l a n d t his v a l a v e lsp a ( fa t id ic a ) c a me sh e w ork e d ,

w itch e ry sh e w a s b el ie v e d t o trav e l a b out au d mak e visita ti on s to


,

h ouses Th is t il h us a k oma re min d s u s Of th e d rep a d rett se m


.

oo lu r p uls are a e d e s sicut fa tid ica e S eem a s in o th e r c a s e s a ls o



.
, ,

p roph e sy in g in sp irin g a n d b oon b e stowing w ome n w e re alw ays


,
-

s upp os e d t o p a ss th rough th e c ountry k n ocking a t th e h ous e s Of ,

th o s e wh om th e y w oul d bl e ss .

Ga nna ( 9 5 6) c oul d b e e xpl a ine d with more c e rtainty if th e


p .
-
,

re a l me a n ing Of it s root gin n a n w e re d iscl os e d t o u s : a M H G .

i i s c t h e ON g inn a allice re se d u ce re ; an d in S ee m 2 1 at
g n n e n s e a re ,
.
, .

w e a re w a rn e d n ot t o t rust th e w h e e dl ing w ord s of v al a s v Olo



,

vilmeeli t ru i e n g i ma Or w e sh a ll se e p re s e n tly h ow t h e A S p o e ts , .

use s imil ar e xp re ss ion s ab ou t W y rd .

Wh e n D ru s us h a d c ross e d th e We s e r a nd w as n e arin g the Elb e ,

1
fi n d Wa la dericus in Trad corb p 3 6 4
I 2 13 . . .
, a W i d w o man is ca e d
l ll
in Wolfd ie t e rich 5 1 4 d ie w i l d e wa ldin a n d 73 5 d iu ub e l wa lledein t s


,
b ut h i
s e e ms a corrupt i on of vala nd in ne , sh e -d e v il .
4 04 WI SE W OM EN .

t h e re me t him in th e l and Of the Ch e ru scan s a s up e rhu man fe mal e ,

vm i lf h a rd d vfi é n o v ( r io ry w h o forb a d e h is farth e r
y a w v
p p
'
« e .
,

a d v a n c e a n d fore t ol d h is a pp roa ch in g e n d ( Die Ca ss 5 5


, Sp e cie s .
,

ba rba ra e mulieris h uma n a a mp lior vict ore m t e n d e re ultra s e rmon e


, , ,

La tin o p rohibuit ( Sue ton in Cl au d io


,
T h e re may h a v e b e e n .

G e rma n folk ta l e s a b ou t th is w h ich b e c a me k n ow n t o th e R oma n s


-
, .

W is e w ome n of th e fa th e rl a n d a s w e ll a s h eroe s ros e up in th e ir


-
, ,


c ountrys n e e d an d by th e ir app e aran c e t e rrifi e d th e foe
, .

A u ri ni a is s aid h a v e be e n famou s in G e rmany b efore


(p . 9 5 ) to
V e l e d a c opyists may e a sily h a v e corrupte d a li int o au a n d ra n a ’

i nt o rin ia w e sh oul d th e n h a v e A lirun a th ou gh it w oul d b e



,

s till more h an dy if Ta c itus h a d w ritte n A liora n a B ut a nyh ow w e .

c a nn ot fail t o re c ognis e th e a gree me n t ( wh ich man y h a v e n ot e d )


w ith J orn an d e s cap 2 4 w h o in a ccoun tin g for th e origin Of th e
.
, ,

H un s re l a t e s Of t h e G ot hic k ing Filime r : Re p p e rit in p op ul o suO


,

d m m a a s mu lieres a s p a t rio rmon e a liorumn a s


q u a s a g q u s e
( al ,
.

a ly rumn a s a lioru n a s a liuru n ca s) is ips e cogn o min at e a sq


, ,
ue h a b e n s ,

s u sp e cta s d e me d io sui p roturb at longe qu e a b e x e rcitu suO fuga t a s ,

in s ol it udin e coe git e rrare Q u a s s il v e stre s h omin e s quos fa un os .


,

fi cariOS v oca n t p e r e re mu m v a ga n t e s d um vidisse n t e t ca rum se


, ,

comp le x ibu s in coitu miscuisse n t g e n us h oe fe rocissimum e d id e re



.
,

M a n y n ame s Of w ome n a re forme d w ith ran rii n a ( G ramm 2 -


,
-
.
,

a n d OH G d o c u me n ts e v e n Offe r t h ough sp a ringly A la rii n


.
, ,

M B 3 4 1 6 ( an 1 1 4 0 ) G osp re ch t d e r A lra ungn



A lerri n a

,
.
,
. su n ,

M B 2 7 8 0 (a n
.
,
. I h av e ne v er s e e n Elirun th e form w e ,

s h oul d e xp e ct from ali B ut it is S ig n ific a n t th a t th e ON n ame ,


.

Glri i n See m 1 3 3 4 b e l on gs p re c is e ly t o a wise woma n a nd a lrii n a


,
.
-
,
-

( G ra ff 2 n ow a lra un from it s Old s e n s e Of a p rop h e t ic a n d


, ,

diab oli c sp irit h a s a t l e n gth p a ss e d in t o th a t Of t h e ro ot ( ma nd rag ora


, ,

1 A s i mi l ar ta l e a b ou t A l e x an d e r S e v e rus M n lier D ruid s eun ti e x clamavit


G a ll i co s e rmon e v a da s n e c vict oria m sp ere s n ec t e mi l i t i t uo cre d e s A el
,

, , .

La mp ri d ius in A l e x S e v cap 6 0 A n d A tt i l a a t t h e p a ss a g e Of t h e L e ch i s
. . . .

sa i d t o h a v e b e e n s care d aw ayb ya ru n e ma i d e n calling o ut th re e t i me s ba ck -


,

A tt i l a ! P a ul Of St e tt e n s E rl a u s d e r ge sch A ugsb urgs p 2 5 Of st i ll mo re


’ ’
. . . .
,

w e i gh t is th e agre e me n t o f an ON t ra d i t i on in S a x o G ra m p 1 5 H a d i n gum
. . .

( o ur myth i c H ard i n g H artu ng) obvia femina h ac v oce comp e llat


,

S e u p e d e rura t e ra s se u p on t o carb a sa t e n d a s , ,

in fe st os p a tie re d e os t ot umqu e p e r orh e m ,

p rop ositis i nimi ca t ui s e le me n t a vid e bis


'

2
It th row s s ome l i gh t on t h e me an i n g of rII n t h at in A S also bnrgrd na -

, .

or burgran a n stan d s for p arcae a n d furi a e ( Ly e sub v a n d G1 é in a l


p .
,
. .
4 06 W I S E W OM E N .

a nd AS . p oe try fi nge r on th e p e rs onal ity of


we are a bl e t o layour
t h e fi rst n orn : th iu Wurd h is a t h an d un s ays th e H e l ian d 1 4 6 ’

2 j u st a s d Od is a t h e n d i 9 2 2 : th e F a t e or d e a th st an d s so

, , , , ,

n e ar th a t Sh e can gra sp with h e r h a n d


,
1
th e man w h o is fall e n d ue
t o h e r ; w e s h oul d say j u st a s c on cre t e ly is at h a nd is at th e

,

A g ain : th iu Wn rth n ah id a t h uo d re w n igh th e n H e l


’ ’
d oor

.
, , .

1 63 1 6 ,
Wa rth in a b e n am th e d e a th g od de ss t ook him awa y
.
,

-

66 18 ,
4 . N ot S O l iv in g is th e t e rm a s u s e d in th e H ild e b r
. .

‘ ’
l ie d 4 8 wewa rt Skihit or p e rh a ps s ep a ra te ly w e ! w a rt Skihit
, , ,

b e c au s e g e sch eh e n t o h a pp e n is u s e d more of a bstra ct in a n ima te


things A n OH G gl o ss a ls o h a s wa rt for fa tum ( Gra ff 1
. .
,

F ar more viv id a re th e A S p h ra s e s me b ee t lVgrd ge w af


2 ’
/ .
,

p arc a h oc mihi t e x uit Cod e x on 3 5 5 ; Wyrd oft n e re O u n feegn e ,


. .

e orl b on n e his e ll e n d e ah
,
p a rc a s e e p e s e rv a t v iru m d on e c v irtus ,

ej us vige t (e ll a n t ao e B e ow 1 1 3 9 h im wee s Wyrd un ,


.

g eme t e n e ah se b on e gomelan gré ta n sce Old e SOcean saw leh ord


, , ,

s un dur ge d aelan lif i l ic e 4 8 3 6 ( so; d e ad ungemet e n e ah 5 4 5 3 ) ’

,

sw a him Wy it a e i fa t um n on ord ina vit d e cre vit



rd n e ge scraf , , ,

B e ow 5 14 5 . El 1 04 7 c on f B oeth e d R awl p 1 5 1
. . e alle . . . . . .

Wyrd forsw e op 3 sw e pt all awa y B e ow 5 6 2 4 ; hie se o Wyrd ,


,
.

b e sw ac forlOolc an d forleerd e e OS p a rc a d e ce p it alle x it se d ux it


, , , , ,

A n dr 6 1 3 ; u s se e Wyrd sce Oe O n os fa tum lae d it A n d r 1 5 6 1


‘ ’
. . .
, ,

Th e in sta n c e s in Cae d mon a re l e ss c on cre t e ye t in 6 1 12 th e Wyrd , ,

is c al l e d w algrim b l ood th irsty— Of th e Wyrd th e n a re p re d ic a t e d :


‘ ’

crip a n )
(
4
g rO t a n e x cit a re O H G c ru o za n
) s e ri fe n
( ord in a re
,
OH G s .
, ,
.
,

w efau ( t e x e re OH G w e p an) b e swi can ( d e cip e re OH G p isuich an )


, .
, ,
.
,

forlee can ( tall e re OH G farle ich a n) forleeran ( se d uce re mal e


, .
, ,

in formare ) sce Oan (n o c e re ) Sh e is p ain t e d p ow e rful b ut Oft e n


, .
,

c rue l an d w arl ik e ( se e W e c a nn ot in th e s ame w ayp oin t


o ut a p e rs on a l a ppl ic a t ion of th e oth e r t w o n a me s th ou gh th e ,

MHG h at d e n t Ot an d e r h an t , Re inh 14 80 1 80 6 N ib 1 4 8 0 , 4
1 ‘ ’
. er . . . . .

M orolt 2 9 h D i e tr 2 931 P f Ch uon rat 3 8 60 K a rl 5 2a


. . . . . .

2
Wi th D , n ot Th , b e ca u s e t h e p re t of w e orOan i s w e arO, pl w urd on , . .

w h ich s upp orts th e d e riv a t i o n I p rop o s e d so t h e OH G W urt, b e ca u s e w e rd a u


h a s p re t pl w urtum . . .

S O I re a d for t h e fo rsw e of of th e e dit ion s , con f forsw ap e n , Cee d m 2 5 , 9


3 ‘ ’
. . .

4
C on f n ot e t o E l en e p 1 6 1, on a s i mil ar use of t h e M H G schriben , an d
. . .

K l au s en in Z eit sch r fur a lte rth 18 4 0 p 2 26 o n t h e Roma n n o t i on o f t h e


. . .

P arcae k e e p i n g a wri tten record N Cap 5 0 5 5 re n d e rs pa rca b ybrieo a ra , th e . . . .

re cord e r Te rt ull ian , D e an i ma cap 3 9 , i n forms us th a t on t h e l a st d a y o f t h e


. .

fi rst w e e k of a ch i ld s l i fe th e yu s e d t o p rayt o th e fa ta Scribun da F l e mi n g



. .

4 79 calls th e t h re e F a t e s d e s v e rh an gn is schreiberinn en
N ORN I . W Y RD . 40 7

th ird Skuld OH G Scu lt A S c ld c ontinue d in c on st an t use a s


, ,
.
,
.
,

a n a bst ra ct fe m S k u l d sc ult scyl d in th e s e n s e Of d e b it um d e l ic


.
, , , ,

t um 1
.W h e n ch ristianity h ad b an ish e d th e h e ath e n n ot ion s on e ,

n a me al on e w a s foun d s uffic ie n t a n d s o on e v e n t h a t d ie d ou t , ,

g iv ing pl a c e t o n e w fan gl e d t e rms s uch a s sch icks al verh angn is


'

d st y d h li k fa r more c u mbrou s a n d u nw ie l d y th an th e
( e in
) a n t e e ,

Old S impl e w ord s Th e E ngli sh an d e sp e c ially th e S c otch dial e ct


.

s e e ms t o h a v e h arb oure d th e Old w ord l onge st : w e a ll k n ow th e


weird sisters in M a cb e th wh ich Sh ak sp e are t ook from H oll in sh e d ;
-
,

th e y a re als o in D ougl a s s Virgil 8 0 4 8 a nd th e Comp layn t of ’


.

, ,

S c otl an d ( writte n 1 5 4 8 ) me n tion s a mong oth e r fab ul ou s st orie s , ,

th a t of t h e thre wei rd systirs ( Ley d e n s e d Ed inb 1 8 0 1 p ,


" ’
. .
,
.

in W a rn e r s A lb ion s E ngl an d ( fi rst p rin t e d 1 6 1 6 ) w e h av e th e


’ ‘

w eird eloes p rob a bly me a nin g th e P arc a e Of th e a n cie nts


,

M ore .

th e wei rd la d y of the w ood s w h o wh e n



n a t iv e a pp a re n tly is , ,

a sk e d for a d v ic e p roph e s ie s out of h e r c av e P e rcy s R e li que s 3


, ,

2 20
E v e n in th e mu st h a v e b e en of more c on s e qu e n c e
N orth ,
Urdr
th an th e o th e r t w o for th e foun t ain by th e s a cre d a sh is n a me d ,

a ft e r h e r U rd a rbra n n rf a n d b e s id e it st a n d s th e h all from wh ich


'
,

Urda r orO w ord ( Seem 1 1 2 )



t h e th re e n orn s iss ue ; it is a ls o
3
.
,

th at is ch ie fly S p ok e n Of an d on c e grimme r n rdir dira fa t a is ,



,

b —
u s e d imp e rs on a lly S ee m 2 1 6 Th e s e thre e v irgin s all ot t o e v e ry
,
. .

man his t e rm of l ife ska p a mOnnum aldr ; skip i ard aga (y e ar ,


Sn 1 8 S eem . I h a v e e ls e wh e re (RA 75 0 ) sh ow n
. . .

t h e t e ch n ic a l p e rt in e n c e of th e t e rm shap a t o th e j ud icia l offi c e o f


h
t e n orn s to wh om for th e s ame re as on are a scrib e d d Omr an d
4
,

1 F o rn ald so g 1 , 3 2 Sku ld, d au gh t e r of a n alfkon a ; a ls o in S a x o G ra m p


. . . .

3 1 , S cu ld a , n p rop . .

2
C onf J a mie son sub v weird ( we e rd , w eard ) C h auce r alreadysub stitu te s
. . .

fa ta l sustrin for w e ird syste rs ( Troil 3 , 73 3 Le g of gd w o rn I n E n gl . . . . .

d i ction ari e s w e fi n d w a y wa rd sisters e xpl ain e d b yp arca e an d furi a e wa rdsisters


w o ul d cre a t e n o d i ffi cu lt y, b u t wa y wa rd me an s ca p ri ciou s , a n d w a s on ce wa y
w a rden, in w h i ch t h e w a rd e n s u gg e sts t h e D a n v o rre n , v orn ( G ra mm 2 , . .

Wh at A S form can th e re b e at t h e b ott om o f i t ? [w e w oe is th e u s ua l e tym ]


. .

3
Th i s brunnr d e s e rv e s a tt e n t i on , for th e w a y fa ri n g w iv e s an d fays of th e
Mid A g e s als o a pp e a r h a bi t uall y a t foun t ai n s , a s th e mus e s a n d g od d e ss e s
.

o f s o n g h a u n t e d t h e s a me a n d p a rt i cu l ar g o d d e ss e s e s
, , p H o l d a , l o v e d w e lls a n d .

S p ri n gs ( p A lt og e t h e r i t i s h a rd Oft e n t o t e ll w h i ch d a me H ol d a
.

re s e mb l e s more , a n a n ci e n t g o d d e ss or a w i s e -w oma n .

4
C on f A S w yrd a gesceaf t, Cee d m 22 4 , 6 w yrd a gesceap u, Cod e x on 4 20 ,
. . . . . .

25 . OS w urdhgiscap u ( d e cre t a fa t i ) , H e l 1 13 , 7 ; a n d th e OH G t e rm seep


. . .

h en td, M H G schepfe ( Otto c 1 l 9b ) a n d schepfer t h e p oe t , a ls o a v a t e s, w as in


. .
408 W I SE W OMEN .

goi dr, Seem 2 73



b
. liota r n ornir S kOp o OS S
langa bra dirae p arc a e ,

cre a ve ru n t n ob is l ongu m moe rore m 2 l 7a


n orn ir h e it a b eer e r
n a uO shap a Skald ska a rmal p I n th e s a me s e n s e n orni r
, p .

vi sa S eem 8 8 th e y giv e us t o wit j ud g me n t an d are w ise H e n c e t o


1

1
,
.
, , .

th e m a s t o j udg e s a sea t is g iv e n
, ,a n orn a stdli sat e k n iu d a ga
Th e y a pp roa ch e v e ry n e w b orn chil d a n d utt e r his d oom ;
a t H el i s b irth it is s a id in S eem1 4 9
,

g , .

nOt t v ar q m
i b oe ,o n orn ir va ,

b oer e r OOlingi a ld r um skdp o


b ann b ade fylki froegsta n verOa ,

Ok B uOlf m ga b e z t an byckj a .

sn ero b oer a f a li OrlOglad tto


f
' '

pa e r b orgir b ra ut i B ralundi
b oer um greidd o gnllinsi mo ,

Ok un d mana sal mi an f esto .

b oer austr Ok ve str e n d a fal o ,

a r att i lofOOn r l a n d a mil li


b g
bra n ip t N era O n orOrv e ga .

e in n i
f esti e ybaO h on h al da . .

Th is imp ortant p a ss ag e t e lls us t h a t n orn s e n t ering th e ca stl e at ,

n ig h t S p u n for th e h e ro th e th re a d s of h is fa t e a n d st re tch e d t h e ,

g ol d en cord ( bdttr d ah t d och t =simi ) in t h e mid st of h e a v e n ;


,
z
, ,

on e n orn hid a n e n d Of t h e th re a d e a stw ard a n oth e r w e stw a rd a , ,

th ird fa st e n e d it n ort hw ard ; thi s third on e is c all e d Sist e r of N e ri 1 ‘ ’


.

Th e ir n umb er th ough mot e xp re ssly stat e d is t o b e g ath e re d from


, ,

th e th re e fol d a ction A ll th e re gion b e tw e e n th e e a st e rn a n d


. .


w e ste rn e n d s of th e l in e w as to fall t o th e y oun g h ero s lot ; did ,
.

t h e third n orn diminish thi s gift w h e n Sh e fl un g a b a n d n ort h w ard ,


a n d b a d e it h ol d for a e
y ( See
"

It s e ems th e re gul ar th ing i n t al e s of n orms an d fays for th e [

a d v a n t a g e s p romis e d in p re c e din g b e n e fa ction s t o b e p a rtly n e ut ral .

ize d b ya s u cc e e d in g on e .

Th e N orn agest ssaga cap 11 1 sa ys : Th e re t rave lle d a bout in t h e


.

OH G scuof, OS scr
. ip , from t h e sa me ro ot
. Th e A S w ord metten L e on n e ct . .

w ith metod ( cre a t or, se e p I n B e é th p 1 0 1 ( Ra wlins on ) a yari a l e ct i o


. . . .

h as 1 9 a gra ma n metten a , t h e u n k ind fa t esz; t h e me todo gi sca p u I n H e l 6 6 ,


’ “ ‘
.

19 6 7 1 1 an s w e r t o t h o s e wy
.

rd a ge sce a u
p

a n d th e ge n pl ura ls
(
"
m e t od o , ,
.

wy rd a impl y th a t n o t on e crea t or, b ut s e v e ra l are S p o k e n of V i n tle r calls . .

th em diernen , d ie d e m me n s ch e n erteilen, maid s th a t d ol e out t o man



.

1
C on f nip t N a ra , Egilssaga p 4 4 0
. . .
4 10 W I SE W OM E N .

Th e E d d a xp re ssly t e a ch e s th a t th e re are good and ba d n orn s


e

(g O O a r o k il l a r gr i mm a
,
r lio t a r) a n d th ou gh it n a me s on ly th re e
, , ,

th a t th e re are more of th e m s ome are d e sc e nd e d from god s oth e rs ,

from e l v e s oth e rs from d wa rfs Sn 1 8 1 9


, Seem 1 8 7 8 W hy ,
. . .
-
.

S h oul d th e n orn s b e furn ish e d with d og s ? greyn orn a See m 2 73


at
.
,

W e se e th rough out this E ddie d e scription things an d p e rs on s


, ,

are k e pt cl e a rly a p a rt D e stin y its e l f is c all e d Orlog or e ls e n a u dr


'

.
,

( n e c e ss it a s ) a ld r
(,
a e v u m ) ; t h e n orn s h a v e t o ma n a g e it e spy it .

, ,

d e c re e it p ron ou n c e it ( se e
,
A n d t h e o th e r d ia le cts t oo h a d
p oss e ss e d t h e s a me te rm : OH G a rla c A S; orloeg M H G urlouc .
, ,
.

(G ramm 2 7 8 7 78 9.
, . OS orlag orlegi a ld a rla gu ( H el 1 03
. . .
, , .
,

8 113 11 12 5
.
,
. it w a s only w h e n th e h e a th e n g odd e ss e s
,

h a d b e e n c a st Off th a t t h e me a n ings o f th e w ord s c a me to b e con


,

foun d e d a n d th e old fle sh a n d bl ood wurt w a rd wyrd t o p a l e in to


,
- -
, ,

a me re imp ers on a l a rla c .

I n t h e s ame re l a tion a s n orn t o o rlog sta n d s p a rca to f a tum ,

( fr o m fa r i l ik e
, qv i5 r fr o m qv e Oa q v a O q u o th ) a n d a ls o a lc a p oi a
p , , ,

'

t o &vd y f m; (n an Or) or e i na p névg B u t wh e n on c e th e p arc a e h ad


,
.

v a nish e d from th e p e opl e s imagin a tion th e Roman c e l a ngu age ( by ’

a p roc e ss t h e re v e rs e o f t h a t j ust n ot ic e d a mon gst u s) forme d out .


,

o f th e a bst ra ct n oun a n e w a n d p e rs on a l on e out Of f a tum a n It al , .

2
f a ta S p an h a d a Prov f a d a ( R ay n sub F r f ee I d o n ot k n ow

. . . . .
, ,

if th is w a s p rompt e d by a fain t re me mb ran c e of s ome fe mal e b e ings


in t h e Ce ltic fa ith or th e in fl u e n c e of th e G e rma n ic n orn s
,
B ut .

th e s e f a gs so c all e d a t fi rst from t h e ir a nn oun cin g d e stiny s oon


, ,

c a me t o b e gh ostly w iv e s in g en eral alt og e th e r th e s ame a s our ,

id isi an d v Olur 3 H ow v e ry e arly th e n a me w a s c urre n t in It aly


.
,

is p rov e d by A u s oniu s w h o in h is Gryp h us t e rn arii nume ri b rin gs


,

forward th e tre s Ch arit e s tria F a ta a nd by Pro c op ius w h o ,


,
.
,

1
F rom l e ga n ( to la y d ow n , con st itu e re ) , l ike t h e A S l a ge , ON lo g ( lex ) . .

th e refore urla c, fun damen t a l law Th e forms url one , urliuge h ave s i gni fi can tl y .

b e e n t w ist e d rou n d t o th e roo t liugan , l ou c ( ce l are ) .

2 C
on f n a t a n é e
. a ma t a, a i mé e ; l a t a, lee S ome M H G p o e ts sayfcic . .

m s i n e fci c, H a u pt s z e i tsch r 2 , 18 2 3 , o t h e rs fein e ( G otfr C o n n )


( H a rt . .
-
. .

3 O Fr p oe ms ca ll th e m in a d d i t ion t o fé e s diuesses M ari e d e F r 2


.
, , ( .
,
. .

duesses ( M eon 4 , 1 5 8 du esse a n d fee (Wolf, l a i s 5 1 ) ; p uceles bien eurees



'
-
.

M a n ches p uce les son ces ( 3 , sap a u des ( w i s e -w ome n , from


( e on 3 , f r
s ap e re M a ri e d e Fr 2 , 3 8 5 En ch an t i n g b e aut y i s a s crib e d t o t h e m all :
. .


pl us be l a qu e fa da , F e rabras 2 76 7 con t 1 6 4 3 4 A b oo k of H S chre i b e r

. . .

( Die fe e n in E u r o p a ,
Fr e ib 1 84 2 ) t h ro w s mu ch l i gh t on t
. h e a n t iq u i t i e s o f fa y ;

w orsh i p H o u s e s , ca stl e s an d h i lls of t h e fays re mi nd u s Of t h e w i s e w o me n s



-
.


t owe rs, of th e V e nus h ill an d H oll a h i ll , an d Of gian t s h ous es I n I ri sh,
-

.

sia brog, sigh brog, is fi rst a fay s h ouse, th en th e faycommunity



.
N ORN I . FA TA E . 4 11

me nt ion s ( D e b ell o G oth 1 25 e d B on n 2 1 2 2) a b uilding in th e .


, , . .
,

R o man Forum c el l e d ret 7 p ia (pd ra ( s up ra p 4 0 5 n ote ) with th e



.
,

re ma rk : o fi rw y
’ ’
P a) u a loe 7 2
1 9 u o l a s ve uo lx a a e x a h e lv } At
'
ez f
p p

p , ,

th at time th e re fore still n e ut e r; but e v e rywh e re th e numb e r three ,

in n orn s moirai p arc a e a n d fays ( se e


, ,

A b ou t th e R oma n c e fa ys t h e re is a mult itud e of st orie s a nd ,

th e y c oin cide with th e p op ul ar b el ie fs of Ge rma ny F Olque t d e .

R oman s s ings
A issim f a d era tres serors '


e n a qu e ll a ora qu ie n sui n e t z ,

qu e t otz t e mps fos e na morat z t

G uilhde i P oit ou : .

A ss i fuyd e nue itz f a d a tz sob r un p u egau



.

( so w a s I g ift e d by n ig h t o n a m ou n t ) .

M arcabrus
Gen til f a d a
v os a d a stre t,
quan fas n ad a
d un a b eut a t e s me rad a

.

Tre f a te go p a st l augh in g a n d g iv e good gifts Pen tam 1


, , 4 4; ,
.
, ,

t h e fi rst f a te b e st ow bl e ss in gs th e l a st on e c urs e s 2 8 ; P e rvon to , ,

b uil d s a b ow e r for three Sl e e p ing f a te a n d is th e n gift e d 1 3 ; tre , ,

f a te l iv e d o wn in a ro cky h oll ow a n d d o w e r t h e ch il d re n w h o ,

d e sc e n d 2 3 3 1 0 f a te a pp e a r a t th e b irth o f ch ild re n an d lay


,
.
, ,

th e m on th e ir b rea st 5 5 Ce rv an te s n ame s los Sie t e c a stillo s d e


,

la S sie te f a d a s D on Quix 4 5 0 si ete f a d a s me f a d a ron e n b raz o s


’ ”
.
, ,

d e u na a ma mia Rom d e la in fan tin e t h e re a re seven f a gs in th e



.
,

l a n d t h e y a re a sk e d t o st an d g odmoth e rs an d s e ats Of h on our a re


, ,

p re p are d at th e ta bl e : Six t a k e th e ir pl a c e s b ut th e s e v e n th w a s ,

forg o tt e n Sh e n ow a pp e a rs an d wh il e th e oth e rs e n d ow w ith g ood


, ,

th ings Sh e murmurs h e r mal is on ( La b elle e u b ois d orma nt) ; in


,

th e G e rma n kin d e rmarch e n ( D ornrcisch e n) it is twelve w ise w omen ,


' '

t h e thi rteen th h ad b e en ov e rl ook e d S O in . th e fa me d fore st of

1 A ccord in gl yI d o n ot d e riv e fa ta from (pan ; ( Sp e e ch ) , or ( pa r o s sp oke n ,


' -'

th ough th e L a t i n v e rb is of co urs e t h e s ame w ord as ¢ qp i C o nf D uca nge sub . .

v F a d us, an d Lob e ck s A gla op h 8 1 6 F a t uu s a n d fa t ua a re als o conn e cte d


.

. .
.

2
Le rsch in t h e B o n n e r j b 18 4 3 s e p arat e s t he t h re e p arcae
. .

from t h e t h re e fa t a , b e cau s e in s culpt ure s t h e yh av e d i ffe re n t a dj un cts : th e


Ro ma n p a rca e a re re p re s e n t e d w ri t i n g ( p t h e G re ci an moi ra i w e a vi n g , th e .

t i i a fa t a s i mpl yas W o me n w i th h orn s o f pl e n t y B ut a l most e v e ryth i n g in th e .

d o ct rin e Of fa ys p oi n ts t o a co mmon n a t u re w i th o ur id ise s a n d n orns , an d


w orks Of art fa ll in t o th e b a ckg roun d b e fo re t h e fu l n e ss Of l i t e ra t ure .
412 WI SE WOMEN .

B re ze lian d e by th e fon t ain e d e f a ce s in white B are nd ou d a mes


, ,

a pp a re l sh e w th e ms e l v e s a nd b e gift a ch il d bu t on e is sp it e ful
, ,

a n d b e st ows c a l a mity ( Sa n M art e Le g Of A rth ur p 15 7 8 ,


. .
-
.

A t Olge r s b irt h six wise women a pp e a r a n d e n d ow ; t h e l a st is


n a me d M orgu e I n t h e Ch il d re n Of L imb urg ( M on e s an z e ig e r


.

1 83 5 ,
wh e n E ctrite s falls a sl e e p in a me ad ow b e s ide a foun ta in
a n d a l ime t re e three w a y a ri ng wires a pp roa ch a n d fore t e ll th e
-
f , ,

fut ure Th e OFr roman c e of G uill a ume au c ourt n e z d e sc ribe s


. .

h ow Re n oart falls a sl e e p in a b oa t a n d three f a gs c ome an d c arry ,

h im Off I n B urch a rd of W orms th e y a re still S p ok e n of a s three


.

sisters or p a rca e for w h om t h e p e opl e o f t h e h ou s e sp re a d t h e


,

t abl e wit h th re e pl at e s a n d th re e k niv e s ; c on f th e p ra e p a rare .

me n s a s cu m la p id ibus v el e p ul is in d omo I n th e w a tch e s o f


th e n igh t t h e fa tuae c ome t o c h il dre n w a sh t h e m an d lay th e m ,

d ow n by th e fi re ( se e S upp l ) I n most of t h e t al e s th e re app e a r


.

three fa ys a s w e ll a s three n orn s an d three p arc ae ; o cc a s ion a lly


,

seven a n d thi rteen b ut th e y als o c ome s ingly lik e th a t w e irdla d y , ,

a n d w ith p rop e r n a me s Of th eir o w n



of th e w o od
1
, Fre n ch . .

1
La f a ta in G ue rin o me s chin o p m -
lil orga n da fa ta ta , fa ta
. . 22 3 2 3 4
.
.

M orghe la fee ( N o uv Re n a rt .

diu frouw e d e la rosche bise
( b l a ck rock ) , die ge sa ch n i e ma n , e r sch ie d e d an e , ri ch e und e w i s e wh om

,

n o n e saw b ut h e w e n t a w a gl d i h d w is B 1 44 M H 1 1 1 8 3
y a ,
r c a n e ,
e n S , . . . .

M on n ie rs C ulte d e s e spri ts d a n s la S é qua n ie t e lls Of a fé e Amie in F ran ch e


comt é , wh o a pp e a rs a t co un t r
y ( e sp h a rv e st ) fe a sts , a n d re wa rd s dili g e n t
. .

spinn e rs ; sh e ma k e s t h e frui t fa ll Off th e t ree s for good ch i l d re n , a n d .

d i stri b ut e s n u ts a n d ca k e s t o th e m a t C h rist ma s , j ust l i ke H ol d a a n d B e rh t a .

I b e l i e v e h e r t o b e id e n t i ca l with th e We lsh A ria nrod, d au gh t er of Don an d


s i st e r of G wyd i on ( Wod e n ) , in C rok e r 3 , 19 5 h er n a me con t ai n s a ri an ‘

( arge n t um) , so t h a t Sh e i s a S hin i n g on e , an d i t i s a ls o u s e d of th e milk yw ay , .

A j e u co mp os e d in t h e l a tt e r h a l f of t h e 1 3 th cen t uryb yA d amd e l a H a ll e o f


A rra s (p u b l in Th ea t re fra n e a u moye n age Pa ri s 18 3 9 p 5 5 se q ) g iv e s a
. .
, , . .

p re tty fu ll a ccou n t of da me M orgue e t se comp a ign ie Th e y ; are b e au t ifu’ l .


"

w ome n ( b e l e s d a me s pa ré e s ) w h o at a fix e d t ime of t h e -ye a r s e e k a n i gh t s


.

l od gin g at a h ou s e , w h e re d i sh e s a re se t on th e t ab l e for t h e m men t ha t l oo k


o n must n ot sp e a k a w ord B e s i d e M orgue la sage t h e re a pp ear ( p 76 - 7) t w o
. .

o th e r fa y s, A rsite an d M a glore, a n d th e l a st , on S i tt i n g d ow n , n ot i ce s th a t no
knife h as b e e n l a i d for h er, w h i l e t h e o th e rs p ra i s e t h e b eau t y of th e irs

M aglore cri e s out in a n g er : S uij e l i p ire p e u me p ris a qu i e st avli :u i -avi s a , .

qu e t ou t e s e u l e a cout e l fa i ll e A rsile t ri e s t o p aci fyh e r, a n d says, it i s fitt i n g


th a t w e g iv e a p re s e n t t o th o s e wh o h a v e arran ge d th i s pl ace so pre tt ily
'

.
,

M orgue e n d ows on e w i t h ri ch e s, Arsile w i th th e p oe t i c art, b ut Maglore s ays.

D e mi ce rt e s n aron t il n i e n t ,

b i e n d oiv e n t fa l i r a d on b e l,
p u i sque j a i fal i a cout e l
h on n i s o i t qui ri en s l e ur d on ra !

M orgu e h owe v e r in si st i ng o n a g i ft M aglore b e st ows on one fe l low a bal d


,

h e a d , a n d on t h e o th e r a cal ami t ou s j ou rn e y
4 14 W I S E W OME N .

( c re a t in g ) i mp art all s u cc e ss in good or e vil The bdhun fe ste n .

in H il d l ie d is h ard ly t o b e e xpl ain e d by th e fa st e nin g of a thre ad


.

o f d e a th .

I f w e c omp a re th e Nors e mythu s with th e G re e k e a ch h a s ,

t ak e n Sh a p e in it s own in d e p e n d e n t w a y I n H ome r it is th e .

p e s o ifi e d A la a th a t Sp in s th e th re a d for th e n e wb orn :
r n 1

i
c a o a. o
-
i A la a -
.

' ' '

ye w ouéug M vcp OT e a w rélce


ufirnp I l 20 127 ;
r
e 7re vn0 e
'

o , . .
,

wh at th ings Ais a sp an for h im at b irth w ith h er th re a d B ut in


Od 7 1 9 7 oth e r sp inn e rs (tw o) are a ss ociat e d with h e r
.
,

d orm . o i A id a K a ra xlt di dés T G Ba p e la e ‘ ‘

Ore p w T éICG wimp


' '
y ew o ue vc p wi Klug
r o a vro
'
e ,

wh at A is a a nd th e K a takloth e s un k in d Sp a n H e siod ( cm rr 2 5 8 )

.

mak e s th re e g odd e ss e s st an d b e s id e t h e c omb a t a nts ,

A dxe a t s A T p 0 7ro s th e l a st small of st a ture b ut e l d e st ar id most


"

, , ,

e x a lt e d o f a ll B ut in Th e og 2 1 8 h e n a me s t h e m a s
. .

Kh mer!) A cixe a lv l

ire Bp oroia w

re 7 6 [ca a
' '
Bi dd le d rya do v é

y
r ew o
u e vo w t
-
w éx ew

TG ICd JC V 7 6
°

wh o g ive t o mort als at b irth t o h av e b oth g ood an d ill an d in


al mo st th e s ame w ord s a t 9 0 5 Th e mo st d e t ail e d d e script ion is .

g iv e n by Pl a to (D e re p u bl 6 1 7 St e ph 5 0 8 Th e th re e . .

u o ip eu a re d a u ght e rs o f M in t /
, yen (n e c e ssity) on wh o s e k n e e s th e ,

spin d le t urn s th e y Sit cl oth ed in wh ite an d garl an d e d ,

s inging th e d e stin y L a ch esis 7 d yeyo vo ra K l oth o 7 a civra A trOp os


,
f f
'

,

7 a u e xxo vm : j u st th e s a me re l a tion to p a st p re s e n t a n d fu t ure a s


, ,

t h e n orm h av e th ou gh t h e G re e k p rop e r n ame s d o n ot th e ms e l v e s


,

e xp re ss it w da) ( forme d l ik e .
'

Top ya i) S p in s (from 10 0 3800 S p in tw in e ) L a ch e sis all ots ( from



r 1 , ,

"
A T p o n o s th e un tu rn abl e c uts th e th re ad
'

,
It must not b e , .

ov e rl ook e d t h a t H e s iod s e ts u p t h e l a st A trop o s a s th e mightie st


, , , ,

w hil e w ith uS W urt th e e l d e st p rod u c e s th e most p ow e rful imp re s


s ion L atin writ e rs distribu te th e offic e s Of th e p arc ae s ome wh a t
.

d iffe re n tly a s A p ul e ius ( D e mu n d o p Cl oth o p ra esentis


'

.
,

t e mp oris h a b e t c ura m quia quod t orque tu r in d igitis mome nti , ,

I th in k l is th e OH G é ra our e h re for wh ich w e Sh oul d e xp e ct a


1
a oa
’ -
.
, ,

G othic diza ai s a ( a s aistan is a e st ima re ) é ra


,
h on or d e cus d i gn i t a s w h a t , , ,

is fa i r a n d fitt i n g w h a t i s a n yon e s d u e l u e x d i gn i t a t e t o e a ch h i s ’ ’

r ,
xa a oa , ,

me e d I f t h i s e tymo l ogyh ol d s w e u n d e rsta nd whyfra u E re was p e rsoni fie d


.

.
,

(se e
N ORN I . 4 15

p rae se ntis indicat S ; A trop os p ra ete riti fa tum e st, quia q u od


p a tia
in fus o p e rfe ctu m e st, p ra e t e rit i. t e mp oris h ab e t sp e cie m ; L a ch e s is

f u tu ri q uod , e t ia m ill isqua e fut ura s un t fi ne m s uum d e us d e d e rit


ore s Op in ion w a s q u ot e d on p Th e N or

( se e Is id .

n age st ssaga b e a rs a st rik in g re s e mbl a n c e t o t h a t Of M e l e a g e r a t ,

wh os e birth th re e moirai t e ll h is fortu n e : A trop os d e st in e s him t o


li ve only till th e b ille t th e n b urn ing on t h e h e arth b e b urn t out ;
h is moth e r A lth ae a pl ucks it out of t h e fi re 2
Our mod ern t al e s .

h ere e xch an ge th e n orn s or fa t e s for d ea th K in d e rm n o 4 4 ,


. . .

A n oth e r t al e th a t of t h e three sp inn ers (n o


,
d e p icts th e m a s .

ugly old w ome n w h o c ome t o h e lp but n o l ong e r t o p re d ict ; th e y


, ,

d e s ire t o b e b id d e n t o th e marriag e an d t o b e c a ll e d cousins .

Els e wh e re three old w omen fore te ll b ut d o n ot sp in 3


A folk t al e , .
-

(D e utsch e s ag e n n o 9) introd uc e s two ma id en s sp i nn ing in a c av e


.

o f th e moun t a in a n d u n d e r th e ir t abl e is th e E v il o n e ( I s upp os e


,

th e th ird n orn) ch ain e d up a g a in w e a re t ol d o f t h e ro of b e a m o n -

wh ich a sp in n ing w if e Sits a t mid night 1


W e mu st n ot forg e t th e .

W yrd gew df

A S t e rm wh ich d e sc rib e s a n orn as wea vi ng



.
,

( p . 4 0 6 ) a n d wh e n it is s a id in B e o w 1 3 8 6 : ac him D ry h t e n .

forge af w igsp é d a gewiof u (e i D ominu s la rgit us e st su cce ssuum


b e llicorum t e xtura s ) th is is q uit e h e ath e n ph ra s eol ogy o nly


, ,

p uttin g God in th e pl a c e of W y rd G ottfrie d ( T rist in . .

d e scrib ing Blie ke r of S te in ach s p urity of min d e xp re ss e s h ims e l f


th us :
ich w ee n e d az in f einen ,

ze w un d e r h a b e n es a nn en
g p
u n d h a b e n in in ir brun nen

ge liut e rt und
g e re in e t ;

I w ee n th a t fays Sp un h im a s a w on d e r and cl ea n s e d him in th e ir ,

foun ta in
S a x o G ram p 1 0 2 u s e s t h e L a t in w ord s p a rca nymp ha b ut
. .
, ,

u nmist ak a bly h e is d e sc rib in g n orn s : M os e ra t a ntiqu is s up e r ,

Th e H ymn t o M e rcury 5 5 0 5 6 1 n a me s in d iv id ua l ly s ome o th e r p o ip a i


1 -
.

st ill t h re e in n u mb er, wi n ge d mai d e n s d w e ll in g on Parn a ss us , th e i r h e ad s


b e sprin kl e d w i th w h i t e mea l , w h o p ro ph e s yw h e n t h e yh a v e e a t e n fre s h d ivi n e
fo od ( fide ia v o f h on e
y Oth e rw i s e t h e ya re ca ll e d dp ca i
.

.

2
A Ollod or us i 8 , 2 . .

3
A td w b 1 10 7-8 9 10
. .
, N ors ke e ve n tyr n o 1 3
- -
. Rob C ha mb e rs p . . . .

54 5-
M iille nh ofl s S ch le sw igh s p 4 10
.

P e n t a me r 4 , 4
. . . . . .

J ul S ch mid t, Re ich e n fe ls p 1 4 0
. . .
416 W I S E WOM E N .

fut uris lib erorum e ve n tib us p a rea ra m o ra u a c l con s ultare .


Quo
t
ri u F rid le v us Ol a vi fi lii fortun a m e x p lora turu s, n un cup a tis

sole n n ite r v otis, d e orum ae de s p re e a b u n d u s a e ce d it ,


ubi int ro sp e e t o
sa cello
1
s e d e s t otid e m n ymp his occup ari cogn oscit Q ue rum
tern a s .

p ri m a i n d u lg e n tioris a n imi l ib e ra l e m p ue ro fo rmam ub e re m u e


q ,

h uma ni fa v oris c op iam e roga b a t Eid em secun d a b e n e fi cii l oc o .

lib e ralitat is e x e e lle n tia m con d on avit Tertia v e ro p rot e rvioris .


,

ing e n ii invid e n tiorisqu e st u dii fe min a sorara m in d ulge n tiore m ,

a sp e rn a t a con se n sum id e oq u e caru m d on is Offi ce re cu ie n s futuris


, p ,

m rib us p arsimon ia e c rime n a ffi x it H e re th e y are c all e d


p u e ri o .

S ist e rs wh ich I h a v e fou n d n ow h e re e ls e in ON a u th orit ie s ; an d


,
.

t h e th ird n y mph is a g a in th e ill n a ture d on e w h o l e ss e n s t h e b oon s ,

o f t h e fi rst t w o Th e on ly diffe re n c e is th a t th e n orn s d o n ot


.
,

c ome t o th e in fa nt b ut th e fath er s e e ks ou t th eir d w elli ng th eir


, ,

t e mpl e ( se e
Th e w e av in g of th e n orn s a nd th e sp indl e o f th e fays giv e us
t o re c og n is e d omesti c moth erly div in itie s ; a n d w e h a v e al re a d y
r e mark e d th at th e ir a pp e aring s udd e nly th e ir h aun ting of w ell s
, ,

a n d sp rings a cc ord w ith th e n o tion s Of a n tiq uity a b ou t frau H ol d a ,

B e rh ta a n d t h e l ik e g odd e ss e s w h o d e v ote th e ms e l v e s t o sp inn ing


, ,

a n d b e st ow b oon s on b a b e s a n d ch il d re n
3
A mon g Ce l ts e sp e cially .
,

Th e yh a d a temp le t h en , in wh i ch th e ir oracle w as con s ult e d


1
.

2
Th e L e tt ish L a ima a t th e b i rt h o f a ch i l d , l ays t h e Sh e e t un d e r it , a n d
,

d e t e rmi n e s i ts fort un e A n d on o th e r o cca s i o n s in l i fe t h e y sa y t a i p L a ima


.
,

lcme , so F a t e ord a i n e d i t ; n o d oub t L aima i s cl o s e l y con n e ct e d w i th le mti


( ord i n a re , d i sp on e re ) Sh e ru n s b are foo t e d o v er th e h i lls (se e ch X V I I ,


. .

W at e rsp rit e s) Th e re is a ls o me n t i o n e d a D ehkla (nu rsi n g mot h e r, from d eh t


.
-

t o s uckl e ) A t ri n i ty Of p arcae , a n d th e i r sp inn i n g a th re a d , a re un k n ow n t o


.

S t e n d e r s G ramm p 2 64 Rh e sa s d ai n o s pp 2 72 30 9

th e L e tton s co n f . . . . . . .

3 10 — T h e L i th u an i a n s d o k n ow a Werp ey
. a ( Sp i n n er
) Th e A u sl an d for 18 3 9 , .

no 2 78 h a s a p re tty L i th u a n i an l e ge n d
. Th e dieces ua ldi toyes w e re s e v e n
g odd e ss e s , t h e fi rst on e S pun th e l iv e s of me n out of a d i st aff g iv e n h e r by th e
h i gh e st go d , t h e s e con d se t u p t h e w arp , t h e t h i rd w o v e in th e w o of, t h e fourth
t o l d t a l e s t o t e mpt th e w ork e rs t o l e a v e Off, for a ce ss a t i on of l ab our sp oi lt th e
w e b , t h e fi ft h e x h ort e d t h e m t o in d u st ry an d a dd e d l e n gth t o th e l i fe , t h e s i xth
,

cut t h e t h re a d s , t h e s e v e n t h w a s h e d t h e g a rme n t a n d ga v e i t t o t h e mo st h i gh

od a n d i t b e ca me t h e ma n s w i n d in g s h e e t e s e v e n , on l y three sp i n or

g , Of t h -
.

we a ve .

3
N o t a fe w t ime s h a v e H ol d a a n d B e rh ta p ass e d i n t o M ary a n d in th e
three M a ry s of a S wiss n urs e ry -rh
ym e I t h i n k I can re cog ni s e t h e h e a th e n n orn s

or idisi

rit e ri t e ro sli,
, rid e , rid e a -cock h ors e ,
z e B a d e st o t e sch lossli, a t B a d en st a n d s a li ttl e ca stl e ,
ze B a d e st o t e gii ld i h u s, a t B a d e n st an d s a g o l d e n h ou s e ,
e s lii e ge d d rei M a reic d rus th ere look th re e M arys out of it
'

die e i n t sp i n n t Si d e , t h e on e S pin s Silk,


4 18 W I SE W OM E N .

of vict ory p 1 3 3 n ot e ) is s e rv e d in V alh oll by maid e n s a nd th e m


,
.
, , ,

h e s e n d s o ut in t o e v e ry b a ttl e t o ch o os e th e Sl ain Sn 3 9 ; kiosa e r , , .


liOnir e ro See m 1 6 4 1
vild i pik kiosa S ee m
’ ’
.
,
.
,

H e n ce su ch a ma id e n h al f divin e is c all e d va lkyrj a ; a n d , ,


r

it is an oth e r mo st w e lc ome c oin cid e n c e th a t t h e A S l a ngua g e ,


.

h a s re t aine d th e v e ry s ame t e rm w oeley rie ( w eelcyr e w eele rre ) t o


g y ,

E n gl ish su ch L a tin word s as b e ll on a e rin nys A l e ct o T isip h on e , , , ,

a n d e mpl oys it e v e n for p a rc a a n d v e n e fi ea Th e Cott M S Vit e ll . . . .

A 1 5 h as a gl oss w eele yrige a n e ag a n gorgon e us : t his is t ra n sl a ting



.
,

th e Gree k id e a in t o an A S on e ; d id th e e y e s Of th e w eele y rige a n .

in stil h orror l ik e th e G org on s h e a d s ? I a m quit e s afe in a ss uming


a n C H G w a la ch u rid (w alach urra)



. ua la kus j o w oul d b e th e G othic
form A t th e e n d o f t h e Langob ardian g e n e a l ogy w e fi n d a ma n s

.

na me lV l / a
ca usus
1
.

A n oth e r n ame Of th e ua lk r ur yj is ON .
j (b attl e maid s )
ua lmeya r -
,

b
p erh aps a ls o th e p re s e n t N orw ua ld Oger wh ich H allager 1 4 0 s ays

.
,

is guardia n Sp irit A g ain th e y are c all e d skia ld mey


-
.
j a r hi a lmme
yj ar , , ,

b e c au s e th ey b O forth arme d un d e r sh ie l d an d h el me t ( v e ra un d ,

hialmi S ee m 1 5 1 1 92 ) n onn or H erj a n s n un s Of Obinn 4


b b

, .
3
Th e
°

, .

E d da b e st o ws on th e valkyrj a th e e p ith e ts : hui t hui t u n d kia l


mi ( alb a sub gale a) 1 4 5 biOrt 1
sdlbiOrt s unb right hia rt
’ ’
1
, ,

litu d 1 4 2 hia lmuitr 1 5 7 gullua ri d 1 6 7 ma rgullin mee r 14 5


3
,
1 3
,
3
,
3
,

a luit r 1 6 4 a ll d e script ive of b e au ty or h e l me t— orn ame n ts H elm


3
.
,

a n d sh ie l d d ist in guis h th e s e h e l m a n d Sh ie l d w ome n a s mu ch a s

h e roe s th e y rid e o n Sh ie l d s e rvic e un de r shie l d roof See m


,
-
,
-
, .

a n d a re c a ll e d skia ld me
j a r a ldrsta ma r or y ou n g Sh ie l d ma id e n s o f
y
-
,

Th e l e g e n d of th e A ma zons ( H e rod 4 1 1 0 — 1 1 7

A tli s c ou rt . .
, .

J orn cap . P aul D ia c 1 15 ) s e e ms to re st on S imil ar ye t


. . .
,

diffe re n t n ot ion s A v a lkyr in S eem 1 6 7 isn ame d su dree n ( a u stra lis)


b
. .
,

a pp are n tly in th e s e n s e of b iOrt SOlbiOrt ? A g ain a t d isir ,

su5 roen ar (se e Suppl


)
?

Of ua lr, wa l its elf w e migh t s e e k th e ro ot in v e lj a , va lj an ( e l ige re ) , so


1

th a t i t sh oul d from th e fi rst h a ve con t a i n e d t h e n o t i on of ch oos i n g, b ut b e i n g


a ppl i e d t o stra g e s , a n d i ts s e n s e g e tt i n g b l urre d , i t h a d t o b e h e lp e d ou t b ya

s e con d v erb of t he same me an i n g Our Tit 1 0 5 , 4 h a s a stri k i n g j uxt ap osi’t i on . .

S igun diu sige h aft uf d e m wa l, d a man welt ma g e d e kiusch e un d i r sii e ze It .

is onl yI n D i e t r 9 1b a n d Rab 5 3 6 6 3 5 8 1 1 8 5 0 9 2 3 th a t w elrecke occurs ca n


. . . . . .

i t h a v e an yrel a tion sh ip t o w alkii re ?


2
OOin n h a s Fri gg , th e ua lkyrj ur an d t h e ra v e n s i n th e w a ggon w i t h h im ,
Sn 6 6 F or va lkyrj a I als o fi n d th e n a me skord n r, d e riv a b l e e i th e r from Sk a r
. .

g
s up erb ia or Skari a gme n B rynh ild r is call e d i n V OlS s aga cap 24 me st r
.

. .

s/cOrd ngr
( se e S uppl .
V ALKYRJA, WA LCYRI E E
. 4 19

One na me is p artic ul a rly


ttra ctive : dskmey j a r wish inaide n s a ,
-

m V l i e m I th in k b e c a u s e th e y a re
( S t
e 2 12 . O s s a g a c.ap g v. e n th .
, ,

in OOin s s e rv ic e a n d Q 5 inn is c a ll e d Oski Wu nsc


, B ut th ere is , .

s ome th ing mo re : I fi nd a c on fi rma t ion of my op in ion th a t Wu ot an


b ore th e n ame o f PVunsc in h is id e ntity w ith M ercury for M e rcury ,

c a rrie s th e mag ic w and ( c ad uc e u s ) wh ich is li k e o ur wishing rod ,


-
,

O H G w unsciligerta
.
ye rd e y a rd ) T h e l ik e n-
e ss w ill c o m e ,
out .

more d istin ctly from a cl os e r in sp e ct ion o f th e tw o rods wh ich is ye t ,

t o c ome ; b u t if W uota n a n d Wunsc OOin n a nd Oski are o ne w e , ,

may s upp os e th at th e th orn th e Sl e e p ing th orn wh ich OOinn p ut ,


-
,

in to th e d re ss o f t h e v alkyrj a B rynh ild r ( See m w a s l ik e w is e .

a w ish ing thorn It throws l ight on th e n ature o f B runh il d an d


-
.

C hrimhild t h a t rocks a re n a me d aft e r th e m on e c all e d sp ilstei n


, , ,

Ch rie mh ild e wil ( p wh ich d oe s n ot fi nd a me anin g so w e ll


.

from sp il ( l ud us ) a s from S p ill e le fus us ) F or o th e r st on e s ,


.

h av e th e n ame kun kel (d ista ff) Fre n ch fairy t al e s qu en ouille ,


-

a la b onn e d a me ; D ornrOsch e n (th orn rose kin ) p rick e d h e r fi ng e r


1

w ith th e S p indl e an d fe ll int o a d e a d Sl e e p a s B runh il d did wi th ,

th e w ish ing th orn S p in dl e s are an e ss e n tial ch a ra ct e ristic of all th e


-
.

w is e w ome n of a n t iquity a mon g T e ut on s Ce lts a nd Gre e ks


- ?
Th e ,

w alkii re is a w unsch hi nt Wunsches kint pp 1 3 9 142 ( se e -


, ,
.
,

Th e n ame w un sch elwe ib wh ich l a st e d d own t o a l a t e t ime Sh a ll , ,

b e p rod uc e d h e re a ft e r ; h e re I c all up from th e p oe m o f th e


St a u fe nb e rg e r a b e ing by wh om th e c onn e x ion of v a lky rs w ith fa ys
is pl a c e d b e y on d d oubt T O th e k n ight th e re sh e ws h e rs e l f a ma id e n
.

in w hite ap p a rel ( th e h vit a n d b iOrt a b ov e ) S itting on a st on e (l in e ,

2 24 ) sh e h a s wa tched over hi m i n d a nge r a nd wa r f m rohis y ou th

up ,
Sh e wa s a bou t hi m un seen ( 3 3 2 n ow sh e b e c ome s his

l o ve ,
and is w ith h im when eve r he wishes f or her (sw e n n e du e in e st

w ii n sch e st ch mir S O bin ich e n d e lich e n b i d ir


na ,
B y s up e r
h uma n p ow e r sh e mov e s sw iftly wh ith e r Sh e l ists (w ar ich w il da ,

bin ich d e n wunsch h at mir Go t g e ge b e n


,
S t aufe n b e rg e r a fte r ,

b e ing un it e d t o h e r in l ov e mayd o a nyth ing e xc e pt t a k e a w e d de d ,

w ife e ls e h e w ill die in th ree d ays


,
.

e r w u n sch te n ach d e r frouw e n sin ,

b i im S O w a r d iu sch oe ne fin

.

H S ch re ibe r pp 2 0 2 1
1 . . . .

I l ik e a ls o S chre ibe r s d e riva t ion , pp 6 5 — 6 7, th e n ame N ehaea ,



of
2
.

N eha lenn ia ( s up ra p 2 5 7) from th e roo t n e re ,


. z
n e a to S p in .
42 0 W I S E W OM EN .

Wh e n he
twithst an ding re s ol v e s on an oth e r marriage Sh e d rives
no

h er f oot through the floor a n d h e h a s t o d ie 1 0 1 6 cc


( , A ord .

ing t o t his re mark a bl e st ory w unschw eib or w unschelwei b is on e ,

w h os e p re s e n c e h e r l o v e r can p rocu re by w ish ing it wh e ne v e r h e


, ,

l ongs for h e r n ame s h e r n ame a s it w e re ( p


,
‘ ’
th is is th ough .
,

n ot a fa ls e
ye t a l a t e r me an ing s ub stitu t e d for t he o rigin al on e
,
,

wh ich h a d re fe i e n e e t o t h e god of w ish ing th e d iv in e W ish Old , .

N ors e l e ge n d w ill unfold t o u s more p re cis ely th e n a tu re Of th e s e


w ome n .

I n V alh oll th e o cc up a tion of th e dskmey j a r or va lkyryur w a s t o


h a nd the d ri nking h orn t o th e g od s a n d e inh e r ar a n d t o furnish


j
-
,

t h e t ab l e H e re c ome s ou t th e ir p e c ul iar re l a t ion t o F re a w h o


.

yj ,

ch oos e s v al l ik e th em is c all e d Va lf reyj a (p


, a n d p ours out .

a t t h e b a n q u e t of t h e A s e s
( a t g il di A sa
) S n 1 0 8 E x a ctly in th e , . .

s a me w ay did GOnd ul Sittin g on a stOl i riOOrinu (in th e n iuriut e


, ,

cl e arin g) Offe r th e c ome rs d rink ou t of a horn (F orn ald sOg 1 3 98


, . .
,
.

a n d w ith th is a gre e th e d e e p d ra u ghts Of t h e mod e rn folk — t al e


a b e a u tifully d re ss e d a n d g a rl a n d e d ma id e n from th e Ose n b e r Offe rs
g
t h e c oun t o f Ol d e n b urg a d ra ugh t I n a Sil v e r horn wh il e ut t e rin
g p re ,

dict ion s ( D e u tsch e s a g e n n o S v e n d F all ing d ran k out o f t h e


,
.

h orn h a nd e d h im by e lf w ome n a nd in d oin g S O Sp ilt s ome on his


-
, ,

h ors e a s in th e p re c e din g st ory ( Thie l e 2


, I h av e tou ch e d ,

(p 3 72 ) on th e id e ntity of Sv e nd F all in g w ith Sieg frie d wh os e


.
,

re l at ion t o th e v alkyr B runh il d c ome s ou t cl e arly in th e D a n ish

story I n a S w e dish folk s on g in A rvid sson 2 3 0 1 th re e moun t ain


.
-
, ,

maid s h ol d ou t Sil v e r ta n ka rds in th e ir w hite ha nds Q uit e in .

h armony are s ome N orwe gian tra dition s in F ay e p 2 6 8 9 3 0 ; .


- -
.

a n d a ddit ion a l D a n is h o n e s in Thie l e l


(se e ,

St ill more t o th e p urp o s e is th e Offic e Of th e v alky rs in w ar .

N ot only k ios a val k ios a fe igii but raiia v ig um or S igri


2
, ,

,

th e re fore t h e d e ciding o f b a ttl e a nd v ictory is pl a c e d in th e ir h a n d s , ,



Sn 3 9 . T h e y are s aid to b e gorvar ( al e rt) a t ri5 a grun d gOrvar
.
,

S O, I n a F a roe s e s on g, V a lvfry
1
gv ( F inn M agn le x p . . .

2
Th e ta king p ossessi on of sou ls a t t h e mome n t Of d ea t h b y 0 5 in n a n d
F re y j a , or b y t h e i r me ss e n ge rs t h e v a lkyrs a pp e a rs t o me S O d e e p l oot e d a
,

fea t u re of ou r h e a th e n i s m th a t we ma yw e ll fi n d i t l i n g e ri n g e v e n in ch ri st i a n
,
t ra d i ti on s Of t h i s s ort i s th e s cra mbl e of a ngels a n d devi ls for th e s oul , d e s
.

crib e d I n t h e p o e m M u s illi , wh i ch S ch me lle r h a s h un t e d u p , G eorg 1 2 3 5 4 4


p .

605 2 8 6 an d M é on 1 , 2 3 9
, 4 , 1 14 5 ; an d a sti ikin g p a ss a ge i n t h e M orolt I
.

s h all quot e in ch X V I I Wi ll a n yon e t h i n k o f t ra ci n g this i d ea t o th e E p i stl e


. .

Of J ud e 9 or t h e a p ocr p h a l B o ok o f E n o ch
, y
422 WI S E W OM E N .

a l ik e ph e n ome non . Of th e n orn s , b ut Shnld the youngest


n on e

(p . 4 05) ca n be
w e re a v alk yrj a t oo : U ror an d V e rba n di ima gin e d
a s t oo a g e d or t oo d ig n ifi e d for t h e w ork of w a r ? d id th e c u tt in g ,

b re ak ing of t he th re ad ( if s u ch a n id e a can b e d e t e ct e d in th e
,

N orth) b e tte r b e c ome th e ma id e n p ra ctis e d in arms


Tw o oth e r v alky rs E lock a n d H erfi otr h a v e b e e n cl a ime d
'

, ,

a b o v e ( p 4 0 1 ) a s id isi a n d in t e rp re t e d a s re st ra in e rs of th e fi ght
.
,
.

I n th e K ormakssaga t h e re a ls o o cc urs H lokk ge n H lakkar for .


,

b ellon a .

H ild r Gunnr Thrh d r d e s e rv e t o b e st udied th e more cl o s e ly


'
r
, , ,

b e c aus e th e ir p e rs on al ity turn s u p in oth e r T e u t onic t ongu e s a s


w e ll a n d th e p re s e n c e t h e re o f s ome w ala ch uriu n argu e s th a t of
,

th e wh ol e s ist e rh ood E v e n in ON orse H tldr a n d Gn n n r ( G ubr)


.
,
z

o t g e n e ra l iz e d in t o h tld r a n d gunn r ( p ugn a p roe liu m) o f b e ll on a


g ,

w as ma d e b e ll u m : h eld r h e fi r bfi oss v e rit b e ll on a n ob is fuisti




, ,

S ee m l 6 4.
b
Con v e rs e ly b e s id e th e A S hild a n d gri d w e stil l
.
,
.

fi nd a p e rs on al H eld a n d Gri d : gif me c H ild n ime ( if H t ak e me ) .


,

B e ow 8 9 9 2 96 2 ; Gri d n ime b 5 0 69 ; Gri d forn a m ( c arrie d off)


. .

2 2 4 0 a s e ls e w h e re w e hav e gif me c d e ab n ime b B e ow 8 8 9 wi g



.
, ,

e alle forn a m 2 1 5 4 gu od e ab forn a m 4 4 94 W y rd forn am 2 4 11 ( con t


, , .

OS W urd farn imid H e l 1 1 1 lt fornam 2 8 72 VVyrd for


"

. sw y , .
, ,

sw e op ( s up ra p 4 0 6) c onf H tld e grap 5 0 0 9 A n d as oth e r


. .
‘ ’
.

b e ings th a t d o u s g o od or h a rm a re b y turn s arou s e d a n d quie te d ,

it is s aid p ict ure sque ly: H ild ?) v e kj a (b e llon am e x citare ) S ee m 1 6 0 “


,
.

2 4 6 ; e ls e wh e re me re ly v ig v e kj a ( b e llum e x oit are )


a
Th e
v alkyrs l ik e Obinn ( p ,
a re a cc omp a n ie d b yeagles a n d ra vens
.
,

w h o aligh t on th e b a ttle fi e ld an d th e w a gin g of w ar is p oe tic a lly


1
,

e x p re ss e d a s a la gegl gu n n er sy stra ( a v e s al e re sororum b e ll i) S ee m


'

.
,

Th e forms in OH G w e re H itti te a n d Gn n d ea ( G fi d e a) b oth


.
,

foun d in th e H il d l ie d 6 6 0 th ou gh a l re a d y a s me re c ommon . .
,

n o un s c omp os ite prop e r n ame s h a v e h ilt gunt 2


Th e l e g e nd of -
,
- .

H tld r wh o goe s t o th e val a t n igh t a n d b yh e r ma g ic wa k e s th e


, ,

fall e n w arriors in t o l ife a g a in is p re s e rv e d b oth in t h e E d d a ( Sn , .

1 64 a n d a ls o in t h e OH G p oe m o f G u d run w h e re sh e is c all e d .
,

fi—
H ild e La stly Thrd dr w h ich l ik e w is e s in ks in to a me re a pp e ll a
, ,

A n d r a n d El p xx vi xx v ii C onf L u ke 1 7 3 7 : gn u a op ’
i
'
1 T
'

. . . . . .
, o Oc a , e xe

o vva xd fi i o i ie ro t
-
o o vra t Ka
t .

2
Th e Tra d ful d , in S ch a nn at n o 4 4 3 , h av e p re s e rv e d t h e n ame , w ell
. . .

suit e d t o a valkvr, of Thema rhtlt (from d e mar, cre p us cul um)



.

3 D e uts ch
e h e l d e n s ag e p 3 2 7 se q C on f s up ra p 2 8 5 , o n H i ld e an d H ild. . . .

b urg .
G UN D . D RU D . 423

t iv e j m l dr virg o an d in OH G o ccurs in a gre at man y fe mal e


,
.

n a me s
(e g A l d rfi d [ZElfbry
p . . 6 E l frid a
) W olch a n d rfi d ,H im il d rfi d , , ,

Plidd rfi t P li h d rfi t ,
P le ct rud K é rd rnd G e rtrud e M imidrud
, , ,

Sigid rfi d whi ch n at urall y s ugge st gh o stly b e ings) h as a ss ume d


, ,

t e g e n e ral me an ing o f w itch s orc e re ss h obg ob l in


h 1
H an s S a ch s
, ,
.

s e v e ra l time s us e s alte tra te for old w itch a nd n oisy ch il d re n a re ,

quie t e d w ith th e w ord s h ush th e d ra t will c ome I so th a t h e re


2
,

she e x a ctly fills th e pl a c e of frau H oll a or B e rh t a an d ca n ,

t h e more app rop ria t ely b e th e a n cie n t v alky r A n A S w ood . .

ma id e n n ame d Dhrgd c ome s up in t h e Vita Offa s se cun d i ( s up ra


, , ,

p . sh e is from F ra n c e w h e re sh e h a d b e e n s e n t e n c e d to
,

d e a th for h e r c rime s e xp os e d in a sh ip a n d c a st on t h e sh ore of


, ,

M e rc ia H e re Offa saw th e maid e n p a ss ing fa ir a n d marrie d h e r


.
, ,

b ut sh e s oon c ommitte d n e w t ran sgre ss ion s Sh e is c all e d 9 D rid a .


3
,

b
Th ryb ; c on f K e mble s p re

h
9 P e t ronill a 1 5 Qve ndrid a ,
.

fa ce t o B e ow pp xxx v xxx vi an d B ackstrom 1 2 2 0 ( se e


. . .
, ,

B e s id e th e v alky rs n ame d th e re mu st h a v e b e e n man y o th e rs


, ,

a n d th e s e c on d s e ct ion o f th e S ee mun d are d d a n a me s s e v e ral a s

l ov e rs or w iv e s of h e roe s Such are S va va S igrlin n K ara Sigran


.
, , , ,

S igrd rif a w ho are e xp re ssly c all e d valkyrj ur S eem 14 2 1 4 5 1 5 7


,
b b
,
.
,

1 6 9 1 94
. It a ls o c ome s out th a t th e y w ere of h uman origin
.
, ,

b e ing d a ught ers of k ings Svava of Eylimi Sigrlinn of Svafnir , , ,

Sigrun o f H ogni K ara of H al fd an Sigrdrifa of B ubl i ; Svava w a s


, ,

t h e l o v e r of H e lgi H iorvarbsson Sigrlinn o f H iorv aror Sigrun of


, ,

H e lgi H un dingsb ani K ara of B elgi H a dd in gsk a oi a n d S igrdrifa


, , ,

w h o is n o oth e r th an B ry n h ild r of S igurbr Gri mhild r ( h e l me t ,


.

maid e n p ,
a n d a b ov e all B ry
. n hild r P ra nhd t wh o s e v e ry , ,

n a me b e t o k e n s th e mail cl a d H ild r is s up e rh uma n : h e r ina cc e ss ibl e


-
,

h all sta nd s on a moun tain like th os e of V e l e d a and J e th a ( pp 9 5


,
.

it w as a sch ild bu rg (skia ldborg) wh e re sh e h ers el f b ound by , ,

t h e sp e ll sl e pt und e r h e r sh ie l d t ill Sigurbr re l e a s e d h e r


,
Th e n
,
.

sh e p roph e s ie d t o him S eem a n d b e fore h e r d e ath sh e


,
.

p roph e s ie s ag ain 2 2 4 H e r h all w a s e n c ircl e d wi th flickering


, .

a me a r um sal h e n n a r v a frlogi S n 1 3 9 ( se e S uppl ) a s w a s


fl oc
,
v , . ,

a ls o th a t o f M englod
( O H G M a n ikla t a i m on il i lae t ab un d a )
'

e .
,
. .
, ,

a n oth e r v alky r : salr e r slfin inn e r visom vafrloga ( See m 1 1 0 c on f


3

g .
.
,

S ome p e o ple th ink G e rd rut, Ge rd raut, an


1 un chris ian n a t me . F rau Trud e
( Kin2d e rm .

F loge l, ge sch d es grotesk ekom p 2 3


. . . .
4 24 WI S E WOM EN .

B e forethis M engloti nine virg in s k n e e l sit and s in g ; , , ,

s ac rific e is offe re d t o th e m all c on f ch XXXVI Th e n . . .

Vebié rg shia lelmoe r a pp e ars in F orna ld sog l 3 84


A n d 17rd . .
, .

B a behilt wh om D ie trich fi nd s a t a foun ta in a sleep ( a s Sig urd found


, ,

B ry n hil d) a nd w h o giv e s him h e al ing s al v e s a n d fore t e lls h is fa t e


, ,

( E ck e 1 5 1 must als o b e re ck on e d amon g n orn s or v alky rs .

Th e v alkyrs b e st ow e d on th e ir fa v ou rit e s a s S taufe nb e rge r s l o v e r


d id on h im ( p v ict ory a nd p rot e ction in b attl e (Sigrfi n hlifiSi


.

h onom Op t sioan i orrostom See m this re l a tion is t e ch nic ally


, .

e xp re ss e d by oer j a ( t ueri 13 4 th e y h ide th eir h e roe s s hips ( Svava



r ab

Sigrfi n 1 5 3 ) b
Th e a b ov e me n t ion e d H ildr t oo t h e d aught e r
.
-
,

of k in g H ogn i ( H a g e n e ) w a s H e oin s b e t ro th e d Th e me mory of



.
,

th e s e sh ie l d maid en s h as filt e re d d own e v e n in t o mod ern folk


-

s ongs : in A rvidsson 1 1 8 9 K erstin ské ld mé with h er 8 0 0 0 maid s


’ ’

, ,

re d e e ms h e r b e troth e d from c a ptiv ity ; a t oth e r t ime s it is a s ist e r

th at re scue s h e r b roth e r by which is n ot me an t a s ist e r by birth


, ,

b ut a valkyr again for t h e s e h igh e r b e ings a re e v e rywh e re c all e d


,

sisters a n d fra t e rn iz e w ith th e ir p rot é g é s (A rvid sso n 2 1 2 0 1 —


,
2 .
,
-
.

N yerup 4 3 8 ,
N ow t h o s e w ome n in our me d ie v a l p oe t ry th e ,

s igh t of W h om n e rv e s t o v ict ory wh os e n ame n e ed only b e utt ere d ,

to bring th e m t o on e s s id e a s q uickly as a w is h can b e forme d and


a cc ompl ish e d a re e vid e n tly sh ie l d w ome n of th is k in d ( se e


,
-

Obinn th e n a d mitt e d in t o h is b a n d of v alky rs mort a l maid e n s


of k in gly ra c e d e ifi e d w ome n st a n d in g by th e s id e of th e d e ifi e d
,

h e roe s ; ye t I d o n ot s u pp os e th a t all v alkyrs w e re of s uch l in e ag e ,

b ut th at th e ol d e st an d most famou s w e re l ik e th e n orn s d e sc e n d e d , ,

from god s or e l v e s It is als o w orth n oting th a t Kara an d h e r


'

.
,

H e lgi w e re l ook e d up on a s a secon d birth of Sv e v a an d t h e e l d e r


H e lgi Seem 14 8 1 6 9
,
h
. I n th e V olun d arqvioa three oth e r v alkyrs
.

mak e th e ir a pp e aran c e t og e th e r : H la dgn dr sva nhe i t H orror a le itr


, ,

and O lran th e fi rst t w o b e in g d aught e rs of k in g Leav e r t h e third


, ,

of K iar ; th e y u n it e t h e ms e l v e s t o S la gfi or V olun d r a n d Egill l iv e , ,

w ith th e m s e v e n y e ars a nd th e n e sc a p e

at vitj a v ig a
,
t o p urs u e , ,

t h e ir old t rad e o f war a g ain On th e wh ol e it s e e ms t h e u nion of


.
,

th e s e h al f g odd e ss e s w ith h e roe s turn e d ou t d e trimen tally to b oth


-

p artie s : th e h e roe s c ame t o an e arly d e ath or oth e r h a rm a s ,

S t aufe nb e rge r s e x ampl e t e a ch e s Sigrfi n v aro skammlif sh e


’ ’
and ,

gre w sc an t of l ife See m 1 6 9 P e rh aps w e s h oul d b e righ t in3


.
, .

a ss u min g th a t p romotion t o th e v alky r s offi c e t oo k pl a c e u n d e r an



4 26 WI S E WOMEN .

Th e ward Of b attl e is one p art of d e stiny ; not only n orn s but


a
,

v alkyrs a ls o w e re imagin e d sp in n ing an d wea ving This is pl a c e d .

in t h e cle are st l igh t; by th e fe a rfully e xc iting p oe m in cap 1 5 8 o f .

t h e Nialssaga Th ro ugh a c re vice in th e ro ck D OrrutSr s e e s w ome n


.

sit s in gin g o v e r a web a t W h ich h uman h e a d s s e rv e th e m for


,

w e ights e n t ra ils for w a rp a n d w e ft sword s for sp ools a nd arrows


, , ,

for a c omb : in th e ir w e ird s on g th e y d e sc rib e th e ms e l ve s a s


va lk r
yj d t h i b i t d d f h s ct t
p e a or D Orru lSr
1
u r a n e r
,
w e a s n e n e o r t e .

A t l e ngth th e y t e a r up th e ir w ork mou n t th e ir ste e d s an d six of , ,

th e m ride t o t h e s outh six t o th e n orth Comp are; With th is th e


, .

w ea ving W yrd of th e A S p oe t (p Th e p artin g of th e


. .

ma id e n s in to t w o b a n d s th a t rid e in opp o s it e dire ction s is l ik e ,

th os e nin e in wh it e an d n in e in bl a ck W h o c ame rid ing up in suc ,

c e ssion ( p .

'

I h a v e se t n orn s an d a o i p a e sid e by s id e ; with e qual a pt n e ss a



c omp aris on ca n b e d rawn b e tw ee n v a lky rs a n d x fip es (with out a ny


v e rb al a ffi nity for n o d oubt th e lik e n e ss is only an a pp are n t on e ) :
,

th e mfp to o might b e se e n on th e b a ttl e fi e l d in bl ood y g arme n ts ,

t e n ding th e w ound e d dragging a way th e d e ad A mip is allo tte d


,
.

t o t h e c h il d a s s oon as it is b orn A ch ill e s h a d tw o x fip e q b e twe e n i

W h om h e migh t ch oo s e a nd Z e us p ut t wo in th e b a l a n c e t o d e cid e
, ,

th e d e ath Oi H e ct or or A ch ill e s 2
H e s iod ( scut 2 4 9 — 25 4 ) mak e s . .
.

th e d ingy wh it e t ooth e d x fip ec c on t e nd over the f a llen w a rri ors


-
,

e a ch th ro ws h e r t a l on s roun d th e w oun d e d man e a g e r t o d rin k h is ,


.

bl ood j u st a s h e a scrib e s t al on s an d a th irst for bl ood t o th e moirai


,

( p. 4 14 ) a fr e s h c on fi rm a t ion o f t h e id e n tity Of n orn s an d v a lk yrs .

Th e cl a ws of th e moirai a n d k é re s th e W ings Of th e th riai p oin t to , ,

th e ir p o ss e ssion of a bi rd s shap e Th e l at er vie w [H e siod sl b rings ’


.

in t o p romin e n c e th e s in ist e r s id e of th e ké re s e

5 . SWAN -MAI DEN s e

ma k e
'

B ut w e h a v e a sp e ct of th e v alkyrs

n ow to ou t n ew

a .

We t ol d th at th e y t ra v e l through a ir a n d w a ter; riOa lop t


are Ok

log S ee m 14 2

,
h th e irs is th e p ow e r t o fly a nd t o sw im
.
,
.
in
o th e r w ord s th e y can a ssume th e b od y of a swa n th e y lo ve
, ,
to

S O a t le a st w e mayun d e rst an d m, vi nd um ve f D a rra b a r, e ve n if “


vi n d u
"

1

t h e n a me a nd th e W h o l e st oryfi rst aros e ou t of a ve f d a rrabar, w e b o f th e


d a rt , con f A S d e ore iS ( j a culum) We kn ow th a t th e S turhi nga saga con tai n s a


. . .

v e rys i mi lar n arrat iv e .

2
ll 8 , 70
. . 9, 4 11 . 1 8 , 5 3 5 — 5 40 . 2 2 , 2 10 . 2 3 , 79 . 2 4, 8 2 .
S WAN -M A I D ENS . 427

l inge r on th e a nd
swa n w a s c on s id e re d a b ird o f
se a - sh ore ; th e
a u u r
1
Th e V o lun d a rq viba re l a t e s : T h re e w o me n sa t o n t h e
g g .

sh ore sp inn ing fla x an d h a d th e ir cilp ta rha rnir ( s w a n sh ifts) by


, ,
-

th e m so th a t a ny mome nt th e y c oul d fly a w ay a ga in a s s w an s :
,

me yj a r flugo a n d se ttuz a t h vila z a see va rstrOn d o n e o f th e m


’ '

h a s e v e n t h e s urna me Of sva nhvi t ( sw a n w hite ) a n d w e ars swa n s


fe a th e rs ( sva n fi abrar d rO) I n th e H rOmun d a rsaga ( F o rn ald sog


. . .

2 3 75
,
t h e s a me K ara w h o th e E dd a s a ys w a s a s e c on d b irth
,

o f S va va a pp e a rs a s a n e n ch an t re ss in swa n sh if t ( fi Olky
,
n isk on a
g
-
,

i alfta rh a m) a nd h ov e s b ov e
r
,
a t h e h e ro S i n i
g g
n
2
B y h e r a ss ist , .

a n c e H e l i h a d a l w a ys c on qu e re d b ut i t h a pp e n e d in o n e fight
g , ,

th at h e swun g his sw ord t oo h ig h in th e air a n d h e w e d Off h is ,

l ove r s foot sh e fe ll t o th e ground a ud his l uck w as sp e nt I n


, ,
.

S a x o G ra m p 1 0 0 Fridle v us h e ars up in th e a ir a t n ight son um


, .
,

t ria m oloru m s up e rn e clange n tium w h o p roph e sy t o h im a n d d rop


, ,

a g irdl e w ith ru n e s on it B rynhild r is l ik e th e sw a n o n t h e ‘


.

w a v e ( Fornald sog 1 1 8 6 ) th e s imil e b e trays a t th e s ame t ime



. .
, ,

th at sh e h ad re ally th e p ow e r Of ch an ging in t o th e b ird M a ny .

t a l e s of swa n wives still li v e a mon g th e N ors e p e opl e A y ou n g


-
.

man saw three swa ns aligh t on th e S h ore la yth e ir wh it e b ird s hifts ,


-

in t h e gra ss turn in to b e a u tiful ma id e n s an d b a th e in t h e w a t e r


, , ,

th e n t ak e th e ir sh ifts ag ain an d fly a w ay in th e sh ap e Of sw an s ,
-
.

H e layin w ait for th e m an o th e r t ime a n d abstra ct e d th e g arme n t ,

of t h e y oung e st sh e fe ll on h e r k n e e s b e fore h im a n d b e gg e d for ,

i t bu t h e t o ok h e r h ome w ith him a n d marrie d h e r W he n s e v e n


, , .

y e ars w e re g on e by h e sh ow e d h er th e shift h e h a d k e pt c on ce al e d ;
,

sh e n o s oon e r h a d it in h e r h a nd th a n sh e flew o ut a s a swa n ,

th rough th e Op e n win d ow a n d th e s orrowing h usb a nd die d s oon ,

a ft e r . A fze lius 2 1 4 3 5 On t he oth e r h a nd th e sw a n h e ro


,
-
.
,
-

fors ak e s his w ife t h e mome n t sh e a sks th e forb idd e n que stion A .

p e as an t h a d a fi e l d in which w h a te v e r h e se t w a s trampl e d d ow n
,

e a r o n S t J oh n s n ight

e v e ry y TW O y e a rs in s u cc e ss io n h e se t h is
. .

t w o e l d e st s on s t o w a tch in th e fi e l d ; a t mid nigh t th e y h e a rd a


h u rtl ing in t h e a ir wh ich s e n t th e m int o a d e e p sl e e p Th e n e xt
, .

y e a r t h e third son w a tch e d a n d h e saw th ree ma id ens c ome flyin g , ,

1
E s schwa n t mir it sw an s me I h a v e a b od i n g
, Th e re fe re n ce t o t h e .

bird s ee ms u n d e n i a b l e , for w e a ls o sa y in th e s a me s e n s e e s w a ch s e n ( t h e re
g row ) mir schwa nsfedern ( so a lre ad y in Z e se n s S ims on ) C o n f th e E dd i c
’ ’
. .

sva n fi aOra r d ro ( w o re )
2
Ra fn h as ch o s e n th e re ading La ra .
4 28 W I SE WOME N .

w ho l aid th eir wings a s ide and th e n d a n c e d up and d ow n th e ,

fi e ld H e j ump e d up fe tch e d th e wings a wa y a n d l aid th e m un de r


.
, ,

t h e st on e on wh ich h e sat Wh e n th e maide n s h a d d an c e d till


.

th e y w e re tire d th e y c a me t o h im a nd a sk e d for th e ir wings h e


, ,

d e cl a re d if on e o f th e m w oul d st a y an d b e h is w ife th e oth e r tw o


, ,

s h oul d h a v e th eir w ings b a ck F ro m this p oin t th e st ory tak e s a .

turn wh ich is l e ss w ithi n t h e provin ce o f th e swa n -wife myth but


,

it is w orth n o tin g th a t on e o f th e maid e n s offe rs h e r l ov e r a d rink


,

of w a t e r ou t o f a gold en p i tch er e x a ctly a s e lfi n s a n d w ish wiv e s d o ,


-

e ls e wh e re ( pp 4 2 0 M olbe ch no 4 9
.
, . .

Th e s e l ov e l y sw a n maid e n s must h a v e b e e n l ong k n own to


-

G e rma n tra dition Wh e n th e y b a th e in th e c ool in g fi ood th e y lay


.
,

d ow n on th e b a n k th e sw a n — ring t h e swa n sh if t ; w ho t a k e s it from ,


-

t e m h a s th e m in his p ow e r Th ough w e are n ot e xpre ssly tol d


h ,
1
.

so y
,
e t th e thre e p rop h eti c merw omen wh os e g arme n ts H a g e n e t ook

a w a y a re p re c is e ly s u ch ; it is s a id ( N ib 14 76 1 ) by w a y of s imil e
, .
,

a ga in

sie swe bt e n sa m d ie vogele ti f d e r fin ot .

It is tru e our e p ic n ame s only tw o of th e m ( th e Dan ish st ory only


,

i n wip H a d burc a n d S igelin t but on e of th e m b e gin s


)
2
on e ,
t h e w si , ,

t o p roph e sy a n d th e ir g arme n ts are d e scrib e d a s wu nd e rl ich


, ,

14 78 3 ,
Th e myth of V Olun d r w e me e t w ith a g a in in a n OH G
. .

p oe m wh ich pu ts cloves in th e pl a c e of sw an s th re e d ove s fly t o a


,

foun t ain but wh e n th e y t ou ch th e groun d th e y turn in t o maid e ns


, ,

Wielan t re mov e s th e ir cl oth e s a n d will n ot giv e th em up till on e ,

o f th e m c on s e n ts t o t ak e h im for h e r h u sb a n d I n o th e r t a l e s a s .

w id e ly d iffu s e d y oung me n throw th e shift rin g or ch ain ov er


, ,

th e m wh ich tu rn s th e m int o swa ns W h e n th e re s umption of


,
3
.

h uma n sh ap e c a nn ot b e e ffe ct e d c omp l e te ly th e h e ro re tain s a ,

sw a n wi ng - e v id e n c e o f th e h igh a n t iqu ity Of this d e t a il l ie s in it s

c onn e xion w ith t h e h e roic l e ge n d of S c ou p or Sce af (p a nd .

it h a s found it s w ay int o mod e rn p e digre e s 4


E sp e cia lly imp or .

1 V olksmarch e n vol 3 Th e st ole n v e il


M us aeus , . .

2
a pl a n t n a me d
Th e re i s I s upp o s e , from th i s S ige lin t ; S um e rl 2 2 , 2 8
, .

f h i in ta fe l d raco n i s , an d 5 3 , 4 8 cige lin d e ; G raff 6 , 1 45 h as


( co n 2 3
.
,
1 9 ) a s c ge l
sige lin e ; se e S i g e l , Sigla n d e r in S ch m 3 , 2 1 4 . .

3 Kin d e rm n o 49 .D e uts ch e s age n 2 , 2 9 2 -5


. . Ad alb K uh n p 1 6 4 , t h e . . .

swan -ch a n i .

4
C on f
D e u ts ch e s a g e n n o 5 40
. th e S e hwa nrings o f Ple ss e , w h o ca rry a
.
‘ ’

swa n s wing a n d ring on th e ir s cu t ch e on A d oc o f 14 4 1 ( Wol f s N ort e n n o


’ ’
. . .

4 8 ) n a me s a J oh a nn e s Swa n eflitgel, d e cre t oru m d o ct or, d e ca n us e ccl e s i a e


maj ori s H ild e se me n sis I n a p a mp h l e t Of 1 6 1 7 o ccurs th e ph ra s e : ‘ to t e ar
.

t h e ring and ma sk off this p s e ud on y m


43 0 WI S E W OMEN .

to ssume wh a t animal sh a p e s th e y pl e a s e d why th en th e Ce lts


a , ,

t oo s e e m t o h a v e k n own a b out swa n me tamorph o s is in v e ry e arly -

t ime s so th a t in Fre n ch fayl eg en d s w e maysupply th e omission s


,
-

eg,
. . in M é on 3 , 4 1 2
en la fon t ain e se b aign oie nt

troisp u celes p re u z e t sen ees,

d e b ia u te se mb loie nt f ees

qui
lor rob e s a tout lor chemises
ore n t d e soz un e a r re b mis e s
b out d e la fon tain e e n h a ut
du

u ce le s s e né e s 3 4 1 9 b ie n c u ré e s 4 18 la pl u s me st re 4 1 3 5 -

p ,
. . .

Th e shifts w e re st ol e n a nd th e ma id e n s d e t ain e d
,
I n th e Lai d u .

D e s ire t h e k n ight e sp ies in th e fore st a swan maid e n w ith ou t h e r -

w impl e ( s a n s g uimpl e ) Th e w impl e of the wh it e rob e d fa y


.
-

a nswe rs to th e swa n s h ift -


.

6 . WOOD W IV E S -
.

W e h ave s e en th at th e W ish -wiv e s


pp e ar on p ools and l ak e s a

in th e d ep th of the f orest it is b e c au s e th e y a re l ik e wis e wood w ives -


,

a n d u n d e r th is ch a ra ct e r th e y s u gg e st furth e r re fl e ction s Th e Old .

s a cre d fore st s e e ms th eir fa v ou rit e a b ode : a s th e god s sat th ron e d


in t h e grov e s o n t h e tre e s t h e wis e w o me n of th e ir train a n d
, ,
-

e sc ort w oul d s e e k th e s a me h a un ts Did n o t th e G othic aliorun a s .

d we ll in th e w ood l a n d a mon g w ood sp rit e s ? W a s n ot V e l e d a s



-

t ow e r pl a c e d on a ro ck th a t is in th e w ood s
, Th e V olu n darqviba
,

op e n s w ith th e w ord s

meyj ar fi ugo s unn an M grlcvi d igogn om “

in v e n t e d in fairy-t ale fa sh ion , t o s uit th e n ame of th e i r d augh t er B erhta , th e


b righ t , w hi t e . B e rh ta ma rri e s P e p i n , a n d g iv e s b i rth t o Cha rlemagn e in th e
Garin le Loh e rain , Pe p in s w i fe i s sa i d to b e B la n chefi eur o f M ori an e , b ut in th e

st ory n ow in q ue st i on sh e i s th e un n a me d d augh t e r of coun t Rupre ch t of


B arri a ( Rob e rt o f B e rry) , sp o k e n of s i mpl ya s d iu ga ote frouwe ( 16 2 d iu .

ga ote la bon e d a me con f b on a d e a b o n a socia , p 2 8 3


. h er , .

h u s b an d , w h o st e ps i n t o t h e pl a ce of th e ch il d l e ss l a st k i n g ( M e ro vin gia n ) , is
K a relma n a n d t h e on l y n ame t h a t ca n s ui t h e rs e l f i s B erte , a lrea d y
con t a i n e d in t h a t of h er fa th e r Ru o db e rt Th e ch i l d re n Of t h i s p ai r are
.

P ip p in d e r kl e i n e ( l i ttl e ) an d ‘ K a rle d e r mé rre ( gre a t e r) Th e e v e n ts in th e


mi d d l e p art o f t h e story a re qu i te oth e r ( more full y un fol d e d if not more ,

pl eas i n g) th an th os e t ol d of F l ore a n d B lan ch efi e ur b ut w e pl a i n lyp e rce iv e


h o w on th e n e w K a rl i n g ra ce in th e fre s h n e ss of i ts b l oo m w e re gra ft e d o l d e r
h e a t h e n myt h s o f t h e s wan -W if e , of t h e g o od w ife ( p of th e mil d w o ma n .

(p . o f t h e b o n a s ocia ( p a n d of th e b o n n e d a me ( p
. C on f . .

S omme r s pre f t o F l o re xx v 1 x x vn x x x n

. . . .
W OOD -W I V E S . 43 1

maid s fle w from s outh th rough murky w ood to th e s e a sh ore th e re ,

th e y t a rrie d s e ve n y e ars t ill th e y g re w h ome s ick


,

meyj a r fy stoz a mgrkva n vi a


th e y c oul d re s ist no l on ge r an d re turn e d t o th e s omb re w ood , .

A l most a ll sw a n ma id e n s are me t with i n the f orest


-
Th e seven .

yea rs agre e with th o s e Of th e Sw e dish st ory on p .

A s S igrit n S igrclrif a S igrlin n a re n a me s o f v a lky rs a n d our


, , ,

e p ic st ill c a lls o ne o f th e w is e w o me n S ige lin t I b e l ie v e th a t th e -


,

OH O . siguw ip , AS
f . sigewi
f , ON . sigrvi ,
was a ge n e ral d e s ig n a t io n
o f a ll W is e w ome n for wh ich I ca n p rod u c e a n A S
-
,
sp e ll com .

municate d to me by K e mbl e
s itte ge sigewif siga iS to e orlSan ! ,

n ee fre ge w il d e (l w ill e ) to wu d a leoga n !


f .

b e o ge swa ge myn dige min e s gOd e s ,

sw a b iti ma n n a ge h w y lc me t e s an d é Oe le s 2 -
.

Lik e n orn s th e y are inv it e d to th e h ou s e w ith p romis e Of gifts


, .

On th is p oin t w e will c on sid e r a p a ss a g e in S a x o wh e re h e is ,

unmist ak a bly sp e a k in g o f v alk y rs th ough a s his man n e r is h e , , ,

a v oid s t h e v e rn a c ul ar t e rm I n h is a cc oun t of H oth e r a n d B al d e r


.
,

wh ich a lt oge th er d iffe rs so much from th at of th e E d d a h e s ays , , ,

p 3 9 H oth e rus inte r ve n a ndu m e rrore n e b ul a e p e rd uctus in


.

q u o d d a m sil v estr i um v i rgi n u m con cla ve in c id it a q u ib u s p rop rio ,

min e qua e n am e sse nt u irit I lla e



salut a tu s, su is d u ctibus

no e rq
p .

a us
p ieiisgu e max ime bellorum f ortu n a m gube rna ri t e st antur : sae p e
e ni m se ne mi ni cons
p i cua s p roeliis i n te resse, cla nd estin isgue su bsid iis

op ta tos a micisp quipp e c on cil ia re p rosp e ra a d v e rs a


ra e bere su ccessus: ,

inflige re p oss e p ro libitu me morab a n t A ft e r b e st owin g th e ir a d v ic e .

on h im t h e ma id e n s w ith th e ir h ou s e
, ( ae de s c on cl a v e ) v a n ish ,

b e fore H oth e r s e y e s ( se e

Fu rth e r on p 4 2 : A t H oth e rus , .

e xt re ma locoru m d e v ia p e rvaga t us in su e t umq u e morta libu s n emus ,

e me n su s ign otis fort e vi rgin i bus h abit a tu m rep e rit s


, p eeum e a sd e m
e ss e co n st ab a t qu ae cum inse ca bili v e ste qu on d a m d on a ve ra nt
,
.

Th e y n ow giv e h im more c ou n s e l a n d a re c all e d ng z m ha e


3
/p ,
.

1 I n th e Walla chian march e n 20 1, th re e woo d -wi ve s b a th in g h a v e th e i r


cro wn s t ak e n from t h e m .

2
S e d e t e b e llona e d e sce n d ite ad t erra m n olit e in s i l v a m v o l a re
, Ta m ,
me more s e stote fort una e me a o q ua m e st h omin um quilib e t ci b i a tq ue p a t riae
,
.

3 Th re e other n mp h s a pp
y ea r d i re tl ya ft e r a n d p re p a re e n ch a n t e d foo d f r
c ,
o

B a l d e r w i t h th e sp ittl e of s na k e s p 4 3 A femina se lvestr s e t imman is i s ‘ ’


,
. . a

a ls o me n t ion e d byS a x o p 1 2 5 . .
432 WI S E WOMEN .

This s e e ms n o mod e rn distorte d vi e w t o imagin e th e maid s of ,

w a r th a t d w e lt in OfSin s h e a v e n ly c omp a ny th a t t ra v e rs e d air an d


, ,

fl ood a s l ik e w is e h a un ting th e w oodla nd ca ve th e re fore Sa x o w as


,

right t o c a ll th e m silvestres a n d t o pl a c e th e ir ch a mb e r t h e ir c a v e , , ,

in th e fore st .

Th e Ol d e r sta g e s o f our l angua ge supply s ome s imil a r e xp re ss ion s ,

in wh ich I re c og nis e t h e id ea o f w ise wood w ives n ot of me re e l v ish -


,

wood sp rite s Th e y a re ca lle d wild in w ip an d th e Tra d f ul d


-
.

, . .
,

p 5 44 S p e a k o f a pl a c e a d d omum wild ero wi bo


.
,

B urcard of

.

W or s p 1 98 me n tion s a grestesf emina s qua s silva tica s v ocan t e t


m 2
, .
,
,

qu an d o v olue rin t oste n d unt se s u is a ma toribus e t cum e is dicun t ,

se Oble ct a sse e t it e m qu an d o v olue rin t ab scon d u n t se e t e va n e scu n t



, .

This qu a n d o volu e rin t s e e ms to e xp re ss th e n otion of W ish l ife


‘ ’
-
.

M e iste r A l e xa n d e r a p oe t of th e 1 3 th c e n t ury s ings (str 1 3 9


, , .
,

n fi g en t S i v ii r in ( o th e y b e fore h im ti b e r gra s in
b
p 1 43 )
.
g )
w ild e r w ibe w ee t e ( w e e d s ) S o : v on e in e m w ild en wi be ist W a t e
is (i e h a s l e a rn t t o b e ) phys ician G u d r 2 1 1 7 ; d a s w ild e

a rze t

. .
, , .

f rbuweli n E ck e 1 8 9 I n th e G1 mon st 3 3 5 w ild a z w ip stan d s




. .
, .
,

for l a mia a n d 3 3 3 w ild in w ip for ulula e fun e re a l b ird s d e a th


, , ,

b od ing wiv e s still c all e d in l a t e r time s klagef ra uen klagemutter an d


, , ,

re s e mb l in g t h e p rop h e tic B e rh ta (p I n g rov e s on tree s th e re .


, ,

a p p e a re d d omin a e ma tron a e u ell a e cl oth e d in wh it e ( pp 2 8 7


p , , .

d isting uish a bl e from th e more e l vish tre e wife or d ry a d wh os e l ife -


,

is b ou n d u p w ith th a t o f th e t re e Th e Vic e n tin a G e rman s w orsh ip .

a w ood w if e ch ie fly b e tw e e n Christma s a nd Tw elfth day: th e


-
,

w ome n S p in flax from t h e d ista ff a n d throw i t in the fi re t o p ro ,

p itia t e h e r
1
S h e is e v e ry b it l ik e H ol d a a n d B e rh t a A s th re e .

b un ch e s of c orn are l e ft st an ding at h arv e st time for W u otan a n d -

fra u G a u e so t o this d ay in th e F ran k e n wa l d th e y l e av e three


,

ha n df uls of fla x lying on the fi eld for t h e h olzweibel ( wood wiv e s -


,

J ul S ch mid t s R e ich e n fe ls p a re mn a n t o f o l d e r h igh e r w or



.
. .
,

sh ip B e tw e e n L e idh e ck e n a n d D au e rnh e im in th e W e tte ra u stan d s


.

t h e h igh mou n t a in a n d on it a st on e d er welle f ra gestoil ( th e W il d


, ,

w oma n s ch airs ) ; th e re is a n imp re ss ion on t h e ro ck a s of th e


l imb s of h u man s itte rs Th e p e opl e say th e wild f olk liv e d th e re


.

w e i di s eh t a n n och me ll w a rn W h il e th e st on e s w e re still s oft ;


‘ ’

a ft e rw a rd s b e in g p e rs e c u t e d th e ma n ra n a w a y t h e w ife a n d chil d
, , ,

re ma in e d in c u s to d y a t D a ue rnh e im un til t h e y die d F olk s on gs .


-

De u ts ch e s a ge n n o 1 5 0 1 .
4 34 W I S E W OM E N .

th ere app e arsa wild ee wip ,


wh o d w e lls in a h oll ow ro ck of th e se a,
a nd is indiffe re n tly t e rme d merwip
merf rouwe 1 3 4 and 1 68 3 3 8, .
,

mermin n e 3 5 0 A S merewif B e ow 3 0 3 7 M D utch ma erminn e


. .
,
. . . .

Th o s e thre e wisin w ip of th e Nib e l unge n are als o call e d merwip


1 4 75 1 ,
. 1 4 79 1 ; ,
th e y th e ir h aving in di
fore te ll an d fore w arn ;
v id ual n ame s woul d Of its el f p ut th em on a p ar W ith th e Nors e ‘

v alkyrs : H a d burc S igelint Th e third wh os e n ame th e p oe m omits


,
.
,

re ss e d b y H a g ue a s a ll e r w ise ste wip ! 4


( p 4
. 2 8 ) i s a dd 1 4 8 3

, .

W ittich s an c e stre ss ( p 3 76 ) is n ame d frouw e Wdchilt a s if Wav e .


,

l
H i de s e s h i a
,
m erm i nn e a n d s a ys s o oth t o t h e h e ro R a,
b 9 6 4— 9 74 , . .

M orolt als o h as a n aun t a mermi nn e wh o l iv e s in moun t E lsa bé an d


rul e s ov e r d w arfs ; h e r n a me is n ot giv e n b ut th a t Of h e r son is ,

M a d elgé r a n d sh e lik e wis e giv e s w is e a d vic e t o M orolt ; M or 4 o


,
h
.

Th e mermin n e in Ul rich s Lan z e le t (l in e s 1 9 6 se q) is s aid t o b e wis



.

( 5 75 1 sh e h a s u n d e r h e r un ma rri ed w ome n d ern


.
(
k e in iu b eka n d e man n och ma nn e s ge zoc) th e y d w e ll on a moun t ain ,

by th e sea in an e v e r bl ooming l and I n th e A p oll on iu s a b e n e


,
-
.
,

v ol e n t merminne is que e n of th e sea (lin e s 5 1 60 5 2 9 4) h e re th e .

p oe t h ad in h is mind a s ire n in th e cl a ss ica l s e n s e but th e Ge rman s ,

mu st h av e h ad a mermin n e b e fore th e y e v e r h e ard of s ire n s Th e .

D anish n ame is ma remin d ( D an ske v is e r 1 1 1 8 Nors e l e ge nd ,


.

h aspre s e rv e d for usa p re c is e ly c orre sp on ding mal e b ein g th e t a c iturn ,

p roph e tic ma rmennill (al marmen dill marbe n dill) wh o is fish e d .


, ,

up out of th e se a an d re qu ire s t o b e le t go in t o it a g ain ; H alfssa a


, g
c 7 (F orn ald sog 2
. 31 . an d I sl
. sog 1 3 3 ( Lan d n 2
,
. .
, .
,

F rom h im c ora l is n ame d ma rmen nils smi d i h e cu n ningly wrough t ,

it in th e se a A t a l a t e r t ime th e w ord merf ei wa s u s e d in G erman y :


.

th a t l ov e r of St aufe nb erge r wh om h e foun d in th e fore st a n d th e , ,

F a ir M e l us ina ( p oss ibly e v e n a trad ition of an cie n t G aul ) are ,

p re cis e ly th e fa iry b e ing th at h ad pre viously b e e n ca ll e d merimen ni 2


.

B ut simil ar to th e me rmi n n e th e re w as als o a wa ltminne wh ich


-
, , ,

w ord e qu all y st and s for l a mia in old gl oss e s (Diu t 3 .


,

S igeminne w h e th e r th e b aptize d R a uch e ls Wolfdie te rich s l ov e r



-
, ,

( p . o r t h e w if e of H u di e t e rich
g
3
m a
y w ith p e rfe ct r ight be ,

M armenn ill is e xtremely li ke th e G re ek Prot eus wh o is als o re l uctan t at


1
,

fi rst t o prop h e sy Od 4 3 8 5 se q Th e re may ha v e b e e n Prot e us l ike storie s


, .
, .
-

curre n t of o ur B ald a n d e r a n d V i l a n d e r p 1 72 ( se e , .

Y e t merfeine occurs a lrea d y in D i ut 1 3 8 ; wazzerfeine ( Ob e rl sub


2
.
, .

a n d e v e n merféin M S 2 6 3 2
, .
, .

3 D e uts ch
e h e l d e n s age pp 18 5 2 00 1 . .
- .
M E NN I . MERI MANN I . 435

re ard e d a s a
g mermin ne wa ltminne
I n th e Vilk s ag a cap 1 7 or .
1
. .

I fi nd sce lcona us e d Of th e w oman W h om Vilki nus foun d i n the wood ,

a n d w h o b ore h im V a d i S a x o Gram p 1 5 sp e aks of a t ugu rium .


,
.
,

S ilve stris imma n isq ue fe min a e ( see

B y th is a rra y of au th oritie s
s a tis fa ction th a t th e it is p rov e d to ,

wild a z w ip or menn i min n i w a s th ou ght of a s a high e r s up e rh uma n


, ,

b e in g s uch as can b e pl a c e d a t th e s id e of th e S c andi nav ia n n orn


,

a n d va lky r B ut in t h e sc an ty re main s Of our tra dition th e n ame s


.

stan d w ofully b are fi ner di stin ctions are ine v itably l ost an d in
, ,

more th an on e pl a c e th e b oun d ary l ine s b e t w e e n g od s d e migo d s -


, ,

e l v e s a n d gia n ts c ro ss o n e a n oth e r Equally w ith n orn s a nd v a lkyrs .

( pp .4 13 9 -
. es sp inn in g an d w e av ing a s
w e h a v e g o dd e s s ,

H ol d a B e rh t a Fre yj a a nd e v e n gia n t e ss e s as w e sh all se e by a n d


, , , ,

by .

figure s in th e Gre e k an d Te ut onic myth ol ogie s w e


A mon g th e ,

h av e pl a c e d s id e by s id e th e vfinq ba i a n d idis t th e u olp a t an d n orn ir , , ,

th e x fip e e an d valky rior B ut s e v e ra l is ol at e d n ame s mi ght b e .

c omp a re d in th e s ame w ay a s for in st an c e N [myor Vict oria with , ,

s ome Sigrfi n or Sigrd rifa E p i c an d E vva3 or B ell on a w ith a H ildr ,


" ’

a n d G un nr Eris lik e I ris is s e n t forth o n a n e rran d by Z eu s


.
, ,

( ll. 1 1 a s S k Ogu l,o r G On d ul by O bin u I o ft e n fi n d th e s e .

Gre c ian fi g ure s in a tt e n dan c e on indiv idua l god s : in I 1 5 3 3 3 .


,
' ' ’ ’ '
w rok izrop eo e E vva> g oe s with A the n e ; in 5 5 9 2 7ro 7 ve E vva) with
'
’ '

1
L e yd e n p arch m MS of th e 13 th ce n t urycon t ain s th e fol low in g l ege nd
A . .

of C h a rl e s t h e G rea t A quisgra n i d icitu r A ys ( A ix ) e t dicit ur e O qu od Ka rolus ,

t e n e ba t ibi qua n d a m mu lie rem f a ta tam S iv e qu a n d a m f a ta m que a l i o n omi n e , ,


n imp ha v e l d a v e l a d ria d e s l d r as a e lla t ur e t a d h a n c con su e t udin e m
( e
y ) pp .
,

h ab e b a t e t ea m cogn osce b at e t ita e ra t q uod i ps o a cce d e n t e a d e a m vive b a t


, ,
.

ips a ips o Ka rol o re ce d e n t e morie b at ur


, Co n t igit d um qua d a m vice a d ip sam .
,
a cce ssisse t e t cu m e a d e le cta re t ur ra di us s oli s in t ra vit o s e us e t t un c K a rolus
j , ,

v id i t gra n um a uri l i n gua e ej us a ffi x um quod fe ci t abscin di e t con t i n g e nt i (I in , ,


.

con t in e n t i ) mort ua e st n e c p o st ea re vix it T h e gra in of gol d o n w hi ch t h e sp e ll


,
.
,
h un g i s e vid e n tl yt o e xpl a i n th e n ame of th e ci ty l a t e r t ra d i t i on ( P e t rarch a
,

e p i st fa m 1 3 A re t in s l e ge n d of Ch a rle m p 89 ) h as in st ea d o f i t a ri n g

. .
.
, . .
,

w h i ch a rch b i sh o p T urp i n remov e s from t h e mouth o f t h e corps e a n d t h row s ,

in t o a l a k e n ea r A a ch e n t h i s l a k e t h e n a tt racts t h e ki ng a n d th a t i s w h yh e ,

ma d e th e t ow n h is fa vouri t e re s id e n ce Th e re i s n o furth e r me nt i o n o f th e . .

ma i d e n s fa i ry e x i ste n ce It was a p op ula r b e li e f ( a ppl i e d t o t h e Fran k i s h



.

ki n g an d g ra d ua ll y d i st ort e d ) a b o ut t h e u n i on o f a w i ld w oma n o r me rma i d -

W i t h a ch ri sti a n h e ro N ot v e ryd i ffe re n tl yw a s C h a rl e s s a n ce stre ss B e rh ta a s



.
,

w e sa w ab o v e ( p ma d e i n to a good w o ma n i e a fay [Th e s i mil a ri ty


.

,

. . .

o f n a me s i n t h e h e ro i c l i n e : P e p i n of H e rst a l C h a rl e s M a rt e l P e p i n t h e L i ttl e , ,
,

C ha rl e s t h e G rea t s e e ms to h av e mad e i t d oubt ful W h e th e r B e rh ta was C h a rl e


,
mag ne s moth e r o r h is gre a t gra nd moth e r ]

- .
4 36 W I SE W OMEN .

'

A re s ; i n 4, 4 4 0 an d 5 5 1 8 E p t S cia o ra y yea a via wi th A re s , wh o is


,
- ‘
.

a ls o foll owe d by A sina e an d ( p 2 0 7 A n d l a stly, th e .

Ch arite s ly all ie d and th ere w a s s upp os e d to b e a sp e cial


are n e ar

Ch a ris Of vict ory Still n eare r t o our w ood w iv e s st a n d p artic ul ar


.
-

cl a ss e s Of nymphs e sp e c ially th os e wh om Th e ocritu s 5 1 7 n ame s


, ,

ba e or th os e c a ll e d viia cpa t fi na l/ 1 77m i Be w a l dea l



M a va fia e vé ag , . , ,

cz y o caSra i e 4 4 T h e gra c e ful myth o f s wa n w iv e s a pp e ars


p
r 1 3
'

,
.
-

ind e e d t o b e unk n own t o th e G ree ks an d R oma n s wh il e w e T e ut on s ,

h av e it in common with th e Celts ye t a tra c e of it re main s in th e


story of Z e u s an d L e da ( p a n d in th e swan s p roph e t ic s on g
.

a s in th e I n di an N a l u s t oo th e g ol d b e d iz e n e d sw an (h an s a an s er -
,

g oos e) fi nd s h uman sp e e ch ( B opp s e d pp 6 7 ’


. . .

h av e n ot d eve l op e d a ny id ea Of godd e ss e s of fa t e
Th e Sl a v s .
1

Th e b e autiful fict ion of th e vila is p e cul ia r t o Se rvian myth ol ogy


S h e is a b e in g h al f fa y h a l f e lf wh o s e n a me e v e n re s e mb l e s th a t
, ,

o f th e v a l a The re l a tion of v alky rs to ch ristia n h e roe s is s ugge st e d


.

by th e f ra terna l bon d b e tw ee n th e vila and M ark o (V uk 2 9 8 2 3 2 , . .

D a n itza for 1 8 2 6 p a s a ls o by th e vila s a pp e a rin g s ingly


,
.
,

h a v in g p rop er n ame s an d p roph e sying I n s ome things th e y c ome


, .

n e are r th e Ge rman e lfi n s of ou r n e xt ch a pt e r : th e y l ive on hill s ,

l ov e th e s on g an d th e roun d d an ce ( I r e lfe nm lxxx ii) th e y moun t . .


,

up in th e air a nd disch arg e fa t a l a rrows a t men u strielila ga v il a


‘ ’
,

t h e v il a h as sh o t h im w ith h e r sh aft Th e ir cry in th e w ood is .

l ik e th e s ou n d of th e w oodp e ck e r h a ck in g an d is e xp re ss e d byth e ,

w ord klik t ati Th e v il a h as a righ t to th e chil d W h om h is moth e r


‘ ’
.

in h e e dl e ss l an gua g e ( d ia vo ye Od niyo h a s c on s ig ne d t o th e d e v il
( V uk n o a s in s imil a r c a s e s t h e w ol f or b e a r fe tch e s h im a w a y
. .

Vil e t e odn e le ! (vila e te au fe ran t) is a c urs e (V uks Sp rich w p 3 6 ) . .

kad d ot u vil e k ot chim ( qu a nd o vila e a n t e oculos veniunt) s ign ifi e s


‘ ’ ’

t h e mome n t of e xtre me d istre ss a n d d ang e r (ib id 1 1 7 Th e v il a .

rid e s a s e v e n y e ar old st ag a n d b rid l e s h im with s n ak e s l ik e th e


-
, ,

Nors e e n ch an tre ss e s (se e

Th e B oh e m sud ice t ran sla t e s p arca , b ut it s impl y me an s j ud ge ( fe m )


1
.

th e Ru ss i an s e v e n a d o pt t h e w ord p arka We mu st at l ea st n ot i ce t h e .

li chop lezi in B an k a s Gl o ss e s 2 12 , wh o a re s aid t o b e three, l i ke t h e s ire n s a n d


me rma i d s .

2
Th e B ul garian sa modiva o r sa movi la corre sp on d s t o th e S e rvia n vi l a .

Wh e n th e w oun d e d P omak cri e s t o h is s ist e r sa mod iva, sh e come s a n d


‘ ’

cu re s h im Th e samod ivy carry off ch i l d re n ; an d mis chie f wrough t byth e


.

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