“This is the great story of the North, which should be to all our race what the Tale of Troy was to the Greeks—to all our race first, and afterwards, when the change of the world has made our race nothing more than a name of what has been—a story too—then should it be to those that come after us no less than the Tale of Troy has been to us.”—William Morris.
This new edition of H. A. Guerber’s classic work contains all the original text and includes introductory matter from two earlier editions, along with indices, glossary, and pronunciation guide. It has been hand-edited and entirely reset in 446 pages along with 64 marvellous illustrations. It is a comprehensive overview of Norse legend and mythology, and a treasure trove of historical marvels, tales of glory and death, defeat and victory.
As the author wrote in the forward: “The aim of this handbook is to familiarize the English student with the religion of his heathen ancestors, and to set forth, as clearly as possible, the various myths which have exercised an influence over our customs, arts, and literature.”
Drawing upon the rich legacy of the Eddas and Sagas, this work traces not only the full pantheon of the Northern gods and their foes, but also provides a fascinating insight into the historical origins of some of the main characters—who appear to have been based on real-life characters whose deeds immortalized them into legend—and gives a comparison with classical Greek mythological characters, showing the interrelatedness of the great Indo-European peoples.
Read also of the Norse origins of well-known legends such as Sleeping Beauty, the Pied Piper of Hamelin, customs and rituals such as Yule, days of the week, and much, much more.