revered as Sigdrifa, is believed by many scholars to be inspired by a historical Visigothic princess of the sixth century, destined to marry a Frankish king. As a Valkyrie and sister to Atli, she was betrothed to Sigurd. InThe Lay of Sigdrifa, Odin condemned her to relinquish her Valkyrie status and wed, having sided with a hero he had doomed. She vowed to marry only a man without fear. Odin cast her into slumber with a sleep thorn, where she lay until Sigurd roused her. They pledged to wed, but Sigurd, under a spell at Gunnar's court, forgot Brynhild and wed Gunnar's sister, Gudrun. Bound by his promise, Sigurd unknowingly deceived Brynhild by winning her for Gunnar. Heartbroken, Brynhild orchestrated Sigurd's demise and, upon his death, joined him by taking her own life, believing him her true husband in death.

Dag

Dag, son of Hogni and Sigrun's sister, avenged his father by slaying Helgi, driven by familial duty and honor.

Dvalin

Dvalin, the master craftsman among dwarves, is linked to the cursed sword Tyrfing, renowned for its lethal legacy.

Ermanrik

See Jormunrek.

Erp

Erp, born of Atli and Gudrun, met a tragic fate at the hands of his half-brothers, Hamdir and Sorli, thwarting their revenge plot against Jormunrek by his absence in their crucial strike.

Eylimi

In The Lay of Helgi Hjorvards's Son, Eylimi is introduced as the father of Valkyrie Svava, wife to Helgi Hjorvard's son. Meanwhile, in the Prophecy of Gripir, he is acknowledged as the father of Gripir, serving as Sigurd's maternal grandfather.

Fafnir

Fafnir, offspring of Hreidmar and sibling to Otter and Regan, committed patricide to claim Andvari's cursed treasure. Transforming into a formidable dragon, he guarded his ill-gotten hoard until slain by Sigurd. In both Roman and Germanic lore, the dragon stands as a timeless emblem of greed.

Father of the Slain

See Odin.

Fenrir, the formidable wolf, emerges as a prodigious offspring of Loki and a towering giantess. Shackled by the gods, he awaits the dawn of Ragnarok, when he will shatter his bonds and consume Odin.

Frey

Frey, a distinguished member of the Vanir, reigns as the deity of fertility and prosperity.

Freyja

Freyja stands among the Vanir as the revered goddess of love, weaving her enchantment upon the hearts of many.

Frigg

Frigg, an eminent goddess of the Aesir, embodies love and devotion as Odin's wife and Balder's nurturing mother.

Frodi

In the golden age ruled by Frodi, peace and prosperity flourished. The king possessed a magical stone quern, which, under the strain of two captive giantesses, produced gold and harmony. Yet, by overworking them, he provoked their rebellion, leading to the quern's destruction.

Gagnrad

Refer to Odin.

Grimodin

Refer to Odin.

Gangleri

Refer to Odin.

Garm

Garm is the vigilant hound of Hel, the goddess who presides over the realms of the dead.

Geirod

Geirod, son of King Hunding, usurps his elder brother Agnar's throne. His reign is marred by a fatal error when Frigg deceives him into mistreating a disguised Odin, violating sacred hospitality. Realizing his blunder, Geirod rushes to release Odin, only to meet his end upon his own sword. His son Agnar, showing kindness to Odin, earns the god's favor.

Gerd

Gerd, the daughter of the giant Gymir, captures the heart of Frey. Yet Skirnir, Frey's servant, must resort to threats of disgrace to persuade her to meet his master.

Gjuki

Gjuki, sovereign of the Burgundians, wed to Grimhild, fathers Gunnar, Hogni, and Gudrun. By the time Sigurd arrives at the Burgundian court, Gjuki has passed into legend.

Glaumvor

Glaumvor becomes the consort of Gunnar following Brynhild's tragic demise.

Gram

Gram, Sigurd's fabled sword, carries a legacy of its own, as naming swords often does in heroic lore.

Grani

Grani, the noble steed of Sigurd, rides through the annals of legend.

Grimhild

Grimhild, queen of the Burgundians and wife to Gjuki, mothers Gudrun, Gunnar, and Hogni. Her aura suggests witchcraft, as she orchestrates the plan to enchant Sigurd, making him forget Brynhild and wed Gudrun, aiding Gunnar's quest to claim Brynhild.

Gripir

Gripir, brother to Hjordis and uncle to Sigurd, stands as a seer in northern heroic tales. In the Gripisspé (The Prophecy of Gripir), he foretells Sigurd's destiny, promising illustrious fame unmatched by any other. Sigurd's heroic feats shape the imagery and metaphors of classic skaldic poetry and Icelandic sagas.

Gudrun

Gudrun, daughter of Grimhild and Gjuki, becomes Sigurd's wife under the influence of a potion. Aware of his past with Brynhild, she incites Brynhild's vengeance. Following Sigurd's demise, she weds Atli, king of the Huns, only to later avenge her brothers by murdering him and his men. Her third marriage to Jonakr bears twin sons, Hamdir and Sorli.

Gungnir

Gungnir, the spear of Odin, figures prominently in myriad lays and sagas, although its name is only mentioned in the Lay of Sigdrifa.

Gunnar

Gunnar, ruler of the Burgundians and son of Grimhild and Gjuki, undergoes a transformation across tales. In the stories of Sigurd and Brynhild, he is a deceitful oathbreaker, driven by maternal and spousal manipulation. In narratives of Atli, he becomes a tragic king, sacrificing himself and his brothers to thwart Atli's grasp on Andvari's treasure.

Gunnlod

Gunnlod is the watchful giantess safeguarding the coveted mead of poetry.

Guthorm

Guthorm, a son of King Gjuki, stands as Gunnar's stepbrother.

Hagal

Hagal fulfills the role of foster father to Helgi Hunding's Bane.

Hamdir

Hamdir, son of Gudrun, perishes while avenging his sister Swanhild's death at the hands of Jormunrek, King of the Goths.

Heimdal

Heimdal, luminous deity and vigilant watchman of the gods, wields the Gjallarhorn, ready to sound the alarm at the world's end.

Hel

Hel, both the realm of the deceased and its presiding deity, is the daughter of the cunning Loki.

Hjalmar

Hjalmar earns renown as the slayer of Angantyr.

Hjalperk

Hjalperk stands as Sigurd's nurturing foster father.

Hjordis

Hjordis, the second wife of Sigmund, gives birth to Sigurd, the legendary hero.

Hjorvard

Hjorvard, sibling to Angantyr, shares his brother's fate and lies entombed beside him.

Helgi Hjorvard's Son

Refer to Helgi Hjorvard's Bane.

Hoddmimir

Refer to Mimir.

Helgi Hunding's Bane

Helgi Hunding's Bane, offspring of Sigmund Volsung and Borghild, emerges as a hero in The First Lay of Helgi Hunding's Bane and The Second Lay of Helgi Hunding's Bane. Sigrun, the Valkyrie, chooses him, despite being promised to King Hodbrodd. Helgi's brave heart wins the battle, albeit with heavy losses for Sigrun's kin. United in love and sorrow, Helgi and Sigrun bask in joy until Dag's revenge steals Helgi's life. Their love transcends death, allowing them one final reunion in his burial mound. Sigrun's grief soon claims her, and legend speaks of their rebirth across eras: as Helgi Hjorvard's Son and Svava, Helgi Hunding's Bane and Sigrun, and Helgi Hadding's Bane and Kara.

Hervard

Hervard, the sibling of Angantyr, met his end and was laid to rest alongside his brother.

Hervor

1. Hervor, the fierce daughter of Angantyr, boldly claimed her father's sword from his grave, defying his wishes, to seek vengeance for his demise. 2. Known as the Wise, this daughter of King Hlodver was a Valkyrie and the wife of Volund.

Hogni

1. Father to Sigrun, Hogni was slain by Helgi in a fierce clash to thwart Sigrun's unwanted marriage. His death was avenged by his son Dag, wielding Odin's spear. 2. A noble Burgundian prince, he chose death over revealing the hidden location of Andvari's treasure, standing firm with his siblings Gunnar and Gudrun.

Hrani

Hrani, like Hervard, shared both blood and fate with Angantyr, joining him in eternal rest.

Hreidnar

Father to Regin, Fafnir, and Otter, Hreidnar received the cursed treasure of Andvari from Loki and Odin as recompense for the slaying of his son Otter, who had transformed into an otter.

Hunding

Hunding was the father of Agnar and Geirrod, and a king who met his end at the hands of Helgi Hunding's Bane.

Jonacr

Jonacr, the third husband of Gudrun, fathered Hamdir and Sorli.

Jormunrek

Jormunrek, a historical ruler of the Goths from the fourth century, became a legendary figure for the heinous killing of his young second wife, Swanhild, and his son, under false allegations of adultery.

Kostbera

In the Greenland Lay of Atli, Kostbera stands as Hogni's spouse, a woman of wisdom and insight who endeavors to interpret Gudrun's cryptic message and foresees impending doom through a prophetic dream.

Loddfafnir

Loddfafnir is the recipient of Odin's sagacious insights in the Sayings of the High One.

Loki

Loki, the enigmatic Aesir, is the quintessential trickster with a questionable allegiance. Although frequently a savior in dire moments for the gods, his cunning solutions often lead to moral dilemmas and new troubles. Over time, his mischievousness escalates into malevolence, directly impacting the fate of the divine realm.

Mimir

Mimir, also known as Hoddmimir, guards the well beneath the roots of Yggdrasil, the mighty Ash tree that stands at the universe's core.

Niflungs

Essentially synonymous with Gjuking, the Niflungs are the kin and the devoted followers of King Gjuki.

Njord

Njord reigns as the majestic deity of the seas.

Otter

Brother to Regin and Fafnir and son of Hreidnar, Otter's life was claimed while in his animal form. The fabled treasure of Andvari became a compensation to his family for his untimely death.

Norns

The Norns, known also as Urd, are akin to the Fates of old, weaving destinies for worlds and souls alike. They hail from the race of giants.

Oddrun

Oddrun, sister to Brynhild and Atli, once betrothed to Gunnar, found herself in a clandestine romance after Atli forbade their union. This relationship became a spark in Gunnar's demise at Atli’s hands.

Odin

For a nearly exhaustive list of Odin’s names, consult The Lay of Grimnir, stanzas 12 and 13, which conclude "I've never been known by one name only / since I have wandered the world." Among his many appellations are All-Father, Warfather, Father of the Slain, Gagnrad—'Counsel for Victory,' Gangleri, Grim, and Ygg. Revered as the sovereign of the gods, known as Woden to the pagan English and god of Wednesday, Odin presides over battle, magic, poetic inspiration, and all who fall in combat. A shapeshifter, he might appear as an ancient one-eyed wanderer, cloaked and hatted, or as a lupine figure. In the company of Thought and Memory, his ravenous scouts, and his wolves, he sacrificed an eye and endured the agony of hanging for nine days on Yggdrasil to attain wisdom. Odin, master of runes and secret knowledge, shielded kings and inspired heroes, amassing a warrior's army in Valhalla for the ultimate confrontation against darkness. When the time seemed ripe, he would even disarm his favored champions, orchestrating their deaths in battle. Some suggest Odin's prominence grew as Germanic tribes entered former Roman territories, attracting worship as a divine leader of war bands. During these tumultuous times, traditional bonds gave way to new loyalties centered around victorious combatants.

Ran

The sea goddess Ran, wed to Aeggir, rules alongside her husband over the ocean's depths.

Regin

Regin, son of Hreidmar and sibling to Otter and Fafnir, was twice denied his share of Andvari's treasure. As a skilled dwarven smith tainted by thwarted avarice, he took Sigurd under his tutelage, preparing him to slay Fafnir, now transformed into a fearsome dragon. Forewarned by the dying Fafnir and birds of Regin's deceit, Sigurd was compelled to kill him.

Sif

Sif is renowned as Thor's beloved wife.

Sigdrifa

See Brynhild.

Sigmund

Sigmund, born to Volsung, fathered Helgi, Sinfjotli, and Sigurd with different women, weaving his legacy through his progeny.

Signy

In a tale of vengeance and sacrifice, Signy's husband, Siggeir, murdered her father and brothers, including Sigmund. She sent her sons to aid Sigmund in avenging their family, but when they faltered, Signy resorted to sorcery, exchanging forms with a witch. She seduced her brother, birthing Sinfjotli, who later joined Sigmund in their revenge. Only after setting Siggeir's hall ablaze did Signy reveal the true parentage of Sinfjotli. Embracing her fate, she entered the flames, declaring, "I have worked so hard to bring about vengeance I am by no means fit to live. Willingly I shall die with King Siggeir, although I married him reluctantly," as recounted in the Volsung Saga.

Sigrlinn

Sigrlinn, daughter of King Svafnir, was the mother of Helgi in his earliest incarnation.

Sigrun

Within the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, the enchanting Helgi lays unfold the timeless tale of Sigrun, who is also known by the names Svava and Kara. Each time she is reborn, she emerges as a Valkyrie, ever devoted to shielding and loving Helgi, whom she ultimately weds in every lifetime they share.

Sigurd

The legendary figure Sigurd, immortalized as Siegfried in Richard Wagner's epic operas, is depicted in the Elder Edda as the illustrious son of Sigmund and Hjordis. Hailed as the mightiest warrior of his era, Sigurd slays the shape-shifting Fafnir, who has assumed the form of a dragon, and claims the coveted treasure of Andvari. His journey takes him to the awakening of the Valkyrie Sigdrifa, also known as Brynhild, from whom he gains profound wisdom and pledges his heart. Despite his noble virtues, Sigurd's fate is sealed by the treachery of Gjuki's wife and offspring, steering him into actions that starkly betray his ideals.

Sinfjotli

Sinfjotli, the progeny of Sigmund and his sister Signy, stands as the half-brother to Sigurd and Helgi. Although the story of his inception is absent from the Elder Edda, he is depicted aiding his young half-brother Helgi in their shared ventures.

Sorli

As the sibling of Hamdir and the offspring of Gudrun and Jonakr, Sorli meets his end during a bold quest to avenge their half-sister, Swanhild.

Surt

Presiding over the fiery realm, Surt reigns as the sovereign of the fire giants, lending his name to an island forged by volcanic forces off the coast of Iceland.

Svava

Refer to Sigrun.

Swanhild

The tragic Swanhild, daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun, weds King Jormunrek of the Goths, only to face execution following false accusations of infidelity with her stepson.

Thor

Thor, alternatively known as Ving-Thor and Veor, commands the thunderous skies as the mighty god of thunder. Born of Earth, or Fjorgyn, he wields the formidable hammer Mjollnir, valiantly safeguarding both gods and mortals from the threats of giants. Ever beloved among the Norse deities, his iconic hammer became a cherished symbol, akin to the Christian cross, even persisting as a token of personal faith alongside emerging Christian beliefs.

Thrym

Thrym, a formidable giant king, brazenly seized Thor's precious hammer, Mjollnir, hoping to barter for the hand of Freya as his bride. However, his ambitions met a crushing end when Thor reclaimed his weapon, decimating Thrym, his kin, and the entire wedding party.

Tyr

Once a revered deity of war, Tyr's prominence waned, overshadowed by the illustrious Odin and Thor by the time the Elder Edda was penned.

Urd

Refer to Norns.

Vanir

The Vanir, deities of fertility and foresight, once waged war against the Aesir, enriching the mythos with their profound knowledge of what lies ahead.

Veor 'Holy, Defender of the Home'

Refer to Thor.

Ving-Thor

Refer to Thor.

Volsungs

Volsungs stands as the illustrious lineage encompassing Sigmund, Sinfjotli, and Sigurd.

Volund

Volund, akin to Weyland Smith in numerous English locales, emerges as the hero of the Volundarqvitha (The Lay of Volund). Born to a Finnish king, his unmatched skill in working iron, gold, and silver becomes his undoing, as King Nidud captures and cripples him to exploit these talents. Ingeniously crafting wings, Volund escapes captivity, exacting revenge by slaying Nidud's sons and violating his daughter before soaring into freedom.

War Father

Refer to Odin.

Ygg

Refer to Odin.

Ymir

Ymir, a colossal giant, whose very body became the fabric from which the earth, sea, and skies were meticulously shaped.