CHAPTER VII. 



THE SUCCESSORS OF ODIN OF THE NORTH. 



Njord the successor of Odin Frey succeeds Njord A great temple built at 

 Uppsalir by Frey The ship of Frey Death of Frey Frey's death kept 

 secret from the people Freyja, the priestess Fjolnir, the son of Yngvi 

 Frey Svegriir Genealogies of the Norse chief's from Odin Skjbld, the 

 founder of the Danish branch of chiefs. 



ACCORDING to the sagas, after the death of Odin, Njord of 

 Noatiin became the ruler of the Swedes. 



" Thereupon Njord of Noatiin became ruler over the Swedes, 

 and continued the sacrifices; the Swedes called him their 

 drottin (lord) ; he gathered taxes from them. In his days 

 there was very good peace, and seasons were so good in every 

 respect that the Swedes believed that Njord ruled over good 

 seasons and the wealth and welfare of men. In his days most 

 of the Diar died, and all of them were afterwards burnt and 

 sacrificed to. Njord fell sick and died ; he also let himself be 

 marked (with a spear) before he died, as a token that he 

 belonged to Odin The Swedes burnt him, and wept very much 

 over his mound" (Ynglinga, c. 11). 



" Njord of Noatiin then begat two children. His son was 

 Frey and his daughter Freyja. They were beautiful in looks 

 and mighty. Frey is best of the Asar. He rules the rain 

 and the sunshine, and also has power over the growth of the 

 ground. It is good to make vows to him for good seasons 

 and peace. He also rules over men's fortune in property." 

 (Gyltaginning, c. 24.) 



In Vafthrudnismal Odin asks Vafthrudnir the origin of 



Njord. 



Odin. Vafthrudnir. 



Tell me ... In Vanaheim 



Whence Njord came The wise powers shaped him, 



Among the sons of Asar ; And gave him to the gods as a 

 He rules hundred-fold hostage ; 



Temples and altars At the doom of the world 



And he was not born among He will come back again, 



Asar. Home to the wise Vanir. 



