I02 James Christian Lindberg 



PAGE NOTB 



32 39. Garderike. A Russian city, seemingly where the royal family 



dwelt at that time. 



33 40. TIjc silent, a:vc-inspiiing feast. The Holy Communion. 



35 41. Syn. Doorkeeper in Freia's hall, and guardian of the truth. 



36 42. Lokc. God of destruction and evil. 

 40 43. Thmdi'ang. The abode of Thor. 



48 44. Rogaland. The ancient name of the present district of Stavanger. 



48 4a. Baldiir. God of sunshine and happiness. 



49 46. The following paragraph should be compared with the myth of 



Ygdrasil, the "Tree of the Universe.'" (See note 66, below.) 



50 47. Hat: on Athclstcin, 'The Good.' The illegitimate son of Harald 



P^airhair and foster-son of King Athelstan of England. He at- 

 tempted to christianize Norway but failed ; he was forced to par- 

 take of the heathen rites as is stated below. At last he was 

 killed on the island Stord by the sons of Erik Bloodax or "Gund- 

 hild's sons." 



54 48. Hcllicim. The abode of Hel, the goddess of death. 



56 49. Dart; Elk'agar. The Elivagar were the icy and poisonous streams 

 that flowed out of Niflheim, the world of fog and mists. 



58 50. Griffin. A fanciful creature, half lion and half eagle, found in 

 Persian sculpture and on Greek coins and ornaments and in 

 heraldry. It is an emblem of vigilance. 



60 51. Vatfaudur. The same as All-father. 



63 53. Bistiop Popo. He was sent by Otho H of Germany to Denmark 

 to baptize King Blaatand and others. Hakon was one of these, 

 and at the baptism was made to promise that he would introduce 

 Christianity into Norway; but he broke his oath as soon as was 

 possible and worshiped the ancient god.^. 



63 53. The red-tiot iron gtove. This was one of the tricks, or presumed 

 miracles, that the early missionaries performed in order to ■per- 

 suade the people. 



63 54. Mistiness. The 'southern' religion is often spoken of in such 

 terms as 'dampness' and 'mistiness.' 



63 55. Tlior's tiammer. See note 6, above. 



64 56. Skacrdingstad. This and the other names in this paragraph, both 



persons and places, are mere local names and of no historical 



value. 

 64 57. Ertand. No historical mention of Erland and the incident here 



related seems extant. It is, perhaps, the poet's invention. 

 66 5S. Acgir. God of the sea, especially of the stormy sea. 

 66 59. Ydun. Keeper of the apples which the gods ate when they grew 



old, and which renewed their youth. Once Loke stole from her 



these apples. 

 66 60. Asa-Tyr. The god of war, who lost his right hand by putting it 



into the mouth of the Fenris-wolf, when the gods attempted to 



chain the latter. 



66 61. Fottozued Balditr dozvn to deepest liell? This refers to Odin's 



visit to Helheim, where he went to see what had become of Bal- 

 dur, after the latter had been killed by the tricks of Loke. 



67 62. Ran. Goddess of the sea, wife of Aegir. 



67 63. Auk-Thor's wain. The constellation, the Great Bear. 



67 64. Saga. Goddess of history. The meaning* here is not clear. 



There seems no reason why Hakon should invoke the forgiveness 



of this goddess. 



140 



