The Viking Age. Volume 1 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nationsDu Chaillu, Paul B. (Paul Belloni)
History
The Viking Age. Volume 1 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations
“Thereupon Njörd of Nóatún became ruler over the Swedes, and continued
the sacrifices; the Swedes called him their dróttin (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 Njörd ruled over
good seasons and the wealth and welfare of men. In his days most of the
Díar died, and all of them were afterwards burnt and sacrificed to.
Njörd 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).
“Njörd of Nóatún 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.”
(Gylfaginning, c. 24.)
In Vafthrudnismal Odin asks Vafthrudnir the origin of Njörd.
_Odin._
Tell me ...
Whence Njörd came
Among the sons of Asar;
He rules hundred-fold
Temples and altars
And he was not born among Asar.
_Vafthrudnir._
In Vanaheim
The wise powers shaped him,
And gave him to the gods as a hostage;
At the doom of the world
He will come back again,
Home to the wise Vanir.
The Njörd who is related to have been punished by uncontrollable sadness
for falling in love with Gerd and sitting on Odin’s high-seat is a
mythical Njörd.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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