Norse mythology contains references to various named weapons wielded by specific characters. The oldest references sometimes offer nothing except a name for the weapon, but some of them include more detail on the weapon and what makes it unique, such as Thor's famous hammerMjölnir. These weapons have often been expanded upon in later cultural adaptations that involve Norse mythology. For example, Richard Wagner'sRing cycle of operas adds that Wotan (Odin)'s spear Gungnir is inscribed with all the agreements and treaties Wotan has made with various other beings, and is the record and source of his power.
Dáinsleif ("Dáinn's Heirloom"[1][2]) is kingHögni's sword, according toSnorri Sturluson's account of the battle known as theHjaðningavíg. Högni claims it is similar to the swordTyrfing as far as killing a person every time it is drawn.
When Heðinn offers him compensation for the abduction of his daughter, Högni replies:
Thou hast made this offer over-late, if thou wouldst make peace: for now I have drawn Dáinsleif, which thedwarves made, and which must cause a man's death every time it is bared, nor ever fails in its stroke; moreover, the wound heals not if one be scratched with it.
— Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur translation,Skáldskaparmál, Chapter 50[3]
Gram (Old Norse:Gramr, "ill-tempered"), is a magicalsword wielded by the heroSigurd. He uses itFafnir, a dwarf transformed into a dragon. It is primarily used by theVölsungs in theVölsung Cycle; however, it is also seen in other legends, such as theThidrekssaga in which it is wielded byHildebrand.[4][5] In theMiddle High German epic poemNibelungenlied, it is calledBalmung.[6]
Gungnir (/ˈɡʌŋ.nɪər/, "the rocking") is thespear of the godOdin. It is said to always hit the target of the attacker. It is depicted in the Poetic Edda poemVöluspá, in theSigrdrífumál, Chapter 51 of theGylfaginning, and theSkáldskaparmál.
Hǫfuð ("man-head",[7] Norwegianhovud, Danishhoved, Swedishhuvud and Icelandichöfuð) is thesword of the ÆsirHeimdall. It is mentioned inGylfaginning chapter 26:
Anthony Faulkes's edition:
- Heimdalar sverð er kallat Hǫfuð.[8]
Arthur Brodeur's translation:
- Heimdallr's sword is called Head.[9]
TheSkáldskaparmál also mentions a mysterious myth about Heimdall's head and sword in its eighth chapter, seemingly saying Heimdall was "pierced by a man's head" (a reference to his own sword? to a human head itself colliding with him?).[10]
Hrotti is asword in theVölsung cycle (Fáfnismál,Völsunga saga,20). It was a part ofFáfnir's treasure, whichSigurðr took after he slew the dragon.Kemp Malone suggested thatHrotti was etymologically related toHrunting, Beowulf's sword.[11]
Lævateinn is a weapon crafted byLoki, mentioned in thePoetic Edda poemFjölsvinnsmál. It is said to be the only weapon that can defeatViðofnir, a bird that sits atopMímameiðr, the tree of life. Scholars debate and are unsure what exact type of weapon was meant. The poem does not clarify if Lævateinn was ever actually used for this purpose, leaving such a feat in the potential future.
Mistilteinn (Old Norse,lit. 'Mistletoe';cf.Old English:Mistiltán;Old Swedish:Misteltein;Swedish:Mistelten) is Hrómundr Gripsson'ssword inHrómundar saga Gripssonar, alegendary saga fromIceland.[12][13]
Mistilteinn first belonged to Þráinn, who had been king inValland before he retired in hisburial mound with his wealth.
The Danish king Óláfr and his men, among whom Hrómundr Gripsson, learnt about that and found the barrow. Þráinn, who had become adraugr (living dead), was sitting inside. No one but Hrómundr dared to enter. After a long and fierce fight, he defeated Þráinn and took his treasure, especially his sword, with which Þráinn had killed four hundred and twenty men, including the Swedish kingSemingr.[14]
Hrómundr used Mistilteinn during the battle between Óláfr and two Swedish kings both named Haldingr. He killed Helgiinn frækni (the Valiant), who had slain his brothers. He then lost Mistilteinn in the water out of witchcraft. He deeply felt this loss but soon recovered his sword, which was found in the stomach of a pike. But Mistilteinn was of no help when he fought king Haldingr, whom he eventually killed with a club.
In one version of Norse mythology,Odin's sonBaldr was prophesized to die, so his motherFrigg, Odin's wife, forced everything in theNine Realms to swear not to harm him, all with the exception of the plantmistletoe, which was deemed too weak to pose a threat. One day, Baldr was showing off his invincibility by having all theÆsir gods hurl things at him. However, his blind brotherHöðr was left out of the revelry. Odin's sworn brotherLoki, jealous of Baldr's good looks and charisma, handed Hod a weapon he fashioned from mistletoe, Mistilteinn, and encouraged him to join in on the fun. Höðr then threw the weapon at his brother and struck him dead. Odin was so distraught at his favored son's death that he killed Höðr on the spot.
Mjölnir isThor'shammer, used both as a weapon and as a spiritual focus with which to perform divine acts.
Riðill (sometimes anglicised toRithill orRidill) orRefil is a sword possessed by the dwarfRegin.
Regin then approached Fafnir and cut out his heart with a sword named Ridill, and afterwards drank blood from his wound.
— Benjamin Thorpe translation,Fáfnismál 26[15]
Riðill appears in theFáfnismál, an eddic poem in thePoetic Edda. Regin's older brotherFáfnir had killed their fatherHreiðmarr and taken his treasure. Regin goads the heroSigurd into killing Fáfnir, who was transformed into a serpent or dragon at the time. After Fáfnir's defeat, Regin draws his own sword Riðill and uses it to cut out Fafnir's heart. The two roast the heart for them to eat.[16]
TheVolsunga saga was likely later than and dependent on the Fáfnismál, and recounts a similar story. However, in it, it is Sigurd himself who uses Riðill (rather than his swordGram) to cut out Fáfnir's heart.[17]
Reginn had that sword which was named Refill. So he [Reginn] fled away, and Fáfnir went up to Gnita Heath, and made himself a lair, and turned himself into a serpent, and laid him down upon the gold.
— Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur translation,Skáldskaparmál, Chapter 40[18]
The story also appears in theSkáldskaparmál of theProse Edda, but the name of the sword is given as Refil or Refill there.[16]
Skofnung (Old Norse:Skǫfnungr) is the sword of legendary Danish kingHrólf Kraki that appears inHrólfs saga kraka. It was renowned for supernatural sharpness and hardness.
The VanirFreyr has an unnamed sword that is one of the few weapons that is capable of fighting on its own.
TheProse Edda contains:
Then Freyr answered and said that he had seen a fair woman; and for her sake he was so full of grief that he would not live long if he were not to obtain her. (...) Then Skírnir answered thus: he would go on his errand, but Freyr should give him his own sword—which is so good that it fights of itself;—and Freyr did not refuse, but gave him the sword. Then Skírnir went forth and wooed the woman for him, and received her promise.
— Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur translation,Gylfaginning, Chapter 37[19]
Freyr asksSkírnir to bringGerðr to him, but his messenger demands his sword from him, and Freyr gives it. However, the loss of Freyr's sword has long-term consequences. According to theProse Edda, Freyr had to fightBeli without his sword and slew him with anantler. The result atRagnarök, the end of the world, will be much more serious. Freyr is fated to fight the fire-giantSurtr and, since he will not have his sword, he will be defeated.
In thePoetic Edda, it is said that during Ragnarok, the sun of warrior gods shines from Surtr's sword.[20] One theory is that the sword which Surtr uses to slay Freyr is his own sword, which Freyr had earlier bargained away for Gerðr. This would add a further layer of tragedy to the myth.Sigurður Nordal argued for this view, but the possibility represented byUrsula Dronke's translation that it is a simple coincidence is equally possible.[21] In the poemSkírnismál, the sword is given to Skírnir and used to threatenGerðr, but not explicitly given to either the giantess or her father, much less Surtr.
Freyr's sword appears throughoutRick Riordan's fantasy novel seriesMagnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard as the sword "Sumarbrander" (nicknamed "Jack"), the main weapon of the titular protagonist.
Tyrfing, also rendered asTirfing andTyrving, was amagic sword that features in theTyrfing Cycle. This includes a poem from thePoetic Edda calledHervararkviða, and theHervarar saga. It is a powerful sword, but it was made under duress by dwarf smiths. In revenge for being forced to make the sword, they added a curse that the sword would be the cause of three great evils.
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