Hildur, Queen of the Elves and Other Stories: Icelandic FolktalesOut of the country’s fascinating geography and history emerge a plethora of poetic and imaginative Icelandic legends that hold a particular wary respect of nature, and a wry wisdom at turns gentle and sharp: that we human beings are mere tenants on earth, with no control over weather or ghosts or wild. On the one hand, these stories come out of the great wellspring of Scandinavian tales that have so influenced the Western imagination: Here are elves and trolls, ghosts, goblins, and monsters; drama and mystery and moral. But Iceland’s particular geography, its long nights and savage weather, also led to the development of a unique oral tradition, from which grew the famous Icelandic family sagas and stories. |
Contents
Introduction by Terry Gunnell | 1 |
The Origin of the Hidden People | 29 |
The Grateful ElfWoman | 35 |
Copyright | |
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álfar Alvör animal Árni Arnór arrived Ása asked Based on Jón beautiful became began begged bishop Björn bridle Búkolla bull chest child Christmas Eve church cliffs dead decided Devil disappeared door Eiríkur elf-woman elves farm farmer farmhouse father fell finished frightened Geirlaug ghost girl grabbed greeted Grettis saga Grímsey Grýla Gudrún Hálfdán hand happened haunted heard Hildur horse huldufólk husband Icelandic legends Jón Árnason Jón Sigurđsson journey Katla knew Kráka Kristján Lagarfljót later lived Loftur magic magician Magnús Már merchant merman Móri morning mother mountain named never night old woman passed priest quickly replied returned home Reykjavík river rock Sćmundur scythe Selsmóri Selur shepherd Sigrídur Sigurđur Nordal Skálholt sleep spirit Stapi stay Stokkseyri story strange summer Sveinn tell Thorgardur Thorgeir told travelled troll turned walked watched water horse winter words young