Patreon supporter Brad G. points to a discrepancy between my description of Volund and his brothers' first encounter with their Valkyrie wives in Vǫlundarkviða (and the accompanying prose intro.), and the text of that poem (+prose) in the Poetic Edda itself. Here is my response, below: I appreciate that you took the time to point out this discrepancy. Let me look directly at the source texts to make sure that I’m not, myself, conflating different versions of one story or taking inferences that make sense to me and reading them back into the source material (both of these always remain a danger, no matter how long you do this). Vǫlundarkviða, prose intro.: “Snemma of morgin fundu þeir á vatnsstrǫndu konur þrjár, ok spunnu lín. Þar váru hjá þeim álptarhamir þeira. Þat váru valkyrjur. ... (their names are given) … Þeir hǫfðu þær heim til skála með sér. Fekk Egill Ǫlrúnar en Slagfiðr Svanhvítrar en Vǫlundr Alvitrar. Þau bjuggu sjau vetrar. Þá flugu þær at vitja víga ok kómu eigi aptr.” Translation, fairly literal: “Early in the morning they (♂♂) found three women on the lakeshore, and (they) were spinning linen. Near them were their swan-skins. These were valkyries. … (their names are given) … They (♂♂) had them (♀♀) home with them to (their) hut/cabin/small house. Egil married Olrún and Slagfinn married Svanhvít and Volund married Alvitr. They (♂♀) dwelled (there) seven winters. Then they (♀♀) flew to witness battles and did not come back.” I agree that the language here isn’t necessarily violent, but I have usually read “had (the women) home with them” as a forceful action that gives no information about the valkyries’ intent, and then read their flight later without ever returning, as implicit denial of their interest in the match. Vǫlundarkviða, st. 1-3: I won’t transcribe these in their entirety, but it’s clear the prose intro. is written to summarize them. In st. 2 we read “Ein nam þeira / Egil at verja” (“One ♀ of them took Egil in her embrace”). To us this might look like she initiates it, but this is pretty conventional wording for a marriage, basically meaning “She became his wife.” In fact in my published translation I just rendered the men as the subjects in this stanza to elide the suspicion that the valkyries were kidnapping *them.* I could have worded it closer to the original, I think six years later, but as elsewhere in my published translation I often “unpacked” cultural knowledge into my English so I wouldn’t have to include footnotes or endnotes. In st. 3 we see the valkyries were eager (“fýstusk”) to leave, again reflected in the prose intro. too. I think I’ve always been more willing to read this as a forceful marriage because of what Volund later does to Bođvild, too. But that’s an injustice to the text, itself. To my memory and a search today, I don’t see any mentions of Volund in Snorri’s Prose Edda. His story is told in a highly variant format (with some doubtlessly old elements) in Þiðreks saga af Bern, but to my memory and a search today, I don’t see any mention of his valkyrie-wife in that version either. So you’re right, I might have invented the detail of taking the swan-skins somewhere in the 15-20 years since first reading this story. It’s good, and humbling, to be reminded that no matter how many times we might read these things, it’s always possible for something of our own imagination to creep in, and that same thing’s been happening to other transmitters of the myths and sagas for hundreds and thousands of years.

This video was wonderful. Your theory that the Valkyrjur were imagined as bewitching women who were the reason men would leave their wives and children because of a lust for battle makes sense to me. Certainly many women throughout history have been brokenhearted by their men leaving for battle with apparent eagerness; this might be one way to explain battle lust mythologically.

He's extremely wise, wears a wide brim hat, uploads on Wednesday, and I can definitely hear a bird cawing in the background... I'm really starting to think that Jackson Crawford is one of the many names of Odin. 🤔

I cannot convey in words how intriguing, ratifying, reaffirming and entertaining listening to your podcasts are for me. Thank You. I even found myself using "All the Best" as you do when saying "See you later" . . . lol As i like to say . . . May the HORSE be with You (All the Best) "Thor Bless"

In Russian fairy tales there is also a recurrent character of women who can turn into swans or other mythical birds, and whose 'skin' can be stolen. A common motive is that a male character steals the skin to gain power over the shapeshifter woman and marry her.

How beautiful and evocative are the names of those valkyrjur: Olrun "noble rune/secret" and Svanhvit "swan white" and Alvitr "all wise." Just gorgeous. Is that somewhat close, Dr Crawford?

You are not testing my patience as a viewer. This is fascinating.

I prefer the longer format videos. They go much deeper, giving a better understanding of content. Thank you for what you are providing the little guy unable to attend university.

I love how you see through the variations in the legends and are able to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Freyja definitely has a role in selecting the dead. I absolutely love your videos and am so happy you exist. You've answered so many questions and have taught me so much about my ancestors. I would love to just sit down and talk to you about your passion and experiences. You are amazing :)

I like Old Norse as much as the next person, but when are we getting Bird Language lessons?

What is the connection between the valkyries of the Norse world and the selkies of Scottish myth? The idea of stealing a magic-woman's animal skin in order to force her into marriage seems fairly specific so I wonder if these myths have similar roots or if there's some other reason for that commonality. Fascinating video, as always, Dr. Crawford.

Wow, this is just great, I learned so much. Thanks a million for all your work you out out for the masses!!!

Excellent that your both you translations are available in audiobook. I'm looking forward to both.

I’m really enjoying your whole series you are putting out. So far you have answered so many questions. Thank you so much. 😊😊😊

Great content! Gods, your content helped me so much in writing EE. So much inspiration, what I've always needed! Thank you, Dr. Crawford, what you are doing is outstanding!

Another Great video. Absolutely love learning these subjects. Reading the Sagas can be sooo confusing. The perspectives are ever changing. Thank you

you are truly a very interesting professor, your videos really give a good view of old norse mythology and culture ! thank you for setting up this channel!

Marvelous exploration of this textual material, and a very compelling analysis !!

Happy Jackson is in the world. 🙏💪🌍 Thank you for your teaching.

I am so glad I found your channel! I love your insights and feel like I have a better understanding of Norse mythology :)

I just found your channel, I love the content. I could sit listen to you speak these stories in the native language forever 😁.

I really enjoyed the longer runtime. I find your videos to be the most credible on these subjects and rely heavily on them for learning. So, the more indepth, the better.

Thank you for these. I just discovered you likely through a pagan group on Facebook. What I appreciate most is hearing the language. Second is the historical text. Very much appreciate what you're doing.

Nothing wrong with a long video with good content! Very insightful content

Great video! A lot to consider when conceptualizing these iconic mythic figures! And the philosophical connections between lust and bloodlust is an interesting paradigm to frame a good deal of western and antiquity Era mythos.

32:52 Odinn's messengers are near!

Fascinating! Love your videos.

Thanks for another great upload Dr. Crawford! I was wondering though if anyone else finds the volume quite low in this particular video?

Wonderful video. Very interesting.

That was great, I love this longer format.

Thank you very much for making this!

Great video! thank you for these and the insight.

Fantastic video.

Seeing that there were three Valkyries weaving could there be some connection to the Greek Fates?

This is a wonderful video. Thanks.

Very thought provoking, as always. Thank you Mr. Crawford.

Love your work.

thank u so much awesome video a little long but it has to be to get so in depth. i cant say thank you enough and the perfect job you have done i cant find a thing to disagree with and that means and says a lot

I've only recently discovered this channel, but I am loving your content! I'm curious, have you ever considered do a reaction or analysis of how various media have adapted Norse myths and culture?

Very interesting take on Valkyries

The fact that Folkvagnr is the ninth hall also speaks to it being Odin's hall as well as Freya's.

I can't wait for your translation of the Prose Edda Dr.Crawford. I've already got your translation of the Poetic Edda 🔥 🇿🇦

This is at least the third time you have put a video out, about something that's been on my mind recently. The beauty of a Valkyrja in comparison to Christian Angels known for Beauty. "Beautiful as an Angel". Is the beauty of Valkyrjur as predominant in Old Norse script, as the beauty of Angels in Abrahamic belief? And Tusen Takk for all that you do Dr Jackson Crawford. Skål.

For this video you could have chosen friday ;-). In your argument for Freya beeing a valkyrie I didn't even notice you mentioning her feathered skin, she lends to Loke,

amazed and very impressed by how much you know about ouer old north , i live in dalarna sweden old old Viking country even my river runs north, just next to frej and frejas vally that river also runs north, gona look at more of your streams

Outstanding!

@Jackson Crawford in 13:01 when you say "hami", which means skins in direct translation, you can also have an alternative translation, where "Ham" can translate to the word "disguise". In many tales of the Faroe islands, the word "ham" is understood as a disguise. For instance in "kópakonan", where seals were seen as dead people who went to the shore and placed down their seal-skin disguise on the shore.

This is really interesting and makes a lot of sense.

I am amazed by how many cultures around the world recorded beings that were wearing and/or appeared with feathers.

great video

I would like to second what some others have said: I prefer longer format videos as well! Thank you for this in-depth look at Valkyries. It was extremely interesting. Your videos are always a great, many thanks. Looking forward to more meat and potatoes ;)

Freyja literally is riding Ottar to Valhalla in the Eddic poem, "Hyndluljóð". Absorb what that poem says and come back and rewatch the second half of this video. Interesting stuff.

I have the Dutch translation of the "Poetic Edda" by Jan de Vries but I hadn't read all of the poems, including Volundarkviða! It's good that you turned me onto it, seems like a pretty darn cruel poem and according to de Vries it's actually German in origin. I also discovered where Mirkwood is from now and even perhaps the idea of the rings.

Women would certainly go among the dead after battles. They would either rob the enemy dead, or maybe finish off the enemy wounded who were helpless: and also they would search for survivors of their own. Then also of course, bring their own men's bodies home, either dead or wounded. Didn't they practice mercy killing? who knows, maybe they also did that once in a while. ( choose who dies). So it is possible the divergence of the old english and the norse meanings of the val-kyrie word, could come from different parts of the roles of women after battles, among the slain and wounded lying in battlefields . And, which women did those roles.

OH! and lived in Colorado most my life and my mom's family lives all over Wyoming!

Yes, more deep dives please. I am sincerely interested in Norse culture as it actually was lived not what some neo pagans have romanticised it to be.

About the prose about Volund. I think it represents that they can take a break from being Valkyries to raise a family. They lay down their hamnr like a "uniform" or symbol of their position. Like Shield-maidens also can marry and get children.

Wealth and joy to j Crawford. Thanks mate

I just discovered your channel, but thank you for this. I been fascinated by Valkyries ever since I was 11, hell, I've had dreams of them. I'm always brushing up on my "Northmen" culture. Praise Odin!

More of this in 2021 plz!!

You should do an interview with a Richard Wagner scholar sometime and interview him about how he used Old Norse myth for his Ring des Nibelungen, letting them personify 19th-century social groups, etc.

Interesting motif of swan garment, it reminded me of Serbian epic poetry, particularly song "The Death of the Mother of the Yugovichi" that sings about the aftermath of the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. "... The mother of the Yugovichi prays That God will give her quick eyes of a falcon And a swan's white wings that she might fly Out over Kosovo, that level plain, And see the Yugovichi- all nine brothers And their father, noble old Yug Bogdan. And God Almighty grants her what she asks- Eyes of a falcon, white wings of a swan- And out she flies over level Kosovo And finds the Yugovichi lying slain- All nine brothers, and the tenth, Yug Bogdan. ..." Translated from the Serbian by John Matthias and Vladeta Vuckovic Swallow Press/Ohio University Press Athens 1987

Love the videos, thank you for doing this. This video did make me wonder if there is any evidence for a shield maidens fame and legend eventually transitioning into a Valkyrie? Some of the stories sound like they could be a discussion on the problems and situations to do with female warriors.

Thanks for these videos. I enjoy hearing what information we have on the Viking myth and culture and imagining all the possibilities. Maybe the pre iron age Vakries were healers like the Nords and would heal who they could on the battlefield and some people they just couldnt save. or did they chose who to heal? not to be mean but because they chose the person that was most likely to survive?

such complex stories

I definitely agree regarding the connection of battle lust to sexual lust being symbolized by beautiful women. The other potential connection of women & the slain/battlefield is that it would be the women who after the fighting was over would scour the field of the fallen looking for their husbands, sons & brothers to bury(perform whatever funerary rites are socially necessary)would it not?

Im not sure if you have done one. But can you do a video on norse tattoos. Did they have them or not?

Dr Crawford, thank you for the video. I have learned much from your videos. Unfortunately, I cannot watch the whole thing now, however, at 15 seconds shy of seven minutes I heard what I came to hear. "Waelcyrge," the Old English cognate of "Valkyrja," has fascinated me for some time. I have read that this term stands for witch or perhaps demonic spirit. Yet I have read something else quite interesting though. It seems Waelcyrge was also another name for ravens. I know there is a connection between the Valkyries and ravens in North mythology so this seems fitting. Valkyries are psychopomps and I suppose one could make the argument that ravens, too, are quite literally the same. Does waelcyrge mean raven? Is there yet a deeper connection between the ravens and the strong and fair-haired women?

Très intéressant

It's interesting that it is a swan 'skin'. In ancient Greek sources, there is an association between death and swans, and in particular their beautiful song allegedly sung just before death. You can see this idea play out in Aeschylus' Agamemnon and Plato's Phaedo. I wonder, then, if there was a similar association between death and swans in the Norse tradition, especially if these women choose the war dead.

I will admit to being new to learning the Norse mythology and traditions. Forgive me if i am wrong, i have no pinpointed resourse for my knowledge. I remember hearing/reading somewhere that there was a group in the Seidr, the wise woman or magic users, some of the women were war leaders, they would travel and be hired by kings and earls as strategist for their war. That these women knew magic and knowledge to help win the battles. Could these woman be an orgin of the Valkyrie, or could they be ones who become valkyries?

Thanks Doc! Could the valkyries perhaps be the female warband equivalent of the ulfhednar/berserkrs? They donning the skins of swans or falcons before battle as opposed to wolves/bears?

I love this since this is my nickname; go by Val

I know this episode does not have to do with this subject. I am looking for more information about Halogi, god of fire. I cannot find much about him and would love to hear more from you about it.

This question may have been asked and answered a thousand times on this channel so forgive me if this is ignorant. Is there any good book or online resource that is a must-have for someone who would be interested in learning futhark?

I think this is potentially an interesting insight in some ways, but doesn't really speak to the heart of things to me given that tons of cultures have hugely prominent goddesses of war, and that's not what's going on with the vast majority of those goddesses (Athena and the Morrigan are not a symbols for male lust lol). I realize that cross cultural comparisons are a bit dangerous, but it seems to me that if this dynamic were going on with the Norse it'd be going on elsewhere too, since war is universal, and war goddesses of innumerable shapes and sizes are too. I think the bigger thing is that even if women aren't direct combatants in war, they are certainly indirect participants and it affects their lives deeply.

When I was in high school, my Danish teacher, was also a teacher of old Norse, some mythology of course, and also archeology from that era. She said there was evidence of christian influence in the texts, as they reach Ragnarok, the outcome leans toward preparing people for the coming of Christ, also telling stories more vulgar to get people away from the old ways, and embrace "the good word". problem is that we will never know any of this for sure. When we look at other people with oral traditions, most of them as far as they can tell, are pretty faithful to telling the stories as accurate as possible through time. This is why we need time machines!

So interesting, thank you so much for sharing. Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N

Cool

I wonder what that raven had to say about Freya during minute 32.

So (if I interpret correctly) we see that Valkyrjur are servants of Odin who wear feathery clothes and such, could there be a connection between Valkyrjur and his ravens?

Could Valkyrjur and Swanmays (women in English wonder tales that could change into swans) be a related or cognate story? Swanmays like Silkies could use their swan skins to turn into swans in the same way Silkies could use their seal skins to turn into seals. I remember that Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister, could turn into a swan and heal warriors in battle when she flew over them. Several Irish and Welsh goddesses (or women sometimes described as such) could also turn into swans.

Do you think there's any connection between valkyries and Athena, or that the similarities are coincidental?

I believe it was Robert E Lee who said, “It is a good thing war is so terrible, or men would love it above all else”. Or something like that…

YES

There are undoubtedly clear references to other religions even though there are also big differences in terms of the context (eg einherjer and ragnarok). I also like the setting for where you have filmed the recording. I know it's in the Rocky Mountains, but it could be almost anywhere in Norway. The nature is beautiful :)

And quite by chance there was a video camera standing there in the middle of nowhere - already filming 😂

long shot: there is an oldfashioned german verb: kiesen, which means to choose. Sounds like it might be connected to the battlefield choosers

its seems that a lot of the skins give people the ability to take on aspects of animals. like freyjas falcon feathered cloak/skin maybe the ritual is a way to give the said skins their abilities. which kind of has me thing about what berserker might really be.

From my own research, most of the ancient 'mythological' races - elves, werewolves, dwarfs, fairies, pixies, etc - were historical Indo-European tribes or - sometimes - castes within tribes. see: Aelvaeones = Helveconae, Helvaeonae, Helvecones, Ailouaiones, Hilleviones, etc. Proto-Germanic: Albalaz, albaz. German: elb, English: athel, et al. Latin: albus. Ynglinga saga - Alfheim, Saga of Thorstein - King Alf the Old. also, refer: sacral kingship, deification (apotheosis) of ancestors, royals and heroes, etc. e.g. Odin/Woden. See: Bede's genealogy, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

My wife referred to combat as my mistress, and how she would steal me away from time to time. As someone who will forever feel an attraction to combat, likening it to the lust for a woman is spot on.

Thank you so much for the information now we know that Valkyries spurn the love of men. Now here is a serious question has friendship ever been established between Valkyries and men?

Damn interesting, and it makes sense that the allure of battle would take the form of a woman. Also, cool jacket; gotta love a good Carhartt.

I've been noticing for a while that he pronounces "What" as "Hwat". And the same with the rest of the words with "wh". Since English is not my native language I wanted to ask, is this pronunciation the most correct one? I always pronounce "what" like there's no H in it and now I guess I've been doing wrong forever :/

Wow, I loved this! I learned sooo much. Found out through Ancestry I'm 28% Norwegian so even though I loved these stories to begin with, the fact that my ancestors are involved makes it even more relevant. Will def check out your other videos! Thanks! BTW my name is Marsha Baker. I'm borrowing son's chromebook---which is why his name shows up lol. Also, my Steam name is what else??? yep Valkyrie!!!

Listening to this while playing Titan Quest: Ragnarok, lol. My understanding from various other peoples research is Freya being a goddess of beauty, fertility, and a bit of war. And I think the war ties are from her position as leader of the Valkyries which were warrior maidens despite their primary task being to ferry warrior souls up to one of two halls while the unworthy fell to Hel. In Valhalla the warriors feast, drink, and maybe lay with shield maidens and the Valkyries that serve them drink, and some where I read but have yet to ever find anything mentioning it again that the other 50% of fallen warriors that go to Fólkvangr just feast and fornicate all day and night, which if were true would make it one tough choice of which hall you would want to go to, I think I lean towards Freya's hall. The suggested activities aside I did name my dog after her after all. The parts about the swan skin kinda reminded me of a selkie from Scottish folklore being seals that can remove their skin to take human form. But then I thought about Freya being the Valkyries' leader and her cloak of falcon feathers allowing her to turn in to a falcon, so maybe the Valkyries have similar cloaks of swan feathers that gives them their wings and/or allows for transformation into a swan to watch over special warriors and take their souls to the halls.

"The Army is your mistress." - my wife I agree with your conclusion on the personification aspect.

Could there have been an actual cult of war groupies or warrior groupies among upper class nordic families?

(18:21) - Jón Leifs sets the names of valkyries to music in his second oratorio, The Lives of the Gods.

Reginleif is my favourite.