Index

Adam of Bremen 158, 431

Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum 158, 431

Ægir 64, 185–188, 190–191, 216, 218, 336, 396, 427, 445–447

conflation with Gymir 185

ælfadl 109

Ælfric of Eynsham 31, 37, 62, 87–88, 123, 150–151, 153, 285, 318, 320, 350, 365

Æschere 52, 70, 133, 168, 239, 290, 360, 407–408

Æthelstan, King 108

Alcuin 8–9, 87, 143

Aldhelm 2, 5, 76, 182, 236, 343

Alvíssmál 328–330, 335

Anderson, Earl R. 41

Andersson, Theodore 290

Andreas 22, 42, 47–48, 115–116, 359

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 94, 148, 228

Angrvaðill 367, 400–406, 414, 416–417, 435, 439, 453, 467

compared to giant sword 404

Anlezark, Daniel 41

antler 26–27, 138, 155, 202, 236, 240, 242, 244, 247, 251, 315, 317–328, 330, 335–338, 427–428, 431, 436

as symbol of the Cross 138, 317–318, 338, 428

solar antler 27, 202, 236, 251, 315, 321, 324–325, 336–338, 427–428, 436

Arcturus 151, 434. See also Boötes

Ari Þorgilsson 145

Íslendingabók 145

Augustine of Canterbury 12–13

Baldr 26, 140–141, 180, 209–210, 212, 215–216, 238, 245, 269–270, 272, 279, 326, 431, 458–459

Baldrs Draumar 259

baptism 85, 87, 112, 114, 119, 227, 231, 426

battle-standard 113–118, 120

compared to hilt 113–116, 118–119

beacen 73, 109, 118

beadoleoma 75, 77–78, 84, 446, 457

Bedale sword-pommel 29, 104–105, 263, 360, 398, 450–451, 453–454, 456, 467

Bede 13, 85, 148, 159, 285, 347–348, 438

Benty Grange helmet 468–469

Beowulf

absence of Old Norse influence on, 2

agricultural myth in, 434, 445

as Conversion poem 4, 124, 380, 466, 470

basis in Germanic mythology 138

benign monotheism of characters in, 15

communal knowledge in, 10

date of composition 1–3

integral nature of Christianity in, 4

place of origin 3

significance of ‘marking’ in, 125–127

Beowulf

as purifier 230. See also Grendel’s mere: cleansing of,; See also Heorot: cleansing of,

compared to Christ 88, 112

compared to Grettir 219

compared to Guðlac 7

compared to Hjálmþér 51, 219, 426

compared to Hrómundr Gripsson 415

compared to Skírnir 22, 172, 183, 205, 230

compared to Sörli 79, 81–82

compared to Þorsteinn uxafótr 380

etymology of

‘Barley-Wolf’ 167, 196, 434

‘Bee-Wolf’ 90, 151, 434

Beowulf-poet 9, 14

Bjørnsholm sword 105

Blickling Homily 16 133, 355, 394, 449

boar 103, 135, 164, 190–194, 226, 261, 388–390, 468–469

Book of Gates 455

Book of Leinster 49

Boötes 25, 150–151, 156, 426, 433–434. See also Ing: as Boötes

Brady, Caroline 39

Breca 41, 60, 73, 127, 163, 412, 420, 461

Brennu-Njáls saga 64

brimwylf. See Grendel’s mother: as brimwylf

Brísingamen 140, 168, 198, 209, 443, 455. See also Brosinga mene

Brosinga mene 140, 168. See also Brísingamen; See also thievery: theft of Brosinga mene

Cain 7, 15, 62, 123–124, 126–127, 137, 151, 156, 212, 241, 283, 343, 349, 407, 432–433, 437, 441, 467

as ploughman 151, 433

association with dog 283

association with moon 343, 407, 441

horned nature of, 241, 343

Caladbolg 48

candle 23, 45, 47–50, 58–59, 65, 71–73, 75, 84–88, 90–91, 93, 98, 100–101, 107, 109, 115–116, 123, 182, 194–196, 214, 231, 331, 358, 383, 421, 425–426, 430, 464, 467. See also Paschal candle

candle-sword 23, 49–50, 58–59, 63, 65, 71, 86–87, 89–90, 100, 214, 331, 421. See also ice, icicle: icicle-candle; See also giant sword: as symbolic intimation of candle

in medieval Irish texts 48

in Old Norse texts 49

Canterbury Runic Charm 229–230, 296, 326

Canute, King 5, 43–44, 105, 111

Cerberus 175, 259, 263–264

Christ 97, 116, 318

Christ. See also Harrowing of Hell; See also Crucifixion

as bringer of sword 112, 119

as stag 240, 248, 270, 280, 317–318, 320

compared to Beowulf 88, 112

compared to Ing 107, 144, 430–431

unmentioned in Beowulf 15, 158

Christ and Satan 358, 369

circumzenithal arc 245

Collingwood, W. G. 261

Constantine the Great 108–109

Cotton Vitellius A.xv 1, 3, 9, 24, 28, 94, 96, 138, 339–340

Nowell Codex 1, 22, 94, 411

Southwick Codex 1, 74

coulter 152, 433, 467

Cronan, Dennis 432

Cross, the 4, 24, 27, 59, 74, 85, 93, 98–103, 107–110, 112–113, 116–120, 123, 130, 138, 240, 248, 280–281, 295, 317, 319–320, 337–338, 421, 426, 428, 430, 464, 467

as sword of Christ 107, 109, 113

as weapon of evil-doers 123

Invention of the Cross 319, 338

Crowland 7, 109, 313

Cruaidin Coiditcheann 49

Crucifixion 4, 6–7, 86, 110, 112, 278, 280, 410, 422, 426, 467

Cú Chulainn 49

Cynewulf 119, 319

Dæghrefn 165–166

Damico, Helen 133

Dead Moon, The 95, 256, 352, 371, 397–398, 407, 453

deposition of weapons 188, 394

Descent into Hell 100

Devil, the. See Satan

Dolven pommel 104, 450–451, 453

dragon

association with moon 28, 359, 408, 438. See also Niðhǫggr

niðdraca 359–360, 365–366, 382, 384–386, 388, 394, 406, 408, 438, 452–453

on Bedale sword-pommel 452

Dream of the Rood 73, 100, 109–110, 118

drinking-cup 289–291, 384, 387–388, 438

as solar symbol 386

Dvalinn 301, 304–305, 323–326, 328–330, 332–334, 436

association with moon 301, 334

significance of name 323

dverga-sóleyg 334

dwarf, dwarves

as agent of disease/affliction 293, 296, 304–306

as horse 27, 298, 300, 302

as stag 300, 302, 324–325, 337

association with moon 294

compared to Grendel 27, 293, 309, 311, 436

etymology 293

kinship with giants 59, 436

origin 87, 335

eacen 231, 462

Easter 18, 23–24, 42, 68, 85–86, 93, 100–101, 109, 112, 118, 240, 279, 426, 465

eclipse 26, 53, 94, 228, 245, 249, 257, 259–260, 263–264, 267–268, 270, 276, 278, 284–285, 302, 340, 347, 349, 369, 383, 402, 435, 439, 442, 452, 467

Edmund, King 194

Edwin, king of Deira and Bernicia 12, 148

Egill Skalla-Grímsson 372

Arinbjarnarkviða 372

Egils saga einhenda ok Ásmundar berserkjabana 136

Eilífr Goðrúnarson 252

Þórsðrápa 252, 383

Einar Ólafur Sveinsson 198

Einarr Skúlason 45, 272, 369

Eiríkr blóðøx 372

eyes of, 372

ellorgast, ellorgæst 35, 37, 96, 230, 339

Ennodius 88

Eolhx-rune 155

Eustace, Saint 318

Excalibur 188

Exeter Book 6, 26, 98, 100, 116, 151, 182, 242, 287, 363

Exodus 98, 157

Eyrbyggja saga 390–391

Eyvindr skáldaspillir Finnsson 187, 200, 429

Hákonarmál 187

Faunus 289, 307, 326

Fell, Christine 158

fen 7, 62, 109, 155, 256, 289, 340–341, 357, 393–394, 419, 421

Fenrir 58, 172, 189, 193, 251–252, 259–261, 263–265, 269–270, 272–278, 304, 391, 394, 398, 410, 422, 435–436, 447

etymology of, 394

fever 27, 230, 232, 293–299, 303–304, 309, 311, 313, 326. See also dwarf, dwarves: as agent of disease/affliction; See also Grendel: as disease-demon; See also malaria

finngálkn 54, 57, 64–65, 68, 299, 345

Finnsburg-episode 11, 77, 143, 367

Finnsburg Fragment 78, 367

fish 28, 63, 71, 175, 204–205, 276, 331, 344–345, 411–414, 417–423, 440, 443

pike 28, 204, 403, 411–414, 417–421, 440, 443, 458

Fiskerton pommel 104, 450

Fjǫlsvinnsmál 197–199, 208, 217, 299, 443

Flammenschwert 75

Flood, the 21, 41, 74, 137, 218, 229, 434

Fontenrose, Joseph 138

fork

boatfork 283, 395, 397, 409

hayfork 256, 399

pitchfork 26, 135, 192, 256–257, 277, 395, 437

Frank, Roberta 45, 335

Franks Casket 299, 468

fratricide 15, 174, 433, 441, 462

Freawaru 169

Freyja 130, 139, 168–169, 188, 198, 207, 225–226, 248, 316, 321, 328, 330, 337, 385, 388–390, 406, 431, 443, 455, 468

Freyr. See also Ing

as fertility deity 156, 225–226

as friend of man 147

as king of the Swedes 225

association with stag 26, 235

association with sun 26, 156, 170–171, 225, 232, 235–236, 427, 439

Gullinbu(r)sti 226

Freyr’s sword 25, 166, 174, 177–178, 181, 185, 207, 225, 235, 332, 427, 459

as sunbeam 225, 227

compared to Hrunting 25, 227, 427, 459

Frost, Robert 470

Fǫr Skírnis 25, 29–30, 171–172, 174–178, 180–186, 189, 192, 194, 197–199, 207, 216, 223, 227–230, 321, 331–332, 368, 392, 427, 431, 433, 441, 443–446, 448, 459

compared to mere-episode in Beowulf 172

gambanteinn 25–26, 29, 178–181, 185, 188, 196–197, 207, 210, 216, 227–228, 242, 277, 299, 332, 336, 407, 427, 444–449, 453–454, 456, 459. See also Bedale sword-pommel

alias tamsvǫndr 180

as sunbeam 227, 446

as twig-sword 29, 179, 446

compared to giant sword 25, 29, 197, 427, 446

compared to Hrunting 446

compared to mistilteinn 26, 210

compared to Mistilteinn 180

etymology 445

Gaudentius of Brescia 465

Gefjon 168, 173

Geoffrey of Monmouth 302

Vita Merlini 302

Gerðr 25, 171, 173–182, 184–189, 192–194, 196, 198–199, 203–205, 216, 228, 258, 308, 321, 327, 330–333, 336, 348, 362, 369, 372, 388, 396, 398, 427, 431, 433, 439, 443–446, 448–449, 459

as lunar-giantess 171, 182, 192, 333, 362, 372, 433, 444

as sea-giantess 25, 173, 185, 188, 192, 443

compared to Grendel’s mother 173, 176, 182, 194, 372, 439

compared to Hrímgerðr 331, 333, 444

compared to Margerðr 188–189, 192, 444

compared to Vargeisa 192

compared to Ýma 188, 192, 448

etymology 173, 433

Gervase of Canterbury 267, 384

Chronica 227, 267

giant, giants. See also þyrs

association with moon 138, 333, 339, 411

association with wolf 61, 180, 232, 258

as thief 289

killed by own weapon 123, 327

giant sword. See also Angrvaðill: compared to giant sword; See also gambanteinn: compared to giant sword; See also Hrunting: compared to giant sword; See also mistilteinn: compared to giant sword; See also Mistilteinn: compared to giant sword; See also Snarvendill: compared to giant sword; See also Sigrljómi: compared to giant sword; See also thievery: theft of giant sword

as purificatory weapon 88, 230–231

as symbolic intimation of candle 23, 47, 71, 84, 98, 120, 123, 194, 196, 231, 421, 426

as symbolic intimation of the Cross 24, 93, 98, 112, 120, 123, 426, 462

as symbol of sunbeam 23, 26, 71, 75, 155, 223, 245, 251, 289, 293, 439, 441

as weapon of God 127

as weapon of Ing/Freyr 166, 232, 428–430, 433, 463

as weapon with which Cain slew Abel 126, 432

Beowulf’s acquisition of, 178, 235, 315, 327, 435

hilt 21, 110, 113, 115, 119, 244, 339, 380, 428, 432

compared to battle-standard 113–116, 118–119

melting/waning 19–20, 22–23, 26, 29, 38, 43, 48, 85, 88, 93, 182, 229, 232, 336, 350, 426, 433, 460, 464, 468

as symbol of religious conversion 19, 29, 102, 466

prior scholarship on 37

origin 123–124

Gildas 465

Gilling West sword 103–104, 450

Gísla saga Súrssonar 232

Gísli Súrsson 43

Glámr 28, 368, 370–372, 379, 408, 438

association with moon 371. See also glámr, glámur

compared to Grendel 371

eyes of, 371

glámr, glámur 371, 402

Glosecki, Stephen 39

Gosforth Cross 26, 28, 97, 140, 248, 250–251, 256, 258, 261–265, 267–275, 278–279, 282, 316, 318, 360, 372, 384–386, 422, 435, 439, 452

Gospel of Nicodemus 7, 74, 423

Gotland 3, 9, 36, 90, 270, 279, 399, 454

Gotlandic picture-stone 270, 279, 454

Gräslund, Bo 3–5, 29, 31, 138–139, 347, 366

Green, Miranda 246

Gregory I, Pope 13–14, 113, 465, 468

Grendel

as disease-demon 17, 309, 311, 313

as heorowearh 62, 128, 289, 391, 435, 439

association with moon 128, 339, 345–346, 408, 411

association with night 346, 348

as nihtgenga 311

association with wolf 61

as thief 290, 345

compared to dwarf 27, 293, 309, 311, 436

compared to elk/stag-man 155

compared to Glámr 371

compared to Gymir 177, 183

compared to Járnskjöldr 380

compared to lunar pitchforker in Vǫluspá 28, 346, 391, 395, 399

compared to lunar thief in Riddle 29 289, 339, 435

compared to Man in the Moon 395

compared to Þráinn 436

etymology 387, 419

Grendel’s arm 76, 134–137, 237, 350, 363, 376, 396–397. See also thievery: theft of Grendel’s arm

Grendel’s eyes 368, 370

Grendel’s glove 81, 131–133, 140, 290, 435

Grendel’s head 40, 127, 135, 408–410, 439

Grendel’s mere 6, 18, 24–25, 27, 119, 171–172, 219, 288, 368, 375, 414, 425–427, 434–435, 439, 444

as extension of Grendel’s mother 423

association with Hell 357

cleansing of, 229–230, 394

compared to Fǫr Skírnis 172

compared to Járnviðr in Vǫluspá 393–394, 449

compared to Lake of the Moon 95, 368, 438

fire on/in, 362, 368. See also will-o’-the-wisp

Grendel’s mother

ambiguous gender of, 69, 176

as brimwylf 61, 63, 71, 180, 220, 344, 391, 412, 418, 440

as grundwyrgen 62, 391, 447

as maelstrom-giantess 222

as pike/predatory fish 418, 420

association with moon 128, 339, 345–346, 372, 408, 411, 438

association with wolf 61

as thief 290, 345

compared to Gerðr 173, 176, 182, 194, 372, 439

compared to Grýla 66, 69–71, 426

compared to Mána 373, 436

compared to Sinmara 26, 222, 442

compared to ‘the old one’ in Vǫluspá 391–392, 395

compared to Vargeisa 60, 63, 193

compared to Ýma 193

Grettis saga Ásmundarsonar 31, 73, 75, 89, 219, 223, 290, 307, 330, 368–370, 408, 421, 423, 429, 438, 458, 462

Grimm Brothers 24, 269, 351, 448

Fairy Tale 175: Der Mond 351

Grímnismál 153, 168–169, 175, 179, 226–227, 236, 238, 252, 254, 264–265, 270–271, 323, 327, 332, 337, 360, 383, 447, 461

Grógaldr 197–198, 217

Grýla 23, 65–71, 419, 426

as fox or canid 65, 70

association with finngálkn 68

cognate with gryre 69

compared to Grendel’s mother 66, 69–71, 426

Grýlu-Brandr 68, 71

grýlukerti 65

Grønneberg sword 104, 450–451, 453

Guðlac 6–7, 109, 313, 359

compared to Beowulf 7

Guðmundr Galtason 67

Guillaume le Clerc of Normandy 319

Bestiaire divin 319

Gullbrá og Skeggi 89

Gull-Þóris saga 244, 368, 382

Guthlac. See Guðlac

Guthlac A 361

Guthlac B 98

Gymir 167, 173, 177, 183, 185–188, 199, 332–333, 396, 398, 427, 445–448

alias of Ægir 185, 427

as sea-giant 185

compared to Grendel 177, 183

etymology 177, 187

hæftmece 459

Hálfdanar saga Brönufóstra 374, 377

Hálfdanar saga Eysteinssonar 244, 429

Hallvarðr Háreksblesi 43

Hama 140

hame 296–298, 304

Haraldr harðráði Sigurðarson 43

Hárbarðsljóð 63, 179, 190, 446–448

Harðar saga Grímkellsonar 90

Harley Psalter 318

Harrowing of Hell 6, 18, 74, 85–86, 89, 94, 100, 112, 128, 240, 288, 319, 338, 408, 426, 428

Hati 252–254, 258–259, 263–264, 280, 332–333, 383, 386, 422, 435, 444

Háttalykill 49

Haukr Valdísarson 44

Hávamál 91, 180, 328

Healfdene 113, 120, 159–161, 166, 307–308, 374, 388

sword of, 159

identification with Nægling 161, 166

heathenism. See paganism

Heaven 9, 316, 351, 434

Hedeby sword 105

Heggestrøa sword 104, 450, 453

Heimdallr 140–141, 168, 190, 208, 272–274, 277–278, 282

as sheep 273–274

Hel 7, 52, 178, 198–199, 208, 269, 272, 279, 405, 431

Helgakviða Hjǫrvarðzsonar 330–333, 457

Helgakviða Hundingsbana ǫnnur 250

Hell 6–7, 18, 27–28, 62, 73–74, 100, 175–176, 237, 240, 270, 295, 313, 316, 319, 355, 357–358, 368–369, 397, 408, 419–420, 423–424, 426, 428, 467. See also Harrowing of Hell; See also Hel

mouth of, 6–7, 424

heorogifre 60, 62–63, 128, 221, 412, 420, 435

Heorot 7, 9, 22, 26–27, 41, 62, 68, 128–129, 132, 135–137, 159–160, 167, 169, 173, 182, 196, 230, 235–239, 244–245, 251, 289, 291, 309–311, 313–314, 338–339, 346–350, 360, 362, 365–366, 368, 382, 386, 389–390, 392, 406, 408–411, 427–428, 432, 435, 439, 462

association with stag 26, 236, 238, 338, 427

as solar hall 182, 237–238, 338, 366, 386

cleansing of, 26, 230

identified with Hroðgar 26, 236, 310

heptisax 458, 462

hildegicel(um) 23, 35–36, 39–43, 47, 50, 369, 425

hildeleoma 77–78, 386

Hill, Thomas D. 464, 466

Historia monasterii de Abingdon 172, 194

Historia Norwegie 145

Hjálmþér 23, 51–54, 56–58, 60, 62–64, 81, 83, 172, 181–182, 188–193, 198, 219, 299, 385, 395, 426, 447

compared to Beowulf 51, 426

compared to Skírnir 192

Hjálmþés rímur 51, 57, 63, 178, 462

Hjálmþés saga 23, 25, 51, 65, 69, 83, 87, 135, 142, 172, 188, 197, 214, 219, 273, 289, 331, 374, 378, 395, 399, 408–409, 421, 425, 444

Hlébarðr 179, 447–448

Hofgarða-Refr Gestsson 186

Horn Childe 215

horse. See also dwarf, dwarves: as horse

horned 249, 302

solar 153, 174

Hrafnagaldur Óðins 153, 220, 328

Hreðel 16, 165

Hroðgar

as eodor Ingwina 143, 159–160, 166, 236, 426

as father-figure to Beowulf 338

as frea 25, 167, 428

as Old Testament patriarch 18, 158

Hroðgar’s ‘sermon’ 113, 231, 465

identified with Heorot 26, 236, 310

lack of devil-worship 18, 158

Hroðulf 79, 429

Hrólfs saga kraka 61, 84

Hrómundar saga Gripssonar 373, 414, 420, 428, 436, 443, 459

Hrunting 18, 24–25, 29, 38, 58, 75–78, 81–82, 84, 91, 114, 136, 142, 154, 159, 163, 166, 171, 174, 177–178, 181, 185, 207, 210, 221, 225, 227, 241, 325, 328, 336, 358, 369, 380, 386, 408, 410, 415–416, 420–422, 427–429, 442, 446, 456–463

as twig-sword 457

compared to Freyr’s sword 25, 227, 427, 459

compared to gambanteinn 446

compared to giant sword 81, 225, 380, 460, 462

compared to Mistilteinn 416, 459

etymology 456

hunchback 191, 282, 398–399, 401–402, 444

Hunlafing 77–78

Hygelac 9, 69, 72, 79, 160, 165–166, 343, 389

Hyndluljóð 186, 190, 226, 388–389

hyrde 176

Hǫðr 139, 141, 212, 216, 301, 326, 416

ice, icicle 23, 36–45, 47–48, 50, 71, 77–78, 84–85, 88, 97, 179, 232–233, 274, 336, 369, 374, 380, 417, 425–426, 464–467, 470

ice-sword 42–45, 48. See also hildegicel(um)

icicle-candle 23, 65, 68, 71

Icelandic Physiologus 317, 319

Icelandic Rune Poem 156, 228, 383

ignis fatuus. See will-o’-the-wisp

incgelaf 143, 157, 159, 161, 163–164, 166

emendation 164

Ing. See also Freyr

as Boötes 25, 150, 156

as son of Man/Mannus 143–144

as sun-god 152, 154, 156, 439

compared to Christ 107, 144, 430–431

etymology 145

only named pagan divinity in Beowulf 24

relationship to Hroðgar 25, 181, 411, 426–427

worship in Anglo-Saxon England 147

Ingeld 8–9

ingenga 160, 309–311

Ing-rune 105, 107, 150, 430

Ingwine 143, 147, 159–160, 164, 166–168, 236, 426. See also Hroðgar: as eodor Ingwina

Isidore of Seville 318

Ívarr ljómi 376, 379–380, 430

Jacobus de Voraigne 318

Legenda Aurea 318

Járnviðr 125, 255, 258, 393–395, 429, 449. See also Grendel’s mere: compared to Járnviðr in Vǫluspá

Jonson, Ben 283

News from the New World Discovered in the Moon 283

Judith 22, 123, 359, 362

Knock, Anne 95

Knútr, King. See Canute, King

Kolli inn prúði 43

Krákumál 49

Lacnunga 39, 59, 293, 295, 308

Lævateinn 26, 179, 197, 204–212, 214–220, 222–223, 226, 242, 336, 358, 383, 442, 446, 448, 456, 459. See also thievery: theft of Lævateinn

as sunbeam 208

compared to mistilteinn 26, 209–210

compared to Mistilteinn 336, 459

laf 119, 134, 143, 162–163, 338, 430

Lake of the Moon 94–98, 138, 339, 368, 438

compared to Grendel’s mere 95, 368, 438

Lake of the Sun 95–97

Langeid sword 105, 107–108, 182, 409

Lapidge, Michael 311

Lee, Alvin 40

Leechbook III 311–313

leoma 72–73, 76, 78–79, 81, 84, 116, 154, 237, 243, 318, 334, 381, 385

Letter of Alexander to Aristotle 94, 96, 340, 342, 438

Leviathan 6, 86, 117, 264, 270, 385, 422–424

Liber monstrorum 38, 310, 339, 343–345

Liber Vitae 111

Lindisfarne grave-marker 110–111, 410, 439

Lokasenna 133, 167–168, 171–172, 181, 184–185, 188, 208, 232, 265, 399, 431, 445

Loki 26, 130–131, 133, 140, 167, 184–185, 197, 206–211, 214, 216, 219, 265, 269, 271–272, 276, 279, 289, 299, 419, 431, 442, 446, 459. See also thievery: theft of Mjǫllnir; See also thievery: theft of Lævateinn

alias Loptr 207

compared to Prometheus 209

reputation for larceny 209

Lucian of Samosata 211–212

Lúða 52–53, 57–58, 62, 69, 189, 198, 219, 331

lúðr 198, 201, 212, 217–219, 442

as maelstrom 217

Luominen IV 412, 419

lýr, Lýr 203–205

maelstrom 26, 36, 52, 114, 197, 204, 212, 217, 219–222, 358, 387, 393, 442. See also lúðr

malaria 312–313. See also fever

Malone, Kemp 457

Málsháttakvæði 334

Mána 83, 96, 181, 259, 339, 372–374, 396, 415–416, 436, 444

association with moon 373–374

compared to Grendel’s mother 373, 436

Mánagarmr 255, 258–259, 391, 435

Man in the Moon 26, 28, 256, 259, 280, 282–284, 343, 372, 395, 397, 399, 402, 437, 446

compared to Grendel 395

dog of, 283, 397

fork of, 256–257, 395, 397

manna mildust 112

Mannus 144, 430

mara 189, 202, 210, 223, 442

mark, marking. See Beowulf: significance of ‘marking’ in,

Marquardt, Hertha 44

Maxims I 441

mearcstapa, mearcstapan 14

Meissner, Rudolf 44

Mellitus 13

Menglǫð 197–199, 203–205, 211, 276, 278, 299, 327, 369, 423, 442–443

menstruation 180, 228, 230

Mercia 4–5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 103

dialect of, 1, 3

mere. See Grendel’s mere

Metres of Boethius 285, 410

Miðgarðsormr 141, 263–264, 268, 270–271, 385, 414, 422

Mimameiðr 179, 200, 446, 449. See also world-tree

Mimingus 212, 214–216, 242, 301, 307, 326

sword of, 212, 214–216

Mímungr 56, 59, 214–215. See also Snarvendill

as alternative name for Snarvendill 214

Missal of Robert of Jumièges 88, 112, 240

mistilteinn 209–210, 212

compared to giant sword 210

compared to Lævateinn 26, 209–210

Mistilteinn 180, 210, 215, 336, 373, 405, 414–417, 420, 428–430, 435–436, 440, 443, 448, 456, 459

compared to gambanteinn 180

compared to giant sword 210, 416, 428–429

compared to Hrunting 416, 459

compared to Lævateinn 336, 459

Mjǫllnir 129–131, 209, 326. See also thievery: theft of Mjǫllnir

Mon in the mone 283–284, 397

Monster Fish of Bomere Pool, The 420

moon. See also Dvalinn: association with moon; See also dwarf, dwarves: association with moon; See also giant, giants: association with moon; See also Glámr: association with moon; See also Grendel: association with moon; See also Grendel’s mother: association with moon; See also Cain: association with moon

association with death 391, 406, 408

as thief of sunlight 283

marriage to sun 329

waning of, 339, 347–348, 350, 366, 407, 438, 441, 467

moon-dog. See paraselene

Müller, Max 29

mythology. See also solar mythology

as symbolic matrix 31–32

Egyptian 298

Germanic 137–138, 146

Greek 129, 173

Norse 25, 28, 58–59, 125, 130, 137–138, 140–142, 154, 160, 168, 236, 238, 242, 260–261, 265, 269, 279–280, 293–294, 301, 321, 323, 385, 387, 391, 411, 414, 434, 438, 456

world 28, 212, 254, 267, 406, 422

Nægling 36, 39–40, 114, 161, 163–166, 365, 410, 460

identification with Healfdene’s sword 161, 166

Neckham, Alexander 283

nicor, nicoras 54, 341–342, 345, 356

nið 17, 28, 96, 265–266, 333–335, 339, 349, 351, 358–367, 382–383, 385, 437, 441

niðdraca. See dragon: niðdraca

Niðhǫggr 28, 257–258, 266–267, 280, 327, 360, 366, 382, 394, 408, 438, 452

compared to niðdraca 28, 360, 366, 394

Nine Herbs Charm 407

Njǫrðr 145, 154, 202, 216, 321, 336

daughters of, 216, 218, 336–338

North, Richard 164

Norwegian Rune Poem 156, 228

Nyd-rune 106

Odin. See Óðinn

Óðinn 51, 90–91, 126, 139–140, 146, 153, 172, 175, 179, 207, 218, 236, 251, 259, 264–265, 269–270, 272, 276–278, 304, 316, 324–325, 327, 329, 337, 360, 366, 380–381, 388, 399, 407, 429, 431–432, 443, 447–448, 458, 461

O’Donoghue, Heather 141

Óláfr Þórðarson hvítaskáld 204

Third Grammatical Treatise 204

Old English Herbarium 312

Old English Orosius 300

Old English Rune Poem 148, 150–152, 154, 156–157, 248, 410, 419, 426

‘old one, the’ 255, 258, 391, 393, 395, 398, 452. See also Grendel’s mother: compared to ‘the old one’ in Vǫluspá

Ongenþeow 125

oral poetry 3, 5, 10–11, 30, 51, 141, 211, 257, 271–272

capacity to preserve stories 10

Orchard, Andy 39, 342

Orkneyinga saga 49

Orms þáttr Stórolfssonar 87, 89

Osborn, Marijane 150–151

Oswald, king of Northumbria 12

Ovid 153

Metamorphoses 153

Ovingham stone 281

paganism 4, 11–13, 18–19, 91, 103, 158–159, 432, 467–468, 470

endurance in Anglo-Saxon England 11, 13

‘heathen’ as pejorative term in Beowulf 16

pagan recidivism in Beowulf 158

paraselene 255, 442

parhelion 245, 253, 435, 442

Paris Psalter 156, 164, 361

Psalm 112 156, 164

Paschal candle 23, 84–88, 93, 98–101, 120, 123, 231, 421, 426, 430, 464

Passion of Saint Christopher 94, 340

Penda of Mercia 12

Plácitusdrápa 318

Plácitus saga 318

Pliny the Elder 38, 210, 247, 302, 318, 326, 458

Naturalis Historia 38, 210–211, 247, 302, 326

ploughman 150–151, 156, 426, 433–434. See also Cain: as ploughman

Plough, the. See Ursa Major

Powlesland, Dominic 261

Prittlewell 102

Prometheus 208–209. See also thievery: Prometheus’ theft of fire

compared to Loki 209

Prose Dialogue of Solomon and Saturn 243, 300

Prose Solomon and Saturn Pater Noster Dialogue 449

prosthetic sword 76, 136

Psalm 41 240

Puhvel, Martin 38

Quasi Caput Luna 340–342, 345–346, 397, 402, 408, 438

Rædwald, king of East Anglia 3, 159

Ragnarǫk 26, 140, 208, 226, 250, 254, 263–264, 268, 270–275, 279, 281, 347, 369–370, 385, 389, 449

Ragnarr Lóðbrók 49

Regularis concordia 86, 118

Repton monastery 5–8, 264

Repton stone 6

Riddle 19 151

Riddle 29 26, 287, 291, 293, 297, 301, 309, 314, 318, 325, 333, 339, 342, 387, 402, 411, 435, 456

Riddle 30a 99

Riddle 30b 98–100

Rígsþula 335

Robinson, Peter 211–212

rune, runes 17, 21, 58, 89, 105–107, 126–127, 150, 155–156, 179–181, 193, 202, 219, 228–229, 232, 248, 283, 304, 315–316, 328–330, 332–333, 335–338, 410, 419, 422, 428, 430, 432, 446, 448, 462

Ruthwell Cross 100

Rǫgnvaldr Kali Kolsson 44

Saga Heiðreks konungs ins vitra 216, 253, 271, 324, 326–327, 338, 413–414, 421, 428, 435–436

Samsons saga fagra 221, 223, 250, 299, 324

Sanas Cormaic 222

Sarum Missal 88, 112

Satan 6, 18, 59, 62, 88, 113, 117, 123, 240, 263, 270, 284, 312–313, 319–320, 342, 351, 369, 400, 421–422, 449

Saxo Grammaticus 30, 169, 212, 215, 301, 307, 326, 431, 447

Gesta Danorum 30, 212, 326

Sayers, William 68–69

Schichler, Robert 239

scriðan 346

Scyld Scefing 120, 143, 154, 195, 411, 434, 445

connection to Ing 143

scythe. See sickle

secg

as ‘man’/’sword’ 154

segn 117–118

Seven Sleepers 294, 296

Shakespeare, William 254, 282–284, 346, 378

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 283

The Tempest 283

Timon of Athens 284

sickle 38, 203, 205–206, 208, 210–212, 219, 249, 263, 282, 383

Sigrdrífumál 332, 461

Sigrljómi 79–80, 84, 429, 437

compared to giant sword 79, 84, 437

Sigtuna amulet 230–232, 252

Sigurðarkviða in Skamma 147

Sigurðar saga þǫgla 305, 327, 406

Sigvatr Þórðarson 43

Sigyn 140, 271–272

Sinmara 25–26, 200, 206, 208–210, 212, 215–216, 219–220, 222–223, 226, 358, 369, 372, 378, 383, 434, 442, 446

compared to Grendel’s mother 26, 222, 442

etymology 202

Skallerup cauldron 321

Skinnhúfa 53, 56, 58, 136, 405

Skírnir 22, 25–26, 154, 164, 171–181, 183–185, 189, 192, 196–197, 199, 202, 205, 207, 210, 216, 223, 225–228, 230–231, 235, 248, 253, 308, 321, 331–332, 336, 348, 368, 416, 427, 429, 433, 443–446, 448–449, 459

as purifier 227

baptismal connotation of name 231

compared to Beowulf 22, 172, 183, 205, 230

compared to Hjálmþér 192

Skírteinn 227

Skjǫldunga saga 145

Skrýmir 81, 133, 373

Skǫll 65, 252–254, 258–259, 263–264, 280, 383, 386, 422, 435

Snarvendill 23, 25, 56–59, 87, 129, 135, 161, 172, 178, 190, 193, 214–215, 219, 272, 276, 278, 294, 299, 385, 395, 421, 425, 447, 457, 462. See also Mímungr

alias Hrotti 58, 462

as corpse-candle 23, 50, 56–58, 426

as ‘work of dwarves’ 57

compared to giant sword 25, 59, 214, 219, 278, 462

etymology 59

Snorra Edda. See Snorri Sturluson: Prose Edda

Snorri Sturluson 30, 44, 65–67, 133, 146, 171, 173, 185–186, 209, 218, 225–227, 238, 242, 254, 257–259, 272, 274–275, 277, 325, 335, 391, 398, 429, 431, 434, 444, 447

Heimskringla 100, 144, 146, 167, 207, 225, 335, 399, 429

Prose Edda 30, 44, 65, 133, 146, 257, 398, 429, 447

Gylfaginning 133, 153, 171, 180–181, 184–185, 194, 208–209, 215, 218, 225, 235, 252–255, 258–259, 266, 268, 271–272, 275, 277, 323, 360, 391, 406

Skáldskaparmál 65, 186, 226, 228, 327

Ynglinga saga 146, 225, 399, 429

Sólarljóð 27, 138, 152, 198, 237–238, 248–249, 251, 253, 295, 314–319, 321–329, 334–338, 386, 428, 436, 448

solar mythology

perception as old-fashioned 29

Solinus 95

De mirabilibis mundi 95

Solomon and Saturn I 422

spell 58, 128–129, 180, 233, 284, 312, 337, 405

Grendel’s spell 128

Staffordshire hoard 103, 107, 468

stag. See also Heorot: association with stag; See also Christ: as stag

Anglo-Saxon carvings of, 279

association with Freyr 235

human-stag hybrid 155, 249, 303

solar stag 26–27, 152, 155, 235, 244–251, 261–262, 268, 270, 273, 278, 280, 282, 288, 317–318, 321, 427

standard. See battle-standard

Stjörnu-Odda draumr 187

Storms, Godfrid 347

Sturlunga saga 66–68

sun

as rodores candel 47, 425

barque of, 105, 298, 398, 451–453, 455–456

cauldron of, 321

chariot of, 152–154, 300–301

fatal to dwarves and giants 328–329, 349, 389

healing power of, 308

marriage to moon 329

sunbeam 154, 208, 225, 248, 274, 278, 282–283, 321, 325–326, 330, 337–338, 421, 437, 446, 448–449, 456–457

sun-dog. See parhelion

sun-pillar 274

Sutton Hoo 2, 102, 117, 139, 251, 468

sword from, 102

Svendal 206–207

sword of, 206–207

Sverris saga 66

Svipdagr 25, 197–200, 202, 204–207, 210, 212, 217, 219, 223, 226, 369, 383, 387, 423, 442–443

Svipdagsmál 25, 29, 197–198, 206, 209, 211–212, 214, 216–217, 219, 223, 226, 274, 276, 299, 336, 358, 369, 378, 383, 387, 392, 412, 423, 441–443, 446, 449, 458

sword-swallowing 60, 63, 193, 420. See also heorogifre

Sörla saga sterka 79, 84, 339, 373, 396, 436, 444

Sörla þáttr 168, 328, 337, 381, 443

Sörli 79–83, 168, 181, 373–374

compared to Beowulf 79, 81–82

Tacitus 144–145, 153–154, 430

Germania 139, 144, 153–154

Tågaborg sun chariot 153

Táin Bó Cúalnge 48

tamsvǫndr. See gambanteinn: alias tamsvǫndr

thievery 24, 131, 290, 439. See also giant, giants: as thief; See also Grendel: as thief; See also Grendel’s mother: as thief; See also wolf: as thief

Prometheus’ theft of fire 208–209

theft of drinking-cup 131, 384–386, 438–439

theft of giant sword 87, 128–129, 131–132, 134, 137, 197, 209, 460

theft of Grendel’s arm 134

theft of Lævateinn 197, 206, 209

theft of Mjǫllnir 24, 129, 209

theft of sunlight 138, 286–288, 293–294, 299, 314, 334, 398, 411, 435–436, 440, 442

theft of Brosinga mene 140

theft of Tyrfingr 413

Thor. See Þórr

Tiamat 28, 385, 422

Tir-rune 422

Tolkien, J. R. R. 370

Lay of Beowulf 370

Sellic Spell 20, 75, 370

Tolley, Clive 154

Triptolemus 150–151, 431

Trundholm sun chariot 153

Tuisto 144

Tuli 412, 414, 417

tungls tjúgari 255–256, 258–259, 391

twig-sword 58–59, 179, 204, 206–207, 214, 218–219, 226, 274–275, 299, 325, 358, 394, 421, 429, 442, 447, 454, 456–458

Týr 150, 193, 269–270, 272, 277–278, 304, 410, 431, 455

Tyrfingr 178, 325, 327, 368, 413–414, 421, 428, 457. See also thievery: theft of Tyrfingr

Þiðreks saga af Bern 215

Þingvellir 66

Þjóðólfr of Hvinir 158, 322, 399

Haustlǫng 158, 205, 259, 322

Ynglingatal 399

Þórr 24, 64, 89, 130–131, 133, 140–141, 198, 209, 228–229, 252, 264–265, 270, 289–290, 326, 329–330, 380–381, 389, 414, 431–432, 443

Þórr’s hammer. See Mjǫllnir

Þorsteins saga Víkingssonar 306, 389, 400, 417, 439

Þorsteins þáttr uxafóts 89, 376, 381, 419, 430

Þrymskviða 130–131, 135, 140, 168, 207, 209, 229, 273, 290, 326, 443

Þurs-rune 228

þyrs 232, 289, 310

Unferð 60, 62, 78, 91, 127, 166, 174, 178, 181, 183, 185, 235, 325, 460–461

Ungen Svendal 206

unheoru 76, 129, 134–136, 241, 392, 437

unicorn 302, 317–318

Urnes stave church 236

Ursa Major 150–152, 298, 434

‘useless’ weapon 91, 166, 177

Utrecht Psalter 236–237, 239, 318

Vafþrúðnismál 153, 173, 190, 205, 217–218, 227, 259–260, 264, 271, 277, 329, 366, 369, 446, 449

vagina dentata 57, 193

Valhǫll 203, 209, 388

valkyrie 43, 50, 169, 279, 332, 337

Vanir 148–149, 168, 176, 331, 336–337, 399, 431, 443

ability to resurrect the dead 337

vârcolaci 258

Vargeisa 23, 51, 53, 56–58, 60–65, 68, 71, 83, 87, 129, 161, 181–182, 188–190, 192–193, 219, 276, 278, 299, 336, 345, 374, 378, 385, 421, 426, 447

as Álsól/Álfsól 57, 65, 83, 374

compared to Gerðr 192

compared to Grendel’s mother 60, 63, 193

compared to Ýma 182, 193

etymology 61

interpretation of play with Snarvendill 193

vargr. See wolf: as thief

Vatnsdœla saga 233, 290, 308, 368–369, 432

Venantius Fortunatus 117

Vercelli Book 47

Víðarr 140, 265, 276–278

Vígdvalinn 315, 319–320, 322, 324–328, 330, 333–337, 436

compared to Wiglaf 320

etymology 326

Vígfúss Víga-Glúmsson 43

Virgil 38, 434, 459

Aeneid 38, 459

Vita Sancti Guthlaci 6

Vŗtra 28, 42, 74, 422

Vǫlsunga saga 139, 428, 458

Vǫlundr 129, 214–215, 468

Vǫluspá 26, 28, 30, 72, 173, 177, 208, 226, 236, 252, 255, 257, 258, 259, 264, 265, 266, 268, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 298, 301, 305, 316, 323, 327, 328, 333, 334, 335, 337, 346, 360, 361, 366, 385, 391, 394, 395, 398, 399, 408, 415, 437, 438, 449, 452, 458, 459

waðol 367, 402

wægsweord 114, 127, 461

Waldere 126, 215

Walter de Grendon

seal of, 282, 283, 402

wanian 28, 36, 47, 348, 349, 350, 407, 467

Wealhþeo(w) 168, 169

wearg, wearh. See wolf: as thief

Weland. See Vǫlundr

whirlpool. See maelstrom

Wið dweorh 27, 293, 305, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 314, 324, 435, 456

Wiglaf 113, 114, 118, 119, 120, 125

as foreshadowing of Christ 119

compared to Vígdvalinn 320

interpretation of name 119

wiht 287, 288, 289, 291, 293, 294, 296, 297, 301, 304, 305, 307, 308, 310, 313, 344

William of Malmesbury 108

will-o’-the-wisp 73, 183, 357, 368, 393, 437, 443, 448

Woden. See Óðinn

wolf

association with giants 61, 180, 232, 258

association with Grendel 61

association with Grendel’s mother 61

as thief 61, 62, 447

wolf-snake 256, 258, 263, 264, 265, 271, 272, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 281, 360, 452

Wonders of the East 94, 96, 138, 339, 340, 368, 408, 438

wonsceaft 349

wood of heaven 400, 449

world-tree 26, 178, 179, 199, 207, 208, 209, 214, 220, 252, 269, 274, 278, 279, 323, 400, 442, 449, 455, 458. See also Mimameiðr

Wright, Herbert G. 347

Yggdrasill. See world-tree

Ýma 57, 61, 182, 188, 190, 192, 193, 272, 289, 336, 373, 395, 396, 398, 421, 448

compared to Gerðr 188, 192, 448

compared to Grendel’s mother 193

compared to Vargeisa 182, 193

Ymir 177, 179, 187, 208, 218, 335, 461

Yngvi-Freyr. See Freyr; See Ing

Ǫgmundar þáttr dytts 147, 154, 156, 158, 167, 233, 430