TEUTONIC MYTH AND LEGEND

by DONALD A. MACKENZIE

An Introduction to the Eddas & Sagas, Beowulf, The Nibelungenlied, etc.

London, Gresham Publications 1912

CHAPTER 21

Hother and Balder

Hother’s Accomplishments–His Love for Nanna–Balder becomes
his Rival–The Valkyries’ Warning–The Sword of Victory–Where it was concealed–Hother’s
journey to the Other-world–Miming is overcome–Helgi and Thora–War between
Gods and Mortals–Hother overcomes Thor–Love-sick Balder–Hother in Solitude–The
Great Battle–How Balder was slain–Odin woos Rinda–Balder’s Death is avenged.

HOTHER was but a lad when his father Hodbrodd was slain, and him did King
Gewar take to his castle to be reared as his own son. Strong and nimble he became,
and very comely to behold. He could perform mightier feats than any of his foster-brothers:
he could swim deftly and far like to a sea bird, he was a skilled archer, and
he could box well with the gloves. Great gifts of mind had Hother also. He was
a singer of songs, and a sweet musician. With rare skill he fingered the harp,
and played the lute, and such power had he with stringed instruments that he
could at will make his hearers merry or sad; he could fill their hearts with
pleasure, or stir them with strange terror.

Pleasing indeed was this fair youth, unto beauteous Nanna, his foster-sister,
the daughter of King Gewar. Her heart was moved with love towards him, and no
less passionately did he love her also. Dear unto Nanna were the fond embraces
of Hother.

Now there came a fateful day when Balder, son of Odin, saw Nanna while she
bathed. The vision held him spellbound, and he was consumed with burning love
by reason of the splendour and beauty of her comely body. When she vanished,
the day was made dim, and Balder sighed full oft as he thought with tenderness
of the beautiful maid; but when he remembered his rival he was moved to anger,
for full well he knew that Hother would be the chief obstacle between him and
his heart’s desire. In the end he resolved to slay the young hero.

Hother soon came to know of Balder’s burning love, and his fierce and bloody
purpose. One day he went hunting alone in a deep wood. A deep mist drave over
the land and enveloped the trees, so that he knew not whither he was wandering.
In time he came to the dwelling of wood maidens. They called him “Hother”, and
he marvelled greatly thereat. When he asked them who they were, they told him
that it was their lot to decide the issue of battle conflicts 1 invisible
they fought in the fray, assisting those whom they favoured so that victory
might be achieved. Hother wondered to hear. Then they told him that Balder had
gazed with eyes of love upon Nanna while she bathed, and was possessed with
burning desire to have her for his bride. Hother did they warn not to combat
with his rival, because that he was a demigod whose body was charmed against
wounds. But to Hother they gave a sword-proof coat of mail, so that he might
have protection like unto Balder. They made promise to aid him in battle.

Then the maidens vanished, and their dwelling also, vanished from before
the eyes of the young hero, and he found himself standing alone upon a barren
plain, where there was not tree nor any shelter whatsoever. The mist was driven
before the wind.

The youth thereafter returned quickly unto King Gewar, to whom he related
what he had seen, and what had been told unto him concerning Balder. He also
made request that Nanna should be his bride.

Gewar was willing indeed that his daughter should wed Hother, but he said
that he feared greatly the wrath of Balder, if he came seeking for Nanna and
were refused.

“No weapon,” Gewar said, “can do hurt to Balder save a certain sword
2 which is guarded
in a cave by Miming, the wood satyr. A wondrous ring doth he also possess, which
hath power to increase the wealth of him who owns it. . . . But long and dangerous
is the road which leads unto the satyr’s lair,” the king added; “it is wintry
cold, indeed, and hardly to be endured.”

Hother, however, was resolved to win the sword with which to combat against
Balder, and Gewar counselled him to yoke reindeer to his car so that he might
be able to traverse the region of extreme and bitter cold with great swiftness.

“When thou dost reach the cave of Miming,” Gewar said, “thou must set up
thy tent so that its shadow may not fall upon the satyr, for if that should
happen he would remain within. Thou must needs wait until the satyr goes out,
when the sword and the ring will await for thee.”

As Gewar advised, so did Hother do. He went swiftly with his reindeer over
the bleak wintry way until he came unto Miming’s cave, where he pitched his
tent. But long he waited ere the wood satyr came forth. Sad and dreary were
the days, and restless and anxious the nights, Then, after waiting through a
night of long darkness, Miming came forth, and his shadow fell upon Hother’s
tent. The youth sprang to his feet, and struck down the satyr with his spear,
and then bound him securely. Terrible were the threats of Hother, who vowed
that he would slay Miming if he gave not unto him the sword and the bracelet.
The satyr held life more dearly than wealth, and gave Hother the ransom which
he demanded. In triumph did the young hero return unto the kingdom of Gewar,
and his fame was mooted abroad.

Then Gelder, King of Saxony, came to know that Miming had been robbed, and
he urged his war-men to go against Hother, so great was his desire to become
possessed of the treasure. But Gewar, who had magical powers, divined Gelder’s
purpose, and he counselled Hother to meet him with his band, and receive the
shower of his javelins until there was none left, and then to fall upon the
bold invaders.

So Hother went to meet the men from Saxony; he awaited them on the seashore.
Eager were Gelder’s heroes to make onslaught, and fast and furious did they
cast their spears and javelins. But Hother had bidden his trained war-men to
resist the missiles with shields interlocked, and not to cast a weapon. When
the men of Saxony saw that, they were all the more eager to attack, and soon
they flung away all their spears and javelins. Then Hother’s men began to hurtle
the weapons against the enemy, driving them back in confusion, whereat Gelder)
in great alarm, hoisted up, on the mast of his ship, a crimson shield to make
known that he desired to surrender, so that his life might be spared. But Hother
showed nor anger nor vengeance against him; he approached the king with smiling
face and offered his friendship. Thus became he victor by reason of his kindliness
as well as his might.

A strong friend to Hother was Helgi, King of Halogaland, who loved Thora,
daughter of Cuse, the ruler of the Finns and the Bjarmians. The monarch had
a blemish of tongue, so that he stuttered greatly, and was unable to utter with
eloquence the sweet speeches of love. Indeed, he not only shrank from addressing
strangers, but rarely spoke in his own household. He sent messengers unto Cuse,
pleading for his daughter’s hand, but they were rejected with disdain, for the
king said that the man who could not urge his own suit was unworthy of love’s
prize.

Then did Helgi seek the aid of Hother, who could speak with fluency and charm,
and promised him his lifelong service if he would win for him the heart of Thora.
A great fleet did Hother fit out, and he voyaged to Norway, fully resolved to
take, by reason of his strength, the maid whom words would conquer not. To Cuse
he spake first with eloquent tongue, and the king said that his daughter must
first be heard, for he deemed it not right that he should prevail against her
wishes, or decide before her will was made known. So Thora was ushered in, and
when she heard what Hother said, she gave consent to be Helgi’s queen.

But while Hother was thus engaged, Balder invaded the kingdom of Gewar with
an armed band, and demanded that he should have Nanna for his bride. The king
said that he must needs make request of the maiden, and before her did Balder
plead his cause with choice speech and flattering address. But she said that
a humble maiden could not be wooed by one of divine birth, and that the pledges
of the gods were often broken. Thus did the maiden reject the love of him who
sought her.

When Hother returned, Gewar told him of what had happened, and the young
hero was filled with wrath because of Balder’s presumption. With Helgi he took
counsel and together they debated how they could inflict punishment upon the
god. They had no recourse save to battle-blows, and Hother fitted out his fleet
and went against his rival. Helgi gave him strong aid, as did also Gelder.

Then broke out a war in which the gods fought against mortals. With Balder
fought Odin and Thor, clad in full armour, and when the opposing fleets met
at sea a great conflict was waged. Hother in sword-proof mail attacked the gods
with fury. Now Thor was swinging his great club, and while he urged those about
him to press forward, he called upon his foemen to attack. The black-browed
god dealt furious blows; he struck down his enemies’ shields; he broke through
their ranks; for long none could withstand him. Terrible, indeed, was the slaughter,
and to the gods it seemed that victory was being given. But Hother went against
Thor with Miming’s sword. He feared him not, and struck at the great club, which
he severed in twain with his keen-edged sword. . . . Then the gods took flight
before Hother, and the ships that remained were destroyed by the victors.

Hother rejoiced in his triumph, but he sorrowed greatly because that Gelder
had been slain. A great pyre he caused to be built with the wreckage of Balder’s
warships, and the corpses of the oarsmen were placed there in a heap. Then above
these was laid with reverence the body of the dead king. Torches were applied
and the flames rose high and bright. The ashes of King Gelder were afterwards
laid in a great mound which was erected to his memory, and there was much mourning
for him.

Then did Hother return to Gewar, and Nanna and he were wed with great ceremony,
while the people rejoiced. To Helgi and Thora, who were also united in their
joy, did the young hero give gifts of treasure. Then Hother ruled over Zeeland
and Sweden.

As greatly as was Hother praised by men, Balder was mocked because that he
had fled.

But the strife came not to an end. In a land battle did Balder contend against
his rival, and drove him from the field. For fickle indeed are the fortunes
of war. Hother took refuge with Gewar; he who had achieved victory as a subject,
was defeated when a king.

Balder’s army was afflicted by a water famine, but the divine one dug wells
and water streamed forth, so that his parched soldiers were able to slake their
thirst. To this day is a spring called Balder’s-brynd.

Even by night was Balder made unhappy in his sleep, because he was tormented
by dreams of Nanna. His love consumed him like fire, and he grew melancholy
and thin and careworn. At length he could no longer walk, and he was taken about
in his chariot. He took no pleasure in his victory, because that he had not
won Nanna. There was a magical food prepared for Balder, so that he might not
be brought unto death.

At this time Frey, who ruled for the gods, took up his abode nigh to Upsala,
and revived the abhorrent rites of human sacrifice.

To Sweden did Hother take flight, and Balder possessed himself of Zeeland,
where he received the willing service of the Danes, who before had reverenced.
his rival. In due season Hother, having fitted out a fleet, again engaged in
war with Balder, but was defeated and put to flight. He took refuge in Jutland,
in a town which to this day bears the name of Horsens; then he returned to Sweden.

Sad at heart was Hother 3 ; he was weary of life and refused to be comforted,
and he took farewell of all, and wandered alone through solitary places and
trackless forests, for solitude is dear to the sick at heart. The people were
angry with him because that he had concealed himself in a place apart.

One day Hother, as he wandered through the deep forest, came to a cave in
a lonely place in which dwelt the maidens who had given to him the sword-proof
coat of mail. They received him with eyes of wonder, and they asked why he paid
visit to them. Whereupon Hother bewailed his fate and with sorrow spake of the
afflictions he endured. The maidens did he also reproach because that they had
not helped him as they had promised. But they told him that he had inflicted
greater disasters than he deemed of, and promised him ultimate triumph.

“Victory will assuredly be thine,” they said, if thou shalt but find the
magical food with which Balder is nourished so that his strength may have increase.
Possess thyself of it and he shall certainly die.”

Then once again did Hother, encouraged by what the maidens had said, raise
a great army to wage war against Balder. A fierce and long conflict was fought,
and when night fell the issue was undecided, because that the forces were of
equal strength.

Hother could not sleep, for he was afflicted with anxiety, and he went forth
to reconnoitre the opposing camp. . . . He beheld three maidens who prepared
the magical food for Balder, and followed their footprints through the dewy
grass when they fled from him, so that he reached their dwelling and entered
therein.

The maidens asked him who he was, for they perceived that he was an enemy,
and he said that he was a musician. Then gave they to him a lyre, and he played
sweetly thereon, so that their ears were charmed.

He saw them prepare the food for Balder. They had three serpents and their
venom dropped into the mixture. One of the maidens offered Hother a portion,
but the elder one said that to do so would be treason, because it would increase
the strength of one of their foes. But in the end Hother was given to eat, and
the maidens also conferred upon him a shining girdle which had power to assure
him of victory in conflict.

Then did Hother leave the dwelling to return to his camp. But he had not
gone far when he met Balder. Drawing his sword he thrust it in his foe’s side
so that he fell wounded nigh unto death.

There was great rejoicing in Hother’s camp when he returned and told how
he had stricken his rival; in Balder’s camp there were loud lamentations.

Next day, when the battle was renewed, Balder bade his men to carry him into
the midst of the fray upon a stretcher, so that he might not meet with death
in his tent.

When night again fell Balder saw standing beside him the vision of Proserpine
4 , and she told
him that on the morrow she would have him for her guest. At the time appointed
Balder died, and he was buried in a great grave mound with pomp and deep mourning.

In after days Harold 5 and other men sought to rob Balder’s mound of its treasure, but
when they pierced it a great flood of water burst forth 6 and they fled in confusion. So
was terror implanted in the minds of youths there, so that they feared to disturb
the mound again.

Hother again ruled over his kingdom, but he had great sorrow when Gewar was
attacked and burned in his castle by Gunno, a jarl who served him. He took speedy
vengeance, and burned Gunno alive upon a pyre.

When Odin came to know of Balder’s death, he went unto prophets to divine
how he could be avenged, and he came to know that a son would be born to him
of Rinda; his name would be Boe, and he would slay Hother.

Now Rinda was a daughter of the king of the Ruthenians, and Odin went forth
disguised and entered the service of that monarch. He became the captain of
a band and won a distinguished victory; then he fought singlehanded against
a host and achieved renown above all other men. There was great wonder thereat.
Great gifts were given unto him, and he was honoured in the royal household.
Then he secretly told the king of his love for Rinda, and his suit was favoured,
but he must needs woo the fair princess and win her heart ere he would have
her for his bride.

Not easily was Rinda wooed, because when Odin sought to kiss her, she smote
him with anger. A year passed by, and then he went to the Court in foreign guise
and said he was a wonder-smith. With bronze did he fashion many fair ornaments,
for which he received much gold. To Rinda he made offer of a rare bracelet and
rings, but again she smote him when he sought to woo her. Although her sire
remonstrated with her, she scorned to wed a man of many years, especially as
she was herself of tender age. A third time went Odin to woo the maid. He was
disguised as a young warrior, but again he was repulsed. Then had he recourse
to magic arts. He had with him a piece of bark on which runes were graven, and
with that he touched her, so that she was seized with madness.

Odin returned next in the guise of a woman who was a skilled physician, and
offered to cure Rinda, who was prostrate with sickness. In the end he prevailed
and won the maiden for himself, and she became the mother of Boe.

At this time the gods ruled at Byzantium, and they were moved to wrath against
Odin because that he had practised magic arts; so they deprived him of his high
honours and drove him into exile. Oller ruled in his stead. Not until ten years
had passed was Odin recalled to the throne, and then Oller fled to Sweden, where
he was slain by certain Danes. It is said of Oller that he possessed a bone,
graven with fearsome spells, with which he could cross the ocean as if it were
a ship.

Odin reigned with greater dignity and power than before, and his renown was
spread far among men. Then found he Boe, his son by Rinda, and him he constrained
to go forth to avenge the death of Balder.

Thus it came that Hother was slain by Rinda’s son in a fierce battle, but
Boe 7 was wounded
unto death, so that he was borne from the field upon his shield. Next day he
died, and the Ruthenian soldiers buried him in a stately mound, so that his
memory might not perish in after days, but ever have renown among men.

After Hother’s death his son Rorik became king.

Footnotes

1 Valkyries.
2 The Sword of Victory concealed
in Mimer’s realm. Hother resembles Svipdag very closely. Gewar is the moon-god
of the Ivalde myth.
3 Like King Hrethel in Beowulf.
4 Urd.
5 Believed to be a historical
personage who lived in the twelfth century.
6 Balder is associated with
well worship. Wells sprang from his horse’s hoofmarks, and he found water for
his soldiers. Water defends his mound.
7 Vale, who in mythology is
the slayer of the wolf, is thus Boe (Beowulf) in Saxo’s Danish legend. He receives
his deathwound when he slays Hother, who, as Svipdag, was a dragon guarding
beneath a grey rock great treasure, which shone like fire in the flood. At the
same time Hother is confused with Hoder, Balder’s blind brother. One of Svipdag’s
names was Odur. So do the divine and heroic elements of a passing mythology
intermix in tradition. Each age, each race, and each bard leaves in turn impresses
upon a persistent legend. The memory of the mythical hero may survive, or his
deeds may become associated with the traditions of a national hero. Mythological
incidents which appeal to the popular imagination not infrequently develop into
independent narratives.