H. R. Ellis Davidson Libri

Tiw, Woden, Thunor, Frig...these ancient northern deities gave their names to the very days of our week. Nevertheless most of us know far more of Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and the classical deities. Recent researches in archaeology and mythology have added to what was already a fairly consistent picture (largely derived from a twelfth-century Icelandic account) of the principal Scandinavian gods and goddesses. This new study---the first popular treatment of the subject to appear in English for many years--is the work of a scholar who has long specialized in Norse and Germanic mythology. She describes the more familiar gods of war, of fertility, of the sky and the sea and the dead, and also discusses those most puzzling figures of Norse mythology--Heimdall, Balder, and Loki. All these deities were worshiped in the Viking Age, and the author has endeavored to relate their cults to daily life and to see why these pagan beliefs gave way in time to the Christian faith. The cover shows a twelfth-century embroidery in the Historiska Museat, Stockholm (Snark Archives)

Katharine Briggs is celebrated for her significant contributions to folklore, particularly through her Dictionary of British Folktales and Dictionary of Fairies, which solidified her status among British folklorists. Initially focused on seventeenth-century literature and the Civil War at Oxford, her career evolved through amateur dramatics and involvement with the Guide Movement. Her experiences in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II further honed her storytelling prowess, showcasing her vibrant personality and passion for narrative.