The Volsunga Saga

The Beginning of the Volsung Line

The saga begins with Sigi, a favored son of Odin, the Allfather. Sigi was wronged by a thrall and, in a fit of rage, killed him. This act led to Sigi being declared an outlaw, forcing him to flee his homeland. However, Odin, ever watchful, guided Sigi to a new land where he established a kingdom. Sigi married and had a son named Rerir, who continued his father’s legacy.

Rerir, much like his father, was blessed with Odin’s favor. He ruled wisely and longed for a child to continue the Volsung line. One day, Rerir and his wife prayed fervently to the gods for a child. Their prayers were answered when Frigg, Odin’s wife, sent a giantess in the form of a crow to deliver a magical apple. Rerir’s wife ate the apple, and soon she was with child. However, the pregnancy lasted for six long years, a sign that their child would be extraordinary.

When Rerir’s wife finally gave birth, it was to a fully grown boy named Volsung, who was destined for greatness. Volsung grew to be a mighty king, ruling with fairness and strength. He built a grand hall around a great tree called Barnstokkr. Volsung married Hljod, the daughter of a giantess, and together they had ten sons and one daughter, Signy.

Signy’s Marriage and Betrayal

Signy was betrothed to Siggeir, the king of Gautland, against her will. She foresaw that this marriage would bring doom upon her family. Despite her premonitions, the marriage took place, and during the wedding feast, a mysterious, one-eyed stranger entered the hall. He thrust a sword into the great tree Barnstokkr, declaring that whoever could pull it out would receive it as a gift. Many tried, but only Volsung’s son, Sigmund, succeeded. Siggeir coveted the sword and offered to buy it, but Sigmund refused, sowing the seeds of enmity.

Siggeir invited Volsung and his sons to Gautland, secretly plotting their demise. On arrival, Volsung and his sons were ambushed, and Volsung was killed. His sons were captured and bound in the forest, left to be devoured by wolves. Signy, heartbroken but resolute, plotted revenge. She managed to save Sigmund by sending her servant with honey, which Sigmund used to escape his bonds. Over time, Sigmund and Signy’s son, Sinfjotli, grew strong and vengeful.

Together, Sigmund and Sinfjotli launched a guerilla campaign against Siggeir, seeking justice for their slain kin. Signy, trapped in a loveless marriage, helped them from within, providing crucial information and support. After many trials and battles, they finally succeeded in killing Siggeir, but the cost was high. Signy, having fulfilled her vengeance, chose to die with her late husband’s pyre.

Sigmund’s Reign and Legacy

Sigmund returned to his homeland, where he reclaimed his father’s throne and ruled wisely. He married Borghild and had two sons, Helgi and Hamund. However, Sigmund’s story was far from over. In his old age, he married Hjordis, and together they had a son named Sigurd, destined to be the greatest of the Volsung line.

Sigurd was raised by Regin, a dwarf who taught him the ways of the warrior. Regin harbored his own agenda, seeking revenge against his brother Fafnir, who had transformed into a dragon to guard a hoard of cursed treasure. With Regin’s guidance, Sigurd sought out the sword Gram, reforged from the fragments of his father’s sword. Armed with Gram, Sigurd embarked on a quest to slay Fafnir.

The journey to Fafnir’s lair was fraught with danger, but Sigurd’s courage and skill saw him through. He dug a trench and waited for the dragon to pass over it. As Fafnir approached, Sigurd thrust his sword upwards, piercing the dragon’s heart. As Fafnir lay dying, he warned Sigurd of the curse that lay upon the treasure. Despite the warning, Sigurd took the hoard, including the ring Andvaranaut, which bore a powerful curse.

Brynhildr and Sigurd’s Love

With the treasure in his possession, Sigurd’s fame spread far and wide. He rescued the Valkyrie Brynhildr, who had been cursed to sleep within a ring of fire. Brynhildr and Sigurd fell deeply in love, but their happiness was short-lived. Due to treachery and deceit, Sigurd was compelled to marry Gudrun, a princess of the Gjuki family. Brynhildr, heartbroken and betrayed, swore vengeance.

Gudrun’s brothers, Gunnar and Hogni, sought to secure their power by tricking Sigurd into aiding them in their own quests. They deceived Brynhildr into marrying Gunnar by using magic to disguise Sigurd as Gunnar. When Brynhildr discovered the deception, her rage knew no bounds. She manipulated events to bring about Sigurd’s death, even though she still loved him deeply. Sigurd was slain by treachery within the Gjuki household, and Brynhildr, consumed by grief and guilt, took her own life to join him in death.

Gudrun’s Vengeance

Gudrun, now a widow, was married off to Atli, the king of the Huns. Atli coveted the treasure Sigurd had won, and he invited Gudrun’s brothers to his court, intending to seize it. Gudrun, foreseeing the treachery, tried to warn her brothers, but they came nonetheless. Atli ambushed them, leading to a fierce battle in which Gunnar and Hogni were killed. Gudrun, in her despair and rage, killed Atli and set his hall ablaze, perishing in the flames.

The curse of the Volsungs seemed unending, a relentless chain of vengeance and tragedy. Yet, in this tale of sorrow and bloodshed, there were glimmers of hope and heroism. Sigurd’s legacy endured through his daughter, Aslaug, who became a wise and powerful queen. The saga of the Volsungs, though steeped in sorrow, is a testament to the enduring spirit of its heroes.

The Legacy of Aslaug

Aslaug, wise beyond her years, ruled with a gentle yet firm hand. She married Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary hero in his own right, uniting two powerful lines. Their children, the sons of Ragnar, carried forward the legacy of the Volsungs, blending it with the fierce spirit of their father.

The Volsunga Saga, with its blend of divine intervention, heroic deeds, and tragic downfalls, remains one of the most compelling tales of Norse mythology. It speaks to the human condition, the interplay of fate and free will, and the enduring power of love and vengeance. This saga, passed down through generations, continues to captivate and inspire, reminding us of the timeless nature of these ancient stories.

The Expanded Saga

The tale of the Volsungs is not merely a sequence of events but a rich tapestry woven with themes of honor, revenge, love, and the inexorable hand of fate. Here, we delve deeper into the lives and struggles of these legendary figures, painting a fuller picture of their epic saga.

The Rise of Sigmund

Sigmund’s escape from the wolves was a feat of cunning and resilience. With the honey applied to his face and hands, he lured the she-wolf to lick him, eventually biting through his bonds. This clever ruse showcased not only his strength but his quick thinking, traits that would serve him well in the battles to come.

After Sigmund’s escape, he lived in the forest, training and planning his revenge against Siggeir. Signy secretly visited him, and together they plotted to overthrow the treacherous king. Signy’s determination was unwavering, even to the point of conceiving a child with Sigmund in disguise, believing that only their bloodline could produce a warrior strong enough to defeat Siggeir. This child, Sinfjotli, grew up under Sigmund’s tutelage, becoming a formidable warrior.

Their attacks on Siggeir’s men were swift and deadly, a guerrilla warfare that struck fear into the hearts of their enemies. Signy’s role as an inside informant was crucial, and her sacrifices immense. Despite the growing suspicion, she managed to keep Sigmund and Sinfjotli’s presence a secret, a testament to her cunning and bravery.

The Tragedy of Signy

When the time came to confront Siggeir directly, the battle was fierce and bloody. Sigmund and Sinfjotli fought with the ferocity of cornered wolves, driven by years of pent-up rage and grief. Siggeir, though a formidable warrior, could not withstand their combined might. The culmination of this long vendetta was the burning of Siggeir’s hall, with Signy choosing

to perish with her enemies, seeing no further purpose for herself after her revenge was complete.

Sigmund, though victorious, was deeply scarred by the loss of his sister and all he had endured. He returned to his homeland, where he sought to rebuild and restore the glory of the Volsung name. His reign was marked by wisdom and strength, but also by the shadow of his past and the weight of his losses.

Sigurd’s Quest

Sigurd’s upbringing under Regin was filled with rigorous training and the acquisition of knowledge. Regin, though motivated by his own desire for vengeance, genuinely prepared Sigurd for the challenges ahead. The forging of Gram was a pivotal moment, symbolizing the transfer of heroic legacy from Sigmund to Sigurd.

The journey to slay Fafnir was fraught with peril, but Sigurd’s resolve was unshakable. He encountered various creatures and challenges along the way, each testing his strength and wit. Upon reaching Fafnir’s lair, Sigurd’s strategic mind came into play. The trench he dug was not just a simple pit but a carefully crafted trap, ensuring that the dragon’s immense bulk would not crush him.

The slaying of Fafnir was not just a physical triumph but a symbolic one. By killing the dragon, Sigurd overcame the embodiment of greed and malice, themes central to the cursed treasure. Fafnir’s dying words haunted Sigurd, a constant reminder of the doom that often followed great fortune.

Brynhildr’s Prophecy

Brynhildr, the shieldmaiden and Valkyrie, was a figure of great beauty and strength. Her enchantment within a ring of fire was both a curse and a test, meant for only the bravest and noblest to overcome. Sigurd’s fearless ride through the flames to awaken Brynhildr was a scene of legendary romance, marking the union of two great heroes.

Their love, however, was doomed by fate. The treachery of the Gjuki family, driven by ambition and deceit, tore them apart. The magic that disguised Sigurd as Gunnar was a cruel twist, leading Brynhildr to a fate she could not escape. Her vengeance was as passionate as her love, culminating in a tragic end that left both her and Sigurd dead, their story a poignant reminder of the cost of betrayal.

Gudrun’s Sorrow

Gudrun’s life was a tapestry of sorrow and strength. Her marriage to Atli, a political move, placed her in the heart of another treacherous court. Despite her best efforts to avert disaster, fate seemed determined to bring her more grief. The death of her brothers at Atli’s hands was the final straw, pushing Gudrun to a desperate act of vengeance.

Her killing of Atli and the burning of his hall were not just acts of revenge but a final, desperate attempt to break free from the cycle of bloodshed. Gudrun’s death in the flames was a tragic end to a life filled with loss and betrayal, her legacy a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of relentless fate.

The Enduring Legacy

Despite the seemingly endless cycle of tragedy, the Volsung line endured through Aslaug. Her marriage to Ragnar Lodbrok, another figure of legend, united two powerful and storied lineages. Aslaug’s wisdom and strength provided a stabilizing force, ensuring that the legacy of the Volsungs would continue.

Their children, the sons of Ragnar, inherited the fierce spirit of both their parents. These sons, Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and others, became legends in their own right, carving out their destinies with the same vigor and determination that defined their ancestors.

The Themes of the Volsunga Saga

The Volsunga Saga, with its rich tapestry of characters and events, explores numerous themes that resonate through time. The interplay of fate and free will is a central theme, with characters often struggling against the seemingly inexorable flow of destiny. The saga also delves into the nature of heroism, honor, and the costs of vengeance.

Love and betrayal are ever-present motifs, driving the actions and decisions of the characters. The relationships between Sigmund and Signy, Sigurd and Brynhildr, and Gudrun and her family are all marked by deep emotional bonds that are tested to their limits by external and internal forces.

The role of the gods and the supernatural is another key element, with Odin’s interventions, the magical sword Gram, and the cursed treasure all playing significant roles in shaping the saga’s events. These elements highlight the belief in a world where the divine and the mortal are intricately linked, each influencing the other.