Description: This scene is from the 1903 edition of Ernest
Edwin
Speight's Children of Odin that was first published
in 1901. The illustration depicts the scene at the end of the
myth concerning the “Theft
of Þórr’s Hammer” in which Þórr is forced to
disguise himself as Freyja and marry the giant Þrymr in order to
regain his hammer. The illustration is not signed but contains a
monogram in the lower right-hand corner for an artist whose name
is not known.
Source: Children of Odin
Folio or Page: 19
Medium: Not Known
Date: 1901
Dimensions (mm): 100 x 135
Provenance:
This illustration is from The
Children of Odin from the collection of P. A. Baer.
Rights:
This illustration from Children of
Odin is in the public domain.
Research notes, early print reviews, etc.:
Early Print Review of The Children of Odin:
"The book is copiously illustrated, but we cannot regard this as a merit, for
the artist, whose name is not given, has evidently little acquaintance with
Northern literature, and has read the letterpress very hurriedly and
carelessly." Review by A.F.M in Saga-Book III of the Viking Club. (London:
Private Printing of the Viking Society. 1903), 491. Accessed through
http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/ on 12 January 2022.
Bibliography:
Editions
Speight, E
E. Children of Odin.
London: H. Marshall ,
1903.
Secondary Sources
M., A.
F..
"Review of The Children of Odin by E. E. Speight" in
Saga-Book III of the Viking Club
London: Private Printing of the Viking
Society, 1903.
Laliberte,
Camille (en.)
b. 19th December 1998
Occupation: Research Assistant
Artifacts
Mjöllnir (non.)
Mjollnir (en.)
Þórr's hammer that returns to his hand after he throws it.
Artist Not Known
Artist Not
Known
Artist not known for this illustration in Children of
Odin.
Giants and Giantesses
Þrymr (non.)
Thrymir (en.)
The giant who stole Þórr´s hammer and said that he would only return
it in exchange for marrying Freyja.
Gods and Goddesses
Freyja (non.)
A fertility goddess and one of the Vanir. She is the daughter of
Njörðr and the twin sister of Freyr.
Þórr (non.)
Thor (en.)
In the Prose Edda, Þórr is the son of Óðinn
and the giantess Jörð. However, in Heimskringla, he is a mortal.
Myths
Theft of Þórr's
Hammer
This myth concerns the theft of Þórr´s hammer, Mjöllnir, by the giant
Þrymir. The gods send Loki to talk to Þrymir and giant says that he will
only return the hammer in exchange for marrying Freyja. Heimdallr
suggests that Þórr should impersonate Freyja, and the gods persuade Þórr
to go to Þrymir dressed as a bride. Þórr seizes Mjöllnir when it is
brought to the wedding feast to consecrate the marriage and then kills
Þrymir along with the rest of the giants.
Nouns
Edwardian (en.)The
Edwardian era began with the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910
(January 22, 1901 - 28 July, 1914). However, the era's end date is
sometimes extended to the beginning of World War 1 (28 July
1914).
Children of Odin (en.)
Children's book by Ernest Edwin Speight published in 1901. The
illustrations in MyNDIR are from the second edition that was published
in 1903. Disambiguation: This book should not be confused with The Children of Odin by Padriac
Colum published in 1920 that was illustrated by Willy Pogany.
Source Persons
Speight, Ernest
Edwin (en.)
b. 6 December 1871
d. 17 September 1949
Nationality: English
Occupation: Author, Professor of English
Residence: Yorkshire, England
Ernest Edwin Speight, better known as E. E. Speight, was an English
professor who worked in India and Japan. He authored Children of Odin,
as well as numerous English textbooks. He was awarded the Fifth Class of
the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan for his services as
a teacher.
