The Saga of the Volsungs, Part 1 (Volsung and Sigmund)

Part 1 of a new summary and brief commentary on The Saga of the Volsungs in 6 parts. This video covers roughly chapters 1-12.
Dr. Jackson Crawford is Instructor of Nordic Studies and Nordic Program Coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder (formerly UC Berkeley and UCLA). He is a historical linguist and an experienced teacher of Old Norse, Modern Icelandic, and Norwegian.
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Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Poetic Edda: www.amazon.com...
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Saga of the Volsungs with The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok: www.amazon.com...
Jackson Crawford's Patreon page: / norsebysw

[@JacksonCrawford]

Correction: I mixed up two minor names while telling this name-infested story from memory. Eylimi is the name of Hjordís' father, while *Lyngvi* is the name of the other king who fights Sigmund over Hjordís, and whose army Sigmund dies fighting.

[@MrCearl]

Incest; eugenics; banditry; child-murder; and suicide. All the makings of a classic!

[@corneliuscantonii7362]

Don't forget werewolf-ing.

[@mcolville]

Sinfjoltli seems to have a lot of common with baby Hercules.

[@JacksonCrawford]

That's a cool connection I didn't even think to make. Thanks!

[@anthonyhargis6855]

He does, doesn't he?

[@raymondwhatley9954]

OMG, is that Matt Colville? I shouldn't be surprised to find you here.

[@williamxhunter1]

at 18:21 right as Crawford gives the description of Odinn a raven like bird flies behind him... weird.

[@gaz8891]

It seems to have pointed wings, so I don't think it's a crow ...

[@arnimellner3357]

HLO HLO HLO this story is hilarious there's not a reason for anything that's happening so far

[@mistahanansi2264]

"This always reminds me of Thanksgiving at my house." I f*cking lost it xD

[@Not-a-bot222]

Ya mon Da Troll I was searching the comments for this!

[@cheeseman1777]

"This always reminds me of thanksgiving"... that was absolutely hysterical.

[@gabrielpablo8699]

Could you please comment on Wagner's Die Walküre relation to the original Volsung saga? How did he select/ adapt he story for the opera? I'm a tenor living in Italy and have sung the role of Sigmund a few times. Thanks!

[@morticiaaddams3613]

when you were talking about Odin turning up at one point, I swear a raven flew across behind you. He's listening, and am sure he would approve. You rock , Dr Crawford :)

[@gaz8891]

It seems to have pointed wings, so I don't think that's a crow ...

[@LukeRanieri]

“Its mediaeval fan-fic sequel”! Haha

[@blakewinter1657]

'This is a setback for the robbing part of our program, but not for the killing!' is one of the all time great lines (even though I don't think it is a direct translation of the old Norse).

[@bella-beltane]

I absolutely love these videos. Thank you so much for sharing these stories and your knowledge through YT! It's infinitely appreciated.

[@nicotendo7671]

After I played God of War Ragnarok... I came here lol.

[@MeDicenElZohan]

The same here :p

[@markcash2]

I had some vertebrae fused in my back a couple of weeks ago. KZbin has become my primary source of entertainment since I do not get much activity. I am thoroughly enjoying these videos!

[@ragnarblobarr9567]

Awesome! Skål!

[@TheZhif]

My parents named me Sigmund from the saga of Volsungs

[@thundrbaze]

would you be willing to do a video on the wild hunt? what it was and what was its impact?

[@SchutzmarkeGMBH]

Concerning the honey and wolf story: Tumblr user thewugtest worked with wolves and without knowing of this saga offered this insight on her blog: "a wolf really wants to lick the inside of your mouth. he will not stop trying to lick the inside of your mouth at any cost, and generally speaking you need to press your lips together kind of tightly when he approaches your face so that he doesnt worm his damn tongue in there to give you what he thinks is an appropriate greeting"

[@Harrow_the_Ninth]

When you discuss chapter 20, I'd love if you could talk a bit about which runes or runic phrases Brynhild is referring to exactly. I'm familiar with ale-runes, but what in the world are wave-runes? Mind-runes?! Much appreciated!

[@raymondwhatley9954]

1:02 you mention Bređi being killed by Sigi. Now when I read the Volsungasaga (sadly, not your version which is currently on it's way as we speak) it said that Bređi is named for the work he performs. I've not been able to find any clarification on what this work is or how Bređi's name is derived from it. I figured if anyone knows it's you. I actually clicked this video hoping you would mention it, but it didn't come up (great video though, love your stuff). Would you mind answering this for me, or is this one of those things which scholars having pieced together yet?

[@Kojelohere]

"This always reminds me of Thanksgiving at my house." HloHloHloHLoROFL

[@arinhjorulfr]

This is interesting the place you talk about that Siggeir is from (Götaland) is a part of Sweden where the story of post viking Sweden did take place and Volsung is similar to Folkunge that is a house that have big influence to the history of early Sweden (under 1200's) history.

[@FrancoCiminoPrado]

will there be a hardback edition of your Saga of the Volsungs?

[@deemon1997]

best telling of the Volsungs ever 😂

[@letthetunesflow]

Did they actually mean a poisonous snake and not a venomous snake? Saying they shouldn’t eat the bread because it was a poisonous snake would make sense if it was a poisonous snake, but a poisonous snake doesn’t make the snake particularly dangerous if it wasn’t also venomous… Is this just another case of the sagas not always being very consistent? Does the translation actually even directly translate to “poisonous”instead of “Venomous”? Or is the old Norse word ambiguous in and of itself?

[@alinapopescu872]

I have to listen to it again. I got lost the first time. Thank goodness no old man with one eye and wide-brimmed hat showed up to steer me in the "right" direction.

[@omegacardboard5834]

I found it strange how Sigmund kills the first two of Signý’s sons when told to, but then later refuses to kill the two new sons

[@durrangodsgrief6503]

I think it's also because of the reason the child acted as any child would when seeing a stranger telling his parent and probably didn't know who Sigmund was their uncle

[@cayzee4719]

My Norse Mythology class is one of the few classes I'm not upset studying for.

[@timsimmons7916]

Simmons Name Meaning English (southern): patronymic either from the personal name Simon or, as Reaney and Wilson suggest, from the medieval personal name Simund (composed of Old Norse sig ‘victory’ + mundr ‘protection’), which after the Norman Conquest was taken as an equivalent Simon, with the result that the two names became confused.

[@garychynne1377]

great yarns. sure glad u can read. nice humor. thank yew dr crawford

[@lindalee7322]

Sound like a case of can't win for losing. What crazy plot twists.

[@steakslapn9724]

The raven flying behind just as your describe Odin was a cool coincidence.

[@teppizini]

Wow. This was awesome. More like this please

[@KungKras]

Sigmund is like King Arthur and Robin Hood in one O_o

[@chavaelastico22]

Hi Dr. Jackson, I really like your videos and I just started learning a little of the Saga of the Volsungs and i notice that your erase 3 videos from the saga that were in your channel. Were there something wrong with those, or in these other 6 videos you explain in more detail? Thanks a lot, saying hi from México.

[@sunshinesilverarrow5292]

Thank you so much. Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N

[@wearyblue7944]

This guy sounds like he has a moustache, so it really throws me off that he doesn't.

[@VladimirVargovich]

This Saga is wild 😅 I love it 😎

[@VelvetMagician]

How odd of me being recommended this video, I was planning on buying Sigurd the volsung by William Morris.

[@notwoke.2822]

WHERE IS HUNLAND!?!?!? Was so confused while reading this🙃

[@amanda-karashipman2476]

At 7:49 is it supposed to be "sleeve" or "skin" that she's sewing the clothing to? I can't find any writings about sewing clothing to the skin, where did this bit come from?

[@NEprimo]

Amazing, awesome saga

[@Thisisspacemusic]

Hi Dr. Crawford, do you teach in ft collins? I live in the general area. Are there any books you would suggest for learning about these topics? Thanks!

[@SwordTune]

Sigmund biting the wolf is like an early version of that scene from Conan the Barbarian where he bites the vulture to survive while tied up.

[@vp4744]

Very interesting, the myths we die by.

[@vp4744]

My comment's from another difference: legends die but myths kill.

[@DarokTheMaul]

At what time period is it projected that this volsong saga took place?

[@katalinudvardi9816]

Hunland? I'm hungarian and the origin of my people is very unclear... could it be? Our language is finnougrien, so maybe...

[@jairoukagiri2488]

That is a part of it, but Hungarians can also be of Magyar descent as well as residual local populations who persist. Or so. I'm not an expert there but in legends the Huns came out of Mirkwood (the Goth's swampy forest borderland in Ukraine, more or less) and did settle in modern Hungary until their empire dissolved. Later Magyars picked up on this, to varying degrees. Some consider their origins similar, hard to tell.

[@chrismcgavin7949]

There seems to be a few things that are similar to the King Arthur story

[@notwoke.2822]

Bought a copy the other day. Huge fan.

[@elgranlugus7267]

Looks like the period in which the story takes place is around 400 AD to 800 AD.

[@jairoukagiri2488]

400+ makes sense to me, 700's is a bit late for talk of the Huns. Though stories could daisy chain back pretty far.

[@18mitndi]

A roller coaster from start to finish.

[@markcash2]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@anthonyhargis6855]

As educational as always.

[@torbenzenth5615]

Brilliant

[@DarkrarLetsPlay]

The risk of inbred children being damaged isn't that high. It is higher than normal, but still not high. But it also depends on your genes...

[@mariahsheehy5917]

It's not too bad for first cousins, but it is for siblings.

[@brekieinarsson3833]

Im a descendant of völsungr according to Íslendingabók and my ætt is named Völsungaætt and i love when foreigners tell the classic stories of my forefathers keep up the good work

[@elgranlugus7267]

you're not

[@luke8264]

I am of English descent and I bear the völsungr name as well, but only my surname has changed a bit over time.

[@jairoukagiri2488]

@@elgranlugus7267 The funny-sad part is, my mother's Irish clan is so old they are only really listed by name back in the legends. If the kingdom lasted the longest, and the name didn't change for two thousand years... no, it is entirely possible. The tales themselves go back to the times of Caesar, meanwhile the Bush's claim to descend from Babylon... so unless you are a genealogist and can disprove it, you can't nay-say with any weight.

[@Woden23]

When I was a little pretty baby My mama would saw me clothes in my skin , In them old nordic fields back home...

[@colinp2238]

What is thanksgiving? I hear so many references to it and assume that it's a holiday but the meaning of it escapes me.

[@vp4744]

Then you'll have to read all about it on Wikipedia.

[@VincentvanFlow]

It's not a religious holiday for one thing. It's stemming from the early history of the United States. They should be enough to frame the information you find on it if you wish to know more. I'm assuming you're not from the USA. Modern day, we basically meet with family and shovel food into our gut until we're fit to burst lol

[@mariahsheehy5917]

It's a harvest festival celebrated in October in Canada & November in the United States. Early settlers, Puritans/Pilgrims from England who settled in Jamestown started the tradition. A national holiday in both countries, always on a Thursday. Typically we eat turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce & pumpkin for dessert. The day after is called "Black Friday" because it's when stores are "in the black" making a profit, there are huge sales & it's the beginning of the retail holiday season.

[@mariahsheehy5917]

Folks, North America is not the whole world- U.S. folks would expect British people to explain Guy Fawkes Day for example.