Wéland/Völundr

Wéland is portrayed in myth and folklore as a mortal hero, one with a  great gift for blacksmithy.  However, he appears so often in Anglo-Saxon literature that he would almost appear to be a God. In addition, if he was not worshipped as such then, he certainly is now. He appears in the Old English Beowulf , Deor, and the Waldere fragment as well as elsewhere.  Many places are named for him including Wayland's Smithy in Oxfordshire, England, an ancient barrow grave that has become connected to the ancient smith.  To this day, Englishmen leave gifts for the great blacksmith. There is also Wayland Smith's Cave near Lambourn, Berkshire, England. Which Sir Walter Scott said of, “Here lived a supernatural smith, who would shoe a traveller's horse for a ‘consideration.’ His fee was sixpence, and if more was offered him he was offended.”

Vollund as portrayed in the Völundarkviða of the Elder Edda had two brothers Egil, and Slagfidur and dwelled in Wolfdale (Ulfdal). In Þiðrek's Saga his father is said to be the giant Wade (who has many sites named for himself in England). The Völundarkviða is the only work specifically dedicated to Wéland (although there are many mentions of him throughout the lore).  In it he and his brothers spend their time hunting on snow shoes, and meet three swan maidens and make them their wives.  When the swan maidens leave after eight years, Wéland's brothers go in search of their wives.  But Wéland stays, making beautiful jewellery and no doubt swords, awaiting his bride's return. Then King Nidud had him seized and imprisoned to make jewellery and weapons alone for him. While imprisoned in Sævarstad, Wéland's anger brews each time he sees his sword with Nidud or the ring he made his wife on the hand of Nidud's daughter Bödvild. Therefore Nidud had him hamstrung. Wéland then tricks Nidud's young sons into visiting him, and when they bend over to look in a chest for a surprise he chopped off their heads. He then made their skulls into ornate drinking bowls which he gave to the King, and various other body parts he made to gems and gave to the Queen.  Shortly after Bödvild broke one of her rings and came to Wéland to have him fix it. He then got her drunk and seduced her. Finally, he escaped, having made wings. Throughout it is clear Wéland is calculating, and has a very keen mind.  At the same time, he is clearly capable of great emotion (devotion to his wife, hatred for Nidud). Throughout the  Völundarkviða he is referred to as the "elves' chieftain," an interesting title since he is himself of giant descent.