Chapters 44-95 - Germanic Mythology

wind-ship" (ausa Hertýs víngnóðar austur; see further No. 121, about Odin's visit in
Nökkvi's ship). 17
The name Nefr (variation Nepr), the third name of Nanna's father mentioned
above, occurs nowhere in the Norse sources excepting in the Prose Edda. It is, however,
undoubtedly correct that Nökkvi-Gevar was also called Nef.
Among all the Germanic myths there is scarcely one other with which so many
heroic songs composed in heathen times have been connected as with the myth
concerning the moon-god and his descendants. As shall be shown further on, the Niflungs
are descendants of Nef's adopted son Hjuki, and they are originally named after their
adopted race-progenitor Nefr. A more correct and an older form is perhaps Hnefr and
Hniflungar, and the latter form is also found in the Icelandic literature. 18 In Old English
the moon-god appears changed into a prehistoric king, Hnäf, also called Hoce (see
Beowulf 1076, and Gleeman's Tale). 19 Hoce is the same name as the Norse Hjúki. 20 Thus
while Hnäf and Hoce are identical in the Old English poem Beowulf, we find in the Norse
source that the lad taken aloft by Mani is called by one of the names of his foster-father.
In the Norse account the moon-god (Nefr) captures, as we have seen, the children of one
Viðfinnur, and at the same time he robs Viðfinnur of the priceless mead of inspiration
found in the fountain Byrgir. In the Old English saga Hnäf has a son-in-law and vassal,
whose name is Finn (Fin Folcvalding), who becomes his bitterest foe, contends with him,
is conquered and pardoned, but attacks him again, and, in company with one Gudere
(Gunnr), burns him. According to Saxo, Nanna's father Gevarr has the same fate. He is
attacked by a vassal and burnt. The vassal is called Gunno (Gunnr, Gudere). 21 Thus we
have in the Old English tradition the names Hnäf, Hoce, Fin, and Gudere; and in the
Norse tradition the corresponding names Nefr, Hjuki, Viðfinnur, and Gunnr (Gunnar).
The relation of the moon-god (Nefr) to Viðfinnur is the mythological basis of Fin's
enmity to Hnäf. The burning is common to both the Old English and the Norse sources.
Later in this work, I shall consider these circumstances more minutely. What I have
stated is sufficient to show that the Old English tradition is in this point connected with
the Norse in a manner, which confirms Nefr-Gevarr's identity with Máni, who takes aloft
Hjuki and robs Viðfinnur of the skaldic mead.
The tradition of Gevarr-Nefr's identity with Máni reappears in Iceland once more
as late as in Hrómundar Saga Gripssonar. There a person called Máni Karl shows the
hero of the saga where to find the sword Mistilteinn. In Saxo, Nanna's father Gevarr
shows the before-mentioned Hotherus where to find the weapon which is to slay Baldur.
Thus Máni in Hromund's saga assumes the same position as Gevarr, Nanna's father,
occupies in Saxo's narrative.
17 Víngnóða means "wine-ship" rather than "wind-ship." Gnoð is the name of a ship.
18 Helgakviða Hundingsbana I, 48; Guðrúnarhvöt 12; Atlamál in grænlenzku 88.
19 The reference to the "Gleeman's Tale" is found in the Old English poem Widsith, 29. Finn Folcwalding is
found 2 lines earlier, again suggesting an association between these characters. The title, provided in
English, is that of Benjamin Thorpe's translation of this poem found in Beowulf, The Scôp or Gleeman's
Tale, and The Fight at Finnesburg, 1855.
20 In Widsith Hnæf is called king of the Hocings, Hnæf Hocingum. In A Catalogue of Persons Named in
German Literature, (Oxford 1973), George Gillespie writes: "This genealogical complex is reflected in an
ON name list where Hnefi and Hökingr appear as sea-kings." Thus the names Hjuki and Hoc may indeed
be related, although I cannot independently confirm this.
21 Hist. Book 3: "News came meantime that Gevar had been slain by the guile of his satrap [jarl], Gunne.
…Gunne had himself treacherously waylaid Gevar and burnt him alive in the night." Elton tr.