THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. BISHOP Percy's Edition of M. Mallet's “ Northern Antiquities” having been published at a period when the most important documents bearing on the subject were but imperfectly known, the present Editor has necessarily been obliged to revise the work throughout, and omit such portions as were founded on views obviously erroneous, or on authorities which the historical researches of the present age have shown to be fallacious; while he has sought to render the whole more in arcordance with these researches, by insertions in the body of the text *, and notes critical and explanatory +. Supplementary chapters have also been added, in which, as well as in the remarks on the Prose Edda, several questions that have given rise to learned discussions and conflicting theories have been carefully investigated, and, perhaps, in some instances, placed under a novel point of view. In the prosecution of his laborious task, the Editor has made it an invariable rule to test the statements even of writers who are generally regarded as authoritative on the subject, by referring to the Eddas, the Sagas, and the Grágás, from which almost all the information we possess respecting Scandinavia in the olden time has been, either mediately or immediately, derived. In short, he has endeavoured, by unremitting attention and diligent research, to make this one of the most complete works on Northern Antiquities hitherto published. How far he may have succeeded will be for the reader to judge; who, he trusts, will bear in mind the quaint admonition "of old Dan Geffry” that, “ For every word men may not chide or pleine For in this world certain ne wight ther is I. A. B. London, August 16th, 1847. * Distinguished by being placed within brackets. + These notes, when they do not refer to his own text, are distinguished by the letters ED. V CONTENTS. Page REMARKS On Bishop Percy's Preface. By the Editor CHAPTER I.–First inhabitants of Denmark, particularly the Cimbri 60 Chap. II.-Grounds of the ancient history of Denmark, and of the different opinions concerning it . CHAP. III.-Of Odin, his supposed arrival in the North, and the changes which he is said to have effected CAAP. IV.-Primitire worship of the northern nations CAAP. V.--Religion in the North, particularly in Scandinavia, after the primitive worship had been altered Chap. VI.—Exterior worship and religious ceremonies of the northern CHAP. VII.- Form of Government which formerly prerailed in the North 122 CHAP. VIII.--Passion of the ancient Scandinavians for arms--their valour: the manner in which they made war Crap. IX.-Maritime expeditions of the ancient Scandinavians . 172 CHAP. X.-Customs and manners of the ancient Northern Nations Cuap. XI.-Sequel of the customs, arts and sciences of the ancient CHAP. I.—Colonization of Greenland, and discovery of the American continent by the Scandinavians . CHAP. II.-Laws and institutions of Iceland CAAP. III.- Manners and customs of the Icelanders CHAP. IV.-Icelandic Literature TAE PROSE EDDA.—Preliminary Observations by the Editor . 397 Part II.-The Conversations of Bragi CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE LEADING DOCTRINES OF THE SCANDI: NAVIAN SYSTEM OF MYTHOLOGY. By the Editor NOTES TO THE PROSE EDDA. By M. Mallet and Bishop Percy . A BSTRACT OF THE EYRBYGGJA-SAGA. By Sir Walter Scott |