by Andrew Orchard (Author)

From Loki to Thor, Ragnarok to Beowulf

A gripping and truly mesmerising delve into the Norse legends

From bestselling books to blockbusting Hollywood movies, the myths of the Scandinavian gods and heroes are part of the modern day landscape.

For over a millennium before the arrival of Christianity, the legends permeated everyday life in Iceland and the northern reaches of Europe. Since that time, they have been perpetuated in literature and the arts in forms as diverse as Tolkien and Wagner, graphic novels to the world of Marvel.

This book covers the entire cast of supernatural beings, from gods to trolls, heroes to monsters, and deals with the social and historical background to the myths, topics such as burial rites, sacrificial practices and runes.

Author Biography

Andy Orchard is Professor of Anglo Saxon at the University of Oxford, having previously been at the University of Toronto as Associate Director of the Centre for Medieval Studies. He has published numerous books and articles on a wide range of topics in Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic literature.