Wayland the smith

Red gold he fashioned, with fairest gems,

And rings he strung, on ropes of bast;

So for his wife, he waited long,

If the fair one home, might come to him.

-Verse 9 of Völundarkvitha, the Lay of Wayland, Bellows translation

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Wayland the smith, the legendary blacksmith from Germanic lore, is most famous for crafting Beowulf’s armor and Sigurd’s sword (the one used to slay the dragon Fafnir). Wayland’s skills are heralded in many places. Some say he learned to weave spells into the metal from the dwarves. Others claim his mastery was so great that he transcended his mortal form to become one of the Elves.

In the “Lay of Wayland,” from the Poetic Edda we learn that Wayland was married to a Valkyrie. He was very happy, but after nine years his bride was called back to Odin’s service, and Wayland was left alone. By this time his renown as a smith was great, and he was approached by the cruel King Nithhad to be his royal blacksmith. Wayland declined, so the King sent warriors to hamstring Wayland, making him a cripple and taking him into captivity.

For many years Wayland was forced to forge items for King Nithhad and his court. And for many years Wayland plotted his revenge. When the time was right Wayland killed the King’s two sons, making goblets from their skulls, a jeweled necklace from their eyes, and a broach from their teeth. All of these that Wayland made as gifts for the cruel King and Queen. Soon after Wayland seduced the King’s daughter and made certain she was with child.

Once all was in place, Wayland revealed the secret wings he had been building and flew out of the forge where he had been imprisoned . As he escaped Wayland informed the King all that he had done, how the King and Queen enjoyed the “gifts,” and how all the King’s heirs would be Wayland’s heirs. Having completed his revenge, Wayland flew away. Some say he flew all the way to Alfheim where he lives on to this day…

The original viking art painting was done in oil and measures 18” x 24”