Viking Myths & Legends: Tales of the Norse Gods

by George Stephens

The stories contained in this volume are derived from the translations by Rasmus B. Anderson and George Stephens of the tales about the Viking warriors Thorstein and Fridthjof the Bold and other figures, all from Icelandic literature. There are stories of valiant explorers, beautiful princesses who test the strength of would-be suitors, magic swords, potions and spells and great battles fought in a bid to conquer new lands or establish the right to rule their lands in the aftermath of a king's death. Ranging across the countries we now know collectively as Scandinavia, these stories are by turns heroic, charming and magical.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

George Stephens was an English archeologist and philologist, who worked in Scandinavia, especially on interpreting runic inscriptions.

Stephens studied at University College London. In 1834, he moved to Sweden, studying Scandinavian medieval literature and folklore. His collection of fairy tales together with Gunnar Olof Hyltén-Cavallius was often reprinted. Stephens moved to Denmark, became a lecturer in English at Copenhagen University in 1851, and a professor in 1855. In 1860, he published the first edition of the Waldere fragments.