Legendary Heroes of the North
The sagas tell of mighty warriors, dragon-slayers, and legendary kings whose deeds echo through eternity. These heroes embody the Norse ideals of courage, honor, and the willingness to face doom with unflinching resolve.
Dragon-Slayers & Saga Heroes
Sigurd (Siegfried)
The Dragon-Slayer
The greatest hero of the Völsunga saga. Sigurd slew the dragon Fafnir with his legendary sword Gram, bathed in the dragon's blood to gain invulnerability (save for one spot on his back), and claimed the cursed treasure of the Rhinegold. His tragic love affair with the Valkyrie Brynhild and betrayal by his blood-brothers forms one of the most powerful stories in Norse legend.
Famous Deeds:
- Slaying the dragon Fafnir
- Awakening Brynhild from her enchanted sleep
- Understanding the speech of birds after tasting dragon blood
- Bearing the cursed ring of the Nibelungs
Beowulf
The Monster-Slayer King
The Geatish warrior who became the hero of Anglo-Saxon legend. Beowulf traveled to Denmark to save King Hrothgar's hall from the monster Grendel, then slew Grendel's mother in her underwater lair. Fifty years later, as king of the Geats, he faced a dragon in his final battle, winning victory but dying from his wounds - a hero's death that ensured his eternal fame.
Famous Deeds:
- Defeating Grendel with his bare hands
- Killing Grendel's mother in the mere
- Ruling the Geats for fifty years
- Slaying the dragon in his final battle
Other Legendary Figures
Ragnar Lothbrok
Legendary Viking king and warrior who raided across Europe. Father of famous sons including Ivar the Boneless and Bjorn Ironside.
Starkad
The eight-armed giant-hero who lived through three human lifetimes, fighting in countless battles and performing both noble and shameful deeds.
Egil Skallagrimsson
The warrior-poet who composed verses while facing execution, using the power of words and steel with equal mastery.