Embodying the fears, fantasies, and forebodings of the people who lived in northern Europe when the world was a darker and more frightening place, these 42 authentic folktales were culled from the rich legacy of Norse and German mythology by noted folklorist George Webbe Dasent. They include stories of princes and princesses who have been transformed into animals, trolls, and maneating giants who possess magical powers, and good-hearted, clever young men and women, often poor and ridiculed, who eventually come away with wealth and love beyond measure.In addition to such well-known favorites as "Dapplegrim," "Katie Woodencloak," "Tatterhood," and "Legend of Tannhäuser," this collection also brings to light many gems difficult to find elsewhere. In "The Werewolf," a cruel stepmother thwarts a beautiful princess's marriage plans by transforming her fiancé into a hunted denizen of the forest. The hilarious "Such Women Are" proves the world is never without a sufficiency of fools, while "The Three Dogs" tells of a youth whose four-legged friends defeat a serpent with the nasty habit of devouring a town's young women. Among many other hard-to-find stories are "King Gram," "The Magician's Pupil," "The Outlaw," "Temptations," "The Widow's Son," "The Three Sisters Trapped in a Mountain," and "The Goatherd" (the inspiration for Washington Irving's story of Rip van Winkle).These stories preserve the ancient myths of Western Europe that have been passed down from generation to generation, but aside from their importance as seminal folktales, they are simply good reading ? full of passion and excitement, magic, mystery, and sheer storytelling power. Popular Tales from Norse Mythology will delight any student or admirer of myths and mythology.

Introduction by Sir George Webbe Dasent King Gram "Helgi, Son of Hiorward" Legend of Tannhauser The Werewolf Princess on the Glass Mountain The Three Dogs The Widow's Son The Three Aunts Such Woman Are Toller's Neighbors The Magician's Pupil Temptations The Outlaw The Blue Riband The Man Without a Heart The Seven Ravens The Little Cup of Tears The Man in the Moon "Lora, the Goddess of Love" The Goathed (origin of Sleepy Hollow Legend) The Dweller in the Ilsenstein The Rosstrappe King Waldemar Why the Sea is Salt The Twelve White Peacocks The Master Smith Gudbrand on the Hillside The Blue Belt The Three Princesses of Whiteland "Rich Peter, the Pedlar" The Best Wish The Husband who was to Mind the House Farmer Weathesky Lord Peter Boots and his Brothers Tatterhood Katie Woodencloak Soria Moria Castle The Lad that Went to the North Wind The Cat on the Dovrefell The Three Sisters Trapped in a Mountain The Boy that Stole the Giant's Treasure