The Saga of the Volsungs is an Icelandic epic of special interest to admirers of Richard Wagner, who drew heavily upon this Norse source in writing his Ring Cycle and a primary source for writers of fantasy such as J. R. R. Tolkien and romantics such as William Morris.A trove of traditional lore, it tells of love, jealousy, vengeance, war, and the mythic deeds of the dragonslayer, Sigurd the Volsung.Byock's comprehensive introduction explores the history, legends, and myths contained in the saga and traces the development of a narrative that reaches back to the period of the great folk migrations in Europe when the Roman Empire collapsed.

INTRODUCTION Representations of the Volsung Story in Norse Art Myths, Heroes, and Social Realities History and Legend: Burgundians, Huns, Goths, and Sigurd the Dragon Slayer Richard Wagner and the Saga of the Volsungs NOTE ON THE TRANSLATION THE SAGA OF THE VOLSUNGS I. Odin Guides Sigi from the Otherworld* 2. The Birth of Volsung 3· Sigmund Draws the Sword from Barnstock* 4· Siggeir Plots Revenge* 5· The Fall of Volsung 6. Signy Plots Revenge* 7· Signy Gives Birth to Sinfjotli 8. Sigmund and Sinfjotli Don the Skins 9· Helgi Marries Sigrun IO. Concerning the Volsungs II. Sigmund Marries Hjordis* I2 . Hjordis Remarries* I3. The Birth of Sigurd '' Chapter tides with an asterisk have been supplied by the translator; all other tides are in the original manuscript. 14· The Otter's Ransom* 15. Regin Fashions Gram 16. Gripir Foretells Sigurd's Future* 17. Sigurd Kills Lyngvi and Hjorvard and All the Others 18. Regin and Sigurd Go Riding 19. Regin Drinks Fafnir's Blood 20. Sigurd Eats the Serpent's Heart 21. Concerning Sigurd 22. Brynhild's Wise Counsel 23. Concerning Sigurd's Appearance 24. Sigurd Comes to Heimir 25. The Conversation between Sigurd and Brynhild 26. Concerning King Gjuki and His Sons 27. Brynhild Interprets Gudrun's Dream 28. The Ale of Forgetfulness Is Blended for Sigurd 29. Sigurd Rides through the Wavering Flames of Brynhild, the Daughter of Budli 30. Dispute of the Queens, Brynhild and Gudrun 31. Brynhild's Grief Only Increases 32. The Betrayal of Sigurd 33· Brynhild's Request 34· The Disappearance of Gudrun 35. Gudrun Carves Runes 36. Hogni Interprets His Wife's Dream 37· The Brothers' Journey from Home 38. The Battle in the Fortress and the Victory 39· Hogni Is Captured 40. The Conversation between Atli and Gudrun 41. Concerning Gudrun 42. Svanhild Is Married and Trampled to Death under the Hooves of Horses 43· Gudrun Urges Her Sons to Avenge Svanhild 44· Concerning the Sons of Gudrun. The Final Chapter NOTES EDDIC POEMS USED BY THE SAGA AUTHOR GLOSSARY MAPS I. The world of the Vikings (ca. IO00) 2. Migrations of the tribes central to The Saga of the Volsungs up to the death of Attila the Hun