Fire Giants and a reading list

Fire Giants and a reading list

Author: Frank Docherty February 10, 2023 Duration: 12:49

Muspelheim is a realm in Norse and Germanic mythology and is one of the Nine Worlds that make up the universe. It is located in the south and is often described as the world of fire. The name Muspelheim comes from the Old Norse words "mus" meaning "fire" and "pel" meaning "world".

In Norse and germanic mythology, Muspelheim is the land of the fire giants and was created by the primordial being, Surtr, who was said to have a flaming sword that he used to ignite the world. The realm is inhabited by fire giants, who were known for their ferocity and violence. They were often depicted as enemies of the gods, particularly during the final battle of Ragnarok, where they were said to play a major role in the destruction of the world.

Anglo-Saxon literature refers to the written works produced in England between the 5th and 11th centuries in the Old English language. It is a rich and diverse body of work that provides valuable insight into the culture, beliefs, and values of the Anglo-Saxons.

There are just a few of the many books that are available for those interested in Anglo-Saxon literature and culture. Whether you are a student, researcher, or simply a reader, there is a wealth of information available to help you explore and understand the rich heritage of the Anglo-Saxons.


Frank Docherty hosts The Wanderer, a podcast that moves through the deep forests and mead halls of early medieval England. This isn't a dry recitation of dates, but an exploration of how people thought, believed, and told stories. You’ll hear discussions on the foundational myths and local spirits that populated the Anglo-Saxon world, understanding how folklore was woven into daily life. The conversation naturally extends to the complex religious landscape, from the old gods to the coming of Christianity, and how these forces collided and merged. History provides the anchor, examining the society and events that formed the backdrop for everything else. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering layers of a rich tapestry, where a heroic poem, a pagan ritual, and a historical king might all be connected. Each episode aims to make the distant past feel tangible and relevant, exploring the wisdom and the weirdness of a foundational era. The goal is to provide a thoughtful, nuanced perspective that goes beyond the stereotypes, all while appreciating the haunting beauty of the language and ideas left behind. It’s for anyone curious about the roots of stories and the echoes of a world that still subtly shapes our own.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion
Podcast Episodes
The Anglo Saxon Sword and Shield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:35
The most famous Old English battle poem, The Battle of Maldon, commemorates a very different sort of conflict: a battle that took place in 991 during which the ealdorman of Essex, Byrhtnoth, allowed his ofermod (‘pride’…
Warriors and Valhalla [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:30
In Anglo-Saxon mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, one of the Nine Realms. It is ruled over by the god Woden, and is the destination of the souls of warriors who die in battle, known as ei…
The Anglo Saxon Huscarls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:15
Founded by nut the great, the Danish ruler of England in the early 11th century, the Huscarls were modelled upon the Joms Vikings although new research has found that the Joms Vikings weren't as disciplined as was though…
Anglo Saxon Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:04
Apart from high policy and legislation, the business of government lay with the local authority, and the local authority was the local assembly of freemen. The local unit was the tun or township, the village, the group o…
Saxnot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:19
Saxnot also appears in the Old Saxon Baptismal Vow of the 9th century alongside Woden and Thunear. "I renounce all the deeds and words of the devil, Thunear, Wōden and Saxnōt, and all those fiends that are their companio…
The Theft of Miollnir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:20
The Theft of Mjolnir Thor's Hammer Of all the strange Norse tales that survived, the theft of Mjolnir Thor's hammer must be the funniest and somehow awkward. Many questions might come to mind, like who dared to steal Mjo…
The Building of the Citadel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:49
The Fortification of Asgard A certain smith arrived at Asgard one day and offered to build the gods a high wall around their home to protect them from any who might wish them ill. The smith (certainly a giant himself) sa…
The Two wives of Ragnar Lodbrok [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:03
Ragnar Lodbrok(Old Norse Ragnarr Loðbrók, also anglicized as Ragnar Lodbrok), whose epithet means 'Hairy-breeches' or 'Shaggy-breeches', was a legendary Viking king, with Old Norse sagas, poetry, and medieval Latin sourc…
The Wolf and then the Green man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:14
The pub name “The Green Man,” then, seems to have originated in the 17th century and to have referred in its earliest forms to the leaf-covered Green Man common in 16th-century pageantry. As we've seen, Lady Raglan was d…