Volsunga Saga Summary
The Saga of the Volsungs (Völsunga saga) is a Norse legend written down in Iceland around the 13th century. It tells how the Volsungs, a royal family descended from the god Odin, rise, fight, and fall across several generations. Later, the story leads to Sigurd, the hero who slays the dragon Fafnir, and to the tale of a cursed hoard of gold.
The saga begins with the family's origins. Sigi, said to be a son of Odin, commits a crime and is driven from his homeland, but later becomes a king. His grandson is King Volsung. Volsung's parents could not have children until the gods sent them an apple; after eating it, his mother became pregnant, and Volsung was finally born six years later.
In the middle of King Volsung's hall stands a great tree, Barnstokkr, whose branches rise through the roof. On the night his daughter Signy marries King Siggeir of Gautland, a one-eyed old man who gives no name walks in, drives a sword into the tree up to the hilt, and declares that it belongs to whoever can pull it out. Then he vanishes. Guests and brothers all fail, but Sigmund, the eldest son, draws it out with ease. Siggeir offers gold for the sword, is laughed off, and secretly nurses a deep grudge. Signy warns her father that the marriage will bring disaster, but the king refuses to break his word, calling it shameful. This is where the family's tragedy begins.
Story summary
Episode 1The Sword No One Could Pull—Except Him — Sigmund's Sword (Völsunga Saga)
In the mangaOn the night of his sister Signy's wedding, a one-eyed old man drives a sword into the great tree at the heart of the hall, then vanishes. No one can pull it free, until Sigmund draws it out with ease. When the groom, King Siggeir, offers him gold for it, Sigmund laughs and turns him down. But that victory is the first step in sending his sister toward disaster.
In the original mythThe Völsunga saga opens generations before Sigmund. Sigi, said to be a son of Odin, goes hunting with Bredi, a thrall (slave) belonging to a powerful man named Skadi. Bredi kills more game than his master's guest, and Sigi, stung with jealousy, murders him and hides the body in a snowdrift. The crime comes out and Sigi is declared an outlaw, but Odin leads him out of the land and gives him warships. Through…