Wayland Smith: a Dissertation on a Tradition of the Middle Ages

Wayland Smith: A Dissertation On A Tradition Of The Middle Ages by Georges-Bernard Depping and Francisque Michel. This scholarly study traces the legendary figure of Wayland Smith across Norse, English, German, and French traditions, examining how a medieval myth about a master smith evolved from Icelandic Edda poems (Volund) through Beowulf-era references and German Dietrich legends into chivalric romances. The editors compile islandic, Anglo-Saxon, English, German, and French texts, including the Velundr-Guida and related ballads, and situate Wayland within broader mythological contexts, including connections to Dedalus and Vulcan/Daedalus. The volume discusses how the Wayland narrative shifts from raw saga to refined epic, and how its motifs—maimed master, magical weapons, dwarf-lore, and revenge—recurs in various cultures. An appendix features the Velundar Quida chant in Icelandic and English and clarifies the ties among diverse sources. Original French publication in 1833; English translation appeared in 1847.