download - Sage's Lore Library

200 EELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN.
Jarl, at the beginning of the battle of Svoldr, had
Thor's statue on the prow of his ship, but he had it
taken down afterwards and a crucifix set up in its
stead.* The Foster-brothers' Saga mentions a chair,
which had carved upon its arms or side-posts the
image of Thor with his Hammer.f A highly-valued
wooden statue of Frey was found in a temple in
Throndheimy which King Olaf Tryggvason hewed in
pieces in the presence of the people.:]: Kjotvi the
Eich, King of AgSir, who fought against Harald
Harfagri, had a weight upon which the God Frey
was sculptured in silver. This treasure, which he
held in great veneration, fell after the battle into
the hands of King Harald, and he presented it to
his friend, the chieftain Ingemund Thorsteinsson,
who afterwards carried the image in a purse and
held it in very high esteem.§ This last-mentioned
image was probably borne as an amulet, as was
often the case, no doubt, with the gold bracteates
which are found in the burial mounds and in the
earth, having upon them the images of men and
animals, whose signification it is now impossible to
decide, and which are furnished with a clasp for
fastening to a necklace.
Images of clay or dough in human form are also
spoken of, which were privately worshiped even
after the introduction of Christianity. |
* 01. Tr. S. in rormn. S. 263, 268.
f
FostbrseSra S. 88.
i OL Tr. S. Skalh. II., 49, 50.
§ Vatnsd S. 9, 10.
I "Matbl&teSaleirbl&tgortimannBlikiaf l«iriet5a af deigi."
Anc, Laws of Norw. I, p. 883.