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INTRODUCTION.
The Northmen, before their conversion to Chris-
tianity, and as far back in time as History is able to
follow them, were the adherents of a Eeligion usually
called the AsorFaith, from the ^sir, the Gods
concerning whom it taught. This Asa-Eeligion in
its peculiar form may be considered as having
sprung into being with the Germanic race, and as
being, in its fundamental principles, inherited and
propagated by the two branches of that race—the
Norra&na and the German—so that its essential
doctrines were common to both, although in its
farther development, by each of them, it followed a
peculiar direction.
For the elucidation of the Asa-Faith in its Germanic
form, the resources, even though not wholly
insignificant, are yet difiicult to be employed, as
they are widely scattered, and have to be looked
for among much-corrupted popular legends, and in
manuscripts of the middle ages, where they are
occasionally found interpolated, and where we
should least expect to meet with them.* But in its
* Jacob Grimm's diligence and penetration have thrown new
light on this subject in his excellent work, " Deutsche Mythologie."
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