The Genre of Trolls - Doria

with their beautiful singing and polyglot proficiency, for they spoke all
languages in the world (SLS 80: 46–47).
3.2.2 The Dwelling and Possessions of the Troll
Hills or rocks are indubitably the most popular settlement sites among the
trolls, according to the narratives (Budkavlen 1924: 85; Bygdeminnen 1910: 41;
R II 305; R II 336; R II 427; SLS 65: 47; SLS 202 Sagor II, 61; SLS 280: 129;
Budkavlen 1922: 39). Sometimes their dwelling is more generally designated
as the forest, and subsequently particularized as, for example, a copper, silver
or golden forest (Nyland 1887, 19). Lakes are rare habitations, but a troll
in the parish of Kronoby resides in a swamp (R I 86: 3), and in stories of
the befouled dinner table of the trolls they live underground (Hembygden
1913: 105; SLS 65: 49).
The residence itself may be described as a large, beautiful building or a
splendid building (SLS 1, 11; SLS 22, 4; SLS 37, 6). A soldier looking for
some abducted princesses with his bird helper encountered the dwelling described
below. The narrative was recorded by K. P. Pettersson before 1890:
96
Tislút kåm dom en dág ti et stórt slott i skógin, som va úthuggi ur själfva bärge. Portarna
sto ypy o soldátn gick in o fogeln föld me.
Först kåm dom åt et rúm, som vá alt åf silfver, men som dörana stó ypy så gick dom
vidare, o kåm åt et rúm som vá alt åf gull, hva där va i e; tom gick så vidare, o kåm i et
rúm som alt glänst åf ädla stejnar bara kring väggana. (SLS 31, 146:151–152)
One day they finally came to a large castle in the forest, and it was hewn out of the living
rock. The gates were open and the soldier went in and the bird accompanied him.
First they came to a room which was entirely of silver, but as the doors were open
they continued, and came to a room which was entirely of gold, what was in it; they
continued, and came to a room in which all just glittered of gem stones along the walls.
Two other trolls also inhabited ancient castles (Nyland 1896, 129; SLS 31,
141). The gates can be made of silver and gold (SLS 137 I, 1). Some human
observers have compared the dwelling of the troll to a well-stocked shop
(Budkavlen 1924: 85), or to a manorhouse or a posh building decorated with
silver and gold (R II 175; SLS 22, 4). However, certain trolls are content
with a moss-covered hut (SLS 202 Sagor II, 28). For the curious, one record
reveals the trick to be employed in identifying the haunt of the troll:
when on rocky ground, you should stamp your feet to see whether a hollow
sound, like that produced by pounding on an empty barrel, can be heard. If
so, a troll castle is definitely situated underneath (SLS 56: 151–152).
Description of the Troll Tradition