Thor, the hammer wielding, heavy drinking, occasionally crossing dressing, lightning
god of Norse mythology.
When is isn’t being an Australian Alien or having days named after him Thor enjoys
long walks on the Bifrost and battling giants with his favourite magical hammer Mjolnir.
But wait, what is Mjolnir and where did it come from.
Let’s find out.
Thor’s arch enemy is the dragon Jörmungandr.
We’ll discuss him later on but if you’d like to find out more about dragons and their
history check out this excellent video by Phrenomythic.
So our story begins with Loki shaving the golden hair of Thor’s wife, Sif. Thor obviously
not satisfied with Loki’s “it’s just a prank bro” excuse tells him that if Sif’s
hair isn’t returned then he will break every single bone in Loki’s body.
Every day.
Forever.
Loki, a big fan of his bones, pleaded with Thor and promised he would get the hair back.
He could just go down to Svartalfheim and have the dwarves whip up something.
Down in Svartalfheim Loki talks to the Sons of Ivaldi.
“Oh fancy seeing you here.
Aren’t you like the 2nd best group of craftsmen in the world.
Behind Brokkr and Eitri”.
- LOKI
While they may be great smiths the Sons weren't the brightest.
They yelled that they were in fact the best and would prove it.
Loki gave them the opportunity, there just so happens to be a smithing contest that the
gods are judging and if they made 3 treasures and presented them to the gods they could
be judged against Brokkr and Eitri.
Which would settle the question.
Oh by the way one of the treasures should be some golden hair that grows like normal
hair.
Just sayin.
Loki then went to Brokkr and Eitri.
They were a little brighter and didn’t fall for the same trick.
“Yeah we know we’re the best smiths.
But we’ll join your contest anyway.
If we win though we get the cut off your head Loki, I’m sure we could but it to better
use”
Loki agreed.
Because he knew he could just sabotage whatever the dwarves made.
Eitri went into the forge and began crafting.
Brokkr was working the bellows while Eitri forged the treasures.While Brokkr was working
a large fly (not loki cough) landed on his hand and bit down hard, blood spilled out
but Brook continued working.
They started on their second treasure and the fly bit Brokkr on the neck.
Even harder.
But again Brokkr worked away.
After finishing that treasure Eitri told Brokkr that he was going to create his masterpiece.
So Brokkr had to maintain the bellows at an exact speed, or else it would be ruined.
Loki...eh I mean the fly, panicking now, landed on Brooks eyelid while he was working the
bellows, and bit his eye.
Brokkr blinded by blood and enraged took his hand from the bellows for a single second
to try and swat the fly.
Eitri entered the bellows room and looked disappointed.
“Thanks a lot Brokkr, you had one job.
My masterpiece is now flawed.
Brilliant if i do say so myself but flawed….
What the Hel happened to you?”
- EITRI
“Well there was a...”
- BROKKR “Doesn’t matter, go to Asgard with these
treasures and bring back that Loki’s head.
I’m off to take a nap” - EITRI
Loki returned to Asgard with the dwarves and came before Odin, Thor, and Freyr.
Who were going to be the judges of the treasures.
The Sons of Ivaldi presented first.
To Odin they gave a badass spear named Gungnir.
Which when thrown would always hit its target.
Handy for a guy with one guy.
To Thor they gave golden hair that would grow like normal hair.
Which he promptly plopped on Sif’s bald head.
And to Frey they presented Skidbladnir.
A boat that could be folded up like a napkin and fit in you pocket.
Thus founding Ikea.
Brokkr then quite confidently presented his treasures.
First he gave Odin an arm ring called Draupnir.
Every ninth night this armring would spawn 8 other rings just as valuable.
To Frey he gave a giant golden boar, Gullinbursti.
A boar that was faster than any horse and whose golden bristles could light the way
on the darkest night.
Brook apologised for the next treasure, saying that it was flawed due to his mistake.
He presented it to Thor.
It was a great hammer.
But the handle was too short.
“This is Mjolnir.
This hammers is indestructible” “Uhh, I’m always breaking hammers”
“Whenever you throw it it will always return to you”
“Wooow, i’m always losing my hammers” “And it can change size on command so that
you can fit it in your pocket” “I love it, it’s the greatest treasure
i’ve ever seen.
Brook wins everybody, right?”
All the other gods agreed the it was a great treasure and would help defend against frost
giants.
Brook was declared winner and Loki had to give up his head.
Loki offered up his head but claimed that his neck was not part of the deal.
So Brokkr couldn’t cut his neck.
The other gods agreed.
Brokkr whispered in Odin’s ear
“That seems reasonable.
Go ahead” - ODIN
So instead of cutting Loki’s head off.
Brookr settled with sewing his mouth shut.
Thor’s hammer would prove invaluable when fighting against his enemies.
He used it to defend Asgard from frost giants and he will eventually use it in his final
battle against the dragon Jörmungandr during Ragnarok.
Which will be the topic of the next video if people want this series to continue.
But if you just need more mythology or dragons in your day go check out a video Phrenomythic
has made about The Origins of Dragons.
It’s an excellent video and he is a friend of the channel.
Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoyed the video.
If you have any favourite Norse myths let me know in the comments below.
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