Wayland the Smith | Weird, Vengeful Elf or Ancient Crippled God?

Wayland the Smith | Tracking the Crippled God.
Welcome back to another episode of Deity Tracker, where we will be telling the story of the Anglo Saxon figure of Weyland, or Volund as he is called in the Norse Sagas and the associated folklore and mythology of this Master Craftsman.
The journey begins with Weyland’s Smithy Long Barrow up on the Ridgeway, an ancient Neolithic site shrouded in myth and magic. Dubbed 'Britain's Oldest Road', the Ridgeway has many ancient sacred sites also revered by contemporary pagans.
Local Legend has it the invisible smith will shod your horse if you leave a silver coin...
Then I will tell the story of Weyland, a renowned figure in Norse mythology, famed for his unmatched skill in metalworking. Betrayed and crippled by a king, Weyland’s story is one of cunning revenge and resilience.
But Weyland’s story extends beyond Norse tales. In the “mythological labyrinth,” we’ll explore how this archetype of the wounded smith appears in various cultures. Discover parallels with Vulcan of Roman lore, the Greek craftsman Daedalus, and Hephaestus, the Olympian god of fire and forge.
We’ll also delve into archaeological and literary connections, ancient and modern, such as the heroic Beowulf, Marvel Comic's Iron Man, and the enigmatic Franks Casket.
These stories reflect the enduring legacy of the master craftsman archetype across different times and cultures.
Trigger warning: This story includes themes of murder, torture, rape, hamstringing, betrayal, bereavement and revenge.
My name is Oliver Lavery, and I'm the Story Crow. Thanks for watching