The story of Hermod and Hadvor, known in Iceland as Sagan af Hermóði og Háðvöru, occupies a distinct place among the island’s folk narratives. Collected by folklorist Jón Árnason in the 19th century, the tale continues to intrigue with its complex blend of royal misfortune, magical curses and cunning transformation.
Origins in Icelandic storytelling
Jón Árnason, an influential figure in the study of Icelandic traditions, first published the tale between 1862 and 1864. His version relied on a manuscript penned by Sveinbjörn Guðmundsson, binding the story firmly to local oral tradition. Earlier still, a poetic interpretation called Rímur af Hermóði was composed by Eiríkur Laxdal near the end of the 1700s, signalling the enduring popularity of the tale before it ever appeared in prose.
A web of spells and secrets
Hermod and Hadvor’s story centres on a royal family thrown into disorder following the Queen’s death. The King, seeking comfort, remarries a woman found at sea. Unbeknownst to him, both his new wife and her daughter possess dangerous magical abilities. Their presence swiftly brings misfortune, as the stepmother tries to force Hermod to wed her own daughter, while concealing the true affection between Hermod and Hadvor.
Refusing the imposed marriage, Hermod is transformed by his new stepmother’s curse: by daylight he takes the form of a lion and by night returns to his human self, exiled to an isolated island. Hadvor, threatened with marriage to a monstrous suitor from the underworld, finds an unexpected ally in Olof, the Queen’s maid. Through Olof’s warnings and the intervention of supernatural forces, Hadvor acquires a series of magical objects, a rope, a guiding thread and a hunger-banishing belt, that aid her in her quest to free Hermod.
Hadvor’s journey leads her to Hermod’s cave, where her decisive action, destroying the cursed lion skin, restores him to his true form. Together, and with the help of a benevolent witch, they navigate further peril before ultimately confronting the witches at home. In a final twist, the evil Queen and her daughter are transformed into a rat and a mouse, ending the cycle of enchantment and betrayal. Hermod and Hadvor marry and eventually rule, honouring those who helped them along the way.
Legacy and classification
This narrative belongs to a broader family of European folk tales classified as type ATU 444, “Enchanted Prince Disenchanted.” It shares some elements with other Icelandic stories such as Habogi, yet its cast of changing forms, loyal accomplices and magical intervention carries a uniquely Icelandic flavour. The tale found its way into English through Andrew Lang’s inclusion in The Yellow Fairy Book, expanding its reach beyond Iceland’s shores.
