Norse mythology

Norse mythology is the legends and pagan religious belief of the Vikings. They believed that the World (Midgard = 'Middle Earth') was supported on the World Tree (Yggdrasil) and lay between Asgard (Over-Heaven, the abode of their gods) and Hel (the underworld). They believed in dragons, who hoarded gold and treasure, and the greatest of these the Midgard Serpent, encircled the world. They believed in other supernatural beings such as trolls, dwarves and elves.

The gods (Odin, Thor etc.), and their human allies would be defeated and destroyed at Ragnarok, the last battle when the Ice Giants, the Midgard Serpent and the Wolf Fenrir would destroy Asgard and Midgard. But the Vikings still thought it better to fight on the side of the gods, even with knowledge of their ultimate defeat.

Baldr

Baldr is according to Norse mythology, the second son of Odin, and the son of Frigg and died because of spear made of mistletoe made by Loki being thrown at Baldr by his blind brother upon the suggestion of Loki.

Freya

In Norse mythology, Freya (also spelled Freyja) is the love goddess. She is very beautiful and highly desirable. When the evil giants in these myths get the gods in some kind of a bind, they usually demand possession of Freya as the price of ransom. Of course, this price is always unacceptable, and some other solution to the problem must be found.

One of Freya's noteworthy attributes is her necklace, Brisingamen. She bought the necklace from four "dark elves", masters of the making of things, and she paid a very high price for it: among other things, it cost her her beloved husband.

Freya's brother is Frey, who is closely associated with the mythic history of the kings of Sweden. He is a male "love god" counterpart to his sister, and also a god of agricultural fertility.

There is an ongoing debate among people who study this mythology about whether the modern English word "Friday" was originally "Freya's Day", or if it is "Frigga's Day", named after Odin's wife.