The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún is a book containing two narrative poems and related texts composed by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was published in 2009.
The two poems that make up most of the book were probably written during the 1930s, and were inspired by the legend of Sigurd and the fall of the Niflungs in Norse mythology. Both poems are in a form of alliterative verse. Christopher Tolkien has added copious notes and commentary to the work.
Overview
The book contains two long poems: The New Lay of the Völsungs and The New Lay of Gudrún, with commentaries by Christopher Tolkien.
The book also includes two shorter, related poems in Old English and an "Introduction to the 'Elder Edda'" (based on lecture manuscripts) by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Contents
- Foreword
- Introduction
- The "Elder Edda" by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Völsungakviða en nýja ("The New Lay of the Völsungs")
- Upphaf (Beginning)
- I. Andvara-gull (Andvari's Gold)
- II. Signý
- III. Dauði Sinfjötla (The Death of Sinfjötli)
- IV. Fæddr Sigurðr (Sigurd Born)
- V. Regin (Reign)
- VI. Brynhildr (Brynhild)
- VII. Guðrún (Gudrún)
- VIII. Svikin Brynhildr (Brynhild Betrayed)
- IX. Deild (Strife)
- Commentary on Völsungskviða en nýja
- Guðrúnarkviða en nýja ("The New Lay of Gudrún")
- Commentary on Guðrúnarkviða en nýja
- Appendices
- Appendix A. A short account of the Origins of the Legend
- Appendix B. The Prophecy of the Sibyl
- Appendix C. Fragments of a heroic poem of Attila in Old English
Relation to the legendarium
While The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún is naturally not directly connected to the stories of Arda and Middle-earth, Christopher Tolkien notes a few related concepts which occur in the work:
- Wargs (p. 373, note 37)
- Ents (p. 376, note 17)
- Túrin slaying Morgoth or Ancalagon the Black in the Dagor Dagorath resembles Sigurd killing Miðgarðsormr (p. ??, "Commentary on Völsungskviða en nýja", "Upphaf")
- Manwë is compared to Odin, father of the gods. (p. ??, "Commentary on Völsungskviða en nýja", "Upphaf")
A few other concepts also found in this work, from which Tolkien likely derived material for his legendarium, are worthy of note:
- Mirkwood (pp. 131, 227-8, 372)
- Dark Elves, Light Elves, Dwarves (pp. 358–60)
Publication history and gallery
UK editions
- HarperCollins hardcover (2009), pp. 384. ISBN 0007317239
- HarperCollins hardcover with slipcase (2009), ISBN 0007317255
- HarperCollins paperback (2010), ISBN 0007317247
- HarperCollins hardcover with reversable dustjacket (2025), ISBN 978-0008737757 (box) - (Centenary set #5)
- 2010 paperback edition, 10th impression (2025)
Referencias
1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 30/05/2026.
