Waetla

Waetla is a Germanic mythological character who, depending on location, is also known as Vadi (Norse), Wada (Anglo-Saxon), Wate (Middle High German) or Wade (modern English). Few details have survived to the present day, with most of the surviving information about him coming from the Poetic Edda, Chaucer, and the Brothers Grimm. His heritage is uncertain - he is referred to as giant, dwarf, demi-god (with some parallels to both Woden and Thunor) or king - but he is always associated with water.

Family

As a widespread character, Waetla in his different guises has a number of differing family trees; however, the attributes remain virtually identical: he was born from a sea-dwelling being and an elevated being of the land, had two or three sons. Details of his wife are always sketchy, however. Below are the two most clearly defined family trees we know of:-

Norse: Born from the union of Frau Wâchilt (a sea giantess) and a king called Vilkinus (who is seen as a parallel to the Roman Smith-God Vulcan). Called Vadi and known as "King of the Finns". Gave birth to Slagfid, Egil and Völund. Wife unknown.

Angli: Son of a sea-king known as Helsing, and a nymph called Wachilda. Called Wate. Married Greipa, "daughter of the Eorl of Ydalir," and had two sons by her – Earendel and Weland. He also fostered a third son (Thetmar), whose mother was Greipa, but whose father was a Jutish king (Scyld Scefing).

Mythology

Waetla has always had a strong association with the sea, which is entirely due to his parentage. This is most obviously demonstrated in a story related by the Brothers Grimm, where he waded over the Grœnasund in Denmark, through water nine yards deep, while carrying his young son Wayland. This ability is one which is also ascribed to Thunor, and was the cause of a friendship which grew up between them. To the Angli, he was the Keeper of the Ford, and acted as both ferryman and protector. He was also a powerful warrior of the sea, and had a ship called "Guingelot" (modern English).

In Chaucer's Merchant's Tale, Waetla is alluded to as Wade:

And bet than old boef is the tendre veel... Tender veal is better than old beef... And eek thise old wydwes, God it woot, and also old widows, God knowsThey konne so muchel craft on Wades boot, They are so able to play clever tricks abroad Wade's boat,So muchel broken harm, whan that hem leste, Get up to so much mischief when it suits them,That with hem sholde I nevere lyve in reste... That I'd never have a moment's peace with them....1.209-14

It is clear that, in this context, Waetla's boat is being used as a sexual euphemism. However, it is debatable whether this single indirect reference can be taken to demonstrate fertility aspects are a part of his character.

Waetla was killed by Woden for possessing Kvasir's Blood.

References and further reading

#Branston, "The Lost Gods of England", 1957
#Chaucer, "Troilus and Criseyde"
#Ellis Davidson, H. R. "Gods and Myths of the Viking Age", 1996
#Jordsvin, "Wayland Smith", "Idunna", Fall 2004
#Poetic Edda, Völundarkviða