NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Weyland

Weyland (also spelled Wayland, Weland and Watlende) is the mythical smith-god of the Saxon immigrants into Britain. He is synonymous with the North-Germanic/Norse Volund/Volundr of the Volundarkvida/volundakvitha, a chapter in the Elder Edda.

Weyland had two brothers, Egil and Slagfidur (or Slagfinn). In one version of the myth, the three brothers lived with three Valkyries: Olrun, Alvit and Svanhvit. After nine years, the Valkyries left their lovers. Egil and Slagfidur followed, never to return. In another version, Weyland married the swan maiden Hervor, and they had a son, Heime; Hervor later left him. In both versions, his love left him with a ring; in the former myth, he forged seven hundred duplicates of this ring.

At a later point in time, he was captured in his sleep by king Nidud in Nerike who ordered him hamstrung and imprisoned on the island of Saeverstod. There he was forced to forge items for the king. Wayland's wife's ring was given to the king's daughter, Bodvild. Nidud wore Wayland's sword.

For revenge, Wayland killed the king's sons when they visited him in secret, fashioned goblets from their skulls, jewels from their eyes, and a brooch from their teeth. He sent the goblets to the king, the jewels to the queen and the brooch to the kings' daughter. When Bodvild took her ring to him to be mended, he took the ring and seduced her, fathering a son and escaping on wings he made.

Wayland forged the sword Balmung, and the armor in which Beowulf fought Grendel. In Teutonic legend he is also said to have forged a sword for his son Heime that was wielded by Miming and then by Hodur. He is sometimes said to be the ruler of the dark elves (svartalfar).

He is particularly associated with Wayland's Smithy, a burial mound in Oxfordshire. This was named by the Saxons, but this mound significantly predates them. It is from this association that the superstition came about that a horse left there overnight with a small silver coin (a groat) would be shod by morning.

Watlende is also a Manor house in Kent.

Weyland-Yutani - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1012 words)
	John Yutani, who cofounded the company with Weyland, was originally intended to appear in the film (various actors, such as Gary Busey and Peter Weller, were considered for the role) but this was dropped from the final film.
	Also, in the 2005 game Predator: Concrete Jungle, a clip at the end shows what might be Charles Bishop Weyland and a Japanese man (presumably the CEO of Yutani) celebrating the formation of their joint venture.
	Weyland is also the Anglo-Saxon form of the name of the Norse hero Völund.

Weyland-Yutani - AvP Encyclopedia (521 words)
	The corporation has consistently ordered its employees and agents to attempt to contain the xenomorph menace so that it can be exploited as a bio-weapon.
	In Alien vs. Predator, the founder of this company (then known as Weyland Industries Corporation) is shown to be John Bishop Weyland.
	The WYC is under direct management of the founders, John Weyland and Issakee Yutani, whom for several years has been dedicated to launch new technologies in the name of mankind and future biotech and robotic industries.

More results at FactBites »

COMMENTARY

Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.

See also GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

See also