Note 586 — Chapter XVIII · RELIGION IN THE HEROIC AGE.

These are the three gods mentioned in the solemn oath which, according to Landnámabók, IV 7 (Hauksbók), had to be sworn on the sacred bracelet at all legal proceedings: hialpi mér svá Freyr ok Niörðr ok hinn almáttki Áss, etc. In the later Melabók (a compilation of the seventeenth century) it is suggested that Áss here means Othin; but I do not think this explanation is generally accepted. It is scarcely credible that Thor should be ignored on such an occasion.