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.

He had two brothers and a wife. Once upon a time, when his wife left him, he was captured by king Nidud who ordered his legs sinews cut, so he couldnt escape and was forced to forge items for the king.

For revenge, Wayland killed the king sons, fashioned jewellery from their skulls, gave it to the king as a gift, fathered a son with king's daughter and finally escaped.

Wayland has forged the sword Balmung.

He is particulary associated with Waylands'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 would be shod by morning.

Watlende which is also a Manor house in Kent.

See also: Nidud, Culture of Nericia, Balmung, Sigurd, Deor.