Trolls are immensely popular among story tellers, writers, painters, and artists today. Few creatures in the media have been as popular as the troll. So when I decided to research them I was shocked at how little information I could find about their history. Here’s what I did find.
The earliest known troll stories come from Norse legends. They mostly describe them as large, ugly and dim-witted. Most of them have a bad disposition and can have a liking for human flesh. They are thought to live in caves, near rocks or under bridges and some of them live in small groups. It’s thought that if trolls are hit by sunlight, they immediately turn to stone. Some stories say they are afraid of lightening.
The most common type of troll is referred to as Jaete, which means giant. Another type of troll includes the Huldrefolk, which is thought to be more human-like and beautiful.
There’s a place in Norway called Trold-Tindterne (troll peaks) that is full of large stones once though to be trolls that had turned to stone during a great battle.
For a creature with such a negative image, they are certainly beloved by many.
If you know anything about trolls let me know. I’d love to learn more about them!
http://access.newspaperarchive.com/SiteLoading.aspx?from=Default.aspxhttp://www.squidoo.com/troll-of-norway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll
