Son of Odin and Frigg, and father of Forseti, Baldr spread goodwill and peace wherever he went, making him one of the best loved of the gods. His popularity and innate goodness attracted the ire of Loki, who plotted mischief. Baldr was tormented by nightmares, a sign of impending death, and this disturbed the gods. After much trouble, Odin determined Baldr’s fate and then took steps to prevent it. Loki intervened, however, and Baldr was killed by a branch of mistletoe thrown by his blind brother Hodr, as had been foretold. Attempts to ransom Baldr back from Hel were thwarted by Loki. Nevertheless, Baldr was expected to return after a great world catastrophe and rule a rejuvenated world. The similarity of these expectations may have aided the initial spread of Christianity among the Norse.
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