Study › Runes & Norse › The Aesir–Vanir War
The Aesir–Vanir War was the first war of the world, between the two families of Norse gods. Neither side could win, so they made peace and exchanged hostages, and became one company of gods.
How the war began
In the earliest age the two families of gods, the Aesir and the Vanir, fell into the first war of the world. It is said to have begun with a being called Gullveig, 'gold-greed', whom the Aesir pierced with spears and burned three times in Odin's hall — and three times she was reborn from the flames, walking the world after as the witch Heidr. Odin flung his spear over the gathered host, and open war broke out.
A war no one could win
The two sides were evenly matched: the Aesir fought with weapons and force, the Vanir with subtle magic, and each in turn broke the other's defences until neither could win. Weary of the deadlock, they made peace and exchanged hostages.
The hostages
The Vanir sent the sea-god Njord and his children Freyr and Freyja to dwell among the Aesir, who in return sent Hoenir and the wise Mimir to the Vanir. But when Hoenir proved a poor counsellor without Mimir at his side, the Vanir felt cheated, beheaded Mimir, and sent his head back to Asgard — where Odin preserved it and drew wisdom from it ever after.
The peace
As a further token of peace the gods all spat into a vat, and from that spittle was made Kvasir, wisest of beings. So the fertility magic of the Vanir joined the war-craft and rule of the Aesir, and the two became one company of gods. The war is remembered in the Voluspa and in Snorri's account.
The Vanir came from Vanaheim; read about Njord, Mimir and Kvasir.
Questions
Who won the Aesir–Vanir war?
No one. The two sides were evenly matched and made peace.
Which gods were hostages?
The Vanir sent Njord, Freyr and Freyja; the Aesir sent Hoenir and Mimir.