Baldur of the Aesir tribe was the loveliest and most beloved of all the gods of the Norse pantheon. Baldur exuded charm, and was so physically beautiful that he gave off light. He was also described as the wisest of all the gods. As an arbiter of disputes, he settled feuds among gods and men.

Baldur’s death as a result of Loki’s treachery was one of the central stories of Norse mythology. Universally lamented by the gods and by (most of) humanity, Baldur’s demise precipitated Loki’s imprisonment and helped set in motion the events of Ragnarök, the end of days.

Norway never recovered fully from Loki’s treachery. Even today, what he did is compared to what Vidkun Quisling did during World War II.