Jason Weiser· Host0:00

This week on Myths and Legends, we'll meet the maiden king who doesn't wanna get married. Well, she's not opposed to marrying, if literally all the princes she ever came into contact with would just stop trying to kidnap her or burn down her house. And we'll see that all you need in order to take control of your life are magical seeing stones that also give you superpowers. The creature this week is why you should never practice a musical instrument ever again, because the monster that watches you sleep might make you play for them. [upbeat music] This is Myths and Legends, Episode 421: Famous. This is the podcast where we tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are incredibly popular tales you might think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories that might be new to you, but are definitely worth a listen. Today's story is an interesting one. It's an Icelandic tale, but it was written much later than the usual ones we tell, around the 1300s. Also, its protagonist is not Icelandic or even Scandinavian, as far as I can tell. She's French. She's the maiden king of Paris, maiden king being a term from Scandinavian legend for a woman who rules intentionally without a male counterpart, and thus is a sole, powerful ruler of her own lands. France and the Vikings have a complicated and intertwined history,