Tag: History
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Gift-Giving in the Medieval North
Gather around, friends; the fire is still warm and lively! One night, a fair bit ago now, a raven flew into my hall bearing an interesting question from an anonymous wanderer. It has particular relevance to this gift-giving season (Jól (Yule/Christmas) for some), which is quickly approaching us. Allow me to share the question with…
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Old Norse 1.1
Please gather around and join me by the hearth if you wish to learn more about the Old Tongue! The theme of our current festivities shall be “Njáll hét maðr…”, which will be concerned with how great heroes are introduced in the sagas! During our next few gatherings, we will learn more about this theme,…
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No Runestones in Iceland?
genericlifeform-blog asked: I’m fairly new to the Vikings (it all started with an icelandic geology obsession) and found a short but interesting article about runestones. Shortly after I tried to find out more about runestones placed in iceland and had to learn to my disappointment that there are none. Now to my question which is I…
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Old Norse Preface
Preface Introducing the Language “The term ‘Old Norse’ has been used in various ways. For some it is a broad concept covering the language of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, as well as Iceland and the other Scandinavian colonies, throughout the Viking Age (c. 750–1050) and the early and high Middle Ages (c. 1050–1350). At the…
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Snorri Sturluson: Keeping the Old Alive with the New
ruimtetijd asked: Hello, vinur minn! (I’m learning haha!) I have a question I’ve been thinking about since I’ve started reading the Poetic Edda, and delving into the stories. To what extent do you think Snorri’s Christian background influenced his writings? Obviously, there are many parallels, and many of these parallels occur in many, many religions…
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Sources on the Christianization of the Medieval North
gospel-of-yggdrasil-deactivated asked: Greetings, I am searching for sources exploring the slow process of Christianization of the north lands and the resulting unique brand of Christianity; can you recommend any resources? Thanks-in-advance I deeply apologize for the length of time that I have made you wait for this response. May your patience be thanked and rewarded. I…
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The Old Gods and the New: Sitting on the Spiritual Fence
Anonymous asked: Hi Fjorn! I saw your response the other day to the anon over at asatrucommunity who asked about the intersection between Christian and Norse gods, and how some of this intermingled. It sounds fascinating because I always assumed the two were diametrically opposed. Could you give me any historical examples or reference points…
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Old Norse Words for Warriors
ajax-odinson asked: Hey Fjorn! I love your work here. I’m curious about the Old Norse word for “warrior.” It seems there might be some debate between words like “drengr” and “rekkr” and others. Going along with this, what about the word for “army” or “war-band?” I have found “herlidh” and “hirdh” but I am unsure. Thank…
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A List of Old Norse Sagas and Eddas
historicaltimessoldier asked: Can you say how many sagas and eddas are there? And the name of these? I have done my best to list as many sagas as I could, but I am certain that I have not included them all. There are easily over 150 sagas to consider, and that is when we do not include…
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Vikings in the East: Rús and Slavs
THE TALE OF VIKINGS IN THE EAST is dominated by the Swedes, who took to their sails with a slightly difference tune than their brethren in the West. Before we saw plunder, settlement, and breaths of conquest in the West with the Danes and the Norwegians, but here we shall see ‘Vikings’ primarily trading and providing…
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Spears, Groves, and Hanged Men: A Discussion of Historical Sacrifices to Odin
Anonymous asked: “Greetings brother, what do you know about sacrifices for odin? Are there sources directing to That?” There are indeed many sources that speak of sacrifices to Odin. In fact, I would argue that his sacrifices are the most famous, at least among the Norse gods. I will tell you what I know, but…
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Thoughts on Old Norse Words Ergi/Argr
Anonymous asked: thank you so much for the help! Do you think one can identify as ergi/argr as a gender? I know you said it was used as an insult but to reclaim it and use it as your own. Anyway I would love to hear more about your thoughts and views on things, if…
