Tag: medieval literature
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Old Norse Quotes about Smithing
Anonymous asked: Hello Fjorn! I’m wondering if there’s any quote,phrase or blessing related to fire and metalsmithing. I’d love to make a banner to put above the foundry area. Thank you very much for the knowledge you kindly share with us! *** Note: I do not have access to reliable Old Norse versions for all of these…
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Honor and Feud in Medieval Iceland: A Question about Njal’s Saga
Anonymous asked: In Njal’s Saga, on page 154 of the Robert Cook translation, Njal says it would be unjust if his sons were killed now. Why is there antipathy between them and Thrain, and why should they be killed for it? (sorry if this sounds like a stupid question) The tension between Thrain Sigfusson and the…
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Sagas: Icelanders and Style
Last week, we discussed the two saga genres of Fornaldarsögur (mythical-heroic sagas) and Konungasögur (king sagas). This week, we will be discussing the third genre of saga literature:Íslendingasögur (family sagas). This final genre actually makes up the bulk of saga literature we have. It is also the genre that is most studied for historical information, in regards to medieval…
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Sagas: Kings and Heroes
This week, we will be discussing two genres of saga literature, king and mythical-hero. I will start by discussing the genres and then I will provide summaries of a few sagas that are well known from these categories. I will avoid summaries and spoiling details, but I will discuss the most popular kings and heroes…
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Sagas: Snorri and Eddas
This week we will continue our discussion of Viking Age related literature by entering the realm of the Edda and Eddic poetry. We will start by discussing an important Icelander named Snorri Sturluson, discussing the literature that has preserved much of our mythological material. Contents: Snorri Sturluson (d. 1241) Snorri Sturluson was a prominent member of…
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Sagas: Sources
This week’s lesson begins a multi-part series on the literature pertaining to the Vikings. This is among the more important of topics to understand for those wishing to study the period. Much of the information that we know about Vikings have come from this literature (and other literature from other places). The most important thing to…
