Tag: medieval
-
Viking History: The Vendel Period (c. 550-750 CE)
In this video, we ‘conclude’ the prequel to the Viking Age by covering the Vendel Period. Dates vary, as always, but we’ll be using 550 to 750 CE. During this discussion, we’ll learn how the North quite literally rose from the ashes of the Migration Period (c. 400-550 CE). In doing so, they begin to…
-
More than You Ever Wanted to Know about a Dwarf Named Litr
After running a poll on social media and realizing that less people knew about Litr the dwarf, I decided to dig a bit too deeply (mostly to showcase medieval manuscripts and Old Norse).
-
Viking History: Wends, Balts, and Finnar
We’re wrapping up our coverage of the people inhabiting the ‘Viking Age’ North! This time we focus on the ‘side’ characters: Wends, Balts, and Sámi/Finns. As you’ll learn in the video, these groups frequently mingled with the Norse, creating complex settlements and cultural expressions. We’ll also emphasize just how much environment affects cultural development, including…
-
Viking History: Northmen, Danes, and Swedes
The ‘Viking’ homeland was more diverse than you’d think—but of course we’re going to start with the classics: Northmen (aka Norwegians), Danes, and Swedes. We’ll cover their Old Norse names, the regions where each group primarily lived, and even talk about their natural resources and how they survived/shaped their cultural identities in their respective environments…
-
Let’s Raid the Vikings
Vikings. What do you think when you hear that word? Whatever comes to mind, this video will help separate popular fantasy from historical reality.
-
Notes on Rings in Norse Legends
Anonymous asked: In one of your recent reblogs you said that “Rings worn on the finger, for example, have often played important roles in Norse legends.” Could you please explain more on that? I’ll have to scold my past self for that one. Not only did I leave the footnote for that statement lacking, but I…
-
Connecting with the (Norse) Past
m00n-st0n3-deactivated20220311 asked: Do you have any activities you would revoke to someone trying to connected to their Norse heritage? I assume you mean what activities I’d recommend? Well, to be honest, heritage (in the sense of one’s ancestry) isn’t really important to me, so I may not be the best person to ask. I know it’s…
-
Harald Fairhair: Unification and Cultural Migration
This post was originally delivered as a virtual lecture to the New York Ancient Cultures MeetUp on September 20th, 2020. It was a group effort between myself (fjörn) and Joshua Gillingham (author of The Gatewatch). Below is the transcript I used while giving my portion of the talk. As such, I don’t have any footnotes,…
-
Sources for Prayers and Offerings to Tyr
Anonymous asked: Hey Fjorn, I love your blog! I was wondering if we have any sources for the prayers or traditional offerings to Tyr? I was also wondering where you suggest to start learning about the Viking age, particularly religion. Unfortunately, we don’t have much. Based on what I know from literary evidence, which is fraught…
-
Beowulf, Part 1: “Poetically Recreating the Past.”
Behold! the first episode of our read-through of R.M. Liuzza’s translation of Beowulf! In this gathering, we discuss pages 11 through 18 of the introduction, which provides us with the knowledge that we need to responsibly read this epic poem (and medieval literature as a whole). Along the way, we highlight the following questions: how…
-
Pod-Prep: Beginning Beowulf
The votes are in, my friends! Our Thingmen over on Twitter have decided which work of medieval literature will kickstart the revival of The Fjorn’s Hall Podcast: Beowulf. Indeed, it has been decided that I will take on one of the most discussed works of medieval literature right off the bat. Prepare for (some) disappointment.…
-
Álfablót: Sacrificing to the Elves (Audio Version)
Occasionally, Viking fans and modern-day Norse pagans throw around the term álfablót (elf-sacrifice), but what does that actually involve? What is an elf-sacrifice, anyway? And what is it for? In this episode of the Fjorn’s Hall Podcast, I share a few stories from medieval sources dealing with this topic: sacrifices made to the elves. Although…
