Tag: vikings
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Legendary Swords: Gramr, Sköfnungr, and Grásíða
In this gathering by the hearthside, we’re sharing the stories of three legendary swords from the sagas of the medieval North: Gramr, Sköfnungr, and Grásíða! And while we do, we’re going to find them plunged into trees by a strange old man, stolen from burial mounds by Icelandic Vikings, and manhandled by a headstrong poet.…
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The Old Norse-Icelandic Calendar
This blog post will teach you how to tell time like a Viking! Well….not exactly. First of all, not all Scandinavians were Vikings, but that’s a conversation for another post (like this one). Secondly, the information that we actually do have about the Norse calendar comes from medieval Icelandic sources, hence why I constantly add…
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Farmsteads and Agriculture
In this gathering by the Hearthside, I share the history of the medieval North’s farmsteads and agriculture. While many of us flock to learn about raids, runes, and magic, this blog-post offers a refreshing look into the daily lives of the Norsefolk. Join me by the Hearthside to learn more!
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Kickstarting the Viking Age
Many people considered the coming of the #Vikings as divine punishment, but what really caused them to take the rest of #medieval Europe by storm? Find out in this #HistoryRaid:
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The Norse Homeland
What was the ‘Viking’ homeland like? What kind of environment was it? What hardships did they face? How did the land shape their society? Who lived in there? And what kind of kingdoms were there? — Join me on this Raid to explore the history of the Vikings!
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The Vikings and Their Era
Who were the Vikings? What were they really like? Were they really all violent berserks? What was their reputation? Is it true? And what was their world like? — Join me on this Raid to explore the history of the Vikings!
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Asking the Norse Gods for Things
norse-witch asked: Is it a no-no to ask the gods and goddesses for things? Such as to heal the sick and ill? That sort of thing? or would that be okay? Certainly not. There are several examples from the sagas of folk asking the gods for things (if we decided to consider them at face value,…
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Notes on Saga in Norse Mythology
Anonymous asked: Hello, dear Fjorn. You are so delightful. Are you familiar with the goddess Sága? She’s a favorite of mine, but there’s never enough solid info on her. 🤔 How does one become Odin’s favorite drinking buddy? I am likely as familiar with her as you are, since there are but few sources and references…
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A Brief Introduction to Runes
This part of the Hall contains basic information regarding five runic alphabets, which are named based on their time, place, and first six runes (futhark, futhorc, futhork, etc.). It is important to keep in mind that runes were generally meant to be written based on their sound, not just their letter equivalent. If you encounter…
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Drinking in the Medieval North
Please gather around, friends, for another anonymous wanderer has sent a request to this hall! I hate to admit that it was long ago now, but a raven once came to me bearing this message: “i’d be curious to hear from a possibly more academic side how you see drinking/alcohol playing into heathenism? i’ve heard…
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Hord and the Mound of Soti the Viking
Today is Old Yule Eve, and I have quite the story to share with you all tonight! A wanderer by the name of paganoldsoul requested that I tell stories about Odin and Yule, and so I have found one worthy of a retelling. While it may not be exactly what they had in mind, it is…
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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…
