Tag: vikings
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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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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…
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Genderfluid in Norse Mythology
Anonymous asked: hi! I’m a follower of the asatro and I identify as genderqueer. I wondered if you know anything about a third gender/transgender/intersex in old norse/asatro/norse paganism or the like? I’m desperately trying to find something I can relate to and thought I’d ask you. thanks! There are several examples in Norse mythology in which…
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Notes on the Ylfings
justanotherelf-deactivated20200 asked: Hi Fjörn, the other day I was reading the annotated elder edda I have, and I came up to a note that said that Ylfings are asome kind of a “wolf clan”. I thought that wolves were seeing as (sort of) evil in the scandinavian tradition. The thing is that in my family’s coat…
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Notes on Gullveig
cargopantsman asked: Figured this might be a bit specific for the Althing, so I’d throw this in an ask. I hope you, or anyone you know, have some spare words or resources on the Gullveig figure from Völuspá. Most of what I’ve found follows the “vague feminine entity = Freya” trend which seems unfulfilling and doesn’t…
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Notes on the Norns
Anonymous asked: Could you share some information about the norns and the threads of fate? I normally leave my fate in the hands of the Gods and I’m now curious about the sisters. There are three norns who dwell beneath the world tree, Yggdrasil, and they are the most famous: Urðr (Fate), Verðandi (Being), and Skuld (Necessity).(1) There are others, however, and they…
