Disfigurement, Disability, and Dis-integration in Sturlunga saga
Disfigurement, Disability, and Dis-integration in Sturlunga saga By Lois Bragg Alvíssmál, Vol. 4 (1994 [1995]) Introduction: Near the end of Sturlunga saga, an…
The Age of the Sturlungs
The thirteenth century occupies a special place in Icelandic history.
Peace Unwoven: Transgressive Women in Old Icelandic Heroic and Mythological Literature, and in Saxo Grammaticus’ Gesta Danorum
‘To that end I have done all things, so that King Siggeir should go to his death. I have also granted so much to happen so that vengeance be brought about, that for me there is no choice of life. I shall now die with King Siggeir willingly, while I married him unwilling.’
A link with the external world: The stockfish trade in 14th-15th century Iceland
Iceland was settled mainly by Norwegian Vikings in the period c.870-c.930. Towards the end of this period, settlers established the law and the assembly system all over the island.
‘í litklæðum’ – Coloured Clothes in Medieval Scandinavian Literature and Archaeology
What do we mean by ‘coloured clothes’? Or rather, what did the saga writers mean by their term litklæði?
In royal absence: The making of an Icelandic aristocracy, 1271–1387
As Iceland became part of the Norwegian kingship 1262–1264, a new power structure in the shape of an Icelandic aristocracy appointed by the…
The Viking Sagas to be aired on BBC 4
The BBC will be airing a show examining Iceland’s medieval history this week. The Viking Sagas will first be see on Tuesday, May…
Bloodfeud and Scandinavian Mythology
Bloodfeud and Scandinavian Mythology By John Lindow Alvíssmál, Vol.4 (1994) Introduction: Medieval Iceland was hardly unique in possessing a stateless society, one in…
The Werewolf in Medieval Icelandic Literature
In northern regions much prominence is given to two kinds of shape-shifting: the ability to change into either a bear or a wolf, although the latter seems to have been more popular.
Changing Gender Relation in Medieval and Early Modern Iceland: The Role of Canon Law According to Court Case Narratives
In this paper I shall not primarily discuss this legal regulations rather give some ideas of how the law was used (and shaped on a textual level) at the local courts. Examples will be taken from several court case narrations.
Gylfaginning and Early Medieval Conversion Theory
Gylfaginning and Early Medieval Conversion Theory By Christopher Abram Saga-Book, Vol. 33 (2009) Introduction: Snorra Edda’s attitude towards pagan religion, and its possible…
Monstrosity in Old English and Old Icelandic Literature
The purpose of this thesis is to examine Old English and Old Icelandic literary examples of monstrosity from a modern theoretical perspective.
The Colour Green in Medieval Icelandic Literature: Natural, Supernatural, Symbolic?
The Colour Green in Medieval Icelandic Literature: Natural, Supernatural, Symbolic? By Anna Zanchi Paper given at the Thirteenth International Saga Conference (2006) Introduction: According…
Archaeology in Iceland: Recent Developments
Archaeology in Iceland: Recent Developments By Erin-Lee Halstad McGuire Scandinavian-Canadian Studies, Vol.16 (2005-6) Introduction: Icelandic archaeology is a dramatically different field than it…
The Hanseatic League and Hanse Towns in the Early Penetration of the North
The Hanseatic League and Hanse Towns in the Early Penetration of the North By Klaus Friedland Arctic, Vol.37:4 (1984) Introduction: The North American…
Viking weather-vane practices in medieval France
This paper discusses the apparent influence and, even, spread of Viking weather-vane practices to countries outside the Scandinavian area.
Traditional Icelandic Embroidery
An attempt will be made, however, to describe the most typical work wrought during the past centuries by Icelandic needlewomen, who, apparently taking great delight in their craft, produced embroideries intended to enhance not only the churches, but their homes and dress as well.
Translating the Poetic Edda into English
Translating the Poetic Edda into English By Carolyne Larrington Old Norse Made New: Essays on the Post-Medieval Reception of Old Norse Literature and…
Discretion and deceit: a re-examination of a military stratagem in Egils saga
Discretion and deceit: a re-examination of a military stratagem in Egils saga By Ian McDougall The Middle Ages in the Northwest: papers presented…
Female Experience and Authorial Intention in Laxdœla saga
Female Experience and Authorial Intention in Laxdœla saga By Loren Auerbach Saga Book, Vol.25 (1998) Introduction: Much has been made of Laxdœla saga…
Footnotes on Life : Marginalia in Three Medieval Icelandic Manuscripts
This project investigates what paratextual material—specifically marginalia— can tell us about the way medieval Icelandic readers felt about their books, and how they participated in the creation of the reading experience for future readers through the marks they left on the page.
THE LOCALISATION AND DATING OF MEDIEVAL ICELANDIC MANUSCRIPTS
THE LOCALISATION AND DATING OF MEDIEVAL ICELANDIC MANUSCRIPTS Karlsson, Stefan SAGA-BOOK, VOL. XXV, VIKING SOCIETY FOR NORTHERN RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, (1998–2001) Abstract As is…
Genitives and other Cases in Old Norse-Icelandic
Genitives and other Cases in Old Norse-Icelandic Norsk Lingvistisk Tidsskrift · Årgang 28 · (2010) Barðdal, Jóhanna (University of Bergen) Abstract 1 Diachronic Predictions…
Clerical Magic in Icelandic Folklore
Clerical Magic in Icelandic Folklore By Thomas B. de Mayo The Societas Magica Newsletter, Issue 23 (2010) Introduction: Iceland, which converted to Christianity only…
Vikings of Thule – Medieval MMORPG
Like Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPG)? Like the Middle Ages? On Facebook? If you said yes to all three, an online game…