New Medieval Books: The Sagas of Icelanders
This book offers an introduction to the Icelandic sagas, detailing various aspects of the genre. It then provides mini-descriptions of 40 sagas, explaining their content, dating, and transmission.
50 Viking Sayings That Still Hit Hard Today
Discover 50 striking sayings from Viking-Age Icelandic sagas—expressions of Norse wit, wisdom, and worldview that still resonate today.
New Medieval Books: The Hrafnista Sagas
Translations of four legendary sagas centred on Ketil Trout of Hrafnista and his family. These tales follow heroic figures who face dragons, trolls, and other fantastical foes—stories that continued to resonate with their Icelandic descendants generations later.
New Medieval Books: Story, World and Character in the Late Íslendingasögur
The Icelandic sagas written after the year 1300 tend to get classified as being not as good as the more famous Family Sagas. However, this book explains why these ‘rogue sagas’ are also very interesting, especially their superhero characters and paranormal encounters.
New Medieval Books: Vikings, Half-Trolls and Saga-Authors
Medieval Icelanders had a deep fascination with their ancestors, a theme vividly reflected in the sagas they wrote. This book explores four sagas set in Iceland’s early days, examining how these stories were preserved and passed down through generations.
Searching for hidden medieval stories from the island of the Sagas
Hidden and forgotten traces of Iceland’s history can be found in medieval, reused parchments.
A Medieval King’s Speech on the Dangers of Drunkenness
One of its gripping moments in Sverris Saga recounts a speech Sverre delivered in 1186, addressing his followers on the dangers of overdrinking—a timeless warning wrapped in medieval drama.
Who Was the Man in the Well?
The bishop’s men plundered the king’s fortress. Then they threw a dead man into the well to poison it. Now we know more about the deceased.
Peasant Heroes and Troll Ancestors: A New Look at Icelandic Sagas
A new study by Valerie Broustin, a Scandinavian Studies expert from the University of Bonn, sheds fresh light on a lesser-known collection of Icelandic sagas. Her work on the Hrafnistumannasögur reveals a unique twist: ordinary farmers rise to heroic status, overturning traditional saga narratives that focus on kings and gods. Broustin’s findings could reshape how scholars approach this medieval literary genre.
Medieval DNA Reveals Skeleton’s Link to Norse Saga
A passage in the Sverris Saga, an 800-year-old Norse account, describes a military raid in 1197 during which a body was thrown into a well at castle in Norway. Now, a new study published in iScience has brought this tale to life, as researchers have used ancient DNA to corroborate the saga and uncover details about the so-called “Well-man.”
Icelandic Saga Now Available in English for the First Time
Medieval Icelandic literature enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate—a saga, previously inaccessible to English readers, has been translated for the first time. Even better, it’s available to read for free.
50 Viking-Age Sayings You Need to Know
Ever wondered what kinds of sayings and expressions were used in the Viking Age? The medieval sagas written in Iceland capture a wealth of intriguing phrases that offer a glimpse into Norse culture. Here, we present 50 of our favourite Viking-age sayings that reveal the wisdom and wit of the time.
Buried Alive with an Undead Corpse: A Medieval Tale of Horror
Medieval people, much like us today, loved sharing spooky stories of the dead rising and haunting the living. One such tale involves a man named Asmund, who chose to be buried alive with his deceased friend. The most terrifying aspect of this story is how the friend returned as the undead.
Explore 10 Fascinating Icelandic Sagas You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Here are ten lesser-known Icelandic sagas that offer intriguing narratives and rich historical insights.
Medievalists.net’s Featured Book: The Tale of Thorstein Staff Struck
The Medievalists.net Monthly Book Selection for April is The Tale of Thorstein Staff Struck, edited and translated by Jesse Byock and Randall Gordon.
New Medieval Books: Animal-Human Relationships in Medieval Iceland
With medieval Iceland being entirely rural, farms and their animals played a crucial role in their society. This book looks at domestic animals – horses, cattle and sheep – and how they are depicted in the sagas.
Were Icelandic Sagas Sleazy Tabloids?
While Icelandic sagas might not be written in a sensational tone, they are often filled with rumors, gossip and various love lives.
Potions and Poisons: ‘Magical’ Drinks in Medieval Norse Literature
Perceiving the ordinary or the magical as discrete separate categories is a modern way of thinking that could impede our understanding of the past.
The Famous Headdress of Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir
One of the most famous pieces of clothing in Icelandic saga literature is the headdress that appears in Laxdæla saga.
Adventures in Iceland’s Saga Country
For me, Iceland‘s landscape and the sagas are intertwined and inseparable.
UFOs in the Icelandic Sagas
The History Channel has two popular shows – Ancient Aliens and Vikings. Both are anything but historical, and yet they both challenge the viewer to rethink the ways that they approach the past. What would happen if you combined the two?
Getting a Fire Started: A Saga Guide to Dying with Style
The Icelandic sagas provide a step-by-step guide on how to die in a farmstead burning with style!
Five Examples of Saga Men Being Terrible
Almost every saga has at least one terrible sentence uttered by a man towards or about a woman. Often these are stated at the climax of the sagas, and carry a lot of meaning within them.
When Thor was a Bride
Perhaps this would make for a good script in the next Thor movie – it’s gender-bending hijinks involving Thor, Loki and the other Norse gods.
