Download or read book Warrior and Weaver written by K. S. Barton and published by . This book was released on 2021-02-02 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Set in 10th century Sweden, at the height of the Viking age, love, revenge, betrayal, and loss bind two families together.Warrior?"Pretty" Bjorn Alfarsson loves three things: fighting, women, and his children. Bjorn cares nothing for the blood feud that has raged for years. But when Bjorn's best friend is killed by the son of their bitterest enemy, he is drawn into the long-standing feud. With the safety of his children at risk, Bjorn does whatever is necessary, but the hatred he has wrought threatens to unravel his world.Weaver? Astrid Tryggvisdottir is the daughter of a powerful jarl. What she wants most is to marry a man she loves, and to keep her loved ones safe and protected, but hers is a world fraught with hardship and danger. A blood feud, which has torn through her life, has now spilled over onto her and her brothers. Astrid is pressured to sacrifice her own happiness and marry the enemy. At stake is the safety of her family; if she chooses wrong, everyone she cares about will be in danger. It is up to her to weave the two families together.

Download or read book The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Norse Icelandic Saga written by Margaret Clunies Ross and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-10-28 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The medieval Norse-Icelandic saga is one of the most important European vernacular literary genres of the Middle Ages. This Introduction to the saga genre outlines its origins and development, its literary character, its material existence in manuscripts and printed editions, and its changing reception from the Middle Ages to the present time. Its multiple sub-genres - including family sagas, mythical-heroic sagas and sagas of knights - are described and discussed in detail, and the world of medieval Icelanders is powerfully evoked. The first general study of the Old Norse-Icelandic saga to be written in English for some decades, the Introduction is based on up-to-date scholarship and engages with current debates in the field. With suggestions for further reading, detailed information about the Icelandic literary canon, and a map of medieval Iceland, this book is aimed at students of medieval literature and assumes no prior knowledge of Scandinavian languages.

Download or read book The Sagas of the Icelanders written by Jane Smilely and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2005-02-24 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Iceland, the age of the Vikings is also known as the Saga Age. A unique body of medieval literature, the Sagas rank with the world’s great literary treasures – as epic as Homer, as deep in tragedy as Sophocles, as engagingly human as Shakespeare. Set around the turn of the last millennium, these stories depict with an astonishingly modern realism the lives and deeds of the Norse men and women who first settled in Iceland and of their descendants, who ventured farther west to Greenland and, ultimately, North America. Sailing as far from the archetypal heroic adventure as the long ships did from home, the Sagas are written with psychological intensity, peopled by characters with depth, and explore perennial human issues like love, hate, fate and freedom.

Download or read book A Companion to Old Norse Icelandic Literature and Culture written by Rory McTurk and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-03-11 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This major survey of Old Norse-Icelandic literature and culturedemonstrates the remarkable continuity of Icelandic language andculture from medieval to modern times. Comprises 29 chapters written by leading scholars in thefield Reflects current debates among Old Norse-Icelandicscholars Pays attention to previously neglected areas of study, such asthe sagas of Icelandic bishops and the fantasy sagas Looks at the ways Old Norse-Icelandic literature is used bymodern writers, artists and film directors, both within and outsideScandinavia Sets Old Norse-Icelandic language and literature in its widercultural context

Download or read book Seven Viking Romances written by and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2005-05-26 with total page 339 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Combining traditional myth, oral history and re-worked European legend to depict an ancient realm of heroism and wonder, the seven tales collected here are among the most fantastical of all the Norse romances. Powerfully inspired works of Icelandic imagination, they relate intriguing, often comical tales of famous kings, difficult gods and women of great beauty, goodness or cunning. The tales plunder a wide range of earlier literature from Homer to the French romances - as in the tale of the wandering hero Arrow-Odd, which combines several older legends, or Egil and Asmund, where the story of Odysseus and the Cyclops is skilfully adapted into a traditional Norse legend. These are among the most outrageous, delightful and exhilarating tales in all Icelandic literature.

Download or read book The Vinland Sagas written by Leifur Eiricksson and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2019-05-23 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Saga of the Greenlanders and Eirik the Red’s Saga contain the first ever descriptions of North America, a bountiful land of grapes and vines, discovered by Vikings five centuries before Christopher Columbus. Written down in the early thirteenth century, they recount the Icelandic settlement of Greenland by Eirik the Red, the chance discovery by seafaring adventurers of a mysterious new land, and Eirik’s son Leif the Lucky’s perilous voyages to explore it. Wrecked by storms, stricken by disease and plagued by navigational mishaps, some survived the North Atlantic to pass down this compelling tale of the first Europeans to talk with, trade with, and war with the Native Americans.

Download or read book Old Norse Icelandic Literature written by Carol J. Clover and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 2019-06-30 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The current revival of interest in the rich and varied literature of early Scandinavia has prompted a corresponding interest in its background: its origins, social and historical context, and relationship to other medieval literatures. Even readers with a knowledge of Old Norse and Icelandic have found these subjects difficult to pursue, however, for up-to-date reference works in any language are few and none exist in English. To fill the gap, six distinguished scholars have contributed ambitious new essays to this volume. The contributors summarize and comment on scholarly work in the major branches of the field: Eddie and skaldic poetry, family and kings' sagas, courtly writing, and mythology. Taken together, their judicious and attractively written essays-each with a full bibliography-make up the first book-length survey of Old Norse literature in English and a basic reference work that will stimulate research in these areas and help to open up the field to a wider academic readership.

Download or read book Laxdaela Saga written by Magnus Magnusson and published by Penguin. This book was released on 1969 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written around 1245 by an unknown author, the Laxdaela Saga is an extraordinary tale of conflicting kinships and passionate love, and one of the most compelling works of Icelandic literature. Covering 150 years in the lives of the inhabitants of the community of Laxriverdale, the saga focuses primarily upon the story of Gudrun Osvif's-daughter: a proud, beautiful, vain and desirable figure, who is forced into an unhappy marriage and destroys the only man she has truly loved – her husband's best friend. A moving tale of murder and sacrifice, romance and regret, the Laxdaela Saga is also a fascinating insight into an era of radical change – a time when the Age of Chivalry was at its fullest flower in continental Europe, and the Christian faith was making its impact felt upon the Viking world.

Download or read book Viking Friendship written by Jon Vidar Sigurdsson and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 2017-03-07 with total page 213 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "To a faithful friend, straight are the roads and short."—Odin, from the Hávamál (c. 1000) Friendship was the most important social bond in Iceland and Norway during the Viking Age and the early Middle Ages. Far more significantly than kinship ties, it defined relations between chieftains, and between chieftains and householders. In Viking Friendship, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson explores the various ways in which friendship tied Icelandic and Norwegian societies together, its role in power struggles and ending conflicts, and how it shaped religious beliefs and practices both before and after the introduction of Christianity. Drawing on a wide range of Icelandic sagas and other sources, Sigurðsson details how loyalties between friends were established and maintained. The key elements of Viking friendship, he shows, were protection and generosity, which was most often expressed through gift giving and feasting. In a society without institutions that could guarantee support and security, these were crucial means of structuring mutual assistance. As a political force, friendship was essential in the decentralized Free State period in Iceland’s history (from its settlement about 800 until it came under Norwegian control in the years 1262–1264) as local chieftains vied for power and peace. In Norway, where authority was more centralized, kings attempted to use friendship to secure the loyalty of their subjects. The strong reciprocal demands of Viking friendship also informed the relationship that individuals had both with the Old Norse gods and, after 1000, with Christianity’s God and saints. Addressing such other aspects as the possibility of friendship between women and the relationship between friendship and kinship, Sigurðsson concludes by tracing the decline of friendship as the fundamental social bond in Iceland as a consequence of Norwegian rule.

Download or read book The Saga of the Volsungs written by and published by Hackett Publishing. This book was released on 2017-07-31 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the translator of the bestselling Poetic Edda (Hackett, 2015) comes a gripping new rendering of two of the greatest sagas of Old Norse literature. Together the two sagas recount the story of seven generations of a single legendary heroic family and comprise our best source of traditional lore about its members—including, among others, the dragon-slayer Sigurd, Brynhild the Valkyrie, and the Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok.

Download or read book Icelanders in the Viking Age written by William R. Short and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2010-03-15 with total page 285 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Sagas of Icelanders are enduring stories from Viking-age Iceland filled with love and romance, battles and feuds, tragedy and comedy. Yet these tales are little read today, even by lovers of literature. The culture and history of the people depicted in the Sagas are often unfamiliar to the modern reader, though the audience for whom the tales were intended would have had an intimate understanding of the material. This text introduces the modern reader to the daily lives and material culture of the Vikings. Topics covered include religion, housing, social customs, the settlement of disputes, and the early history of Iceland. Issues of dispute among scholars, such as the nature of settlement and the division of land, are addressed in the text.

Download or read book The Story of Burnt Njal written by and published by . This book was released on 1905 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Thrall written by Sarah Myers and published by . This book was released on 2021-04-11 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 999 A.D., a young and naïve Rowan is taken from her family and farm in Kent by the striking and determined Viking warrior Dreki. Across oceans and foreign lands, the two bond in their time together as captor and thrall. Upon arrival in Dreki's Norse village, Rowan is gifted to the Earl and thrown into a life of slavery. Dreki, struggling with the complicated relationship with his Earl, finds himself unable to stay away from the girl who captured his heart.A story of love and duty, of mysticism and mythology, in a time when barbarians clashed with Christians, The Thrall is book one in the saga you have been waiting for.To fill the void left by historical romances such as Outlander and The Bronze Horseman, dive into a long ago age and follow Rowan as she discovers unforeseen gifts within herself on her journey to becoming a Viking.

Download or read book The Voyage of Freydis The Vinland Viking Saga Book 1 written by Tamara Goranson and published by HarperCollins UK. This book was released on 2021-07-22 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Vinland Viking Saga: Book 1 History set her fate in stone...

Download or read book Saga of the Greenlanders Erik the Red written by John Sephton and published by Good Press. This book was released on 2023-11-19 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 'Saga of the Greenlanders & Erik the Red' presents an enriching collection that weaves through the fabric of Norse exploration, combining legendary narratives with historical accounts. This anthology juxtaposes various literary styles, from the epic sagas that have shaped our understanding of Viking expeditions to the detailed annals recounting daily lives in harsh, uncharted territories. Its significance lies in the compilation of works that offer a panoramic view of Norse culture and exploration, with pieces that stand out for their depth in exploring the trials and resilience of these early adventurers. The range of literary styles serves as a testament to the diversity and complexity of the Norse literary tradition, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of its thematic richness and historical depth. John Sephton and Arthur Middleton Reeves, the editors and translators of this collection, bring together their scholarly expertise and deep appreciation for Norse literature. Their backgrounds in medieval studies and Norse traditions lend a critical eye to the selection, ensuring a cohesive blend of narratives that truly embody the spirit of Norse exploration. This anthology aligns with significant cultural and literary movements by highlighting the sagas' contributions to our understanding of pre-modern European narratives, reflecting on themes of exploration, survival, and the human spirit. 'Readers looking to immerse themselves in the saga tradition of the Norse will find 'Saga of the Greenlanders & Erik the Red' an indispensable collection. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the narratives that have captivated scholars and enthusiasts alike, providing a window into the Viking age's societal values, beliefs, and worldviews. This anthology is not just a historical or literary journey; it is an invitation to experience the breadth of Norse culture through the eyes of its people, making it an essential read for anyone interested in medieval literature, exploration narratives, or the saga tradition itself.

Download or read book Saga Land written by Richard Fidler and published by HarperCollins Australia. This book was released on 2017-11-01 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'I adored this book - a wondrous compendium of Iceland's best sagas' - Hannah Kent A new friendship. An unforgettable journey. A beautiful and bloody history. This is Iceland as you've never read it before ... Broadcaster Richard Fidler and author Kári Gíslason are good friends. They share a deep attachment to the sagas of Iceland - the true stories of the first Viking families who settled on that remote island in the Middle Ages.These are tales of blood feuds, of dangerous women, and people who are compelled to kill the ones they love the most. The sagas are among the greatest stories ever written, but the identity of their authors is largely unknown. Together, Richard and Kári travel across Iceland, to the places where the sagas unfolded a thousand years ago. They cross fields, streams and fjords to immerse themselves in the folklore of this fiercely beautiful island. And there is another mission: to resolve a longstanding family mystery - a gift from Kari's Icelandic father that might connect him to the greatest of the saga authors.

Download or read book Egil the Viking Poet written by Laurence de Looze and published by University of Toronto Press. This book was released on 2016-01-28 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Egil, the Viking Poet focuses on one of the best-known Icelandic sagas, that of the extraordinary hero Egil Skallagrimsson. Descended from a lineage of trolls, shape-shifters, and warriors, Egil’s transformation from a precocious and murderous child into a raider, mercenary, litigant, landholder, and poet epitomizes the many facets of Viking legend. The contributors to this collection of essays approach Egil’s story from a variety of perspectives, including psychology, philology, network theory, social history, and literary theory. Strikingly original, their essays will appeal not only to dedicated students of Old Norse-Icelandic literature but also to those working in the fields of Viking studies, comparative ethnology, and folklore.