The Old Norse literature comprises a variety of masterpieces, some of which have been well preserved to these days. These manuscripts have influenced many writers in the passing of time, most notably perhaps the works of J.R.R. Tolkien (specifically the well known ‘Lord of the Rings’ high fantasy trilogy and its predecessor, ‘The Hobbit’). Moreover,…
Leif Erikson (alternatively spelled Eriksson and known in Icelandic as Leifur heppni Eir쎭ksson, i.e. Leif the Lucky Erikson) is one of the most reputed Vikings (Norsemen) of all times. He is credited for having spotted the North American continent roughly 500 years before Columbus and as such regarded as the first European to have set…
During the Early Middle Ages, a considerable number of swords marked with the inscription ‘VLFBERHT‘ (as well as variants of it) were used in many places throughout Europe. Quite many myths and legends surround their making or creation process. These swords were wrought with such durable metal that they proved resistant to these days. Part…
Since ancient times, the dragon was an important creature and symbol associated with the Norse mythology and, later on, integrated and described in the folk tales of the Scandinavian countries. So it is that dragons were mentioned and depicted in various legends, sagas, chronicles, and skaldic poems during the High Middle Ages in both Iceland…
According to슠Landn쎡mab쎳k (a medieval manuscript detailing the Norse settlement of Iceland), Ing쎳lfur Arnarson is widely ascribed to have been one of the first permanent settlers of Iceland, alongside his wife,슠Hallveig Fr쎳쎰ad쎳ttir, and his foster brother Hj쎶rleifur Hr쎳쎰marsson. A nobleman of Norwegian descent, Ing쎳lfur (his name literally meaning ‘noble wolf’) was forced to leave early medieval…
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