Sagas are stories mostly about ancient Nordic and Germanic history, early Viking voyages, the battles that took place during the voyages and migration to Iceland and of feuds between Icelandic families. They were written in the Old Norse language, mainly in Iceland. Kings' sagas are of the lives of Scandinavian kings. They were composed in the 12th to 14th centuries. The Icelanders' sagas, a.k.a. Family Sagas, are stories of real events, passed in oral form till they eventually were record...

Meet gullible trolls, enterprising princesses and nefarious wizards in this treasury of 25 Norse fairy tales.Collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe in the 19th century, these Norwegian stories are described by Jacob Grimm as "surpassing nearly all others." They include such well-loved tales as 'The Three Billy Goat's Gruff' and 'Taming the Shrew' and open a window into the beautiful landscapes of Norway.These funny and fantastical stories wil...

The Story of Burnt Njal is a thirteenth-century Icelandic saga that describes events between 960 and 1020. The saga deals with a process of blood feuds in the Icelandic Commonwealth, showing how the requirements of honor could lead to minor slights spiraling into destructive and prolonged bloodshed. Insults where a character's manhood is called into question are especially prominent and may reflect an author critical of an overly restrictive ideal of masculinity. Another characteristic of ...

This is a volume of 59 Scandinavian folk tales collected over time by Asbjörnsen and Moe and translated into English by Sir George Webbe-Dasent. This is not a volume of Norse mythology per se; so if you are looking for tales of Odin, Thor, Loki, etc., we would refer you to a volume entitled The Children of Odin. Rather, this volume is more fairy and far less Viking in nature. This is an anthology of 59 Norse-themed folk and fairy tales, similar to those collected by the G...

The 'Norse Sagas' anthology presents an enthralling exploration of medieval Scandinavian literature, bringing together a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and histories that have profoundly influenced the realm of storytelling. This collection encapsulates the dramatic and often tumultuous narratives characteristic of Norse mythology and heroic sagas, ranging from epic battles and familial conflicts to journeys across mystical landscapes. Each saga, including standout pieces from the Poetic...

The Collected Norse Sagas captures the sweeping breadth and captivating depth of Norse mythology and legend. This anthology delves into themes of heroism, destiny, and the interplay between humanity and the divine, capturing the essence of a fantastical world filled with gods, giants, and legendary sea voyages. Spanning varied literary styles, from the heroic epic to poignant elegies, the collection is deeply rooted in the medieval Scandinavian tradition. Readers are treated to a diverse a...

The collection includes various traditional stories from Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore, featuring tales of gods, heroes, giants, trolls, and other mythical creatures. These narratives often reflect the cultural heritage and beliefs of the Nordic people, offering readers insights into the rich oral tradition of the region.Sir George Webbe Dasent's translation of "Popular Tales from the Norse" is celebrated for its accessibility and readability, capturing the essence and charm of...

THE first edition of these Tales being exhausted, and a demand having arisen for a second, the Translator has thought it right to add thirteen tales, which complete the translation of MM. Asbjörnsen and Moe's Collection, and to strengthen the Introduction by working in some new matter, and by working out some points which were only slightly sketched in the first edition. The favour with which the book was welcomed makes it almost a duty to say a word here on the many kind and able notices ...

ONCE on a time there were two brothers; one was called True, and the other Untrue. True was always upright and good towards all, but Untrue was bad and full of lies, so that no one could believe what he said. Their mother was a widow, and hadn’t much to live on; so when her sons had grown up, she was forced to send them away that they might earn their bread in the world. Each got a little scrip with some food in it, and then they went their way. Now, when they had walked till evening, they...

Sir George Webbe Dasent (1817-1896), Doctor of Civil Law, was a British lawyer, translator of folk tales and contributor to The Times.He was educated at Westminster School, King's College London, and Oxford University, where he befriended classmate John Thadeus Delane, future editor of The Times. After graduating from university in 1840 with a degree in Classical literature, he was appointed secretary to Thomas Cartwright on a diplomatic post in Stockholm, Sweden. ...

The Collected Norse Sagas offers an exhilarating foray into the mythic and historical terrain of medieval Scandinavia, encapsulating the vivid dynamism and profound narrative depth of Norse literary tradition. This volume encompasses a varied range of styles from legendary to historical sagas, each contributing its own voice to the rich tapestry of Norse lore. Through a tapestry of battles, voyages, and supernatural encounters, these sagas present a panoramic view of the culture and belief...

Norse Legends gathers the mythic and heroic imagination of medieval Scandinavia into a compact yet resonant collection, spanning creation myths, divine rivalries, prophetic visions, and tragic feats of legendary heroes. Its materials range from stark, allusive verse rooted in oral tradition to lucid prose retellings that systematize a complex pagan cosmos. Episodes concerning Odin's restless search for wisdom, Thor's contests with giants, Loki's disruptive cunning, and the shadow of Ragnar...