Norwegian tales as Asbjørnsen and Moe collected them: the three billy goats, the giant with no heart in his body, east of the sun and west of the moon, the boy who became rich by not being frightened. Dasent translated them in 1859 in a Norse-sounding English that has never been bettered. The introduction argues that the tales are older than Christianity in the north; the stories argue it better. Sixty plates by painters including Otto Bache and Erik Werenskiold follow the tales through fa...

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 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...

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...

Njáls saga or 'The Story of Burnt Njáll' is a 13th century Icelandic saga that describes events between 960 and 1020. It deals with the process of blood feuds in the Icelandic Commonwealth, showing how the requirements of honor could lead to minor slights spiralling into destructive and prolonged bloodshed. The principal characters are the friends Njáll Þorgeirsson, and Gunnar Hámundarson. Gunnar's wife instigates a feud that leads to the death of many characters over several decades.

A story of cyclic blood-revenge, set off by a casual overheard remark, leading to the protagonist, Gisli, becoming a fugitive from society, and eventually dying in single combat against a dozen foes. Set during the introduction of Christianity to Iceland, there are numerous details about pagan practices which are dotted through the narrative. The Gisli saga is notable for its deep psychological treatment of its lead character, who is tormented during his exile by vivid foreshadowing dreams...

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. ...

East O' the Sun and West O' the Moon is a beautifully illustrated collection of Norwegian fairy stories—including the tale of that name—by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, translated by Sir George Webbe Dasent. It is widely considered to be the best and happiest rendering of the tales that has appeared in the English language and will make a wonderful addition to any book collection.

Saga Six Pack 4 presents a sizzling sextet of Scandinavian super-sagas:In The Days of Giants - A Book of Norse Tales by Abbie Farwell Brown.Saga of Halfdan the Black by Snorri SturlusonTrue and Untrue by George Webbe DasentSaga of Sigurd the Crusader and his Brothers Eystein and Olaf by Snorri SturlusonKing Alfred's Viking - A Story of the First English Fleet by Char...

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 EVENTS described in the saga of Gisli the Soursop reach from about the year AD930 to AD980, in a time when the law of Iceland had not yet been established. Men were ruled by their conscience and Gisli, a champion of Iceland, was outlawed for murder by the Chieftain Bork at the Thorsness Thing, or Council Meeting.But besides his sentence he was doomed, even before his birth. He and his kin were under a curse, for they had kept the broken bits of "Graysteel", bit...

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...