1st Edition
The Sagas of Icelanders An Introduction to All Forty Sagas with Summaries
This book offers an accessible and concise introduction to the Sagas of Icelanders, perfect for both general and academic readers. Authored by a recognized expert, it immerses readers in the sagas' world, exploring their cultural and historical context. The book surveys major themes such as belief systems, family dynamics, legal matters, honor, and gender roles, elucidating Icelandic society's fundamental worldview. Covering diverse tales from the Middle Ages, the sagas depict the struggles of ordinary farmers, fierce heroes, and enigmatic women, including epic expeditions to Greenland and Vinland. The book also examines the influence of foreign literature, manuscript evidence, and dating, categorizing the sagas into three periods. Additionally, it explores their unique literary style, including paranormal elements and skaldic poetry. The final section provides concise summaries and information about the dating, manuscripts, and transmission of the 40 preserved sagas, offering a comprehensive understanding of these captivating narratives.
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SAGAS AND ÞÆTTIR
3. TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF THE GENRE
4. ICELAND’S LITERATURE IN THE MIDDLE AGES—INFLUENCE AND TASTE
5. TRANSMISSION
6. AGE
The Oldest Period
The Middle Period
The Youngest Period
7. TRADITION AND NARRATIVE
8. SAGA WRITERS AND INFORMANTS
9. ICELANDERS—NORDIC STORYTELLERS AND BOOKWORMS
10. THE HISTORICITY OF THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS
Njal’s Saga
The Sagas about the Norse Discovery of America
The Saga as a Reflection of Contemporary Times
11. STYLE AND LITERARY TECHNIQUE
12. SKALDIC POETRY
The Poetic Language
13. THE SOCIETY OF THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS
Belief and Religion
The Family
Legal Matters
Gender
Women
Unmanly Men and the Limitation of Men’s Roles
Love
Economy and Honor
The Farm
Ships
The Most Common Ship Designations
14. THE SAGAS OF ICELANDERS. A SURVEY
Bard’s Saga (Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss)
Egil’s saga (Egils saga Skalla-Grímssonar)
Eirik the Red’s Saga (Eiríks saga rauða)
Gisli Sursson’s Saga (Gísla saga Súrssonar)
Gold-Thorir’s Saga (Gull-Þóris saga)
Hen-Thorir’s Saga (Hœnsa-Þóris saga)
Killer-Glum’s Saga (Víga-Glúms saga)
Kormak’s saga (Kormáks saga)
Njal’s Saga (Brennu-Njáls saga)
Olkofri’s Saga (Ǫlkofra saga)
The Saga of Bjorn, Champion of the Hitardal People (Bjarnar saga Hítdœlakappa)
The Saga of Droplaug’s Sons (Droplaugarsona saga)
The Saga of Finnbogi the Mighty (Finnboga saga ramma)
The Saga of Grettir the Strong (Grettis saga)
The Saga of Gunnar, the Fool of Keldugnup (Gunnars saga Keldugnúpsfífls)
The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue (Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu)
The Saga of Hallfred the Troublesome Poet (Hallfreðar saga vandræðaskálds)
The Saga of Havard of Isafjord (Hávarðar saga Ísfirðings)
The Saga of Hrafnkel Frey’s Godi (Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða)
The Saga of Hord and the People of Holm (Harðar saga ok Hólmverja)
The Saga of Ref the Sly (Króka-Refs saga)
The Saga of the Confederates (Bandamanna saga)
The Saga of the Greenlanders (Grœnlendinga saga)
The Saga of the People of Eyri (Eyrbyggja saga)
The Saga of the People of Fljotsdal (Fljótsdœla saga)
The Saga of the People of Floi (Flóamanna saga)
The Saga of the People of Kjalarnes (Kjalnesinga saga)
The Saga of the People of Laxardal (Laxdœla saga)
The Saga of the People of Ljosavatn (Ljósvetninga saga)
The Saga of the People of Reykjadal and of Killer-Skuta (Reykdœla saga ok Víga-Skútu)
The Saga of the People of Svarfadardal (Svarfdœla saga)
The Saga of the People of Vatnsdal (Vatnsdœla saga)
The Saga of the People of Vopnafjord (Vápnfirðinga saga)
The Saga of the Slayings on the Heath (Heiðarvíga saga)
The Saga of the Sworn Brothers (Fóstbrœðra saga)
The Saga of Thord Menace (Þórðar saga hreðu)
The Saga of Thorstein the White (Þorsteins saga hvíta)
Thorstein Sidu-Hallson’s Saga (Þorsteins saga Síðu-Hallssonar)
Valla-Ljot’s Saga (Valla-Ljóts saga)
Viglund’s Saga (Víglundar saga)
15. LITERATURE
Original Language Editions
Manuscripts
English Translations
Secondary Literature and Further Reading
Index
Biography
Annette Lassen, associate professor at the Arnamagnæan Collection, NorS, University of Copenhagen, from 2020–22 research professor at The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, has published books and articles on Old Icelandic literature, e.g. Odin‘s Ways: A Guide to the Pagan God in Medieval Literature (Routledge 2022), the edition Hrafnagaldur Óðins / Forspjallsljóð (Viking Society for Northern Research 2011), complete translations in Danish of the Sagas of Icelanders and the legendary sagas (2014 and 2016-2019).
