COA01 - The Discovery of Iceland
- 2 minsThe Discovery of Iceland
In this episode we will be exploring the initial discovery of Iceland by Norse Sailors in the mid-800s. First - we set the stage by discussing the literary and historical legacy of Iceland and discussing why it is so important to understand the culture of the island before using the amazing works which were written there in the 1200s.
We then follow the stories told in the Landnámabók and the Íslendingabók about the discovery and initial settlement of Iceland - including storms, sworn brothers and path-finding ravens.
Finally - we conclude with a discussion of high-seat pillars and the close ties which the initial Icelandic settlers maintained with the societies and cultures from which they had emigrated.
Recommended Reading
This week’s recommended reading is The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson. I recommend this translation by Jesse Byock - but if you have a translation you prefer, please let me know!
Works Cited
Primary Sources
Sturluson, S. (2005). The Prose Edda: Norse mythology (J. L. Byock, Trans.). London: Penguin Books. Available on Amazon
The Islands in the Northern Ocean in McDonald, R. A., & Somerville, A. A. (2014). The Viking Age: A Reader. North York, Ontario: University of Toronto Press. (Chapter 66) Available on Amazon
Íslendingabók in McDonald, R. A., & Somerville, A. A. (2014). The Viking Age: A Reader. North York, Ontario: University of Toronto Press. (Chapter 70.a)Available on Amazon
Landnámabók in McDonald, R. A., & Somerville, A. A. (2014). The Viking Age: A Reader. North York, Ontario: University of Toronto Press. (Chapter 70.b) Available on Amazon
Secondary Sources
Byock, J. L. (2002). Viking Age Iceland. London: Penguin Books Ltd. Available on Amazon
Clunies Ross, M. The Creation of Old Norse Mythology in Brink, S., & Price, N. S. (n.d.). The Viking World. Available on Amazon
Gunnell, Terry. Hof, Halls, Goðar and Dwarves: An Examination of the Ritual Space in the Pagan Icelandic Hall. Available Free Online
Lönnroth, Lars. The Icelandic Sagas in Brink, S., & Price, N. S. (n.d.). The Viking World. Available on Amazon
Sigurðsson, J. V. Iceland in Brink, S., & Price, N. S. (n.d.). The Viking World. Available on Amazon
Vésteinsson, Orri. Patterns of Settlement in Iceland. A Study in Pre-History. Available Free Online
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