essay

From sagas to society: the case of HEIMSKRINGLA

from sagas to society : comparative approaches to early icelandEnfield Lock, Middlesex, Uk • Published In 1992 • Pages: 61-75

By: Bagge, Sverre.

Abstract
For many years the Icelandic sagas were largely foresaken as a factual source of information on early Iceland, in favor of skaldic poetry, archaeological evidence, and written laws and diplomas representative of this period. In essence, the sagas seem to have been considered more in the light of semi-fictionalized accounts of Icelandic history by many scholars and historians. This article attempts to encourage scholars to use the sagas once more as a source of cultural data, but in a new and more fruitful way (explained in the text). Although the present study deals mainly with Snorri Sturluson's 'Heimskringla', the ideas expressed in its pages are also considered relevant to other sagas as well. 'Heimskringla' was written around 1230 A.D. and traces the Norwegian kings from their mythical origin until immediately before the emergence of Sverrir Sigurðarson, the founder of the reigning dynasty of Snorri's lifetime (p. 62).
Subjects
Reviews and critiques
Verbal arts
Ingroup antagonisms
Humanistic studies
culture
Early Icelanders
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
Europe
Sub Region
Scandinavia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Historian
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2002
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
ninth-thirteenth centuries
Coverage Place
general Iceland
Notes
Sverre Bagge
For bibliographical references see document 10: [Gísli Pálsson]
LCCN
93150093
LCSH
Icelanders