An Early Norse Reader

This 1928 book was intended to serve as an introduction to the study of early Norse literature in the original language.

G. N. Garmonsway (Edited by)

9781107601369, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 June 2011

162 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.23 kg

First published in 1928, this book was intended to serve as an introduction to the study of early Norse literature in the original language. The texts were chosen to present as varied a picture as possible of the life, activities and interests of the Scandinavian peoples during the Viking Age, the period of their maritime expansion; but since the book was intended for English-speaking students some prominence was given to works which have a bearing upon Anglo-Saxon literature, the history of the British Isles and the discovery of America.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. The alphabet and sounds
3. Grammar
Part I. Texts
Section 1. Prose: 1. Alfred the Great
2. Hálfdan the Black
3. King Svegðir
4. The æsir and the Vanir
5. The seath of Odin
6. Freyr
7. King Haki's funeral
8. King Aðils
9i. Böðvarr Bjarki and the troll
9ii. Skeggi
10. Starkaðr
11. Þórólfr Mostrarskegg sails to Iceland
12. Queen Auðr
13. The death of Auðr
14. Harold the fairhaired
15. Helgi the lean
16. Egill Skallagrímsson at York
17. The death of Eric Bloodaxe
18. The making of the Sonatorrek
19. Þórólfr Selggja and his cats
20. Hrafnekell and Freyr
21. Harold Greycloak
22. 'Þiðrandi whom the Goddesses slew'
23. The Norns
24. The death of Hallfreðr the satirist
25. The Norse discovery of America
26. The little völva
27. Trading in America
28. Hall of the Side and S. Michael
29. Early church building
30. Gunnarr's wedding
31. The poet's reward
32. Þóroddr 'scat-catcher'
33. Events before the Battle of Clontarf
34. The Battle of Clontarf
35. The raven banner
36i. Snorri Sturluson's authorities
36ii. Harald Hardrada and the Icelander
37. Harald Hardrada in Cleveland
38. An emigrant to Iceland
39. Tryggðamál
40. Valtari and Hildigundr
Section 2. Poetry: 41. Þrymskviða
42. A stanza of Egill Skallagrímsson
43. A riddle
Notes
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]