Saga Thing

Saga Brief 7 - The Conversion of Iceland (Part 2)

In the second part of our Saga Brief on the conversion of Iceland, we discuss the conversion tactics of King Olaf Tryggvason, the Icelanders' controversial decision at the Althing of 1000, and the effects of Christianity on Icelandic culture.  You might notice that Andy is a bit more subdued than usual in this one. He was sick during recording. 

Music: 
Intro to Saga Brief - from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur
Poem Song - Moorland by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Outro - Ólafur Liljurós

Saga Brief 6 - The Conversion of Iceland (Part 1)

In the first part of this Saga Brief, we look at the story behind the conversion of Iceland.  
Music: 
Opening -  “Rúnatal” by An Danzza with selections from History Channel's Vikings
Intro to Saga Brief - from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur
Outro - Ólafur Liljurós

Episode 20g - Njal's Saga (Part 7)

In this episode of Saga Thing, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in Iceland’s history as the fierce Thangbrand arrives on a mission from King Olaf Tryggvason to convert Iceland once and for all.  It turns out John and Andy aren't the only ones who love a good digression.  This section of the saga is book-ended by action and violence brought on by the slaying of Thrain Sigfusson, but it's mostly about Thangbrand's visit to Iceland and the resulting divide between the growing number of Christians and those who remain loyal to Odin.  This episode features its usual share of bloodshed and wit, but we've also got some blasphemous poetry for you, a bit of history, a miracle, and an important test for a berserk.  There's something for everyone!
Music Credits:
Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review - "Moten Swing" by Harry James and his Orchestra
Episode Summary - "Crusade" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and Deum Verum performed by Psallentes
Poems - "Hell edar asar" by Leiungr
Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Selections from music by Kevin MacLeod licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 20F - Njal's Saga (Part 6)

In this episode, we travel to foreign lands with Thrain Sigfusson and two of the Njalssons.  Thrain will find things easy going, but the prophecy of hard times for the Njalssons proves true. We'll also introduce you to two new players in the saga, the heroic Kari Salmundarson and the villainous Killer-Hrapp.  This episode of Saga Thing is full of adventure, intrigue, and digressions. Join John and Andy as they discuss the politics of medieval Orkney, minor deities of the Norse pantheon, and the wonders of the Icelandic landscape.  There's something here for everyone!
Music Credits:
Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review - "Begin the Beguine" by Artie Shaw
Episode Summary - "Clash Defiant" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Selections from music by Kevin MacLeod licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 20e - Njal's Saga (Part 5)

This episode of Saga Thing is all about revenge. We conclude the Gunnar section of Njal’s Saga with a look into the aftermath of our hero’s death, the vengeance he demands, and the fate of his brother, Kolskeggi.  If Njal wants to avenge his friend and secure his position in the region, he'll have to act fast.  Fortunately, he's got his son, Skarphedin, and Gunnar's son, Hogni, as willing swords.  Gunnar's ghost helps get things moving.  While we don’t cover a lot of ground in the saga this time around, we do explore some important issues that inform our reading of the first half of the saga and give us something to look for as we embark on the saga’s dark second half.  We discuss Gunnar’s pride, the ethics of Njal’s behavior, and we finally tackle the “halberd” controversy.  Hallgerð gets her fair share of our attention as well. 
Music Credits:
Intro Music - Prelude and Action by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review - "The Mooche" by Duke Ellington
Episode Summary - "Enchanted Journey" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Gunnar's Poem - Ritual by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Outro Music - Stormfront by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Selections from music by Kevin MacLeod licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 20d - Njal's Saga (Part 4)

Gunnar has been told that he will live to be anold man if he can avoid killing two men from the same bloodline and if he neverbreaks a settlement.  Achieving this is easier said than done,especially since Gunnar’s personal body count increases every time a challengerappears.  In this episode, Gunnar’spatience will be tested as Morð Valgardsson, Thorgeir Starkaðarson, andThorgeir Otkelsson plot to finish off their rival once and for all.  But will they have what it takes to bringdown Iceland’s champion?  Will Njal beable to rescue his friend once again? And will Hallgerð forgive Gunnar for the slap, or will she once againseek vengeance?  Find out in part 4 ofNjal’s Saga!
If you’re interested incontributing to ourbibliography, please contact us at sagathingpodcast@gmail.com.
If you are interested inwriting about women in Njal’s Saga or any other saga for the Medieval Congress atWestern Michigan University, submit an abstract and paper proposal form forour panel "The Second Sex: Women and Power in Old Norse-IcelandicLiterature."  Again, please use ouremail: sagathingpodcast@gmail.com
 
Music Credits
Intro Music - Prelude and Action by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under CreativeCommons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Previous Episode Review - Bert Firman Hangin’ Around
Episode Summary - Adrian von Ziegler Ótroðinn 
Outro Music - Stormfront by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under CreativeCommons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 20c - Njal's Saga (Part 3)

In the third part of Njal's Saga, we find Gunnar suffering an identity crisis after being pulled into a series of feuds.  As Njal tells him, this is the beginning of Gunnar's career in killing.  In addition to a lot of fighting, this episode also features a discussion of saga-age masculinity, cheese theft, horse fighting, and famine survival.  Yes, that's right.  I said cheese theft.  Listen and learn, people.  Listen and learn. 
Click here if you're interested in any of the bibliography we mention. Get in touch with us if you'd like to get involved in the bibliography and resource building for this or any other saga.
If you're an academic type who wants to write about women in the sagas for our panel "The Second Sex: Women and Power in Old Norse-Icelandic Literature" at the Medieval Congress at Western Michigan University, submit an abstract and paper proposal form to sagathingpodcast@gmail.com
Music Credits
Intro Music
Prelude and Action by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Previous Episode Review
Duke Ellington Orchestra - "Jubilee Stomp"
Episode Summary
Wardruna - Solringen
Outro Music
Stormfront by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 20b - Njal's Saga (Part 2)

In this episode, we introduce Gunnar Hamundarson and his wise friend Njal Thorgeirsson.  We'll follow Gunnar on a few adventures before he settles down with the lovely, but dangerous Hallgerd Hoskuldsdottir.  If you thought Hallgerd was harsh in Part 1 of our summer saga, just wait until you see what she's up to this time around.  Will the friendship of Njal and Gunnar survive the escalating violence spurred on by their wives, or will they be consumed by it and destroyed?  There's only one way to find out.  
For anyone who's interested, we've put together a select bibliography for Njal's Saga.  We have mentioned a few of these, but there's plenty more here for your perusal. Obviously, you'll need a good library to access most of these.
Music Credits:
Intro Music
Prelude and Action by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Previous Episode Review
Iron Horse by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Episode Summary
Voces Thules - Varizk ér Ok Varizk ér
Outro Music
Stormfront by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Episode 20a - Njal's Saga (Part 1)

In this first part of our epic summer saga, we introduce Njal's Saga and the initial section where marriage, gender roles, and female independence are the central themes.  We begin with the story of Hrut Herjolfsson, who leaves his bride-to-be in Iceland to fetch an inheritance in Norway.  Along the way, the handsome young Hrut finds himself more involved in the royal family than is proper.  Scandal!  After getting ensnared in the web of the Norwegian queen mother, Gunnhild, Hrut will bring home a curse that will set the whole action of Njal's Saga into motion.  We also meet Hrut's lovely and dynamic niece, Hallgerd Hoskuldsdottir, a fiercely independent woman who will play a significant role in the development of this saga. When we first meet her, we learn that she has the eyes of a thief, which never bodes well.  This episode covers Hallgerd's first two marriages, both of which involve domestic violence followed by a visit from Hallgerd's vengeful foster-father Thjostolf.  Hallgerd may be beautiful, cunning, and seductive, but she's hardly the passive female of most medieval literature.  We look forward to spending some time with her this summer and hearing how you all feel about her character.  
Don't forget to check out our blog for links to the scholarship we discuss in this episode.  

Episode 19c - The Saga of the People of Reykjadal and Killer-Skuta (Judgments)

In this fun-filled episode, John and Andy offer their
judgments on The Saga of the People of
Reykjadal and Killer-Skuta.  Listen
and learn how a leather thong can really improve your spear-throwing
distance.  It’s true.  You’ll also learn about the wonders of hearth
bread with butter and be introduced to the BCDM, our newest method for
calculating a saga’s body count.  It’s an
action packed episode with plenty of laughs and some good discussion of history
and literature.  Those of you who prefer
a steady flow of action and laughs will have to forgive us for our scholarly
tangents, but those with a genuine interest in saga literature will get what
they came here for.
For those interested in the ankyle, we recommend the
following:
“Throwing
the Greek Dory: How Effective is the Attached Ankyle at Increasing the Distance
of the Throw”
There are a number of videos featuring the use of the
ankyle/amentum.  We’ve selected the
following two as the most reasonable illustrations of the tool.
Ankyle for distance
Slo-mo ankyle
As promised, I’m
including the recipe for hearth bread that John mentions in Notable Witticism:
Thorgeir
Butter-Ring’s Bread
Ingredients
3 cups whole wheat or rye flour
2 cups white or all-purpose flour
3/4 cup steel-cut or rolled oats
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups water
 Items Needed
Baking Stone
Large Bowl
Wooden Spoon
Oven (I mean, go ahead and hearth-bake the bread if you
want to be a stickler for accuracy).
 Instructions
Mix together both kinds of flour, the oats, the salt, and
the baking soda in a large bowl.
Gradually add water while stirring with a wooden spoon
until it is stiff and difficult to stir further. NOTE: do not use an automatic
mixer for this step. Seriously, how many 10th century Icelanders do you think
had a KitchenAid?
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough (you may
want to wet or flour your hands for this step). Stop when dough is malleable
and thoroughly integrated.
Form the dough into a round or oval shape on a baking
stone and place it in the oven. NOTE: The oven is still cold at this point.
Now set the oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit (190 Celsius),
and bake for 55-70 minutes (depending on elevation and oven).
Take the bread out of the oven when it looks, you know,
bready (I’m not a cook. Also, it’s unlikely that actual 10th century
Icelanders, who cooked their bread in fire ashes or on a hearth-stone, were
overly fussy about exact timing. Eyeball it). Let it cool on a rack.
Eat the bread while it’s warm. And of course, Thorgeir
Butter-Ring recommends using plenty of butter, but I found cheese, honey, or
apple slices works fine too.