Saga Thing

Episode 20l - Njal's Saga (Judgments)

At long last, it is time to put Njal's Saga on trial.   You've listened to the saga summary for nearly a year.  Now, find out who will take home the prestigious Best Bloodshed and Notable Witticism trophies. Discover exactly how many bodies hit the floor (give or take a few).  Learn interesting facts you never knew you needed to know, like who among the many candidates for Nicknames turns out to be related to Hamlet of Denmark.  Review the crimes of the saga's villains and consider along with the hosts who most deserves a sentence of outlawry. If you could only take one man or woman from the saga as your thingman, who would you choose and why?  Listen as John and Andy debate the question and finally select a new ally to join their formidable bands of thingmen. Is this, as many scholars agree, the very best of the Sagas of the Icelanders? Only John and Andy can decide.  Join us now for the epic judgments of Njal's Saga!

Episode 20k - Njal's Saga (Part 11)

The epic journey through Njal's Saga finally comes to an end.  In this episode, we follow Kari Solmundarson on his quest to avenge the deaths of everyone he was forced to leave behind in the burning house.  His targets are Flosi and the Burners.  With so many against him, the odds aren't in his favor.  But Kari is known throughout Iceland for his unmatched bravery and fearlessness.  His pursuit of the burners carries him from Iceland to the British Isles and then on to Rome.  Along the way, we'll take a brief detour to Ireland for a glimpse at the historic Battle of Clontarf.  Though this may be the end for our little summer saga, there's plenty here for everyone to enjoy.  In addition to the revenge, the battles, and the blood, you'll want to keep listening for the world's strangest mathematics word problem and a brief discussion on Entish naming practices.  Enjoy!
Promised References from this episode:
The Icelandic Saga Map
The Irish History Podcast - Episode 11: Brian Boru, The Battle of Clontarf, and the Aftermath
William Ian Miller's Why Is Your Axe Bloody?
Music Credits:
Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review - "Whispering" by Paul Whiteman
Episode Summary - "Satiate - Percussion" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Hrafn's Clontarf Report Poem - "Teller of Tales" 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 20j - Njal's Saga (Part 10)

 
In this, the penultimate episode in the Njal's Saga summary, we follow Flosi and the Burners as they bounce around the region seeking support for the inevitable legal case against them.  Meanwhile, a slightly singed, but recovered Kari Salmundarson prepares his own case against the burners.  And who better to help him than Thorhall Asgrimsson, the young protégé of Njal himself.  Unfortunately, Thorhall’s got a nasty infection in his leg and the case falls to Morð Valgardsson.  The threat of violence permeates the proceedings as Morð and Eyjolf trade legal barbs and try to out maneuver one another.  Will justice be served as cooler heads prevail?  Or will the hallowed site of the Alþing be desecrated with the blood of those too slow to dodge an incoming spear?  Find out as Saga Thing takes on Njal’s Saga, chapters 133-145.
This episode is full of interesting scholarly tidbits and legal minutiae.  We've also got the usual nonsense, like old movie references and bad jokes.  
Thanks to George Hook for the picture of the Althing from his trip to Iceland. This image is on the information sign for Snorri's Booth.
Music Credits:
Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review - "My Sin" by Ben Selvin and his Orchestra
Episode Summary -  Drums of the Deep 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/
 Links:
Check out The Viking Answer Lady Website for lots of fun facts about medieval Scandinavia.  
Here's her page on measurements that John references.
We've also got a select bibliography for Njal's Saga for all the books and articles we reference.

Episode 20i - Njal's Saga (Part 9)

Saga Thing returns after a not so brief holiday hiatus.  When last we left you, the settlement for the slaying of Hoskuld Thrainsson had been disrupted by insults and threats of violence.  We pick the story up as Flosi gathers his forces to surprise the Njalssons at home.  When the surprise attack is spoiled by a wishy-washy conspirator, Flosi is left with the difficult task of finishing what he started regardless of the consequences.  In this episode, we finally discover how the Saga of Burnt Njal got its name.
For an interesting read about the burning of Bergþórshváll, check out Emily Lethbridge's account of her visit to the site.
Music Credits:
Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review - Fletcher Henderson's "Down South Camp Meeting
Episode Summary -  “Despair and Triumph” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Poems - "Bittersweet" 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 20h - Njal's Saga (Part 8)

In this episode, we leave the conversion behind and get back to Njal's Saga. Tensions are running high yet again thanks to the careful plotting of your favorite villain, Morð Valgardsson.  Despite their troubled history with Morð, the Njalssons accept his friendship and quickly find themselves on the wrong side of the law.  With a major lawsuit pending and most of Iceland turning against them, the Njalssons seek help from some of Iceland’s most powerful men, including such notable figures as Guðmund the Powerful, Thorkel the Bully, and the inestimable Snorri Goði.  Will Skarpheðin lead his brothers to glory? Or will fate finally catch up with Njal and his sons?  Find out as Saga Thing takes on Njal’s Saga (again).
Music Credits:
Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Previous Episode Review -  “Don’t Be That Way” by Chick Webb Orchestra
Episode Summary -  “Hitman” 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/

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/