Saga Thing

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