(Used a Ukrainian news source since all the others are behind a pay wall)

Coins issued by Edward the Elder were found among other items so this could very well be from time of the Danelaw. This seems to be the largest silver treasure yet to be dug out of Danish soil.

I would like to be able to research specific Old Norse words, in order to learn how they were pronounced and how the morphology changed over time, any regional differences, and especially how they were borrowed into other languages. Without having any experience, I guess that the only way to do that is to find the word in as many different Old Norse texts as possible, whose date and location we know, and then try to compare different spelling variations and evolutions. Are there any books or corpora or tools where all information in gathered toghether, where individual words can be looked up and researched, so that I don't have to scour every text manually? Even if I had to do that, I don't know where to find scans or translitterations of such texts. The best thing, I think, would be to have a database like the University of Chicago's Ancient Greek corpus, where a lemma can be searched for and all its inflections show in the results. Also, how would you know the Old Norse word's inflections, especially for irregular or uncommon declension patterns? How do academics at universities go about it, do they have access to more advanced research tools?

Is there any evidence of wooden statues/ pendants made to honor the Gods? Is there any evidence for burned wooden pendants/ statues (eg a picture of Oðinn burned into a pendant to wear as jewellery)?

The "main story" of Norse myth is basically Odin getting the prophecy of Ragnarök and of his own death by Fenrir. So during man's time on earth, Odin would attempt to fight against the prophecy, instead of relinquishing to it. He gathers warriors and host their souls in the Halls. He instigates strife and war so there is always need for warriors. He wanders in search of more knowledge that would help him forestall or prevent Ragnarök, or at least his own death.

Basically, the Mad One's main task is to change the fate that was foretold. As if the prophecy indicated: currently, this is how it will be! But with Odin's interference and actions, he could change conditions in the present that would subvert or prevent that other future foretold. One could even suppose he did suceed, and the world didn't end so far because of his actions.

After all, Odin is no fool. He wouldn't try to fight against the prophecy if he knew the future was settled in unmovable, unchangeable stone. I think it's an interesting lesson on prophecy and fate.

EDIT: Why are people downvoting this post? Are they bitter? We are having productive discussions here, and very engaged in our polite and respectful interactions. Why is the post so downvoted then? It is clearly a good post.

Particularly but not exclusively interested in arts/craftwork, ships, and burials.

What are your favorites?

Hi everyone! I’m looking to connect with or get recommendations for a shoemaker who specializes in accurate Viking-Age and/or Early Middle Ages footwear reproductions. I’m especially interested in someone who can make quality women’s shoes and uses appropriate materials.

I’m located in the United States, so I’m ideally looking for a maker who is also based in the States. Although, I am also completely open to purchasing from someone who is able to ship to the U.S!

If you’ve personally ordered from a maker you’d recommend, or know of someone whose work is particularly good for reenactment, please feel free to comment below or send me a message. I’d love to see your recommendations!

Thanks in advance!!

I'm working on acquiring reading skills in the Scandinavian languages (currently somewhat competent in Norwegian and Danish), and it would be nice to be able to combine that with an interest in the region's history, so I'm looking for books originally written in those languages that are at least as good as what's available in English or German. Any topic goes.

The sub's wiki recommends Roesdahl's Vikingernes verden, so that's a good start. Winroth wrote his introduction in English, unfortunately. Steinsland's Norrøn religion seems to be another good one. What else would you recommend?

While writing this post, I mainly had non-fiction in mind, but I'm open to fiction as well. In that category, Bengtsson's Röde Orm and Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter are already on my list.

I recently named twin characters after the twin ravens Huginn and Muninn. The story they are part of has a genderbent version and while attempting to add the two brothers into that story, I got stuck because I wasn't able to find an only female set of twins. I've never been really good at looking things up so I'm unsure if I just accidentally missed a pair or if there aren't any female-female twin sets.

The best Old Norse word I found was "seiðskratti". I'm hoping someone can correct me on this. And I mean specifically a real person, not fictional characters in the Icelandic sagas.

Hi friends, i ask it since i notice Jörð the "Giantess"/Jottun Mother of Thor looks to be very important since Thor was one of most venerated Norse Gods, and also she is named as an important Deity (after all was the "Personification of Earth", but also didn't read she receive any veneration; was she see as part of the Æsir, (like how Leda or the Mom of Dyonisus were part of the Olympians) or was simply a "Immortal Genealogical Character" and her importante (as the "Jottun of Earth") was to emphatize the power of her son Thor?

Thomas Heebøll-Holm’s article, “When the Lamb Attacked the Lion: A Danish Attack on Engalnd in 1138?” can be found in the Journal of Medieval Military History, Volume 13 (2015). This historians arguments is where I get my question from.

The Bjarkamál preserved in book II of Gesta Danorum can be read as a miniature epic in dactylic hexameters. In spirit and structure it recalls the fall of Troy in book II of the Aeneid, presenting the doomed defence of king Rolf’s hall in Lejre and the heroic last stand of his warriors with similar grandeur.

Original translation and commentary to the third stanza :-)

Hi, I'm a HEMA practitioner and someone with some Scandinavian/Orcadian heritage.

I'm considering buying a tunic and leg wraps (I already have some linen trousers from a Viking fair).

How authentic/good quality are these:

https://grimfrost.co.uk/collections/viking-tunics-and-coats/products/viking-wool-tunic-blue?variant=46775940415820

https://grimfrost.co.uk/products/viking-leg-wraps-olive?variant=46775997595980

Will they be acceptable or get me laughed out of the camp if I eventually make the step to join an reenactment group?

Thank you!

Is anyone familiar with this translation of Þiðreks saga or Thidreks saga by Gavin Chappell? It is apparently based on the Norwegian manuscript. Is it a legit translation? On Wikipedia the only English translation it shows of the Norwegian manuscript in is by Haymes, Edward R. Garland which is out of print and copies are extremely expensive. Gavin himself seems mostly to write sci fi and sword and sorcery books but I can't find much info on this translation or his credentials.

any idea about where this motif stems from?
tried GPT but its useless
takker og bukker!
lol fucked up the title woops

Hello! I've found myself wondering how the Norse carried water on their journeys. Naturally, we have evidence: various large containers, such as the tunni barrels. However, my question is about a smaller, more personal scale.

Is there surviving evidence of waterskins being used? That is, wood, plain leather or animal bladders. Cups and mugs were carried, be it of wood or metal, but those are more for drinking, rather than storage.

We have mentions of items that could be classified as waterskins. In the Grettis saga, one is stated to be carried by a hero. I'll be directly copying the text that can be found on Project Forlǫg:

“That morning, Þorgeirr got ready to row out to sea, and two men with him, one called Hámundr, the other Brandr. Þorgeirr went first, and had on his back a leather bottle [leðrflaska] and drink therein. It was very dark, and as he walked down from the boat-stand Þorfinn ran at him, and smote him with an axe betwixt the shoulders, and the axe sank in, and the bottle squeaked, but he let go the axe, for he deemed that there would be little need of binding up, and would save himself as swiftly as might be. […] Now it is to be said of Þorgeirr, that he turned from the blow as the axe smote the bottle, nor had he any wound. […] Thereat folk made much mocking, and called Þorgeirr Bottleback, and that was his by-name ever after.“

Are there more sources for the existence of such bottles?

I have a question about the Norse creation myth: when Odin, Vili and Vé kill Ymir, should I picture them as young men, or as children? I’m not aware of any descriptions of Odin himself, only of his actions, and the mental image I have of him, is that of an old man.

I started looked list of Vanir Gods and i see in lot of places of these sub ppl say 'Vanir" was a word that was very few used outside poetic sourses, and in "day to day" probably they were Freyjr or Freyja or Oðr were seen as members of the same "family" than Odin, Thor or Heimdall

If i understand this argument, is like if hypotetically, greek poets say all the God allied to Zeus that weren't descend of Chronus & Rhea (like Helios,Selenne,Eos,Prometheus, etc) were the "Noble Titans" & Poetry say "Olympians & Noble Titans" while in religion all were members of the same godly "family"/"alliance" no?, (basically than in "normal norse religion" Freyja,Frey & their relatives were seen as part of the same "Clan/Pantheon" than Thor or Odin, simply they had a more developted genealogy than the random Jottuns Ladies that joined the Æsir no?