Viking
A Killer in the Dark
“Gisli then pulled the bedclothes off them with one hand, and with the other he plunged his spear through Thorgrim so that he stuck fast in the bed.” […]
Articles by Saxo
Britons and Celts
The Island of the Living
“When there is no hope left; when as the strength decreases they are eventually so distressed that they prefer to die in death than drag out a life of death, they get themselves finally transported in a boat to the larger island.” […]
History
One Dog to Rule Them All
“hat else are we to imagine his aim was other than to make the populace, bursting with pride, clearly understand that he was punishing their haughtiness, when they had to bow their heads in deference to a yapping animal?” […]
Human Affairs
Treacherous Love in the Medieval World
“Am I to have a husband? How can I accept him? I am no longer a virgin; I shall be a servant all my days. I never realized that things would turn out this way.” […]
Britons and Celts
A Scottish Voodoo Doll
“We were all upon our knees, and out hair about our eyes, and our hands lifted up to THE DIVELL, and our eyes steadfast looking upon him, praying, and saying words which he learned us, thrice over, for destroying of this Laird’s children, and to make his house heirless.” […]
History
How to Sacrifice a Cow, Scythian Style
“he bones burn beautifully; and the paunch easily contains all the flesh when it is stripped from the bones, so that by this plan your ox is made to boil himself, and other victims also to do the like.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Up Close With a Siege Engine
“A wooden bridge was attached to the towering machine; it reached out at a height that would enable it to be let down a little above the oak wall and thus provide easy entry into the castle for those coming across it.” […]
Human Affairs
DJ Viking Rocks the Scene
“He picked up white gloves, embroidered with gold. He struck up the tune called “Headdress Blower”, and all the headdresses flew off the women and danced above the cross-beam. The women and all the men jumped up, and not a thing there stayed still.” […]
Eastern Europe
A Chronicle of Revenge
“Olga bent over and inquired whether they found the honor to their taste. They answered that it was worse than the death of [her husband] Igor.” She then commanded that they should be buried alive, and they were thus buried.” […]
Supernatural
Reconnaissance in the Age of Magic
“Then came against him a big bull, wading out into the water and bellowing fearfully. A multitude of land-wights followed him. Away he backed from there.” […]