History
The Kingsmen of Norway
“Whenever the king becomes aware of an enemy, it is these men’s duty to pursue the foeman and thus to cleanse the realm.” […]
13th Century AD
Viking
A Famous Fatality
THE SCENE: The “blood-eagle” was a legendary Viking execution method. The passage below represents one of the few instances where an actual blood eagle is described in detail. THE TEXT: Where the armies met each […]
Human Affairs
…And Your Mother Smelled of Elderberries
“But he went to the mares all the more often, and all the more closely. One of the horses was pale in color. He found it the best of all the horses, and in springtime, everyone who saw the pale mare though that she must be pregnant.” […]
Human Affairs
Medieval Fashion Questions
THE SCENE: Ok, you finally got an audience before the king. But you have a fashion problem: should you wear your cloak (mantle) or not? Fortunately, you don’t need to suffer in silence, since the […]
Human Affairs
The Manners of a Viking
“You two must be incredibly unlike,” they said, “as hideous as you are. We have never seen a maiden so beautiful, and we don’t think that she looks anything like you, because you are the greatest monstrosity.” […]
Supernatural
Lion Hacking
“You must squeal as loudly and as much like a pig as you can, because the beast can’t stand to hear that, and I know that that’s the only thing it’s afraid of. That’s its nature.” […]
Human Affairs
How to Talk to a King
“And if the king should happen to speak a few words to you which you did not catch, and you have to ask what he said, do not say “Eh?” or “What?” or make a fuss about it, but use only the word “Sire.” […]
Human Affairs
A Childhood on the Run
“He had a harp made that was so large that he put the girl Aslaug inside it, along with many precious objects of gold and silver. ” […]
Medieval Mentality
A Disagreement about Decapitation
“King Hrolf hadn’t been paying attention to their conversation, but he noticed the head flying off. King Hrolf became so angry at this that he was on the verge of attacking Asmund. He said that such a wicked and outrageous deed had been done that they would never recover from the disgrace.” […]
Human Affairs
Wholesome Pursuits for a Young Viking
“Another pleasant and useful diversion is to practice throwing with a sling both for distance and for accuracy, and with a staff sling as well as with a hand sling, and to practice throwing stone missiles.” […]