Biarce awakens
Bjarkamál 2: Translation and commentary
Saxo Grammaticus
Deep dives into the world of Gesta Danorum, Norse mythology and related subjects.
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To arms!
Bjarkamál 1: Translation and commentary
Fearing neither fire nor sword
An Old Norse poetic formula in Gesta Danorum
Spending Yule with an ettin
An excerpt from the Legendary Chronicle
The sign of victory
The situation is dire for the Danes toward the close of Bjarkamál: Grim-faced Geats have overrun the defenses of Lejre, king Rolf has fallen in suitably heroic fashion, a smile still upon his face, and dead lie heaped up like grisly barrows.
The níðstǫng in Gesta Danorum
Implement of terror, object of ridicule.
Wordplay in the story of Amleth
About a decade ago, I worked as a custodian at a castle that had been turned into a museum.
The Lay of Helga
Translation and commentary
Crested helmets and grim-faced Geats in Lejre
A spectacular gilded helmet fragment has recently been found near Lejre, proof that the crested helmets of warrior elites once thought exclusive to England and Sweden were worn in Denmark too.
A 19th century runic charm against blood-drinking worms
Evald Tang Kristensen didn’t hesitate to steal a grimoire from Erik's desk—one filled with red runes used in charms against worms. These magical formulas, thought to cure diseases caused by worms, have deep roots in Germanic tradition.