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The Viking World
Relating archaeological discoveries to early Scandinavian and Icelandic literature, Simpson explores Norse culture in detail, placing emphasis on Viking art, literature, and daily life
192 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1980
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About the author
Jacqueline Simpson
40 books27 followersDr. Jacqueline Simpson (born 1930) is a United Kingdom researcher and author on folklore and legend.
She studied English Literature and Medieval Icelandic at Bedford College, University of London. Dr. Simpson has been, at various times, Editor, Secretary, and President of the Folklore Society. She was awarded the Society's Coote Lake Research Medal in 2008. In 2010 she was appointed Visiting Professor of Folklore at the Sussex Centre of Folklore, Fairy Tales and Fantasy at the University of Chichester, West Sussex. She has a particular interest in local legends (as opposed to international fairytales), and has published collections of this genre from Iceland, Scandinavia in general, and England (the latter in collaboration with the late Jennifer Westwood). She has also written on the folklore of various English regions, and was co-author with Steve Roud of the Penguin Dictionary of English Folklore. She lives in West Sussex, England.
She has been a point of reference for Terry Pratchett since he met her at a book signing in 1997. Pratchett, who was then researching his novel Carpe Jugulum, was asking everyone in the queue how many magpie rhymes they knew; and whilst most people gave one answer – the theme from the TV series Magpie – Simpson stated that she knew "about nineteen". This encounter eventually led to collaboration.
She studied English Literature and Medieval Icelandic at Bedford College, University of London. Dr. Simpson has been, at various times, Editor, Secretary, and President of the Folklore Society. She was awarded the Society's Coote Lake Research Medal in 2008. In 2010 she was appointed Visiting Professor of Folklore at the Sussex Centre of Folklore, Fairy Tales and Fantasy at the University of Chichester, West Sussex. She has a particular interest in local legends (as opposed to international fairytales), and has published collections of this genre from Iceland, Scandinavia in general, and England (the latter in collaboration with the late Jennifer Westwood). She has also written on the folklore of various English regions, and was co-author with Steve Roud of the Penguin Dictionary of English Folklore. She lives in West Sussex, England.
She has been a point of reference for Terry Pratchett since he met her at a book signing in 1997. Pratchett, who was then researching his novel Carpe Jugulum, was asking everyone in the queue how many magpie rhymes they knew; and whilst most people gave one answer – the theme from the TV series Magpie – Simpson stated that she knew "about nineteen". This encounter eventually led to collaboration.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 29, 2017
This is a great introductory reference. The chapters are separated into different aspects of daily life, and there are lots of nice illustrations. Because this is an older book, I think we have more information now. I feel like in more recent works, I've seen authors treat Ibn Fadlan's account with some hesitation (was he sensationalizing?), but this book uses his information often as a reliable source. Obviously, since I wasn't there, I can't say what the truth is. Still, this is a great comprehensive overview and introduction to viking life!
July 28, 2021
This is a solid introduction to Icelandic Archaeology. For a complete review, check out this episode of the book review podcast "From the Archives": https://anchor.fm/anthropologyarchive....
December 6, 2009
A decent introduction to daily life in the Viking Age. Organized into chapters like "The Family and Society," and "Games, Art, and Poetry," so you can dip in and easily pick out tidbits. Also entertaining and readable enough for a perusal. Doesn't go deeply into any of its subjects, this is an introduction, but orients the reader for future research.
July 20, 2014
Very informative!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews