Heimskringla: Volume 1 -- The Beginnings to Óláfr Tryggvason

by Snorri Sturluson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. ...to the islands, and ran into the same harbour, because Pentland Firth was not to be passed at that tide. When the king was informed that the earl was there, he made him be called; and when the earl came on board to speak with the king, after a few words only had passed between them, the king says the earl must allow himself to be baptized, and all the people of the country also, or he should be put to death directly; and he assured the earl he would lay waste the islands with fire and sword, if the people did not adopt Christianity. In the position the earl found himself, he preferred becoming Christian, and he and all who were with him were baptized. Afterwards the earl took an oath to the king, went into his service, and gave him his son, whose name was Hvelp (Whelp), or Hunde (Dog), as an hostage; and the king took Hvelp to Norway with him. Thereafter Olaf went out to sea to the eastward, and made the land at Morster Island, where he first touched the ground of Norway. He had high mass sung-in a tent, and afterwards on the spot a church was built. Thorer Klakka said now to the king, that the best plan for him would be not to make it known who he was, or to let any report about him get abroad; but to seek out Earl Hakon as fast as possible, and fall upon him by surprise. King Olaf did so, sailing northward day and night, when wind permitted, and did not let the people of the country know who it was that was sailing in such haste. When he came north to Agdanes, he heard that the earl was in the fjord, and was in discord with the bondes. On hearing this, Thorer saw that things were going in a very different way from what he expected; for after the battle with the Jomsborg vikings all men in Norway were the most sincere friends of the earl...

Genres: History, Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Snorri Sturluson (also spelled Snorre Sturlason) was an Icelandic historian, poet and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing. He was the author of the Prose Edda or Younger Edda, which consists of Gylfaginning ("the fooling of Gylfi"), a narrative of Norse mythology, the Skáldskaparmál, a book of poetic language, and the Háttatal, a list of verse forms. He was also the author of the Heimskringla, a history of the Norwegian kings that begins with legendary material in Ynglinga saga and moves through to early medieval Scandinavian history. For stylistic and methodological reasons, Snorri is often taken to be the author of Egils saga.

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Reviews

[Dima · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's my first quick-read, but I enjoyed it. Will return to it once there's more reading time at hand despite the tiring language/style of the translator/author.

So far I find it very useful - not so much a historic source as it is a collection of legendary kings and their entourages. Sturluson is detailed enough to provide imagery which can be quite vivid for readers acquainted enough with history of Scandinavia.

[Alejandro Teruel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather dated and stiff, possibly too literal a translation.

[Nick Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this volume up in Reykjavik as a sort of souvenir. I should say it is poorly edited, full of typos, lacking an index of table of contents, both of which would have been useful.

Probably it is best to read this in bits and pieces, saga by saga, as the stories do get a bit samey after a few Kings. But in short stretches it is fascinating if you like Vikings and early medieval Scandinavia seen through medieval, Christian eyes.

One of the things that is tricky for a modern reader is Snorri’s bland acceptance of the way his kings, notably Olaf Haraldsson (aka St Olaf, Olaf the Stout, Olaf the Fat) imposed conversion to Christianity at the point of the sword. A thing that I could not stop myself reading through the lens of Halldor Laxness’ version of Olaf the Fat from his great novel Wayward Heroes..

[Marthe Johansen]

Du vet om dette er en bok for deg eller ikke. enten er du utrolig interresert i vikingtiden og ønsker en primærkilde, eller så ønsker du en lydbok som kan gå i bakgrunnen mens du slapper av og soner ut. Om ikke en av disse to beskrivelsene er deg anbefaler jeg en annen bok.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent translation.

[Max Hultgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intressant bok, lite svårläst vid tillfällen och den håller inte läsaren på helspänn direkt. Rekommenderas om man har intresse kring ämnet

[Amalia]

Vägen mot allmänbildning

[Nadia Sollie-Ødegaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ja, dette var ikke veldig vanskelig å lese men alle de oppramsningene av hvem som er i ætt med hvem er litt slitsomt og vanskelig å holde styr på. Er mye slåssing og utdeling av landområder.

[James Violand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norse sagas written in Iceland around 1210 by Snorri Sturluson (I couldn't possibly have made up that name!). It records histories and traditions of the Norse people. Some material is gruesome, but then we're dealing with a people who hoped to die in battle!