Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 1

From Mythical Times to c. 1035

Edited by Diana Whaley

Book cover: Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 1

Extent: 1421 pages

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

Series volume number: 1

Language: English, Norse (Old)

Hardback (Published)

(February 2013)

ISBN: 9782503518961

Price: $250.00

On back order

This volume is dedicated mainly to court poetry in praise of rulers, from the legendary Yngling kings to Olafr Haraldsson (St. Olav) and Knutr Sveinsson (Cnut the Great). Alongside formal commemoration of raids and battles there are dialogues with valkyries, lively travelogue, accounts of miracles, and freestanding stanzas capturing


Volumes 1 and 2 in the SKALD series present the large and important body of skaldic poetry preserved in sagas about the kings of Norway and other Scandinavian rulers. Vol. 1 is dedicated mainly to court poetry in praise of rulers from the legendary Yngling kings to Olafr Haraldsson (St. Olav) and Knutr Sveinsson (Cnut the Great). Alongside formal commemoration of raids and battles there are dialogues with valkyries, lively travelogue, accounts of miracles, and freestanding stanzas capturing frustrated love and moments of humour. This volume also contains the General Introduction to the series.

  • Edited by Diana Whaley