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This major survey of Old Norse-Icelandic literature and culture comprises 29 chapters written by leading scholars in the field, over a third of whom are Icelanders. At the same time, it conveys a sense of the mainland Scandinavian origins of the Icelandic people, and reflects the ongoing contact between Iceland and other countries and cultures.
The volume highlights current debates among Old Norse-Icelandic scholars specializing in different aspects of the subject. Coverage of traditional topics is complemented by material on previously neglected areas of study, such as the sagas of Icelandic bishops and the translated knights’ sagas. Chapters on †archaeology’, †social institutions’ and †geography and travel’ make it possible to view the literature in its wider cultural context while chapters on †reception’ and †continuity’ demonstrate the ways in which medieval Norse-Icelandic literature and culture overflow into the modern period.
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ß 2005 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd except for editorial material and organization ß 2005 by Rory McTurk BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JF, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of Rory McTurk to be identified as the Author of the Editorial Material in this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. First published 2005 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A companion to Old Norse-Icelandic literature and culture / edited by Rory McTurk. p. cm.—(Blackwell companions to literature and culture ; 31) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-631-23502-7 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Old Norse literature—History and criticism. 2. Iceland—Civilization. I. McTurk, Rory. II. Series. PT7113.C66 2005 839.6’09—dc22 2004018064 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Set in 11/13 pt Garamond 3 by Kolam Information Services Pvt. Ltd, Pondicherry, India Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by TJ International Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall The publisher’s policy is to use permanent paper from mills that operate a sustainable forestry policy, and which has been manufactured from pulp processed using acid-free and elementary chlorine-free practices. Furthermore, the publisher ensures that the text paper and cover board used have met acceptable environmental accreditation standards. For further information on Blackwell Publishing, visit our website: www.blackwellpublishing.com Contents Notes on Contributors Maps viii xii Introduction Rory McTurk 1 1 Archaeology of Economy and Society Orri Ve´steinsson 7 2 Christian Biography Margaret Cormack 27 3 Christian Poetry Katrina Attwood 43 4 Continuity? The Icelandic Sagas in Post-Medieval Times Jo´n Karl Helgason 64 5 Eddic Poetry Terry Gunnell 82 6 Family Sagas Ve´steinn O´lason 101 7 Geography and Travel Judith Jesch 119 8 Historical Background: Iceland 870–1400 Helgi Þorla´ksson 136 vi Contents 9 Historiography and Pseudo-History Stefanie Wu¨rth 155 10 Language Michael Barnes 173 11 Late Prose Fiction (lygiso¨gur) Matthew Driscoll 190 12 Late Secular Poetry Shaun Hughes 205 13 Laws Gudmund Sandvik and Jo´n Viðar Sigur