E-Book Overview
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 вЂarchaeology’, вЂsocial institutions’ and вЂgeography and travel’ make it possible to view the literature in its wider cultural context while chapters on вЂreception’ and вЂcontinuity’ demonstrate the ways in which medieval Norse-Icelandic literature and culture overflow into the modern period.
E-Book Content
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