Historic Context pt.2

For my historic context, I have focused down on Iceland and Icelandic Settlement during the Viking Age.

Norsemen settled in Iceland around 870 - 930 CE, though these specific dates change depending on what source text you look at. At the time, the Norse people worshipped gods whom they called æsir. This is why tales and stories Norse mythology is so widely documented in old Icelandic texts.

The names of those who first settled in Iceland are named in The Book of Settlements (Landnámabók). Their landholdings also are described, down to topolographical details. Also described are the names of the first settlers descendants, their occupations and why there was old divisions of quarters (North, East, South, and West).

Further reading into Viking settlement and connections to Norse mythology:

The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings by Peter Sawyer

- Follows the traces of Vikings through archaeology; detailing their communities, settlements and local culture.

- Why they did certain things throughout history.

- Good visual references and further reading sources.

The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturlson

- The best known source of literature and most extensive source of mythology.

- Translated from Old Icelandic.

- Inspired the work of Tolkien for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

- Tells the tales of specific myths and legends.

- Combines the works of Snorri's Prose Edda and other translations, the Poetic Edda and A Dictionary of Northern Mythology.

The Saga of Icelanders

- Depicts, with modern realism, the lives and deeds of the norse men and women who first settled in Iceland and their decendants who travelled further West.

- Is compared to the world's great literary treasures of Homer and Shakespeare.

For my project, I want to combine stories of real people with their mythological beliefs. For example, norse men and women navigating to Iceland. To navigate on ships, they use the position of the sun and stars, the colour of the sea, the way the wind was blowing, birds and the smell of the land. But how were they first created according to mythology?

These stories come from Snorri's Prose Edda:

The Creation of the Sea

When the first frost giant (Ymir) was killed by the son of the son of the giant cow that norished him, his blood created floods that nearly wiped out his entire frost giant race. His body was moved to the middle of the void (Ginnungagap) and then the world was created from him. His blood made the seas and lakes. His flesh made the earth. Gravel and stones were made from his teeth and broken bones. His skull made the sky and his brains, the clouds.

The Origin of Wind

At the far North end of heaven sits a giant named Hræsvelg. He took the shape of an eagle and when he beats his wings to take flight, the wind blows out from under them.

Njord rules over the movement of the winds, calms the seas and fire. He is mentioned in seafaring and fishing, if you ask, he give (very prosperous).

The Sun and Moon

Two children were born so fair and beautiful that they were called the Sun (Sol) and the Moon (Mani). The gods became angered when the daughter (Sol) was married off to a man named Glen that they took the brother and sister and placed them in the heavens. There they made Sol drive horses that drew the chariot of the sun (created from the burning embers flying from Muspelsheim). Mani was made to guide the path of the moon and controls the waxing and waning. However...

The Wolves

They are not alone. There are two wolves, the one who is chasing Sol is called Skoll. He frightens her and will eventually catch her no matter how fast she runs. The other is called Hati Hróðvitnisson. He runs in front for her trying to catch the moon and this will happen. Above is a poem from 'The Sibyl's Prophecy' that describes what will happen when he does.