There are many theories about how the Vikings were able to sail so much farther beyond other nations and tribes of their day. One such theory was made popular by the modern T.V. series, “Vikings.” This is the theory of the floating nautical compass and the sun-stone.

There are many theories about how the Vikings were able to sail so much farther beyond other nations and tribes of their day. One such theory was made popular by the modern T.V. series, “Vikings.” This is the theory of the floating nautical compass and the sun-stone.

There are many theories about how the Vikings were able to sail so much farther beyond other nations and tribes of their day. One such theory was made popular by the modern T.V. series, “Vikings.” This is the theory of the floating nautical compass and the sun-stone.

The Workers of Trees and the Sailors of Seas:

The Workers of Trees and the Sailors of Seas:

The Workers of Trees and the Sailors of Seas:

We’ve all heard tales of Vikings making conquests all the way out to the eastern edge of the United States, and legends of the Vikings swapping the names of “Greenland” and “Iceland” are hilarious proof of their seamanship… but how much of that is really true? How far did the Vikings really sail on their mysterious and deadly Drakkar longships?

There is a lot more to the stories of trade and world-level rampaging than a handful of epics and poems, and for any who doubt, there is actual archaeological evidence to support the incredible extent of Viking travel and trade.

There is a lot more to the stories of trade and world-level rampaging than a handful of epics and poems, and for any who doubt, there is actual archaeological evidence to support the incredible extent of Viking travel and trade.

There is a lot more to the stories of trade and world-level rampaging than a handful of epics and poems, and for any who doubt, there is actual archaeological evidence to support the incredible extent of Viking travel and trade.

Trade with India!?

Trade with India!?

Trade with India!?

Jewelry as well has been found in many Viking sites, either emblazoned with intricate non-European designs, or bearing intricately carved stones inscribed in Arabic script. While many may doubt that the Vikings could read Arabic script, it is likely that they found the words (more like pictures) to be very enticing. Swooping curve of their letters were after all, as stark contrast to the harsh, linear runes they were used to. One Arabian poet notes that the Vikings he had encountered were marked like their temples (likely referencing the symmetry of their ceremonial paints and runes.

While many may doubt that the Vikings could read Arabic script, it is likely that they found the words (more like pictures) to be very enticing. Swooping curve of their letters were after all, as stark contrast to the harsh, linear runes they were used to. One Arabian poet notes that the Vikings he had encountered were marked like their temples (likely referencing the symmetry of their ceremonial paints and runes.

While many may doubt that the Vikings could read Arabic script, it is likely that they found the words (more like pictures) to be very enticing. Swooping curve of their letters were after all, as stark contrast to the harsh, linear runes they were used to. One Arabian poet notes that the Vikings he had encountered were marked like their temples (likely referencing the symmetry of their ceremonial paints and runes.

While many may doubt that the Vikings could read Arabic script, it is likely that they found the words (more like pictures) to be very enticing. Swooping curve of their letters were after all, as stark contrast to the harsh, linear runes they were used to. One Arabian poet notes that the Vikings he had encountered were marked like their temples (likely referencing the symmetry of their ceremonial paints and runes.

Trade with… North America!?

Trade with… North America!?

Trade with… North America!?

Evidence of the roasting of bog iron has been found in what appears to be a Viking settlement at Point Rosee, Newfound Land. The kicker is, Vikings traveled light and left little to waist on their voyages, so there is rarely evidence to support their travels, but there is some, and the roasting of bog iron tells a pretty compelling story. Basically, you have to roast iron found in the bogs, in order to drive out enough impurities that it will be able to be smelted. That means, whatever this settlement was, it was big enough to need to farm its own iron and had the technology to do it. Researchers are now speculating that Viking settlements may exist as far south in the Americas as New York!

The kicker is, Vikings traveled light and left little to waist on their voyages, so there is rarely evidence to support their travels, but there is some, and the roasting of bog iron tells a pretty compelling story. Basically, you have to roast iron found in the bogs, in order to drive out enough impurities that it will be able to be smelted. That means, whatever this settlement was, it was big enough to need to farm its own iron and had the technology to do it. Researchers are now speculating that Viking settlements may exist as far south in the Americas as New York!

Evidence of the roasting of bog iron has been found in what appears to be a Viking settlement at Point Rosee, Newfound Land. The kicker is, Vikings traveled light and left little to waist on their voyages, so there is rarely evidence to support their travels, but there is some, and the roasting of bog iron tells a pretty compelling story. Basically, you have to roast iron found in the bogs, in order to drive out enough impurities that it will be able to be smelted. That means, whatever this settlement was, it was big enough to need to farm its own iron and had the technology to do it. Researchers are now speculating that Viking settlements may exist as far south in the Americas as New York!

From Norway to New York is nearly a 3,600 mile trip… one way! And from Norway to India is even further, at nearly 4,300 miles. Please keep in mind though, that these are the distances a modern aircraft would fly, guided by GPS, and not being restricted by mountains, rivers, or ocean currents.

The entire United States presents a coast to coast distance of roughly 3,500 miles, and it took Americans nearly 100 years to cross from the east coast to the west with guns, food, and modern compasses. So, you have to wonder, how could the Vikings manage to not only travel thousands of miles over rolling seas, but how in the name of all that is holy did they find their way back again?

From Norway to New York is nearly a 3,600 mile trip… one way! And from Norway to India is even further, at nearly 4,300 miles. Please keep in mind though, that these are the distances a modern aircraft would fly, guided by GPS, and not being restricted by mountains, rivers, or ocean currents.

The entire United States presents a coast to coast distance of roughly 3,500 miles, and it took Americans nearly 100 years to cross from the east coast to the west with guns, food, and modern compasses. So, you have to wonder, how could the Vikings manage to not only travel thousands of miles over rolling seas, but how in the name of all that is holy did they find their way back again?

From Norway to New York is nearly a 3,600 mile trip… one way! And from Norway to India is even further, at nearly 4,300 miles. Please keep in mind though, that these are the distances a modern aircraft would fly, guided by GPS, and not being restricted by mountains, rivers, or ocean currents.

The entire United States presents a coast to coast distance of roughly 3,500 miles, and it took Americans nearly 100 years to cross from the east coast to the west with guns, food, and modern compasses. So, you have to wonder, how could the Vikings manage to not only travel thousands of miles over rolling seas, but how in the name of all that is holy did they find their way back again?

Only representing a portion of a wheel or ‘disk,’ the partial device had notches carved around the perimeter and scratch marks at a few distinct intervals across the face. Upon further inspection, these scratches were determined to have been made intentionally which convinced many that they must have indicated solar alignment.

Only representing a portion of a wheel or ‘disk,’ the partial device had notches carved around the perimeter and scratch marks at a few distinct intervals across the face. Upon further inspection, these scratches were determined to have been made intentionally which convinced many that they must have indicated solar alignment.

Even ancient sundials used a properly aligned wedge in the center of the dial, in order to demarcate time as the sun moved across the sky, in relation to the stable position of the dial. This took precise positioning and leveling of the face of dial in order to be accurate. However, being sailors, the Vikings were always moving. Being in motion made it impossible to track anything in relation to their own position, like the traditional sundial. Instead, the Vikings decided to measure their own position as it tracked across the sun!

Having a round peg protruding from the center of the dial allowed the Vikings to measure the sun no matter where it may be in the sky, but the real trick was in measuring the sun at the exact same time each day, and monitoring the changes in the shadow it cast. Image if you were far north of the equator, the measurement at noon may cast a shadow to the north. But, if you started to get closer to the equator, at noon, the shadow would grow shorter and shorter, until crossed under the sun, causing the shadow to grow longer on the south side of the compass the further south you sailed.

Having a round peg protruding from the center of the dial allowed the Vikings to measure the sun no matter where it may be in the sky, but the real trick was in measuring the sun at the exact same time each day, and monitoring the changes in the shadow it cast. Image if you were far north of the equator, the measurement at noon may cast a shadow to the north. But, if you started to get closer to the equator, at noon, the shadow would grow shorter and shorter, until crossed under the sun, causing the shadow to grow longer on the south side of the compass the further south you sailed.

Having a round peg protruding from the center of the dial allowed the Vikings to measure the sun no matter where it may be in the sky, but the real trick was in measuring the sun at the exact same time each day, and monitoring the changes in the shadow it cast. Image if you were far north of the equator, the measurement at noon may cast a shadow to the north. But, if you started to get closer to the equator, at noon, the shadow would grow shorter and shorter, until crossed under the sun, causing the shadow to grow longer on the south side of the compass the further south you sailed.

The Sun Below your Feet:

The Sun Below your Feet:

The Sun Below your Feet:

The problem with relying on the sun for anything is that you need it to be there. While the Vikings obviously knew the sun was around, not many of them really knew where it was at any given time. Many believe that prior to ‘international’ oceanic voyages, the sun itself may have been a bit of a myth to the Vikings. After all, legends of Fenrir the great wolf being able to swallow the sun implies that they had little concept of its relative size or position in relation to the rest of the nine realms. But then one day… there came a miracle that had been resting in the dirt the whole time.

The problem with relying on the sun for anything is that you need it to be there. While the Vikings obviously knew the sun was around, not many of them really knew where it was at any given time. Many believe that prior to ‘international’ oceanic voyages, the sun itself may have been a bit of a myth to the Vikings. After all, legends of Fenrir the great wolf being able to swallow the sun implies that they had little concept of its relative size or position in relation to the rest of the nine realms. But then one day… there came a miracle that had been resting in the dirt the whole time.

The problem with relying on the sun for anything is that you need it to be there. While the Vikings obviously knew the sun was around, not many of them really knew where it was at any given time. Many believe that prior to ‘international’ oceanic voyages, the sun itself may have been a bit of a myth to the Vikings. After all, legends of Fenrir the great wolf being able to swallow the sun implies that they had little concept of its relative size or position in relation to the rest of the nine realms. But then one day… there came a miracle that had been resting in the dirt the whole time.

Well, to put it simply, it’s because it is really hard to diffuse red light, in contrast to blue light which diffuses easily in our atmosphere (spoiler: that’s why the sky is blue). During sunrise and sunset, the red light from the sun has to travel through thousands more miles of atmosphere before making it to our eyes, so, we get to see it as it bounces off all the molecules that make up our air.

Well, to put it simply, it’s because it is really hard to diffuse red light, in contrast to blue light which diffuses easily in our atmosphere (spoiler: that’s why the sky is blue). During sunrise and sunset, the red light from the sun has to travel through thousands more miles of atmosphere before making it to our eyes, so, we get to see it as it bounces off all the molecules that make up our air.

While it will let even soft light through, spar really lights up with it is directly inline with the sun. Using spar as a “Sun-Stone” the Vikings could use it to show them exactly where the sun was, even through thick clouds. Collecting all that diffused light would also let it shine a little of its own, which would even cast a shadow across their compasses. It may not have been magic, but it probably seemed like it.

An Unbeatable Pair:

Between the Sun-Stone and the compass, the Vikings had found a way to isolate the rays of the sun, find relative noon, read their position in relation to the sun, track their latitude and longitude across an ever-changing sea, and in effect touch every corner of the map with the most basic of materials and supplies. …all with these two devices.

While it will let even soft light through, spar really lights up with it is directly inline with the sun. Using spar as a “Sun-Stone” the Vikings could use it to show them exactly where the sun was, even through thick clouds. Collecting all that diffused light would also let it shine a little of its own, which would even cast a shadow across their compasses. It may not have been magic, but it probably seemed like it.

In Norway and other similar climates, the cloud cover never really breaks and casts soft light all day long. Enter Icelandic Spar. Not being fully transparent, spar makes it much more difficult for light to pass all the way through it. 

While it will let even soft light through, spar really lights up with it is directly inline with the sun. Using spar as a “Sun-Stone” the Vikings could use it to show them exactly where the sun was, even through thick clouds. Collecting all that diffused light would also let it shine a little of its own, which would even cast a shadow across their compasses. It may not have been magic, but it probably seemed like it.

An Unbeatable Pair:

Between the Sun-Stone and the compass, the Vikings had found a way to isolate the rays of the sun, find relative noon, read their position in relation to the sun, track their latitude and longitude across an ever-changing sea, and in effect touch every corner of the map with the most basic of materials and supplies. …all with these two devices.

Other Theories:

Other Theories:

Other Theories:

There are of course many other theories out there including some that say the Uunartoq disk was not a compass at all, but a means of identifying relative noon. This may sound confusing at first, but basically, because of the distance from the central point to the points on the outer edge, there is little likelihood that the points would really be useful for tracking directional changes in Lat/Long position. Well, that and the fact that there are really big imperfections in the spacing of the points around the edge of the disk. If these really were being used to navigate as the only compass on a ship, the Vikings could have been off of their mark by hundreds of nautical miles and likely never would have reached their destination, or ever made it back home.

There are of course many other theories out there including some that say the Uunartoq disk was not a compass at all, but a means of identifying relative noon. This may sound confusing at first, but basically, because of the distance from the central point to the points on the outer edge, there is little likelihood that the points would really be useful for tracking directional changes in Lat/Long position. Well, that and the fact that there are really big imperfections in the spacing of the points around the edge of the disk. If these really were being used to navigate as the only compass on a ship, the Vikings could have been off of their mark by hundreds of nautical miles and likely never would have reached their destination, or ever made it back home.

There are of course many other theories out there including some that say the Uunartoq disk was not a compass at all, but a means of identifying relative noon. This may sound confusing at first, but basically, because of the distance from the central point to the points on the outer edge, there is little likelihood that the points would really be useful for tracking directional changes in Lat/Long position. Well, that and the fact that there are really big imperfections in the spacing of the points around the edge of the disk. If these really were being used to navigate as the only compass on a ship, the Vikings could have been off of their mark by hundreds of nautical miles and likely never would have reached their destination, or ever made it back home.

We do see many lines etched into the face of the Uunartoq disk, so there does seem to be at least some physical evidence to support this idea. The other evidence, of course, is the fact that the Vikings were excellent navigators.

All that would matter is that Vikings could mark the face of the disk with the position of the sun’s (sun-stone’s) shadow before, during, and after the completion of the voyage. We do see many lines etched into the face of the Uunartoq disk, so there does seem to be at least some physical evidence to support this idea. The other evidence, of course, is the fact that the Vikings were excellent navigators.

Why We Still Don’t Know:

Why We Still Don’t Know:

Why We Still Don’t Know:

Much like the entirety of the Viking civilization, there is little trace of how they lived or the exact extent of their travel. It is unfortunate that one of the only civilizations in the history of the world to invent their own alphabet, never really used it for writing, or maybe we would know much more about how they lived from their own perspective.

Much like the entirety of the Viking civilization, there is little trace of how they lived or the exact extent of their travel. It is unfortunate that one of the only civilizations in the history of the world to invent their own alphabet, never really used it for writing, or maybe we would know much more about how they lived from their own perspective.

Much like the entirety of the Viking civilization, there is little trace of how they lived or the exact extent of their travel. It is unfortunate that one of the only civilizations in the history of the world to invent their own alphabet, never really used it for writing, or maybe we would know much more about how they lived from their own perspective.

Living at one with nature, the Vikings used their resources wisely, building ships from wood and animal hair (as a sealant against water, and upon arriving at a permanent destination, the ribs of the ship would be used as rafters for the roofs of houses, and the oil-soaked animal hair, likely as convenient fire starters for the hearth.

Closing Thoughts:

Closing Thoughts:

Closing Thoughts:

Using wood, grass, leather, and twine, it is hard to make a lasting impression on the history of the world, but the tails told of the Vikings and how they lived and what they lived for… those are the marks on history that will never fade.

Using wood, grass, leather, and twine, it is hard to make a lasting impression on the history of the world, but the tails told of the Vikings and how they lived and what they lived for… those are the marks on history that will never fade.

Using wood, grass, leather, and twine, it is hard to make a lasting impression on the history of the world, but the tails told of the Vikings and how they lived and what they lived for… those are the marks on history that will never fade.

Can you imagine being the first person in history to pick up a sunstone, and for the first time in the entire world, realize that you, out of everyone alive, had just pinpointed the location of the sun… the thing that no one had ever seen? Truly, the Vikings lived in their own world of myths and legends.

Live long and live strong, my fellow Vikings.

Dr. Cody J. Dees, Ph.D

Resident Viking,

Norse Tradesman

Can you imagine being the first person in history to pick up a sunstone, and for the first time in the entire world, realize that you, out of everyone alive, had just pinpointed the location of the sun… the thing that no one had ever seen? Truly, the Vikings lived in their own world of myths and legends.

Live long and live strong, my fellow Vikings.

Dr. Cody J. Dees, Ph.D

Resident Viking,

Norse Tradesman

Can you imagine being the first person in history to pick up a sunstone, and for the first time in the entire world, realize that you, out of everyone alive, had just pinpointed the location of the sun… the thing that no one had ever seen? Truly, the Vikings lived in their own world of myths and legends.

Live long and live strong, my fellow Vikings.

Dr. Cody J. Dees, Ph.D

Resident Viking,

Norse Tradesman

For those Vikings who choose to be lover over fighters, or maybe for those of use whose lover is also a fighter, we here at Norse Tradesman have decided to honor you in this blog. For our topic is one of merriment over mayhem, and certainly one for the lovers, whether of women or of drink (the Vikings were really good about equal opportunity). If you couldn’t guess it from the title, this blog will be devoted to Viking poetry, and to peering a little deeper into the life and times of the Viking poets known as “Skalds.”

For those Vikings who choose to be lover over fighters, or maybe for those of use whose lover is also a fighter, we here at Norse Tradesman have decided to honor you in this blog. For our topic is one of merriment over mayhem, and certainly one for the lovers, whether of women or of drink (the Vikings were really good about equal opportunity). If you couldn’t guess it from the title, this blog will be devoted to Viking poetry, and to peering a little deeper into the life and times of the Viking poets known as “Skalds.”

For those Vikings who choose to be lover over fighters, or maybe for those of use whose lover is also a fighter, we here at Norse Tradesman have decided to honor you in this blog. For our topic is one of merriment over mayhem, and certainly one for the lovers, whether of women or of drink (the Vikings were really good about equal opportunity). If you couldn’t guess it from the title, this blog will be devoted to Viking poetry, and to peering a little deeper into the life and times of the Viking poets known as “Skalds.”

History of Viking Poetry:

History of Viking Poetry:

History of Viking Poetry:

We actually had a pretty hard time with this first section of the blog, because the beginning is always the best place to start, but we really couldn’t decide whether to start with the beginning of Viking poetry as it relates to history, or as it relates to mythology. Spoiler. We decided to go with mythology… cause it is a lot more interesting.

We actually had a pretty hard time with this first section of the blog, because the beginning is always the best place to start, but we really couldn’t decide whether to start with the beginning of Viking poetry as it relates to history, or as it relates to mythology. Spoiler. We decided to go with mythology… cause it is a lot more interesting.

We actually had a pretty hard time with this first section of the blog, because the beginning is always the best place to start, but we really couldn’t decide whether to start with the beginning of Viking poetry as it relates to history, or as it relates to mythology. Spoiler. We decided to go with mythology… cause it is a lot more interesting.

In Mythology: The Mead of Poetry

In Mythology: The Mead of Poetry

In Mythology: The Mead of Poetry

There was a time when there was no poetry in the world, and that quite possibly was considered to be a bad thing. It happened by accident though, whether it was the beginning of poetry itself or merely the creation of the wisest and most lyrically gifted being in the world…

There was a time when there was no poetry in the world, and that quite possibly was considered to be a bad thing. It happened by accident though, whether it was the beginning of poetry itself or merely the creation of the wisest and most lyrically gifted being in the world…

There was a time when there was no poetry in the world, and that quite possibly was considered to be a bad thing. It happened by accident though, whether it was the beginning of poetry itself or merely the creation of the wisest and most lyrically gifted being in the world…

Kvasir traveled throughout the worlds, being neither truly man nor truly god, he felt no bond to keep him in either Midgard or Asgard. But wherever he found himself, there he granted wisdom and answered any question or riddle with ease. He told stories that both entertained and educated. And while this was both a marvel to the gods and to the denizens of Midgard, there were those who hated Kvasir. No, not for fear of his knowledge, but for hatred of anything given for free.

Kvasir traveled throughout the worlds, being neither truly man nor truly god, he felt no bond to keep him in either Midgard or Asgard. But wherever he found himself, there he granted wisdom and answered any question or riddle with ease. He told stories that both entertained and educated. And while this was both a marvel to the gods and to the denizens of Midgard, there were those who hated Kvasir. No, not for fear of his knowledge, but for hatred of anything given for free.

Kvasir traveled throughout the worlds, being neither truly man nor truly god, he felt no bond to keep him in either Midgard or Asgard. But wherever he found himself, there he granted wisdom and answered any question or riddle with ease. He told stories that both entertained and educated. And while this was both a marvel to the gods and to the denizens of Midgard, there were those who hated Kvasir. No, not for fear of his knowledge, but for hatred of anything given for free.

At the conclusion of a long-drawn plot, Fjalar and Galar managed to pull off the murder of Kvasir and drained every drop of his blood into their prized magical cauldron, Odhrǫrir. Mixing it with honey, they made his blood into a sweet mead, as sweet as his own poetry, but drinking it, they were shocked to find that while the mead flowed through their veins, they too could answer riddles and spin sweet poems. Though begotten through a foul plot and fermented, Kvasir’s blood still held its magic. The magic of poetry had now become the mead of poerty.

How could any man keep a secret from one who knows all? And how could any man preserve his horde, if one only needed to ask Kvasir to find gold? Even worse… what if someone asked Kvasir what was better than gold and he actually told them?

At the conclusion of a long-drawn plot, Fjalar and Galar managed to pull off the murder of Kvasir and drained every drop of his blood into their prized magical cauldron, Odhrǫrir. Mixing it with honey, they made his blood into a sweet mead, as sweet as his own poetry, but drinking it, they were shocked to find that while the mead flowed through their veins, they too could answer riddles and spin sweet poems. Though begotten through a foul plot and fermented, Kvasir’s blood still held its magic. The magic of poetry had now become the mead of poerty.

How could any man keep a secret from one who knows all? And how could any man preserve his horde, if one only needed to ask Kvasir to find gold? Even worse… what if someone asked Kvasir what was better than gold and he actually told them?

At the conclusion of a long-drawn plot, Fjalar and Galar managed to pull off the murder of Kvasir and drained every drop of his blood into their prized magical cauldron, Odhrǫrir. Mixing it with honey, they made his blood into a sweet mead, as sweet as his own poetry, but drinking it, they were shocked to find that while the mead flowed through their veins, they too could answer riddles and spin sweet poems. Though begotten through a foul plot and fermented, Kvasir’s blood still held its magic. The magic of poetry had now become the mead of poerty.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Odin’s disguise worked so well that he was able to murder, trick, and seduce his way to the location of the mead’s secret hiding place. Unfortunately, as Odin came almost entirely empty-handed, the only way to smuggle the mead out was in his own belly! Transforming himself into several animals along the route of his escape, he was finally able to escape by turning himself into a eagle and flying all the way back to Asgard.

By that time, the mead had changed hands several times and now belonged to the giant, Suttungr and was guarded by his daughter, Gunnlod. Odin, being gifted in not only disguise, but also in transfiguration (shapeshifting) decided to pay the giants a visit.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Odin’s disguise worked so well that he was able to murder, trick, and seduce his way to the location of the mead’s secret hiding place. Unfortunately, as Odin came almost entirely empty-handed, the only way to smuggle the mead out was in his own belly! Transforming himself into several animals along the route of his escape, he was finally able to escape by turning himself into a eagle and flying all the way back to Asgard.

By that time, the mead had changed hands several times and now belonged to the giant, Suttungr and was guarded by his daughter, Gunnlod. Odin, being gifted in not only disguise, but also in transfiguration (shapeshifting) decided to pay the giants a visit.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Odin’s disguise worked so well that he was able to murder, trick, and seduce his way to the location of the mead’s secret hiding place. Unfortunately, as Odin came almost entirely empty-handed, the only way to smuggle the mead out was in his own belly! Transforming himself into several animals along the route of his escape, he was finally able to escape by turning himself into a eagle and flying all the way back to Asgard.

Poetry: The good…

Poetry: The good…

Poetry: The good…

Odin did deliver the mead of poetry to the gods in the end, and as such, poetry is said to be a gift from Odin himself, should any mortal be fortunate enough to possess such a talent. However… not all poetry is good poetry, as I am sure that most of you are well aware. All poetry comes from Odin, regardless of whether it is good or bad.

Odin did deliver the mead of poetry to the gods in the end, and as such, poetry is said to be a gift from Odin himself, should any mortal be fortunate enough to possess such a talent. However… not all poetry is good poetry, as I am sure that most of you are well aware. All poetry comes from Odin, regardless of whether it is good or bad.

Odin did deliver the mead of poetry to the gods in the end, and as such, poetry is said to be a gift from Odin himself, should any mortal be fortunate enough to possess such a talent. However… not all poetry is good poetry, as I am sure that most of you are well aware. All poetry comes from Odin, regardless of whether it is good or bad.

Poetry: The bad…

Odin’s belly was full of hundreds of gallons of mead, and with the long flight back to the home of the gods, he had already started to digest a good bit of it. He was heavy and slow with the mead, and though he was ahead of Suttungr in his own eagle form, Suttungr was catching up quickly. There was only one thing Odin could do to throw him off of the sent and to defend his… rear.

Odin’s belly was full of hundreds of gallons of mead, and with the long flight back to the home of the gods, he had already started to digest a good bit of it. He was heavy and slow with the mead, and though he was ahead of Suttungr in his own eagle form, Suttungr was catching up quickly. There was only one thing Odin could do to throw him off of the sent and to defend his… rear.

Poetry: The bad…

Poetry: The bad…

As we said before, Odin was still trying to spit out as much of the mead of poetry as possible, to save it into the huge vessels on the courtyard of Valhalla in the home of the gods. But with an enemy hot on his tail, there was little more her could do to defend himself… he clenched his gut as hard as he could and sprayed Suttungr with a face full of ass-mead! Yep, Odin showered Suttungr with a chocolate rain of shitty, stinking, sour, putrid ass-mead. And as the gods say to this day, “Great poetry rolls off the lips, but poor poetry is sprayed out the ass.”

As we said before, Odin was still trying to spit out as much of the mead of poetry as possible, to save it into the huge vessels on the courtyard of Valhalla in the home of the gods. But with an enemy hot on his tail, there was little more her could do to defend himself… he clenched his gut as hard as he could and sprayed Suttungr with a face full of ass-mead! Yep, Odin showered Suttungr with a chocolate rain of shitty, stinking, sour, putrid ass-mead. And as the gods say to this day, “Great poetry rolls off the lips, but poor poetry is sprayed out the ass.”

As we said before, Odin was still trying to spit out as much of the mead of poetry as possible, to save it into the huge vessels on the courtyard of Valhalla in the home of the gods. But with an enemy hot on his tail, there was little more her could do to defend himself… he clenched his gut as hard as he could and sprayed Suttungr with a face full of ass-mead! Yep, Odin showered Suttungr with a chocolate rain of shitty, stinking, sour, putrid ass-mead. And as the gods say to this day, “Great poetry rolls off the lips, but poor poetry is sprayed out the ass.”

In History: The Skald

In History: The Skald

In History: The Skald

Looking at Viking Poetry historically, we enter the world of the Skald! Though, it can also be argued that the term “skald” actually comes from mythology via Skaldi, who was ether a god all along, or was a man so gifted in poetry that the gods got a little jealous and decided to make him a god so they could pull him up to Asgard. (This is why we can’t have nice things)

Either way, poets really do exist, and for the Vikings, they were called Skalds.

Looking at Viking Poetry historically, we enter the world of the Skald! Though, it can also be argued that the term “skald” actually comes from mythology via Skaldi, who was ether a god all along, or was a man so gifted in poetry that the gods got a little jealous and decided to make him a god so they could pull him up to Asgard. (This is why we can’t have nice things)

Either way, poets really do exist, and for the Vikings, they were called Skalds.

Looking at Viking Poetry historically, we enter the world of the Skald! Though, it can also be argued that the term “skald” actually comes from mythology via Skaldi, who was ether a god all along, or was a man so gifted in poetry that the gods got a little jealous and decided to make him a god so they could pull him up to Asgard. (This is why we can’t have nice things)

Either way, poets really do exist, and for the Vikings, they were called Skalds.

Skalds may not have had access to education of funds for themselves, but being one of the only forms of entertainment (the Vikings really weren’t big on reading and writing), nobles were happy to have them sit at their tables night after night and in most cases, nobility provided them education, food, travel, and access to oral histories and legends that they may never have heard before. This made them better poets, and as time went on it made them something akin to history professors.

Skalds may not have had access to education of funds for themselves, but being one of the only forms of entertainment (the Vikings really weren’t big on reading and writing), nobles were happy to have them sit at their tables night after night and in most cases, nobility provided them education, food, travel, and access to oral histories and legends that they may never have heard before. This made them better poets, and as time went on it made them something akin to history professors.

A life of Honor & Respect:

A life of Honor & Respect:

A life of Honor & Respect:

Everywhere the skalds went, they were met with reverence and respect. They could play music, sing songs, recite poems and great epics of the past, but more than that, they could sing your praises as well. Skalds were in charge of the world and its history, painting pictures of words to represent wealth and character, charisma and courage, victory and honor! …or, cowardice and failure. As we said above, there were no written histories at that time, and it was up to the skald to not only record events in their songs, but to pass them down so that heroes and their great deeds could be remembered forever.

Everywhere the skalds went, they were met with reverence and respect. They could play music, sing songs, recite poems and great epics of the past, but more than that, they could sing your praises as well. Skalds were in charge of the world and its history, painting pictures of words to represent wealth and character, charisma and courage, victory and honor! …or, cowardice and failure. As we said above, there were no written histories at that time, and it was up to the skald to not only record events in their songs, but to pass them down so that heroes and their great deeds could be remembered forever.

Everywhere the skalds went, they were met with reverence and respect. They could play music, sing songs, recite poems and great epics of the past, but more than that, they could sing your praises as well. Skalds were in charge of the world and its history, painting pictures of words to represent wealth and character, charisma and courage, victory and honor! …or, cowardice and failure. As we said above, there were no written histories at that time, and it was up to the skald to not only record events in their songs, but to pass them down so that heroes and their great deeds could be remembered forever.

He was a man of wealth and power and was seen as a legend in his own time, but when he was asked to boast of one of his great accomplishments in life, he did not tell of one of his battles or the size of his horde, but instead… he told his audience that he was gifted in poetry.

He was a man of wealth and power and was seen as a legend in his own time, but when he was asked to boast of one of his great accomplishments in life, he did not tell of one of his battles or the size of his horde, but instead… he told his audience that he was gifted in poetry.

Skilled Skalds:

Skilled Skalds:

Skilled Skalds:

When Harald Hardrada bragged about being gifted in poetry, this was no small boast. In a sense, it really meant two things. 1) Harald was blessed by Odin himself, and 2) that Harald was also more intelligent and well-educated than 99% of the Viking population.

Skalds weren’t the liberal arts community college pubescent teens that we imagine of the Renaisance ‘bard,’ harkening at every light through which yonder window breaks. They were intuitive, cunning performers, scholars, musicians, and historians all rolled into one person. Many could likely read runes and a few of the most famous were not only responsible for retelling the legends of the gods, but creating the mythology itself.

When Harald Hardrada bragged about being gifted in poetry, this was no small boast. In a sense, it really meant two things. 1) Harald was blessed by Odin himself, and 2) that Harald was also more intelligent and well-educated than 99% of the Viking population.

Skalds weren’t the liberal arts community college pubescent teens that we imagine of the Renaisance ‘bard,’ harkening at every light through which yonder window breaks. They were intuitive, cunning performers, scholars, musicians, and historians all rolled into one person. Many could likely read runes and a few of the most famous were not only responsible for retelling the legends of the gods, but creating the mythology itself.

When Harald Hardrada bragged about being gifted in poetry, this was no small boast. In a sense, it really meant two things. 1) Harald was blessed by Odin himself, and 2) that Harald was also more intelligent and well-educated than 99% of the Viking population.

Skalds weren’t the liberal arts community college pubescent teens that we imagine of the Renaisance ‘bard,’ harkening at every light through which yonder window breaks. They were intuitive, cunning performers, scholars, musicians, and historians all rolled into one person. Many could likely read runes and a few of the most famous were not only responsible for retelling the legends of the gods, but creating the mythology itself.

Infinite Story-Telling:

Reading the room for audience reactions, a skald would manipulate the story and suspense, alter the verse and pentameter, change words, and even alter the progression of a tail to draw out the suspense. The skald was essentially an intuitive and adaptive movie theater, constantly shifting the plot to suit the hidden desires of the audience who may or may not know what is coming next.

Reading the room for audience reactions, a skald would manipulate the story and suspense, alter the verse and pentameter, change words, and even alter the progression of a tail to draw out the suspense. The skald was essentially an intuitive and adaptive movie theater, constantly shifting the plot to suit the hidden desires of the audience who may or may not know what is coming next.

Skaldic Poetry:

Skaldic Poetry:

Skaldic Poetry:

Looking at this art from a scientific perspective, we begin to see just how difficult being a skald really was. You might think that memorizing all the stories, tales, history, and mythology may be the hardest part, but you would be wrong!

Viking poetry was much more complex then a simple rhyme scheme or limerick. There were different types of meters to consider, differences in syllable counts, alternative meter lengths, and strategies for the specific content of certain lines depending of the poetic style of each verse being composed. And, if we hadn’t mentioned it yet, none of this was written down. Poetry was composed and recited LIVE! No practice! Nobles paid you and they by all rights could as for any poem, song, or story on any topic, at any time… and it had to be of equal quality to the well-rehearsed works of other skalds.

Looking at this art from a scientific perspective, we begin to see just how difficult being a skald really was. You might think that memorizing all the stories, tales, history, and mythology may be the hardest part, but you would be wrong!

Viking poetry was much more complex then a simple rhyme scheme or limerick. There were different types of meters to consider, differences in syllable counts, alternative meter lengths, and strategies for the specific content of certain lines depending of the poetic style of each verse being composed. And, if we hadn’t mentioned it yet, none of this was written down. Poetry was composed and recited LIVE! No practice! Nobles paid you and they by all rights could as for any poem, song, or story on any topic, at any time… and it had to be of equal quality to the well-rehearsed works of other skalds.

Looking at this art from a scientific perspective, we begin to see just how difficult being a skald really was. You might think that memorizing all the stories, tales, history, and mythology may be the hardest part, but you would be wrong!

Viking poetry was much more complex then a simple rhyme scheme or limerick. There were different types of meters to consider, differences in syllable counts, alternative meter lengths, and strategies for the specific content of certain lines depending of the poetic style of each verse being composed. And, if we hadn’t mentioned it yet, none of this was written down. Poetry was composed and recited LIVE! No practice! Nobles paid you and they by all rights could as for any poem, song, or story on any topic, at any time… and it had to be of equal quality to the well-rehearsed works of other skalds.

 Still other novel forms of poetry were used in stately affairs, such as rites of passage, rituals, and ceremonies. These often used poetry composed in Galdralag, the “magic spell metre”. Galdr itself means “enchanter” and denotes that the skald at this point is likely invoking the powers of the spiritual world or calling upon the gods, either for their power, or for them to witness the event. The content of these poems is subject to the skald, but the defining feature is that the 4th line of the verse acts as a highly nuanced echo to the content of the 3rd line of the stanza.

In addition to the lager families of poetic styles, there are a few variations that pop up with some regularity within Norse and Viking poetry, but these are mainly differences in number of syllables, or the alternations between syllable patterns within a verse. While stylistic, they really don’t seem to have the profound power or impact of the unique metres above.

Other forms such as Fornyrðislag, “the metre of ancient words” creates the perfect environment for the scald to oversee his story and describe events in a more narrative form. 

Still other novel forms of poetry were used in stately affairs, such as rites of passage, rituals, and ceremonies. These often used poetry composed in Galdralag, the “magic spell metre”. Galdr itself means “enchanter” and denotes that the skald at this point is likely invoking the powers of the spiritual world or calling upon the gods, either for their power, or for them to witness the event. The content of these poems is subject to the skald, but the defining feature is that the 4th line of the verse acts as a highly nuanced echo to the content of the 3rd line of the stanza.

In addition to the lager families of poetic styles, there are a few variations that pop up with some regularity within Norse and Viking poetry, but these are mainly differences in number of syllables, or the alternations between syllable patterns within a verse. While stylistic, they really don’t seem to have the profound power or impact of the unique metres above.

Other forms such as Fornyrðislag, “the metre of ancient words” creates the perfect environment for the scald to oversee his story and describe events in a more narrative form. Still other novel forms of poetry were used in stately affairs, such as rites of passage, rituals, and ceremonies. These often used poetry composed in Galdralag, the “magic spell metre”. Galdr itself means “enchanter” and denotes that the skald at this point is likely invoking the powers of the spiritual world or calling upon the gods, either for their power, or for them to witness the event. The content of these poems is subject to the skald, but the defining feature is that the 4th line of the verse acts as a highly nuanced echo to the content of the 3rd line of the stanza.

In addition to the lager families of poetic styles, there are a few variations that pop up with some regularity within Norse and Viking poetry, but these are mainly differences in number of syllables, or the alternations between syllable patterns within a verse. While stylistic, they really don’t seem to have the profound power or impact of the unique metres above.

Closing Thoughts:

Closing Thoughts:

Closing Thoughts:

While this blog may not contain the romance letter to the Shield-Maiden of your dreams, it does much to describe the power and value of poetry to the Viking world. And maybe, just maybe, it might encourage you to try to come up with your own lyric and verse for the beloved, or betrothed in your own life, as you cuddle up by the hearth together.

If you are in need of some further inspiration though, feel free to consult the Icelandic Sagas for some hidden skaldic poetry, or maybe skim through the Havamal. After all, a book of verse from the father of poetry himself couldn’t be that bad of an idea.

Live long and fight strong, my modern Vikings!

Dr. Cody J. Dees, Ph.D.

“The guess of the wise is truth”

Norse Tradesman

While this blog may not contain the romance letter to the Shield-Maiden of your dreams, it does much to describe the power and value of poetry to the Viking world. And maybe, just maybe, it might encourage you to try to come up with your own lyric and verse for the beloved, or betrothed in your own life, as you cuddle up by the hearth together.

If you are in need of some further inspiration though, feel free to consult the Icelandic Sagas for some hidden skaldic poetry, or maybe skim through the Havamal. After all, a book of verse from the father of poetry himself couldn’t be that bad of an idea.

Live long and fight strong, my modern Vikings!

Dr. Cody J. Dees, Ph.D.

“The guess of the wise is truth”

Norse Tradesman

While this blog may not contain the romance letter to the Shield-Maiden of your dreams, it does much to describe the power and value of poetry to the Viking world. And maybe, just maybe, it might encourage you to try to come up with your own lyric and verse for the beloved, or betrothed in your own life, as you cuddle up by the hearth together.

If you are in need of some further inspiration though, feel free to consult the Icelandic Sagas for some hidden skaldic poetry, or maybe skim through the Havamal. After all, a book of verse from the father of poetry himself couldn’t be that bad of an idea.

Live long and fight strong, my modern Vikings!

Dr. Cody J. Dees, Ph.D.

“The guess of the wise is truth”

Norse Tradesman