Viking Sagas: The Truth Behind the Tales of the Ancient North

Over a thousand years ago, a king in the north called for a tale. From the shadows of the mead hall stepped forth a skald, one of the renowned poets of the Viking Age, responsible for memorising and interpreting the history and law of the land - and for entertaining its populace. He needed no book - those came later. Instead he carried it all in his head, as his forefathers had done before him for centuries. An expectant hush fell over the court as the famed storyteller took a breath and slowly, melodiously intoned the first, evocatively worded phrases of one of the great Viking sagas, or epic tales. More than a millenium later, those sagas still have the power to enchant and enthrall. The stories of the gods, heroes (and heroines) and the ancient royal houses of the Norse lands are replete with myth, mystery, adventure and excitement. Sorceresses narrate arcane prophecies, men and women set forth on quests for magical swords and rings, and are elevated to greatness or consumed by curses that echo down generations of their family; would-be rulers skirmish and clash over old realms and new lands. Destiny rolls its loaded dice for gods and kings alike. The skald's audience often knew what was going to happen as the saga unfolded; it was the telling itself that they took pleasure in. Now you too can enjoy the rich, fascinating world of the Viking sagas. This book brings to life some of the best-loved tales of the medieval north, from the origin stories of its gods and heroes to the deeds of its noble kings and the adventures of its bold explorers. They're not confined to the chilly shores of Scandinavia either - these stories travel south, east, and west to Europe. Byzantium, Russia, Persia, Africa, India, Asia, even North America. Step into the rich world of the sagas, and begin your very own Viking adventure.