It was a dark and stormy night...Yes, that is the most cliched way of starting a story, but it happens to actually be the truth.... As the thunderstorms were passing all around me I sought safe haven for my longboat at the Village of Deptford, also known as the Illinois Renaissance Faire. I set up my tent and endured a most unusual and unheard of thing. Instead of suffering a cold, wet night, I suffered through a HOT, wet night. Yes, the weather in Illinois is so horrifically bad that it can be dark and raining and still be hot.
The people I met there were very kind and generous though. There were great wizards, the Queen and her court, valiant knights, merry merchants, troubadours and even another storyteller all gathered together for the great festivities.
The next two days were a fair, and bright as the first night had been foul. It was a veritable whirlwind of merriment and fun. I, along with the great throng who attended the faire, feasted on sumptuous and tasty food. There was always music in the air coming from somewhere. The knights gave great entertainment to the gathered crowds, as they fought with great honor, and no heed for personal risk of injury.
I told stories to many good lords and beautiful ladies, as well as the the many fine lads and young damsels who were there. I told stories of foolish men, and wise men. I told tales of heroes, giants, and kings. I told the great tales of the Eddas and Sagas to all who would listen, and hopefully, those who listened were entertained and educated by these great stories of the times gone by.
As I sit here now, safe again home from my travels, my mind thinks back on the great memories, as well as the new ones, that I will make next year.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Harald Hardrada
Harald Hardrada Is a very important person in Norse history. Not only for what he did, but for what he failed to do. In fact the battle he is most remembered for is one he lost, and in fact died in. He is known to history as the King who ended the Viking age.
Harald Sigurdsson was born in 1016 the half brother of Olaf the II ,King of norway. In 1030 after the battle of stikestad, in which Olaf was killed and Harald wounded, he went to the Russian court, where he gathered a number of followers. He then took his followers to Constantinople, or "the great Miklagard" where he offered himself and his troops as part of the varangian guard. This was an elite bodyguard unite for the emperor made up exclusively of Norsemen. After serving with the Byzantines and the Greeks he went and harried the coast of the Mediterranean sea. He took over 80 castles and exacted tribute from many cities.
So, what happened in 1066 to make this formerly heroic and epic leader a tragic hero?
The battle of Stamford bridge. Harald thought he had a pretty strong case for the throne of England in that fateful year. Also ,he was supported by Tosti Godwinson, the brother of Harold Godwinson who the Witangemot had proclaimed king. Tosti had been stripped of his lands by Edward the confessor a few years previously because of a revolt, and he sided against his brother in an attempt to get his lands back. Harald Hardrata took 360 ships full of men to claim the English throne that fateful day. They succesfully captured the city of York, which had been the capital of a danish kingdom under Knut or Canute, a distant relative of Hardrata. The vikings arranged for a tribute and a hostage exchange the next day from the men of York. As Hardrata and his men lay about in the meadow above Stamford Bridge sunning themselves the other Harold, Godwinson, was marching his army into the pages of history. Hardrata's army had left their chain mail armor behind at the ships and did not expect any more resitance when a dust cloud in the distance signaled Godwinson's arrival whith his entire army. Hardrata's army put up a good fight, including a legendary ,but unnamed, warrior who single handed held the bridge while Hardrata arranged the rest of his men into a battle line. Hardrata was killed by an arrow in the throat. Tostig was also killed in the battle. yet the vikings heroically fought on as they retreated to their ships. Only surrendering after reaching their ships and getting a promise of safe return to their homelands. Only 36 of the 360 ships were needed to transport the army home. They had suffered a 90% casualty rate yet had not surrendered until they reached their ships rather than be taken prisoner. That battle is considered the end of the viking age, for after that the Norse lands became more assimilated into the general European culture and engaged in trade more,and raiding less. Perhaps that is a fitting end for a culture that valued battle valour so much. The whole culture died valiantly in battle.
sources:
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MEDhardrada.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~GeoffBoxell/hardrada.htm
Harald Sigurdsson was born in 1016 the half brother of Olaf the II ,King of norway. In 1030 after the battle of stikestad, in which Olaf was killed and Harald wounded, he went to the Russian court, where he gathered a number of followers. He then took his followers to Constantinople, or "the great Miklagard" where he offered himself and his troops as part of the varangian guard. This was an elite bodyguard unite for the emperor made up exclusively of Norsemen. After serving with the Byzantines and the Greeks he went and harried the coast of the Mediterranean sea. He took over 80 castles and exacted tribute from many cities.
So, what happened in 1066 to make this formerly heroic and epic leader a tragic hero?
The battle of Stamford bridge. Harald thought he had a pretty strong case for the throne of England in that fateful year. Also ,he was supported by Tosti Godwinson, the brother of Harold Godwinson who the Witangemot had proclaimed king. Tosti had been stripped of his lands by Edward the confessor a few years previously because of a revolt, and he sided against his brother in an attempt to get his lands back. Harald Hardrata took 360 ships full of men to claim the English throne that fateful day. They succesfully captured the city of York, which had been the capital of a danish kingdom under Knut or Canute, a distant relative of Hardrata. The vikings arranged for a tribute and a hostage exchange the next day from the men of York. As Hardrata and his men lay about in the meadow above Stamford Bridge sunning themselves the other Harold, Godwinson, was marching his army into the pages of history. Hardrata's army had left their chain mail armor behind at the ships and did not expect any more resitance when a dust cloud in the distance signaled Godwinson's arrival whith his entire army. Hardrata's army put up a good fight, including a legendary ,but unnamed, warrior who single handed held the bridge while Hardrata arranged the rest of his men into a battle line. Hardrata was killed by an arrow in the throat. Tostig was also killed in the battle. yet the vikings heroically fought on as they retreated to their ships. Only surrendering after reaching their ships and getting a promise of safe return to their homelands. Only 36 of the 360 ships were needed to transport the army home. They had suffered a 90% casualty rate yet had not surrendered until they reached their ships rather than be taken prisoner. That battle is considered the end of the viking age, for after that the Norse lands became more assimilated into the general European culture and engaged in trade more,and raiding less. Perhaps that is a fitting end for a culture that valued battle valour so much. The whole culture died valiantly in battle.
sources:
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MEDhardrada.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~GeoffBoxell/hardrada.htm
Monday, August 13, 2007
The Emperor Knute
Knute was a great and mighty emperor. he was ruler over the three kingdoms of England,Norway,and Denmark. He was a great and mighty Lord with a court filled with men of great riches, and power.He had begun to suspect, however, that his courtiers were NOT giving him good advice and were trying to fill his head with empty praise and flattery to gain rank,wealth, and position. His fears were proved true when one day his courtiers, and advisers were gathered together,and one of them said "Why great king you are so powerful, the sea itself must obey your commands!"
Now we know any self respecting Norseman knows that the way of the sea is to be a fickle mistress, who obeys no one, no matter how powerful. So he responded "Really? do all my advisers agree? Am I really that great and mighty of a lord?"
"Oh ,yes your Majesty" they all gushed "you are truly the greatest and mightiest king who ever lived!"
"We shall see," said Knute as he rose from his throne and marched out towards the shore "I shall go the waters edge and command the tide to NOT rise,and soil my expensive robes"
So Knute went down to the shore,and in a booming authoritative voice bellowed "Tide! I command thee to NOT raise and leave my feet dry,and my robes unsullied"
He then turned to his advisors and courtiers and said, "I hope, for your sake, that the tide does not rise. because if you have DARED lie to you emperor, you will pay with your HEADS."
In fact, the tide did continue to rise. When the water had risen to the emperor's knees, he called for his bodyguards to have all his advisors and courtiers beheaded. He then filled his court with men whom he knew would never lie to him , no matter how harsh the truth was.
Now we know any self respecting Norseman knows that the way of the sea is to be a fickle mistress, who obeys no one, no matter how powerful. So he responded "Really? do all my advisers agree? Am I really that great and mighty of a lord?"
"Oh ,yes your Majesty" they all gushed "you are truly the greatest and mightiest king who ever lived!"
"We shall see," said Knute as he rose from his throne and marched out towards the shore "I shall go the waters edge and command the tide to NOT rise,and soil my expensive robes"
So Knute went down to the shore,and in a booming authoritative voice bellowed "Tide! I command thee to NOT raise and leave my feet dry,and my robes unsullied"
He then turned to his advisors and courtiers and said, "I hope, for your sake, that the tide does not rise. because if you have DARED lie to you emperor, you will pay with your HEADS."
In fact, the tide did continue to rise. When the water had risen to the emperor's knees, he called for his bodyguards to have all his advisors and courtiers beheaded. He then filled his court with men whom he knew would never lie to him , no matter how harsh the truth was.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Loki, the trickster
Loki, the trickster, has long been a being of mystery and wonder.
Even the ancient Norse didn't quite know what to make of him. Neither of the great warrior Gods of the nobility, The Aeisir, nor was he a member of the Vanir, the practical hardworking Gods of the earth,and harvests.For you see Loki is neither noble and brave,nor practical and hardworking. Loki is a trickster,and an elemental . he is the one of the many recognized tricksters world wide, like Anansi in Africa or coyote in north American legend.
Yet he is the blood brother of Odin Allfather himself. I guess that makes him the Alluncle. Sort of like the black sheep Uncle we all had as a kid growing up. the one who would never settle down and be respectable. The uncle all the kids loved because he would always show up at holidays with stories of adventures and neat things to play with...usually explosive things... Which fits in with Loki also being known as a fire elemental as well as the Norse version of Prometheus.
The Norse gods all represent some aspect of nature,either of our world or of ourselves, Loki represents an aspect of ourselves which sometimes make us uncomfortable with who we are. But sheds the light of his fire on our our own faults and capacity for causing trouble,not through malice,but through laziness and inattentiveness. and as such is a valuable tool at looking into who we are.
Even the ancient Norse didn't quite know what to make of him. Neither of the great warrior Gods of the nobility, The Aeisir, nor was he a member of the Vanir, the practical hardworking Gods of the earth,and harvests.For you see Loki is neither noble and brave,nor practical and hardworking. Loki is a trickster,and an elemental . he is the one of the many recognized tricksters world wide, like Anansi in Africa or coyote in north American legend.
Yet he is the blood brother of Odin Allfather himself. I guess that makes him the Alluncle. Sort of like the black sheep Uncle we all had as a kid growing up. the one who would never settle down and be respectable. The uncle all the kids loved because he would always show up at holidays with stories of adventures and neat things to play with...usually explosive things... Which fits in with Loki also being known as a fire elemental as well as the Norse version of Prometheus.
The Norse gods all represent some aspect of nature,either of our world or of ourselves, Loki represents an aspect of ourselves which sometimes make us uncomfortable with who we are. But sheds the light of his fire on our our own faults and capacity for causing trouble,not through malice,but through laziness and inattentiveness. and as such is a valuable tool at looking into who we are.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
What is a viking?
What is a viking?
Many people have this image that pops into their head the moment you say viking.
The idea is a drunken, violent, brutish and dirty fellow with a horned helmet. This stereotype couldn't be further from the truth. the Norse were a vibrant and sophisticated culture with trade routes that stretched from the the middle east to the coast of North America. Many Norse men (and women) were farmers, merchants and skilled craftsmen. This is a far cry from the fur clad warrior hacking people to bits with an ax. Although that was sometimes done as well, it wasn't the sole focus of this diverse and many layered people. many of the Noble class embraced the raiding and fighting way of life, as did many poorer farmers and craftsmen. Of course all would take up arms when it was their own homes targeted by vikings. But lawsuits were as eagerly taken up as arms. Poetry was as highly praised as strength. Intelligence and cunning were qualities as highly praised as weapons skills. When I tell the ancient stories of the north, I always try to keep in mind that I must remain true to the diverse faces of the Norse culture and show many facets, not just the bloody battles and great kings, but also the wise farmers, shrewd merchants, brilliant craftsmen and poets who populated that world.
Many people have this image that pops into their head the moment you say viking.
The idea is a drunken, violent, brutish and dirty fellow with a horned helmet. This stereotype couldn't be further from the truth. the Norse were a vibrant and sophisticated culture with trade routes that stretched from the the middle east to the coast of North America. Many Norse men (and women) were farmers, merchants and skilled craftsmen. This is a far cry from the fur clad warrior hacking people to bits with an ax. Although that was sometimes done as well, it wasn't the sole focus of this diverse and many layered people. many of the Noble class embraced the raiding and fighting way of life, as did many poorer farmers and craftsmen. Of course all would take up arms when it was their own homes targeted by vikings. But lawsuits were as eagerly taken up as arms. Poetry was as highly praised as strength. Intelligence and cunning were qualities as highly praised as weapons skills. When I tell the ancient stories of the north, I always try to keep in mind that I must remain true to the diverse faces of the Norse culture and show many facets, not just the bloody battles and great kings, but also the wise farmers, shrewd merchants, brilliant craftsmen and poets who populated that world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
