Posts

Songs of Exploding Sands

[NSFW] Loki Plays the Dirty Dozens

Lokasenna is one of the most controversial of the Eddic poems. It is also funny and naughty. There are two versions in the feed, one with the naughtiest bits removed and this one that has everything.

[Safe] Loki Plays the Dirty Dozens

Lokasenna is one of the most controversial of the Eddic poems. It is also funny and naughty. There are two versions in the feed, this one has the naughtiest bits removed, the other includes them all.

Thor and the Norse View of Gods and Religion

A Runaway Slave in Iceland

The Dog Days King

The English Dane by Sarah Bakewell was my main source for Jörgensen’s later life in Tasmania.

A Spotify link to the album Eitt sumar á landinu bláa, from the musical about Jörgensen, performed by the band Þrjú á palli.

An online version of the book Journal of a tour in Iceland in the summer of 1809 by William Jackson Hooker.

Scottish Plans for the Annexation of Iceland by Anna Agnarsdóttir (pdf).

An article in Icelandic by Bragi Þorgrímur Ólafsson on the changing perception of Jörgensen in Iceland through time.

An Icelandic book that includes much of the original source material: Sjálfstæði Íslands 1809.

A thesis project, in Icelandic, outlining a pitch for a television series about Guðrún Einarsdóttir Johnsen.

The Hauntings at Yuletide

Coal Bottom Poker Riding

Blue is the Old Black

You can find articles by dr. Arngrímur in these books:

Paranormal Encounters in Iceland 1150–1400
Margins, Monsters, Deviants Alterities in Old Norse Literature and Culture

The Ghost of the Scorned Woman

Was Murdered

Eurovision, Will Ferrell and Iceland

2020 Presidential Election

The Boy Who Didn\'t Know What Fear Was

Sagas and Eddas

The Brothers of Bakki

Iceland in 1918

The Naked Seal Clubber

Avalanche

A Trollish Yuletide Tale

Where in the World is Iceland?

Cover image

The Tale Heard Around The World

The Berserker of Butter-Hill

Sledgehammer Judgements from an English Poet

Icelandic Food and Cookery by Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir (mentioned in the episode) is a great source of information and Icelandic cuisine.

Let\'s Talk About Elves, Baby

A picture of a model house. Not connected to elves in any way.

Goldie Locks and Beardie

The Tourism Boom in Post-Crash Iceland
Includes audio from this clip by Charlotte Evans.

Iceland\'s Only Serial Killer

The Smartest People In The World

A Mazing Tale

Queen of Elves

Queen of Elves

The Hornless Cow and The Carl\'s Son

Whose People Are You?

Gable Mountain Farm

In Vopnafjörður there is a farm called Bustarfell which has long history and is connected to many stories.

Where is Haukur?

The Icelandic Sport Saga
As the Icelandic men’s football team starts its first game ever at the World Cup it is fitting to look back in time at the sports of Iceland, from the sagas to the viking clap. Also, did you know that Arsenal saved Icelandic football?
Continue reading “The Icelandic Sport Saga”

Special Video Episode (Free)
A special free video episode at patreon.com/storiesoficeland.

Ragnar Furry Pants and the Sagas
Ragnar Loðbrók (furry pants) is one of the most famous heroes of Icelandic literature. Today he is more famous as the lead character of the television series Vikings but here is the original story. Continue reading “Ragnar Furry Pants and the Sagas”

The Deacon of Dark-River (Folktale Special)
This is a special episode, and a bit shorter than usual, where I read and examine the folktale The Deacon of Dark-River. Continue reading “The Deacon of Dark-River (Folktale Special)”

What\'s in an Icelandic Name
Confused about our naming conventions? Listen to this. The patronymic naming system used in Iceland is rather perplexing and we have unusual laws dealing with both first names and last names.

Also, big thanks to André Bernier who interviewed me for his podcast Weatherjazz – episode 79. Continue reading “What\’s in an Icelandic Name”

Hear, Smith of Heavens
The Age of the Sturlungs was the most violent period in Icelandic history.  But it also produced beautiful art. Here I examine the relationship between bishop Guðmundur the Good and the chieftain Kolbeinn Tumason. Continue reading “Hear, Smith of Heavens”

Yule - Not Christmas
Iceland has thirteen Yule-Lads, a cat which eats children, strange songs and a long colorful history of celebrating Jól.
Continue reading “Yule – Not Christmas”

The Thing About Þings
A word you hear again and again in Iceland is þing but what does it really mean and what is its history? We take a journey through the ages of Iceland to figure it out.

Smoke by the Water
This is the story of Reykjavík but also about how Iceland was discovered. Continue reading “Smoke by the Water”

Troublemaker Valley
In the north of Iceland there is valley called Svarfaðardalur. It has long history, beautiful scenery and great stories. From the ghosts of the Sagas to the impoverished children of the early twentieth centuries. Continue reading “Troublemaker Valley”