Medieval Outlaws

The Saga of Grettir the Strong 7: The Romance of Thorstein and Spes

Hermit and angel in the 14th-century Queen Mary Psalter - (British Library)

The Grettir Saga concludes with his half-brother Thorstein finding freedom and romance in Constantinople.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.


The Saga of Grettir the Strong 6: Revenge in Constantinople

Cristoforo Buondelmonti - City of Constantinople in the 15th-century Liber insularum Archipelagi

Grettir's half-brother goes looking for revenge, and his killer goes to join the Varangian Guard.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.

  • Collingwood, W.G. A Pilgrimage to the Saga-Steads of Iceland. W. Holmes, 1899.


The Saga of Grettir the Strong 5: To Live and Die on Drangey

Thurid casts her spells - Henry Justice Ford in Andrew Lang's Book of Romance Vol. IV

Grettir, his little brother, and their reluctant helper face a new threat on Drangey. His story comes to a conclusion but not his saga.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.


The Saga of Grettir the Strong 4: The Brothers Asmundarson

Grettir and the Troll - illustration by John Vernon Lord from “Grettir's Saga” in Icelandic Sagas, Volume 2

The conclusion of Grettir's story, part one. He and his brother look for refuge on the island of Drangey, but they aren't the only ones who are interested in that island.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.

  • Ljungqvist, Fredrik Charpentier. "Rape in the Icelandic Sagas: An Insight in the Perceptions about Sexual Assaults on Women in the Old Norse World," in Journal of Family History, 40(4), 431–447.

  • Tweedie, Ethel Brilliana. A Girl's Ride in Iceland. Horace Cox, 1895.


The Saga of Grettir the Strong 3: A Lonely Exile

Henry Justice Ford in Andrew Lang's Book of Romance Vol. IV

The life of an outlaw, complete with mountain-path brigandry, half-trolls, feats of physical prowess, friendship, and loneliness.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.

  • Pavey, Sophie. "Outlawed but Not Alone: Friendships Out of Bounds in Grettir’s Saga," UBC Arts One, Prof. Miranda Burgess Seminar, 2021.


The Saga of Grettir the Strong 2: Foul Luck and Feuding

John Vernon Lord - “The Hen-Thorir Tale” in Icelandic Sagas, Volume 2

Norway, poems, bad luck, and the fateful burning of a hall.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.


The Saga of Grettir the Strong 1: Exile, Outlawry, and the Undead

Grettir and the Undead Old Karr - Henry Justice Ford

This is the first episode of a narrative series on the Icelandic saga of a famed outlaw. The Saga of Grettir the Strong opens with his grandfather leaving King Harald's Norway for Iceland. We follow its portrayal of Grettir's troubled childhood and his tests of strength against boulders, men, bears, and (for some Halloween appropriate listening) draugr, the undead of the burial mound.

If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.

Sources:

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Jesse Byock. Oxford University Press, 2009.

  • Grettir's Saga, translated by Denton Fox and Hermann Palsson. University of Toronto Press, 1974.

  • Three Icelandic Outlaw Sagas, translated by George Johnston and Anthony Faulkes. Everyman, 2001.