A powerful human drama complete with many exciting events and stirring battle scenes, THE SAGA OF KING HROLF KRAKI ranks among the masterworks of the Middle Ages.
Composed in medieval Iceland, Hrolf's Saga is one of the greatest of all mythic-legendary sagas, relating half-fantastical events that were said to have occurred in fifth-century Denmark. It tells of the exploits of King Hrolf and of his famous champions, including Bodvar Bjarki, the 'bear-warrior'- a powerful figure whose might and bear-like nature are inspired by the same legendary heritage as Beowulf. Depicting a world of wizards, sorceresses and 'berserker' fighters - originally members of a cult of Odin - this is a compelling tale of ancient magic. A work of timeless power and beauty, it offers both a treasury of Icelandic prose and a masterful gathering of epic, cultic memory, traditional folk tale and myths from the Viking age and far earlier.
By:
Jesse Byock
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 198mm,
Width: 129mm,
Spine: 8mm
Weight: 112g
ISBN: 9780140435931
ISBN 10: 014043593X
Pages: 144
Publication Date: 30 June 2005
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Translated with an Introduction by Jesse L. Byock Introduction The Sagas of Ancient Times and Heroic Lays Skjold and the Skjoldung Dynasty: The Legendary Past Archaeology and the Legendary Hleidargard The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki and Beowulf Beowulf and Bodvar Bjarki: The Bear Warriors Berserkers Myth in the Saga Christian Influence Map: The World of The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki Note on the Translation The Saga 1. King Frodi Kills His Brother King Halfdan 2. The Search 3. The Boys Helgi and Hroar Revealed 4. The Death of King Frodi 5. King Helgi Rules Denmark and King Hroar Marries 6. King Helgi Attempts to Marry Queen Olof 7. King Helgi's Vengeance: The Girl Yrsa; The Ring 8. Jarl Hrok Claims King Hroar's Ring 9. Vengeance and King Hroar's Son Agnar 10. King Helgi and Queen Yrsa 11. The Elfin Woman and the Birth of Skuld 12. King Adils and King Helgi Meet 13. King Adils' Pride and Queen Yrsa's Displeasure 14. Svipdag and the Berserkers 15. Svipdag and His Brothers Join King Hrolf's Men 16. King Hrolf Tricks King Hjorvard 17. King Hring of Norway Marries Hvit 18. The Love of Bera and Bjorn 19. Bjorn Rejects Queen Hvit's Advances: The Curse 20. Bjorn's Transformation into a Bear and the Birth of Bodvar 21. Thorir Becomes King of the Gauts 22. Bodvar's Vengeance 23. Bodvar and His Brothers 24. King Hrolf's Champions 25. Bodvar Encourages King Hrolf to Recover His Inheritance 26. Three Strange Nights with Hrani 27. King Adils' Deceitful Welcome 28. King Adils Attempts to Defeat King Hrolf 29. Queen Yrsa Gives King Hrolf His Inheritance and More 30. King Adils is Conquered by Gold and King Hrolf Angers Hrani 31. Queen Skuld Incites King Hjorvard 32. Queen Skuld Attacks King Hrolf at Yule 33. The Great Battle 34. The Death of King Hrolf Kraki Notes Genealogical Tables: The Family of King Hrolf Kraki; The Family of Bodvar Bjarki; The Family of Svipdag Equivalent Characters in Old Norse, Old English and Latin Accounts of King Hrolf Kraki Glossary of Proper Names
Jesse Byock has also translated the Saga of Volsungs, published by Penguin.
