The Icelandic Canadian - 01.08.2001, Side 43

Vol. 56 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
125
supporting material to guide readers as
they explore this fascinating world and
learn the secrets of the Sagas.
There is a cross-referenced index of
characters. All told, the Sagas of Icelanders
have a cast of thousands of men, women
and children. The index lists 700 persons
who appear in two or more Sagas. To
enhance understanding, a glossary is
included. A large number of key concepts
have been translated consistently from one
saga to the next.
As an aid to understanding, they are
given in italics in the first instance they
occur in each saga and comprehensive
explanations are given in the glossary.
These reading aids are included in such a
way that they do not interfere with reading
pleasure.
There are exceptional, meticulously ren-
dered illustrations and diagrams. These
explanatory diagrams show details of ships,
houses, buildings together with a survey of
saga society.
Maps and tables are included that indi-
cate the reigns of the principal Norwegian
monarchs of the period, plus historical
events taking place in Iceland and the terms
of the leaders of the Icelandic common-
wealth, the Lawspeakers. Others follow
the course of events, such as the voyages of
discovery to Vinland, or locating the scene
of a conflict on the detailed maps, which
puts the Sagas into perspective.
One of the key features of many Sagas
are the verses, often recited by principal
characters in the stories. This is a linguisti-
cally complex poetry, full of imagery and
energy. These often include diverse refer-
ences to Norse mythology. Explanations
are provided alongside the translations for
the word-puzzles known as kennings.
Sagas told the truth about the settlement
of Iceland by leading families, mainly from
Norway, who were fleeing from the
oppression of King Harold Fair Hair when
that powerful monarch was forcefully unit-
ing Norway under his iron-fisted rule and
converting all to Christianity, or death.
In that period, many of the foremost
leaders and families left Norway rather
than submit to the dictates of a powerful
king. As founders of Iceland, they vowed
to be equals and not to allow a king or
kingdom.
The settlement of Iceland was one step
in the westward expansion of the Vikings.
Icelanders, led by Eirik the Red, settled in
Greenland beginning around 870 AD. That
was part of the general expansion of the
Viking world. Most settlers came from
west Norway but a considerable number
were from Viking settlements in the British
Isles. Iceland was probably fully settled in
the space of around 60 years.
Its inhabitants had to adjust to a differ-
ent climate and environment, that included
volcanoes and hot springs. They were inde-
pendent-minded people. In 930, more than
half a century after settlement of Iceland
began, representatives of leading families
established a national assembly, the
Althing, on the plains at Thingvellir. With
no king and none wanted, this was a unique
political structure in the Middle Ages.
It is the oldest government of its kind in
the world. Meeting for two weeks in high
summer each year, the assembly attracted
men and women from all around Iceland.
Its main role was to pass laws and settle
disputes. With no executive powers or
king, the legal and moral obligation to
implement sentences was left to individu-
als. Carrying out this obligation is one of
the main themes of the Sagas.
During July 2000, colorful Viking histo-
ry, heritage, traditions and contributions to
civilization come gloriously alive in the
Leif Eirlksson Millennium ceremonies in
Greenland. As the only nationally-pub-
lished American journalist to attend those
landmark events, I have written many arti-
cles about the sites, ceremonies and Norse
leaders who participated. In all articles, I
purposely included full, verbatim texts of
speeches by Her Majesty, Queen
Margrethe II of Denmark, President
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland,
Premier Jonathan Motzfeldt of Greenland
and other dignitaries.
My goal was to put all of their notewor-
thy and historic comments on the record
for readers today and Viking scholars who
will be researching these millennium events
in future years. Several Norse-American
media have graciously published all these