Jeffrey Scott Love Ordre des livres

Exploring the rich tapestry of medieval Scandinavian lore, this analysis delves into the saga of Hervör and her son Heiðrekr, featuring giants, revenants, and vikings. Tracing its evolution since the late tenth century, the book examines various manuscript versions and narrative changes across four redactions, alongside the influence of notable figures like Brynjólfur Sveinsson and Olaf Verelius. It offers a comprehensive overview of the saga's transmission and its reinterpretation through centuries, highlighting its cultural significance and enduring legacy.

Giants, revenants and vikings populate the world of »Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks«, an account of the medieval Scandinavian rulers Hervör and her son, Heiðrekr. Some form of the tale has existed since at least the late tenth century, when part of it was incorporated into the Old English »Widsith«, and the story has afterwards been retold in a variety of forms by poets, scholars and songwriters. This book is an analysis of the changes underwent by the saga during its early transmission from the Middle Ages up until the end of the seventeenth century. It presents details of all known manuscripts containing the saga, an expansive overview of major narrative variants between four redactions of »Hervarar saga, Hervarar rímur« and related metrical ballads, as well as information on key figures who influenced the saga in early modern times, such as Brynjólfur Sveinsson, bishop of Skálholt in Iceland and Olaf Verelius, royal antiquarian to the Swedish king Charles XI.