Six Sagas of Adventure (The Saga of King Gautrek; Hrolf Gautreksson; Bosi and Herraud; Sturlaug the Hard-Working; Hrolf the Walker; Hromund Gripsson)

A collection of what are called "Abenteursagas" or "romances". Sagas like this are set mostly in Scandinavia, in a rather nebulous Viking past. They show some influence from folktales and continental tales of chivalry. But whatever they may lack in historical reliability, they more than make up for in flash and dash. Here you'll find everything from lustful dwarves and man-eating vultures, to haughty female "maiden-kings" who take up sword and shield and scorn marriage, to priceless treasures kept in evil temples by ogre-priestesses, to shapeshifting villains and wicked sorcerors... and of course, the handsome hero always rises to the occasion and wins the princess in the end. A hero breaks into the tomb of an undead Viking to win fabulous treasure. . . a wise king faces enemy armies and hostile magic to win brides for himself and his warriors. . . a rakish outlaw seduces beautiful women and fights monsters on his quest to clear his name. . . a lazy and reluctant boy survives enslavement, treachery, and deadly sorcery as he grows into the greatest hero. . . The sagas newly translated in this book are Gautrek's Saga (in two versions), The Saga of Hrolf Gautreksson, The Saga of Bosi and Herraud, The Saga of Sturlaug the Hard-Working, The Saga of Hrolf the Walker, and The Saga of Hromund Gripsson. Written in Iceland beginning in the 1400s, these are some of the most popular Old Norse tales of high adventure. Viking legends, mythology, and lore were blended with medieval romances of chivalry to create these "sagas of adventure". Packed with sudden plot twists, dreadful villains, damsels in distress, and a generous dash of humor, these tales have never lost their power to delight. Introduction The Saga of King Gautrek The Saga of Hrolf Gautreksson The Saga of Bosi and Herraud The Saga of Sturlaug the Hard-Working The Saga of Hrolf the Walker The Saga of Hromund Gripsson Notes on Translation