Anarcheologos

The Creative Exploration of Language

Monthly Archives: December 2017

Ertu Hagr? New Essay in Eternal Haunted Summer

Leave a comment Posted by on December 21, 2017

I had an essay published today in the Winter Solstice issue of Eternal Haunted Summer called “Ertu Hagr?  The Gilded Sow and Esoteric Symbolism in Hreiðar’s Tale” which breaks down the surprising layers of meaning at play in Hreiðar’s Tale.  The phrase translates as “Are you skillful?” and is asked of the titular character, Hreiðar, by King Magnus the Good.  The essay unpacks the different levels of meaning in the question and the resulting answer.

You can read the essay here and my translation of Hreiðar’s Tale here.

Thanks for reading,

S.R. Hardy

 

 

 

 

 

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New Translation Published: Hreiðar’s Tale

Leave a comment Posted by on December 6, 2017

I am excited to announce that I have published a translation of Hreiðar’s Tale, a medieval Icelandic þattr (a short comedic tale) here on Anarcheologos.

The tale comes from Morkinskinna and tells the story of a “holy fool” character from Icelandic literature, Hreiðar Heimski, and his adventures in Norway as he becomes embroiled in a feud between King Magnús the Good and his uncle and co-ruler, King Harald Hardrada.  The tale works on two levels in that it is a conventional story with comedic elements, but the (unknown) author also makes use of esoteric symbolism that adds a layer of meaning that is intriguing.

You can read the story here.   Please let me know what you think in the comments.

Thanks for reading,

S.R. Hardy

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