In this episode, we finally come to the end of Ljósvetninga saga! And there are a lot of loose ends to wrap up. Eyjolf Guðmundarson still burns for vengeance against his brother’s killers, but the courts have spared the Möðruvellings, exiling them instead. The outlawed Möðruvellings plan to spread out across Northern Europe, but they have to get out of Iceland first—and the clock is ticking.

Our story this time takes us from the court of Harald Hardrada to the streets of Rome, from the bustle of Byzantium to the famous Battle of Hastings, as everyone tries to move on with their lives. And try as they might, not everyone’s making it out alive. Pack your bags for a globe-trotting conclusion to Ljósvetninga saga!

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Music Credits

Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod

Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod

In this episode, the Ljósvetnings and Möðruvellings maneuver to position themselves to maximize potential outcomes in the aftermath of the battle of Battle Hill. While Þorvarður Höskuldsson does his best to calm tensions and shield his allies, Eyjólfur Guðmundarson wants more than financial compensation for the killing of his "beloved" brother Koðrán.

And just like last time, both sides rally supporters from far and wide, each determined to force the results that benefit them most. As the thing draws near, the risk of open violence continues to loom large. And when everyone arrives, there's a very real chance that Eyjólfur will get the bloody revenge he's been thirsting after, even if it means dooming many of his own men in the process.

Quick note: In the episode, I think we say this meeting takes place at the Althing. I'm convinced (this is Andy here) that the conflict takes place at the local thing in the north and not at the Althing.

These few chapters capture the tensions and drama that we love most in the sagas: carefully laid legal strategies, preparations for battle, and the ever-present threat that everything is about to pop off in spectacular fashion.

Will everything resolve with a fair and equitable legal resolution? Or will Eyjólf water the grounds of the thing site with the blood of his enemies (and his companions)? There's only one way to find out!

Listen and let us know what you think:

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Music Credits

Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod

Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod

In this special Saga Brief, we wrap up our four-part series from Iceland with an interview recorded in the shadow of Snæfellsjökull, one of the most iconic landscapes in the country. This time, we are joined by Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir, park manager of Snæfellsjökull National Park, for a wide-ranging conversation about the sagas, Icelandic heritage, and the powerful connection between people and place.

Snæfellsjökull National Park is a natural treasure of Iceland and a must-see destination for fans of Saga Thing and lovers of history, literature, and nature alike. Located at the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it was established to protect the dramatic landscapes surrounding the iconic peak of the glacier-capped volcano Snæfellsjökull. The park encompasses a remarkable variety of geological features, from windswept lava fields and jagged cliffs to hidden caves and mossy craters. It’s a place where history, legend, and natural beauty intertwine seamlessly.

After a full day of work in the park, Ragnhildur met us in nearby Arnarstapi at the foot of the massive statue of Bárður Snæfellsás. You may remember Bárður as the mythical guardian of the peninsula and central figure in Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss. As a self-described book lover and lifelong reader of the sagas, Ragnhildur brought a deeply personal perspective to our conversation, especially in her reflections on Guðríður víðförla Þorbjarnardóttir (Gudrid the Far-Traveled) from the Vinland sagas.

As we mention in the intro, this interview came at the end of an unforgettable day that included a magical horse ride along the beach with Siggi from Stóri-Kambur and several stops at saga sites. It was the kind of day where the sagas feel alive in the landscape, which was one of the most important goals of this trip.

And, if you're planning a trip to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, we highly recommend a stop at Stóri-Kambur, where you can ride one of their beautiful Icelandic horses and learn about the special place these animals hold in Icelandic culture and daily life.

We’re so grateful to Ragnhildur for sharing her time and insight with us. Her deep care for the land and its stories really shines through in this conversation.

Enjoy the episode and then let us know what you think on our social media:

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Music Credits:

Opening song – “Rúnatal” by An Danzza

Introduction – from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur

Outro – Ólafur Liljurós

Though Guðmund the Powerful has been laid to rest, tensions between the Möðruvellings and the Ljósvetnings continue into the next generation. In a bold move toward peace, Eyjólf Guðmundarson (the new leader of the Möðruvellings) attempts to create peace by forming an alliance with Þorvarð Hóskuldsson (grandson of Þorgeir Lawspeaker and leader of the Ljósvetnings). But there's a dark cloud on the horizon. 

A surprise pregnancy, questions of paternity, and a contested ordeal plunge the region into renewed chaos. As a result, Eyjólf soon finds himself defending his honor in an epic battle against Þorvarð and some pretty overwhelming numbers. Will he do his father proud and claim victory? Or will he lose more than just reputation in the fight? And do we even want Eyjólf to come out on top here?

Join us for the most exciting and action-packed episode of this series. Along the way, we explore the finer points of trial by ordeal and medieval Icelandic paternity tests as well. There's so much content here, your head will be spinning!!!

Listen and share your thoughts on our social media:

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Music Credits

Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod

Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod

This special Saga Brief interview with Anna Melsteð (of the Eyrbyggja Saga Society) was recorded at the foot of Helgafell on a drizzly afternoon following a full day of exploring key sites from Eyrbyggja Saga with Anna, Eyberg, and Guðlaug as our guides.

Our day began with a quick viewing of the original site of the Þórsnessþing, mainly to get a view of where drítsker might be.

We followed that up with a rugged hike to Vigrafjörður, where the Thorbrandssons and Thorlakssons famously clashed on the ice in chapter 45 of the saga.

From there, we trekked to Bólstað on Álftafjörður to pay our respects to Andy's thingman Arnkell. We were even greeted with a rainbow, a generous gift from the best man in the saga.

But the biggest highlight was walking the paths carved (allegedly) by the Swedish berserks Halli and Leiknir, followed by a brief rest at the overgrown ruins of Killer-Stýr’s sauna, where their tale ended in steam and the tip of Stýr's spear.

It was, of course, one of the most rewarding days we’ve ever spent in Iceland. The stories of Eyrbyggja Saga came alive in a powerful new way as we stood in the places where they unfolded.

The day concluded at Hraunháls, where we enjoyed Icelandic hospitality, a tasty homemade cake, and a glimpse of the proofs for the incredible Eyrbyggja Saga tapestry.

Can you tell who these two lovebirds might be? Also note the way the upper and lower registers contribute to the story.

As evening approached, we finally drove over to the base of Helgafell to sit down with Anna for a chat about her work, the power of landscape in the sagas, and the growing community of saga enthusiasts on Snæfellsnes. We also got some more help with our Icelandic pronunciation.

Be sure to check out what the Eyrbyggja Saga Society is up to on their webpage and follow them on Facebook.

You can also stay at Hraunháls through Airbnb and enjoy the hospitality of Eyberg and Guðlaug.

Music Credits:

Opening song – “Rúnatal” by An Danzza

Introduction – from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur

In this special Saga Brief, we visit historic Reykholt, once home to Snorri Sturluson, for a fascinating conversation with Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar, department manager at Snorrastofa. This interview is the second installment in our four-part series recorded on-site during our recent trip to Iceland.

Sigrún generously met with us on a Saturday to talk about Snorri’s life, legacy, and the important work being done at Snorrastofa to continue the long tradition of learning at Reykholt on the site. Along the way, she shared insights into Snorri's role as a chieftain, writer, and political figure in 13th-century Iceland, offering a more nuanced portrait of the man we often call “infamous.”

If you're planning a trip to Iceland, we can’t recommend a stop in Reykholt highly enough. In addition to its rich history, the Snorrastofa cultural and medieval studies center offers an engaging exhibition on Snorri’s life, an inviting research library, and an exceptional gift shop.

For more about Snorrastofa, including visitor info, exhibitions, and ongoing research, visit: https://snorrastofa.is

Enjoy the episode and let us know what you think about Snorri’s legacy after hearing from someone who engages with it every day.

Music Credits:

Opening song – “Rúnatal” by An Danzza

Introduction – from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur

With Þórir Helgason freshly outlawed, Guðmund inn ríki (the Powerful) turns his attention to Þorkell hák (Bully) to sate his thirst for revenge. Speaking of thirst, Þorkell lands one of the sickest burns we've heard in a long while at Guðmund´s expense.

After butting heads since the first chapters of the saga, these two finally come to blows in a thrilling and hilarious climax. Who comes out on top? You'll just have to listen to find out.

Along the way, you'll meet some interesting characters, like Þorbjörn rindill (Wren?), a no-account assassin from the Eastfjords, and Drauma-Finni (Dream-Finni), who excels at John's favorite profession: dream interpretation.

We also close the book on the first half of the saga, and on Guðmund inn ríki as well. How will Guðmund's life come to a close? Will he go out in a blaze of glory? Or will he pass peacefully with a hot cup of milk in hand?

Listen and share your thoughts on our social media:

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Music Credits

Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod

Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod

On our recent trip to Iceland, we had the pleasure of speaking to a variety of fascinating people about their interest in the sagas. Our goal was to get a sense of how these individuals read and engage with these medieval texts in a modern context.

Saga Brief 27, a 4 part interview series, is the result of those efforts.

In this first episode, we chat with Björn Júlíus Grímsson, an Icelandic tour guide who loves to share the stunning landscapes and rich culture of his country on sightseeing tours and excursions all over Iceland. He's also a regular Saga Thing listener!

Though the interview itself is regrettably brief, we spent a great deal of time at lunch and after the interview chatting with Björn and his lovely wife Zoe about the sagas, about the logistics of running a tour in Iceland, about audio production, and about life in Iceland and America. It was such a pleasure getting to know them, being welcomed into their home, playing with their son, and sharing that time together.

And Björn was kind enough to join us for a walk through Þingvellir the following day. By the end of our visit, it felt like we'd known them for ages even though we had really just met right before this interview.

As we begin working on our official Saga Thing tours, we plan to take full advantage of Björn and Zoe's expertise and talents.

If you can't wait for the Saga Thing tour, you can get in touch with Björn through his website www.allovericeland.com and follow him on Instagram.

You should also check out Zoe's music on Spotify. We're all big fans now!

Music Credits:

Opening song – “Rúnatal” by An Danzza

Introduction – from Icelandic Folk Music: Tröllaslagur

Tensions have been building in Eyjafjörður as nearly everyone in the north seems to have it out for Guðmundr inn ríki. Across the last few episodes, Guðmundr has taken loss after loss when pitted against some of the region’s heavy hitters. Perhaps things will turn out differently for him when he embarks on a campaign of legal vengeance against Þórir Helgason, a rival chieftain whose been spreading rumors about Guðmundr’s masculinity (or lack thereof). Guðmundr being Guðmundr, he will stop at nothing to . . . prosecute his opponents in court.

You’re in for a treat with this one, dear listeners. Things are finally starting to pop off in chapters 13-17 of Ljósvetninga Saga! Oh, and this episode has some steamy goats in it.

Also, this episode marks the occasion of our 200th episode and a moment when we cross the 3 million download boundary for the podcast. Not bad for such a niche subject! Thank you to everyone out there who is listening, re-listening, and spreading the good word about Saga Thing.

Listen and then share your thoughts on our social media:

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Music Credits

Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod

Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod

We return with the tale of Vöðu-Brand, another entertaining þáttr from the opening section of Ljósvetninga Saga. This is the story of a troublesome young man who is bored with life the farm in northern Iceland. His restlessness carries him across the sea for a brief and somewhat turbulent stay in Norway. Once back in Iceland, young Brand can't seem to get out of his own way, causing a spot of trouble for himself that might just change the political landscape for our old friend Guðmund the Powerful. But don't worry, it all ends happily ever after. . .for most of the players in this fun little drama.

This episode also features several familiar faces from Saga Thing past, including Þorkell Geitisson, Bjarni Brodd-Helgasson, and Þorstein Síðu-Hallsson.

We also discuss the role of the þættir inserted into the saga, the rules and regulations of legal residency in medieval Iceland, the problems of finding the right voice for our characters, and the quality of Vöðu-Brand's character (or lack thereof).

Listen and then share your thoughts on our social media:

Sagathingpodcast on Facebook

Sagathingpodcast on Instagram

Sagathingpodcast on Bluesky

Saga Thing’s unofficial official Discord

Music Credits

Intro Music - "Prelude and Action" by Kevin MacLeod

Outro Music - "Stormfront" by Kevin MacLeod