Images from Old Norse Mythology and Legend on Anglo-Scandinavian and Scandinavian Stone Sculpture and some Wood Objects

Abstract

The objective of this thesis was to survey the various stone and wood monuments (that include images from Old Norse mythology and legend) in the north of England and Scandinavia during the so-called Viking Age. Chapter One examines the English material, with a particular focus on the myths involving Völundr the smith, Sigurðr, Ragnarök, Þórr and the Miðgarðsormr and some other more obscure figures. Chapter Two explores the relationship between the form of pre-Christian religion of the Vikings and Christianity. In this instance, the stone sculpture from northern England became the grounds for examination, although I have also invoked many of the relevant texts from the Old Norse-Icelandic literary record. Chapter Three is an examination of the material from Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway and Denmark) and the Isle of Man. This chapter has been divided into three sections – one for each country with further subdivisions on the basis of myth. Chapter Three is similar to the first in presentation, although more independent analysis has been undertaken as language barriers have prevented me from reading the Scandinavian written records with complete accuracy. My arguments include the following: (a) that the relationship between Old Norse paganism and Christianity has been largely underestimated and has yet to be properly researched; (b) that this relationship has deep roots on many levels as evidenced by the Viking Age sculpture and Old Norse literature; (c) many of the Scandinavian myths and legends were thought continuous within the broad Christian framework and were embraced, hence their appearance on the monuments; (d) there is an old tradition of image making in Scandinavia and the British Isles that connects the two areas together, despite the vastness of the sea; (e) many of the monuments in both areas share aspects of composition, style and content and should be viewed as belonging to the same overarching tradition but, in some cases, as having arisen independently.