New Books Network Judith Jesch, "The Saga of the Earls of Orkney" (Birlinn, 2025)
Dec 21, 2025
Professor Judith Jesch, a retired expert in Viking studies, delves into her groundbreaking translation of The Saga of the Earls of Orkney. She reveals how Viking-era politics were steeped in power struggles, treachery, and cultural richness, highlighting the saga's mix of history and fiction. Jesch discusses the importance of place names and archaeological evidence in understanding the narrative. Her new translation aims to preserve the saga's poetic style and appeal to a diverse audience, from historians to literature enthusiasts.
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Geography And Chronology Of The Saga
- The Saga of the Earls of Orkney is an Icelandic saga set mainly in Northern Britain covering c.900–1200.
- It blends prose and 82 stanzas of poetry to record Norse rule and activity across Britain and beyond.
Compiled From Multiple Manuscripts
- No single original manuscript survives, so scholars reconstruct the text from fragmentary medieval and later copies.
- Jesch argues the compiler likely worked in Iceland using informants familiar with Northern Scotland.
Corroboration From Landscape And Archaeology
- The saga's place-names, buildings, and archaeology provide substantial corroboration for its setting.
- While details may vary, combined textual and material evidence makes the saga a plausible historical account.