This book addresses the varied performances of magic in medieval and early modern Scandinavia. It provides a comprehensive review of the rapidly expanding field of European magic and specifically discusses performances of magic in the pre-modern north. By employing innovating methodologies and covering a wide temporal range, the book offers a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to the study of magic in the pre-modern North. In addition, the minority-driven contributions, written by an international group of dynamic and diverse scholars, complement one another to highlight the many multicultural realities of the pre-modern North.

Explores magic in medieval and early modern Scandinavia Considers textual and material sources Offers perspectives from a range of disciplines

Autorentext

Jennifer Hemphill is a PhD Candidate at the Centre for Scandinavian Studies, University of Aberdeen, UK.

Ségdae Richardson-Read holds an MLitt in Vikings Studies from the University of Highlands and Islands and they are currently a PhD candidate at the Institute for Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, UK.

Solveig Marie Wang holds a PhD in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Aberdeen, UK and she is currently working with an interdisciplinary postdoctorate project at the Universität Greifswald, Germany.   

Inhalt

1. Laws as Sources for Performing Magic in the Pre-modern North - Gwendolyne Knight .- 2. Material Manifestations Archaeological Approaches to Magical Practices - Hanna Jansson .- 3. Finnvitka : Saami Magic, Embodied Others and Ambiguity - Solveig Marie Wang .- 4. The Old Norse Materia Medica : Between Liturgy and Magic - Luthien Cangemi .- 5. Curses in Old Norse Saga Literature - Fiorelle Di Fonte .- 6. Strange Brews: Drink and 'Magic' in Medieval Norse Literature - Ann Sheffield .- 7. Performing Weather Magic in the Medieval North - Jennifer Hemphill .- 8. In the Name of Satan: Magical Practice in the Late Danish Witchcraft Trials - Maria Østerby Elleby .- 9. 'The Devil's Sacraments': Physical Evidence of Danish Magical Practice during the Witch Trials (1550-1660) - Louise Hauberg Lindgaard .- 10. Of Crones and Fjolkynngi : Transgressing the Norms in the Íslendingasögur - Gaia Perreaut .- 11. Bury Your Gays: Queer readings of Viking Age Material Culture - Nate Richardson-Read .- 12. 'I don't want realism I want magic!': Fantasy as Resistance in Later Medieval Íslendingasögur - Basil Arnould Price.