CHAPTER XV OLD NORSE, NEW NORSE: HEIMSKRINGLA IN NORWAY 1599-1900 EDEL PORTER Introduction Of all the medieval literature of the north, the text which has the greatest significance for Norwegians is undeniably Heimskringla. Generally attributed to Icelandic scholar and statesman Snorri Sturluson, this anthology of kings’ sagas chronicles the Norwegian royal dynasty from its legendary origins to the death of King Magnús Erlingsson in 1177. When composing his monumental work, Snorri could hardly have anticipated that this powerful kingdom, which during his lifetime was at its peak, would so quickly fall into decline. However, after the Treaty of Kalmar in 1397, Norway gradually lost prestige and power as the court moved to Denmark and Danish progressively overtook Norwegian as the language of letters and administration. Within a hundred years, the Norwegian written language had become virtually obsolete, making the stories of the kings and the ancient law books inaccessible to all but those versed in the old lore (Haugen 1966:30). 1 In the sixteenth century, the revival of interest in the study of local historical writings generated by the arrival of humanism led to these texts regaining a certain popularity and recognition. However, it was in the context of the Norwegian movement for independence that Heimskringla truly came to the fore, and was established as one of the most important cultural cornerstones of the modern state of Norway. This chapter will explore the history of translating Heimskringla in Norway from the Renaissance through to the beginning of the twentieth century, with particular focus on the key role 1 Hagland (2005:1235-37) has challenged this view. Epstein, B. (Ed.). (2014). True north : Literary translation in the nordic countries. Cambridge Scholars Publisher. Created from bibliotecauclm-ebooks on 2022-02-07 00:47:38. Copyright © 2014. Cambridge Scholars Publisher. All rights reserved.