Viking Words of the North: A Dictionary-Thesaurus fyrir Bretland, Orkneyjar, Hjaltland og Írland

Embark on a voyage through the language of the Vikings! This comprehensive dictionary-thesaurus delves into the rich vocabulary of the Norse seafarers who left their mark on Britain, Orkney, Shetland, and Ireland.

 

Explore the words that shaped their world, from the rugged coastlines to the fierce battles and the everyday life of these legendary people. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a writer, or simply curious, this resource will illuminate the Viking influence on the lands we know today.

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A

• Ætt (ett):

  • Meaning: Kin, family, lineage.

  • Thesaurus: Ancestry, clan, house, kindred.

  • Context: Vital to Viking society, the ætt supported and defined social standing.

  • British Isles Link: Family ties were crucial in Viking settlements across the region, influencing land ownership and political alliances.
     

• Ár (awr):

  • Meaning: Year, harvest.

  • Thesaurus: Season, cycle, time.

  • Context: Reflects the importance of agriculture and the passage of time in Norse life.

  • British Isles Link: The success of ár was essential for Viking settlements in fertile areas like Ireland and parts of England.

B

• Berserkr (ber-SER-ker):

  • Meaning: Warrior who fought in a trance-like fury.

  • Thesaurus: Frenzied warrior, battle-mad, raging fighter.

  • Context: Feared warriors known for their ferocity.

  • British Isles Link: Sagas and historical accounts describe berserkir in battles across the British Isles, adding to the Vikings' formidable reputation.
     

• By (bee):

  • Meaning: Town, settlement.

  • Thesaurus: Village, hamlet, community.

  • Context: A common suffix in place names indicating Viking settlements.

  • British Isles Link: Evident in numerous place names across England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (e.g., Derby, Whitby).

D

• Dreki (DREH-kee):

  • Meaning: Dragon, dragon-headed ship.

  • Thesaurus: Serpent, monster, longship.

  • Context: Symbol of power and fear, used both literally and metaphorically.

  • British Isles Link: Dragon-headed longships were a common sight along the coasts, striking fear into local populations.

F

• Fjord (fyord):

  • Meaning: A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs.

  • Thesaurus: Inlet, sound, sea loch.

  • Context: Describes the geographical features common in Scandinavia and also found in areas visited by Vikings.

  • British Isles Link: Found in the Shetland and Orkney Islands, reflecting the Norse influence on the landscape and language.

G

• Galdr (gald-er):

  • Meaning: Magic, spell, incantation.

  • Thesaurus: Sorcery, enchantment, charm.

  • Context: Reflected the Viking belief in supernatural forces.

  • British Isles Link: Norse magic and beliefs mingled with local Celtic traditions, creating a unique blend of folklore.
     

• Thing (thing):

  • Meaning: Assembly, meeting.

  • Thesaurus: Council, gathering, parliament.

  • Context: A democratic assembly where important decisions were made.

  • British Isles Link: Things were established in Viking settlements across the British Isles, influencing local governance.

H

• Huscarl (HUS-karl):

  • Meaning: Household warrior, bodyguard.

  • Thesaurus: Retainer, champion, guard.

  • Context: Elite warriors serving a lord.

  • British Isles Link: Huscarls played a significant role in Viking armies and later in Anglo-Saxon armies influenced by Norse practices.

J

• Jarl (yarl):

  • Meaning: Noble, chieftain, earl.

  • Thesaurus: Lord, ruler, magnate.

  • Context: A high-ranking member of Viking society.

  • British Isles Link: Jarls ruled over Viking settlements and territories across the British Isles, leaving a lasting impact on local politics.

K

• Knarr (knar):

  • Meaning: Cargo ship.

  • Thesaurus: Merchant vessel, trading ship.

  • Context: Used for trade and long voyages.

  • British Isles Link: Knarrs facilitated trade between Scandinavia and the British Isles, bringing goods and cultural exchange.

S

• Skald (skald):

  • Meaning: Poet, storyteller.

  • Thesaurus: Bard, verse-maker, saga-teller.

  • Context: Held an important role in preserving history and culture through oral tradition.

  • British Isles Link: Skalds composed poems and sagas about Viking exploits in the British Isles, preserving their legacy.

T

• Troll (troll):

  • Meaning: Supernatural being, often malevolent.

  • Thesaurus: Giant, monster, ogre.

  • Context: Part of Norse folklore, representing the dangers of the wilderness.

  • British Isles Link: Viking folklore influenced local legends, with tales of trolls and other mythical creatures.

W

• Wergild (WER-gild):

  • Meaning: Man-price, compensation for killing someone.

  • Thesaurus: Blood money, reparation, indemnity.

  • Context: A legal system to prevent blood feuds.

    • British Isles Link: This reflects the Viking legal system and its influence on early medieval law in the region.

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Authoritative sources

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General Viking History:

• The British Museum - Vikings:

  • URL: https://www.britishmuseum.org/vikings-live

  • A trusted source with in-depth information and artifacts.
     

• National Museum of Denmark - Vikings:

  • URL: https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/historical-themes/the-viking-age/

  • This is an excellent resource from a leading Scandinavian museum.
     

• History.com - Vikings:

  • URL: https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/vikings-history

  • Accessible and informative articles with multimedia content.
     

• Viking Society for Northern Research:

  • URL: https://vsnr.org/resources/

  • Scholarly articles and resources from a respected academic organization.
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Viking Language and Literature:

• Old Norse for Beginners:

  • URL: https://www.yorku.ca/inpar/language/English/OldNorse-Beginners.pdf

  • A valuable resource for those interested in learning Old Norse.
     

• The Icelandic Saga Database:

  • URL: http://www.sagadb.org/

  •  A comprehensive collection of Icelandic sagas in Old Norse and translations.
     

• University of Nottingham - Viking Studies:

  • URL: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/humanities/departments/english/research/viking-studies/index.aspx

  • Academic research and publications on Viking language and literature.

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Vikings in the British Isles:

• Historic England - Vikings:

  • URL: https://historicengland.org.uk/research/inclusive-heritage/diversity-and-heritage/black-history/vikings/

  • Information on Viking settlements and artifacts in England.
     

• Historic Scotland - Vikings:

  • URL: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/collections/vikings/

  • Details on Viking influence in Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland.
     

• National Museum of Ireland - Viking Age Ireland:

  • URL: https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Archaeology-Collections/Archaeology-Exhibitions/Viking-Age-Ireland

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