How Orkney became the centre of Viking Age violence

For much of the Viking Age, the Orkney Archipelago served as a vibrant hub of Norse activity. But these islands were also plagued by violence, not least between the Earls of Orkney themselves, as they vied for control. On this episode of the History Extra podcast, Judith Yesch speaks to James Osborne about her new translation of the saga of the Earls of Orkney, tracing centuries of conflict, and shares her insights into what this text tells us about the Norse peoples who lived there. Two different th I'm really excited to be here talking to you today because

We are discussing Orkney Inga saga, or the saga of the Elves of Orkney. Which is an old Norse text that you have. Done a new translation of To start with. Can you tell me when the original

Old Norse text was written, who by and perhaps Why? The short answer to that question is no. But I can tell you some things which g give us a sense of of where it all came from. The oldest surviving manuscript text of the saga is from about thirteen hundred or maybe a little bit earlier.

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