The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald the Tyrant (Harald Haardraade), Williams and Norgate / Chiswick Press, 1911

The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald the Tyrant presents in English the dramatic histories of two of medieval Norway's most celebrated warrior-kings, drawn from Snorri Sturluson's great thirteenth-century collection of Norse kings' sagas, the Heimskringla. Olaf Tryggvason (c.963-1000) is remembered particularly for his role in the Christianisation of Norway, while Harald Hardrada (c.1015-1066), adventurer, warrior and King of Norway, famously met his death at the Battle of Stamford Bridge during his attempted invasion of England shortly before the Norman Conquest. Based upon Gustav Storm's Norwegian version and attractively illustrated in an archaic woodcut style, this 1911 first edition offers an appealing introduction to the world of Norse history, legend and saga literature - the same Old Norse-Icelandic tradition that would become an important scholarly and imaginative influence upon J. R. R. Tolkien and other twentieth-century writers.

The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald the Tyrant (Harald Haardraade). Based on Professor Gustav Storm's Norwegian version of the Heimskringla, from which this translation is made. Notes by Thel E. Hearn.

Published by Williams and Norgate, and printed by The Chsiwick Press, London, 1911. First edition. 

A good hardback with cream linen spine with printed title label and covers with blue paper over boards, with printed title label. Covers with some soiling and wear. Soundly bound.

The text pages are bright and clean and very attractively presented, with lovely illustrations in a style resembling old woodcuts. With just the occasional spot or small mark. Pages are rough cut as issued, and text block toned to edges.

Text in English.

219pp.

Weight approximately 636g.

Dimensions: Approximately 220mm high x 167mm wide x 30mm deep.