Avaldsnes — Brute Norse

Join Eirik on a virtual tour spanning years in the thousands, but all in one spot: Avaldsnes on the isle of Karmøy. Norway's birthplace, at least if the local tourist board has anything to say about it. An episode of nostalgia and archaeo-historical hypersaturation in an ancient center of power where myth, legend, and history intersect.

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Some references:
- Bergsveinn Birgisson (2013). Den svarte vikingen. Spartacus.

- Ilkjær, Jørgen (2000). Den første norgeshistorien: Illerupfunnet, ny innsikt i skandinavisk romertid. Kulturhistorisk Forlag.

- Ilkjær, Jørgen (2002). Illerup Ådal: Archaeology as a Magic Mirror. Moesgård Museum.

- Klausen, Aksel (2013). The Flagghaug prince - Rome's foe? A Late Roman Iron Age weapon grave from Avaldsnes. MA Thesis. University fo Bergen.

- Opedal, Arnfrid (1998). De glemte skipsgravene: Makt og myter på Avaldsnes. AmS småtrykk.

- Østmo, Einar (2020). The History of the Norvegr 2000 BC-1000 AD, In Dagfinn Skre (ed.), Rulership in 1st to 14th century Scandinavia. Royal graves and sites at Avaldsnes and beyond. Walter de Gruyter.

In this episode we explore the life and times of the pioneering Icelandic saga translator, historian, womanizer, drunkard, witch-defender, and murderer Thormod Torfæus (1636-1719). Following him from the miseries and nerdery of his native Iceland, to the jingoistic opulence of the Danish court, and finally to the shores of Norway. A voyage through the utter insanity of Early Modern scholarship. A world of grand claims, lovecraftian grimoires, espionage, crimes against humanity, narwhal-ivory-snorting alchemists, and the meandering chaos of a life that eerily paralleled that of the anti-heroes of ancient Scandinavia.

Support Brute Norse:
linktr.ee/brutenorse

Naaljos Ljom:
naaljosljom.bandcamp.com/

Scattered referenced works and citations:
- Bergsveinn Birgisson (2020). Mannen fra middelalderen: Historikeren og morderen Tormod Torfæus. Vigmostad og Bjørke.

- King, David (2005). Finding Atlantis: A true story of genius, madness, and an extraordinary quest for a lost world. Harmony.

- Torfæus, Tormod (2008-2014). Norges Historie, Vol 1-6. Torgrim Titlestad (ed.) Eide forlag.

- Various (2001). Tormod Torfæus: ei innføring. Torgrim Titlestad (ed.). Erling Skjalgssonselskapet.