The Chronicle of Duke Erik: A Verse Epic from Medieval SwedenWritten in the 14th century and enjoying a Swedish national status similar to the English Beowulf, this fascinating tale with many levels of meaning reflects the ideals of politics and aesthetics typical of the age of chivalry. The rhyming verses are accompanied by prose renditions and commentary, making the work enjoyable reading for anyone with an interest in medieval texts. A valuable source for the scholarly disciplines of comparative literature and poetics, this genuine piece of Scandinavian history contains intriguing dichotomies between center and periphery, male and female, and Christian and heathen. |
Contents
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Duke Erik and his tragic fate Introduction
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27 |
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Crusade against the Tavasts
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35 |
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The Folkung rebellion
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42 |
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Earl Birgers laws
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51 |
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The murder of King Erik Ploughpenny
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57 |
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31
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89 |
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King Birgers wedding
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95 |
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Mats Kettilmundsson challenges
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103 |
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38
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113 |
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The dukes visit King Erik of Denmark
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128 |
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King Birger in captivity
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147 |
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57
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155 |
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The dukes battle with the Norwegians
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160 |
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Commentary 235
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205 |
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The Bjälbo dynasty and biographical details
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258 |
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Common terms and phrases
army arrived battle became Bengt Bjälbo brother Brunkow burned captured castle chamberlain chivalrous Christians chronicle of duke Chronicle ofDuke Erik clothes court courtly Dalaborg Dalsland Danes daughter death Denmark died Duke Erik Duke Magnus Duke Valdemar duke’s Earl Birger Erik’s estates father fight flee Folkungs fortress fought gave German God’s hand heard heathen heaven honour horses Ingeborg King Birger King Erik King Håkan King Magnus King Valdemar king’s kingdom knights and squires Kungahälla laid Lake land Lawspeaker live Lödöse Lord Mats Magnus Birgersson Magnus Eriksson married Mats Kettilmundsson monastery noble Norway Norwegians Nyköping Nyköping Castle peace peasants Peder realm received ride river rode royal Russians sent ships silver Sir Ingemar Skåne Småland soul stay Stockholm Stone of Mora Sweden Swedish things took tower town truce Tyrgils Knutsson Varberg Västergötland wanted warhorses warriors wedding wished young Lord