Heimskringla is a detailed account of the history of the kings of Norway, written by the Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturleson. The book provides a rich and captivating narrative of the lives and reigns of the Norse rulers, spanning from the legendary Viking age to the medieval era.

Sturleson’s storytelling prowess shines through in this epic work, as he weaves together myths, sagas, and historical facts to create a vivid tapestry of the past. The accounts of battles, alliances, betrayals, and conquests are brought to life with his colorful descriptions and lively prose.

One of the standout features of Heimskringla is Sturleson’s deep understanding of Norse mythology and culture, which infuses the text with a sense of authenticity and depth. The reader is transported back in time to a world of heroic deeds, fierce warriors, and larger-than-life figures.

While the language and style of Heimskringla may be challenging for modern readers, the wealth of information and insights it offers make it a valuable resource for anyone interested in Norse history and literature. Overall, this book is a must-read for enthusiasts of Viking sagas and medieval tales.

Book Description:
Heimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230. The name Heimskringla was first used in the 17th century, derived from the first two words of one of the manuscripts .

Heimskringla is a collection of sagas about the Norwegian kings, beginning with the saga of the legendary Swedish dynasty of the Ynglings, followed by accounts of historical Norwegian rulers from Harald Fairhair of the 9th century up to the death of the pretender Eystein Meyla in 1177. The exact sources of his work are disputed, but included earlier kings' sagas, such as Morkinskinna, Fagrskinna and the twelfth century Norwegian synoptic histories and oral traditions, notably many skaldic poems. Snorri had himself visited Norway and Sweden. For events of the mid-12th century, Snorri explicitly names the now lost work Hryggjarstykki as his source. The composition of the sagas is Snorri's.

This solo is Volume 3-5 of The Saga Library by the same translators and is all three volumes of the Heimskringla .