Orkneyinga saga

Orkney Islands from their capture by the Norwegian king in the 9th century onwards until about 1200 AD.

The saga was written around 1200 AD by an unknown Icelandic author and, as was generally the case with Icelandic language writing of this period, the saga is as much a fictional story as an historic document. It is thought to have been compiled from a number of sources, combining oral legends with historical facts. The saga begins with the semi-mythical capture of the islands by the King of Norway before moving on to more factual matters. The first three chapters covers text that have earlier been taken as the origins for the Swedish and Norwegian (January) thorsmonth after Thorri and (February) goimonth after Goi.

Throughout the story, a number of characters who are both historical and legendary are introduced: Sigurd the Powerful, Hakon Paulsson, Sigurd the Stout, Earl Rognvald and St Earl Norse mythology |- |align=center| The Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology |- |align=center| People, places and things: Deities | Giants | Dwarves | Valkyries |- |align=center| Orthography | Numbers | Runes | Kenning |- |align=center| Elder Edda | Younger Edda | Skald | Sagas | Later influence |}