Writing 2 Books on Pre-Christian Scandinavia

[sebisalive]

Hey y'all, I already have all of my research questions for my books, but I'm putting this out there to see if anyone else is curious about this specific time period.

I’m working on two non-fiction books that explore pre-Christian Scandinavia:
1. The first dives into the beliefs, values, and worldview of people from what is now Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Poland, and Germany—before Christianity took hold.
2. The second focuses on the role of women in these early belief systems, especially through the lens of Norse goddesses, war, and death.

I’m collecting questions from curious people like you to help guide my research and uncover gaps I may not have thought of. If you’re interested in mythology, paganism, ancient cultures, or storytelling—your questions would be a huge help. Thank you!

 

[Karlin]

What sources are available for this? I get the impression that the societies were mostly non-literate, and that our info is second hand at best. Though there are runes...

 

[Mad Swede]

You do understand how long a period you are looking at, don't you? It took about 1000 years (yes, ten centuries) to convert the whole of Scandinavia - the last conversions took place amongst the Sami peoples in northern Sweden and Norway in the late 1700s.

Beliefs, values and worldview form part of politics, and political motives played a latge part in deciding to convert. How did you intend to handle these aspects? What about economic motives? What about statecraft, as in the ability to better administer a kingdom or clan/kindred - was this also a motivating factor? Did Christianisation bring about additional taxes (to pay for the chruch), and if so did this increase opposition to Christianisation attempts?

Trade was a signficant factor in Scandinavia, and the eastern Norse dialect was spoken in large parts of what are now Russia and the Ukraine as a result of this trade. How did this influence the spread of Christianity?

Trade was much more significant in Scandinavia than wars and raiding, and women played a much bigger and more important role in trade and in the resulting political (read clan or kindred) decisions. What effects did this have on Christianisation in Scandinavia?

Given the lack of primary sources for the early parts of this period (up until about 1350), how are you intending to deal with the varying reliability of the (somewhat limited) secondary and tertiary sources?

 

[Karlin]

...

Given the lack of primary sources for the early parts of this period (up until about 1350), how are you intending to deal with the varying reliability of the (somewhat limited) secondary and tertiary sources?

This reminds me of correspondence I had with a History Professor who also has a podcast (History on Fire, I Highly recommend it.) I suggested doing an episode on Xuanzang ( Tang Dynasty Monk), and the first thing he asked was "what are the primary sources?" In this case, Xuanzang's own account of his travels still exists (and is available in English translation for us barbarians), as is a biography written by his disciple. This is besides mentions in later historical works.

But that is China, with a long literary history. Scandinavia is a different ball game.

Did I mention that I recommend that podcast?

 

[pmmg]

I tend to be skeptical of most things that come out of this era, particularly as it matches the idealized thinking of today's culture. I too would wonder at the sources for this material.

But...I dont really know what questions I would ask without seeing what the books are suggesting.

 

[skip.knox]

That's quite a list of cultures there. It's not like they were all the same before they converted to Christianity. And that leaves aside what "converted" would even mean in a particular time and place.

As for sources, one of the immediate challenges is that the literary sources we have all date from *after* conversion. So you're reading Christian works that deal with pagans. It's not that nothing reliable can be gleaned, but one needs to be very well versed in not just history but literature as well. As in years of study. And even then, there are a thousand cracks through which modern perception and prejudice will pour.

Since you brought it up, though: what are *your* research questions (and how can you tell you have all of them)?

 

[Gurkhal]

If you're serious about this project you should prepare yourself for alot of archaeology as there would be more of such than written sources.

Good luck though and I salute your bravery in attempting this.

 

[xena]

I am curious to know what once made those cultures unique and the role of nature and the environment in Scandinavian beliefs and religious practices. Have you come across any resources on this?

 

[Rexenm]

Is it a travel book, they sell better. You could trace language, back to its roots, or the evolution of tribal gypsies of the lands, or fabricate a lot of evidence. As far as pre-Christian goes, from what source, were they traveling Shaolin monks. I had a fabricated history walk through Atlantis travel book.

 

[Gurkhal]

Is it a travel book, they sell better. You could trace language, back to its roots, or the evolution of tribal gypsies of the lands, or fabricate a lot of evidence. As far as pre-Christian goes, from what source, were they traveling Shaolin monks. I had a fabricated history walk through Atlantis travel book.

I'm not sure I understand this post. Is it s troll post?

 

[Rexenm]

I'm not sure I understand this post. Is it s troll post?

Is this posted in the wrong area. I’m all for education, but I am uneducated. And apparently illiterate - so I used something from my childhood, asked some questions, and thought of a answer.

 

[Gurkhal]

Is this posted in the wrong area. I’m all for education, but I am uneducated. And apparently illiterate - so I used something from my childhood, asked some questions, and thought of a answer.

Ok, trolling it is.

 

[Rexenm]

Ok, trolling it is.

I understand what you mean, but it is a funny subject. The history of a land is paling, in comparison to the religious memory of it. I was merely looking to remain kosher myself, so I chose a favoured memory.

The post is however in a different thread, not our other discussion, so to bear the truth: I will try to stay away from trolling, and flaming, in exchange for qualifying opinions.