Rafn, Charles C. Connection of the Northmen with the East

• Author: Rafn, Charles C.
• Title: Connection of the Northmen with the East
• Published in: Journal of the American Geographical and Statistical Society 1/7
• Year: 1859
• Pages: 202-203
• E-text: JSTOR
• Reference: Rafn, Charles C. "Connection of the Northmen with the East." Journal of the American Geographical and Statistical Society 1/7 (1859): 202-203.

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Annotation

Rafn argues that the Northmen who discovered and colonized Iceland during the 9th century were also present and active in the East. He uses the evidence of Scandinavian place-names in the East to illustrate the extent of Northern influence. Rafn also discusses the various ways the Northmen gained power throughout the East, including Royal ties and the Imperial Guard. In essence, the idea of being something like ‘weapons for hire’ as well as obtaining an Eastern upbringing gave the Northmen a powerful social influence and import in the East. Another point that Rafn uses aS evidence are rune stones, and details within the Saga’s that speak of Eastern travels and the importance of the men who journeyed into the far East. Specifically, he refers to Egil’s Saga that contains descriptions of Egill and Thorolf in Courland.

Links

• Written by: Ashlie McDougall
• Icelandic/English translation: