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Icelandic Tales. Introduction
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Introduction to the Selection of Tales

Jón Árnason (1819-1888), called the "Grimm" of Iceland by some, was an Icelandic librarian and teacher who collected icelandic legends, at first with Magnus Grimsson, and since 1852 by himself. Two volumes, Íslendzkar Þjóðsögur og Æfintýri were published in Leipzig ii 1862-64, and also published in English in 1864 and 1866, translated by George E. J. Powell and Eiríkur Magnússon. Árnason's complete collections were published in five volumes in Reykjavik in the years 1925-39. More recent editions exist too.
      The legends Árnason collected from all parts of Iceland contain both firm sense and wisdom. They tell of enigmatic elves and different beings. Som such beings are horrible, others milder. Many folktale motifs of Norwegian folklore may be found too. The somewhat darker tone of Icelandic tales presumably reflects the icelandic way of life earlier. Folktales illustrate, explain, warn and entertain. Ghosts and fairies pop up to such ends, as do trolls and giants.
      As it is, strange tales can instil respect for nature and creatures, or imagined spirits of many sorts. Values can be passed on to children to show them the ways of ancestors.
      As for books, those by Booss og Hall (further down) contain nice selections. Moreover, eight of the tales in our selection are from "Colour Fairy Books" edited by Andrew Lang. They are listed further down.
      Some of the folktales are published in Norwegian on the site, and some words and phrases have been slightly updated for this edition. - Tormod Byrn Kinnes

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Literature  
Booss, Claire, ed. Scandinavian Folk and Fairy Tales: Tales from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland. New York: Gramercy Books, 1984. - Booss draws on Icelandic Legends by Jon Arnason (1864), translated by George E. J. Powell and Eirikur Magnusson. - The collection contains forty-one Icelandic legends and other tales.

Gering, Hugo. Islendzk aeventyri; isländische Legenden, Novellen und Märchen (1882-83). Vol. 1. Halle A. S. Waisenhaus, 1882. On-line.

Hall, Mrs. A. W, tr. and ed. Icelandic Fairy Tales. London: Frederick Warne & Co, 1897. - Seventeen fine fairy tales.

Lang, Andrew, ed. The Yellow Fairy Book. London: Longmans, Green and Co, 1894.
——— The Crimson Fairy Book. London: Longmans, Green and Co, 1903.
——— The Brown Fairy Book. London: Longmans, Green and Co, 1904.

  • Cottager and His Cat - Crimson
  • Three Robes - Crimson
  • Rogue and Herdsman - Crimson
  • Horse Gullfaxi and Sword Gunnfoder - Crimson
  • Asmund and Signy - Brown
  • Prince Ring - Yellow
  • Hermod and Hadvor - Yellow
  • Witch in Stone Boat - Yellow
Laboulaye, Edouard, ed. Fairy Tales. Philadelphia: David Mckay, 19--. - Eight of the tales in his collection are from Iceland.

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