Five Tips for Warriors of the Medieval Scandinavian School

PENRITH, U.K. - Dec. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- The aspiring medieval warrior could be missing guidance in these modern times on how best to act to win renown, wealth, and even to survive. Much can be learned from the tales of glorious warriors of the past, and fortunately, a recently published translation of medieval Scandinavian ballads throws some light on this subject.

Here are the top five tips for Warriors gleaned from the medieval Scandinavian ballads:

-- Don't let your opponent know your name.

-- Leave your gold at home when you ride to war.

-- If you've already killed the king and six of his sons, also kill the seventh.

-- Think on your feet: riddles could save you.

-- You're not beaten, even on the sports field, until you are dead.

Warrior Lore is a collection of English verse translations of medieval Scandinavian ballads by Ian Cumpstey. These ballads were part of an oral tradition in Scandinavia, and the ballads in this collection include some of the oldest surviving examples, written down around 1600 but probably composed earlier than that. They tell stories that draw on Norse myth and Germanic legend, echoing themes of the Eddas. There are stories of heroes, revenge, feats of strength, riddles, and troll fighting.

This new translation of ten of the ballads includes Twelve Strong Fighters, The Hammer Hunt, and Heming and the Mountain Troll, among others. This book could appeal to those with an interest in folklore, traditional songs, and medieval Scandinavian culture.

Ian Cumpstey lived in Sweden for several years where he worked as a lecturer in chemistry at Stockholm  University. He has now returned to the UK and is based in north-eastern Cumbria. This is his second collection of translations of Scandinavian Ballads, following Lord Peter and Little Kerstin (2013).

Warrior Lore by Ian Cumpstey is published by Northern Displayers, Skadi Press. The illustrated paperback edition is priced at £10.00.

ISBN 978-0-9576120-1-3

More information on the book is available via the following URL:

http://www.northerndisplayers.co.uk

An e-book edition is also available from all the usual online suppliers. Details are at the same web address.