Dear all,

Welcome to the classroom assignment on the written sources about Viking-Age and early medieval Scandinavia!

You will be divided into two groups and given two texts that describe the same events. The texts can be found in the attachment to this module. You will be asked to ponder on these questions :

In-group work (source analysis):

1. Read both texts (NB: texts with chapters: chps. 86–92, 95–96)
2. Compare their depiction of the same events (the Battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings, 1066): how, in what manner, and (possibly) why do they tell their own versions? what is common, what is different? (ask your own questions if youlike!)
3. The two texts contain three genres; try identifying all three of them! (hint: all three were mentioned in the home-read assignment)
4. Try identifying the origin (period and country) of both texts

General discussion (source criticism):

1. Having answered the questions above, assess the two texts as sources: what and how can and cannot they be used for?

In the last section of the class we will try to consolidate our opinions in a general discussion.

Good luck!