Bishop Asgar, etching by the Danish-Norwegian illustrator Louis Moe (1857—1945)

Gesta Danorum ("Deeds of the Danes") is a work of Danish history, by 12th century author Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Grammarian"). It is the most ambitious literary undertaking of medieval Denmark. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (570x818, 250 KB)Drawn by Louis Moe for illustration in Frederik Winkel Horns Book Saxo Grammaticus - Danmarks Krønike, 1898. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (570x818, 250 KB)Drawn by Louis Moe for illustration in Frederik Winkel Horns Book Saxo Grammaticus - Danmarks Krønike, 1898. ... Saxo, etching by the Danish-Norwegian illustrator Louis Moe (1857 – 1945) Saxo Grammaticus (estimated. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ...

Gesta Danorum

In sixteen books, written in Latin on the invitation of Archbishop Absalon, it describes Danish history and to some degree Scandinavian history in general, from prehistory to the late 12th century. It is the most ambitious literary undertaking of medieval Denmark, told in a sparkling and entertaining language, that reads as well today as it did back then. Latin is the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated bishop heading a diocese of particular importance due to either its size, history, or both, called an archdiocese. ... Absalon (c. ... Scandinavian can mean: a resident of, or anything relating to Scandinavia any North Germanic language a chess opening, Scandinavian Defense the aviation corpotation Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ...

The sixteen books can be categorized into two parts, book 1-9 being what is known as the Old Norse part and Book 10-16 being medieval history. Book 9 ends with Gorm the Old, the first factual documented King of Denmark. Norse or Scandinavian mythology refers to the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people, including those who settled on Iceland, where the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... Gorm the Old (Gorm den Gamle) was King of Denmark in the mid-900s. ... This is a list of Danish monarchs, that is, the Kings and ruling Queen of Denmark, including Regents of the Kalmar Union. ...

Since the work itself contains not a single date of any kind, neither for events nor to identify when it was written it can be problematic dating some persons and events of the Old Norse part. The only timeframe is the mention of Jesus' birth during Frode III reign, in book 5. This single fixed point established the dating of persons and events contained in the first 9 books. By counting back the number of generations told of by Saxo, one arrives roughly at 600 BC for the start of the work.

Angers Fragment, page 1, front

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (744x917, 373 KB)Original Gesta Danorum parchment page. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (744x917, 373 KB)Original Gesta Danorum parchment page. ... Original Saxo, Angers Fragment, page 1, front Angers Fragment, four parchment pages from ca. ...

Chronology

When the book was written, and in what order the books were written, is a matter of historical interpretation.

When exactly it was written is the subject of numerous books, however it is generally agreed that it was not finished before 1208. The last event described in the last book (Book 16) is King Canute VI of Denmark subduing Vendenland in Pomerania under Duke Bogislaw I, in 1186. However the preface of the work, dictated to Archbishop Anders Sunesen, mentions the Danish conquest of the areas north of the Elbe in 1208. Events Philip of Swabia King of Germany and rival Holy Roman Emperor to Otto IV, assassinated June 21 in Bamberg by German Count Otto of Wittelsbach because Philip had refused to give him his daughter in marriage. ... Canute IV (1163-1202), also called Canute VI because the two prior kings Harthacanute were counted under the name Canute in older Lists of Rulers, was King of Denmark (1182_1202). ... Throughout history, there have been different usage of the term (ON.) Wendland, Vendland, Ventheland or (Lat. ... Pomerania (Polish: Pomorze, German: Pommern and Pommerellen, Pomeranian (Kashubian): Pòmòrze and Pòmòrskô, Latin: Pomerania, Pomorania) is a geographical and historical region in northern Poland and Germany on the south coasts of the Baltic Sea between and on both sides of the Vistula and Oder (Odra) rivers... Events John the Chanter becomes Bishop of Exeter. ... The Elbe River (Czech Labe   listen?, Sorbian/Lusatian Łobjo, Polish Łaba, German Elbe, Hungarian Elba) is one of the major waterways of central Europe. ... Events Philip of Swabia King of Germany and rival Holy Roman Emperor to Otto IV, assassinated June 21 in Bamberg by German Count Otto of Wittelsbach because Philip had refused to give him his daughter in marriage. ...

Book 14, comprising nearly one-quarter of the text of the entire work, ends with Absalon's appointment to Archbishop in 1178. This comparably large book and the fact Absalon takes up a much more predominating position than King Valdemar I in this Book, makes it likely that this book is written first and comprised a work on its own. Saxo would then later enlarge it with Book 15 and 16, telling the story of King Valdemar I last years and King Canute VI first years. Absalon (c. ... Events June 18 - Five Canterbury monks see what was possibly the Giordano Bruno crater being formed The Sung Document written detailing the discovery of Mu-Lan-Pi (suggested by some to be California) by Muslim sailors The Chronicle of Gervase of Canterbury written The Leaning Tower of Pisa begins to... Valdemar I the Great (1131-1182) was King of Denmark from 1157 until 1182 He was the son of Canute Lavard, a chivalrous and popular Danish prince. ... Valdemar I the Great (1131-1182) was King of Denmark from 1157 until 1182 He was the son of Canute Lavard, a chivalrous and popular Danish prince. ... Canute IV (1163-1202), also called Canute VI because the two prior kings Harthacanute were counted under the name Canute in older Lists of Rulers, was King of Denmark (1182_1202). ...

It is then believed that Saxo wrote Book 11, 12 and 13. We know from Svend Aagesen's history of Denmark, Brevis Historia Regum Dacie, ca 1186, were it is stated that Saxo had decided to write about "The king-father and his sons" which would be King Sweyn Estridson, which is book 11, 12, 13. He would then later add the 10 first books. This would also explain the 22 years between that last event described in the last book (Book 16) and the 1208 event described in the preface. Svend Aagesen (or Sven) also known as Aggessøn, Aggesøn or Aggesen. ... Events John the Chanter becomes Bishop of Exeter. ... Sweyn II Estridsson Ulfsson. ... Events Philip of Swabia King of Germany and rival Holy Roman Emperor to Otto IV, assassinated June 21 in Bamberg by German Count Otto of Wittelsbach because Philip had refused to give him his daughter in marriage. ...

Front page of Christiern Pedersen's Saxo version, Paris 1514

Download high resolution version (976x1537, 960 KB)Front page of Christiern Pedersens Danorum Regum heroumque Historia , Paris 1514 (see Gesta Danorum). ... Download high resolution version (976x1537, 960 KB)Front page of Christiern Pedersens Danorum Regum heroumque Historia , Paris 1514 (see Gesta Danorum). ...

Manuscripts

The original manuscripts of the work are lost, except four fragments known as the Angers Fragment, Lassen Fragment, Kall-Rasmussen Fragment and Plesner Fragment. The Angers Fragment, the biggest fragment and the only one attested to be on Saxo’ own handwriting. The other ones are copies from ca. 1275. They now all reside in the Royal Library in Copenhagen. Original Saxo, Angers Fragment, page 1, front Angers Fragment, four parchment pages from ca. ... Lassen Fragment, Front Lassen Fragment. ... Page 1, Front Page 1, Back Kall-Rasmussen Fragment, a parchment page from ca. ... Front Plesner Fragment, a parchment page from ca. ... Original Saxo, Angers Fragment, page 1, front Angers Fragment, four parchment pages from ca. ... Saxo, etching by the Danish-Norwegian illustrator Louis Moe (1857—1945) Saxo Grammaticus (estimated. ... Events Eleanor de Montfort is captured by pirates in the employ of Edward I of England to prevent her marriage to Llywelyn the Last, prince of Jews over the age of 7 to wear the yellow badge and makes usury illegal Jean de Meun writes the second portion of the... Royal Library can mean: Danish Royal Library - the national library of Denmark Swedish Royal Library - the national library of Sweden The former name of the Bibliothèque nationale de France - the national library of France This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share... Copenhagen (Danish: København) is the capital and largest city of Denmark. ...

We do have the text, however. In 1510-1512, Christiern Pedersen, a Danish translator working in Paris, searched Denmark high and low for an existing copy of Saxo’s works, which by that time was nearly all but lost. By that time most knowledge of Saxo’s work came from a summary located in Chronica Jutensis, of ca. 1342, called Compendium Saxonis. It is also in this summary the name Gesta Danorum is found. We do not know the title Saxo himself used. Events Conquest of Pskov by Grand Prince Vasili III of Muscovy. ... Events April 11 - Battle of Ravenna. ... Christiern Pedersen, born in Helsingør, Denmark ca. ... Chronica Jutensis (Danish: Jyske Krønike English: Jutland Chronicle) also known as Continuatio compendii Saxonis or Chronica Danorum, is a small Danish historical work from the middle of the 14th century, written in Latin. ... Events May - Pope Clement VI elected John III Comnenus becomes emperor of Trebizond Louis becomes king of Sicily and duke of Athens Constantine IV becomes king of Armenia Patriarch of Antioch transferred to Damascus under Ignatius II Kitzbühel becomes part of Tyrol Louis I becomes king of Hungary Births... Compendium Saxonis (also known as Abbreviatio Saxonis) is a summary located in Chronica Jutensis. ...

Christiern Pedersen finally found a copy with Archbishop Birger Gunnersen of Lund, which he gladly lent him. With the help of Josse Bades, they refined and printed it, so that the first printed press publication and the oldest known version of Saxo’s works, is Christiern Pedersen's Latin version, printed and published by Jodocus Badius Ascensius, Paris, March 15, 1514. The colophon is: ... impressit in inclyta Parrhisorum academia Iodocus Badius Ascensius Idibus Martiis. MDXIIII. Supputatione Romana. Ides of March. Christiern Pedersen, born in Helsingør, Denmark ca. ... Lund is a city in Scania in southernmost Sweden, and the center of the Lund Municipality. ... Latin is the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Josse Bade (1462 – 1535), was a Belgian-born, French printer and publisher. ... // Events March - Louis XII of France makes peace with Emperor Maximilian. ... In the Roman calendar the ides of March falls on March 15. ...

Translations

The source of all existing translations and new versions today can be found in Christiern Pedersen's Latin version Danorum Regum heroumque Historiae. There exist a number different translations today, some whole some partly. Christiern Pedersen, born in Helsingør, Denmark ca. ... Front page of Christiern Pedersens Saxo version, Paris 1514 Danorum Regum heroumque Historiae, title of the oldest known version of Saxos Gesta Danorum. ...

Latin versions

• Christiern Pedersen, published 1514, title: Danorum Regum heroumque Historiae
• Johannes Oporinus, published 1534, title: Saxonis Grammatici Danorum Historiae Libri XVI
• Philip Lonicer, published 1576, title: Danica Historia Libris XVI
• Stephan Hansen Stephanius, published 1645, title: Saxonis Grammatici Historiæ Danicæ Libri XVI
• Christian Adolph Klotz, published 1771, title: ?
• Peter Erasmus Müller, published 1839, title: Saxonis Grammatici Historia Danica
• Alfred Holder, published 1886, title: ?
• Jørgen Olrik & H Ræder, published 1931, title: Saxonis Gesta Danorum
• Kastern Friis-Jensen, published 2000, title:?

Christiern Pedersen, born in Helsingør, Denmark ca. ... Front page of Christiern Pedersens Saxo version, Paris 1514 Danorum Regum heroumque Historiae, title of the oldest known version of Saxos Gesta Danorum. ... Johannes Oporinus (German: Herbster or Herbst) 1507 – 1568. ... Philip Lonicer (Philippus Lonicerus) (?–1599) was a German historian. ...

Danish translations

• Christiern Pedersen, never published ca. 1540, Lost
• Jon Tursons, never published ca. 1555, Lost
• Anders Sørensen Vedel, published 1575, title: Den Danske Krønicke
• Sejer Schousbölle, published 1752, title: Saxonis Grammatici Historia Danica
• Nicolai Grundtvig, published 1818-1822, title: Danmarks Krønike af Saxo Grammaticus
• Frederik Winkel Horn, published 1898, title: Saxo Grammaticus: Danmarks Krønike
• Jørgen Olrik, published 1908-1912, title: Sakses Danesaga
• Peter Zeeberg, published 2000, title: Saxos Danmarkshistorie

Christiern Pedersen, born in Helsingør, Denmark ca. ... Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (September 8, 1783, Uldby, Sjælland, Denmark, –September 2, 1872, Copenhagen) was a Danish teacher , writer, poet, philosopher, historian, priest, and even politician. ...

English translations

• Oliver Elton, published 1894, title: The First Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus
• Peter Fisher, published 1979-1980, title: Saxo Grammaticus: The History of the Danes
• Eric Christiansen, published 1980-1981, title: Saxo Grammaticus: Danorum regum heroumque historia, books X-XVI
• William F. Hansen, published 1983, title: Saxo Grammaticus and the life of Hamlet

German, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese translations

• Hermann Jantzen, published 1900, title: Saxo Grammaticus. Die ersten neun Bücher der dänischen Geschichte
• Ludovica Koch & Maria Adele Cipolla, published 1993, title: Sassone Grammatico: Gesta dei re e degli eroi danesi
• Yukio Taniguchi, published 1993, title: Sakuso Guramatikusu: Denmakujin no jiseki
• Santiago Ibáñez Lluch, published 1999, title: Saxo Gramático: Historia Danesa

It is also translated partly to other English, French and German releases. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Influences

Certain aspects of Gesta Danorum formed the basis for William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. It is thought that Shakespeare never read Gesta Danorum, and instead had access to an auxiliary version of the tale describing the downfall of the Prince of Denmark, whose real name - Amleth - was used in anagram by Shakespeare for Hamlet. Saxo’s version, told of in Book 3 and 4, is very similar to that of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In Saxo's version, two brothers, Orvendil and Fengi are given the rule over Jutland by King Rorik of the Danes. Soon after, Orvendil marries King Rorik’s daughter, Geruth (Gertrude in Hamlet). Amleth is their first and only child. Fengi becomes resentful of his brother’s marriage, and also wants sole leadership of Jutland, so therefore murders Orvendil. After a very brief period of mourning, Fengi marries Geruth, and declares himself sole leader of Jutland. Eventually, Amleth avenges his father’s murder and plans the murder of his uncle, making him the new and rightful king of Jutland. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy by William Shakespeare and one of his most well-known and oft-quoted plays. ... Hamlet is a striking figure in Scandinavian romance and the hero of Shakespeares tragedy, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. ... An anagram (Greek ana- = back or again, and graphein = to write) is a type of word play, the result of rearranging the letters of a word or words to produce other words using all the original letters exactly once. ... Jutland Peninsula Jutland (Danish: Jylland, German: Jütland) is a peninsula in northern Europe that forms the mainland part of Denmark and a northern part of Germany, dividing the North Sea from the Baltic Sea. ... This article is about a real person named Rurik. ...

References

• Hilda Ellis Davidson, Peter Fisher (trans), Saxo Grammaticus: The History of the Danes, Books I-IX : I. English Text; II. Commentary, modern English translation, 2002, ISBN 0859915026
• Saxo Grammaticus, Gesta Danorum, Books I-IX, translated to English by Oliver Elton 1905.
• Saxo Grammaticus, Gesta Danorum, from the Royal Library in Copenhagen, Danish and Latin.
• Helle Stangerup, Saxo Hans værk – Hans verden, Høst & Søn forlag 2004, ISBN 87-14-29949-6
• Apoteker Sibbernsens Saxobog, C. A. Reitzels Forlag, Copenhagen, 1927
• Frederik Winkel Horn, Saxo Grammaticus: Danmarks Krønike, Chr. Flors Boghandel, Copenhangen 1911.
• Jørgen Olrik & H Ræder, Saxonis Gesta Danorum, Levin & Munkesgaard, Copenhagen, 1931
• Anders Sørensen Vedel, Den Danske Krønicke Saxo-oversættelse 1575 udgivet i facimile af Det danske Sprog- og Litteraturselskab, G. E. C Gad, Copenhagen, 1967
• Curt Weibull, Saxo. Kritiska undersökningar i Danmarks historia från Sven Estridsens död till Knut VI., Lund, Blekingska boktryckeriet, 1915 (in Historisk tidskrift för Skåneland, band 6, häfte 1-3)