First published in 1928, this book was intended to serve as an introduction to the study of early Norse literature in the original language. The texts were chosen to present as varied a picture as possible of the life, activities and interests of the Scandinavian peoples during the Viking Age, the period of their maritime expansion; but since the book was intended for English-speaking students some prominence was given to works which have a bearing upon Anglo-Saxon literature, the history of the British Isles and the discovery of America.