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a collection of literature from poets, bards, songwriters, and skalds in the SCA

drottkvaett

Drottkvaett: A Modern, If Freewheeling, Explanation of Viking Poetry

Several years ago I started writing my attempts at Viking poetry, or drottkvaett (pronounced “DROK-vit”) using what I understood of Master Godfrey’s explanation of that style, to wit:

 

I would love to see someone write a poem in drottkvaett, the "official" poetic form of Norse sagas (and other court poetry). Not necessarily for the Formal Bardic, but the announcement of its theme prompted me to write this "challenge". 

 

Drottkvaett for Dummies: The Simplified Documentation

In order to understand Viking poetry it is required that the casual reader understand poetry, both what it is, and written in its most simplistic form.

 

Po●et●ry: (n): 1. the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts. 2. literary work in metrical form; verse. 3. prose with poetic qualities.(1)

 

The poetry most English-speaking people are familiar with is written in the style of iambic pentameter.

 

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