An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

Anonymous (Icelandic)

10 books referenced

Books by Anonymous (Icelandic)

Morkinskinna

Referenced in 2 episodes

555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2)

April 09, 2025

Context:

Referenced as 'Morkinskin' when quoting about the Battle of Fulford: 'no greater slaughter will ever be inflicted on a brave army.'

553. The Last Viking: Warrior of the New Rome (Part 2)

April 02, 2025

Context:

Referenced as another Icelandic saga source that contains stories about Harold Hardrada, including the serpent in the dungeon story. Quoted directly regarding the venomous serpent.

Egil's Saga

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Mentioned at the opening of the episode as 'one of the best known of all the Icelandic sagas,' set in the 9th century but written down later. An excerpt is read aloud to introduce the topic of Viking sagas.

Landnámabók (Book of Settlement)

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Eleanor mentions this text as describing the first settlers of Iceland, where they went and settled, noting it focuses primarily on the powerful early settlers.

Saga of Eric the Red

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

One of the two Vinland sagas that describe Norse voyages to North America, mentioned as a key source for the expeditions led by Eric the Red's children including Leif the Lucky.

Saga of the Greenlanders

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

The second of the two Vinland sagas, discussed alongside the Saga of Eric the Red as sources for Norse voyages to Greenland and North America.

Poetic Edda

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Described as a collection of poems about the gods and heroes of old from a manuscript called the Codex Regius (circa 1270), the source for Norse mythology including figures like Loki, Thor, and Odin.

Laxdaela Saga (Saga of the People of Salmon Valley)

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Mentioned as a saga featuring a strong female character Gudrun who has four husbands and outlives them all, and includes a story about an Irish princess brought to Iceland as a slave.

Saga of Gisli

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Mentioned as one of the 'outlaw sagas' featuring tragic, socially disruptive outlaw figures, recommended by Eleanor as a shorter saga option for readers.

Saga of Grettir

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Mentioned alongside the Saga of Gisli as an outlaw saga, described as a character study that is 'absolutely beautiful.'

Njal's Saga (Saga of Burnt Njal)

Referenced in 1 episode

103. The Norse Sagas

September 30, 2021

Context:

Strongly recommended by Eleanor as the one saga everyone should read - described as tragic, complicated, with beautiful relationships, strong female characters, supernatural elements, politics, and the conversion narrative. The body count is noted as around 100 dead.