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What did the Norse really believe in? How did they view their gods, their world, their religion? Using the example of Thor, arguably the best known god of the pantheon, I will try to shed light on a complicated subject.

This is the story of Hans Jónatan, (1784-1827) Born in St. Croix in the Caribbean and died in Iceland. His life and legacy shows us that we often have misconceptions of the past and how we often forget people who are out of the ordinary.

The English Dane by Sarah Bakewell was my main source for Jörgensen’s later life in Tasmania. A Spotify link to the album Eitt sumar á landinu bláa, from the musical about Jörgensen, performed by the band Þrjú á palli. An online version of the book Journal of a tour in Iceland in the summer of 1809 by William Jackson Hooker. Scottish Plans for the Annexation of Iceland by Anna Agnarsdóttir (pdf). An article in Icelandic by Bragi Þorgrímur Ólafsson on the changing perception of Jörgensen in Iceland through time. An Icelandic book that includes much of the original source material: Sjálfstæði Íslands 1809. A thesis project, in Icelandic, outlining a pitch for a television series about Guðrún Einarsdóttir Johnsen.

A section of the saga Eyrbyggja set in the year that Christianity became law in Iceland tell of supernatural occurrences that in many way reflect the old ways are moving out while the new ways are coming in.

A typical wonder tale with a few Icelandic motifs. But the story has ingrained itself into Icelandic culture. The Icelandic band Bellatrix was originally named "Kolrassa Krókríðandi" because of this story. Another band, Þursaflokkurinn, had a song "Í gegnum holt og hæðir" based on a line from the tale.

You can find articles by dr. Arngrímur in these books: Paranormal Encounters in Iceland 1150–1400Margins, Monsters, Deviants Alterities in Old Norse Literature and Culture

One of the most famous ghost story in Iceland is based on real life events that occurred less than a century before the tale was published. We have the tale but also more grounded accounts. Though the story is quite short it does reveal much about Icelandic society, the class system and the religious authority. The story also lingers in the consciousness of the people and a century and a half after the events took place there were still people searching for justice.

Many years ago I found an enigmatic reference to a murder in my family. No-one had mentioned it to me and no-one seemed to know about it. So I investigated it and tried to sort through fact and fiction.

Every year Icelanders gather round the television, often hold parties and watch their country lose in the Eurovision song contest. This year Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams make fun of this in a movie about a fictional band trying to win Eurovision. In this episode I look at Eurovision, Iceland's history in the contest and this new Netflix movie.

There is an election today in Iceland. It is not really interesting but I decided to make a short video. It will also end up in the podcast feed but the video is better.

A folk tale about a boy who experiences magic, violence and ghosts while being never being afraid.

The words Saga and Edda are used quite regularly while discussion Iceland's heritage. This is a very brief introduction.

Everyplace has stories of fools. In Iceland those are Gísli, Eiríkur and Helgi.

On December 1st 1918 a new political entity was established - The Kingdom of Iceland. But a virus had just swept through the capital and the country was on lock-down. There was also a volcanic eruption in Katla. So, it was a hard year.

Sæmundur "the learned" Sigfússon was a teacher, scholar, and writer but in folklore he became something else.

For most Icelanders the year 1995 is the year of avalanches.

It is a liminal period and all sorts of creature make their presence known.

Iceland is in the North-Atlantic but where does it fit into the world around it?

Tales travel around the world. Here is a story you might have heard before but not like you've heard it before.

My great great grandfather was a simple and poor man who tried to do his duty while facing overwhelming odds.