Viking age chieftains in Lofoten in the medieval literature

Abstract

The archaeological excavations at Borg in Vestvågøy have revealed new and extremely interesting information about upper class life in Lofoten during the Iron Age. In this article the same topic will be examined from the view of the written Medieval sources. What information can the written sources give to enlarge our knowledge about the chieftains and their residences in the Lofoten area?

One main problem occurs immediately. None of the written material is contemporary with persons and events of the Iron Age. The oldest saga mentioning the famous chieftain Tore Hjort, for instance, is dated to about 1190 (Nilsen 1976, p.15). Several sagas refer to events in the Viking Age, but because the material was already historical when it is was written down, it is important to carry out a very critical examination of it.