Resources
Hákonarætt provides religious and educational resources supporting the study and practice of the Old Norse tradition. Here practitioners can explore the Fellowship’s Nine Principles, its approach to interreligious engagement, and selected historical and literary resources available through the HIES Open Library.
The Nine Principles
I. Revere the Gods
II. Remember the Ancestors
III. Respect the Landvættir
IV. Seek Frith
V. Practice Hospitality
VI. Keep Your Word
VII. Learn Without Ceasing
VIII. Live with Courage and Restraint
IX. Build the Kindred
Interreligious Engagement
Hákonarætt maintains its distinct Old Norse religious identity while encouraging respectful dialogue, friendship, and cooperation with people and communities of other religious traditions.
The HIES Open Library
HIES seeks to make serious study accessible by drawing on public‑domain primary sources, historical scholarship, and responsibly licensed open materials. The study remains rigorous.
Eddas & Sagas
The Poetic Edda
Henry Adams Bellows, trans. • 1923
PRIMARY SOURCE
A foundational English translation of the Eddic poems, including Völuspá, Hávamál, Vafþrúðnismál, and the heroic lays.
The Prose Edda
Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur, trans. • 1916
PRIMARY SOURCE
Snorri Sturluson's influential account of mythology and poetic tradition and one of the principal surviving sources for the study of Old Norse mythology.
Heimskringla
Snorri Sturluson • Samuel Laing, trans.
PRIMARY SOURCE
The sagas of the kings of Norway, including Hákon the Good, providing important material for the study of kingship, leadership, religion, political history, and cultural transition.
The Story of Burnt Njal
George Webbe Dasent, trans.
PRIMARY SOURCE
A major Icelandic saga exploring law, honor, feud, friendship, responsibility, reconciliation, and the consequences of conflict.
The Story of the Volsungs and Niblungs
Eiríkr Magnússon & William Morris, trans. • 1870
PRIMARY SOURCE
The Völsunga saga tradition of heroes, kinship, fate, loyalty, conflict, and memory.
The Story of Grettir the Strong
Eiríkr Magnússon & William Morris, trans.
PRIMARY SOURCE
An Icelandic saga centered on Grettir Ásmundarson and themes of reputation, law, exile, strength, adversity, and social belonging.
Old Norse Language
An Icelandic Primer
Henry Sweet • Second Edition, 1895
REFERENCE
An introduction to Old Icelandic grammar with readings, notes, glossary, and foundational language instruction.
A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic
Geir T. Zoëga • 1910
REFERENCE
A practical dictionary for students reading Old Norse and Old Icelandic texts.
An Icelandic-English Dictionary
Richard Cleasby & Guðbrandur Vigfússon • 1874
ADVANCED REFERENCE
A comprehensive historical dictionary for advanced language study and textual research.
History & Society
Social Scandinavia in the Viking Age
Mary Wilhelmine Williams • 1920
HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP
A study of Scandinavian social life, household organization, customs, institutions, and society during the Viking Age.
Historical scholarship reflects the knowledge, terminology, and interpretations of its period and should be studied alongside contemporary research and Institute commentary.
Religion & Tradition
The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia
William A. Craigie • 1914
HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP
An early scholarly examination of Old Norse religious evidence, mythology, religious practice, and the limitations of the surviving sources.
Historical scholarship reflects the knowledge, terminology, and interpretations of its period and should be studied alongside contemporary research and Institute commentary.
Advanced Sources
Corpus Poeticum Boreale
Guðbrandur Vigfússon & F. York Powell • 1883
SOURCE COLLECTION
A major collection of Old Northern poetry for advanced textual, literary, and comparative study.
Origines Islandicae
Guðbrandur Vigfússon & F. York Powell • 1905
SOURCE COLLECTION
A collection of sagas and native writings concerning the settlement, early history, law, constitution, conversion, and cultural development of Iceland.
Hákonarætt Resources
As the Fellowship grows, this collection will include religious materials developed by Hákonarætt to support practitioners, independent kindreds, ministry, religious leadership, and the responsible study and practice of the Old Norse tradition.
Continue Learning
The HIES Open Library will continue to grow as a resource for students, practitioners, researchers, and others seeking serious engagement with the Old Norse tradition.
