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fyrnsidu.org Outage

Hello all,

Due to a miscommunication with our hosting company, the .org domain is temporarily unavailable. Obviously, fyrnsidu.net works fine. We’ll have this rectified shortly.

Posted in News and Announcements.

By osric
June 24, 2010

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A New Gesith

Wassail!

Let it be known that Wacianbrun, also called Brun Russellson, has sworn his Gesith oath, and is now counted among the Gesithas of the GFS!

Let’s offer him our warmest welcome and congratulations.

Posted in News and Announcements, Ábannungas.

By osric
September 30, 2009

6 comments

CafePress Store

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to make sure you knew, the CafePress store is up and running, and GFS t-shirts are available.

http://www.cafepress.com/fyrnsidu

Posted in News and Announcements.

By osric
August 19, 2009

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Deor’s Lament: Translation

Wayland knew well | wyrm’s wickedness

in hard-born harrows | hearty hero on-held

ceaseless and cruel | his cold companions,

grief and ungrith; | thus gained he

when Nidad laid | a net upon him

supple sinew-bands | the skillful man stropped.

Passed that away, | this so may!

To Beadohild was not | her brother’s burial

in heart as hurtful | as her own horror

which grimly grew: | gotten had she

a child of the captive; | she could never

doughtily defend | her doom thus laid.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Memory of mourning, | Matilda the maiden:

Boundless they became | to beloved of Geats

so sleepless slumber | stole away strength.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Held Theodoric | thirty winters long

the march of Maring, | so many knew.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Ermanaric, also, | we all have heard,

wolf-mind his might, | many tribes ruled

kingdom of Goths | cruel was that king.

Sat many a man | by sorrow surrounded,

woe he whispered, | wished he often

that overcome | the kingdom would be.

Passed that away, | this so may!

Sitting in sorrow, | stolen his happiness

in troubled heart | himself he thinks

that maybe endless | is his agony dealt.

May then think | that throughout this world

the wise lord | wends often,

grants heroes | much honor,

uncertain fame, | a few of woe full.

I wish to say | about myself this:

Heodenings’ scop was I | a while at work

to my lord dear | Deor was deemed:

Winters full-many | fared in his favor.

My lord was honorable | but has now Heorrenda,

man skilled in song, | stolen my land-right

that before was mine | weened the warriors’-wall.

Passed that away, | this so may!

(translated by Nic)

Posted in Lorehoard, OE Poetry.

By Nicanthiel Hrafnhild
June 16, 2009

1 comment

Bathilde: Grant of Thaneship

geférrǽdene Scildend

geférrǽdene Scildend

Let it be known that Anna “Bathilde” Bucci, a gesith in good standing and thegn-right worthy,  in recognition of her service to the fellowship and her dedication to advancing the cause of Heathenry, is henceforth created:

Bathilde Þegn

And bestowed the Order of:

Geférrǽdene Scildend

“Defender of the Fellowship”

On Sæterdæg, se siexta dæg Þrimilcemonaðes, 1660 wintra siððan Englan tocyme.

( May 2, 2009 By the Gregorian Calendar)

Commensurate with her new rank, I have placed her at the disposal of Sigrun Ærendraca, to serve as a goodwill ambassador to other Heathen organizations, and to serve as Coordinator for GFS merchandizing and publishing efforts.

Posted in Ábannungas.

By osric
May 2, 2009

7 comments

Deor: Verse Indeterminate Saxon

Welund him be wurman wræces cunnade,
anhydig eorl earfoþa dreag,
hæfde him to gesiþþe sorge ond longaþ,
wintercealde wræce; wean oft onfond,
5
siþþan hine Niðhad on nede legde,
swoncre seonobende on syllan monn.
þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg!

Beadohilde ne wæs hyre broþra deaþ
on sefan swa sar swa hyre sylfre þing,
10
þæt heo gearolice ongieten hæfde
þæt heo eacen wæs; æfre ne meahte
þriste geþencan, hu ymb þæt sceolde.
þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg!

We þæt Mæðhilde monge gefrugnon
15
wurdon grundlease Geates frige,
þæt hi seo sorglufu slæp ealle binom.
þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg!

ðeodric ahte þritig wintra
Mæringa burg; þæt wæs monegum cuþ.
20
þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg!

We geascodan Eormanrices
wylfenne geþoht; ahte wide folc
Gotena rices. þæt wæs grim cyning.
Sæt secg monig sorgum gebunden,
25
wean on wenan, wyscte geneahhe
þæt þæs cynerices ofercumen wære.
þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg!

Siteð sorgcearig, sælum bidæled,
on sefan sweorceð, sylfum þinceð
30
þæt sy endeleas earfoða dæl.
Mæg þonne geþencan, þæt geond þas woruld
witig dryhten wendeþ geneahhe,
eorle monegum are gesceawað,
wislicne blæd, sumum weana dæl.
35
þæt ic bi me sylfum secgan wille,
þæt ic hwile wæs Heodeninga scop,
dryhtne dyre. Me wæs Deor noma.
Ahte ic fela wintra folgað tilne,
holdne hlaford, oþþæt Heorrenda nu,
40
leoðcræftig monn londryht geþah,
þæt me eorla hleo ær gesealde.
þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg!

Posted in Lorehoard, OE Poetry.

By osric
April 21, 2009

No comments

New content

Hello everyone,

As you can see, we are working on adding content to the new site. If you want to help us ferret out good historical material, or write an article of your own, please do!  We want to make this the definitive source for information on Anglo-Saxon Heathenry on the web.

Posted in News and Announcements.

By osric
April 21, 2009

No comments

Griddled Trout w/ Herbs, Anglo-Saxon Style

Serves 6

The herbs below are what might have been used in Anglo-Saxon East Anglia, but use whatever you might fancy. Try to use fresh, although dried is acceptable.

***

6 fresh cleaned trout

6 sprigs fresh rosemary, or 1-2 tablespoons dried

75g (3 oz) soft butter

18 fresh mint leaves or 2 teaspoons dried

leaves from 6 sprigs fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried

6 fresh sage leaves or 1 scant teaspoon dried

1-2 teaspoons coarse sea salt

6-9 grinds black pepper

Put one sprig or generous shake of rosemary down the middle of each fish. Chop all the other herbs and seasonings and mash them into the soft butter. Use this to coat the fish generously on each side. Griddle, barbeque or grill it for 4-5 minutes on each side or till the skin is well browned and the flesh flaking off the bone. Baste now and then with the butter which runs off. Serve at once with lot of fresh bread and a salad or a simple green vegetable.

From The British Museum Cookbook_by Michelle Berriedale-Johnson,
1987, British Museum Publications.

Posted in The Heathen Household, Traditional Food & Drink.

By osric
April 21, 2009

No comments

The Rune Poem: Verse Indeterminate Saxon

feoh byþ frofur         fira gehwylcum.
Sceal ðeah manna gehwylc         miclun hyt dælan
gif he wile for drihtne         domes hleotan.
ur byþ anmod         and oferhyrned,
5
felafrecne deor,         feohteþ mid hornum,
mære morstapa;         þæt is modig wuht.
ðorn byþ ðearle scearp;         ðegna gehwylcum
anfeng ys yfyl,         ungemetun reþe
manna gehwylcun         ðe him mid resteð.
10
os byþ ordfruma         ælcre spræce,
wisdomes wraþu         and witena frofur,
and eorla gehwam         eadnys and tohiht.
rad byþ on recyde         rinca gehwylcum
sefte, and swiþhwæt         ðam ðe sitteþ on ufan
15
meare mægenheardum         ofer milpaþas.
cen byþ cwicera gehwam         cuþ on fyre,
blac and beorhtlic,         byrneþ oftust
ðær hi æþelingas         inne restaþ.
gifu gumena byþ         gleng and herenys,
20
wraþu and wyrþscype,         and wræcna gehwam
ar and ætwist         ðe byþ oþra leas.
wenne bruceþ         ðe can weana lyt,
sares and sorge, and him sylfa hæfþ
blæd and blysse         and eac byrga geniht.
25
hægl byþ hwitust corna;         hwyrft hit of heofones lyfte,
wealcaþ hit windes scuras, weorþeþ hit to wætere syððan.
nyd byþ nearu on breostan,         weorþeþ hi ðeah oft niþa bearnum
to helpe and to hæle gehwæþre,         gif hi his hlystaþ æror.
is byþ oferceald,         ungemetum slidor,
30
glisnaþ glæshluttur,         gimmum gelicust,
flor forste geworuht, fæger ansyne.
ger byþ gumena hiht,         ðon god læteþ,
halig heofones cyning,         hrusan syllan
beorhte bleda         beornum and ðearfum.
35
eoh byþ utan         unsmeþe treow,
heard, hrusan fæst,         hyrde fyres,
wyrtrumun underwreþyd,         wyn on eþle.
peorð byþ symble         plega and hlehter
wlancum         ðar wigan sittaþ
40
on beorsele         bliþe ætsomne.
eolhx secg eard hæfþ         oftust on fenne,
wexeð on wature,         wundaþ grimme,
blode breneð         beorna gehwylcne
ðe him ænigne         onfeng gedeð.
45
sigel semannum         symble biþ on hihte,
ðonn hi hine feriaþ         ofer fisces beþ,
oþ hi brimhengest         bringeþ to lande.
tir biþ tacna sum,         healdeð trywa wel
wiþ æþelingas,         a biþ on færylde,
50
ofer nihta genipu         næfre swiceþ.
beorc byþ bleda leas,         bereþ efne swa ðeah
tanas butan tudder,         biþ on telgum wlitig,
heah on helme         hrysted fægere,
geloden leafum,         lyfte getenge.
55
eh byþ for eorlum         æþelinga wyn,
hors hofum wlanc,         ðær him hæleþ ymbe,
welege on wicgum,         wrixlaþ spræce,
and biþ unstyllum         æfre frofur.
man byþ on myrgþe         his magan leof;
60
sceal þeah anra gehwylc         oðrum swican,
for ðam dryhten wyle         dome sine
þæt earme flæsc         eorþan betæcan.
lagu byþ leodum         langsum geþuht,
gif hi sculun neþan on nacan tealtum,
65
and hi sæyþa         swyþe bregaþ,
and se brimhengest         bridles ne gymeð.
ing wæs ærest         mid Eastdenum
gesewen secgun,         oþ he siððan eft
ofer wæg gewat,         wæn æfter ran;
70
ðus heardingas         ðone hæle nemdun.
eðel byþ oferleof         æghwylcum men,
gif he mot ðær rihtes and gerysena on
brucan on bolde bleadum oftast.
dæg byþ drihtnes sond,         deore mannum,
75
mære metodes leoht,         myrgþ and tohiht
eadgum and earmum,         eallum brice.
ac byþ on eorþan         elda bearnum
flæsces fodor,         fereþ gelome
ofer ganotes bæþ;         garsecg fandaþ
80
hwæþer ac hæbbe         æþele treowe.
æsc biþ oferheah,         eldum dyre,
stiþ on staþule,         stede rihte hylt,
ðeah him feohtan on         firas monige.
yr byþ æþelinga         and eorla gehwæs
85
wyn and wyrþmynd,         byþ on wicge fæger,
fæstlic on færelde,         fyrdgeatewa sum.
ior byþ eafix, and ðeah a bruceþ
fodres on foldan, hafaþ fægerne eard,
wætre beworpen,         ðær he wynnum leofaþ.
90
ear byþ egle         eorla gehwylcun,
ðonn fæstlice         flæsc onginneþ,
hraw colian,         hrusan ceosan
blac to gebeddan;         bleda gedreosaþ,
wynna gewitaþ,         wera geswicaþ.

Posted in Lorehoard, OE Poetry.

By osric
April 21, 2009

No comments

Widsith: Translation

Translation by Bella Millet

""""

Widsith spoke, unlocked his word-hoard,
he who had travelled most of all men
through tribes and nations across the earth.
Often he had gained great treasure in hall.
5 He belonged by birth to the Myrging tribe.
Along with Ealhild, the kind peace-weaver,
for the first time, from the Baltic coast,
he sought the home of Eormanric,
king of the Ostrogoths, hostile to traitors.
10 He began then to speak at length:
‘I have heard of many men who ruled over nations.
Every leader should live uprightly,
rule his estates according to custom,
if he wants to succeed to a kingly throne.
15 Hwala for a time was the best of all,
and Alexander too, the noblest of men,
who prospered most of all of those
that I have heard of across the earth.
Attila ruled the Huns, Eormanric the Goths,
20 Becca the Baningas, Gifica the Burgundians.
Caesar ruled the Greeks and Caelic the Finns,
Hagena the Holmrycgas and Henden the Glomman.
Witta ruled the Swaefe, Wada the Haelsingas,
Meaca the Myrgingas, Mearc the Hundingas.
25 Theodric ruled the Franks, Thyle the Rondingas,
Breoca the Brondingas, Billa the Waerne.
Oswine ruled the Eowan and Gefwulf the Jutes,
Finn, son of Folcwalda, the Frisian race.
Sigehere for many years ruled the Sea-Danes,
30 Hnaef the Hocingas, Helm the Wulfingas,
Wald the Woingas, Wod the Thuringians,
Saeferth the Sycgan, Ongentheow the Swedes,
Sceafthere the Ymbran, Sceaf the Langobards,
Hun the Haetware, and Holen the Wrosnan.
35 Hringwald was called the king of the Herefaran.
Offa ruled the Angles, Alewih the Danes.
He was the bravest of all those men,
but could not defeat Offa in deeds of arms,
and the noble Offa while still a boy
40 won in battle the greatest of kingdoms.
No-one of that age ever achieved
more glory than he did. With his sword alone
he marked the border against the Myrgings
at the mouth of the Eider. Angles and Swedes
45 observed it after that as Offa had won it.
Hrothwulf and Hrothgar, nephew and uncle,
held peace together for many years
after they had driven off the Heathobard tribe
and beaten down Ingeld’s line of battle,
50 cut down at Heorot the Heathobard force.
So I travelled widely through foreign lands,
through distant countries, and there I met
both good and bad fortune, far from my kin,
and served as a follower far and wide.
55 And so I can sing and tell a tale,
declare to the company in the mead-hall
how noble rulers rewarded me with gifts.
I was with the Huns and  the glorious Goths,
with the Swedes and with the Geats and with the South-Danes.
50 I was with the Wenlas, the Waerne and the Wicingas.
I was with the Gefthan, the Winedas and the Gefflegan.
I was with the Angles, the Swaefe and the Aenenas.
I was with the Saxons, the Sycgan and the Sweordweras.
I was with the Hronan, the Dean and the Heathoreamas.
65 I was with the Thuringians and with the Throwendas
and with the Burgundians: there I gained a torc.
There Guthhere granted me splendid treasure
as reward for my song; that king was not tight-fisted.
I was with the Franks, with the Frisians and the Frumtingas.
70 I was with the Rugians, the Glomman and the Romans.
I was in Italy with Aelfwine too:
of all men he had, as I have heard,
the readiest hand to do brave deeds,
the most generous heart in giving out rings
75 and shining torcs, Eadwine’s son.
I was with the Sercings and with the Serings.
I was with the Greeks and Finns, and also with Caesar,
who had the power over prosperous cities,
riches and treasure and the Roman Empire.
80 I was with the Irish, with the Picts and the Lapps.
I was with the Lidwicingas, the Leonas and the Langobards,
with the Haethenas and the Haelethas and with the Hundingas.
I was with the Israelites and with the Assyrians,
with the Hebrews and the Indians and with the Egyptians.
85 I was with the Medes and the Persians and with the Myrgingas,
with the Moabites and Ongendmyrgingas and with the Amothingas.
I was with the East-Thuringians and with the Ofdingas,
with the Eolas and the Philistines and with the Idumeans.
And I was with Eormanric throughout his reign.
90 There the king of the Goths granted me treasure:
the king of the city gave me a torc
made from pure gold coins, worth six hundred pence.
I gave that to Eadgils when I came home,
as thanks to my lord, ruler of the Myrgingas,
95 because he gave me land which once was my father’s.
And then Ealhhild, Eadwine’s daughter,
noble queen of the household, gave me another;
her fame extended through many lands
when I used my song to spread the word
100 of where under the heavens I knew a queen,
adorned with gold, most generous of all.
Then Scilling and I with our clear voices,
before our glorious lord, struck up our song;
sung to the harp, it rang out loudly.
105 Then many men with noble hearts
who understood these things openly said
that they had never heard a better song.
From there I travelled through the Gothic homeland –
I always sought out the best companions –
110 that was Eormanric’s household guard!
I visited Hehca and Beadeca and the Herelingas,
Emerca and Fridla and Eastgota,
the wise and virtuous father of Unwen.
I visited Secca and Becca, Seafola and Theodric,
115 Heathoric and Sifeca, Hlith and Incgentheow.
I visited Eadwine and Elsa, Aegelmund and Hungar,
and the proud household of the Withmyrgingas.
I visited Wulfhere and Wyrmhere; there battle often raged
in the Vistula woods, when the Gothic army
120 with their sharp swords had to defend
their ancestral seat against Attila’s host.
I visited Raedhere and Rondhere, Rumstan and Gislhere,
Withergield and Freotheric, Wudga and Hama.
They were by no means the worst of companions,
125 even though I happen to mention them last.
Often a whistling spear flew from the army,
screaming on its way to the enemy line;
there the exiles Wudga and Hama
gained twisted gold, men and women.
130 So I have always found throughout my travels
that the lord who is dearest to all his subjects
is the one God grants a kingdom of men
to have and to hold while he lives on earth.’
Wandering like this, driven by chance,
135 minstrels travel through many lands;
they state their needs, say words of thanks,
always, south or north, they find some man
well-versed in songs, generous in gifts,
who wishes to raise his renown with his men,
140 to do great things, until everything passes,
light and life together; he who wins fame
has lasting glory under the heavens.

Posted in Lorehoard, OE Poetry.

By osric
April 21, 2009

No comments

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