Both the fornaldarsögur and Íslendingasögur are replete with grappling sequences, techniques, and maneuvers. These sequences and maneuvers, however, have been virtually ignored by the academic community. Through the passing of time, changing of cultural interests, and poor translations, much of the once-understood sequences and techniques that are found in the sagas are lost upon the modern reader. Furthermore, what little scholarly attention has been directed towards these specific grappling passages has generally had underlying motives whose goals are not to understand and accurately represent the maneuvers and techniques to the modern reader, but rather to promote modern glíma and the notion that it is descended from the Vikings. This thesis aims to clarify, expand upon, and describe specific grappling techniques and sequences that are chronicled in the fornaldarsögur and Íslendingasögur to the modern reader in a way that is accurate, accessible, and easily understood. In conjunction with this, this thesis discusses the accuracy, detail, vocabulary, and realism of these grappling sequences, and promotes the idea that medieval Icelanders (both the scribes and their contemporary audiences) were well-versed in grappling and understood these passages to be accurate portrayals of realistic wrestling as opposed to solely sensationalized fiction.



