The first Scandinavian mentions of magic folk tales and ballads are by two clergymen-cum-historians, Olavus Petri (the Swedish reformer, 1493–1552) in a generic discussion in the lengthy Introduction to his unpublished Swedish Chronicle),...
moreThe first Scandinavian mentions of magic folk tales and ballads are by two clergymen-cum-historians, Olavus Petri (the Swedish reformer, 1493–1552) in a generic discussion in the lengthy Introduction to his unpublished Swedish Chronicle), and Anders Foss (1543–1607, Danish-born bishop of Bergen in Norway), who cites ATU 327B & 853 in a discussion of the reliability of Saxo’s late 12th-century Gesta Danorum. Both discuss the value of traditional oral tales (and ballads) as historical sources: Anders Foss rejects them, whereas Olavus Petri emphasizes their value as expressions of demotic attitudes towards the rich and mighty. This was heavily censured by King Gustaf I Vasa, who forbade the publication of Olavus’ Chronicle.
Large parts of Olaus' Preface, and of Gustaf Vasa's reactions (in letters to Olaus' brother Laurentius) are translated here for the first time.
Note on terminology:
Olavus Petri’s preface seems to be the first evidence of the Swedish word “sagor” (plural of “saga”) being used to denote a specific narrative genre (= wonder tales?). Similarly, Anders Foss’ “euentyrer” (archaic plural form of “eventyr” = Märchen, sg. & pl.) is probably the first example of this word (which comes of course from OF “aventure“, through medieval translations of arthurian romances) being used in this sense in Danish (other than in the still current meaning “adventure” or “quest”, as in older and modern Swedish.) Its meaning in the early 16th century appears to have been something like "falsehoods".
