skáldskapr

Skáldskapr is the Old Norse term for the art and craft of skaldic poetry. It denotes the specialized poetic tradition practiced by skalds in the medieval Norse world, encompassing the composition, performance, and stylistic conventions used to praise rulers, recount deeds, and convey mythological themes.

Etymology: From skáld, poet, and skapr, craft or creation, the word literally means “the poetry of poets” or “the craft of the poets.”

Techniques: Skáldskapr is closely linked with dróttkvætt, a courtly metre featuring alliteration, internal rhymes, and intricate syllabic rules. It makes heavy use of kennings—metaphorical expressions such as “shield of the nation” for a king or “whale-road” for the sea—and heiti, standardized poetic epithets. The poetry often serves as praise or augury, and its diction aims to honor patrons while preserving memory of events.

Historical context: Skaldic poetry flourished in Iceland and Norway from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Skáldskapr was the dominant method of recording history and legend in verse and was closely tied to court politics, diplomacy, and ritual performance. Later Icelandic writers and scribes preserved much of this tradition in manuscript sources and sagas, influencing subsequent literary culture.

Legacy and related concepts: The term is distinct from but related to Skáldskaparmál, the section of Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda that treats the language of poets, kennings, and metaphor. Skáldskapr remains a central concept in the study of medieval Nordic poetry and has influenced modern poetry and literary theory on metaphor and poetics.