Raven Flags of the Vikings

Latin and Old English sources from the Middle Ages talk about an important raven flag used by Norse (specifically Danish) armies, and sometimes associated with Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons. This video looks at the sources for this and considers what the Old Norse name of the flag might have been.
Dr. Jackson Crawford is Instructor of Nordic Studies and Nordic Program Coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder (formerly UC Berkeley and UCLA). He is a historical linguist and an experienced teacher and translator of Old Norse, Modern Icelandic, and Norwegian.
Visit JacksonWCrawford.com (includes a linked list of all videos).
Latest FAQs: • Video (updated Nov. 2018).
Music © I See Hawks in L.A., courtesy of the artist. Visit www.iseehawks.com/
Logos by Elizabeth Porter (snowbringer at gmail).
Jackson Crawford’s Patreon page: / norsebysw
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Poetic Edda: www.amazon.com/gp/product/162...
Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/The-Poetic...
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Saga of the Volsungs: www.amazon.com/gp/product/162...
Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/The-Saga-o...

[@WorgenGrrl]

Neither Rain nor Sleet, nor Snow, nor gloom of Night will keep DoctorJackson Crawford from bringing us Old Norse Translations and Histories. Stay warm Doc!

[@jacob_vt]

Someone should write down the Saga of Jackson. The tale of him sharing his wisdom in the snowy mountains.

[@LeoxandarMagnus]

It’s interesting seeing how the weather progressively gets worse in this video.

[@Chyrre]

If you jump forward from the beginning of the video a couple of times, you can literally see the storm pouring down the mountain valley behind him

[@christy734]

😅

[@christy734]

🤣

[@natemarx4999]

That snowy mountain is mesmerizing.

[@daddy7387]

Nate Murdoch Especially in May

[@user-pm1gb2eo1s]

Jackson Crawford: Wants to make a video Colorado weather: _not so fast, pal_

[@DrAskildsen]

There is never bad weather, just bad clothes ;)

[@user-pm1gb2eo1s]

Nephilim Research This phrase has only ever been said by people who live in countries with horrible weather.

[@DrAskildsen]

@@user-pm1gb2eo1s I think we have bad weather lately but watching the world whether I will not say anything to that because It seems as that is pretty much the whole globe according to youtube. Also, we are in solar minimum so much can happen still.

[@DrAskildsen]

@@gcanaday1 True that brother. Let's hope for the best.

[@shahivann82]

If my memory is correct, both Harald Hårdråde and Rolf Kraki were said to own a banner named Landeythi, "land waster". Perhaps that is the word behind "landeye".

[@SchutzmarkeGMBH]

Heimskringla also says that the Landøyðan was Haralds most valued possession as it always brought victory.

[@Roikat]

As Adam Roodog comments below, the Bayeaux tapestry features late 11th century depictions of the raven banner. Both sides at the battle of Hastings bore the raven banner, as evidenced by William's troops holding the banner aloft, as well as trampling on a raven banner that evidently had been carried by Harold's army. King Harold is also shown sitting on a throne topped by two ravens. (Edit - just reviewed photos of the Bayeaux tapestry, and not only is Harold shown on a throne under ravens, but a comet is shown in the sky above him, which apparently represents an ill omen for him ... It's thought to be Halley's Comet, and there's an inscription "isti mirant stella".)

[@talscorner3696]

We, the Latin folks, magnanimously forgive your Latin pronunciation :P Jokes aside, I loved this video ^^

[@y11971alex]

The Latin was better than some professors’ imo, regrettably

[@numoesso6892]

His classical Latin pronounciation is decent

[@talscorner3696]

​@@numoesso6892 I wouldn't agree on that, but from an American who is a scholar on a completely different language I'm not expecting too much. That is already, by itself, better than I expected ^^

[@josephjude1290]

What a unique early summer video

[@KungKras]

Many contemporary reconstructions use the raven on viking age coins from the danelaw as a reference for the flag design.

[@gatoelurso]

Fascinating information, and I love the fake commercial at the end.

[@jchunick]

MAN! It doesn't take much to get beautiful, panoramic shots of nature there, does it? I'm enjoying your channel immensely.

[@rayganrambles]

Colorado is perfect for that. Wyoming too.

[@Iceberqe]

I can't help myself but repeat every single time with Mr. Jackson the words: wishing you all the best.

[@SchutzmarkeGMBH]

#2:31 The missing Latin version of the Annal of St. Neots text is this: Notice that the name of the flag is given in Norse (Reafan- hrafn) instead of the latin translation corvus, which appears in the next sentence. "Ibique acceperunt spolia non minima. In quo etiam acceperunt illud vexillum, quod Reafan nomiant. Dicunt enim, quod tres sorores Hynguari et Hubbae, filiae videlicet Lodebrochi, illud vexillum texuerunt, et totum paraverunt illud uno meridiano temporae. Dicunt etiam, quod in omni bello ubi praecederet idem signum, si victoriam adepturi essent, appareret in medio signi quasi corvus vivens volitans; si vero vicendi in futuro fuissent, penderet directe nihil movens. Et hoc saepe probatum est."

[@elisamunozp167]

Very interesting video as per usual!

[@emilbecker8970]

Nice video keep up the good work

[@interestinghardspace1439]

I am very appreciative of the work you have done and are currently working on. Cannot wait to get your next books on Amazon!!

[@hotspurre]

Interesting. I've heard Jarl Sigurð’s banner referred to as the Raven Banner (there's a song of modern composition that does so,) but _Njal's Saga_ doesn't call it that nor makes any real reference to what's on it. It seems clear that _Thorstein's Saga_ shows the battle from another angle, so to speak, which gave that song composer that idea. I'd be very interested to hear about banners in general, I know there are a number of references in the Saga to banners (Harald Sigurðarson’s is called "Landwaster" for example,) but I haven't come across any reference to what's actually depicted on them, nor what shape they were. Popular conception has them as a quarter circle, but I don't know where that idea comes form.

[@jasperowens]

Super cool video, I had never heard of this!

[@tonymeekins7237]

Thank you of that knowledge my friend

[@nikburisson9-pissedoffpeasant-]

I dont mind the loud wind sound, as long as Ol' Doc Norse©® is loud and clear.

[@juliaconnell]

thanks Dr Craword, informative and enjoyable as usual. maybe, as you have suggested before on other topics, the reason the flag wasn't mentioned more, simply because it was something they took for granted. just a thought

[@ChuChiChoyo]

I'm a druid from Longmont with a fascination with the Nordic revival. Your videos are always so wonderful to see! It's so fantastic to know that another Coloradan has such a passion for Nordic history.

[@ravinnox2640]

I've been a fan of yours for a long time now, not sure why I wasn't subscribed, I have fixed that. Keep the awesome content coming

[@ChrissieBear]

That ad at the end was hilarious. xD

[@plumberguy77]

It appears Skadi wanted to provide a proper winter backdrop for you.

[@sunshinesilverarrow5292]

Thank you, interesting! 🌞

[@kandiwolfe1125]

Very interesting!! Thanks for sharing this with us! Peace to All of Us!;)

[@approachinggnosis4613]

How does this even get downvoted? Another great video, professor

[@polyommata]

Always love hearing latin from you! I died at 5:07 when you translated viriliter as "manfully" cause that is the exact type of weird made up word I fall into when im in the translation zone lol

[@terrestrialtrajectory]

I love and hate the colorado weather. Sun everyday... Snow every other day. Half my "early" garden died in our last late April Blizzard Thanks for the content!

[@ungratefulpeasant8085]

Great video, I was actually just wondering about the raven flag myself.

[@joetrimble7953]

Great video, only one complaint. You made me homesick for the Rockies. Thanks for that wonderful look into the Raven Flag.

[@clare5one]

HANDSOME SCHOLAR and great WEATHER!!! LOVE IT!

[@jonnynguyen6246]

Jackson Crawford is the new Marlboro Man

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

A very useful survey of sources. There is a raven design on Norse coinage, if memory serves me minted in Jorvik (York) England that also gives an interesting visual comparison.

[@daveh3997]

Uncompahgre Coffee. Yum! And so much tastier than Pagosa Tea.

[@20nine]

Another key norse source: 'Merkit var gǫrt af miklum hannyrðum ok ágætligum hagleik; þat var gǫrt í hrafns mynd ok þá er vindr blæss í merkit, þá var sem hrafn beindi fluginn' (Orkneyinga saga 1965:25). (Btw. I have written a whole chapter on the raven banner in my BA-Thesis on Ravens in Old Norse mythology: skemman.is/bitstream/1946/28903/1/BA_NicolaiGabrielLanz_2017.pdf [in Icelandic])

[@sizsht196]

Thank youu

[@hin_hale]

Is that may in Colorado? I was half expecting to see a white walker. Great video, as always.

[@andrewgcrowhurst]

Nice to see you enjoying summer like us too. Now we just need summer to turn up. How then would you make a raven banner?

[@LewisMJ1066]

Just stumbled on this, re: Raven flag, the Bayeux Tapestry, shows William the Conquerors cavalry with raven flag. I would imagine the modern interpretations are based off those. Given the fact he was a descendent of Rollo ( great-great-great-grandfather of William, and Viking settler - the Normans were descendants) the interpretations they used probably very similar to those used previously.

[@JohnnyTightIips]

Your voice manages to sound Drengr in any language, Doc!

[@stolman2197]

I was out in the same storm over in Utah

[@ChristofHarper]

we are having it all down here in the great basin, too. Rain, though, no snow. Good weather for me, since I just reseeded one of the pasture lots. A white banner with sort of omen... I could see that being an interpretation of a knotwork-like pattern in various winds. Or tossing chicken guts on a white flag, who knows.

[@LukeRanieri]

Haud male loqueris Latīnē! Your Latin’s not half bad! 🤠 Virīliter enim prōnūntiās - very drengr! Thanks as always for the great videos!!

[@DrAskildsen]

Greetings from Norway. Thanks for the upload brother.

[@andeve3]

Ea, þæt wæs god video.

[@Cochmazh]

Still snowing in the end of may?

[@astridthewanderingsnake4131]

... you are somewhat forgiven since the old English was excellent

[@markcash2]

Uncompahgre coffee goes really well with Lake City oysters.

[@matthewlawrenson2734]

Might be excellent if he stood in more and more extreme weather locations ending in a viking cosplay base jump

[@8bitRemakes]

If you do the next video purely in Nynorsk I'm sure you can get a sponsorship out of Ivar Aasen. Once we've brought him back from the afterlife, that is. Anyone here know a seiðkona or seiðmaðr?

[@daveh3997]

My third ex-wife. But we're not really on speaking terms.

[@cyanidejack1013]

I want the giant mug!

[@kimpierri1683]

There are also "The Raven-banner penny" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven_Banner_Penny

[@rubbedibubb5017]

The autogenetated text says Old Norse specialist dr Jackson crawford

[@seanpanick6555]

I’m certain that the “eye” of ravenlandseye is cognate to ON agi “terror” rather than the body part. The OE cognate to agi is ege which would carry over to Middle English as “eye”.

[@seanpanick6555]

That’s in addition to the evidence as provided by the Latin translation.

[@mcmmilo]

this was in juse before Dannebrog from 1200 ad ... so in juse 900 - 1200 ad

[@kaolafson1]

Btw my mom is from South Dakota and said she might even be able to deliver them

[@M.athematech]

I need that coffee so bad right now.

[@retierlemmihcs]

I have found an older edition of the Annals of St Neots containting the latin text: archive.org/details/asserslifekinga00stevgoog/page/n274

[@swinhelm389]

So the term 'Hrafnsmerki' is never used in Old Norse?

[@boskysquelch111]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%AAn_Scryfa from my Landscape.

[@mikecullen4683]

Dr. Crawford you speak Latin with an Icelandic accent.

[@uniquename846]

Did the pagan vikings / germanic peoples practice falconry?

[@jaxparra8168]

Some people seem to have this idea that all the "real" Vikings, & Norse customs only come from either Norway or Sweden. It's nice to hear people mentioning the Danes involvement, like how even the famous modernization of the name 'Odin' is specifically Danish, and so on. Can Dr. Crawford, or someone here elaborate on the "Grey Norna" and how the Norse word "Grey" means wolves? Also, the story 'Nornagest þáttr' again, people assume that Danes didn't share most of the mythology, like belief in the Nornir, as the other Scandinavian countries did. And I'd really like to understand the 'Grey Norna' as Crawford only mentioned it in his video about the 'Fylgja' & 'Dis'.

[@colterjohnson1525]

It's weird hearing you speak something other than old Norse lol

[@joeampolo42]

Do look up the meaning of Uncompaghre, folks. It's in Wikipedia. Yes Michael Saenz, hilarious. Edit: And Latin with something resembling a Norse accent can be quite charming kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3WcmWpsZq6Yhck

[@Druzica18]

This was fascinating! But go inside for God's sake, I'm cold just looking at you!

[@derekfoote7230]

Indeed I don't like the video. We love it boss

[@Je.Suis.Flaneur]

praesagium L. and presage in English. While I'm likely on the thinnest of ice here, arguing with a linguist, you pronounced the word incorrectly. (And some 18 months after this is posted, I doubt that Dr. C will ever see/respond to my quip, anyway, to all the rest of you reading this.)

[@squidking762]

Is "koma mér" the proper way to say "come to me," in the sense of "koma mér, argr" meaning "Come to me, coward?"

[@ArchYeomans]

All you have to do is look at the Bayeux Tapestry and there you will find Raven Banners of the Normans and Norse who fought the English in 1066. One Raven Banner is fallen near the ground and I would presume this was Harald Hardrada's Raven Banner.

[@shipwreckjs673]

It is official, I now have a man crush.

[@adrien437]

Lol latin read with the American accent

[@markcash2]

duer among hrafn downvoted this.