Proving yourself worthy in the riddarasögur - why, of what and of whom

Abstract

The paper analyses the liminal phase in selected chivalric sagas. Most of the texts maintain the scheme known from the initiation rituals, there are, however, significant differences in the intended purpose of the re-occurring events (wedding, coronation) and in the motivation of the heroes.

The similarities between the narratives are to be considered carefully.

Keywords

• knights
• maiden-queens
• Old Norse
• chivalric sagas