Legacy

[SeumasA]

First of all, this is not a book review. But there was a reference in a book I've been reading that made me chuckle last night, then think a little too. I'm reading Song of the Vikings, which is about Snorri Sturlson who wrote some of the early Icelandic sagas.
The Norse, like the Gaels, used a lot of descriptive names. For instance, both Irish and Icelandic stories tell of the queen Aud the Deep Minded. And there are warriors such as Erik Blood Axe or Thorfinn Skullsplitter. Then there's the subject of this post, Eystein Foul Fart.
Like I said, I kinda chuckled when I saw the name. But then I started thinking; how would you like your legacy in the sagas to be, that all people remember of you a thousand years from now is your name and your aroma?

[Superdan]

I'm reading that book as well! it is very interesting the way "titles" were so blatantly based on your personality. i'm not sure i have the objectivity to say what my own might be. but i enjoyed reading about Magnus Bare-legs King of Norway 1093-1103 so named for his fondness of the Scottish kilt!

it just goes to show that foreigners have a a long history of hi-jacking the traditional highland garb

[Tarheel]

But then I started thinking; how would you like your legacy in the sagas to be, that all people remember of you a thousand years from now is your name and your aroma?

I can imagine a grandiose or delusional title for myself, but expect a name with less fanfare would be the case, something along the lines of, "vaguely remembered" or "listed participant." I think, "Worker Bee of note" sums my life up nicely.

[The Q]

I'm reading that book as well! it is very interesting the way "titles" were so blatantly based on your personality. i'm not sure i have the objectivity to say what my own might be. but i enjoyed reading about Magnus Bare-legs King of Norway 1093-1103 so named for his fondness of the Scottish kilt!

it just goes to show that foreigners have a a long history of hi-jacking the traditional highland garb

and getting it wrong, or at least the person who wrote the book was wrong, according to the many discussions here on the Kilt, the Breacan an Fhéilidh or great kilt wasn't invented till the 16th century.
he would have been wearing a variation on the léine with maybe a skin or blanket for additional warmth

[Superdan]

true! an entry on him in wikipedia Magnus Barefoot, cites three possibilities for the nickname. "Magnus' more-common byname, "Barefoot" or "Barelegs", was—according to Snorri—due to his adopting the Gaelic dress of the Irish and Scots: a short tunic, which left the lower legs bare. Another version (by Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus) maintains that he acquired the nickname because he was forced to flee from a Swedish attack in his bare feet, while a third explains that he rode barefoot (like the Irish)"

I'm gonna go by Dan regurgitator of "facts"