We know that history is often written by the victors and usually not from the vantage point of those defeated. But there will always be different vantage points. The Vikings were very much into oral history, and while that can become suspect, confirmation of their authenticity often came surprisingly from those who were tormented.
I recently wrote an article about my lineage back to the kings of Norway. After reading it, my good friend, Harald Storaker, cautioned me that my heritage may not be accurate. When it comes to oral history, people may have taken liberties along the way that did not necessarily make it accurate. I knew that, but if one realizes that, it can make history come alive and place the reader in its midst. Understanding that there may not be too much harm in it. Oral history can be wrought with embellishments and attempts to fit one’s stories to reflect their biases. In a previous article, I told the story of my good friend, Eloise Hagen, a fantastic storyteller and kindergarten teacher. She laughingly confided in me that she had embellished her stories so much that she could no longer tell me what had truly happened.
Read More Here:
Comments