(I might add a bunch of Internet links tomorrow or later but this evening I am just going to summarize historical information from Poul Anderson's text.)
Varangian merchant adventurers founded Novgorod in the eighth or ninth century;
they traded with Constantinople and far into Asia;
Rurik came to Novgorod from the North in his dragon ship;
an early wooden cathedral burned down;
then, Yaroslav the Wise built St. Sophia's in the eleventh century;
the Gates of Korsun, incorporated into St. Sophia's, had been brought from the Crimea sixty years earlier by Grand Prince Vladimir;
Novgorod has a restored kremlin.
This is an unexpected chunk of Andersonian historical knowledge right inside one of his future histories.
Why does the name, "Vladimir," evoke another of Anderson's future histories?
How am I feeling, cold-wise? Lousy enough that this post is a bit of a chore.
The following morning: Links added. Does anyone know what I meant about Vladimir?
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Chapter XIII of THE ROAD OF THE SEA HORSE mentions how King Harald Hardrede included among his guests visitors from Novgorod. And envoys from Duke William of Normandy.
Sean
Sean,
And, of course, Harald had been a Varangian.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Indeed! And mention was made in the same Chapter XIII of how Imperial ambassadors had recently visited Harald's court.
Sean
Kaor, Paul!
Re your question about "Vladimir," I think he was the Grand Prince of Kiev who converted to Christianity and began the conversion of the Rus people.
Sean
Sean,
I was referring to my question, "Why does the name, 'Vladimir,' evoke another of Anderson's future histories'?"
Paul.
Post a Comment