LITERATURE Norwegian literature is deeply rooted in very remote Nordic times. The foundations of the literary life of the nation were laid in the Saga Period, which is counted from the opening of the ninth century and embraces the whole of the Viking period and the first centuries following the introduction of Christianity. The grandest poetical production of the Viking age (the 9th and 10th centuries) is the Edda (the elder), whose mythical songs are born of an ancient religion of a rich and com- prehensive nature. In addition to these we have the Edda (the younger) and the King Sagas by the Icelander Snorri Sturluson (1178-1241), who is justly called the father of Norwegian literature. In Saga times and long afterwards the scaldic and poetic art was widespread, but little has been preserved from that period. This little has however sufficed to make its indelible mark on later literary development in Norway. At the time of the Reformation in Norway early 58