Traveling within the World
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Even the Vikings were troubled by the thought that size matters
Research into medieval Icelandic gender and sexuality has found that even the heroes of Viking Age sagas were troubled by the thought that size really does matter.
Dr Carl Phelpstead of Cardiff University’s School of English, Communication and Philosophy presented a paper: ‘Size Matters: Penile Problems in Sagas of Icelanders’ to the International Medieval Congress, held in Leeds last week.
Dr Phelpstead analysed the cultural-historical significance of three remarkable accounts of penile problems in the texts know as ‘Sagas of Icelanders’, dealing with events supposed to have occurred in the 10th and 11th centuries. He undertook to see if Freudianism can illuminate the contents of these texts and found that, alongside some interesting differences, the meanings attributed to the penis in medieval Iceland are often remarkably similar to those of today.
Dr Phelpstead said: "Accounts of penile problems in the Sagas of Icelanders shed light on the cultural work of the penis in early Iceland by representing what happens when a man’s penis is not appropriately sized or fully functioning. These narratives reveal a relationship between the male genitals and men’s identity that is both familiar and alien to us.
"In the Sagas of Icelanders, as today, a man is expected to have an appropriately sized penis and to be able, when occasion demands, to make it even larger; an unexpectedly small penis or an inability to achieve an erection leads to mockery and humiliation."
In one example, in Grettir’s saga, a serving woman bursts out laughing when she sees Grettir Asmundarson naked. She remarks: "it seems to me extraordinary how small he is below - I would not have believed it if someone had told me". The defensive Grettir points out that his large testicles compensate for his small penis.
Dr Phelpstead mainly teaches English Literature and contributes to teaching Cultural Criticism a new subject at Cardiff University’s School of English, Communication and Philosophy, available only in Cardiff, which uniquely offers the chance to study the whole range of cultural materials: from contemporary film to conceptual art, from poems to the police, from the history of sexuality to cyborgs.
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Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries had its humble beginnings as an idea of a few artisans and craftsmen who enjoy performing with live steel fighting. As well as a patchwork quilt tent canvas. Most had prior military experience hence the name.
Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries.
Vendertainers that brought many things to a show and are know for helping out where ever they can.
As well as being a place where the older hand made items could be found made by them and enjoyed by all.
We expanded over the years to become well known at what we do. Now we represent over 100 artisans and craftsman that are well known in their venues and some just starting out. Some of their works have been premiered in TV, stage and movies on a regular basis.
Specializing in Medieval, Goth , Stage Film, BDFSM and Practitioner.
Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries a Dept of, Ask For IT was started by artists and former military veterans, and sword fighters, representing over 100 artisans, one who made his living traveling from fair to festival vending medieval wares. The majority of his customers are re-enactors, SCAdians and the like, looking to build their kit with period clothing, feast gear, adornments, etc.
Likewise, it is typical for these history-lovers to peruse the tent (aka mobile store front) and, upon finding something that pleases the eye, ask "Is this period?"
A deceitful query!! This is not a yes or no question. One must have a damn good understanding of European history (at least) from the fall of Rome to the mid-1600's to properly answer. Taking into account, also, the culture in which the querent is dressed is vitally important. You see, though it may be well within medieval period, it would be strange to see a Viking wearing a Caftan...or is it?
After a festival's time of answering weighty questions such as these, I'd sleep like a log! Only a mad man could possibly remember the place and time for each piece of kitchen ware, weaponry, cloth, and chain within a span of 1,000 years!! Surely there must be an easier way, a place where he could post all this knowledge...
Traveling Within The World is meant to be such a place. A place for all of these artists to keep in touch and directly interact with their fellow geeks and re-enactment hobbyists, their clientele.
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