Scandinavian Studies Postgraduates

Thesis title: Contextualising the Scandinavian specula principum

Research: Before coming to Aberdeen, I studied at the Institute of Languages and Literature at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. My current research focuses on a tradition of political writings meant to educate young monarchs, princes and leaders. This tradition is commonly referred to as specula principum, or mirrors for princes. The aim is to compare and contextualise the two representatives of the Scandinavian specula; Konungs Skuggsjà and Konungastyrelsen. Through a comparative examination of the texts, I intend to evaluate the interconnectivity and exchange of culture and ideas between Scandinavia and Europe during the medieval period.

Thesis Title: Weather Magic in Medieval Scandinavia

Research: Having achieved my BA in History with a minor in Classical Civilizations from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and my MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from the University of Liverpool, I began my doctoral studies in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Aberdeen in 2018. My current research is supervised by Dr Hannah Burrows and Prof Ralph O’Connor and is focused on Weather Magic within Medieval Scandinavia. By using an interdisciplinary approach, I aim to analyse a combination of literature, archaeology and folklore to shed light on the medieval popular belief surrounding weather magic and rituals within the medieval Scandinavian world.

Thesis title: An Examination of the development of the Norse Giants from their myths to the sagas, þættir and skaldic poetry in which they appear

Research: Blake comes to Aberdeen from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. He has a keen interest in early medieval Norse and Insular narrative literature. He has previously studied at Penn State University, obtaining his BA in Medieval Studies with a minor in English and at the University of Glasgow where he completed an MLitt in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, focusing on the supernatural within Icelandic sagas. He began his PhD at the Centre for Scandinavian Studies in 2013. Blake’s PhD project focuses on the Giants within Old Norse mythology, sagas, þættir and skaldic poetry.

Thesis title: The West Semitic origins of Thor’s combat with Jormungandr

Research: My PhD is investigating whether the myth of Thor’s combat with Jormungandr has its origins in West Semitic mythology. My research involves a comparative study of the parallel motifs in the Ugaritic Baal Cycle and Thor’s mythology. I aim to show that the Baal Cycle can help to decipher Thor’s myths. In particular, my research will reveal that Thor’s sea combat is only one part in a chain of events that culminate in him becoming foremost of the Viking Age deities. My supervisors are Professor Stefan Brink of the Scandinavian Department and Dr Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer from the Department of Divinity and Religious Studies.  

I have had a life-long interest in religion and spirituality, which extends into my free time. I am particularly interested in African Traditional Religions in the New World and the worship of Santa Muerte in Mexico. I work part-time in a nursing home, where I developed my interest in the spiritual aspects of palliative care.