Gesta Danorum

The Gesta Danorum is a work of Danish history, by one Saxo Grammaticus (Saxo the Learned) of whom not a great deal is known other than his name. It was written in Latin at some time towards the end of the 12th century although possibly early in the 13th century. It has a particular axe to grind: its principal purpose was to laud the Danish nation and demonstrate the long lines of unbroken succession of the Danish kings.

Among others, it was the source for the story of Hamlet as written by William Shakespeare.

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External links:

• An online (latin) version made available by the Royal Library in Copenhagen:
  • http://www.kb.dk/elib/lit/dan/saxo/lat/or.dsr/
• Project Runeberg on Saxo Grammaticus and Gesta Danorum:
  • http://www.lysator.liu.se/runeberg/authors/saxo
• English translation:
  • http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/DanishHistory/