CHAPTEK XXII. 



EXERCISES IDR6TTIR. 



Bodily and mental exercises Love of athletics Jumping Climbing- 

 Popularity of wrestling Different modes of wrestling Running Games 

 of ball Skin-pulling Swimming Some extraordinary feats in swimming 

 Webbing the fingers Warlike exercises Dexterity in the handling of 

 weapons Archery Proficiency of chiefs in athletics and gymnastics. 



BODILY as well as mental exercises were known under the 

 name of Idruttir. In no ancient records have we so many 

 detailed accounts of games as we have in the Sagas. The 

 education of the Northmen was thoroughly Spartan in its 

 character. To this day the love of athletic games is one 

 of the characteristics of their most direct descendants, the 

 English people ; and other countries have lately awakened 

 to the importance of physical training. 



Their exercises or games may be classified under three 

 heads. 



1st. Athletic games or gymnastic exercises, such as wrestling, 

 swimming, running, jumping, leaping, balancing, climbing, 

 playing at ball, racing on snow-shoes, skin-pulling, &c., &c. 



2nd. Warlike exercises with weapons, which embraced 

 fencing, spear-throwing, arrow-shooting, slinging, &c., &c. 



3rd. Mental exercises, consisting of poetry, Saga-telling, 

 riddles, games of chess and draughts, and harp-playing. 



In those days of incessant warfare, physical training was 

 considered of the highest importance. Old and young con- 

 stantly practised games of strength and dexterity ; they knew 

 that it was only by constant exercise that they could become 

 or remain good warriors. This made the young men supple, 

 quick of foot, dexterous in motion, and gave them great power 

 of endurance, insuring a good physique, which told on their 

 children and future generations. They were thus always 

 prepared for war, and this is the key to the character of the 



VOL. II. 2 B 



