Anne Olsdotter Godlid (sometimes spelled Golid, Golið, and Gólid; c. 1773—c. 1863)[1] was a well-known Norwegian storyteller from Seljord, Telemark, Norway.[1][2] She was noted for her excellent memory[3][4][5][6] and proved an invaluable resource for collectors and Jørgen Moe, Magnus Brostrup Landstad, and Olea Crøger.[2]
Anne Godlid | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1773 |
| Died | c. 1863 |
| Other names | Anne Golid, Anne Golið, Anne Gólid |
| Occupation | Storyteller |
According to Rikard Berge, Godlid was born on Synsttveiten in Vest-Telemark, Norway in 1773, though this is disputed; others believe she was born in 1777.[3][7] Godlid lived with her parents, Olav and Gunnhild Synsttveiten, and worked on their farm for many years along with her 5 siblings, which included a sister, Kjersti, and two brothers, Nerid/Nirid and Tov.[3] Nerid was a skipper.[5][2][8] He is the subject of a story Godlid shared: one night, on December 24, he was sailing off the coast of China, thinking about his pregnant wife back in Norway.[3] A fellow sailor told Nerid he could go check on his family to make sure they were okay.[3] The sailor laid on upon the floor and closed his eyes.[3] Some versions say the man returned with a silver spoon Nerid recognized from his own home, while others say he imparted information to Nerid that was later found to be true.[3][8] Nerid is thought to have drowned on a subsequent voyage.[3] Godlid believed her family was descended from Olav Mannslagar, also known as Olav Garvik.[2]
Godlid's appearance is described as "scary;" her black hair was coarse like "on a pig" and when she cut it in later life, it stood up "like a comb."[2] She had a big nose and as an elder walked with a hunch and cane.[2][5] Berge described her as tough, strong, and wise, but also cheerful and maternal.[2] She enjoyed liquor and "took tobacco like a man."[3] Berge wrote that she was beautiful in her youth, but as an adult, "the ugliest creature you should ever see."[3] Landstad's mother said she looked like a mountain troll.[3] Godlid also walked around town mumbling to herself in her later years; it was said she communicated with another realm.[citation needed]
.jpg)
Godlid married Jørn Uppebøen, a wealthy widow from Utgarden, at age 40; he died around 20 years later.[5][9] The couple had two children: Olav, who died soon after birth, and Ingebjørge, who was named after her father's first wife.[9][3] Jørn also had five children from his first marriage: Halvor I, Aslaug, Gunhild, Aaste, and Halvor II.[9] Ingebjørge married and had 8 children, two of which were folklorist Knut Loupedalen[10] and storyteller/fiddler Olav Sondreson Tjønnstaul.[2][9][3] Her great-grandson was musician Jørgen Tjønnstaul (1894—1985).[2][11][12] Jørgen was left on his own from a young age after his parents and siblings died from illness around 1907.[11]
Godlid struggled with money after her husband's death; she may have made money and secured housing in exchange for storytelling.[5] She sat with Jørgen Moe in 1842[3][5] and with Magnus Brostrup Landstad for eight days to share her stories.[2] Throughout the years, Godlid's unique way of storytelling has been lost and little remains of her original material.[2] The tale The Master Maid is based on a story told by Godlid; in another story, Godlid details how she and her dog Birna encountered a mother bear protecting her cubs but Godlid walked away unharmed.[3][13] Berge wrote: "She carried with her one of the greatest treasures of old folklore found in one single person. Therefore, her name is worth remembering."[3] Similarly, Landstand said: "It is not possible to write it all down, what´s inside that grey head."[3] Around 100 of Godlid's stories were ultimately written down, many much later by her great-grandson Olav, but she was likely to have many more tales to tell.[3]
Godlid's date of death is also disputed, as the church did not note it, but she is believed to have been over 90 years old at the time of her death.[2][14] Berge wrote that she died on April 11, 1863, though this would have made her about 84.[3]
References
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
