The Lur and Prillar Guri with Dr. Joan Paddock

Nordic on Tap - the podcast

The lur is one of the great folk instruments of Scandinavia and was traditionally used by women at mountain farms, or sæters, in the summertime to gather the herds of cows, sheep, or goats. Less well known is the role of the lur in the story of Prillar Guri, who saved Norway from invaders at the Battle of Kringen in August of 1612.

Join me as I interview the marvelous storyteller, musician, and player of the lur, Dr. Joan Haaland Paddock of Linfield University, who explains the features of the instrument, the natural scale that it plays, the origins of the Kalmar War, and the legend of the heroine, Prillar Guri. History has failed to record the great contributions of women in peacetime as well as wartime, so we celebrate the story as they do in Sel Municipality in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. As part of this discussion, you'll learn why the bunads, or festive folk dress of Gudbrandsdalen today, are include the tartan of the Scottish clan Sinclair. Visit us at nordicontap.com to learn more about the arquebus, budstikke, Dr. Paddocks other videos, and info about the Battle of Kringen.