13 h 14 minAudiobook8 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at cost
Audiobook edition · 13 h 14 minPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
What should a man learn before he trades, serves a king, or takes the throne?
In The King's Mirror, a son asks how to make his way in the world, and his father answers at length. Their talk moves through the lives of merchant, court servant and king. This anonymous Norwegian work offers a mirror for seeing faults—and advice for correcting them.
The questions also lead far beyond the royal court. The father describes Ireland, Iceland and Greenland, with accounts of northern seas, ice and fire. Alongside these wonders come lessons in loyalty, manners and rule. The text presents kingship as an office under God and law, joining practical counsel with Christian teaching.
What you’ll discover
- A father and son Follow a questioning son as his father connects everyday conduct with the demands of power.
- Before the merchant trades Explore the advice offered to a young man drawn by money and distant lands.
- Wonders of the north Encounter seas, ice and fire through a medieval account of the northern natural world.
- Life at royal court Discover why loyalty and tact matter for the man who serves close to the king.
- The weight of kingship Consider a father's teaching that rulers must answer to God for their use of power.
Who will love it
You will enjoy this book if you love medieval life, Norse lands and seafaring, tales of courts and kings, or learning through a talk between a curious son and a wise father.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Wisdom begins with loving and fearing God
- The honest merchant is prudent, pious, and fair
- Sea travel depends on knowing sun, winds, and tides
- Strange northern lands are true, whatever doubters say
- Good manners at court are learned, not caught
- A kingdom fails when its morals and leaders fail
- A king's man should train for war and weapons
- Humility and justice raise people, pride brings them down
- A just king balances truth, justice, peace, and mercy
- Kings and bishops guard two halls of God
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet or computer, once the book texts are online.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, once the book texts are online.
- Audiobook
- Read by Lucas Linden, complete. It opens once the recording is online.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 8 minutes, to read today.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout. The eBook and the audiobook open when the book texts go online.
How it works
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
- We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then USD 0.14 a day in your first year on the yearly plan and USD 0.27 a day after, or USD 0.66 a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
Bought on its own? Every eBook, audiobook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.
The King's Mirror (Speculum regale– Konungs skuggsjá)
by Anonymous · 1250
A young Norwegian asks his father how to live well, and the answers cover ships, wonders, courts, and justice.
Challenging10–20 hours to readEnglish
Excellent
- Read or listen
- Print and large print at cost
- 5 accounts for the price of one
Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device
Read free3 months free · cancel anytimeFree for 3 months, then USD 0.14 a dayCancel anytimeHow it works
In short
Why do so many people drift off the highways of virtue onto easy paths that end in ruin? A young man asks himself that question in the opening lines of The King's Mirror.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Wisdom begins with loving and fearing God
The son asks for the first principles of wisdom. The father answers that wisdom begins with fear of Almighty God. This is not the fear of an enemy. It is loving reverence.
Fear comes in whenever an evil desire rises. Then a person should drive it away for God's sake, even if he might have dared to indulge it before other people. This is the only starting point, the father says.
Free for 3 months · Cancel anytime
You looked at
Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 8 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
Details
- First published
- 1250
- Language
- English
- Level
- Challenging
Cite this edition
The King's Mirror (Speculum regale– Konungs skuggsjá). Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-kings-mirror-speculum-regale-konungs-skuggsja.
The king's mirror (Speculum regale– Konungs skuggsjá). (2026). Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-kings-mirror-speculum-regale-konungs-skuggsja (Original work published ca. 1250)
The King's Mirror (Speculum regale– Konungs skuggsjá). Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-kings-mirror-speculum-regale-konungs-skuggsja.
@book{anonymous2026kings,
title = {The King's Mirror (Speculum regale– Konungs skuggsjá)},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-kings-mirror-speculum-regale-konungs-skuggsja},
note = {First published ca. 1250}
}
Free gifts
USD 580 in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
USD 170FREE - Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any device
USD 120FREE - 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languages
USD 60FREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
USD 60FREE - 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at home
USD 170FREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
Questions about The King's Mirror (Speculum regale– Konungs skuggsjá)
Can I read it free?
Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy the printed book?
Soon. The paperback, hardcover and large print editions are being prepared. Choose Paperback or Hardcover above, leave your email, and we tell you the day you can order it, printed at cost.
How many accounts do I get?
Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.
What is The King's Mirror about?
It records talks between a father and son about how to live well. They cover merchants, the sea, northern wonders, court manners, war, and above all how a king should judge with truth, justice, peace, and mercy.
Who wrote The King's Mirror and when?
The author is unknown. The work comes from thirteenth century Norway, and its Norse title is Konungs skuggsjá. The writer was clearly educated and familiar with the royal court, church teaching, law, and seafaring life.
Why is the book called a mirror?
The author says readers can look into it as into a bright mirror to see good conduct, courtesy, and speech. It is called the King's Mirror because it shows how kings should behave, though anyone may use it.
More by Anonymous
All 37 booksMore like this
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
Popular in philosophy & ideas
See all
