The Nun of Nidaros
Interlude
The Theologian’s Tale.
Torquemada
Interlude
The Poet’s Tale
The Birds of Killingworth
Finale
The Annotated Edition
The Nun of Nidaros by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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The Nun of Nidaros is a story found in Longfellow's collection *Tales of a Wayside Inn*, where a group of travelers share their stories with one another.
- Core theme
- Faith
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
The Nun of Nidaros is a story found in Longfellow's collection *Tales of a Wayside Inn*, where a group of travelers share their stories with one another. This tale focuses on a nun from the Norwegian cathedral city of Nidaros, now known as Trondheim, and delves into themes of faith, sin, and redemption. Like the other stories in the collection, it uses a medieval European backdrop to explore enduring questions about the human soul.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
Interlude
Editor's note
The Interlude sections serve as the glue in *Tales of a Wayside Inn*. They bring readers back to the inn, where the travelers — the Poet, the Theologian, the Student, and others — respond to the previous story and introduce the next one. In these Interludes, the transition from the last tale to the Theologian's story occurs, allowing the characters to express themselves, engage in discussions, and showcase their unique personalities before diving into the next narrative.
The Theologian's Tale. Torquemada
Editor's note
The Theologian steps forward to share the story of Torquemada, a troubling account tied to the Spanish Inquisition. Torquemada, the historical Grand Inquisitor, serves as a figure for Longfellow to illustrate the frightening clash between strict religious beliefs and human emotions. This narrative stands in stark contrast to the Nun's story of mercy, revealing how faith can turn into cruelty instead of compassion.
Interlude
Editor's note
A second Interlude comes after Torquemada, providing both the travelers and the reader a chance to catch their breath after the Theologian's intense tale. These breaks matter; they highlight that storytelling involves real people, who react with feelings like discomfort, laughter, or debate. The atmosphere is probably more serious now, influenced by the heavy story the Theologian has just told.
The Poet's Tale. The Birds of Killingworth
Editor's note
The Poet presents a lighter, more pastoral story set in Killingworth, Connecticut. The townspeople decide to eliminate all the birds to safeguard their crops, only to find that the absence of birds allows insects to wreak havoc. This fable highlights the pitfalls of short-sighted thinking and the delicate balance of nature, offering a tonal relief after the heavy moral themes of Torquemada. The Poet's voice is warmer and more playful compared to the Theologian's.
Finale
Editor's note
The Finale concludes the evening at the inn. The travelers say their goodbyes, and Longfellow brings the entire frame narrative to a close with a warm farewell. This structure reflects the opening of the collection: just as the travelers came together to share their stories, now the night draws to a close and they go their separate ways. The Finale emphasizes that storytelling is a way for people to connect despite their differences, and that simply listening to others is a valuable gift in itself.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
The overall tone of this section of *Tales of a Wayside Inn* is intentionally varied. The Interludes come across as warm and conversational, while the Theologian's Torquemada feels grave and unsettling, and the Poet's Birds of Killingworth offers a gently comic and pastoral touch. Longfellow maintains these moods with a steady, dignified narrative voice — the tone of someone who believes in the importance of stories and trusts the reader to appreciate the contrast between darkness and light.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- The Inn
- The wayside inn is a gathering spot beyond the hustle and bustle of daily life — a place where individuals from various backgrounds can share their thoughts openly. It embodies the belief that storytelling thrives in a neutral space, removed from the stresses of everyday life.
- The Nun of Nidaros
- The nun embodies the potential for redemption and the struggle between human frailty and her religious calling. Nidaros, being the home of the Archbishop of Norway and a site for pilgrims, adds a sense of sacred significance to her narrative.
- The Birds of Killingworth
- The birds represent the natural balance and the unforeseen effects of human arrogance. While it may seem logical to kill them, the outcome is disastrous, turning them into a symbol of all that people damage without grasping its true worth.
- Torquemada
- The Grand Inquisitor represents faith twisted by power — the moment when loyalty to doctrine eclipses fundamental human compassion. He serves as a dark reflection of the nun's tale of mercy and grace.
§06Historical context
Historical context
*The Nun of Nidaros* is featured in the second series of Longfellow's *Tales of a Wayside Inn*, which was published in 1872. This collection takes inspiration from Chaucer's *Canterbury Tales* and Boccaccio's *Decameron*, showcasing a group of travelers at a Massachusetts inn who share stories rooted in history, legend, and folklore from both Europe and America. Longfellow worked on this series for several decades, reflecting his deep interest in medieval European culture, Norse history, and the moral dilemmas present in ancient tales. Nidaros is the medieval name for Trondheim in Norway, where the Nidaros Cathedral is located — known as the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world and a significant pilgrimage destination. The intentional juxtaposition of a Norwegian nun's tale with that of the Spanish Inquisitor Torquemada allows Longfellow to contrast mercy and cruelty, encouraging readers to contemplate the complexities of faith.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
It is part of Longfellow's *Tales of a Wayside Inn*, a frame narrative where travelers share stories with one another. The section titled *The Nun of Nidaros* refers to the collection of tales shared during that gathering, which includes the Theologian's grim story of Torquemada and the Poet's more cheerful fable about birds. The nun is the focus of one of these embedded tales, delving into themes of sin, faith, and the chance for forgiveness.
*Tales of a Wayside Inn* is a lengthy narrative poem by Longfellow, released in three series from 1863 to 1874. It draws inspiration from Chaucer's *Canterbury Tales*: a diverse group of characters — including a Poet, a Theologian, a Student, a Musician, and others — gather at an actual inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts, sharing stories rooted in history and legend.
Tomás de Torquemada was the first Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition in the late 15th century, infamous for his role in persecuting and expelling Jews and Muslims from Spain. Longfellow portrays him as a figure whose faith has turned cruel, placing his narrative alongside the Nun's tale of grace to highlight the moral contrast between compassion and cruelty under the guise of religion.
The Poet narrates a fable situated in Killingworth, Connecticut. The townspeople choose to eliminate all the birds since they consume the crops. In the absence of birds, insects thrive and wreak havoc on the harvest. Eventually, the town decides to reintroduce the birds. This serves as a parable about the balance of nature and the risks of addressing problems without grasping the entire system.
The frame narrative — travelers sharing stories at an inn — allows Longfellow to explore various times, places, and moral themes without making the poem feel disjointed. Each storyteller brings their unique personality, which influences the story they share. This approach highlights storytelling as a central theme: sharing stories is portrayed as a means for people to foster community and understand their experiences.
Nidaros is the medieval Norse name for Trondheim in Norway. It served as the seat of the Archbishop of Norway and is home to Nidaros Cathedral, which is the northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world. For medieval Europeans, it was a key pilgrimage site linked to Saint Olaf. Placing a nun's story in this setting instantly evokes a world rich in religious importance and spiritual tension.
Faith and its boundaries, the chance for redemption, the connection between humans and nature, and the impact of storytelling itself. Longfellow contrasts mercy with cruelty (the Nun versus Torquemada) and human arrogance with natural wisdom (the Birds of Killingworth), allowing these contrasts to convey the moral message without explicitly preaching.
Yes, and it really highlights Longfellow's versatility. Many students are familiar with his shorter poems like *Paul Revere's Ride*, but *Tales of a Wayside Inn* showcases his more ambitious, novel-like style — weaving together various voices, tones, and moral perspectives within a lengthy narrative. It invites comparison with Chaucer, whom Longfellow recognized as an influence.
Citation
Cite this poem
MLA
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Nun of Nidaros." Storgy, https://storgy.com/poems/the-nun-of-nidaros-henry-wadsworth-longfellow/.
APA
Longfellow, H. W. (n.d.). The nun of nidaros. Storgy. https://storgy.com/poems/the-nun-of-nidaros-henry-wadsworth-longfellow/
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