Jón Arason
Encyclopedia
Jón Arason was an Iceland
ic Roman Catholic bishop
and poet, who was executed in his struggle against the imposition of the Protestant Reform in Iceland.
, the Benedictine abbey
of Iceland, and was ordained
a Catholic priest about 1504. Having attracted the notice of Gottskálk Nikulásson, bishop of Hólar
, he was sent by that prelate on two missions to Norway
. In 1522 he succeeded Gottskálk in the see
of Hólar, but he was soon driven out by the other Icelandic bishop, Ögmundur of Skálholt
. Bishop Ögmundur later opposed the imposition of Lutheranism
to Iceland, but being old and blind by that time his opposition proved effectively meaningless.
By this point Jón Arason had become known for his great talents if somewhat erratic faith. He fathered numerous children who fought for his causes figuratively and later literally. This was despite the canonical obligation that Catholic bishops are to be celibate, but Iceland was distant enough from Rome in that age for clerical discipline to be very lax.
Bishop Jón Arason became involved in a dispute with his sovereign, King Christian III
, because of the bishop's refusal to promote Lutheranism
on the island. Although initially he took a defensive rather than an offensive position on the matter, this changed radically in 1548. At that point he and Bishop Ögmundur joined their forces to attack the Lutherans. Bishop Ögmundur's contribution did not last, however, due to his infirmities, and he quickly faced exile to Denmark.
Jón Arason's continued resistance is thought to have come from a kind of primitive nationalism and simple ambition as much as religion. He resented the Danes changing the religious landscape of Iceland and felt their culture would be less disrupted by staying Catholic. Hence he took encouragement from a letter of support from Pope Paul III
in continuing his efforts against the Lutheran cause. For the Pope, this seems to have been a generalized opposition to the spread of Protestantism
, not necessarily support for the peculiarities of Jon's life or Icelandic culture. Still, the encouragement helped strengthen the opposition against the Lutherans into a kind of civil war.
Jón Arason knew no bounds in his zeal toward that cause, as he fought for what he deemed to be a Catholic, Icelandic, and personal struggle against the Danes. In this struggle he had the help of his illegitimate children, who fought with him in various battles. However his attempt to capture his greatest adversary, Daði Gudmundsson, at the Battle of Sauðafell
led to himself being taken prisoner and handed over to the king's bailiff
. Legend states that, on hearing this, one of his feistier daughters rallied her forces to save him, but even if this is so her efforts proved unsuccessful. In 1550 Jón Arason and two of his sons, Are and Bjorn, were captured and beheaded. Christian Skriver, the king's bailiff, would later be killed by fishermen who favored Jón's cause.
Legends claim that as he was about to be beheaded, a priest called Sveinn was by his side to offer him comfort. Sveinn told Jón: Líf er eftir þetta, herra! ("There is a life after this one, Sire!") Jón turned to Sveinn and said: Veit ég það, Sveinki! ("That I know, little Sveinn!") Ever since veit ég það, Sveinki has been a part of the Icelandic treasury of sayings, in this case meaning that something totally obvious has been stated.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic Roman Catholic bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
and poet, who was executed in his struggle against the imposition of the Protestant Reform in Iceland.
Background
Jón Arason was educated at MunkaþveráMunkaþverá
Munkaþverá was a Benedictine monastery in Eyjafjörður, Iceland. It was established around 1155 and was abolished when the country was reformed in 1550...
, the Benedictine abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
of Iceland, and was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
a Catholic priest about 1504. Having attracted the notice of Gottskálk Nikulásson, bishop of Hólar
Hólar
Hólar is a small community located in the Skagafjörður district and situated in northern Iceland.-Location:Hólar is located in the Hjaltadalur valley, some from the national capital at Reykjavík. Hólar has a population of around 100...
, he was sent by that prelate on two missions to Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. In 1522 he succeeded Gottskálk in the see
See
See or SEE may refer to:*The act of visual perception*The term "See:" as a form of citation signal*Episcopal see, domain of authority of a bishop*Holy See, the central government of the Roman Catholic Church*See District, Fribourg, Switzerland...
of Hólar, but he was soon driven out by the other Icelandic bishop, Ögmundur of Skálholt
Skálholt
Skálholt is an historical site situated in the south of Iceland at the river Hvítá.-History:Skálholt was, through eight centuries, one of the most important places in Iceland. From 1056 until 1785, it was one of Iceland's two episcopal sees, along with Hólar, making it a cultural and political...
. Bishop Ögmundur later opposed the imposition of Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
to Iceland, but being old and blind by that time his opposition proved effectively meaningless.
By this point Jón Arason had become known for his great talents if somewhat erratic faith. He fathered numerous children who fought for his causes figuratively and later literally. This was despite the canonical obligation that Catholic bishops are to be celibate, but Iceland was distant enough from Rome in that age for clerical discipline to be very lax.
Struggle with the King
After a brief exile in NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Bishop Jón Arason became involved in a dispute with his sovereign, King Christian III
Christian III of Denmark
Christian III reigned as king of Denmark and Norway. He was the eldest son of King Frederick I and Anna of Brandenburg.-Childhood:...
, because of the bishop's refusal to promote Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
on the island. Although initially he took a defensive rather than an offensive position on the matter, this changed radically in 1548. At that point he and Bishop Ögmundur joined their forces to attack the Lutherans. Bishop Ögmundur's contribution did not last, however, due to his infirmities, and he quickly faced exile to Denmark.
Jón Arason's continued resistance is thought to have come from a kind of primitive nationalism and simple ambition as much as religion. He resented the Danes changing the religious landscape of Iceland and felt their culture would be less disrupted by staying Catholic. Hence he took encouragement from a letter of support from Pope Paul III
Pope Paul III
Pope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation...
in continuing his efforts against the Lutheran cause. For the Pope, this seems to have been a generalized opposition to the spread of Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, not necessarily support for the peculiarities of Jon's life or Icelandic culture. Still, the encouragement helped strengthen the opposition against the Lutherans into a kind of civil war.
Jón Arason knew no bounds in his zeal toward that cause, as he fought for what he deemed to be a Catholic, Icelandic, and personal struggle against the Danes. In this struggle he had the help of his illegitimate children, who fought with him in various battles. However his attempt to capture his greatest adversary, Daði Gudmundsson, at the Battle of Sauðafell
Battle of Sauðafell
The Battle of Sauðafell occurred in 1550, when the forces of Bishop Jón Arason clashed with the forces of Daði Guðmundsson of Snóksdalur.-Location:...
led to himself being taken prisoner and handed over to the king's bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
. Legend states that, on hearing this, one of his feistier daughters rallied her forces to save him, but even if this is so her efforts proved unsuccessful. In 1550 Jón Arason and two of his sons, Are and Bjorn, were captured and beheaded. Christian Skriver, the king's bailiff, would later be killed by fishermen who favored Jón's cause.
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