Knýtlinga saga
Encyclopedia
Knýtlinga saga is an Icelandic kings' saga written in the 1250s, which deals with the kings who ruled Denmark since the early 10th century.
There are good reasons to assume that the author was Óláfr Þórðarson
(d. 1259), nicknamed hvítaskáld "the White Poet", who was a nephew of Snorri Sturluson
. Óláfr Þórðarson is also known for having written the Third Grammatical Treatise. Ólafr stayed with the Danish ruler Valdemar II of Denmark
in 1240–1241, and Valdemar provided the saga's author with "a great deal of information" and "outstanding accounts".
The work is modelled on the Heimskringla
, Snorri's work on the Norwegian kings. Like Snorri, the author makes frequent use of skaldic poetry as documentary sources.
The saga covers the history of the Danish rulers from the early 10th century until the 13th century. In the first part of its history, the saga resembles the synoptics in giving summaries of the major historical events, but later chapters, from those dealing with the sons of Sveinn Úlfsson (d. mid-1070s) onwards, devote greater attention to the kings themselves. A central theme is the institution of kingship and all that it demanded of those who held royal office. The exemplary characters and behaviours of good kings such as Knútr
the Holy (d. 1086) and Eiríkr the Good
(d. 1103), are set off against those of incompetent or evil kings. Key benchmarks for good rulership include the promotion of peace and support of the church.
There are good reasons to assume that the author was Óláfr Þórðarson
Óláfr Þórðarson
Óláfr Þórðarson was an Icelandic skald and scholar who was born about 1210 and died in 1259. He is usually called Óláfr hvítaskáld in contrast to a contemporary skald called Óláfr svartaskáld...
(d. 1259), nicknamed hvítaskáld "the White Poet", who was a nephew of Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
. Óláfr Þórðarson is also known for having written the Third Grammatical Treatise. Ólafr stayed with the Danish ruler Valdemar II of Denmark
Valdemar II of Denmark
Valdemar II , called Valdemar the Victorious or Valdemar the Conqueror , was the King of Denmark from 1202 until his death in 1241. The nickname Sejr is a later invention and was not used during the King's own lifetime...
in 1240–1241, and Valdemar provided the saga's author with "a great deal of information" and "outstanding accounts".
The work is modelled on the Heimskringla
Heimskringla
Heimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230...
, Snorri's work on the Norwegian kings. Like Snorri, the author makes frequent use of skaldic poetry as documentary sources.
The saga covers the history of the Danish rulers from the early 10th century until the 13th century. In the first part of its history, the saga resembles the synoptics in giving summaries of the major historical events, but later chapters, from those dealing with the sons of Sveinn Úlfsson (d. mid-1070s) onwards, devote greater attention to the kings themselves. A central theme is the institution of kingship and all that it demanded of those who held royal office. The exemplary characters and behaviours of good kings such as Knútr
Canute IV of Denmark
Canute IV, later known as Canute the Holy or Canute the Saint , was King of Denmark from 1080 until 1086. Canute was an ambitious king who sought to strengthen the Danish monarchy, devotedly supported the Roman Catholic Church, and had designs on the English throne. Slain by rebels in 1086, he was...
the Holy (d. 1086) and Eiríkr the Good
Eric I of Denmark
Eric I Evergood , also known as Eric the Good, , was King of Denmark following his brother Olaf I Hunger in 1095. He was a son of king Sweyn II Estridsson, by his wife Gunhild Sveinsdotter, and married Boedil Thurgotsdatter.-Biography:...
(d. 1103), are set off against those of incompetent or evil kings. Key benchmarks for good rulership include the promotion of peace and support of the church.
Editions and translations
- Knýtlinga saga
- ed.
- ed.
- tr. Extracts available from De Re Militari.
External links
- Knut's Invasion of England in 1015-16, according to the Knytlinga Saga Extract in English translation
- Jómsvíkíngasaga ok Knytlínga 1828 edition