The Oddaverjar were among the most powerful family clans in the medieval Icelandic Commonwealth

Icelandic Commonwealth

The Icelandic Commonwealth, Icelandic Free State, or Republic of Iceland was the state existing in Iceland between the establishment of the Althing in 930 and the pledge of fealty to the Norwegian king in 1262...

. They were based in Oddi

Oddi

Oddi at Rangárvellir was a center of learning in South Iceland during the Middle Ages.For centuries it was the central home of the powerful family, Oddaverjar. The two best known leaders in Oddi were Sæmundur Sigfússon the Learned and his grandson Jón Loftsson . The famous historian Snorri...

 at Rangárvellir in South Iceland. Their ascendancy was during the second half of the 12th century, but their power subsequently waned. They play only a minor role in the Icelandic civil war during the Age of the Sturlungs

Age of the Sturlungs

The Age of the Sturlungs or the Sturlung Era was a 42-44 year period of internal strife in mid 13th century Iceland. It may also have been the bloodiest and most violent period in Icelandic history...

. Only after the signing of the Gamli sáttmáli ("Old Covenant") did they oppose the influence of Gissur Þorvaldsson

Gissur Þorvaldsson

Gissur Thorvaldsson was a medieval Icelandic chieftain or goði of the Haukdælir family clan, and great-grandson of Jón Loftsson....

, Earl of Iceland.

The Oddverjar traced their roots to the first Icelandic settlers. The first known Oddaverji was Sæmundur Sigfússon fróði ("Sæmundur The Knowledgeable"), an early 12th century scholar.