Sturlungs
Encyclopedia
The Sturlungs were a powerful family clan in medieval mid-13th century Iceland
, in the time of the Icelandic Commonwealth
. Their story is partly told in Sturlunga saga
, and members of the clan were significant participants in the civil war of the Sturlungaöld.
The Sturlungs were extremely wealthy and influential. They controlled Western Iceland, the Westfjords
and North Eastern Iceland.
The patriarch of the Sturlungs was Sturla Þórðarson, whom scholars believe was born around 1115. He inherited his Goðorð (domain, realm or area of influence) from his father Þórður Gilsson. Sturla quarrelled extensively with Einar Þorgilsson of Staðarhóll and many other chieftains. Jón Loftsson
, a well-respected man, mediated in one of these disputes. Following this, he was entrusted with the upbringing of Sturla's son Snorri Sturluson
, who later became the most influential of the Sturlungs, and the most famous due to his literary endeavours. Snorri had two brothers, Þórður Sturluson and Sighvatur Sturluson.
The descendants of Sturla played an important role in the Sturlungaöld civil war, most notably his sons Snorri and Sighvatur, and Sighvatur's son Þórður kakali Sighvatsson. Another notable Sturlung was Sturla Þórðarson
, son of Þórður Sturluson, who fought with Þórður kakali. He wrote Íslendinga saga
, the longest part of Sturlunga saga
, and Hákonar saga gamla, the story of Haakon IV of Norway
. Some scholars also attribute to him the authorship of Kristni saga and a transcript of Landnáma.
The writing of the Icelandic sagas began with the Sturlungs, and many of those written before 1280 were their work, or were written at their behest.
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...
, in the time of the 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...
. Their story is partly told in Sturlunga saga
Sturlunga saga
Sturlunga saga is a collection of Icelandic sagas by various authors from the 12th and 13th centuries; it was assembled ca. 1300...
, and members of the clan were significant participants in the civil war of the Sturlungaöld.
The Sturlungs were extremely wealthy and influential. They controlled Western Iceland, the Westfjords
Westfjords
The Westfjords or West Fjords is the name for the large peninsula in northwestern Iceland. It is connected to the rest of Iceland by a 7 km wide isthmus between Gilsfjörður and Bitrufjörður. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is heavily indented by dozens of fjords surrounded by...
and North Eastern Iceland.
The patriarch of the Sturlungs was Sturla Þórðarson, whom scholars believe was born around 1115. He inherited his Goðorð (domain, realm or area of influence) from his father Þórður Gilsson. Sturla quarrelled extensively with Einar Þorgilsson of Staðarhóll and many other chieftains. Jón Loftsson
Jón Loftsson
Jón Loftsson was chieftain at Oddi in the county of Rangá in the south part of Iceland, and of the Oddaverjar family clan. He was one of the most popular chieftains and politician of his age in the country. He participated in the so-called Staðarmál, in 1179, against the Roman-Catholic Church and...
, a well-respected man, mediated in one of these disputes. Following this, he was entrusted with the upbringing of Sturla's son Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
, who later became the most influential of the Sturlungs, and the most famous due to his literary endeavours. Snorri had two brothers, Þórður Sturluson and Sighvatur Sturluson.
The descendants of Sturla played an important role in the Sturlungaöld civil war, most notably his sons Snorri and Sighvatur, and Sighvatur's son Þórður kakali Sighvatsson. Another notable Sturlung was Sturla Þórðarson
Sturla Þórðarson
Sturla Þórðarson was an Icelandic politician/chieftain and writer of sagas and contemporary history during the 13th century.Sturla was the son of Þórður Sturluson and his mistress Þóra. He was a nephew and pupil of the famous saga-writer Snorri Sturluson...
, son of Þórður Sturluson, who fought with Þórður kakali. He wrote Íslendinga saga
Íslendinga saga
Íslendinga saga makes up a large part of Sturlunga, a compilation of medieval Icelandic skin manuscripts dating back to around AD 1300.Íslendinga saga has been a major source of material for historians concerning events in early 13th century Iceland. The author is commonly believed to have been...
, the longest part of Sturlunga saga
Sturlunga saga
Sturlunga saga is a collection of Icelandic sagas by various authors from the 12th and 13th centuries; it was assembled ca. 1300...
, and Hákonar saga gamla, the story of Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak....
. Some scholars also attribute to him the authorship of Kristni saga and a transcript of Landnáma.
The writing of the Icelandic sagas began with the Sturlungs, and many of those written before 1280 were their work, or were written at their behest.