The Ásbirnings were a powerful family clan 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 dominated Skagafjörður

Skagafjörður

Skagafjörður is a deep bay in northern Iceland.-Location:Skagafjörður is about 40 km long and 15 km wide, situated between Tröllaskagi to the west and the Tjornes Peninsula to the east. There are two municipalities in the area, Skagafjörður Municipality and Akrahreppur Municipality Skagafjörður...

 in the 12th and 13th centuries until their last leader died in the Battle of Haugsnes

Battle of Haugsnes

The Battle of Haugsnes was fought at Haugsnes, a low peninsula south of Flugumýri in Skagafjörður in Northern Iceland. The battle was fought on April 19, 1246 between the forces of Þórður kakali Sighvatsson and those of Gissur Þorvaldsson. Þórður was victorious...

 (Haugsnesbardagi) in 1246. The Ásbirnings were well-known warriors and politicians. The best known Ásbirning is probably Kolbeinn Tumason

Kolbeinn Tumason

Kolbeinn Tumason was a member of the Ásbirningar family clan, and was one of the most powerful chieftains in Iceland around the turn of the 12th century. His power was probably at its height around 1200 AD. Kolbeinn used his influence to ensure that men in his favour received positions of power...

, a famous Icelandic poet. Another well known Ásbirningur was Kolbeinn ungi Arnórsson

Kolbeinn ungi Arnórsson

Kolbeinn ungi Arnórsson was an Icelandic chieftain or goði of the Ásbirningar family clan. He fought with Gissur Þorvaldsson against the Sturlungs in the Icelandic civil war during the Age of the Sturlungs. His homestead was in Víðimýri in Skagafjörður....

, Kolbeinn Tumason brother's son.