The Age of the Sturlungs or the Sturlung Era (Icelandic Sturlungaöld) 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. It is documented in the Sturlunga saga. (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ...

A man swears vassalage to the King of Norway. From the Skarðsbók manuscript

This period is marked by the conflicts of powerful chieftains, goðar, who amassed followers and did battle, and is named for the Sturlungs, the most powerful family clan in Iceland at the time. At the end of the era, the Icelandic Commonwealth ceased to exist; Iceland became a vassal of Norway. The Sturlungs (Icelandic: Sturlungar) were a powerful family clan in medieval mid-13th century Iceland, in the time of the Icelandic Commonwealth. ... The Icelandic Commonwealth or the Icelandic Free State (Icelandic: Þjóðveldisöld) 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. ...

Historians generally regard the year 1220 as the first year of the Age of the Sturlungs, although some wish to place its beginning at an earlier date because of the Battle of Víðines. Power in the country had consolidated within the grasp of a few family clans. They were: // The world in 1220 Middle Ages in Europe Fifth Crusade (1217-1221) Events Mongols first invade Abbasid caliphate - Bukhara and Samarkand taken End of the Kara-Khitan Khanate, destroyed by Genghis Khans Mongolian cavalry Dominican Order approved by Pope Honorius III Frederick II crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope...

• The Haukdælir, of Árnesþing
• The Oddaverjar, of Rangárþing
• The Ásbirningar, of Skagafjörður
• The Vatnsfirðingar of Ísafjörður
• The Svínfellingar of the Eastfjords
• The Sturlungar, of Hvammur in Dalir

At this time, Hákon The Old, King of Norway, was trying to extend his influence in Iceland. Many Icelandic chieftains became his vassals and were obliged to do his bidding -- in exchange they received gifts, followers and a status of respect. Consequently, the greatest Icelandic chieftains were soon affiliated with the King of Norway in one way or the other. The Haukdælir were one of the family clans who controlled medieval Iceland during the period of the Icelandic Commonwealth. ... Location of Ísafjörður in Iceland A street in Ísafjörður Ísafjörður (IPA: [ˈi:saËŒfjÅ“rðʏrÌ¥]) (ice fjord in Icelandic) is the capital of the Westfjords (Vestfirðir) region of Iceland, With a population of about 3,000, Ísafjörður is the largest... Austurland (also known as Austfirðir) is a region in eastern Iceland. ... The Sturlungs (Icelandic: Sturlungar) were a powerful family clan in medieval mid-13th century Iceland, in the time of the Icelandic Commonwealth. ... An illustration of Hákon, King of Norway, and his son Magnus, from Flateyjarbók HÃ¥kon IV (1204 – December 16, 1263), (Norwegian HÃ¥kon HÃ¥konsson, Old Norse Hákon Hákonarson) also called Haakon the Old. ... Look up vassal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The Goði-chieftains

In order to fully understand the politics of 13th century Iceland, one must look at the peculiar political organization of the Icelandic Commonwealth. Power was mostly in the hands of the goðar, local chieftains. Iceland was effectively divided into quadrants. Within each quadrant were nine Goði-dominions ("Goðorð"). The Northern quadrant had an additional three dominions due to its size. All in all they were 39. (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... The Icelandic Commonwealth or the Icelandic Free State (Icelandic: Þjóðveldisöld) 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. ... The term gothi (goði), in Norse mythology, refers to the person who administered the Blóts. ...

The Goði-chieftains protected the farmers in their territory, and exacted compensation or vengeance if their followers' rights were violated. In exchange, the farmers pledged their support to the Goði, both by voting in his favour in the Alþingi parliament and (if needed) by taking up arms against his enemies. The Althing (Modern Icelandic Alþingi; Old Norse Alþing) is the national parliament: literally, the all-thing (or General Assembly) of Iceland. ...

The powers of the Goði-chieftains, however, were neither permanent nor inherited. This status came about by a combination of respect, honour, influence and wealth. The chieftains constantly had to demonstrate their qualities as leaders, either by giving gifts to their followers or by holding great feasts. If the chieftain was seen as failing in any respect, his followers could simply choose another, more qualified Goði to support.

The greatest chieftains of the 12th and 13th century started amassing great wealth, and subsuming lesser dominions. This may be one of the causes of the civil war.

The Course of Events

The Beginning: Snorri returns home

The Age of Sturlungs began in 1220, when Snorri Sturluson, chieftain of the Sturlung clan and one of the great saga writers, became a vassal of Hákon, King of Norway. The king insisted that Snorri help him bring Iceland under the sovereignty of Norway. Snorri returned home, and although he soon became the country's most powerful chieftain, he did little to enforce the king's will. // The world in 1220 Middle Ages in Europe Fifth Crusade (1217-1221) Events Mongols first invade Abbasid caliphate - Bukhara and Samarkand taken End of the Kara-Khitan Khanate, destroyed by Genghis Khans Mongolian cavalry Dominican Order approved by Pope Honorius III Frederick II crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope... Snorri Sturluson (1178 – September 23, 1241) was an Icelandic historian, poet and politician. ... This article is a list of rulers of Norway up until the present, including: The Norwegian kingdom (with the Faroe Islands) The Union with Iceland and Greenland (1262-1814) The Norwegian kingdom (with Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands 1262-1814) The Union of Sweden and Norway (1319-1343) The...

In 1235, Snorri's nephew Sturla Sighvatsson also accepted vassalage under the king. Sturla was more aggressive: He sent his uncle packing back to Norway, and soon started warring on the chieftains who refused to accept the king's demands. However, Sturla and his father Sighvatur were soundly defeated by Gissur Þorvaldsson, the chief of the Haukdælir, and Kolbeinn the young, chief of the Ásbirnings, in Örlygsstaðir in Skagafjörður. The Battle of Örlygsstaðir was the largest armed conflict in the history of Iceland -- more than 50 people were killed. After this crushing defeat, Gissur and Kolbeinn became the most powerful chieftains in the country. Events Anglo-Norman invasion of Connacht St. ... The Haukdælir were one of the family clans who controlled medieval Iceland during the period of the Icelandic Commonwealth. ...

Snorri Sturluson returned home to Iceland, having fallen out of favour with the king. Gissur Þorvaldsson, now also a vassal of the Norwegian king, received instructions that Snorri be killed. In 1241, Gissur went with many men to Snorri's home and murdered him. Events April 5 - Mongols of Golden Horde under the command of Subotai defeat feudal Polish nobility, including Knights Templar, in the battle of Liegnitz April 27 - Mongols defeat Bela IV of Hungary in the battle of Sajo. ...

Þórður kakali stirs up trouble

An illustration of Hákon, King of Norway, and his son Magnus, from Flateyjarbók

A year later, Þórður kakali Sighvatsson (the nickname kakali probably means "The Stutterer"), son of Sighvatur, Snorri's brother, returned home to Iceland from abroad. He had cause for vengenace, for his brothers and father had fallen in the Battle of Örlygsstaðir. He soon showed himself to be a formidable tactician and leader. Four years later, the rule of the Ásbirnings was effectively over, after fierce battles with Þórður. The battles Flóabardagi (1244 - the only naval battle in Icelandic history with Icelanders on both sides) and Haugsnessbardagi (1246 - the bloodiest battle in Icelandic history with about 100 fatalities) both take place during this period. Image File history File links HakonTheOldAndSon-Flateyjarbok. ... Image File history File links HakonTheOldAndSon-Flateyjarbok. ... The Flatey Book, (in Icelandic the Flateyjarbók Flat-island book) is one of the most important medieval Icelandic manuscripts. ... This article is about the year 1244. ... Events End of the reign of Emperor Go-Saga, emperor of Japan. ...

Þórður kakali and Gissur Þorvaldsson, however, did not fight each other. Both were vassals of the king of Norway, and they appealed to him as dispute mediator. The king decided in favour of Þórður and from 1247-1250 Þórður ruled Iceland almost alone. He died in Norway, six years later. Events Shams ad-Din disappears resulting in Jalal Uddin Rumi writing 30,000 verses of poetry about his disappearance. ... Events December 13 - Death of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor Louis IX of France is captured by Muslims and has to ransom himself Mabinogion appears Albertus Magnus isolates the element arsenic Vincent of Beauvais writes proto-encyclopedic The Greater Mirror City of Stockholm founded Alphonso III of Portugal takes Algarve...

Gissur returns and the Commonwealth ends

In 1252 the king sent Gissur to Iceland. The followers of Þórður kakali were displeased and tried unsuccessfully to kill him by putting his residence in Flugumýri in Skagafjörður to the torch. Despite his influence and power, Gissur proved unable to find the leader of the arsonists, and was forced to return to Norway in 1254 and bear the censure of the king, who was displeased with his failure in bringing Iceland under the Norwegian throne. For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ...

Minor conflicts continued throughout Iceland. Meanwhile, Gissur was given the title of Earl and sent back home to negotiate. Only when the king had sent his special emissary, Hallvarður gullskór, did the Icelanders agree on Norwegian kingship. The Commonwealth came to an end with the signing of the Gamli sáttmáli ("Old Covenant") agreement in 1264. An Earl or Jarl was an Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian title, meaning chieftain and it referred especially to chieftains set to rule a territory in a kings stead. ... Gamli sáttmáli (English: Old Covenant) was the name of the agreement which effected the union of Iceland and Norway. ... Events May 12 - The Battle of Lewes begins (ends May 14). ...

See also

• Icelandic Commonwealth
• Snorri Sturluson
• History of Iceland
• Sturlunga saga

The Icelandic Commonwealth or the Icelandic Free State (Icelandic: Þjóðveldisöld) 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. ... Snorri Sturluson (1178 – September 23, 1241) was an Icelandic historian, poet and politician. ... // Early history Thule as Tile on the Carta Marina by Olaus Magnus. ...

References

• Björn Þorsteinsson: Íslensk miðaldasaga, 2. útg., Sögufélagið, Rvk. 1980.
• Byock, Jesse L.: Medieval Iceland. Society, Sagas, and Power, University of California Press, BNA 1990.
• Gunnar Karlsson: “Frá þjóðveldi til konungsríkis", Saga Íslands II, ritstj. Sigurður Líndal, Hið íslenzka bókmenntafélag, Sögufélagið, Rvk 1975.
• ”Goðar og bændur”, s. 5-57, Saga X, Sögufélagið, Rvk 1972.