Sverris saga

Sverris saga is a Norse saga about King Sverre Sigurdsson (r. 1177–1202) of Norway and is the main source for this period of Norwegian history. As the foreword tells us, the saga in its final form is a compilation of previous books. Work first began in 1185 under the king’s direct supervision. It is not known when it was finished, but presumably it was well known when Snorri Sturluson began writing his Heimskringla in the 1220s since Snorri ends his account where the Sverris saga begins. Thus the saga is contemporary or near-contemporary with the events it describes. The saga is obviously written by someone sympathetic to Sverre’s cause, but the strict demands of the genre ensure a high degree of impartiality.

Authorship and composition

The first distinct part of the saga is called "Grýla" and describes the events until the aftermath of Sverre's first major victory at the Battle of Kalvskinnet in 1179. Central to this part is Sverre’s claim to be the son of King Sigurd Munn and his struggle against his rival claimant Magnus Erlingsson. According to the foreword "Grýla" was written by Karl Jónsson from Þingeyrar monastery in Iceland. Karl Jónsson is known to have visited Norway from 1185 to c. 1188. Sverre is supposed to have served as "Grýla"’s main source and decided what should be written. "Grýla" is written in a unique style that to some degree seems to be inspired by the long medieval tradition of hagiography.

External links

* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/sverri/index.php Sverris saga in English translation]
* [http://sagnanet.is/saganet/?MIval=/SinglePage&Manuscript=100203&Page=2757&language=english Sverris saga in Old Norse]