- Age of the Sturlungs
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 theSturlunga saga .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, theIcelandic Commonwealth ceased to exist and Iceland became a vassal ofNorway .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 theBattle of Víðines . Power in the country had consolidated within the grasp of a few family clans. They were:* The
Haukdælir , of Árnesþing
* TheOddaverjar , of Rangárþing
* The Ásbirningar, ofSkagafjörður
* The Vatnsfirðingar ofÍsafjörður
* The Svínfellingar of the Eastfjords
* The Sturlungar, ofHvammur in DalirAt this time, Hákon The Old, King of Norway, was trying to extend his influence in Iceland. Many Icelandic chieftains became his
vassal s 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 "Goði"-chieftains
In order to fully understand the politics of
13th century Iceland, one must look at the peculiar political organization of theIcelandic Commonwealth . Power was mostly in the hands of the "goðar", local chieftains. Iceland was effectively divided intofarthing s (quarters). Within each farthing were nine "Goði"-dominions ("Goðorð"). The North farthing had an additional three dominions due to its size. All in all they were 39.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 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 , whenSnorri Sturluson , chieftain of the Sturlung clan and one of the great saga writers, became a vassal of King Hákon 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.In
1235 , Snorri's nephewSturla Sighvatsson also accepted vassalage under the king. Sturla was more aggressive: He sent his uncle packing back to Norway, and started warring on the chieftains who refused to accept the king's demands. However, Sturla and his father Sighvatur were soundly defeated byGissur Þorvaldsson , the chief of theHaukdælir , andKolbeinn the young , chief of theÁsbirnings , inÖrlygsstaðir inSkagafjörður . TheBattle of Örlygsstaðir was the largest armed conflict in the history of Iceland -- theSturlungs (Sturla Sighvatsson) had 1000 armed men and the Ásbirningar (Kolbeinn the young) had 1200 armed men. More than 50 people were killed. After this crushing defeat, Gissur and Kolbeinn became the most powerful chieftains in the country.Snorri Sturluson returned home to Iceland, having fallen out of favour with the king due to his support for Earl Skúli in an attempted coup. Gissur Þorvaldsson, 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.Þórður kakali stirs up trouble
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 vengeance, 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 theÁsbirnings was effectively over, after fierce battles with Þórður. The battlesFlóabardagi (1244 - the only naval battle in Icelandic history with Icelanders on both sides) and theBattle of Haugsnes (1246 - the bloodiest battle in Icelandic history with about 110 fatalities) both take place during this period.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.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 inFlugumýri inSkagafjörður to the torch -- this incident is known as "Flugumýrarbrenna ". Despite his influence and power, Gissur proved unable to find the leader of the arsonists, and was forced to return to Norway in1254 to bear the censure of the king, who was displeased with his failure in bringing Iceland under the Norwegian throne.Minor conflicts continued throughout Iceland. Meanwhile, Gissur was given the title of
Jarl 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 in1264 .ee also
*
Icelandic Commonwealth
*Snorri Sturluson
*History of Iceland
*Sturlunga saga References
* Björn Þorsteinsson: "Íslensk miðaldasaga", 2. útg., Sögufélagið, Rvk. 1980.
* Byock, Jesse L.: "Medieval Iceland. Society, Sagas, and Power", University of California Press, USA 1990.
* Gunnar Karlsson: “Frá þjóðveldi til konungsríkis", "Saga Íslands II", ed. Sigurður Líndal, Hið íslenzka bókmenntafélag, Sögufélagið, Reykjavík 1975.
* ”Goðar og bændur”, s. 5-57, "Saga X", Sögufélagið, Reykjavík 1972.
* [http://www.visindavefur.hi.is/svar.asp?id=4429 Vísindavefurinn: Hvað var Sturlungaöld?]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.