See also
Husband:
Wife:
Oddný (c. 1180- )
Children:
Marriage:
"??"
Iceland
residence family:
Reykholt, Reykholtssókn, Borgarfjarðarsýsla, Iceland
Name:
Snorri STURLUSON1
Sex:
Male
Father:
Mother:
Birth:
1179
Residence:
bjó (stayed) at Borg at Mýrum from 12013
Residence:
Reykholti from 12063
Occupation:
frm 1215 to 1218 (age 35-39)
Lögsögumaður (The Lawspeaker)president of the Althing3
Residence:
frm 1218 to 1220 (age 38-41)
Noregi (Norway) and Gautlandi (land of the Gautar, people from southern Sweden)3
Occupation:
Rithöfundur (historical writer)3
Occupation:
goðorðsmaður (head of the community)3
Occupation:
frm 1222 to 1231 (age 42-52)
Lögsögumaður (The Lawspeaker)president of the Althing3
Education:
-4
Historian, born at Hvammr, 1178; died 1241. Snorri, who was the son of Sturla Thortsson (d. 1182), was the most important Icelandic historian of the Middle Ages. In him were united the experienced statesman and the many-sided scholar. As a child he went to the school of Saemund the Wise at Oddi, of which, at that time, Saemund's grandson Ján Loptsson was the head. On his father's side Ján was related to the most distinguished families of Iceland, while by his mother Thora he was connected with the royal family of Norway. Under this skillful teacher Snorri was thoroughly trained in many branches of knowledge, but he learned especially the old northern belief in the gods, the saga concerning Odin, and Scandinavian history. By a rich alliance Snorri obtained the money to take a leading part in politics, but his political course brought him many dangerous enemies, among whom King Haakon of Norway was the most powerful, and he was finally murdered at the king's instigation. Snorri's importance rests on his literary works of which "Heimskringla" (the world) is the most important, since it is the chief authority for the early history of Iceland and Scandinavia. However, it does not contain reliable statements until the history, which extends to 1177, reaches a late period, while the descriptions of the primitive era are largely vague narrations of sagas. The Sturlunga-Saga, which shows more of the local colouring of Iceland, was probably only partly the work of Snorri. On the other hand he is probably the author of the Younger Edda called "Snorra-Edda", which was intended as a textbook of the art of poetry. Its first part, "Gylfaginning" relates the mythology of the North in an interesting, pictorial manner, and is a compilation of the songs of the early scalds, the songs of the common people, sagas, and probably
Death:
Sep 23, 1241 (age 61-62)
Cause: assassinated in his house at Reykholt
he was assassinated by Haakon´s order in Gut Reykjaholt. He was killed by Arne Besk, a robber and murderer, who hit Snorri with an axe.
Name:
Þórdís SNORRADÓTTIR5
Sex:
Female
Spouse (1):
Spouse (2):
Spouse (3):
Birth:
c. 1205
Reykholt, Reykholtssókn, Borgarfjarðarsýsla, Iceland
Death:
"??"
Iceland
Snorri Sturluson; born in 1179 at Hvamm, an estate in western Iceland, wrote the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla, and is thought to be the author of Egil's Saga and possibly other sagas. He was a Christian but he still had great respect for his forefathers and their Pagan beliefs, as shown in his writing. Snorri was born into a wealthy and political family and lived a life of politics and excitement. His life was highly eventful and he was very involved in both Icelandic and Norwegian politics of his day. In the early 13th century, he began acquiring vast estates and chieftaincies all across Iceland. In 1215, he was elected Law-Speaker of the Althing (q.v. § Iceland, above paragraph). Three years later he took a trip to Scandinavia and stayed with King Hakon Hakonsson, which is where and for whome he wrote the Hattatal, a long poem meant to honor Hakon and which earned him the position of being that King's favorite. Ironically, this was the same man who would later make Iceland subservient to Norway. Fifteen years after writing the Hattatal, the Sturlung Age; a period which took it's name from Snorri's own family, who had much to do with the events of the time, arose. Eventually Snorri's own nephew turned against him and became the King's new favorite, placing Snorri in potential danger, as his nephew sought to amass wealth and power at anyone's expense. Snorri took refuge with a Duke until his nephew was eventually killed, which is when he decided it was safe to return to Iceland, despite the fact that King Hakon had placed a ban on all Icelanders leaving Norway. Though Snorri and his family were now politically debased in Iceland, his nephew's killer and agent of King Hakon, Gisur Thorvaldsson would not let Snorri live, still deeming him a dangerous foe to his conquest. He finally got his chance to legitimately and legally kill Snorri Sturluson when the King of Norway demanded that Snorri either should be brought to Norway before him or be killed. Gisur Thorvaldsson did not give Snorri the option. Tens of men showed up at Snorri Sturluson's estate on the night of September 23rd, 1241. Snorri was asleep when they began to break in, but he heard them, and ran into a cellar to hide. There Gisur Thorvaldsson and his men found and killed him. He was unarmed and helpless. Snorri Sturluson was 62 years old when he was killed. He is remembered as a man of genius, outstanding character, and an extraordinary contributor to the literary and historical world.
Islendingabok, Islendingabok. Landnáma, Sturl., ÍÆ.I.155/VI.81, Bysk., Þorsteins saga stangarhöggs, Ann., Austurl.II, Landm.
Ibid.
Hálfdan Helgason, GenWeb.
New Advent, Catholic Encylopedia:Snorri Sturluson.
Islendingabok, Islendingabok. Sturl., Bysk.