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Snorri Sturluson: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Snorri Sturluson
In the year 1179, a boy named Snorri Sturluson entered the world at Hvammur. He belonged to the wealthy and powerful Sturlungar clan of the Icelandic Commonwealth. His father was Sturla Þórðarson the Elder, known as Hvamm-Sturla. His mother was Guðný Böðvarsdóttir. The family included two older brothers, Þórðr and Sighvatr, along with two sisters and nine half-siblings. When Snorri reached the age of three or four, he left his parents' home. Jón Loftsson, a relative of the Norwegian royal family, took him in for fosterage. This arrangement occurred after a violent legal dispute involving Páll Sölvason. During that lawsuit, Páll's wife Þorbjörg Bjarnardóttir lunged at Snorri with a knife. She claimed she intended to make him like Odin, who had lost an eye. Bystanders deflected the blow so it struck Snorri's cheek instead. The settlement required Páll to pay heavily, but Jón Loftsson intervened to mitigate the judgment. In compensation, Jón offered to raise and educate Snorri. Thus began an education that forged connections Snorri might never have made otherwise. He studied under Sæmundr fróði, the grandfather of Jón Loftsson, at Oddi. Snorri never returned to live with his biological parents again.
The Lawspeaker And The King
Snorri quickly gained fame as both a poet and a lawyer within Iceland. In 1215, he became lawspeaker of the Althing, the only public office available in the Icelandic commonwealth. This position carried immense respect. By the summer of 1218, he left this role and sailed to Norway by royal invitation. There he met the teenage King Hákon Hákonarson and his co-regent, Jarl Skúli. Snorri spent the winter as a house guest of the jarl. They showered gifts upon him, including the very ship on which he had sailed. In return, Snorri wrote poetry about them. During the summer of 1219, he met Eskil Magnusson, a Swedish colleague who was also a lawspeaker. Eskil's wife was Kristina Nilsdotter Blake. Both were related to royalty and likely provided Snorri insight into Swedish history. The Norwegian regents cultivated Snorri closely. They made him a knight, a senior title roughly equivalent to what we know today. He swore an oath of loyalty to the king. The monarch hoped to extend his realm to Iceland through a resolution of the Althing. Snorri exerted much influence there due to his political ties and legal acumen. He returned to Iceland in 1220 and resumed the lawspeaker post by 1222. He held that office until 1232.
Snorri Sturluson entered the world in the year 1179 at Hvammur. He belonged to the wealthy and powerful Sturlungar clan of the Icelandic Commonwealth.
What major literary works did Snorri Sturluson write?
Snorri Sturluson is commonly thought to have authored or compiled portions of the Prose Edda and wrote Heimskringla, a history of the Norse kings. He is also often taken to be the author of Egil's Saga based on stylistic reasons.
How did Snorri Sturluson die and when did it happen?
Snorri Sturluson was assassinated during a raid by Gissur in the autumn of 1241. He fled to his cellar at Reykholt where he was struck after refusing to surrender.
Who were the parents of Snorri Sturluson?
The father of Snorri Sturluson was Sturla Þórðarson the Elder known as Hvamm-Sturla. His mother was Guðný Böðvarsdóttir.
When did Snorri Sturluson become lawspeaker of the Althing?
Snorri Sturluson became lawspeaker of the Althing in 1215. He held that office until 1232 after resuming the post by 1222.
Snorri married Herdís, daughter of Bersi Vermundarson, in 1199. They lived together at Borg for four years. Their union produced at least two children named Hallbera and Jón. The marriage eventually succumbed to Snorri's philandering behavior. In 1206, he settled without her at Reykholt as manager of an estate. He made significant improvements to the property, including an outdoor bath fed by hot springs. This bath became known as Snorri's Bathhouse. The buildings have been preserved to some extent. During those initial years at Reykholt, he fathered another five children with three different women: Guðrún Hreinsdóttir, Oddný, and Þuríður Hallsdóttir. Later, in 1224, Snorri married Hallveig Ormsdottir, a widow of great means born around 1199. She was a granddaughter of Jón Loftsson. They made a contract of joint property ownership called þingmanna. Their own children did not survive to adulthood. However, Hallveig's sons and seven of Snorri's existing children did live to adulthood. By the years 1224 through 1230, Snorri stood as the most powerful chieftain in Iceland.
The Feuding And The Flight
Many other chiefs found his position as royal office-holder contrary to their interests. This included members of the Sturlungar clan itself. Snorri's strategy seemed to be consolidating power over them so he could offer Iceland to the king. His first moves were civic. When Sæmundur, son of Jón Loftsson, died in 1222, Snorri became a suitor for his daughter Sólveig. Herdís gave her silent vote against him. His nephew, Sturla Sighvatsson, stepped in to marry her in 1223. A period of clan feuding followed immediately after. Snorri raised an armed party under his nephew Böðvar Þórðarson. He also raised another force under his son Órækja. They intended to execute a first strike against his brother Sighvatur and Sturla Sighvatsson. On the eve of battle, Snorri dismissed those forces and offered terms to his brother instead. Sighvatur and Sturla drove Snorri into the countryside with a force of 1000 men. He sought refuge among other goðar. Órækja undertook guerrilla operations in the fjords of western Iceland while fighting continued. In 1237, Snorri thought it best to travel to Norway and join the king.
The Return And The Raid
When Snorri arrived in Norway for the second time, it was clear to King Hákon that he was no longer a reliable agent. The conflict between Haakon and Skúli escalated into civil war. Snorri stayed with the jarl and his son. The jarl gave him the title hoping to command his allegiance. In August 1238, Sighvatur and four of his sons were killed at the Battle of Örlygsstaðir. Snorri, Órækja, and Þorleifur requested permission to return home. As the king could not predict Snorri's behavior, permission was denied. He was explicitly ordered to remain in Norway on the basis of his honorary rank. Skúli gave them permission and helped book passage. Snorri chose to disobey these orders. His words became proverbial in Icelandic: I will go home. He returned to Iceland in 1239. After Jarl Skúli was defeated militarily and killed in 1240, Snorri resumed his chieftainship. He made a bid to crush Gissur by prosecuting him in court for the deaths of his brother Sighvatr and nephew Sturla. Hallveig died of natural causes shortly after. When family members bickered over inheritance, Hallveig's sons asked assistance from their uncle Gissur. Gissur brought out a secret letter ordering Snorri's death or capture. Snorri received a warning in cipher runes but could not understand them. Gissur led seventy men on a daring raid to his house.
The Last Words At Reykholt
Gissur achieved complete surprise during the raid on Snorri's house at Reykholt. It is unclear if he was given the option of surrender. Snorri fled to the cellar. There, Símon knútur asked Árni the Bitter to strike him. Then Snorri said Do not strike! Símon answered You strike now! Snorri replied Do not strike! These were his last words before being assassinated in autumn of 1241. All accounts of Snorri's life are based on information given mainly in the Sturlunga saga. This act was not popular in either Iceland or Norway. To diminish the odium, the king insisted that if Snorri had submitted, he would have been spared. The fact that he could make such an argument reveals how far his influence in Iceland had come. Haakon went on suborning the chiefs of Iceland. In 1262, the Althing ratified union with Norway and royal authority was instituted in Iceland. Each member swore an oath of personal loyalty to the king. This practice continued until absolute and hereditary monarchy was formally accepted by the Icelanders in 1662.
The Prose Edda And Heimskringla
Snorri is commonly thought to have authored or compiled portions of the Prose Edda. This work serves as a major source for what is today known about Norse mythology and alliterative verse. He also wrote Heimskringla, a history of the Norse kings. It begins with legendary material in Ynglinga saga and moves through early medieval Scandinavian history. For stylistic and methodological reasons, Snorri is often taken to be the author of Egil's Saga. His writings provide information concerning persons and events influencing peoples inhabiting North Europe during periods for which relevant information is scarce. Halvdan Koht described his work as surpassing anything else that the Middle Ages have left us of historical literature. He also provided an early account of the discovery of Vinland. The legacy of Snorri Sturluson played a role in politics long after his death. His writings could be used in support of claims of later Norwegian kings concerning the venerability and extent of their rule. Later, Heimskringla factored into establishing a national identity during the Norwegian romantic nationalism in mid-19th century.