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1882
Volume 18, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1782-7183
  • E-ISSN: 2030-9902

Abstract

Abstract

This article focuses on the writing of by an unnamed author in . 1275 and its connections to its literary- and political-historical contexts. In extant form covers the years of Icelandic history between 1242–1249/50 and 1254–1256, with a special focus on the figure of Þórðr kakali Sighvatsson (. 1210–1256) who — for a short period during the Sturlunga Age — controlled all Iceland unopposed. Because of the subject matter of , including the characters featured therein, the origins of cannot be discussed apart from the high political history of 1270s Iceland. At this time, royal office was being shared between two old rivals, the southern bishop was attempting to wrest control of church estates from their lay owners, and the Norwegian king was implementing legislative reform on Iceland. In addition to political history, literary history must also be covered: it is essential for understanding the reception of , and serves to illuminate its origins further. Chief, in this regard, is the saga’s relationships with the writings of Sturla Þórðarson (d. 1284) about contemporary political history: (covers 1204–1263; written . 1264–1265) and (covers 1183–1264; written . 1277–1284). By closely reading through historical-critical and intertextual lenses, this article nuances the picture of the political history of 1270s Iceland provided in the sources (chiefly and the annals), whilst also detailing an instrumental episode in the formative history of the compilation through which comes down to us today.

© 2022 Brepols Publishers n.v.
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2022-01-01
2025-12-07

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/content/journals/10.1484/J.VMS.5.132125
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): medieval Iceland, historiography, sagas, medieval politics, medieval biography

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