Discover Iceland through the Icelandic sagas

“Eigi skal höggva!” (Don’t strike!) had been the final phrases of Snorri Sturluson, saga creator and chieftain of the Sturlungar clan. 

In 1241, in the course of the peak of the Age of the Sturlungs – the bloodiest interval of Icelandic historical past – the ruling clans fought for energy. Snorri was assassinated in his house Reykholt in Borgarfjörður by the lads of Gissur Þorvaldsson of the Haukdælir clan. Three years earlier Gissur had defeated the Sturlungar within the fateful battle Örlygsstaðabardagi. 

Þórður kakali, of the Sturlungar clan, sought vengeance leading to Flóabardagi – Iceland’s solely sea battle in 1244 – and later in 1246, Haugsnesbardagi (Battle of Haugsnes), when virtually 100 males had been killed. 

In 1253, Gissur’s enemies set hearth to his farm Flugumýri however he managed to flee. Ten years later, Iceland misplaced its independence to Norway which marked the tip of the Age of the Sturlungs – and the Icelandic Commonwealth. 

Wherever you’re headed in your travels in Iceland, take note of place names. You may acknowledge some from the sagas as a result of this historical past is throughout you. In Skagafjörður you’ll discover Örlygsstaðir, the place the biggest battle in Iceland’s historical past passed off in 1238. And in Sauðárkrókur close by, you’ll be able to take part within the battle via augmented actuality.

Learn on to find out about different Saga Age experiences in Iceland.

The Age of the Sturlungs

These bloody occasions are documented in Sturlunga saga. Most of them performed out in Skagafjörður in North Iceland. 

In Sauðárkrókur, the area’s capital, the Icelandic civil conflict is re-enacted at 1238 – The Battle of Iceland. Right here, you’ll be able to study extra about thirteenth century Iceland and take part in Örlygsstaðabardagi – the biggest battle in Iceland’s historical past – via augmented actuality… see when you can change the result.

Nearer to Varmahlíð in Skagafjörður, Kakalaskáli, has an exhibition devoted to the Age of the Sturlungs. It focuses on the story of chieftain Þórður kakali of the Sturlungar clan. Exterior, the bloody Battle of Haugsnes is commemorated via a large-scale outside set up.

In West Iceland, go to Snorrastofa in Reykholt for an exhibition in regards to the life and work of Snorri Sturluson. It’s also possible to see the unique pool the place Snorri used to soak and calm down after a busy day.

Sagaland

In 1241, Snorri might have been silenced however his phrases will stay without end. He chronicled the tales of the Norse kings in Heimskringla and helped protect Norse mythology and poetry in Snorra-Edda. He was possible the creator of Egils saga which largely occurred in West Iceland.

West Iceland is the cradle of the nation’s literary custom. It’s the place a lot of the manuscripts had been written and lots of the sagas had been set. Sturlunga saga is a recent story however the different sagas characteristic a lot earlier occasions. So, as we dive deeper into historical past, put together to journey again to the ninth and tenth centuries, when Iceland was being settled.

The settlers and the enslaved 

Within the Settlement Center in Borgarnes, you’ll be able to study extra in regards to the challenges the primary Icelanders confronted in an uninhabited land. Individuals got here trying to find riches and freedom, or they had been introduced in chains and meant to function slaves.

Amongst them was Þorgerður brák, an Irish lady “owned” by settlers Skallagrímur and his spouse Bera. They constructed their house in Borg á Mýrum, close to Borgarnes, and charged Þorgerður with taking care of their son, Egill. 

Egils saga doesn’t waste many phrases on Þorgerður or her relationship along with her foster son, however it does describe how she tried to defend Egill when Skallagrímur attacked him. Skallagrímur turned his rage in opposition to her as a substitute. Þorgerður bumped into the ocean and tried to swim away however Skallagrímur threw a rock after her – she by no means resurfaced. 

Egill later named his daughter Þorgerður. The channel the place Þorgerður brák was killed has since been referred to as Brákarsund. Study extra about Egill Skallagrímsson’s adventurous, violent and tragic historical past on the Settlement Heart.

Voyaging far and extensive

Additional to the west, within the lush Dalir area, lies Eiríksstaðir of Eiríkur rauði. Conflicts prompted him to go away Iceland for a newly found land, Greenland, the place he based two colonies.

Eiríkur’s son, Leifur heppni, traveled additional west and have become the primary European to succeed in North America across the yr 1000 BC. Their tales are documented in Eiríks saga rauða and Grænlendinga saga. 

At at the moment’s Eiríksstaðir, a longhouse has been constructed based mostly on archeological findings and written sources. It’s a residing museum the place you’ll be able to expertise the Viking period via storytelling by the hearth, or by attempting clothes and instruments just like what the settlers as soon as used. Close by is Vínlandssetur, devoted to the explorations of Leifur heppni and his entourage. 

On Leifur’s ship was additionally Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, who is claimed to have traveled additional than every other lady in her time. After journeying to Greenland and North America, she moved again to Iceland and transformed to Christianity. In her outdated age, she went on a pilgrimage to Rome. There’s a memorial of Guðríður at Laugarbrekka, the farm the place she grew up on Snæfellsnes. 

Lethal love triangle 

“To him I used to be worst whom I liked finest,” responded Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir when requested which of her husbands she had cherished probably the most. Readers of Laxdæla saga are nonetheless attempting to resolve the riddle. The saga revolves round a love story between Guðrún and foster brothers Kjartan and Bolli. Because of the theme of this saga, and the truth that the primary character is a lady, lecturers have argued that the creator might effectively have been a lady too.

Guðrún lived at Laugar í Sælingsdal. The pool the place she used to wash has been reconstructed and is open for the general public. As you soak in Guðrúnarlaug, let your thoughts wander again to the time Guðrún frequented the pool with Kjartan and Bolli – and to the tragic finish to their love story.  

The fairest of hillsides

“Fögur er hlíðin” (truthful is the hillside) mentioned Gunnar á Hlíðarenda of his house in Fljótshlíð, South Iceland. He was about to go away the nation to flee his enemies however determined to remain and face them as a substitute.

Gunnar was mates together with his neighbor Njáll of Njáls saga, who lived at Bergþórshvoll together with his spouse Bergþóra. She and Hallgerður, Gunnar’s spouse, had been no mates, and so they contributed to the escalating conflicts resulting in the arson of Bergþórshvoll and the killing of Gunnar.

Njáls saga is the longest and most colourful of the Icelandic sagas. In Hvolsvöllur, within the area the place the story is ready, Sögusetrið Saga Heart is devoted to the dramatic story and its fundamental characters. 

Njáls saga additionally impressed the making of the spectacular 91.16m (299 ft) lengthy Njálurefill tapestry, into which locals and guests have embroidered scenes from the saga utilizing a Viking Age approach between 2013 and 2020. Now an exhibition house for the tapestry is being made on the LAVA Centre in Hvolsvöllur. In Blönduós in North Iceland, an identical piece, the Vatnsdæla á refli tapestry, is presently within the making.

When you’re in Reykjavík, go to the Saga Museum the place you’ll be able to meet and greet a few of saga characters as lifelike wax figures. 

The National Museum and the Settlement Exhibition present additional perception into the lives of the primary settlers.

Lastly, Þingvellir National Park is a key place to go to in your exploration of Iceland’s historical past. That is the place Iceland’s parliament was based in 930 AD, and the place the saga characters got here to settle their disputes.