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Flugumýri Arson
The Flugumýrarbrenna ( en, the Flugumýri Arson) was a quickfire that took place 22 October 1253 in Iceland during the Age of the Sturlungs. The powerful Icelandic ''goði'' chieftain Gissur Þorvaldsson had returned from Norway with the Norwegian King's favour, and had settled in Flugumýri, an old homestead in Blönduhlíð in Skagafjörður where the chieftains of the Ásbirningar held their seat. Gissur was at this time engaged in making amends and settling his quarrels with the Sturlungar clan. Not all the followers of the Sturlungar were ready to forgive and forget. On 22 October 1253, Eyjólfur ofsi Þorsteinsson and his followers put Flugumýri to the torch and clashed with Gissur and his men. Eyjólfur was seeking vengeance for his expulsion from Skagafjörður and for the death of his father-in-law Sturla Sighvatsson who had died in the Battle of Örlygsstaðir at the hands of Gissur and his men. 25 people died in the ensuing fire and conflict, including Gissur's wife ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quickfire
Arson in medieval Scandinavia (Old Norse ''hús-brenna ''or ''hús-bruni, ''"house-burning") was a technique sometimes employed in blood feuds and political conflicts in order to assassinate someone. In committing arson, a group of attackers would set fire to the home of an opponent, sometimes by quickly and surreptitiously piling wood, brush and other combustible materials against the exterior of a dwelling and set it on fire. Typically the attackers would surround the house to prevent the escape of its inhabitants, although women, the elderly, and small children were sometimes allowed to leave.''Njal's Saga'' § 129. In Iceland Under Icelandic law as codified in the Gragas, quickfire could be punished by death only if the arsonists were killed in the act. However, if captured alive the arsonists had to be tried and sentenced to outlawry, even if they were ''thralls''. Failure to observe these formalities could result in the killer of quickfire-arsonists being prosecuted himsel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iceland
Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its surrounding areas) is home to over 65% of the population. Iceland is the biggest part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that rises above sea level, and its central volcanic plateau is erupting almost constantly. The interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. Its high latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly, and most of its islands have a polar climate. According to the ancient manuscript , the settlement of Iceland began in 874 AD when the Norwegian chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson became the first p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Age Of The Sturlungs
The Age of the Sturlungs or the Sturlung Era ( is, Sturlungaöld ) was a 42–44 year period of violent internal strife in mid-13th century Iceland. It is documented in the Sturlunga saga. This period is marked by the conflicts of local chieftains, ''goðar'', who amassed followers and fought wars, and is named for the Sturlungs, the most powerful family clan in Iceland at the time. The era led to the signing of the Old Covenant, which brought Iceland under the Norwegian crown. ''Goðar'' In the Icelandic Commonwealth, power was mostly in the hands of the ''goðar'' (local chieftains). Iceland was effectively divided into farthings (quarters). Within each farthing were nine ''Goði''-dominions (''"Goðorð"''). The North farthing had an additional three dominions because of its size. All in all there were 39 ''Goðorð''. The ''Goði''-chieftains protected the farmers in their territory and exacted compensation or vengeance if their followers' rights were violated. In exchang ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Goði
Gothi or (plural , fem. ; Old Norse: ) was a position of political and social prominence in the Icelandic Commonwealth. The term originally had a religious significance, referring to a pagan leader responsible for a religious structure and communal feasts, but the title is primarily known as a secular political title from medieval Iceland. Etymology The word derives from , meaning "god".Byock, Jesse L. (1993). "Goði". Entry in ''Medieval Scandinavia, an Encyclopedia'' (Phillip Pulsiano, ed.), 230–231. Garland: NY and London, . It possibly appears in Ulfilas' Gothic language translation of the Bible as for "priest", although the corresponding form of this in Icelandic would have been an unattested . In Scandinavia, there is one surviving attestation in the Proto-Norse form from the Norwegian Nordhuglo runestone (Rundata N KJ65 U),The article ''gotiska'' in ''Nationalencyklopedin'' (1992) and in the later Old Norse form from three Danish runestones: DR 190 Helnæs, DR 192 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gissur Þorvaldsson
Gissur Thorvaldsson (1208 – 12 January 1268; Modern Icelandic: ; Old Norse: ) was a medieval Icelandic chieftain or ''goði'' of the Haukdælir family clan, and great-grandson of Jón Loftsson. Gissur played a major role in the period of civil war which is now known as Age of the Sturlungs: he fought alongside Kolbeinn the Young against the forces of Sturla Sighvatsson of the Sturlungar clan in the Battle of Örlygsstaðir in 1238 and led the force of men who murdered saga-writer Snorri Sturluson in 1241, at the behest of Haakon IV, King of Norway. In 1258, he was made Earl of Iceland ( is, jarl) for his loyal service to the king. He held this title until his death. Gissur worked actively to promote the Old Covenant ( is, Gamli sáttmáli), an agreement which brought Iceland Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and l ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Skagafjörður
Skagafjörður () is a deep fjord and its valley in northern Iceland. Location Skagafjörður, the fjord, is about 40 km long and 15 km wide, situated between Tröllaskagi to the east and the Skagi Peninsula to the west. There are two municipalities in the area, Skagafjörður Municipality (approx. 4140 inhabitants) and Akrahreppur Municipality (approx. 210 inhabitants). This is one of Iceland's most prosperous agricultural regions, with widespread dairy and sheep farming in addition to the horse breeding for which the district is famed. Skagafjörður is the only county in Iceland where horses outnumber people. It is a centre for agriculture, and some fisheries are also based in the settlements of Sauðárkrókur and Hofsós. The people living in Skagafjörður have a reputation for choir singing, horsemanship, and gatherings. There are three islands in the bay: Málmey, Drangey and Lundey (Puffin Island). The bay is located in a submerged glacial valley which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sturlungar
The Sturlungs ( Icelandic: ) were a powerful family clan in 13th century Iceland, in the time of the Icelandic Commonwealth. Their story is partly told in ''Sturlunga saga'', and members of the clan were significant participants in the civil war of the Age of the Sturlungs. The Sturlungs were a wealthy and influential clan. They controlled western Iceland, the Westfjords and north eastern Iceland. The patriarch of the Sturlungs was Sturla Þórðarson, whom scholars believe was born around 1115. He inherited his ''goðorð'' (domain, realm or area of influence) from his father Þórður Gilsson. Sturla quarrelled extensively with Einar Þorgilsson of Staðarhóll and many other chieftains. Jón Loftsson, a well-respected man, mediated in one of these disputes. Following this, he was entrusted with the upbringing of Sturla's son Snorri Sturluson, who later became the most influential of the Sturlungs and the most famous because of his literary endeavours. Snorri had two brothe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sturla Sighvatsson
Sturla Sighvatsson (Old Norse: ; Modern Icelandic: ; 1199 – 21 August 1238) was an Icelandic chieftain or ''goði'' of the Sturlungar family clan who played an active role in the armed conflicts in Iceland during the Age of the Sturlungs (Icelandic: ''Sturlungaöld''). Sturla was the son of Sighvatur Sturluson, brother of saga-writer Snorri Sturluson and lived on a farmstead in Sauðafell. Like his uncle, Sturla became a vassal to King Haakon IV of Norway, and fought to extend his influence in Iceland. Sturla was killed in the Battle of Örlygsstaðir. See also * Sauðafell Raid The Sauðafell raid (Icelandic: Sauðafellsför or Sauðafellsferð) in January 1229 was one of the signal events in the increasing disorder that affected medieval Iceland during the period of violent struggle between rival elites known as the Age ... References 1199 births 1238 deaths 12th-century Icelandic people 13th-century Icelandic people Military personnel killed in action ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
