The Battle of Sauðafell (''Orrustan á Sauðafelli'') occurred in 1550, when the forces of Catholic Bishop

Jón Arason Jón Arason (1484 – November 7, 1550) was an Icelandic Roman Catholic bishop and poet, who was executed in his struggle against the imposition of the Protestant Reformation in Iceland. Background Jón Arason was born in Gryta, educated at Mu ...

clashed with the forces of

Daði Guðmundsson Daði Guðmundsson ( – 1563) or Daði of Snóksdal was a farmer and magistrate in 16th century Iceland. He lived in the town of Snóksdalur in Dalasýsla county and played an important role in the Battle of Sauðafell and the Lutheran Reform ...

of Snóksdalur.

Location

Sauðafell was an important part of Daði's

fief A fief (; la, feudum) was a central element in medieval contracts based on feudal law. It consisted of a form of property holding or other rights granted by an Lord, overlord to a vassal, who held it in fealty or "in fee" in return for a for ...

in western Iceland, close to his estate in Snóksdalur and vital to the Bishop's campaign against

Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched th ...

influence in the country as it blocked his

lines of communication A line of communication (or communications) is the route that connects an operating military unit with its supply base. Supplies and reinforcements are transported along the line of communication. Therefore, a secure and open line of communicati ...

in the West to the South of Iceland.

The battle

brought with him a minimal force of around 100 men and took Sauðafell without opposition initially. Daði responded by secretly raising an elite force of similar size from his followers, half of which were heavily armored ''sveinar'' and half unarmored but equipped with guns. Mounted and covered in gray cloaks they marched under the cover of dark and foggy weather unnoticed by the Bishop's forces, surprising them early in the morning. The battle was nonetheless close fought and Daði was almost shot down by gunfire when he led his troops into the fray. After being cornered in the Church, the Bishop accepted Daði's terms and surrendered. The bishop was captured along with his two sons and they were executed on 7 November 1550.

References

Sources

*Vilborg Auður Ísleifsdóttir, ''Siðbreytingin á Íslandi 1537–1565: Byltingin að ofan,'', Hið íslenzka bókmenntafélag. Reykjavík. 1997. *Bogi Benediktsson, ''Sýslumannaæfir.'' vol. III. Reykjavik. 1932. *Íslenzkt fornbréfasafn, sem hefir inni að halda bréf og gjörninga, dóma og máldaga og aðrar skrár, er snerta Ísland eða íslenzka menn. vol XI. Copenhagen. *Íslenzkt fornbréfasafn, sem hefir inni að halda bréf og gjörninga, dóma og máldaga og aðrar skrár, er snerta Ísland eða íslenzka menn. vol XII. Copenhagen. 16th century in Iceland 1550 in Europe Conflicts in 1550 European wars of religion Catholic rebellions Saudafell Military history of Iceland Denmark–Norway {{Medieval-stub