Jón lærði Guðmundsson (1574–1658; ) was an Icelandic

autodidact Autodidacticism (also autodidactism) or self-education (also self-learning and self-teaching) is education without the guidance of masters (such as teachers and professors) or institutions (such as schools). Generally, autodidacts are individua ...

, poet, and alleged sorcerer. His poetry gives insight into contemporary

Icelandic folklore Nordic folklore is the folklore of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. It has common roots with, and has been mutually influenced by, folklore in England, Germany, the Low Countries, the Baltic countries, Finland and Sapmi. ...

. Guðmundsson, who lived in

Strandir Strandir () is the eastern coastal region of Iceland's Westfjords. It encompasses 3,500 square kilometers and is considered remote and difficult to access. It has a population of around 800 people, with the largest community being Hólmavík H� ...

, was considered a great master of

magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

in 17th century Iceland. He was said to have turned around the Turkish slave ships from the coasts of Iceland more than once, an achievement which gave him widespread fame, and was described in popular prints.Ankarloo, Bengt & Henningsen, Gustav (red.), Skrifter. Bd 13, Häxornas Europa 1400–1700 : historiska och antropologiska studier, Nerenius & Santérus, Stockholm, 1987 He had to leave his home region and was tried for

sorcery Sorcery may refer to: * Magic (supernatural), the application of beliefs, rituals or actions employed to subdue or manipulate natural or supernatural beings and forces ** Witchcraft, the practice of magical skills and abilities * Magic in fiction, ...

several times during the 1630s, but managed to avoid the death penalty every time.

References

External links

Jón Guðmundsson and his natural history of Iceland, on archive.org
1574 births 1658 deaths 17th-century Icelandic poets People acquitted of witchcraft Witch trials in Iceland {{magic-stub