History Of Christianity In Iceland
The history of Christianity in Iceland can be traced back to the Early Middle Ages when Irish people, Irish hermits settled in Iceland, at least a century before the arrival of the first Norsemen, Norse settlers in the 870s. Christianity started to spread among the Icelanders at the end of the 10th century. The Christianisation of Iceland, adoption of the new faith by the whole population was the consequence of a compromise between the Christian and Norse religion, heathen chieftains, as well as the lawspeaker, at the national assembly or ''Alþingi'' of 999 or 1000. Initially missionary bishops and priests of foreign origin composed the clergy, but the number of local priests quickly increased. The first Icelandic bishop, Ísleifur Gissurarson was consecrated in 1056. Within fifty years two dioceses were established in the island, with their seats at Skálholt and Hólar which were subordinated to foreign archbishops. Landowners had a preeminent role in the administration o ...
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