Snorri Sturluson

Snorri Sturluson was born in 1179 at Hvamm, an estate in western Iceland. He was a profilic writer, thought to be the author of many of the Icelandic Sagas: some of them bare his name. He was born into a wealthy and political family and lived a life of politics and excitement. His life was highly eventful and he was very involved in both Icelandic and Norwegian politics of his day. In the early 13th century, he began acquiring vast estates and chieftaincies all across Iceland. In 1215, he was elected Law-Speaker of the Althing (a respectable position at Iceland's most important judicial and legislative event). Three years later he took a trip to Scandinavia and stayed with King Hakon Hakonsson, who would later make Iceland subservient to the Norwegian throne. There he became favored company of the King and for the King he composed a long poem called the Hattatal, which can be found in his book, The Prose Edda. After Snorri returned to Iceland fifteen years later, what is called the Sturlung Age arose, an era of political turmoil and feuding. This was catastrophic for Iceland as a free nation, as King Hakon of Norway was waiting for the country to exhaust itself by fighting amongst themselves so that he could easily take over the country. During the Sturlung Age (which got it's name from Snorri Snurluson's family), Snorri took part in much of the events, though there was constant shiftings of power. Soon, Snorri's nephew took part in politics and became King Hakon's new favorite, placing Snorri in a dangerous position, as his nephew sought to achieve a position of supreme power at anyone's expense. He took refuge with one of the King's Dukes, who was now at odds with the King. After Snorri's nephew was killed by yet another of King Hakon's agents, Snorri decided it safe to return to Iceland, despite the fact that King Hakon had placed a ban on all Icelanders leaving Norway. Though Snorri and his family were now politically debased in Iceland, his nephew's killer and agent of King Hakon, Gisur Thorvaldsson would not let Snorri live, still deeming him a dangerous foe to his conquest. He finally got his chance to legitimately and legally kill Snorri Sturluson when the King of Norway demanded Snorri either be brought to Norway before him or be killed. Gisur Thorvaldsson did not give Snorri the option. Tens of men showed up at Snorri Sturluson's estate on the night of September 23rd, 1241. Snorri was asleep when they began to break in, but he heard them, and ran into a cellar to hide. There Gisur Thorvaldsson and his men found and killed him. He was unarmed and helpless. Snorri Sturluson was 62 years old when he was killed. He was one of Iceland's most famed and important literary and historical figures.

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