Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241) was a remarkable figure in medieval Icelandic history, renowned for his contributions as a poet, historian, politician, and chieftain. His life was marked by political intrigue, literary achievements, and a complex relationship with the Norwegian crown that ultimately led to his downfall.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1179 at Hvammur in Dalir, West Iceland, Snorri was the son of Sturla Þórðarson, a powerful chieftain. At the tender age of three, Snorri’s life took an unexpected turn when his father became embroiled in a dispute with Páll Sölvason of Reykholt. To resolve this conflict, Jón Loftsson, Iceland’s law-speaker and grandson of King Magnus Barefoot of Norway, was called upon to mediate.
As part of the settlement, Jón offered to foster young Snorri, a decision that would profoundly shape the boy’s future. Snorri was sent to Oddi, one of Iceland’s primary cultural and intellectual centers. This unique upbringing exposed Snorri to literature, law, and politics – an education that would later form the foundation of his work as Iceland’s greatest medieval writer.
Rise to Power
At the age of nineteen, Snorri’s marriage was arranged to Herdís, the only daughter of Bersi the Wealthy of Borg in Borgarnes. This union secured him control over the estate of Borg, which had once belonged to Egill Skallagrímsson, the legendary Viking poet and warrior. This marriage marked the beginning of Snorri’s ascent to power and influence in Icelandic society.
In 1202, Snorri inherited the goðorð (chieftainship) of Mýrar from his father-in-law. Over the following years, he systematically expanded his power base, acquiring multiple chieftainships and rising to become one of the most influential men in Iceland. Snorri’s political career reached new heights when he was elected as the “lawspeaker” or president of the Icelandic high court for two terms, from 1215-18 and 1222-32. This position was the highest and most prestigious in the Icelandic Commonwealth, further cementing Snorri’s status as a key figure in Icelandic politics.
Literary Achievements
While Snorri’s political career was marked by ambition and strategic maneuvering, it was his literary work that would secure his place in history. Between 1223 and 1235, Snorri wrote most of his famous works at his estate in Reykjaholt.
Snorri’s most renowned works include:
The Prose Edda (or Younger Edda): Written around 1222-23, this work serves as both a handbook on the poetics of early Icelandic skalds (court poets) and a comprehensive recounting of Norse mythology. The Prose Edda has become an invaluable resource for understanding Norse myths and poetic traditions.
Heimskringla (Orb of the World): This monumental work is a history of the Norwegian kings, beginning with their legendary descent from the god Odin and ending with Magnus Erlingsson in 1184. Snorri’s genius in Heimskringla lies in his ability to present historical events with the immediacy of drama, combining his critical perspective as a historian with engaging storytelling.
Political Ambitions and Norwegian Connections
In 1218, Snorri’s life took another significant turn when he was invited to Norway by King Haakon IV. This visit would have far-reaching consequences for Snorri’s political career and ultimately, his life.
During his stay in Norway, Snorri became deeply involved in Norwegian politics. He persuaded King Haakon that he could help bring Iceland under Norwegian rule, and in exchange, Snorri would become the king’s vassal. This arrangement was mutually beneficial: for Snorri, it would increase his political influence in Iceland and provide him with royal support and protection, while for King Haakon, it presented an opportunity to extend Norwegian power to Iceland.
However, Snorri’s alignment with the Norwegian crown was controversial in Iceland. He became the first Icelander to openly ally with Norway, a move that many of his countrymen saw as a betrayal of Icelandic independence. This decision would create tensions that would persist throughout the rest of Snorri’s life.
Snorri’s time in Norway also brought him into close contact with Earl Skúli, King Haakon’s father-in-law and regent. Snorri developed a particularly close relationship with Skúli, staying with him for two winters in Norway. This connection would later prove problematic for Snorri’s relationship with King Haakon.
Return to Iceland and Political Struggles
Upon his return to Iceland in 1220, Snorri faced considerable hostility from other Icelandic chieftains. His newfound alliance with Norway and his increased power made him a target for those who saw him as a threat to their own interests or to Icelandic independence.
Despite the opposition, Snorri continued to consolidate his power. His strategy seemed to be to consolidate power over other chieftains, including his relatives, with the ultimate goal of offering Iceland to the Norwegian king.
This approach led to a period of intense clan feuding, often breaking out into bloodshewd. Snorri raised armed parties, including one under his nephew Böðvar Þórðarson and another under his son Órækja, with the intent of striking against his brother Sighvatur and nephew Sturla Sighvatsson. However, Snorri proved either unwilling or incapable of carrying out these violent plans, dismissing his forces on the eve of battle and offering terms to his brother instead. Snorri, a man more comfortable with words than swords, seemed simply to have wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed; this aversion to violence set him apart from many of his contemporaries in the turbulent Sturlung Age, often referred to as Iceland’s most violent century.
Deteriorating Relations with Norway
As clan feuding continued in Iceland, King Haakon IV attempted to intervene from afar. He invited all of Iceland’s chieftains to a peace conference in Norway, a move that was transparent to many as an attempt to maneuver against the chieftains. Snorri, however, seemed not to perceive this threat.
In 1237, amidst ongoing conflicts in Iceland, Snorri decided to travel to Norway again. However, Snorri’s second visit to Norway marked a turning point in his relationship with King Haakon. As tensions between Haakon and Jarl Skúli escalated towards civil war, Snorri aligned himself with Skúli. Earl Skúli secretly ordained Snorri as an earl, presumably with the intention that Skúli himself would become king of Norway and Snorri would be earl of Iceland. This move was in direct opposition to King Haakon’s interests.
In August 1238, a pivotal battle, the most bloody in Iceland’s history, occurred at Örlygsstaðir, where Snorri’s son Sighvatur Sturluson and four of his sons were killed fighting against rival chieftains. Following this event, Snorri sought permission to return to Iceland, but King Haakon, wary of Snorri’s allegiances, denied his request and ordered him to remain in Norway. Jarl Skúli, however, defied the king’s orders and facilitated Snorri’s return journey.
Final Years and Assassination
Back in Iceland, Snorri found himself increasingly isolated. His political machinations had alienated many of his former allies, and his defiance of King Haakon had made him a target of the Norwegian crown.
In 1241, King Haakon, determined to eliminate Snorri’s influence in Iceland, ordered Gissur Þorvaldsson, Snorri’s former son-in-law, to capture or kill him. On the night of September 23, 1241, Gissur and seventy of his men stormed Snorri’s estate in Reykholt. Snorri, caught unprepared, was cornered in his cellar. It is not clear whether he was given the option of surrender, either way Snorri was killed in his own home at the age of 63.
Snorri’s killing was not popular in either Iceland or Norway, leading King Hakkon to insist that if Snorri had submitted, he would have been spared. However, that he could make such an argument reveals how far his influence in Iceland had come. Indeed, Haakon continued suborning the Icelandic chieftains, ever increasing his influence in the country. Finally, in 1262, the Icelandic Althing (parliament) ratified union with Norway and royal authority was instituted in Iceland with each member swearing an oath of personal loyalty to the Norwegian king, a practice which continued as each new king came to the throne.
Icelandic independence had ended and would not be regained for 682 years during which it was ruled by Norway and/or Denmark at various times. Iceland finally achieved independence during the Second World War when it voted for independence from Denmark.
Legacy
Snorri Sturluson’s life was a complex tapestry of literary brilliance, political ambition, and ultimately, tragic miscalculation. His assassination marked the end of an era in Icelandic history, symbolizing the decline of the independent Icelandic Commonwealth and the increasing influence of Norwegian power.
Despite his political failures, Snorri’s literary legacy has endured for centuries. His works, particularly the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, remain crucial sources for our understanding of Norse mythology, Scandinavian history, and medieval Icelandic literature. The Prose Edda, in particular, has been invaluable to scholars, providing insights into the poetic traditions and mythological beliefs of medieval Scandinavia.
Snorri’s Heimskringla is considered a masterpiece of historical writing, blending rigorous research with engaging storytelling. His approach to history, which combined critical analysis of sources with a flair for dramatic narrative, was ahead of its time and continues to influence historical writing today.
