Iceland has been fairly peaceful country through the ages, however we should not forget about Sturlung Era which is told to be bloodiest and most violent period in history of Iceland. Age of Sturlungs is in mid 13th century. The period is marked by conflicts of powerful chieftains „goðar“ who ambassed followers and did battle. The name of era comes from the most powerful family clan in Iceland that time – Sturlungar. At that time power in country had consolidated by family clans, which were: Haukdælir (of Árnesþing), Oddaverjar (of Rangárþing), Ásbirningar (of Skagafjörður), Vatnsfirðingar (of Ísafjörður), Svínfellingar (of Austfjörður) and Sturlungar (of Dalir in Hvammur).

At this time Hákon the Old, king of Norway was trying to extend his influence in Iceland. Many Icelandic chieftains became his became his vassals and were obligated to do his bidding and in exchange they received gifts, followers and status of respect. The greatest chieftains of the 12th and 13th century started amassing great wealth and subsuming lesser dominions. This is believed to be one of the main causes of the civil war – Age of Sturlungs.

The age of Sturlungs began when Snorri Sturluson, chieftain of Sturlungar, became a vassal of King of Norway at 1220. The king asked Snorri to help him to bring Iceland under the sovereignty of Norway. When Snorri returned home back in Iceland, he soon became most powerful chieftain in Iceland, but did very little to enforce the king´s will. 15 years later Snorri´s nephew Sturla Sighvatsson also became vassal of the king. Sturla was much more aggressive than Snorri and soon he started warring on the chieftains who refused to accept king´s demands. Battle of Öryggstaðir (1238) was largest armed conflict in history of Iceland. The battle was between Sturlungar (1000 armed men) and Ásbirningar (1700 armed men). More than 50 men were killed including Sighvatur, father of Sturla. Sturlungar were defeated and were no longer most powerful clan in Iceland. Gissur Þorvaldsson and Kolbeinn the young chieftains of Ásbirningar became most powerful chieftains in Iceland.

During the battle Snorri himself was located in Norway. When he returned back to Iceland 1241, Gissur the chieftain of Ásbirningar had received an instructions from the king of Norway to kill Snorri. Gissur and his men went to Snorri´s home and killed him.

A year later Þórður kakali, son og Sighvatur returned home to Iceland from abroad. Right away he did everything he could to revenge his brothers and father. Þórður became very powerful leader and four years later rule of Ásbirningar was over. During that time two battles took place. Battle of Flóabardagi (1244) was the only naval battle in history of Iceland where Icelanders took both sides. Battle took place in Eyjafjörður where Sturlungar had 12 ships (200men) and Ásbirningar had 20 ships(270men). Sturlungar won the battle as they had help from Vatnsfirðingar clan. Battle of Haugsnesbardagi (1246) was the bloodiest battle in Iceland´s history, where over 100 men were killed. After the battles the king decided to favour Þórður and from 1247 to 1250 Þórður ruled Iceland alone. He died in Norway six years later.

In 1252 the king set Gissur to Iceland to try to bring Iceland under the Norwegian throne. Followers of Þórður kakali tried to kill Gissur by putting his residence Flugumýri on fire, however it went unsuccessfully. The incident is known as Flugumýrabrenna. Despite the power Gissur had he failed bringing Icelandic under the Norwegian throne and had to leave Iceland and go back to king of Norway.

Only when king sent to Iceland his own men Icelanders finally agreed on Norwegian kingship. The Commonwealth came to an end with signing the Old Covenant (Gamli Sáttmáli) agreement in 1264.

The story of Sturlungaöld is documented and can be read in Sturlunga Saga.

Contact GILDO ehf if you are interested in tours showing the places of battles and places were chieftains used to live.