Snorri Sturluson

Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic chieftain, lawspeaker, poet and historian and remains one of the best-known figures of medieval Iceland. He was born at Hvammur in Dalir in 1179. Snorri was raised at Oddi in South Iceland, one of the country's leading centres of learning and culture during the Middle Ages. There he received an education in law, history, genealogy and Norse literary traditions. In 1206 Snorri settled at Reykholt in Borgarfjörður, which became his principal home and estate. He became one of the most powerful chieftains in Iceland and served as lawspeaker at the Althing. Snorri is associated with some of the most important surviving works of medieval Norse literature. The Prose Edda preserves invaluable information about Norse mythology and poetic traditions, while Heimskringla recounts the history of the kings of Norway. Egil's Saga has also traditionally been attributed to him. Snorri was deeply involved in the political struggles of the Age of the Sturlungs and maintained strong connections with the Norwegian monarchy. He was killed at Reykholt in 1241. Today Reykholt is one of Iceland's most important historic sites connected with medieval literature. Visitors can see Snorralaug and learn about Snorri's life and work at Snorrastofa.