Thordur Kakali

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Þórður kakali (? - 1256, the nickname probably means "The Stammerer")) was one of the combative chieftains in Iceland during the 13th century. He was the son of Sighvatur Sturluson, Snorri Sturluson's brother. After the Örlygsstaðabardagi (1238) Þórður came back from Norway (about 1242.) Over the next few years he travelled round Iceland, gathering forces to both secure his own life and try and avenge his family.

In 1244 Þórður was stationed in Vestfirðir and decided to try to go back to claim his family's land, which was around Eyjafjörður. He went by sea with his men on small barques. He had not gone far when he came across Kolbeinn's army halfway, which was quite larger than his own. There began Iceland's only noteworthy seabattle Flóabardagi.

The outcome of that conflict, was an "uneven tie". Both survived the conflict, and went on their way, but Kolbeinn's army was realatively more damaged. This was due to the men of Þórður being superior sailor's and the fact, that they were prepared for battle, their barques loaded with rocks to throw at their enemy.

A year later, 1245, Kolbeinn ungi died, and Brandur Kolbeinsson took command of the Ásbirningar family. The forces of Þórður meanwhile continued to grow, and he confronted Brandur in 1246 in Haugsnessbardagi, the bloodiest battle fought in Iceland, where about 100 died (which is, relatively, a huge number). The battle's outcome was in the favor of Þórður. Now Þórður was the most powerful man in Iceland, and was a de facto dictator for the next three years. In 1250, however, Þórður was called back to Norway by the king, as he wanted to have the most powerful Icelander of the time within reach. Six years later Þórður died in Norway (after drinking heavily), after having received the news that he would, after all, be sent back to Iceland. Among his last words were those to the effect, that if he ever had the luck of returning to Iceland, he would never return. Those words have been the subject of speculation. Had he had the time, could he have altered the outcome?

Among the warring chieftains of his age, he is chiefly remembered as being the most chivalrous and also as one of the very few, who actually had an idea of how to wage a war.