Sturla Þórðarson

Sturla Þórðarson (1214–1284) was an Icelandic politician/chieftain and writer of sagas and contemporary history during the 13th century.

Sturla was the son of Þórður Sturluson and his mistress Þóra. He was a nephew and pupil of the famous saga-writer Snorri Sturluson. He fought alongside Þórður kakali Sighvatsson during the Age of the Sturlungs.

He is best known for writing Íslendinga saga, the longest saga within Sturlunga saga, and Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar, the story of Haakon IV of Norway. He also wrote a saga of Haakon's son, Magnus the lawmender (Magnúss saga lagabœtis), of which only fragments have survived. Some scholars also believe him to have written Kristni saga and Sturlubók, a transcript of Landnáma. He is moreover listed in Skáldatal as the court skald of the Swedish ruler Birger Jarl.

Sturla was appointed law speaker over all of Iceland for a brief period after the dissolution of the Icelandic Commonwealth, and wrote the law book Járnsíða.

His brother was Ólafur Þórðarson hvítaskáld.

External links

• Works by Sturla Þórðarson at Project Gutenberg

v t e The Age of the Sturlungs Family clans Sturlungar Ásbirningar Oddaverjar Haukdælir Vatnsfirðingar Svínfellingar Goði chieftains Snorri Sturluson Sighvatr Sturluson Sturla Sighvatsson Þórður kakali Sighvatsson Sturla Þórðarson Gissur Þorvaldsson Kolbeinn ungi Arnórsson Brandur Kolbeinsson Eyjólfur ofsi Þorsteinsson Battles and conflicts Battle of Örlygsstaðir Battle of the Gulf Battle of Haugsnes Flugumýri Arson Battle of Víðines Politics Haakon IV of Norway Hallvarður gullskór Vassalage Old Covenant Icelandic Commonwealth Jarldom Alþingi Goðorð