Guðmundur Erlendsson of Fell in Sléttuhlíð (c. 1595–1670) was one of the most popular Icelandic poets and hymnists of his generation. His poetry, which gradually fell into obscurity over the centuries following his death, has in recent decades experienced a revival of interest. His best-known works today are
Einvaldsóður, a translation of
Ane Dialog betwixt Experience and ane Courteor(1554) by Scottish poet Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount (ca. 1485–1555), and
Ræningjarímur, a
rímuror long narrative poem describing the events of the 1627 Barbary pirate raids.
Little is known of Guðmundur’s parents, the Rev. Erlendur Guðmundsson and his wife Margrét Skúladóttir. Of the couple’s eight children, two daughters and two sons lived to adulthood. Guðmundur lost his younger
2016 words
Citation: Parsons, Katelin. "Guðmundur Erlendsson". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 February 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14867, accessed 06 October 2024.]