Skapti Þóroddsson

Ármann Jakobsson (University of Iceland)
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Skapti Þóroddsson (d. 1030) was the lawspeaker of Iceland for 27 summers, from 1004 to his death, succeeding his uncle Grímr Svertingsson when the latter lost his voice. Skapti is first mentioned in the

Íslendingabók

of Ari Þorgilsson (from c. 1125) as a powerful authority figure, a reformer and peacekeeper. He and his father Þóroddr are oft-mentioned and clearly regarded as important figures in the oldest historical writing of Iceland, composed before 1250. Their family connections with Gizurr the White meant that they were linked with the bishops of Skálaholt, the Christianization narratives and bishops‘ sagas stress their Christianity and Þóroddr is mentioned as one of the four main magnates of Iceland connected with the landvættir that drive the emissary of the king of…

763 words

Citation: Jakobsson, Ármann. "Skapti Þóroddsson". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 April 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14959, accessed 09 December 2024.]

14959 Skapti Þóroddsson 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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