Anonymous, Stúfs þáttr

Þórdís Edda Jóhannesdóttir (University of Iceland)

Ed. by Ármann Jakobsson, University of Iceland
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.3.4: Icelandic Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Ármann Jakobsson (University of Iceland), Kjerstin Moody (Gustavus Adolphus College), Sven Hakon Rossel (Universitat Wien), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen (University College London)

Dates

First circulation or publication c. 1300

Places

Iceland (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Poetry (any)

Resources

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Stúfs þáttr

is a short medieval tale about an Icelander called Stúfr, who comes from Iceland to Norway and stays with an unnamed farmer. At the farm he meets the King, who at the time was Haraldr Sigurðarson, also known as King Haraldr harðráði (the Severe). The two of them have a somewhat comical conversation, but the king likes Stúfr and asks him to come to his room and entertain him. Stúfr obeys and recites poetry to the king. Later, Stúfr asks for three favours in return: that the King help him get an inheritance he is owed in Norway, that he be allowed to compose a poem about Haraldr, and thirdly that he is allowed to join his court. The King grants him these wishes leading to a happy end of the story.

Stúfr is introduced as an accomplished poet and descendant of Guðrún

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1036 words

Citation: Jóhannesdóttir, Þórdís Edda. "Stúfs þáttr". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 29 December 2022 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=40960, accessed 23 April 2024.]

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