A History of the Old Icelandic Commonwealth: Islendinga Saga (U of M Icelandic Series, 2)

The founding of the Old Icelandic Commonwealth in 930 A.D. is one of the most significant events in the history of early Western Europe. This pioneering work of historiography provides a comprehensive history of Iceland from 870 A.D. to the end of the Commonwealth in 1262. Cover Table of Contents List of Illustrations and Maps From the Author's Foreword A Prefatory Note from the Translator DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT Thule Did the Romans Reach Iceland? Papar The Norsemen Arrive in Iceland Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements) Chronology The Origin of the Icelanders Reasons for the Settlement Early Methods of Establishing Settlements Pattern of Settlement and Population FORM OF GOVERNMENT The Founding of the Althing The Site of the Althing The Dates of the Annual Sessions of the Althing The Hallowing of the Althing and its Prorogation The Lawspeaker The Division of the Country into Quarters Chieftains — Their Power and Jurisdiction The Court of Legislature The Quarter Courts Skapti the Lawspeaker and the Fifth Court District and Midsummer Assemblies 'Hreppar' and Guilds The Codification of the Secular Law VOYAGES AND EXPLORATIONS Icelandic Ocean-Going Vessels and the Icelandic Language The Discovery and the Settlement of Greenland The Discovery of the North American Continent A Part of the Icelanders' 'Imago Mundi' The Art of Navigation The Treaty between the Icelanders and King Ólafr the Saint of Norway CHURCH AND RELIGION Heathenism and Irish Christianity Historical Sources on Christian Missions and the Introduction of Christianity Christian Missionary Work and the Christianization of Iceland Missionary Bishops from Abroad Bishop Ísleifr Bishop Gizurr Ísleifsson and his Contemporaries The Founding of the Episcopal See of Hólar — Bishop Jón Ögmundarson Schools and Foreign Influences The Code of Church Law and the Administrative Structure of the Icelandic Church Assets and Income of Churches and Clergy The First Steps towards Ecclesiastical Autonomy — Bishop Thorlákr Thórhallsson Disputes over the Patronages of Churches and Church Property Reforms Icelandic Saints Monasteries Bishop Guðmundr Arason Foreign Bishops Celibacy of the Clergy The Resolution of the Court of Legislature in 1253 THE DEATH THROES OF THE COMMONWEALTH The Acquisitiveness of the Kings of Norway The Development of the Power of Chieftains until ca. 1220 Feuds between the Oddaverjar and the Norwegians — Snorri Sturluson Sturla Sighvatsson's Attempt to Obtain Power over the Whole of Iceland The Fate of Snorri and Órækja Thórðr Kakali A Struggle over Thórðr Kakali's Territory Earl Gizurr and the End of the Commonwealth Gizurr's Covenant ECONOMIC HISTORY AND MATERIAL CULTURE Animal Husbandry The Cultivation of Grain — Climate A Few Ancient Branches of Industry Fishing Imports Exports Administrative Control over Trade Navigation and Trade Standards of Value and the Calculation of Prices Improvements in Communications Housing Class Division The Author Genealogical Tables Lawspeakers during the Commonwealth Period Bishops during the Commonwealth Period A Select Bibliography of Works by Dr. Jón Jóhannesson Bibliography of Works Cited Index of Names A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y The founding of the Old Icelandic Commonwealth in 930 A.D. is one of the most significant events in the history of early Western Europe. A History of the Old Icelandic Commonwealth provides a comprehensive history of Iceland from 870 A.D. to the end of the Commonwealth in 1262. Translation by Haraldur Bessason of Jon Johannesson's comprehensive history of Medieval Iceland. Includes chapters on discovery and settlement, government, voyages and explorations, church and religion, economic history and material culture.