Sturla þórðarson

Sturla oroarson is one of only a handful of thirteenth-century Icelandic historians to be known by name, and he is certainly one of the most significant. A number of works may be traced directly to his literary-cultural circle, notably Landnamabok (The Book of Settlements), Islendinga saga (The Saga of Icelanders) and Hakonar saga Hakonarsonar (The Saga of King Hakon). Moreover, it is thought that Sturla was involved in the production of the legal text known as Jarnsioa, as well as annals and, possibly, some of the Islendingasogur (Sagas of Icelanders). In addition to his role as author and compiler, Sturla oroarson was one of the most powerful men in Iceland. In 1262 Sturla visited the court of King Magnus Hakonarson 'the Law-mender' in Norway as a court poet. He later became the king's liegeman, and it was for King Magnus that Sturla wrote the sagas of King Hakon and King Magnus. Sturla served as lawman of all Iceland in the period 1272-77, and then as lawman for the north and west of the country until 1282. He died on 30 July 1284. Contributors are Ann-Marie Long, Armann Jakobsson, Auour Magnusdottir, Gisli Sigurosson, Guorun Asa Grimsdottir, Guorun Nordal, Gunnar Haroarson, Hans Jacob Orning, Helgi orlaksson, Jon Vioar Sigurosson, Lena Rohrbach, Patricia Pires Boulhosa, Philadelphia Ricketts, R.I. Moore, Randi Bjorshol Waerdahl, Roberta Frank, Sveinbjorn Rafnsson, Sverrir Jakobsson, Theodore M. Andersson, Ulfar Bragason, and Verena Hoefig.