Eyrbyggja Saga
A black and white reproduction of Norsemen Landing in Iceland, by H. A. Guerber, originally painted in 1909
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| Author | Anonymous |
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| Translator | Paul Edwards, Hermann Palsson, William Morris, Eirikr Magnusson |
| Country | Iceland |
| Language | Icelandic, Old Norse |
| Genre | Icelandic Saga, Icelandic literature |
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Publication date
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13th to 14th Century |
Eyrbyggja saga (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈeirpɪcːa ˈsaːɣa]) is one of the Icelanders' sagas; its title can be translated as The Saga of the People of Eyri. It was written by an anonymous writer, who describes a long-standing feud between Snorri Goði and Arnkel Goði, two strong chieftains within the Norse community that settled in Iceland. The title is slightly misleading as it deals also with the clans from Þórsnes and Alptafjörðr on Iceland. The most central character is Snorri Þorgrímsson, referred to as Snorri goði and Snorri the Priest. Snorri was the nephew of the hero of Gísla saga, and is also featured prominently in Njáls saga and Laxdœla saga. Another main interest of the Eyrbyggja Saga is to trace a few key families as they settled Iceland, specifically around the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The Saga is usually not regarded as artistically equal to the Egils saga, the Njál's saga and the Laxdæla saga. Nevertheless, it is valued for many reasons, including its historical and folkloric elements. The saga is characterized by a distinct interest in old lore, rituals, pagan practices and superstitions. The saga includes several references to the colonization of Greenland and one reference to an expedition to Vinland. It also mentions a journey by Guðleifr Guðlaugsson and his crew to Great Ireland, which was said to exist beyond Vinland.
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