Talk:Age of the Sturlungs

I changed two things for the following reasons.

1. A fatality rate of 7 people a year hardly qualifies as Civil War. Hence the change to internal strife.

2. The Sturlungaöld was certainly violent (although surprisingly peaceful compared to other societies at the time), but its reputation as The bloodiest chapter in Icelandic history or words to that effect is probably due to the fact that it is also the best documented until its time and, as it happens, for centuries after. For that period we know fairly precisely who was killed by whom. That does not apply to the centuries before or after.

Cheers Io 18:20, 9 March 2006 (UTC)

Proportionally, as compared to the population at the time, Sturlungaöld was definitely very, very bloody. "The bloodiest chapter in Icelandic history" is definitely appropriate, since Icelandic history from its settlement is extremely well documented in manuscripts (i.e. who killed whom and for what reason etc.), not just Sturlungaöld. I consider myself to be very knowledgable about Icelandic history, and I put that statement in because it happens to be correct :). At no other time in Icelandic history did as many people die violently. Palthrow 16:14, 10 March 2006 (UTC)

The number 7 pr. annum is very well documented. If you count the violent deaths of the saga period or even in the two centuries following the Sturlungöld, you'll find that, after proper deductions due to legends, that the Sturlungaöld was hardly bloodier than other periods. Read Þorgils saga ok Hafliða or Guðmundar saga dýra (both included in Sturlunga saga) for verification. Sturlunga saga is usually considered as very reliable. Its main author took part in the events and is usually regarded as a model of impartiality. And impartial he was, as you will know, if you've read the book. The main reason for the Icelandic surrender in 1262/1264 was probably not the blood toll, but rather the heavy burdens of being drafted at the time of harvest. Therefore they made made one of the conditions of the Old Covenant that the Norwegian king should be responsible for supplying the land with grain. The plain fact is that Iceland surrendered for economical reasons. Society as such, was not more violent than other societies at the time. The difference in popular perception was most likely that Icelanders were more literate than their contemporaries. Cheers Io 20:08, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

Fair enough ;) -- Palthrow 20:37, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

Did I actually succeed in making a point? :) Anyway, history is usually more complex than your usual textbook implies. All the best. Io 20:57, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

I have moved to an English name. There are others; if someone prefers Sturlung Era or even Sturlung era, fine. Septentrionalis 18:27, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

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