Jón Loftsson

Jón Loftsson (* 1124 - November 1, 1197 ) was an Icelandic god , scholar and member of the upper class in the 12th century. At times he was considered the most powerful man in the country.

Origin and family

Jón Loftsson belonged to the Oddaverjar family as the son of Loftur Sæmundsson of Oddi in southern Iceland and the grandson of the famous Icelandic scholar Sæmundur fróði and Þóra, an illegitimate daughter of King Magnus III. Berrføtt from Norway. He grew up in a Norwegian royal palace until 1135, but then traveled to Iceland with his parents. They first settled in Stóra-Dal undir Eyjafjöllum and later in Oddi á Rangárvöllum after Jón's brother, named Eyjólfur, died in 1158.

Politician

Jón Loftsson was considered a gifted politician from an early age and he received all the gods of the Rangárþing . He was so popular and immensely influential that others often sought his advice and judgment on contentious matters. Contemporary sources report that around 1170 he was even the most powerful man in the country.

Icelandic investiture dispute

However, he was also considered tough in defending his own affairs as well as in Icelandic issues of the investiture dispute , e.g. B. the so-called 1. Staðamál (1179). As in mainland Europe, it was about the possession of the Catholic Church in the church property. Jón Loftsson's opponent in this case was St. Þorlákur , Bishop of Skálholt . Jón was initially able to prevail. Later, however, the interests of the Church prevailed.

Relationship between ecclesiastical and secular power in the 12th century

During this period, ecclesiastical and secular powers were very closely linked in Iceland as well. Jón's father and grandfather were priests, he himself a deacon.

He himself also founded a monastery in Rangárvellir. However, this did not last long.

The role of Oddi

The small town of Oddi in South Iceland was considered an important center of education and science in medieval Iceland under Jón Loftsson and his predecessors.

After a dispute over property in 1181, Jón helped the Páll Sólvason of Reykholt (Borgarbyggð) . In exchange, he received the then four-year-old Snorri Sturluson , who was to grow up in Oddi until the age of 19, as a foster son (and pledge of power) . The good education he received there certainly helped his development as an outstanding politician and poet.

Marriage and children

Jón Loftsson's wife was Halldóra Brandsdóttir, with whom he had two children: Solveig, who later became the wife of Guðmundur grís Ámundason of Þingvellir and grandmother of Gissur Þorvaldsson , and Sæmundur Jónsson, Gode in Oddi.

To the great annoyance of the bishop , Jón also had concubines and mistresses and numerous children of theirs. The best known was Regnheiður Þórhallsdóttir, of all things the sister of the bishop, St. Þorlákur himself. A son from this connection became in turn Bishop of Skálholt: Páll Jónsson .

literature

• Egill J. Stardal: Jón Loftsson, samtíð hans og synir. Ísafoldarprentsmiðja, Reykjavík 1967.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Íslandssagan í máli og myndum. Ed. Árni D. Júlíússon, Jón Ó. Ísberg. Reykjavík (Mál og Menning) 2007, p. 62
2. ↑ cf. z. B. Íslandssagan í máli og myndum. ibid.
3. ↑ cf. z. B. Íslandssagan í máli og myndum. Ed. Árni D. Júliússon, Jón Ó. Ísberg. Reykjavík (Mál & Menning) 2005, p. 48

Note: Icelanders are referred to by their first name or first and last name, but not just their surname. Further information can be found under Icelandic personal name .