The conversion of Iceland - a political event

Essay , 2004 , 15 Pages , Grade: 1,0

History of Europe - Middle Ages, Early Modern Age

The conversion of Iceland in the year 1000 A.D. was doubtlessly an event of great importance in the history of the country. This is reflected in the number of sources that give an account of the happenings; here especially the Islendigabok, written by Ari the Wise, has to be named foremost, since it is our oldest and also most reliable source (Stömbäck 18; Aðalsteinsson 55). Ari wrote the Islendigabok some time in the years between 1122 and 1132. He himself states that “it is our duty to give preference to that which is proved to be most correct” (Ari 59). The Islendigabok can indeed be seen as the first work of Historiography in Iceland. One reason for this is that Ari names his major sources and refers to them when he talks about singular events [...]

When the Alðing accepted Christianity the consequences must have been clear. The ignorance and indifference towards Christianity thereafter shows that the actual event of the Conversion was a political one, and only on a secondary level a religious one. The conversion to Christianity was a long process that became more serious only with the second bishop of Iceland, Gizur Isleifsson from on. The reason for the acceptance of Christianity remains obscure. I believe, though, that there was pressure from King Olaf Tryggvason. This would explain the optimism of Gizur the White and Hjalti when they came to the Alðing. This pressure might range from persecution of Icelanders to war to economical repressions. The menacing collapse of the Icelandic commonwealth might also play a role. However, even if these assumptions would turn out to be incorrect, the conversion of Iceland in the year 1000 A.D. still remains to a very large degree a political event.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Conversion of Iceland: a political event
• Sources and their reliability
• The events of 1000 A.D. and the role of Olaf Tryggvason
• The Conversion
• The question of the Conversion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay aims to analyze the events surrounding the official introduction of Christianity in Iceland in 1000 A.D. It questions whether this event can be accurately described as a "conversion" given the lack of evidence of widespread acceptance of the new religion.

• The role of King Olaf Tryggvason in the Christianization of Iceland
• The events of the Althing in 1000 A.D. and the role of influential figures like Thorgeir and Siðu-Hallr
• The question of the impact of the official introduction of Christianity on Icelandic society
• The reliability of historical sources and the challenges of interpreting them
• The significance of the Althing as a political and cultural institution in Iceland

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The first chapter discusses the historical sources used to analyze the Conversion, focusing on the reliability of Ari the Wise’s "Islendigabok" as the oldest and most reliable source. The limitations of other sources are discussed, particularly the sagas, which are considered less reliable due to their tendency towards bias and fictional elements.
• The second chapter focuses on the historical events of 1000 A.D., outlining the role of King Olaf Tryggvason in promoting Christianity in Iceland and the missionary activities of Thangbrand. The confrontation between Christians and heathens at the Althing is described, highlighting the complex dynamics of the conversion process.
• The third chapter examines the decision made at the Althing, outlining the agreement between the Christian and heathen parties to adopt Christianity as the official religion. The chapter also discusses the continued acceptance of certain heathen practices, suggesting a more gradual and nuanced transition than a sudden conversion.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This essay focuses on the introduction of Christianity in Iceland, examining the historical events surrounding the conversion, the role of King Olaf Tryggvason, the Althing, the reliability of sources, and the significance of the transition from heathenism to Christianity.

• College: The University of Western Ontario
• Course: Old Iceland
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Marc Neininger (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 15
• Catalog Number: V59785
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638536271
• ISBN (Book): 9783638764599
• Language: English
• Tags: Iceland