I’ve been reading King Harold’s Saga, a fascinating history contained in Heimskringla (“Orb of the World”), recorded by Snorri Sturluson. The paperback of King Harold’s Saga I have has a brief biography of Sturluson like it would of any modern author, with one cool difference:
Snorri Sturluson was born in 1179 and brought up at Oddi, the home of an aristocratic and cultured family in the south of Iceland (1181-1201). He then lived as a wealthy landowner, politician and lawyer, and was Lawspeaker of the Althing from 1215-18 and 1222-31. He visited Norway twice, 1218-20 (when he also went to Sweden) and 1237-9. In 1241 Snorri Sturluson was killed by his enemies.
I can’t think of a better way to end my life than to be killed by my enemies, but unfortunately my enemies are not very likely to kill me. They are weak! Maybe I could find better ones if I sweep on with thrashing oar and make my only goal the western shore.
