The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway (Heimskringla) (eBook)

Snorri Sturluson (1179 – 23 September 1241) was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician, known primarily for his significant contributions to Icelandic literature and the preservation of Norse mythology and Scandinavian history. Sturluson's legacy is closely tied to his work as the author of the 'Heimskringla' or 'The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway', a monumental compilation of the sagas narrating the history of the Norwegian kings from the legendary times until around 1177. Displaying a unique blend of historical fact and oral tradition, the 'Heimskringla' is celebrated for its detailed characterizations and vivid narratives, illuminating the culture and politics of medieval Scandinavia. His narrative style is marked by a clear and direct prose, which, while rooted in the oral storytelling tradition, marked a significant development towards a more historical and secular writing that influenced the historiography of his time and beyond. Sturluson's other notable works include 'Snorra Edda' or 'Prose Edda', a manual of Old Norse poetics and mythology, which has served as a vital source for understanding Norse lore, and the 'Ægisdóra', a collection of mythological and heroic poetry. As a political figure, he was deeply embroiled in the complex and often violent power struggles that characterized 13th-century Iceland, which eventually led to his assassination. His works, however, have transcended his own turbulent lifetime, securing Snorri Sturluson's place as a cornerstone figure in medieval Norse literature and historiography.