- Sverris saga
Sverris saga is a
Norse saga about KingSverre Sigurdsson (r.1177 –1202 ) of Norway and is the main source for this period of Norwegian history. As the foreword tells us, the saga in its final form is a compilation of previous books. Work first began in1185 under the king’s direct supervision. It is not known when it was finished, but presumably it was well known whenSnorri Sturluson began writing hisHeimskringla in the1220s since Snorri ends his account where the Sverris saga begins. Thus the saga is contemporary or near-contemporary with the events it describes. The saga is obviously written by someone sympathetic to Sverre’s cause, but the strict demands of thegenre ensure a high degree of impartiality.Authorship and composition
The first distinct part of the saga is called "Grýla" and describes the events until the aftermath of Sverre's first major victory at the
Battle of Kalvskinnet in1179 . Central to this part is Sverre’s claim to be the son of King Sigurd Munn and his struggle against his rival claimantMagnus Erlingsson . According to the foreword "Grýla" was written byKarl Jónsson fromÞingeyrar monastery inIceland . Karl Jónsson is known to have visited Norway from1185 to c.1188 . Sverre is supposed to have served as "Grýla"’s main source and decided what should be written. "Grýla" is written in a unique style that to some degree seems to be inspired by the long medieval tradition ofhagiography .External links
* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/sverri/index.php Sverris saga in English translation]
* [http://sagnanet.is/saganet/?MIval=/SinglePage&Manuscript=100203&Page=2757&language=english Sverris saga in Old Norse]
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