At the end of the tenth century, Iceland was a nation deeply rooted in centuries of Norse pagan practice. Into this world arrived Þangbrandr, a missionary sent on a daunting errand by King Óláfr Tryggvason of Norway: to bring Christianity to Iceland, a task previous envoys had failed to achieve.
Origins and encounter with King Óláfr
Þangbrandr’s early life remains unclear. Icelandic sagas describe him as the son of Vilbaldus, a Saxon or perhaps a count of Bremen in what is now Germany, while one Norwegian historian considered him Flemish. His name itself likely stems from Old High German roots. Before his mission, he seems to have served as a clerk to the bishop of Bremen and once journeyed to England with him. In England, Þangbrandr received a shield adorned with a crucified Christ, a gift that would catch the attention of King Óláfr upon their return to Saxony. The king, pleased with the Christian symbol, received the shield from Þangbrandr and promised support if ever needed.
An altercation in Germany left Þangbrandr a wanted man after he killed one of the Emperor’s men in a dispute over a woman. This forced him to flee and eventually enter into the service of King Óláfr, who later tasked him with missionary work in Norway’s Hordaland. When he ran short of funds during that campaign, he reportedly turned to robbing local pagans, a foreshadowing of trouble to come in Iceland.
Violence and opposition in Iceland
Arriving in Iceland in 997, Þangbrandr began his mission in the east, spending his first winter as a guest of Sídu-Hallr Þorsteinsson, who agreed to baptism. Many other influential figures would follow, some receiving only a preliminary Christian blessing called primas signatio, short of full conversion.
Þangbrandr’s reputation for violence quickly grew. He faced hostility across the landscape, duelling and killing opponents, including skaldic poets who published mocking verses about him. According to the sagas, at one point, a sorcerer attempted to destroy him with magic, opening the earth beneath his feet and swallowing his horse, though Þangbrandr survived. Tales from this period also feature dramatic debates, such as local woman Steinunn proclaiming the superiority of Thor over Christ in a challenge of faith.
These confrontational methods brought eventual disaster. After two years in Iceland, having killed several men, including those who opposed him with words or swords, Þangbrandr found himself outlawed and forced to flee back to Norway. His failed mission convinced King Óláfr that violence could not bring Christianity to Iceland. Two of Þangbrandr’s converts, Gizurr the White and Hjalti Skeggjason, persuaded Óláfr to abandon threats and pursue a more peaceful means of conversion. Their efforts led to the dramatic decision at the Alþing (national parliament) in 999 or 1000 to formally adopt Christianity, shaping the spiritual direction of Iceland.
Þangbrandr’s turbulent mission is still discussed in Icelandic historical texts as a turning point in the country’s religious identity. His story is marked by conflict and transformation at the dawn of a new era for Iceland.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
