About Egill Eyjólfsson
Lived 1295 – 1341 (aged 45–46). Egill Eyjólfsson was an Icelandic catholic priest and catholic bishop.
Egill Eyjólfsson (1295–1341) was the bishop of Iceland's northern diocese of Hólar from the death of his predecessor, Lárentíus Kálfsson, in 1331, until his own death in 1341.
Biography Egill's father was Eyjólfur, a gold-smith, and his mother Þorgerður Egilsdóttir.
Egill studied at the monastery of Þingeyri, being taught alongside Einarr Hafliðason by Lárentíus Kálfsson. Egill first became a deacon, was then consecrated as a priest in 1318, and around the same time became the schoolmaster at Hólar. At that time, the bishop of Hólar was Auðunn rauði Þorbergsson, whose relationship with the monks of Þingeyri (not least Lárentíus) was very strained. According to Laurentius Saga, it was through Egill's efforts that in the autumn of 1319, Auðun and Lárentíus made peace.
Egill subsequently held the benefice of Grímstungur in Vatnsdalur, and in 1324 received the benefice of Grenjaðarstaðir in Aðaldalur (the wealthiest in the diocese of Hólar) from Archbishop Eilif Arnesson Kortin. Around 1327, Bishop Lárentius sent Egill to the Archbishop to plead Lárentíus‘s case against the monks of Möðruvellir. After Lárentíus's death in 1331, Egill was elected bishop of Hólar. Little is known about his episcopate, though it is said that the diocese's finances were well managed under his governance.
Egill was succeeded as bishop by Ormr Ásláksson.
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Important facts
People in Egill Eyjólfsson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Egill Eyjólfsson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Egill Eyjólfsson?
Roman Catholic bishop
When was Egill Eyjólfsson born?
Egill Eyjólfsson was born in 1295.
When did Egill Eyjólfsson die?
Egill Eyjólfsson died in 1341.
What was Egill Eyjólfsson's occupation?
Egill Eyjólfsson was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.
What nationality was Egill Eyjólfsson?
Egill Eyjólfsson was Icelandic.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Egill Eyjólfsson. https://biography.guide/egill-eyjolfsson/
MLA: "Egill Eyjólfsson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/egill-eyjolfsson/.
Chicago: "Egill Eyjólfsson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/egill-eyjolfsson/.
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