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Magnús góði Guðmundarson

1172 – 1240

Icelandic historical figure

AllsherjargoðiGothi
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About Magnús góði Guðmundarson

Lived 1172 – 1240 (aged 67–68). Magnús góði Guðmundarson was an Icelandic allsherjargoði and gothi, known for Allsherjargoði.

Magnús góði Guðmundarson (or Guðmundsson; 1172 – 20 September 1240) was a medieval chieftain (gothi) of Þingvellir in Iceland. He was the allsherjargoði of the Althing (assembly of free men) from 1197 to 1234. He inherited the office from his father Guðmundr gríss Ámundason, who was the descendant of Ingólfur Arnarson, one of the first Viking settlers on the island. Magnús was the next-to-last allsherjargoði before the dissolution of the Icelandic Commonwealth in 1262. He had no offspring, and contemporary sources only offer conjectures about his successor, possibly Árni óreiða Magnússon, nephew of Guðmundr gríss Ámundason and son-in-law of the skald Snorri Sturluson. In fact, the sagas narrate that Sturluson caused Magnús's fall: during his first term as lawspeaker, Sturluson convinced the Althing to outlaw (skógarmaðr) Magnús. Despite his title, Magnús was not one of Iceland's more powerful citizens.

According to konungsannáll, Magnús obtained the support of the clans Haukdælir, Oddaverjar and Svínfellingar to become bishop of Skálholt in 1236, but he did not obtain the Apostolic Blessing since he did not fulfil the requirements for the position; his candidacy was approved neither by the Norwegian archdiocese nor the Pope.

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Important facts

Born
1172
Birth century
Occupation
Allsherjargoði, Gothi
Nationality
Known for
Allsherjargoði

People in Magnús góði Guðmundarson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Magnús góði Guðmundarson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Magnús góði Guðmundarson?

Icelandic historical figure

When was Magnús góði Guðmundarson born?

Magnús góði Guðmundarson was born in 1172.

When did Magnús góði Guðmundarson die?

Magnús góði Guðmundarson died on 20 September 1240.

What was Magnús góði Guðmundarson's occupation?

Magnús góði Guðmundarson was an allsherjargoði and gothi.

What was Magnús góði Guðmundarson known for?

Magnús góði Guðmundarson was known for Allsherjargoði.

What nationality was Magnús góði Guðmundarson?

Magnús góði Guðmundarson was Icelandic.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Magnús góði Guðmundarson

· Wikidata: Q5934900

· DBpedia: Magnús góði Guðmundarson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Magnús góði Guðmundarson. https://biography.guide/magnus-godi-gudmundarson/

MLA: "Magnús góði Guðmundarson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/magnus-godi-gudmundarson/.

Chicago: "Magnús góði Guðmundarson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/magnus-godi-gudmundarson/.

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