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Skapti Þóroddsson

995 – 1030

Icelandic lawspeaker

SkaldLawspeakerGothi
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About Skapti Þóroddsson

Lived 995 – 1030 (aged 34–35). Skapti Þóroddsson was an Icelandic skald, lawspeaker and gothi.

Skapti Þóroddsson (Old Norse: ; Modern Icelandic: ; died 1030) was an Icelandic lawspeaker and skald. He became lawspeaker in 1004, succeeding his uncle Grímr when the latter's voice failed him. He held office till his death in 1030, longer than anyone else. According to the Íslendingabók he instituted judicial reform by establishing the "fifth court", a national court of appeals.

According to the Skáldatal, Skapti was a court poet of Hákon Sigurðarson but no details on that career are known. According to the Heimskringla, he composed a poem on king Óláfr Haraldsson and sent his son Steinn to perform it for the king.

The only piece of poetry by Skapti which has come down to us is decidedly Christian and can not have been composed at Hákon's court. Snorri Sturluson cites the following half-stanza by Skapti in a discussion of Christian kennings in the Skáldskaparmál.

Skapti is mentioned in some of the Icelanders' sagas, for example Njáls saga where he is insulted by Skarphéðinn Njálsson.

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Important facts

Born
995
Birth century
Died
1030
Occupation
Skald, lawspeaker, gothi
Nationality
Also known as
Skapti Thóroddsson

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Skapti Þóroddsson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Skapti Þóroddsson?

Icelandic lawspeaker

When was Skapti Þóroddsson born?

Skapti Þóroddsson was born in 995.

When did Skapti Þóroddsson die?

Skapti Þóroddsson died in 1030.

What was Skapti Þóroddsson's occupation?

Skapti Þóroddsson was a skald, lawspeaker and gothi.

What nationality was Skapti Þóroddsson?

Skapti Þóroddsson was Icelandic.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Skapti Þóroddsson

· Wikidata: Q3480172

· DBpedia: Skapti Þóroddsson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Skapti Þóroddsson. https://biography.guide/skapti-thoroddsson/

MLA: "Skapti Þóroddsson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/skapti-thoroddsson/.

Chicago: "Skapti Þóroddsson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/skapti-thoroddsson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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