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Þórarinn loftunga

b. 980

Icelandic poet

Poet Skald
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About Þórarinn loftunga

Born 980. Þórarinn loftunga was an Icelandic poet and skald.

Þórarinn loftunga was an Icelandic skald active during the first half of the 11th century.

He composed Tögdrápa, a poem in praise of King Canute. Like Sigvatr Þórðarson's poem in praise of the same king, Knútsdrápa, the Tøgdrápa is composed in the metrical form töglag, a variant of dróttkvætt which may have been invented at King Canute's court. According to Skáldatal, Þórarinn was also a court poet to Sveinn Knútsson, son of Knút, and his mother Ælfgifu of Northampton. In Sveinn's honour, he wrote Glælognskviða, which is also the oldest extant testimony to the sainthood of King Olaf II of Norway.

Works Höfuðlausn. Two lines referring to Canute: Knútr verr grund sem gætir / Gríklands himinríki. ("As Christ the heavenly kingdom, / Knútr defends the country."). Tøgdrápa. Eight stanzas, most of which are cited in for instance, Óláfs saga helga, the Legendary Saga of St. Olaf and the Óláfs saga helga of Heimskringla. Glælognskviða. Ten stanzas, cited in for instance, Óláfs saga helga and the Óláfs saga helga of Heimskringla.

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Important facts

Born
980
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Thórarinn loftunga, Thorarinn loftunga

Frequently asked questions

Who was Þórarinn loftunga?

Icelandic poet

When was Þórarinn loftunga born?

Þórarinn loftunga was born in 980.

What was Þórarinn loftunga's occupation?

Þórarinn loftunga was a poet and skald.

What nationality was Þórarinn loftunga?

Þórarinn loftunga was Icelandic.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Þórarinn loftunga

· Wikidata: Q2436700

· DBpedia: Þórarinn loftunga

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Þórarinn loftunga. https://biography.guide/thorarinn-loftunga/

MLA: "Þórarinn loftunga." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thorarinn-loftunga/.

Chicago: "Þórarinn loftunga." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thorarinn-loftunga/.

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

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