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Þórðr Sjáreksson

b. 950

Icelandic poet

Poet Skald
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About Þórðr Sjáreksson

Born 950. Þórðr Sjáreksson was an Icelandic poet and skald.

Þórðr Sjáreksson was an 11th-century Icelandic skald. He composed a drápa on Þórólfr Skólmsson, four strophes of which have been preserved in the kings' sagas. He also composed a memorial drápa on the canonised Olaf II of Norway, called Róðadrápa (Drápa of the Rood), one strophe of which is preserved. A few disjoint strophes by Þórðr on different subjects are also preserved in Skáldskaparmál. Skáldatal reckons Þórðr among the court poets of both Óláfr Haraldsson and Eiríkr Hákonarson.

In Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar en mesta a short story is told of Þórðr. In the reign of Olaf II, he had travelled to the Holy Land intending to visit Jerusalem. On the way he meets a mysterious tall man who converses with him in the Norse tongue and tells him to go back since the road ahead isn't safe. The stranger asks Þórðr if he knows Hjalti Skeggiason and Þórðr tells him that they are related by marriage. The stranger asks Þórðr to bring Hjalti his greeting and tells him a story to bring Hjalti so that he will recognize who he his. Þórðr does as he is bid and when he brings the stranger's greeting to Hjalti, he is told that the man must have been Olaf Tryggvason, still walking the earth long after his defeat at the Battle of Svolder.

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Important facts

Born
950
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Thórdr Sjáreksson, Thordr Sjareksson

Frequently asked questions

Who was Þórðr Sjáreksson?

Icelandic poet

When was Þórðr Sjáreksson born?

Þórðr Sjáreksson was born in 950.

What was Þórðr Sjáreksson's occupation?

Þórðr Sjáreksson was a poet and skald.

What nationality was Þórðr Sjáreksson?

Þórðr Sjáreksson was Icelandic.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Þórðr Sjáreksson

· Wikidata: Q2626695

· DBpedia: Þórðr Sjáreksson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Þórðr Sjáreksson. https://biography.guide/thordr-sjareksson/

MLA: "Þórðr Sjáreksson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thordr-sjareksson/.

Chicago: "Þórðr Sjáreksson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thordr-sjareksson/.

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

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