Olav Bely Skald

Olav Tordarson ( Isl. Óláfr Þórðarson ; c. 1210 or 1212 - 1259), nicknamed White Skald ( hvítaskáld ) ^[1] - Icelandic skald and politician.

Came from a powerful Sturlung family. The son of Tord Sturluson , the elder brother of Sturla Tordarson and the nephew of Snorri Sturluson , from whom he was brought up and trained. He had the rank of deacon. He was considered one of the most famous skalds of his generation. He was a friend of Aron's son Hjorlejva , whom he met in Iceland or in Norway. He was in the inner circle of Snorri Sturluson and supported him in the internecine struggle, for which in 1237 he was expelled from the country by Sturla Sigvatson . Arrived in Norway and found refuge at the court of Jarl Skuli Bardarson in Nidaros , like other Icelandic exiles. Probably, in the summer of 1239 he went to Sweden to perform his compositions in front of King Eric XI .

At the beginning of 1240 he returned to Nidaros, where he became the man of King Hakon IV in the outbreak of civil war with the Duke of Skuli. In the summer of 1240, along with Aron Hörlevson, the Hackon’s Huskerl , participated in the Battle of Oslo, where the rebels were defeated. In 1240-1241 he was at the court of Valdemar II the Victorious , then returned to Norway, and about 1242 arrived in Iceland. Unlike his younger brother, he was not a hewding ; after the death of Snorri Sturluson, he joined the supporters of Tord Kakali , through whose efforts he was twice appointed the legalizer (1248–1250 and 1252). After the death of Tord, he supported Rabbit Hare in the struggle for influence of his nephew Torgils .

Like the teacher, he compiled a manual on skaldic poetry, known as the “Third Grammar Treatise” - the most detailed after the Younger Edda . The poetic works are worse preserved: in the Saga of the Icelanders and the Saga of Aron, the son of Hjorlev , two visas are given dedicated to Aron. The Hakon Old Saga contains visas, presumably part of the drap that glorifies Hakon's victory in 1240. Two small fragments from the lost Thomas Becket cycle are also associated with Olav. In addition, there are suggestions that Olav could have authored The Knutlings Sagas and The Salmon Valley Sagas .