History
7.6.2010
History
Despite the young history of the Icelandic nation it is well documented which makes the people more rooted than many people from older societies.
The first known settlers were Irish monks, probably in the 7th century, but by natural causes these colonies did not grow. By the end of the 9th century a group of rebels left Norway and enslaved noble Irish people on their way to the far west they gave the name of Iceland.
Thanks to the genes of the Irish, known for their brilliant and voluntary talent for storytelling, the new settlers started to write down the stories of the heroic deeds of their late relatives – some of them truer than others. However this literary heritage is unique for Europe in the early Middle Ages.
There are things to be proud of, e.g. the parliament Althing, founded at Thingvellir in the summer of AD 930. In AD 1000 it was decided to abandon the ancient Asa religion and adapt the faith of the modern Christian church.
550 years later when the Icelanders decided to become Protestants, this decision was sealed by decapitating the last Catholic bishop along with his two sons! Still today the Icelanders practice Catholic rituals, such as offering votives to gain favour with higher forces and ensure the good health of their loved ones.
The free state ended in 1262 when the Icelanders sought a personal union with the Norwegian throne they had left 400 years earlier. Despite several centuries under Norwegian and later Danish rule, the Icelanders managed to keep their language. Icelandic literature was saved on old calf skins.
In the mid 19th century Icelandic students in Copenhagen sensed the revolutionary winds that went through old Europe this revived the struggle for independence. In 1944 the Icelandic republic was a reality.
As the first country in the world the Icelandic people chose a woman president in a democratic election in 1980.
We have many excellent experts who can tell you more about the different aspects and different periods of the history of the Icelandic people.
