Event Type: Branch

Takes Place: 16th February 2026

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Only via Zoom online

Description: It has long been recognised that the strongest Chieftains in medieval Iceland were often those with lots of friends. These friends, who we could also call allies or followers, supported them in all aspects of their lives, such as when prosecuting legal cases or when involved in conflict. This talk explores how Chieftains made, and lost, friends, and how this affected their ability to exert their power. We will look particularly at an Icelandic saga called Sturlunga saga, which tells of conflicts between Chieftains in Iceland in the earlier thirteenth century, before the land submitted to the power of the Norwegian king in 1262/4. Dr Louisa Taylor is a Lecturer in Medieval History at Aberystwyth University. Dr Taylor specialises in the study of high medieval elite culture in the British Isles, Scandinavia and Iceland using comparative approaches.

How to book: Zoom link will be sent by email and be available on our website

Price: Free for members and students, £4 for guests

Tel: 01242 574889

Email: histassocglos@gmail.com

Website: https://www.haglos.co.uk

Organiser: Andrea Robertson

Lecturer: Dr Louisa Taylor, University of Aberystwyth

Region: West Midlands

Branch: Gloucestershire