{{Short description|Medieval Icelandic clan}} The '''Oddaverjar''' (Old Norse: {{IPA|non|ˈodːɑˌwerjɑz̠|}}; Modern Icelandic: {{IPA|is|ˈɔtːaˌvɛrjar̥|}}) were a powerful family clan in the medieval Icelandic Commonwealth. They were based in Oddi at {{ill|Rangárvellir|is}} in South Iceland.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Kristján Már Unnarsson |title=Oddaverjar virðast hafa grafið gríðarstóra hella fyrir bústofninn |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20212139040d/oddaverjar-virdast-hafa-grafid-gridarstora-hella-fyrir-bustofninn |access-date=2 August 2021 |work=Vísir.is |date=2 August 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Sigurður Jónsson |title=Oddi á Rangárvöllum |url=https://timarit.is/page/4776109 |access-date=2 August 2021 |work=Syrpa |date=1 March 1920 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> Their ascendancy was during the second half of the 12th century, but their power subsequently waned. They play only a minor role in the Icelandic civil war during the Age of the Sturlungs. Only after the signing of the ''Gamli sáttmáli'' ("Old Covenant") did they oppose the influence of Gissur Þorvaldsson, Earl of Iceland.

The Oddverjar traced their roots to the first Icelandic settlers. The first known Oddaverji was ''Sæmundur Sigfússon fróði'' ("Sæmundur The Knowledgeable"), an early 12th century scholar.

== See also ==

* Oddaverjaannáll

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== * Árni Daníel Júlíusson, Jón Ólafur Ísberg, Helgi Skúli Kjartansson ''Íslenskur sögu atlas: 1. bindi: Frá öndverðu til 18. aldar'' Almenna bókafélagið, Reykjavík 1989

{{Age of the Sturlungs}}

Category:Icelandic family clans

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