Acknowledgments Spelling and Pronunciation 1. Introduction Approach and Organization 2. Historical and Legal Sources 3· The Family and Sturlunga Sagas The Sturlunga Compilation The Family Sagas Conclusions 4· Evolution of a New Society The Effect of Emigrating from Europe The Settlement of the Land and the Establishment of Order Change and Continuity 5· Sources of the Chieftains' Wealth Background Information Sources of Income Available Only to Chieftains Sources of Income Available to All Freemen Summary 6. Consensual Governance The Flexibility of the Gooi-Thingman Relationship Advocacy, Vinfengi, and Kinship Summary 7· Integration of the Church The Conversion The Developing Church The Church and Secular Authority Bishops and Priests 8. Farmers under Duress: A Lucrative Source of Wealth Acquisition of Property in the Family Sagas Inheritance Claims in Sturlunga Saga 9· Limitations on a Chieftain's Ambitions Arnkell' s Quest for Wealth and Power 10. Vinfengi: A Mechanism of Power Summary 11. Conclusion Sources of Epigraphs Abbreviations Bibliography Index Maps 1. The North Atlantic world of the medieval Icelanders 2.

Quarter boundaries and assembly sites during the Free State period (ca. 930-1264) }a. Eyjafjoror (ca. 1190), showing locations of chieftains and their thingmen as mentioned in The Saga of Guomundr Dyri }b. Eyjafjoror (ca. 1190), showing ties of allegiance between four chieftains and their thingmen as mentioned in The Saga of Guomundr Dyri 4· Bishoprics and monasteries 5· Snrefellsnes 6. Landownership in Alptafjoror 7· Land claims in Alptafjoror immediately before Arnkell' s death 8. The arena of conflict in the contest between Geitir and Brodd-Helgi from Vapnfiroinga saga.