Decline and Fall
In the early 13th century, the Sturlung era, the Commonwealth began to suffer from chaos and division resulting from internal disputes. Originally, the goðar functioned more as a contractual relationship than a fixed geographic chieftaincy. However by 1220 this form of communal leadership was replaced by dominant regional individuals who battled with one another for more control. The King of Norway began to exert pressure on his Icelandic vassals to bring the country under his rule. A combination of discontent with domestic hostilities and pressure from the King of Norway led the Icelandic chieftains to accept Norway's Haakon IV as king by the signing of the Gamli sáttmáli ("Old Covenant") in 1262. This effectively brought the Icelandic Commonwealth to an end.
Read more about this topic: Icelandic Commonwealth
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