Skald - Notable Skalds

Notable Skalds

More than 300 skalds are known from the period between AD 800 and 1200. Many are listed in the Skáldatal, not all of whom are known from extant material. Notable names include:

• Bragi Boddason "the Old" (early 9th century), author of Ragnarsdrápa
• Þorbjörn hornklofi (9th century)
• Þjóðólfr of Hvinir (fl. c. 900), author of Haustlöng and Ynglingatal
• Eyvindr Finnsson (10th century), known also as Eyvindr skáldaspillir, or Eyvindr the Plagiarist, the author of Hákonarmál and Háleygjatal
• Egill Skallagrímsson (10th century), author of Sonatorrek, Höfuðlausn and Arinbjarnarkviða
• Kormákr Ögmundarson (mid-10th century), the main character of Kormáks saga
• Eilífr Goðrúnarson (late 10th century), author of Þórsdrápa
• Þórvaldr Hjaltason (later 10th century), a skald of king Eric the Victorious
• Hallfreðr Óttarsson (late 10th century, court poet of King Óláfr Tryggvason
• Einarr Helgason "Skálaglamm" (late 10th century), "of the gleaming coins" - author of Vellekla
• Úlfr Uggason (late 10th century), author of the Húsdrápa
• Tindr Hallkelsson (fl. c. 1000), one of Hákon Sigurðarson's court poets
• Gunnlaugr Illugason (10/11th century), nicknamed Ormstunga "Worm-tongue" on account of his propensity for satire and invective
• Sigvatr Þórðarson (earlier 11th century)
• Þórarinn loftunga (earlier 11th century)
• Óttarr svarti (earlier 11th century), a skald at the court of king Olof Skötkonung and Olaf the Stout
• King Haraldr Harðráði (mid-11th century)
• Arnórr Þórðarson (mid-11th century), Jarlaskald "the Earls' Skald"
• Einarr Skúlason (12th century)), author of Geisli
• Snorri Sturluson (12/13th century)
• Þórir Jökull Steinfinnsson (13th century)