landnámsbók

Landnámsbók, often translated as The Book of Settlements, is a medieval Icelandic text detailing the settlement of Iceland by Norsemen and other peoples during the late 9th and early 10th centuries. It is a foundational document for understanding early Icelandic history and genealogy. The manuscript is preserved in the Arnamagnæan Institute in Copenhagen.

The primary purpose of Landnámsbók was to record the names of the initial settlers (landnámsmenn), their origins, the lands they claimed and settled, and often their lineage and significant descendants. It also includes information about the establishment of early political structures, such as the Althing, and important events that occurred during the settlement period. The text provides a valuable, albeit often stylized, account of the social and geographical landscape of early Iceland.

While considered a historical source, it's important to note that Landnámsbók was compiled centuries after the events it describes, primarily in the 13th century. Therefore, it contains elements of legendary embellishment and may not always reflect precise historical accuracy. Nevertheless, it remains an indispensable primary source for historians and scholars studying the Viking Age and the formation of Icelandic society. Its detailed genealogies and descriptions of land appropriation have been crucial for reconstructing the settlement patterns and social hierarchies of the era.