skáld

skáld is the Icelandic word for poet and is used to denote a person who composes poetry. In modern Icelandic, it is a general term for poets of all periods, from ancient to contemporary. The word derives from Old Norse skáld, a designation for a professional poet who might serve at a royal or noble court and compose verses to praise a patron or commemorate events.

Skaldic poetry, the body of verse associated with skáld, is known for its elaborate kennings, clever wordplay, and strict metrical forms such as dróttkvætt. This style flourished in the Viking Age and the medieval period. Much of what is known about early Norse history comes from skaldic poems preserved in sagas and the medieval compilation Skáldatal, which lists poets who served at various courts.

Notable skáld from the Norse and Icelandic tradition include Egill Skallagrímsson and Snorri Sturluson, whose works and biographies are preserved in sagas and later histories. In Iceland today, the term remains common and neutral, applied to poets across genres. Icelandic poetry continues to be a significant part of the country's literary culture, with contemporary skáld contributing to both Icelandic and international literary communities.