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Saemund the Wise
Saemund Sigfusson (Sigfusson The Learned, 1056-1133)

Profile
Sigfusson was a minister, scholar and poet best known for his transposition of oral recitations based around Scandinavian folklore. At an early age, Saemund was exceptionally charismatic. Described by his elders as “very wise and the most learned of all”, Saemund would eventually mature as one of the founders of Icelandic literature. Due to his early origins, and the time periods lack of general documentation, details about Saemund’s life are incomplete. He is known to have been a part of the Oddaverjar clan, as well as having a son by the name of Loftur Saemundsson. A considerable amount of what we know today regarding Saemund is continued documentation of his life through his children and their ancestry. However, much of his work and studying is shown by chronicles of the 16th century to be completed travelling through Europe, particularly in the Germanic regions.

Literary Pieces by Sigfusson
Most notably attributed to Sigfusson’s legacy is his work on the history of Norwegian Kings. Written in what most likely was Latin, these documentations revealed Saemund’s close connection with the royal house of Norway. These pieces most likely elaborate on the life and death of a long line of Norwegian Kings that today are completely unknown. Unfortunately, nearly all of Saemund’s personal works of literature have been lost. Their relevance and existence is most notably understood due to their use in later publications, particularly those by Snorri Sturluson, a decended from Saemund’s lineage. (Noregs konungatal, summarization of Saemund’s poems). Until about 1643, an epic collection of poetic literature was anonymous to scholars. The Elder Edda, or Poetic Edda, was an assortment of Icelandic texts that found itself in the possession of a man known as Brynjulf Sveinsson. Unsure of the pieces origin, he gave it the title of Edda Saemund mltiscii. Saemund was eventually credited with the creation of these poems. However, much speculation exists between scholars today about Saemund’s actual contribution to the Poetic Edda, and the sole creation of the work is no longer accredited to Saemund.

Today, Saemund the Wise is still a giant in Icelandic Folklore.