Tenants farmers and social conflict in H?nsa-Þóris saga

BARREIRO, SANTIAGO

Reykjavík

Conferencia; The Seventeenth International Saga Conference; 2018

Háskóli Íslands

The aim of this paper is to analyse the actions of a subaltern group in Hænsa-Þóris saga. This short saga, usually dated to the last quarter of the thirteenth century, focuses on the conflict between a wealthy, respected farmer and an arrogant, upstart merchant. My hypothesis is that the saga reveals tenants as an unusually independent group which is able to successfully negotiate and press their landlord (here represented by the rich bóndi, Blund-Ketill) into acting in their benefit without enduring any of the costs derived from kindling the conflict between the farmer and the titular character of the saga.