Árni Þorláksson

Árni Þorláksson (* 1237, † April 17, 1298 in Bergen ) was from 1269 to 1298 Icelandic bishop in Skálholt.

He came from one of the most powerful families in the country. His parents were Thorlákur Guðmundsson Gris and Halldóra Ormsdóttir. He was versippt about his grandfather Guðmundur Gris with the powerful clans of Svínfellinga, the chiefs of Haukadal, Hítadal and Skarðverja. About his mother counted Sæmundur Fróði to his ancestors.

He participated in the revision of the law according to the Icelandic Islands connection to Norway in 1262nd He wrote with Archbishop Jon Raude a new Christian law, which was adopted by the Althing in 1275. During his tenure, the adoption of the 1281 Jónsbók falls.

He fought for the observance of celibacy of priests, and against the right of patronage, where he was based on the newly introduced Christian right. He claimed that no layman could have a church or church property, and fell so in a long and bitter battle with the mighty Icelandic church owners, especially with the chief Rafn Oddson that have stood in the tradition of the proprietary church system. In this concern, he did not even leaned King Erik Magnusson, whom he assisted in secular areas thoroughly. It came into conflict with Lodin Lepp, the envoy of the king. Bishop Arne was therefore at the court of King Erik frowned. But outside of Norway as he had been in such high regard that even King Erik of Denmark Menved asked him to King Erik of Norway to move to set his army trips to Denmark. The dispute over church property was settled in 1297 by comparing Øgvaldsnes (now Avaldsnes ) between King Erik and Bishop Árni.

His life is depicted in Árni saga biskups, a biography that was written immediately after his death in Skálholt. She describes his life and work until 1291, where it breaks off suddenly. It is believed that it was written by his nephew, Bishop Árni Helgason ( bishop 1304-1320 ). In any case, the author used the episcopal archive and had has detailed knowledge of his actions, as can be seen from the many letters quoted. It is the main source for his life.