National History Museum by Carla Rodríguez

                                                     National History Museum

• Luxury Goods

They were imported, mainly, from mainland Europe. The work of Islandic craftsmanship often reflects foreign influences.

• Bishop's Vestments

Bishop Jón Arason presented Hólar Cathedral with a set of bishop's vestments and an altarpiece which may still be seen above the altar in the cathedral.

• Changes in Farming Practices

Cultivation of cereal and production of bog iron were almost abandoned in the latter Middle Ages, because these came to be imported. The Icelanders had been self sufficient almost in everything, but in this period of time, they began to import items from abroad.

• Handcrafts

This was practiced on all farms. It was necessary for each home to be self-sufficient. Many craftsmen also made and sold items. Some were of all kind, while others specialized in  carpentry or metalwork.

• Foreign trade

The king of Norway and Iceland, thought it was his right to control trade with his dominions. He tried to confine trade with Iceland to the town of Bergen, which was the centre of the Norwegian fish trade. The king gave the merchants of Bergen a licence to trade with the Icelanders, in return he demanded one quarter of the space in the ships’ hold.

• The Old Covenant

In the mid-13th century, the Icelanders became subjects of the King of Norway, in the hope that he would end the internal battles that plagued them. Which marked the end of its independence. 

• Christ the King.

The figure is carved in birchwood in the Romanesque style. It was originally painted. The crucifix hung in the church at Ufsir. It is believed to be made in Iceland.

• Adoption of Christianity

In the 11th century, the King of Norway, started pressuring the Icelanders to adopt the Christianity, which they did at a session of the parliament, but retained the right to continue pagan practices in private.

• Jewellery and Ornaments

Most of the earliest jewellery is ornaments similarly to that from Viking Age Scandinavia. The most frequent finds are women’s brooches, which were used to fasten the overtunics at the shoulders.

• Woolworking

Sheep’s wool was used for all garments. During the winter the wool was worked, which was an important export in medieval times. Pierced stones, loom weights, were used to pull the vertical threads taut on the loom.