An Icelandic Timeline (874-1970) Quiz

Answer: 874

According to the story Ingolfur Arnarson threw two carved pillars overboard as he got closer to land, vowing to settle where ever the pillars landed. He then sailed along the coast until he saw the pillars in the southwestern peninsula. He then settled with his family around 874 in Iceland. The place he settled was named Reykjavik.

Answer: 1000

The settlers of Iceland were predominantly pagans and worshiped, among others, Din, Thor and Fryja, but in the 10th century political pressure from Europe to convert to Christianity became increasingly strong. As civil war between religious groups became more and more likely Iceland appointed Porgeirr Ljosvetningagooi to decide the matter.

Answer: 1380

Iceland came under Danish rule when the Royal House of Norway died out. Iceland and Norway came to be ruled by the Danish Crown. Unlike with Norway, Denmark did not need Iceland's fish and homespun wool. This created a dramatic loss in Iceland's trade.

Answer: 1904

In 1904 Denmark granted Iceland autonomy, following a revision of the constitution inn 1903. Iceland gained full independence from Denmark in 1944.

Answer: True

Hekla is a stratovolcano, located in southern Iceland. Hekla is 1,488 meters high.

Answer: 1402

The bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, in which it can affect your heart. It is usually resulting from the bite of a flea. The bacteria would rapidly spread to the lymph nodes and multiply. The bubonic plague wiped out a quarter of the Icelandic population.

Answer: 930

The Althing was the national Parliament of Iceland. It was abolished in 1800. It was then again put in to power in 1844.

Answer: True

Jon Aarson was born in 1484 and died in 1550. Jon Aarson was a bishop who did not want the people of Iceland to convert to Lutheranism. Jon Aarson was the last Roman Catholic bishop in Iceland. Jon and his sons were beheaded in Skalholt.

Answer: 1241

Snorri Sturluson was born in 1178 and he died in 1241. He was an Icelandic historian, poet and politician.

Answer: 1970

The European Free Trade Association is a trade bloc that was founded on May 3, 1960. The Stockholm convention was where the European Free Trade Association was founded.