Íslendinga saga, written by Sturla þórðarson (1214-1284) and preserved as a part of the Sturlunga saga compilation, is at the centre of this new study of ethics and action in thirteenth-century Iceland. Sturla's close, restrained analysis of historical action, drawn from contemporary report and eye-witness accounts provides exciting material for a study that focusses on motivation and conscience in individuals. This book shows  the evidence Íslendinga saga can provide us with a yardstick by which the moral behaviour in the sagas of Icelanders can be measured; the sagas are compared to Íslendinga saga in matters of kinship, sexual conduct, motivation and personal conscience. The prime concern of the book, however, is to bring to light the distinct and uncompromising evidence of Sturla þórðarson's unique representation of Icelandic thirte­enth-century society and underline the saga's relevance to the study of other medieval Icelandic texts.

The Viking Collection was founded by the late Gerd Wolfgang Weber and Preben Meulengracht Sørensen to provide students and scholars in the field of Scandinavian studies, especially Old Norse and other Medieval areas, with a library of books on central topics of Northern civilization. It was -- and is -- the editors' hope that this selection of studies will appeal also to the general reader with an interest in the Scandinavian past. The Viking Collection contains mainly original works, but a few translations are also included. English is the language of the series. Vol. 1-12 were edited by the founding editors. From vol. 13 the series is edited by Preben Meulengracht Sørensen and Margaret Clunies Ross.

Potential contributors may look at to read the guideline directions for manuscripts.