Hegranes Assembly Site (Hegranesþingstaður)
Hegranes Assembly Site (Hegranesþingstaður)
The site for the Skagafjordur regional þing, or local assembly from 930 to 1262, was on the east side of Hegranes. Remains from these times are still visible in the landscape and include walls, a possible burial ground, and outlines of possible buildings.
The best-known accounts of these ancient assemblies are found in some of the sagas when Grettir the Strong came from his hideout on the Isle of Drangey out in the fjord and wrestled with others attending the assembly.
Because he had been outlawed, he came to the assembly in disguise and received a promise that he would not be harmed, so that he was allowed to leave again in peace, despite having since been recognized. Another event we know of was in 1305 when the people of Skagafjorður ganged up on an emissary of the Norwegian king to protest against the new taxes he was proclaiming.