Iceland’s history is full of twists—settled by daring Norse explorers in the 9th century, it ran itself as an independent republic for centuries before falling under Norwegian, then Danish rule. In the 19th century its independence movement began. Through it all, Icelanders held on to their language, laws, and stories—providing me with the perfect backdrop to introduce you to huldufólk, trolls, and other Icelandic creatures.

874–930 – Settlement period

Iceland is settled by Norse chieftains; no central ruler – authority is local, through clans and chieftains

930–1262/1264 – Commonwealth (Þingvellir)

No king; governed by the Alþingi, an assembly of chieftains

1262–1380 – Under the Norwegian Crown

Icelanders pledge allegiance to King Haakon IV of Norway
Norwegian kings rule through appointed officials

1397–1814 – Danish Rule (via the Kalmar Union and later Denmark)

1397: Norway enters Kalmar Union (Kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden); Iceland, under Norway, comes under Danish control as Queen Margaret I of Denmark consolidates power and places her grand-nephew Eric of Pomerania on the throne, effectively bringing Norway—and by extension Iceland—into a unified Scandinavian realm1660: Denmark becomes an absolute monarchy; Iceland governed as a Danish territory1800: The Aþing is abolished

1814–1918 – Denmark after the Treaty of Kiel (factors that lead to the alt-history timeline of ICY BETRAYALS)

Denmark (on the losing side of the Napoleonic Wars) cedes Norway to Sweden; Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands remain under Danish controlNorway resists and invades Sweden, but the short-lived independence movement ends with a treaty allowing Norway to keep its constitution while accepting the Swedish kingStarting in the 1830s, Icelanders begin to demand autonomy led by Jón Sigurðsson who campaigned for Icelandic self-governance, home rule, and legal reforms
1843: Denmark allows Iceland to elect representatives to a re-established Althing, giving Iceland a limited legislative role1874: Iceland granted limited home rule under Christian IX, but still under Danish monarchy

1918–1944 – Kingdom of Iceland

Sovereign kingdom in personal union with Denmark: King Christian X of Denmark as monarch
Iceland controls domestic affairs; Denmark handles foreign policy

1944–Present – Republic of Iceland

17 June 1944: Iceland becomes a republic A Timeline of Icelandic Rule: From Settlement to Republic