On this date in 1246, Brandur Kolbeinsson suffered a summary beheading.
The chieftain of Iceland’s powerful Ásbirningar clan — it was powerful until April 19, 1246 — Brandur lost a pivotal battle during Iceland’s decades-long era of civil strife in the 13th century, the Age of the Sturlungs.
The victor, Thordr Kakali Sighvatsson, wisely offered leniency to his vanquished foes inducing many to swear oaths that helped Thoror cement his hold on the north of Iceland. But two chiefs are too many, and when Brandur was overtaken fleeing the battlefield, he was beheaded summarily. A crucifix erected in the 21st century now marks the spot.
On this day..
- 1418: The hostages of the Armagnac siege of Senlis
- 1800: William M'Ilnea, true to the cause
- 1374: Tile von Damm, Braunschweig mayor
- 1012: St. Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury
- 1779: James Hackman, sandwich wrecker
- 1791: Emanuel the runaway slave
- 1928: Charles Birger, bootlegger
- 1662: John Barkstead, Miles Corbet, and John Okey, renditioned regicides
- 1996: John Martin Scripps, British serial killer
- 1314: Tour de Nesle Affair adulterers
- 1945: Gen. Charles Delestraint
- 1995: Richard Snell - did he go out with a bang?