Welcome to Stuff You Missed in History Class, a production of iHeartRadio.

Welcome to Stuff You Missed in History Class, a production of iHeartRadio.

Hello and welcome to the podcast. I'm Tracy V. Wilson and I'm Holly Frye. While we were in Iceland, we had this amazing local guide named Gwillion who went by God and God was full of knowledge about Icelandic history. And the trip also involved a lot of bus rides, so those bus rides were full of God telling us all about the history of where we were going. I don't actually remember whether we were on the bus or at one of the places that we visited, but one of the people that he told us about was Joan Arrison, who was the last Catholic bishop in Iceland before it became a Lutheran country. This story had a lot of gory details, including a pretty ruesome beheadings, so of course I was like, that's going on the list. There's a lot of writing about Joan Arson in Icelandic there's way less writing about him in English. So if you're from Iceland, you might know more about him than we do, and you will probably, or I will say, certainly say all the names in this episode better than we will.

Hello and welcome to the podcast. I'm Tracy V. Wilson and I'm Holly Frye. While we were in Iceland, we had this amazing local guide named Gwillion who went by God and God was full of knowledge about Icelandic history. And the trip also involved a lot of bus rides, so those bus rides were full of God telling us all about the history of where we were going. I don't actually remember whether we were on the bus or at one of the places that we visited, but one of the people that he told us about was Joan Arrison, who was the last Catholic bishop in Iceland before it became a Lutheran country. This story had a lot of gory details, including a pretty ruesome beheadings, so of course I was like, that's going on the list. There's a lot of writing about Joan Arson in Icelandic there's way less writing about him in English. So if you're from Iceland, you might know more about him than we do, and you will probably, or I will say, certainly say all the names in this episode better than we will.

Do one hundred percent. As a quick bit of background. The Norse settled Iceland in the ninth century, and around the year nine thirty a national parliament was established, known as the All Thing. A Thing was essentially an assembly or council, and smaller things were held across Iceland. The All Thing was the one that brought the whole island together every summer as both a legislative and judicial body. Chieftains and other representatives would discuss and pass laws, and judges would hear cases that hadn't been handled through one of the smaller things. The All Things still exists today, although it meets at a parliament building in Reykivic rather than at the Assembly Fields or Thingvilier, which is where it met historically.

Do one hundred percent. As a quick bit of background. The Norse settled Iceland in the ninth century, and around the year nine thirty a national parliament was established, known as the All Thing. A Thing was essentially an assembly or council, and smaller things were held across Iceland. The All Thing was the one that brought the whole island together every summer as both a legislative and judicial body. Chieftains and other representatives would discuss and pass laws, and judges would hear cases that hadn't been handled through one of the smaller things. The All Things still exists today, although it meets at a parliament building in Reykivic rather than at the Assembly Fields or Thingvilier, which is where it met historically.

Yeah, there's It's often described as the oldest parliament in the world. There's various debate about whether that's correct or not.

Yeah, there's It's often described as the oldest parliament in the world. There's various debate about whether that's correct or not.

But and it has great acoustics.

But and it has great acoustics.

Yes, Overwhelmingly. These first Norse settlers were polytheistic. The spread of Christianity starting in the tenth century led to strife and sometimes violence, which was also happening in other parts of the Norse world. King Olaf Triggvisen christianized Norway by force after coming to power there in the year nine to ninety five. Been other people who had tried to do that, but Olaf is the person that's usually pointed at as successful. He also sent missionaries to other Nordic countries, including Iceland. In the face of all of this, the question of whether Iceland should become Christian came before the Alting.

Yes, Overwhelmingly. These first Norse settlers were polytheistic. The spread of Christianity starting in the tenth century led to strife and sometimes violence, which was also happening in other parts of the Norse world. King Olaf Triggvisen christianized Norway by force after coming to power there in the year nine to ninety five. Been other people who had tried to do that, but Olaf is the person that's usually pointed at as successful. He also sent missionaries to other Nordic countries, including Iceland. In the face of all of this, the question of whether Iceland should become Christian came before the Alting.

The Alting decided that Iceland would become a Christian nation around the year one thousand. The Diocese of Skalholdt was established in ten fifty six, about eighty kilometers or fifty miles east of Reykiavik. The Diocese of Holar was established in eleven oh six, near the northern coast of the island, essentially on the opposite side of Iceland from Vick. The Diocese of Skalholdt covered about two thirds of the country, while the Diocese of Holar covered the other third.

The Alting decided that Iceland would become a Christian nation around the year one thousand. The Diocese of Skalholdt was established in ten fifty six, about eighty kilometers or fifty miles east of Reykiavik. The Diocese of Holar was established in eleven oh six, near the northern coast of the island, essentially on the opposite side of Iceland from Vick. The Diocese of Skalholdt covered about two thirds of the country, while the Diocese of Holar covered the other third.

Most sources say that Joan Arisen was born in northern Iceland in fourteen eighty four, but some sources argue that it was really a decade earlier than that in fourteen seventy four. There's not much detail known about his early life. Sometimes this family is described as poor and other times of reasonable means. After his father died, possibly during the course of Yoon's education, he took care of his mother.

Most sources say that Joan Arisen was born in northern Iceland in fourteen eighty four, but some sources argue that it was really a decade earlier than that in fourteen seventy four. There's not much detail known about his early life. Sometimes this family is described as poor and other times of reasonable means. After his father died, possibly during the course of Yoon's education, he took care of his mother.

Yoon was ordained in about fifteen oh seven. At the age of about twenty three, he started living with a woman named Helga Sigordo Darter in what was basically a civil union or a common law marriage. For the most part, Catholic clergy in Iceland weren't observing a tradition of celibacy at this point. Yohon's father had also been the son of a monastic prior. Yon and Helga had nine children together, six of whom lived until adulthood. The Bishop of Holar at this time was Gottzog Nikolissen, who seems to have put a lot of trust in Yoon. Gotskalk sent him on missions to Norway at least twice, once to get some timber for the church and once to deliver gold that was going to be made into a chalice. In fifteen nineteen.

Yoon was ordained in about fifteen oh seven. At the age of about twenty three, he started living with a woman named Helga Sigordo Darter in what was basically a civil union or a common law marriage. For the most part, Catholic clergy in Iceland weren't observing a tradition of celibacy at this point. Yohon's father had also been the son of a monastic prior. Yon and Helga had nine children together, six of whom lived until adulthood. The Bishop of Holar at this time was Gottzog Nikolissen, who seems to have put a lot of trust in Yoon. Gotskalk sent him on missions to Norway at least twice, once to get some timber for the church and once to deliver gold that was going to be made into a chalice. In fifteen nineteen.

Goskok also absolved Yon of any sin that was associated with his relationship with Helga. Although both clergy and lay people and i Iceland generally seemed to have thought it was fine for priests to have common law partners. That was not as true for bishops, so this absolution was probably because Gottskulk was planning for Yoon to be his successor. Bishop Gotzkalk died the following year in fifteen twenty, when Joan was about thirty six. This circles back around to the questions about his birth year. His rise through the leadership of the diocese is seen as very fast if he was really ordained around fifteen oh seven, when he was about twenty three, but it wouldn't have been so unusual if he was really in his mid forties when Gotzkulk died. Regardless, in addition to taking on increasing power and responsibility within the church, Yon had become prosperous and prominent in Northern Iceland, much like a powerful chieftain. When a group of clerics meant to choose an interim leader for the Sea, they chose Yoon almost unanimously. Jon did still have some detractors, though, and a different group of clergymen also met and put forth a different candidate of their own, named Pyotr Paulsen. It seems like they intended for Jon and Pyotr to have sort of equal power and responsibility. But Pyotr gave up this role by the following April, and that left Yon in charge.

Goskok also absolved Yon of any sin that was associated with his relationship with Helga. Although both clergy and lay people and i Iceland generally seemed to have thought it was fine for priests to have common law partners. That was not as true for bishops, so this absolution was probably because Gottskulk was planning for Yoon to be his successor. Bishop Gotzkalk died the following year in fifteen twenty, when Joan was about thirty six. This circles back around to the questions about his birth year. His rise through the leadership of the diocese is seen as very fast if he was really ordained around fifteen oh seven, when he was about twenty three, but it wouldn't have been so unusual if he was really in his mid forties when Gotzkulk died. Regardless, in addition to taking on increasing power and responsibility within the church, Yon had become prosperous and prominent in Northern Iceland, much like a powerful chieftain. When a group of clerics meant to choose an interim leader for the Sea, they chose Yoon almost unanimously. Jon did still have some detractors, though, and a different group of clergymen also met and put forth a different candidate of their own, named Pyotr Paulsen. It seems like they intended for Jon and Pyotr to have sort of equal power and responsibility. But Pyotr gave up this role by the following April, and that left Yon in charge.

Lar also wasn't the only place where Yon had enemies. Vander Paulsen, bishop of the Southern Diocese in Skuholt, had been in Norway being consecrated when Bishop Goldskulk died. Norway had taken control of Iceland in the thirteenth century, and the Icelandic Diocese reported to the Archdiocese of Nideros, which is now Trondheim. Nideros had been the capital of Norway, and although the capital had been moved to Oslo, Nidios was still Norway's religious center. The Archbishop of Nideros had made Ownder interim bishop of Holar until in new bishop could be elected. Omander seems to have really, really, really hated Yon. If Yon really was only in his mid thirties, this might have been related to his age. Was probably also connected to how powerful Yoon had become in northern Iceland. He had a reputation for being really ambitious and assertive, and it's possible that Omander thought this would sort of tip the balance of power between the two dioceses. Regardless of the exact reasoning, Omanders started trying to remove Yoan from power. He wrote to Pope Clement the seventh about it, and he also tried to put George Paulsen back in charge of the Sea. The Northern clergy refused to recognize this, and on August eighteenth, fifteen twenty two, they elected Yon to be the next bishop. They wrote to the Archdiocese of Neteros to both name Jon as their choice for bishop and to complain about Omander's behavior. Almander tried to stop Yoon from going to Norway to be consecrated, so Yon made arrangements to travel there aboard a German merchant ship. Almander tried to take the matter to court before writing North with a group of men, possibly as many as three hundred, to physically stop Yoan from leaving. Almander also sent word to the German merchants that they would be attacked if they left Iceland with Yon aboard. Yon sent a priest named Magnus back to Holar with a copy of a letter that he had written to the Archbishop of Nideros, outlining everything that had happened and saying that Omander should go to Nideros to answer for his actions. In what seems like a pretty astute move, Magnus read them this letter through a window where they could not reach him.

Lar also wasn't the only place where Yon had enemies. Vander Paulsen, bishop of the Southern Diocese in Skuholt, had been in Norway being consecrated when Bishop Goldskulk died. Norway had taken control of Iceland in the thirteenth century, and the Icelandic Diocese reported to the Archdiocese of Nideros, which is now Trondheim. Nideros had been the capital of Norway, and although the capital had been moved to Oslo, Nidios was still Norway's religious center. The Archbishop of Nideros had made Ownder interim bishop of Holar until in new bishop could be elected. Omander seems to have really, really, really hated Yon. If Yon really was only in his mid thirties, this might have been related to his age. Was probably also connected to how powerful Yoon had become in northern Iceland. He had a reputation for being really ambitious and assertive, and it's possible that Omander thought this would sort of tip the balance of power between the two dioceses. Regardless of the exact reasoning, Omanders started trying to remove Yoan from power. He wrote to Pope Clement the seventh about it, and he also tried to put George Paulsen back in charge of the Sea. The Northern clergy refused to recognize this, and on August eighteenth, fifteen twenty two, they elected Yon to be the next bishop. They wrote to the Archdiocese of Neteros to both name Jon as their choice for bishop and to complain about Omander's behavior. Almander tried to stop Yoon from going to Norway to be consecrated, so Yon made arrangements to travel there aboard a German merchant ship. Almander tried to take the matter to court before writing North with a group of men, possibly as many as three hundred, to physically stop Yoan from leaving. Almander also sent word to the German merchants that they would be attacked if they left Iceland with Yon aboard. Yon sent a priest named Magnus back to Holar with a copy of a letter that he had written to the Archbishop of Nideros, outlining everything that had happened and saying that Omander should go to Nideros to answer for his actions. In what seems like a pretty astute move, Magnus read them this letter through a window where they could not reach him.

Although the German merchants initially had to turn back because of some bad weather, Yon did ultimately make it to Norway with them. Omander was probably hoping the king, King Christian the Second, and the Archbishop of Nideros would refuse to recognize Yon as bishop. Omander already had relationship with both of those men because of the time he had spent in Norway for his own consecration. But Christian the Second was forced off the throne after a revolt in early fifteen twenty three, and the archbishop who had consecrated Omander had died. By the time John arrived, there were different people in charge. The king was now Frederick the First, who Joon developed a friendly relationship with, and the new Archbishop of Nidos, olaf Ingelbertson, cleared Yoon of all the charges against him on August ninth of fifteen twenty four and formally consecrated him as Bishop of Holar. There is a possibly apocryphal story about Joan's coronation, which is at toward the end of the ceremony, his miter fell off. That's the ceremonyeal headpiece worn by bishops. As a couple of page boys raced to pick it up, he said something along the lines of that's how my episcopal career will end. We'll have some more after a sponsor break. When Yon Arrison returned to Iceland in fifteen twenty five, he became one of the country's wealthiest and most powerful men. He was the bishop of one of the country's two dioceses, and the church was deeply interconnected with every level of Iceland's social fabric. He also had control of more than one hundred farms that had been left to the church by a wealthy landowner. But he continued to be at odds with Umander and the Diocese of Skowhold for at least the next couple of years. This came to a head, with both jon and Omander showing up at the fifteen twenty seven an Allthing with more than a thousand men a piece. There may have even been a duel between their champions at the All Thing that year. Eventually, though, these two men started to tolerate each other. It seems like eventually they were like that guy's not going anywhere he's been formally consecrated. I just gotta live with it. There's not a lot of documentation about Yoan's first years as a bishop, beyond that he did introduce the printing press to Iceland, probably around the year fifteen thirty five. Iceland's first printer was a Swedish priest named Joan Matthiason. Some documents from this press still survive today, and it is possible that Yoan authorized a translation and printing of an Icelandic Bible, but if that is true, no copies of that Bible survive. He also wrote poetry, most of it religious or devotional. Some sources describe him as the greatest poet of his generation, and he worked on a advancing his son's careers, playing a big enough role in their upward mobility that some sources describe it as nepotism. He also arranged marriages for his daughters to wealthy men. These same years were tumultuous elsewhere in the Norse world. In fifteen thirty three, King Frederic the First died. This led to a war of succession in Denmark known as the Count's War or the Count's Feud. On one side, was Christian the second that was the one who had been deposed back in fifteen twenty three, and then on the other side was Frederick's only son, Christian, who was the ultimate victor and became King Christian the third.

Although the German merchants initially had to turn back because of some bad weather, Yon did ultimately make it to Norway with them. Omander was probably hoping the king, King Christian the Second, and the Archbishop of Nideros would refuse to recognize Yon as bishop. Omander already had relationship with both of those men because of the time he had spent in Norway for his own consecration. But Christian the Second was forced off the throne after a revolt in early fifteen twenty three, and the archbishop who had consecrated Omander had died. By the time John arrived, there were different people in charge. The king was now Frederick the First, who Joon developed a friendly relationship with, and the new Archbishop of Nidos, olaf Ingelbertson, cleared Yoon of all the charges against him on August ninth of fifteen twenty four and formally consecrated him as Bishop of Holar. There is a possibly apocryphal story about Joan's coronation, which is at toward the end of the ceremony, his miter fell off. That's the ceremonyeal headpiece worn by bishops. As a couple of page boys raced to pick it up, he said something along the lines of that's how my episcopal career will end. We'll have some more after a sponsor break. When Yon Arrison returned to Iceland in fifteen twenty five, he became one of the country's wealthiest and most powerful men. He was the bishop of one of the country's two dioceses, and the church was deeply interconnected with every level of Iceland's social fabric. He also had control of more than one hundred farms that had been left to the church by a wealthy landowner. But he continued to be at odds with Umander and the Diocese of Skowhold for at least the next couple of years. This came to a head, with both jon and Omander showing up at the fifteen twenty seven an Allthing with more than a thousand men a piece. There may have even been a duel between their champions at the All Thing that year. Eventually, though, these two men started to tolerate each other. It seems like eventually they were like that guy's not going anywhere he's been formally consecrated. I just gotta live with it. There's not a lot of documentation about Yoan's first years as a bishop, beyond that he did introduce the printing press to Iceland, probably around the year fifteen thirty five. Iceland's first printer was a Swedish priest named Joan Matthiason. Some documents from this press still survive today, and it is possible that Yoan authorized a translation and printing of an Icelandic Bible, but if that is true, no copies of that Bible survive. He also wrote poetry, most of it religious or devotional. Some sources describe him as the greatest poet of his generation, and he worked on a advancing his son's careers, playing a big enough role in their upward mobility that some sources describe it as nepotism. He also arranged marriages for his daughters to wealthy men. These same years were tumultuous elsewhere in the Norse world. In fifteen thirty three, King Frederic the First died. This led to a war of succession in Denmark known as the Count's War or the Count's Feud. On one side, was Christian the second that was the one who had been deposed back in fifteen twenty three, and then on the other side was Frederick's only son, Christian, who was the ultimate victor and became King Christian the third.

Christian the third was a devout Lutheran. Martin Luther was a German theologian who had initially intended to try to reform the Catholic Church, but he had been excommunicated in fifteen twenty one. The reform movement he was part of had evolved into a schism in which reformers broke from the Catholic Church and started establishing new denominations. Today, this is known as the Protestant Reformation. After coming to the throne in Denmark, Christian third immediately began the process of turning it into a Lutheran nation, which was something he had already done in territory that he controlled before becoming king.

Christian the third was a devout Lutheran. Martin Luther was a German theologian who had initially intended to try to reform the Catholic Church, but he had been excommunicated in fifteen twenty one. The reform movement he was part of had evolved into a schism in which reformers broke from the Catholic Church and started establishing new denominations. Today, this is known as the Protestant Reformation. After coming to the throne in Denmark, Christian third immediately began the process of turning it into a Lutheran nation, which was something he had already done in territory that he controlled before becoming king.

This included things like arresting the Catholic bishops and seizing all their assets and introducing a Lutheran Church order that had been approved by Martin Luther himself. Christian then did the same in Norway after ascending to the throne there. In fifteen thirty seven. Of course, all of this is an entire other story that we are not getting into today.

This included things like arresting the Catholic bishops and seizing all their assets and introducing a Lutheran Church order that had been approved by Martin Luther himself. Christian then did the same in Norway after ascending to the throne there. In fifteen thirty seven. Of course, all of this is an entire other story that we are not getting into today.

Bishops John and Omander recognized that the king's religious efforts were a threat and that he would probably try to implement Lutheranism in Iceland, and he did. He had the Lutheran Church Order read at the All Thing in fifteen thirty eight. Not much as known about the bishop's response to this first reading, but it doesn't seem like it led to meaningful changes right away. Also, this was not the first time Lutheranism was introduced to Iceland. It was likely introduced by German merchants earlier in the fifteen thirties, and there was at least one Lutheran church in Iceland by fifteen thirty seven. It was also common for promising young men to be sent to Germany to study, and as Martin Luther grew in prominence, they started to be exposed to his ideas there.

Bishops John and Omander recognized that the king's religious efforts were a threat and that he would probably try to implement Lutheranism in Iceland, and he did. He had the Lutheran Church Order read at the All Thing in fifteen thirty eight. Not much as known about the bishop's response to this first reading, but it doesn't seem like it led to meaningful changes right away. Also, this was not the first time Lutheranism was introduced to Iceland. It was likely introduced by German merchants earlier in the fifteen thirties, and there was at least one Lutheran church in Iceland by fifteen thirty seven. It was also common for promising young men to be sent to Germany to study, and as Martin Luther grew in prominence, they started to be exposed to his ideas there.

It did not take long for things to escalate in Iceland, though. In fifteen thirty nine, Iceland's governor was Klaus vander Marvitzen. His representative, Diedrich van Minden, led a small group of men in an attack on the monastery at Vide on an island northeast of Reykivic. They expelled all the monks and they seized the monastery in all of its lands and assets. When the all thing convened not long after that, Amander questioned the men who were involved with this, and the assembly excommunicated both the governor and Diedrich van Menden. Omander set a letter to the king, signed by most of the southern clergy and a lot of lay people, detailing what had happened. But Diedrich tried to do this again at another monastery not long after, and he and his men stopped in Skullhold on the way, where they insulted and harassed the bishop and in some accounts physically assaulted him. In response, a group of farmers rose up and killed Diedrich and his men. On August tenth, Icelandic courts condemned the governor and acquitted the farmers who were involved. By the time word reached Denmark about what had happened, it was too late to send reinforcements to Iceland. Travel between Denmark and Iceland wasn't really possible in the winter, everything was frozen, so since many of Denmark's representatives in Iceland had been killed, and Icelandic courts were not recognizing the authority of the governor. Over that winter, Iceland was more or less out of Denmark's control. But this what had happened, these killings, that was also a major issue to the king, so when travel resumed in the spring, he wanted to both regain control of Iceland and accelerate its conversion to Lutheranism. And then there were also rumors spreading that Omander had ordered those killings, so the King wanted somebody to get to the bottom of that too.

It did not take long for things to escalate in Iceland, though. In fifteen thirty nine, Iceland's governor was Klaus vander Marvitzen. His representative, Diedrich van Minden, led a small group of men in an attack on the monastery at Vide on an island northeast of Reykivic. They expelled all the monks and they seized the monastery in all of its lands and assets. When the all thing convened not long after that, Amander questioned the men who were involved with this, and the assembly excommunicated both the governor and Diedrich van Menden. Omander set a letter to the king, signed by most of the southern clergy and a lot of lay people, detailing what had happened. But Diedrich tried to do this again at another monastery not long after, and he and his men stopped in Skullhold on the way, where they insulted and harassed the bishop and in some accounts physically assaulted him. In response, a group of farmers rose up and killed Diedrich and his men. On August tenth, Icelandic courts condemned the governor and acquitted the farmers who were involved. By the time word reached Denmark about what had happened, it was too late to send reinforcements to Iceland. Travel between Denmark and Iceland wasn't really possible in the winter, everything was frozen, so since many of Denmark's representatives in Iceland had been killed, and Icelandic courts were not recognizing the authority of the governor. Over that winter, Iceland was more or less out of Denmark's control. But this what had happened, these killings, that was also a major issue to the king, so when travel resumed in the spring, he wanted to both regain control of Iceland and accelerate its conversion to Lutheranism. And then there were also rumors spreading that Omander had ordered those killings, so the King wanted somebody to get to the bottom of that too.

Meanwhile, both Joan Arison and Omander Paulson had written to the King to express their loyalty to Denmark but also maintain their dedication to their existing religion and traditions. Joan also said that if the King insisted that Iceland adopt these Lutheran religious reforms, Catholics should be allowed to leave the island and resettle in whatever place God showed them.

Meanwhile, both Joan Arison and Omander Paulson had written to the King to express their loyalty to Denmark but also maintain their dedication to their existing religion and traditions. Joan also said that if the King insisted that Iceland adopt these Lutheran religious reforms, Catholics should be allowed to leave the island and resettle in whatever place God showed them.

Although Yon and Omander were now solidly on the same side, and they were both trying to keep Iceland as a Catholic country, they were at very different points in their lives and their careers as bishops. Joan was fifty six, or maybe sixty six, if you're going by that earlier birth year. He was still really active, and as we've said, he was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in northern Iceland. But Olmander was in his eighties and had lost most of his eyesight. He had already tapped his nephew Sigmund as his successor, but Sigmund had then died in Norway shortly after being consecrated. Olmander's second choice was his assistant Gisser Anerson, who was already in Norway when Didrich von Menden and his men were killed. Gisser was sent back to Iceland as Bishop elect, but without formally being consecrated yet, possibly because of his age. He was only twenty eight. He arrived back in Iceland in May of fifteen forty. What Omender apparently did not know was that Gisser was a Lutheran. When Gisser appeared at the All Thing that summer, he read the Lutheran Order and Christian's command that it be adopted in Iceland and that Didrich's killers be brought to justice.

Although Yon and Omander were now solidly on the same side, and they were both trying to keep Iceland as a Catholic country, they were at very different points in their lives and their careers as bishops. Joan was fifty six, or maybe sixty six, if you're going by that earlier birth year. He was still really active, and as we've said, he was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in northern Iceland. But Olmander was in his eighties and had lost most of his eyesight. He had already tapped his nephew Sigmund as his successor, but Sigmund had then died in Norway shortly after being consecrated. Olmander's second choice was his assistant Gisser Anerson, who was already in Norway when Didrich von Menden and his men were killed. Gisser was sent back to Iceland as Bishop elect, but without formally being consecrated yet, possibly because of his age. He was only twenty eight. He arrived back in Iceland in May of fifteen forty. What Omender apparently did not know was that Gisser was a Lutheran. When Gisser appeared at the All Thing that summer, he read the Lutheran Order and Christian's command that it be adopted in Iceland and that Didrich's killers be brought to justice.

After discussing these issues, the All Thing wrote back to the King, refusing to adopt the church order and maintaining not only that Omander had not ordered the killings, but also that the perpetrators had already been tried and acquitted under Icelandic law. The all Thing also asked the King for a new governor, which did lead the King to recall and imprison Klaus van der Marvitsen.

After discussing these issues, the All Thing wrote back to the King, refusing to adopt the church order and maintaining not only that Omander had not ordered the killings, but also that the perpetrators had already been tried and acquitted under Icelandic law. The all Thing also asked the King for a new governor, which did lead the King to recall and imprison Klaus van der Marvitsen.

Another complication was that, in addition to Gisser, there were multiple other Lutherans in Omander's household and at the Diocese of Skalholt. It really just kind of reads to me like a hotbed of secret Lutheranism. One of these was Omender's secretary, Otdter Gotzkuksen, who was the son of gotzkuk Nicholson, who had been Joan Arson's predecessor back in Hular. Otter had secretly converted while studying in Denmark and Germany, and he was spending his free time secretly translating a Lutheran version of the New Testament into Icelandic out in Omander's barn. It does not seem like Omander was at all aware of Gisser's thoughts on Lutheranism when he chose him as his successor or that there were other Lutherans in his household and staff. When he realized what was happening, he was not happy about it. He wrote to Joan Arison complaining about Gisser's actions and claiming he had taken silver and other church property from the cathedral to his own residence. Joan was still upholding Catholic traditions in the north of Iceland, and he was alarmed by what was happening in the south. But it also seems like he thought it it was prudent to keep a positive working relationship with Gisser as his counterpart in the Southern diocese. Yon and Gisser agreed to help and support one another through a covenant of friendship and mutual aid. King Christian dispatched a new governor to Iceland. That was Christopher Huetfeldt, who arrived in May of fifteen forty one along with two warships. Christopher was tasked with converting Iceland to Lutheranism and with implementing a new tax to help the king pay off the debt from the Count's war that had put him on the throne. With Gisser in charge, the diocese at Skalholt quickly adopted all of this, but Yon and his counsel wrote to the king to say that they would pay this tax in exchange for maintaining their religious liberty and their traditional customs.

Another complication was that, in addition to Gisser, there were multiple other Lutherans in Omander's household and at the Diocese of Skalholt. It really just kind of reads to me like a hotbed of secret Lutheranism. One of these was Omender's secretary, Otdter Gotzkuksen, who was the son of gotzkuk Nicholson, who had been Joan Arson's predecessor back in Hular. Otter had secretly converted while studying in Denmark and Germany, and he was spending his free time secretly translating a Lutheran version of the New Testament into Icelandic out in Omander's barn. It does not seem like Omander was at all aware of Gisser's thoughts on Lutheranism when he chose him as his successor or that there were other Lutherans in his household and staff. When he realized what was happening, he was not happy about it. He wrote to Joan Arison complaining about Gisser's actions and claiming he had taken silver and other church property from the cathedral to his own residence. Joan was still upholding Catholic traditions in the north of Iceland, and he was alarmed by what was happening in the south. But it also seems like he thought it it was prudent to keep a positive working relationship with Gisser as his counterpart in the Southern diocese. Yon and Gisser agreed to help and support one another through a covenant of friendship and mutual aid. King Christian dispatched a new governor to Iceland. That was Christopher Huetfeldt, who arrived in May of fifteen forty one along with two warships. Christopher was tasked with converting Iceland to Lutheranism and with implementing a new tax to help the king pay off the debt from the Count's war that had put him on the throne. With Gisser in charge, the diocese at Skalholt quickly adopted all of this, but Yon and his counsel wrote to the king to say that they would pay this tax in exchange for maintaining their religious liberty and their traditional customs.

In the summer of fifteen forty one, the governor started making plans to take Omander into custody. Although Omander had retired, he had not yet left Scouhold. Some of his friends convinced him that it would be safer for him to retire to a monastery, and on the way there he stopped to visit his sister. On June second, fifteen forty one, some of the governor's men showed up while Omander was still sleeping, forced him out of his sister's house, still in his night clothes, and put him on a Danish ship. He was deported, and he either died on the journey or sometime within a couple of years of arriving in Denmark. Remembering that he was a very old man through all of this.

In the summer of fifteen forty one, the governor started making plans to take Omander into custody. Although Omander had retired, he had not yet left Scouhold. Some of his friends convinced him that it would be safer for him to retire to a monastery, and on the way there he stopped to visit his sister. On June second, fifteen forty one, some of the governor's men showed up while Omander was still sleeping, forced him out of his sister's house, still in his night clothes, and put him on a Danish ship. He was deported, and he either died on the journey or sometime within a couple of years of arriving in Denmark. Remembering that he was a very old man through all of this.

Yeah, I think they did let him change into something other than his night clothes, but he was described as still like he was not adequately dressed. Uh. When Amander was planning this journey to this monastery, Giesser had told him he did not have anything to worry about. But Giesser was definitely involved in this whole abduction and deportation plan. He may have actually instigated it, but that part is less clear. Gisser later wrote to Joan Arson saying he believed what he had done was for the greater good, and he asked Joan not to believe any quote evil rumors that he might hear. Joan agreed to this, saying that if he were to hear any slander about Gisser, he would not believe it unless he received some kind of certified documentary proof.

Yeah, I think they did let him change into something other than his night clothes, but he was described as still like he was not adequately dressed. Uh. When Amander was planning this journey to this monastery, Giesser had told him he did not have anything to worry about. But Giesser was definitely involved in this whole abduction and deportation plan. He may have actually instigated it, but that part is less clear. Gisser later wrote to Joan Arson saying he believed what he had done was for the greater good, and he asked Joan not to believe any quote evil rumors that he might hear. Joan agreed to this, saying that if he were to hear any slander about Gisser, he would not believe it unless he received some kind of certified documentary proof.

Joan Arison had been traveling south for the All Thing when Omander was abducted and deported, and when he heard about it, he turned back. He sent letters to the All Thing and to the governor forbidding any action against his diocese, without Yoan and Omander there to argue against it. This time, the All Thing agreed to adopt the Lutheran Church Order, but since the Diocese at Holar was not represented at the All Thing when this was decided, it was not considered to apply to them. For a while, Jon didn't really interfere with what was happening in the Southern diocese. While he thought Gisser's acceptance of Lutheranism was heresy, Gisser had also been lawfully appointed as bishop of the diocese. Jon also agreed to pay the.

Joan Arison had been traveling south for the All Thing when Omander was abducted and deported, and when he heard about it, he turned back. He sent letters to the All Thing and to the governor forbidding any action against his diocese, without Yoan and Omander there to argue against it. This time, the All Thing agreed to adopt the Lutheran Church Order, but since the Diocese at Holar was not represented at the All Thing when this was decided, it was not considered to apply to them. For a while, Jon didn't really interfere with what was happening in the Southern diocese. While he thought Gisser's acceptance of Lutheranism was heresy, Gisser had also been lawfully appointed as bishop of the diocese. Jon also agreed to pay the.

Taxes and assist Danish officials as long as he and his diocese were able to maintain their Catholic religion and customs.

Taxes and assist Danish officials as long as he and his diocese were able to maintain their Catholic religion and customs.

In fifteen forty two, King Christian the third ordered Gisser and Joan to come to Copenhagen. Gisser went, but Jone said he was ill, and he sent delegates in his place, one of them being his son, Sigurdur. Sigadre and Gisser both signed on to the Lutheran Ordinance while there, and a priest who had traveled with Sigadure started preaching Lutheran doctrine. When they got back to Iceland, Joan refused to be bound by the ordinance that his son had signed as his delegate, but for the moment Christian seems to have considered the matter settled and didn't do much to interfere with the North. This kind of uneasy peace did not last, though, and we will get to that after a sponsor break on good Friday of fifteen forty eight, Bishop Gisser Anderson died at the age of only thirty six. He had gone to Caldetharnis, which is southeast of Raykivic, to remove a wooden cross that had long been seen as a healing relic and was frequently used as a pilgrimage site, obviously among Catholics. Gisser got sick and died after returning to Skyhold from that trip. When Yown heard about his death, he rode to Skuleholt and on the way wrote a letter offering to handle any church and religious and nothing else until a replacement could be elected as bishop of the Southern Diocese. Before the start of Christian the Third's efforts to make Iceland a Lutheran country, this would have been a completely normal and uncontroversial thing to do. With Gisser's death. Joan was the only Catholic bishop in Iceland. The Archdiocese of Nideros had been dissolved as Christian the Third had converted Norway to Lutheranism, so Yan was also reporting directly to the Pope and was seen as the Pope's representative in Iceland. It was routine for an Icelandic bishop to take on or at least assist with the duties of his counterpart at the other diocese if he died or for some other reason was incapacitated. But the Protestant Reformation made all of this a whole lot more complicated, especially as the Reformation and counter Reformation had led to wars in other parts of Europe.

In fifteen forty two, King Christian the third ordered Gisser and Joan to come to Copenhagen. Gisser went, but Jone said he was ill, and he sent delegates in his place, one of them being his son, Sigurdur. Sigadre and Gisser both signed on to the Lutheran Ordinance while there, and a priest who had traveled with Sigadure started preaching Lutheran doctrine. When they got back to Iceland, Joan refused to be bound by the ordinance that his son had signed as his delegate, but for the moment Christian seems to have considered the matter settled and didn't do much to interfere with the North. This kind of uneasy peace did not last, though, and we will get to that after a sponsor break on good Friday of fifteen forty eight, Bishop Gisser Anderson died at the age of only thirty six. He had gone to Caldetharnis, which is southeast of Raykivic, to remove a wooden cross that had long been seen as a healing relic and was frequently used as a pilgrimage site, obviously among Catholics. Gisser got sick and died after returning to Skyhold from that trip. When Yown heard about his death, he rode to Skuleholt and on the way wrote a letter offering to handle any church and religious and nothing else until a replacement could be elected as bishop of the Southern Diocese. Before the start of Christian the Third's efforts to make Iceland a Lutheran country, this would have been a completely normal and uncontroversial thing to do. With Gisser's death. Joan was the only Catholic bishop in Iceland. The Archdiocese of Nideros had been dissolved as Christian the Third had converted Norway to Lutheranism, so Yan was also reporting directly to the Pope and was seen as the Pope's representative in Iceland. It was routine for an Icelandic bishop to take on or at least assist with the duties of his counterpart at the other diocese if he died or for some other reason was incapacitated. But the Protestant Reformation made all of this a whole lot more complicated, especially as the Reformation and counter Reformation had led to wars in other parts of Europe.

Yan also did not simply step in to keep things running in the Southern diocese. After Gisser's death, he started trying to re establish Catholicism there. He chose an abbot named Sigvador Haldersen as Giessard's replacement and sent him to Denmark to be consecrated. Of course, Lutheran church authorities in Denmark were not going to do that. They did not consecrate Sigfrither as bishop, and they also did not let him leave Denmark. Sigrither died in Denmark a couple of years later, after having first become a Lutheran. Lutherans had also put forth their own candidate for that bishop spot, an Icelandic priest named Martin Anderson. Martin was already in Copenhagen. He became Bishop of Skalhold instead before Martin returned from Denmark. Yoon continued trying to re implement Catholicism in the South with the help of people living there who were still Catholic. This included reconsecrating monasteries and cathedrals, including the monastery at v Day. He arrested Lutheran clerics and forced them to either readopt Catholicism or to leave Iceland. Yoan also declared Giesser a heretic, exuming his body from its grave and throwing it into a pit. In the late summer of fifteen forty eight, some of Joan's men lay siege to Scouhold for eight days, but they were ultimately repelled thanks to its having been fortified by Martin's brother Pyotr. Martin and Pyotr's brother in law, Dottie Guthmunson was also heavily involved in the Lutheran opposition to Joan's efforts. There was another pause in the winter as the seas once again became impassable, but on February eleventh, fifteen forty nine, the king declared Joan Arson outlawed. When Martin Anderson arrived back in Iceland in the spring, he was carrying a summons for Yoon's arrest, and of course Yon considered that to be invalid. Dotty Gudmundson started working with the latest Icelandic governor, Laurences Mullah, to try to get the king to condemn Yon. Instead, the King ordered Doty to arrest Jon and his sons, thinking this would be a lot less bloody and expensive than sending some more warships and trying.

Yan also did not simply step in to keep things running in the Southern diocese. After Gisser's death, he started trying to re establish Catholicism there. He chose an abbot named Sigvador Haldersen as Giessard's replacement and sent him to Denmark to be consecrated. Of course, Lutheran church authorities in Denmark were not going to do that. They did not consecrate Sigfrither as bishop, and they also did not let him leave Denmark. Sigrither died in Denmark a couple of years later, after having first become a Lutheran. Lutherans had also put forth their own candidate for that bishop spot, an Icelandic priest named Martin Anderson. Martin was already in Copenhagen. He became Bishop of Skalhold instead before Martin returned from Denmark. Yoon continued trying to re implement Catholicism in the South with the help of people living there who were still Catholic. This included reconsecrating monasteries and cathedrals, including the monastery at v Day. He arrested Lutheran clerics and forced them to either readopt Catholicism or to leave Iceland. Yoan also declared Giesser a heretic, exuming his body from its grave and throwing it into a pit. In the late summer of fifteen forty eight, some of Joan's men lay siege to Scouhold for eight days, but they were ultimately repelled thanks to its having been fortified by Martin's brother Pyotr. Martin and Pyotr's brother in law, Dottie Guthmunson was also heavily involved in the Lutheran opposition to Joan's efforts. There was another pause in the winter as the seas once again became impassable, but on February eleventh, fifteen forty nine, the king declared Joan Arson outlawed. When Martin Anderson arrived back in Iceland in the spring, he was carrying a summons for Yoon's arrest, and of course Yon considered that to be invalid. Dotty Gudmundson started working with the latest Icelandic governor, Laurences Mullah, to try to get the king to condemn Yon. Instead, the King ordered Doty to arrest Jon and his sons, thinking this would be a lot less bloody and expensive than sending some more warships and trying.

To fight over it. Meanwhile, Yon had written a letter to Pope Paul the Third asking for guidance for what to do with donations that normally would have gone to the archdiocese at Nideros. The Pope's response was to distribute them to the poor. The Pope also described Yoon as pious and full of veneration and obedience toward the Pope and the Holy See. This letter said in part quote, we therefore pronounce on you our highest recognition in the Lord, and exhort you with the flock entrusted to you, to persevere in the same mind. For this you will receive praise from men here on earth and from God himself eternal life in heaven. Joan saw this as confirmation that what he was doing was right and had the Pope's support, and he had it translated into Icelandic, and then he distributed that around the diocese. Then Yan sent two of his sons to Skalholt to try to arrest Martin Anderson and Die the Goodmunson. One of the sons, Ari was a loe mother or a lawyer or law speaker, and the other one, Jorn, was a priest. They did manage to capture the bishop, but dot These men reportedly put on gray clothing to camouflage themselves and then were able to ambush Yon's men and drive them back. Bishop Martin was kept in Ari's custody at a monoch they where he was forced to work drying cod We said earlier that most of yoan Arson's poetry was religious, but he also wrote a number of insulting poems about Martin while he was in custody, and about a cleric named Arnie Arnerson who had also been captured in fifteen fifty. The next time the Althing convened, Joan, Ari and Bjorn were all there, Yan with two hundred men, and Ari and Bjorn with one hundred men apiece. Before the gathered assembly, they all declared that one of the very prominent Lutheran priests in Iceland was a heretic ultimately that led this priest to flee to Denmark. Later in the summer, Yoan and Dottie arranged a thing at which they would discuss their various grievances, but once they were there, Dotty announced that he was going to put things off until the next all Thing the following spring. An official thing was supposed to come along with protections for its partition, but postponing the proceedings meant those protections essentially disappeared. Realizing they were under threat, Yoan declared himself and his sons to be under the King's protection, but Dottie's men took them captive.

To fight over it. Meanwhile, Yon had written a letter to Pope Paul the Third asking for guidance for what to do with donations that normally would have gone to the archdiocese at Nideros. The Pope's response was to distribute them to the poor. The Pope also described Yoon as pious and full of veneration and obedience toward the Pope and the Holy See. This letter said in part quote, we therefore pronounce on you our highest recognition in the Lord, and exhort you with the flock entrusted to you, to persevere in the same mind. For this you will receive praise from men here on earth and from God himself eternal life in heaven. Joan saw this as confirmation that what he was doing was right and had the Pope's support, and he had it translated into Icelandic, and then he distributed that around the diocese. Then Yan sent two of his sons to Skalholt to try to arrest Martin Anderson and Die the Goodmunson. One of the sons, Ari was a loe mother or a lawyer or law speaker, and the other one, Jorn, was a priest. They did manage to capture the bishop, but dot These men reportedly put on gray clothing to camouflage themselves and then were able to ambush Yon's men and drive them back. Bishop Martin was kept in Ari's custody at a monoch they where he was forced to work drying cod We said earlier that most of yoan Arson's poetry was religious, but he also wrote a number of insulting poems about Martin while he was in custody, and about a cleric named Arnie Arnerson who had also been captured in fifteen fifty. The next time the Althing convened, Joan, Ari and Bjorn were all there, Yan with two hundred men, and Ari and Bjorn with one hundred men apiece. Before the gathered assembly, they all declared that one of the very prominent Lutheran priests in Iceland was a heretic ultimately that led this priest to flee to Denmark. Later in the summer, Yoan and Dottie arranged a thing at which they would discuss their various grievances, but once they were there, Dotty announced that he was going to put things off until the next all Thing the following spring. An official thing was supposed to come along with protections for its partition, but postponing the proceedings meant those protections essentially disappeared. Realizing they were under threat, Yoan declared himself and his sons to be under the King's protection, but Dottie's men took them captive.

Something else that was supposed to happen at this point was that the three men would be held until they could be tried at the next all Thing. Christian Screever, who was the governor's representative, took custody of Yan and his sons on October twenty third, fifteen fifty. The idea was they were going to hold them until the following summer, but everybody knew that doing that would be challenging at best, even with the reduced travel during the colder months, there would probably be people from the north who would be coming to Joan's defense. Unrest would probably be spreading through and from the North without Yan there. This led to a lot of discussion among ya Jones captors, and a clergyman named Joan Bjarnison is often cited as offering this solution quote the axe and the earth will keep them best. On November sixth, fifteen fifty, Christian Screever gave a recitation of all the purported crimes of Joan Arson and his sons, and even though there had been no real trial, they were all beheaded the next day. Various accounts give some different details, but Ari Joonsen was beheaded first, with his head severed in one blow. Bjorn Yoonsen was next, and it took four blows to decapitate him, and then for Yoan Arson, it took seven blows and he gave his last words after the third, saying in Latin, into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. He died at the age of sixty six, or you know, seventy six if you're looking at that date. Discrepancy the story that our guide God told us on our trip about why it took seven blows was that the regular executioner didn't want to behead Yoan Arson, so this task instead fell to somebody who was not considered to be particularly smart and did not have a sharp axe. If Danish authorities were trying to avoid a hassle by executing Yoan and his sons rather than holding them until the all thing that really did not work out for them. Especially in the north of Iceland. Yan was immediately seen as a martyr. A force from the north, which may have been sent by Joan's daughter Thorn, marched to Skullholdt and killed every Danish person there. In the spring, another party was sent from Hullar to claim the bodies of Yon and his sons. Their bodies were exhumed and placed in coffins still covered in mud. Those coffins had bells attached and they were carried from Skalholt back to Holar. This party stopped at Loeugerwatten, which was home to a consecrated hot spring, where the bodies were washed before being returned to their coffins. There are six stones beside this pool, which, according to tradition, are where the coffins were laid while the bodies were being cleaned and prepared.

Something else that was supposed to happen at this point was that the three men would be held until they could be tried at the next all Thing. Christian Screever, who was the governor's representative, took custody of Yan and his sons on October twenty third, fifteen fifty. The idea was they were going to hold them until the following summer, but everybody knew that doing that would be challenging at best, even with the reduced travel during the colder months, there would probably be people from the north who would be coming to Joan's defense. Unrest would probably be spreading through and from the North without Yan there. This led to a lot of discussion among ya Jones captors, and a clergyman named Joan Bjarnison is often cited as offering this solution quote the axe and the earth will keep them best. On November sixth, fifteen fifty, Christian Screever gave a recitation of all the purported crimes of Joan Arson and his sons, and even though there had been no real trial, they were all beheaded the next day. Various accounts give some different details, but Ari Joonsen was beheaded first, with his head severed in one blow. Bjorn Yoonsen was next, and it took four blows to decapitate him, and then for Yoan Arson, it took seven blows and he gave his last words after the third, saying in Latin, into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. He died at the age of sixty six, or you know, seventy six if you're looking at that date. Discrepancy the story that our guide God told us on our trip about why it took seven blows was that the regular executioner didn't want to behead Yoan Arson, so this task instead fell to somebody who was not considered to be particularly smart and did not have a sharp axe. If Danish authorities were trying to avoid a hassle by executing Yoan and his sons rather than holding them until the all thing that really did not work out for them. Especially in the north of Iceland. Yan was immediately seen as a martyr. A force from the north, which may have been sent by Joan's daughter Thorn, marched to Skullholdt and killed every Danish person there. In the spring, another party was sent from Hullar to claim the bodies of Yon and his sons. Their bodies were exhumed and placed in coffins still covered in mud. Those coffins had bells attached and they were carried from Skalholt back to Holar. This party stopped at Loeugerwatten, which was home to a consecrated hot spring, where the bodies were washed before being returned to their coffins. There are six stones beside this pool, which, according to tradition, are where the coffins were laid while the bodies were being cleaned and prepared.

Also, according to legend, church bells rang as this processional passed on the way back to Holar. This ended with the largest bell at the Holar Cathedral, which started ringing by itself as the procession came down into the valley and continued ringing until they were insight of town, at which point it cracked.

Also, according to legend, church bells rang as this processional passed on the way back to Holar. This ended with the largest bell at the Holar Cathedral, which started ringing by itself as the procession came down into the valley and continued ringing until they were insight of town, at which point it cracked.

There had once again been very little Danish presence in Iceland over the winter of fifteen fifty to fifteen fifty one because they were all dead, But four Danish warships arrived in the spring and troops started marching on the north. They had been sent to arrest Joan Arson, not knowing when they set sail that he had already been executed. Yone was posthumously condemned as a trader, and troops re established Danish and Lutheran control over Iceland. Catholicism was made illegal and Catholics were outlawed. The remaining monastic houses in Iceland were dissolved and their assets were all seized, and that included that chalice that Yon had delivered the gold for early in his years as a priest.

There had once again been very little Danish presence in Iceland over the winter of fifteen fifty to fifteen fifty one because they were all dead, But four Danish warships arrived in the spring and troops started marching on the north. They had been sent to arrest Joan Arson, not knowing when they set sail that he had already been executed. Yone was posthumously condemned as a trader, and troops re established Danish and Lutheran control over Iceland. Catholicism was made illegal and Catholics were outlawed. The remaining monastic houses in Iceland were dissolved and their assets were all seized, and that included that chalice that Yon had delivered the gold for early in his years as a priest.

During all of.

During all of.

This, Johan's common law wife helegas Cigaret's daughter had to go into hiding. Most Catholic Icelanders who refused to convert to Lutheranism left. A lot of them went to Scotland, where for the moment Catholicism was still legal, but then that changed in fifteen sixty.

This, Johan's common law wife helegas Cigaret's daughter had to go into hiding. Most Catholic Icelanders who refused to convert to Lutheranism left. A lot of them went to Scotland, where for the moment Catholicism was still legal, but then that changed in fifteen sixty.

From an outsider's perspective, Joan Arson's legacy is fascinating. Own died as one of the wealthiest men in all of Iceland, if not the wealthiest. He had stewardship of more than three hundred and fifty estates. One of the sources used in this episode said that he controlled eighteen percent of Iceland's real estate. There was one Danish official who wrote that if you were riding through Iceland and asked whose farm that was, the answer was either Bishop Jones or Bjorn Johnson's. He was incredibly rich at a time when people in Iceland overwhelmingly were not, and he faced criticism for that wealth while he was alive. But he and his sons Ari and Bjorn are also seen as emblematic of Iceland's past. Nineteenth century Icelandic historian Joan Sigurdson called them the last Icelanders. There's another degree of irony in Jon Arson's status as a national hero in Iceland. He was fighting against something that's now part of the national fabric of Iceland Today. The Evangelic Lutheran Church of Iceland is the state church of Iceland. More than sixty percent of the population or members. The religion Yon observed and fought for was outlawed in Iceland for centuries, with Catholics only starting to return to Iceland in the extremely late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The Apostolic Prefecture of Iceland was established in nineteen twenty three, and it became the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reykovic in nineteen sixty eight. According to statistics Iceland, only three point nine percent of people in Iceland are Catholic today, and between two thirds and three quarters of those.

From an outsider's perspective, Joan Arson's legacy is fascinating. Own died as one of the wealthiest men in all of Iceland, if not the wealthiest. He had stewardship of more than three hundred and fifty estates. One of the sources used in this episode said that he controlled eighteen percent of Iceland's real estate. There was one Danish official who wrote that if you were riding through Iceland and asked whose farm that was, the answer was either Bishop Jones or Bjorn Johnson's. He was incredibly rich at a time when people in Iceland overwhelmingly were not, and he faced criticism for that wealth while he was alive. But he and his sons Ari and Bjorn are also seen as emblematic of Iceland's past. Nineteenth century Icelandic historian Joan Sigurdson called them the last Icelanders. There's another degree of irony in Jon Arson's status as a national hero in Iceland. He was fighting against something that's now part of the national fabric of Iceland Today. The Evangelic Lutheran Church of Iceland is the state church of Iceland. More than sixty percent of the population or members. The religion Yon observed and fought for was outlawed in Iceland for centuries, with Catholics only starting to return to Iceland in the extremely late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The Apostolic Prefecture of Iceland was established in nineteen twenty three, and it became the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reykovic in nineteen sixty eight. According to statistics Iceland, only three point nine percent of people in Iceland are Catholic today, and between two thirds and three quarters of those.

Are people who immigrated to Iceland from places where Catholicism is a lot more widely practiced. This irony connects to some debate and varying interpretations around Yoon's motivations. How much of it was about religious faith, how much about his ambition and personal wealth and and how that was tied to the Catholic Church, And how much was about wanting Iceland to be free of royal control by Denmark. That last part is definitely connected to his status as an icon and national hero. Centuries passed before Iceland became independent. It became a sovereign state in a union with Denmark in nineteen eighteen, and an independent republic in nineteen forty four. There's also a saying that all Icelanders are descended from Joan Arson. The Icelandic Web of Science website tackled the question of whether this was true in a two thousand and five piece by the late Ghislie Gunnerson, who had been a history professor at the University of Iceland. This was translated into English by Nicholas Jones. This piece looked at math and at historical laws banning marriages between third and fourth cousins, and of course people more closely related than that. This piece a proximated that a person living in two thousand and five would have about sixty five thousand, five hundred and thirty six ancestors who were alive in fourteen eighty four when Yon Arson was born. The population of Iceland in fourteen eighty four was probably less than that, and some of the people living in fourteen eighty four would for various reasons not ever have any children. So this article concluded it is at least possible that everyone with Icelandic heritage is related to Yon Arson in some way. Do you have Listener mail to take us out? I do have Lisener mail. This is from Lorena, and Lorena wrote, Hi, Holly and Tracy, I listened to your sl one Reactor episode and the replay of the demon Core episode with great interest slash Horror this week. The extreme laxity and nuclear safety standards of the mid century was surprise to me since I grew up in a nuclear town, Pickering, Ontario. As a child in the early nineties, we had nuclear drills which consisted of hiding under our desk question mark and being told that our teachers would issue us a potassium eyeed eyed pill if there was a real nuclear incident. Details were not provided, and since my main source of knowledge about nuclear exposure was the historical fiction about Satacho Chan and the thousand paper cranes, I was under the impression that we would invariably die painful deaths if we were exposed to any radiation whatsoever. Nonetheless, it was clear that there was a protocol Then in two thousand, my Grade thirteen OAC for the Ontarians out There Art project was helping paint a mural for the lunch room at the nuclear plant. We painted the panels off site, and I was only permitted a single tour of the working part of the plant after assuring them there was zero chance I could be pregnant. Even so, the staff got quite sharp with me because I kept putting my pen cap in my mouth as the tour began. The art opening was held out doors and attendees were only permitted to go in briefly in small groups to view the mural, wearing safety gear, so it seemed Pickering was very safety conscious. Wikipedia reveals that in fact, the plant operations were rather lax at times, but we were blissfully ignorant. Thanks for your work. I've learned so much from the podcast and remittance of my pet tax. Here my weird little guys, Pippin and Mary. Pippin and Mary are so cute babies.

Are people who immigrated to Iceland from places where Catholicism is a lot more widely practiced. This irony connects to some debate and varying interpretations around Yoon's motivations. How much of it was about religious faith, how much about his ambition and personal wealth and and how that was tied to the Catholic Church, And how much was about wanting Iceland to be free of royal control by Denmark. That last part is definitely connected to his status as an icon and national hero. Centuries passed before Iceland became independent. It became a sovereign state in a union with Denmark in nineteen eighteen, and an independent republic in nineteen forty four. There's also a saying that all Icelanders are descended from Joan Arson. The Icelandic Web of Science website tackled the question of whether this was true in a two thousand and five piece by the late Ghislie Gunnerson, who had been a history professor at the University of Iceland. This was translated into English by Nicholas Jones. This piece looked at math and at historical laws banning marriages between third and fourth cousins, and of course people more closely related than that. This piece a proximated that a person living in two thousand and five would have about sixty five thousand, five hundred and thirty six ancestors who were alive in fourteen eighty four when Yon Arson was born. The population of Iceland in fourteen eighty four was probably less than that, and some of the people living in fourteen eighty four would for various reasons not ever have any children. So this article concluded it is at least possible that everyone with Icelandic heritage is related to Yon Arson in some way. Do you have Listener mail to take us out? I do have Lisener mail. This is from Lorena, and Lorena wrote, Hi, Holly and Tracy, I listened to your sl one Reactor episode and the replay of the demon Core episode with great interest slash Horror this week. The extreme laxity and nuclear safety standards of the mid century was surprise to me since I grew up in a nuclear town, Pickering, Ontario. As a child in the early nineties, we had nuclear drills which consisted of hiding under our desk question mark and being told that our teachers would issue us a potassium eyeed eyed pill if there was a real nuclear incident. Details were not provided, and since my main source of knowledge about nuclear exposure was the historical fiction about Satacho Chan and the thousand paper cranes, I was under the impression that we would invariably die painful deaths if we were exposed to any radiation whatsoever. Nonetheless, it was clear that there was a protocol Then in two thousand, my Grade thirteen OAC for the Ontarians out There Art project was helping paint a mural for the lunch room at the nuclear plant. We painted the panels off site, and I was only permitted a single tour of the working part of the plant after assuring them there was zero chance I could be pregnant. Even so, the staff got quite sharp with me because I kept putting my pen cap in my mouth as the tour began. The art opening was held out doors and attendees were only permitted to go in briefly in small groups to view the mural, wearing safety gear, so it seemed Pickering was very safety conscious. Wikipedia reveals that in fact, the plant operations were rather lax at times, but we were blissfully ignorant. Thanks for your work. I've learned so much from the podcast and remittance of my pet tax. Here my weird little guys, Pippin and Mary. Pippin and Mary are so cute babies.

Uh.

Uh.

I don't know all the cat breeds, but these look like simeuse to me, and they are lounging in almost a little train along the back of a couch. Super duper cute. Thank you so much, Larina for this episode.

I don't know all the cat breeds, but these look like simeuse to me, and they are lounging in almost a little train along the back of a couch. Super duper cute. Thank you so much, Larina for this episode.

A couple of random things.

A couple of random things.

One of the reasons there used to be ducking covered drills, like people like to make fun of duck and cover drills because see, it does seem completely pointless that if there was going to be a massive radiation and exposure, how is hiding under your desk going to work? And the idea was that if you were not like at the center of the blast, there would be you know, the force of an explosion also happening. So being under the desk was meant to protect you from things like falling debris. But it does seem kind of silly because also radiation happening. I don't know if Larina has heard it, but we do have a two part episode back when we were celebrating our one thousandth episode of the podcast about Sadako Sasaki, so folding a thousand paper cranes if folks want to go listen to that, and then I've just I was sort of delighted by the whole uh, putting your pen cap in your mouth being a cause for alarm. It totally makes sense why that would be the case, But yeah, I get that end what great kiddie cats.

One of the reasons there used to be ducking covered drills, like people like to make fun of duck and cover drills because see, it does seem completely pointless that if there was going to be a massive radiation and exposure, how is hiding under your desk going to work? And the idea was that if you were not like at the center of the blast, there would be you know, the force of an explosion also happening. So being under the desk was meant to protect you from things like falling debris. But it does seem kind of silly because also radiation happening. I don't know if Larina has heard it, but we do have a two part episode back when we were celebrating our one thousandth episode of the podcast about Sadako Sasaki, so folding a thousand paper cranes if folks want to go listen to that, and then I've just I was sort of delighted by the whole uh, putting your pen cap in your mouth being a cause for alarm. It totally makes sense why that would be the case, But yeah, I get that end what great kiddie cats.

Also, I have gone to open the email myself. We don't always both have them open when we're doing it. And yes, I would say those are chocolate points Simes.

Also, I have gone to open the email myself. We don't always both have them open when we're doing it. And yes, I would say those are chocolate points Simes.

Okay, yeah, thank you for the confirmation of that, so thank you so much again. If you would like to send us an email or at History Podcasts at iHeartRadio dot com. You can also subscribe to our show on the iHeartRadio app or anywhere else you'd like to get your podcasts. Stuff you Missed in History Class is a production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

Okay, yeah, thank you for the confirmation of that, so thank you so much again. If you would like to send us an email or at History Podcasts at iHeartRadio dot com. You can also subscribe to our show on the iHeartRadio app or anywhere else you'd like to get your podcasts. Stuff you Missed in History Class is a production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.