Kolbeinn Tumason was a member of the Ásbirningar family clan, and was one of the most powerful chieftains in Iceland around the turn of the 13th century. His power was probably at its height around 1200 AD. Kolbeinn used his influence to ensure that men in his favour received positions of power within the clergy, amongst them bishop Guðmundur Arason. Guðmundur, unbeknownst to Kolbeinn, proved to be an advocate of clerical independence and resented interference from the secular chieftains. The two were soon at odds. In 1208, Kolbeinn and his followers attacked Guðmundur and his supporters in Hjaltadalur by Víðines. The ensuing battle is known as the Battle of Víðines. Kolbeinn died in the conflict, his head bashed in with a rock.
Kolbeinn the poet
Not withstanding his opposition to bishop Guðmundur, sources indicate that Kolbeinn was a devoutly religious man of some education. He is best known for composing the hymn Heyr himna smiður on his deathbed. It is now a classic and often-sung Icelandic hymn. The music that accompanies the text was composed by , over 700 years later. The original text is presented here with 12th-century Icelandic spelling and, in the second column is presented here with 19th-century Icelandic. In the third column, a rough, literal translation into English. The fourth column is a looser translation regularized to a metrical pattern of 5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5 and stating all first-person pronouns in the singular. Heyr himna smiðr hvers skáldit biðr; komi mjúk til mín miskunnin þín. Því heitk á þik þú hefr skaptan mik; ek em þrællinn þinn, þú est dróttinn minn. Goð, heitk á þig at græðir mik; minzk mildingr mín, mest þurfum þín; ryð þú rǫðla gramr, ríklyndr ok framr, hǫlds hverri sorg ór hjarta borg. Gæt, mildingr, mín mest þurfum þín helzt hverja stund á hǫlða grund; sett, meyjar mǫgr, málsefni fǫgr, ǫll es hjǫ́lp af þér í hjarta mér.
Heyr, himna smiður, hvers skáldið biður. Komi mjúk til mín miskunnin þín. Því heit eg á þig, þú hefur skaptan mig. Ég er þrællinn þinn, þú ert drottinn minn. Guð, heit eg á þig, að græðir mig. Minnst, mildingur, mín, mest þurfum þín. Ryð þú, röðla gramur, ríklyndur og framur, hölds hverri sorg úr hjartaborg. Gæt, mildingur, mín, mest þurfum þín, helst hverja stund á hölda grund. Set, meyjar mögur, málsefni fögur, öll er hjálp af þér, í hjarta mér.
Hear, smith of the heavens, what the poet asks. May softly come unto me thy mercy. So I call on thee, for thou hast created me. I am thy slave, thou art my Lord. God, I call on thee to heal me. Remember me, mild one, Most we need thee. Drive out, O king of suns, generous and great, human every sorrow from the fortress of the heart. Watch over me, mild one, Most we need thee, truly every moment in the world of men. send us, son of the virgin, good causes, all aid is from thee, in my heart.
Hear, smith of heavens. The poet seeketh. In thy still small voice Mayest thou show grace. As I call on thee, Thou my creator. I am thy servant, Thou art my true Lord. God, I call on thee; For thee to heal me. Bid me, prince of peace, Thou my supreme need. Ever I need thee, Generous and great, O’er all human woe, City of thy heart. Guard me, my savior. Ever I need thee, Through ev’ry moment In this world so wide. Virgin–born, send me Noble motives now. Aid cometh from thee, To my deepest heart.
