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Knattleikr (English: 'ball-game') was an ancient ball game played by theVikings ofIceland. The term is also applied to a modern sport created by re-enactors, and now played at a few United States institutions as acollege club sport, based on what is known about the historical game.
The game was probably similar to early versions of the Irish sport ofhurling, which also dates to antiquity. The exact rules ofKnattleikr are lost, but some information has survived from theViking Age in Iceland (beginning around the 9th century).[1]
Players were divided into teams, each with a captain. The game demanded so much time that it was played from morning to night. It was a spectator game, with tournaments drawing huge crowds from all over Iceland.
Gameplay involved a hardball being hit by a stick, although players could also use their hands. Body contact was allowed in the fight for the ball where the strongest had the best chance to win. Thus, intimidation was a vital ingredient; several wars of words have been recorded in the old sagas. There were penalties and a penalty box.
It is conjectured by some[weasel words] that the playing field was lined, usually played on a flat ice‐covered surface, e.g. a frozen pond (though bumpy, land‐based ice,svell, is also mentioned). The Vikings may have used tar and sand under the soles of their boots for traction.
Today, knattleikr is oftenre-enacted at medieval fairs and by Norse culture enthusiasts. It is also played on some college campuses.Brandeis University,Clark University,Providence College, andYale University in particular are known for their teams. The first annualNew England intercollegiate knattleikr competition (right) was played in April, 2007[2] at Clark University between Clark's team and Brandeis.
The New England Viking reenactment group cautions that the game is dangerous and refers to theIcelandicGrágás laws that a player may leave the game at any time.[2]
The 2022 filmThe Northman depicts a game of knattleikr.[3]
The most complete descriptions of the game are to be found in the followingIcelandic sagas:[4]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)[better source needed]