Thorkell IV, Goði of Lágrstrǫnd (Merveilles des Morte)

Thorkell Maudemaza
Non-contemporary depiction of Thorkell negotiating the end to the Tryggviskjól war
Goði of Lágrstrǫnd
Reign	1259 - 1298
Predecessor	Tjordrek the Hangman
Successor	Ásvaldur the Defender
Born	December 1225 Snorrisfjörð, Lágrstrǫnd Vinland
Died	1298 Lágrstrǫnd, Vinland
Spouse	Thurid of Snorrisfjörð
House	House of Farsærk
Father	Tjordrek the Hangman
Mother	Donna of Ísagríma
Religion	Christianity

Thorkell IV (1225 - 1298), also known as Thorkell Maudemaza, was a Goði of Lágrstrǫnd and Vinlander chieftain from 1259 until his death, having succeeded his father Tjordrek the Hangman. The exact etymology of his name from its Beothuk roots is contested, usually being translated to "Iron Tongue", but also sometimes "Bad Tongue" or "Black Tongue", the latter perhaps being similar to the expression of "silver tongue" in English, meaning someone a tendency to be eloquent and persuasive in speaking. The implication seems to be that Thorkell was a highly skilled orator and persuader, although whether or not a good or bad connotation was implied by this nickname is unknown.

Thorkell is notable as the first ruler of Lágrstrǫnd of which concrete dates for his birth and death are generally agreed upon by historians. He was the son of Tjordrek the Hangman, who is known to have died in 1259 according to the Lágrstrǫndbók, which records information on the life and deeds of each subsequent ruler of Lágrstrǫnd in great detail, lending credence to the believe that Thorkell IV may have been the first ruler to commission its writing. According to this source and such texts as the Norðstríða, Thorkell was born toward the end of December 1225 in Snorrisfjörð, because his family had traveled to the town for a holiday festivities among various northern clans, and it was likely that a marriage alliance was debated between Lágrstrǫnd and Leifsland, eventually coming to fruition through Thorkell's sister Guðrún.

The sagas recount that Thorkell was likely not a good fighter like his father, but was not craven either. He is said to have once argued with Snorri IV the Jailer of Kjalarnes successfully for the release of several prisoners, among his many other high profile arguments. The Nýtingetsaga recalls that he was made lawspeaker and attempted to unify Vinland toward common causes and laws. He effectively ruled Ásólfsnes for a brief time during an inconsequential time in the unpopular reign of Kessyetr II, settled numerous disputes, and may have negotiated a peace treaty between Tryggviskjól and Sálstað.

Elsewhere in foreign relations he sought to combat a resurgent alliance between Svansauma and Ásólfsnes, which came to fruition after Kessyeter II's death in 1291. To this end he appears to have relied on Ísagríma and Kjalarnes, and dictated much of their strategy, allowing the relatively small Lágrstrǫnd to punch far above its weight. A dense marriage network emerged from Leifr V of Leifsland which Thorkell had a hand in, especially since he had few children of his own. Leifr's daughter Ekkert sparked conflict between Kjalarnes and Ásólfsnes after seemingly falling in love with both their rulers, and Thorkell cautiously mediated the situation. While Lágrstrǫnd emerged unscathed, a breakdown of relations emerged and Snorri V of Kjalarnes and Jörundr III the Mountain of Ásólfsnes would spark one of Vinland's greatest wars.

According to Lágrstrǫnd sources, a conspiracy emerged after the death of Leifr V, in which his son, henceforth known as Eirík the Serpant, sought to turn the northern states against Ásólfsnes and against Lágrstrǫnd. This proved Thorkell's finest hour, as he sided with the Karlsefni and persuaded a western army from Ísagríma to turn back at his border. With Thorkell's aid, Snorri V the Conqueror proved to be an unexpectedly successful warrior and commander, and after Thorkell's death defeated the goliath that was Jörundr III at the Battle of Dístrévé. Snorri would punish the Rauðr severely, going on to unite Leifsland into Kjalarnes. However, according to varying accounts one the sons of Leifr VI would be smuggled out of the north, possibly with Thorkell's assistance due to concern that Kjalarnes would threaten to dominate Lágrstrǫnd. However, it is unlikely that was truly Thorkell's plan as he predeceased both Snorri and Jörundr by a number of years. Thorkell died in 1298 and was succeeded by his son Ásvaldur the Defender, who continued the war against Ásólfsnes.