WI: Thorgeir Thorkelsson arbitrates in favour of Paganism?

Dorozhand

Banned
In the 11th Century, efforts to bring Christianity to Iceland were often comical failures, but eventually, through stubborn determination and multiple missionary ventures, a sizable population of Christian converts was established. However, tension between adherents of the old gods and Christians as to which religion Iceland would adopt grew to a point which threatened civil war. A well respected man, Thorgeir Thorkelsson, was tasked with arbitration of the conflict, on the condition that his decision would be followed by all.

IOTL, even though he was a Pagan priest, he sided with the Christians after a long meditation, and thereafter Christianity gained the upper hand.

What if he hadn't, and instead made Norse Paganism the state religion, with a caveat that Christians would be allowed to worship in private?
 

dead_wolf

Banned
Weren't the majority of the powerful gothi at this point already Christian? If anything this simply touches off the chaos of the Sturlung Era two centuries ahead of time.
 
At that point it was too late, alas. If he had decided for the old faith, there'd be pretty immediate civil war followed by Norwegian invasion. Mind, that'd be an interesting scenario in its own right, but it doesn't save old Heathenry.
 
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