A gripping tale of law and justice, liberty and freedom, and trade and adventure in medieval Iceland. Sailing Free follows the life of Kári Ragnarsson, a venturous shipowner and merchant, and his brother Guðmundr, who dutifully takes over the family farm, as they traverse adulthood against the backdrop of 11th century Iceland. All around greedy neighbours seek to amass power and subvert Iceland’s ancient liberties; feuds are common and justice is being eroded and abused by those in charge. As Church and State lock horns over Iceland’s legal customs and way of life, the brothers are compelled to defend much more than their family’s fortunes.

Through the medium of a traditional family saga, the authors use the history of the Icelandic Commonwealth to explore questions of politics, religion and sovereignty, themes which are just as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago.