[1] There are good reasons to assume that the author was Óláfr Þórðarson (d. 1259), nicknamed hvítaskáld ("the White Poet"), who was a nephew of Snorri Sturluson.
[1][3] Like Snorri, the author makes frequent use of skaldic poetry as documentary sources.
In the first part of its history, the saga resembles the synoptics in giving summaries of the major historical events, but later chapters, from those dealing with the sons of Svend Estridsen (d. mid-1070s) onwards, devote greater attention to the kings themselves.
[1] A central theme is the institution of kingship and all that it demanded of those who held royal office.
Key benchmarks for good rulership include the promotion of peace and support of the church.