olaf the peacock or olaf hoskuldsson (old norse: "óláfr "pái" hǫskuldsson", modern icelandic: "ólafur "pái" höskuldsson") (c. 938–1006) was a merchant and chieftain of the early icelandic commonwealth, who was nicknamed "the peacock" because of his proud bearing and magnificent wardrobe. he is a major character in the "laxdæla saga" and is mentioned in a number of other icelandic sources. the son of a slave woman, olaf became one of the wealthiest landowners in iceland and played a major role in its politics and society during the latter half of the tenth century. in addition to the "laxdæla saga" in which he takes a leading role, olaf also is mentioned in "egils saga", "njáls saga", "gunnlaugs saga", "kormáks saga", "grettirs saga" and the "landnámabók", among others.