Icelandic Manuscripts notes Flashcards
Why are medieval icelandic manuscripts important
because they are both the repository of medieval icelandic culture and its visible symbol– they embody what is intangible about that time and culture
What is the codex regius
The codex regius is the main manuscript of the eddic poems; most of the poems are only preserved there and much of the visual art we find can only be explained with its help
When was the codex regius written
c.1270
What was the situation before writing arrived in iceland i.e.. saga tradition?
previous to writing, no knowledge was available part from the spoken word.
Sagas and poems enabled people to express their views, set forth ideas and pass them on to others
When was the Snorra Edda written
1220-1230
Discuss the Karlevi rune stone
The karlevi rune stone is one of the scandinvian rune stones that has a poem or a frogment of a verse carved onto it.
The karlevi stone is in Öland, Sweden from c.1000
It has a memorial to ‘Vemod’ in Skaldic verse
Who was Egil Skalagrimsson?
Egil Skalagrimsson was the best known Icelandic composer of eulogies of kings and the hero of a saga written c.1200. The saga says that he made 4 trips from Iceland, including one to Æthelstan
How do we know that manuscripts were read aloud in Iceland?
c. 1590 Oddur Einarsson says that farmers in Iceand entrained themselves and their guests by reading from the sagas
Why is the educating of priests essential in any christian society?
because christianity is the religion of the book and god’s word is transmitted through the written word so it must not become corrupted and people must be able to read it.
THEREFORE the basic educating of priests was essential
The relationship between runes and latin script in scandinavia
They existed side-by-side in Scandinavia from the 11th century to c.1400.
- Runes were used as a more basic, everyday sort of writing as they were far easier to create
Discuss the beginnings of literacy in law in Iceland…
–At the beginning of the 12th century, writing was not yet a part of the training to become versed in law AND in Icelendingabok, Ari says that the assembly of 1118 was the first time that the laws were read aloud by clerics.
What are ‘gragas’?
– The laws of Commonwealth iceland were later named ‘Gragas’ and are preserved in manuscript fragments written c. 1262
