Add MS 4862

BANKS COLLECTION. Vol. VI (ff. 169). Biographical Sagas relating to Icelanders in the 10th and 11th centt., with one romantic saga; 18th cent. 'No. 45' according to a note on f. 1. Viz.:-

(1) 'Haensna Þórers Saga': in 14 chapters. Story of a feud between Haensa- Þórir (so called because he trades in fowls) and Blund-Ketill of Borgarfjörðr in West Iceland. It tells how, during a hard winter, Blund- Ketill takes hay from the mean Haensa- Þórir in order to give it to others who need it, and how Haensa-Þórir takes his revenge by burning Blund-Ketill in his house at night. Published by the Kongelige Nordiske Oldskriftselskab in Íslendinga Sögur, ii, Copenhagen, 1847, pp. 119- 186. ff. 1-18b.

(2) 'Þormóds Kolbrúnar-Skálds Saga': in 32 chapters. Better known as 'Fostbraeðra Saga' because of the close association between the two central characters. Þormódr Bersason and Þorgeirr Hávarsson, who enter into sworn brotherhood at an early age. The story tells how they are estranged by the violent temper of Þorgeirr, who becomes a famous Viking, enters the service of St. Ólafr and dies in a feud on his return to Iceland. It then tells how Þormódr (called Kolbrúnar-Skáld from the verses he composes to Þorbjörg, surnamed Kolbrún on account of her coal-black eyebrows) avenges his friend and in his turn enters the service of St. Ólafr. The saga ends with his death in 1030 at the Battle of Stiklestad, before which he recites the old war-poem 'Bjarkamál' to the King's troops. Printed at Copenhagen in 1822, ed. G. Oddsson, and in 1852 as no. 15 of Nordiske Oldskrifter, ed. K. Gislason. ff. 19-85b.

(3) 'Þorsteins Stángarhöggs Saga': in 2 chapters. Story of Þorsteinn, a horse-trainer of Vapnafjörðr in East Iceland, who receives a blow on the head with a horse-pole at a horse-fight. The story tells how he slays his opponent, how he has to fight with the man's master, Víga-Bjarni, how he refrains from putting out his full strength, and how Bjarni, perceiving this, takes him into his service. Published at Copenhagen in 1848 as a Þáttr in Vápnfirðinga Saga, ed. G. Thordarson, which appears as no. 5 in Nordiske Oldskrifter. ff. 87-92.

(4) 'Finnboga Rama Saga': in 43 chapters. Story of Finnbogi the Strong, describing his feats against bears and against the gladiators of Hákon Jarl (ruler of Norway, 978-995). This is followed by a description of his visit to the court of King John of Greece, and the story then tells

how he returns to his native Flateyjardalr in North Iceland, is involved in feuds, and lives in a cave near Vatnsdalr. Printed at the end of Vatnsdaela Saga, ed. E. C. Werlauff, Copenhagen, 1812. ff. 93-150b.

(5) 'Gunnars Keldugnúps-fyfls Saga': in 10 chapters. Story of Gunnar the Fool of Keldugnúpr, telling how he first kills a thrall and then kills the two sons of Þorgrímr Goði. It then relates how he betrothes himself to Helga, the daughter of Þorgrímr, how he travels to Norway, where he kills one of the gladiators of Hákon Jarl (see art. 4), and how he then returns to Iceland to marry. Other copies of this Saga are in Add. MSS. 4868 (f. 117b) and 11123 (f. 166). Published in Krókarefs Saga, Gunnars Saga Keldugnúpfifls, ok Ölofra Þáttr, Copenhagen, 1866. ff. 151-165.

(6) 'Þorsteins Fróða Saga'. Story of an East Icelander called Þorsteinn the Learned, who amuses Haraldr Harðráði (sole King of Norway, 1047-1066) with his tales, finishing during the twelve days of the Christmas festival with the Saga of Haraldr himself. Printed, with considerable variations and without mentioning the name of Þorsteinn, as a part of 'Haralds Hardrada Saga' which appears in C. C. Rafn, Fornmanna Sögur, vi, Copenhagen, 1831, pp. 354-356. ff. 165b-166b.

(7) 'Þorsteins Sudurfara Saga'. Story of Þorsteinn the South-farer who passes through Denmark on a pilgrimage to Rome and rescues a man called Styrbjörn from four enemies. On his return from Rome he discovers that Styrbjörn is the Danish king, Magnus the Good. This anecdote is elsewhere called 'Þorsteins Þáttr Austfirdska'; for an account of it, see P. E. Müller, Sagaenbibliothek des Skandinavischen Alterthums, Berlin, 1816, p. 258. ff. 167-169b.

includes:

• ff. 1-18b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Hænsna _òrers Saga': 18th cent.
• ff. 19-85b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Fóstbrædra Saga' or '_ormóds Kolbrúnar-Skálds Saga': 18th cent.
• ff. 87-92 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: '_orsteins Stángarhöggs Saga': 18th cent.
• ff. 93-150b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Finnboga Rama Saga': 18th cent.
• ff. 151-165 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Gunnars Keldugnúps-fyfls Saga': 18th cent.
• ff. 165b-166b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: '_orsteins Fróda Saga': 18th cent.
• ff. 167-169b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: '_orsteins Sudurfara Saga': 18th cent.