Add MS 4868

BANKS COLLECTION. Vol. XII (ff. 246). Historical and romantic Sagas relating to Icelandic heroes and to events in Iceland of the 9th, 10th and 11th centuries. Written in 1667 by Magnús Thórulfsson for Magnús Jónsson of Ögr on Isafjörðr, afterwards known as Magnús Jónsson of Vigr. 'No. 32' according to a note on f. 1. Viz.:-

(1) 'Sagann af Bárde Dúmbzsyne er kalladur var Snaefells-Aas': in 12 chapters. Story of Bárðr, son of King Dumbr of Risaland, who is fostered

by Dofri, the mountain spirit of Dofrafjöll (Dovrefjell in Norway), and marries Flaumgerór, the daughter of Dofri. It tells how he migrates to west Iceland, how he flees the fellowship of mankind and lives in caves among the glaciers of Snaefell, and how he is evoked from time to time as Bárðr Snaefellsáss (i.e. the guardian spirit of the mountain Snaefell). For other copies see Add. MSS. 11111, f. 8, and 24969, f. 102b. Printed at Hólar in 1756 by Björn Marcússon in his Nockrer Marg-Frooder Sögu - Þaetter Íslendinga, pp. 163-172, and again at Copenhagen in 1860 as No.

27 of Nordiske Oldskrifter, ed. Guðbrandr Vigfússon, pp. 1-46. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 2-9.

(2) 'Sagann af Gieste Syne Bárdar Snaefells-áss': in 12 chapters. Story of Bárðr, the spirit of Snaefell, telling how he visits the family of Skeggi of Miðfjörðr and has a son, Gestr, by a daughter of Skeggi. The story relates how Gestr returns to mankind, joins King Ólafr Tryggvason and is sent by the king to Helluland, to break open a barrow and lay the spectre of a King Raknarr. Another copy is in Add. MS. 11111 (as part of Bárðr Saga). Printed in Nockrer Marg-Frooder Sögu-Þaetter Íslendinga, pp. 172-181, and in No. 27 of Nordiske Oldskrifter, pp. 22-46, as part of Bárðr Saga, beginning at its 11th chapter. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 9b-l7.

(3) 'Sagann af Þórde Hredu: in 27 chapters. Story of Thórðr Hreða who leaves Norway and settles at Miðfjórðr in north Iceland. It tells how his daughter is wooed by two brothers, how he favours one and kills the other, how he is pursued by Skeggi, the Pontiff chieftain of the district, and how the feuds are finally appeased by Eyðr the son of Skeggi. Printed in Nockrer Marg-Frooder Sögu-Þaetter Íslendinga, pp. 59-81; it also appears as No. 6 in Nordiske Oldskrifter, ed. H. Friðriksson, Copenhagen, 1848. The present text mainly agrees with that of Marcússon, but is differently divided. For an account of this saga, with an extract, see Antiquités Russes, published by the Kongelige Nordiske Oldskriftselskab, ii, Copenhagen, 1 852, pp. 315-316. ff. 17b-33b.

(4) 'Kialnesinga Saga, edur af Bwa Andridssyne': in 18 chapters. Story of Búi, son of Andridr, of Kjalarnes in south Iceland, telling how he burns the temple of Thorgrim Goðli and has to flee to Norway, where King Haraldr Hárfagri sets him the task of obtaining the chess-table of the mountain spirit Dofri as a penance. The story tells how he brings it away, leaving the daughter of Defri with child by him, and returns to Iceland, where he marries the daughter of Thorgrim Goði. Twelve years later, he refuses to recognise Jökull, his son by the daughter of Dofri, unless the youth can vanquish him, and he is thus slain by his son. For other copies see Add. MS. 11112, ff. 58, 86b, and Add. MS. 11115, f. 92 (a Latin version). Printed at Hólar iin 1756, Agiaetar Fornmanna Sögur ed. Björn Marcúússon, pp. 1-34, and in Íslendinga Sögur, ii, Copenhagen, 1847, pp. 395-460. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 34-47b.

(5) 'Þáttur af Jökle Syne Bwa Andrydssonar': in 5 chapters. Story of Jökull who is born of Búi and the daughter of Dofri. It tells how he slays his father, leaves Iceland and is driven to Greenland; it then tells how he fights with Trolls, how he rescues Marsibilla, an African princess, and how he becomes king of some place in Africa. Printed in Nockrer Marg-Frooder Sögu-Þaetter Íslendinga, pp. 182-187; it also appears in Íslendinga Sögur, ii, pp. 461-476. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 48-5 lb.

(6) 'Sagann af Haurde og hans Fylgiurumm Þeim Hólmverium': in 40 chapters. Story of Hörðr and his followers, who are outlawed from Iceland and live as robbers on a small island in Hvalfjörðr in west Iceland. The story tells how they are tricked on shore and killed, and how the widow and sister of Hörðr contrive to save his two sons, who then avenge their father's death. Printed in Agiaetar Fornmanna Sögur, pp. 69-126; the present copy agrees textually with this. ff. 52-73.

(7) 'Sagann af Hraffnkiele er kallastedur var Freys GoÞe': in 16 chapters. Story of Hrafnkell of Jökuldalr in east Iceland, who dedicates his favourite horse to the god Freyr, and slays his herdsman Einar for riding it. The story tells how Einar's father and uncle obtain the outlawry of Hrafnkell, how his jurisdiction is given up to Einar's uncle, and how Hrafnkell wins it back again. Printed at Copenhagen in 1839, ed. P. G. Thorsen and K. Gíslason, and again in 1847 as No. 1 of Nordiske Oldskrifter, ed. K. Gíslason, with a Danish version by N. L. Westergaard. ff. 73b-84.

(8) 'Sagann aff Gijsla Súrsyne og Þeim Sijrdaelumm Fleyrumm Audrumm': in 36 chapters. Story of Gísli, son of Thorbjörn Súrr of Svínadalr in west Iceland. It tells how he and his brother, Thorkell, and their brothers-in-law, Véstein and Thorgrimr, resolve to swear brotherhood-in-arms in order to falsify a prediction of their disunion; in the course of the ceremony, however, a variance arises. Some months after, Thorkell overhears his wife confess an attachment to Véstein, who is later found dead with a weapon in his body which Thorkell has given to Thorgrimr. Gisli draws it out, and Thorgrimr is subsequently found dead with the same weapon in his body, After this, Gisli is outlawed, and finally killed by hirelings. Printed by Marcússon, in Agiaetar Fornmanna Sögur, pp. 127-180, and again in 1849 at Copenhagen, as No. 8 of Nordiske Oldskrifter, ed. K. Gislason. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. if. 84b-104.

(9) 'Króka-Refs Saga': in 14 chapters. Story of Refr, son of Steinn of Breiðafjörðr in west Iceland. lt tells how he baffles his enemies at home, in Greenland, in Norway (at the court of Haraldr Harðraði), in Denmark and in Rome. It then tells how he is buried in a French cloister. For another copy see Add. MS. 11112, f. 52. Printed by Marcússon in Agiaetar Fornmanna Sögur, pp. 35-68, in Krókarefssaga, Gunnarssaga Keldugnúpfifls, ok Ölkofra páttr, Copenhagen, 1866, and by Palmi Pálsson in the publications of the Samfund til udgivelse af gammel nordisk litteratur, x, Copenhagen, 1883. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 104b-117.

(10) 'Sagann aff Gunnare Þeim er Kalladur var Kielldugnups Fyfl': in 14 chapters. Story of Gunnar the Fool of Keldugnúpr. For an account of this saga, see Add. MS. 4862, art. 5. if. 117b- 125.

(11) 'Sagann aff Výglunde Vaena': in 26 chapters. Story of Thorgrímr Prùði and his son, Víglundr Vaeni. It tells how Víglundr loves Ketilriðr, daughter of Hólmkell, how he slays her brothers and how he has to leave Iceland. It then tells how, on his return, he meets again with Ketilriðr, married to an old man, how he forbears to take advantage of her husband's confidence, and how it turns out that the old man is his uncle, who has feigned a marriage with Ketilriðr in order to keep her for Viglundr. For other copies see Add. MSS. 11112, f. 100 and 24972, f. 2. Printed by Marcússon in Nockrer Marg-Frooder Sögu-Þaetter Íslendinga, pp. 15-33. This is divided into 18 chapters, but it agrees substantially with the present copy; the similarity is especially strong, in the case of the verses added by Marcússon in his Appendix, pp. 187-188. ff. 125b- 139.

(12) 'Sagann aff Finnboga Rama': in 36 chapters. Story of Finnbogi the Strong. Cf. Add. MS. 4862, art. 4. if. 139b-165.

(13) 'Sagann aff Vijga-Glúm': in 28 chapters. Story of Viga Glúmr of Eyjafjörðr, telling how he visits his maternal grandfather, Vigfúss, in Norway, where he is badly received at first on account of his reserve, but then wins favour by killing a berserker, and returns to Iceland laden with gifts. There he forces his mother's enemy, Thorkell, to leave his lands, after killing many of his men. Later he twice escapes judgment when accused of manslaughter, firstly through a stratagem and secondly with an oath of double-meaning. The end of the saga relates how he is driven from his lands, and how he is baptised and dies. Printed by Marcússon in Agiaetar Fornmanna Sögur, pp. 180-240, and again in Íslendinga Sögur, ii, Copenhagen, 1830, pp. 321-398. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 165b-186b.

(14) 'Saga aff Vemunde og Vijga-Skúta' (sometimes called 'Reykdaelínga Saga'): in 30 chapters. Story of Vemundr Kögr and Viga-Skúta of Reykjardalr and Mývatn in north Iceland. It relates how Vemundr is constantly engaged in feuds, how his maternal uncle Áskell Goði is treacherously killed, and how Skúta, the younger son of Áskell, avenges the murder. It then tells of Skúta's quarrels with Viga-Glúmr, and describes how Skúta guards his house against his enemies and is ultimately surprised and slain. Printed in Íslendinga Sögur, ii, Copenhagen, 1830, pp. 229-320. The present copy ends (in the middle of chapter 30) with the words 'til Aulviss hinns. . .' (to which another hand has added 'Spaka') thus agreeing with Codices A, B and C of Íslendinga Sögur (see p. 318). ff. 187-211b.

(15) 'Sagann af Orme Hinumm Stercka Stórolfssyne': in 11 chapters. Story of Ormr the Strong, the son of Stórólfr Haengsson, of Stórólfshvoll at Rangárvellir in south Iceland. It tells how he swears brotherhood with Asbjörn Prúði, how Asbjörn is slain by the Giant, Brúsi, on Saudey (or more properly Sandey), an island off Norway, and how Ormr avenges his death. Printed at Skálholt in 1690, as a Þáttr of the Saga of Ólafr Tryggvason (see vol. ii, Appendix, pp. 5-19) and again in Fornmanna Sögur, ed. C. C. Rafn, iii, Copenhagen, 1827, pp. 204-228. ff. 212-218.

(16) 'Sagann af Kórmáke': in 24 chapters. Story of Kormakr, a famous Skald, son of Ögmundr, of Miðfjörðr in north Iceland, telling how he is prevented from marrying Steingerðr by witchcraft. The saga tells how Steingerðr is married to two others, and how her second husband offers to relinquish her to Kormakr, but is refused on the grounds that evil spirits oppose the uniting of the lovers. It then describes Kormakr's raids on the coasts of England and Scotland, his founding of Skarðaborg (Scarborough) and his death. Printed at Copenhagen in 1832 by the Arna-Magnaean Commission, with a Latin translation by Thorgeirr Guðmundsson. The present copy agrees with the printed one, although it is divided into fewer chapters. ff. 218b-234.

(17) 'Sagann af Odde Ofeygssyne ok Þeim Bandamonnumm': in 16 chapters. Story of Oddr, son of Ófeigr (or Úfeigr), of Miðfjörðr in north Iceland. It tells how he leaves home and gains riches and a chieftainship, but is never visited by his father. It then relates how a lawsuit is nearly given against him, through jealousy of some powerful neighbours (who are thence called 'Bandamenn' or 'Confederates'), until his father comes forward at last and skilfully defeats the 'Bandamenn'. Printed by Marcússon in Nockrer Marg-Frooder Sögu-Þaetter Íslendinga, pp. 1-15: and again at Copenhagen in 1850 as No. 10 of Nordiske Oldskrifter, ed. H. Friðriksson. The present text agrees with that of Marcússon. ff. 234b-246.

Magnús Jónsson, of Vigr: Collections of sagas made for: 1667-1697.: Icelandic.

Magnús Thórulfsson: Copied: in 1667.

includes:

• ff. 2-9 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Bárde Dúmbzsyne': 17th cent.
• ff. 9b-17 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Gieste syne Bárder': 17th cent.
• ff. 17b-33b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af _órde Hredu': 17th cent.
• ff. 34-47b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Kialnesinga Saga': 17th cent.
• ff. 48-51b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: '_attur af Jökle syne Bwa': 17th cent.
• ff. 52-73 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Haurde og hans Fylgiurumm _eim Hólmverium': 17th cent.
• ff. 73b-84 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Hraffnkiele er kallastedur var Freys-Go_e': 17th cent.
• ff. 84b-104 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Gijsla Súrsyne': 17th cent.
• ff. 104b- 1 17 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Króka-Refs Saga': 17th cent.
• ff. 117b- 125 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Gunnare _eim er kalladur var Kielldugnups Fyfl': 17th cent.
• ff. 125b-139 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Vyglunde Vaena': 17th cent.
• ff. 139b-165 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Finnboga Rama': 17th cent.
• ff. 165b-186b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Vijga Glúm': 17th cent.
• ff. 187-211b Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Reykdaelínga Saga' or 'Saga af Vemunda og Vijga-Skúta': 17th cent.
• ff.212-218 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Orme Hinnum Stercka Stórolfssyne': 17th cent.
• ff. 218b-234 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Kórmáke': 17th cent.
• ff. 234b-246 Icelandic MSS Collection of sagas, annals, legal codes, etc. in Icelandic as follows:: 'Sagann af Odde Ofeygssyne og _eim Bandamonnumm': 17th cent.