Early 18th-century manuscript of Icelandic laws, 'Lögbók Islendinga'.
Scope and Contents
Early 18th-century manuscript containing Icelandic laws, probably written in Iceland. The work is neatly written with broad margins and occasional marginal annotations in contemporary hands. The decoration consists of large plain penwork initials.
The title on folio 1r reads: 'Lögbók Islendinga sem Magnus Kóngr Hákonar son liet samanskrifa enn Egrekur Kóngur sonur hans sende inn í landed og baud fyri Lög'.
Most of the material in the volume has been copied from a book printed at Hólar (Holum i Hialltadal) in 1578. However, Skulerud has also noted the presence of older constitutions in the manuscript.
The 'Lögbók' is imperfect. The 95 last chapters, i.e. three entire sections and most part of the fourth, are wanting.
There is a note on the verso side of the front flyleaf in the hand of Finnur Magnússon which reads: 'No. 46 Lex Islandica Magnis Regis'.
Dates
- Creation: Early 18th century.
Creator
- Thorkelin, Grímur Jónsson (Scholar) (Former owner, Person)
- Magnússon, Finnur (Scholar) (Former owner, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
1 Volumes ; 11.2cm x 16.8cm x 2.5cm
Language of Materials
Icelandic
Arrangement
98 folios, as well as 1 paper flyleaf to the front and 8 paper flyleaves to the rear. 7 out of the 8 leaves to the rear are part of the gatherings proper. The paper flyleaf to the front and the remaining paper flyleaf to the rear are sheets of printed tables with Scandinavian text.
The paste-downs of the covers consist of a letter, possibly in a late 17th-century Scandinavian or Icelandic hand. On the rear paste-down there are also remnants of a red wax seal.
The collation is as follows:
In gatherings of 10 and 8:
1¹⁰ (1 is a stub), 2-12⁸, 13⁸ (5 and 6 are stubs, 7 and 8 have uncut bolts).
Custodial History
The manuscript formed part of the collection of Grímur Jónsson Thorkelin and Finnur Magnússon. Books and manuscripts from this collection were acquired piecemeal by the Library of the Faculty of Advocates from 1812 onwards.
Thorkelin's books, and some manuscripts, were offered by W and D Laing for £300 on 22 October 1821. Magnusson sold his manuscripts to the Advocates Library for £120 on 27 May 1826.
This particular manuscript was probably acquired at some point between 1821 and 1826, and was certainly in the Library by 1830, at which time the Northern Manuscripts Catalogue was compiled by Þorleifur Guðmundsson Repp.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Bibliography
Halldórsson, Ó. and G. Thoroddsen. 'Jónsbók: Kong Magnus Hakonssons lovbog for Island; vedtaget paa altinget 1281 og Réttarbœtr de for Island givne Retterbøder af 1294, 1305 og 1314' (Odense, 1970), page LVI, number 143.
'Hand-list of Northern Manuscripts in the Advocates' Library, based on the Latin Catalogue made by Mr T. G. Repp about 1830. Compiled by Miss J. M. G. Barclay in 1907' (Unpublished manuscript, 1907). NLS Reference: FR.290a. Page 1, number 7.
'Lögbok Islendinga, hueria saman hefur sett Magnus Noregs Kongr, lofligrar minningar, so sem hans bref og formale vottar...' (Holum, 1578).
Skulerud, O. 'Catalogue of Norse Manuscripts in Edinburgh, Dublin and Manchester' (Kristiania, 1918), page 2, number 8.
'Summary Catalogue of the Advocates' Manuscripts' (Edinburgh, 1971), page 122, number 1614.
Physical Description
Paper.
The binding is contemporary with the manuscript, possibly original, and is of hard brown leather. Stitching holes are evident in the spine and the turn-ins are visible on the inner covers. The spine also has a library stamp.
A watermark, possibly a lion rampant, is visible on some the leaves.
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Date
- 11 01 2016
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk