Contextualising Jómsvíkinga saga
Contextualising Jómsvíkinga saga

Summary/Abstract: In the article the author investigates the conte􏰃t of Jómsvíkinga saga: What kind of meaning did Jómsvíkinga saga have in the environment where it was produced but also preserved for centuries􏰄 Two of the oldest e􏰃tant manuscripts – AM 291 4to and Stock. Perg 4:o No 7 – are the focus of the investigation. The preservation of these manuscripts in northern Iceland could imply that the saga had relevance for people living there. Jómsvíkinga saga mentions four Icelanders who participated in the battle of Hj􏰁rungav􏰍gr, and who were originally from northwestern or northern Iceland. Therefore, the saga may have been an anchoring story for local families who were related to the characters mentioned in the saga. Earlier research has shown how Jómsvíkinga saga is positioned among the saga genres but conte􏰃tualisation of this saga in the Icelandic environment helps understand why Icelanders were interested in it. A further investigation of the family trees of the owners of the manuscripts could cast light on this matter, and it could possibly add to what we know about the post-medieval use and reception of the saga.

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