MEDIEVAL SCANDINAVIA

AN ENCYCLOPEDIA

PHILLIP PULSIANO
Editor

KIRSTEN WOLF
Co-editor
Paul Acker Donald K. Fry
Associate Editor Associate Editor
ADVISERS

Knut Helle
Universitetet i Bergen

GOran Hallberg Vesteinn 61ason

Dialekt-och Omtnamnsarkivet i Lund HaskOli islands

James E. Knirk David M. Wilson

Universitetet i Oslo British Museum

Garland Publishing, Inc.

New York & London 1993
59+ SKAlDle VERSE
Ed.: firmur J6nsson, ed. Den nor:sk-isLmdske skjaldedigtning Vots.
lA-2A (leks!dlerhlndskrifterne) and 1B-2B (rettet lekst). Copenhagen
and Christiania [05101: Gyldendal, 1912-15; rpt. Copenhagen:
Rosenkilde&:Bagger, 1967 (A) and 1973 (B);J6nHelgason, ed. /slenzk
mioaldakvzoi: Islandske digre ITa senmiddelalderen. Vols. 1.2-2.
Copenhagen: Levin &: Munksgaard; Munksgaaro. 1936-38; Kock,
Emst A., ed. Den n0t5k-isiandska skaJdediktningen. 2 vols. Lund:
Gleerup, 1946-50; Uestel,Aslak. "Runerfd Bryggen.· VIking27 (1963).
5-53; Turville-Petre, E. O. G. Scaldic Poeuy. Oxford: Clarendon, 1976
[text, translation, and cornrnentary ofselected poemsl; frank, Roberta.
Old Norse Court Poeuy: The Dr6tt~tt Stanza. Islandica. 42. IthaCa
and London: Cornell University Press, 1978 /text, translation, and
commentary of selected poemsl. Tr.: Hollander, Lee M.• trans. The
Skalds: A Selection of Their Poc:rns, with Inuoduclion and Notes.
Princeton: Princeton Universily PreSs, 1945; 2nd ed. Ann Arbor:
University oC Michigan Press. 1968. Bib.: Hollander. Lee M. A Bibliog-
raphy of SkaJdic Scudies. Copenhagen: Munksgaard. 1958; frank.
Roberta. "Skaldic Poetry:ln Old Nor:se-lce1andic Ueerarure: A Critical
Guide. Ed. Carol]. Clover and John Undow. Islandica. 45. Ithaca and
London: Cornell University Press, 1985. pp. 157-96lbibliograhyand
bibliographical essayi; fidjestel, Bjame. "Skaldestudier. Eit
forskingsoversyn." MaaJ og mime (1985), 53-S1 [bibliographical
essay). Lex.: finnur J6nsson. 1..exi.con poeticum anciqua: lingua:
sepcencrionalis.Ordbogovercletnor:sk-isJandskeskjaldesprogoprindelig
forfat~t af Sveinbjdm Egilsson. Copenhagen: M011er, 1913-16; 2nd
ed.1931; rpt.1966. Ut.:Jon I>orkelsson. Om digr:ningenpJIslandiekt
15. og 16. Arhundrede. Copenhagen: H0St. 1888; Wadstein, E. "Bidrag
till tolkning ock belysning av skalde- ock Edda-dikter. II.' Arkiv fdr
nordisk filo!ogi 11 (1895).64-92 Ion the etymology of sldld, pp. 88-
90); Paasche, fredrik. K!istendom og kvad. En srudje i nomm
middeIa.Ider. Oslo: Aschehoug, 1914, pp. 108-11. 173; rpt. in his
Hedenskap og kristendom. Studier j norrtm middelalder. Oslo:
Aschehoug, 1948. pp. 142-52, 210; Noreen, Erik. Studier i
fomVilslIlOrdiskdikrning. Uppsala UniversitetsArsskrift, 1921. Filosofi.
Spdkvetenskap och Historiska Vetenskaper, 4. Uppsala: Acaderniska
Bokhandlen. 1921-23; Meissner, Rudolf. Die Kenningar der Skalden.
En Beitrag ztJr skaJdischen Poecik. Bonn and Leipzig: Schroeder. 1921;
rpt. Hildesheirn, Zurich, and New York: Olms. 1984; Reichardt.
Konstantin. Swdien zu den Skalde:n des 9. und 10. Jahrhunderts.
Palaestra. 159. Leipzig: Mayer & Muller. 1928; Kock. Emst A. Nocadones
nom:enae: AntekningartilI&lda ochskaldediktning. lunds Universitets
Arsskrift, n.s., sec. 1. Lund: Gleerup. 1923-44lentire work published
in 27 partsl; Ohlrnarks. Ake. "Till f£Aian om den fomnordiska
skaldediktningens ursprung: Arkiv f6r nordisk 61ologi 57 (1944).
178-207; J6n Helgason. "Norges og Islands digtning: In
Utteraturhistorie: Norgeog Island. Ed. Sigurdur Norda!. Nordisk
kultur, 8B. Stockholm: Bonnier; Oslo: Aschehoug; Copenhagen:
Schultz, 1953. pp. 3-179; lie, Hallvard. "Billedbeskrivende
dikt." KLNM 1 (1956),542-5; Ue. HaHvard. ~Dr;lpa" KLNM 3
(1958). 351-2; Lange. Wolfgang. Srudien zur christlichen
Dichtung der Nordgermanen 1000-1200. Palaestra. 222. Gottingen:
Vandenhoeck &: Ruprecht. 1958; Holtsrnark, Anne. "Hattalykill:
KLNM 6 (1961). 242-3; Uest01, Aslak. et aI. "Drottkva:tt-vers fra
Bryggen i Bergen.· Maal og miMe (1962). 98-108; Holtsmark, Anne.
"Kj~rlighetsdiktning.· Kt.HM8 (1963). 438-43; Jakob Benediktsson
et aI. "En ny dro!t~t!Strofe fra Bryggen i Bergen.' Maal og minne
(1964).93-100; See, Klaus von. "Skop und Skald. Zur Auffassung des
Dichters bei den Gerrnanen." Germani.sch-romanische Monacs.schrift
45, N.f. 14 (1964). 1-14; rpt. in his Edda. Saga, Skaldendichtung.
Aufsarze .rur skandinavischen Uleratur des Miele/alters. Heidelberg:
Winter, 1981. pp. 347-60; Ue, Hallvard. "Lausavisur." KLNM 10
(1965).355-6; Holtsrnark, Anne. "Lovkvad: KLNMIO(l965), 700-
4; Alrnqvist. Bo. Norron niddikrning. Traditionshistonska srudier i
veriiriagi. 1: Nid mOl furscar. Nordiska texter och undersOl<ningar. 21.
Stockholm: Geber, 1965; Steblin-Karnenskij, M.1. "On the Etymology
\
of the Word Skald." Alirudisticj6ns Helgasonar: 30. j1lni 1969. Ed.
Jakob Benediktsson et aI. Reykjavik: Heirnskringla. 1969, pp. 421-30; \
Holtsmark, Anne. "Skaldatal.' KLNM 15 (1970), 386; Holtsmark,
Anne. "Skaldediktning." KLNM 15 (1970), 386-90; $cho!!rnann,
Hans. Die islandische Mariendichtung: Untersuchungen zur
I
I
volkssprachigen Mariendichtung des Mitte1aleer~.Miinchener
gerrnanistische Beitrage. 9. Munich: fink,1973 Almqvist. Bo. Norron
niddiktning: Tradirionsmstonske studier i versmagi. 2.1-2: Nid mot
missionarer: Sen.medelcida nidtradidoner. Nordiska texter och
undersel<ningar. 23. Stockholm: Geber, 1974; Kreutzer, Gert. Die 1
I
Dichrungslehre der Skalden: Poeeologlsche Termino!ogie und
Aucorenko/ll1lle!'llilre aIs Grundlage ciner Gacrungspoetik. Kronberg
Taunus: Scriptor. 1974; 2nd ed. Meisenheim am GIan: Hain, 1977;
"Versel~re" KLNM 19 (1975). 662; See, Klaus von. Skalde:ndicht:tmg.
EiiIe Einliihrung. Munich and Zurich: Artemis, 1980; Ue, Hallvard.
Ornsagakunst ogskaldskap. Urvalgre avhandlinger. 0vre Ervik: A1vheim I
& Eide. 1982; fidjest01, Bjame. Det nomine [yrstedikret. 0vre Ervik:
A1vheim & Eide, 1982; Marold, Edith. KenningkunsL En Beitrag zu t
einer Poerik der Skaldendichrung. Quellen und forschungen zur
I,
Sprach-und Kulturgeschichte der gerrnanischen V61ker.80. Berlinand
New York: de Gruyter.1983; Kuhn. Hans. Das Drottkva:tL Heidelberg:
Winter, 1983; Edwards, Diana C. "Clause Arrangement in Skaldic
Poetry." Arkivlor nordisk fiJologi98 (1983).123-75; 99 (1984),131-
38; Perkins. Richard. "Rowing Chants and the Origins of DrOttkvaiJr
Hater." Saga-Book of the Viking Society 21 (1984-85). 155-221;
Undow, John. "Addressing Thor." Scandinavian Studies 60 (1988).
I
119-36. t
II
Bjarne FldjestfJI
[See also: Arnorr Poroarson jarlaskald; Bjarni
Kolbeinsson; BjQrn Asgeirsson Hitdrelakappi; BjQrn
Breiovtkingakappi; Bragi Boddason; Christian Poetry; !,
Commemorative Poetry; Egill Skalla-Grimsson; Eilifr
Gooninarson; Einarr He1gason skalaglamm; Einarr
Skulason; Eiriksmal; Eyvindr Finsson skaldaspillir;
Gamli kanoki; Gunnlaugr onnstunga; Hallfreor
Ottarsson; HatlalykW; HeW; fslendingadrapa; Kennings;
Kormakr Qgmundarson; Krakumal; La usavisur;
Leioarvisan; Liosmannaflokkr; Lilja; Love Poetry;
Merlfnusspa; Mythology; Ottarr svarti; Slghvatr
Poroarson; Skala, SkaJdas6gur; Skaldic Meters;
Skaldkonur, Snorra Edda; Pj6061fr of Hvin; Porarinn
loftunga; P6rarinn svarti; porbjQrn hornklofi; Poror
Kolbeinsson; Dlrr Uggason; Yfga-Glumr Eyjolfssonl
Skaldkonur ("women skalds"). A first perusal of the standard
20th-century collections of skaldic poetry (Finnur Jonsson 1912-
15, Kock 1946-50) is likely to lead the readerto conclude that the
corpus of preserved poetry in Old Icelandic attributable to women
poets (slcildkonur) is rather small. However, this first impression
can be altered somewhat by tracing the verses In Finnur Jonsson's
and Kock's collections back to their ongi.nal saga environments. It
then becomes clear, for instance, that a sizable amount. of the
dream verse and prophetic fragments in Sturlunga saga waS attrib-
uted to women. or that that pithy epigram labeled "Fragment" in
the modem editions was originally attributed to Broka-Auor in
Laxdcela saga. Finnur Jonsson's and Kock's editions can thus be

sifted to yield the following: (1) eight pre-Christian Norwegian
and Icelandic skaldkonur. cited in the konungasogur.
Islendingasogur. and related jxECCir, (2) eight Icelandic skaldkonur
of the Sturlung Age (l3th century); (3) eleven additional early
sldldkonur from the isIendingasogur and jxEccir. but of more
doubtful authenticity than those ofthe first group; and (4) a number
of shield-maidens. witches, and troll-women cited as reciting verse
in various legendary sagas. In connection with lists of this son.
however. we should bear in mind that all of the surviving skaldic
poetry. whetheratUibuted to men or women. probably represents
only a small. random ponion of the total amount ofskaldic poetry
composed during the Middle Ages.
The eight skaldkonur of the first group mentioned above were
active in the 10th century and the first half of the 11th. The poetry
of this period was dominated by the complex drocckv<etc ("coun
meter") style. and all of the compositions of these eight skaldkonur,
with the possible exception of two kvimingar(epigrams, too shon
to classify), were composed in that meter. The earliest three of
these skaIdkonur, Jorunn skaldma:r ("skald-maid"), Hildr
Hr6lfsd6ttir, and Gunnhildr konungamo~ir ("kings' mother"), were
Norwegians. tied to various kings by obligations or family, or
perhaps fealty (in Jorunn's case). They were probably active in
coun Circles. where drottkva:u had become the fashionable mode
or expression; accordingly, the subjects of their poetry reflected
events of interest at coun. The remaining five women poets in this
first group were Icelanders. Their poetic commentaries on errant
husbands or lovers (by Broka-Audr. Wrhildr skaldkona. and
Steingerdr Ilorkelsdottir), satires on Christian missionaries (by
Steinunn Refsd6ttir). and exhortations addressed to lukewarm
~ avengers (by J:>urldr Olafsdottir) may have been noncounly in
theme. but they were no less elegant as examples ofthe drocckv<ett
style than the poetry of the first three.
The eight skaldkonurof the second group are all known from
ScurIunga saga. One of them, SteinvQr Sighvatsdotlir (a Keldum).
is also listed elsewhere, in the SIdIdataI, as being a professional
skald in the pay of the Norwegian chieftain Gautr J6nsson (a Mel).
However, the extant half-stanza (vfsuhelmingr) by her is not a
poem in praise of Gautr, but a poetic vision. as are all but one of
the compositions in this group. The sldldkona is ponrayed as
having a dream or a vision, or seeing an apparition. in connection
with which she experiences the poetry, which she recites upon
awakening or coming out ofthe trance. Many ofthese poetic frag-
ments are tinged with the ghostliness characteristic of Icelandic
folklore down to the present day. All but one of these poetic vi-
sions are doom prophecies presaging one of the great climaxes of
SturIunga saga, the fall of Sturla Sighvatsson at the battle of
OrlygsstWir in 1238. Their style is chant-like and simple, using
eddie meters, such as [omyraislag and galdralag, rather than
drottkvrett. The longest of them. eight stanzas of dream verse by
the sixteen-year-oldJ6reidr Hermundardottir (f Midjumdal). con-
stitutes the largest body of poetry by a single histOrically attestable
woman that survives in Old Norse literature,
The skaldkonur of the final group. the women poets in the
[ornaldarsogur, are Significant not so much ror their own sake as
for what they reveal about the attitudes toward women and poetry
among the 13th-century reiiactors who compiled these sagas. As
Guorun He\gad6ttir (1961) has noted, the saga compilers seem to
have been far readier to ascribe lengthy. poems [0 supernatural
women or legendary heroines of long ago than to their own recent
female ancestors.
SKALDKONUR 595
Bardi Gudmundsson (1967) has associated poetic composi-
tion by women in early Nordic SOciety with their panicipation in
the related fields of seior (women's sorcery) and religion (spe-
Cifically the cult of the Vanir). as well as matronymic naming
customs and matrilineal propeny ownership. He contends that
seior. poetry, and cultic activities were commonly seen as female-
dominated arts in early Nordic SOCiety. It is tempting to postulate
a golden age for sldIdkonur, from which we retain no poetry
except for some fragments now largely embedded in the
[omaldarsogl.lr and in the eddie lays (VpIuspa. for example).
Sometime arter this hypothetical golden age, and certainly some-
time before the heyday of the drottkva:tt style. a transition seems
to have occurred. Poetic compositipn had become disassociated
from its original, female-dominated cultic or religious environ-
ment. in favor of a male-dominated court environment. Evidence
for this cultural transition is admittedly sparse, but the memory of
it may perhaps be preserved in the myth recounted by Snorri
Sturluson in the Prose Edda. in which the usurper Odinn guile-
fully wrests the mead of poetry from its former owners, who seem
to represent earlier, remale-dominated, chthonk deities (Vanir
equivalents, in other words).
Ed.: GudbrandVigfusson. ed. ScurlungaSaga. 2vols. Oxford: Clarendon,
1878. vol. 1, p. 367 )Steinvqr): voU. pp. 219-21 [J6reiorl: Kahle. B.•
ed. Krisrnisaga. Altnordische Saga-Bibliothek, 11. Halle: Niemeyer,
1905. pp, 27-8 [Steinunn1: Finnur J6nsson, ed. Den norsk-islandske
skaJdedigtning. Vols. lA-2A (tekst efter Mndsknfteme) and 113-213
(renel tekst). Copenhagen and Christiania )Oslo]: Gyldendal. 1912-
15; rpl. Copenhagen: Rosenkilde &:Bagger.1967 (A) and 1973 (8). vol.
113, p. 27\Hildrl; 113, pp. 53-4 (j6runnl; lB. p. 54 [GlnlIlhildr): 113, p.
85 [Sleingeror]: 18, p. 95 \l>6rhildr); 113, p. 97 [I>uI1orj; lB. pp. 127-
8\Stcinunn]: lB. p.l72 [Auar):2B, p. lS4\SteinVQr];2B,p. 158 [Joreiar]:
SigurOur Norda! and Guam Jonsson, eds. BorgfirlJinga spgur. fslenzk
fomnt, 3. Reykjavik: Hio (slenzka fomritaftlag. 1938. pp. 277-8
[l>urlor); Einar 01. Sveinsson. ed. L:vcdala saga. fslenzk fomrit, 5.
Reykjavik: Hio islenzka fomritaftlag, 1934, p. 96 [Audr): 8jami
AOalbjamarson, ed. Heirnskringla. 3 vols. fslenzk fomnt. 26-28.
Reykjavik: Hi(j islen.:ka fomritaftlag, 1941-51. vol. 1. pp. 123-4
[HUdr): vol. 2. pp. 426-7 (jorunnJ; Kock. Ernst A., ed. Den norsk-
islandska skaJdediktningen. 2 vo!.s. Lund: Gleerup, 1946-50, vol. 1. p.
17 !Hildr): vol. 1. pp. 33-4 Uorunn); vol. 1, p. 34\Gunnhildr\:vol.l,
p. so \Steingerdr]: vol. I, p. 55 !l>6rhildr}; voL I, p. 71 [Steinunn}:vol.
1. p. 92 [Audr]: voL 1, pp. 103-4 [I>uI1ar}; voL 2, p. 82 [SteinvQr};voL
2, pp. 84-5 lJ6reidr): Einar Ot. Sveinsson, ed. Brennu-NjilIs saga
fslenzk fomrit, 12. Reykjavik: Hid Islenzka fomntaftlag.1954, pp. 88-
9 !l>6rhildr\; pp. 265-7 !Steinunn]. Tf.: Gudbr;md Vigfusson and F.
York Powell, eds. and traIlS. Corpus Poecicum BoreaJe: The Poetry of
the Old Northern Tongue from the Earliest Times to the Thirteenth
Century. 2 vols. Oxford: Oarendon, 1883; rpt. New York: Russell &:
Russell, 1965, voL2. pp.321-2 U6runnl: Hollander,l.eeM., trans. The
Sagas of Kormak and the Sworn Brorhers. Princeton: Princeton
Univiversity Press, 1949, p.24 [Steingeror]: Hollander. Lee M.• tran5.
Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway. Austin: University of
Texas Press, 1964, p. 79 [HUdrl; p. 91 (j6runn): Magnus Magnusson
and Hermann Palsson. trans. NjaJ's Saga. Harmondswonh:Penguin,
1960. p. 96 )l>6rhildr); p. 222 \Steinunn); Magnus Magnusson and
Hermann Paisson, trans. Laxda::la Saga. Harmondswonh: Penguin,
1969. p. 127 !Audr]; McGrew, Julia, and R George 'Thomas. lTans.
Sturlunga saga. 2 vok Library of Scandinavian Literature, 9-10. New
York: Twayne; American-Scandinavian Foundation. 1970-74, voL 1.
p. 327 [StemvQt]: voL 1. pp. 431":'" (jorei(jr]. tiL: Olsen. Magnus.
"Hild Rolvsdatters vise am Gange-Rolv og Harald Hitfagre: MaaJ og
 596 SKALDKONUR
minne (l942), 1-70; Olsen, Magnus. "Har dronning Gunnhild diktet
om H<l.kon den gode?" Aviumdlinger av Dec norske Videnskaps-
AkademiiOsJo2, HistAilos.kL,1944-45,no.1. Oslo: Dyb'Nad,1945,
pp. 1-16; OhJmarks. Ake. Wands hedm skaldaJiktning. arhundradee
878-980. Stockholm: Almqvist &: Wiksell. 1957 [l>6rhildr. AudrJ;
Ohlmarks, Ake. Tors skalder och Vice-Krists: uosskiftetidens isllindska
furscelovskalder: 980-1013. Stockholm: Almqvist &: Wiksell. 1957
[Steinunnj; Gudrun P. Helgad6ttir. Skaldkonur fyrri aida. 2 vots.
Akureyri: KV6ldvokuutgafan. 1961-63; Bardi Gudmundsson. The
Origin ofche lc:e1i1l1ders. Trans. Lee M. Hollander. lincoln: University
or Nebraska Press. 1967; Kreutzer. Gen. "J6runn skaldmzr.'
SkiIlIdinavistik 2 (1972), 89-98.
SandralbdniSu-ubhaar
[See also: Sldld; Skaldic Meters; Skaldic Verse; Snona Edda;
Sturlunga sagaJ
SbrCSsb6k ("The Book of Skara") is the name given by Ami
Magnusson to two different MSS after the farm Skara in
SkarasStrond. where they were housed during the 17th century.
The first, AM 350 foL, is a codex containing mainly legal
texts, e.g., j6nsb6k, amendments, Hir(Jskr~ (King Magnus
H:ikonarson's ecclesiastical law), Bishop Ami l>orl:iksson's ecclesi-
asticallaw, and various legal formulas, records. and ecclesiastical
statutes and diplomas.
The codex comprises 157 folios, but has not been preserved
entirely in its original form. Fols. 18-23 are younger and were
obviously written to fill the gap left by folios of the original book
that became damaged or lost. Fols. 152-157 are also younger,
containing a list of the contents of the manuscript and a formula
of absolution. The whole of AM 350 fol. was Originally written by
one person, presumably in 1363 (the date given on fol. 149r).
The codex is especially known for its beautifully illuminated
initials. SelmaJonsdottir has pointed out that one of these (fol. 2r)
has a picture of the MS's donor; this detail suggests that a layman
commissioned the MS and that he intended it as a gift for some
ecclesiastical foundation. although it appears always to have been
private property. According to Olafur Halldorsson (1966), the
codex belongs to a group of MSS (including Codex Scardensis)
written in the Helgafell monastery, perhaps written for Lawman
Ormr Snorrason (ca. l320-1401 or 1402).
The second codex, Codex Scardensis, is a 14th-century MS
containing the most complete medievallcelandie collection of the
postola sogur, i.e., Petrs saga. Pals saga, Andreas saga, Tveggja
postola sagaj6ns okjakobs, ThOmas saga, Philippus saga, jakobs
saga. Oakobus Minor), Barrholomeus saga, Machias saga, Tveggja
postola saga. Simons ok judas, and Matheus saga.
The codex originally consisted of ninety-five folios, but one
leaf is now lost (after fol. 63). It was written by two scribes, and
is beautifully illuminated. On pages originally left blank at the
beginning and end of the MS. two church inventories and a tithe
account have since been written.
According to Olafur Halld6rsson (1966), this codex also be-
longs to a group of MSS written in the Helgafell monastery. It is
first mentioned as being at Skara in the Vilchin inventory of 1397.
and is assumed to have been written for Lawman Ormr Snorrason.
who, according to the inventory of Skara church in the codex
itself, gave it to the church. The codex presumably remained at
Skara until 1807. Around 1710, it was borrowed by Ami
MagnUsson and copied (AM 638 4to, AM 631 4to, and AM 636
4to). In 1807, it fell into obSCUrity until 1836. when it was offered
for sale in London and purchased by Sir Thol!las Phillipps. In
1890, it was rediscovered by Eirikr Magnusson andj6n l>orkelsson,
and was purchased in 1965 on behalf of the banks in Iceland and
presented to the Ami Magnusson Institute in Iceland.
1. AM 3~ rol: Ed.: Jakob Benediktsson, ed SkarOsb6k.J6rub6k iIlId
Other Laws iIlId Precepts: M5 No. 350 foJ. ill -me Ama-Ma~
Collection in me University Ubrary of Copenhagen. Corpus Codkum
Islandicorum Medii Aevi, 16. Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1943;J6nas
Kristjansson et a.1, eds. SkarOsbok. Coda Scardensis. AM 350 fol.
Manuscripta Islandica Medii Aevi. 1. Reykjavik: l.6gberg, 1981. llL:
J6n Helgason. "Onografien i AM 350 fol.' MaJde1eJser fra norsk
forening for sprogvkJenskap, 1.2. Oslo: Aschehoug. 1926. pp. 45-75;
HaIld6r Hermannsson. Icelandic IIlwninatJ!d MiIlI uscripts ofthe Middle
Ages. Corpus Codicum Islandicorum Medii Aevi, 7. Copenhagen:
Levin&:Munksgaard, 1935;SelmaJ6nsd6ttir. "Gjafaramynd !lslertzku
handriti: Arb6k hins islenzka (ornleifafeJags 1964 {l965}, 5-19;
Olafur Halld6rsson. Helgafellslxekur fomilI. Studia Islandica. 24.
I
Reykjavik: Menningarsj6(\ur, 1966; Stefan Karisson, ed. Sagas of
Ic:e1andic Bishops: Fragments or Eight Manuscripts. Early Icelandic
Manuscripts in Facsimile, 7. Copenhagen: Rosenkilde&:Bagger,1967,
pp. 19-21; Wolf, Kirsten. "A Comment on the Dating ofAM 226 fol.'
[rorthcoming in Grip/aJ. 2. Codex Seardensis: Ed.: Unger. C. R., ed. I
Posco/a sogur: Legendariske fonzllinger om apost/emes Iiv deres kamp
for kristendommens I1dbredeIse same deres rnanyrded. Christiania I
[Oslo): Bentzen, 1874; Slay, Desmond, ed. Codex Scaroensis. Early
Icelandic Manuscripts in Facsimile, 2. Copenhagen: Rosenkilde &:
Bagger, 1960; Olafur Halld6rsson, ed. 50gur tlr Skar0sb6k. Reykjavik:
Almenna b6kafeiagid, 1967. Lie Eirlkr Magnusson. "Kadex Skardensis
I
i
af postulasogur." Arkiv f(lr nordisk BloJo@ 8 (1892), 238-45; J6n I
II
t>orkelsson. "lslandske handskrifter i England og Skotland." Arkiv (or
nordiskfi]oJo@8(l892},199-237[esp. pp. 23S-6);OlafurHalld$lrsson.
HelgafelIsba!kl1r (ornar. Studia Islandica, 24. Reykjavik:
Menningarsj6(lur, 1966; Collings. Lucy Grace. "The Codex Scardensis:
Studies in Icelandic Hagiography.' Diss. ComeU University. 1969.
Kirsten Wolf
[See also:.Diplomatics; jonsb6k; Laws; Postola sogur]
I
i
Sltirnismal ("The Lay of Skimlr"), or Fpr Scfrnis ("Skirnir's
Journey"), as it is called in Codex R.t:gius of the Poeric Edda, sur-
vives in three texts: the poem contained in Codex Regius. a frag-
mentary text (sts. 1-27) in AM 748 4to, and a prose summary.
together with stanza 42, in ch. 23 of Gylfagmnmg in Snona Edda.
Skirnismal is unique among the eddie materials as the only
poem to deal exclusively with the gods known as the Vanir. The
poem tells how Freyr sees the giantess Gerar from Oainn's high
seat, is smitten by her beauty. and sends his servant Skirnir to
arrange an assignation with her. Before Skimir departs on his er-
rand, Freyr and the other gods give him gifts. He accomplishes his
mission, not by offering these objects as gifts, which she rejects,
but rather by resorting to threats and a lengthy curse. The narra-
tive portion of Skfrnismalis composed in the lj6lJah:irumeter, but
the curse is primarily in galdralagmeter.
Given the poem's subject matter and characters. many schol-
ars have detected an underlying fertility myth: Freyr (the sky)
loves Geror (the fruitful earth), and tells her that they will meet in
Barti, which Olsen (1909) interprets as a kind of grain. Sahlgren
(1962) took exception to this interpretation, viewing Skirnismai
not as a fertility myth, but as a popular tale created from weIl-
known motifs. Phillpotts (1920) builds on Olsen's views, and sees
in the poem a ritual that would have been performed. Her inter-