Political Interaction in Late 13th-Century Iceland

Sayaka Matsumoto（ Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan ）

The 2013 Medieval Association of the Pacific Conference,

21-23 March 2013, University of San Diego

sayaka917@gmail.com

An Unknowing Traitor and

the Just King

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Iceland

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0. Introduction

(©Ingólfr: Norske-Islandsk Hopehav 870-1536 (2005). pp.18-19)

Backgrounds Settlement c.870-c.930 “The Icelandic Free State” c.930-1262

Laws, an assembly system No kings ⇔

→ “A feuding society” cf. J.L. Byock (1982;1988); W.I. Miller (1990)

The submission to the king in Norway in 1262-64

New laws3

0. Introduction

My Research How political practice changed under the king’s rule?

Arguments over loyalty to the king

→ A case study: Loptr Helgason’s conflicts

Outline1. Source2. Text analyses & Discussions (1)3. Text analyses & Discussions (2)4. Conclusions

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0. Introduction

Árna saga biskups (The Saga of Bishop Árni)

Árni Þorláksson: Bishop of Skálholt (1269-1298) The bishop’s life 1237 to c.1290 Written shortly after 1290 Struggles for the Church’s rights Relatively reliable historical source

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1. Source

A conflict in 1277-8Figure 1: Relationships in the conflict

Eindriði böggull (a Norwegian royal agent)

Bishop Árni (d.1298)

Björn (a farmer)Þóra

Borghildur

Ásbjörg Helgi

Eyjólfr ofsi

Loptr(the steward of Skálholt cathedral)

kinship

cooperation

Ásgrímr the knight

(a royal official)conflict

cooperation

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2. Text analysis (1)

Figure 2:Royal

officials under

King’s rule

KING

Governor hirðstjóri,

hofuðsmaður

Lawmen lögmenn

Bailiff fógeti

Sheriff valdsmenn, sýslumenn, lénsmenn

(4 – c.20)

inIceland

in Norway (later Denmark)

Members of the Law cauncillögréttumenn(36 farmers)

(After Gunnar Karlsson, The History of Iceland, Minneapolis, 2000, p.93.)

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2. Text analysis (1)

A conflict in 1277-8Figure 1: Relationships in the conflict

Eindriði böggull (a Norwegian royal agent)

Bishop Árni (d.1298)

Björn (a farmer)Þóra

Borghildur

Ásbjörg Helgi

Eyjólfr ofsi

Loptr(the steward of Skálholt cathedral)

kinship

cooperation

Ásgrímr the knight

(a royal official)conflict

cooperation

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2. Text analysis (1)

A rumor

→ The royal agent summoned Björn and Loptr in a rage

→ A meeting, settlement

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2. Text analysis (1)

“They, Björn and Loptr, had spoken in a more disrespectful way about the kingship than was seemly.” (“þeir Björn ok Loptr hefði talat ósæmiligar til konungsdómsins en byrjaði.” )

(Árna saga biskups, ch.60)

The allegation of high treason The Summons to Norway

Not uncommon before 1262 ⇔ Limited to king’s own retainers

In 1277-78 the king could summon every Icelander

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2. Text analysis (1)

the oath of fidelity

The oath: From 1230s in Iceland → Járnsíða (1271): a new law code by King Magnús

A legal institution to secure loyalty to the king

“It was agreed that they swore the oath of fidelity to lord King Magnús and King Eiríkr and the Duke Hákon.”

(“Því varð þat at sætt at þeir sóru trúnaðareiða herra Magnúsi konungi ok Eiríki konungi ok hertoganum Hákoni.”)

(Árna saga biskups, ch.60)

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2. Text analysis (1)

The change of king in 1281 Another agent from Norway: Loðinn leppr

The oath of fidelity to the new king, Eiríkr Loptr also swore the oath with farmers

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3. Text analysis (2)

King Eiríkr’s seal

The assembly in 1281 A new law code: Jónsbók Rex iustus, the just king ideology

King ought to monopolize law and justice

Icelanders Would not lose their rights to discuss the law with the king

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3. Text analysis (2)

Bishop Árni and 9 followers Refused to accept the law “Traitors”/ Summoned by Loðinn leppr

Loptr – the worst Two oaths of fidelity ⇔ did not accept the king’s law

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3. Text analysis (2)

Loptr vs. Ásgrímr

1281 summer: Loptr was called a traitor 1281 winter: Loptr sold the land of Hlíð1282: Accusation by Ásgrímr

Land of a traitor → King’s property

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3. Text analysis (2)

Ásgrímr: an Icelandic royal official Called Loptr as traitor, perjurer

Loptr Had demonstrated his full obligation as a king’s subject Sailed to Norway, stayed for 4 winters

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1283: An Unknowing Traitor

3. Text analysis (2)

Conclusions

⇒ Flexible attitudes towards remote kings

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4. Conclusions

1) Allegation of high treason• Taken seriously

• Difference according to social classes

2) Use of king’s authority in local conflicts