Saga - 1982, Blaðsíða 64

62
GUÐRÚN ÁSA GRÍMSDÓTTIR
played a large role in the abolishment of revenge as an act of justice. Bishop Guð-
mundur’s cause was thus based on Roman-canonic ideas of justice, which at this
time were gradually gaining ground in Europe, whereas the cause of his adversaries
was based on Germanic ideas of justice already becoming defunct.
Then there is a further discussion about articles in pastoral letters of archbishops
dealing with the inviolability of the clergy. An attempt is made to relate them to
canon law. The author tries to argue in support of the idea that these articles
were valid in this country in the 12th century, although they are not included in the
Kristinna laga þáttur — the Christian Law of Grágás.
The author goes on to discuss the Archbishop’s interference in the dispute be-
tween Bishop Guðmundur and the chiefs; and tries to indicate that this inter-
ference aimed at securing that the article of canon law concerning the inviolability
of the clergy was honoured in this country. The author argues that the breach of
this article by Icelandic chiefs was one of the main reasons why archbishops so
frequently summoned Icelandic chiefs to Norway during the episcopate period of
Bishop Guðmundur and that the second major cause of the summons was that it
was the duty of an archbishop to arbitrate in the charges brought against Bishop
Guðmundur by Icelandic chiefs.
The edict in canon law to the effect that the clergy was forbidden to carry wea-
pons is discussed and the author tries to show how this ban is made clear in past-
oral letters of archbishops to Iceland in the latter half of the 12th century. There
follows a chapter dealing with the participation of the Icelandic clergy in peace-
making and reconciliatory efforts in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Several examples from the Sturlunga saga are given indicating that it was very
frequent for ordained men (the clergy) to act as mediators in the wars of the Sturl-
unga period. The author argues that this role was compatible with the canon law
article on the inviolability of the clergy.
The main conclusion of the thesis is that the Icelandic Church during the late
12th and the early 13th centuries was subjected to canon law and to the Niðarós
diocese to a greater extent than hitherto has been claimed. In addition the author
points out th’at changes in judicial matters in Iceland during this period were to
some extent instigated by canon law. This was a gradual process to the effect that
legal protection of individuals was taken over by official institutions — by arch-
bishops and their representatives in Iceland as well as by the royal power and its re-
presentatives.