Saga - 1992, Page 123

SAGNASTEF í ÍSLENSKRI MENNINGARSÖGU
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ther it originally contained the work in its entirety, and whether it was an
independent translation.
Björn Jónsson of Skarðsá (1574-1655) composed a long poem, Vinavísur,
based on the first two stories in Discipiina Clericalis, De Dimidio Amico and De
Integro Ainico. It is obvious that the poem was not based on the texts of Orms-
bók or AM 657 fol.
The MS Stockh.papp.foI.nr.67 contains three stories in Icelandic from
Disciplina Clericalis, copied by Jón Eggertsson in Copenhagen in 1687 from an
unidentified source. One of the stories is a much shortened version of De In-
legro Amico.
A comparison of Björn Jónsson's poem and Jón Eggertsson's transcript
jndicates a common source for both of them. This source was in all proba-
uity Hauksbók. In fact, Björn Jónsson used and copied texts from Hauksbók,
e g- iMndnániabók. It follows that Hauksbók originally contained an indepen-
Bent, shortened version of the whole of Disciplina Clericalis.
Many years ago G. Cederschiöld pointed out that an episode in Víga-
u,ns Saga is based on the story Dc Dimidio Antico in Disciplina Clericalis.
The influence of Disciplina Clericalis was, no doubt, much more extensive.
'milarities can be found between Disciplina Clericalis and some of the þættir
ln the 13th century Morkinskinna and the 14th century Flateyjarbók. This is
also obvious in Egils Saga Skallagrimssonar. An important feature of the saga
is the friendship between Egill and Arinbjörn. Two episodes in the saga can
e compared to the story De Integro Amico, viz. the love-sickness of Egill and
e submission of Egill to King Eiríkur blóðöx of York and his release with
he help of Arinbjörn. The life of Egill Skallagrímsson is thus in part modell-
ed on the story of the merchants of Baldach in Discipliita Clericalis.
The stories of Disciplina Clericalis were translated into Icelandic and adap-
jed to the taste of clerical and secular chieftains in the sagas of Medieval Ice-
and. After the Reformation they were still popular, as indicated by Björn
°nsson's poem, Vinavísur, which is preserved in a great number of MSS
aud was obviously sung to a melody imported at the time of the Reforma-
An excursus deals with the Alexandreis of Walter of Chátillon. The descrip-
°n °f the grave of Alexander is shown to be dependent on the Disciplina
encalis. The same is shown to be true of an epitaph of Henry II of England,
as quoted by Ralf de Diceto. In the past this epitaph has sometimes been
Used to determine the time of the composition of Alexandreis.
ne Hauksbók fragment of Disciplina Clericalis is published here in Modern
ee andic spelling. This is followed by an editio princeps of Björn Jónsson's
'navísur, also in Modern Icelandic spelling. Finally, the Jón Eggertsson
ranscript of 1687 is edited in a diplomatic edition, most of it for the first time.