Saga - 2003, Blaðsíða 128

126
VILBORG AUÐUR ÍSLEIFSDÓTTIR
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(Lundi, 1973), bls. 130-155.
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1938).
Tryggvi Þórhallsson, „Ómagahald, matgjafir o.fl.", Skt'mir 110 (1936),
123-132.
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og kirkjuordinanzíuna frá 1537", Sagnir. Tímarit um sögulegt efni 17 (19"0'
bls. 66-71.
— Sidbreytingin á íslandi 1537-1565. Byltingin að ofan (Reykjavík, 1997).
[Þórður Jónsson í Hítardal,] „Æfisaga og ættbálkur Jóns biskups og barna hans-
Historian af biskup Jóni Arasyni á Hólum og um hans ættfólk, niðja
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Summary
PAUPERS AND VAGRANTS
Poor relief in the late Middle Ages and its collapse
This article examines how medieval Icelanders arranged poor relief. The le8a
basis for such is investigated, as well as Christian traditions in this regard,ta?:
ation rules and methods of allocating the resources which were available fon
purpose. It also discusses those institutions of medieval society, such as the ePlS
copal sees, monasteries, farm endowments for poor relief, local districts,
lies/clans and farm households, which were involved in supporting pauper?' ^
demonstrates that the medieval church formed an important support system
the society's worldly institutions. It is hypothesised that the combined synerg'eS
of these institutions was part of the reason why Icelandic medieval society "a
relatively quick to recover from natural disasters and climatic adversity. ^
The Reformation (1541-1550), which originated in the constitutional deV^
opment within the Holy Roman Empire — and had little to do with Icelan
medieval reality — brought a complete paradigm shift in the administrative,ea.
nomic and social systems in Iceland. The Church Ordinance of 1537 is a constl
tutional document, intended to adapt the society to urban society, which did ^
exist in Iceland. It succeeded in destroying the social institutions of medie'j
society, but the Danish monarchy lacked the capacity, financing and will to deV
op a new social infrastructure which could look after poor relief in a satisfac
manner over the longer term. This is one of the principal reasons for the persl
ence of poverty in Iceland.