Gripla - 20.12.2014, Page 78

GRIPLA78
Although the translation is not a complete one, it is far more extensive
in scope than the marginalia in the other manuscripts of the northern group
of annals. the marginal content in Beinecke MS 508 is both more exten-
sive and more uniform than the occasional marginal notes and markings
in the other manuscripts,52 and MS 508 does not reproduce the marginal
comments of any other text. the translation emphasizes brief, concrete
facts like births, deaths, and canonizations. Although far from everything
is translated, it is unlikely that a full translation was planned or desired, es-
pecially given the way that the translation highlights basic facts and events
rather than complex narrative passages. this emphasis fits well with the
early modern use of annals as sources for dating events. the translation is
accurate both in terms of the content and in shifting grammatically between
Old Icelandic and Latin. A typical example from early in the text is for the
year 810. Here, the old Icelandic reads “dräp Hrærecks frysa hoffdingia og
gudrodar Jota kongs” [the killing of Hræreck, chieftain of the frisians, and
of gudrod, king of the Jutes].53 the Latin in the margin reads: “Interfecti
rærecus Princeps frisiæ et gudrodus rex Jutiæ” [rærecus, Prince of the
frisians, and gudrodus, King of the Jutes, killed].54
Occasionally, the Latin provides additional information. this happens,
for instance, in the case of Haraldur hárfagri. the Old Icelandic offers for
the year 858: “Vphaf rykis Haralldar härfagra.” [the beginning of the rule
of Haraldur hárfagri]. the Latin notation expands this to: “Initium regni
Haraldi cognomento pulchricomi (is erat rex norvegæ).” [the begin-
ning of the rule of Haraldus known as fair-Haired (he was the king of
norway)].55 this addition suggests that whoever made the translation had
doubts about the knowledge of early Scandinavian history of at least some
potential readers, aside from any language difficulties.
We find similar features later in the text, focusing on basic facts and
positing a reader that might not be intimately familiar with details about
early Scandinavian history. for the year 1214, the old Icelandic records:
“Vtan ferd gudmundar bÿskops.” [Bishop guðmundur traveled out of
52 I have examined AM 412 4to, AM 410 4to, AM 429 a 1 4to in the Árni Magnússon
Institute in Reykjavík. Anders Winroth kindly examined the manuscript stockholm,
Kungliga biblioteket, Perg. 8vo nr. 5 on my behalf. Storm does not discuss marginalia.
53 new Haven, Beinecke MS 508 fol., 21r.
54 new Haven, Beinecke MS 508 fol., 21r.
55 new Haven, Beinecke MS 508 fol., 22r.