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SUMMARY
In 1275 the Christian Law of Bishop Árni (kristinréttur Árna biskups) was adopted in
Iceland and replaced the Christian Laws’ Section of Grágas. Until 1275 the ecclesi-
astical laws had been a part of the secular law codex Grágás, but now it was separate
and the acceptance of this new law established canon law in Iceland (although the
Christian Law of Bishop Árni often preceded or followed Jónsbók in manuscripts, it
was still a separate law). The Christian Law of Bishop Árni is largely based on the
Christian Law of Archbishop Jón rau›i, the Christian Law of Gulafling and articles
from the Christian Laws’ Section of Grágas (mainly the tithe-law), but it also includes
sections from Liber extra and Decretum Gratiani.
Although it was accepted at the Alflingi it has been debated whether the Christian
Law of Bishop Árni was adopted for both Skálholt and Hólar (the two bishoprics) in
1275 or for Skálholt alone, followed considerably later by Hólar in 1354. In this article
the former assumption is upheld. The law was clearly compiled under the guidance of
Archbishop Jón rau›i and during a period when the Archbishop and King Magnús
Hákonarson fought over the jurisdiction of the church. Even though the king never
accepted the legislative power of the church (and therefore not the Christian Law of
Archbishop Jón rau›i) the church gained considerable rights during the period 1270–
1280 (such as the Túnsberg accord of 1277).
As the mother-church in Norway became more powerful the Icelandic church
gradually developed into a self-governing body — with it’s own law — and the in-
fluence of chieftains over the church decreased substantially. In the midst of these de-
velopments the Christian Law of Bishop Árni came in to force. But just a few years
later King Magnús Hákonarson was dead (1280), and a fierce conflict between church
and state in Norway followed; Archbishop Jón rau›i fled the country (dying in exile)
and many ecclesiastical rights were forfeited. Nonetheless during the 14th century the
relationship between church and state in Norway improved, and by 1350 the church
had again acquired most of the rights it had gained in 1270–1280.