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friend Einar Arnfinnsson. Records show that Einar was in attendance at the
school during the 1627–1628 school year, but it is not known if that was at the
beginning, middle or end of his studies. A document from July 22, 1632, shows,
however, that Einar has already graduated and has, in all likelihood, been appointed
deacon of Reynistaður, for he is in the entourage of Jón Sigurðsson who was the
administrator of Reynistaður. From information regarding Einar it is deduced
that Guðmundur’s four years of study at Hólar must have taken place some time
in the period 1628–1635.
By Guðmundur’s own account he was plagued by mental illness for half a
year. The above-mentioned letter fixes that event in time and shows that it lasted
roughly from autumn 1637 to spring 1638. With that in place, it is clear that he was
appointed deacon of Reynistaður after his bout with mental illness. The reason
for his appointment was, as Jakob Benediktsson has pointed out, the death of
reverend Sæmundur Kársson of Glaumbær, in the summer of 1638, which caused
subsequent promotions and the opening of the position. By his own account
Guðmundur lost his position, shortly after June 22 1640, apparently because the
bishop of Hólar believed his detractors. An attempt is also made to determine
Guðmundur’s age and in a very speculative manner the conclusion is reached
that he was probably born in the period 1614–1616, which is quite close to Jakob
Benediktsson’s thoughts on the matter.
Finally, a number of examples are put forward showing a close connection
between Björn of Skarðsá and Guðmundur Andrésson, also in the realm of their
scholarly activities.
Gísli Baldur Róbertsson
Þjóðskjalasafn Íslands,
Laugavegi 162
IS-105 Reykjavík, Ísland
gisli@skjalasafn.is
HÖFUÐDRÆTTIR ÚR BROTAKENNDRI ÆVI