Gripla - 01.01.1993, Blaðsíða 239

ABBOT ARNGRÍMR'S GUÐMUNDAR SAGA BISKUPS
239
Kolbeinn felt compelled to apologize for the use of a cloth unworthy
of the dignity of Guömundr’s office. Guðmundr, however, pointedly
referred to the appropriateness of the cloth, as its tears and holes au-
gured the tattered state into which his episcopacy would be plunged.
The figurative explanation of what appeared to be fortuitous negli-
gence is thus revealed to be a sign of malice and indicative of his host’s
future aggression.
In ascribing self-serving and cynical motives to Kolbeinn, Arngrímr
reported what was considered to be historical fact. Sturla Þórðarson
also mentioned in his brief commentary on the election the widely
held belief that Kolbeinn expected the candidate to be a tool in his
goal to extend his power over the clergy. The reasoning was that, dur-
ing Guðmundr’s service as priest to Kolbeinn, Guðmundr had shown
himself to be a popular and moderate man (ch. 12, p. 238). Still, there
is a major difference in presentation. Sturla unequivocally assigns to
Kolbeinn the leading role in the election.26 Arngrímr does not. The
election proceedings are conducted, according to Arngrímr, in a ca-
nonical spirit, as they are dominated by two prominent members of
the clergy, the abbot of Þingeyrar and the abbot of Þverá. The decid-
ing factor was, other than the desire to elect a candidate from the
north, Guðmundr’s spiritual superiority. Seemingly, Kolbeinn has a
minor or, rather, an ancillary role, for Guðmundr is elected by all of
the people of the Hólar diocese. Nevertheless, Kolbeinn’s importance,
while suppressed during the narration of events, surfaces twice: once,
in the religious dictum that oftliga sœkir eitt mót góðr vili guðs ok illr
vili manns, ‘God’s good will and man’s evil will often coincide’ (ch. 20,
p. 213), and, secondly in the vindication of customary Icelandic elec-
tion procedures. This justification is presented in an exposé of histor-
ical precedent during the Carolingian era: As witnessed by Gregory VI
on his death bed, Pope Hadrian had sanctioned Charlemagne’s right to
confirm the bishop elect in Italy itself. In Arngrímr’s day, the question
26 On episcopal elections, see Magnús Már Lárusson, “Biskupskjör á fslandi," And-
vari 81 (1956), 92-95. See also Klaus Ganzer, “Zur Beschrankung der Bischofswahl auf
die Domkapitel in Theorie und Praxis des 12. und 13. Jahrhunderts,“ Zeitschrift der Sa-
vigny-Stiftung fiir Rechtsgeschichte, Kanonistische Abteilung, 57, 58, (1971,1972), 22-82,
166-97. See also Jesse L. Byock, “Bishops and Priests," Medieval Iceland. Society, Sagas,
and Power (Berkeley: University of California, 1988), pp. 154-64, for social relations and
political status of the church.