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business of Hólar Diocese, functions which he performed until the arrival
of the new bishop in 1628. At Guðbrandur’s instigation and with his sup-
port, Arngrímur commenced the remarkable literary career which was to
establish him as the greatest Icelandic humanist writer. With respect to
the bishop’s private affairs, Arngrímur seems to have been his confidant
and at times also actively involved in his plans; it was in this connection
that he made the long journey to Copenhagen in 1592 and again in 1602.
Thus when Bishop Guðbrandur died, Arngrímur was undeniably the most
eligible candidate for the bishopric. By virtue of his education, experience
and literary works he was highly respected both in his home country and
abroad, as his correspondence shows. As widely expected, Arngrímur was
elected bishop at a meeting of the clergy of Hólar Diocese in the sum-
mer of 1627, but strangely enough he declined the office. Arngrímur has
always been considered an ambitious man, which has made it difficult to
fully explain why he refused an appointment that would have been the
apex of his career. He may, of course, have been tired and depressed in this
period, especially as he had lost his wife of almost thirty years just a few
weeks before, but he does not seem to have felt any serious signs of failing
health in general.24 Possibly he wanted more leisure to devote himself to
study and writing than the burdensome duties of a bishop would have left
him. Thus his refusal may have been sincere, although some believed that
he wanted the clergy to ask him more insistently. Another explanation
could be that Guðbrandur Þorláksson’s family, in particular his unmarried
daughter Halldóra, wanted Þorlákur to succeed his grandfather. Halldóra
was known to be an intelligent and most influential lady, and undoubtedly
wished the very best for her nephew, whom she had in fact brought up. In
all likelihood she not only desired this but was also active behind the scenes
in order to see her wishes realized. We shall probably never know in detail
how the matter developed, but the fact is that in the second round of vot-
ing Þorlákur Skúlason was elected bishop. His election was later confirmed
by the highest authorities both in Iceland and Copenhagen, where it caused
some surprise that it was he, not Arngrímur, who was to assume the office.
Nothing is known about Arngrímur’s feelings. Possibly his behaviour was
24 Arngrímur seems to have enjoyed good health to the very end of his life. In 1628 he married
Sigríður Bjarnadóttir, who was 27 at that time, and had at least seven children by her, the
youngest being born some four years before his own death.
TO TELL THE TRUTH – BUT NOT THE WHOLE TRUTH