Gripla - 2021, Qupperneq 78

GRIPLA76
The Old Norse translation of the Algorismus was edited by P.A.
Munch15 in 1848 and Finnur Jónsson and Eiríkur Jónsson16 in 1892–96.
Both of these editions were based on the copy in Hauksbók, which has
subsequently formed the basis for further study of the text. This copy is
attributed to an Icelandic scribe, often referred to as “the first Icelandic
secretary,” in the employ of Haukr Erlendsson.17 The Algorismus appears
in the manuscript between two sagas, with Fóstbrœðra saga preceding it
and Eiríks saga rauða following.
In contrast to the context of the copy in AM 544, the Algorismus in
GKS 1812 appears immediately after a diagram illustrating some inscribed
geometrical figures and precedes a short passage describing the division of
a Latin unit of measurement, the as, into fractional parts. The leaves of the
manuscript measure 210 mm by 140 mm.18 Folios 13v through 16v have be-
tween thirty-two and thirty-five lines per page. The copy is attributed to a
scribe who was most likely either Norwegian or at least trained in Norway,
although he often uses Icelandic spellings, such as hlutum, oiofnn, henni,
hin, and hinum (rather than the Norwegian forms lutum, uiofn,19 henne,20
in, and inum), and writes in a cursive style compatible with Icelandic script
of the time. Haraldur Bernharðsson conjectures that this scribe “may have
been trained in the scribal milieu associated with the royal chancery and St.
Mary’s Church in Oslo in the first half of the fourteenth century.”21 There
are a number of arguments to support this claim. For example, Haraldur
points to the scribeʼs use of the ligature “ꝏ” for “æ” as typical for a scribe
working in that setting.22 Moreover, the consistent distinction between
15 P. A. Munch, “Algorismus, eller Anviisning til at kjende og anvende de saakaldte arabiske
Tal, efter Hr. Hauk Erlendssons Codex,” Annaler for nordisk oldkyndighed og historie (1848):
353–75.
16 Hauksbók, eds. Finnur Jónsson and Eiríkur Jónsson (København: Thieles Bogtrykkeri,
1892–96).
17 “AM 544 4to: Hauksbók; Iceland and Norway, 1290–1360,” handrit.is (National/University
Library of Iceland), https://handrit.is/en/manuscript/view/en/AM04-0544; Otto B.
Bekken and Marit Christoffersen, “Algorismus,” Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia, 8.
18 “GKS 1812 4to, 13v–16v,” handrit.is (National / University Library of Iceland), https://
handrit.is/en/manuscript/view/is/GKS04-1812.
19 Although he uses this form once, in 14r/27.
20 Although he uses this form once, in 14r/31.
21 Haraldur Bernharðsson, “Scribes and Scribal Practice in GKS 1812 4to,” 112.
22 Op.cit., 110. Here Haraldur cites Eivind Vágslid [=Vågslid], Norske logmannsbrev frå
millom alderen: Ei skrifthistorisk etterrøking av logmannsbrev frå Oslo, Uppland, Skien, Tunsberg,