Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1981, Blaðsíða 47

liga af allri konungs hird, [jviat hann var audigr at eignum ok
vaskr i våpnaskipti, mildr i gjofum, hygginn i rådum, blidr i
måli ok reyndr at drengskap, frægr ok fullgerr. (27:11-15).
([He] was highly esteemed for chivalry, magnificently and honorably
by all the king’s court, because he was rich in possessions, valiant in
battie, generous with gifts, discreet in foresight, cheerful in speech,
proven in courage, famous and perfectly mature.)
The portrait of King Arthur in Mottuls saga seems to be a stereotype.
Characteristics ascribed to the legendary king are not solely the preroga-
tive of rulers, but betoken the ideal person in the world of romance.
References to munificence, prowess, cheerfulness, prudence and farne
are standard fare and abound in a variety of combinations in the riddara-
sogur.
The depiction of King Arthur in action or, as is more often the case, in
royal passivity yields more remarkable results regarding his function in
the riddarasogur. To a large extent the king’s behavior is determined by
the French sources; nonetheless, a seemingly minor interpolation here
and there in the sagas, or even a stylistic embellishment, can result in
nuances affecting our perception of the ruler.
One of Arthur’s idiosyncrasies is his refusal to eat on a feast day until
an adventure has taken place at court or until news of one occurring
elsewhere has been reported. Mention of this royal habit is made in
Mottuls saga and in Parcevals saga (26:10 ff.). The passage in the latter
saga corresponds to vv. 2822-26 in the French Perceval, but Mottuls saga
expands the information given in Le mantel mautaillié (vv. 90-95) in order
to provide an explanation for Arthur’s insistence on news before dining.
We learn that intelligence concerning the world about him is a source of
merriment and amusement - giedi ok gaman (6:3) - for the king. In
faet, Mottuls saga anticipates the references to Arthur’s penchant for
news with an interpolation. At the very outset we learn why King Arthur
invites so many to the great feast of Pentecost: he was a most inquisitive
man and wanted to be apprised of all news of events that took place both
at home and abroad. The anticipatory interpolation has a double func-
tion. First, it explains to an audience unacquainted with Arthur’s quirks
his invitation to all - to those traveling through the woods, on highways
and byways (possibly an allusion to Christ’s parable of the wedding feast)
- to celebrate a great feast at his court. Second, the interpolation pre-
pares the reader to accept Arthur’s need for news and food for thought
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