Anonymous, Guðmundar saga Arasonar

Margaret Cormack (College of Charleston)

Ed. by Ármann Jakobsson, University of Iceland
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.3.4: Icelandic Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Ármann Jakobsson (University of Iceland), Kjerstin Moody (Gustavus Adolphus College), Sven Hakon Rossel (Universitat Wien), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen (University College London)

Dates

First circulation or publication c. 1203

Places

Iceland (Country of Origin; Publication/ performance)

Genres and Modes

Prose Fiction Narrative

Resources

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Guðmundr Arason was born in 1161 and ordained priest at the age of twenty-four. He was instrumental in the local canonization of St Þorlákr Þórhallsson at Skálholt in 1198 and St Jón Ögmundarson at Hólar in 1200. Guðmundr was elected bishop of Hólar in 1203; during a stormy episcopacy he was sometimes forced away from his see by secular leaders. Furthermore, he was removed from office in 1232, though he was back at Hólar in 1235. He died in 1237. Unlike the two saints whose canonization he promoted, Guðmundr appears to have been credited with miracles during his own lifetime--in particular the blessing of springs which, as a result, acquired healing properties. In 1315 his bones were exhumed, “on account of vows and miracles” according to the Icelandic annals, and his…

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2027 words

Citation: Cormack, Margaret. "Guðmundar saga Arasonar". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 July 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=40932, accessed 26 April 2024.]

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