Arngrímr Brandsson, Mörtu saga ok Maríu Magðalenu

Natalie M Van Deusen (University of Alberta)

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. 1350

Places

Iceland (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Poem

Resources

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The Old Norse-Icelandic saga of Martha and Mary Magdalen,

Mǫrtu saga ok Maríu Magðalenu

, is a mid-fourteenth century hagiography likely compiled by Icelandic priest and abbot Árngrímr Brandsson (d. 1361) (Van Deusen 2014; Van Deusen 2019: 83-89). The saga provides a complete account of the lives of Martha of Bethany and Mary Magdalen, the latter of whom was understood during the Middle Ages as not only the sinner out of whom Jesus cast seven demons, but also Mary of Bethany (sister of Martha and Lazarus) and the unnamed sinner in the Gospel of Luke. The saga summarizes the various biblical stories involving the two sisters of Bethany, including the feast at the home of Simon the Pharisee, Jesus’ visit to Bethany, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Martha’s recognition of Jesus…

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1090 words

Citation: Van Deusen, Natalie M. "Mörtu saga ok Maríu Magðalenu". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 March 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=40947, accessed 24 April 2024.]

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