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The first Icelandic hermits in a pagan environment: Ásólfs þáttr in Landnámabók
https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2024-1-66-76
Abstract
Despite the uniformity of the main body of the Icelandic Landnámabók the þáttr about Ásólfr alskik, a hermit of the initial period of the settlement of the island, varies greatly in its early redactions. In the manuscript Sturlubók, Ásólfr’s voluntary life as a hermit is motivated by his reluctance to have contact his pagan neighbours, and the miracles he performs are open to rational interpretation. In addition, this redaction does not emphasise Ásólfr’s nationality at all. A completely different picture is presented by the second redaction, Hauksbók. The text of the þáttr here is about three times longer. In particular, additional posthumous miracles and prophetic dreams led to the discovery of the hermit’s relics and their transfer to the church. Ásólfr’s family ties are specified in detail, and his Celtic roots are especially noted. Analysis of this version clearly demonstrates how important the role of Celtic and AngloSaxon Christianity was in the Christianisation of Iceland. This is probably why, according to the Hauksbók version, the text of Ásólfs þáttr is reproduced in all subsequent redactions of Landnámabók.
About the Author
E. V. LitovskikhRussian Federation
Elena V. Litovskikh, Cand. of Sci. (History)
32a, Leninskii Av., Moscow, 119334
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Supplementary files
For citation: Litovskikh E.V. The first Icelandic hermits in a pagan environment: Ásólfs þáttr in Landnámabók. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies”, Series. 2024;(1):66-76. https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2024-1-66-76
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