Hauksbók

Hauksbók is a medieval Icelandic manuscript. It is a significant source for Old Norse literature and history, compiled in the early 14th century by Haukr Erlendsson, a lawspeaker and prominent figure in Icelandic society.

Content and Significance:

Hauksbók is notable for containing a diverse range of texts, encompassing both sagas and shorter narratives. Some of its most important contents include:

• Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements): Hauksbók preserves one of the versions of Landnámabók, a crucial document detailing the settlement of Iceland by Norse immigrants. It is considered more detailed than other versions.
• Fóstbrœðra saga (The Saga of the Sworn Brothers): This saga, recounting the adventures and loyalty of Þorgeirr Hávarsson and Þormóðr Kolbrúnarskáld, is found complete in Hauksbók.
• Herrauðs saga ok Grímkels: A shorter saga.
• Several shorter tales and fragments.
• Mathematical treatises: Hauksbók also contains sections on mathematics, geometry, and possibly calendrical calculations, reflecting the wider intellectual interests of the time. These sections are mostly translations of continental European works.
• Legal Texts: As Haukr Erlendsson was a lawspeaker, the manuscript also contains relevant legal texts.

Manuscript History and Preservation:

Hauksbók takes its name from Haukr Erlendsson, who is believed to have been the primary compiler and scribe. The manuscript was likely compiled between 1302 and 1312. The manuscript has undergone several alterations and additions over the centuries. Today, Hauksbók is a valuable resource for scholars studying Old Norse language, literature, history, and culture, as it offers a window into the intellectual and literary landscape of medieval Iceland. Its preservation allows for continued research and understanding of this important period in Scandinavian history.