Simon, John Le Couteur; (1966) A Critical Edition of Bjarnar saga Hítdœlakappa. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The aim of the thesis is a critical edition of Bjarnar saga Hítdœlakappa, providing as definitive a text as possible, based on a thorough examination of all known manuscripts of the saga. Variants and textual notes are furnished, together with a Commentary and translation, which as far as is known is the first in English. Bjarnar saga falls into two overlapping groups of sagas, those concerning poets and those which have for their theme the story of the Icelander who goes abroad, having asked his betrothed to wait for him for three years. He is delayed and in his absence his rival obtains his bride. The end of such tales is frequently tragic, as is the case with Bjarnar saga. With the exception of two fourteenth-century vellum sheets, Warner saga is preserved only in paper manuscripts from the seventeenth century and later, the principal manuscript dating from about 1650. All later copies descend from this manuscript, which, however, is itself incomplete. The lacuna in the middle cannot be filled but it is largely possible to restore the missing opening chapters by using material contained in a version of Oldfs saga helga preserved in manuscripts dating from about 1700. The saga deals with the rivalry of two Icelandic poets in their love for the same woman and in the exercise of their art. Scattered throughout the work are thirty-nine verses attributed to them. These verses are individually discussed in the Commentary, together with the question of their actual authorship. Extensive consideration has been given to the literary relations of Bjarnar saga with other Old Norse literature in endeavouring to arrive at its date of origin. No firm conclusion can be reached but the evidence appears to point to a date of around 1220 and probably to clerical authorship.

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