Fragment of the Old Norwegian General Law of King Magnus IV, 1300-1320
Scope and Contents
This is a leaf from an Old Norwegian codex of the General Law of King Magnus IV. It does not seem to belong to any of the other extant legal fragments/codices that survive in Scandinavian archives. The left margin of the leaf is significantly cut away, but the quality of it is still apparent. The vellum is good, and the hand is excellent. The leaf can be traced to Bergen, because of distinct use of vowels that is also found in charters from Bergen.
Excellent hand, by a trained scribe. There is rubrication and some blue and red initials.
Dates
- Creation: 1300-1320
Creator
- Magnus IV, King of Norway, 1115-1139 (Associated name, Person)
Language of Materials
Old Norwegian
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Extent
1 folios
Custodial History
Little is known about this leaf, but it did belong to David Laing, who visited Scandinavia three different times, and also was in Orkney and Shetland, where he might have acquired this fragment.
Bibliography
Physical Facet
Material: Vellum
Dimensions
16.83 cm x 26.04 cm
Lines to a page
25 lines to a page
Creator
- Magnus IV, King of Norway, 1115-1139 (Associated name, Person)
Source
- Laing, David, 1793-1878 (antiquarian, bookseller, and librarian of the Signet Library) (Former owner, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk