Political Interaction in Late 13 th -Century Iceland Sayaka Matsumoto （ Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan ） The 2013 Medieval Association of the Pacific Conference, 21-23 March 2013, University of San Diego [email protected] An Unknowing Traitor and the Just King 1
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Political Interaction in Late 13th-Century Iceland
Sayaka Matsumoto（ Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan ）
The 2013 Medieval Association of the Pacific Conference,
21-23 March 2013, University of San Diego
An Unknowing Traitor and
the Just King
1
Iceland
2
0. Introduction
(©Ingólfr: Norske-Islandsk Hopehav 870-1536 (2005). pp.18-19)
Backgrounds Settlement c.870-c.930 “The Icelandic Free State” c.930-1262
Laws, an assembly system No kings ⇔
→ “A feuding society” cf. J.L. Byock (1982;1988); W.I. Miller (1990)
The submission to the king in Norway in 1262-64
New laws3
0. Introduction
My Research How political practice changed under the king’s rule?
Arguments over loyalty to the king
→ A case study: Loptr Helgason’s conflicts
Outline1. Source2. Text analyses & Discussions (1)3. Text analyses & Discussions (2)4. Conclusions
4
0. Introduction
Árna saga biskups (The Saga of Bishop Árni)
Árni Þorláksson: Bishop of Skálholt (1269-1298) The bishop’s life 1237 to c.1290 Written shortly after 1290 Struggles for the Church’s rights Relatively reliable historical source
5
1. Source
A conflict in 1277-8Figure 1: Relationships in the conflict
Eindriði böggull (a Norwegian royal agent)
Bishop Árni (d.1298)
Björn (a farmer)Þóra
Borghildur
Ásbjörg Helgi
Eyjólfr ofsi
Loptr(the steward of Skálholt cathedral)
kinship
cooperation
Ásgrímr the knight
(a royal official)conflict
cooperation
6
2. Text analysis (1)
Figure 2:Royal
officials under
King’s rule
KING
Governor hirðstjóri,
hofuðsmaður
Lawmen lögmenn
Bailiff fógeti
Sheriff valdsmenn, sýslumenn, lénsmenn
(4 – c.20)
inIceland
in Norway (later Denmark)
Members of the Law cauncillögréttumenn(36 farmers)
(After Gunnar Karlsson, The History of Iceland, Minneapolis, 2000, p.93.)
7
2. Text analysis (1)
A conflict in 1277-8Figure 1: Relationships in the conflict
Eindriði böggull (a Norwegian royal agent)
Bishop Árni (d.1298)
Björn (a farmer)Þóra
Borghildur
Ásbjörg Helgi
Eyjólfr ofsi
Loptr(the steward of Skálholt cathedral)
kinship
cooperation
Ásgrímr the knight
(a royal official)conflict
cooperation
8
2. Text analysis (1)
A rumor
→ The royal agent summoned Björn and Loptr in a rage
→ A meeting, settlement
9
2. Text analysis (1)
“They, Björn and Loptr, had spoken in a more disrespectful way about the kingship than was seemly.” (“þeir Björn ok Loptr hefði talat ósæmiligar til konungsdómsins en byrjaði.” )
(Árna saga biskups, ch.60)
The allegation of high treason The Summons to Norway
Not uncommon before 1262 ⇔ Limited to king’s own retainers
In 1277-78 the king could summon every Icelander
10
2. Text analysis (1)
the oath of fidelity
The oath: From 1230s in Iceland → Járnsíða (1271): a new law code by King Magnús
A legal institution to secure loyalty to the king
“It was agreed that they swore the oath of fidelity to lord King Magnús and King Eiríkr and the Duke Hákon.”
(“Því varð þat at sætt at þeir sóru trúnaðareiða herra Magnúsi konungi ok Eiríki konungi ok hertoganum Hákoni.”)
(Árna saga biskups, ch.60)
11
2. Text analysis (1)
The change of king in 1281 Another agent from Norway: Loðinn leppr
The oath of fidelity to the new king, Eiríkr Loptr also swore the oath with farmers
12
3. Text analysis (2)
King Eiríkr’s seal
The assembly in 1281 A new law code: Jónsbók Rex iustus, the just king ideology
King ought to monopolize law and justice
Icelanders Would not lose their rights to discuss the law with the king
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3. Text analysis (2)
Bishop Árni and 9 followers Refused to accept the law “Traitors”/ Summoned by Loðinn leppr
Loptr – the worst Two oaths of fidelity ⇔ did not accept the king’s law
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3. Text analysis (2)
Loptr vs. Ásgrímr
1281 summer: Loptr was called a traitor 1281 winter: Loptr sold the land of Hlíð1282: Accusation by Ásgrímr
Land of a traitor → King’s property
15
3. Text analysis (2)
Ásgrímr: an Icelandic royal official Called Loptr as traitor, perjurer
Loptr Had demonstrated his full obligation as a king’s subject Sailed to Norway, stayed for 4 winters
16
1283: An Unknowing Traitor
3. Text analysis (2)
Conclusions
⇒ Flexible attitudes towards remote kings
17
4. Conclusions
1) Allegation of high treason• Taken seriously
• Difference according to social classes
2) Use of king’s authority in local conflicts
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