Flateyjarbok

Flateyjarbok is a medieval Icelandic manuscript that contains a collection of sagas and historical documents. The codex is a significant work of Old Norse literature, providing valuable insights into the culture, history, and mythology of medieval Scandinavia. The manuscript is composed of 67 parchment leaves and is dated to the 14th century.

The text of Flateyjarbok is primarily written in Latin and Old Norse. It is divided into several sections, including a account of the Christianization of Iceland, a history of the early kings of Norway, and a collection of short stories and historical anecdotes. The manuscript also contains several famous Icelandic sagas, including Njáls saga and Sverris saga.

The name Flateyjarbok is likely derived from the island of Flatey, which is located in the Breidafjörður strait of western Iceland. The manuscript itself is now housed at the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies in Reykjavik, Iceland. Scholars have made numerous attempts to date the manuscript precisely, but the most widely accepted estimate attributes its composition to the period between 1375 and 1390.

Flateyjarbok is considered an important source for understanding medieval Icelandic society and culture, in addition to its value as a historical and literary document. The manuscript's text has been the subject of extensive scholarly analysis and has been used as a reference in numerous scholarly studies. Despite its significance, Flateyjarbok remains relatively lesser known compared to other notable works of Old Norse literature.