Saga of St. Jón of Hólar

This volume contains a translation of the version of theSaga of St. Jón ofHólarthat is probably closest to the first Latin vita. It isonlythe second saga of an Icelandic episcopal saint to appear in a modern translation in the present century.The volume consists of two parts, the first comprising a general introduction and a translation by Margaret Cormack. The second part provides a detailed scholarly analysis of the manuscripts, contents, style, and literary connections of the saga by the late Peter Foote, one of theforemostscholars of Old NorseandIcelandic literature. TheJónssaga was written in the early thirteenth century, nearly a century after the death of its protagonist, the first bishop of the diocese ofHólarin Northern Iceland. The author of the saga combined Latin learning with native folklore to produce a readable narrative that is contemporary with the earliest family and contemporary sagas.Thistext provides valuableinsight into the religious life of ordinary Icelanders in the thirteenth century, andthe introduction corrects common misconceptions about ecclesiastical history and the cult of saints in Iceland. It will be of value to scholars ofmedieval Icelandic literature, hagiography, and history.