description Flateyjarbók Overview
Flateyjarbók is a large Icelandic vellum codex compiled between 1387 and 1394 and catalogued as GKS 1005 fol. It preserves Old Norse kings' sagas, shorter tales, poems, genealogies, and narratives concerning Norse voyages to Vinland. The manuscript is held in Reykjavik by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies and is a major source for the study of medieval Icelandic literature and history.
insights Ranking position
Flateyjarbók ranks #32 of 243 in the Manuscript ranking, behind Manesse Codex, ahead of Flateyjarbók (GKS 1005 fol.).
help Flateyjarbók FAQ
Why is the manuscript called Flateyjarbók?
The name means Book of Flatey and comes from the Icelandic island where the codex was kept for centuries. It was later transferred to Denmark and returned to Iceland in 1971.
When was Flateyjarbók written?
Its principal production ran from 1387 to 1394, although additions were made afterward. It is one of the largest surviving medieval Icelandic manuscripts.
What makes Flateyjarbók different from a single saga manuscript?
It is a compilation containing kings' sagas, short tales, annals, poems, genealogies, and other historical material. Some works or versions survive only within this codex, giving it exceptional value for Old Norse studies.
Where is Flateyjarbók kept today?
It is held in Reykjavík by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Its formal shelfmark is GKS 1005 fol., inherited from its period in the Danish Royal Library's Old Royal Collection.
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