Summary: | Manuscript fair copy on vellum, with many scribal abbreviations. Rubricated, with decorated initials. Rebound in white calf, with contrasting morocco spine label. Housed in clamshell box. Its original binding, together with its original sewing material and supports, is housed in a separate clamshell box, lettered Lögbók Íslendinga on spine. Manuscript fair copy on vellum, with many scribal abbreviations. Rubricated, with decorated initials. Rebound in white calf, with contrasting morocco spine label. Housed in clamshell box. Its original binding, together with its original sewing material and supports, is housed in a separate clamshell box, lettered Lögbók Íslendinga on spine. Jónsbók, #8765 Bd. Ms. 1. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library. Mode of access: Internet. Jónsbók is a law code developed by King Haakon IV Haakonsson of Norway, who gained sovereignty over Iceland and Greenland in 1261-1262. The existing laws were subsequently compiled by Jón Einarsson (hence the name Jónsbók) at the request of King Magnus Hakonsson (Magnus VI Lagabœtir, son of Haakon IV). The Alþing, the Icelandic parliament, accepted Jónsbók as its legal code in 1281. It was in force until the 17th century, and some of its provisions remain in force today. Provenance: Willard Fiske (bookplate). Purchased from Quaritch in London in 1886.
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