4.1.2. Laufás Edda (LaufE)

Stemma of the X branch (adapted from LaufE 1979, 51):

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Manuscripts: X branch

758ˣ: AM 758 4°ˣ (c. 1609; Magnús Ólafsson’s autograph copy, X¹). Incomplete, with lacunae; currently 26 paper leaves. The text is a copy of sections in W with little attempt to reproduce the medieval orthography. For a discussion of this ms., see LaufE 1979, 34-9.

papp10ˣ: Holm papp 10 4°ˣ (Icelandic, c. 1650-1700, X²). Fols 12r-53v contain LaufE, copied from 758ˣ when that ms. was complete, via an intermediate ms. Somewhat inaccurate copy of the text in 758ˣ but reliable for reconstructing the lacunae in 758ˣ. For a discussion of this ms., see LaufE 1979, 40-3.

1494ˣ: Thott 1494 4°ˣ (c. 1650-1700, X³). Fols 1-68r are a copy of the X version derived from 758ˣ when that ms. was complete, probably with more than one intermediate ms., with some interpolations from other sources (notably mss R and U of SnE). For a discussion of this ms., see LaufE 1979, 43-8.

164ˣ: AM 164 8°ˣ (c. 1650-1700, X⁴). Fols 1-45r contains Annar Partur, i.e. the lists of kennings and heiti, but no Dæmisögur. The text is close to papp10ˣ and 1494ˣ. For a discussion, see LaufE 1979, 48-50.

Manuscripts: Y branch

2368ˣ: GKS 2368 4°ˣ (c. 1650, Y¹). Pages 1-136 contains LaufE. There are minor alterations and errors in the second part (pp. 79-136) where RE 1665 agrees with 743ˣ (and not with 2368ˣ). For a discussion of this ms., see LaufE 1979, 54-6.

743ˣ: AM 743 4°ˣ (written by Ketill Jörundsson (1603-70), Y²). Fols 1-58v contain materials from LaufE and the Prologue to SnE, fols 60-62 are blank and the second part begins on fol. 63r and ends on fol. 101v. Following fol. 101v there is miscellaneous material that is not in 2368ˣ (for appended materials, see the list in LaufE 1979, 57-9; see also Introduction to Anon Gátur in the present volume), and Árni Magnússon added marginal notes from a ms. close to 164ˣ. For a discussion of this ms., see LaufE 1979, 56-62.

Interpolated mss

742ˣ: AM 742 4°ˣ (c. 1650-1700, written by Björn Jónsson of Skarðsá). Rearranged version of the second part of LaufE with interpolated materials from SnE and other sources. See Jón Helgason (1966a) for materials not recorded elsewhere. For a discussion of this ms., see LaufE 1979, 106-7.

1496ˣ: Thott 1496 4°ˣ (c. 1765). Derived from a text similar to that in X³, but also including material from the second part of the Y version (the second part is from Y¹). See also Jón Helgason (1966a) and LaufE 1979, 110-11.

1116ˣ: Lbs 1116 4°ˣ (written 1819). Contains shorter extracts of SnE based on W, as well as material from LaufE (see LaufE 1979, 152-3; Jón Helgason 1966a, 176).

21 6 7 IIˣ: Adv 21 6 7 IIˣ (1750-3, written by Jón Egilsson á Stóra Vatnshorni í Haukadal). See LaufE 1979, 129-31. Used in SkP II, but not in the present vol.

Magnús Ólafsson’s LaufE is a seventeenth-century adaptation of SnE based on ms. W when that ms. was more complete than it is today (for Magnús Ólafsson, see Section 5.2 below). Magnús rearranged and abbreviated the W version of Gylf and Skm and also sporadically included other materials found in that ms., e.g. the section on þokumenn ‘fog-men’ from FoGT (see Anon (FoGT) 30 and Note to [All]). The poetry in LaufE edited in the SkP volumes is transmitted in the two main parts of that work, the Dæmisögur ‘stories, parables’, myths found in Gylf (LaufE 1979, 189-252; contains Anon (FoGT) 30 only), and Annar partur Eddu wmm kienningar ‘The second part of Edda about kennings’ (LaufE 1979, 253-312, 328-407), usually referred to as Annar Partur. The latter part contains materials from Skm and the þulur (heiti and kennings) with accompanying stanzas that illustrate the poetic diction discussed, as in Skm. The heiti and kennings are divided into alphabetical sections from A (Noffn Äsanna ‘Names of the Æsir’, ibid., 252) to Þ (Þang heiter og þari ‘Seaweed and kelp are called’, ibid., 311, 402). The mss of LaufE are divided into an X branch and a Y branch (see above); the shorter X branch most likely represents an abbreviated version of the more extensive Y branch. Both X and Y are abbreviated and re-arranged versions of ms. W and supplemented with the same sources, such as a ms. (or mss) of the þulur, Litla Skálda (see mss A and B above) or a similar compilation, as well as mss of SnE that are no longer extant, including a ms. related to mss A and B, possibly their common antecedent (ibid., 159-77). The Y branch contains more stanzas than the X branch, and errors present in the X branch are usually not reproduced in the Y branch. Magnús Ólafsson translated his Edda into Latin. The translation, which is no longer extant, was based on the Y branch, and it was sent to Denmark in 1629 (ibid., 62; Resen 1977, 55-6).

Poetry in LaufE

Because most of the poetry found in LaufE is also transmitted in other, medieval sources (notably in W) and has little independent value, the LaufE mss are usually not included in the Readings of the SkP editions, but the mss and edition are mentioned in the Introductions to the individual stanzas when pertinent. Readings are included if a comparison with the medieval ms. witnesses shows that the LaufE version most likely derives from a now lost ms., such as the antecedent of mss A and B, or may represent the readings of W when that ms. was more complete than it is today. Poetry that is uniquely transmitted in LaufE includes the following stanzas (in alphabetical order with the anonymous poetry at the end): Arn Frag 4-6, 8, Bjarni Frag 3-5, ESk Lv 14-15, Hallg Frag, HSt Frag 6-7, Ormr Woman 6, Refr Frag 2, Ólsv Hákdr 2, Rv Lv 34-5, Sigv Frag 2, Sturl Frag 1-2, ÞSjár Frag 4, Anon Bjark 3, 7, Anon GnóðÁsm, Anon (LaufE) 1-10, Anon Stríðk.

Edition: LaufE 1979.

The mss listed below are used in the SkP editions (SkP I-III). For detailed descriptions of the numerous post-medieval mss containing versions of or materials from LaufE, see LaufE 1979, 105-53.

References

1. Bibliography
2. LaufE 1979 = Faulkes, Anthony, ed. 1979. Edda Magnúsar Ólafssonar (Laufás Edda). RSÁM 13. Vol. I of Two Versions of Snorra Edda from the 17th Century. Reykjavík: Stofnun Árna Magnússonar, 1977-9.
3. Jón Helgason. 1966a. ‘Verse aus der Laufás-Edda’. In Rudolph et al. 1966, 175-80.
4. SkP = Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages. Turnhout: Brepols.
5. SkP I = Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 1: From Mythical Times to c. 1035. Ed. Diana Whaley. 2012.
6. SkP II = Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 2: From c. 1035 to c. 1300. Ed. Kari Ellen Gade. 2009.
7. Resen 1977 = Faulkes, Anthony. 1977a. Edda Íslandorum. Völuspá. Hávamál. Vol. II of Two Versions of Snorra Edda from the 17th Century. Reykjavík: Stofnun Árna Magnússonar. 1977-9.
8. Internal references
9. Edith Marold 2017, ‘Snorra Edda (Prologue, Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál)’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols [check printed volume for citation].
10. Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.) 2017, ‘Anonymous Poems, Bjarkamál in fornu 3’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 499.
11. (forthcoming), ‘ Unattributed, The Fourth Grammatical Treatise’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. . <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=34> (accessed 24 April 2024)
12. (forthcoming), ‘ Snorri Sturluson, Skáldskaparmál’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. . <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=112> (accessed 24 April 2024)
13. (forthcoming), ‘ Snorri Sturluson, Gylfaginning’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. . <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=113> (accessed 24 April 2024)
14. Margaret Clunies Ross 2017, ‘ Anonymous, Gnóðar-Ásmundar drápa’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 626. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1011> (accessed 24 April 2024)
15. Margaret Clunies Ross 2017, ‘ Anonymous, Stríðkeravísur’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 628. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1042> (accessed 24 April 2024)
16. Kari Ellen Gade (ed.) 2017, ‘Anonymous Lausavísur, Stanzas from Laufás Edda 1’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 637.
17. Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.) 2017, ‘Anonymous Lausavísur, Stanzas from the Fourth Grammatical Treatise 30’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 606.
18. Diana Whaley (ed.) 2017, ‘Arnórr jarlaskáld Þórðarson, Fragments 4’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 6.
19. Edith Marold (ed.) 2017, ‘Bjarni ...ason, Fragments 3’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 23.
20. Kari Ellen Gade (ed.) 2017, ‘Einarr Skúlason, Lausavísur 14’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 177.
21. R. D. Fulk 2017, ‘ Hallgrímr, Fragment’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 226. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=2979> (accessed 24 April 2024)
22. Edith Marold (ed.) 2017, ‘Hofgarða-Refr Gestsson, Fragments 2’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 261.
23. Edith Marold (ed.) 2017, ‘Hallar-Steinn, Fragments 6’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 208.
24. R. D. Fulk (ed.) 2017, ‘Óláfr svartaskáld Leggsson, Hákonardrápa 2’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 312.
25. Judith Jesch (ed.) 2017, ‘Rǫgnvaldr jarl Kali Kolsson, Lausavísur 34’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 343.
26. Diana Whaley (ed.) 2017, ‘Sigvatr Þórðarson, Fragments 2’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 349.
27. Valgerður Erna Þorvaldsdóttir (ed.) 2017, ‘Sturla Þórðarson, Fragments 1’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 392.
28. Kari Ellen Gade (ed.) 2017, ‘Þórðr Særeksson (Sjáreksson), Fragments 4’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 480.
29. Russell Poole (ed.) 2017, ‘Ormr Steinþórsson, Poem about a woman 6’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 331.
30. (forthcoming), ‘ Unattributed, Laufás Edda’ in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds), Poetry from Treatises on Poetics. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3. Turnhout: Brepols, p. . <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=10928> (accessed 24 April 2024)