Jörundur the Dog-Days King prepares to found a republic in June 1809
Jörgen Jörgensen (1780–1841), who was called hundadagakonungur (the Dog-Days King), came to Iceland in June 1809. The English, led by Jörgen, arrested Governor Trampe on 25 June after a dispute between the English and the Danes over their agreement on trade by English subjects in Iceland. The same day Jörgen published a proclamation in eleven articles declaring that Danish rule in Iceland was abolished. The first article read: “All Danish authority is abolished in Iceland”. At the same time radical reforms were announced. A national representative assembly with legislative and judicial power was to be set up, a new national flag adopted, debts to merchants and the king written off, free trade introduced and the price of grain lowered, and tax relief and a reorganisation of schools and health care were announced.
On 11 July Jörgen first called himself “Protector of all Iceland and supreme commander at sea and on land”. He said he would give up power on 1 July 1810, when the assembly had met and appointed a regular government. The assembly was to be elected by universal suffrage, without restrictions such as property. Jörgen thus announced the founding of a republic in Iceland, and in this he was rather ahead of his time, since a republic was not founded in Iceland until 135 years later.
Jörgen’s proclamations are the National Library’s Highlights of the month in June 2009.
Click for a larger picture
 |
 |
Jón Þorkelsson’s edition of 1892:  |
|