Jónsbók is a book of laws, named after Jón Einarsson (d. 1306) who wrote a large part of its first manuscript, was issued in 1281 and became very popular. Even today it is preserved in over 260 copies of manuscripts and some of its sections are still valid. This copy is written in the bishopsite of Hólar in 1681 on quality paper with lavish margins neatly written with ornated capitals and headings in two colours, blue and red. Vignettes or tailpieces at end of chapters are sometimes quite magnificent. Two drawings of King Magnus Hakonarson on the pages ahead of the title page might be a bit naivistic but have got the lion and all the other symbols of the king’s power. Jónsbók's chapters focuses on use of land, tenancy, personal rights, farming, maritime law, marriage and family law, and inheritance, in addition to poor law and theft law.
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