AM 181 a-l originally were components of a single paper manuscript containing Riddarasögur. This codex was commisioned by Þorsteinn Björnsson, who was the minister of Útskálar on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-western Iceland from 1638 to 1660. During his years in office, Þorsteinn had much medieval Icelandic litterature copied. His source for the riddarasögur now in 181 was Stockholm Perg. 4to nr. 6.
„Hier hefst | saga af Erex | Artus kappa“
Blaisdell, Erex saga Artuskappa
„Hier hefur | saga af Sam|sone fagra“
Paper.
The leaves were foliated twice. The original numbers written in the upper right-hand corners: 532-548. Kålund later foliated this part 1-17 on the recto-leaves, between the columns.
Written in double columns with 51 to 59 lines to each page.
Written in three different hands. The first hand wrote ff. 1ra-11vb.
The second hand wrote ff. 11vb-13vb.
The third hand wrote ff. 14ra-17rb.
Bound in cardboard cover; on the front cover a table of contents is found: Artus Kappa Sögur. videl. | 1.) Erreks Saga. | 2.) Samsonar Fagra Saga | Möttuls saga.
AM 181 fol is written in Útskálar, Iceland between 1638 and 1652 ( Slay 1972 23a).
Other datings:
AM 181 fol. belonged to the man who commissioned the manuscript, Þorsteinn Björnsson (1612-75). Subsequently lögmaður Sigurður Björnsson took it into possession.
AM 181 a-l fol. once belonged to the same codex but they were divided into smaller components and AM 181 d and g-l fol. are now transferred to Iceland.
Catalogued 22. febrúar 2002 by EW-J.